James 1:2-18

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,[a] whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.

12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

Thank you Lord for our trials through our perfect gift, our son, Nicholas James

Funnel Cake Adventures

I know, I know, what does this have to do with Nicholas? Nothing. We have been wanting to try and make funnel cakes for years and decided today was the day!

Not bad for our first try.....Then again how bad could it be coated with sugar and chocolate!

Next adventure....sugar glazed doughnuts. And, yes, I will post pictures.

Magic Kingdom

Sorry, we took a break from our Make A Wish trip but now are on track again...

Day One...well really day two. Our first time to Magic Kingdom. The kids were bouncing out of their seats.

Me and Megs in front of Cinderella's Castle.

3 of the boys...Nicholas was too manly to take a picture in front of the castle.

"Warning, you might get wet on this ride" Wrong! I got soaked!! And it was first thing in the morning. Splash Mountain.

Gold Mountain Rush. That's Steve in the back with the grey shirt on. We laughed so hard on this ride!

It's a Small World. Not quite how I remembered it as a child at Disney Land. The family wasn't too impressed but I did hear them singing the song (even have Steve on tape!)

Back at GKTW taking pictures with Mayor Clayton.

And Mayor Clayton's wife...

We had such a great time which was good because that night brought on the stomach bug for Megan and Brandon. Day 3 we spent in the villa cleaning, sanitizing, washing clothes and then starting all over again.

MERRY CHRISTMASREMEMBER THE REASON FOR THE SEASON

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS

We've Got Talent....part 2

O.....M....G!!!

GO STEVE, GO STEVE, GO STEVE!

Scarlet Fever.....

......stinks with a big STUNK!

Still trying...

I am always trying to get Nicholas smiling and laughing on video! Whenever I start recording, he's stops. I turn off the camera and then he starts up again. I don't know what Neurology was thinking when they said he had a brain injury because he knows darn well what he is doing. And....we love every second of it :)

Below is short video. It is actually at the end of his laughing moment. If you pause the video at the very beginning you can see his precious smile. Seriously, push play, then pause and go back to O and 1 seconds and there is the smile that will make your day!

Give Kids The World

We made it! We checked in, got our info, had ice cream and then toured around. Megan and I rule the Richardson Clan and the boys know it! We are women....hear us roar!

This is inside the Castle Of Miracles where they place a star of each Wish child with their name on it.

The train station where the arcade is.

HUGE train set!

Even Nicholas is excited.

We all fit... snug as a bug in a rug. I know you are saying "Awwwww"

Each morning different characters show up at the village so that the Wish children can have special one on one time instead of fighting the crowds at the parks. Today was Mary Poppins, Pluto, and Goofy.

Brandon was hilarious with Goofy. He couldn't believe how tall he was.

Breakfast which was awesome as you can tell by the cleared plates.

Ol' Elmer was HUGE! It was so funny because Brandon and I were strolling by when we heard this weird snoring sound. We both jumped a foot! Looked around and didn't see anything. We thought someone was playing a joke. Finally we realized that it was the tree snoring! The inside of the tree is a playhouse which is also part of the Castle of Miracles. You get to the inside of Ol' Elmer by going into the Castle of Miracles. There you can play inside of the tree. Pretty Awesome!

Off to Magic Kingdom....after we clean that face!