Dashing Through The Snow!!!

HAPPY LAST-DAY-OF-NOVEMBER Y'ALL!!!!!

I hope you all had a WONDERFUL week! This week has been crazy busy! So real quick....

Days that have gone with the things I am thankful for:
~Monday 11/26:
Josh & Alexa came over to watch a movie and we got to eat take out-Chuy's-can you say Delicious!!! And to have your best friends over is always awesome, we always have so much fun!

~Tuesday 11/27:
I got a little ahead of myself thinking it was Wednesday because I was looking forward to the "Angels of Light." Tuesday night, after posting about the Instagram idea, I made our "Richards Family Know It All Book" {aka Folder}. And I love to be organized so the folder makes it so much easier for me to stay on top of bills and finances for the house.

~Wednesday 11/28:
Erik & I were able to do the "Angels of Light" which was amazing because we were outside in the distribution area bagging 75 bags of baby stuff {and I LOVE baby stuff!} Before going, we went to the in-laws to say Hello and Erik's momma gave us an ornament to symbolize our wedding day! {Ironically, our best friends have the exact same ornament and neither was of us knew about until Instagram. hehe}

~Thursday 11/29:
Last night was very fun! We went with Erik's parents to Helfman car dealership to look at vehicles with them (since the Hummer was totaled in the accident a few weeks ago). While there, Erik's mom fell in love with a white 2013 Dodge Durango, after driving it they just knew they had to take the vehicle because 1) the amazing price and 2) because everything about it was beautiful! Inside and out, that Durango is just INCREDIBLE!!!

Looking forward:
~Friday 11/30:
Today will be busy! Erik and I both work until 3pm today. After work I am supposed to meet him at his parents house, pick him up and head back to Helfman where we will meet his parents {So they can get a FREE car clean}. Once we leave Helfman, Erik and I are going to take our first family pictures {which we WILL do yearly to see how our little Richards family is growing}. To finish things up, a wonderful night at home with our babies, who unfortunately have had to be in their cages longer than usual these past few days with all the activities we have been doing.

~Saturday 12/1:
Aside from it being the 1st day of December, not much is planned for Saturday maybe clean the house and take the dogs to the dog park but that is pretty much it. Oh! Wait! December 1st means-ONLY 24 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS!!! So looks like Saturday is a pretty important day!

~Sunday 12/2:
Sunday is going to be fun because we have Church at 9:30am {I cannot wait!}, "3's a Crowd" Married Couple Group at the Church at 11am, TEXANS GAME at 12pm {this is a BIG one, if we Win this one, we get to go to the Playoffs!} and to finish the day, we are taking our dogs to take pictures with Santa Paws at 2pm! {They are so excited because we told them Santa Paws would give them treats...Oh boy!}

After a long week and a medium-long weekend, I am looking forward to what God will bless us with next week. I hope you all have a truly wonderful last-day-of-November Friday and an even more amazing December 1st and 2nd weekend!


God Bless

Megan

Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell, Jingle Bell~ROCK!

Happy Wednesday Y'all!
{I got a little southern there-hehe}

So tonight was absolutely wonderful!!! We had such a blast being Angels of Light!!! Erik and I choose to be in the distribution area. We bagged 75 bags of baby goods including baby jar food, rice cereal, snacks, wipes, diapers and formula. We of course chose the baby section because 1) there was no one there and 2) because I LOVE babies! After we finished bagging, we went into the building to watch the show they had going on for the less fortunate waiting to get their bags and presents. Tomorrow night, I decided I want to be a Hostess where you actually get to interact with the guests. I love spreading cheer so it made me super happy to be able to do this tonight. It truly makes you realize how god blesses you and how thankful you should be for what he provides you with. I am so looking forward to volunteering tomorrow night. I pray that god watches over those who were there tonight, make sure they get home safe and that they enjoy the gifts they were given, along with the food and bags they received tonight. I pray that in their hearts they know that there are people like Erik and I who care about them and want them to feel just as important this Christmas and every Christmas. Also, Erik and I got a new ornament to symbolize our wedding day. I posted some pictures below.


That about does it for us here tonight, time to check in to bed and get some sleep. Have a truly wonderful night!

God bless

Megan

I'll Have A Blue Christmas Without You!

Happy Wednesday {Woah! Getting ahead there, Sorry} Tuesday Everyone!!

I hope you are keeping busy so that the work day can fly by. So, I am so excited about Wednesday and Thursday {if you couldn't already tell from above}. Erik and I attend church regularly now, it's become part of our routine just like walking, talking, eating and breathing, and this week is the "Angels of Light" gift drive. Basically in short, we will be volunteering to hand out Christmas presents to homeless children and adults. There is no better feeling in the world than giving your time and happines to a family who needs it most! One of the things Erik and I talked about throughout our entire relationship is adoption, and you read about our decision a few posts ago. We love to give back and we do it not because we are forced or feel obligated, we do it for the joy and happiness that it brings to others. Growing up, my father and I had nothing! We were broke in the city of New Orleans.I always wanted to help those who were less fortunate then me because although we didn't have a lot of money and my father could hardly pay the bills, he always found a way to surprise me for my birthdays and Christmas'. I knew that there were children who had it much worst than me and as I grew up I knew that one day, I would give someone the happiness and joy that I felt when my dad gave me my presents. Recently I learned about adopting families for Christmas and I think that it is such a wonderful thing! I heard about it on the radio and immediately rushed to my office to look up information about it. Unfortunately, Erik and I can't do it this Christmas but our goal is to adopt at least one family next Christmas. Instead of not adopting a family, we decided we would do "Angels of Light." I am so looking forward to meeting little ones and giving them something they will remember for the rest of their lives.

Today, I was on Pinterest and I found some pretty amazing stuff. One thing that caught my eye was a lady who posted about planning a whole year of date nights! Ah!!! {One quick thing about me, I LOVE to plan!!!!} Planning is my life! So when I saw this I quickly clicked on the link and read about how this lady actually planned and even sometimes payed for (in advance) date nights! How smart! One of the things Erik and I have been talking about, is planning and saving. All next year we want to dedicate ourselves to save, save, saving our money! We know it's tricky but we know together we can do it, and we will! But this pre-planning date nights for a year is AWESOME!!! And you can bet your bottom dollar that we are going to do it!! In December, we are going to sit down and come up with 12 things we want to do (12 things for the 12 months-1 date night a month). I am so looking forward to sharing with you what our date-night will be as the 2013 months roll by. But I'm not going to spoil the fun and tell you what we are doing before hand, just like for Erik and I, it will be a surprise! Don't worry I will post pictures as we go along!

Store the pre-planned events in envelopes with the months on each of the outsides.

On the inside, place a sweet little note with either the tickets or any information you might have about the event. Next, if you haven't bought tickets yet, choose which date you want to go to the event in that month.

While on your date take some pictures, save the tickets and make a scrap book page. Be sure to add information about the night.

When you are done, put the page in a binder or scrap booking binder and on December 31st be sure to look back at your date nights and pick 12 new date night ideas for the next year! Keep it going and even when you have kids, find date nights to include them in but be sure to have date nights with just you and your spouse so you still have time together alone!! {Just be sure to find a baby sitter ahead of time.}

 I hope you enjoyed the post, and maybe you and your spouse can come up with your own fun way to save money and still make time for each other! This is a really great way to keep the love between you and your spouse alive because you are making time to spend time together!!

Have a wonderful evening,

Megan

**To find more information about the "Let's Go On A Date" pre-planned date nights, check out http://shannonbrown.typepad.com/life_in_general/2011/01/lets-go-on-a-date-january.html

Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer!

Happy Monday Fellas & Beauties!!

I hope you had a great Monday work day. Today was extremely hard because of the holiday. I can't tell you how badly I wanted to stay home with the hubby, but at the same time we are making money and that's a good thing. So according to my calendar, I have 5 days until December which means 5 days until I start exercising, eating right and preparing for pre-pregnancy. I'm excited but nervous because I really don't want to keep focus, so to ensure that I keep pushing and not give up, I will be doing a weekly update so that I can keep up with my hard work! Alexa and Josh are at our place to eat and hangout. We got Chuy's {Yummy-Mexican} for dinner and are now watching a movie. It's truly a wonderful way to end a hard day and get ready for the rest of the week! I hope you all have a wonderful night and an even more wonderful Tuesday!

Good Night & God Bless

Megan

Making our way downtown, walking fast, faces passing on by...

Happy Salute To Your Sitter Sunday!!

First we want to give a HUGE thanks to Ron & Linda Richards! {mom&dad}
They were sweet enough to take our furbabies home and watch them while we were out of state. So, Erik and I salute you with hugs & kisses!!!! Thank you!!!

Well Texas, WE'RE BACK!!!!
We got into Houston,TX right around 11am and man it was a wonderful, happy, thrilling and joyous feeling. We had so much fun but coming home to our own place feels great!! Unfortunately, we had to start on our wifey & hubby duties but either way, it's great to be back! So while I've got dinner cooking, the dogs napping and Erik busy with the Xbox, I'm running to shower and then start laundry! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

The pictures are upon our arrival to Downtown Houston!

God Bless

Megan

Thursdays & Saturdays are for BBQing and Riding 10hr buses!!!

Happy Saturday Ladies & Gents!!

So this weekend has been CRAZY!! {And I don't think that capital crazy really does the craziness any justice.} Let me just back track to my last post after Thanksgiving lunch....Erik and I decided almost last minute to take a trip to visit my Mimi in Alabama. So we called up our best friends Alexa & Josh, paid for bus tickets and made our way to the bus station. We got on the bus with no problems and made through the 10hour bus ride with naps in between and about an 1hour and 30minute layover in my hometown, New Orleans! I must admit this will be a trip to talk about! We've had some very interesting encounters and everything else. Although it went by way to fast and none of us are looking forward to work, I must say all in all it was a really good get away. Next time though it needs to be longer and we need to go to the beach. I have to admit, I'm looking forward to seeing my furbabies, I know they are going to love seeing us but not nearly as much as we we will! I really hope you all had a wonderful weekend and I hope you were able to keep busy and have fun while doing it. I snapped a few pictures on our short trip. Oh, and if you are in the Houston area, be ready because the Richards' & Kelley's are coming back!!!! Hehe(:


I hope you enjoy the pictures below from our journey to Alabama!

God bless

Megan

Stuffed, Packed & Ready To Roll!!

Happy TurkeyDay!!!!

I hope you all stuffed your faces with turkey, ham, rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes and desserts! Erik and I definitely ate a lot! But we had lunch instead of dinner because of the 11:30am Texans game. Again they failed to impress but they won so can't complain too much! Family that we feasted with included Erik's Mom & Dad, Sista-Chrysta, Aunt Jennifer, Baby Cousin Colton, Aunt Carol, Cousin Waymon and his two sons Jordan and Nathan. We had such a wonderful time with them and it truly was a Happy Thanksgiving Day! After eating and watch the game, Erik and I had to go home to pack and clean. Erik and I, along with our best friends, Alexa & Josh Kelley are getting on a bus at midnight leaving from Downtown Houston to drive 10hours & 15minutes to Mobile, Alabama. None of us have been there but luckily, my Mimi (My Dads Mom) lives there and will be there to pick us up and be our hotel for the 2 days we will be there. It will be so nice to visit her because the last time I saw her was my wedding day {May 12 2012} and before that, 4 years ago! To make things better our best friends who are family to us, are going with us so this will be a really GREAT way to celebrate with Family & Friends!! Erik and I are packed and ready to roll, we are just waiting for Alexa and Josh to come over so we can head out! I've never been on a bus traveling before, my whole entire life I've always taking planes, so this will definitely be a change for me but a change that I am so looking forward too! One thing we aren't looking forward to, leaving our fur-babies behind ): We are going to miss them more than anything but Grandma & Grandpa will be here to take care of them and spoil them so I'm sure they will love us being gone. Grandma & Grandpa give lots and lots of treats soooo they will be just fine-hehe(: Well we are about to head out but I look forward to posting pictures throughout the trip!!

The pictures below are from this evening and includes our itinerary!!

God Bless

Megan, Erik, Alexa & Josh {Bye Texas}

My Southern Comfort Zone in A Winter Wonderland

Happy Day-Before ThanksDay Everyone!

Today was a working-birthday-wonderland day! Erik and I worked, he worked until 12pm and I worked until 5pm but it was a great work day and went by pretty fast. Along with working, it was Erik's dads birthday!! We got him an iPhone case (or so we thought) turned out it was just a backing ): Along with that not-a-case case, we got him new headphones and lastly we got him his favorite candy, Kit Kat! He loved it all, thank god-Hehe! After giving him his present, I got to chauffeur the in-laws in their rental car. It was so fun to drive them for the first time. We went and ate at 5 Guys Burgers & Fries-yum!! After eating we did a little shopping and Erik and I found our 2012 Ornament (finally)! When we were done shopping, we went home and just relaxed! It's going to be so nice sleeping, but no sleeping in tomorrow because Thanksgiving dinner will now be Thanksgiving lunch because Texans play at 11:30am and we have to watch the game {FYI: We specifically meaning Erik ONLY!} hehe! I'm very much looking forward to Thanksgiving turkey! Thanksgiving is by far the BEST dinner/lunch, whatever you decide, in the whole year! Oh, and aside from Thanksgiving food, I LOVE having a 4 day weekend. It will be so nice to let my food digest before trying to roll out of bed for work(: And let me tell you, I am loving the Christmas lights. Man it's great to see my southern state dressing up like a winter wonderland! I hope you all have a truly fantastic Thanksgiving tomorrow!!!!

Remember what you are thankful for always!

The pictures below are of our 2012 Ornament to symbolize our wedding! The second picture is of the ornament on our tree (:

Giving Thanks & God Bless

Megan

Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Jingle Bell Rock!

Happy Tuesday Wonderful People!!!

Only 1 day left until THANKSGIVING!!! Last night, Erik and I came up with the idea that for the week of thanksgiving, right before bed, we will say 1 thing we are thankful for. I must say, it really does make you realize what you've got. I am definitely thankful for a 4 day weekend....how about you?? I'm ready for turkey, stuffing, rolls, the works!! This year is especially great because God has blessed Erik and I both with full time jobs, which means.......we get to but gifts for our family and friends!! And believe me, it's not about the money, but to be able to see their faces light up when they open their gifts is just amazing! And really makes your heart warm-up!! I really hope that you all have a wonderful night and an even more wonderful Wednesday!!! Get ready for Turkey Thursday!!!


God bless,

Megan

Mondays Are Fundays!

Happy Monday Beautiful People!!!!

I hope you all had a wonderful monday!! I've learned not to completely dread Mondays and here's why... The first reason is, all my favorite shows come on just after I've made dinner and done laundry (aka my wifely duties hehe). And the second reason is, the quicker Monday ends, the quicker we get to the Holidays!! I know it's not the greatest day of the week but this Monday had to have made you happy because Thanksgiving is now only 2 days away instead of 3! So last night, Erik and I decided to snap a few pictures of Brooks and Chief. We usually take yearly Christmas pictures closer to Christmas and we also usually dress them up but Mommy & Daddy were bored and they were so cute so we just snapped some. I don't know what's in store for tomorrow but I am definitely ready for work! I am loving my job and I'm loving God for giving me the opportunity. Erik and I have been deciding on a few things but we aren't 100% sure what to decide, basically we are teetering between yes and no. I'm hoping in a few weeks or so, we can come back and share the news but for now we are just waiting and taking our time. We hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday and remember, before you think twice about praying, God didn't think twice about waking you up this morning, so pray to him and praise him because he is such a great lord!!

The pictures below are of Chief & Brooks pre-Christmas pictures!

Thank you for reading & letting me share!!!


God bless


Megan

Praising & Winning.... Duh!

Happy Praising Lord Sunday!!!

This morning Erik and I had an awesome day!!! We woke up to our dogs barking to let them out at 7:45am, thankfully we had to get up for church. We left for church and the service was amazing!! The band was fantastic and they sang my favorite song "Shout it out". After church we ran to HEB with Erik's mom & dad to grab a few things for BBQing, but after we made it to their house, Erik and I had to run right back to the Randalls because there were a few things we forgot. Luckily God had us at the right place at the right time. There was an old lady, 100 years old on 12.12.12 whose car was broken down in the parking lot. Erik, myself and another man quickly got out to help her. Erik and the man pushed the car while I steered to the gas station. Unfortunately the lady forgot her purse at home and had no money for gas, I called her son but he had no car to pick her up. Thankfully the other man helping offered to pay $15 of gas for her car. After I got off the phone, I told Erik we can't let her drive alone, so I got back in the drivers seat and, with Erik following me in our truck, I drove her to her house where her son greeted us graciously and even paid us. We told him we didn't want the money, but he insisted we take it. After leaving her house I just kept thinking how great God is. He wanted Erik and I to be there for her and we are so glad it was us and not someone else. It was definitely a great experience. After returning to Erik's parents house, Erik and I started on the steaks and they rocked!! The seasonings were great!!! Chef Erik and Chef Megan aced the taste test!(: After eating, it was Texans Time! They didn't do as good as we had hoped but it was a win none the less! The Texans game ended and we headed to the Walmart by our house for a few things and made our way home. I started laundry and after a busy weekend, it's so nice to have some wife & husband time! I'm grateful for weekends like this!! I'm looking forward to a 3 day work week and then Thanksgiving with a 4 day weekend!! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a blessed Monday!!!


The pictures below are from church this morning, enjoy!!

God Bless


Megan