The Life of Riley

Do you like my Duck Dynasty title? I just love that show.  But the title should read Joy Joy Joy because I am feeling truly contented and joyful, not just a temporary happiness. This time of year always reminds me of the promise that we have in our Saviour.  It can also be easy to forget with all the busy holidays and shopping and parties etc.  My prayer is that God takes priority in my families daily life no matter what.  I was slowed down a couple weeks ago when my appendix decided it was time to leave my body.  I had an emergency surgery which I recovered very quickly from, and then a week later I developed an infection which hospitalized me for a few days and set me back on my butt.  I am happy to say that I am doing so much better and will be fully back to myself by the holidays! But it definitely made me take a step back and relax which is something I do not do often.  I had to learn a lesson from all of this and that lesson was that I need to sl...

Today you turn THREE!!! Or as you say fweeee! :) oh my angel boy, I have so much I want to tell you. I should start by telling you a little about the day I found out you were coming. Daddy and I were in disbelief! We cried and hugged each other and had the BIGGEST smiles on our faces. I quickly looked up my due date, and to my utter happiness, saw that you would be an October baby. Autum is my favorite season, so I was overjoyed at having a pumpkin, fall baby. The day you came into this world was so incredible. I remember hearing your cry and seeing your sweet face over the Surgical drapes. I instantly felt love for you and began to weep. I saw your Dad right away. You definitely resembled him a lot in the beginning, but I think I just saw the love that I had for your sweet, wonderful Daddy and I knew that you were created out of the love we shared for each other. While we got to know each other at the hospital it was lightning and thundering BIG TIME! It was a little scary. You of cou...

"We prayed for this child..." And God answered our prayers!  It is hard to believe that a year has gone by! I remember when we found out that we were having another baby, we were first absolutely stunned! And then we were so excited and nervous to be having two babies under the age of 2, we thought, how are we ever going to do this? God blessed us with Elijah a year ago today on July 24, 2012 at 6:22p.m.  I remember sitting in labor and delivery just waiting to be rolled back into surgery, not able to even comprehend how I was just going to go in the OR and come out with a brand new baby boy.  A son, to love and to care for and to raise. It's such a wild feeling that I will never ever forget or really even be able to put into words. So different from your first baby because you know what to expect in a way yet you have no idea what is going to happen and how things will play out. The day Elijah arrived, my world changed.  I was truley living my childhood dream...

Chad- I can't even begin to start with this guy, he is an amazing man, husband and father. I've known this kid since he was 15.  I ALWAYS knew that he was the one for me. I saw so much in him, so much kindness and desire to serve in those big brown eyes. It melted my heart!! After many years of dating, I married that man, and that was the BEST decision in my life! Our wedding was the best day of my life, perfection, perfection, perfection. Then there became the quick surprise of pregnancy. We were only married 6 months and planned to have more time to play house and be a care free couple. Immediately, that man took care of his child. He fed me, held me when I was sick, bought me anything in the world that sounded good, and was kind enough to finish it for me (I am a terribly picky pregnant person!) He came to all the doctors appointments he could, talked to the baby, felt the baby kick, prayed over the baby and loved that little bean. Most importantly, he loved me t...

Spring is in the air! I love this time of year, everything begins to bloom again, the days are warm and the nights are cool.  The birds are out in full force and summer is around the corner! We are having a great time planting flowers and seeds.  My kitchen is full of indoor seedlings, it looks more like a greenhouse then a kitchen.  Chad comes home to more and more of a mess everyday with my veggie garden project.  Luckily, he is an awesome guy and only rolls his eyes a couple times a day at me.  :) Our backyard is coming along nicely, tomorrow they are putting in sprinklers, planters, and making my garden area.  The week after that we get our new sod and we will be ready to enjoy!  I love planting my own veggies and fruit, it seems like the cheapest, most organic way to go.  It's definietly become a hobby of mine of the past year or so, and I am stoked that I am finally able to get the ball moving.  All is well with the boys, Kai ...

"So much time, so little to do! Strike that reverse it!"- This is said many times a week in the Riley home.  It just so happens to be a very famous line from Kai's most favorite movie, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (the original, of course!).  Life is so busy, fun, hectic, loud, exciting and joyous these days.  Here is a quick little update on each of us in the Riley Household: Chad/The Bread Winner/ Love/ Hero/ and Hopeful Head of the House (I say hopeful because often the pants are put on by Mama Bear)-  Chad has been working very hard and will be taking over as lead electrician for Signal Hill Petroleum at the end of March! We are so grateful for such an awesome opportunity.  Chad loves almost every minute of work and is proud of himself for this accomplishment at the ripe age of 27 (although almost hardly ever gives himself any credit).  When he gets home from work he is put to work by his loving and quite bossy 2 year ol...