Emily's trip to Gym

Jamie and I both got to experience gym in a whole new way. Through the age of 3 parents participate in the gym class with the child. This week I had Emily and Jamie had Isaac. Here are some of the things we did...

Streches to start the class ...

Balancing...Swinging on the bars...Ready to jump in the pit with Uncle Jamie watching...Waiting for the coloring sheet and stamps on both hands and both feet. All of the kids look forward to this part every week....

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We had such an awesome time. I'm not sure how Matt does it EVERY week but filling in was definitely something we hope to get to do again.

After gym, everybody piled in my car to eat at Sonic. Jake loves Sonic and wanted to treat Emily to it that night. We didn't have the 3rd row in so it was pretty tight. A great experience just the same.
After we got home, the kids all got clean and into their wooly bullies for some fun in the playroom.

Update on Adoption

We are on the final part of the adoption process. Our next step is the homestudy and then we are free to be cleared for adoption.

Will you please pray for...
-our hearts as well as the heart of our new child for this upcoming change. This will be another move/life that our child will have to go through. It is not easy for a small child to have to continue to move to different places, to loose all friends and family that they have grown to know.
-our extended family and all who will be changed by this. We pray that their hearts open to our son that will be entering their lives as well.
-Jake!! This will be such a big change for a 4 year old and the last thing we want to do is cause him any pain or difficulty with any of this. Each night Jake prays for his new brother and for him to be the best big brother ever. We are taking steps in preparing Jake but we really want to do whatever possible for this to be a positive change in his life.
-finances. Jamie is currently in school and will enter nursing school in the fall. We are looking towards having only 1 income while adding a new member to our family. We started the process of adoption prior to Jamie returning to school. We know our son is out there and couldn't imagine meeting him and not having a way to provide for him. We pray that doors will open for ways to provide as we go through this chapter of our lives.
-Jamie in school. Jamie will continue to be in school for a while. He is currently working towards his BSN and then will continue with school until he becomes a Nurse Practitioner. He has to study a lot while struggling to find ways to still provide for his family financially and with his time. Right now he is working part-time and going to school full time but is currently looking for something that will allow him to work when he begins nursing school (basically offering weekend hours). We've been looking but so far haven't found anything.

We are starting the process of changing Jake's room...which seems like so much to do. We are looking for twin beds for the boys so they will be able to stay together (if that's what they want. Jake is definitely on board for that.). Please let me know if anyone might know of twin anything...headboards, mattresses, frame. I will have a futon/bunkbed that I will be able to trade.

Thanks so much for your prayers!! We are really excited and can't wait to find our son that is out there waiting for us to bring him home.

A Day in Charlotte

There was no daycare in Charlotte today so Suzanne and I volunteered to keep all of the 'charlotte kids'. We love each one and had such a fun day.

My favorite part was getting to look in the back of the car and seeing this image. SO PRECIOUS!!

Brecken, Jake, Emily, Will and Jack

Our favorite kids CD is the CD we got from Vacation Bible School. Here is a preview to the song Y-E-S

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We took the kids to Chick-fil-a for lunch and to play on the playground...oh yeah, and some ice cream!The kids had such a great time getting to play together.
The view from above...We were happy to get to hang out with Aspen.
Jake was so tired by the time we got home and Kipper was SO excited to finally have him home.

Eliza Kate Rikard

IT'S A GIRL!!!
Eliza Kate is here!!! We are so excited to get to know the newest member of the Rikard family. Eliza was named after her grandmama ELIZAbeth KAThEryn.

Congratulations Matt, Michelle, and Isaac

Happy Birthday Tracy

Our friend Tracy turns 50 this weekend. We celebrated during lunch at work today. Suzanne, Jake and Dylan joined us too.

Tracy and her beautiful flowers from Russell.Tracy being Tracy...Jake being Tracy...Tracy and JoanneTracy and WhitneyDylan and Tara

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RICK!!

Today we went to San Jose for Ricks birthday. That was our way of inviting his 'girlfriend' too!

A Prayer for Biz

Please say a prayer for John's sister (Tonya's sister in law) Biz who recently found out she has breast cancer at the age of 34. She has a husband of 9 years and a 3 year old daughter, Evie. Please also pray for safe travel for the family as well as the doctors who will be with her today. We love you Biz and can't wait to see you soon!

Dylan Cole Lynch

Today our best friends Clint and Tara Lynch had a baby boy, Dylan Cole Lynch. He weighs 8 pounds, is 21 inches long, and absolutely adorable!

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Happy Birthday Dylan

USC vs. Tennessee

The USC/Tennessee game was last weekend. We always look forward to this game each year because we get to see Peni and Sam. The game didn't turn out well for them...esp. Peni but being together all weekend was great!

This is what Jake and Emily did the majority of the time tailgating.Jake and Emily visiting Sir Big Spur.Mallory and Peni.A well needed nap.

Weekend in Charlotte

Last weekend we headed to Charlotte to spend time with Aunt Suzanne and the Colville's.

Saturday we BOUGHT OUR DISNEY TICKETS..woohoo...met Adam, Andrea, and Maggie for lunch at Chick-fil-a, and then went to Monkey Joes. Just last week I got an email from a friend with a picture of her little girl with a broken arm and a warning about playing in Bouncy Houses. I said we would steer clear of those but that only lasted until we found Monkey Joes! Luckily we all made it out unharmed.
Jake and Emily brushing their teeth getting ready for the day.

While everybody was getting ready, Jake played the drums. We couldn't hear him play because he had on the earphones but after a little bit we heard him singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star....so cute!


Auggie Dogg and Emily.
Aunt Tonya and Emily after coming down the big slide.Maggie and Andrea.Adam, Emily, Maggie, and Andrea.Jake and Aunt Suzanne.Jake helping Emily slide.Meeting Monkey Joe.Andrea, Maggie, and Adam.

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Emily and Jake at dinner.
Watching it like it's the 1st time.

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Jake giving Emily a "hug". It only seems to bother her for the few seconds she can't breathe.

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