Richardson Report

I must not be a blogger anymore because blogging once a month is about the maximum of what I'm managing.  Maybe not even less often.  It's funny because in some ways I have even more to write than ever because I am SO BUSY all the time.  But then again - it sort of just more of the same so it doesn't seem "blog-worthy". Maybe a brief kid update would be in order.  Sticking ages in here to make it easy.  So I guess it's like a mid-year Christmas letter! FAITH - 18 months and very little interest in talking.  She's adorable and so much trouble sometimes.  She would rather climb and explore than talk.  BUT recently she's starting using more sounds and she will finally play along with the hand motions for songs like "Popcorn Popping" - when it suits her.  She is funny and adventurous and cuddly.  She sleeps amazing - just pop her in bed at the appointed time and she'll sleep until it's time to wake up.  I love it! NATALIE - is six...

 Last I posted it was Logan's birthday.  Where has the time gone?  I have been busier than I've ever been in my life.  The days are flying by and they are so full and interesting. Since my last post: Hannah turned 17.  She celebrated with dinner out with her close friends (and Brynne), followed by cake and karaoke at our house.  The girls are adorable and I love to see them hang out.  They are so nice and cute to each other. This is Hannah's best face.  I wish I could remember why she made this face.   Anyway.  She is growing into such a lovely young woman - almost an adult.  Love this girl. Logan was able to go to the Temple with Josh for his first time doing baptisms.  Managed to squeeze it in before the temple shut down for the summer.  Great experience. The YW had a daddy-daughter 50s dance.  Loved this picture.  They played a game similar to the Newlywed Game in which both girls were ...

12 years ago our Pal was born.  It really doesn't seem that long ago.  I still vividly remember my feelings of panic when I found out he was getting transferred to the NICU.  I remember the feeling of helplessness as Mom and I watched him turn purple and then blue in that NICU on the first night while the other nurses congregated around someone else's baby who was in crisis mode.  We finally got someone's attention and she came and showed us what to do to help him remember to breathe.  I remember his breathing monitor going off accidentally in sacrament meeting and causing a collective breath-holding as everyone wondered exactly what was going on with our baby.  He was fine, but we were embarrassed to be the causes of the disruption! I remember moving here and watching Logan race from one end of the house to the other in our furniture-less living room.  I remember the haircuts he was constantly giving himself, and the "cooking" I would find him doing...

I just realized I haven't updated the blog about Francisco. So just a few things. 1.  his nickname is Javi (hah-vee) so you'll see me type that since it's faster and what's in my head. 2.  things are good.  He's in counseling for some past experiences and behavior.  Just started.  Seems to be going well so far.  We called LDS family services for a referral.  That's why the trips to Santa Rosa.  Not really fun but we felt it necessary. 3.  Relationships are sorting out.  Kids are fighting and playing as they should.  Rules are being discussed, mostly followed, and school is happening.  We are navigating the juvenile justice system for the first (and I hope last) time. 4.  Yes we want to keep him with us for the foreseeable future.  We will need to hope and pray that his mom thinks that is a good idea. There isn't really much to say other than that we love having him in our family.  Seven kids now, is h...

It's been a whirlwind of living around here.  We had a wonderful vacation to Disneyland in February. We came home so exhausted but it was so fun.  Some friends from Utah met us there and we just really enjoyed gorgeous weather and fun activities.   We finally got to the San Diego Temple to check it out and spent some time at the Mormon Battalion Historical Site - found Josh's ancestor on the soldier roster.  Pretty awesome for the kids.   We've spent a lot of our time on the weekends catching up on delayed home improvement projects and running around from place to place.  I'm making bi-monthly trips to Santa Rosa for Javi's counseling appointments, which is a FULL day for me and takes a day out of homeschooling, so we have to make that up on the other days.  We are studying Civil War, plants, and Cinderella stories from various cultures, as well as keeping up with our math, spelling, and reading.  Last month was a sort of lame school month but thi...