A Legend Forever in Time

August 12, 2012 was a very sad day for the Richardson family.  Debbie's Dad (Mikey's Grandpa) passed away after a sudden, vicious attack on his immune system from a nasty virus.  

Jim Thiel was truly one of the most incredible men I've ever had the privilege of knowing and spending time with.  He is a family man through-and-through and cherished his wife, Marion, like I want to cherish my husband.  He is the definition of a patriot, serving his country through war as a belly-gunner on 50 successful missions (unheard of!) and loved this country every day of his life.  

I delayed writing this post because I know there are no words I could type that would come close to doing justice to a description of Grandpa Jim.  He was everybody's hero.  He was selfless, volunteering more than anyone I know (without paying attention to his age or status).  As I looked through some pictures I have of him, I was struck with the BEAUTY that I could not find a single picture of him without his wife by his side.  They were inseparable, and while I know his faith in our heavenly Father has taken him to paradise, I ache for Grandma Mar as she discovers a whole new world:  one without Grandpa Jim.

The summer of 2010, while I was pregnant, Mikey and I made a trip to St. John, IN to visit them.  I now cherish those memories even more.  While there, we shopped, dined, toured, etc. and we couldn't step foot outside the house without people waving us down to say hello and ask how Jim and Marion were doing.  Even the police officers and store clerks knew them personally.  People we'd never met knew all about our expecting twins and our Peachtree City golf carts.  I was shocked how "popular" they were...they run that town!!

Grandpa Jim was so full of life.  He was always the ring leader when the family got together...making everybody (including strangers) laugh until they cried.  His jokes were the best...and I will never forget the time he got everybody kicked out of the Oktoberfest celebration for dancing on the table...at 84 years old!!  

Grandpa Jim will never be forgotten, and the imprint he left on this earth will carry on and on and on.

We miss you and love you Grandpa Jim!!

BABY DAY!!

July 25th was a very big day.  Two of the most anticipated babies in our lives were born this day.

Early that morning, our great friends Tony and Claire met their precious baby girl, Harper Kate Stravelakis.  She was born with a head full of dark hair and a healthy appetite.  She was just over 9 pounds....bless her momma!!!

Mikey, Debbie and I got to swing by the hospital a few hours after she was born to meet her.  She was gorgeous and so calm and content...a trait she has carried with her for her first few months of life!!

Later that day, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Erin and Taylor, met their handsome and sweet baby boy, John Reece Ward.  He goes by "Jack" and he couldn't be cuter.  He was also big and healthy, weighing in right at 9 pounds...bless his momma too!!!

Mikey, Mike, Debbie and I all got to go stop by and visit this little fella too.  You can't tell from my pictures, but he has the CUTEST little creases in his forehead that make it look like he is really inquisitive.  What an incredible day full of blessing galore!

Welcome to the world, Harper and Jack!  We love you both.

We have a RENTAL? What?!?!

Mikey and I have talked about moving for a long time...and decided in the fall of 2011 to try to sell our house ...

We listed it for sale in October 2011...and gave up in April 2012.  

If you've never tried to sell a house...let me tell you:  IT SUCKS!  
If you've never tried to sell a house with two toddlers living in it...let me tell you:  IT REALLY SUCKS! 

We had over 50 showings during that time, and a lot of positive feedback, but nobody bit.  Having to keep the house in showing condition and cleaning every.single.time. we left the house "just in case" someone called was truly exhausting.

We gave up the idea of selling in April, but then decided to try our hand at renting.  Starting August 10, 2012...we officially rented our house and moved in with  Mikey's parents.  We actually rented it super fast, and due to some school district stuff, we had to move out completely in less than 4 days, and guess what:  IT SUCKED!

Man-oh-Man....am I Captain Whiney or what?  It was all worth it and the renters have been good so far.  Hoping that continues!

Living with Mikey's parents has been interesting.  They are awesome and completely welcoming and helpful and hospitable.  It's just hard having your family's mess in somebody else's house.  I was always a bit stressed about that...not to mention fitting all our stuff into their house wasn't the easiest thing to do.

After 3.5 months there, we moved in with my parents, and have been here for a few weeks. Luckily, we recently found a house we hope to buy in January, so we will have our own place in a few more weeks.  Woo-hoo!