10 Year Anniversay December 16th 2009

10 years WoW here are some Factoids....
Where we have been together
1. Orlando (honeymoon)
2. California (Newport is our favorite spot)
3. Utah
4. Aruba (Matt was Presidential Sales Man of the Year; we won a trip)
5. California oops said that
6. Utah yep been there
7. Las Vegas
8. Bryce Canyon
9. Zions National Park

10. Disneyland, Sea World, Lego Land

11. Flagstaff

12. We need to venture out more!!

What I love about Matt

13. He leaves me notes almost every morning...saying.. I love you.. thanks for cleaning...hang in there....have a good day....etc. These really brighten my morning.

14. He calls and checks up on me from work.

15. He calls me on his way home from work.

16. He is a hard worker. He gets up at 5:50am leaves about 6:20 and comes home around 5 or 6pm

17. He supports me in my calling/callings.

18. He lets me go out with my Friends.

19. He is dedicated to working out.

20. He makes dinner for me.

21. He does the laundry.

22. He cleans the kitchen. Especially when I work the night shift I come home and it is all clean.

23. He loves our kids.

24. He plays with them right when he gets home. They like to go out and jump on the trampoline.

25. He gives me foot rubs.

26. We enjoy relaxing in our hot tub.

27. He watches my shows with me!

28. He puts up with me!!

29. He fulfills his church callings.

30. He loves me unconditionally.

Quirks Matt has but I love them

31. He will ask me a thousand times as we are walking out the door. did you get this....do you have that...i.e. did you get a Binky, bottle, gum. I answer him yes all the time but he keeps asking until we are out of the driveway.

32. I can smell on his breath when he has gone out to Mexican food for lunch as soon as he comes in the door.

33. BYU football has to be watched a certain way.

34. Once his head hits the pillow he is gone. He does a big sigh and then I know he is already asleep.

35. He takes off his ring and kisses it before he goes into workout at the club. He doesn't want to scratch it.

36. He is not a patient driver.

37. He doesn't enough when I spring plans on him at the last moment. But he is getting better.

38. he can fall asleep anywhere. The other day I was on the computer on our landing and I had my back turned and I was talking to him. He was asleep on the floor with his feet on the stairs.

39. This is not a quirk but he gets up with the kids in the middle of the night. They wake him up. I tell him to just say go back to bed but Shea has him wrapped around his finger. It takes me a while to get to sleep and then fall back asleep after being awake and the poor guy has taken this on. Probably why he can sleep anywhere.

40. He gets several toothpicks from the restaurant after we eat.

41. he would rather eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner.

42. His perfect lunch looks like, a sandwich, Vienna sausages, Vienna fingers, chips, pickles, water/Pepsi while eating on the floor watching sports.

More Fun Facts

43. He has never drank or smoked. I love, love this about him!

44. He can draw good cartoon characters.

45. When he reads to the kids at night he makes the characters come to life by doing different voices.

46. He used to prank call my old work "Dee's Dancewear" and say he was Larry leotard and he needed pink leotards. The new girls always fell for it.

47. He loves to sing.

48. He plays the guitar or trumpet while the kids take a bath.

49. He will snuggle with the kids as he puts them down to sleep.

50. He supports me in my job.

51. When I do work I know the kids are well taken care of.

52. A typical Friday night could consist of Carambas Mexican food and then he drives to Sonic for a Oreo blast. We put the kids down and watch a movie.

53. His favorite restaurant is Chili's. and he gets the same thing every time. Chicken Crispers with ranch not honey mustard.

54. He is on a "no soda" kick.

55. He gets his hair cut at Great Clips and this drives me nuts!! I like it longer.

56. His definition of yard work is mowing the lawns. I usually end up picking up the dog poo, and pulling the weeds. We need to work on this one. lol

57. He loves to golf. I wish he could go out more.

58. We are in a War right now of throwing cold water on the other while they are in the shower! He got me good the other day. Even Shea has started to participate in this prank.

59. He is my best friend.

60. My kids can't wait till he gets home from work because he plays with them.

61. He taught Lacey to sleep in her crib and sleep through the night while I was at work one night.

62. He worked at Johnny Rockets and when we go there he asks the waitress for mayonnaise and the special sauce to make fry sauce. It is so yummy!

63. He makes yummy macaroni and cheese.

64. When I am at work he takes the kids to the store for the essentials....mint chocolate chip ice cream.

65. Carson started a soccer class and it is so much fun to watch Carson and Daddy play.

66. He has a great sense of humor.

67. Did I mention he loves BYU football.

68. Wait now it is more like BYU sports.

I am going to stop here but I just want Matt to know how much I love, honor and appreciate him. I am so glad we meet 11 years ago in my parents kitchen. On our third date went running and I was hot sooo I took off my shirt ( I had a sports bra on!)and he was Hooked. That was back when I had my "cheer" body. One day hunny I will have that body again.lol He reminded me of that story today.

Our life if full of every day stresses but we have stuck by each other through the ups and downs and never wavered. He is my rock!! I love you Matt!

BTW I woke up to a dozen roses and a beautiful letter. It made me cry! I love this guy so much! Good thing I do because we are with each other through eternity and that is a beautiful thing!!

August-October catching up!

Shea was student of the month for September. The school had a little morning ceremony for all the kids. Here is her first grade school picture.




Carson's First Day of Preschool at Mrs. Barbs preschool. He loves it and everyday when I pick him up he says "Mom I didn't say stupid or hit." Maybe I emphasised this too much! They other day he said, "Mom can you go get me Olive Garden why I am at preschool?" So funny!



Lacey is eight months old! I can't believe it. She is crawling up our stairs and she thinks it is a game now. She has two teeth and refuses to eat baby food. She like big people food. Oh and she sleeps in our bed. Surprise.... Surprise.



These pictures are from our ward camp out. We had a lot of fun until Lacey threw a fit at 2:00 in the morning and needed a bottle. Matt kept saying I told you this was a bad idea. I kept my cool and stated THIS IS NOT THE TIME! Anyway. We slept. We had a great breakfast in the morning and the kids had a marshmallow fight. GOOD TIMES. One thing I did learn is never go camping without my dad (and mom) and my Uncle Rick because they make the best dinners. Our hot dog dinner was a little gross!




We went with Matt to Tucson this year for his Annual Roofing Convention. The Hyatt Resort in Tucson had a great pool with water slide.

LOOK what I discovered!



Saturday morning cartoons!



Last Friday Matt and I went to the Fabulous Smith's Halloween Party. Rachel and Sarah's husbands were not going to be able to make it so I suggested we go as Polygamists. I got the idea from my brother in law Ben who did it last year. The dresses were all my mom's except for the denim one. Our hair was especially fun! We wore name tags that said Brother Jeffs and Sister Jeffs. Mine said the Head Matriarch (bed wife.. who can be wife swapped) the others were the "cleaning wife" "cooking wife" and "nanny". We won the "Best Group" costume contest. We had fun. Now what can we do to top this next year??

Lacey Lu

I can't believe Lacey is already 8 months! She has two bottom teeth now and can climb the stairs!! She is also starting to cruise around the couch. She is everywhere! Better go get the stair gate up!!

It's BYU FOOTBALL time!

Okay so this post is a little late. But when BYU football is on you know where to find us. Yep in font of the TV. Okay maybe just Matt. I will watch it occasionally. BUT he is obsessed with it. I love that he has a passion and hobby. But this can be an expensive hobby. A few weeks ago he flew up to Utah on a "BROCATION" with his friend Tom go to the game. AND they had field passes. Don't ask how he got those! BUT I want to know where is my "GIRLCATION"? Someday NEW YORK I will come back!

Happy 60th Birthday DAD!

We had a 60th birthday party for my dad last Saturday. It was good to see my grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins. His party had a Star Trek theme. My mom and I made pins for everyone to wear that said "Live Long and Prosper" I added a funny picture of my dad in the middle of the badge. We had it catered by Carambas. I also had people email me memories of my dad. I wanted to add them here in honor of my dad! I did 60 of them because he is 60 ;) Love you DAD!
1. One of my fondest memories is being at Lake Powell and having the water gun fights and running all over the house boat and in the sand. We were all laughing so hard we almost wet our swim suits.
2. Also in Lake Powell Rob and the other GENTLEMEN watched as I (Judy) floated away in the Lake on an inner tube and couldn't stop the motion. Dee had to swim out to help. The guys were just laughing and yelling out some ways to get back to shore.
3. We loved playing cards together. He is fun to be with. And a great cook.
4. He took us to Hawaii with him as one of the managers couldn't go at the last minute. We had our own condo, car and fun! He is so fun to party with.
5. 'Uncle Robbie baptized us'
6. A memory of Brenda’s is Rob taking her to H. Salt Fish and Chips in Pacific Beach. He took her there pretty often and she loved going with him. The fish and chips were awesome!
7. Makes me laugh so hard at the dinner table that I can’t finish my dinner and have to excuse myself from the table.
8. Taught me the importance of being on time.
9. Jody now has a love for homemade oatmeal.
10. He had a knack for knowing what his teenage children were doing…wink…wink….but you don’t know some things!
11. He never caught Brad sneaking out of the house!! And never knew that Nicole buried her 4th dead frog in the front yard and severed the sprinkler line and wondered why all of his plants in the front yard were dying! CONFESSION!!
12. He drove to Utah to get a Chihuahua for his mom! PS… He fell in love with that dog during the ride to California!
13. Taught the boys how to fish especially in Utah. And they remember going with Steve and Gus.
14. Watching dad (and mom) help people in the ward i.e. moving lawns, pulling weeds, making dinners etc. helped his kids later in life to learn the value of charity and service at home, work and play! We all remember the Christmas when we left presents and ran.
15. Helped kids get into their first homes because he wanted them to get ahead in life.
16. Helped Pay for all 5 Children through school! They all have Bachelor’s degrees and one son who thinks he is a rocket scientist has a Masters degree. The love of education was very prominent in our household.
17. He has a golf swing like Rodney Dangerfield.
18. Taught us how to survive in the wilderness/ and how to prepare for outdoor activities like camping and hiking the Grand Canyon.
19. Laura loves Squaw Peak because of dad. Her friends love Camelback Mountain but we Richardsons hike Squaw Peak! Nicole remembers hiking Havasupai and wanting to keep up with dad’s mountain goat pace!
20. Pahrumping the grandkids out to their cars after visiting.
21. I remember diving down into the deep end on dad’s back. Most times the kids would have to come up for air before dad did. He also does this with the grandkids now.
22. Just ask him about the story when he missed the toilet, fell, and broke it late one night! Yea I heard the obscenity and “SHARON!!!!” All the way in my room!
23. He always bought mom just what she hinted at for anniversaries, birthdays and Christmas!
24. Dad has good advice about money and financial situations.
25. We love watching Sports with him because he gets very animated, like the time we watched the Diamondbacks win the World Series.
26. Helps his kids through hard times, financially, spiritually and with his advice and
Non-judgmental demeanor.
27. Did I mention his Obsession with being on time that now most of his kids have?
28. Dad doesn’t gossip.
29. He has the upmost respect for Papa and Tutu, Grandpa R and Grandma R. He would do anything for them. We call this respect for his Elders!
30. He was at the hospital every day while Grandpa Richardson was sick. He was his patient advocate.
31. Dad, along with mom is right there when anyone is sick and wanting to lend a helping hand. We know we can call on him anytime even if it is just to borrow a shovel.
32. Just recently received his unofficial Certified Nursing Assistant certificate for taking care of mom while she was recovering.
33. Papa lets the grandkids have sleepovers. The kids kick papa out of his own room because he snores too loud!
34. Papa reads to the grandkids. Especially the Gold bug book!
35. Reassured Kevin on his mission that if anything happened he would be there in a day. And he could always ask if he needed anything! But technically it would taken longer because of the 15 hour plane flight!
36. Carson loves papa’s toenails. And one of Brody’s first words was PAPA!
37. Bob R. remembers our hikes down the trails at the Grand Canyon. Rob was such a terrific trail guide that I was able to take Carolyn down there. (We hiked out of there too)! Once she had made that trek, everyone in our immediate family had enjoyed it thanks to Rob.
38. Grandma said that when Rob was in a Roadshow one time he was a doggie, and there was fire hydrant in the show. So for some odd reason he walked over to the hydrant and you guessed it, he lifted his leg like he was going to ---- on it. Needless to say we lost points on the show and a lecture later from Grandpa.
39. Then, every time he would leave to go on a scouting overnight or week, Janice and I would gather up a bucket and big bottle of pine sol and clean his room from top to bottom. It would at least smell good while he was gone. For some strange reason when he returned the clean smell disappeared.
40. And then one day right after Brenda was born, I was talking on the phone to his girlfriend at the time, mother, and she told me how cute she thought Brenda was. I knew I hadn't shown Brenda to her yet and so I asked her when she saw her. She replied, oh you don't know. I said no, when. Well Brenda was about 2 weeks old and we left her with Jan and Rob while we went to a church meeting and while we were gone, Rob wrapped her up real good and put her inside his leather jacket and zipped it up and took her over to the girlfriend’s house on his motorcycle. I about died, but promised I wouldn't say anything to him, and I never did because I was so thrilled that he loved her that much. BUT one time many years later when everyone was home and people were confessing things while we were sitting around the dinner table, I finally let the secret out. He was shocked that I had known about it all that time and Grandpa nearly fainted when he heard it and said that Rob would never do anything like that, and then Rob finally confessed that he had. Grandpa still had a hard time believing it. We all got quite a laugh about it and thank goodness it turned out just fine.
41. When Rob was working at Kentucky Fried Chicken, which was quite a ways from the house, when there was food left over on a Sunday night he would load up his leather jacket with chicken and usually Coconut Cream pie and bring it home with him on his motorcycle again and then we would sit around and pig out while it was still warm, so that was kind of fun.
42. Steve hopes that he can be a good husband, a good father, and a good friend, that same way that Rob has been for his family.
43. I like the fact that I've never seen your dad talk bad or negative about anybody.
44. He always seems to make time for his family, and especially his grandkids. I like how family is important to him and also to his family.
45. I've always felt and still believe that he would do anything for anybody without asking for anything in return
46. He comes to grandparent’s day at the grandkids school!
47. He liked to take his kids places especially on the weekend. I remember a Hot Air Balloon Show and craft shows at grandpa’s retirement community. Things like that were so much fun and have lasting memories.
48. Our vacation spots were San Diego, Disneyland, Utah and Yellowstone. He loves to travel. Especially by Goldwing!
49. When he first got his Gold Wing he almost flipped my mom off the back of it after going over a train track. Her legs went flying over his head!
50. Bath time BUBBLES! Need I say more? First night in their newlywed apartment and Rob yells “Sharon hurry, come in here!” He was in the bathtub. So she runs in and he smiles and the rest is left to the imagination.
51. When mom and dad first got married my mom thought she had married a crazy man. He sleep walk and talked in his sleep. I even think he has hit her once.
52. Always went to Dairy Queen after softball games, volleyball, swimming and water polo etc. And bought for our whole team. He Went to our games and was the loudest parent, always told us “good game” even if we lost.

53. Dad’s triceps bulge out when he mows the lawn. The boys thought this was the coolest!
54. Large boulders rolling down Grand Canyon bounce off dad’s freaking huge calves. (Thanks for those genes!)
55. Taught us the value of a honest day’s work and the value of earning what you get. No free rides!
56. Dad should learn how to hold his own flashlight!
57. Always did his home teaching.
58. Listens to Lionel Richey and Paul Harvey on road trips.
59. Insisted that pulling weeds by hand is better than weed killer… Whatever… AND insisted that we “shake the dirt off of the weed roots”… because you can’t throw away dirt. (now we know that this meant more weeds to pull!)
60. Who is Rob? He’s a husband, father, son, brother, grandpa, uncle, friend, boss, coworker, gold wing rider, star trek lover, plaid shirt lover, under armor shirt wearer, priesthood holder, mountain climber, chick flick watcher, old movie watcher, remote control hogger, cherry pie lover, spoils his kids rotten, he is there for broken hearts, finally said yes to Laura getting her bike after driving to Mesa to watch her get her license (Sucker), cartoon hater (especially Simpsons), educational TV watcher that rubbed off on the kids, jazz and flute music lover, brownie lover and makes Laura bake them, fast walker/hiker, generous, dog lover, nurses aid, afraid of spiders and other creepy crawlers and makes his kids kill them, in need of a hearing aid, a great host for any event, roofing guru, Master’s in Business Administration holder, good communicator at work, teva wearer, outdoorsman, looks like a penguin in a tuxedo, likes to sit and chat after dinner, great barbeque chef, used Honda buyer and HANDS DOWN, THE BEST GORILLA CALLER !

Excuse Me, Can You Say That Again!

This is what I said to the Bishop after he called me last Sunday to be the Relief Society President.

Then I said, "Did Jen (our former R.S. prez) put you up to this?"

Back up a few weeks... I served as the R.S. Secretary and as a presidency we are very close. We found out the Stake was splitting and at this time I think we all felt that a change was coming. THEN we found out Bonnie (counselor) was moving to Texas. We are all very sad about this. So in my mind I was sad that my calling may be ending.

On Monday we had a meeting and things were discussed. We felt pretty good we would be intact and we would just have to find a new counselor. Little did Megan (other counselor) and I know Jen T. was hiding something. After enrichment on Thursday Jen pulled Megan and I aside and told us we were all being released. Immediately a huge sadness came over me. One because we were being released from our callings and two because I knew I wouldn't be serving with this presidency again. I was sad because I need those women in my life. I have learned so much from them this last year and a half. We have meeting almost every Monday and it was the perfect spiritual lift I needed. I was sad that I wouldn't have this in my life.

Friday the bishop called around 9:30am. And asked if he could meet with Matt and I. He knew Matt was out of town and so we would have to meet Sunday. Matt went on a "brocation" with his friend Tom to see the BYU game. So I left to my mom's house because I couldn't be alone with my thoughts, I needed a distraction and also help with the kids. We spent the night on Friday and left late Sat. afternoon. But I felt it. I had a feeling. Don't get me wrong. I didn't think I am the one for the job. But something kept taking me back to the calling. So I speculated all weekend. Why would the bishop want to see both of us?

Sunday Matt got home at 12:15pm and we left 5 min. later with kids in tow to see the bishop. We sat down they talked football (which drove me crazy! I was thinking just spit it out bishop. Whats it going to be) He said "We would like to extend the calling of Relief Society President to you." A calmness came over me then a excuse me what did you say moment. There was some discussion and tears and he was probably thinking oh no she is a cryer. I got emotional over my kids. I told him I didn't want this calling to take me away from my kids. He counseled me and I felt better. So I accepted and he said that they would announce it in church today. The best part was that as we were leaving his office Carson threw a huge punch into Shea's back for no reason. I looked at the bishop and said "um you want to rethink what calling you just gave me." he laughed and said no. So we went home ate lunch and ten minutes later were out the door to church. So needless to say I didn't get a lot of time to process my feelings.

I was a mess in R.S. I hope the women do not think I was crying because I didn't want the calling. I was sad because Jen Tanner, Megan and Bonnie were no longer with me. I was also very humbled by all of the sister who came up to me and said they were excited for me and knew I could do it.

So my "no pressure" moment happened when I realized that the Stake R.S. President (Suzanne Kellis), the Stake Counselor over enrichment (Jen Tanner), Stake YW 1st counselor and also I think 3 to 4 sisters who have been R.S. presidents are in my ward. NO PRESSURE AT ALL! :)

I was reading my patriarchal blessing a couple weeks ago and the thought of R.S. Pres. came into my head. I brushed it off thinking yea in 20 years. I love my ward. I love the women in my ward. I know now why Matt and I bought our house out here in Surprise 4 years ago. It was the ward and how it would help strengthen my family.It is the women in this ward and how support each other. They are friendly, compassionate and service with all their might. I am so honored that the bishop trusts me to lead these wonderful women. Any one of them could do this job. My heart belongs in Relief Society and serving the women of this ward.

I tell people that I am good at organizing and not expressing myself spiritually. Pamela my sister in law said maybe that is why you were called. I have been thinking to myself lately that I want to know and study more. What a great opportunity heavenly father has given me. I love this church and I know it is true. It can bring you peace and happiness that you never thought possible. I hope I can be half the R.S. President that Jen Tanner was.

I can't go to church...

"I can't go to church... with a Dinosaur on my finger!"

Matt, Shea, Lacey and I were playing on my bed Sunday morning. Carson runs in and says "I can't go to church with a dinosaur on my finger!" It was so funny. So we captured the moment!

Shea wanted in on the action to!

Lacey and daddy checking out the sports highlights!