Grouchy Smurf

I went to post something yesterday but was stopped again by having to clean up an enormous mess. I look up and Kristen looks at me and I notice her mouth is completely blue.









She got in the super industrial food coloring-the stuff you get at a cake store to really make the icing bright. I quickly survey the damage. She had gotten some on the counter then stepped in it, proceeded to then slide down the counter leaving bright blue streaks. The boys come running to see what's going on and then quickly leave the scene of the crime as they see I am not happy! Well in their rush they didn't notice they had stepped in it and there were these footprints on my freshly cleaned carpets. You see we put are house back on the market Mon. got the carpets cleaned on Thurs. and I'm scrubbing them on Fri.(blueberry poptart gone awry) and then again on Sun. where it looks live over sized smurfs were running through my living room. It was like this crazy epidemic- blue was everywhere and nobody knew how it was getting there. It was on their arms, the wall, and my hands and feet. The more you scrubbed the more it spread-- just how it was intended to do in coloring icing. I do love the Smurfs and I do love the the color blue BUT COME ON!!!

Updates

Over the past two months at our own personal Guantanamo Bay the sleep deprivation torture is working quite well in breaking down the leaders. Kevin jokes that water boarding is next. I'm telling you it's good I don't hold any secrets of great importance because I would sing like a bird if asked. Despite all this we have tried to have some family fun and enjoy our newest member little Ben.
For our Family Night treat we made Yoda Soda which the kids loved. Thanks Corrie for the fun Star Wars cookbook. We have also tried the Han-Burgers and the Wookie Cookies.
Another Family night was when Ben experienced his first rousing game of UNO. You can see he isn't happy about losing-- He already fits in with his brothers.

We tried the Transformer kit for dying eggs this year. It turned out to just be a sheet of stickers you could put on the eggs and some color tablets.
What? I'm just talking to him-- I promise I didn't just stick my cup in his mouth like usual--it was just my fingers this time.

All Before Noon..

If you are wondering why I haven't blogged lately. You may assume it is because I have a newborn-- Well it is true babies and blogging don't really mesh but that is not entirely the problem. If you scroll down and observe the pictures of a sample of my day it will give you some insight.The sad part this was not an unusual day. This is my day most days and it continues all day just rotating the location she has decided to explore. I know your supposed to find joy and fulfillment in motherhood. I know that I shouldn't complain because I have 5 beautiful healthy fun children BUT Really come on. My little Master of Disaster is giving me a run for my money or well more like sucking all the patience right out of me. I actually missed capturing her in the bathroom where she overflowed the sink by letting the water run full blast while she was brushing her teeth(I'm not telling Colin it was his toothbrush either). She also was in the utility sink downstairs where she was about to throw more things in the washing machine-they weren't clothes either-it was my keys, last week it was the phone!

Happy Belated Birthday!

OK I feel bad that this is a belated happy birthday to Grandpa Richards(Kevin's Dad). I'm only like 11 days late or so.I was so on top of this last year but things were a little less crazy those days. Anyway we love him nonetheless so here is the thoughts about Grandpa:

Kevin: "He is always willing to help me with whatever I need. He will come over at anytime to help me fix things and answer my questions on how to do things."

Heather: "He is a great example to me on how to live the gospel. He puts a 100% in all his callings or assignments and I think is probably the most dedicated Home Teacher I have seen. He has helped us countless times and I appreciate his expertise in so many areas. I also again love the fact he works so much in the home that is a great example to my kids."

Luke: "He makes the best chocolate bomb cookies ever. It's so cool how he plays 4 square and pickle with us. I also like when he has candy on Thursdays."

Ryan: "I like how he makes really cool cakes like my lightsaber cake. He's good at that. I like the candy he gives us and when he plays with us. He likes Star Wars a lot too!

Colin: I like when he takes me to Walgreen's. They have good candy there. I like when he tickles us and chases us. It's funny.

Kristen: "Hi!" This is what she says when Grandpa walks in from work. She goes right to him and wants him to pick her up. She loves to sit on his lap and be with him.

Ben: I know Ben likes when Grandpa carries him around when his mom and dad are DONE with him.

Happy Late Birthday! We love you and are happy to have you around.

The not so Wonderful Workout

I have a new workout regiment these days. It happens twice a day for at least an hour each time. I can't say I would recommend it to anyone and frankly I would love to eliminate this "workout" from my day. However in an attempt to not wallow in self pity I will look on the bright side and at least this is forcing me to do some form of exercise. OK so the workout begins like this:

Strength training--that is I carry Kristen into her room and place her in her bed.

Cardio is next-I walk back to the living room sit down and then hear banging on the door or door opening. I then go back to the room put her back in bed(more strength training) and then back to the living room. Repeat this process at least 10 times throughout the hour.

Deep breathing- this is included after every return trip to the living room. I breathe deep to lower my heart rate which is now highly elevated due to extreme agitation, some physical exertion, and massive frustration.

I really think it is cruel and unusual punishment she discovered her ability to get out of her crib Now of all times after I have the baby. She has had the ability for months, I know this because if she can scale the cabinets and end up in the freezer perusing her snack choices, she sure could climb over the measly edge of her crib. I think she has been plotting the dramatic unveiling of her new skills for the most inopportune moment which of course would be NOW! None of my other boys ever did this. They could have but they never really tried. I'm learning a whole new aspect of patience and endurance. I tried the whole Supernanny approach--which I don't watch often but on occasion. Mostly when I'm feeling like I'm a terrible mother and my kids are out of control. I then tune in and instantly feel much better as I watch the train wreck other families got going on. I then turn off the TV give thanks for my kids, and then realize hey I guess things really aren't that bad. Anyway her little just keep putting them back and not talking to them while you do it thing works for her in like a day or 2. Whatever! It's been over a week and I've been consistent for once about something and everyday it's the same. I'm sure if I had a British stranger lady come and put her back in bed she probably would stay too but I don't seem to have any of those on hand.

Anyway I guess I will put the whole Outwit, Outplay, Outlast theme to my own personal use. The unfortunate part is when the workout is done I find any chocolate or treat that will soothe my frustration so really I negate all the calories I just burned off. Oh well I guess I can live with that. Below are pictures of when I went in the room. Once she took all the trouble to climb out of the crib but was just to lazy to finish the process and fell asleep on the floor in front of the door instead of taking the effort to try and open it.(which is tricky for her to open it but with some work she can do it) The other picture is I went in and she had climbed the bookcase and was just sitting there. The day before that she had found a marker and drawn all over the dressers.

Introducing...

Benjamin Todd Richards

It's taken awhile to post some pictures but between sleep deprivation and a toddler who has not taken so well to losing her place as baby-- I've been a little busy. I will write more later but here is a glimpse at our new addition. He was 7lbs 14oz. and 20 3/4" long. He was born on Saturday, January 26th at 12:32 am.

It's Been TEN!

That's right today marks Kevin and I's 1oth anniversary! Notice in the picture that on our cake which had the cute little Precious Moments wedding topper that I picked that Kevin had placed Han and Leia action figures on the second tier and I didn't even notice! That really should have been my first clue how much Star Wars would become part of my life.OK back to the current-- this month has been so crazy with birthdays, and Kevin's work/class schedule and of course the fact that I could give birth at any moment that we have been a little preoccupied and it's all kind of overshadowed this milestone so I'm glad we thought ahead and did the real celebrating on our D.C. adventure. I still have to acknowledge the actual date however so here are 10 reasons I love being married to Kevin.

1. If you ever have to go to a party or event and it is uncomfortable to you he is great to have around because he can talk to anyone and can "break the ice" in almost all settings.

2. If you ever need to know what's going on locally or nationally you can ask him. He is the most informed citizen I know. If he had the time he would watch the 12, 5, 6, and 11 news. That's not to mention the CSpan and local access channels for town meetings he throws in on the side. To me I think how much can really change from 12 to 5 but if it did I know I could ask Kevin.

3. He is one of the most honest people I know. He will not say or do something just to be a pleaser. He is who he is. Which is funny because if you know Kevin you know he is very opinionated and blunt at times but I honestly was completely unaware of these traits until after we were married! Love really can be blind.

4. He is a very hard worker in anything he does. If he agrees to do something he will put the best effort he has into it whether it's work, church, or home. That is a great example to me who has kind of adopted the "oh well that's good enough" attitude.

5. If you have a bit of a speeding problem it's very convenient to have Kevin as your husband as it has gotten me out of getting a ticket a few times.

6. If you are the cubscout leader like I am it is wonderful having Kevin who not only answers my 3 million questions about how it works but also to provide cool field trips to both fire and police stations.

7. If you don't enjoy doing all the household jobs and responsibilities by yourself than it's great to have Kevin. I know I have mentioned it before but it's just to awesome to not reward over and over with verbal praise and that is He cleans! and not half-job cleaning but really cleans and organizes and sanitizes ,really what else can you ask for. But wait there is more because he will cook too --without being asked or expecting anything in return either!

8. If you ever are feeling not so wonderful Kevin is a great husband to have. He is always telling me how wonderful and amazing I am and will give specific examples of why he thinks so. When we pray together he always shows such gratitude for having me in his life. This is great because I know I'm not always the easiest person to live with but hey if I have him snowed, awesome!

9. If you need a laugh just get Kevin talking. He is an amazing story teller and with his occupation he always has interesting stories and events to share. It is never boring hearing about his day and he can make most any situation amusing in one way or another.

10. If you want an incredible husband, father, and friend Kevin is the one to have. For me that is. His strengths are my weakness and vice versa so it truly works out that we compliment and balance each other. He has taught me a lot and in turn I'm sure I've taught him a lot-a lot more that is! Just kidding!

Here's to 10 years of ups and downs. New jobs, kids, vacations, more kids, and just living life together! I love you! Happy Anniversary!