Quick Alex Update

Yesterday I got all the kids out in the yard for a little family fun we like to call.....yard work! 

Wow. Having SIX able bodied kids help made a ton of difference. (Six, because Kambree's guy Cameron was with us - and he's a worker!) 

While weeding, raking, chopping down ornamental grass that should have been cut in the fall and attempting to pull ivy out of the the flower beds Alex found a branch and was whipping it around. He then decided to enlighten us with a Ukraine memory. He told us this was they type of switch he was hit with in the orphanage. Then he proceeded to try and show us how hard he was whipped with it - making that horrid whipping noise as the branch slices through the air. 

He was concentrating and I could tell he was gone. Lost in his past. I quietly asked him where he was? Where this was taking him?
"I know mom." was his answer. 

I asked him if maybe he should stop, that maybe this isn't good for him? To let it go?

He was a bit disgruntled and defensive but came back with an answer that warmed my heart. "It's okay mom, I  know I will never ever get hit like this again." 

Good. At least he knows that.

I told him that I am glad he feels that way but that this whipping the branch and thinking back to his past might trigger something like the Ukraine swear words?

He said nothing more but threw the branch away and went back to working on the yard.

Funny how little things seem to trigger him - like when Austin was using the nebulizer a few months ago. 

Last week Alex Skyped with his brother Ivan. It's been months since they've talked. I think over six? They're expecting again and their little boy, Egor - looks so much like Alex did in the few photo's I have of him as a toddler. We were rushing to get to church when they Skyped so I had to excuse myself to get ready and leave Alex to try and understand what they were saying. Ivan asked how he was doing in school? Good was Alex's answer. He asked if he had any lady friends? A lot was Alex's answer. (Which is left to be determined, I've yet to meet or see any "lady friends". ) He asked if he's playing sports and Alex told him water polo. That took roughly 20 minutes to communicate? That and that Snezhana is expecting a baby girl.
He seemed fine with their phone call but has decided he's going to go visit Ivan when he's older and bring $2,000 to fix up Ivan's house. (He's quite appalled at the state of Ivan's house?) Then we had to convert how many gryvna are equal to 2,000 in the US.

Later that day he told me if he could re-learn the Ukraine alphabet, he thinks he could relearn his language. I told him that would be great! Let's do it! But that's the last he's mentioned it.

In other Ukraine related news, let me share my Facebook post:

Banner mother moment: Kambree asked if I had some lip-gloss in church so I rummaged through my Sunday bag and couldn't find any but came across some Ukraine chocolates. I gave her one and then complained that she didn't give me a taste. She told me - while eating it - "I don't think you'll like it. It taste like cleaning solution. In fact, it's burning my throat!" I grabbed the wrapper and peered at the Ukraine writing, and there it was "Cherry In Liquor"!!! I gave my daughter alcohol in church!! Worse? I had given them to my Sunday school class for Ukraine Christmas in January! Good grief! I had grabbed an assortment of chocolates at the Russian store hopefully no one else got this "special" cherry one! 

A First!

Today was a a first. 

A special, out of the ordinary, never done that, been there or felt this before first.

Today, I took Kambree, my oldest and first born daughter shopping. 

That in itself is nothing new. We've been shopping for almost 20 years - more if you count the months I carried her with me and she could hear my heart beat from the inside as I held up onsies and ruffly dresses and frilly socks.

Today we were shopping for a dress. 

Again, not that extraordinary, we shop for dresses usually twice a year, at Christmas and Easter.
When she was little she never made a fuss, I could pick out the frilliest, girly-est dress and she'd twirl and whirl and wear it with joy. (Well, she was fussy about it's twirl-ability it had to twirl just right.)

As she got older her taste changed and she wanted something more fashionable, or a certain color, cut or latest trend. We argued, we begged/pleaded (both of us), compromised and eventually came to terms.

So shopping for a dress really isn't all the momentous or out of the ordianry.

What made today so special?
We were shopping for......The Dress.

Yes.

Her wedding dress. 

My baby is getting married.

It's not offical yet, so I will not publish this until she's wearing the ring on her finger proclaiming the fact she is indeed getting married (even though we all know she is) but I wanted to write down my thoughts and feelings on this, the very day that we went shopping for The Dress.

We decided to just run to the closest bridal store and get a feel for what she likes, prices and the what not. The first dress she walked out in was beautiful - most wedding dresses are - but she looked so fabulously happy and glowing and I gasped and covered my face because I could not control the tears that sprang to my eyes. 

There she was. 

Standing in front of me.

All dressed in white.

 My beautiful daughter and I was so happy.  

So happy that she has found such a wonderful young man - we love Cameron - and more importantly, we know he really loves our Kambree. So, happy that she found someone worthy to take her to the temple and that she is worthy to go.  That she found somebody that we actually like and is such a good fit in our family. (Do you think we knew our children's spouses in the preexistence? Because seriously, I really like this young man. There is something about him that is vaguely familiar. A feeling that this is right? Are mothers entitled to such witnesses?)

Yet despite my happiness......I burst into tears? 

What the heck? 

I just looked at Kambree and thought, "How did this happen?".

Where is my beautiful infant that fit in the curve of my arm like an extension of myself? The baby that was six long days late, with cooing round lips and dark lashes against her chubby cheeks? 

Where is  my blond, curly haired toddler, humming songs, dancing to her own music, watching Barney and her sweet smelling neck I loved to bury my head in making her giggle and squirm?

Where is my independent child who refused to play dolls but always played dogs, like to make snails her pets, and who told me "It's every girls dream to have a horse!" sure that a horse could happily live in our back yard?

Where is my young teen with her mouth of braces, and silly friends making hauted houses, carnivals and running babysitting clinics out of our basement and backyard?

Where is my high school daughter that I could never take my eyes off as she danced on stage? My darling teen that could never make her bed or keep her clothes off her bedroom floor, was obsessed with the length of  her lashes - using three different mascaras daily -  and always squeaking  in minutes before (and often after) curfew? 

 I do recognize this driven college daughter that takes on all those medical classes rattling off words I cannot spell let alone pronounce, dancing weekly at western swing, drill team performing and dating (and dropping) a new boy on a weekly bases. 

I just wasn't prepared for this sight.

All grown up and dressed in white and just as beautiful as the day she was born and every day since standing in front of me, asking me what I thought of this dress? 

I had to hold my hands to my face - peeking out between my fingers nodding that it was beautiful as tears streamed from my eyes and a sob escaped my mouth.
I didn't see it coming. 

Yes, I thought maybe I'd tear up a bit?
Not out and out sob!
Oh my goodness.
The clerk brought me a box of tissues.

 Luckily it takes awhile to change from dress to dress and I was able to get my emotions in check for the next dress and actually be able to be a constructive part of finding The Dress - rather than a blubbering, over emotional, hot mess. 

We found a stunning one but decided we should check out at least one more recommended store.

At the second store we didn't see anything on the rack that we liked more than our first favorite but since we had driven all the way to Provo we decided to try on a few?

The 2nd one we tried on there was The Dress. 

A bit simpler but just so perfect - or at least will be after a visit to the alternation lady - we're adding loop buttons over the zipper and a lace sleeve to make it her own.  (So, don't think I got off the hook that easy, I've got to track down coordinating lace, loops and buttons!)

Luckily we had our personal wedding planner, Rylee with us to share this day. She's got a big wedding book with a check list and has taken it to heart to read to us (while driving back and forth to Provo) not only about where all our silly wedding traditions came from but what still needs to be done and how far behind we are!

Yes, I have pictures but just in case her cute Cameron is savvy to my blog, I will not be adding them to this post until AFTER the big day.

I just always want to remember this day.

This first. 

Devree's Year End Drill Showcase!

Mesquite Madness!

Friday James and I took off for Mesquite. No kids! A road trip with nobody asking or proclaiming,  "How much longer?" "I need to go to the bathroom." "I'm squished!" And more importantly, uninterrupted adult conversation for FIVE HOURS each way! 

We stayed at the Virgin River Hotel and had $6.99 prime rib for dinner. Hung out in our hotel room watching TV and then got up early for $3.99 ham and eggs before our race! 

At 8:00 am we rode a block to the Mesquite Convention Center where we met up with my group of friends. 

Our group before the start!

After the race/ride.

(Those of us that finished the 38 miles - actually 33.45 - the rest of our group went on to complete 68!

1500 calories in 2 hours and 14 minutes. 

We rushed back to shower and check out of our hotel. 

The orderal of traveling with bikes. 

(Not an ordeal for me when I have my best guy with me! :)

We drove to  St George and found an after race treat!

Then we found some shade and took a nap! 

Heavenly.

After we woke up we went shopping for James - he forgot to pack jeans for our night out on the town! 

We went to Paul and Michelle's and out for a fabulous dinner at the Gun Barrel. Did I take a picture? Nope. Dang it!

Then we went back to Hartshorns where James took a ride on this....

His first Harley ride.

He was like a little kid in a candy shop!

The next day we went to church with my cousin and her cute family and then we took off for home. 

Fabulous weekend! 

Journal Catch Up

I thought I'd take this quick Sunday moment to make a journal entry.

Life is good.
Spring is coming.

There is hope.

The kids are busy! Last weekend I was in Orlando with Devree for drill nationals. Mom and I flew standby - and made all our flights on the first try out - we actually got first class from Denver to Orlando. Sweet!
We got in on Friday, went to the competition on Saturday, to Disney World on Sunday and Universal on Monday and flew home Tuesday! Whew!
Really, I could have done without Disney World - and it was COLD - 57 and windy! But Harry Potter Land in Universal was the bomb! (That's why we stayed through Tuesday!) We were not so lucky getting home on standby. Ended up flying into Idaho Falls and my dad made the 200 mile trip to come pick us up.

This Thursday James and I took a road trip to Ephraim to see Kambree in her year end drill showcase. We had a lot of fun. We took Kam and Cam to dinner, then watched the show - there was even a couples dance that she talked Cam into doing with her - he was hilarious. He brought her a beautiful bouquet of flowers too. Such a sweet guy. It's so fun to hang out with them. We spent the night at a hotel in Mnt Pleasant and went home the next morning.

Kambree is finishing up at Snow and applying for nursing school. Nope. Mission plans are not in her future. I'm thinking another M word might be in her future? But.......we will see. (And be thrilled if it is!) I thoroughly loved watching her dance on Thursday and I got a little teary eyed thinking how this is probably the last time I'll watch her dance? I've been her biggest fan for the last 17 years and watched countless performances. When my girls dance I can't NOT watch them and rarely do I see the big picture, I just see my girls and I can't take my eyes off of them.

Austin went to St George for a Macklamore concert. (Some music/rap/poetry type performer?) It was his first official road trip. He's gone camping with friends a time or two but this time he and his buddy Hayden rented a hotel room. Wow. I didn't know you could do that at 18. I guess it's cars you have to be 21 for? He is still working with handicap adults and works a ton of hours besides going to school part time. No mission in his plans either. I'm hoping someday? I can always have hope, right? 

Devree is overwhelmed with school right now. Drill is winding down but the big question is will she try out again? She struggles because her friends complain that Devree "gets everything she wants" but little do they know how hard she works at everything. Yes, she made it into all three dances in drill but she would come home and practice after her 3 hour practices until her leg would literally collapse under her. She got her first A- this year.  Like drill, she attacks her homework with a vengeance. Yes, she does get and make what she wants but she is very driven and works super hard for it. Now the question is, was drill worth it? Is that what she wants her senior year. She's not sure.

Rylee made it into Junior Honors Society and talks a mile a minute about junior high drama, the latest book she's reading and or show she's watching. She and Alex are still neck and neck in height but I think Alex is going to surpass her soon? She certainly doesn't look 13 - more like 16. Scary. She is a lot of fun to hang out with and she and James are going on a special daddy daughter next week to see the Chinese Ballet. It's so easy to be sweet to Rylee because she is so sweet. (And she LOVES everything! Lately she and Devree have been carousing the Desert Industries for clothes. I would have NEVER at that age but they love it and are very proud to show off their second hand finds!)

Alex - against his desire - is playing water polo. Yep. I'm making him. He started last week. Imagine my surprise when he announced on the way home from church today that he LOVES water polo and it's a lot of fun? Say what??? He grinned at me and with a little prodding he said "Thanks Mom for making me try it." He hasn't had any other crazy flashbacks and talks about it pretty openly. We've had a chance to talk about forgiveness and not harboring bad feelings.
The other day at school they had a cookie exchange (Alex baked homemade chocolate chip cookies to contribute) and my boy came home from school and proudly announced that he ate TWENTY FOUR cookies in one hour. That does not include the one he had for lunch or the 5 after school. Thirty cookies in a day?  It says a lot about his personality. He wants it all right now and only thinks about the present moment. It makes me sad that he can't plan for the future - he had a large container and could have saved cookies for the next few days but nope. He wolfed them down like the orphan that doesn't believe there will be any food tomorrow. That's how he spends money too. However,  I feel like we're finally at an even balance with Alex. He seems much more relaxed and a part of things. He still talks like a caveman. But this may be the best his English gets? He doesn't seem to want to improve? How can you teach a child something they don't care about? Or isn't that important to them? But over all, he is a very sweet boy - he gives me hugs and kisses smack on the middle of my forehead a few times each day. Yes. Still. At 14.5 years old. We left for Ukraine four years ago this month. He tells us that he feels like he has always lived here. I think that's a good thing? 

James and I are headed to Mesquite this weekend. I talked him into a cycling ride. Just 38 miles in sunny Mesquite. It's suppose to be 84 degrees! Woot! I'm excited to get away with my favorite guy. He is still working on his eye glass case and sleds. His cataract surgery was a success and he enjoys seeing so much better. He is working out of Craig Colorado now and taking an airplane. It's nice because he gets home so much sooner than when he was driving to Pinedale. We sure miss him when he's gone and love him when he's here. 

Real estate has been crazy busy and we've been blessed to have such great business. I hope it stays busy since these bambino's of mine are so terribly expensive? Everyone but Austin is looking for summer jobs, I hope they find something soon - Alex handed out flyer's for his new job this week:

Spring is coming!!
How does your back yard look?
Need some help with doggie poo??
Introducing……

The Pooper Scooper Company!

Owned and operated by Alex Richhart
Call 801-834-0369
Payment upon completion at the price you feel it’s worth!

So far, no calls but we're hoping!

(He is earning money to pay for the retainer he stepped on and then tried to avoid telling me was broken. Lessons. Life lessons. Alex has so many to learn.)

Well? I'm going to go batten down the hatch - or at least remind everyone it's a school night and time to go to bed. 

Happy spring blogging world......to the two of you that might actually read this post?  

And my newest form of journaling via Facebook! 

January 4 near Murray

I had leg warmers on under my boots today - you know? To look like tall socks? With my skinny jeans and tall boots? Anyway, I had taken off my boots and Alex saw my leg warmers and in a judging tone said, "Mom, you are in the 60's." Really? Alex? I think you mean the 80's. And this from a boy that wear strips and plaids together?

 

 

January 7 via iOSAlbum: Your friends

Ukraine Christmas feast: borscht, verenikes, purruskies, meat paste (yuck), cucumbers, sunflower candy, Ukraine candy, bread and juice! I had one big eyed boy who gave me a huge hug and when saying the prayer he thanked God for my "skills".

January 21 near Murray via mobile

While riding the plane home and being pelted with questions by Alex, like "How high can the plane fly?" "How much fuel can the plane hold?" I, exasperated, told him to Google it when we get home. "But mom, YOU are my Google!"

 

January 25 near Murray

Alex Richhart sat down in my office and started reading Austin Richhart's anthropology homework. He was writing about a tribe where the younger brother marries the older brothers wife if the older brother dies. Alex not knowing this was homework must have thought this was some new family rule or chart and you should have seen his HUGE eyes! "What?? I have to marry Austin's wife?" I almost fell of my chair laughing!!

 

 

January 28 near Murray

Oh my goodness! How did this happen? My baby is THIRTEEN today!! Happy Birthday Rylee Richhart! And yes, that makes FOUR teenagers living in our home at once! Oy!

 

January 30 near Murray

How is this for the stars aligning just for me? This Friday is STATE drill competition for Devree Richhart who is on Murray's drill team and the Snow College Drill team is coming to perform while the judges tally the score - so I will also see Kambree Richhart perform too! Both girls on the same day at the same venue! Woot!

 

February 1 near Orem via mobile

Mom pay day! Loved seeing my girls, Devree Richhart and Kambree Richhart dance today with my other dancing daughter, Rylee Richhart at my side! All these years of dance class, carpools and costumes are paying off!

 

February 3 near Murray via mobile

Magic 8 Ball Question: Should I be nervous that my daughter, Kambree Richhart's newest love interest is named Mr. Wright? Or that Kambree and Cameron are just too cute when you write their names together?

 

February 11 near Murray via mobile

Tonight while studying vocabulary with Alex I got this sincere thank you, "Mom thanks for using your time to help this son study these words he will never use."

 

February 11 near Murray via mobile

We have a tradition in our ward of the girls wearing their prom dresses to church the day after prom. Devree Richhart wore hers on Sunday and after church a darling little girl gazed up at her and asked "Are you a princess?" Devree jokingly and in a very sweet voice replied, "Why yes, I am a princess." The little girl squealed and proclaimed for all to hear "Hurray! I found a princess!" Then she proceeded to hug her ruffly dress!

 

February 12 near Murray

What is this "Will you be my Valentine?" thing going on at the junior high? In my day, you didn't ask - you just gave a Valentine to your sweetie/crush/person you kept calling and hanging up on (thanks to no caller ID) and hoped they did the same? Now everyone's lining up their Valentine? Getting a commitment before the big day?
I have one son thrilled that a girl said yes and one sad daughter that no one has asked. Oh my goodness.

 

February 13 near Murray

I am blessed to work with amazing clients all the time. Seriously. I come to love them all and I feel fortunate to help them sell or buy their homes.
This last week some clients blew me away with season tickets to Hale Center Theater. I know right? How utterly fabulously thoughtful! Thank you Pond's! You made me day.....make that my season!

 

February 19 near Murray

Our three day weekend consisted of a wedding, two receptions, two basketball games, a farewell and then a day of snow play for the rough and rugged: James Richhart, Kambree Richhart, Cameron Wright & Alex Richhart. The rest of us either worked (Austin Richhart) or stayed in our nice warm house watching movies (Devree Richhart & Rylee Richhart and me!) Lucky us!

 

February 19 via iOS

1st ride in 2013!! Finally! Dry roads, sunshine and a minute to get on my bike!! 

 

 

February 21 near Murray

Things I learned tonight:
1. Most women that play county rec basketball are younger, buffer and more tattooed than me.
2. When there's only five players you're going to play the entire time.
3. Playing the entire time has got to burn at least 800 calorie but I don't know that for a fact as I had to remove my heart rate monitor watch - next time, I'm wearing a sweat band over it.
4. The tallest girl gets to play center. Even if she is the newbie. (Yes, me.)
5. I really need to work on just about everything - except crashing to my knees to fight for the ball. I did that just fine about 4 or 5 times. Raspberry to prove it.
6. I apologize repeatedly. "Sorry I steeped on your foot." "Oh, sorry that was my foul." But I don't think that is a regular trait in county rec ball.
7. Playing basketball is way more fun than running on a treadmill!
( ) New Years resolution: Play on a basketball team - check! Pretty sure I'll sleep well tonight!

 

February 24

Basking in the peace and quiet of Sunday morning before I try to get kids up and motivated to get ready for church. Normally we're scrambling by now to get out the door but this week we're attending a farewell. — at Home.

 

February 24 near Xanadu via mobile

Upon seeing Barbara I comment that she's had some plastic surgery. Alex wanted to know what that meant? "Did they use plastic? Or put plastic in?" Devree replies "No they just look like plastic."

February 27 near Murray

Seriously? This child is going to be the end of me! First off I get a note to come to parent teacher conference to talk to Alex's speech teacher. "Alex, I didn't know you still were seeing her. Do you have homework that we should have been working on?" "Yes....I don't do it." Grrrr....
Then within minutes he drops something on the floor accidentally and steps on it. "Alex, what did you break?" "My retainer." (Like it's not big deal - he was just putting it back in his locker without any sort of reaction. I am sure he wouldn't have told me had I not heard the crunching sound under his foot!)
Now he needs to make some money. Every penny of the cost of a new retainer. Anyone have a yard of dog poop that needs scooping?

 

February 27 near Murray

On learning English: Alex went shooting at a range tonight with his young men's group. He came home all bright eye and bushy tailed showing off his target and explaining that he "...shot a 45 and it cocked hard!" Hum.....I think the word he was looking for was kicked? It kicked hard?
Despite our rough morning (stepping on his retainer/not doing homework) I have to give him props - he had A's and B's and one C+ (in choir of all classes) at parent teacher conference tonight AND he made a fabulous dinner or in his words "A serious dinner". Grilled steaks, sweet potatoes and a tossed salad. Yes, when my kids turn 14 they GET to cook dinner once a week and NOT just heat up something......I know, I am a mean mother! (But not a dumb one!)

 

 

March 8th near Murray

Four years ago I got my first International Women's Day Card from my son, Alex. He was living in a Ukraine orphanage at the time and we were frantically trying to get our paper work done to go there and bring him home. (We left for Ukraine on March 17th of 2009) All these posts about International Women's Day made me dig through my blog to find my entry and I thought I'd share it with all my Facebook friends! Happy Women's Day!

 

March 10th near Murray via mobile

Oy! Just remembered to register Devree Richhart for her ACT test. Two days late for registration = $22 late fee.

 

March 10th near Murray

How's this for a good reason to NEED an Iphone?
Rylee Richhart (looking at the computer - shopping for Iphone cases for an Iphone she doesn't have) "Mom, there are just too many cute Iphone cases. If I had an Iphone I'd never be able to decide on one......I know! You should buy me one so I would have to make a choice!"
Please......

 

March 10th near Murray via mobile

While tucking my boy into bed tonight, I got a tight squeeze and this sweet comment, "You're the mom I always wanted." Ah, be still my heart. Next to the broken sentence he uttered almost four years ago, "I wish I was in yous tummy" (Translation: He wishes I had given birth to him) I'm not sure there's a sweeter thing an adopted child can say to his mother?

 

 

Kambree's Drill Showcase!