Family Food Faves

If you're looking for a super-tasty, festive-looking, last minute appetizer for your Christmas celebrations, this is a family favorite (thank you Gina!)

Mediterranean Cheese Ball

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened

1 (8 ounce) package feta cheese, crumbled

1/3 cup finely chopped ripe black olives

3 tablespoons red bell pepper, diced

1/3 cup chopped fresh basil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup pine nuts, toasted

Toasted pita wedges or crackers

Beat cream cheese and feta cheese at medium speed with electric mixer until smooth. Stir in olives and next 4 ingredients. Shape cheese mixture into a ball; cover and chill at least 3 hours. Roll in toasted pine nuts just before serving. Serve with toasted pita chips or crackers.

Christmas Card ~ 2009

To our friends and family that we may not have addresses for..."Merry CHRISTmas from the Richardson Clan!"

Update on Drew's Surgery

Thank you to ALL that have called, text messaged, emailed and left messages on facebook and my blog...we have certainly felt the love & concern y'all have shown our precious little Drew. It means so much to know that our family is loved by so many dear friends & family.

It has been a difficult and tiring day but God has been so faithful to give us peace. Our doctors, nurses & other staff were awesome and very professional.

The surgeon's concern with Drew's surgery is that his cyst was very large and that he could potentially damage the ear bones during removal. If that happened he would remove the damaged bones and put in an ear prosthesis.

Thankfully, he was able to access the cyst and remove it all in one piece WITHOUT damaging the bones...NO prosthesis necessary and NO hearing loss! Praise the Lord!!!

Drew did well in surgery but had a difficult time in recovery. He was very combative and uncomfortable for quite awhile. He did not like the protective cup covering his ear and he kept trying to pull it off. Once he was able to keep some juice down his nurse gave him some pain meds and he calmed right down.

Drew was an absolute trooper today. I am so proud of how he handled all of this. He did much better than I ever would!

We are currently in our hotel and planning to drive the 3 hours back home. Hopefully, Drew will just sleep!

Thanks again everyone for you prayers, love & concern...we greatly appreciae y'all

Drew's Surgery

Thank you ALL...your prayers, phone calls, and warm thoughts have truly encouraged us. It's so awesome to know so many of you are thinking of our precious Drew and his upcoming surgery.

We are at our hotel in Little Rock and have an early 5:30am show tomorrow. Drew's surgery is scheduled for 7:30am and will take about 2 hours. Thankfully, he is the surgeon's first patient of the day so he won't have to go long without food & drink!

If I have computer access I will try to update from the hospital tomorrow.

Thanks again for the love you've shown us...all over the country!

Please Pray for Drew

Would you please pray for my sweet little Drew? He will be having surgery Wednesday at Children's Hospital in Little Rock to remove a cyst in his ear. The cholesteatoma is a serious condition that can damage the delicate ear bones and cause hearing loss, facial paralysis and even meningitis. Thankfully, our Ear, Nose, Throat specialist caught it before any of this occured. The surgeon will have to cut the entire length of his ear to access it so it will be a large incision. Drew won't be able to get his ear wet for 3 weeks so for my boy that likes to swim in the bathtub every night, this could be a problem!

Children's Hospital doesn't allow siblings in the waiting room due to lack of space and the influenza risk so thankfully, Papa Jim flew down from Seattle to help out. He can hang out in the hotel with Bryce so Jimmy and I can both be with Drew.

I will post some updates and thank you in advance for praying for our Drew.