when pumpkins drink too much

got this from our friend. the other Ben Richards

confirmation

I have been praying for weeks for confirmation, I just needed to know. As leaving my two babies for 11 days and leaving during my ten year anniversary, I just wanted a "sign" from God. And I mean a big flashing neon sign preferably written across the sky for everyone to see. B/C I was then going to need someone to read the sign to me so I could make sure it was really from God.

Today, Pastor Mel called and asked how my fundraising was going and what I needed still - although lots more words than that. Tell me already is what I am thinking, just as you are thinking now, right?

Someone paid for my airfare today. I am not saying names (but will if given their permission), it is a couple form our church and it was me b/c I am supposed to be there. I still cannot say it (type it) without crying! But I AM GOING TO AFRICA IN 5 WEEKS!! Thank you, Lord for being my provider! To HIM be the glory! (I will update the fundraising goal as soon as I get a dollar amount for my ticket)

Ben's Big Bend Adventure

Daddy Richards went on his first motorcycle/camping guy weekend this past weekend. I think the wild javelinas scrummaging through camp and the reports of tarantulas every where he looked was enough to prevent me from ever wanting to join him. We missed him a bunch, but Mimi, PawPaw and Granny made sure we were plenty fed and entertained while he was gone. Pics coming soon of the girl's big adventure.

africa fundraising

My friend, Erica created this great fundraising goal graphic for me. Keep track of it on my side bar to see my progress and if the Lord directs you, please pray, fast or send funds to help! Also check out the church missions blog for great pics of where I will be heading in 5 weeks, yes 5 weeks!! Did I tell you I will be creating crafts and teaching songs to literally thousands of children! We are also building Celebration Church Xai Xai! I, me, Kristi Michelle Richards is going to Africa in 5 weeks, did I say that!!

scripture for the day

Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.~ Psalm 27:14
Maybe I am the only one who needs this one, but it spoke to me right where I am today.

another you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYaTSbCGY50
This is too funny, I got this from my Africa missions buddy. Worth the wait through a commercial, promise!!

Stampin' Up Fun

I got to attend my 1st SU! convention in San Antonio this past Friday. The samples were so awesome. I got some great ideas, but I also got the "I want it's" too! They had so many cute things, I loaned Ben my camera so did not get to take any pics, but Aimee sent me these. My friend, Lisa rode with me and we had a blast chitchatting the whole day. We even got to play w/out all of the preparation.

new blogging friends

I have commented before about how much I love everyone's blogs. I found 3 new-old friend's blogs today and I had to share. The Harris Family (Mat and Heather from church), Handprints on the Window (David and Jodi - Jodi sang at my wedding for you die-hard RFF followers) and Mother's Memoirs (Carl and Cari - friends of Ben and mine from before we were married). So, anyways I thought I would bring them to your attention for those of you who might be interested in checking in on them. I am so exicted to have more friends to keep up with!! OBTW, facebook is so cool, I have already found literally 100's of old and new friends to keep track with!

my two princesses?

Isabelle's 4th birthday

The girls were invited to Isabelle's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese's recently. I am embarassed to say they had never been to one or anything like it before. OM Goodness they had a ball! Thank you Miss Amanda for inviting us, we will never be able to drive by the mouse's house again!

being a mom

Being a mom is the greatest joy of my life. I am so thankful for my two beautiful girls, I cannot imagine life without them. Thank you honey for taking these pics of us, I am so glad you did.

Connect Group Fun

I have told you before our connect group from church. We love it! This past weekend we celebrated Isabelle's birthday. This is the cake that LE helped me bake! It turned out yummy! The girls have so much fun with their friends and Mommy and Daddy love it too!

the best part

LE helped me make a cake for our connect group this past weekend. This was the first time I let her lick the spatula, just never thought of it before. She usually does not like chocolate, but she sure did like licking the spoon. She still would not try the cake.

Jordan and twins

I did not want to seem like a stalker so I did not have my pic taken with Jordan at church. Instead I took a friend's (Jimmie and Judith) kiddos so I could have my proof for when he is famous beyond Austin. I am telling you single girls, he is a cutie! Ben even said so!!

woman driver

princesses painting

i love this woman!

http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=44877778

such a cutie

I had a special perk this a.m. at church. When I arrived to serve Pastor Lori I found out I would be sitting by College Football Player of the Week, Jordan Shipley. Oh my goodness he is a cutie and my new fave player. Babe, I need to replace Jamaal's jersey, please. Last week, Pastor Joe spoke at team practice for my horns and Jordan gave his testimony - what a neat one too! At first he was so quiet and seemed like he was out of place, felt for him sitting on the front row. Then, after 1st service we had a special reception for him and he opened up, they say food's the way to a guy's heart. So, anyways, I was honored to get to hang out with him and then during 2nd service he really opened up. I have the DVD if anyone wants to see it or you can go to the church's link and view it. He did not come to talk about football. It was about people and when he laid football down and realized the Lord was his top priority and started to seek the kingdom of God 1st, all these things were added unto him- player of the week, #1 in the nation; the Lord gave him a platform. I was so excited to see a young man who has such a talent that was sincerely giving the Lord glory! Hook 'Em!

things you can do

I am not posting this to toot my own horn, but to share something that Ben and I did that turned out to bless not only friends, but us too! We belong to a Connect Group at church and we are so blessed to have already bonded and done life with a new group so quickly. (We were terrible leaders compared to belonging to this new group!) Last weekend, one reason the girls were so tired was b/c I invited all of the CG children to come spend Friday evening and have pizza, popcorn & movies while their parents went out. The only rule was they had to go on a date together and they had to talk about anything but work and kids. At 1st everyone thought we were crazy, but then one couple took us up on it. These boys were so well-behaved; they had fun, the girls had fun, and I discovered boys weren't that scary! The mom and dad was so appreciative and you could tell they enjoyed themselves. So, just wanted to share an idea of a way you could bless someone - for parents getting a babysitter (especially last minute) is the hard part, planning what to do is easy!

love

another great book - Run to Win

Yes, I am still loving reading. This past week I purchased 3 books off Amazon.com ranging from a penny to $4.50. I read recently in a John Maxwell book - "the only difference between who you are today and the person you will be in five years will come from the books you read and the people you associate with." That was enlightening. I have really enjoyed the two authors who recently visited our church, Maxwell and Chris Caine. I just finished reading Caine's A Life Unleashed and Run to Win books. So, was just wondering what are you reading and/or what do you recommend?

facebook

I broke down, I fell to peer pressure, I gave in to joining one more thing. I have signed up for facebook. I did it b/c I was on that no good, money hungry group - classmates.com, what a waste trying to find high school friends to no avail! So, today at playgroup everyone else had a facebook face but me, so thought I would give it a try. I swore I was trying to empty my plate and now here I go again taking another helping!

just wondering?

I have two chores that I would pay someone to do if given the opportunity - washing clothes and grocery shopping. It is not that either one is altogether bad, it is that they are not over the minute they are over. I have to sort the laundry back out, fold the laundry, iron the laundry & hang the laundry for 4 people (how does Heather do it - 11 kids)?. HEB - when you are finished pushing the monstrosity of a shopping cart shaped like a race car around the acre-large store with 2 children buckled in side-by-side "touching" each other for an hour, I then have to load the car, unload the car, unpack the green bags, put the groceries away all while two young hungry children who know everything I just purchased is begging for juice, crackers, goldfish, turkey sandwiches, cereal, etc. So, just wondering if you could eliminate one/ two chores from your schedule, what would it be?

Connor's 3rd birthday

The girls were invited to two birthday parties this weekend, but Mommy overextended us and we only made one. The girls had a blast at Connor's "blow-up playground". LE loved it, Bella loved her Daddy's attention. Mommy got in on some of the action too. Happy Birthday "Big Boy" Connor! We love you!