pinterest?

Do you Pinterest? Even heard of it?
Pinterest is like an enormous, “living,” communal cork board. When you find something online that you want to remember – a recipe, craft project, beautiful image, quote – you “pin” it to one of your boards. Other people can see it and “re-pin” it onto their boards, and you can pull it up whenever you want to take another peek. You can browse through the main page of ever-changing pins or search for something specific, like cheesecake recipes or elephants. (taken from a pinterester's blog).
So do you pin? Here are my boards, a mix of me.  I like to think of it as my 2011 charm bracelet.  Thank you, Miss Erica, for yet another fun "hobby".

Richards Family 5 Art Gallery

Still on display for anyone's viewing pleasure, the artwork of reknowned Richards's sisters. 
I mean, how could this not make one feel better?
The girls begin their formal art lessons this week with a local artist.  I have to drop them off, but I am hoping she will take lots of pictures for me and we will have lots of artwork to share.

science of music

The girls created a xylophone this week out of glasses filled with different amounts of water. It was their take on a science experiment that I created, but theirs was more memorable, more fun and more colorful. Some times the teacher needs to be taught.

entertaining themselves

On Friday night, I made arrangements for the kiddos, and Ben and I were going to spend an evening out alone.  About 4:30, plans changed and I spent the evening alone in my bedroom and bathroom with a nasty stomach bug.  I woke up feeling better Saturday morning, but still not over it.  Around noon, Ben started feeling bad.  Thankfully R2 had a great day of naps and the girls were awesome about keeping themselves busy, even without tv.  They created all kinds of artwork which are currently on display around the house using 2 rolls of tape.  This crafty creation was created by both girls. 
Today I am so thankful for sprite, a loving husband and my amazing kids. 

first blood

 Ben and I were able to take the mountain bikes to Kerrville State Park over the weekend. First morning out was about me getting to know the gears of the bike and the techniques of how to avoid getting impaled my seat. Second morning, I was a little more adventurous and we explored the harder trails. We were also a lot more tired the 2nd day and I crashed going down a hill, my pedals caught my leg and I got my first battle wound.

"not a party" party

The girls decided they want to celebrate their birthdays this year at a local party place.  After looking into the costs, we told them they could if they celebrated their days together.  Bella was all for it b/c it meant her birthday and presents would be coming 3 months early.  Landry agreed to it b/c she really wanted a certain theme for her party.  Then, I discovered her birthday fell on back to school weekend and I did not want her friend's parents to have to sit through a child's party on their last weekend of summer.  We decided on a date in September and all was well.  We would have cupcakes at Mimi's one night after supper, no party.  That is until Mommy and Daddy were in the thick of the woods mountain biking and a certain grandparent took her to the party store to pick out accessories for her cupcakes. 
It was lots of fun and I am glad Mimi made her cupcakes and day special for her.  She enjoyed her evening and got lots of love and attention from aunts, uncles and grandparents.

Bella's day at the museum

 She was a hibenating skunk, a nurse, mission control, water explorer, doctor, and fisherman.  All in a day's work, and all after recovering from food poisoning. 

Read's day at the museum

Landry's wish

Landry wanted her family day to be spent at the children's museum. She painted, explored in water, was a fying bat, astronaut, doctor, kayaked the Guadalupe, rode the range and got her face painted. I guess you couldn't ask for more in a day.

pancakes for breakfast

 "When I went to bed I was five, but when I woke up I was six". Even though, my little girl turned into a big kid over night, she still came and cuddled (at 7 a.m. fully dressed) with me in bed. Her big request for the day was that Mommy and Daddy would take the day off and spend it as a family day. We were able to grant that wish and we drug it out a little longer for the weekend. More details to come.

6 years ago

Six years ago, this bundle of joy came into our lives. I did not realize I could love anyone the way I love you. Happy Birthday to the most amazing, beautiful, talented, smart, big kid six year old I know.

We love you Landry Lu.

Happy birthday Frank

I recently got to celebrate my friend Frank's 90th birthday.  Thank you so much for your prayers for him.  He told me he could not wait to celebrate his 100th now. 

finally seeing changes

Over the past 2 weeks, Ben and I have been keeping a food journal.  We use the daily plate at livestrong.com.  In the two weeks time, I have FINALLY seen the scale change and inches come off.  I have lost 7 inches and 3 pounds.
When you sign up, you enter the amount of weight you want to loose in the time you want to loose it.  My goal is 1 1/2 pounds a week.  Every day we log the food we eat and the fitness activities for the day.  In the time my food choices have changed too.  I have had 4 oz of Dr. Pepper in 2 weeks, and I could hardly drink it b/c it was too sweet.  In the two weeks I have also had a difficult time trying to hit my daily intake in calories. 
I am so glad we have finally found something that is working!  I kept telling myself I was eating healty, so why wasn't I loosing the weight.  But, the thing is calories are calories and I was consuming more than I was burning. 

impressing the girls

"Check out my moves, Sophia."
She giggled and giggled which R2 just danced and clapped more

My birthday present

I think its more of a present for both of us. Finally, after 6+ years Ben and I are going to be able to mountain bike together. 
The week I found out I was preggo with LE, Ben and I went on our first ride together.  He was already an avid rider, and I was hooked the first time, but the doctor nixed it at my first dr. appt.
Thank you Honey, I am so excited for our second ride.

typical Tuesday

Before breakfast, before teeth and hair are brushed, before any clothes are put on... because there are dreams to be drawn.

missions Monday

Another state-side mission to send a shot out to - Lorie and her Two50Two team have been nominated for a grant.  All they need are votes.  Please take a minute and vote for her.  She is another Africa junkie like me and took it to another level by coming home and making a difference here in her own community.  She mentors at-risk teens, teens who parents are in prison or teens that have been in prison themselves.  The testimonies she has already witnessed are amazing.

http://lovealocalbusiness.intuit.com/pages/fan?CID=soc_fma_lalb&b_id=223918

8 months ago

I cannot believe how fast this year has past!  I know it sounds so cliche, but so true.  Must slow down to cherish the next 4 months.
In this past month, Read has started to play pat-a-cake, waves, kisses and has discovered his voice even more.  WHEN it gets quiet, he starts talking and talking.  He loves his food, especially puffs and mum-mums.  He shows no interest in crawling, but I think it is b/c any time he wants something two handmaids give it to him.  He can stand while holding onto things, and prefers to be in his bouncer or his saucer standing.  He still sleeps through the night, usually 13 hours and takes 3 naps a day (unless he gets a 3 hour nap then he just takes 2).  His childcare workers at the gym loves him and he is a blessing to everyone.