A perfect "10"

Tyler was only 7 years old when Peyton was diagnosed with cancer. He had just finished 1st grade. The kids and I moved in with my sister and her little girl (her husband was in Afghanistan) while Peyton received radiation.

Tyler's prayer one night during this time included "please bless me to be able to take care of mom and Aunt Josie". Seven. Just seven.

Our sweet Tyler is now into double digits. 10 years old.

So, 10 of the reasons I'm so grateful for this boy...

1. He will do what he knows is right even if it pains him.

2. He is fiercely protective of his siblings.

3. His imagination and creativity are astounding.

4. He loves my company.

5. He is a stellar example for those who look up to him.

6. He has a great sense of humor.

7. He is deeply and completely compassionate.

8. He is genuinely thoughtful.

9. He has a wonderful sense of self and purpose.

10. He is a hard worker.

We are grateful we get to be his family. He's a pretty neat kid.

9 years

Today 9 years ago our sweet Peyton joined our family...

It is days like today that make me more grateful than ever to know that he is happy, healthy, and in great company. It's days like today that I imagine he'll find away to let me know he loves me.

www.caringbridge.org/visit/ourpeyton

Gig 'em Ags!

We finally made it back to Kyle Field, the best place in the whole world to watch a football game.

Whoa!!!

You mean some of these things aren't "baby safe"?

(Really, MAM. You have a high paid advertising team and this is the marketing slogan they came up with? Thank you for letting me know that it is safe to give these baby pacifiers to my baby.)

We Ran Away!!!

Yep, for a week! Without kids! To Mexico! Robert planned it all by himself and it was SO much fun. It was our first getaway since our honeymoon 10 years ago. We just may have to make a habit of this.

New Toy

We have a pond by our house. Logically, we needed to find something to do with it. Tyler and his friend have learned to control it well and can take it out themselves.

Responsible Parenting, I know.

It's been a rainy summer. The kids were tired of being inside. I was tired of them being inside. This was a rainy day. So rainy in fact that this is how my neighbor went to get his mail. My kids weren't nearly so worried about getting wet. Tyler raced back and force igniting shrieks of glee from a drenched baby brother...
Trey took the opportunity to relax a little. Yes, there was enough water to keep the boogie board afloat...

Bailey did whatever she felt looked cute and then asked me to take a picture...

And Jack, well, Jack was enjoying the cool, crisp beverage served up by our sidewalk...

YUM!!!

Brenham

Good Grief We're in Trouble With This One...

So she's a girl. Yes. She's already planned her wedding, loves the big kiss at the end of movies, and giggles when Robert and I hold hands. Fine. Cute. But this is no longer where it all ends...

Yesterday, I got word that my daughter, my 5 year old little kindergartner, and her two new gal pals were sitting at the lunch table blowing kisses to a little boy the table over. If this was it I wouldn't be so concerned. Bailey, however, went on to explain to my inside source that she chases him around the playground so she can kiss him. We had the necessary "you don't kiss boys 'til you're 30" talk but I'm not so sure it sunk in. Today just before I left from volunteering I stopped by the cafeteria where Bailey and her little friends were occupying their usual spot. "Bailey has a boyfriend" is what I was greeted with. "Yep, she wants to kiss him". Lovely. There are still kids who are crying about being dropped off at school. In contrast, my daughter has already formed a clique and developed a questionable reputation.

For the record, there has been no kiss, nor is the whole idea endorsed or supported by us, her parents. We have raised her with good morals and standards, sent her off into the world, and after 3 weeks, this is what we are dealing with. Nice.

Also for the record, the little boy who is at the end of all these blown kisses is darling and has fantastic parents. I point this out only to note that at least she has good taste- the one reassuring fact in all this.

BBQ Anyone?

We've witnessed countless blessings that have come unexpectedly and have changed our lives. Our relationship with the Brazoria County Cavalry is one of them. When Peyton became an honorary Firefighter he was then eligible to become an honorary member of the Brazoria County Cavalry, in fact, he's the only honorary member of the cavalry. The day of his birthday party our street was filled with fire trucks and countless motorcycles, one of which even brought Santa. In our front yard they presented Peyton with his custom made leather vest and spoke of his strength, courage, and faith. We knew very little about them when they first extended their services but have come to admire, respect, and love the men and women who spend so much of their time in selfless service.

The following is from an e-mail I recently received. Thought I'd pass it along...

Cavalry and Extended Families,

Many of you have asked how you can make a donation or help Brazoria County Cavalry. Even though we need more of your time than your donations, we are asking you to assist us by purchasing BBQ plates donated by owner Joe Gordin of AMEN Cycles. Joe wanted to do something to support BCC and our Heroes. All proceeds from the sale of the BBQ plates will help BCC continue to purchase hats that we give to every Hero we go see.

We are asking you to come to AMEN Cycles located at 16195 Hwy 288, Angleton, Texas on Saturday September 4th 2010 between 11:00am and 1:00pm to help us help others. Those who serve our Country and County deserve everything we can give them. The BBQ plates will be sold for $10.oo each with the goal of selling 500 plates. Please let all of your friends know about this event. Our Heroes are worth it.

So with that, my friends, I invite you to treat your family to what I'm sure will be some fantastic Texas BBQ and know that you are supporting a very worthy organization that does a lot of good.

First Day of School

There are lots of pictures from this summer I still need to get up, but for the grandmas, these needed to get posted quick...

Tyler's in 4th, Trey's in 1st and Bailey is in Kindergarten.

After taking the one above, Bailey said "wait mom, I want a stylish one". She's crazy...

Jack will be starting preschool in a couple of weeks. Since hanging up the backpack rack in our kitchen he's wanted nothing to do with his. I wasn't too concerned. I figured once he saw the big kids with theirs he wouldn't object to using his. I was right. This is the second day of school...
Every morning since, and everytime I say "come on Jack, lets go get the kids" he runs over, grabs his backpack and heads out the door.

They've been coming home exhausted but are having such a good time. We expect only good things this school year!

My kitchen walls have been a work-in-progress for, uh, two years? Well, thanks to a much needed kick in the rear to get finished I now have only a little painting left to do (that's after stripping, priming, and texturing. Darn that bright springy floral wallpaper!).

So, I've been painting- with all the kids home- and awake. It's exciting!

I early on in my motherhood career learned that if I am to expect my children to be willing workers I have to, well, allow them to work. This tends to take a tremendous amount of patience on my part as I often cringe at the words "mom, can I help?" as they most frequently come when the work to be done has the potential for a mess. The bigger the mess potential, the more zealous the volunteers.

The kids were upstairs playing. I was painting. Quietly. Very quietly. Bailey needed a snack. My secret was out. She pleaded and promised to be SO careful. I gave her a small brush and told her exactly where she could paint. Then Trey needed a snack. He pleaded but wisely did not promise to be SO careful as he is fully aware that he and paint have yet to combine in a neat and orderly fashion. Again, if I always say "no" when they ask to help they will eventually just stop asking. Paint away, my little ones...

Top 10 things overheard during Ricker kitchen painting

10. "Mom, can I have a napkin?"
9. "Will you be mad if a little bit spills?"
8. "Oh, there's a little spot on the floor. Well, 1, 2, 345, 6..."
7. "Look! A smiley face!"
6. "Mom, can I have a rag?"
5. "People are going to think this looks SO nice when they look at the wall over there."
4. "How do you spell 'Welcome to our kitchen?'"
3. "Wow! The floor looks good this color too!"
2. "Mom, can I have the mop?"
and finally...
1. "No! Mom doesn't want the plug thing painted!"

I'm told I will miss "opportunities" like this in 20 years.

This almost makes up for the next post...



That's some Sunny D in the love cup. Smooth.
And the ABC stands for hugs, kisses, and loves in Spanish.
(Not sure when he took to addressing me as Jenna, though)

Rotten Banana

I've decided that I just love kindergarten. Why? Because it's just so darn amusing. I love how after spending just a few minutes having lunch with Trey's class I know the happenings of every child's family, who has the most checks by their name, and how many times they had to put their heads down. Nowhere else can so much information be obtained at such lightening quick speed. They are bold and bright and completely lacking any quantitative amount of verbal filtering.

A story...

A few weeks back I ventured outside my normal spectrum of t-shirt colors and showed up in Trey's class wearing a bright yellow shirt. It was cute. Bright, I admit, but it's summer.

"Mom, next time you wear that shirt you should wear yellow pants so then you'll look like a banana!"
"Ya Mrs. Ricker! You could be a banana!"
"Well Mrs. Ricker, you look like half a banana now!"

Darling.

Fun in the sun day was the last week of school. Each grade was assigned a color to wear. Kindergarten wore yellow.

I showed up in Trey's class wearing a brown top and denim skirt- no yellow on me.

"Ha! You all look like a bunch of bananas! A whole class full of bananas!"

18 voices nearly in unison as if they all had been waiting for an excuse to mock me:

"You look like a rotten banana!"

My comeback?

"I can make good banana bread. I'm allergic to all of you!"

And the win goes to the unruly 5 year olds.

Watch it wee ones or no summer play dates at the Ricker house for you!

What Could Have Been

The last few weeks of school are always crazy.

We've had music programs, award ceremonies, pack meetings, class parties, and cameos on the morning announcements. It's nuts. Wonderfully chaotic, but nuts.

With everything going on with our 3rd grader and kindergartner, it's made it even more evident that we are missing our little 2nd grader.

My heart broke as I watched his wolf den crossover and become bears. The spunky little group of boys who Peyton had so much fun with all stood as still as they could (which was not so still) as their parents put their blue neckerchiefs around their necks. When Peyton began scouts as a tiger he used to always say he couldn't wait to be a bear so he could have a blue neckerchief. He earned his wolf badge just weeks before he passed away. He was ready to move on to Bears. He never did get to wear blue.

I wish he could have walked up and proudly received the certificates he'd earned this year. He loved being recognized for his good work although you'd never guess it by the calm and collected way he would graciously accept the acknowledgement. He'd made the reading team, honor role, and I'm sure would have gotten a Reach Award. He's just that kind of kid.

Although I know it makes him smile, I sure wish he could have played on the fire truck that's been put up in his memory. It's perfect. Every time I see it I think "my Peytie would have loved it".

I'm sad Peyton will never get to have Tyler's teacher. It is in my opinion that every child everywhere should get to have his teacher. She is "practically perfect in every way". It breaks my heart that I should have a child in her class next year but won't.

We're ending this school year with one less child than we started it with. Peyton's good health had let me think for a moment of having 4 kids in the 5 grades of their school.

This has been a tough year for our kids but they have done as well as they have in large part because of love and support they've received from their teachers and friends.

This fall we will once again send 3 little Rickers off to school for what can only be a less eventful year.

First Day of School - August 2009

"Yours is the Earth, and everything that's in it.

And, which is more, you'll be a man my son".

-from "If" by Rudyard Kipling