The Richardsons

Grandma, Annie, and Maddie Grandpa and E-man building lego trucks We took our annual summer trip to Oklahoma this past week. Only this time we added a friend of Abegail's who's sister now lives in Tulsa. So Scott and I trudged through the airport with our four kids, looking very much like leaders of a multicultural camp experience. No stare missed us. At check-in, the lady from Delta asked Scott and I where we were going, she then preceded to ask Abegail and Tarry the same thing and said, "Oh you are going to the same place." Yes, we are all together. First we spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa and cousins Eli and Maddie, and Auntie Amber. (Oh and Foxy the dog, we can not forget my running partner in Oklahoma) Then we spent two days in Tulsa, at our annual MUAA reunion. (Mothers undertaking/understanding/underestimating African Adoptions) Here there were eight Liberian kids, all of whom spent time with A&E at the AFAA house, except Matthew who was...

Sue read this book and read me a chapter that hit very close to home. It has helped us put everything we knew about Emmanuel into perspective. We encourage anyone who has to deal with him to read the chapter. It is amazing, the brain is 85 percent developed by age 3 and 90 percent developed by age 4, when E-man was just coming home to us. CLICK HERE to read this chapter.

After a full birthday party, it's time for Emmanuel to write Thank You's . But getting E-man to do this is probably more painful than banging your head against the wall. We did get one done last night and it went like this. Mommy: E-man, do you remember why we write Thank You's ?? E-man: Because you make us. M: No. Well yes, but we do it to show people how much we appreciate how thoughtful they were right? E: Yea, right M: OK, let's start, To.. E: To what? M: let's write TO, T... E: I need a Popsicle. M: You don't need a Popsicle E: I can't write T without a Popsicle. (E-man goes to get a popsicle ) M: E-man you're eating two freeze pops at once? E: Yea. M: OK, T E: T M: O E: What color is my tongue? M: It's orange, please write O E: O M: now we are going to write Riley. (E-man chomps more on his popsicle ) M: R E: Now what color is my tongue? M: It's green and orange now, please write R E: R M: I E: I M: L E: How do you do a L? M: Like this,...

Today is the three year anniversary of our arrival home with A&E. Scott and I were talking about it today and it seems neither of us can remember anything that happened before July 10 th , 2007. Emmanuel is having his very own birthday party tomorrow, the first time without one with Annie. Some very nice boys are coming and even a soccer friend, here's a sneak peak at the cake. E-man decorated the second cake all on his own! One thing that has happened over the last three years, ( I think it actually happened in the first week) is these two girls are tight and apparently have seen one too many episodes of Toddlers and Tiaras. Abegail LOVES dressing Annie up and getting her to pose.