Girls Night Out- Concert!

December 5th Kelly and I enjoyed a very fun girls night out with our buddies Kathy and Emily. Shawn had bought us tickets a while back to go to the Cheetah Girls concert in Milwaukee. What a fun time! We ate out for dinner before the show and then headed to the big concert. It was Emily's first concert so Kelly was excited to show and explain everything to her. Kathy and I had as much fun as the girls did!! The Cheetah Girls were awesome, very talented and very entertaining. A great night!

I LOVE YOU TREE!

My little miss Kaitlyn is so very funny. Both girls were so excited to get the Christmas tree up and start putting on the ornaments over Thanksgiving weekend. They begged relentlessly until I gave in, even though I was sooo tired. After we were done with round one of decorating, Kaitlyn could not contain her excitement and ran up to the tree squealing, "I love you tree!!" It was the sweetest thing ever and she did it every day for about a week or two. We would ask her each day, Katey have you hugged your tree? She'd say oh yeah, run into the living room and hug her tree, adding a sweet little "i love you tree!". So funny.

November memories

A Time of Loss
In addition to happy times, November held some very unexpected losses. Thanksgiving was more somber and reflective for me, trying to focus on the positive and the many blessings in my life. Three dear lives were lost to me and many other loved ones within a few weeks. First, my dear friend lost her precious baby thru miscarriage. I want to be a comfort to her as I remember how sad and disappointing this season of life can be.

Then a friend and co-teacher of 14 years passed away from cancer. She was a trusted confidant, barrel of laughs, and a woman whose opinion I trusted and valued. Her family is grieving and so is our school for her huge loss. I hate cancer, it stole our friend. But I can be thankful to know that she is with the King of Kings, still the tears come for her husband and 2 sons.

Finally most unexpectedly not 10 days later, our school lost another beloved teacher. Her death has been sudden and shocking. She was an outgoing, friendly, hilarious co-teacher. A new friend to me but someone I quickly grew fond of because she always made us smile and just feel good. Her family is grieving and so is our school for the huge hole she leaves behind. In the hearts of her students, too. And the tears come for her 2 sons, too.

So all right, God. You have my attention. I thought I learned that lesson in October with my mom's illness, you know life is short, don't take it for granted, every day is a gift. Our pastor has been teaching us the importance and priority that gratitude and thankfulness MUST have in our lives. The power that a life of thankfulness can bring I am trying to comprehend. I AM trying to be more thankful, in between tears and empty classrooms that our friends have left behind.

We have so very much to be thankful for, it is so true. Each day is a gift, each moment, each breath. Each laugh, each tear, each hug, each kiss. I want to freeze them and yet the clock ticks by. Time to turn off the computer as Kaitlyn repeats, "Mommy, see me... Mommy, look!" Here I come, Kate.




Happy Thanksgiving!
We did something different this year and traveled to Aunt Rachel's house in Springfield for baby Garrett's first Thanksgiving. The girls had A BLAST playing with their baby cousin, and talked about him for days. Plus they had more time with Grandma and Grandpa Herrin, going out to eat, swimming at the hotel, and hanging out.

Kelly's highlight was helping Grandma fix our Thanksgiving dinner. Grandma taught Kelly how to make Kel's favorite salad from Grandma, cranberry salad. Kelly loves helping out in the kitchen.

Kaitlyn's highlight was playing with baby Garrett. "He So Cute, Mommy!" was all she could say. That and "We have baby sister and baby brother, right Mommy?!" Yikes, time to pull out those dolls and pretend!

Happy 6th Birthday to our cousin Sam!

Wow, when did this happen? Sam was the "baby" of our family for the longest time until Kaitlyn came along. He is one of Katey's best friends (right along with Kyle). The girls had fun at his party playing games, eating pizza and cupcakes, and running around spending their tokens.

Fall Fun

Happy Birthday Kelly!!!

Oh yikes, my little girl turned 9 years old yesterday. She had a FABULOUS birthday for many reasons.

• Her dear friend Sylvia spent the weekend with us
• her Grandma & Grandpa H. drove up to celebrate with her
• her Nana is well enough to be with us
• she watched her favorite movie, High School Musical 3, with 12 of her favorite friends and cousins
• last night we celebrated some more with 19 members of our family
• her long list of presents included American Girl doll clothes & matching pajamas, new barbies, littlest pet shop toys, crafts, Amer. Girl doll books & toys, her long-awaited Nintendo DS player and games, fashion designer stuff, gift cards, jewelry, cash...
• plus more blessings I know I'm forgetting because it was such a whirlwind day
• oh yeah she spent the morning in the pool at her swimming lesson which she could do for hours, just swim back and forth (i think it is her own little sanctuary in that pool just doing laps)

Kelly, I am so very blessed to be your mom. You have taught me so many lessons over the past 9 years (plus 9 months before that). I wouldn't trade one day with you for all the treasures in this world. I don't know why God chose me to be your mom but I am so very grateful He did. I love you, sweetheart! You are such a blessing to your family & friends.

Happy Halloween!

The girls were too cute on Halloween. Kelly dressed up as her favorite movie star, Gabriella from High School Musical. Kaitlyn chose to be Tinkerbell and wore the same costume that Grandma H. had made for Kelly 4 years ago. The Sunday before Halloween we hit Grammy & Poppy's house then Kyle & Sam's neighborhood, it was a very windy day. Kaitlyn nearly blew away down Kyle & Sam's street.

Our trick-or-treating was Halloween night. It was a beautiful day & evening with really warm temperatures & sunshine (at least til it got dark out :). We visited Nana & Papa's house first, then did our little street. The girls were more excited to pass out candy that night but sadly we only had maybe 10 kids visit all night.

GIRLS NIGHT OUT!!

Oct. 25th was a great night out! I had the pleasure of spending it with my dearest friends Kathy, Janet, Jody, and Jenni. We started early (because you know it does take hours to get to the theater!) with a delicious Mexican dinner and adult conversation. Then we saw lots of familiar faces at the concert, especially more dear friends Toni & Kelsi. The concert was amazing, two of my favorites of all time, Michael W. Smith and Steven Curtis Chapman together. Three hours of the most amazing worship music & testimonies. I had the BEST time with you girls, thank you!!

Pumpkin Farm

Last Sunday 10/19 the girls and I enjoyed a trip to the pumpkin farm with Aunt Jenny & the boys. This is usually Nana & Papa's annual tradition with the 4 grandkids but since Nana is recovering from surgery at home (Praise GOD!!!), Jenny and I took the kids. It was a beautiful fall day with the leaves changing & fall colors. The 4 cousins rode ponies and bounced along on a hayride, snacked on sugar cookies & popcorn, and picked out their own pumpkins. A very fun afternoon with 5 of my favorite people in the world! :)

Silly girls

I will probably be in BIG trouble for posting these photos but they are soooooo funny!!! One morning on our way to church in the car, Kelly got a hold of my camera and started snapping away. She took lots of hilarious shots and I figured these are the only 2 I could get away with before Kelly sees this. Making funny faces & giggling like crazy, we laughed so hard that morning.

Kaitlyn's first field trip

Katey had her first field trip ever on October 1st. I had the pleasure of chaperoning her preschool trip to the pumpkin farm. I can't believe how quickly she is growing up right before our eyes. She was beaming a big smile all morning. Even though it was a cold, windy day she had so much fun walking around with her little friends, looking at the animals & pumpkins, and going on a hay ride. I had so much fun just watching her and snapping lots of pictures. It was a great day for us together!

Memories of a sweet September

I was so excited to catch 3 Cubs games in September!! Shawn, Kaitlyn, and I witnessed history for my favorite Cubbie Carlos Zambrano's no-hitter on 9-14 against the Astros. Even sweeter since it was at Miller Park. That was the most exciting game I've ever seen! Kaitlyn loves to watch "her Cubs". I have never seen a 3-year-old follow the game & players so much. Plus with hot dogs and cotton candy, how can she go wrong? Kelly chose a sleepover at Aunt Jenny's house instead. Huh???

Then my brother Tommy (decked out in the Brew Crew gear, such ungratefulness for Shawn's treat on the tickets...:) caught a Brewers-Cubs game on 9-27. No photos of that one, but I really enjoyed the extra time with him. I don't think we've ever done that before and it was very nice.

My last game was the following day 9-28 for the final season game, Cubs & Brewers again. Shawn and I took the girls (Kelly was a good sport today and humored us). Katey cheered the loudest, "Let's go Cubbies, let's go!" She was so funny.

So needless to say once the humiliating series after the Dodgers was done, I was in black and mourned for a few days. Then decided to boycott the rest of the playoffs & WS. Who likes Phil. or Tampa Bay anyway? Not me. Poor Katey is learning early on in her little life what it means to be a diehard fan. There's always next year!

Our Nana, saved by God's grace

Wow, what a week we have had. Our precious Nana, my mom has been in the hospital for one week today. Praise God who has given us more time with Nana and spared her life. Thank you to all who have prayed for a miracle healing for Mom. God is so good, He has answered so many prayers for Mom already.

I was thinking earlier about this time last Saturday evening, standing in the hospital emergency room with my dad, my sister, brother, and my grandmother scared out of our minds. I have never seen someone in so much pain, and since it was my dear mom my heart broke all the more.

I feel like these past 7 days have changed all of us. More gratefulness in our hearts, more awe of my parents' unending love & devotion to each other, more devotion to my siblings & grandparents. Our faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has been tested... and strengthened.

An emergency, life-threatening surgery on one of the people you love most in this world has an unnerving, traumatic, reflective persuasion on your priorities. Mom has a long road to recovery ahead of her but I am so very thankful tonight that there WILL be a road to recovery.

Life is fragile. Handle with care. (and PRAYER)

The End of the Summer photos (I promise) & the Beginning of a new school year

First Day of School

My sweet little Katey is officially a preschooler! She loves getting up and dressed for school with backpack in hand. She tells us about her "fends" and her day with such excitement. It is incredibly fun to watch and listen to her but also makes me sad. Where did my little baby go?

Kelly started 3rd grade on 8-26. Thank God we are still in the same building. She is growing into such a beautiful, smart girl. I am so very proud of the person she is becoming.

Shawn's First Triathlon

We were very proud of our Daddy on 8-16-08. Shawn participated in his first ever triathlon in Pleasant Prairie. There were tons of people biking, swimming, and running. His friends Shawn and Rob joined him in the race. We were quite impressed with how well he did, great job Daddy!

Wisconsin State Fair 8-5-08

Our annual trip to the fair was so much fun, as always. The girls enjoyed the rides and the food! It was a hot, summer day... Kelly and I were lucky enough to go to the Corbin Blue and Vanessa Hudgens concert that night. We loved it! It was so much fun for Kel to see two of her favorite High School Musical stars in person.

Camping trip

We celebrated Aunt Jenny's birthday with a camping trip to Indian Trails in Pardeeville, WI. Our friend Michele and her family joined us, too. We had a great time relaxing in the sun, swimming in the lake, and hanging out together.

Six Flags with Kyle & Sam... our best buddies & cousins 7-30-08

Grandma & Grandpa Reed's golden anniversary

July 25-27 we drove down to Quincy for several very good reasons. First, to celebrate our dear Grandma & Grandpa Reed's 50th wedding anniversary. My mother-in-law Mary and her sibling thru a great celebration to honor Gr. & Gr. Many family members (which in the Reed family means tons of people!) and their friends came, they are an amazing couple who have lived out biblical marriage for many years. They encourage and challenge me to live out that kind of marriage every time I think of them.

Second, we drove down to meet our very special little cousin Garrett!!! He is so precious, Aunt Rachel & Uncle Blake's first baby. Katey was IN LOVE with him and had so much fun holding him and talking to him. She talked for the next few weeks about having her own little baby brother, yikes. Kelly, of course, loved him to pieces, too, who couldn't? The girls are thrilled to have a new baby cousin.

I love this photo of the girls with their great-grandparents.

Whenever these big Reed family reunions happen, the girls are reunited with some of their favorite cousins. Nichole, Ashley, and Amanda are close in age to our girls but live far away in Tennessee. It is so much fun to watch them always pick up right where they left off last time.