Wrestling Banquet Without Crutches!

Tonight we had the wrestling banquet for Tyler's school. They did some extra special things for Tyler since he broke his leg this year. First off, Bill Deluca, a friend of the family, and the best slideshow producer for our wrestling team, made a special clip on the slideshow this year on Tyler. It was pretty cool, especially the pic of Tyler with his letter jacket on showing all his pins (horse blanket pins)-he has three rows! Secondly, the coaches presented Tyler with a special award this year...the "Mental Attitude Award." Coach Donati talked about how Tyler was expected to do great things this year and how Tyler set his goals high but unfortunately they were stopped short with his accident. Tyler was very surprsed to receive the plaque and accepted it with great honor. Another good thing about tonight was Tyler went to the front without crutches! Yep, today he starts his two weeks walking on his leg with the boot. No crutches! It was a bittersweet evening as we say goodbye to Discovery Middle School and the wonderful memories we have there. We could not have asked for a better middle school for our boys and we are thankful they attended there. Ben has greatly enjoyed the opportunity to help coach there and be so involved in the boys' sporting events. It's been a fun filled ride!

Visions of Spring

Thought I'd share some photos from yesterday after school...Gabi and I enjoyed the weather by playing outside.
I just love these signs of Spring...
a beautiful blue sky with a few puffy white clouds...
robins everywhere you turn...
tulips starting to sprout...
budding new leaves on the trees...
a red cheeked little girl who just enjoyed a fudgecicle outside while swinging on her swingset!

"Mommy Test"

I got this on email from a friend and thought it was funny (and cute)!

I was out walking with my 4 year old daughter. She picked up something off the ground and started to put it in her mouth. I took the item away from her and I asked her not to do that. "Why?" my daughter asked. "Because it's been on the ground, you don't know where it's been, it's dirty and probably has germs" I replied. At this point, my daughter looked at me with total admiration and asked, "Mommy, how do you know all this stuff? You are so smart." I was thinking quickly. "All moms know this stuff. It's on the Mommy Test. You have to know it, or they don't let you be a Mommy." We walked along in silence for 2 or 3 minutes, but she was evidently pondering this new information. "OH...I get it!" she beamed, "So if you don't pass the test you have to be the daddy." "Exactly!," I replied back with a big smile on my face.

Kinda makes you wish there really was a "mommy test" for some people! Anyways, loving the weather...cleaned the shed out, got out all our patio furniture, put out wicker set on front porch, put up patio torches, cleaned the grill, shot some hoops with Gabi, threw the ball to Maizy...ready for Spring and enjoying every minute! Happy Monday!
9:45 am and it already 71 degrees!

Second Place at Wawassee (Freestyle)

Today Dave took Trenton down to Syracuse to Wawassee High School for the first ISWA freestyle tournament. Ben had to help coach the Big 11 (Final tournament for middle school) and Tyler, of course, opted to go and support his teammates there as well. Trenton wanted to participate in the freestyle tournament 1) because he loves freestyle and 2) to get qualified for state. Since Ben had the Big 11 we asked uncle David to take Trenton so he'd be able to help coach and support him. Gabi and I dropped Tyler at Goshen High School and headed to Wawassee - just in time to make Trenton's second match. He had to wrestle a total of 5 times and unfortunately took second place in the championship round. That's okay though, Trenton did really well and he had a good time. He did, however, hurt his neck (and thankfully avoided serious injury) so he is a little sore. Freestyle seems to be a little more dangerous than folkstyle because of all the throws you can do...they score throws 1 to 5 (5 being the highest over the opponents shoulder)...yes, it is dangerous...and yes, sometimes I hide my eyes...anyways, here are a couple photos from today. And a BIG THANK YOU to uncle Dave for taking the time out to go and support Trenton!!! As for Big 11 - I am kind of glad I missed out, I think I only would have been depressed there (knowing Tyler could have won again for the second year in a row) : (

Evening With Daddy

With wrestling still going strong and Ben still coaching Tyler's team, he hasn't been able to spend a whole lot of time with Gabi lately. Last night was the seeding meeting for the team and since Tyler wouldn't be wrestling in the Big 11, Ben decided to invite Gabi to dinner (her choice) and spend the evening with her alone. She chose Pizza Hut and they enjoyed their pizza and breadsticks there, picked Trenton up from wrestling on the way home, and then enjoyed the remainder of the evening playing some wiffle ball outside since the weather was so nice! Here are some pics of their wiffle ball game...Gabi is actually pretty good!

A couple of cute things Gabi told Ben...

Tonight is her schools annual "Art Gala" and the theme is called "Pep Rally For Art" and she was trying to explain this to Ben...Gabi said she was supposed to wear something showing her favorite team and then at the Artsmart Gala they were going to have a "Pepper Rally."

While I was getting Tyler's antibiotic yesterday at Meijer I picked up a Plecostomus fish for her tank to keep it cleaner. Gabi went to show Ben and said, "Mommy got me a sucker fish to clean the allergies out of the tank."

How cute!

Update on Tyler

Tyler was home yesterday from school not feeling well...sore throat, headache, stomach ache, all the symptoms of strep throat, so I decided to take him in the the doctor. Lo and behold, his strep test was positive. We were able to get him on some antibiotics so he should be feeling better in a couple of days. Tyler also had an appointment with his surgeon about his leg in the afternoon. We got some positive news. Although he will have to continue on crutches for just another week, he will be able to walk (in the boot) for 2 weeks after till we see the doctor again on April 11. At that time, Dr. Graham said he would take him out of the boot and get his foot really moving for about a week and hopefully, afterwards, he'll be able to wrestle again! At this point Tyler is a little nervous about wrestling again, but I think he'll feel better about it once he is out of the boot and walking normal. He is able, though, to get on a stationary bike to ride now if we had one and he has been given many exercises to loosen up those tendons and muscles and get those back to normal. The doctor explained how the bones are healed, we just have to get the tendons and muscles back to use now because they are so stiff. It will just take some time and exercises...not bad news at all!

Pictures of the Kids - March 2007

Thought I'd share the photos taken of my kids when we went to Portrait Innovations to get pictures taken of all the cousins on the Reinoehl side...

Need a laugh?

If you need a laugh on this overcast, dreary, Monday morning...here it is!!! My sister in law found this and it is funny! Enjoy!!! Happy Monday!

Folkstyle State Finals

This weekend we were so proud of Trenton...he wrestled his natural weight...no cutting...at 135 lbs! He did great! He finished 7th in the state folkstyle tournament for ISWA (cadet 135). Unfortunately, he drew John Dillon from Hobart first and lost, which put him in the loser's bracket. He wrestled a total of 5 times on Saturday (wrestlebacks) and 3 more on Sunday to place 7th. We took Tyler's friend, Michael, to compete in his first state wrestling tournament and maw maw and paw paw were also able to come along to watch Trenton. Uncle Dave showed up on Sunday to help coach and support Trenton as well. We were at the high school watching Trenton wrestle till 7:00 pm on Saturday and we had a nice dinner across from our hotel to celebrate maw maw's birthday. Mike's mom, Kathy, made some very cool wrappers for little chocolate candies to help celebrate her birthday and for the boys (wrestling). Thanks Kathy-they were cute and were a great energy booster! Anyways, here are some pics from the weekend. Notice the sweatshirt my mom is wearing (her birthday present from us) that says "wrestler's grandma" and has the boys' names on each sleeve! Great supporters, my parents are!
Also a great video from the tournament...

*Edited to include...the only bad thing about going 135 lbs. for Trenton is that alot of the other guys cut hard to make 135 lbs., weigh in on Thursday, and bounce back to sometimes 150 lbs. by tournament time, so by the time Trenton (naturally 135 lbs.) wrestles the ones who cut and bounce, he is wrestling a 150 lbs. guy! Something the ISWA should look into controlling.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is one of my best friend's birthday...my mom! Yep, looking back (and having teenagers now) I know I couldn't say she was my best friend. I do, however, have to admit that she put up with alot and there were times I can say I got really, really mad at her when I was younger. I am just so glad and thankful that I have a mom who loves me for who I am and stuck it out with me during those frustrating times of being a teenager. I have learned so much from her and I can see myself trying to parent the way she did with me. I guess I just want to and hope to have the relationship with my children, that I do with my mom. She is someone I look up to and truly admire - Someone who is patient and loves without any reservations, someone who gives and gives and gives without ever complaining. Thanks, mom, for being the person you are - for giving me a model to look up to, for loving me, my husband, and my children for who we are, for supporting us in all we do. We love you so much and today we wish you the best day ever! Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

A Virus Strikes!

I have been an absentee from the whole blogging scene because my little baby girl has been sick. The school called Monday afternoon saying she was complaining of her head and stomach hurting and she had a fever of 102 degrees. Of course, I went to get her and she has been home on the couch pretty much since that time! I pumped her full of fluids and gave her some Tylenol and she seemed to feel a little better yesterday during the day. It seems, however, when the Tylenol wears off, she starts with the high fever again. When I called the school to report her absent again today they mentioned that they had 60 kids out the other day with fevers alone. It's funny because I called the doctor hoping to get some insight...I really didn't want to drag Gabi there if they were going to say, "fluids, Tylenol and rest...it's a virus and it needs to run its' course." After explaining that she was running a fever, had glassy eyes, a runny nose, a slight cough...basically flu symptoms...the nurse told me to just keep her drinking and call if the fever goes above 104. It hasn't. This morning though, she vomited and woke up with some goop in her eyes...maybe conjuctivitis. I am not so sure this is the flu...maybe a strand of it...maybe not, maybe just a nasty old virus. I am hoping and praying it clears up soon. I miss my busy little girl...

Gabi's Family Birthday Party

Yes, it has been a busy weekend indeed! Saturday we had Gabi's party for her friends and then got pictures of the cousins on the Reinoehl side. Our final party for Gabi was on Sunday evening (after Bren and Pam's baptisms, and Bren's birthday party). We had family over to help us celebrate and she got some awesome gifts - especially nice clothes for the spring/summer, which she desperately needed. A big thank you to all our family for coming and celebrating with us! We were really glad that Aunt Jenny, Travis and Mackenzy were able to be here from Texas too! What an extra special gift!!! Here are a couple photos from Gabi's family party.

Cousins

We were able to get pictures at Portrait Innovations on Saturday (after the skating party) with all the cousins on the Reinoehl side because Ben's sister, Jenny, is in town from Texas. She has two children, Travis (11 years old) and Mackenzy (8 years old). Pam has Bren, who just turned one and then of course, our kids. They turned out very nice and we were excited to give the pictures to Ben's dad this weekend. Here are some of the pics of the cousins (from the portrait studio, one of Bren digging in his birthday cake, and one from Gabi's family party). Family is what it is all about!

Skating Party

Gabi had her skating party yesterday with 9 of her friends from school. Some of her friends had never roller skated before and I am proud to say that by the end of the party they were pretty steady on wheels! I'm glad they took a chance and learned something new! Gabi got lots of very cool gifts - lots to do on rainy days or when she says she is so "bored" so I was very excited. Here are a couple of photos from the party ... oh, and thanks Maw Maw and Paw Paw for coming and helping watch over the youngsters!

Gabi's BirthDAY

Gabi's day was great yesterday. She got up and found a nice note left from daddy saying "happy 7th birthday - I love you." She was so excited. Gabi got off the bus after school and proceeded to tell me that they mispronounced her last name on the news..."they said, Reinhooooe." I just told her that she would probably have to get used to people mispronouncing her last name. It's a hard one. Other than that she opened another card she got in the mail from Georgia (my employee), aunt annie brought her over a cool manatee statue, and she got some phone calls (from maw maw and paw paw, uncle chad, uncle dave, aunt pam, grandpa, and emma) wishing her a very happy birthday. We let Gabi open her gifts from us and she LOVED them all! We got her exactly what she wanted, she told us. We got her that new Roller Barbie-moms of boys would think of this as an RC car for girls : ), A Knock Knock Joke book, the new puppy in a pocket bracelet, and the new Toothtunes toothbrush (which is really cool and really works!). We then went to Tyler's wrestling meet for an hour so Ben could coach the team and took off early to Max & Erma's - Gabi's choice! She had a corn dog, fruit and then had an ice cream sundae and of course, their famous chocolate chip cookies! She loved it because the waiters and waitresses sang to her. Anyways, the day went well and she had a good one! We will be partying all weekend too (skating party on Saturday and family party on Sunday), you see, in our family a birthday lasts like a week!!! We like to celebrate!!! : )

My Baby Girl Is 7!

Seven years ago today (at about 4:30 pm) my 8 lbs., 1 oz., 21 1/2 inches long Gabrielle Marie was born! I can still recall how surprised Ben and I both were to find out we had a little girl! You know, even when I was pregnant Ben used to call my belly "Buddha" and he swore it was another boy. We never found out through ultrasound what sex I was having so when decorating the nursery I said I would use neutral colors but leaned toward boy colors - just because I was used to having boys and I didn't think I would have a girl. The signs were all there...this pregnancy wasn't like the boys - this time I was sick all the time, I had false labor like 5 times, it was just all opposite the way it was with the boys. I chalked it up to myself being older this time and my body not handling it as well. For Gabi I had an epidural (which I never had with the boys) and ended up asking myself, "why on earth didn't I have one with the boys?" Labor was so pleasant! I actually enjoyed it! When she was born I had to look at Gabi myself to know she was a girl 100% - I remember Ben saying, "it's a girl, we have a little girl, what are we gonna do with a little girl" with tears in his eyes...he was so excited and overwhelmed that we got her. Gabi has brought nothing but joy to our lives since the day she was born. How lucky we are that God would give us a daughter to complete our family. To make it even better...to have two older brothers to watch over her as well! In honor of Gabi's birthday I thought I'd post some pictures of her when she was born...I threw one in that I adore - shows you how chubby she was at about 4 months - and then one from this morning (above) knowing she is 7 years old! She wanted curls in her hair for her birthday so last night I sat and braided her hair. She was so excited to get dressed up for her big day. This morning she was so excited that they would read her name over the school news...That is why we are saying "Happy Birthday Gabi! We love you with ALL our hearts...may your day be filled with excitement!"

Bren turns ONE!

Happy First Birthday to my nephew, Bren! What a doll - it was fun to talk to Pam about her labor experience with Bren. That's the funny thing about our children's birthdays...it brings back so many memories, especially of the labor and delivery. It's just another reminder that it's all worth the pain because once they place that little one in your arms, you forget all that happened and just soak in the love between you and your baby. It's the most amazing thing - becoming a mother. Talking to Pam today she recalled that day and then fast forward to today...Bren is walking! The first year is so full of milestones and accomplishments! How exciting. We are very proud that we have such a wonderful little nephew and we are looking forward to celebrating his birthday on Sunday...HAPPY BIRTHDAY BREN! We love you lots!

Top 12 American Idol - The Girls

Well, I got to watch another night of American Idol...can someone tell me why Antonella is still on the show? And I am not making reference to her nudey photos or whatever drama she is brewing...her singing is terrible. Looking back at my picks for the girls - I am still in agreement but I am truly liking Jordin, Gina (because she is different and has an edge to her), Melinda, and Lakisha. Melinda has the singing background so I think she has a bit more experience than the others...does that make her less deserving of the American Idol title though? Maybe not. Anyways, Sabrina didn't do as well as what she did when I first saw her and Stephanie was just okay to me. Well, enough American Idol for now...Gabi and Tyler are in bed, Trenton is headed that way and I am exhausted...ttfn

Top 12 American Idol - Guys Night

Well, not much going on lately...it has slowed down coming into the week, especially with Tyler being layed up. Tyler went back to school yesterday and it was a long day for him. He had a rough day today, in a lot of pain so I let him stay home. He goes to the doctor tomorrow to get the bandages off and we will learn more then. Since it was a quiet evening I was able to catch American Idol and was not impressed with the guys at all. I went back to my picks on the guys and really only liked two of the four I picked...Jared and Blake. I am really surprised Sonjaya isn't gone. He needs to be gone, like yesterday. I kind of enjoyed the other Chris' (not the Jack Osbourne) performance tonight (Keith Urban song). Anyways, my favorite, as of now, would have be be Blake. I think it's because he's different-he can beat box and sing.

Wild Hogs

Just wanted to put a plug in for the movie Wild Hogs! Great one!!! Two thumbs up. Ben and I got to see it last night and it was well worth it-it's one we'll buy when it comes out on DVD. We both agreed we needed an evening to laugh and this did it for us.