Karley's Arrival...

" There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."-Albert Einstein


Here's Karley!!


The NICU team being amazed by Karley's awesomeness..


Jas the proudest Daddy...


My little "peanut"...

The latter part of my pregnancy with Karley had kinda been a roller coaster. I started contracting at 32 1/2 weeks. My midwife sent me to L&D to be monitored. Once I got hooked up, the contractions stopped. After having several tests, premature labor had been ruled out. Little did I know 2 1/2 weeks later, things would change!
I went into my midwife on the 15th of December because I thought that I started to leak amniotic fluid. Um, I peed my pants( Miles Davis would be proud)!!!! But the Fetal Fibronectin Test was positive this time... so my midwife advised me to take things easy. But 3 days later December 18th at 7:45 am, my water broke! The stress and worry really set in because I was only 35 weeks and 2 days along!!! Jason got the kids ready and my Dad came to take them up to his house. To the hospital I went.
Once I was situated, the NICU came into my room and consulted me, of what would take place when Karley was delivered. With her being as early as she was, there was obvious concern that her lungs wouldn't be fully developed. I got really emotional, panicked that I wouldn't be able to hold my baby and she wouldn't be able to come home with me!! I prayed and prayed that everything would be OK with her!
God REALLY LISTENS AND ANSWERS PRAYERS!! After 16 hours of labor-lots and lots of pitocin and 9 pushes(not to be too graffic), our little miracle- Karley made her grand entrance at 11:51 pm!! She was 6 pounds, 19 inches of pink wonderfulness!! After being assessed and totally amazed the NICU for 30 minutes, she was safe and sound in my arms!!
Words cannot even begin to describe how blessed and thankful I am, to be Karley's mommy! Not to mention she is perfect and healthy. This little girl has the most sweet spirit!. Did I mention that she is WONDERFUL??!! Karley has made our family complete. As a parent, you are bias of your children, but I honestly have the most beautiful and amazingly wonderful kids in the universe!


P.S. I forgot to mention how friggin awesome my midwife Lindsay Breinholt is and was through this whole experience!

My brother the "Balla"....

My youngest brother Preston, as many of you know is quite gifted with his athletic abilities.. This year he is the Captain of his Junior High's Basketball Team. Myah, Hayd and I have had a few opportunities to go watch him in action. I just have to say that I brings me so much pride to watch him shine! Preston is really dedicated to being a leader to his team, because that is more than I can say for the teachers who are supposed to be the "coaches". This year his team have made it to the district finals! Which is dang cool if you ask me! Preston holds the dream of some day making it "big" and I know that if he continues on the path that he is on right now, those dreams will be his reality!! I love you Pop, now go show em' how it's done!!

#3 in action.....

"swish".....

Gardner Village, the pumpkin patch and Halloween ( catch up part 4)..

In October at Gardner Village, they set up really cool displays with witches. So my Mom, Keely, Kirb, Myah, Hayd, my cousins Heidi and Rachel and their kids and I, walked around the shops and went on a witch hunt. Also we took the kids to the petting zoo that is there. Myah and Hayd got to ride ponies. We actually had a pretty fun time.

The "Witch Hunt"-

Hayd, Myah and Keely scoping out one of the many witches on display..

So cute that they weren't fighting....

Myah riding "Sweet Pea"....

Hayd riding "Pal the Pony"....

They had so much fun!

The Pumpkin Patch.....

We went to the pumpkin patch with my Mom, Dad, Keely, and Kirby. It was really cold and muddy but fun. It was fun getting pumpkins as a family. We even got to go for a hayride out to the pumpkin patch.. This could be a really fun tradition to start up for sure.....

This pumpkin patch was huge!

Myah and Grandpa....

Hayd trying to be patient in line...

The Kirby's....

The Hay Ride out to the pumpkin patch....

Hayden's, Myah's and Karley's Pumpkins....

Happy Halloween!

Hayd... I mean "PIDA-MANN".....


The cutest witch there ever was.......

Hayden's favorite part of the Halloween Party!

Myah thought it was pretty rad too...

Keely's 19th Birthday (playing catch up part 3)...

There is no better friend than a sister, and there is no better sister than you.....

Holy Stink- my baby sister is 19 years old!!! I can remember carrying her around like she was one of my dolls, and my friends and I fighting over who could hold her. It seriously is crazy how fast life flies by! I am so blessed and grateful to have Keely as my sister! She is the most amazing young woman! I admire her for her honesty, integrity, beauty, brains, confidence, strength and last but not least her cynical sense of humor! Keely truly has the best personality! She has the biggest heart! I really value my relationship with her. Even though I am 8 years older than Kee, I look up to her.

Myah, Hayden and Karley are honestly, the luckiest kids in the world, to have Keely for an aunt. Myah and Hayd (and I am positive that Karley will) have the best relationship with her! Keely goes out of her way to show them, just how special they are to her! When most people who are her age are caught up in college, or dating, or working, Keely manages to do all of this and still has time for my kids. Which means the world to me!

Keely- I am so thankful to have you in my life! I love you with all of my heart! Thank-you for always being you!

The birthday girl......

Watching my Hero Shine (playing catch up part 2)

So every year Kirby competes in the Fall Special Olympics. I love attending the games to watch my hero shine. Kirb plays his heart out, and in return it makes my heart so proud! Watching the athletes giving it their all, really puts things into perspective for me. As we all go through life, we lose touch of what is really important ; To love and accept one another for who we are. That being "different" is great, because if we were all the same, life would be so lame and boring! For example- during one of games, a player from Kirby's team bumped into a player from the other team, which made them both fall down. The player from the other team even lost his glasses in the fall. They both helped each other get back up and Kirb's teammate even helped the other player get his glasses back on correctly. Even with the same goal in mind, they both stopped to help each other out. This was probably one of the most touching, tender things that I have ever witnessed!

For the record- I would like to express, how incredibly blessed I am to not only have Kirby as a member of my family, but for a brother and an uncle to my children. I am grateful for the many lessons of unconditional love and patience that he has taught me the past 21 years! Everyday, Kirb inspires me to not give up when life gets turbulent! To "keep on trucking", as hard as it is. Kirby is wise beyond his years!

" Let me win, but if I cannot win, Let me be brave in the attempt."- Special Olympic's Motto


Kirb in action.....


2009 Comets Team...


One of my favorite pictures ever.. Only the coolest Kirby's in the Galaxy..


The face of DETERMINATION...

The Olympic Village and the various activities.....

While attending the games, Myah and Hayd had so much fun at the village. They got their faces painted, grubbed on cotton candy and even went to the dance that was held for the athletes..


"Pida-maan".....


"Butterfly".....


The cotton candy wearing off...


Dancing with Grandma... not very thrilled apparently...


We once were all family... but then again things change....


Myah and Keely.....


Kayla and Kirb....




Hayden making his Daddy proud...rock on AC/DC!!

Lets play catch up.... Part 1

So once again I found myself getting caught up in life's craziness.... It's been over 2 months now since I have blogged. So I thought I would review and share with you what has taken place in that time.

Jason turns 31!

The past month or so...in a nutshell...

Slacker of blogging is my middle name. I kinda got caught up in life and all of it's craziness. So here is a refresher of what has been happening here in the Richards household, in the past month or so....

BABY UPDATE-

We found out that we are having a little girl. Her name is Karley Mae. Her ETA is January 17, 2010. Our family is excited, to say the least! Myah and Hayd are super stoked about being older siblings! I can't wait to meet this sweet little blessing!!

LaGoOn
Over Labor Day weekend, Jason and I took the kids to Lagoon. Myah and Hayden had soo much fun. I wish that I could say the same! You know that you are old when you'd almost rather go have dental work done, than be stuck at Lagoon for 8 hours! Jason's niece Kelly was a life saver and hung out with us, to help take the Myah and Hayd on some rides. A major shout out to Kell! THANK YOU!!

The Park

This summer Myah, Hayd and I have played at some really cool parks that are by our house. Here are some pictures...

Last, but not least GRANDMA'S & GRANDPA'S house

This summer we have gone up A LOT to my mom's to hang out. We always have such a great time hanging out with everyone! I am so glad that we live as close as we do....

Only the "fly-est", most coolest Grandparents alive!

Myah's first picture taking.

So long Summer,, Hello Fall!!!