Saturday, January 31, 2009

Dear Atari:

I hear January Blues have got you down too. You bum around the house looking for a playmate to find no one. Whatever happened to our daily 4pm walks? Now all you get is an opened front door with a glass layer to watch the kids come home from school. Like me, I bet you feel fat and lazy due to lack of exercise. But today my faithful friend you caught a break! The sun came out to warm our town! You are a good dog! We love having you as part of the RitterB's!
Love,
The lady who makes sure you have food and water everyday!




Oh Happy Day!

Kansas City was gifted a tender mercy today... You see there are a lot of us here with the January Blues. Kansas City is a crazy place... one day 30 degrees the next day it is 66! I'm sure tomorrow will be below freezing.. But for today... we will play!

We walked over to the school for some kite flying! Ammon cracked me up with his arm straight up in the air... The wind was super strong... I thought the kite might just lift him off the ground. Isaac had the skitso kite...it was all over the joint! He kept in good spirits about it! Jordie enjoyed riding her bike and playing tether ball. The wind was so crazy we ended up ditching the kits and running home!






Isaac was excited to get his scooter out and do some bunny hops!
Really? Shorts? Ahhh...Tender Mercies!






Friday, January 30, 2009

Friday, January 30, 2009
Birthday Boy

Dear Noah
I didn't know your momma and daddy yet when Jordie was born but I was there on both Isaac and Ammon's birth-day. I didn't get to meet you on your birth-day either but I did get to drive your very excited mommy to the airport that day so she could fly to be with you as fast as possible. I wish I had a video of that morning.
I got to be there when you came home....a sweet memory. You were soooo tiny and smelled so wonderful. I almost felt guilty being there as though I was crashing the sacred party at your house. Your brothers and sisters were so excited and each of them wanted to hold you. Although, I finally got my turn when Ammon decided your breath was stinky!
One of the things that I have loved about your adoption process is how you have become "community" baby. Usually while a mom is pregnant, only she experiences that miracle of a baby growing inside her..moving and kicking. Only she feels the growth and the change and the excitement building. I really believe that everyone has felt some measure of joy and anticipation in your arrival...and best of all, I get to do all the fun things with you that a naughty Aunt shouldn't do...like give you Diet Coke...shhh...don't tell mama.
The times that I've held you asleep in my arms have been some of the most peaceful moments of my life. A true connection of contentment through the veil. You are a gift, a special soul sent to your family. It's been such a joy to watch you grow. I especially love that now I can hold and play with you as you grow out of the the separation anxiety phase! Here you are playing with Lola through the glass. Happy Birthday Dear Noah. Thank you for letting me be your friend and love on you. You have put up with me rubbing your head and gooshing your cheeks. I simply can't resist.
Love, Auntie Cheryl

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Dreamy
















Time goes by so fast when you are dreaming... This past year seems as if it has passed by so quickly. Noah you were the baby we waited years for. As a family we longed for you. Each family and personal prayer we plead for you to come to our family. The joy you have helped bring into our family unit is unmeasurable. Daddy and I have often wondered what we did to be so blessed. You are such a gift from our Heavenly Father. Not just to us but to the many people you are in contact with.
I don't ever think I will forget the overwhelming feeling of the spirit the moment I peeked into your bed in the hospital. The moment I saw you I KNEW you were mine. I KNEW you were the boy that was part of the RitterB's. The nurse asked me what your name was. With tears streaming down my cheek I whispered. Noah Thomas. It was a perfect fit. Daddy and I had not picked a name for a little boy... We didn't even know you were going to be born. While Daddy drove the 15 hours from Missouri to Houston we talked and picked 2 names for you. Noah and Lincoln. We liked them both. But Noah seemed to fit our biblical theme. Your middle name is also Daddy's middle name. It is also your Grandfather Tom's name.
Many that know you feel you are an old soul. You are calculated and wise. You observe all that goes on around you. You are kind and gentle with our animals. You are joyful and expressive. I have NEVER know a child that is so natural at dancing.. You break into dance with any sound of rhythm or music. I love the way you get so excited when Jordan, Isaac and Ammon come home from school. You love your sister and brothers. You have grown and developed so much in the past 2 months. You are a super fast crawler. If you felt a bit more sure of yourself you would be walking on your own. You have called me Mama a couple of times but Dadda is the word for you! YOu love to snuggle in bed with Daddy and I... and we are suckers to let you do it more times then not! You love to hang with your "Uncle" Boyd but "Auntie" Cheryl is a close second.
You have had 2 ear infections, one concussion, and 3 teeth this year.
This year I feel as if my dream came true with you... I love you my baby boy!
Happy Birthday #1!!!
































I Wonder.

When did her mourning start? Did it start the moment she found she was pregnant? Or was it the moment she realized she could not care for another child? Why did she choose to tell no other person she was carrying a child inside her? Did she imagine the family her child would belong to? Could she fathom the joy she would help a mother feel again?
There have been many times these questions have run through my mind this past year. I prayed for her. I have asked our Heavenly Father to comfort and bless her. I have worried for her and her children. Is it possible to feel a bond with someone you have never met here on earth?
A few months back I had a conversation with a woman on a plane. She had been adopted. I am not sure what went wrong in her process... she was angry. She had tried to get answers to questions she had about her birth parents just to hit a brick wall. She could not understand why I was content to NOT find my birth mother. For my son to NOT have a relationship with his birth mother. Honestly, I have never desired to know her. I have a mother and a father. I am sealed to them... they are my family.
I have pondered this experience over and over. One afternoon I had a thought. I wondered if maybe just maybe Lakeisha and I knew one another in heaven... Maybe we were best of friends. I wonder if maybe we knew that I would only be able to carry 3 of our children inside me. I wonder if maybe we made a pack in heaven... if maybe Lakeisha said she would help me out. I wonder if she knew the pain she would feel... the loss.
I dont know if this is reality... did we willingly have the opportunity in heaven to sign up to make mistakes in order to help a sister raise the child God had chosen for her? I like to think that this is a possibility. That Lakeisha's choice would not be one that pained her forever.
It is the eve of our Noah's 1st birthday. Was Lakeisha having contractions a year ago tonight? Was she resolved in her choice to give her child to a mother she had never met? I wonder if she talked to him while he was growing insider her. If she told him of the love she had for him... the love that a mother has for a child. I wonder if she knew the woman whom she would entrust her child with forever would love him with a double love.
I will never know what Lakeisha thought the eve of having a son whom she would never raise. However, I do know she loved him. That she wanted his mother and father to know He was a GIFT from God. Tonight I thank you Lakeisha. Tho we may never meet here on earth you are my sister and my friend. The love I have for you grows each day. May you find joy in this journey.

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

A special gift was left behind!!!

Little man Ammon's first tooth FINALLY fell out last night... Let me tell you a little about this tooth. 2 dentist visits ago (that is one year ago people!) Ammon was convinced his tooth was loose... No matter what the dentist said Ammon knew it was falling out... 6 months ago the dentist told Ammon that yes his tooth was loose! That is all little man needed...
Ammon:"what day is is going to come out?"
Dentist: "I don't know the day... When it is ready."
Ammon:"No, I need to know the day."
Dentist: "I can't tell you an exact day."
Ammon: "OK, what will the DATE be when it falls out?"
I kid you not! Little man Ammon argued and argued trying to get the exact moment his tooth would leave his mouth forever! You see Ammon knew that with a lost tooth special gift of money would be left under his pillow by the tooth fairy... BTW: is the tooth fairy a man or a woman? We seem to think he is a big man with little wings!
Sure enough... 4 special quarters were found this morning!


1st Hair Cut


Look what happens when you put a little bit of Mama and a little bit of Sister on baby boy!

We promise to never ever do it again!

OHHH my fro boy!

Suckers make it all worth while

Noah got his 1st haircut last on January 19th. For the RECORD... Mama was not a big supporter of this! Did the girl know what she was doing? Not so much.. Is baby boys hair more even? Sure... Is MAMA sticking to her guns this time and letting baby boy grow a fro? YEP YEP YEP!!!!

When asked to draw a picture of what they wanted to be when they grew up, second-grader "Sarah" turned in the lovely drawing shown . Needless to say, the teacher was a bit surprised -- Mrs. Smith had always seemed like such a conservative woman. So she sent a note home to the girl's mother asking for clarification as to the picture's meaning. (read Mom's reply below)


Dear Mrs. Jones,I wish to clarify that I am not now, nor have I ever been, an exotic dancer. I work at Home Depot and I told my daughter how hectic it was last week before the blizzard hit. I told her we sold out every single shovel we had, and then I found one more in the back room, and that several people were fighting over who would get it. Her picture doesn't show me dancing around a pole. It's supposed to depict me selling the last snow shovel we had at Home Depot. From now on I will remember to check her homework more thoroughly before she turns it in.Sincerely,
Mrs. Smith

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

"Would you like to buy an {N}"

"It will cost you just a nickle"

10 things that start with a letter of the alphabet. I was assigned the letter "N"
If you want to participate, let me know and I'll assign you a letter.

1. Noah. If we had named all our beauty's names that start with the letter "N" I would be on 4 already!

2. Naps. I love Noah Naps. It is the time I get things done. But I think my favorite nap is on Sunday... Marc-a-Roni is so good to me letting me bury in the blankets and snooze away!

3. Nativity.I collect them you see. I struggle boxing them up each year after Christmas. I love the visual reminder of the gift we have been given in our Savior.

4. Numbers... Some may say I am a math retard. I hate math. I struggle with math. But oh how I love numbers. 4 is my favorite! Isn't it pretty... 3 is a close second.

5. Nickles... I like quarters better.
6. New things. Especially the shiny ones.

7. Napster. I love music. I can find just about any song here!
8. Notes....

9. Nuts. Pine nuts are my favorite. Grandpa B always had them at the BYU football games. To this day I can not eat one without thinking of him.


1o. Necking. Here's to you Marc-a-Roni!

Cupid struck!



Isaac and I were putting his clean clothes away together tonight. He looks to me and says... "I finally did it mom."
Me: "Did what?"
Isaac: " Told Claire I liked her"
I think I had a moment where my heart stopped. I mean STOPPED!
Me: " What do you mean..."YOU LIKE CLAIRE?"
Isaac: " I have since Kindergarten Mom."
Me: " Why did you do that? You aren't 16"
Isaac: " Well, Jake was going to tell her that I Loved her so I thought I better do it myself!"
Me: "But you are too young to like someone."
Isaac: "She is going to Staley. I have to love someone I go to high school with so I can marry her."
Me: "No you don't son. You don't need to love anyone until AFTER your mission."
Isaac: "Maybe there will be another girl I will love at Staley"

AHHHHHH what in the world! This playground romance is killing me off! Don't get me wrong... I really like little Claire myself. If I were for picking she would be top of the list. In fact when they were in Kindergarten together their teacher had them matched... Cute isn't it... But where in the world is my baby boy that was going to marry his mama?

Saturday, January 24, 2009

365


365 days ago we spent the day in Disneyland.

We licked on {Ginormous} lollipops...with NO regards to the Dentist.We acted as goofy as can be with out a care in the world!
We taught our baby girl that kissing frogs are ok...as long as they are made of wood...
For the first time in a long time we had NO thoughts of birth moms, babies, or the void we were feeling. For the first time we had put all guards aside.
This was the calm before the storm. Our son would soon be born. In just a few days we would have him in our arms forever!

Dirty Jobs

There are lots of stinky, dirty, yucky, crappy jobs we have to do in this lifetime... Washing and cleaning the car?!? Back where the boys live?!?! I don't have to do! Thanks Green Lantern!




Thursday, January 22, 2009

14 years... Really?

There are times when I feel my heart skip a beat with panic when I think of this being the last season of ER. For the past 14 years I have always had a date with TV on Thursday nights. There have been times where I have not agreed with the content and threatened to walk away and ban the show but the power is too strong! I admit I love the show! I love the people! I love love love it and am sad that it is a coming to an end. AHHHH what in the world am I going to do with myself?

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Blue

Ammon came home from school yesterday down and out. He made a B-line straight to his blankies. Humm.. I though to myself. Can even 6 year old's have the January Blues? I asked how his day was:
Me: Hey hot stuff how was your day?
Ammon: I hate school. {this is his usual statement! He loves home so of course he hate school}
Me: Did something happen to make you so sad?
Ammon: I cant think of anything.
Me: Was there anything that made you happy?
Ammon: I cant think of anything happy either.
Me: Why are you so blue?
Ammon: I just am I guess.
I know just how he feels. The cold days... with NO snow in sight... I mean real snow not these dumb flurries we see now and then. Just cold.
For the past 5 years the RitterB's have found themselves in Disney Utopia in January or February. I am a bit sad about it not happening this year. Big plans for 2010 but not 2009. I think I am going to miss it this year.
I am a bit sad already to leave my family for 10 days. I get teary just thinking about it... SO..I don't think about it.
I am bummed at the huge amount of laundry my family can produce each week. Had thoughts of joining a nudest colony... But since Kansas City is one of the fattest city... and I am in that group....not feeling like hangin' Nakie with the friends.
I need/WANT a pedi... dont have the time.

I sit here in all my guilt glory wondering why I am so blue... Look at my blessings... Really NO BLUE reasons there... I am one lucky gal. I just gotta get out of this funk!
Maybe, a Diet Coke will help!

Monday, January 19, 2009

African Laxative...

Maybe I should practice "holding it" for ten days...

Have you ever just wanted to...

Bull over a Stop Sign?
I had a choice to make last Friday. The roads were a bit slippery... I either hit the white van stopped at the stop sign in front of me...OR...try to miss it and see where I end up. I was not going fast. In fact, I was almost at stopped. I just could not get the car to get to a complete stop. It was silly really... The sign folded over like it was rubber. It just didn't bounce back when I backed up. I wonder if I should have called someone about that. Hummm...


Friday, January 16, 2009

"What's in your Box?"

Does my City Make Me Look Fat?


I read that Kansas City is ranked in the to 25 FATTEST Cities for the year 2009.

Salt Lake City is ranked the Fittest City. Still not gunna move there.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

"Did I hear a NINER?"

Happy 39th my Marc-a-Roni!




39 things that make my Marc-a-Roni a Super Star

1. You make the best Monster
2. You are always up for a Rockin' game of "Basement" soccer
3.You are spiritual
4. You love me
5. You are a hands on Daddy
6. You are youthful!
7. You are a computer guy
8. You play Wii with our kids
9. You are a math smartie pants... Good thing... Jordie would be in trouble with out you!
10. You have cool gray hair sneaking out!
11. I love your gray eyelash that keeps growing back
12. You let me hang out with my family in Utah with the kids while you stay here for work
13. You come to church with us because you want to be there
14. You lead our family in Righteousness
15. You coach our kids in soccer
16. You have taught yourself to play hymns on the piano
17. You love Disney World as much as me!
18. You change diapers
19. You have good looking legs!!!
20. You the funnest dad in the world (Isaac said that one)
21. You take me out on regular dates
22. You stay up late and watch lame TV with me even if you have to get up early for work
23. You eat my dinners with out complaining
24. You are generous
25. You serve with a smile!
26. You can fix almost anything
27. You can deal with the yuckiest situations... remember the first time we went out to dinner with Jordie.... You changed her diaper? After at least 20 minutes you came out with her only wearing her sweater...talk about blow out!
28. You can talk like Donald Duck
29. Remember the night before you blessed Ammon? You let me "highlight" your hair... from the back you looked like a CHEETAH!
30. You put up with my PMS better then anyone I know...Thanks?!?!
31. You are a Be-er... you take time to enjoy life. Most of the time I chalk it up to you being raised in the midwest.... slow and thoughtful.
32. You always strive to be a better man
33. You can play the guitar... When we were first married I loved hearing you play... You really should pick it up again...
34. You are are a hard worker.
35. You are loyal... People know they can count on you
36. No matter the time... you are always willing to be patient with homework problems.
37. I love how you have keep friends with a couple of your high school teachers. Who really gets to know their teachers and stay in touch after 20 years. Mr. Fabish is such a good person. I am grateful you have kept in contact with him all these years!
38. Even when you have new cool clothes in the closet I find you wearing some old shirt from college. I like that about you.
39. Last but not least... I love that {40} makes you squirm in your seat a little!

I love you my Marc-a-Roni!