Third Grade Down

Dominic heads to fourth grade in the fall after completing third grade at the Christian Academy of Madison this week. On Friday, we went to his honors day, where D got certificates for excellence in Bible knowledge and a character award for being "wise and witty."
We have been incredibly pleased with his success at CAM. Public schools and teachers here in Madison are great, but Dominic really thrived in the smaller classes at CAM.

Family Day at the Ballpark

We were able to take in a Reds game on Mother's Day thanks to Ken's birthday present from Oma and Opa. Rosalie did great and so did her brothers. Here are a few pics from the park. 

Our First Week with Rosalie

With each of our three children, we have tried to create a bonding time for our family during the first days of our new ones' lives.

We did this with Dominic (see here) and with Miles (see here) and this week we stayed close to home with me (Ken) off from work so we can all begin developing Rosalie's familial connections.

It is a week without much sleep as we begin to adjust her sleeping eating schedule (or as we adjust to her schedule) and it is a week of encouraging the siblings in their new roles as big brothers to a little sister.

It is also a time of incredible blessings. We have been blessed by family who stayed with the boys while we were at the hospital, visits from relatives, and enough food delivered day after day by friends and family to feed us three times over.

This is an incredibly fleeting season in a family's life when a newborn arrives. The children grow and develop so quickly that - save for pictures - it might be hard to remember these moments down the line. With that in mind, here are some memory joggers for the future us, and the future you.

May God bless you richly in Christ Jesus.

 Dominic and Miles have wanted to hold Rosalie any chance they get. 

 Dad, Miles and Rosalie 

 When Mamaw and Pap came to visit, Mamaw showed us how to rouse our little sleeper with a light tap to the foot.  

 We loved seeing them get to meet and the contrast between Rosalie's newborn and Mamaw's long-working hands. 

 Pap wasn't off-put by Rosalie's faint, but serious cries. He's heard worse (from his grandson). 

Several weeks before Rosalie was born we started letting Miles play with a baby that had been Monica's when she was a kid so he could learn how to be gentle with his baby sister. We think it worked out well. 

 While Grandma Rocky loves all of her boys and grand boys, she's been waiting for a little girl for a long time. Glad we could help out.

 Grandpa Rocky gets a little chin music from Rosalie the first time he gets to hold her. 

 The boys still took some time to do their own thing this week as well. Miles rides up and down the hallway with "Bebe" stuffed in the trunk (we probably won't let him do that with his sister). Dominic takes over the family Kindle to play some Minecraft. .

We love you, check here for updates on a simi-regular basis and feel free to click on the links on the top-right side of the page to look back over the years since Dominic was born.

Happy Birthdays!

So, Monica outdid herself in her gift giving for my birthday this year. At 2:47 p.m. today, she gave birth to our new beautiful daughter, Rosalie Katelin Ritchie.

Rosalie was 6 lbs. and 19 inches. Mom and baby are resting and we are looking forward to introducing Rosalie to all of her new family and friends. Here's a first look at little Rosalie. More photos will come in the days, weeks and years ahead.

 Bros and Sister

 Feet Prints

 Happy Parents

 Sleepy Baby

Hanging with Uncle Halbert

God has continued to bless us more than we could ask or imagine - First through salvation in Christ - followed by innumerable examples of His gracious provision and love. In all things, including the addition of our daughter, we give God all the thanks and all the Glory.

We pray that the Holy Spirit will enable Rosalie to respond to the Gospel with saving faith early in her life. We pray that He will do the same for you today. The best is yet to come, for those who rest in Christ. There is so much more in store for us, even more wonderful than celebration days like today.

Japanese Class

Dominic soaked in a ton of information at his first Japanese culture and language class offered at our local library on Monday. The teacher was keeping a pace for the adults in the room, but our guy kept up and had even started writing several numbers and letters along the way. 

D had not been as excited about an upcoming event as he had been for this class in months. The course continues for six weeks, hopefully he will keep up the interest. 

Making the Most of a Warm Day

Our recent, long running cold snap has caused cabin fever for several of us. As the forecast called for 40+ degrees today, we got everyone out for a nice walk on the riverfront. 

Dominic calls for Miles to tell him about what he found on his walk. 

Miles takes a break to give Momma some love as she and Rosalie take a break from walking.