Big blue eyes as blue as the sea.  A shock of dark, wavy brown hair.  A pudgy, chipmunked-cheeked face that invites to be cuddled, pinched.  A beautiful singing voice.  A charming personality.

All of these things combine together to make up one very special boy:  our son, Carston Stryker, who is now three years old.

Carston Stryker was born special:  he was born with a neural-tube defect that affected his ability to walk, other things; yet he hasn't let his disabilities get in the way of whatever he wants to do.  He is as determined, as stubborn as they come, and we thank God for it.

Carston has had many a hospitalization, many surgeries; faces more in the future; yet we remain hopeful, hopeful that he may eventually walk on crutches.  (Right now he uses a walker.)  We have spent many times in prayer, many times at his bedside as he battles yet another surgery, another medical crisis.  Through it all, Carston handles it like a trooper.

My name is Wendy Joy Patterson.  Carston is our youngest child.  In addition to Carston, we also have a daughter, six-year-old Maeli Torrence (she was adopted from China when she was one), and another son, eight-year-old Spinner Regan.  All of our children have been joys of our world; we can't imagine our lives without them.

I am a housewife in Atlanta, Georgia, where we live.  My husband, Ethan, works as a contractor, makes good money, so we don't really have to worry all that much about bills (unless it's medical; then I'm grateful we have wonderful insurance coverage!).  Two of my children will be starting school in a matter of weeks; Carston, meanwhile, will stay home with me while the older children are at school.

You notice our children have unusual names.  Maybe it's because I want them to be unique, stand out.  Or maybe it's because of me.  When I'm not raising kids, I love to make crafts for people, sing in the church choir every week at Everlasting Arms Church of Christ (non-denominational), do yoga twice a week (in the mornings), raise organic vegetables, and help out at the senior citizen's center once a month.  I am a very busy woman, as you can see.

When I or Ethan aren't at home, my dear mother, Mamie, stays with the kids; they just dote on their NeNe; she is their best buddy.  I sometimes worry that she is going to spoil them, but she tells me that I'm being crazy.  Maybe so, but I am a mother:  it's my intuition to worry, especially if Carston happens to get sick or ends up in the hospital for whatever reason.

Well, Carston is calling for me again, so I will go.  Also, Spinner and Maeli sound like they are going to kill each other; they're getting into another fight.  So before there's any bloodshed, I'd best go.  I will write in here again with more stories about Carston, Spinner, and Maeli.  Until then, this is Wendy Patterson signing off!

~Wendy Patterson, mother to Carston, Maeli, and Spinner.

~To be continued.~