2012-13

7th Grade Pic...isn't she beautiful-inside and out :)

Hummingbirds

I heard on the radio that hummingbirds eat alot this time of year to make their trek across country for the winter.  I have been seeing alot of them lately...so obviously, that is why.  This article is very interesting, detailing their journey and their preparations. 

Pennies

I have always been interested in afterlife shows and psychic mediums...."John Edwards," "Sylvia Brown," "Long Island Medium," are all favorites of mine.  I love to watch them on the talk shows and to see people connect with the ones they love really touches my heart, in fact, sometimes bring me to tears.  I often wonder what it would be like to do that...to actually get the opportunity to connect or to see who is watching over me.  To hear what they would say.  

I guess it has been a few years now, but have never REALLY started paying attention until just recently, when Ben's dad passed.  I find pennies.  And I find them often.  Not dimes, not nickels, and not many in a bunch...single pennies.  And they are found at a time when I need to take a breather.  I have to tell you, it's been happening for quite some time.  I guess I put two and two together when I found a couple of pennies whithin days of each other and my thoughts turned to Ben's mom.  And then I would think about all the times I have told the kids that she was with them, watching over everything they do.  It just seemed to click.  I was positive that these pennies were coming to me as a reminder of this.  I never really told anyone but really felt the urge when Ben's dad passed, to tell Ben.  I thought just maybe it could help him heal also.  Ben started finding pennies.

We have now taken the time to STOP when we find a penny and reconnect...think about how it was all connected.  One particular incident was a day Ben was having a rough time...thinking of Dad R and a UPS driver came to his work and spoke to Ben about his dad.  Told Ben that Dad R wasn't a believer anymore, he was a "see er"...he SEES Jesus now.  He hugged Ben as they shared some stories about Dad R.  Ben turned around, looked down as the UPS driver was leaving and found a penny.  He told me that it brought him to tears.
I can tell you of the first day of school for Gabi.  I was having a hard time just thinking of how the kids are growing up so quickly and felt sad about their losses.  I thought of how Gabi got phone calls from my parents and Aunt Jenny, etc wishing her a great day.  I knew Dad R would have called.  He always has in years passed.  But that was one call that was missing this year.  I walked into my bedroom and in the middle of the floor, a penny. 

There are connections.  And I think it's just a matter of stopping and paying attention.  So, in a way, I think we already are communicating with those who have left this world before us.  One I would love to think of watching over me would be my big brother and I do wonder, if some of those pennies I have found over the years are from him....my great grandma, mom R, dad R....

Then I get to thinking...does it even matter at all?  Who it is from?  Whoever it is loves me and wants me to know they are here with us, even now, watching over us.  And that touches my heart.  Makes life easier.  Makes me take a moment to reconnect with what is important.   

I recently went out and bought a small jar for the pennies that Ben and I find significant that we have found...as you can see, in just a few months, they have started to accumulate.  It sits on our dresser waiting to be filled. 

And I have to say...being September 11 today and thinking of people who have lost so many loved ones on this particular day, it is important to have some kind of connection.  And before I wrote this post, I found a penny in my laundry basket of sheets as I was folding them.  I know they are watching.  I know. 

Ears

I took it upon myself to get Gabi's ears pierced when she was right about 2 1/2 years old. I think I did it because of the whole "I got a girl and I want to show her off" aspect of my thinking. Many disagree with getting this done simply because they think it should be the child's own wanting and I certainly don't disagree with that either. It's basically a matter of opinion, I guess. But, I have to say, I was kind of excited that Gabi wanted her ears pierced a second time. I had mine done when I was a young teen, so I figured I would give her the "go ahead." Mind you, it's been just less than a year that she has been talking about wanting it done. Then she would decide not to, but lately, it's been more consistent. So, I knew she really wanted to have it done. This Sunday, my mom and I took her. She was sooooo excited and afterward, she said, "wow, I can't believe I was scared." She loves it. Being the jewelry lover she is, she is in earring heaven. And she is doing awesome at taking care of cleaning them, etc.

4th Year

Moved Trenton from the house he was living in to his new dorm room for the school year yesterday.  This year, since he is considered a senior, he is able to pick and choose his dorm room.  He chose a double at Kimmel (same building as last year) with a bathroom and kitchen area.  Except this one is doubled!  So, they plan to move all the beds to one room and use the other side as a hangout area, much more like an apartment would be.  I'm excited to see how it turns out when all of the boys get there (four boys all together).  Found another good place to eat that we will most definitely be coming back to when we visit...Polito's.  Italian beef and hot dogs their specialty.  It was yummy!  Since Trenton had to work at 2 pm we just made it a quick trip.  He had most everything boxed up and ready to move and we brought home the bed to clean up and store.  I know he is looking forward to this school year and we certainly wish him all the best! 

"Frog Stunt"

Last night against Schmucker, Gabi was so excited to show off her new stunt..."the frog."  Check it out!

John Young lost to Schmucker this week, but the cheerleaders were all smiles and so much more loud than the Schmucker cheerleaders (12 of them).  Good job, again this week, Gabi!

So glad that Bren and Leigh came with Uncle Dave to watch her...they are so sweet!

Turning 39

We planned Labor Day weekend at the beginning of the year by putting in our camping reservations with my brother and his family at our favorite campground...Jellystone in Fremont.  We knew we would only have Gabi, but we allowed her to bring a friend, Brooke Brewer, for the weekend.  We were a bit nervous earlier in the week watching hurricane Isaac come up through New Orleans.  Luckily, we had a front coming down from Canada that helped keep the remnants away.  We mostly had cloud cover.  It rained hard Saturday after midnight, but quit by the time we all got up in the morning.  It really turned out to be a nice weekend.  It wasn't cold, yet wasn't too hot.  And to top it off, I turned 39 years old on Saturday :)

We actually didn't leave until Friday around 6 pm because the middle school had a dance for the 7th graders...Gabi's first one so we didn't want her to miss it.  She had a blast.  We grabbed dinner and headed for the campground.  Had a WONDERFUL s'more buffet, complete with grahams (cinnamon and regular), Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, Strawberries, Marshmallows and Chocolate!  YUM!!!  I have to say, Chad and Amber went above and beyond being in charge of them for the weekend. 

Saturday morning we woke to clouds and it stayed cloudy.  Made us somewhat nervous, but we just did our thing and didn't worry too much about rain.  It worked in our favor.  I woke up to a couple of nice gifts from Ben and the kids.  Pajamas and Bath and Body Works.  Both things I needed badly.  Gabi went out of her way to get me a head massager, a ring and cute earrings from Forever 21.  How sweet!!!  Loved it all! Calls from my boys completed my day!!!  Just knowing I was on their mind was all I needed to have a good day.  Lots of texts and calls throughout the day made it even more special.  We took the kids to ceramics and just mainly relaxed while the men watched the Notre Dame game from Ireland.  An Irish win always makes for better moods at our house :)  We decided to make a different meal...shishkabobs...chicken, beef, peppers, mushrooms, onions, pineapple and zucchini.  They ended up being a great hit!  After dinner, we headed for the family dance...another favorite we cannot pass up with our girls.  Chad's girls especially love it.  Gabi seems to really bring them all out of their shell to have a good time.  It's really fun to see them laugh and dance and have fun.  When we got back from the dance, we opted for cake and ice cream!!  Ben bought me a cake that Chad helped him hide from me and I had seen Waffle Cone ice cream I had to bring along for the weekend.  It worked out perfectly!!  I even got a nice surprise from Chad and family - a nice button up shirt for fall.  Perfect.  It had truly been a good day. 

Sunday we woke up to find everything pretty wet.  It rained heavily from about 2-6 am on and off.  Luckily, though, that was it for the weekend.   We got in our picture time with Yogi and wanted to do some tie dying.  We were smart in buying our own shirts ahead of time.  In and out of there in no time...with some GREAT looking shirts!  We also let the girls "mine" and find some rocks like they enjoyi doing and wanted to get in some fishing.  Didn't catch any keepers, but it was fun to watch everyone throw a line out.  Reese was the official "keeper of the worms."  She loved to give us the "big fat juicy ones."  Those are the best according to her.  The evening brought way to some sunshine, so the girls decided to try and do some swimming.  The outdoor pools were a bit cold so we let them go to the indoor pool.  It was perfect.  Pudgie Pies were on the menu for the evening fire.  Another good day!

Monday morning was dreaded...it was the last day and the girls knew we had to go home.  They all looked adorable in their tie dye shirts.  They couldn't pass up one last time on the "jumping pillow" - a HUGE hit with all of them all weekend long.  And then one last swim in the outdoor pools.  Sunshine and a bit warmer temps made the pool feel good after lunch.  A quick trip to the store for some ice cream to go completed our Labor Day Weekend.  Relaxing.  Fun.  Family.  Friends.  It's what it was all about.  Not looking forward to getting back to work this week...back to the routine...Happy Labor Day!

Concord

So excited that John Young finally got a game in and we won!  12-6

Gabi did a great job as always.  She spirited in with a round off back handspring...in fact, many back handsprings, so I know she is definitely getting braver!



She really loves to fly...

And she is just a cutie cheering!  She has made some new friends on this squad...they all seem to get along great.  So proud of our little cheerleader!

Middle School

Middle School....I really don't have alot of memories of middle school.  It seemed like just an odd period in my life.  A time of change and adjustment.  Something I don't do well with.  Maybe that is the reason I don't have many memories of middle school.  Or maybe because it is because it is only 2 years.  I just get used to it and it's on to high school.  I think that is what scared me most yesterday and jolted my system.  The thought of my baby girl in middle school...and then, BAM, high school!  How can it be!  I am JUST NOT ready for this.  She looked so grown up ready for school yesterday.  She didn't seem too nervous.  Maybe just some worries over opening her locker and making her class on time.  But not about "middle school" in general.  Those would be MY worries. 
Because today was the first football game for John Young, Gabi put her outfit woes aside and had to wear her cheer uniform.  It didn't change the fact that she STILL looks older.  Did I mention that I am SOOOO NOT READY for this.  But alas, as she was ready to get out of the car she leaned over and waited for me to kiss her.  A daily school ritual.  Something that somewhat faded around this period of time with my boys.  But not with her.  She was not embarressed.  And that warmed my heart.

Trenton was home over the weekend for a wedding and it touched me as I heard him tell Gabi to choose her friends wisely.  Because you'll probably want to do alot of what your friends are doing...be sure you are with those who want to do the right things.  Be a leader.  Hold your head high.  Be smart and do good. 
I can't tell you what that meant to me to hear him talk to his little sister that way.  I know I have done well.  Sure, my boys are not perfect by any stretch of the means.  BUT, listening to that made me realize that Ben and I have done our part and that even when we thought they weren't listening...they WERE.  And it stuck.  They have the wisdom and that's all we can do as parents.  We did well.

Gabi walked home from school to maw maw's house.  That fact helps my nervousness a bit.  That my parents are just yards away from the school if she would need anything.  Reese and I watched for her.  I waited, being the nervous Nellie I am...and alas, SMILES!  Big smiles!!  Her day was great!  Aside from needing help opening her locker initiallly, she had a wonderful day!  She even had salad for lunch!  :)  She likes all her teachers and seems to really look forward to going back!

We did up her hair and away we took her to the first game of the season.  Cheering at her school.  And she did GREAT!  She even had our normal caravan of people to watch!!!  Aunt Annie, Uncle Dave, Aunt Pam, Bren and Leigh all got to come!  My heart did ache a bit because one face was missing that I KNOW would have been there.  One who would have called that morning to wish her a good first day of school.  And that was TERRIBLY missed.  Dad R.  We miss you.

 

Logan's was a good choice for dinner and we sat and listened to Gabi's first day.  All of my anxiousness and nervousness seemed to dissolve as I heard her say, "I can't wait to go back to school tomorrow!"  :)

Jamboree

Yesterday was an exciting day!!!  Gabi got her schedule for 7th grade - middle school!  She is in the maroon hall and VERY excited.  After getting her books, schedule and other necessities we took a trip around the school to find her classes and her locker.  Boy oh boy...being back in John Young Middle School brought back many memories.  Aside from her fear of 1. not being able to open her locker, 2. being late to class because of being lost and 3. not having any friends in any of her classes, she is looking forward to starting middle school. 

The football jamboree was also last night, which meant that Gabi had to cheer!  She was suuuuuper excited about that.  Abby made it over to help Gabi put on a little makeup and make sure she looked extra cute and it made it even more special. 

Gabi was front and center for 7th grade!!! 

And she and Aja were the only two that tumbled out. 

And since the 7th and 8th grade cheerleaders cheered for both 7th and 8th grade football teams, we were able to watch cousin Allison cheer for Schmucker too!  Adorable!

We were very proud of her!!!!  Guess the Reinoehl family is not quite done with football games :)
We have even already learned the John Young Fight Song!!!