.

Dad and Onions

2011-10-16T20:51:00.001-07:00

Okay so I know it has been a long time...but my wife is more interested in facebook than blogging. Thus our family "journal" is not being written in as often as it needs to be. So I guess it falls on me to document our families growth and experiences.

Hazel went to a pumpkin patch and got pumpkins for Halloween, they brought back 7 pumpkins so everyone got to use these weird face pieces, similar to Mr. Potato Head parts. Megan is sitting at the kitchen table looking at our pumpkins then says, "Dad, you don't have a pumpkin. You need to get a pumpkin and decorate it. Or maybe you can decorate an onion, cause sometimes you make everyone cry!"

Thank you Megan!

So let's see, Jenny has begun school out at Big Bend. She is taking 2 online courses and one night class on T/TH. She is having a good time and learning a lot. Every now and then she shares her new found knowledge, it's cute to watch. Overall she seems happily stressed about it.

Now, because of these new classes, Jenny is rather busy doing her school work, so that means her normal "work/chores/jobs/etc" aren't getting done as ritualistically as before. I am trying to help the kids understand that with mom going to class we need to step up and take over some of these jobs...the kids are not taking to this as I would have liked. Instead of offering to help, the kids have increased their animosity, defiance, and cleverness at avoiding work. We have tried talking, explaining, reasoning, and consequences. Nothing seemed to click in their heads. So, per Jenny's request, I made a paddle much like the one my mother had. Because nothing seemed to be clicking in their heads, I gave them a "test run" of the paddle to sink into their heads what is waiting for them should they continue not to listen, lie, cheat, argue...now why am I telling you all of this...why would I document that I use a paddle on my kids...?

Today the girls were asked to clean up their bedroom at around 1:30; around 4:00 I reminded them (for the 4th time of the day) that they needed to get their room done if they wanted to go with us to diner at a friends house. They did not get it done, they did not go with us to diner. While we were out they snuck out, got jenny's phone and used it to access netflix and watch movies while we were gone. Jenny figures it out and asks the kids, "Were you girls watching movies on my phone?" The girls just look at her with a panic on their face, after about 10 seconds they respond, "We don't want to lie and get spanked...yes mom, we watched movies." Jenny expressed her disappointment and sent them to bed. Bottom line...They are LEARNING!!! Over all the climate in our home has changed with less fighting, arguing, and more help and cooperation (except for today).

Oh Wow...That's Hilarious

2011-07-31T13:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, so there has been a couple of stories and comments made by my kids that have had me cracking up lately. I decided that I had better document them so I don't forget them.

Story #1

So I am swimming with the kids at the in-laws and having a great time. Megan asks: "Dad, what does BFFFM stand for?"
"I don't know Meg, what?"
Best Friends For Five Minutes!"
This guessing game continues with Megan only changing the time duration, super sneaky I know. Finally she says: "Dad, what does BFFFMNFAOMTY stand for?"
"What the heck! I have no idea! What does BFFFMNFAOMTY stand for?"
"I can't tell you dad."
"Tell me Megan or your walking home."
"Its a secret between Kayla D (Megs best friend) and me. If I tell you then she won't be my friend anymore. If she isn't my friend any more then we wont go to college together and be roommates, then we wont go on a mission together (Kayla D is not a member of our church; but very positive thinking on Megs part) and be partners together. Besides its a secret language between us friends."
"Oh so you are speaking IDIOT."
"No dad, I am not from ITALY."

Story #2

So Myles' Sunbeam class can best be described as an extremely testosterone filled class with a little side order of estrogen. Examples include a love triangle, several lengthy "discussions" about poop, celebratory fist pumps when something is awesome, and the need to separate the group into two intentionally divided classes supervised by two parents in each class. That's the background...here's the story.
Today Myles decided that his fingers were machine guns (typical), and that the Primary presidency were enemy combatants (typical). He decided to execute his blitzkrieg attack during sharing time with loud machine gun fire directed at the music instructor (the mom of another boy in his class) (not typical, kinda new). Jenny stopped him and threatened his life and said she might have to sit by him. He decided that since his position had been compromised by his loud machine gun, it was no longer the effective weapon of choice, so he silenced it. Now the gun fire was quiet whispers. Jenny stops him again and moves next to him and says "Either put your gun away or I am going to take it away!" Myles looks at her, puts his hands (GUN) in his pockets and sits quietly for a few minutes. Then he rearms himself with pistols and continues his slaughter of innocent primary leaders, occasionally turning around and in sighting riots and support from his fellow insurgents in his class. Jenny grabs Myles and says, "Give me that gun!"
"Okay mom." he puts his gun shaped hand on hers and opens his fingers, then takes his hand back to his lap and sits quietly for about 1 minute. Then, his little hand makes its way back into his pocket and is transformed miraculously into another firearm for him to continue his mass genocide. This is repeated about 5-6 more times with Jenny taking every gun he could create. Finally a simple wiggle song was sung and his attention was grasped. Little Punk!

Story #3

So Swimming with the kids at the in-laws, same day as Megan's story, playing, splashing, dunking, throwing, and all around enjoying each others company. I start talking to Courtney and then notice something on her forehead. It's the multiplication "X"!
"Courtney, what is on your forehead?"
"Oh, Kimberly (our neighbor/good friend) has one of those vacuum bag pumps, so I put it on my forehead and pumped it. Kim told me not to, but I did it anyway."
"Did the end look like a plus sign?"
"Yeah, I know I got bruised."
"No Court, you have a hickey."

Holy Crap it's been a while

2011-04-10T21:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it has been a real long time since an update...I think the best way to update is going to be to list it:
1) On the 27th of February Hazel turned 7. She got a new bike...Awesome!
2) On the 6th of May Megan turned 9 and got a new mountain bike...Awesome!
3) On the 16th of May Myles turned 4 and got a new bike...Awesome!
4) On May 18, Scott started coaching the middle school boys soccer team. He is having a great time and thinks coaching is right up his ally.
5) For Spring break Jenn took the girls down to Utah to see her sister and ex-in-laws. Had a great time and got Lila a lot of new clothes from Kathy...Thanks Kathy.
6) Over Spring break Scott and the boys built a dresser (well mostly Scott since Jace would scream like a little girl whenever a machine would turn on.) Here is a pic.

7) Scott also bought two new guns which are way too much fun to shoot. One is an ATI GSG rifle, and the other is a Ruger Mark III 22/45. Both are 22lr which makes them even more fun to shoot.

Lila is nearly 5 months

2011-01-28T20:23:00.001-08:00

the woman

2011-01-22T11:42:00.000-08:00

Tuesday I took Courtney to meet with the cleft palate team in Yakima. We went to the valley mall for lunch, and while we were eating a little old couple walked past us. I had Lila in the moby wrap sleeping, I heard the little old man say "Oh, Look hun, A new baby!" The woman started walking slowly toward me. She reached our table and asked about the baby. While I was telling her that Lila was 4 months old the woman reached out and started stroking her face so gently. Her eyes started to water. She then told me that when she was young she had a 2 year old little boy and was expecting her 2nd, a little girl. When she arrived into the world she was perfect the most beautiful little girl she had ever seen. She was so happy. Then they found out that she had a heart defect. Her little MaryKate died 5 days later. The little old woman then testified to me that she had lived her life in a way that she would see and hold her little girl again.
I stood there teary eyed, with a new appreciation for my children. Feeling so blessed. I can't get this experience out of my mind. I think the lord knew I needed to hear her story just as much as this woman needed to share her story. We didn't talk religion. I just told her that I knew she would get to hold her again. The woman thanked us for listening to her and for letting her touch our little one. I am so excited for this lady to someday meet and hold her little girl.
I've been looking at my life in a whole new light since tuesday. slipping in a couple more hugs, listening more intently to what my kids have to say, tucking them in extra tight at night. I am so grateful for the chance to be a mom to the most awesome kids I know.
I will live my life so I can be eternally with my family :)

I know you are jealous....

2011-01-12T12:49:00.000-08:00

Everyone should get a picture riding Shamu! We had an amazing time. I think this one is going up on the wall as our new family portrait.

A Brief Update

2010-12-31T20:19:00.000-08:00

Here is a brief photo update

All the girls got a Nintendo DS

Disney Land was a blast

Scott is not as strong as he thought he was

Neither were the kids

Lila is 2 months

2010-11-28T22:33:00.000-08:00

Soooo I know im a bad blogger. but at least im posting before she turns 3 months.
Lila is such a blessing! She has acid reflux and is very colic. but you know what they say..."it should all be better by 3 months". I really hope so. She has started smiling and cooing. She loves to cuddle (especially with daddy), and loves to take baths. She has started holding her head up by herself, loves her binks, and is so chubby. Here are a few pictures taken at about 6/8 weeks.

In A Name

2010-10-26T15:36:00.000-07:00

Lila
Meaning: you are mine

Grace
Meaning: by the grace of God

Ritchie
Meaning: awesome (okay not really, but it should)

We named our little girl Lila Grace Ritchie. By the meanings alone it discribes her. I knew before I had her she would be my little Lila. My moms name is Lila and her Grandma before her. It is a name she will have to live up to. My mom is one of the strongest people I know. She is compasionate and sweet. She is rightous and unwavering. The things I want for my kids. Perfect name for a perfect little girl.

Birth Story and a whole bunch more...

2010-10-26T13:41:00.001-07:00

At 37 weeks my dr. had decided that for my and my baby sake, he was going to induce me. To be on the safe side he ordered an amniosynthesis (sp?). Tuesday the 7th Scott and I woke up early and got ready to head to Spokane to my perinatal specialist. I was having a few contractions which was to be expected since I was carrying so much amnioic fluid. I didn't think anything of it. We got to the appt at 9 and the dr did the amnio. He said that the results should be in around 4 today. They monitered me and my contractions for an hour as a saftey precaution since the amnio can put you into labor or break the water sac. The contractions were uncomfortable and still going strong. I asked the nurse to check me before they let me go because I was starting to feel alot of pain and it was an hour and fourty five minute drive home. She checked me and I was dialated to a 3-4. I told her my concerns and she went and talked to the dr. A couple of minutes later she came back and told me to hurry home and not doddle. ??WHAT?? Scott and I hurried home and thankfully made it to the hospital. When I got there they admitted me and I was at a good 4 I asked for an epidural. My dr. came in around 6 and broke my water.....there was ALOT of water! Around 4 the amnio results came back that the babys lungs were not developed. They had to medvac (helicopter) her back to Spokane! Lila Grace Ritchie entered this world at 8:30 that night. She was 8lbs 4oz. I was able to hold her for a few minutes then they rushed her off to Spokane. Scott stayed with me that night and we left the next morning for Spokane to see our new daughter. She was beautiful! The nicu team was so good to me and to Lila. Her lungs were fine dispite the amnio results but she was having apenic spells that concerned the dr's. They kept her for 2 weeks I stayed with my sister liz during this time. Scott was able to stay with the kids because he was on "maternity" leave. They finally sent her home on an apnea moniter. Sunday the 26th she was blessed by Scott in the Othello 2nd ward. Scott, my dad, grandpa Mitchell, Jared Carter, Sean Anderson, and Shane Provost. That week I took her to the dr. who said since she was doing so well that we could take her off the monitor.
On Saturday the 9th I noticed that Lila had been sleeping alot. later that day she started looking a little grey around the mouth and not eating as well as she had before. I called the dr and they advised me to put her back on the monitor and see what happens. she did fine till the night. All night the alarms went off. I took her to the emergency room early sunday morning. Othello Hospital monitered her for a few hours and decided they were not equipped to handle the symptoms she was having. They flew her back to spokane on the 10th. Lila was in the picu at Sacred Heart for a week and a half after finding out she had pertussis (whooping cough). This was a very trying time for me. She was so weak and helpless. Her stats would drop and there was nothing anyone could do but hope she came out of it on her own. It was really hard to watch her go through this. The pertussis got alot worse. after a week she was no longer contagious and she started taking baby steps to getting better. They let her go home on the 19th. She is on the apnea monitor for 3 months. Even though she is not contagious she will have symptoms of the pertussis for 100 days. Everyday is a little better. I am gratefull that she had the monitor to warn us of the things to come. I am so thankful she is home now safe and sound. We just love her to bits. The kids have been so much help and have adapted much better than I thought they would (especially the boys). I am so gratefull for all the prayers and service that was shown my family during this time. It means so much to me. I know my heavenly father was aware of us and blessed us through our friends and family. :)

pregnancy....

2010-10-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

sucks! At least for me. I thought I should write my feelings down about the subject since I will never go through it again and its all so fresh in my mind. Im sure there are those out there who love being prego, and good for you. For me however it is hard. I am a type 1 diabetic who is 30 years old. Pregnancy is super scary. So many things can go wrong and the dr's make sure I am aware of ALL of them. This time around I had no complications with the baby but for some reason my body produced 2x the amount of amniotic fluid it was suppposed to :( when I went in for my amniosynthesis at 37 weeks my fluids were 50! the high side of normal is 24. I couldn't breathe, my back was spasming from the weight in the front, I couldn't eat, or sit up straight. No fun. My insulin intake also goes WAY up. The good part about being pregnant is that you never have to worry about how you look in clothes...your supposed to look fat. furthermore you get to bring a beautiful baby into the world. and lets not forget the first little flutters you feel. It never gets old. Ive gotten to experience pregnancy 6 times. I am so grateful to my heavenly father for watching over me during these trying times. And allowing me the privlige of fulfilling the reason I was put on this earth, to raise his children and teach and prepare to live with him someday. I am blessed.

Happy Birthday Lila

2010-09-08T00:32:00.001-07:00

So Lila made it here tonight. Our day started at 7:00 am with a trip to Spokane to see Jenny's specialist and have an amnio done. When we left for Spokane Jenny was having regular contractions (not unusual for the past several days). We get there, do a quick ultrasound, jenny had twice as much amniotic fluid as a "normal" pregnant woman would have, They do the amnio and tell us it will be about 6 hours til results are in. Jenny is hooked up to some monitors to make sure the amnio didn't put her into labor/make her water break. She was contracting the entire time and was checked before we left...she was dilated to a 3. Doc lady tells us to go home and don't doddle. We head home, get to the hospital at 3:15ish. By now Jenny had dilated to a 4.5/5, they could feel her "sack," Dr. Elali comes in and pops water at about 6 o'clock. Lila progresses real well on her own, several fantastic pushes and she is almost out, however Jenny was running out of steam. The super head vacuum thingy was used and at 8:52 Lila was the newest citizen of Othello.
During this the amnio results came back saying her lungs were very much not mature...they needed to score a 50 on their little testy thing and hers were a 24. They had called a specialist team to fly in from Spokane before Jenny's water was broke as a precaution. The decision was made to send her off regardless; this way if something were to happen she would be where she needed to be to get help. Othello isn't really known for their ICU. When she was born her heart rate was hovering around 200bpm, but her O2 saturation was 96-99%. Lungs were working great. Her blood sugar when born was 149, but just before leaving it dropped down to 60. I called about 11:00 and Lila had just gotten to the NICU. Her vitals were great, breathing fine, heart rate dropped down to the 150s, but her blood sugar dropped down even farther to around 30. She is currently sitting in Spokane in the NICU and will be there for a minimum of 3-4 days (Dr.'s orders). It's kinda fun because she looks just like Hazel and Myles did...Dr. Elali said we should put all of their pics side by side and see if we can tell them apart. I may have to do that and see just who can. I am not convinced I could myself.

The Man Trip

2010-08-11T17:36:00.000-07:00

So for the past two weeks I have been on a "Man Trip" with my brother,his two sons, and Myles. It really has been a lot of fun. We drove from Othello down to San Antonio Texas to bring Brandon a piano. We also put in a laminate hardwood floor in his kitchen, entry way and bathroom. Today (our last day here) we went to Sea World for Bodies birthday. It was a lot of fun, Myles had a blast. I have decided to tell the story through pictures.

belly shots

2010-08-03T09:53:00.000-07:00

My sister Liz is opening up a new web store for her maternity clothing line called fly belly...very exciting. She asked me if I would mind posing for some pictures for it. She hired an awesome photographer. This is me at 30ish weeks prego. I am glad I have pictures to remind me of this time in my life, as well as helping my sis out. We also snuck in some family pictures...love them!!!

Stupid *** Kid!

2010-07-26T00:42:00.001-07:00

So it has been way too long since our last post. We really have been very busy, especially in July. We had a very interesting thing happen tonight, Jenny and I were sitting down watching a stupid movie called Neptune's Daughter (has nothing to do with mythology) when there's a loud thumping on our back door. I grab a knife (closest weapon I had; Yes I always take a weapon with me to my door at night considering the neighborhood I live in)and go answer it. There's a lady who only says "The Dumpster by your house is on fire!" HUH!?! RUN THAT PAST ME AGAIN!?! So yes, some unimaginably stupid kid decided it would be fun to light the dumpster by our house on fire...oh and by the way that damn dumpster is only about 10 feet from my freaking house! I run out and sure enough flames filling the sky about 10 feet high, heat permeating around the scorching steel receptacle. I do what I have always been told not to do if your house/property is on fire...I got my trusty garden hose and began shooting the plastic lid of the dumpster to keep those flames from hitting my rain gutters and siding keeping the fire from burning down my house. The lady who banged on our door was on the line with 911 so it only took a few minutes for them to get there which was nice. Here are the aftermath pics.

They filled the dumpster about half way or more with water before they left.

Its officially......

2010-05-05T08:28:00.000-07:00

a girl!!!!!!!!!!!!
We couldn't be happier. I knew before I concieved that there would be another girl in our family. Only Scott believed me when we got prego that I knew that it was a girl. Kind of funny. I went in for my ultrasound yesterday to confirm our "suspicions"...and yup there she was. Yesterday was also our last birth defect ultrasound. Everything looked great. PHEWWWW. Its so nerve racking knowing that I am so high risk for those sorts of things. I am thankful that the lord has looked after this little girl and me. Im half way done. only 20 more weeks to go!

Edward Babak, This one's for you

2010-04-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

So I got this interesting text message to night from a number I did not recognize.
Here is how it went.
"Hi"
"Who is This?"
"Edward"
"As in Cullen?"
"lol no Edward Babak"
"Well Edward Babak, I'm sorry you have the wrong number."
"who is this?"
-I do not respond-
He sends this

"Stellar Aviator glasses, my wife thinks they are adorable and thinks we should get a pair for our grandson."
"Is this Rosa?"
"Sorry kid, I don't even know a Rosa, have a good evening."
"Sorry, I got the wrong number."

All I have to say is I hope Rosa is everything Edward Babak is looking for and I hope he finds her. Thanks for some good laughs Edward!

Swiper no Swiping

2010-04-10T09:59:00.000-07:00

So this morning Myles was watching Dora while I was making breakfast. Swiper was sneaking up to steal something like he does, the advice from Dora was "If you see swiper, say swiper!" Boots says," Yeah, There's swiper," to which myles yells, "SHOOT HIM!"

Random happenings at the Ritchie household

2010-04-08T17:03:00.000-07:00

I have a lot of pictures here that need to be posted. I am kind of behind...so bare with me please. Here is a random picture post of things that have been happening here lately...
Hazel turned 6 on Feb. 27th. She had Shannon her cousin over for a sleepover. They decorated their own cupcakes, sang happy birthday and did heavy heavy hang over for the gifts...too fun.

Megan turned 8 on March 6. I can't believe she is 8!! She prayed and decided to be baptized on March 27th. She has grown up so fast. She had two friends over for the night. Cameron and Kayla her best friends in the whole world.

Megans baptism. Meg was baptized by her dad. Her Uncle Jared and Uncle Curt gave talks and Her nana Kae and Grandma Reeder said the prayers. Her papa Dan and Grandpa Reeder were the witneses. After we went to ice cream to celebrate.

Myles turned 3 March 16th. He loves guns and Diego and thats what he got. He is such a guy. ")

Here are some cute pictures of Jace. He is such a cuddle bug. I just love him to pieces!

The Other day Myles picked me this beautiful bouquet. Im the luckiest mom in the world!

I don't have many pictures of Courtney to post "( but her birthday is in May. So there will be a ton then. She will be 10 YEARS OLD!! I'm beginning to feel old. This is her and her cousin Molly.

she makes me laugh!

Anyhoo...we are all staying super busy with life. Things here are good and hopefully I won't get so behind next time. Whew!

Classic Myles

2010-04-07T21:31:00.000-07:00

So today Myles is hanging out at the house with Jen and Jace. He turns to Jenn and says, "Mom, your boobs are getting plump." (yes he said plump!)
Jenny says "They are?"
Myles, "Yeah they are getting bigger."
Jenny, "I am not sure how I feel about you saying that."
Myles, "They're bigger."

Heroine!

2010-03-21T16:25:00.000-07:00

So this is gonna be a quick update that hopefully gets everybody caught up...The big news, Jenny is pregnant. We are expecting it to be a little girl, but still no official word from the doctors.

Other news, Megan is going to be baptized this weekend, as odd as it sounds it is going to be Saturday morning at 10:00. I always thought these kinds of things were done in the evening. It was pretty cool, Megan came to jenny and asked how we know if the church is true and if the Book of Mormon is true. Jenny told her that she needed to read the Book of Mormon and pray and ask her Heavenly Father if it was true, this she has been doing for a couple of weeks.

Courtney is working on controlling her temper and making better decisions. Yesterday she only got in trouble twice because of her temper and/or attitude. I was very impressed, mainly because both times she was provoked and she it took a while before she "lost it." I was very proud.

Hazel is doing well in school and behaving as though she is helpless. She tries to get everyone else in the house to do stuff for her that she is capable of doing herself. She can be very helpful. She had a birthday back in the end of Feb and had a good time. Shannon came over and spent the night, she's always a joy to have around.

Myles and Jace are both gun crazy. Myles had his birthday on the 16th of March and got 3 new guns for him to play with, and 8 new water guns. Needless to say guns go everywhere with our group now, even to church, (two just today).

NOW THE REAL REASON FOR THIS POST

So my wife is professional at Sunday naps. I love this about her because I can put the kids down for quiet time and play the Wii or PS2 or do homework. For those of you who really know my wife she is paranoid about things no one should ever be paranoid about (especially in her dreams). These paranoid delusions range from being consumed during an atomic blast or volcanic eruption with her kids or being scalped on a camping trip on an Indian Reservation (yes that is real). I love her for these "concerned feelings." Today's nap was however a little different. Here's how her adventure today in dream land went...
"So my parents were out running some errands when they came home someone had broken in and stole all of their stuff. The did leave a few things but just about everything was stolen. A few days later we went over to check out just exactly what was stolen and visit. I stepped outside and saw a couple of young teenagers walking out of the house across the street. I followed them down the street to the 7th Day Adventist church. Apparently there was a young teenage theft ring like on the original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. A kid snuck up behind me and pulled my gun out and shoved it in his face and said, 'Back off or I'll shoot you in the face. I'm going to go call the cops.' Just then a couple of girls came out and shoved a gun in my face and said she was going to shoot me. I said,'You can put that gun in my face all you want, it's not going to do you much good if I shoot you in the head first.' I began to run to my moms house and the girls gave chase. The one started to shoot at me, I turned and shot her in the stomach, her friend stopped and said, 'You shot her!" I responded with, "Well, she shouldn't have stolen from my parents!" I ran to the house where Scott was playing with the kids in the yard, still with my gun drawn, I shouted, 'get the kids inside now and hide!' Scott responded, 'Okay!' it was about this time that I was woken up by Scott to go to dinner at my parents house."

All I have to say is my wife is finally having the heroic dreams with guns and Bad A** attitude I have been mocked for having. I can taste the irony!

Answered Prayers

2010-02-25T11:40:00.000-08:00

WARNING: very personal post ")

Soon after Myles was born I had a strong feeling that there was two little spirits waiting still to come to our family. So a year later when we were expecting again I was prepared,excited even. I knew Jace was a boy and he was supposed to be with our family. My pregnancy with Jace was really difficult and scary. I had extra amniotic fluid and was retaining alot of water. At 37 weeks I measured at 43 weeks pregnant I was huge! I even amazed my doctor. The dr. decided to induce me a week early. Jace was born at 37 weeks but only measured gestationally 34 weeks. His lungs were underdeveloped. He stayed in Tricities for about a week in the icu. and they finally decided to let him come home. This was a really difficult time for me.
At my next drs appt I was talking to the dr. about birth control options and he stated concerns about my health and how scary Jaces birth was. I felt the same...It was scary.I am a type 1 diabetic mom who has had amazing luck in having 5 healthy kids. The Dr., Scott, and I all agreed that we needed to do something permanent to make sure that I was going to be around long enough to raise these kids. So a couple months later Scott went into the Dr. and made things "permanent". This was a very hard decision to make. Despite the risks I knew there was one more spirit waiting. I struggled and prayed and did alot of crying. Scott and I decided that in 5 years we would adopt and bring this spirit into our home that way. Scott had the surgery.
One day on my way to Tricities I was thinking about the situation and I kept on hearing "dont forget me" So I started to pray to my heavenly father. I told him that I needed to be around for my kids but I knew there was one more up there. I couldnt leave this spirit behind. I continued to talk to the lord about how we planned to brind another child into our family in a couple of years when we were in better living arrangements and finantialy able. to please help me find this spirit that is supposed to be with us. I felt comfort and peace that everything was going to be okay.
January came around and I started getting really tired in the middle of the day...I could barely keep my eyes open. I went to the dr and she said it was probably because I was exercizing to hard. My vitamin D was also really low. I continued life. soon my blood sugars started going crazy. I couldn;t keep them below 200 most of the time. Then I started to worry because I was "late". I tried to convince myself that it was anything else...it was "impossible" to be prego at this point. Things were "permanent". I had scott go one night and buy me a test, just to rule it out and put everyones mind at ease. It was positive. much to my and Scotts surprise. 3 months after being cut and soddered (sp?), his manhood found a way.
After the shock, amazement and bewilderment wore off, I have found that my prayers have been answered..maybe not the way I was expecting....but none the less he hears me and knows what is best. I am putting all my faith in him to help me and my family through this. It is scary. But I feel the lords love and I know I am doing what I was put on this earth to do...be a mother. I have a peace now more that ever that our family is complete. *sigh of relief* and not only complete...but forever.
Baby Ritchie #6 will join our family Sept 21, 2010. we will keep you all posted ")

It's only been 2+ months

2009-10-04T13:10:00.001-07:00

So it's only been two plus months since I last posted anything...let's see, is it even possible to "catch up...?" I don't think so. Here is a quick catch up...
Scott is still teaching kindergarten, likes it but hates how small his paycheck is. He has thought about changing careers to something more enjoyable (he wants to carry a gun and make more money). For now he is going to stay put in Warden. He is almost done with his masters. He is changing his focus from professional learning to Principalship. This way, he won't have to go back to school later.
Jenn is training to run a half marathon. She has done very well and been absurdly dedicated to exercising. It is making Scott feel more and more lazy, but not enough for him to change his ways. In fact I think he enjoys eating butterfingers even more now since Jen can't steal a bite. We had a real crappy fluey thing hit our house this past week along with other complications that just made living/being awake a miserable experience. Scott worked through the experience and Jenn tended to kids. She is amazing.
All the girls are in school and doing quit well. Courtney is in 4th grade and on Safety Patrol. She is in the same class as her best friend, so that makes it nice. Megan is doing her own thing (as usual) in Warden with Scott. Hazel is in kindergarten and is near the top of her class. She is really enjoying school. Myles is teaching Jace how to shoot guns. Jace now can grab an object that Myles has used as a gun, point it, then make the uuuuhhhhh sound for shooting it. It's pretty funny. That's about it. Now to somethings a little more fun.

1) For Scott's birthday Jenn went above and beyond awesome wifeness and got him a new gun.

Here it is again with his new scope

2) We woke up today to Courtney saying "Mom, come and look at the kitchen table, it's been frosted!" We were just as confused as you might be. Here's what we found.

A dust storm hit last night and we left a window open on accident. Courtney had already begun drawing in the "frosting."

a better view of how much "frosting" there was. This is after I started cleaning up the mess. It took most of the morning to get this place cleaned back up. So gross!

We had a large dust Storm that hit over the night and knocked down our tree in our front yard. The wind must have been blowing pretty hard.

Hopefully it wont be another 2+ months before we update this again.

Jace 8 months

2009-07-06T23:28:00.000-07:00

So stinking cute....thats all :)

2009-06-29T13:13:00.000-07:00

My brother sent me this video and I think it is hilarious. If you want it, let me know.

PS to update

2009-06-24T10:02:00.000-07:00

I forgot to mention a little story about Myles. Those of you who know Myles also know he as a fascination that is boarder line unhealthy with guns and shooting people. We try to keep him from shooting everyone and everything with his finger gun, however our feeble attempts are not as progressive as we would like. During our trip, he unholstered his finger gun and was shooting everyone, so I gave him a warning. He said "OKAAAAAY!" A few minutes later he was once again leading a massacre again. I looked at him and said "MYLES! Put your gun away!" He looked at me, his smile disappeared, his head hung low, and he walked across our hotel room with shoulders drooped. He walks up to the little table by the microwave, places his hand in the shape of his gun on the table holds it there for about 4 seconds, changes the shape of his hand (back to normal) and goes and sits down. We didn't have another "gun" incident for the rest of the afternoon. It was hilarious.

Quick Update

2009-06-23T22:45:00.001-07:00

So we are currently in Idaho at the Holiday Inn Express...and yes I do feel smarter! Ther is a fun little family funcenter attached here called Triple Play. This place consists of go-carts, bumper boats, minigolf, bowling, lazer-tag, rock climbing, arcade, wavepool, and waterslides. Bottom line, we are having fun and enjoying the time together. A few funny things that have been going on here. We went out mini golfing today and Myles wanted to golf too. He took a ball and club then kept saying "I spank it!" He kept hitting the ball as hard as he could then saying "I spank it!" He would cut in front of everyone adn say "Me turn!" He has just been funny. At the end fo the day I took the kids back to the pool to finish off the night. When we got back he starts smiling, walks to me and says "Hi daddy, how was your day?" He is just the funniest, most lovable kid ever. Here are some pics to finish off the post.

This is the todler play area complete w/slides

Hazel Swimming

Megan and Court enjoying the pool.

The kids play area dumping around 350 gallons over everything.

Court and Megan trying to go under the waves in the pool.

Bumper boating Courtney got soaked.

Doing a little golfing.

randomness

2009-06-18T21:32:00.000-07:00

Life gets going so fast, and before I know it so much has happened that I don't have the time of patience to sit and recall it all so here is a quick overview. This month so far...
1. The kids are done with school
2. This means Megan is off her ADHD meds for the summer *sigh* (not in a good way)
3. Hazel started Kinder Camp in Warden
4. Jace finally had 2 teeth break through
5. He also started solids and LOVES them...He can't stop
6. Hazel gave herself a black eye with a banana
7. Courtney learned to use the Heeleys we gave her for her birthday and now we can't convince her to take them off
8. Myles can swim with just his floaties
9. Jenny started working part time in Moses Lake at Priscilla's boutique
10. Scott and Hazel are done with School and Kinder Camp
11. The girls got haircuts
12. Jenny finished her quilts that she has been working on for 2 years...Pictures to come
13. Scott got his financial aid reinstated
14. Our strawberries are on. Yea!!
15. Megan got 8 staples in the back of her head

And we still have the other half of the month to go!

I am going to go into a little detail about Megan and her staples...
Saturday morning we woke up, had breakfast, and proceeded to do our Saturday chores around the house. We were nearly done when Megan came to me complaining that she could not shut her drawers because they had too many clothes in them. I told her to go take all the winter clothes out so we could put them away for summer. A few minutes passed when we heard a crash and Courtney screaming. Megan had pulled too hard on one of her drawers and the whole dresser came crashing down on top of her...along with the 10 gallon glass fish tank that was on top. Scott rushed in to help her and told me to get some towels to sop up the water. Scott carried Megan into the bathroom covered in blood. I stuck her in the shower so we could find out where it was coming from. We soon found the huge gash on the back of her head and a cut on the side of her neck. I threw a nightgown on her and rushed her to the hospital. The doctor looked at her and decided that she needed staples. While they went out to get the "stapler" ready megan wispered to me through her tears "mom, you need to pray with me that heavenly father will be here". So we did. They stapled Megs head 8 times and superglued the cut on her neck back together. She was a trooper. She had a couple of nicks from the tank shattering on her. The nurse came to discharge her, and gave me all the papers for the after care and this is what it said to do...
1. Home to rest
2. Staples out in 7-10 days in clinic
3. Tylenol or Motrin as needed for pain
4. Take Megan shopping for new fish
After this experience she says that she dosen't want to EVER have a fish tank again. I agree with her. She also said she wanted to eat the sucker fish for dinner.

I was so gratful for my heavenly father for looking over us. And for a nurse with an awesome sense of humor.

i'm so vain...you probably think this blog is about me

2009-05-24T21:08:00.000-07:00

This was a challenge from my sister Liz....who was challenged from a friend...and I am passing it on to you...

First I got all dressed up. This rarely happens because I do have 5 kids, and lets face it...I am last on the totem pole when it comes to hot showers and fancy clothes.
But today was different, I was feeling kind of "mommy hot" and went outside for some pictures. I took about a hundred (thinking one out of a hundred was probable)and soon went inside after getting some funny looks from the cars passing by. Once inside I flipped through my pictures and thought "Hey I'm not so bad looking". So I sat on my couch by the window and took some more...

This was fun...I hate having pictures taken of myself. I feel like i am never ready and turn out looking stupid, but with me manning the camera I was always ready...thus the same face in all of them ") Looking over them I found that I like what I see...and more importantly who I am. I think I will even get one made up for my husband to put on his desk at work.

So now it's your turn! Have a good attitude, get all prettied up, and go take some pictures!! You'll have fun and feel great!! Take some of yourself. Or have your husband or kids take some...see your self through their eyes. Or call me. It will be fun! Can't wait to see what you do!

Sprinkles

2009-05-23T23:14:00.000-07:00

Today I am watching Nenas kids. I took them to mcdonalds and bought them all a kiddie cone. Beckham was in the middle in the second row of the durango so he got the job of handing them out to everyone as I gave them to him. He did an excellent job until he got to the last one...his. as I handed it to him his fingers slipped and it fell icecream down on the floor. As he picked it up I tried to console him seeing the disapointment on his face. He took one look and was so excited YUM SPRINKLES!! and before I could stop him he devoured it (flecks of dirt and grass and who knows what else). maybe I am a bad babysitter, but I couldn't help but laugh. Such a funny kid

6 months old

2009-05-21T13:18:00.000-07:00

Yes this is a big milestone in life...the big 6th month...1/2 year post
Jace is getting to be such a big boy! He rolls both ways, plays with toys, and loves his binky. He is not quite sitting up yet but it won't be too much longer i'm sure. He weighs a ton (about 20 lbs) and has a ton of squishy rolls. He also coos and has a smile that lights up the room. I can't believe that even though he has the chubbiest cheeks in history, when he smiles you can see a faint dimple. He still has no teeth but i am sure they aren't too far off either.He is not too keen on solid food, but I am still desperatly trying. I love this little guy!

When he is on his tummy gravity does a number on those cheeks ")

Courtney turns 9!

2009-05-21T11:43:00.000-07:00

I got the honor this year of sharing mothers day with Courtney. She was born 9 years ago on May 10th. I really can't believe that it has already been that long. It sure goes by fast!

What a wonderful gift... to be able to share mothers day with my first born made this day extra special.
I love you Courtney Lauren, I am so greatful for the knowlege that you are eternally mine.
love mom

It's about time!

2009-05-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Jace has had a couple of really rough weeks. It all started about 3 weeks ago when he started being really fussy, kind of congested, and developed a really croupy cough. the next week it was all that plus diaherea, throwing up, a fever, plus he wasn't eating very well. the following week he developed an ear infection, eye gunk, and a rash all over his body. I took him back to the doctor for the 3rd time and they FINALLY put him on some antibiotics. Three days later *after not smiling for weeks* he looks like this today...

I am so glad to see his smile again!

Baby Powder...

2009-05-06T20:48:00.000-07:00

I told Myles to get me the baby powder...my bad.

Myles

2009-04-27T23:14:00.000-07:00

Okay, Myles is freaking hilarious. He took a bath tonight, played, spilled water, the whole experience. Got done, dried off and ran around commando for a while. Decides to mark his territory. Jenn rushes him into the bathroom and he stands on the little stool we have in the bathroom. While standing there he begins to swivel left and right holding himself. He looks up at Jenn and says, "Turn it on mommy!" I Love this little kid!

Meatball Man

2009-04-19T12:58:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has been around Jace you all know that he is the most chubby uncontent boy ever. He refuses to take a bottle or even a binky to give mommy a little "me time". Not only "me time" but any peace and quiet time will do. when he isn't eating, he is fussing.(at least he is healthy) I have gotten pretty used to it and accepted the fact that this is just how it is. This morning he was his usual fussy self, I looked over and saw his binky laying there and thought should I try again? Why? I will just be let down. I, with false hope picked it up and put it in his mouth and to my surprise, he took it. YAY! It was a miracle! Not only did he take it but he fell asleep with it. I feel free for at least an hour. sigh!. I know that this may seem small to some but when I am constantly attached to my sweet baby and can't even leave him for an hour in fear that he will scream till I come home. This is truly a happy moment that I needed to document...

Does Jace kind of look like the godfather (Marlon Brando) in this picture to anyone else?

oh, and just so there is no confusion...Meatball man is what the girls have lovingly nicknamed Jace. I just love chubby babies and Jace has plenty to love. :)

finished product

2009-04-19T12:51:00.000-07:00

Here are the bowls that we made in Utah. I forgot to feature a finished product picture of them. I love them! I am surprised that I could get a picture of them all clean. My kids have been using them constantly since we got them home. Any other bowl is inferior in their eyes.

spring break

2009-04-14T15:03:00.000-07:00

Spring break this year Courtney, Megan, Hazel, Jace, and I all packed up and headed up to Utah to visit my ex inlaws and my sister Kathy. I was excited because it would give me a chance to spend some much needed time with my girls and do some fun and exciting things that I had never done before. We left on Sat morning early, around 3 in the morning, and arrived in Utah around 5 that evening. We went and ate dinner with all the Davis' at the Golden Corral. The next day was church and another get together with lots of family and friends. Monday we met up with my sister and went to a place called Color me mine. It was a pottery place where the kids each picked out something and painted. It was so much fun!! We spent about 3 hours painting. The kids each picked out a "cereal bowl" and had the time of their lives painting them. I painted one for Myles and Jace.

Don't you just love how Brooke is giving me the "stink eye"?
Tuesday dan and Rakae, Monica and her girls and us all went to Laffy Taffy Town. The kids LOVED it. they each picked 20 pieces of taffy off the wall behind them.

during the rest of the week we also went to the living planet aquarium, and the choclate factory, ate out at auntie annie, went shopping, the cheese factory, and went to Hill aerospace museum, Krispy Kreme, Jamba Juice, and I can't forget Cafe Rio...yum!!

The aquarium...

The choclate factory...

When we left the choclate factory all my girls decided they wanted to be choclate artists when they grow up...I'm so proud!
the cheese factory...

hill aerospace museum...

Hazel was so funny. She wanted me to take her picture next to the most handsome manequin...

We left Sunday morning, drove all day. We were all very excited to finally be home. I missed Scott and Myles so much. I kept wishing they were with us. Scott needed to finish up his Masters paper and we decided that taking the car we had to leave one of the kids home. With Myles being 2, Scott felt they needed some "male bonding time" They had a good , relaxing time here at home doing manly things.
It was a good experience and I want to go back next year and do the rest of the things on my list! but for now its back to life I guess

Kathy's little girl...

2009-04-12T23:58:00.000-07:00

Spring break was last week. Courtney, megan, hazel, jace and I all took a trip down to Utah to visit my ex inlaws and my sister Kathy. I haven't seen my sister since she had Hailey. I took tons of pictures. Just look at those eyelashes and chubby cheeks. She is such a doll! Anyway, here they are Kathy...

Brent Jay

2009-03-27T19:53:00.000-07:00

I went down to Spokane to visit my sister last week and meet my new nephew Brent. Isn't he adorable?? (by the way misty... This is lesson 4 part 1. I am a little behind)I turned of my flash and used natural light only, facing the window. I think they turned out so cute...or maybe its just the sweet baby and all his hair. I can't get enough of him.

3 Birthdays and a Nephew Later...

2009-03-16T22:21:00.000-07:00

So I have noticed that it is not easy enough for me to update daily, so I wait, and wait, and wait. Then I discover that so much has transpired that I am not able to do a "quick" update which causes me to be not so motivated to write anything. Thus the reasons for not posting for a month. Oh well get over it! I have decided to update through photos...everyone loves photos.

Our first photo has a fun little story behind it. Courtney decided it would be a great idea one day to trade coats with a "friend" at school. Now here's the kicker, they both wore the exact same coat! So Courtney brought the girls coat home, we discovered it wasn't hers...Courtney tried to get hers back...girl wouldn't trade back...I had to get involved and embarrass the little girl in front of her friends at school. The moral of our story that Megan took away was LABEL YOUR STUFF!!!

Shortly after this fun filled day we celebrated Hazel's 5th birthday. It's hard to believe that she is 5 already and will be starting kindergarten next year with me at Warden. Time really does fly. For Hazel's birthday we decorated cupcakes that Hazel and Jenny made. We had to have that "delicious" icing from a can because it was PINK. She is such a nut! To top off the evening she had to have the worlds longest and skinniest candles, these things are like mini aborigine hunting darts! However they did sparkle which was cool; like little sparklers on top of the cupcake.

A week later Megan had her birthday. Unfortunately There are no pictures because Jenny's new camera ran out of batteries and consequently didn't work. At the same time I was up in Canada so I only heard about the fun that was had. For starters, I know that Megan wanted to have a Bowling party. So off jenny went to Grandma's house to play the Wii. Megan is actually really good at Wii Bowling, kinda pisses me off! She's raking in scores like 230+. After a fun filled evening of kicking everyone butt at bowling, they went for a dip in the hot tub. All in all I think she had a great birthday. I was told today that Megan even made her own cake...because she wanted to!

8 days later we get a text message from Liz telling us she had her baby. A little boy named Brent Jay Cunningham. He is adorable, you can check out their blog to see pics. Only because Liz saw fit to post a fantastically "vintage" picture of me on her blog some time ago (from high school) I feel it only fair to return the favor! Here is Liz receiving gifts at her baby shower! I call this the many faces of Liz.

Finally tonight we celebrated Myles birthday. He is two years old today and every bit a little spit fire punk. He has learned to say No in the correct context, but not at the best times. Good examples of this are Myles go to bed...NO! Lay down Myles...NO! Little punk! For his birthday Myles had Chicken wings. He loves my chicken wings. This is just a funny picture. Grandma and Grandpa got him a Diego tri-cycle that goes in the bathtub. You pull the string and it pedals through the water. It's cute! He also got a new remote control Jeep Rubicon and a soccer goal with cones and ball. He loved it. I set it up for him tonight and he sat there for a good 20+ minutes kicking his soccer balls into the goal. He loves soccer. He will sit and watch our little Pele wannabe neighbors play all afternoon. He will run around out there wit them and try to play. So I figured let him go with it!
All in all we are doing great, Jenny is a Lotte under the weather, which should pass in a day or two. That's what we got going on here...update ya in another month or so!

Valentines Day Date

2009-02-15T23:32:00.000-08:00

I have the best husband ever!! Okay...now that I have that out of the way, Feb. 13 we got babysitters for the kids (except Jace) and headed to Tri-Cities. Scott booked us a hotel room at the Courtyard by Marriot. Not just a room, a suite. It had a separate divided living room, formal sitting make-up/get ready area, and a rather large jetted tub. It was HUGE!! Our hotel package came with a couples massage. We showed up to the spa with Jace; the people looked at us like we were crazy, but what are you going to do? Jace started off behaving, but soon decided that he needed more attention than Scott and I. He cried through the first 30 minutes. As I was trying to calm him down I looked over at Scott snoring through his massage, and thought "How can anyone sleep through this?" (sigh) Men!? I really enjoyed the last half hour. After Scott tried to grope me, we left and went to dinner at P.F. Changs, a Chinese "bistro" I have really wanted to try for a while. It was great hanging out with Scott and spending time together. It doesn't happen very often. Saturday morning we woke up, went down stairs and had breakfast, went back up stairs...um never mind. Then we packed up, checked out, ran some errands, then headed home. It was a great time. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful husband who understands that I need to get out every once in a while. I am excited for next year when I won't have a nursing baby. It kind of makes me giddy.

Our Jetted Tub

Jace in his "jetted tub"

Jace had it rough!

Today

2009-01-19T23:17:00.000-08:00

This morning the girls woke up so excited for Martin Luther King's birthday. They decided that they were going to have a party. Megan went over to the neighbors to play for a little while and make plans for there wonderous party. Soon she came home crying looking like this...

She was doing her hair and it had gotten stuck. No matter how she pulled it, it was not comming out.

After about 15 minutes of pulling and yanking Scott finally was able to get it out. I don't think it was quite the look she was going for...

To add insult to injury Scott and I couldn't help giggling and taking pictures. She was just so cute...

Hopefully someday she will find the humor in it all :)

The kids planned all day in their room for their "party". Including the rules of the party which they posted on the door of the room and anyone who wanted to come to the party had to recite them.

Here is a picture of Hazel and Gisel reciting the party rules...

They danced and ate...

and had a wonderful day.

And of course I have to add a picture of Jace. Today he wore the cutest socks. Scott calls them "gay" but I think they are so sweet.

Sweet right?
I was trying to get a cute shot of Scott holding Jace. I told Scott to smile and this is what he did

This is his "I am so excited you are taking my picture" face. He is kind of a punk.

The Mullet

2009-01-15T20:45:00.001-08:00

Tuesday I had decided that I was going down to Tri-cities to do a little shopping. The girls were in school so I just had Hazel, Myles, and Jace. My friend Kristen called me that morning and asked if I would cut her daughters hair, and in return I could leave Hazel to play with her 5 year old daughter Sara. I was so excited to be getting away with just the boys. I thought it would make things alot easier...Not so much. Four poopy diapers, nursing for an hour, and only finding one cute shirt for Jace, while chasing after Myles yelling for him to stop swooping all the nicely folded clothes off the tables at baby gap laughing like a little deamon, exhausted after only 3 hours, ready to give up, later, I received a text message from Kristen saying...soooo what do you think of Hazel with short hair? WHAT?! I quickly gave her a call. Apperently Hazel and Sara were playing really quietly in Sara's room. To quietly. Kristen went in to see what they were up to. They found a pair of safty sissors and decided that in order for them to look like twins they both needed hair cuts. Sara decided to cut Hazels hair like hers, oh and color it red with a marker so they would both have red hair. Then Hazel decided that Sara needed a hair cut too. I have to laugh through the tears. I have tried for so long to grow her hair out. What do you do? On the bright side I think Hazel is a way better beautition than Sara. Hazel definently got butched. She looked like she was a roady for Def Leapord. Mullet and all. I did my best to fix what I could but alot of it will just have to grow out. It was beyond repair. especially the 1/2 inch patch on the crown of her head, and both sides cut above her ears, oh, and the eyelashes. ha ha laughing ")

"The Mullet in all lts glory"

The new and "improved" Hazel

The many faces of Jace

2009-01-07T19:48:00.000-08:00

seriously!?!

courtesy smile

ninja sleeper

Elvis impersonator

I want my mommy now!!!!!

the nostril flare of total rejection

sweet dreamer

the ultimate yawn

my sweet Jace

Scott's Update

2009-01-04T20:02:00.000-08:00

So I have decided to do a quick update since Jenny will do the "official December Update" later. Before I start updating, I have to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my lovely wife. Today she turned 29; 29 years and 5 kids later she is still smoking hot! For Jenny's birthday we went out to dinner to Famous Daves BBQ (her choice, not mine), and to go and see Twilight (her choice, not mine), in addition to a diversion into Victoria's Secret (my choice, not hers)to gander a little. All in all I had a blast and really enjoy spending time with my wife; as it should be.
I must say that twilight was not as bad as I thought it was going to be, I instantly saw the "high school girl/teenie-bopper" appeal of the whole movie. Oh well, Jenny liked it.
So tonight I remind the kids that today is Jenny's birthday, which caused Megan to ask "Mom, how old are you?" "29 Megy." "Oh, well then you need a wedding cake for all of those candles huh!?" I had to laugh.
A little update on Myles, we have decided that he would have made a lousy pioneer child. Every time he goes outside into the cold, he stops walking, won't move, and just stands there saying "It cold, It cold!" It's kinda funny. I am a little concerned about him, he has this fascination with shoes (mostly Hazel's, hence the concern.) I took a picture tonight to show what he strutted around the house in all night. Freakin ridiculous!

In addition I have to say that Myles in "Time-out" is hilarious. Here is what he looks like.

Happy New Year~!!

2008-12-31T17:52:00.000-08:00

Sorry it's been so long. It has been crazy with the holidays. Before the year ended I thought I needed to blog once more to let everyone know that we are still alive and kicking. I have a really long, all in one, December blog comming. I just need to finish organizing pictures. I will get to it someday. We want to wish everyone a great new year! Here are some new pictures of Jace that I took today...he is getting so chunky! Look at those cheeks!! He is 6 weeks old and 10 lbs. I havent forgotten about my other munchkins. Lots of pictures to come. Stay tuned ")

You should always wear pj's to bed....

2008-12-07T20:16:00.000-08:00

This has been a very busy week! Jace is doing really well and the kids are adapting. Our house is a zoo! Tuesday morning Jace woke up at 3:00am and ate, I checked my blood sugars to make sure they wern't too low, and went back to bed. Apperantly sometime during the night I slipped into a diabetic coma. My mom called me to ask a question around noon. When Hazel answered she told my mom that I was still sleeping and that she and Myles could not wake me up. Then she herd Jace crying and felt she should come and see what was going on. When she got to my house Hazel and Myles were in the living room watching a movie. Jace was in the room with me crying. My mom couldn't wake me so she called an ambulance. I remember waking up to my mom by my bed with a panic look on her face, holding Jace. I kept trying to talk but I could only slur a couple of words. She told me that I had been in a coma and that the ambulance was here to take me to the hospital. I started to panic when I found out that my kids had been on there own all morning...haden't eaten, or been changed, or had anyone to watch over them....PANIC! They took me to the hospital. by the time I got there I was okay. They had me eat some lunch and I was released. My mom called Scott at school. all she could say is Jenny's in a coma!! Scott rushed home in a panic. Scott leaves with the girls for school around 7:30. He said that Jace was crying when he left so he came in and brought him to me and I just nursed him in bed. Just acted really tired. When I got home I realized that my glasses were broken...Myles, in trying to wake me, broke them. He knows that when mom wakes up she puts her glasses on and I needed to wake up. I was so proud of Hazel for taking care of Myles and Jace as much as she could while I was in the coma. What a big girl. And I am especially thankful to my mom for listening to her gut and realizing that everything wasn't okay, and being willing to come check on us. I have a great mom! Looking back on the experience I am soooo greatful that I was wearing pj's to bed!! for everyones sake! here are a couple of pics from last week

The first pic is my favorite because it looks like Jace is giving me the stink eye ")

He's Home

2008-11-26T16:07:00.001-08:00

Well I guess that the title basically tells what this is all about. Jace finally made it home yesterday at about 5:00 pm. The Dr. said that he could come home if his bili-count 14 or below; his results were 13.9. He is doing very well; slept well last night, he is sleeping a lot during the day, which I guess is to be expected. He was awake for about 2 full hours today. Myles has taken to Jace like a fish to water. He is always looking, kissing, trying to help, etc. He just loves his little brother. Yesterday Myles came into Jenny while she was holding Jace, he went up, put a little blanket on Jace, kissed him then ran away. He is so excited to have a little brother. All in all Jace is doing well, just a little jaundice.

Booby Man

2008-11-23T20:59:00.000-08:00

So tonight we went and checked in on Jace. He is doing very well. He has been moved into pediatrics so Jenny can stay with him at night. We talked to the doctor and he wants Jace to stick around so they can take care of his Jondus (spelling?). I tried to talk them into sending him back to Othello, but they kept coming up with every reason not to send him back. So we will have to wait the next day or two and see what they say. We are very hopeful by Tuesday (at the latest) he will be home. I had to laugh because the nursed kept telling us that he couldn't latch on to a nipple. As soon as Jenny busted out the boob, he latched on like a pro, no problems and fed for a good hour. We took him off the boob and gave him a bottle, he wanted nothing to do with it; moving his head, spitting it out. Hilarious to me. He is a definite booby boy just like his brother and dad.

dark wavy hair

2008-11-21T21:35:00.000-08:00

Today Scott, Hazel, Myles and I (the girls were in school) went down to Tricities to see Jace. He is doing a little better. Off Oxygen and eating better. We finally got to hold and snuggle him. He is the sweetest little thing! I didn't realize how much hair he had! After I had him he was wisked away. I never really got to see him without a hat. Today when I saw him he looked completely different without a hat on. He has Scott hair. It's dark and wavy and he kind of has a receding hair line already. I LOVE it!! So today the highlight of my day was dark wavy hair. Tomorrow he has xrays to look at his lungs and make sure there are no signs of pnemonia. They are also watching him because he has a heart murmur and is jaundice. Pray for our little guy.

toes

2008-11-20T18:05:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I went down to Tricities to be with Jace. When I got to the hospital I was so worn out but at the same so excited to be with my little guy and maybe hold him and look at him and all his little perfect parts.(you got to make sure that they are all there). One of my favorites is his little toes. They are so small and sweet. They gave me so much happiness just looking at them. I was not able to hold him or touch him because they are trying to keep him as stable as possible, so as such yesterday the hilight of my day was toes. We will see what tomorrow brings...

Another Update...

2008-11-19T14:12:00.000-08:00

Jace was not improving (he wasn't getting worse, just not getting better) here in Othello, so they have shipped him down to Kadlec Medical Center in Richland. He will be in their neonatal sector until he is able to go home. They nurses that came to get him said it could be a day or more, it all depends on how he improves. So Jenny is doing as well as can be expected. She has pain, mostly from where her epidural was (should have been; we found out later that it fell out before the delivery). She got home today, washed, changed, and went down to Kadlec to be with Jace while I am here tending to the other 4 kids. Jenny will be staying at her Uncles house so we wont have to commute everyday. We are optimistic, but only time will tell. Keep Jace in your prayers.

Extra Extra....

2008-11-18T15:05:00.000-08:00

Where to begin...well let's start with Jace Andrew Ritchie is finally here. He weighed 7lb 15 oz and was 21 inches long. Jenny went in last night at 6:00, was awake all night with pain, a very on the ball but gay nurse named Clint (he brought his A-game and made Jenny very happy.) Today she spent all day fighting with the epidural (which didn't giver her enough narcotics to satisfy the "hunger" she had.) We found out shortly after that Jace had inhaled some of the fluid and now it is in his lungs; so they are watching to make sure he doesn't develop pneumonia. If it doesn't go according to plan, they will ship him off to Tri-Cities instead of Spokane. Here is a picture of the little cutie. At first I was unsure if he looked like us, but I can see it now.

Lamb Chops

2008-11-13T21:00:00.000-08:00

Okay, so last night Hazel went to a friend's house to spend the night. For dinner tonight she had lamb chops. When Hazel got home and shared that information with us, the girls asked what lamb chops were, we told them baby sheep. Megan, with her eyes all glossy and as much seriousness as she could muster, says, "Mom, can we kill a lamb and eat it?" Oh my gosh I laughed for about 5 minutes straight.

Jenny update-
Nothing new to share, still in pain, still elevated amniotic fluids, going in Monday to harvest this child.

Just a little update

2008-11-04T20:08:00.000-08:00

I had a Dr. appt today where they did an ultrasound to check on my amniotic fluid levels and make sure our little boy was doing well. Everything at the appt went fine. Heart rate...fine, Contractions....none. The Dr. told me that he would probably try to induce me around the 18th or 19th which was a little bit earlier that anticipated; unless he found out something new when he got the results of the ultrasound back. I have been struggling with keeping my amniotic fluid levels down due to complications with my diabetes, and have been on bed rest for the past week accompanied with a low sodium diet. I am extremely uncomfortable. It makes it hard to breathe, move, sleep, or do anything. Last week I was in the hospital after my ultrasound revealed that my amniotic levels were around 28 (regular is between 10 and 23.) I went down to a 20 and got to go home the next day. Around 5:00 today I got a phone call from the Dr., my levels are now up to 30! I am in so much pain all the time. I have NEVER been this uncomfortable with any of my other pregnancies. At 35 weeks and being diabetic my Dr. is very concerned about taking the baby too early because of lung development delays, so he said to come in on Thursday and he would set me up for an amnio next week in Spokane with my diabetic specialist. When we get those results back he said we will be better able to take action from there. It is kind of scary. We could sure use the prayers. Sorry I have no pics of the huge belly...My camera broke last month and we have been using the camera on our phones for the last couple of posts. What a crummy time for it to break!! Hopefully I will get a new one soon. Until then, pray, pray, pray, that little Jace will get here healthy and safe.

A Pirate, Princess, Ghost, Jedi, and a School Bus

2008-11-02T16:32:00.000-08:00

So here is our official Halloween post. Working in Warden I have been labeled "eccentric," (yes I checked the spelling). So to prove everyone wrong; to prove that I was just as "normal" as everyone else in that damn building, I dressed up for Halloween. I chose a costume that everyone could relate to one way or another. It was a familiar sight that conjures memories of "Good Times!" I think it best to show you what I was, like they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

Yes I was a school bus. It was the cheapest costume I have ever worn. I took a wardrobe box from u-haul, and painted it yellow, added some windows, lights, a grill, a few holes for accessibility, pictures for ambiance, and a little mood music (yes my costume had music, and I am not sure I need to say what song I had playing, The wheels on the Bus.) To add to my day, when I got to school, still holding my bags and stuff, several people made comments like, "Hey didn't I just see you in the office," or "Weren't you just in the Library?" I had just walked in the door, so I wasn't sure what they were talking about. I politely said, "No! You're stupid! See the bags, the back door I just walked in? I just got here." I was polite. I drooped off all of my crap and rushed into the gym for my "duty." While patrolling "the yard," a legion of educators dressed in various unprofessional attire, came walking across the gym right towards me. I must admit I did pee my pants a little bit. It was a scary scene. The Monarch of the group stepped through the "Flying V" that formed while crossing the gym. There standing toe to toe with me was my clone! One of the 4th grade teachers decided to dress up as me for Halloween. She was complete with slacks, dress shirt, neck tie, and beard.

Now to the kids, The girls wanted to dress up and wear their costumes all day. I told them no because I didn't want them to ruin them during the day. Megan kept coming to my class at every break she could create and asking "Now, can I put on my costume?" I finally said sure and she ran off to become the little pilfering pirate she is. Her costume was complete with the ear ring, eye patch, sword, and bad breath.

Courtney decided to be ghost phantom thing. She created a little back story to help explain who she was. When she put on the costume she became Ghostmer Ghost. Apparently Ghostmer is a ghost that likes to fly through people. Sometimes when Ghostmer flies through people she penetrates the heart and drinks a little bit of their blood, killing them instantly. Courtney has a very explicit imagination. I was unfortunately unable to get a picture of this ghost. I will have to get the one the in-laws took and post it later.

Hazel, as usual was a princess. I was kinda hoping that would have worn off, or at least lost it's appeal by now. But no, she still runs around telling people her name is "Princess Hazel." She also acts the way she thinks a princess should act; basically that Jenny and My views are inferior and we are the tyrants she can't wait to replace. She decided to be Snow White and really enjoys still putting on the costume, which only helps solidify her royal heritage, at least in her world where we eat rainbows and fart butterflies.

Myles was with out a doubt the coolest. Last Christmas Lila gave Myles a gigantor of a towel with a hand towel sewn on for a hood. Well over this past year using this towel, I came to the conclusion that in this towel, Myles looked like a Jedi. So Jenny went out, bought a gigantor brown towel with matching hand towel and I began to sew with only about 45 minutes til go time. I got Myles hood sewn on, Jenny got his face painted, and we armed him with the Force and a Light Saber. He used the Light Saber more than the force, little punk! When all was said and done, he looked hilarious, Our little Yoda!

Side bar notation that kinda plays a role in the rest of the story, Jenny has been put on bed rest because she has irrigated Jace (our final name for our newest edition) a little too much and now her "Belly" has too much fluid. How does this tie in, well that left me to take the kids "Solo Mio." So we went to Moses to trick-or-treat with Jeremie and family. The kids had a great time. I kinda planned it perfectly. We showed up at about 7:00 and went for about an hour. I had all four kids and wasn't really excited about walking all over creation with Yoda, a blood sucking heart killing phantom ghost, a pilfering pirate, and a princess. The kids did their thing, I tagged along and carried Yoda (I swear I have seen him fly in the freaking movies, but not that night!) With in an hour and a half, people were out of candy, so we went by gma Bruce's, said hello/trick-or-treat, and headed home. In bed by 10:00, "sorting" candy with my diabetic wife by 10:15. Good Times!! That's just how we do things here.

Well this month we...

2008-10-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

Where to begin, well today we spent most of the day cleaning. This was Megan's contribution (among other things.) I had her scrub out the tubs, sinks, counters, and toilets. Her only comment the whole time was "When do I get to clean the toilets?"

This month the girls spent an entire week going to "Cheer-camp" in Warden. The high school cheer leaders put on a little week long clinic to help raise money. The girls wanted to go and participate so we sighned them up. They had a lot of fun, and have been running around cheering everywhere all the time. They will be walking down the an at Wal-Mart singing and clapping some cheer.

While at the football game myles was extremely excited, he kept "ooohing and awwwwing" while pointing down to the players. When the girls were out cheering he was clapping and dancing with them.

I sent a text to several of you letting you know how cool of a car I have. For those of you who were not so lucky...here's the official announcement of how cool my car is. While I was driving, I was wondering just how far I could go on one tank of gas before my gas light turned on. I took a picture as soon as the light kicked on. If you can't read the milage, it is 499.3 miles.

I can't remember if I blogged about it or not, but this summer when we were on our way camping, something happened to the Durango that I had never seen, Here is the picture.

I came in to put Hazel to bed this past week, there she was laying in bed all smiles and coverd up just waiting. I go in and see her staring up at me with this goofy grin and face decorated as shown. I asked her what happened to her face, "Its my nake-up dad." "What did you use to put on your make-up?" "The blue pen!" Oh my gosh! Seriously!

I am not sure if it was this month, or last but we went to the Adams Coutny Fair with the kids on dollar night. All tickets are $1, it's the only night we ever consider going out; mainly becuase the adams county fair is rediculously stupid and I will not pay full price to go to something so lame. Here are some pictures of what we did.

To finish our day we went to our aunts house to raid her pumpkin patch. All the kids had a blast, even Myles. We tried to get myles to choose a smaller pumpkin he could carry. HE WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH SMALL PUMPKINS! I had to laugh at him. Tommorrow we will go to my class and paint them together. Jenn said we cant carve them because the kids cant use the knives. WHATEVER!

And last but not least, last weekend I helped my father-in-law finish off his new deck; then man lift a 600 pound hot tub into place. Good times. It looks great

Well almost last, these pictures are just to funny. One is Myles taking a bath and the other is just fun features on my phone.

My Amazing Wife

2008-10-04T08:53:00.000-07:00

My wife wanted me to call her today since I will be gone all day long...well I have decided that instead of calling her (since she is on the computer a lot checking blogs anyways), I will surprise her with a blog listing all the reasons I adore her.
1) She is gorgeous
2) She has a wonderful sense of humor
3) She my baby mama
4) Her taste in music (although angry music) is actually good
5) She is a carnivore
6) She is a fabulous mother
7) She has supported me through 5+ years of school
8) She is slowly turning herself into a Machine like Darth Vador (insulin pump)
9) She gets ridiculously excited about fabric
10) She gets ridiculously excited about baby clothes
11) She is an incredible wife
12) She loves to go camping
13) She wants to own a hand gun and concealed weapons permit
14) She can make tamales
15) She is very understanding
16) She is compassionate
17) Her testimony is unwavering
18) She teaches her children to read the scriptures and live the gospel
19) She teachers by example (both good and bad)
20) She loves bacon
21) Her boobs a perfect size
22) She loves being outside
23) She loves window shopping
24) Even though she was pregnant, she went camping with me twice this summer
25) Her chicken noodle soup is freaking awesome
25) She loves kids
26) She thinks I am better than I think I am
27) She tries hard to get to know people who are important to me
28) She tells me when I am being an ass
29) She wanted a garden this summer and "let" me plant it, tend it, &share the spoils
30) She hates animals like I do (except for pug puppies. I don't know!)
31) She said YES.
32) She likes to drive as much as I do
33) She looks freaking hot in her Durango
34) She wants to learn to snowboard
35) She smiles when its hard or hurts
36) She is extremely patient
37) She loves movies
38) We enjoy the same shows on TV (yes on our 3 channels)
39) The simple things mean the most to her
40) She is a great "cuddler" in bed

Babe, you're the best!

How life doesn't change

2008-09-20T22:03:00.000-07:00

Okay...holy crap is has been a long time since a post. Well let's see, Courtney and Megan are going to school in Warden with Scott, Hazel and Myles are hanging out at home with Jenn, and Scott is still doing kindergarten. Scott is still going through the Masters program at Heritage and has decided it was probably the dumbest thing he could have done. He hates school!!! Scott took this picture of Myles this past week, and had to share it. I love how content Myles looks, how happy he is.

Deja Vu...

2008-08-07T21:26:00.000-07:00

I think that Myles has a future we don't want him to.

I know, I know.....

2008-08-06T22:13:00.000-07:00

I have been such a slacker when it comes to blogging, but it seems that every time I think I have a moment, something suddenly needs my attention. Well I finally have all the kids in bed...asleep, Scott is gone, in Seattle, at a School Conference, and I am going to take a couple of minutes and talk about my weekend.
My cousin Aj got married this past weekend. He is a great guy, and he found an awesome girl to spend eternity with.
Saturday morning I woke up at like 5:30 to go and do Cassie's hair. I didn't have to be at her house until 9:00 but I was so nervous about it that I couldn't hardly sleep all night. She wanted me to do extensions that morning. I had never personally worked with them although I had seen them done before. I was a wreck. Needless to say I pulled one out and they looked amazing!! I went home to get ready and headed for tricities for the sealing. I missed the sealing because I thought it was at 1:00 (we were supposed to be there at 12:30) All that really matters, I guess, is that they were there. I was bummed all the same. Then I got to take some time and take some pics of the newly married couple. I couldn't be happier for them!!

and this one is my current favorite....it is Landin (Cassie's son) Cassie and Aj. I think it is such a sweet family picture!

Oh wait, I'm not done yet. After the pictures I came home stopped by my aunt Maxines house to take more pictures of Melissa and Larin's family. They have such a cute family. they are so funny! and here are some of my favorites...

I then headed to the reception and took yet even more pictures. It was a long day but I had so much fun getting reaquainted with family, and making new friends. It was a great, scary, busy weekend and I would do it again in a heartbeat!

Frankenstein Never Scared Me...!

2008-07-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

I am not sure if any of you listen to Bob and Tom, but there is a comedian (Kevin Pollac) who does a fantastic impression of Christopher Walken. Before doing this impression he makes the comment that "none of his (Christopher Walken's) thoughts are connected." I bring this up only to tell a fun little story about Megan.

Yesterday we were on our way to go to Jeremie's; On the way up Megan would not stop asking questions or telling me things I "didn't know." The conversation went something like this.

"Dad, did you know that some kids are orphans?"

"Yes."

"Who makes the lines on the road?"

"There is a big paint truck that has large sprayers on it to make the lines on the road."

"When kids are orphans they don't have parents, huh dad."

"That's right Meggie."

"Are we going to sleep at uncle Jeremie's?"

"Yes Megan."

"Where's mom?"

"She's at Grandma's doing hair."

"When does school start?"

"After My birthday."

"Can you be an orphan when your old?"

"I don't know meg, maybe" (Any help with answering this question would be appreciated. By older I interrupted late teens and older.)

"Kimberly said the f-word."

"What did you tell her?"

"To not say that. Where are we going?"

"To Uncle Jeremie's to baby sit."

"What's the big paint truck look like?"

"Well it's big truck with sprayers on the sides."

"Like those?" (pointing to a tractor)

"No. I'll show you if I see one."

"That motorcycle man just crashed. I think."

"What motorcycle man?"

"Did you know that in China the middle finger is really the little finger (pinkie). I learned that in Kindergarten. Hazel Kindergarten is easy."

"Dad, will hazel go to Mrs. Moore for kindergarten?"

"I don't know, we'll have to wait and see."

The conversation continued like this the entire trip with hazel butting in here and there with her little random bits of information and questions. Not a single thought seemed to be linear. I had to laugh while trying to talk to her because I couldn't keep up. Meg, I love you.

Funny Kids

2008-07-12T18:16:00.000-07:00

So today Courtney and Megan were invited to a birthday party for a school friend. I told them that they would not be able to go until they got thier bedroom cleaned up. Well around 11:00 today they decided to start cleaning. It didnt take long before Courtney can crying out of her room with an armful of toys. I inquired what the problem was, "Megan swapped me with a hanger on the back!" was the simple reply. I asked Megan to come out (so she could giver her pathetic defense), Courtney rehearsed to me all about how Megan wasn't helping to clean, how she was just sitting down on the chair playing with hangers. "Nuh-Uh, You're a liar!" was Megans simple defense. Okay Megan, what did happen? "Well, I was cleaning," Courtney - "Nuh-Uh, you were playing." Megan - "I was playing and cleaning. I was sitting down on the chair with a hanger in this hand and a hanger in this hand (making two hooks) pretending to be a pirate who was looking for "hidden" hangers!" Oh the imagination of this child! I think it is so funny how she is able to twist and manipulate situations to appear like she was doign what she was supposed to. "I was cleaning and playing!" So clever!

Later in the day Courtney, Hazel, and I were all sitting down playing the Playstation. I cut it off so we could make dinner; this did not make Courtney very happy at all. She threw a fit, whining and complaining about everything. Sunlight shown through a crack in the blinds illuminating dust particles in the air! Out of sheer anger Courtney decided to hit and blow these particles to which Hazel had to intervine; cupping the particles into her hands, she scolds "Courtney don't! Those are fairies!" Another one who is way to imagineative! In both situations I had to laugh and so did they, which helped to difuse any further anger and arguments. I love my kids!

Guess What...?

2008-07-08T21:37:00.000-07:00

It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!! It's a BOY!!!

and

It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!! It's Healthy!!!

Finally An Update...

2008-07-03T13:06:00.001-07:00

Well holy crap it's been a long time! Since May 22 we have done a whole lot. Since there is no way on earth anyone cares to read a giganticly long post we will do most of this in list and photo form. There is no real sequential organization to this, all based on when I remember it while I am typing!
1) Courtney was Baptized on the 30th of May.
2) Megan and Courtney finished the year out at Lutacaga, both heading to Warden to school with me.
3) I finished my first year as a Kindergarten teacher, All to happy its over with.
4) Still pluging along with my Masters, and hating every minute of it.
5) Went "camping" (if you can call it that) at the cabin in ID.
6) Jenns still Pregnant (YEAH!), we find out what we are having on Tuesday.
6a) Well actually Jenn finds out while I am home with all of our kids and Ryan's. Thanks Ryan and Nena
7) Ryan and Nena are in Costa Rica, so we have their kids until Wed/Thurs.
8)Myles is walking all over the place and loving it.
9) I wil be teaching Kindergarten for another year, this year should be much better since I kinda know what I am doing.
10) I have a conference in early August to attend for 3 days, pinch me!
11) I bought a smoker and looking for anything I can smoke! Turkey is great, but not a "quick" meal. I guess smoking is not a quick meal though either.
12) There is a Parade here in O-town tomorrow we will take the kids to.
13) I got my garden up and running. I posted some before and after pictures to show how well it has turned out.
14) Yes Gail, I am actually enjoying gardening and shoveling shit!
15) Had a blast up Cabin-ing in ID, and can't wait to go again.

Things I love about Myles...

2008-05-22T19:44:00.000-07:00

Today we were at the park and I took a couple of pics of Myles. As I was editing them tonight I couldn't help but smile. I love this little guy!! I love his "chicken little" hair.
I love the HUGE gap between his teeth (He has scottface)

I love his laugh

How could I resist loving such a sweet little boy?

aaaaaaaa ooooooooo

2008-05-03T11:03:00.000-07:00

Myles is constantly getting picked up and thrown around by the girls who are just trying to "love him". Consequently Myles screams and throws himself back everytime they try. This morning something amazing happened. Megan went over to Myles to give him a "hug" and he threw his arms around her and said aaaaaaa oooooooo. this was totally out of character. Megan looked up at me and said excitedly "Mom did you hear that?? Myles loves me!" I looked at Myles and said "Love you?" to which he said "aaaaaaaaaa oooooooo" This was such a sweet moment. He is growing up so quickly! He has started taking a few steps here and there but nothing solid yet. Give it another couple of weeks :)

My Mom

2008-05-03T10:27:00.000-07:00

My mom called me the other day and said " Jenny, I feel pretty good right now and I haven't seen my kids for a really long time! I need you to bring them over for a couple of minutes, so I can read them a story and tell them how much I love them!" Of course I didn't hesitate. My mom was diagnosed with cancer about three months ago and has had chemotherapy and radiation treatments for the last 2 months. She finally got through them a couple of weeks ago but she is still really sick and weak. The kids and I have tried to stay away in fear of my mom getting sick because she has no immune system. The kids have really missed her and pray for her in every prayer...even the ones they say at church. Anyways...back to my story...I gathered my kids up and took them over. They were so excited to see my mom and be in her house again! My mom read them two books and then we visited for a couple of minutes. My kids have really missed making cookies at grandmas house. That is one of their favorite things to do. So my mom had some cookies and told the kids that they could take them home and enjoy the grandma cookies. We are all looking forward to the day that we can go over and make cookies again. I love that she is my mom and such a wonderful grandma to my kids. She is one of the strongest people I know, She has been though so much and still never thinks of herself. I love you mom! Those couple of minutes ment the world to the kids and I!!
Yesterday we found out that my mom's tumor was gone and everything looks good. Our prayers have been answered!

Misty's lesson 1 "the rule of thirds"

2008-04-29T18:31:00.000-07:00

So.... here are some pics I took last weekend for my cousin Nathan and his friends for their prom...Let me know Misty!

silly myles

2008-04-25T20:31:00.000-07:00

So lately Myles has become obsessed with unrolling all the toilet paper in the house. Tonight I went to run some errands and when I returned Scott was in the kitchen, Hazel and Courtney were outside playing and Megan was in the tub. Myles comes crawling out to me looking like this...
What could he possibly have been up too?? It's just a mystery in my book. He is so cute and innocent its hard to believe that he can make such a big mess!! I would have taken a picture of the mess, but with Megan in the tub the toilet papered floor is now covered with water...not a pretty picture.

My guy...

2008-04-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

Today Scott came home from work, walked in the door and was holding these...LILYS my favorite! I was sooo surprised. I have to take a moment and talk about how amazing my husband is. I truly am the luckiest woman alive. Scott truly is an answer to my prayers. Some of my favorite things about him are...
1. he loves and teaches the gosple to our kids

2. He is very smart

3. He TRIES to understand me
4. He has a sense of humor

5. He has many talents including...cooking, cleaning, gardening, fixing things, and kissing (yes, he is a great kisser, I consider it a talent).

6.He is "confident"

7. He is still a kid at heart
8. He is a great dresser. dress shirt and tie to work everyday!!

9. He loves our kids

10.I know he loves me.

Oops I did it again...

2008-04-16T18:31:00.000-07:00

Yep you guessed it, #5 is on the way .... due December 5, 2008. This came as quite a suprise to us as we were doing everything to prevent this from happening (blasted Scott and his super sperm!) I have come to terms with the fact that this little one just really is supposed to be in our family. I have already met with my doctor (who kind of looked at me in disbelief) and had an ultrasound. The girls are really excited. I showed them the ultrasound pic, Megan's responded "Soooo it has no body, just a head?" Hazel has decided that if it's a girl we should name her Ariel or Barbie, and if it's a boy it will be Prince Eric. The girls are too funny and so excited. I am thankful for our family and I am getting excited for this new one to join the zoo already in progress!!

What did you say???

2008-04-08T13:18:00.000-07:00

This whole week I haven't been feeling well. It started out with a sore throat, then I started loosing my voice, This continued along with congestion and a stuffy/runny nose (the worst) and finally today I have COMPLETELY lost my voice! It kind of took my kids by surprise when all I could do is lip to them to get up and get ready for school! Hazel and Myles went with me to the doctor. I whisper to Hazie what I want to say and she carries on the conversation. Many of the receptionists thought that this was the cutest thing. She has also been answering the phone for me and translating what I lip to her. Most people just laugh. I am so greatful for her!! This sucks!! I feel helpless! The doctor gave me a HUGE shot of antibiotics so hopefully in a couple of days I can yell again. Things just aren't the same around here. It deffinetly makes me take a step back and evaluate how I speak to my kids. Anyhoo....Funny thing happened at the doctor office. We were in the waiting room. Hazel was bored. She went over to look at the childrens books. She came stomping over with a very mad, disturbed look on her face. She blurted out.....Mom, look the doctor STOLE our book!! Why did he do that? I am going to go tell him that stealing is wrong. As she stomped off toward the doctor I grabbed her. I just had to laugh and try to lip the best that I could that they make more than one copy of a book and people buy them. This one was not ours. She was relieved. Too Cute!!

My little man...

2008-04-03T19:52:00.000-07:00

Myles is truly my little man....a mama's boy in every sense of the word. I love it!! He is such a great addition to our family. I can't believe it has been a year since he came into our lifes. His B-day was March 16th. He still isn't walking, but he sure can crawl! He is a very snuggly, shy, sweet baby. (I should say little boy.)
He loves to play catch with his dad, play cars, talk jibberish, and eat. I love you Myles and I am looking forward to many adventures with you!
Mom
Here are some pictures from Myles party....KayDe made the AMAZING cake. Thanks again KayDe!!!

6 already!!??

2008-04-03T19:19:00.000-07:00

Sorry this is soooo late! I finally had a chance to sit down and think about last month today so I am going to play catch up before I forget.
Megan turned 6 March 6th. She is growing up so fast!!!! She is in kindergarden and hates every moment. (and loves to make is miserable for the teacher as well!) It is hard to believe that she was only 10 months old when Scott and I started dating. Time sure does fly. She is the one that keeps me on my toes. Life is never boring with Megs around. She is so full of life and curiousity! She is my football player. She doesn't mess around when it comes to knocking off the competition. I love her with all my heart. I wouldn't trade her for the world. I love you Meggie moo cow!!!
Mom
Here are some of the pics from her B-day

A Masters Program

2008-03-29T12:49:00.000-07:00

So I am sitting in class feeling every last bit of life drain from my brain! We have been sitting here for about 5 hours listenting to each other present useless information in Power Point! I will be so glad when this crap is over! One more hour until Shannon's B-Day...See ya there!

Poodle skirt

2008-03-15T19:16:00.001-07:00

Last week my neighbor, Karen, came over and asked me if I could make her a poodle skirt for a 50's day school activity. I hesitently accepted. This was a first for me. I have sewn quilts, but the idea of sewing clothes terrified me. I told her I would try but I couldn't guarantee anything. I cut it out and got it put together in a day! I was proud of the outcome even though it wasn't perfect. She was excited and even got asked to dance during the assembly.

Hazie is offically 4!!!

2008-03-15T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hazel turned 4 years old on Febuary 27, 2008. We celebrated first by having her favorite dinner....pancakes. Scott of course couldn't have a regular sized one, he had to have what he liked to call a mancake...It took up the whole plate...
with chocolate chips of course. We had some neighbors and my parents over for cake and presents. she got a new dress and a wand to match, a deigo v smile game and lots of money to go into her "disneyland fund". We ate cake and then danced. It was a good night.

Just like daddy

2008-02-23T09:55:00.000-08:00

As I was going through Hazels pictures I came across this one. I know that It is really blurry but it is one of my favorites. This is the story behind it. One day we were having choclate chip muffins for breakfast. Hazel had gotten it all over her face and I told her to go upstairs and wash it off. She came back down a couple of minutes later and said "But mom look I have a moustache just like daddy!!" She was so excited about it she went over and hugged her dad and just kept holding him. She was so proud of her newfound manhood. It was so cute. I love that she looks up to him.

Hazel

2008-02-23T09:14:00.000-08:00

Hazel's birthday is Feb. 27!!! I can't belive my baby is going to be 4 years old! She has grown up sooo much and really become a cute little girl. some of the things I love about Hazie are....
1. I love her little mickey mouse voice
2. She is a perfectionist (like her dad)
3. She adores her Dad and loves to snuggle with him
4. She gives the sweetest kisses
5. Her pouty lip
6. Her self proclaimed princesshood
7. The way her head always gets stuck when putting her pajamas on
8. Her hazel eyes
9. The way she likes everything to match
10. Having her sweet spirit in our home

I love you Hazel

I love you because....

2008-01-27T17:25:00.000-08:00

I love you Courtney.
I love the way you smile your sweet smile.
I love your want to be good.
I love how you have grown up to be responsible.
I love how you take charge of the other kids when mom has just had enough. then you come over and put your hand on mine and give me a look like, Mom everything will be okay.
I love when I go to pick you up for school you greet me with a hug
I love your long strawberry blond hair and freckles
I love that you try to be modest in everything that you wear
I love how silly you are
Courtney you are truly a blessing in my life. the lord knew that I needed you here on earth with me.
I love you.
mom

100 things about me

2008-01-27T10:16:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago my sister Liz posted a blog titled 100 things about me. I was so suprised how little I knew about her and her husband! She then asked me to do it....so here it goes.
1. My name is Jennifer Fae Ritchie
2. My favorite color is black
3. I don't like bananas, pudding, oatmeal, cold cereal, or icecream
4. I am married to my best friend Scott
5. This is my second marriage.
6. We have 2 children together and I have 2 from my previous marriage
7. I am a stay at home mom
8. I feel like I yell and chase kids all day long
9. I wouldn't change it for the world
10. I love to spend money, not on myself but on my kids
11. My husband dosen't trust me with the finances
12. My favorite food is the popcorn bag...yes, I love to lick all the butter off.
13. I enjoyed high school
14. I didn't do homework
15. I barely graduated
16. I have a testimony that the church is true
17. I have been in police custody twice
18. I am not proud of it.
19. I hate being suprised
20. I am an easy going person
21. My husband calls it lazy (he is a bit ocd)
22. I have a hard time doing something if someone tells me to do it
23. I don't know why
24. I want to be like my mom
25. I am far from it
26. I played the alto saxaphone for 7 years
27. I was a band geek...Jazz band, marching band, and pep band
28. I worked at Subway for 4 years
29. I still love eating there
30. I have never been in a fist fight
31. Someday I want to go to Figi and sleep in a grass hut
32. I have only flown in an airplane once.
33. I admire my husband
34. he makes me want to be a better person
35. I could fill up the rest of this with phobias I have
36. Woods, volcanos, water that you can't see the bottom, huge rocks, and my head being too close to the corner of the couch, to name a few
37. I hate getting my head wet, unless its in the shower
38. I HATE swimming suits
39. I clam up when I am in big groups of people
40. I once gave a talk on mothers day and got so nervous that 7 mins into it I said amen and sat down.
41. I hardly have any leg hair
42. I only shave every 5-6 months
43. I like to quilt even though I am not very good at it
44. I like taking pictures of my kids and people I know
45. I hate having my picture taken
46. I like angry rock music
47. I like to listen to it loud
48. When I was little I wanted braces so every night I would push on my teeth to make them crooked
49. I still have crooked teeth.
50. I have a horriable memory
51. this makes me terriable at fighting with my husband
52. I truly love my husbands family
53. I thankful that I only had sisters growing up
54. I love them and consider them some of my best friends
55. I compare my dad to Macgyver
56. he once fixed my saxaphone with a rubberband
57. I think his talent is amazing
58. I am a type 1 diabetic
59. I also have psoriasis
60. The only books I have read all the way through have been about Elvis
61. I love Elvis Presley
63. I am not an animal person
64. I once had a hamster named Sammy
65. I forgot to give him water and he died
66. I consider myself a loyal friend
67. I don't like horror movies
68. I don't like stories or movies about aliens
69. I don't watch rated R movies
70. I love washing the laundry
71. I hate folding the whites
72. I also hate the hang ups
73. I hate when people lie
74. I love leather, including the smell
75. My front two teeth are fake
76. I can do the wave with my tounge
77. I love when my husband holds my hand
78. my favorite cartoon is Gem and the Holograms from the 80's
79. I love diet pop for breakfast
80. It has been 10 years since I have drank milk
81. I hate how milky it is
82. I rarely feel stressed
83. I hope my kids have a testimony and stick by it throughout their lives
84. Money dosen't mean a whole lot to me
85. I live in my own little world
86. I have no interest in sports
87. I didn't know that an almond joy has almonds in it and a mounds dosen't until last year. ( It just never clicked)
88. I am horriable at writing thank you cards
89. I am always cold
90. Someday I want to go back to school and have a carrer
91. I will go on a mission with my husband
92. Someday I will own a house
93. I dream in color
94. I am proud of who I am
95. I have learned from my mistakes
96. I am suprised I found this many things about myself to talk about
97. My favorite flower is stargazer lily
98. I have the best life
99. I have the best family
100. I couldn't ask for more. ")
Well...there it is 100 things about me. you should all do it. It would be fun.

The other night....

2008-01-27T10:10:00.000-08:00

The other night Scott went in to check on the girls before we went to bed and this is how Hazel looked...all peaceful in her bed. She is too funny!!

I survived my first week

2008-01-24T21:06:00.001-08:00

Well my first week is over an I am still standing. The Lord had blessed me so much in this position. Typically when a new teacher comes in they are basically told, "There's your class, go to it!" I have been able to have the long-term sub who has been working with the kids, stick around and show me the ropes (or at least what she has been up to)before throwing me into the deep end. Tomorrow is her last day so on Monday I will start running solo. I am excited, however I realize now that I do not have any little filler activities (like number bingo, or little books w/worksheets, etc) decorations for the class (an alphabet, number lines, shape posters, color posters, etc), and things like crayons, glue sticks, pencils, or little snack cracker things. My classroom is pretty bare bones. I do however have about $500 that I get to spend at the end of the year for next year; so next year I should be sitting pretty. All in all I am excited and have a crap load of work ahead of me.

A not gay male Kindergarten Teacher

2008-01-19T22:18:00.000-08:00

Well it's official, I am a kindergarten teacher. I can honestly say that this is not my dream job, it will do until I get into the the desired grade level. I am fairly confident that I did not get this job all on my own (as strange as that may seem; I am a wonderful/talented/desirable person to employ.) I believe that my cooperating teacher had a lot of influence with her continuous lobbying through the months of October and November. In addition I believe the awesome references I received played a big part in solidifying their decision to hire me. Thanks to all who have helped me!

The Proof!

2008-01-13T18:24:00.000-08:00

Well here is the proof that I am competent. My Bachelor's Certificate and my Teaching Permit came this past week. By the way, my GPA was a 3.66; so hell ya I am boasting! I am excited becuase this means that I can finally start making money working for people who dont want to. I still havent heard from Warden, however at the same time, I am not so sure how excited the Principal is to hire someone. Well actually excited isn't the right word, MOTIVATED is a much better choice of lexicon. I do have a video of Myles crawling, however I can not figure out how to load it. Any help would be had. All our love.

Damn it....Crabs!!!

2008-01-10T15:53:00.000-08:00

So our new year has started off fan-freaking-tastic! From the title, I will let you surmise how it is going. If you feel so inclined you can keep reading and I will further explain! So we are sitting around this morning watching a little Strawberry Shortcake before school. It was skipping a little here and there, plus the kids were more interested in the movie than finishing their breakfast; so I shut it off. I left to take Court and Meg to school and Hazel turned it back on. Of course the movie keeps skipping and pausing to which Hazel blurts out, "Damn it mommy, my movie's not working!" Jen - "HAZEL!" Hazel asks "Is that a bad word?" Jenn - "Yes." Hazel corrects "I mean darn it mommy, my movie is not working!" This kid is too funny. Later in the morning I decided to go ahead and start a deep cleaning of the girls room. I started cleaning up around dresser, emptying their clean laundry baskets, the finally cleaning under the bed. I grab pieces of garbage, wrappers, socks, pj's, and a crab. Now here's why it's funny. For Christmas I got the kids a fish tank, (well actually it was given to us by my fabulous sister KayDe) and filled it with 6 Tiger Barbs, a scum sucker fish, a snail, and a crab. Over a little time, the first crab died. I replaced it with 3 new ones (thinking it died lonely of a broken heart!) When I put them in I noticed one decided he was going escape by climbing up the water heater and out the tank. I never thought one could actually climb out though. I told Jenny that one of the crabs tried to climb out and wouldnt it be funny if we found it under the dresser dead. I cleaned out the tank this past week trying to get my chemical levels balanced so my fish would stop dying, and I noticed I could only see two crabs in the tank. I thought maybe one got buried in the rocks or something. Well not so much. I found my missing crab under the bed dried and black. I also noticed my fish were looking a little "moldy." So I call Pet Town USA in Moses to find out what sick fungus is eating my fish. I am told to get some medicine and treat the fish today. Part of the procedure to medicate my fish is the removal of the charcoal filter so the medicine doesn't get filtered out. I pull my filter out and a freaking crab is stuck in the bottom of the filters mesh! Damn Crabs! If you remember I said I put three crabs in the tank; I am sad to say I have not seen the last crab in the tank for a couple of days. I can honestly say I have never been so disappointed to get rid of my crabs! I have not yet received my certificate so I am not subbing yet (which is bitter sweet.) I have really enjoyed being home every day and spending time with Myles and Hazel and Jenny. I have been able to get a lot of things done, however I still need money to meet bills. Hopefully by the end of this week or mid next week my certificate will be here so I will be able to get some money to help pay bills this month. Myles was diagnosed (sort of) with pnomonia today, so he is on all sorts of drugs to help combat that. Also he is finally crawling. I still need to edit a video or shoot a better one to prove it/brag on line. Check back later! All in all our year has started out really well, All our love.

Who cares...!?

2007-12-31T11:31:00.000-08:00

Well it has been a long time since we have posted anything, I guess you could say I have been waiting for the right stuff to post. Well yesterday it happened! So we didn't go to church because Courtney, Megan, and Jenn were all sick. Courtney was the worst; she had "runny poop" and was throwing up all day. So Hazel and I go to the store (Oh shut up...your not perfect either) to get Courtney some medicine, Gatorade, and 7UP. On the way home Hazel asks "What we were going to have for dinner?" I respond "Homemade chicken noodle soup." Hazel, "I don't want that!" Me, Well Courtney, Megan and mom are all sick and need the soup to help them feel better." Hazel, "Who cares about them, I want pancakes!" We still have a little ways to go in her sympathetic/Christlike caring attribute training.
Well this morning about 7:00 Megan comes running in our room as excited as a little kid can be and DECLARES "Mom, I have runny poop!" I think she was probably excited that now she can have the little Gatorade's I bought for Courtney yesterday. Well the morning went on and I made pancakes, (to appease Hazels request last night.) Megan came and sat down with a rather grim look on her face; it seemed she was realizing the "true joys" of runny poop. I give her a pancake, as a test to see if her stomach could handle it. She looks at her plain pancake, "I want syrup!" Me, "Not today Megan, I don't want your tummy getting more upset." Megan, "I want bacon then." Me, "Not that either Megan, the grease will make you more sick and throw up again." I did give her some 7UP to help settle her stomach. This made her a little happier since none of the other kids got to have pop. She eats one little square and can't handle any more. She sits there with a completely heartbroken expression. I ask her "What else is wrong?" She responds, "My tummy is mad at me. It must have been all the candy I ate!" I love these kids, they are so funny.
By the way our Christmas was awesome. My brother Brandon is the man and hooked me up fat this year. Tom granted one of my wife's wishes by buying her a fabric cutter thingy, and the girls got more toys than they know what to do with. Thanks to all who made our holiday season memorable. All our love and a Happy New Year!

The ward Christmas party

2007-12-15T11:28:00.000-08:00

This morning was the ward Christmas party. Everyone showed up in there p.j's and ate breakfast followed by lots of activities. I really enjoyed the idea of having it in the morning. It was a lot of fun. After eating we decorated cookies did some stamping, and made Christmas decorations.
Then came Santa. The first picture is of Courtney. She got on Santa's lap and told him she wanted her OWN computer. Santa asked "Why? What's wrong with your one at home" To which she replied "It's too slow, everyone is on it all the time, and it's not mine! I really need one of my own santa" (The pic is mid explanation justifying to santa all the reasons why she needed her own. How quickly they grow up. What happened to Barbie dolls and blocks?) Then it was Megan's turn. As she walked toward Santa she yelled out "Your not the REAL Santa!" Santa replied "Yeah, I know...but you can still come sit on my lap and pretend. Maybe I will give you a candy cane." Megan, getting comfortable on Santa's lap, blurts out "I just knew you weren't him. You're wearing rain boots, and the real Santa doesn't wear rain boots silly!" Our quick witted Santa replied "And what do you want for Christmas little girl, a bag of rocks?" Megan threw her head back in hysterical laughter demonstrating the thought "Don't you know who I am?" She then proceded to tell Santa, with a huge smile on her face like she is proud of her clever disobedience, that she really wasn't a good girl, "well only sometimes." Like this was the time to brag...on Santa's lap...in front of the ward. Priceless! I don't know what I am going to do with this one! Hazel was next. She is very talkative at home. We can hardly get her to be quiet half of the time. However, when she gets in front of people she seems to have forgotten how to speak. This situation with santa was no exception. I finally got her to go sit on his lap. She sat down and Santa started asking her questions: "What's your name?" "How are you?" "Do you want a candy cane?" "What do you want for christmas?" No sound escaped her little lips. She glared forward with a blank expression of malcontent. With out warning, she uttered as quietly as she could, testing Santa's supersonic hearing, "I want a barbie head and 'Nakeup'," then jumps down and doesnt look back. ( This pic is the look on her face the whole time she sat on Santa's lap) HILARIOUS!! This was Myles first time with Santa and he loved it! I was very surprised. I think at first he was like, "What in the world?" but he soon was laughing and having a great time with "Jolly ol' Saint Nicholas." Maybe it was Santa's incesent teasing with a candy cane or maybe he just had gas. Which by the way he loved as you can see from the first pic. (the cane, not the gas!) Happy holidays!!
Love
The Ritchies

Kids......

2007-12-11T20:49:00.000-08:00

We went to the girls little holiday festival thingy at school tonight, after words we went looking at Christmas lights. They loved that and would make comments such as, "Wow dad, they worked hard on this house didnt they!" if the house was very well decorated. If the house was not so decorated, "Well dad, they did the best they could huh!?" I think it is so funny. When we got home I had the kids go in and get thier PJ's on then pick up thier rooms. Hazel (who requests help for everything) goes in and cleans her room. Then she comes in to me and says,
"Dad my room is all clean."
"Is it?"
"Are you going to check under my bed?"
"Yes"
At this point she runs away. about five minutes later she scampers back into the room and says,
"There dad! Are you going to check in my closet?"
"Yes"
Hazel bolting down the hall yelling..."Girls, he's going to check the closets!"
I love kids!

Tis the Season...

2007-12-05T11:32:00.000-08:00

So I am sitting around the house not doing much, (which is the case since I stopped student teaching last week), and Courtney and Megan say, "Dad, it doesnt feel like Christmas in our house. We need our tree and decorations." I got to looking and I must say I agreed. So on Tuesday I went down to our storage unit in Moses and picked up our tree and decorations. I spent a couple of hours trying to organize the stupid thing! I have come to the conclusion that fake trees are only good for a couple of years. I start sorting through the jungle in a tote to find the right size branches that go in the right spots. That was freaking ridiculous. The branches are so close in size it was almost impossible. I decided to light the tree as I built in from the bottom up. So about 2 1/2 hours and 600 lights later the tree is up, lit, and a little lopsided around the top becuase I got one row in the wrong spot. Also becuase we are so poor, our tree is about as bare as Tom is when he is in his hot tub! Beautiful!
I spent Wednesday morning putting up the last of our pathetic attempt at seasonal decorations. I cant wait until I have a job and start making money to be able to buy things to clutter up my house for the holiday season. A little to Martha Stewart I know, but that's the way it is! Have a Merry Christmas!

Ritchies

Tamales

2007-12-01T20:21:00.000-08:00

I have lived in Othello almost my whole life. I know it is a little depressing but there are perks. Last summer when we were living in the apartments on Ash street I would walk out side and smell food cooking such as fresh tortillas, caldo, mexican rice, and carne asada. I had finally had enough! I wanted some too... not just some but enough to last a life time. I am a huge mexican food fan! So, I went to my neighbors house and asked her if next time she cooked something, anything, if I could come and watch. She agreed. Soon I was making Mexican rice, carne asada, tortillas, and arroz con pollo. It was great, but I really wanted to learn to make tamales. Well...we moved before I got the chance to learn. When we moved to these apartments I was kind of sad. We new everyone in the other apts. and everyone here seemed to look at us as the crazy white people (Othello is about 90% hispanic). but soon enough some of the neighbor kids started coming over and now we can't get rid of them. Our neighbors are really nice. Maria (the mom) dosen't know english but she would always feed our kids anything they were eating if they were over there. One day Kimberly (one of the kids) asked me if I wanted any tamales. I said YES!! I love them!! I asked them if they would ask their mom if she would teach me how to make them. Maria said that she would teach me. So we spent 6 hours making tamales. we made chicken, beef, pork, and cheese.She makes everything from scratch, including the broth and all the sauces! They were alot of work, but sooo worth it. Maria would tell me what to do in spanish then her daughter Karen would translate. It was fun. I loved that she was willing to teach me and talk to me even though we speak different languages. She is a neat lady and they have an awesome family. I asked her if there was anything that I could teach them to make. She said that she wanted to make Oatmeal rasin cookies. random but whatever. So I did and they have made them almost everyday since. I am glad I had something I could offer. I also helped them with there Thanksgiving dinner. I helped them make there first homemade pumpkin pie. and showed them how to bake the turkey and make gravy and stuffing. We are truly blessed to know them. ( I know the picture of the tamales dosen't look very good, but trust me they are great!)

Another Sunday Excursion...

2007-11-19T20:21:00.001-08:00

Well it's official, I have done what I never thought I would see at church. Here's the situation. Megan wakes up at about 6:30 (as is her routine during the week for school) and decides that she is going to play; no big deal we don't have church for two and a half hours. Around 7:30 she decides that she is hungry and proceeds to make herself a large bowl of Froot Loops. She eats about 5 bites and tells me she's full. I am not buying. I tell her she needs to eat the cereal quickly so she can get ready for church. Slower and slower she moves, whinier and whinier she becomes. I tell her she is not getting down until her cereal is eaten, and if that means she goes to church in her pajama's, so be it! She kindly responds, "Nuh-Uh!" I walk away and finish getting ready. She tries to get down and play, at which time she gets busted and put back on her chair. The time passes for her to have a shower. I let her know that now she does not get to shower because she has been wasting time. Well the time comes for us to go to church and there sits Megan at the table, Froot Loops the size of golf balls! I tell her to go and get her shoes on because we are going to church. She freaks out yelling and screaming how she's not ready and needs more time, blah blah blah! I tell her she wasted her time and it's time for church. So we get a coat and shoes on her (Her coat had to be zipped and buttoned up all the way)and get into the car! She keeps repeating, "Everyone going to laugh at me!" To which I calmly reply,"Your right Megan, EVERYONE will laugh at you. Maybe next week you'll get dressed!"
So we get to church and I ask Megan if she would like to take her coat off. The wheels started turning and you could see her weighing the pros and cons. She decides to take the coat off. This simple act makes me realize what had really transpired that morning. There is my 6 year old, eyes red and puffy, an embarrassed expression on her face, standing in a mostly torn "Favorite" white Little Mermaid night-gown doing her best to adjust the sleeves and neck line to make her self more presentable. I couldn't help it at all...I burst out laughing...granted I probably shouldn't have but dang it, it was funny! This is one moment in my life in which I can say I truly had no sympathy for her. She made her bed and now she could lye in it. Needless to say she elected to wear the coat throughout church.
We walked into sacrament meeting about 10 minutes late so everyone got a good look. She sat down in our pew and slunk down trying to hide. After sacrament a couple of people sitting around us as a simple question, "Not a fight worth having this morning?" To which we replied, "No." The usual response was something to the effect of "Don't feel bad, I did that once too!" Each was followed by an experience much like my morning went to which helped me feel better about my decision (not that I felt bad about it!) Now for those of you sympathising with Megan, by the end of church, she came running to me telling me all about how much everyone liked her "jamies!"
This week we didn't have the same battle, this time she started to get ready, but stopped after her shower to play. I reminded her that I didn't care what she looked like, she was going to go to church, yes naked if necessary! She promptly got dressed and was ready a good 15-20 minutes early. I think it worked.

Almost Done...

2007-11-09T21:30:00.000-08:00

Well it's official, I am almost done with student teaching, how bitter sweet. I have been very blessed in my placement. Warden is a great school district. For one every other friday is an early release; so we rush the kids out because we have a "meeting." Once the kids are gone we go down to the staff room and enjoy a huge potluck...today's theme, Italian. Now for Warden this means Stauffers frozen lasagnas, bagged Italian salad with RANCH dressing, an assortment of take and bake breads (mostly garlic) and then a plethora of pumpkin desserts. A little slice of Italy! They do thier best, Tom has spoiled me.
Warden has been a great placement for me. I found out a few weeks ago, that a kindergarten teacher, whose parents live is Spokane where she goes and visits every weekend, jsut resigned becuase she got a job in Spokane. So that leaves a postion open in the middle of hte year. Sweet, I know. I have been doing my best from the begining of the year to woo the staff and those who matter at the school. When I foudn this out, I took a few more steps to continue the courtship. My cooperating teacher, Melinda LeGrand, as well has been advocating for me as well. She has taken time to point out many reason why Jill, the principal, should hire me, in addition doing the same to the staff and office secretary. I do have things I have to complete before I am able to "get hired," but I am confident if Jill wants to hire me, she will work with me to help me get things done. Now this is all a big "What if" type scenerio, so any and all prayers you could offer would be appreciated. I aplogize this isnt up to my usual standard of comic relief, but I am tired.
All our love

Trick or treat......

2007-11-02T08:43:00.000-07:00

I am so glad Halloween is over! I really can't complain too much, the kids did have fun. This year we went to Moses Lake to go trick or treating with Scotts family. We all met at 5:30 and didn't stop until about 9. The kids have about 20 lbs of candy! I refuse to let them have too much sugar, so the daunting task of eating all the candy has been put on my shoulders...The things we do for our kids :) Courtney was a bride, Megan was a "bampire", Hazel was a nome princess, and Myles was a cow. On Saturday we went to Moses Lake to Tristen's (Scott's nephew) preschool party. They had games, food, pictures, and a haunted house. Megan and Courtney wanted so badly to go inside. They got to the front of the line, megan took one look inside and said "I'm not going in there". But Courtney decided to be brave and go through by herself. Soon enough I herd crying. It was Courtney. She was so scared that she had gotten a bloody nose. and was crying hystaricaly. The haunted house people came and let her walk through it with the lights on so she could see that it was all fake. Eariler that day....The girls were all dressed up in there costumes and were playing. Soon they started singing songs, making up there own words as they went along. this is how is went...
Courtney sings "I am a bride, but I have no one to marry me, but that's okay because I am beautiful"
then Megan sings " I am a bampire. I like to kill and bite people. Especially brides and princesses"
and ending with Hazel "You are my shunshine, my only shunshine"
Hilarious. The things kids come up with.
Halloween day the kids had school. When they got home they got dressed and ready so we could make it trick or treating to my mom's before heading to Moses Lake. My mom is so cute! She got all dressed up as a clown to surprise the kids. What a wonderful grandma my kids have. The things she does for them. Little things like that they will remember for a lifetime. I love my mom and all the things she does for me and my family. We are truly blessed. I know this blog is a bit scattered, blame it on the candy I ate for breakfast.
Jenn
P.S. the rest of our halloween pics are in the ritchie family gallery link to the right.

You are my shunshine

2007-10-24T23:22:00.000-07:00

So Hazel has recently become obsessed with the song "You are my sunshine" She loves me to sing it to her but my favorite is when she joins in and sings it with me. I love her little voice and the way she says shunshine just melts my heart. Does life get any sweeter? This is just one of my everyday joys I wanted to share. -Jenn

Oprah!?

2007-10-23T18:48:00.000-07:00

Yesterday morning I went to Tri-cities after I dropped the kids of at school. I Shopped all day with my friend Kristen, then rushed home to pick up the kids at 2:50. When I got home I started cleaning up and doing all the things that I normally get done in the morning. The kids were outside playing and Myles was asleep. So I decided to turn on the T.V. so there would be some kind of noise. I continued cleaning when I herd Oprah say "If you knew that you were going to die what would you say?" (not exact but similar) anyhoo....I found myself watching intently. This man that was speaking was a Professer, husband, and father of three small children, and had found out that he had only a couple of months to live. He had pancreatic cancer and there was nothing more they could do. He gave a final lecture to his class that talked about what he had learned in life but was actually letting his kids know what he wanted to teach them if he were going to be alive. I soon found myself sobbing, I felt so blessed to have the knowlege of the gospel. To have a family that I will live forever with, and that I WANT to live forever with. I thought about what my parents had taught me in my youth, and how throughout life I turned back to those teachings. I can only hope that I can instill in my kids the same pricipals. Does anyone else wonder about these things? I started thinking about Scott and how grateful I am for him. I am so blessed to have a husband who lives and practices what he belives. I am grateful to Scotts mom who taught him when he was young. I often think of her. I know that she is proud of him. I am excited someday to meet her face to face. Scotts best friend and his family also had a huge part in how he turned out. I am eternally grateful. Anyways...enough "gratefuls". Who'd have thought...Oprah? Looking back and reading this I feel like I need to end in Amen. Anyhoo, I was just happy for the break in everyday thinking.
Jenn

Sunday Afternoon Magic Show

2007-10-21T16:33:00.000-07:00

Well it's another Sunday afternoon; I am doing homework, Jenn, Courtney, Megan, Hazel, and Myles are having "quiet time." I am sitting here trying to write up a stupid pile of lesson plans and all I hear is "NO DAVID!" "PUT YOUR PANTS ON DAVID!" "EAT YOUR FOOD DAVID!" "NO DAVID!" being screamed from Hazel's room. I go back there and she is "reading" a story called No David. Any of you who have read this book or seen it will have to agree, it's funny. I had to laugh. Well after several 10 minute warnings to be quiet, I finally tell the kids quiet time is over, now it's nap time! Court, and Meg go right to sleep, while Hazel however, decides that nap time does not apply to her. She must not think it's not in her best interest to follow directions or something. So after about 30 minutes of, what I beleived was "nap time," Hazel the magnificant comes out and proceedes to perform several magic card finding tricks for me. Here's the basic's on how it would go.

Hazel holding the cards face up - "Pick a card dad!"
I do
Hazel - still holding the cards face up - "Put it back never(I did mean to write never, I think she will need speech!) you want to!"
I do
Hazel - Straightening the deck - "Let me get my magic sticky dust!" She does and sprinkles it on the cards. She proceeds to go right to where she saw me put my face up card and "WOW" me with her magical ability as she says "Is this your card?"
Her subtlity is sure to please crowds around the nation in the future!

Courtney and Megan had thier primary program today. I was very pleased with how they did. It is funny how a little something like sitting up in front of a large room of about 200-300 people will help a kid behave. Megan needed a little help to control her, thanks to 8 years of WWF watching when I was younger, the sleeper hold came in handy, is that wrong of me? Actually all she needed was a subtle life threatening! Once she was sitting in her little cage of a seat up in the choir section, she behaved very well. Courtney was very well behaved the entire time. She sang and participated at her best. It was fun to see. Meanwhile Hazel was a terror, she needed a not so subtle butt reminder out in the foyer. Jenn felt in good company since there was another mother out threatening to break her sons arms! we are fine and I am on the down hill slope of Student teaching. All our love.

Out Pimped...

2007-10-16T21:54:00.000-07:00

Well it's official, I have been out pimped by my 6 month old. Yes I know that it sounds completely pathetic and not something I should be writing down in my secret public journal...however I do find this rather amusing. Well in order to truly appreciate this experience we should have a little background. Myles is a boob man! From the first time he was "exposed" to those identical sacks of goodness, he fell in love. He will see Jen, smile and stare at her chest (still smiling). Jenn will make a comment along the lines of "Myles my head is up here!" He will jerk his head like he just got caught staring, and then just smile! Well last night he was having a hard time going to sleep, I was holding him and he would just fuss and whine. I passed him along to Jenn, and he stopped. He would sit up, smile, look at me, smile even bigger, and then rub his face right in Jenn's cleavage! Sits up, and then smiles at me again. He repeats this about 3-4 times! Little punk is getting more action than I am!
For those of you who may be concerned, Megan is no longer visiting OT. Apparently the therapist decided not to pay attention to his own handwritten note that stated we no longer wanted his services, and if we did we would contact him. Some how he just didn't remember/see/think/consider that the note he wrote was our exact wishes. Well after a simple reminder..."DO NOT SERVICE MY DAUGHTER!" he will no longer be seeing Megan, I am goign to go by and visit with the Special Ed Director, Lori Scott (the gal that hired me at OSD), and let her know what happened. I am confident that this will not happen again.