My other blog

Well, I have been having trouble with people being able to see my other blog so for now I took it off being private and will work with to see what the problems is. The url for that blog is robandkathie.blogspot.com or it is a linked under The Ricks Family Blog in my favorite blogs on the side.

Still Here and Kicking

Well, just in case you were wondering if I am still alive I am. We have been busy and someday when I have a couple of hours I will edit and post pictures from our honeymoon and wedding. But for now I am living, just busy.

Job News
We have been greatly blessed. Rob started a job as a campus analyst for Lonestar College last Monday. So far so good. He is in charge of a campus about 25 minutes from here - which in Houston is an awesome commute.

Me - I hope to start a job on the 18th of Oct. I am waiting on the offical offer from HR and they said it should be the first of this week. It is as a research coordinator with the University of Texas, School of Public Health. I will be running a study and assisting with another - both deal with cancer prevention through screenings and vaccinations. I am excited even though it will change our almost developed normal again but it will all work out. My biggest struggle is putting Marlissa and Elizabeth in a daycare I trust to love and care for them. I know it will be fine but my heart hurts a little when I think about it.

Family News
We are settling into what we think is normal life with two parents and 5 kiddos. Over all things are going well - there are adjustments but there are always adjustments and Rob and I are continually amazed at how much the Lord blesses us each day. We have a great ward, good friends, a lovely home to live in, supportive and loving family and 5 great kiddos. We are richly blessed.

Fun
We have been able to do some fun things, like parties, going to the beach, etc. We love having a great park down the street from us. We enjoy it a lot and the kids love to be able to ride their bikes around and play with friends. This weekend we enjoyed amazing weather by taking walks, playing at my parents farm and watching General Conference. Rob and I were able to go to the temple on Friday night and it was wonderful. What a great weekend it was.

Short News Update

Dissertation Update:
If you haven't heard - on Tuesday I had my dissertation defense and I passed. I made the corrections and now am waiting the feedback from my advisor. Should know something on Monday.

Moving Update:
Rob, I and the babies traveled to Atlanta last weekend to find a place to live. A long story short we felt that Atlanta was not where the Lord wanted us right now, as we looked I became more nervous and anxious and there was absolutely no peace. So, we talked about things we discussed moving into my parents rental home (which is where I lived in HS). Their renters broke their lease and moved out 2 weeks before Rob and I got married so it was empty, plenty big (much bigger than what we were looking at), and a home I love. So we called my parents and talked to them and they agreed to us renting the house! Yeah for having wonderful parents! So, after my defense we packed and then yesterday we packed the truck, cleaned the apartment and drove the truck to Herrin. We got here about 4:20am - the babies slept the entire time but did sleep in some so we got about 4 hours. We will be moving to Houston this weekend so we are trying to finish everything up here in Herrin. Lucky for the kids school doesn't start till August 23rd!

More updates to come on this and the other blog but we need to get settled first so please be patient.

The Other Blog

There seems to be a little bit of confusion on the invite that I was suggesting for the other blog. It's address is http://robandkathie.blogspot.com/. For most people that may want to read I have already put their email addresses into the system and then all you will need to is go to the blog and enter your email address and password and it will let you in.

Hope to see you there!

I got married

On June 19th, 2010 I got married!

It was a wonderful day and it has been great ever since.

I hope that marriage is this natuaral and easy for everyone.

I am still waiting on the wedding pictures and will post some as soon as I can.

I will be posting pictures of the beautiful areas the we traveled to on our honeymoon soon.

I have started a new blog for the Ricks Family. I have made it private, so if you want access to it and haven't recieved an invite then please leave me a comment letting me know.

Girls Night Out

The Wednesday before we got married we had girls night out, a family tradition when ever we are all together.  We decided that we would go and eat and then attend a temple session.  It was a fun night - Beth, Dallas, Shelly, Cyndi, Donna, Mama and I ate yummy Italian food and then headed over to the temple.  We had a great server, he put up with all of our silliness and our constant need for water, bread and whatever else.  He even sang me a "marriage" song - "here comes the bride, all dressed in white..."  The temple was nice and peaceful - the perfect thing for a hectic and emotional week.

Family

I have been home since Sunday and it has been wonderfully relaxing. I have gotten two massages to help with my neck and back, worked on my dissertation, sewed, hung out and eaten yummy food. I get married in a week and a day! Rob and family will be here on Sunday and I am very excited. Next week will be a whirlwind I suspect but a good one at that. I am very excited to start my new life with Rob and the kids and just in case you were wondering - no, I am not nervous, have cold feet or anything else. I am happliy anticipating being sealed for eternity next Saturday to the man I love and who has become my best friend. The next weeks and months will be crazy full of things (travel, moving, defending my dissertation, family reunions, getting jobs hopefully) and there is such an incredible peace about it all that I am truely feeling blessed.

I like this quote - I pray daily that I will know how to be the mother and wife that Rob and the kids need. Lucky for me I have great examples all around me of those roles, people who are willing to talk and give advice and I am very grateful.
"Our most important and powerful assignments are in the family. They are important because the family has the opportunity at the start of a child's life to put feet firmly on the path home. Parents, brothers and sisters, grandparents, aunts and uncles are made more powerful guides and rescuers by the bonds of love that are the very nature of a family."
Henry B. Eyring, "Help Them on Their Way Home," Ensign, May 2010, 23

I hope you are all well. I look forward to seeing you all in the coming months.

Memorial Day Weekend

This Memorial Day weekend I spent with Rob and the kids.  It was a filled weekend but it was good.  Rob and I meet up on Friday at the temple where we did the temple work for Aunt Verda and Uncle Clyde (brother and sister).  It was a great day in the temple and we got to seal them to their parents after the session. 

Sister Bartholomew, Denise Black's mom, made this beautiful blessing dress for Elizabeth.  Unfortunately our baby was born big and just keeps on growing.  We tried on the dress this weekend and it barely covered her belly, but it is beautiful.  So I got some pictures to show everyone.

Saturday we worked on the house getting it ready to sell, went to the parade, and then went to the park and had a picnic and then hung out and watched movies. Sunday we to church, made fruit turnovers from scratch and just relaxed.

Marlissa trying on a hat

Monday we were invited by Rob's brother, David and his wife Stephanie to a BBQ at their home in St. Louis.  It was nice to finally meet them and we all had a good time, ate yummy food and just hung out with cousins and new friends.

Marlissa had a ENT appointment in St. Louis on Wed. so we decided to stay the night or rather nights.  We got two rooms at a hotel and divided up (the girls versus the boys).  Tuesday we went to the zoo, it is really very pretty, and had a great time swimming in the hotel pool and eating pizza in our room.

Can you find the Rhino in the picture above?

Wed. Rob and Marlissa went off to the doctors appointment and the rest of us went and had a yummy breakfast at Waffle House and then off to the Science Center.  By that time we all were hungry again and tired and ate yummy Chinese and drove on home. 

Making an arch - Sammy

Finding the best foundation for an earthquake.

Looking a cool back-lit map.

She doesn't like her picture taken at all - can't you tell?

Sunday I leave for TX.  I am still working on the last bit of editing for my dissertation but it is coming along and in 15 days I get married.  Lots of changes for everyone - we are still working hard at finding jobs and hope and pray that we will hear something soon.

Goodbyes

Columbia, MO has been my home now for 4 years and 4 months, there is only 1 other place that I have lived that long continuously in my entire life and that is Cypress, TX. I guess what also contributed to the whole thing is that my parents moved from my Cypress home to Plantersville, TX about 9 months after I moved here and so I go home to my parents but not to my old home any longer. So, consequently Columbia has in many ways become home to me. But like Rob tells me continually home is where my heart is and my heart is always with me. :) I have learned to love Columbia, the small town feel in an OK size place, the good access to two good size cities, Kansas City and St. Louis - both only 2 hours away. I have loved going to the St. Louis temple and visiting Nauvoo as often as possible but it isn't any of the places, building or shops that I will miss it is the people I have fallen in love with.
As most know I grew up moving a lot and I liked it for the most part - still get that itch to move every two years or so and have done my fair share of moving since graduating from HS (about 10 or 11 moves) but it is always the people that draw me in. I will miss the great people of Columbia. I have worked with some of the most Christ-like and loving people I can even imagine. They have taught me so much about what it means to be true disciples of Christ and how to walk in His ways. I have been blessed to make amazing friends and strengthen friendships that already existed that will continue for years to come. Those friendships and the things I have learned from them are worth more than all the degrees I could ever get. I have served in the best ward I have ever attended as an adult. I know you really aren't supposed to say things like that but it is true. I sat today, a little emotional, as I looked around at all of the great families that have shaped my life for good. The amazing moms and grandmas that are so incredibly patient and loving to their children and I just hope and pray that I can be like that. I think about the amazing sisters I had a privilege of serving in primary and YW with and their amazing talents, testimonies and abilities and wonder why I was so blessed to be in such an amazing ward for such a long time.
Today was my last day but lucky for me I get to take with me all that I learned, felt, observed, and experienced within the last 4 years as my testimony has been largely enriched. My next ward has so much to live up to :) but I am so grateful for a church that is the same everywhere, because the gospel is true and I know that to be true.

Defense Date

Today I made it offical - I will be defending my dissertation on July 13th at 1:30 PM. A part of me can't wait and a part of me realizes how much work there is before that time! So I am off to do more reorganization!

Email

This is the email I just sent out:

Hello Committee! It has been over a year since we last met. Since that time we have lost Michael Lambert and have gained Dr. Tina Bloom, School of Nursing. Welcome Tina!

At this point I would love to see what everyone's schedules are like for the week of July 12th for my dissertation defense. Linda will be need to be skyped in because she has taken a new position in Virginia so we will need to take that into consideration as well.

If you haven't heard I am getting married on June 19th so you will have my dissertation to you before that date for review. In order for me to meet graduate school cut-off dates for August graduation, I must have my final papers to the graduate school by July 23rd. So, Jean felt the week of the 12th would work well. Please let me know what works best for you.

Thanks for your support,
Kathie

Stake Conference with Elder Scott

We have been greatly blessed in our stake these last two days. In the scriptures the prophets often say that there are things that could not be written, Rob and I have recently discussed that this might be because sometimes there are not words for the way(s)that one feels the Spirit. That is how I have felt this weekend so I will do my best to give you some highlights of the doctrine taught and the impressions I received.
First off, our Stake President, Elder Reall of the Seventy, was released (what an incredible, loving and wonderful teacher of the gospel). Our Stake YM President was called to be the new Stake President, President Houseman, my old Bishop, President Mingus, and a current Bishop, President Lambson. They will do a great job.
So what I learned - Saturday night.
*to remember to share the gospel through how I live
*that we have to constantly restrengthen our testimonies and ourselves - we must nurture and replenish or our seeds will no longer grow
*not to spend time with things of little worth - that is different for us all
*to make sure that what I am doing in life is not diverting me from the things that are most important in life
*how important trust is - in ourselves, those we love and in the Savior
*how important it is to teach our children about the temple - to point them there
*to teach about modesty, moral values, covenants and the value of attending the temple to our children so they will want to go someday
*the covenants we make in the temple are eternal and binding - we can lose them through disobedience but why would we chose that if we understand the plan - justice allows for us to have whatever we earn here on earth
*the atonement is very real and allows for all of our fears, sorrows, insecurities, and of course repentance that we all need
*that studying the scriptures - really feasting upon the word allows us to grow closer to our Savior
* that I need to evaluate my study habits and that through the scriptures I can receive the answers I need
* how incredibly important the influence of good parents are in the home
*that our Savior lives, He loves us and leads this Church
*that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God and restored this amazing gospel

Temple Patrons Fund

During Stake Conference the Elder Lawrence of the Second Quorum of the Seventy was visiting and speaking and spoke of the Temple Patrons Fund. I had never heard of it before but it sounds wonderful. In essence it gives those that will not ever be able to afford to travel to a temple to go for themselves with assistance from all of us! Of course there are things the saints have to do to help - they have to committ to going (set a date) and make a significant contribution (of their income). Elder Lawrence was mission president in Siberia and the nearest temple was in Sweeden. It took at least a year of planning, 42 hours of travel there and then at least that much back. The cheapest the church could manage the trip was $500 of which only 1-2% of the saints could afford. This program is for first time goers only - taking out their own endowment (could be their only time to go in their life). It allows them to experience those temple blessings. Like the Prepetual Education Fund this is a Fund you can donate to on your tithing slip - just write in TPAF under other. I think it is incredible and had never heard of it before. Here is a link to the information on the church website.

Elizabeth, Eliza, Zaba

Elizabeth Jayne already has many different names.  I call her Eliza, Rob calls her Zaba, and the kids usually call her Elizabeth.

I wanted to get a picture of her this weekend but she was tired and her eye is a little guppy and it was late by the time we got to it so I got one good one where she didn't move. 

We are going to make an announcement of her birth - even have a picture of a live stork to put on it (from our recent trip to the zoo) but wanted to know which of these three you would use.  It is the same picture just with different tints or whatever used.

Picture A

Picture B

Picture C

I think she is beautiful, Rob thinks she still looks like an alien.  She is lying on a very soft blanket that Aunt Asia made for us and sent all the way from Germany - I think she likes it.  If she doesn't Rob and I love it.

So give me your votes - which one should we use?

The Weekend

This last weekend Rob and most of the kids headed to Kansas to get Elizabeth. We decided that we would meet up in St. Louis and go to the zoo, have lunch, etc. The kids wanted a picture of everything we saw (thank goodness for digital cameras) but I spare you that.






After feeding the kids and getting them to the Blacks for a movie and bed (Thanks again Denise and Jason) Rob and I worked on an electronic version of a wedding invitation. We are sending out annoucements with a picture of the family after the wedding but I wanted something to send out now. It took a while but looks nice.

Saturday, Katie stayed with me and hung out while Rob was in KS. She had her first sewing lesson, she has been begging me to teach her since Christmas. She did a great job and it was a learning experience for me as well, I have never taught a 10 year old how to sew before. Had to really think through some things as I was talking with her or as we came upon problems. But in the end she did a great job and it looks really cute on her.

Sunday Rob drove back and we walked to the park, had dinner and relaxed a bit before they needed to head back to Herrin. It was a nice weekend.

David Glenn Leavitt

Today, my nephew, David Glenn Leavitt, turned 8 and was baptized. It is pretty neat to be batized on your birthday and David is a pretty awesome kid. He was so excited to get baptized that he literally jumped into the font ready. After he was baptized and received the Holy Ghost he was just a beaming little boy! So cute. After the batism we had some refreshments there at the church (great job Donna) and just hung out and had some fun. It was well worth the visit.

Brad and David

David with his cake

David and Joy

Lessons Learned While Gardening

Yesterday I flew home for my nephew, David, baptism today. This morning we did a bunch of yard work. So as most know there is a lot of be learned in the process of growing plants and caring for a yard. So here are some of the things we learned.

Mandy pointed out that grass have really deep roots and are hard to pull up but weeds pull out really easy. So we talked about how if we create deep roots in our lives with the gospel (read the scriptures, pray, go to church) then we too will have deep roots and a solid foundation.

Nathan was bringing the wheel barrow over to help haul away some trimmings and hit a rut, the path he had chosen was one of the lowest in the yard and he couldn't get the wheel barrow up and over without help. As my mom walked over she said "If you had stayed on higher ground this probably wouldn't have happened." How right she is! As we chose the higher ground we are more able to create those deep roots we all need.

When I was wedding I kept coming across weds that were growing among the rocks placed as the barrier of the flower bed. These weds are the nasty, spiky kind that hurt your hand as you pull them out. And just as the Savior taught they were incredibly easy to pull from the rocks. Where you chose to grow makes all the difference!


Finally, I think that process of planting a simple seed and watching it grow into a great plant that gives me yummy vegetables is its own kind of miracle. I think that is one of the many ways that the Lord allows us to participate in the work of creation and teaches us patience and care.

A Conversation Among Men and Photos

Today is Jason Black's birthday and so I went and watched the 4 big kids so that Denise and Jason and Gilead could go on a date. Happy Birthday Jason, hope 34 treats you well! While watching the boys I overheard some very interesting conversations between Ephraim (6) and Simeon (4). They went like this:

S: When I grow up I am going to be a MAN!
E: Well, that is a lot of work you know to be a good man, like Daddy and President Reall.
S: What kind of work?
E: I don't know but it takes a lot of time at church!

As a side note Jason is the secretary to our Stake President who was just sustained as a General Authority on Saturday during conference and the boys sometimes get to accompany their dad after church on Sunday to the Stake offices while Pres. has his interviews. E. is right is does take a lot of work to become a good man or woman!

Minutes later in the conversation I hear:

S: I am not a mammal.
E: Yes, you are!
S: No
E: Mammals have hair and we have hair, mammals feed their babies milk and mommy feeds Gilead milk - see we are mammals.

I would appreciate that kind of logical when I defend my dissertation - she said she would do XXXX and she did XXX - she passes - yeah Kathie!

S: Do you think that yellow butterfly has a mommy?
E: I don't know, why?
S: Because mommy's take care of us and feed us and love us

Thought Denise and all other mothers might want to hear that - Mommy's are really important!

Here are the covenanted pictures of Elizabeth Jayne - I have not seen her and did not take these photos but she just looks huge. Marlissa wasn't pleased with the invasion of another baby into her life last night and wouldn't look at her - in the picture below she is a least facing her. Could be a long couple of months at the beginning of this!

Elizabeth in all her 10 pound glory - she just looks so huge!

Rob, Marlissa and Elizabeth - not sure why Rob is looking down.

Caleb, Katie, Marlissa, Elizabeth, Grandma Sarah and Sammy

Easter Weekend

Happy Easter Everyone!  We started the day off we a nice surprise!  Elizabeth Jayne Ricks was born this morning just after 8am.  She weighed in at 10 lb 1 oz and 20 1/2 inches longs.  She is just about 8 pounds lighter than her sister Marlissa who is 14 months older!  No pictures yet but as soon I get some/take some I will post them. 

Friday I traveled to St. Louis to go to the temple and then came to Herrin where I picked up Katie and we went and had some bonding time.  We got her a dress and a hair cut.

Saturday we watched conference and ate some yummy snacks.  I found a recipe for this popcorn cake and it was really yummy and for all of those Ball's out there - this is a pretty perfect snack.

Here is the recipe:

Popcorn Surprise Cake

Ingredients:

12 cups popped popcorn

Peanuts (as many as you like)

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons butter

One 10 ½ oz bag miniature marshmallows

1 teaspoon vanilla

M&M’s (as many as you like)

Butter the angel food cake pan and spatula. Put the popcorn and peanuts in the mixing bowl. Melt butter in saucepan over low heat, stir in marshmallows, continue stirring until melted, pour over popcorn and peanuts and stir. Mix in M&Ms and press mixture into buttered cake pan. Push down mixture until even. Let the cake rest at least 1 hour before unmolding.

Conference has been wonderful so far.  I have loved so many of the talks and the kids have done well with their conference packets and drawing.  Lucky for us Marlissa has chosen the conference times to sleep through mainly so we haven't even had to entertain a baby!

Last night while Rob was at Priesthood Session the kids and I dyed Easter eggs.  It went pretty well except for one of the dye color tubes split over sending blue dye across the table and the kids - so after cleaning that up we again dyed eggs and placed stickers on their "faces".  I think it was fun! :)

Easter - this morning I came over and saw what the Easter Bunny had left the kids - candy, a book and some needy t-shirts for this spring weather.  I decided to make butterscotch sticky buns for breakfast and we made the dough yesterday with the bread maker so Rob added blue food coloring just for fun. 

So we had lots of hard boiled eggs, bacon and blue sticky buns after some chocolate of course!

I hope that you all enjoyed conference and had a wonder Easter as we did.