Day by Day

Sometimes I look at Keera's face and then remember Bren, Connor and Katie at that age or younger-and I think, how can God make such perfect little creatures.  So sweet and little are those cute faces....so full of promise and goodness....God Bless little faces!

Keera saw this at goodwill and had to be it for Halloween....a Horse rider???? Katie wants to be an iphone app..I'll capture that one too.

 Nicki and Keera for pumpkin picking....Katie was looking for her perfect pumpkin at this point. Mexican Puggle???? Nonner (as I call him, bought her a Halloween hat).  

Bob and I joined a couples bowling league on Friday nights.  We kicked butt...he bowled a 253!

Katie donated her hair.  She chose to do it all on her own through school.  They had to sign a contract in the Spring that they would not die, highlight, etc their hair.  Here is the before and after picture. She is my inspiration!

First was the break through in August, then the many hours of building and roofing from August through October.  The last picture is about a week ago and I will add a final picture once I take it.  Wow-what an incredibly talented person....not only is he smart enough to work on computers, but he is as handy as they come....my hubby!!!!

The confirmation Sermon was a great one for young and old.  The bishop spoke to the confirmation candidates about three evils that they will come across the role of the holy spirit for them.  The evils were 1.  wanting worldy goods (nice cars, nice clothes, etc) 2.  wanting status (good paying job, etc) 3.  caring what other people think about you.  He told the kids that they should look inside themselves to determine who they are and not rely on these other things.  The Holy Spirit will help them find their way if they listen to it.  I think it was a great sermon for young people at their age.  It was followed by the sermon at mass the next day by our priest.  He told the story of Adam Greenberg, the baseball rookie who got up to bat a few years back, was hit in the head with a 92 mile a hour pitch, then made a comeback a few weeks ago to have one at bat.  The point of the story was that the man, Adam, said it wasn't about t...

Confirmation - Katie and Nicki- Sponsors - Brendan for Katie and Kelly for Nicki.  Connor and Jeff at Pizza afterward.  Fun times...family...stick together!

I really never had a strong interst in setting out to read the Bible, but I think there is something about the forties that inspires you to do new things.  So, one of my new things is Bible study.  I actually really enjoy it and am looking for other good sections to read.  I think I will turn to the book of Psalms and another suggestion was the gospels. 

Katie will be confirmed on Friday with Brendan as her sponsor.  Friday is also our 21st wedding anniversary.  Who would have thought on that day 21 years ago that 21 years later we would be spending the day with family, at a religious ceremony, involving our daughter and son, moving into a form of adulthood through the church and with our other son and daughter celebrating with us.......so cool-isn't it?

Keera tried out for the school play...Annie...she had to practice the song for a week before hand and she was so excited.  She did not make it.  Only 7 second graders out of 40 made it and 85 tried out (2-5th graders).  She was so sad.  She has gotten over it since then, but it is true...as parents we bleed with them (and maybe even more so).  This is the fourth child I am going through disappointment with and it doesn't get any easier.  They each have had their fair share of disappointing moments.  Katie volleyball, Connor baseball, Brendan break up of first love, to name a few.  While it doesn't get any easier, I would rather feel that pain than not have it.  It is an opportunity to teach someone that there is a plan we don't know about, that things always happen for a reason, that there is strength found in a faith that they will still get up the next morning and they will find something else new and exciting to jum...

Crazy.....third time in a year...we don't call it by it's name anymore......Keera came home last fall with it after being at someone's house, who a few days later discovered they had it at school.  Within two weeks, Keera had it.......this summer Keera went to camp, where they do not check at all or keep a nurse on hand to check (not doing that camp again)...Keera had it.....four weeks ago Keera came home saying they checked her class at school......two weeks ago discovered itching, both me and Keera..... Here is what I want to know.....three children within four years of each other go through 15-19 years and never get it....one child by herself gets it three times in one year....I don't get it......but I know it is nasty.....wash everything under the sun...vaccuum...spray....check, check again....treatment.... this is nuts and clearly a good way to drive someone insane.......

What an incredible book - I happened to pick it up on a whim and it has made an incredible difference in my life.  It describes how a woman set out for a year with a happiness project.  Every month she focused on a different aspect in her life.  I was so inspired by it that I adapted my own.  I thought it out, planned it out and even bought a calendar to write it out so I would chart it and follow it. Now if anyone told me that they had to create a happiness project to be more happy, I would have said "you are nuts"...."Happiness happens, you don't create it".....but after reading this book and making myself be more concrete in a process (I am so random most of the time), I am actually happier for doing it. September was about energy, so I focused on different forms of exercise (biking, walking, jogging, swimming, yoga class and fall softball fell into my lap).  I charted my exercise on my calendar so I ended up exercising 5 out of 7 days a week, 2 of which ...

New Policy in the Reed household...."Family Dinner" every Sunday at 6 p.m.  Everyone (but Keera, who doesn't have a phone) receives a reminder text on Saturday that family dinner will be at 6 p.m. on Sunday.  Every week someone new chooses the meal.  This started six weeks ago with my random choice of Chinese food.  Brendan did not show up....didn't get home on time and Keera left family dinner almost as soon as it started because people were talking over her and she was mad/hurt.  While I get that, I also think she is used to being the only one with me and/or Bob, so she usually has the center stage.  Connor shortly after, so it was decided that Katie would have the next week's choice of meal.  Then Connor, then Keera, then Brendan and somehow Bob ended up last.  It is a bit of a work session for us because not everyone likes the same thing, but for this one day a week, I don't mind cooking two lasagnas - one with meat and one for the vegeta...