Duck, Duck, Goose - Richards Style

Time Out for Mommy

I thought I should also mention my "break" that I got last Saturday. I think Mike felt good during Elder Ballard's talk that he gave during the Sunday afternoon session of General Conference. In response to the question "What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?" Elder Ballard said to , "...give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does." (To read the whole talk "Daughters of God" by Elder M. Russell Ballard click here) Mike felt good because he knew that the following Friday and Saturday I would be getting a day away.

Last Friday I drove to OKC and met my family at Jenny's last soccer game of the season. Then we went to dinner and my Mom and I stayed over night in a hotel so that we could get up on Saturday morning and go to Time Out for Women. This was the first night that Mike has ever been completely alone with any of the kids overnight. He thought I would be worried about the kids or about him, but I wasn't. I had complete confidence that they would survive just fine. It was an enjoyable day. My sister-in-law Emily was also there and it was nice to visit with her. The speakers were good and it's always nice to get some validation that you aren't the only one dealing with the joys and challenges of life. So thanks Mom for going with me. And thanks Gary and Kathy for buying my tickets. And most of all thanks to Mike for being so righteous that you were obeying the counsel of the brethren before they even gave it!

Mullet be Gone!

The time had finally come for Sabrina to get her hair trimmed. It was starting to look a little too mulletish (if it wasn't a word before, it is now). The poor girl still doesn't have much hair so I felt bad cutting any of it, but I think it turned out ok. We'll just make sure she always has a barrette or bow in until it grows out a little more so there won't be any gender confusion.

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Flipped out

Turned under

The back. This picture cracks me up because it makes it look like she has a LOT more hair than she actually does. Must've been the angle.

Visitors

Last week my Grandma Stevens (my mom's mom) came out for a visit. On Friday she and my mom came down to our house to hang out with us for a little bit before they went to OKC. It was fun to visit with them. We tried to explain to the kids that Grandma Stevens is Grandma Stacey's mommy and that blew their minds.

Grandma with the kiddos

4 Generations - this is the first 4 generations picture we have taken. I am the oldest granddaughter on my mom's side of the family and Grace is the oldest granddaughter in my family

On Monday we went to Bartlesville. I know, I know, you can't believe it, we never go to Bartlesville. NOT! Anyways, so we went to Bartlesville to see Grandma Stevens again and also because Aunt Emily was in town. I have to apologize profusely because I did get my camera out while we were there but I didn't get any pictures of Aunt Emily! I'm still kicking myself. We had a very nice visit with Aunt Emily. We missed Uncle John of course, but it looks like he is having lots of fun in China. We are getting really excited for everyone to be together at Chelsea's wedding which is now less than 2 months away. We love you Grandma Stevens and Aunt Emily!

Hannah Montana

I'm sure you are thinking "your kids are too little for Hannah Montana" and you are right, they are. However, yesterday while we were in Bartlesville (see previous post) we somehow acquired a small toy guitar that plays a Hannah Montana song when you push the buttons on it. Grace had it in the car on the way home and I think she pushed the button more than 50 times as we were driving back. At some point during the drive I realized that she was trying to sing the song she was playing over and over and over and over. So when we got home I caught her on tape. I don't know why I think this is so hilarious, it must be a mom thing.


This morning when Grace found the guitar again, I was saying something to Mike about Hannah Montana and Benson looked at me and said "Sawyer loves Hannah Montana. He watches every episode." Sawyer is my 14 year old (boy) cousin. Which just proves that Benson does listen to and remember everything that people say around him.