another big feat...

Landry learned to make her bed this week, she's getting to be too big for Mommy. But, the help is nice.

fun with play-do

fun with mimi and paw-paw

Ring Around the Rosies

London Bridges

My Fair Ladies

Romans 1:16

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes-Jews first and also Gentiles

update

Ok, toe is purple, black and swollen, pretty sure it is broken. LE has thrown up twice this evening, but Bella seems to be feeling much better today - but she will not eat.

growing up

My big girl drank from a big girl cup tonight at the "chicken" table. Maybe, I am being naive, but this first time parenting thing is tough! I had no idea she could drink from a cup without a lid, never tried! I wonder else she can do if I would just let her!
I also had to make a Wal-Mart run for some retail therapy this afternoon. We bought play-do, bubbles, flowers for our flower box or the mud as LE calls it and some other fun day materials including goldfish for Bella. LE loved the play-do, Bella wanted to eat it. Their buddy, Connor came over tonight and they happily made shapes, pizza and cut with "lives" (knives) for almost half-an-hour - don't worry, Jane they were the IKEA plastic ones. Pics of the play-do fun to be posted later. Mommy needs some rest after a LONG day including upset tummy (Bell), possible broken toe (Mommy), fever (Bell), lots of crying (all 3 females), neighbor calling to tell us her dog tried to eat the cat ~ I guess it is just a typical day in the Richards Family Four.

Daddy!!

Ben's fave part of the day is when he walks through the door and the girls "SQUEAL" his name and greet him with open arms and kisses. I am not computer savy enough to upload videos, but I did catch this special Valentine's kiss.

Valentine's Day

Thursdays are now the hardest day of the week for me, b/c I work and then go to class (twice a month) at night. This past week was especially difficult b/c it was V-Day and I just wanted to spend the day with my loves. We did get to spend the afternoon in the backyard.

I remember when Valentine's Day was all about the gifts and making sure you got it at work or school, so everyone could see someone was thinking of you. I loved this past year, Ben and I did nothing out of the ordinary. I purchased salmon and he grilled it and we sat down to dinner with our two special Valentine's. Then, I headed to class, girls went to bed and Ben studied.

so beautiful

Today, LE was fighting a nap. I was lying beside her in hopes, she would be still and crash. She rolled over and started rubbing my hair, and said, "you're so beautiful" It was so special, hard to be frustrated after that!

Acts 1:8

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Been studying for my first test and forgot to post last week...

ebayer

I had no idea how cool ebay could be!! I have been selling some old stamp sets that are retired and things I do not use and people are buying them! One set sold this a.m. for more than twice what I bought it for!! I am a devout Craig's List watcher, but I don't know this ebay thing could be lots of fun too!! Aimee- try it for your old sets, then buy new stuff- guilt free!

blogging award...for me??

I was awarded an award for my blog this week. Kind of excited about that! Thank you to my blogging cousin for this special award. I really enjoy sharing our little world each week. It is so nice to be able to keep up with friends who have moved and to be able to share our special memories with everyone. Thanks Anna for my special award!!

tagged...

I have been tagged my super cool friend, Erica. The idea is to list 5 material wishes and five non-material wishes. I have been thinking about this all weekend and it was harder than I thought, so here is the best I can do.

#1 a new bigger house - Although, this rental has been an absolute God-send, I cannot wait to have my own home to paint, plant in the yard and not share my bedroom with my home office.

#2 new car - our lovable, trusty Xterra is 7 years old this week and although it has been so good to us, it is time to find a replacement (holding on to see where/if I will be teaching next fall before we committ to another car paymnet)

#3 Ben's new career - I hope when Ben finishes school next spring we can stay in the Austin area, I have become so attached to our church, friends and the way of life here.

#4 - new wardrobe - I need some new stylish clothes and shoes!

#5 - I wish we had more family here. I am so blessed to have a cousin in the area, but I would love to have more family too, especially grandparents!

Non-Material Wishes -
#1 that all of my loved ones will have a personal relationship with Christ - to really know Him

#2 that I can get the discipline thing right with my kids - that I can raise them in truth and in love

#3 that I can be a shining light of the Lord in all I do

#4 more boldness to tell others about Christ

#5 want to adopt children internationally and/or do international missions work

So, I tag all of my Blogging friends who have not already been challenged by Erica. Have fun, I cannot wait to see what you wish for!

Cowgirl LE

oh, what you will hear...

It is not a secret, we eat a lot of chicken around the Richards Family Four, it is a staple in almost every meal. Well, my daughter nows call our kitchen, chicken. We have a chicken table, we have a chicken sink and the magnets are spread across the chicken floor.

new TX license plates

Saw this on the news the other night...Texas is thinking about changing the design of our license plates. I think I am leaning towards te wildflower one??? You can vote online.

http://apps.dot.state.tx.us/services/vehicle_titles_and_registration/vote_plate.htm

sick and tired of being tired and sick

For the past three weeks, someone has been sick in our home. The girls have had coughs and runny noses and meds galore. I woke up yesterday with a high fever, cough and headache. My sweet guy did not go back to work after lunch yesterday and he stayed with me this morning. I was sick all night, legs,arms & back hurt so badly from the fever and I coughed all night. About 15 minutes ago my fever finally broke, I feel so much better, still have a headache and my ears have pressure behind them, but main I feel a ton better already. Please say a quick prayer Ben does not get it and we can FINALLY be rid of this bug!!

I remember in the movie Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, Romy saying having mono was the best diet ever, I wull have to admit that thought has crossed my mind the past couple days!! I have not been able to eat hardly anything!!

John 1:4

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.

talkin' 'bout my guy...

Stole this from my sister-in-law, Susan's blog...thought it was a cute entry... besides wanted to brag on my guy, who is having to sit at his computer doing school work on a Saturday...

1.Who is your man? Benjamin Thomas Richards

2. How long have you been together? married 10 years this December

3. How long dated? We dated for 1 1/2 before we were married.

4. How old is your man? 32

5. Who eats more? he does

6. Who said "I love you" first? I did
7. Who is taller? ummm, I think he is

8. Who sings better? he does

9. Who is smarter? depends on subject

10. Whose temper is worse? mine

11. Who does the laundry? me

12. Who takes out the garbage? whoever throws the piece on top and it falls to floor is loser and has to take it out, KIDDING, we both do!

13. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Looking at the bed, he sleeps on the right side of the bed (he's closer to the door)

14. Who pays the bills? online - him, in person - me

15. Who is better with the computer? Dell Boy

16. Who mows the lawn? we both do, but he weed eats for sure

17. Who cooks dinner? The majority of the time ... I do, but about once a week, he rescues me.

18. Who drives when you are together? He does.
19. Who pays when you go out? lately me b/c I have the cash, but it is his cash, I just hold it.
20. Who is most stubborn? me
21. Who is the first to admit when they are wrong? him
22. Whose parents do you see the most? our parents both live in the same town, but my parents come here more often, so mine
23. Who kissed who first? i don't remember, how sad!!!
24. Who asked who out? he asked me to see Phenomenon, John Travolta movie
25. Who is more sensitive? When it come to the girls - him, everything else - me!

26. Who has more friends? we have the same friends

27. Who has more siblings? we both have 3 brothers
28. Who wears the pants in the family? God