I Am Sick of February!

Alright, I am officially nominating February as the "sick" month for the Richardson household!
It all started with Sissy Lou getting a cold/fever virus that turned into an ear infection that we couldn't get rid of with two rounds of antibiotics.  Then The cold/fever virus found it's way into Eli and caused him to have an ear infection (weird, I know)!  Oh, and let's not forget the head injury!

Then it was Andrew's turn....I reported in a few previous blogs that Andrew had a Flu "look alike" virus...turns out I was wrong.  After a few days of battling a fever that wouldn't budge from 102 with Tylenol and Motrin (which freaked me out a little considering our past incounter with Kwasaki's...I should write a blog on that later),  I caved and took him to the doctor.  Good thing I did, because it turns out it wasn't the Flu....it was STREP!

So we started him on antibiotics on Friday.......and that puts all three of my kids on antibiotics for the month of February!

Today, low and behold, Andrew's fever returned : (  since he is still on his medication it is only to be reasoned that he now has a fever virus on top of strep..GREAT!

To make matters even worse, Jesse came home from work today early....HE'S NOW RUNNING A FEVER....the evil Germies got him!!!!

Here's my sick crew for February!

Jesse went to the doctor and he has the FLU....SHUT UP!!!!!

I need to take my "well" kids and get the heck out of here before it gets me......I'm the only one who hasn't been sick in February....I feel the germie little creatures all around me clawing their way into my immune system...HELP!!!!!

Lysol and hand sanitiser have become my closest companions over the past month and have remained loyal and steadfast in my time of need.
I am leading the charge in the Richardson household to cleanse us of all evil germs that seek to destroy...wish me luck!

Christmas Traditions....

I ♥ CHRISTMAS!!!!!  Not because of the presents and food (even though those things make it fun), but because of the rich tradition that comes with it.
It seems like the one time of year that everyone seems to STOP, SLOW DOWN and gather together!
Since I was a little girl my family would always gather together on Christmas Eve to read the Christmas story from the Bible.  I mean come on....it is the reason for the season people!  We are celebrating the birth of the Man who came to SAVE US!!!!  How much more exciting can it get!
My dad would break out the enormous family Bible that we were never allowed to touch and turn to the book of Luke.  We would sit and listen to him as he read the entire Christmas story and then we would all take turns going around saying what we were most thankful for then pray.  When we were done it was time for Christmas carols.  Mom would fill up her crystal glasses all with different levels of water and pass them out.  Everyone would grab a spoon and tap the glasses as we sang.  Each glass would make a different sound because of the different levels of water making them our instruments.  Corney I know, but we loved it!
Then we always got to open one present on Christmas Eve...just a little one.  It was almost too much for my little heart to bare to wait on Santa.  I would be so excited I couldn't get to sleep......I knew that he was on his way!
I would go upstairs and snuggle up to my brother Stephen in his room and we would watch Santa on radar on the news. 
The next morning, after waking everyone around 5 am we would have our HUGE Christmas breakfast.  We were not allowed to open presents until after breakfast was done!  This always made me crazy, but now I understand.  It's the hope of parents to hold onto Christmas morning and all it's glory as long as you can....not to rush it!

In our household we make up all Santa's cookies on Christmas Eve and decorate them.  Then we carry on my child hood tradition and read the Christmas story to the kids.  No presents are opened until Christmas morning...per Jesse. Then we set out the cookies and milk and even the magic reindeer food. 
There is nothing like hearing the pitter patter of your kids feet running down the hall to see what Santa has brought.  I cry every year....I'm crying now just thinking about it!  The pure joy that beams from their faces is too much to take in!

I wish I could freeze frame that exact moment!

There's just something about Christmas that warms the soul.....not presents, not food.....but the love of Jesus our Savior!  I contribute the peacefulness to Him!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Santa Claus

"Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Claus"......only if you're a kid.....because if there were a Santa for all, then he wouldn't torture parents with the exhausting line to see him...with your kids dressed up......for pictures...with Ole' Saint Nick!
Guess you can tell what I did today!  WOWZER!
My heart is still skipping ninety to nothing from the anxiety of this afternoon.

I realized that today..the 21st of December, that I have yet to get my kids picture made with the Jolly fellow in red.  So I thought I had better get to it since I was in fact running out of time. 
I haven't been feeling 100% here lately.  This cold that I've had has whipped my tail and made me extremely tired....and CRANKY!  So what better than to dress the kids up in their Christmas attire and head to the crazy Santa Village to get a photo that my kids would probably scream in fear of.
When we arrived I realized that I might have made a bad choice....seeing how long the line was and how whinny my kids were.  But we were there...dressed and we WOULD get that picture!
I pressed on....the line crawled forward slowly....then MY HUSBAND ABANDONED ME!  He left....went to look around....said he'd be back in a few....WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?
There I stood helpless with three little monsters that I was trying to keep tidy.  Andrew and Eli started with the never ending question of  "how much longer", with Sissy Lou chiming in with her wants to wonder! 
Nonetheless, we made it.....not the greatest picture...but we got it!  These are our pictures that Jesse snapped off...so that's why we are all looking the other way!

Payton was more disturbed that she couldn't get all the candy canes than frightened of Santa...hence the reason why I am holding her.  She had just thrown a fit when I pulled her out of the bag of candy! 
Boy....the things we do for our kids!

Update to furnance...

Alright....WHOO HOO....my miracle came through!!!!!  We now have heat and it was only a loose connection wire!!!!  Saved by the nice heating and air guy!  Little did he know that he would make my blog today.  So here's to my unsung hero "Daniel" who fixed my heat and made my life a little easier today.  He braved the cold snowy roads just for me...and my money!
So no need to fear....we are safe once again...and now life may resume...meaning it's laundry day : (
Wait, maybe I should shut the heat off again and tell Jesse it's still broke so he won't expect me to do anything today....hmmmm...maybe not!
Stay warm my friends!

If you are completely lost and missed this mornings post...then check it out....
http://thesargeof4.blogspot.com/2010/12/baby-its-cold-inside.html

Baby It's Cold Inside....

As I write to you all this morning, I am wrapped up in my fluffy robe, sweat shirt, sweat pants, house shoes and dog nose (for those who are not familiar with the "dog nose" it's cold and wet).  Shivering while I type...but I have to keep my fingers moving or they will go into rigor mortis.
Murphy's Law states that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong.......and that law applies to our circumstances.
Somehow it never fails that when it is the coldest day or even the hottest day the power will go out, or the air conditioner/furnace will malfunction.  Every year that we have lived here we have had major power outages on these particular days. 
Yesterday we had the great pleasure of our furnace going out.  I happened to notice that it was getting chilly in the house so I set out to check the thermostat....only to find it blank!  It's digital and there was nothing there......blank screen, just staring back at me.
It also never fails that when something goes wrong with the house Jesse is hunting so the "fixing" is left up to little ole' me.
So I got to work, checking the breakers, checking the furnace, calling friends, calling the manufacture of the thermostat......etc.......
We all decided that the thermostat was bad and needed to be replaced.  Some dear friends of ours were already at Lowe's and just picked one up for us (and I love them dearly)!

When they arrived with package in tow, Jesse arrived also and they got busy "trying" to fix everything.  With the new thermostat hooked up they moved to the furnace and realized that our problem was much bigger than just a new thermostat.  So it was time to turn to the professionals....but wouldn't you know it that we would have "winter weather" on this day.  That the roads would be getting ugly and blowing snow would make for hazardous driving conditions.  Not to mention that the on call guy would charge the weekend rate!  We chose to rough it out and snuggle up by the fire place all night.  Let me give you a picture of what it looks like outside:

It's not much warmer inside my house as I break icicles off my nose....okay I might be exaggerating just a tad! 

Now we wait for the rest of Murphy's Law to kick in....the furnace guy will be here soon to tell us the bad news right before Christmas.  That or he will pull something out of the furnace that use to resemble some sort of toy.  Nonetheless I fear that it will be bad news.  Maybe by some Christmas miracle it will be something minute and I will have frozen for nothing.

I'll update our fate later........To Be Continued......

How We Sled

Here at the Richardson house hold we never do anything the politically correct way.  We were never made to live in a subdivision but somehow we landed right in the middle of one. I am from the great state of Alabama so I have an excuse...but Jesse grew up in the windy city of Chicago...how'd he get so country? Nonetheless, we are country folk, through and through.  We love the outdoors and the freedom it lends to just walk out your front door and pee (I'm speaking of the Red's here....not me) if you wanted to.  Or the freedom to walk around in the buff if you so desired and not have to worry about someone seeing you from across the street....not my cup of tea, but it's a freedom non the less...just sayin'.  Or the freedom to shoot any creature that ventures into our back yard without being hauled off by the law dog.....(this statement just reminded me of a story that I will have to start working on right away....*spoiler*...it involves a suit, an alleged wild boar and of course a sub division....and yes it's a snot laugher!  Just need to check the statue of limitations first)
Or the freedom to create your own sledding experience by hooking up the sleds to the 4-wheeler and dragging your kids across the yard.  In this respect we decided to be rebels and do our "country" thing!

 The other day we got our first snow here in Louisville and it was just enough that we could sled.  So we all bundled up and Jesse hooked the sleds to the back of the 4-wheeler and we had a blast!  The Red's wiped out so many times that I lost count, but they screamed for more.

Between our two barking dogs, Jesse blowing his duck/goose calls constantly, the Red's running out the front door to pee, and the 4-wheeler, how could our neighbors not love us?

Aren't you all so glad you're not our neighbors!  Maybe you should say a prayer for ours.....

And to all our neighbors past and present....SORRY BOUT' THAT (that should cover us for everything...)!

An Addendum to the Christmas Tree Debacle

I thought you guys would find this funny after I just wrote about how cursed we are with Christmas trees!
Yesterday I received a letter in the mail from the store that we purchased our Christmas tree from.  Here's what it said:
"The pre-lit Christmas tree you recently purchased has the potential for a lighting failure on one or more of the attached light strings"
HA!  All I could do was laugh out loud....What are the odds that we pick the one tree that has the "potential for lighting failure"!
Hasn't that been our luck from the beginning!  I think that if the lights do go out on this one  we should keep it just to have the tree that is "US".
Here's the link to the other story of the tree to catch anyone up who has no clue what I'm talking about!
http://thesargeof4.blogspot.com/2010/11/christmas-tree-debacle.html

Oh Where Is My Night Gown?

If any of you are Veggie Tale fans then you will know what song I am talking about immediately when I say: "Oh where is my hair brush" (you can watch the Veggie Tales clip here if you have no idea what I'm talking about and this whole thing will make a lot more sense!  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm7r8RHfzeM&feature=player_embedded).  So for this blog I thought I'd change the lyrics a bit to suite the story......to...you guessed it..... "oh where is my night gown". 

Narrator: "Now it's time for silly songs with The Red's. The part of the show where The Red's come out and sing a silly song.

Our curtain opens as Grandma, having just finished her evening bath, is searching for her night gown. Having no success, Grandma cries out..."Oh, where is my night gown? Oh where is my night gown? Oh, where, oh, where, oh, where, oh, where, oh, where, oh, where, oh, where, oh, where oh, where ... is my night gown?"
Narrator: "Having heard her cry, The Sarge enters the scene. Shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of Grandma in a towel, Sarge regains her composure and reports ... "I think I saw your night gown back there on the bed!"
Grandma: "Back there is my night gown. Back there is my night gown. Back there, back there, oh, where, back there, oh, where, oh, where, back there, back there, back there ... is my night gown?"
Narrator: "Having heard her joyous proclamation, Grandman enters the scene. Shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of Grandma in a towel, Grandman regains his composure and comments ... "Why do you need a night gown? You can sleep in the buff!"
Narrator: "Grandma is taken aback. The thought had never occurred to her. No night gown? What would this mean? What will become of her? What will become of her night gown? Grandma wonders ... "No one cares for my night gown. No one cares for my nightgown. No one cares, no one cares, nowhere, no one cares, no one cares, no one cares, no where back there, no one cares... for my night gown."
Narrator: "Having heard her wonderings, Eli, one of the Red's, enters the scene. Shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of Grandma in a towel, Eli regains his composure and confesses ... "Grandma, that silky pink night gown of yours ... Well, Sissy Lou was cold and you don't really need it. So, well, I'm sorry ... I didn't know. But I gave it to Sissy Lou 'cause she's got no blanket!"
Narrator: "Feeling a deep sense of loss, Grandma stumbles back and laments..."
Grandma: "Not fair! Oh, my night gown. Not fair! My poor night gown. Not fair, not fair, no one cares, not fair, nowhere, no one cares, not fair ,not fair, not fair! My silky pink night gown!"
Narrator: "Having heard her lament, Sissy Lou enters the scene. herself in a towel, both Grandma and Sissy Lou are shocked and slightly embarrassed at the sight of each other. But recognizing Grandma's generosity, Sissy Lou is thankful ..."
Sissy Lou: "ysajdll atlke bloow suej"  baby talk for: "Thanks for the blanket/night gown."
Narrator: "Yes, good has been done here. Sissy Lou exits the scene. Grandma smiles, but, still feeling an emotional attachment for her night gown, calls out ... "Take care of my night gown. Take care, of my night gown. Take care, take care, don't dare not care. Take care. Some one cares. No fair. Take care, take care ... of my night gown."
Narrator: "The end!"


Okay, if you are completely lost....here's the story in a nut shell:

Grandma and Grandman came up to visit for Thanksgiving.  The first night grandma was getting ready for bed and pulled out her silky pink night gown and robe and laid it on the bed (she's old school and has to sleep in a night gown every night).  She was distracted and ended up staying up a while longer talking.  I had put Sissy Lou to bed earlier and the Red's were running around playing.  When it was time for everyone to go to bed Grandma couldn't find her night gown.  She swore she had laid it on the bed with her robe.  The robe was still there...well it had been thrown around a little, but it was still there.  So the search was on for Grandma's night gown.  I searched every where...behind the bed, under the bed, closets, drawers...every where.  Finally I decided that I would question the Red's....because we all know they are sneaky little boogers.  I pulled Andrew to the side first and he looked clueless so I moved on to Eli....who didn't look so clueless....but also looked a little confused.  I said "Eli tell mommy the truth...you are not in trouble....we just need to find Grandma's night gown". He still looked confused and it was then that the thought occurred to me...it was pink....I bet he thought it was a blanket...so I follow up with "you know, the pink blanket that was on your bed".  With that he tilts his head to the side (signature Eli) and says "OH YEA...I gave it to Sissy Lou". 
So I went into Sissy Lou's room (the one place I didn't look) only to find the night gown lying over the sleeping Sissy.
And that is the story of the missing night gown...mystery solved!

New Pictures....

I am so overjoyed this morning to have our new family photos!  Our photographer did an outstanding job catching the essence of our family!  I am putting them on here to  a) show them off and  b) give you info on how to book the most amazing photographer ever!
Adele Reding Photography.....not only are they super talented, they are also the nicest, kindest, most down to earth people ever!  If you are in need of off the chart photos for your family, baby, senior pictures, etc.... and live in the Louisville area (or you're willing to travel...which she's worth) then give Adele a shout....YOU will NOT be disappointed!

Adele Reding Photography
Westport Village
1301 Herr Lane

Louisville, KY, 40222
(502) 365-1718
email:  info@adelereding.com
http://www.adeleredingphotography.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Christmas Tree Debacle

I LOVE CHRISTMAS...everything about it...Jesus being born (had to put that first)...presents, the food, the smells, presents, the decorations that are all glittered up sparkly and shiny...the lights, carols .....did I mention presents......and of course the Christmas Tree!

The first house Jesse and I built had massive ceilings in the great room.  The kind you can't reach with a latter of any kind.  So we wanted a big full Christmas tree to accent it.  We were so very excited when we found the perfect pre-lit tree. Up until this point we had always purchased a real tree. 

So we put it up and it was perfect!  Look how happy we are....I don't think Gus was so happy...but we needed a Santa!

Year after year we put up the faithful, beautiful tree always loving it's shiny sparkly lights.

When we moved to Kentucky and Christmas time rolled around we pulled out the tree and set it up......only to realize a couple of limbs not working.  We worked and worked on them and finally got them lit.  (Sorry I had to throw in a few pictures that just made me smile...this has nothing to do with the tree...just my sweet little Eli....this gives me baby fever just looking at him).  Moving on....

 Notice the limbs out in the middle of tree here

The next year same thing (yeah, these are the only pictures I have of the tree) The bottom limbs started to not work...hince the reason we are blocking it with our bodies!

and the next...bottom limbs still not working

Last year we had, had it!  There were limbs all over the tree that were not working and try as we might we couldn't get them back on.  We vowed that was the last year for our beautiful NOT so shiny sparkly tree.  To goodwill it went and the search began for our new and improved super sonic shiny sparkly tree!  This was the last family picture with the late tree (you all should be familiar with this picture by now).

I got on line and started my search for a 9 foot pre-lit full Christmas tree.  When I found that fit my critiria I quickly glanced at the price and was overwhelmed. They do know that these things are plastic right???  What makes them worth ALL that $$$$$$$$?  Finally I found one that was in our price range....and it was FREE shipping....so of course I ordered it!
I will go ahead and admit I am one of those freaks who loves to set up for Christmas in the middle of November, way before Thanksgiving!  If Jesse would let me I would set up in October!
Anyways,  It came and I was ready to put that bad boy up!  Jesse and I put the whole tree up and then plugged it in.......only the same limbs that didn't work on our other tree DIDN'T WORK ON THIS ONE EITHER!!! 
We just stood there dumb founded!  Scratching our heads in a certain disbelief.  Asking ourselves one question:  Are we cursed with Christmas trees?
This is Jesse working on the tree....cursing it in his head....

After calling the help desk and trying our best to fix it we gave up and loaded it back in the box.  We took it back to the store to exchange...but guess what...THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE!
We are cursed!
So the search began again!  Finally I located another tree that was only $1.00 more. We drove over and grabbed one of the two that were left...WHEW!
Yesterday we spent the day decorating the house and putting the tree up.  Only this time every time we put a section together we plugged in the lights to see if they worked...holding our breath every time!
Notice a much Happier Jesse

Even happier...the Red's and Sissy Lou.

 Here's our finished product for the Richardson 2010 Christmas!

TA DA!
Don't worry, we know it is leaning a little.... we're cursed remember!

It Never Fails....

It never fails....every..yes, EVERY time I schedule to have our pictures taken as a family, one of the kids will fall and get a huge knot on their head or black eye....EVERY TIME!
I guess most of you can tell that I do not have many pictures that include the whole family by the picture above that graces the header of this blog.  That picture was taken last year in front of our Christmas tree by a sweet friend who knows my plight.
I have been trying for months to schedule pictures for our family.  We have yet to get a picture that would hang in the house that includes Sissy Lou....and she is 16 months old!  Between the Red's schedule, my schedule, Jesse schedule and sickness we have landed on TODAY!  I have had the coordinating outfits picked out for weeks. 
Yesterday, since it was such a nice day outside, we decided to play basketball as a family.  Sissy Lou was busy running around the front yard, the Red's were trying to block Jesse and I was trying to get my mums planted in a pot (for the pictures of course).  All of a sudden I hear a loud cry....the hurt cry...you can always tell the difference.  I look up to find Jesse squatting next to Sissy Lou and looking at her head. I dashed over to see what was going on only to find out that Sissy had fallen down and hit her head.  She had a lovely nice lump right at the top of her forehead....NICE! 
After checking her out to make sure she was alright I went for the ice pack.  We had to cancel the last set of photos we had schedule for this very reason....she actually fell the day of the pictures that time. 
I am praying that if I position her hair just so and maybe with some touch up you will not be able to see the RED bump on her head!  Oh Well.....it kind of "is" our family anyways so why not have a picture that shows the "true" us!
Hopefully I will have a nice family shot to replace the old Christmas picture soon....here's hoping!

Happy Halloween 2010!

Happy Halloween 2010

As promised here are the past and present costume choices for the Richardson household over the years:

First are pre-kid pictures....I think you will understand what I mean when you see them:

Jesse & Gus (Superman & a bumblebee)

Jesse the pimp and Gus the "hot dog"

Gus the superdog

Andrew the Giraffe

Andrew the Billy Goat (Eli was a whoopee cushion, but somehow avoided the camera)

The Red's Fighting Crime

Cat in the Hat and Thing 1 & 2 (very fitting) 

Hodge Podge year:  Indiana Jones, Ninja Turtle and a little Ghost

And finally  Wolverine and an Astronaut 

 

and let's not forget our little monkey

 HAPPY

HALLOWEEN!