JULY 21, 2012 -- AWARDS CEREMONY AT STATE CAPITAL

JULY 21, 2012 -- RICHARDSON'S AT THE ARKANSAS STATE CAPITAL

We had a unique opportunity today to participate  in an awards ceremony at the Arkansas State Capital in Little Rock, AR.  Vernon and I were recognized as Arkansas 2012 Parents of the Year with 3 other couples.

We received recognition and received the "Outstanding Humanitarian Award."  It was quite a special honor.  Charlie Collins, a state House Representative and friend of our family, nominated us.  We received a really nice plaque and there were some awful nice things said about us.  

Beautiful Capital -- the flags are at half-mast in memory of those who died in a recent shooting at a Colorado movie theater

We were so impressed by the event that honored and promoted traditional families made up of a father and a mother that upheld traditional moral values in a God centered home.  It was really a neat event.

Something I really liked is that the chairman of the "Arkansas National Parents Day Coalition"  said that this is not an award about individuals, but an award honoring family.

We would have loved to have all of our children there, but distance didn't allow that.  They were all there in our hearts!

 Something sort of fun was that they asked us to say a few words, and so I spoke for just a minute and within my remarks said, "A man named David O. McKay once said, 'No success can compensate for failure in the home' and we truly believe this with all our hearts."  Later, the African American Methodist preacher who gave the invocation came up to me as we were walking and said, "I really like what you said about 'no failure at home .....??' what was that?"  So I repeated it for him in "chunks" and helped him memorize it.  Vernon then said, "What is neat is that this was said by a famous man back in the 1950's."  The preacher responded impressed.  

We didn't tell him it was a Mormon prophet who said it -- just in case.  My guess is that he will use it in a sermon someday in his church!  Pretty cool if President David O. McKay is quoted in a southern Methodist church sermon one day!!!

Capital Rotunda

During the awards ceremony

Our kids were totally amazing!  They sat through an hour long program by themselves and took pictures and took care of Mason!!!

David LOVED the big chairs outside the Senate Chamber

Mason like copying his big brother!

Charlie Collins seat in the House of Representatives Chamber!

A really neat part of today's ceremony was recognition of winners an essay contest sponsored by this group.  The subjects for the essays were as follows:
Elementary:  "Why I Love My Parents"
Middle School:  "What I Have Learned from MY Parents About What It Takes to Become a Good Parent"
High School: "Why the Two-Parent Family of Father and Mother is the Best Model for Raising Children and What I Am Doing to Prepare Myself to Be the Best Spouse and Parent Possible."

Vernon and I were pleasantly surprised at the boldness of the high school essay topic!  We were thrilled!  The gal who read the winning essay talked about purity and the importance of the to take to her future marriage.  What a wonderful thing to hear!

It was a good day!!

Our County -- Washington