We've ARRIVED!

OOOOOOF! What a weekend! We pulled into our home around 10pm tonight! I've unloaded the car, cleaned out the fridge- as much as I dare to tonight (eeeek!), bathed, brushed, and fed the girls, and am now going to bath and bed myself!! 2,000 is a looooong drive in case you wondered.
I'd love to tell you the wonderful incidents that occured along the way, but I've not completely gotten over them enough to blog them..... It just seemed that something was against us the whole trip! Things went well enough, but wow! -- when we really tried to do officially anything, everything happened. I'll gather my thoughts clearly at a later time, I think.
It was a wonderful thing to hear the kids say how happy they were to be back here with the infamous ''merdaid bed'', and other things. We are so blessed. I'm glad to be living in a home that's already put together, no assembly required. lol....
We missed church today and I know I'll feel the stress mounting incredibly quicker this week. Always seems to happen like that. Bummer. Brian took a hit again with school because of the intense work and driving and things he's been involved with the last week. I feel for him. I hope he'll get over these last few weeks quickly. Goodnight/Goodmorning! I'm going to r.e.l.a.x.!! (really???)

Coming Home

"Home is where the heart is".... as the saying goes, but I'm of the opinion that it must be warm and sunny too. I have been visiting the 'home' where I grew up, and raised my family for the first few years, and have disappointingly felt still so detached from things when I come back. Stores opened are now closed, the ward is 1/2 changed... things are just different. I know it's supposed to be that way but it's always an 'oh. ya' moment for me. It hasn't helped that I've been running myself totally insanely ragged, and it's been gray and cold.. and rainy-even snowy at times here. Today-the day we've planned on leaving the sun comes out, the grass has now turned a pretty spring green and the plants have budding flowers while others are beautifully blossoming. COMMON! Throw me a friggin' bone!!

Our kids have been hopping back and forth between Grandma's and Nana's for 3 weeks now and have questioned me, "Where's Home?" that I refer to every now and again. I know we've long moved out of the Ohio lands, and we're not planting deep deep deep roots in Kingman, so it's been hard to feel really at 'home' anywhere at the moment. Looking at the economical things, some people are losing their homes that you know are great wonderful people. Some people are living out of their cars... that's their home! We're redoing our old home here, to rent out as some one else's home. We're renting in Arizona, and I think it will remain that way for quite some time.

"Home is where we're sleeping tonight," I told my girls. I know some people might have a much more philisophical answer, but I'm really getting down to basics right now.

How grateful I am that I have a loving family near and far that go out of their way to make me feel at home wherever I may be. Thanks for everything everyone has done to help us as a family have wondeful memories of the Ohio. I'm grateful for the memories we're creating in our little Kingman town and am totally psyched for the happy memories to come. I'm coming home to a home where our hearts are, our lives are, and for right now where our future lies.

And that's.... priceless.

muy importante

FOCA Would Wipe Away Every Restriction on Abortion Nationwide

Bans on Partial Birth Abortion

• Requirements that women be given information about the risks of getting an abortion
• Only licensed physicians can perform abortions
• Parents must be informed and give consent to their minor daughter's abortion

FOCA would erase these laws and prevent states from enacting similar protective measures in the future.
- information taken from the website

If I think about Chloe and Eva's choice, I love them and want to give them the freedom to choose lots of things but dang.... not like that. I don't want them making some stupid choice that winds up with them getting prego on ''accident'' and then making another stupid choice to go to some crazy "dr. abortion" and then having something horrible happen to them. I don't think I've heard of one person that has had an abortion and hasn't had some serious mental/emotional effects (and therefore physical manifestations) from the trauma of abortion. The Lord has given us a few commandments about this "Love One Another" "Obey thy Father and Mother" "Thou Shalt Not Kill" . Yes I believe this God-given creation has a spirit from the moment the heart starts beating. I believe that there are millions of women out there, perfectly 'qualified'-if you will, to be a parent yet unable to conceive for reasons beyond their control. I know there are lots of mothers out there whose babies might be better off in some of these aforementioned mother's hands-but they are kept for pride. I know there are babies being born and buried or thrown into trash cans, or even abandoned to die by a medical professional. I personally think these people will stand blameless before the judgement bar of God and boy- I don't even want to be near them or know what he will do. God loves little children... I wouldn't anger this guy. If you agree with true freedom to live, above all else- make sure you at least give this a good look.

a change of pace

I've really disappeared, haven't I? Well, I'm not done yet. Life is so incredibly busy for me lately, that I have had no energy left to blog... I know... I said it. But, family comes first and boy have we been neeedy lately!! I sure love them all though! Good night!!

a lost blog - from 2/16/09

We broke out the exersaucer a few weeks ago.. here are the pics from that day. The girls say little G does ballet because his toes barely touch the bottom. He loves to be in here... usually while I'm exercising, I put him here.
Oh Eva!! Do we ever feel like we're having a bad day? Eva had a bad day here all the way until bedtime. If you notice the PJ's, they are on sideways... she spent a good while trying to get it to work like this... while I grabbed the camera. Brian was trying hard not to laugh as he helped her out of this predicament. I wish I could fit my leg into the arm of my clothes and not tell the difference!

My Joys

My son, Little G- I can stay at home and be there for him! He's rolling side to side, grabbing toes, and definitely showing off his littlest boy personality!

My daughter E's knack at being a mom, do you like how the purse takes priority over the baby? She's always been a baby fanatic, and shows this great strength with little G frequently: singing songs, rocking him, massaging him, feeding him bottles and baby food-very well actually!

I'm so glad I get to spend time with this family. I'm so thankful that they are patient with me, love me, and that we can be together forever!

Ode to Hip Hop!

Hubby got me an Anniversary gift early... I did request this... Hip Hop Abs with Shawn T... I've been doing the exercises almost every day, and I'm proud to say I'm looking better and better! I fit into my prepregnancy skirt yesterday... even a week before would have been unthinkable. Woohoo! Tilt, Tuck, Tighten, WOO! And on Valentine's day, we actually worked out to this with a borrowed projector, and some virgin margarita's. I did my first push-up ever!! This is really a big accomplishment for me. I can do several in a row now!

The Three Wise-Children

Chloe 4 Eva 3 and Gabe 4 months. He's starting to overwhelm them on the chair, or anywhere now. Growing and growing!

Love One Another

I couldn't tell if Chloe was burying her head into Eva's head. After this... Eva refused to pose again...

So, we did a side by side shot... not so pushy-looking... Maybe.

Daddy was helping Eva review her abc's and spelling. She and her snotty, dripping nose were attacking him. 2 against 1... not fair!

We were blessed to have some little Mary's come to our house Friday night, riding their horses. We just thought this was pretty cute. They held act for about 1/2 hour.

Here, too? I think I was tagged....

I have no idea how I can tell I was tagged.. but my facebook told me so... so I'll do this one..
1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? Planned. Oh yes. I even stood on my head. Yes, I bet you never knew this, but Brian brings it up all the time. He says that's what did it.. lol. I was young... what else can I say?

2 .WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? Only for a few months.

3. WHAT WAS YOUR REACTION? I was like... um.. yeah! okay. yes. we can do this. I have a little alien in me now.. ok.

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? Ummm... I had lots of options before abortion is even considered... like all the stuff leading up to it?

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 20 when she was born... dang I WAS young.

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? went to the doctor for ab pain and they took blood tests... ta da!

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? We found out together because of blood tests results. the home tests always were negative.. yes.. and he called his whole family in the five minute drive we were apart. He felt like THE MAN.

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? Yes

9. DUE DATE? March 21st? I really don't know. They gave me a lot.

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? Oh yes! I lost 30 lbs... partly sickness partly broke and starving during this time and our AZ caseworker was a real 'all star' and spent almost the whole time in AZ wondering what he could do for us.

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? What few things I could eat without heartburn. I distinctly remember chocolate peanut butter cookies... mm.

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? The frequent bathroom trips

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? Diva

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? Well, at this point I didn't know what I would do with girls. I've figured it out by now, I think.

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 70lbs- i know. let's move on...

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? My in-laws held one for me, I think

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? The shower? I knew.

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? no, but I learned something about me that I never couldv'e learned otherwise.

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? Bay Park Community Hospital

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 8am water broke... 4pm she popped out

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? Brian...very quickly

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? my hubby- man is he good

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? natural

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? heck ya. men are that they might have joy- not pain!

25. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 8lbs 6oz

26. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN? 4pm ( I saw 405 but whatever..I was on good epidural drugs)

27. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? Chloe Leigh

28. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? turns 5 next month

Little G at 4 mo!

Here are the stats of my little homie G.... at his 4 mo checkup:

13 lbs
23 3/4 inches long
Peach fuzzy hair everywhere except the back of his neck, where the longer blond hairs poke over his shirt collars.

I was so happy to hear that he is gaining all this weight. Three weeks prior we were in the hospital and he was just a tad over 10lbs. It's amazing what happens when they are actually eating (I've pretty much stopped nursing because he was getting really really really dehydrated from not getting enough. I tried, though- I really did!, so no I shoulda thoughts about this decision. )
His favorite things are looking at the girls playing the Wii (they're very animated) and snuggling with his mama. (insert warm fuzzy here) He loves to be spoken to by the other man in the house, of course, but daddy's attention is a lot harder to ascertain for any amount of time than moms.
He's got a routine down... 130, 430, 630am feedings and then every few hours throughout the day. We've started cereal, and he's tried lots of foods. I think his favorites are banana's and sweet potatoes. We'll start the green veggies and try apples again next week.
The girls love it when they can give him a spoonful or two of food. They love to hold him and do rhyme's with him, tuck him in... anything to do to play mommie for a moment. In a minute or two, however, they are more than ready to give me back the reigns as mother of the house.
Daddy loves to make him laugh, and help him to grow up - while I love to cuddle and snuggle him to keep him my baby boy as long as he'll let me.
I am so happy we're a happy and mostly functional family!!

Finding Jesus, and patience!

#1 I had to post this to remember this funny moment in time:

My oldest daughter was overheard yesterday evening exclaiming,
"Oh! I found Jesus! I've been looking for him all day!"

She had a picture of Jesus given to her at church from a teacher and had apparently 'lost' it and had been looking for it all day long. She had 'much rejoicing' when she found Him.

I just thought that was noteworthy... my daughter found Jesus yesterday.

#2 And my younger daughter after having an FHE lesson about praying and how we can pray, who we pray to, etc., said a heartfelt prayer afterward, blessing lots and thanking lots. In the middle of the prayer somewhere she decides to say- (can't imagine where she got this phrase from), "And please bless Jesus, and help Him to have patience." Well, I look at it positively: a. she's listening to my prayers and b. she really feels like Jesus is a person just like us. Maybe He could use blessings.. I'd never thought of that before.

Children are life's best teachers, I think. I love them for their sweet and pure views of life. I wish I could pretend that life was like that, sometimes... but then again I've worked hard on not being the stereotypical naive blonde small town girl. Sometimes it shows better than others!

Pre-Marriage...

B wore his first shirt and tie here.... And pants that weren't falling off *grin*.... My dad helped him tie his tie... My mom made dinner for us, and we danced our hearts content that night!

This was my Junior Prom dress. I helped make it... that's all i really remember here.

My Senior Prom... don't remember this one either.. hmmm... I just had gotten my widom teeth pulled and tonsils out so B had to feed me drugs, bananas, and we brought a soup because I couldn't eat the dinner we paid for.. Ya, I admit... I don't remember much at all.

6 Years!!

Happy Anniversary to Us!
I still remember feeling like I was about to pass out walking down the halls of our church getting ready to do a small but purposeful walk across the front of the chapel to my then fiance Brian where we concreted our love and devotion for each other. I remember my father pulling me along faster as I tried so desperately for that walk down the isle that i was told, "would not happen'', the shock of B's family members from the fastest wedding they had ever attended in their life, my cheeks hurting from smiling so bad and yet my head whirling because I had never pictured getting married in the chapel. It was always the temple. The Mesa temple.... we did eventually get sealed in the Columbus temple about a year later. My picture here captures my head over heels happiness and 'la la la' attitude. We were so young, so.... young. Our bishop gave us a 1 in 10 chance of surviving five years, if I remember correctly. That's thinking positive, right?
Well, After 6 years, we've been through a lot. We've changed a lot. And, B is my wonderfully supportive hubby! Oh boy, do I love him! I think we've come to a lull- a positive one- in our marriage and I LOVE IT! After moving, um... 8 times I think?, in the 6 years, having 3 kids, changing jobs a lot, starting a business, leaving that business I worked so hard for behind in Ohio, and growing together in a way we would have never done in Ohio, we are not even done yet! There's so much more to come, and it's exciting to me. The first year? It took forever. I realized B was a person... socks wedged in the bed covers, computers and computers, chewing where I could 'suddenly' hear him, and oh ya... realizing that boys really do spend a lot of time in the bathroom (hence the jokes). I was a little frightened about what was to come. The odds were against us, and we've CONQUERED! Now I love all the little things that make B, B! What 's better is that he loves me for all my faults, quirks and stuff. I had convinced him before we got married that I was a princess and that "princesses don't poo" Luck would have it that I ended up getting food poisoning right after we got married. That 'cute' lie I said was abruptly put to an end. Then, pregnancy... he still loves me after all that! In fact, he's loved me through it all!
I gave him a storybook of our love today. He still gives me the chills, butterflies, whatever you call it... he's GOT ME! I'm so glad we've been able to make our marriage finer with time. That's the art, right? Like fine wine. I'm so excited for that day when we can try to chase each other around with our walkers someday! How fun! For all eternity, I love him! *sniff*
Funny things we've gone through:
#1 I got sick once and clogged every drain we had in our house while peeing on his foot (this is separate from the food poisoning)
#2 We drove across country with all we owned. I can see it clearly: Brian's hand oustide the window rain or shine December 21st helping to hold our mattress to the Ford Taurus (tied down with a couple straps). We had walkie talkies to communicate so we could pull over to readjust the mattress... again, and again, and again. I was 6 mo. pregnant crammed into our 2 dr. Honda Civic.
#3 Our honeymoon was at a resort. We were given a cabin to stay in for a couple nights I think. I said, "Wow! Look how big this is. We should have a party!" We spent the entire honeymoon driving to and from my moms... I cannot remember why.
#4 Hearing Brian say, "Whose poop is this in the toilet?" and when no confessions were made, having me say, "If it's like this, it's Chloe's and if it's like this, it's Eva's". You know your a mom when.... moment.
#5 I made him ask me to marry him... 3 times. I lost the engagement ring he worked hard to earn. Each time was meant to be more romantic or memorable... only to have it completely the opposite. The third time he asked me was at Don Pablo's while a 21 year old was being sung to while women were throwing tampons around. One landed on the table while he was preparing for 'the question'. Ya.
#6 Pre-marriage: mooning, kissing, walking, dancing, proms
#7 Brian was angry, reversed over my parents big rock in the driveway specifically placed so that drivers could avoid danger... who could miss a big rock? Brian. The gas tank ripped open and leaked out the tank of gas... he got so angry he kicked the 'dumb' rock, and therefore fracturing his ankle where he had to wear a walking cast... all in front of my parents. I bet they were impressed.
*8 Our car was written on with lipstick that showed up "Just Married!" Anytime it rained, people would look, smile and honk! We would be wearing pajamas, jeans... I wonder if they wondered if we really had 'just' gotten married.
Ahh.... time is moving on and B is waiting for me. I'm gone!

Oooo! Mom! Yoga!

www.Mommyoga.com is something my sis-in-law created a few years ago. She has a pregnancy yoga video that I followed, with my girls... and she sent this to me in congrats for Gabriel.. A baby and mom yoga video where you do yoga with your baby. The girls caught sight of the look of the DVD and knew it was Auntie A's yoga. Chloe begged to stay up to do yoga before bedtime and 'calm down'. As soon as they saw the baby was needed... they ran to their room and grabbed their 'babies' to do yoga with. Chloe sat through the first 40 min or so following closely to what Auntie A was teaching. I appreciate the healthy influence she has had on my children. I loved the DVD too!
It's a good reminder to us of Ohio's beauty, as well! We were just starting this in this pic.

Yum, Yum Cereal

Brian's first time feeding our little G cereal... He eats and eats and eats!
He likes his dad... and his food, too!
These were his first official bites of rice cereal.. two days ago.

Goodbye Ms. Meg!

The other day was officially the last time the kid-o's will see Ms. Meg and her horses....

Chloe was afraid after not being around them for a while, but Eva-- completely verbal and not afraid. I think this was a great experience to have someone as kind as Meg invite them to be a part of her and her 'horse' families life. I know I'll miss having the familiarity of horses around the kids. Maybe someday we'll get horse riding lessons. That would make me happy.

Richters on Wheels!

Eva has learned to ride her bike Santa has given her... he is the bike giver!
Chloe fell on her 'cushy tushy' and still kept going!! What a trooper!

Gabe kept trying to get out of the stroller. He's going to be a handful when he gets mobile, for sure!

Looking over all these gadgets to add to the blog, I was thinking about the purpose of every one I saw. Some, just reflection other laughing, etc. You probably are all familiar with the 'gadgets' if you blog. I found some nice ones, and being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I've felt pulls at my heart for each of these I've selected at the side. Families, past and present, future children, being personally and financially prepared.... provident living.org is an awesome sight where you can learn to be savvy in 6 basic areas of life. It's really something! B and I are working on bringing down debt right now. We'll see how this goes.
I am so impressed to say, that families are sooo crucial. Having Little G in the hospital last week, I carried him in to the ER and handed him over to strangers who knew nothing more about him than what they saw. I thought to myself, "Be careful. Be wise. He is my everything!" How often does our Heavenly Father feel the same way when he hands us an infant 20 inches long, 8lb or so and all we know about the infant is what we see right there? I'm sure he says each time to us, "Oh (Jessica), be careful, be wise... this child is priceless to me." And if something goes wrong, how often must he be thinking, "Oh (Little G) I'm so sorry. I wish there was another way."
Our lesson in RS on Sunday was about Sealing, and the Sealing Power restored to the earth in Kirtland OH.... It was very touching and I wish I could've just sat and listened for ever! We preserve things we care about... waxing cars, protecting pictures, sealing and preserving food, painting houses and materials with material to make it last. It made me self-analyze. Do I show my family that they are THE most important things to me? Sealing is a noun and a verb I think. If I just cruise on through life and think 'ah, ya... we're sealed,' it assures nothing. I have to endure, love, serve and sacrifice to be sealed and deserve that blessing. They are worth the stretch marks, the bags under the eyes, the ever expanding waistline (caused not only by child bearing but by stress munching) followed by the frumpy 'I forgot to do my hair today' hair, the pinches in the budget because I don't get a paycheck for being at home... all those things make me a MOM. Brian's love is worth the meal fixing, house cleaning, redundantly repeating redundantly, resetting the toilet seat, dealing with 'his' kids when they act up...all that makes me his WIFE. I hope I show my love for them each day. I hope they don't have to ever think twice about my desire to be a mom and wife. I love them. I'll love them more than just 'till death do us part. I'll love them forever.

One little, two little Three Little Richters...

Middle E, born 10/29/05

Big Sis C, born 3/29/04

Little G, born 10/7/08

I've been thinking about how they all look alike, and I just thought I would post these pics of our kids...
Upshot of Baby G for all those not 'in' on the scoop, is that he's miraculously better. We haven't and the doctors didn't find any infections, even though they tested everything in the world on this poor guy. He just spent 4 days with a very high fever,and then two more days with a low fever after coming home. Now, he's just getting used to not being held all the time (sigh). He got rather spoiled in the hospital, I admit. What precious spirits in this world! They don't look identical, but you can tell they have some relation.... I might even put up a pic of Brian as a baby soon...