Exciting News!

2012 started off with some pretty exciting news ~ We are adding another member to our family!!! =)

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I can't tell you how excited I am to share this with you...come July we will add a girl to the Ritchey clan.

We are all SOOO excited & thrilled! 

Now before you jump to any more conclusions...=) 

Did you catch that I said "Ritchey" not the Crawford family...Greyson won't be getting a sister THIS soon =) BUT he will be gaining an AUNT!

My brother Brandon has been dating Richelle McCullough for the past 3 (almost 4) years.

On New Years Eve (after just returning back to PA from their time with us in AL) Brandon prepared a very special evening for his girlfriend. They were going to celebrate their Christmas together so the plan was to get all dressed up & have a romantic dinner, then open their gifts to each other.

Brandon (with lots of help from my mom) got everything set up in front of the tree.

When they were finished eating, & had opened most of their gifts, the last one for Richelle included something very special. Even though it looked just like another Christmas present, & EVEN though she unwrapped a gray velvet box...the word is she didn't want to get her hopes up; she was totally surprised!

 Brandon didn't want to go into the year 2012 without being engaged...he had thrown her off completely & her mom had even asked if she thought Brandon would propose at this special dinner. Richelle said NO...not this year anyway! Later that day Brandon got permission from her mom & dad to marry her so it all worked out perfectly!

Reenacting the proposal 

The happy couple!

And the beautiful ring that he proposed with! 

(I copied all of these pictures from Richelle's facebook)

We are ALL so happy that Richelle is about to join our family. Their wedding is set for July & we can't wait. Richelle has become a very special part of our family...from day one she fit in perfectly & has become like a sister to me. With no pressure, I had told Brandon when we found out that I was expecting Greyson, I was going to have him call Richelle...AUNT Richelle =) even if they weren't engaged or married yet! haha I guess that got him moving because they will be married before Greyson learns to say that! We are blessed to have such a special, sweet, amazing & talented person added to our growing family & Brandon is one lucky guy! 

Congratulations Brandon & Richelle! We are SO happy for you & love you both so much!

Christmas 2011

I'm finally getting around to sharing about our Christmas! 

It has been a very busy time for us this month with a lot going on in Matt's family...without going into many details, please keep Matt's mom in your prayers. She is facing a lot right now & we all would greatly appreciate you remembering her & our family.

We had several celebrated Christmas' this year from a breakfast supper at Matt's aunt & uncles house, to Christmas eve with the rest of the Wilcox's playing dirty santa & then our Christmas day with the Crawfords & finished up with my family the day AFTER Christmas. (I have a feeling I'm going to say Christmas a LOT in this post!!)

Christmas at Aunt Maudine & Uncle Jimmy's

 Christmas at the Crawfords playing Dirty Santa with the Wilcox's

Pictured:  Bethany, Brent, Uncle Jimmy, Kayla & Jac

 Mark holding Allison & Rachel holding Greyson

Ben, Jac, Allison, Christa & Mark

Anyway, as you know we had Greyson dedicated on Christmas morning. Our church only had a service at 11am, so for us to celebrate Christmas as a family, Matt, Greyson & I got up early & went to GeeGee & G'pa's to see what Santa brought us. 

Greyson all ready to go

When we arrived, we found out that since we have started a new generation that Santa only visited Greyson this year. HA! it is well known that Santa doesn't have time to wrap gifts, so they are all laid out, but Matt & I had wrapped gifts this year, so I guess those were from Lela & Leslie! =)

Greyson's gifts from Santa

 Our gifts from L&L

Ben showing off the civil war gun he got, WHILE holding my son =)

G'pa & Greyson

Later that afternoon, after church & the dedication we went back over to the Crawfords for lunch. Mom, Brandon & G'mama & G'daddy joined us this time. G'mama gave us one gift that was not for Christmas, but rather a coming home present for Greyson.

She painted a picture of our house so that Greyson can have it when he grows up & moves away. His first home! =) We love it!! 

We had a wonderful time on Christmas day & it was cold enough to have a fire =) 

The next day, after dad & Richelle arrived from PA, we had Christmas with the Ritcheys at our house.

Our stockings....can you guess which one is Greyson's?

Presents!

PJ's from mom & presents for me & Greyson

(p.s. We moved a bed into the living room for Richelle & Brandon slept on the couch & we also had a pack & play set up in there so our living room was transformed with extras)

 Opening Greyson's gift from Uncle Brandon & Aunt Richelle

A puffy vest & shirt (SO CUTE) that Brandon was very proud of! He couldn't wait for me to see it...I have always loved those vests for little kids & am so excited for him to wear it this fall.

opening presents

 Greyson's hospital pictures & announcement for mom & dad

 Mom got a Kindle from dad & was SO surprised =)

Tink enjoying the boxes & wrapping paper

Christmas isn't complete without some Christmas cookies!

So that ends the festivities of the holidays this year. It was so wonderful to reflect on what God has done for my family & that he gave us the most precious gifts we could ever ask for...His Son as our Heavenly father & OUR son to enjoy on earth. I am so blessed & thankful for all that He has given us.

Greyson's Dedication

{December 25, 2011}

*Christmas Sunday*

Christmas was a special day. Not only did we celebrate Jesus' birth & remember why he came to earth, but we celebrated Greyson's birth & thanked God for bringing him into our lives. 

All ready for church

So thankful to have Nana with us!

The dedication was done by our pastor Bob Blankenship, & we were surrounded by our family. Unfortunately most of my family was missing, but I am so glad mom & Brandon were able to be there. Dad was still up north preaching at his own church & he & Richelle drove down as soon as it was over.

Matt's family included his mom & dad, 2 brothers, grandparents & aunt & uncle. 

Greyson was only 2 weeks old when we had him dedicated. What's even more special about this day was that Matt was also dedicated on a Christmas Sunday! It was a wonderful day & we are so glad that not only was Jesus given to us so long ago, but we were able to give Greyson back to Him.

Giving us 3 roses

Giving us Greyson's first Bible with his name engraved on it

 {Family Photos}

With Nana & Uncle Brandon

With Uncle Ben, GeeGee, Uncle Jac & G'pa

Now with Gmama & Gdaddy

& then with my mom & brother

 
The pastor & his wife

 {4 Generations}

{Ritchey's}

Uncle Brandon

So sweet, but so funny! That look on his face is priceless!

"Him loves his Nana!" - Chris Ritchey

Pastor Blankenship- Greyson cried when he held him during the ceremony, but seemed fine here!

{Father & Son}

My prayer is that Greyson will grow up to know the love of God & that one day he will give his heart to Jesus & live for him. I want nothing more than to see my baby make it to heaven!

{A Mothers Prayer}

My sweet baby on loan from above

No better treasure could I more love

I stand here beside your bed as I pray

I lay my hand on your head & say

May you grow up to serve Him all of your days

May He lead you & guide you in all of your ways

May His hand bless your future with friendships that last

May you cherish your youth & not grow up too fast

I stare in wonder at your tiny frame

Just to think that God knows you by name

He knows every hair on your beautiful head

He knows your thoughts before they are said

May God grant you peace in the midst of the storm

May God give you strength even when you're forlorn

May you answer the door when Jesus comes knocking

May wisdom guide when your mouth is talking

May discretion protect you & keep you pure

May you never stumble or fall for a lure

May your heart remain humble to the very end

May uprightness & truth be what you defend

May the world not ensnare or change who you are

May the light that's within you shine like the starts

May angels surround your body, spirit, mind

May favor & peace be yours to find

May rejection & pain never reach you

May your spirit grow bold for what you're called to

As you rest in God's care I will rest, too

Knowing that Jesus is watching over you

Amen