The Richardsons

Abegail made a Valentine's book in school. She had to talk about two things or people she loved, who she would send a Valentine to, and who one of her favorite people was. This is what she wrote. I love my family because when I need help they are always in need to help me. Another way I love my family is that we have so much fun together. Plus we love each other the same. I love my other family in Africa because even though they weren't rich they still cared for me very much and they also tried their best to keep me safe and to have enough food to eat. I want to send a Valentine to my friend Victoria because we like to be nice to each other and we like to stand up for each other. By making each other feel good we like to tell how great it is to have a friend like us. One of my favorite people in the whole world is my Mama and Papa in Africa because if I didn't have my Mama I wouldn't have been born. Another way I love them that they made me have a better life and...

Abegail and Emmanuel have asked repeatedly if there are any baby pictures of them. So finally we asked Alexander if he had any. He said he didn't think so, at the time E-man was born they were moving out of Monrovia to get away from the violence. But he did manage to find two pictures. He sent them back with Karen who just returned home with two more children. They are small in real life, but the kids were thrilled. We made several copies to send back with a family going on a mission trip and the originals so the Davis family will still have them. The first picture is Emmanuel at age two, the second is Abegail's school ID at 2 1/2. She went to a school associated with the YMCA. It is fun to see what they looked like when they were younger. Quotes From Emmanuel: M: Emmanuel we have to sign up for the next session of Y sports. Do you want to play basketball or soccer? E: I want to play Tennis. M: They don't have Tennis. E: Then I want to play golf. M: It's ba...

Here's the video from the recital...scroll down for the whole story and some great pics!

I will start by saying they did a great job. Abegail and Annie had a dance recital this weekend and they were fabulous and of course some of the cutest kids there. Scott promised me he would post the video later today. In the meantime I'm posting photos both of the dress rehearsal and the afternoon show yesterday. Yes, there were two shows, the first at 1 p.m. and the 2 nd at 6:30 p.m. yesterday and they each lasted 2 1/2 hours. We got to the dress rehearsal (3 plus hours and we left early) and the theater was full of moms and costumes and lost costume pieces and some lady telling us our kids shouldn't wear underwear with their leotards and I immediately said, "this is insane." One Mom looked at me and said, "this isn't your thing is it?" That's the understatement of the year! Tights, puffy hair, shoes, different shoes...no winners or losers, just for fun?? No opportunity to be the best, no possibility of a college scholarship, is this a really go...