Black Capped Chickadee

Friday night Gabi and her friends were alarmed by a black and white "thing" in my Welcome Post on my porch.  One of the little boys even called it a "skunk" - haha 

After getting a flashlight we determined it was a bird but didn't know what type.  We watched for a couple days and figured out it was a Black Capped Chickadee.  These birds do not nest in the same location twice so we are going to be careful not to disturb their nesting for now...although I am wondering how I will get the nest out when they are finished....they certainly are cute little birds though.  Their song is cute too.  Fun to watch on the porch for now. 

Silver Beach

We have been wanting to take a trip up to Silver Beach in St. Joe and the forecast for today was supposed to be perfect for that - 90 and sunny.  Gabi wanted to watch the Memorial Day Parade first and we were up for that.  The hometown parade - gotta love it!

We went home, grabbed some lunch, Gabi asked Sloane to come along and we headed out about 1:30 or so.  Ben and I just sat and watched the girls play some beach ball in the water (FREEEEZING) and volleyball, walked along the pier and just watched the MANY bodies around us.  It can be quite entertaining.  Tyler suggested Silver Beach Pizza for dinner so we stopped there before heading out...LOVED IT! The girls even got on the last ride of the carousel.  A good day for relaxing and catching some rays.  Happy Memorial Day!!  Let's not forget what this day is for...God Bless the soldiers who have served and are serving our Country!

MSM

"Middle School Ministries" is what it stands for and it is Gabi's new Sunday School Class on Sunday mornings.  Yes, middle school.  YIKES  That scared me.  I guess the church moves the kids up to middle school like the PHM School District with 6th through 8th being middle school aged.  I was a bit nervous about her going and it just so happened she was asking to have Nikki stay overnight on Saturday.  I thought we could use this to our advantage and make it easier on me knowing she would have someone she knew in the class.  It worked out WONDERFULLY.  In fact, I can honestly say, Gabi would have done great on her own.  She loved it THAT much!!  "We even got to pick out our own boxes of candy for being the 'new' kids!"  She brought home a schedule with DU (Destination Unknowns) dates and Cedar Point Trips....whoa, whoa, whoa...Cedar Point Trip?  Gabi to me -"And we don't get home till 12:30am!!!!" ....uh.....hold up.  We will have to see how all that works out, not so sure I am ready for her to grow up quite so quickly, trying to take it one day at a time :)  Right now I am just very happy she is loving her new class at church!

Isn't she growing up tooooo fast??????

Goodbye Chancy

Woke up yesterday morning and found Chancy at the bottom of her cage :( Not sure what happened, but she has gone to heaven.  She would have been 2 in August.  Although she never learned to talk, she was very chirpy.  In fact, I miss not hearing her cheap when I pick up the phone to dial or someone makes a loud pitched noise.  The sound of silence makes us miss her more. There were some tears by the little one but she has come to learn about death through our other animals.  We said some nice words about Chancy and buried her in our yard.  She will be missed :(

Welcome back, friend

Another bird has finally made it's appearance.  In fact, I think the first day I saw one at the feeder was Mother's Day this year.  I have had the feeder out since Spring Break (first week of April) just in case.  I think last year it was around that time so it seems they have come back a bit later this year.  Now I have three that like to eat at the feeder.  Love these birds. So much fun to watch.

YAY for summer!

Let's Hear It For America!

Mrs. Risner's class put on a presentation of "Let's Hear It For America" last night at the school.  The kids sang, danced and had speaking parts.  A great reminder of what an AWESOME Country we live in. 

North Picnic

Had the opportunity to visit with the "North" team that Tyler will be playing for in July.  It was held at Culver Military Academy (what a beautiful campus!!)  The head coach from Valparaiso (Mark Hoffman) this year will be his head coach.  In fact, we sat with him for the meal and had a good talk with him.  I was taken back that he remembered the email I sent him after we lost to Valparaiso this year in the Regionals game.  I wasn't sure if he actually received it because I never received a reply but his comment to me yesterday was, "Ah, yes, Mrs. Reinoehl...you are the one I received that really nice email from after our game this year...classy.  I appreciated it."  What was in my email....just my thanking him for allowing our players and coaches and parents to take their time after our loss and walk the field for as long as the boys needed.  They respected us as a team and as families and it was greatly appreciated.  My son fell to his knees on that field and cried.  His heart broke there.  It was definitely a time to be remembered.  I felt good knowing that Mr. Hoffman appreciated that email. 
We had a good lunch...a hog roast with many BIIIIIGGGGG boys on the North team (one at 6'10").  I am really excited to see this game play out.  MANY, MANY great players in Indiana.  Tyler will be rooming with the former running back of Merrillville (they chose roomates at the picnic...two conditions, must be opposite team -offense/defense and must be from a different region).  Worked out well. 
Good time and a great foreshadowing of what is to come.  And for those of you who read my blog...a sneak peek at the AWESOME ad that Mr. Gregg Smith did for Tyler (for the program at the big game) -a big thanks to him and to all of the sponsors that helped make this possible!!!
Go North!

Fantasy Fairytale Weekend

First weekend out of the camping season.  Great time with Chad/Amber and family camping beside us and my parents in the cabin.  We even let Tyler bring Abby and Gabi brought her best friend, Emma along.  Weather didn't look too promising but it held out long enough for us to enjoy Friday and Saturday.  The rain forced us out a bit early on Sunday, but we were able to fit alot in.  Highlights from the weekend include:

New weenie rotisserie that had us "one up on Chad" :)
Golf cart for $30!
Camper shopping!
Walks
Tried caramel/vanilla swirl marshmallows and chocolate/vanilla swirl marshmallows!
Campfire laughs
Pudgies
"Watch out for the duck!" - ended up being a turkey that flew in front of our windshield
Pizza King
One away from winning the jackpot of $41 at Bingo!
Indoor pool
Radar checking on the phones every 30 minutes :)
Watching Reese at the Fairytale Ball want to be picked up and danced with by ALL the bears!  She has definitely come a long way from last year!
Picture Time with Yogi
Boo Boo Express

Gabi and Emma were able to do most everything except fishing (Tyler and Abby got to though) and swimming outside (was not open yet).  They enjoyed all the above along with pedal cars, mini golf, arcade, playground, and camp store.  We can't say the rain ruined our weekend because it truly didn't...and besides we were with family and we ALWAYS have a good time with family!

Edward W. "Moose" Krause Chapter Dinner and Other Awards

Celebrated with Tyler last evening after visiting Chicago on a field trip with Gabi.  The Moose Krause Memorial 37th Annual Scholar Athlete Dinner.  It was a really nice dinner for student athletes where they actually gave out scholarships to some.  The menu was polish and the speaker was Mr. Reggie Brooks who gave a GREAT speech!  He encouraged the boys to not only do well in athletics, but in school and LIFE as well.  To be a role model for others.  Mishawaka actually brought 6 boys to this banquet which is truly a testament of how smart these boys really are.  One (Michael Furfaro) actually won a scholarship.  It was definitely an honor to represent Mishawaka High School. 
From the Program:
Tyler Reinoehl, Mishawaka High School
Coached by Bart Curtis, Tyler played cornerback and linebacker for the Cavemen with career totals of 102 solo tackles, 4 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries, and 79 assisted tackles.  He has a GPA of 3.6 and is ranked 40th of 382.  His activities included wrestling and the Stay In Bounds Club.  His achievements are the BK Athlete of the Week, All NIC Football, Griddy Award, Kiwanis Athlete of the Month, Top 50 All State Linebacker and AP All State.  He plans on attending Indiana University Bloomington majoring in Business and Accounting.  His parents are Ben and Cindy Reinoehl.

Tyler also received a couple of awards at Senior Awards Night at the High School on Wednesday evening...an award for the highest GPA in Wrestling and an Academic Presidential Award.  Needless to say we are very honored to be able to attend such events and VERY proud of our boy.

5th Grade Field Trip

The 5th grade field trip for the year was at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago.  We left at 8:15 am on Thursday and got back around 4:30 ish that afternoon.  Had a GREAT time.  Only complaint was that I felt we just didn't have enough time to see everything!  We visited the Museum as "groups" on our own and I had Gabi and her friend, Thi.  The class actually had enough parents there to have the child go with their own parent as a group, so it was nice.  Gabi and I decided to go around with a few of her friends and their moms so it was even better!  Our BIG group included me, Gabi, Thi, Sloane, Lisa, Nikki and her mom (Julie), Lizzy and her mom (Annette), and Kara and her mom (Mirium).  Some favorite exhibits included Science Storms (which I wish we would have had more time to discover), The Fairy Castle, The Submarine, Yesterday's Main Street, The Baby Chick Hatchery, with our favorite being the Coal Mine (and it was named after Gabi's daddy to boot!-"Old Ben")

Mom's Day

I started this day out with a breakfast in bed from my baby girl and her daddy :)  Dippy eggs, toast, yogurt, juice and coffee were on the menu. 

Some pretty sweet and special cards along with a windchime (these soooo remind me of my home growing up listening to them chime as I played outside when I was a kid) and some Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker :)
I am loved.
I know that.  And I can't help but soak it all up from my baby girl.  She is at such an innocent, sweet age.  Her letter to me for Mother's Day was perfect.  She appreciates me and she told me...it's all I need to hear.  That she is glad that I am her mommy and she loves me.  PERFECT.

Her cute gifts from school were displayed this weekend as well.  A kite with a poem and a floral centerpiece from tissue paper.  Both VERY proud of.  Mrs. Risner (her teacher) had successfully accomplished her goal...to help the kids give their mommy's "happy tears." 

But, I have to say I did cry SOME sad tears...it was the first Mother's Day without Trenton home.  He had to work and I told him not to take the time off.  He promised we would talk and skype and he delivered on that promise. 

Tyler spent the entire day with me.  Early service at church wasn't his fave, but he got up and went.  It's all the matters. 
I am loved.
I KNOW that.

I found a quote online that I LOVED..."If you have a mom, there is nowhere you are likely to go where a prayer has not already been." 
How true.  I pray for my children EVERY day.  For their safety, their health, their guidance.
So proud of my children.  Today and everyday.
Loved being with my family today at my mom's.  An annual tradition.  Food, fun and LOTS of laughs.  I am blessed with a wonderful family.  So happy to see grandma and grandpa Jones back from Florida.

It was a perfect day.  Not too hot, not too cool, sun shining.  I think it was Mom R. smiling down on us as we placed flowers at her grave today.  I felt for Ben.  It hurt to lose her from my perspective, as her daughter in law, but I cannot imagine what it would be like to lose MY mother.  It has to hurt.  We miss her.
So extra special to spend a little time with Pam and Jeff and the kids later in the afternoon.  To sit on the patio and watch Ben, Tyler and Gabi play frisbee with Bren.  Brought back many memories of my boys...just loving being BOYS.  So much like Bren at that age. 
A good day to be Trenton, Tyler and Gabi's MOM :)
So very glad to be their mom.
So proud.
So happy to be loved.

38

Unfortunately Ben had to work yesterday, on his birthday...but we were able to make some fun plans with him afterwards.  He decided on Das Essenhaus for his birthday dinner!  Needless to say, we were all excited.  Chicken, baked steak, green beans, noodles, stuffing, potatoes, salad, bread...whoa!  And pie to go!  Did a bit of shopping afterwards with plenty of laughs...Ben even found a hat sporting some hair! lol
To round off the evening we watched our fave show together...Friday Night Lights.  Fishing with his dad and brother is on the agenda in the morning...let's hope the rain holds off a bit.

Chicks

Gabi has been so excited about watching eggs hatch in her 5th grade class this year.  The day finally arrived about a week ago!  Her egg took a bit longer but finally hatched on Monday.  Mrs. Risner had given all the kids opportunity to bring a chick or chicks home overnight if a note was sent from the parent.  Gabi took advantage of this last night so we had a couple of chicks in our household last night along with the rest of our animals!!!  (Oh, sad to report that Blaze didn't make it too long...unfortunately...no fish as of right now). 
It was also kind of cool because Gabi thinks the yellow one she brought home actually came from her egg she has been studying.  We were a bit worried about the noise since kids that have actually taken them home already have told Gabi that they "cheep" all night...BUT, these two cuties cuddled up next to each other right around Gabi's bedtime and we didn't hear from them until we turned Gabi's light on this morning!  SOOO glad Gabi had this opportunity.  She really enjoyed it.  She LOVES taking care of animals of all kinds...in fact, I have heard her mention a possible veterinarian job in her future...who knows :)

Aren't they cuties!

AND, someone VERY special is turning 38 today :)  Yep, Ben is the birthday boy today!!!  Love you so much Ben and looking forward to spending time wth you this evening :)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Down On The Farm

Wow, can't believe it's been a week since I have blogged last.  Ugh...so much going on right now...it just seems like everything is coming at ONCE and FAST.  Maybe it's because it has taken so long for the weather to actually become nicer...I just don't know what it is.  But we have certainly been busy.  We painted Gabi's room through the week last week.  She decided on an accent wall...lavender.  It's a beautiful color.  Got LOTS of compliments on it as I checked out with it actually.  She is excited that her room is done and all matching now...well, kind of.  To do yet:  curtains and wall hangings.  But, we are in the process.  Since it was so nice out over the weekend, we had to do some yard work.  We ripped out all the bushes down the driveway and took out the mulch.  Planning to just put in grass in that area.  Also, ripped out a few "leaf catcher" bushes (as Ben calls them) in the front of the house, took out the mulch around the house in all the flower beds and put in river rock (on sale at Menards).  The goal :  LESS MAINTENANCE.  To do yet:  put in the grass seed, put rocks around trees, put a couple bushes in where "leaf catchers" were.  Also to do this week....SOMEONE VERY special is turning 38 on Friday and then Sunday is Mother's Day.  Gotta start thinking GIFTS and FLOWERS.
UGH.....breather....
One day at a time...
Today I went on a field trip with Gabi's class.  They just hatched their last baby chicks over the weekend and they returned them to their home.  Got to see pigs, piglets, baby lambs, baby chicks, cows, and goats.  A fun experience indeed.  So glad Gabi had the opportunity to study and watch her chicken egg hatch.  I remember doing that as a child as well in one of my classes.  I loved it.  Brought back many memories.  Another big field trip next week - to Chi town to the Museum of Science and Industry.  Looking forward to that!  Enjoy the pics from the farm below...