Finally a new post

I can't believe it's been so LONG since I last posted. We had a really good Easter, it started out with an early morning (not really sunrise since it was at 8 and the sun rises a little earlier than that around here) service at Church followed by a pitch-in brunch and our regular service. We ate lunch with Mom, Dad and Mary. Dad also hid eggs for Kendrick to hunt, when I get those pics downloaded I will get them posted. It was the first year that we had hid eggs and Kendrick really seemed to enjoy it. He also got more candy and "stuff" than any almost 3 year old knows what to do with. His favorite things are a HUGE stuffed frog that Grandma Mary gave him and a recorder that mom and dad gave him. I "let" him keep the recorder in the house so mom and dad can "enjoy" his musical stylings. LOL Kendrick has been fighting a cold lately, but I think we are over the worst of it now. We are looking forward to a visit from Becky in about 3 weeks, we haven't seen her since Kendrick's first birthday. She is graduating from WVU in May and we are so extremely proud of her!! Now if she can get the job in Detroit it would be totally awesome!

This and That

One day I looked out in the cedar tree and this is what I saw there were probably 5 pair of bluebirds!! I guess they forgot to migrate before the snows hit

I started this afghan for Mark way back in 2005. I worked on it some didn't like the way it was turning out so I took it out and started over. Finally after 3 years here it is DONE!!

Kendrick took his toys out of his toy box one day and pretended he was taking a nap in it.

Playing in his toy box

He also discovered he could roll our filing drawers over and climb on top of it and turn the light on and off.

I know this is a short post especially since its been so long since I have posted. Our lives have been going through a time of adjustment, discovery and growth. We came to the somewhat difficult decision to leave Bird Lake church. I will not go into details as why we came to that decision on here at least if you want more details leave a comment and I will email you the details. We are now attending Freedom Farm Bible Church. They have a school so when the time comes Kendrick will more than likely be attending there. We are thankful for all our dear friends at Bird Lake and they will not be forgotten!! Until next time, I hope you all are having a very blessed new year!

Kendrick the Monkey

While I was going through Kendricks clothes and bagging up his 18 month clothes this is how he entertained himself. He is definitely not scared of heights or tight spaces.

Playing Peek-A-Boo

He said he was going to take a nap. Thankfully he can't shut the drawers when he's in them and at this point if they are shut he can't open them himself to get in. Life is definitely not dull with this very active 2 year old in the house.

Our Christmas

All ready for bed

Kendrick making "scary faces"

(pause the music to the right before playing the video) Unfortunately when I took videos of our Christmas I didn't think about keeping a few "small" enough to post on blogger. I also totally forgot to take pictures. Kendrick was so cute when he woke up he wanted to see his "surprises". When we gave his first gift to him (a stuffed horse named patches) he wasn't sure what to do with it. For Kendrick's third Christmas he received from Mommy and Daddy a stuffed horse, 2 sleepers, a Bob the Builder video and a Black & Decker Junior tool bench. Nana and Papa gave him a Mickey Mouse sleeper, a book, Don't Break the Ice, and a little farm animals set. GrandMom Richards sent a $25 gift card, and Grandma Mary gave him a deposit for his college fund. He is still waiting on his gift from Aunt Becky, she bought it a couple months ago just hasn't gotten around to either coming for a visit or mailing it (we still love you Beck). So since I didn't get Christmas pictures or videos that I could upload to blogger here is a video of Kendrick and Mark playing. Mark was running down the hall and "getting" Kendrick. I love Kendricks belly laughs I hope he never outgrows them.

Christmas Present Pillow

Kendrick with his pile of gifts

He thought this was pretty comfortable

He tried to pick this corner open while I took this picture.

These are ALL MINE!!

Christmas Pictures

With Mom's help I got some really cute pictures of Kendrick tonight. I have LOVED these Jammie's on Kendrick and he has actually worn them all year long, but since he has started to outgrow them and won't be wearing them much longer I decided to get some pictures of him in them.

This was actually the first picture we took of him!

Sweet Little Man!

He is as ornery as he looks!

Potato Candy

Mom decided to make potato candy. Kendrick had fun making it, but didn't really enjoy eating it. He basically just licked the peanut butter off a piece and gave the rest to either mom or me. I missed getting a pic or video of the rest of the process.

Grosvenor House

Today was the first day for the Grosvenor House Christmas! Such a beautiful place decorated by different schools/organizations each room unique and BEAUTIFUL!! The first picture is the Uncle's room when he was in the area this was where he stayed

These next two pictures are of an absolutely breathtaking Fontanini.

I LOVED the china!!

A unique (but modern) decoration.

This is probably one of my favorite pieces on display it is dated around 1580-1600

A cook stove not original to the house, but still beautiful

This room was my favorite the students at Bird Lake Bible School decorated this room (Christmas decorations that is). The paper chain on the tree was made by the kindergarten class. The snowflakes hanging from the ceiling were made from the other students and hung by none other than Mr. Miller. It turned out beautiful, a job VERY well done!

Thanks to "Grandma Mary" for the personal tour of the house, most of the furnishings are on loan to the museum from Mary.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the smells of pies baking, turkey roasting and the sounds of laughter and the closeness of family and friends. I am thankful for friends who stand beside us through thick and thin and loves us in spite of our faults. I am thankful for a healthy, happy 2 year old and so very thankful for the wonderful father that Mark is. I am thankful for a wonderful church to attend and a good Pastor who truly is the BEST! I am also thankful for the wonderful Pappaw that I had, it was 6 years ago on Thanksgiving Day that we all made the trip from my Aunt's house to the hospital to visit him. For many of us grandkids it was the last time we saw him. I could go on and on about things I am thankful for, but I won't. Happy Thanksgiving to you all!!

Happy Birthday!!

It was 41 years ago today that James and Dorothy Richards welcomed anther baby boy into the family. Who would have ever guessed this little boy would one day be the father of my little boy. Happy Birthday Mark!! I love you!!
(sorry for the "grainy" look of the pic of Mark and Kendrick, it was nearly dark out so I had to do some "lightening" of the pic)

Mark and his Mom

UH-OH!!

What happens when you mix snow, ice, a tree and 35 MPH?? Well the tree doesn't look any worse for the wear. Actually it could have been a LOT worse than this. Thank the Lord for his protection. Kendrick looked at the tree and said "tree goes BOOM". Thankfully M99 was basically clear of traffic (which is unusual at 3:30 in the afternoon) so when we were sliding sideways in the other lane there was NO on coming traffic.

Dressed Up for Church!

I decided to dress Kendrick in this little suit that my Mom made for my brother Ken to wear in my Aunt and Uncles wedding. The suit has survived 40 years in a cedar chest and now Kendrick is wearing it. Today we woke up for the first time this year to a definite blanket of snow!! Kendrick was so excited he kept saying over and over again "It's snowing, it's snowing". The forecast says we are to get up to 3 inches by this time tomorrow night, so maybe it will last long enough to get a few new pics of my "boys" playing in the snow. On a personal note to Bethany "asksfjhwijkdjwiekdjdaiiejwjdkdiiojew" from Kendrick I am assuming it means "I missed you in Church today and hope to see you next weekend!"

Fall

We have enjoyed some of the "colder" days of fall lately complete with rain/snow showers. I am ready for winter and the snow and the beauty that comes with it. I wanted to share some really cute pics my mom took of Kendrick today while he was watching Papa wash the car.

My favorite time of day is that quiet stillness right before darkness covers the earth. Mark and Kendrick were out raking leaves (or should I say playing in the leaves) one evening and I couldn't resist taking a couple pictures and a video of them.

LOL

Tonight was a very special night for Alpha Omega. It was our Second Annual Laugh out Loud Benefit!! We had an AWESOME turn out with I am guessing around 250-300 people in attendance. Not only was it a night of laughter, but it was also a night of hearing a very moving story about a young woman who became pregnant with her first child at the age of 14. At the age of 16 she became pregnant with her second child. While her second child was fighting for his life (at a few months of age later he died) she became pregnant with their third child. At the shocking news that she was pregnant she and her husband decided that they could not afford another child and what if this one would be sick also. They made the decision to have an abortion. BUT when she looked in the yellow pages under abortion, the only listing in Hillsdale phone book was Alpha Omega Women's Care Center. Thinking that she had found the "answer" they were looking for, she walked through the doors of a building that would change her life forever. The counselor administered the pregnancy test and after the positive result she started telling the counselor why she "had to have an abortion". The counselor was able to talk with her, showed her pictures of what an abortion really was and how it can devastate a woman's life. At the end of the counseling session, she chose LIFE!! Not only did she choose life for her child, but she found the true meaning of LIFE and the Giver of Life. There was also another story given from a boyfriends perspective. I have been privileged to know Steve for a few years now and I have worked with him at Alpha Omega for several months. He gave his story of a girlfriend becoming pregnant and he as the boyfriend forced her into an abortion. I have heard his story many times and it NEVER ceases to make me cry. The Lord helped him tonight to once again share from his heart. After the stories were given we laughed till our sides ached at the comedy of Donna East. She is a hilarious lady who also could have been a victim of abortion her mother became pregnant out of wedlock at the age of 20. Donna herself has just come through a pregnancy that her Dr. tried to get her to terminate. It was a great evening, and fun was had by all who attended, the best part was it helped raise money for Alpha Omega. Thanks to Pastor Dan Johnson and the people at St Paul's Lutheran Church for the use of their beautiful gym. The benefit committee from AO did an awesome job at decorating and pulling tonight off without a hitch.

Saturday with the Crowls

Yesterday was indeed a FUN DAY!!!! We were able to spend the day with Tim and Kristy and their family. I had made the mistake of telling Kendrick earlier in the week that we were going to Brandon, Bradley and Bethany's house on Saturday. So every morning I was greeted with this from Kendrick "Today go to Brandon's?" Finally when he woke up yesterday he was THRILLED to hear that yes today was the day we were going to play at Brandon's. I unfortunately forgot to take my camera with me. It was WAY TOO CUTE to watch Kendrick play with Bethany's dolls and carry her cute little purple princess purse around (that is what the first pic is)!! Thanks for sharing the pics so I could post them. Mark is always saying that Kendrick breaks out in a "Pink Rash" after playing with Bethany. It was a lot of fun to watch the kids play and wear themselves out. It was also nice and relaxing to be able to spend some time with good friends. Thanks Tim and Kristy (especially for the DELICIOUS peanut butter fudge!!!!!!!!)