Saturday, March 29, 2008

Celebrate!

As of 1:30 PM Friday afternoon, Todd has completed his higher education. He had his final oral defense via conference call and it went smoothly and they all agreed that he passed with flying colors.

Each of them requested a personal copy of his final project to use and put into force in their own businesses or classrooms! I couldn't be more proud of Todd and the amount of time and work he has put into his education. He's done!

Tammy insisted that Todd and I get out alone and celebrate together, so she volunteered to watch the kids. I couldn't wait to get out, Todd, however was exhausted and wanted to stay home and sleep. I said "no way! Someone has offered to watch our kids, we are getting out! You can't throw away opportunities like that!"

I asked him what he wanted to do...he wanted to take a nap. So I bullied him out to the car and we went to The Old Spaghetti Factory (he did suggest that Lasagna sounded good and you all know how much I love their food).

When the meal was finished and we were picking our teeth, I asked what he wanted to do. He said he was still tired and right then a lightbulb lit above my head. I told him to get in the car, but that we weren't going to far. I ran into the "location" and asked if there were any openings and surveyed the current customers and knew that he would be safe. It took me prying his hands off of the steering wheel to get him to come with me.

We entered the "location" and he was like a small child being forced into a swimming pool (the metaphor is one that has recently been vivid in my mind). However, once he got into the chair and pushed the buttons, he relaxed a little and the PEDICURES began! It was so wonderful and relaxing and we both benefited from it. As Ken would say "we owed it to ourselves."

Then we headed over to the sports store so he could get some more running gear (he's been prepping for a Marathon).

The celebration continued this evening with a surprise party that I flawlessly planned and followed through with thanks to the precision and secrecy of my favorite little helpers (thanks Tammy and Ike, I couldn't have done it without you).

The guest list composed of some of our "ohana" that survived (and graduated from UH) the Hawaiian Islands with us and have witnessed the struggles and joys that we have been through as well as our dearest friends that have been with us here on the mainland since Todd and I became "the Riches."

My heart is so full tonight with the love these people have for Todd. This world would be an awfully lonely place without family and friends that encourage and cheer you on. You know, everybody wants to be reminded that they are doing okay once in a while...tonight affirmed that the friends we have made have helped encourage us down this path in life and think we are doing okay.

Yeah, life is good. And I think that you are okay, just because you are reading my blog and think I am interesting enough to spend your time reading about.

Friday, March 28, 2008

Easter Weekend

Yes, we too celebrate the Easter Holiday, however, I am late in posting pictures or telling stories about the event.

Last Saturday didn't get off to too great a start as I had spent 45 long miserable minutes at the Rec Center while Connor cried through his entire swim lesson. Yes, I am the mother with the child who hates swim lessons. After a while, I couldn't handle it anymore and I left the swimming area and went out into the foyer. I had high hopes that Connor wouldn't find me, but when I would look into the pool, there he was, staring straight at me and sobbing. Half of my heart broke for him the other half was infuriated. We come to the pool and he has a great time! Why is it that when thousands (okay, maybe 30) other parents are standing near with their perfect children that have no fear of the water, Connor can't handle it. AUGH! At the end of the lesson, I walked to the instructor with my head held down in shame and asked her what she wanted me to do. She said to just keep bringing him and leaving as soon as I get him in the water. Maybe if he doesn't know I am around, he'll d better. Tomorrow's our third attempt at lessons. I'll let you know the outcome. Now, to the remainder of our Saturday.

After we returned home, I got Connor changed and put him and all the other kids down for naps. They weren't in the highest of spirits, which meant that I wasn't either. The naps did all of us good.

2pm rolled around and none of the kids were awake. I was not about to wake any of them up either, so I mosied (sp?) on down to the Spencer Family Easter Egg Hunt. I helped disperse the candy and coin filled eggs in the front yard and we awaited the arrival of a few more cousins. In that time frame, Todd called and the two little girls had awoken and I walked to the Riches to get them ready. While getting them ready, Connor's little cousins ran over and helped to wake him up from his nap and he eagerly got out of bed and ran back to the Spencer's with the rest of the crowd.

I had purchased Abi this adorable little felt purse from a friend across the street and thought it would be fun for Abi to use it as her Easter Basket. Connor commandeered it and we found an Easter Basket just big enough to hold one egg for Abi.

Abi saw me tossing eggs onto the lawn, and so the single egg she found (that dad kept placing in her basket for her) continuously got lobbed into the air and she would just laugh with hysteria in her voice each time she threw it. Then dad would put it back in the basket and that kept her entertained for the whole activity. You can click on the picture to see a larger image of them


Connor shoved as many eggs into his purse as possible. His cousins were great to share their wealth and filled his purse with some of their finds


Carly just sat in the stroller all bundled up with no idea what was going on.


The afternoon turned out to be a complete success and the mornings frustrations were washed away. Phew!


The following morning instead of Easter Baskets (they had just had an Easter Egg Hunt the day before...what do they need another one for?) Todd and I had gotten each of the kids a small toy. Abi got an Elmo doll, Connor got Percy & Lady (trains) and Carly got one of those floor gyms.

No new Easter clothes either. Connor wore the suit my parents gave him for Christmas, Abi wore the dress she wore last year
THEN

NOW

and Carly wore a dress that was given to her from the baby shower in Hawaii. I know...I'm not too festive.

Todd and I participated in our ward Easter Program. We were both in the choir and we were the narrators for the program. It was absolutely beautiful, all scriptures that told the story of the week before the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. Our ward Choir director is phenomenal and has such a way with the group of unprofessionals that we are.

Now, this picture has nothing to do with anything...except to maybe remind me that, although my Abi doesn't always act like an angel, she sure can look like one.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

The Host

Fantastic! Loved it! The writing is great and the storyline, although a little on the sci-fi side (not my cup of tea) was fabulous. I hope you all enjoy it as much as I did...when it comes out in May!

Monday, March 17, 2008

Nanner Nanner Nanner

I just went to my moms house and guess what I brought home with me....

....The Host!

Yes, that's right. She has a friend that got the book before it reaches it's final publication. It has a few spelling errors in it, but I have read the first two chapters already and am sucked in.

Very different but Stephanie has done a great job with it so far! I'll keep you posted.

Just Another Monday

Here's the run down from the last weeks many experiences:

Todd...still plugging away on his final three items to graduate. He's training for a marthon and is losing weight like crazy. Why is it that if a guy wants to lose weight, he doesn't have to do much but think about it and the pounds fall off, but if a woman wants to it takes the diet, the work out the self-guilt trips the pictures on the fridge, etc. etc. etc.

Mel...signed up for the Digital Scrapbooking Retreat which I am so very excited about. Of course, I am now seriously considering if I should really be taking a class like this. I registered three times...thinking that the other two times it didn't go through. Not too computer savvy, I'll really be needing those beginner classes. I got to spend some time at my friend Shawnna's house the other night and am now suffering from "own house envy." And on Saturday I went in search of some new brown shoes. I went to 4 different stores in search of the perfect shoes and came home empty handed (there is this certain pair that I want by Rocket Dog that I can't find anywhere). Todd was surprised that I didn't spend any money.

Connor...Started taking swimming lessons on Saturday. We took a little trip to the pool on Thursday with some friends and he did great. I was certain we wouldn't have any problems at all, but the more kids that came the more scared Connor got. He clung to me for the first half of the class and the teacher the remainder. AUGH! Next week we'll try it all over again. On Friday he met with a Speech therapist...you can read all about that venture on his blog. He's also becoming very helpful. The other day I gave him some silverware to put at the dinner table, and wouldn't you know it. He actually did it...right! I was so proud. And then he had two helpings of salad for dinner. He actually ate vegetables (drenched in Ranch)! He's growing up so fast.

Abi...My clingy little angel slept all day Saturday. I mean ALL Day It was great. On Sunday she actually fell asleep in my arms and I got to just kiss and cuddle her like never before while she slept. It was glorious to get to hold that gorgeous little girl for so long. Then last night she woke up ...so out of the ordinary for her. I brought her into the tv room to watch a show with Todd and I (the John Adams one on HB) and she just sat between us so still. Todd and I both knew that something must be wrong. This girl can't sit still for more than two minutes. Sure enough, she threw up this morning! So, hopefully it is just a 24 hour thing...we have plans to meet the Brady's at the Discovery Center tomorrow.

Carly...She's getting so big and squishy. She discovered her feet this week and hs also found her voice. So beautiful and squealy. There is no loss of love in her life. Abi and Connor dote on her and her daddy and I are always smothering her with kisses. Such a happy and rolly polly little baby. She has mastered sitting up (with the help of a large stomach to lean on and a soft blanket to fall on) for a whole 2 minutes!!! She has no idea what she is doing, but it looks cute.

There, that's our update! This week we are taking Connor to meet his Preschool teacher and get registered for that, Abi and Carly have Dr.'s appointments, I am singing with a choir for our Stake Relief Society Brithday party and a few playdates in between! Busy week.

Monday, March 10, 2008

Big News

Todd just returned from a one week stay in Hawaii. The kids and I remained behind so that he could get all the work done he needed to while he was there (we're just way too distracting...and the beach and friends aren't?). The work wasn't as demanding as he had planned so he was able to get in a game of golf, hit the beach a couple of times, dine and relish in the enjoyment of old friendships, yada-yada-yada. The big news is that he is OFFICIALLY graduating in May!!! Woo-hoo!!! Yipee!!! Ten Years of schooling is finally over. Doctor Todd...it sounds so official.

Now we have to grow up and we don't know how to do it!

Anyways, in honor of my Toddy, I am going to steal an idea from my sweet friend Miranda and give you all some more insight to this guy that has suffered through ten years of schooling, being married to me, fathering 3 little munchkins, moving too many times to count and being able to play hard at the same time.

What is his full name? His parents dubbed him Benjamin Todd Riches. Todd likes to tell people that his first name came from King Benjamin in the Book of Mormon.






How long have you been married? 9 years, 10 months, and a few days. We were married May 30, 2008 in the Salt Lake Temple.

How long did you date? Todd and I began officially dating in December of 1997, we were engaged in March of 1998 and married May of that same year. Those were fun times.





Who eats more sweets? Right now we are both on the "Weight Watchers" diet. However, Todd has to use more of his flex points than I do...so he must. Although I have had to SERIOUSLY change my eating habits or else the answer would have easily been me.

Who said I love you first? Todd did. We were driving back from a performance of "The Messiah."

How old is he? 32

Who is taller? He is, by a hair...literally, if his hair was flat, I'd be taller.

Who is smarter? Todd. For fun, he used to read the dictionary...NERD!!! He would have a different word every month that nobody else used that he would use way too much. That's why I love him. I know this picture doesn't exactly exude smartness, but it's funny. That's another reason I fell in love with Todd...good sense of humor.


Who can sing better? It's sixes. Todd has a beautiful voice. We love to sing together, but don't ever ask him to sing in public or with me...it's not worth the stress. He is a group singer, not a "dueter" or a soloist.

Who does the laundry? I do, but Todd is always quick to remind me when he is out of "whites." I couldn't do it without his encouragement.

Who pays the bills? Bills? We don't have any of those...yet. But I used to and will pick it up once again in a few months.


Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? If you are looking at the headboard from the foot of the bed, Todd does.

Who mows the lawn? Todd. He is a perfectionist and does an incredible job and he enjoys doing it (along with washing the car, cleaning out the fish tank, etc.)

Who cooks dinner? Me.

Who drives? Todd drives. He can't stand my driving, so for the sake of not being criticized, he drives.


Who is more stubborn? Todd. He would beg to differ, but I am the one writing this, so I win.

Who kissed who first? Todd...in front of his littlest sister. That's when I knew he wanted to marry me. He swore that he would never kiss a girl until he knew it was the one he was supposed to marry. Aaaawwww!Please take note...this is not our first kiss nor was it the sister he kissed me in front of.
Please don't say anything about the hair...I miss it too much.

Who asked who out? For our first date my friend Nicole encouraged me to ask out Todd, so I did. We went to the circus with a huge group of friends. Nicole took my brother. It was so much fun! Thanks Nicole!!!

Who proposed? Toddy did, at "The Roof" after dinner, with his whole family watching.

Who has more siblings? Todd. He is the second oldest of eight. There are 5 boys and three girls. Photo taken by RLT Photography


Who wears the pants? Todd.