Final Four

Dear Max,

Four is finally here! We have talked so much about being four during the past few months that I think I forgot you weren't officially there yet! You have been super excited about your birthday and we made a paper chain to count down the days. We have used your birthday to encourage you to be more independent. "When you turn four......you will need to dress yourself, brush your teeth, give up sucking your thumb, and so forth. I'm surprised you weren't worried we would make you move out and get a job!

The past few months have shown a noticeable increase in your maturity. You seem to think about the world and your place in it in a different manner. There are times full of silliness, but also times when you are heartbreakingly earnest and serious. Some of your comments are very insightful and I treasure our conversations about God, friends, and your thoughts on life.

Some almost-four-year-old wisdom:

Some day will I be a grown up? Then I can drive through red lights. (I don't know who does that, but it is NOT his parents)

Now I am going to sing a wonderful song that you will all enjoy.

If Jesus has a birthday at Christmas, when is God's birthday?

Can I stay with you and Daddy forever? Do I have to get married? Can I marry Kyle?

Art and pretend play are your favorite pastimes. "I'm just pretending...." is a constant refrain. I am very thankful that you use your imagination to create elaborate activities, plots, and characters instead of being dependent on ideas from tv. Of course, you need the correct ensemble to properly act out your ideas. Recently, you have really started to enjoy coloring, cutting, gluing, and painting, and will now spend extended periods of time making creations from your giant jug of art supplies.

Max, you are an adventurer. You seek out new challenges and want to try anything that bigger kids are doing! I wouldn't say you are fearless because you seem blessed with common sense and a healthy dose of caution. But I find myself saying, "That's not safe!" fairly often. I am trying to bite my tongue and let you discover for yourself, but that is so hard for a mother to do!

Four years sounds so very old. We are incredibly thankful to have the gift of raising you. And even though each new stage brings excitement, I get a little sentimental thinking of my sweet baby boy growing up. Thank your for being a wonderful son and brother. We love you dearly and we are so proud of the person you are - the irrepressible Max!

Love, Mommy and Daddy

In Sickness and in Health

The Richards Family has been attacked by the Creeping Crud. Its invasion was well-planned as it snuck into our house through the little ones. First it took out The Max, then the baby, and then issued the coup de grace by downing Mommy and Daddy. The battlefield was littered with coughing, sneezing, hacking, wheezing, drippy noses, sore muscles, and bodies collapsed in exhaustion.

The reserves (Mimi) had to be called in when it became clear that the opponent was too strong. She helped nurse Max back to health at her field hospital, while Mommy and Daddy attempted to handle caring for themselves and the baby. But after many sleepless nights, Captain Mimi had to provide overnight battlefield care to help stop the rout. At long last, some semblance of health was recovered.

All hail, Mimi!

Seven Months

Dear Sarah,

You have had a name change. Nope, we still don't refer to you as "Sarah" (why would we ever call our child by their given name?) Instead of "Bay-bay" you are now referred to as "Goo-Ga". In case you cannot guess, Max was the name-giver. And since you adore your big brother, "Goo-Ga" and "Gee-Gee" seems to suit you fine.

Sarah the Super Sleuth cannot be fooled by anyone. "The Man in the Glasses" is a thin disguise, and you quickly rip those glasses off each day to reveal....Daddy! After thwarting his trickery, you toss the glasses down the stairs so he will not attempt that ruse again. Mystery solved.

Toys seem to exist solely for you to suck on, which is probably because you have TWO teeth already! You are cooing and babbling non-stop and the first-word-competition has commenced. Will it be "Mama" like your big brother or will you honor him with a "Maaaaaax"? Stay tuned.

The teeth and lingering cold/sinus symptoms have also produced some sleep problems. You have been waking up multiple times at night and crying for your pacifier. And since we keep getting up to plug it in, you keep crying for it. It is very frustrating because you were such a great sleeper from such a young age and we tried not to let you develop bad habits (until now). You fall asleep easily each night when we put you in your bed drowsy and without a pacifier. Why all the hoopla in the middle of the night? Get ready because Daddy and I are going to be forced to get tough soon. The added irony is that we are trying to convince you to suck your thumb at the same time that we are trying to convince Max to stop!

Mommy won't complain too much about anything because you are such a darling baby - happy, snuggly, and a perfect fit in our family! We love our "Goo-ga" to pieces!

Love, Mommy

The NEW Story of the Three Little Pigs

Once upon a time, there were 3 Little Pigs.

And 1 Big, Bad Wolf.

Each of the pigs built a house. One little pig built her house out of straw.

Once the wolf arrived that house was gone.

The second little pig built a house out of sticks.

It didn't work very well against the wolf either.

The third little pig used bricks.

The wolf set out to blow down the last pig's house.

"Oh, no!" cried the last little pig.

"I'll huff and I'll puff and I'll blow your house down!"

When huffing and puffing did not work, the wolf attempted to eat that cute little pig.

But he was unsuccessful.

"Haha!" laughed the last little pig.

And the wolf had to settle for a sandwich (and candy) instead.

This piggy isn't afraid of ANY wolves.

And they all lived happily ever after.

Or the alternate ending according to Max:

"Me, Sarah, and Mimi will live in the brick house."

Love Connection

"Hello, pretty girl."

The Max likes the older ladies.

"Cha-ching!"

First date: A walk on campus

Max shows Allie the flowers and fauna.

"But they aren't as beautiful as you."

Max gets fresh and reaches for Allie's hand.

"I'm not that type of girl, Max Richards!"

The Max apologizes, "I'm sorry, baby. I didn't mean it like that. How about we make it official?"

Ready to walk down the aisle.

Another Furman love match.

Coming Home

Before there was this Furman girl.....

There were these Furman girls!

(Beckers, me Reid, Julie, Brandi and Megan)

This year's Homecoming also marked our 10 year reunion.

10 years ago....

I was living in Chapel Hill with my childhood friend Kelly and getting my Masters degree.

Jason had also moved to NC despite the fact that we had only been dating for a few months.

I had already decided to marry Jason...whether he realized it or not.

I was not a wife, a mother or a therapist yet.

My Furman friends were scattered across the country.

September 11th had just occurred and changed everyone's view of the world.

Our first Homecoming back at Furman truly felt like coming home.

10 years later...

My college roommates are still my best friends. And even though Sally and Laura didn't come for the festivities, we still manage to see each other regularly.

Sorority girls still hug every time they meet even if it is only an hour later.

Seeing people with their college sweetheart(now spouse) or their same group of friends from college made me deliriously happy. As Rebecca said, "I"m glad we are still walking into places together."

Going out at 10:00 pm can only be accomplished if the kids have somewhere else to sleep.

Rebecca and I are interchangeable to some people. "You know that guy that one or both of you was in love with."

I got a little shock every time someone referred to me as "Vonda".

Rehashing the previous night over breakfast with your best friend is still the best part of a social occasion.

Taking pictures is impossible when trying to juggle children and visiting with old friends!

Going back to Furman still feels like coming home.

Naturally my dream is for Max or Sarah (or both) to attend Furman, although I recognize this will be unlikely given its close proximity to home. Furman is so special to me because it gave me many of the things I value most: my education (I put that first so my parents would feel good about their investment), my best friends, my husband, and therefore, my family. I only hope that Max's and Sarah's college experience will be just as wonderful!

It's great to be a Furman Paladin!

Mighty Mites

Welcome to the wide world of organized sports! After listening and learning from our friends who tried 3 year old soccer last year, we spurned the longer time commitment in favor of a 6 week sports program at the Y. Max and his buddies, Kyle and Gray, were introduced to a different sport each week with some general games and running added in for good measure. Bless the hearts of anyone willing to attempt to teach 3 year olds the rules of a sport. Early on it was clear which kids had more athletic parents. The child who arrived with proper knowledge of stretching clearly did not belong to Jason and myself.

Push-ups during warm up time

Our basketball prodigy

Max really enjoyed attending and was always eager for "Sports" day. He did well at following the directions of the coach most of the time. But I think mostly he was thrilled to have another excuse to chase Kyle!