Happy Birthday Richard!

Birthday boy

yes...there are no candles on that cake....we didn't want to set off the alarm(guffaw!)

Friday Richard turned 42 **gasp** but he doesn't look his age since he married such a young beautiful wife...hardy har har....part of that is true:) His Filipino heritage is really the reason he only looks a day over 40....I mean 30:) You should see his mother. She definatly doesn't look 70 something! One day I will definately look older than him unless I go on Dr. 90210 and have my face pulled back to my ears....but since this post is about Richard I thought I would name 42 facts about him you might not know;)

1. He was born in 1966.

2. He is the oldest of 6.

3. He has 4 brothers and a sister.

4. All his siblings' names start with R and nicknames B. (Richard-Boy, Randolph-Boyet, Ronald-Bobet, Rommel-Butch, Rowena-Babe, Richzer-Bobot)

5. Richard's nickname was "Boy" but it didn't stick and he became "Ricky" after an actor named Ricky Belmonte.
6. Both of his parents were doctors.

7. He almost proceeded to become a priest after having spent 4 years in the seminary. His mother encouraged him to be a Physical Therapist...those are really so closely related aren't they!

8. He went to a private school located in another city during the week leaving home on Sunday afternoon starting at age 6 or 7. They would go home on the weekends. This wasn't a punishment but a way to get a better education.

9. Each of the children had a nannie.

10. They had a cook.

11. They had an "errand boy."

12. They had a laundry lady.

13. They even had a driver. Both errand boy and the driver scrubbed/waxed the floors and clean house.

14. Labor was VERY cheap in the Philippines.

15. There is no middle school in the Philippines.

16. Richard graduated from HS when he was 16.

17. He came to the states in 1989.

18. His first job was in Davenport, IA.

19. The only things he owned in his furnished apartment were a clock radio and a bed sheet.

20. He walked to work in the snow!

21. He wasn't used to the cold weather. It got to -42 degrees in IA.

22. His first company car was a Plymouth. He bought his first car in 1990 which was a Ford Escort GT.

23. Richard loves to drive.

24. He used to drive 12 hours-one way- to see friends....just for the weekend.

25. When we went to San Antonio for Christmas he drove.all.night.long.

26. He was raised Catholic.

27. He was baptized into the LDS church when he was almost 26.

28. He met his lovely wife in Greenville, SC. at a singles conference.

29. On his birthday each sibling calls to greet him happy birthday....even if they live out of the country.

30. Each sibling works in the medical profession.

31. He has lived in states: Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Arkansas, Florida, and Georgia.

32. He married into the craziest family.

33. He became a father on December 15th 1999 when Sophia was placed in his arms.

34. In the Philippines they didn't watch football....instead they watched the Miss Universe Pageant.

35. Richard took 2 years of piano lessons and then taught himself the rest. He plays beautifully!

36. Richard just bought a brand new Toyota 4 Runner before we married. We sold it the next year....I think he still is mad about that;) But I didn't know he only financed it for 3 years...I was just looking at the $673 monthly payment! yikes!

37. Richard is very popular among the 65 and older crowd. They all sit around and talk about who their therapist is.

38. Richard loves his job.

39. He is the "Branch President" which is like a preacher/pastor in your church....but it is not a paid 'job'....just an assignment for a time.

40. Richard loves my cooking....or he has learned to be grateful at least!

41. Richard is allergic to our new puppy.

42. Richard is a very caring and loving father and husband.

We love you Richard!