Mom Necklace

I've always loved wearing some sort of necklace symbolizing my babies.  I started out with a simple necklace with Brooke's birthstone in it then a few years ago I won a Lisa Leonard necklace so I had one made with Brooke and Lexy's names and I have wore that necklace almost every single day since I got it.

When the kids came to live with us "A" noticed my necklace and would ask almost daily when her name would be on my necklace.  I stopped wearing it because I felt bad for her but I missed having my necklace on so when Lisa Leonard was having a sale recently I decided that it was time to get a new one for myself....and I love it!! :)

Chosen....to belong, to be loved.

Informal 2012

Brooke had her high school sorority Informal dance this weekend.  The theme this year was "Foot Loose" and the decorations and all the western wear turned out looking really nice.

Brooke asked her date to the dance a while back.  She wanted to do something special instead of just asking so she came up with this...

They have an inside joke about being married on the moon so this was fitting and special :)

For the dance Brooke got ready with a group of friends.  We met them at the park for pictures with their dates in the evening and then they all headed back to a friends house to eat pizza before going to the dance.

Brooke and Jordan

Jordan/Brooke, Peyton/Natasha, Austin/Lindsey, Tyler/Laura, Keonna/Levi

 

 

 

Family

Papa and Grammy came for a visit and while they were here they took the very first picture of our family all together...

The kids suckered Grammy into reading all their books to them too :)

Life

Just some random "life in the Richards' home" pictures :)

Pumpkin Patch

Well we can say we ATTEMPTED the pumpkin patch :) 

 

 

 

We had some grumpy attitudes, a playground that wasn't made for little people and some sticker bushes but we got to experience the pumpkin patch for the first time as a family and I'm thankful for that!

 

The kids did enjoy decorating their finds (Timmy picked a green pumpkin, Gage and Lexy both got orange pumpkins and Aydianna chose a squash) with markers and setting them out in the garden to display.  Maybe next year we'll be brave enough to try carving :)

Another one in school

Gage turned three a few months ago.  He's technically old enough for preschool but he's not ready to go for the academic part.  However he does need his therapies (OT, PT and speech) and going to preschool is the only way he is able to get those at this point.  So for now, he will go to preschool two days a week to get his therapies and stay home with Mommy and Timmy the rest of the week.

 

He is excited to go to school, especially about the bus that picks him up.  And he's excited to see Mommy at the end of the day!

First Haircuts...with us

Gage and Timmy were both looking a little like shaggy dogs :) so they got their first haircuts since they've come to live with us.  Timmy kept saying "all done" and Gage would flinch anytime the scissors would make a sound but they both sat still and didn't cry!

Doing what's best

We had a situation come up this week that made us stop and think.

"A" brought home a note from school about a field trip to the pumpkin patch...I took it out, signed it, attached the required money, wrote it on the calendar and slipped it back into her folder ( I have learned very quickly that nothing can wait for later or this momma will totally forget about it).  Later that evening as I was cooking dinner I got an overwhelming feeling that I was doing the wrong thing by signing that note.  The concerns that came to mind were 1. that "A" (and both boys) has little to no "stranger danger" feelings, she would talk and walk off with anyone at this point (and the only adults looking after the kids would be the teachers) and 2. a pumpkin patch trip (at least this time) should be a family bonding experience instead of a school activity.  After talking over my feelings with Daddy we decided that "A" would stay home with me that day in lieu of joining her classmates on the field trip and that we would continue to work on stranger danger with her and we would go to the pumpkin patch as a family.  I wrote a note to the teacher explaining the situation and was very pleasantly surprised when the teacher came out to our car after school to tell me that she totally understood...it's so helpful when you have great people working with you!  The teacher also let me know that "A" has been doing well in class.  She is still learning when it is ok to speak in class, she said that "A" will now raise her hand and just start talking instead of waiting to be called on :) but at least it's progress!  She also mentioned that "A" is VERY independent and resists having help with almost anything which is something we see at home too and are trying to work on as she was treated beyond her years previously.

"A" was NOT happy that she was staying home instead of going on the field trip but in the end we did what we felt was the best for her.  I'm sure there will be MANY more times that she won't like a decision that we make in her best interest in the coming years! ;)

SICK

A large family and any type of sickness is NOT my favorite thing to deal with!

For the past week a cold/sinus/flu bug has been running rampant through our house causing missed school, grumpy attitudes, aches and pains, lots of coughing and sleepless nights.  Both boys have asthma so it has been especially hard on them and it landed "T" at the doctor but I THINK that we are finally all on the mend...can someone please knock on some wood?!! :)

This has made me start praying everyday now though that we will somehow get a free pass from any stomach bug that may roll through town this winter!!  Ugh, just the thought.

Lazy Days

Our new favorite way to spend a lazy Saturday is gathered all together playing in the playroom :)  That room has never gotten so much use!

 

But our Sunday wasn't quite as lazy, Brooke, Lexy and Mom went shopping for winter clothes for everyone.  Ten hours and lots of money later, we finally made it back home!

My Sons

As I wrote on facebook...I love spending my days with MY SONS!  It feels so weird but SO right to say those words.  As a foster mom I had the pleasure of being "Mommy" to some very special little boys that I loved dearly.  I secretly hoped that God would bless me with a son someday that I wouldn't have to worry about having to go through the heartbreak of letting go...and he has doubly blessed me. 

1st day of Kindergarten

"A" started Kindergarten today.  We went back and forth on what would be best for her but in the end we decided to give it a try after her passing her assessment with flying colors and asking to go to school like her big sisters everyday....multiple times a day  :)

Daddy and Lexy took "A" in yesterday afternoon to meet her teacher and put her supplies away.  Lexy and Mommy walked her in this morning.  She was so excited!

She was equally excited about the Sonic slush she got after school for her first day (she chose cherry)!

Love these kids