We're All SICK Here!

Well, let me rephrase that, 3 out of 5 are sick, but Mama was taken down this time, so it feels like everyone.

I'm sure I'm not alone in my longing for Spring to come and stay. I'm tired of the rain, tired of the cold and tired of all the runny noses. 

Sickness has prevailed this year in the Richards household and it will not loosen it's grip. 

I think it started well over a month ago, before we went to Florida and got spoiled with the summertime weather.  That week gave us a little reprieve, but as soon as the weather went back down in the 30s and 40s all the symptoms came back.

I don't know about you, but when I'm not feeling good my sin really comes out.  I am less patient with my family and even the little things seem huge in the moment.

Take for example this morning.  After leaving Hannah alone with a bowl of yogurt a little too long, with only Suzi as a witness, I come back in the kitchen to find it on the ground, in her hair, everywhere.  Who knows why?  Maybe because she is one of the sickies, but also maybe because she just didn't want strawberry yogurt for breakfast this morning and that was her way of telling me.  So, after I cleaned the kitchen I scooped her up and put her in the shower.

Hannah being Hannah and balance not being her strong suit she slipped multiple times in the shower. This led to both of us becoming a little frustrated.  One because I feel like a 2.5 year old should be able to catch her balance in the shower and two since her processor was off she could not hear any of my instructions.

I hate when I feel this way.  I hate when I get frustrated at things Hannah does that she cannot help and probably would rather do better.  I want to set Hannah up for success.  Be it a slip-free bath time or not tripping down the stairs or the ability to communicate clearly with her.

After the morning calmed down, Suzi was napping and Hannah was otherwise entertained I sat down to listen to last Sunday's sermon on courage that I had missed.

"Take courage, for as you

have testified to the 

facts about me in Jerusalem,

so you must testify also in Rome."

Acts 23:11

Using Paul's life as an example, our pastor challenged us to have courage in unknown circumstances and to step out, in faith, with courage when it seems hard or unpopular.  

This sermon really resonated with both Keith and I, especially due to the events that have taken place in our life and family over the last 2 months.  Do we have the courage we need to go into the unknown full of faith?

As I thought through where I need to display courage my mind went back to Hannah.  

Do I have the courage to lay down my fears of the future to set Hannah up for success?  To believe she can do anything she sets out to even if it takes a little longer than the typical kiddo?  The last thing I want to do is hold my daughter back because I don't want her to slip and fall.  

After thinking through this and how the Lord is sovereign over Hannah's life I go to put the laundry from the washer to the dryer.  I turn around and here comes my mini me with stool in hand to help in the process.  

 

Again, when I start to doubt the Lord about my daughter's ability, He sweetly shows me how much she can do.  And gives me another glimpse into the person he created her to be.

 

I don't like that my daughter caught a virus that limits her ability and immediately put her in the special needs category.  But I do know He actively works all things (even the schemes of the devil) for our good and his glory.

I look forward to witnessing what the Lord will do with her life and pray that I will hold her with an open hand (and not get in the way!)

So, even when I am frustrated that my daughter may not be where others are who are her age, I take courage in the fact that the Lord is using her life for her good and his glory.

And all I have to do is cheer her on.

Sovereign Over Us - Aaron Keyes

Magical

We went to Disney. Yes we did. 

I know some people love the thought of going to the most magical place on earth and others loath it. For us it was simply magical and I'm so glad we went. 

Here is a little back story on the months and weeks that led up to this trip. 

You see, we started thinking about this trip about a year ago, before Suzi was born. Keith's parents have been wanting to take the whole family and we all know there may not be another opportunity, so we decided to take an infant, a 2 year old and a brand new 5!  

Yes, we got looks. Some were in sympathy, some were "are you crazy??" But, you know you have to ignore lots of things when you are vacationing with thousands of other people. 

 

So, back to the planning. We did Disney in it's entirety. The resort hotel, dining plan, character meals, advanced fast passes, the whole nine yards. 

One month before our trip Keith decided it would be in the best interest of our family and his career, to look for another job. 

Louisville has very few software companies where Keith's skills can be utilized, so we were pretty panicky. 

Should we spend the money on a Disney trip?

Should Keith take a week off of job hunting to go on vacation?

How long would our savings hold out?

Yes, all of these things were going through our minds. We decided to pray about it for a week and trust the Lord to provide job/interview opportunities and then talk about it again. 

Within a week Keith had many phone interviews and a few potiential leads. 

Amazing. 

So, we decided in faith to continue on with the Disney plans. 

Over the next two weeks he worked hard on finding a job and 3 weeks to the day after his decision to leave his current job, he had 2 offers in hand. 

All the credit goes to the Lord here. 

So, Keith finished his job at the company who brought us to Louisville, we left for Disney the day after, returned, and now he's starting his new job today. Whew!

We are still kind of "holding on" and trusting the Lord and what He's doing at this time, but very thankful for His provision. 

So, back to the magic. 

Disney really does vacationing right and we had perfect weather, we even spent 3 days in the pool!

 

Yes, there were meltdowns, bad eating habits, and complete exhaustion on everyone's part. But we never wished we weren't there. We loved every minute of the crazy. 

 

We did learn about all that Disney provides for special needs families, which we didn't take advantage of this trip, but I was happy to know about them. 

Hannah did really well and by the last day learned that she's supposed to smile when a character comes over to take a picture. 

 

 

She loves ducks. After this she was quacking all morning. 

I think Suzi even enjoyed it, well enjoyed being with grandparents and cousins was probably her favorite. She really went with the flow. 

 

Such a sweetie. 

Eli rode all the rides he was tall enough for and was really sad when he was a hair too short for space mountain. His favorites were test track and splash mountain. 

 

And he even turned 5 while we were there!

 

In China @ Epcot

 

We were so blessed by this trip. So thankful to Keith's parents for allowing us to go and providing many helpful hands while we were there. 

 

I'll leave you with a few more pics. 

 

Breakfast at Chef Mickey's

Suzi was not feeling it here. 

Playing with Hannah in front of Cinderella's castle

 

 

Eli appeasing me with a pic. 

 

Our two little Minnies. 😊

 

 

Have a "magical" day!

10 Years

When I lived in East Asia and helped lead a team of expats, once a year our regional leadership would invite us for a weekend of reflection and refreshment.

We would travel to another city, stay with friends, eat at fun restaurants, and hang out with friends we didn't usually see. 

I remember always looking forward to that weekend. It was nice to get away and take time to think about ministry with input from others. 

One thing they always had us do was think about where our life would be in 10 years. What did we want to be doing? What did we want to be true of our life? 

In 2007 I was single, it would be 2+ years before I would meet Keith and 5 years before I  become a Mom. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined what my life would be like in 2017, or if I would even make it to 2017. Haha. 

Right now our family is going through some stuff, some hard stuff, but as I reflect on the last 10 years and how the Lord has LAVISHLY given me good things I know we will make it through. 

As I think about what has happened over the last 10 years (marriage, 3 kids, 4 cities, a special needs diagnosis, just to name a few).  It is wonderful to think the Lord had all this planned.  He may not have given me the insight or forethought to imagine what He could do, but he has given me grace to live it.

So as I write this, I am glad the Lord left me in the dark about most of my future over the last 10 years. Who knows what I would have tried to change if I had known??  This gives me hope that He's got good things in store that I can't even think think of now.

"For the sake of Christ,

then, I am content with weaknesses,

insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities.

For when I am weak, then I am strong."

2 Corinthians 12:10

Winter's Here!

We had our first taste of winter last week as well as a day off of school. 

Personally, I think it was a weak snow day, but it was fun to stay home with my babies all the same. 

During the girl's nap Eli and I had some fun!

 

 

The snow makes a beautiful backdrop for pictures. And I think Eli is SOOO photogenic. 

 

It was a nice taste of snow. And personally I'd be fine if that's all we had, but I know a little guy who can't wait for the next snowfall. 

 

It's fun to live in a place with all 4 seasons. 

 

 

Here's a last pic of my little love bug. 

She's so beautiful! 😍

That darn cast

It's baaack!!

The night before we had it put back on I seriously couldn't sleep. I just knew Hannah would take it badly, meltdown in the doctors office and be very frustrated. 

The casting went surprisingly well. Hannah sat patiently and curiously as the nurse put it on only to discover she had done it wrong and had to take it off and start again. At this point I was getting nervous, but the second attempt was successful with both attitude and action.

 

You see last week she had her first occupational therapy appointment since before Christmas. During OT her therapist really pushes Hannah and doesn't let her use her right hand. This is to strengthen and help her hand work correctly. Well, during this appointment Hannah would do nothing and got very upset. The only thing she ended up doing with her left hand was eat cheese (her favorite food) so this was discouraging for me. But it also showed us that the cast needed to go back on. 

She is adapting and usually with a smile so that is a blessing. The Lord has been gracious to her through all the tests the past few months. 

She'll have the cast on 4 weeks this time and then hopefully we can take a break...hopefully. 

We have more decisions to make about Hannah's continued therapy and other strategies to try with her left hand specifically. Please pray we would have wisdom. 

I'm coming to the realization that CMV will never leave our lives. Hannah will never "arrive" and be rid of the effects of this virus. 

That's hard to except. 

It's actually gotten me down lately, but I do have to remember the Lord's faithfulness to Hannah and us in the past and remember he never lets us go. 

Break!

Aren't breaks nice? Well received?

When I think of my favorite breaks I think of fun vacations, warm weather so that fun can be enjoyed outside, time with friends and family.

Of course now my breaks look different than they did before kids and I don't always get to spend those breaks with Keith at home, but it is still nice to take some time out.

 

Time out from the normal routine.  No schedule.  Nowhere I have to be.

This past week we have had a break and it's been nice.  I've been home since Christmas Day and haven't left the house since Monday--doesn't that sound like a Mama's break?

yes!

Since being on break one child has a runny nose, one has a cough (that seems to be getting worse) and one is threatening to get sick.  'Tis the season!

 
Five years ago this would have frustrated me.  I mean, come on' kiddos don't you know this is a break and you getting sick does not make it restful for me??

But now I realize kids get sick, a break is an excellent time to get sick (if you have to) because there's nowhere we have to be, and I am still realizing that I'm a mom of 3 kids--sleep will come when it comes. 

 

So this break has been nice because of the one-on-one time I've gotten with each kiddo.  Whether that's watching a new movie with my oldest, cuddling with the girls because they don't feel well, making cookies, playing with new toys, etc, etc.

I'm thankful!

 
I know in just a few short days the schedule will ramp up again.

2017 will bring many more things into our lives.
*more doctors and therapy appointments
*another cast {sigh}
*possible surgery
*talking {YAY!}
*walking
*kindergarten
*preschool

and the list goes on and on, with things I don't even know about yet!

So today I am sitting in my messy house, with loads of laundry needing to be washed and kids who probably need baths and think back to the reason for this break.

The birth of our King who chose to leave Heaven and join this mess.

Yes, I'm thankful for a break but even more thankful He entered into our world and wants to be part of our lives.  2017 will have many surprises, good and bad.  Thank God that he walks through them with us!

Happy New Year Everyone!

"The Lord bless you, and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace..."
John 6:26-28

Merry Christmas!

For all of you near and far who didn't receive our Christmas card. 🎄

 

Merry Christmas from the Richards Family!

Christmas 2016

The Christmas season is upon us!  New this year: A Richards family update letter!  We know many of you keep up with us and pray for our family so we want to give you a few more details about our life!  We are grateful for all the Lord has given us and for this time of year to reflect on Jesus’ coming.  

“For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do.

By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin,

he condemned sin in the flesh.”

Romans 8:3

 

Keith and Ellie have now been out-numbered and are still figuring out zone defense with 3 kiddos in the house.  Most of our days and nights are spent parenting, loving and helping these three.  Yes, our hands are full, but full with good things.  In May we officially joined a new church and have gotten involved in a community group near our house.  This group has blessed us immensely since we started attending.  It is fun to see them love our kids and serve us when we need it.  

Keith has now been at his company here in Louisville for 3+ years.  He continues to work hard and is a well thought of, great, manager of product.  He works long days to provide for all of us, we are so grateful for him!

Ellie spends a lot of time with the kiddos, which is how it should be.  Hannah still has many therapy and doctor appointments and now Suzi gets to tag along too!  She is blessed with other mom friends who have kids of similar ages to get together with occasionally and have some grownup time as well as a women’s bible study.

 

Eli is on his last year of 3-day preschool and by the end of next year he will be a Kindergartener!  It’s bittersweet to watch our sweet boy grow up and decide he no longer wants to be called “sweet boy”.  He participated in gymnastics until mid-summer, which he loved, but now we are searching for another activity to get some energy out.  

 
 

Hannah continues to amaze us with all she does good and bad.  She turned 2 this year, and it shows!  She also began walking which actually happened before Suzi was born—a sweet gift from the Lord.  She is now a busy toddler who messes with everything and one you can’t take your eyes off of for a second.  Her sweet disposition makes up for it most of the time!  Hannah also had surgery to receive her first Cochlear Implant in November.  She is adapting to it very well, we are hopeful to see more and more progress with speech therapy in the New Year!  Please continue to pray for her left hand. It is getting stronger through restraint therapy but still has a long way to go.

 

 

And Suzi.  She’s really a great baby.  Except for the lack of sleep she joined our family seamlessly and we all fall more in love with her every day.  She is a baby who spends lots of time in the car, smiles a lot, sleeps well and loves to be talked to.  Eli usually gets put on “talk to Suzi duty” and he is great at it.  She will be 6 months 2 days after Christmas, so yes in the busyness of life with little kids, time flies!

 

We know that in the ups and downs of life “we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” but one who chose to come to earth and take away our sins!  Let us remember that gift during this Christmas season.

 

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas!

Keith, Ellie, Eli, Hannah and Suzi Richards