... Lesley.

Tonight Chad sent Lesley and I out for one last night together before Rachael and I leave tomorrow. We picked a really girly spot: Target! They even have a Starbucks so we treated ourselves to hot chocolate when we got there.

I don't know what was in the hot chocolate, but we got really silly while we were shopping. Because brown shoes go with everything. And pink shoes go with everything. And black shoes go with everything. And pink shoes go with, of course, everything.

I guess you just had to be there.

Thanks Lesley!

... and getting to know Kira.

Tonight Kira was ready for bed, but then she spotted my laptop and decided she needed to investigate. She climbed right up and maneuvered around the touchpad like a pro. She showed me a couple of her favorite websites and was really disappointed when I finally put it away.

It was fun to spend a little time with her!

... the Three Little Pigs.

Tonight I put both Anika and Rachael to bed. Chad and Lesley are enjoying a well-deserved night out. Rachael and Anika both went to bed in the same room at the same time, and that is a feat in and of itself.

They have slightly different bedtime routines, but not by much. We read books with ours; I think Chad tells stories. I couldn't find a book but Anika requested "The Three Little Pigs," one that I am familiar with from my own childhood. I'm not the great storyteller I remember my father being, or where the green blankets were suppose to go, but my version must have worked with these girls because they both thought it was great. Our first house was sticks, the second building blocks (Rachael's idea) and the third bricks (Anika's contribution).

I'm glad my parents brought me up with traditions that we can continue with our kids, and that I still remember how to tell the story!

... and the cute baby!

Smiling babies are so cute! They make everyone happy!

... shopping with my sister.

When we were kids, sometimes we went to Utah to visit the family. We knew this almost always meant one day where we were going to be left with Dad and/or Grandpa, while Grandma, Mom and her sisters went shopping.

I'm glad to say my sister Lesley and I have graduated this tradition to a new generation. Today we left four girls ages 6 months to 7 years with her husband and went shopping. It was so fun! I big thanks to Chad for being willing to take them all without complaint.

The deal of the day comes from Lane Bryant; I got a new wool coat for $39. What a deal!

... safe travels.

Rachael and I drove to my sister's house in Pennsylvania today, just us. Rachael didn't really help much with the driving. We had light drizzle and some rain, and a few spots of dense fog, but otherwise no complaints. We're here in one piece (two pieces?) until Saturday.

I'm so glad Lesley lives close enough to hop in the car and drive to visit - a mere 8 hours! So much better than all that travel West.

... Scramble.

Scramble is a fun game on facebook. It's really just a waste of time but I like having something for a diversion once in awhile. I'm addicted to speed scramble... one minute rounds. Fun!

... a new blanket for Rachael.

I decided that Rachael needed a new blanket that is just for the car. I got an idea from a "quillow" my mother-in-law made for me; I cut some fleece to the size I wanted for a blanket, then sewed on a piece so the blanket can be folded up and tucked into a pillow. It's pretty cute, if I do say so myself.

Rachael is really into blankets lately so she just loves it. I got lots of hugs and kisses, and lots of "thanks for my new blanket mommy!" I expect "Thank you for my new blanket" to be added to her prayers anytime now.

... history.

Today Rachael fell asleep in the car while we were driving up to Lexington. Because we weren't on a schedule and because she desperately needed the nap, I drove all the way out to Midway, Kentucky, which is halfway between Lexington and Frankfort. (Frankfort is the KY state capital for those of you needing a geopgraphy lesson). Midway was founded in 1833 - 175 years ago!

Because it was on the spur of the moment I don't have any pictures, but rest assured I'll take another trip out when I am more prepared. They have lots of rock fences in Midway that I want to photograph. The rock fences are dry-built, meaning no mortar, built over 100 years ago in some cases. They are beautiful!

... Qdoba.

I can't believe I haven't blogged this before! Qdoba is hands down my favorite place to eat. When they opened a new one here in Richmond last year, I ate there twice a week for over a month. It's so awesome. It's Rachael's favorite, too; if you ask her where she wants to go she invariably chooses Qdoba. Today she chose it over lunch at McDonald's with a happy meal and a toy. Sorry, Ronald.

My favorite thing on the menu is chicken nachos. Love that three cheese queso!

... everyone loves Rachael.

Rachael and I sing lots of Primary songs around the house, especially at bedtime. One of our favorites is "Jesus Said Love Everyone." The words are:

"Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too,
When your heart is filled with love, others will love you."

Rachael can sing this back to me now which is really cute. But she has her own twist:

"Jesus said love everyone, treat them kindly too,
When your heart is filled with love, others will love me."

No self esteem problems in this house!

... instant messaging.

Today, the fates aligned. Or the moon and the earth and the stars, whatever. It was a total lunar eclipse, accompanied by Saturn and Regulus.

AND I live in the best time zone for it. AND it really wasn't too late - about 10:30 PM at full. AND the skies were clear - which almost never happens. (We miss a lot of cool stuff because of cloudy weather). AND I have a cool Canon SLR camera. AND a tripod. AND a big lens, and an extender.

Almost everything I know about photography I have learned from my husband, and when I take pictures of things like waterfalls and lunar eclipses, he's there to help me run my camera and get the settings right. Except today, when he's a million miles away in a factory in China.

So today I am extremely grateful for instant messaging. He was able to answer all my questions and help me set up to take some really neat pictures.



Here's the tripod setup... I took pictures until it almost fell over. (No, the flash wasn't really necessary!)

... shopping.

Today Rachael and went to lunch with our friend Cathy, then shopping afterwards. Ryan left for China today, so it was great to get out and kill some time. I didn't really intend to buy a lot of stuff (well, I usually don't), but Gymboree had some great deals going on. We got a darling green polka dot dress, usually $42.50, for $16 after the sale and our 20% off coupon. A good day!

... service.

Today we babysat David, who is almost 2. His mom called me from her mother's house in Missouri - she was there visiting and was suppose to be home Sunday but wasn't going to make it until Monday afternoon, and would I please watch David until she got home? I'm glad I was in a position yesterday to take him for most of the day. He's a cute kid and Rachael enjoyed having him around.

I love being able to help my friends, and I know that if I were in the same situation they would help me, too.

... Joseph Smith.

This year our Priesthood and Relief Society lessons are from our new Teachings of Joseph Smith book. Today's lesson was on the Book of Mormon; specifically, how Joseph recieved the plates from Moroni. When he was first shown the plates, he learned it would be four years before he would be able to receive them. It's like earning his college degree, I guess. The preparation probably had some similarities.

I'm grateful he was able to restore the gospel to the earth, and that he was a strong enough person to withstand all the criticism and persecution that followed.

... the birthday girl!

I can't believe our little princess is three years old! How time flies! She is such a cheerful, outgoing, wonderful little girl. (I can say this because she's sleeping right now).

I remember they called us when she was born, and we drove all night to get there. We arrived at the hospital at about 2 am and everyone from the security guard in the parking lot to the nurses on the maternity ward knew we were coming. I'll never forget the first time I saw Rachael, she was so tiny and perfect and unbelievable. I still can't believe she's ours.

We love her birthmother so much for giving us the greatest gift ever. Happy Birthday Rachael!

ps... isn't that the most incredible Cinderella cake? Our next door neighbor, Jason, made it for us!

... a cute idea.

A friend of mine posted these adorable Jello oranges on her blog a couple of days ago. I thought they would be fun to try for Rachael's birthday party, so I made a batch the night before. They were a big hit!

Thanks Becky!

... the birthday party.

We had a birthday party for Rachael today, and we invited four of her friends. Only two ended up coming; the other two were sick. (Too bad!!) We had a great time.

It has been so fun for Rachael and me to have a project the last few weeks; we have shopped, planned, prepared, and even decorated together. We made the invitations ourselves. Now that her birthday is over, I guess we will need a new project!

... my Valentine.

Thanks Erica for the cute idea!



WHAT IS HIS NAME?

Ryan Dean Ricks


HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN MARRIED?

13 short, wonderful years

HOW LONG DID YOU DATE?

Four weeks and one day. But we knew each other for about six months before that; we went to school together and were in institute together. (Sidebar here: don't you wish they would call the collegiate version of seminary something besides institue? It always sounds like I was crazy for awhile. OK, maybe that's true.)

WHO SAID I LOVE YOU FIRST?

He did. Four weeks after we started dating.


WHO SLEEPS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BED?

This is a trick question for us. Ryan sleeps in the middle and I squish in on the left side.


WHO MOWS THE LAWN?

Ryan, and he misses the Kubota.


WHO DRIVES?

It depends on which car we take - I drive if it's my car and he drives if it's his.


WHO PROPOSED?

Ryan did. But I knew it was coming... I knew we were going to get married after our first date. I just had to wait for him to come around. Didn't take nearly as long as I thought.


WHO WEARS THE PANTS?

He does. But I buy them and launder them. And tell him which ones to wear.


WHO DO YOU LOVE HIM?

Why not? He's so darn cute. He's a great provider for our family and an awesome dad to Rachael. And he worships the ground I walk on.


Love you sweethart!

... snow!

I think I have blogged this before, but I love that it snows here, once in awhile. The snow actually stayed on the ground all day (usually it has melted by the afternoon). It's just enough to remind me that it's still winter, but not enough to really be a problem. Unless you're not used to it, of course. School has been cancelled for two days now, and I fully expect it to be cancelled again tomorrow.

I planned to take Rachael out to play in the snow this afternoon, but she took an hour and a half nap instead. I'm sorry we missed the snow, but the nap was much needed. And hopefully the snow will still be there tomorrow.

... money.

Or more specifically, that we have always had enough. Even when we were dirt poor college kids, we survived. (We ended one year with less than $20 in the bank!)

Tonight I went to a budgeting class that I put together for Relief Society. It was a great class, and although I don't think I learned anything I didn't already know, it was a good review. I do most of the day-to-day budgeting at our house lately, and I'm sorry to say it hasn't been going as well as it should. I am inspired to do better!

... we're almost dry.

Today we worked on potty training with Rachael. She just hasn't been able to get back into the swing of things since we got back from Utah (where we spent the whole trip in diapers). She's almost three, though, and she understands all the mechanics, so it's time to be potty trained.

We had a good day today, though, and I'm optimistic about tomorrow.

... baptisms.

I really enjoy attending baptisms. The spirit is so strong and it is so wonderful to see people after the baptism; they always look so happy. And wet. Today I played the piano for twin eight year old boys that were baptized. Until recently I was their mother's visiting teacher, so it was fun to be part of the event.

My 'career' as a church pianist means I have been to more baptisms than I can remember... but I'm thankful for the opportunity to be there because each one is different and special.

However, I have seen the Joseph Smith movie so many times I can practically recite it in my sleep. Should I be grateful for that, too??

... and cemetaries.

Today we went and took some pictures at the Richmond Cemetary. It's been around for a long time; some of the people buried there were born in the later 1700's. It is so amazing to walk around and look at all the different generations of people, and the sometimes fascinating tombstones they erect. There are some marvelous obelisks in this cemetary. I'm grateful we have a way to remember those who have gone on before... one of my favorite quotes on one today was "Not dead but gone before."

... food.

Today I had chocolate doughnuts with Rachael for breakfast, a chicken sandwich for lunch, fruit and muffins at a get-together, potato skins at another get-together, and pizza for dinner with Ryan. I'm so stuffed I probably won't need to eat until Tuesday, at least.

I had a fun get-together with some of the college girls in our ward this afternoon. They are so fun to be with. Then we had another group of girls that went to Applebee's for appetizers, where I got to know someone that recently moved into the ward. (If she would call me back I will invite her and her husband to dinner. I reminded her of this no less that 1,000 times this afternoon. Think she'll call?) All in all very busy, but lots of fun. And filling!!

... missionaries.

A friend of mine has a husband who is not a member, but is getting baptized in about two weeks. She didn't think he would ever join the church, but the missionaries tracted into them a few weeks ago and you know how the story goes from there. I'm just so excited for her and her family! And I'm grateful for the 50,000+ missionaries serving missions to bring souls unto Christ. Seven from our ward!

http://www.lds.org/

Tonight we had the missionaries over for dinner. One is from SLC, the other from Idaho Falls. We had hamburgers and french fries with fry sauce for dinner; I think they are grateful for fry sauce tonight.

... neighbors.

A little over a week ago we finally got some new neighbors that moved in next door. The house has been vacant since last summer, so we are glad to at the very least have it occupied. Come to find out, they are members of the church (albeit inactive). How lucky are we?! We moved clear out to Richmond, KY and we have members on either side of us, which is more LDS neighbors than we had in our neighborhood in Colorado. (This includes some that live on the next block, too).

We're looking forward to getting to know the neighbors.

... the fact that our house is still standing.

Last night we awoke at about 1:30 in the morning to a serious storm system moving through the area. (You may have seen some of the damage it caused much further south of us). We even lost power for awhile last night. We had blowing wind, hail, lots of rain, the whole 9 yards. There were some tornadoes in Kentucky, but a little south and west of us. I can't believe how many tornadoes there have been this winter... I'm not used to that in the winter months! Anyway, the power came back and we're all safe and sound, just a little sleep deprived.

... email.

Today I worked on some Relief Society things, planned a get-together for the college age girls in our ward, and checked on some details for Rachael's birthday, all without leaving the sofa. I'm amazed at all I can do with a few emails!

Of course, doing this all from the sofa probably isn't so good for me... guess I'll have to start being grateful for exercise again. We did move our Bowflex back into the guest room, so now I have no excuse not to get back on the wagon, so to speak.

... and "My Big Redneck Wedding."

I'll admit, it has utterly no redeeming value. But, we ran across this show on CMT the other night, and I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard - for almost 30 minutes! It's just so absolutely classy.

... the Family Home Evening Ghost.

Tonight we had our Family Home Evening. Ryan did a fantastic job with the lesson; it was about the Liahona, and he even got out a compass as an example. (Having an Eagle Scout in the house is occasionally handy). He ended by telling us if we were righteous, too, we would have the Holy Ghost to guide us. Now, we have talked about the Holy Ghost before, but somehow Rachael has gotten it crossed with our little FHE book, so when she put the book back, she called it our "Family Home Evening Ghost." We hope he's around often.

...opening doors.

Rachael learned how to open doors all by herself earlier this week. I was not thrilled, actually. But this morning when she woke up she got up, opened her door, and then opened our door to our room. I wasn't ready to get up yet (even though it was 7 am) so I pulled her into bed with me. It was so cozy to snuggle for a few minutes before we got out of bed!

... organization.

Today I helped prepare some food for a private event at our ward building. I'm glad the the organizations in the church are set up in such a way that when there is a need, it can almost always be met. Need some help moving? No problem. Need help packing boxes? We can do it. It's an amazing system.

On a much larger scale today, the church was able to hold a funeral for our beloved prophet, Gordon B Hinckely. With the technology that is available today almost everyone that wanted to be a part of the service could view it in some form. What a marveolus time we live in.

... 35 posts!

Wow! 35 posts in the month of January... that's pretty good since my goal is once a day. On to Feburary: at least 29 posts, hopefully! Time to print and make a journal out of it... somehow...