Pixilated

Erin saying the Pledge of Allegiance

Click to Play

Erin saying the Pledge of Allegiance

November 2008

2 1/2 years old

Erin saying the Pledge of Allegiance

Click to Play

Erin saying the Pledge of Allegiance

November 2008

2 1/2 years old

Moving!

I'm moving my blog to Wordpress! Check it out at www.rachellynn.wordpress.com!

Can't sleep...

I'm having a little trouble sleeping tonight. I've got a lot on my mind and am praying for our friends, the Reids (http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/rdreid). Anyway, I just wanted to share this very favorite video that I love. I hope that it encourages you. It makes me cry everytime I see it.

He Loves Us by Jesus Culture & Kim Walker
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoC1ec-lYps

Olympic girl seen and not heard

WHAT?
Like little girls need another reason for low self esteem...

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/08/12/oly.kids/index.html

From John Vause
CNN

BEIJING, China (CNN) -- A little girl and her song captivated millions of viewers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. But what they saw was not what they heard.

Yang Peiyi's voice was heard during Friday's opening ceremony, but her face was never seen.
2 of 2 Games organizers confirm that Lin Miaoke, who performed "Ode to the Motherland" as China's flag was paraded Friday into Beijing's National Stadium, was not singing at all.

Lin was lip-syncing to the sound of another girl, 7-year-old Yang Peiyi, who was heard but not seen, apparently because she was deemed not cute enough.

"The reason was for the national interest," said Chen Qigang, the ceremony's musical director, in a state radio interview. "The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feeling and expression. ... Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects."

The decision was made at the highest levels, Chen said.

"We had to do it," he said. "We'd been through several inspections. They're all very strict. When we rehearsed at the spot, there were several spectators from various divisions, especially leaders from the Politburo, who gave the opinion it must change." Watch how far Olympic pride can go »

Few who watched the Olympic ceremony realized the deception. "Tiny singer wins heart of nation," read the headline in Tuesday's China Daily newspaper.

"Lin Miaoke might be only 9 years old but she is well on her way to becoming a star, thanks to her heartwarming performance," the article gushed -- without mentioning she never sang a note.

But as word has gotten out on the Internet, some Chinese bloggers are outraged.

"If you're not good-looking, no matter how well you sing, you'll not be onstage. Do you know you're twisting a whole generation?" read one comment.

Another said, "If foreigners found out, they'd think we can't even find a girl who is good at both."

As for Yang Peiyi, she's been quoted as saying she was honored to have had a role in the opening ceremony, even though few realized just how big her part really was.

August Stamp Camp & Stampin' Up! News!

It has been one very busy summer and I can’t wait to reconnect with all of you. I just returned from the 20th Anniversary Stampin’ Up! Convention in Salt Lake City where I celebrated and learned so many things with 6,000 of the 50,000 world-wide Stampin’ Up! Demonstrators. I have so many new and exciting things to show and tell you! I have so many things to show and tell you from convention. I’ll send you a few highlight photos soon when I get a few minutes.

Forgive me if this email is really long. It’s been a while since we’ve talked! :o)

August Stamp Camp
First of all, it’s time for another Stamp Camp! It’s been WAY too long and I have some very cool stamps that I got for FREE at convention. I can’t wait to show you the projects I have planned with them! The August Stamp Camp will be on Saturday, August 23 from 10:00 am to Noon at my house. Please let me know by Thursday, August 21 if you plan on coming so I can prepare supplies for you. We will make five projects and the cost will be $10. You can call (317-244-9333) or email me to RSVP!

August 11 – New catalog release!
Join us online for an unveiling of the new Fall-Winter Catalog and Idea book! The catalog can be downloaded here: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/us_fw_2008_sm.pdf. There are TONS of new items including brand new stamps, designer papers and punches!

Paper Catalogs
Paper catalogs will be coming soon. I am still waiting on them in the mail! If you want one, shoot me an email or give me a call. They are $5.00.

Décor Elements
You have GOT to try out the new Décor Elements! I saw these at convention and fell in love with them. They are self-adhesive vinyl elements that are easy to apply and to remove. You can put the on your walls, picture frames…I even saw a lady who had decorated her purse with them and heard of another lady who put them on her car! There are plenty of new designs out and more to come in the fall including holiday and baby designs! Personalize your surroundings with a variety of exclusive images designed to create a customized, unique space. With our self-adhesive vinyl elements (which are easy to apply and remove), you’ll discover how easy and cost effective it can be to do your own decorating! You can view the online catalog here: http://www.stampinup.com/us/documents/decorelements_web.pdf

New Spanish Stamps
We have just release Spanish versions of some of our stamp sets! If you are interested, please contact me and I can let you see a catalog!

Stampin’ Up! Partners with Sizzix
Stampin’ Up! has partnered with Sizzix to bring you the Sizzix Big Shot die-cutting system and a new line of exclusive dies and embossers! All of the existing Sizzix dies as well as other dies can be used with the Big Shot. The Big Shot will be featured in the Winter Holiday Mini Catalog!

August 11-September 30: Never-Before-Seen Stamp Sale!
From August 11 through September 30, Stampin’ Up! is providing never-before-seen savings on brand-new stamp sets: 15% off select new, die-cut stamp sets from the Fall-Winter 2008 Idea Book & Catalog--no additional purchase necessary.

Join the Stampin’ Up! Family for Only $99!
Becoming a Stampin’ Up! demonstrator has never been easier! For a limited time (now through October 11), you can choose one of three different Starter Kits—stamp–focused, scrapbook–focused, or home décor–focused—and each one is only $99 (including business supplies)! (This is a fantastic deal even if you never have a workshop. You get the 20% demonstrator discount every time and all of the regular demonstrator benefits!)

Or, choose the standard Starter Kit—featuring $350 of stamping and business supplies for only $199—and get a stamp set of your choice from the new catalog for FREE!

To take advantage of one or both of these offers, contact me today! Remember, the following are categories of demonstrators:

· Discount Demonstrators: Likes the idea of buying stamps at a discount for personal use and occasionally sells to family and friends.
· Short Term Demonstrators: Sells for a short period of time to earn a specified amount of money and stops when the goal is reached.
· Hobby Demonstrators: Loves doing workshops and earning extra money when it's convenient, but doesn't like to work to hard at it.
· Career Demonstrators: Sees Stampin' Up! as a viable business with long-term career potential.

Just for reference, I’m a hobby demonstrator and I would love to have you be a part of my team! :)

Hostess Incentive: October 1-November 30, 2008
Host a $350 workshop and choose one stamp set from the Fall-Winter Sampler for free.

Coming THIS FALL: ONLINE ORDERING!!!
I’ll keep you posted but this fall, you will be able to order directly from my website (www.rachelrichard.stampinup.net) 24 hours a day! WHOA! Ha!

I can’t wait to catch up with all of you! See you soon!

-Rachel

Late Nights At The Richard House (ie. Boogers and Bedtime Stories)

Just thought I'd post a funny video of Ethan and Erin from this week. Oh, they make me laugh so hard! :o) There are 4 sections to the video: 1.Erin gives Daddy a haircut. Erin got her haircut for the first time last week. The stylist kept reassuring her that it wasn't going to hurt and that everything would be ok. She tries to give John a haircut in this one. And parts 2-4 are the kids telling bedtime stories. Yes, boogers are involved.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Classical Muppets

Since it's my birthday, I'm choosing to celebrate with two of my favorite things: classical music and muppets (as well as my wonderful family and friends!). I can't tell you how excited I am that they have come together (Thanks, Matt!) lol Enjoy!