Numbers 6:24

The Lord bless and keep you.

God has blessed our lives so richly through so many friends. Quite a few of them read my blog, so I just wanted to say thanks. As I said yesterday, Pam gave us a little people castle for the girls that our girls LOVE. A few months ago a dear friend, Stormi gave us 6 tubs of girl clothes. Yes, large bins of little girl clothes. This past week I got out Bella's 12 month bin and LE's 24 month bin and it was like C-mas for me. Last night, we were getting ready for bed and LE got to put on a new nightgown. She has never worn a night gown before, she always wears pajamas. It was from Stormi and it was a Princess night gown with silver stars. LE was so excited, I dread she will never want to wear anything ever again, but she did look like a princess. It was super cute on her and not nearly warm enough I am sure, but it made her day.

Our friend Erica has given us clothes in the past too and it is just so neat, how many times it has been something that we have either wanted or was a jacket that was needed just in time.

A few weeks ago I discovered LE's foot had grown and none of your shoes fit, that very week her sweet friend, Lee Lee (Maria's daughter) as she calls her gave her a bag of clothes and 2 almost brand new pair of shoes. We are just so blessed, almost every time we have needed to get something for them, God sends a friend and we have not had to purchase anything. It is just such a blessing to have true friends. I love you guys and appreciate you always thinking of us!!

Thanks for being a blessing!

who taught her this word?

A couple of weeks ago I had to go to church and leave the girls I told LE when I came back I would have a surprise for her. My friend Pam, had offered the girls a little people castle set and we were meeting at Refreshed to pick it up. Anyways, LE was on cloud 9 when I came in with her castle - She LOVES little people and a castle, how could it get any better! So now "surprises" are a big treat in our household.

On Saturday, I was sitting on the couch and LE came up to me and said she had a surprise for me. She handed me two tiny little black somethings, "look Mommy its boogers!" So, who is the culprit who taught her this word?

community projects

I love the spirit of Christmas. My only problem is I hate the rush and the number of commitments we make this time of year and then not enjoying myself! Every year Ben and I adopt a child from the Salvation Army tree. I can say it has gotten harder to do since I have given up my full time job and we have 2 extra people living off of Ben's income, but we have made it work every year. This year I have discovered several new opportunities to give back to others and I wanted to share some ideas with you, in case you want to start a family tradition!

Starry is a foster care program affiliated with the Texas Baptist Children's Home. I was asked b/c of my SU! business if I would put together life books for the foster children to document their journeys. My goal is to put together 10 books. I would LOVE to do it for C-mas, but I am trying to be realistic, so I am going to do one a month for the new year. If you would like to scrapbook a spread for one of my books let me know and I will get you the themes I still need for my books. Or if you have a book to donate that would be helpful to - 12x12 album, non gender specific.

Our church is sponsoring families in need this holiday. You can donate cash or unwrapped gifts for a child and they will get it to a family in need. Ben and I are hoping to adopt a family through our connect group.

The Round Rock serving center is in need of volunteers to stock their store on Saturdays - 12 - 4. They have a food pantry and clothing store. They are in need of food and coats at this time. You can contact Cynthia or Gloria for more information. 244-2431

Salvation Army Angel Tree is located at Lakeline Mall.

In the past Ben and I would give gift cards for local restaurants to the homeless on the street. This way we knew the money was going for food. Anna gave me an idea, that her friend would keep men's tube socks in her car and give out socks instead of cash. This time of year has to be hard, I know there are posers, but I just have to trust the Holy Spirit to know who and when to give to. AND I only give when Ben is with me!

blogging challenge

My friend Erica has challenged me to blog every day this Christmas season, so thank goodness I was reading blogs and remembered today was the first day or I would blown it on the first day!! Now trying to discover what I should ramble about for the next 24 days!!

I think this is the best time of the year! I love Christmas. We got married in December, we discovered we were pregnant with Landry at Christmas and it is just such a special time of year for me. My favorite family tradition is going to my mom's on Christmas morning. My dad always starts us off with prayer and usually we read the story of the manger. Then, one of the siblings passes out all of the presents and one by one we go around the room opening one present at a time. I love it~ as a kid I hated having to be so patient. Now I love taking turns and seeing what everyone gets and their reactions when they open the gift you gave them. I am a very sentimental person and I love to shop for others. I am so glad my parents started this tradition with us and I cannot wait to carry it on with my children!

Bellas first birthday party!

Birthday Girl, Bella

Richards Family Four
Four Generations
Mimi, Bella, Mommy and Granny

first tricycle ride with Daddy

not shy about desserts

Ben said she looked like a Fraggle, does that date us?

big bite, Daddy!

Bella had her first birthday party at Gigi and PopPop's Big Backyard (that is what LE calls it). It was the perfect day for a party! We had such a great time! Bella got some great gifts including a tricycle. We are learning to share this week, can't you just imagine? Bella loved her cake, not sure what Mimi was thinking make it with black icing, but Bell had no problem digging it to it. She LOVED the lady bug cake! Mimi also made a caterpillar cake for everyone else that was awesome! Thanks Mimi! Daddy grilled burgers and hot dogs. Uncles played football and we all lounged on the big back porch. It was a great day~ thanks everyone for making it such a great memory!

in the Christmas mood yet??

Welcome to the Christmas edition of getting to know your friends.
1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? Both…depending on whether or not it in came in a box already
2. Real tree or artificial? faux
3. When do you put up the tree(s)? weekend after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down? this year the day we get back from Kerrville - living room is way too small

5. Do you like eggnog? No
6. Favorite gift received as a child? James Avery charm bracelet

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes a couple

8. Hardest person to buy for? Father in Law

9. Easiest person to buy for? girls and my mom
10. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail homemade cards

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? toe nail clippers

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? The Christmas Story (Ralphie)

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? I really shop all year long.
14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? I don't remember, but I am sure I have.
15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Delores' Velveeta cheese dip - could anything be any less healthy? It's the red neck in me!
16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? clear

17. Favorite Christmas song? Carol of the Bells

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? travel all over the hill country
19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeers? yes
20. Angel on the tree top or a star? star
21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning, I love C-mas morning at my parents, favorite day of the year!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? Christmas has become to commercialized, I just want it to be about family being together!!

23. Does Santa leave the gifts wrapped or unwrapped? wrapped as a kid, but we don't really do Santa with the girls.
24. Do you leave goodies for Santa on Christmas Eve? not yet.

Happy Birthday Uncle Timbo!!

Happy Birthday, Uncle Tim!! I did not forget, we made him a card and him and Daddy went out last night, just forgot to blog!! Last year in his twenties!!

triple threat

Uncle Bryan and Aunt Susan

Uncle Ryan and Bella (november 7, 2006)

Bella get's to share her birthday with her uncles, Ryan and Bryan! (I tried to call you, Bryan) Last year when I was being induced I wanted to wait till the 8th, so the boys birthday could be their own date, but Dr. Barbour said, Nope! Ryan and Bryan were excited to share, but they wanted a nephew. I hope you are not disappointed!! Happy 27th Birthday!! - Bryan, I looked every where for the pic of you holding LE when she was born, but I think it was taken with 35 mm. Sorry!!

Happy Birthday, Isabella Reese!

Our baby girl is one today. God has so richly blessed our lives with our sweet, Bella. She has brought so much to our family. We are so thakful to have two girls!!

Jill's adventure

Want an amazing story? Read Jill Miller's blog on delivering babies in India. She is my sister-in-law's older sister and she is a midwife of sorts in India. You have to read it, it brought me to tears tonight and it gives me the goosebumps to think that a friend of mine gets to have adventures like this.