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!!!

Throwback Thursday

Moving Day

Got the boy all moved in.  Refrigerator and cupboards stocked.  Got to eat some wings at Buffalouie's and even lucked out with the "Hoosier to Hoosier Sale" being Saturday morning (like the "old to gold" for Notre Dame where students leave behind items that go up for sale before the new school year).  Got Tyler and Matt a microwave and some odds and ends they needed for the kitchen.  Worked out very well!  We are really happy with Tyler's living arrangements this year.  Good roommate, great location.  He is truly looking forward to this year and so are we!!!  Welcome back to IU, Tyler!!!  House seems a bit more empty, as always, after moving the boys away.  A little bit more sad.  BUT, so proud that they are still at school and still working hard.  Can't believe the school year is about to start up again...A HUGE thank you to family who helped furnish Tyler's apartment this year, we couldn't have done it without you!!!

Saying Goodbye and Celebrating a Special Girl's Birthday

Got together with Hilary (Amber's sis), Chad/Amber and family and my parents on Thursday evening to help Addison celebrate her 6th birthday.  This doubled as a goodbye opportunity for Tyler as we would be leaving for Bloomington on Friday morning to move him back for school.  Tyler also did some golfing and dinner with uncle Dave earlier in the week and visited with Jeff/Pam and family also.  So glad he was able to visit with everyone before leaving.

Golf

Since Tyler has been working at Eberhart Golf Course during the summer, he has taken an extra special interest in golf.  He even got himself a new pair of clubs.  He has made it a weekly ritual of playing...in fact, sometimes 2-3 times a week!  With friends and with family ... Ben has really enjoyed this time with him.  Tonight will be the last for the summer, for Ben and Tyler.  They are golfing with Matt (Tyler's roommate) and brother, Dave.  Dave was thoughtful and shared a picture...

Someone else who will miss Tyler and his golfing is Maizy.  She has also made it a daily ritual of following Tyler around when he gets home from work to take her outside to hit her the ball with his clubs.  She follows him until he takes her out.  Every. Day.  Took some pics of their bonding time today...gonna miss this in general.  Gonna miss him.

The packing has begun...less than a week to go.  Lots of thoughts going through my mind...Tyler is so anxious to be at his new apartment back at school.  This summer has definitely brought changes to our family and we have been so lucky to have Trenton and Tyler home for most.  One being the loss of their grandpa.  The boys took it hard, but I think they have taken a new look at life and realized that it doesn't last forever and the closeness of family is what is important while we are here.  So, although summer turns to fall, the season of changes...we are ready for them.  We still have so much to accomplish and do together as a family and I'm looking forward to them.  For as long as we have each other, we can do anything :)