Thanks for Voting! Richard's Tree Won !

Oh Christmas Tree I'll VOTE for Thee!

I received something forwarded from Katie that I feel sure each and every one of you will want to cast a vote. Actually you can vote one time each day. Please read the following letter sent from someone we don't know but certainly can relate to and then go to the Neiman Marcus website. If by chance you are in Dallas this weekend for the White Rock Marathon benefitting Texas Scottish Rite Hospital or anytime this holiday season, I hope you'll get a chance to see this in person at the downtown NM store.

Hi – strange request but I could use your help for a friend. She has a son, Richard, who was born with Poland's syndrome and without one of his hands and he is missing the pectoral muscle on the same side. Richard is the strongest, most amazing child and when he was in kindergarten his friends would tuck their arms into their sleeves with only their elbow hanging out so they could "be more like Richard" because he was "so cool".

Richard is now 8 ½ and Neiman Marcus solicited children for their ideas for the Christmas Trees in the downtown Dallas windows of Neiman's. Richard's tree was chosen and he got the chance to work with the designers at Neiman's to build his tree. His idea was to build a tree of all the gifts that Texas Scottish Rite Hospital has given to children he has met over the years (wheelchairs, prosthetic limbs, crutches and the like). They were so impressed in working with him that Home and Garden Television (HGTV) recently did a story on the Neiman's trees and wanted to interview Richard for their story.

So now … Neiman's chose 6 trees and they were unveiled last week in downtown Dallas. They have opened up voting to the public for our favorite tree and well … here I am shamelessly asking you to go and vote for Richard because I know how deeply winning this would be for him. He has struggled with so many things that other little boys unknowingly take for granted and I have watched he and his family struggle and grow stronger over the years.

Just last month Richard was told by one of his teachers that if she were his mother she wouldn't have bought him tie shoes she would buy him Velcro shoes as she watched him struggle to tie his shoes on the playground. He came home in tears. He and and his mom, Lori, worked for literally years to learn to tie his shoes so he could wear tie shoes like his brothers and his friends. I can't imagine how I would have reacted … but not Lori … She just told him that "well, Richard, this is why god gave you to me – because he knew I wouldn't sell you short. You can wear tie shoes and tie them just like all the other boys – and I am raising you to be a man and a man you are already becoming."

I want him to win this one and I want his mom to have this win for him (and for her too). I want it for Lori because of the challenges she has faced with the schools and our community. I have a hard time writing and talking about him because of how deeply I have experienced this struggle from the outside and how deeply I love my friend and cannot begin to imagine the strength she has had to muster for things I know I have unknowingly taken for granted as a mother.

Sorry for the diatribe but if you could , would you please vote for Richard's tree on the Neiman's website (notice the prosthetic hands reaching to the sky he designed at the top ….:) – FYI you can vote once a day! NOTE: Vote for the 4th tree on the page

Here is the link to vote:

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/service/poll.jhtml?pollCode=trees&icid=LocalStorePageTwo

Designer Richard Fogarty with his tree

It's That Time of Year...

One of the things I most love about Christmas is that I can count on traditions...I am a sentimental person and I married a sentimental guy... course unlike me he is a little better at throwing out stuff ...I still have Katie's blankie and Adam's little overalls (as well as other countles boxes of stuff that brings back so many wonderful memories I can't bear to toss). Anyway I digress...

One of the things that has become a tradition in our family for the past 20 some odd years is the Men's Group Christmas Party. It always takes place in the home of the couple that has the newest home (consequently I have hosted a lot!)

This year it was at Susan and Bryan Rossman's home-thanks so much for hosting!

If you want to read more about the Men's Group you can go to our archives in the blog "Friends" [9-2-08]

To our dear friends in the Men's Group - we treasure your friendship and your prayers!

Merry Merry Christmas and here's to the next 20 years!

from l to r: Gary & Kelly Hodge, Elam & Betty Swann, Bill & Nancy Blomdahl,

Peggy & John Berry, Bryan & Susan Rossman, & us

~~~~~~~~

A somewhat newer tradition is one that began after our kids left home....Our friends Rick & Jane Rogers have a wedding anniversary on Dec. 1 and they asked us one year to babysit their daughter Sarah and we gladly said yes. Now we have been doing this for several years. Sarah and I make a craft (we started with painting an apron for her and then cooking dinner together)...some years the crafts were a total flop! Last year we made a gingerbread house and it was so successful that we did it again this year! A lot of fun!

Sarah brought a "sister" this year - the Rogers' exchange student from China - Yier Yin, whom we call Belle...Here they are making their Gingerbread Houses.

We had so much fun eating fondue for dinner (cheese & chocolate!) It was Belle's first time to eat fondue.

It was so much fun to do Christmas things with Belle and to glimpse it through her eyes. She is from Shang Hai, China and shared that in her country Christmas is commercialized and very few homes decorate. Merchants decorate the streets and stores in order to sell things. She asked me to explain the difference between Santa Claus and Jesus. Sarah helped me share a little.

I had planned to put up a lot of Christmas decorations but we were having so much fun that never got done. As I put up the manger the next night I was sad not to have Belle with me I would have liked to talk to her more and share how much I love putting up the manger - it is really my favorite part of decorating. I always wonder about that first Christmas and I strive to remember what the real reason for the season is, not getting lost in the stress and preparations. Belle made me focus on what my home reflects and she made me think of what I need to reflect. I think I decorated a bit differently this year...not more simply (can't go there yet!) but with a different goal in mind. I don't want our Savior Jesus to be outdone by Santa. I don't want anyone who is a guest in our home to miss who and why we rejoice.

A THANKFUL WEEKEND

We were so blessed to have Adam join us this year for Thanksgiving. He and his girlfriend, Megan, flew in from Colorado on Tuesday. We invited Megan's family to join us at the lake on Wednesday night for a huge bonfire and lots of ribs! This was so much fun it might become an annual tradition!

Mat Ricks, Megan Ricks & Adam

Julie's Mom Barbara, Katie Ricks & her sister Margie Koch

Tom, Bill Ricks & his brother in law Jerry Koch

Julie & Megan

Thanksgiving was very simple but also very special. We had a less formal meal but all the same food - What can be better than that! We played the day by ear and just relaxed, ate when we felt like it and then played games. Julie's mom also joined us for the day.

We took Megan and Adam to visit with his grandparents Brown on our way to the airport.

Tom, his brother Dan and I celebrated Dad's birthday in our guest suite at the retirement home with a catered in meal from their favorite Italian restaurant. Dad was really doing well this evening and so it was a special night for all of us. Before we left, we decorated Dad's room for Christmas.

The Wooden Bowl

This was sent to us by our sister-in-law Justine Brown - author unknown:

A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson.

The old man's hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered.

The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather's shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor.
When he grasped the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess.

'We must do something about father,' said the son. 'I've had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.' So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner.

There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather's direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone.
Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.

One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor.

He asked the child sweetly, 'What are you making?' Just as sweetly, the boy responded,
'Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up. '

The four-year-old smiled and went back to work.

The words so struck the parents so that they were speechless.

Then tears started to stream down their cheeks.
Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done. That evening the husband took Grandfather's hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.

On a positive note, I've learned that, no matter what happens, how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles four things:
a rainy day, the elderly, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that, regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a 'life..'

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.

You need to be able to throw something back

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you.

But, if you focus on your family, your friends, the needs of others, your work and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day, you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch --holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.

HOME ALONE!!!!!!

Dear Mom & Dad,

I was a little confused when we went to the airport on Thursday morning and instead of Lovie getting out of the car and saying goodby... you two got out of the car...then instead of unbuckling me to go along with you - you what? hugged me and kissed me goodby!!!!

Well...I sucked on my pacifier for a minute and then thought about it and I guess it's okay if you want to go away on a "special" weekend to celebrate Daddy's 30th birthday. Even though it isn't Daddy's birthday yet. But that's okay cause all the way home Lovie told me all she was going to do with me to make this a special weekend so frankly I think being home "alone" with Lovie is a whole lot better than going out to that California place and eating at restaurants and walking along a beach where the water isn't even warm. Plus she told me Cookie is flying in tomorrow!

We went home and after naptime - we had a yummy lunch of grilled cheese and then went outside and played ball with Ruby. We also took a walk to the duck pond and you know how I love that. I waved frantically at Hudson's house when we walked past but there was no sign of my good buddy!

The next day Lovie bundled me up in a hoodie and took me to the grocery store. I introduced everyone there to my Lovie and was very helpful taking things from Lovie and putting them in the shopping cart.

And then we went home for a nap and a lot of playtime! I read to Lovie from my new book about Handy Manny. I played and played and played with my jack-in-the box that my Uncle Adam's girlfriend Megan gave me for my birthday. I played hide-n-seek and catch with lots of different balls and then I helped clean up the kitchen by taking things out of my special drawer...and I practiced my piano!

But just in case you think I was always my sweet adorable little self....I want you to know that there was one time that I got really mad at Lovie because she wouldn't let me have the cookie cutters just cause she thought they might be ssomething called "sharp"!

I forgave Lovie and then we went to the airport to pick up Cookie!

Cookie loves to see me at the airport!

While you were gone, Ruby was pretty good but she pouted a bit under my chair when I wouldn't share any of my yummy food. I was a very good eater for Lovie & Cookie. They praise me a lot!

I helped a lot around the house too....I looked for cobwebs on the ceiling but didn't find any. I helped with the laundry too! And as usual I loved my bathtime and even helped put up the toys after I splashed as much of the water onto the floor as possible!

The next morning after my nap, Cookie and Lovie surprised me and took me to Odessa to a traveling petting zoo. We saw camels, tigers and monkeys but they were in tiny cages and didn't look very happy. However I did love the llamas "in pajamas" according to Cookie....and the goats which worried me a bit because they acted like they wanted to nibble me! My favorite part was the pony ride though. I was waving to everyone and trying to pet the horsie and really really loved riding!

When it was time to go eat lunch, I wasn't very happy about leaving the pony...but I obeyed.

I was too tired to last long in the restaurant so we went home after I ate and then all three of us took a nap. Cookie slept outside on the hammock but he made me go to my crib.

We played some more after our naps and of course took a long walk...fed some more ducks. And I tried to get Ruby to play ball with me. I also tried to bat the ball when Lovie threw it to me!

That night my other grandparents, Honey & G-Dad, came over to visit so I joined them in the living room for dinner. I am one lucky little boy to have all four of my grandparents love on me so much!

My Lovie said I had something called "cheek droppage" so she gave me a fast bath and rocked me - I was very tired and I think I might have been asleep before she put me in the crib! Sometimes that happens with my Lovie!

The next morning, we decided to not go to church because I had a bad cough and didn't want to give that to any of my friends in the nursery. So Cookie and I made what he makes best - Cookies! And then we watched a little football on tv before he had to drive back to the airport.

I gave my Cookie a big kiss goodby....Lovie got one too the next day (but there wasn't anyone to take that picture) and Lovie always cries a little too even though she knows she will see me again in about three weeks!

So Mommy and Daddy if you ever want to leave me home "alone" again, I just want you to know that it is okay with me as long as you leave me with my Lovie and Cookie. They minded all your rules and seem to be very happy taking care of their little grandson!

Love, Will