i heart faces- orange!

i heart faces- orange   photo contest

I love orange....I even have an orange guest room in my house!

Here is Jack from last spring making bubbles with his tiger.  

He was so excited to have a matching Tigger hat to boot! Can you see his Jack Jack spunk?!

The second photo  below is just for fun....it was a hard decision!

8 months & 8 months

8 months in Ethiopia....

Tessa was 8 months old when we brought her home and into our family's life forever.  For 8 months she had a journey without us....there was loss, changes and her ability to thrive in her environment.  We didn't even know of her until she was 10 weeks old.  I wish I had more to give her from those first 8 months.  I do know she was loved and cared for well at the care center.  I also know that in that time she was resilient and left as healthy as possible.  She hadn't bonded to any one person, but she was loved and cared for.

8 months home....she has been loved and care for by us for 8 months.  At first I was a nanny to her.  I am sure of it.  But really, it was her only frame of reference "People care for me, but I don't have one person".  I felt her emotional distance in many ways, it was intense and painful. I was so ready to love her and be loved.  But it was going to take time.   I knew it would be different than my experiences with my birth sons, but you never know what it will feel like until you are in it.  With time, consistency and lots of love, touch and care the bond started.  It grew, and grew.  She began to reach for me, want to be comforted by me.  All beautiful signs of such an important developmental and lifelong skill....attachment.  It is complicated, but aren't all things that are this important!?  Being able to trust, to love and be loved.  We are there now....it is growing everyday.  I still look for the signs that she is giving me that say "I need you" and look for the moments when she seems distant.  Those distant moments seem fewer.

Our sweet girl is growing, changing all too quickly.  Babyhood with Tessa went so fast, she is a full on toddler now who loves to explore.  Actually, that basically all she does when she isn't restrained in a car seat or high chair now that I think about it.  I have emptied drawers to prevent some of her messes and moved dangers out of the way.  She has the most infectious little smile and laugh.  Her beauty is really stunning.  Tessa feels things intensely....yep, she has a temper!   She is a wonderful little soul, who we feel blessed to be guiding in this world.

8 & 8....Tessa, you have been with us now for as long as you we were without you in our arms.  Look how far we have come in just 8!  Here's to a lifetime.  We love you.

Believe

Iin...

love. peace. hope.

(piece from an artist's outdoor art display in Sausalito, CA- artist unknown)

Halloween trailer style

Why not start a Halloween post with our very own Halloween cat....

this is Felix, one of the 2 black cats that live at our house!  Here he was freaked out by a neighbor's dog. Now onto Halloween at the Rikkers!...trailer style!

Halloween 2010

Mario (aka Judson), Rex from Toy Story (Jack), Swampfire form Ben 10 (Drew), 

Purple People Eater (Tessa) & Andy as Best Daddy

Our silly cat...who is rather dog-like, followed the kids to the neighbors for trick-or-treating

In Monroe, you can go to "town" and hit all kinds of houses door to door.  We live just outside of town in the country, so we go trailer style.  (I hate to admit it, but this trailer does come in handy from time to time)   The kids loved being able to jump out at houses in our neighborhood.  Amazingly, the kids did awfully well with candy.  Since people out here don't have lots of trick or treaters the boys come away with loads of candy people don't want to keep!  

(Hence, I have way to much candy tempting me at all hours of the day!)

Rolling through the streets on Halloween in the trailer is all kinds of fun...making memories!

Napa...need I say more?

It has been a LONG time since we had a get-a-way as a couple.  (I know we just went to Ethiopia together 7 months ago, but that doesn't count as a vacation. It was all about bringing our sweet girl home, and while beautiful was a very emotional and difficult trip- that said...)   A trip lone as a couple!  I was resistant to the idea at first.  Crazy, maybe.  But was nervous about leaving Tessa.  Turns out she was absolutely, totally secure and fine in everyway.  Good to know for future get-a-ways!

Andy's conference was a great excuse to plan a trip to San Francisco and Napa Valley.
I had to share these shots from Napa.  How I love Napa.  Let me count the ways.....  o.k.  I am too tired to actually count all the ways.  But let me just say it was so relaxing, our tummy's were full of amazing food, and there is something about the way the roads just lead you to the next great taste of wine or great thing.  Love, love, loved it!

Us...all relaxed and feeling good by the vines

I just liked the way I could see the wine stains on these barrels... I wonder what it is all about....were they excited, messy...hmmm.

And then there is this view.

Napa valley has the same trees you see all over Italy.  I love those tall pine trees

- I need to paint this photo....

pink!

This photo is dedicated to our beloved Omie in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness and all things "pink".  Omie is all things wonderful, including a breast cancer survivor.  She exudes a quiet strength and is a woman I admire and love.  Omie raised 4 boys (including my wonderful husband) who are her greatest testament to her love, patience and kindness.  We are blessed to have her in all of our lives...and are especially grateful she is here to know and love this little bundle of pink!

Family. photo.

I love this family photo.  

It looks all perfect in the moment of a beautiful fall morning.....but I would be lying if I told you there wasn't any frustration right before it.   Sunday morning....morning rush, went to church and came home with the Frehners to take each other's family photos while we were all decently dressed and groomed! What does it take to get a family photo like this?  Sometimes a little bribery and a strong Mommy voice, a.k.a. a little yelling....well, Drew was half naked having took off his shirt right before this shot when he thought we were done.  I had to squeeze Jack a little extra tight to look in the direction of the camera.  Convince Juddy to relax his smile as to not look too posed.  Tessa had just gotten sad a minute before...I think it was too close to nap time.  Andy and I desperately wanting to get that nice family picture for ourselves and our Holiday card! But here don't we all look happy?  I think we really are, but sometimes it is an effort for all of us to show it at once!  

I love this photo.