Thirteen Years Ago, I Fell in Love

Thirteen years and several days ago, I fell in love.  She arrived in mid September of 1995 and stole my heart immediately.  She has spent the past thirteen years solidifying that love and I am immensely grateful everyday I get to be her mom.  Sometimes I look at her and marvel at how much she is like me. . . 

• her quick wit
• her dry sense of humor
• her ringing laugh
• her love of words and the stories they weave
• her ability to get in there and get things done, no matter how boring or mundane the task
• her reaching out when she sees people in trouble
• her fierce loyalty to those she loves

Other times I marvel at how she came from me, how she could be a part of me because there is so much that is foreign to me. . . 

• her passion and drive
• her acute sense of responsibility in all aspects of her life
• her need to make everything ok
• her wanting to please
• her wisdom
• her picky taste in dessert
• her sensibility
• her athleticism-she can do lay up and sink a free throw
• her Boy Scout attitude-always be prepared, as evidenced by the contents of her pockets

The teenage years will be a true test of my ability to see past myself and appreciate all that is different in her.  I know that because of her, because of who she is, we will come out on the other side stronger, more solid, and I will emerge more in love than I ever knew was possible.

My Life as a Man

Last weekend, Sept 20-21, Mel and I headed off to our second of four festivals for this fall.  We have worked our hiney's off getting ready for the festivals and my family has been neglected-to say the least.  I spent Saturday (Micaela's Birthday) at the festival and met Brandon and the girls at Chili's for dinner to celebrate along with Mel and Randy and their kids.  Micaela was opening her presents and with each present I would ask "Who is that from?"  Brandon then looked at me and replied "Us"!  He had done all the shopping and wrapping for her birthday and I got to ooh and aah as she opened them.  Sunday I spent the morning home with Iz who was sick while Brandon went to church and then I headed off to the festival in the afternoon.  I came home to a cooked dinner and Brandon had made a birthday cake for Micaela.  I was happy and fired up from a good festival and Brandon looked and felt like he'd been run over by a truck.  He had spent the weekend schlepping the girls to the 8 million commitments on the calendar, caring for, and feeding them, temper tantrums and all.  I was thinking my life as a man was pretty cool and should be extended beyond a weekend until I realized I was missing the most important part, my "business" does not have to keep the lights on.  The small profit I made last weekend was spent at the festival before I even arrived home.  I am grateful for a man who was willing to swap out for a weekend or two and who loves me enough to schlepp off to work each day to a legitimate business that does keep the lights on.

The Game of Catch Up

At the Reynolds house we're playing the all too familiar game of catch up and the good news is we're finally to the catch up the blog phase.  That means one of two thins,  I've caught up on a long list of other things or there is something that I'm avoiding.  It's probably a little bit of both!  Micaela has helped me out and done some blogging and writing about our summer fun that we will post soon!  

Book Review: The BFG by Roald Dahl

The BFG is a book about a girl who gets snatched by the BFG (Big Friendly Giant). Then they try and stop nine other bone crunching giants. It is a really good book. I would like to read it again. I liked it because it talked about giants. I wish everybody would read it. I think it was interesting because it has a Big Friendly Giant in the book. Now I want to read all of Roald Dahl. 

We've Been Stimulated!

Mel and I (as 2 Sisters in Stitches) spent last weekend in Gay, Georgia at the Cotton Pickin Fair.  Because of a mistake at the hotel, we each got OUR OWN ROOM for the night on Friday night.  If you are reading this as a single person or married person without children, you will not be able to grasp the enormity of what that meant.  I feel like I spent a good portion of my childhood pining for my own room, and once I got it, I spent all my time pining for someone to share my room with.  Now, 14 years and three cute girls later, the prospect of my own room for a night was heaven.  The room had a king size bed even and the lady at the front desk had made us chocolate chip cookies because she knew that we were upset at the hotel (when was the last time someone made you chocolate chip cookies to make you feel better?  That's usually my job as Mom).  I settled into bed in my own room, turned the TV on and got to watch whatever I wanted to, and tried to go to sleep.  After about 15 minutes I heard sirens outside the window that sounded way too close and I got out of bed and started toward the door to go knock on Mel's door and sleep in her room.  I got half way there and the deep breathing kicked in, I headed back to my own bed and went to sleep.  Why is it that we are always pining for something that sounds better, and when we get just what we thought would be perfect, it's not all that it's cracked up to be.  

The festival was really slow but mid-day Sunday, when discouragement was starting to set in, a lady came into the booth looking at the bags, but not what I would consider a "serious" shopper.  She looked forever and then said she had just gotten her tax stimulus check and she was going to "buy myself a pocketbook".  She left the booth several minutes later with a cute bag.  As we packed up our stuff and headed home, we reflected on the positives of the weekend:  our own room for one night, feeding, dressing, and cleaning up after only ourselves for two days, and best of all, being stimulated by George Bush!

Rock our World

We have had a busy April, that started with the loss of a good friend of ours Jessica G. who died suddenly on the morning of April 12.  She has been an awesome employee of ours at the office for three and a half years.  She was 28 when she died, and the most incredible person.  She had the ability to look right into people's hearts.  No job was ever too big or hard, it was always a matter of rolling up her sleeves and getting it done, whatever it was, always without complaint.   She is one of the best things Dahlonega has had to offer and she will be greatly missed.

The loss has thrown me back into full time work at the office, dealing with patients, which are aptly named because they require more of it than I possess.  After the first hour, I asked if all the rain had driven the crazies out of the wood work, and the office staff quickly assured me these are just the normal calls we get throughout the day.  That's the beauty of 2 sisters,  the bags don't talk back!

The Pigs Reappear!

We had the missionaries over for dinner last night and midway through the dinner (which Ava did not stop talking for even one minute) Ava announced that everyone should look at her because she had something so funny to say.  She pulled up the sleeve of her shirt, bent her elbow and started blowing into her elbow, trying to make farting noises.  When that didn't work, she put her hand in her armpit and started pumping her arm up and down.  I asked her what she was doing and she said she was trying to make "flarting" noises like Hannah Montana's dad.  Apparently the manners lesson needs some repeating.  

Pigs at the Table

One night after several weeks of pretty terrible manners at the dinner table, I announced that we would be having a special dinner. I set the table with a white table cloth, dug out the china and even set the fancy goblets on the table. The only thing missing was the silverware. I served spaghetti and peas and told them to go ahead and eat. I explained that I knew they loved to eat like pigs so have at it but do it well because this was the last time pigs would be invited to the table. Ava had a blast and asked if we could have pigs at the table every night. Micaela was a good sport and played along and Isabella (the piggiest of the bunch) got really mad and would not eat. The funniest part about it is she doesn't use her silverware when it's available to use. We topped off the meal with ice cream cake that I served by squishing it in my hand and lobbing it across the room at them. The manners have improved temporarily. We'll see how long it lasts!

Easter Pics

Easter Festivities

Due to some unforseen conflicts in the Easter Bunny's schedule, the Easter Bunny did not make it to Auntie Mel's house until late in the afternoon. The Mom's (Aunt Gretchen, Auntie Mel and I) were in Auntie Mel's bedroom "helping" the Easter Bunny and the Dads were in charge. They sent the kids outside to play. In the midst helping the Easter Bunny, we looked up and 3 or 4 of the kids were watching us through the window. Shockingly, the surprise was not completely ruined and the most gullible of the children can't wait for the 

Easter Bunny to show up next year!

Micaela hunts for the heavy eggs

Sista, Sista, Sista

Ava hams it up for the camera

Family photo

The Whole Fam Damily

Teacher or Mother of the Year

A couple of weeks ago I was trying to figure out what I should use to get the Early Morning Seminary kids excited about their lesson that morning.  (Early Morning Seminary is a scripture study class for 9th to 12th graders that we have Monday through Friday morning at 6:30 a.m.)  I was quoting one liners from movies to see if they could guess the name of the movie the line came from.  We went through about 6 or 7 one liners and they were getting most of them so I thought I could stump them with "It's in the hole".  None of the students knew which movie it was from and I told them it was from a really good movie called "Caddyshack"  that they should all see because it was very funny.  One of the students looked at me and said "Sister Reynolds, that movie is rated R."  I started laughing and revised my suggestion that they see the movie.  I told them that was Brother Reynolds contribution to the one liners.  

Later that day, I picked Ava up from school where she was the star student for the week.  As star student she could take her favorite movie for the class to watch.  She recently has become obsessed with the movie "Annie" which she took to school with her.  Ava told me Miss Jamie needed her to bring a different movie because "Annie" was terrible and the kids couldn't watch it.  I had asked Izzy and Micaela before school that morning if there was anything in the movie that would be inappropriate for 4 and 5 year olds and they said no.  When I talked to Miss Jamie, she said there was some language and Miss Hanigan in the movie was a drunk and did a strip-tease.  I apologized and sent in a different movie for the kids to watch which Miss Jamie said was much better.  Upon further recollection Micaela and Izzy did remember some things that Ava's class might not want to watch.  

I'm expecting to get the awards for mother of the year and teacher of the year very soon!

Cousins

I love my cousins because they love to play

We like to ride bikes even on a rainy day.

Kansas is winning the basketball game-

We know this poem is pretty lame!

Hannah Montana rocks

Almost as much as Uncle Mike talks.

We love our cousins-they are great,

We hope we have eight hundred and ninety eight!  (Auntie Mel and Uncle Rew better get busy!)

By Ava, Micaela, and Auntie Hol

In like a lion. . . out like a hurricane!

What does it take for me to update the blog?  The prospect of having to dig through my pile of receipts to get my tax stuff ready!!  I will avoid that task at any cost!  Micaela is currently reading "A Brief History of Time"  by Stephen Hawking and in that spirit I will provide a brief history of March.  

• We finished up all star basketball with a strong showing in the regional tournament, losing in the semi-final round, and immediately started soccer.   Go sharks! 
  
• Izzy and Ava are taking drama classes (I'm not sure whether they are teaching or participating) at the local historic theater.  We are anxiously awaiting their May performance of Horton Hears a Who where Isabella plays the mayor and Ava was appropriately cast as a monkey.  
• Easter came and went.  The Texas cousins came to visit and we had a blast.  We hunted for eggs-twice (The Dads forgot to hide the candy filled eggs the first time around).  We visited the Georgia Aquarium and were sad to discover that the relaxing effect of the million gallon fish tank is quickly cancelled by being surrounded by 11 children.  We tried to convince the Texas cousins that they would like to become Georgia cousins to hang out and we quickly decided that we should all become Hawaii cousins!
• Spring break came and went and according to Micaela and Isabella they spent it cleaning and working and at the very end got to see a movie.  They are probably correct because I was busy getting ready for a festival in Conyers, GA March 29 and 30.  Brandon got to live my life for a day and called repeatedly to tell me we are quitting whatever activity he was on his way to or from.  Mel and I spent the weekend trying to stay dry in the middle of a freezing, rainy weekend- we discovered bad weather produces bad sales numbers.  Harvard business school has nothing on us!

Ava's "Meclipse"

Ava came home frome school the other day with a picture of her "meclipse".  Apparently they had learned about the lunar eclipse that was available for viewing the night before.  She explained how the moon was all covered and red.  I didn't even know the eclipse was happening.  When Micaela came home I asked her if she knew it was happening and why didn't she tell me?  Apparently she did in the car on the way home from basketball.  Sadly, we will not be able to view another lunar eclipse until 2010.   I started thinking about all the other things I'm missing out on because I'm just not paying attention.  All the moments with Micaela, Izzy, Ava and Brandon that won't be repeated in two years, or ever.  We're working on seeing the hand of God in our lives as a family this year and I think one of the keys for me is to pay attention.  Too often I'm busy and preoccupied and miss out.  Last week we drove to soccer practice and I was busy and annoyed that I had to drive that far.  Izzy and Ava were doing "twirling" on the grass until they fell down giggling.  Ava stumbled over to me and pointed out the gorgeous bright orange sunset that she thought made the sky look like it is "fired up".  Something I was too busy being annoyed to notice.  I often complain about Ava's ability to demand my attention but maybe that is exactly what I need.  One more example of the hand of God in my life.

Do ALL THOSE children belong to YOU?

3 tanks of gas:  $300.00

6 meals at fast food restaurants:  $180.00

800 diet cokes:  $800.00

500 snacks:  $500.00

Detour into New Orleans:  $50.00 and one more hour in the car

30 + hours in Big Red with 6 children:  -$600.00 (Factoring in future trips to the therapist)

12 movies (including multiple playings of RV):  $240.00

A drive through Louisiana:  -$20,000 (factoring in future health related costs and years lost on our lives)

Being asked at a service station on the Louisiana/Texas line "Do ALL THOSE children belong to YOU?":  Priceless

We asked ourselves as we buckled up in Atlanta if this was a good idea and despite our better judgment, hit the road for Texas.  Alabama made us again question whether this road trip was the right move but we kept on truckin.  Once we hit Mississippi we were too far in and turning around was not an option, but it was only lunch time and Texas seemed a short distance away.  Louisiana hit us like a brick wall and we spent most of the six hours crossing Louisiana reviewing the Louisiana Purchase and drafting a letter to congress to reverse the whole thing.  "Don't Breathe In"  was our mantra as we passed refinery after refinery spitting who knows what into the air.  As we neared the end of Louisiana we tried to stop multiple places for a "snack",  Big Boob (Grand Tete), Whiskey Bay, and Rosy Butt, where we finally made our last stop.  We went into the bathroom and the girls flushed every toilet before they figured out that yellow is just the color of the water there.  We needed Grandma Nelson with us to approve bathrooms along the way!

Texas was a breath of fresh air-at least the refineries had pretty lights and we couldn't see the nasty exhaust because of the dark.  We were excited to see Nana and Papa, Uncle Mike and Aunt Gretchen and of course excited to reunite the six chicks!  The Not So Silent but deadly foursome (Jack, Stephen, Sam and Wally) mixed it up too.  Thanks to the cousins for sharing your house, your toys, and your beds.  We can't wait to see you again soon!  Some of our favorite things from the weekend were:

• Maddie's Baptism

• Abby's excellent lay up and Mike's eerily calm coaching!
• Rip stick lessons-without the need for medical attention even
• Jumping on the trampoline
• Jack's directions in the car- if only we all could hold on to the excitement to discover new places!

• Sam's reintroduction every time he came into a room-"Hey it's me Sam.  I just turned four!"
  

• Cousin sleep overs!

• The carrot race- Ava jack and sam raced to finish their "retchables" at lunch on Sunday.  They all came out winners- each getting a popscicle for their efforts.  Bribing your children to eat your vegetables with negative nutrition items- the mark of great parents!

As Isabella Turns 9

Isabella celebrated her ninth birthday in between sports practices and music lessons.  She had a great birthday and even scored a free huge piece of cheesecake from Longhorn because of Brandon's connections.  It was a fun day for her and the day I caved as a mom.  All she wanted for her birthday was an ipod shuffle-something that I have repeatedly said I am opposed to giving your children because you will spoil them rotten and they will be ruined for life, never knowing the value of hard work.  I went to the store with the best of intentions and looked at all the other, less expensive mp3 players that serve exactly the same purpose and left the store with a purple ipod shuffle.  Ironically, less than a week after my caving in, the price of the ipod shuffle has decreased by $30.  I think it's my form of "caving" tax!  Micaela also scored a hand-me-down ipod the same day.  She quickly lost access to hers after it went to school on the bus with her the very next morning.  When she came home from school and pulled it out of her pocket she simply asked "how long do I get it taken away?"  That prompted what can only be described as WW3 at our house and we are the proud parents of our first "I hate you" letter from our preteen who we thought was pretty close to perfect!  We must be doing something right!

Patriots Pain

After a perfect season of 0 losses and 6 wins I can truly say I feel the Patriots pain! At 3:00 today our team showed up to play the championship game of the season(if you can say we were not already champions)and in he end we lost 21-17.  I now actualy feel sorry for Tom Brady because I Can say Championships STINK! ( so does that Ref!!!!!!!!!!!!)  

That's the ref!!!

Alllstars

We're finally in!!!!!!!!  I think the five minutes was actually 30 but we're not exactly the smartest computer geeks in the world.  Anyway My life is pretty simple Basketball, Middle school, piano , violin, soccer, friends, and the Wii.  Well mostly basketball where the regular season ended with a perfect record for our team and I'm now playing on the all star team for Lumpkin County.  Go Indians!!Have a good one !  

   Me with my game face on!

Going Live

Despite my better judgement we have joined the blogging world.  We're still not even sure what a blog is and most days are lucky if we can get our computer to function, and by function I mean type!  Welcome to our world!  We're excited to share life in the south where the excitement of the week involves a trip to Wal Mart or Dairy Queen.  If we get really lucky, we see three or four people we know along the way.  Attending the local 12 and under girls basketball games will have you up on the town gossip for the week and at last count only 4 students dropped out of middle school this week due to illness (pregnancy) or vacation plans (jail-handcuffs and all)!  Y'all have a good one!