A year, or two, in review

Okay, so my last post was in October 2012. Let's just say that A LOT has happened since then...so, let's rewind

I didn't mention this, but in May 2012, my mom passed away. That summer was very difficult on my father. In August 2012, he was diagnosed with kidney cancer. He had major surgery, but doctors were only able to remove part of the tumor. He stayed with us for about 4 weeks & then wanted to go home. How could I deny him that? He then had chemo and radiation for a little over a month. This was a difficult time in that he was not motivated, what so ever. He hardly ate or drank. In November, he was told that they could no longer do treatment on him. In December 2012, Hospice stepped in and we moved him back to our home. He could no longer get around, so I set up the baby monitor in his room since he had the habit of trying to get up in the middle of the night. After 3 weeks, Hospice stepped in again and he was moved to Circle of Life in Springdale, Arkansas. Let me tell you something, these people are amazing, helpful, and happy people...and they see a lot of death, every single day! I visited my dad every morning and evening! On January 7th, I visited him and I just didn't want to leave, but I had a feeling that I needed to go. I left at about 7:30pm. I received a phone call at 10:30pm that he had taken his last breath. I didn't shed a tear. I woke up Elvis and simply said "my dad died." I just sat there.  I went to say my last goodbye. I think I sat with him for 4 hours. Finally, I had to let him be. All I knew was that he was exactly where he wanted to be...with my mom! They were finally at peace together. How could someone be sad about that? Don't get me wrong, I am still heartbroken over losing my two best friends, but knowing that they are together & watching everything my family and I do gives me 100% peace. I'm lucky to say that I don't regret one single action with my parents. I hope others get to have that same peace when the day comes.

Now for happier moments...

December 22, 2013 - found out we were expecting #2
April 19, 2013 - celebrated Elvis' birthday & found out #2 was a boy
May 2013 - Sandy graduated from the University of Arkansas (B.A.)
June 2013 - our first beach vacation to Gulf Shores, AL
Summer 2013 - camping
August 29, 2013 - we became a family of four when we welcomed Vance Elvis Ricke, 7lbs, 5oz, and 20 inches long
August 2013  to January 2014 - Sandy was able to stay at home with her sweet lovelies! This was the most amazing and difficult time ever. I have a new found respect for SAHM!
October 2013 - Elvis built his dream shop...it's bigger than our house
December 2013 - Celebrated Mila's 3rd birthday at Fun City. She was princess for the day!
Christmas 2013 - Had the most amazing Christmas! Mila is really figuring out the whole idea behind birthdays and holidays. It's starting to get very interesting at our house.
January 2014 - Sandy retruns to KMBSP, PLLC
January 2014 - Mila starts preschool
February 13, 2014 - Sandy places something very important in the mail (top secret for now)

Okay, so if I play this just right, my next post will be pictures of each event posted above...I hope to see you in less than 2 years.

-Sandy

Our first camping trip

(I forgot to post this back in the summer...!)
Elvis decided the family needed a camper. So, he bought one. It's old, nostalgic, and perfect in size for our small family. So, we headed to Hickory Creek on July 6th for a little weekend getaway. Our first night was spent setting up, eating sandwiches, and playing outside with Mila. We walked down the lake with Mila. She didn't enjoy the mud and was quick to point out all of the geese "poop" on the shore. I was a little worried about her sleeping. We had to walk around the camp ground trying to get her to fall asleep - we weren't the only family having the same issue. We saw a few couples doing the same thing! I was finally able to rock her to sleep and she slept until 7:30 the next morning. We woke up and had a small breakfast consisting of various types of cereal bars.  We had to go home to get the boat, which I towed back completely on my own without any accidents. Finally, play time!!! We were joined by some of our friends (Keith, Melissa, Travis, Angie, and Maddox). We didn't get to spend much time on the lake since a storm decided to brew. But, we couldn't complain because the rain was much needed!! (PS: 4th of July was cancelled due to a drought). Luckily, it stopped raining, it cooled off and we were able to eat hamburgers & hotdogs without sweating! My dad and nephew joined us for dinner. My dad gets lonely since my mom past away, so I try to include him in things! Mila and Maddox enjoyed juice boxes, swinging, twizzlers, and running around in the rain. Apparently, Maddox had a few too many twizzlers and threw them all up when they got home...! At the end of the night, Mila was ready to pass out and did so without a hitch. Elvis and I spent the rest of the evening outside having an adult conversation about absolutely nothing!!! The next time day, it was time to head home. Mila and I decided we needed to leave some chalk marks on our camping spot for the next group!

I can honestly say that everything went smoothly and I cannot wait to do it again! Family time is a must and there is nothing like creating camping memories!!!


~The Ricke's

(Sorry no pictures...must - get - Internet - at - home!)

Fun at Silver Dollar City!

Elvis' mom invited us to go to Silver Dollar City on October 20, 2012. I won't lie, I was a little reluctant because I was afraid there wouldn't be anything for Mila to do. It ended up that she coudln't ride any of the rides because she's 1 1/2 inches too short. But, there were plenty of other things for her to do and look at. She loved the Carousel so much that she rode it twice and we actually had to run away from it after her second turn. She climbed in the tree house, but got nervous, so Elvis had to go in and get her. She loved the goats! She loved balls, of course. We took her in the shooting game (Can't remember the name...HA!) and she loved it. Whenever she got scared, she just held on to daddy's leg. More than anything, she loved riding around on daddy's shoulders just looking around. I can't wait to take her back when she gets a little older.

{Sandy}










 

18 months

It is so hard to believe that my sweet baby girl is 18 months old. On June 6, 2012, I had the great pleasure of taking her to her wellness check up. She weighs 24 pounds and is 34 inches - tall and skinny.  I figure she will bypass me in height in 2 years. She also had to get 2 shots. I don't think shots will ever get easier. The most difficult part this time was that she said "Mommy! Ouch!"  and started crying. My heart literally fell and I started crying. Luckily, the nurse was great and quickly gave her a sticker. However, she forgot our TCBY coupon. Oh, well, we went anyway.

Mila update:

• 24 pounds
• 34 inches
• loves baby dolls
• loves pancakes
• loves "outside"
• calls all dogs "Izzy"
• thinks birds are cows
• tells birds to "get down" when she sees them sitting on something
• loves ice cream
• lots and lots of teeth - I can't even count them
• long hair
• says "Misty"
• calls Grandpa Joe, "Pa"
• shows off her belly
• knows her eyes, mouth, nose, ears, and feet
• loves to put her stinky feet in your face for you to smell
• says "Shewy"
• hates diaper changes
• loves grilled cheese sandwiches
• loves the boat
• loves to dance
• tries to use the potty
• loves fruit
• loves shoes...loves!
• loves to swim
• loves to ride in daddy's truck
• Wants mommy to tuck her into bed
• Has to have a blanket with her in the morning
• Not a morning person
• daddy's girl

I am working really hard on getting pictures framed and put up on my picture wall. I have realized that I have only printed a handfull of pictures since Mila was born. I will probably go broke trying to get them all printed. There are too many to chose from and I'm too much of a sap to pick the ones I like. I can say that I have kept a hand written diary of everything Mila (and her parents) has accomplished since she was born. I'm pretty proud of that accomlishment.

Pictures coming soon...hopefully.

xoxo, Sandy

Day Zero Project

I love lists and I love goals! So, what better place to do both...www.dayzeroproject.com Today, I have completed 7% of my tasks and I have 773 days to go! I hope to mark "DONE" on another project very soon!

A-Z of 2011

Wishing You a Merry & Bright 2012!

Another year of blessings and gratitude

Baking or at least tempting, now that Sandy can turn on an oven

Cheering on Elvis' favorite football and basketball teams

Dang dogs! We have 3: Gixxer, Izzy, and Sophie

Eleven months until we can potty train Mila.

Favorite TV show - Modern Family!

Great summer at the lake

Hungry - Mila must eat when she wakes up!

In love with our life

Just helped our electricity bill by adding a wood stove to the house. It's toasty!

K-State fan, Elvis, is excited to play Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl

Love...we always let each other know how much we love each other.

Movies are hard to watch with a 1 year old...but we still attempt them.

Naps are short, but necessary...for everyone

One! Mila turned one on December 4th

Photos - realize we take tons and now need to get all 2,000 printed...

Quiet time is hard to come by these days.

Rinse and Repeat. We finally have the hang of changing diapers

Survivors! We made it through our first year of parenting.

Twilight...that's right, Sandy is the only Twilight fan in the family.

University of Arkansas...Sandy goes back to school.

Van? No thanks. 

Walking...Mila took her first step on November 17th

Xtremely honored to have a wonderful family

Yes, we could use a vacation

Zzzzzzzzzzz

a teeny cake, a ton of fun, a tiny girl is turning one!

Mila turned one on December 4th. We celebrated with friends and family on December 3rd. She had a cookies and cake theme birthday party. She wasn't too sure about opening gifts, but she managed to make it through. She couldn't decide if she wanted to eat the cake or not, but she finally put her hands in it and ate tons of icing. She finally stuffed a huge piece of cake in her mouth. She had both cheeks full! We are definitely thankful to have a healthy and happy baby girl!