I'm back...

Once again...I apolgize, I am the world's worst blogger. I think about it often, I should really write something. I want to be a writer when I grow up some day, ha! I love writing. But the perfectionist in me puts off what I can do perfectly. So that leaves 3+ months since my last post, waiting for the perfect topic, perfect words...too much pressure.

So over the past 3+ months, of course there has been good and bad. On the plus side, I have really been enjoying our summer vacation from school. That's a no-brainer! After a long, hard, exhausting school year, this break is exactly what I needed. The girls and I are having lots of fun in the sun...trips to the pool, park, library, movies, etc. They're really enjoying their season passes to 6 Flags Great America. Such a deal. We've already been to the park 4 times (they've been 5, once with their dad). Considering the passes cost just a few bucks more than a one-day ticket, such a deal. On our home days, house is looking good, laundry & dishes are kept up, projects are being chiseled on...so much easier when I'm not working.

On the not-so-plus side, the last 3 months have brought the deaths of 2 more dear grandfathers in my life. So I have lost my 3 grandfathers in 16 months. But how blessed am I to be 37 years old (for 9 more days) and to have these men in my life for so long. My husband's grandfather passed away on April 6, Grandpa Reed. I met my husband's grandparents in Aug. 1995 at my first mega-family reunion. Since we married in '96, they've been my grandparents, too. Grandpa Reed was an incredibly genuine, caring, godly man. My husband did an amazing job eulogizing his grandfather at his funeral and spoke of the great influence he'd had on his life. It was a beautiful funeral but an even more beautiful life. We miss you, Grandpa and look forward to the day we are reunited with our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ in heaven.

Then on June 14, my dad's dad Grandpa Dietz passed away in Florida. It had been 10 years since I'd seen him and even that day I wasn't sure he remembered me. He was 91. My Grandma Dietz had passed away from cancer when I was 9, many years ago. The majority of my memories of my grandpa also include my grandma. Camping trips, UNO games, homemade brownies in their red & white kitchen, and Glen Rock pop always stocked in their basement fridge. :)

Father's Day left a lump in my throat that I could not swallow. How I missed these 3 men who had left their mark on my life from very different periods of time. My heart broke for my dad (who'd lost his dad 6 days b4 Fathers Day). My heart still breaks for my husband on Father's Day after he lost his dad at such a young age. For my girls to lose 3 great-grandfathers. But yet...my dad and my daughters' dad are here and so worthy to be celebrated.

How blessed am I...to be loved by my family, to have a family to love. I am grateful, Lord Jesus. It's funny (well not funny but you know what I mean) how grief comes in waves. You think all is well and you're cruising along, then the thoughts come...the tears...the memories.

Thank you Lord for blessing me abundantly with the gift of my family!!

December details

December 14th was another busy day... in the morning Katey got to be MARY!!! at church in her Sunday School's nativity play for the congregation. That was the most still I had ever seen her sit, she was so proud to be Mary. Kelly sang and played the hand bells with the older kids, too. Then that afternoon we headed to Poppy's masonic lodge Christmas party with Santa, gifts, elves, food, and crafts. The kids had a great time. Here are all the Carman great-grandkids with Santa.

Swimming Lessons

During Nov. & Dec. I took the girls to the RecPlex every Saturday morning for swim lessons. They loved it and hated for the lessons to end, they are both little fish and love the water! Someday hopefully we'll have our own pool in the backyard to splash around in.

Katey's preschool Christmas program

December 8th was a big night for our Kaitlyn! Her first Christmas program at her preschool. She was the cutest little angel, sang every song, remembered the words and hand motions, it was so precious. She was so proud of herself and we were, too! She had quite a fan club there as well: Mom, Dad, Kelly, Nana, Papa, Grammy, Poppy, Uncle Scott, Aunt Jenny, Kyle, and Sam.

Dietz-Dowell Christmas party

December 6th we celebrated an early Christmas dinner and party with the Dietz, Dowell, and Humphres' families. We had a delicious dinner out at Famous Dave's (yummy BBQ) and then the kids opened gifts back at Jenny & Scott's house. The 4 kids loved their rolled up money from Aunt Wanda especially. I love this photo of my parents with their 4 grandchildren. The best present I received this year was having Nana with us to celebrate, thank you God!

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.

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.