Fire Safety Town

Grace's 1st grade class took their Fall field trip.  They traveled to Fire Safety Town where they teach children about safety in a fun and interactive environment. Frisco Fire Safety Town is a community education program of the Frisco Fire Department.   They have educational classes that focus on a number of safety topics, each with the goal of preventing injuries and teaching students how to be safe.  Here is a photo of the class with one of the firefighters.

Remembering....

Ten years ago was a terrible day.  This is what I remember from that day....

Getting up early that morning to fix our then 2 year old her breakfast of oatmeal and chocolate milk. Changing diapers, picking up toys, and so on.  Just a normal day.  As always I turn on cartoons for  Maddy while she ate.  Then the phone rang and it was Jason calling me from work.  He told me to turn on the t.v., he explained that they was a terrible plane crash in New York.  Little did I know that just by changing the channel was going to change life as I knew it, as we ALL knew it.  I was in total shock, my heart sank, and then tears began to run down my face.  I so wanted Jason to come home.  I was so scared, not knowing what was to come next. I didn't want to let my baby girl out of my site. I wanted my family to be together.  Calling my parents every hour on the hour.   My mind was racing, my heart was beating so fast.  Emotions were all over the place.  As I sat on the floor with Maddy playing blocks with her to keep her somewhat "sheltered" from what I was watching.  As my tears ran down my face, I knew that it wasn't just me hurting, but the entire country.  The loss for these people and the pain these families were suffering must be overwhelming.  The next few months, we all were on edge.  Glued to the television.  Wondering why someone would do this to us, and on our own soil, and what was to come next?  Today, for me, I don't worry about those that were lost, because I know they are in a wonderful place, but for those who are left behind.  It's always those left behind that hurt the most.  It's the children that I think about most. All those poor children....  As for me, losing a parent at an early age, it changes you.  How you deal with loss, what choices you make in life, how you get through from day to day.  Not only those children from September 11 who lost their parents, but the military children who has lost parents since then too.  We are now at war due to this horrible day 10 years ago. Traveling has changed, the way we look at foreign people has changed, so much is different now.  Growing up with a military Father, he taught us to have great respect and patriotism for our country.  I grew up, having a flag at our home, and today now that I have my own home and family, I too teach that to my girls as well.  We not only fly our American flag on "special" days, but everyday.  Because everyday for us is a special day.  We are proud to be American, and so very thankful that we live in this great country.  Whether you agree or disagree on the politics of today, we all should at least agree to be thankful. Thankful for what you have, what we ALL have.  So today, as we all remember that awful day that we all will never forget....tell the people you love most just how much you love them, and say a little prayer for all those that we have lost, and be sure to say a "thank you" to those serving.  Because without them, we wouldn't be where we are today.  GOD BLESS AMERICA

First Day of School

Summer break has ended and the girls are off to school again.  Grace is starting the first grade, and Maddy seventh grade.  Where has the time gone?  Even when they are gone to college, they will always be my babies....

The first week of school is always a little crazy.  Trying to get back into a "routine".  I always try to prepare them for 6am early mornings a week or two prior, but our schedules have been really busy and I just didn't get a chance for that to happen.  The girls seemed to adjust pretty good so far. 

Grace had the same teacher as last year and same group of kids, so there was no stress of meeting a new teacher and a diffent group of kids.  She will start dance again.  Hip hop is her "thing".  We went to her first class and she came out almost in tears.  There were so many girls, and a new teacher.  I think she was overwhelmed with too much change too fast.  So this week we start in a class with just her and her friend Saraya from her first grade class.  Only 2 girls in the class so far, so we will see how that goes.

Maddy seemed to do fine as well.  She is now able to participate in the school athletic program so she decided to try out for the volleyball team.  She really wasn't thrilled about it because the only sport she has ever played is soccer.  A few days before tryouts she decided that she was really going to give it a real effort....The coaches informed all the girls that 80 something girls were trying out and only 25 would make it.  Although she gave it her all, she didn't make the team.  She was upset.  This is where I hate having to be a parent.  Watching your kiddos upset is heartbreaking.  I want so much to make it go away, but realize that this is part of growing up, and I know that it is better that things like this happen now, so when she is an adult, she'll know how to deal with it.  Sounds good anyway, right?

First day of school pictures.....

Grace 1st grade                                   Maddy 7th grade

Jason is doing good too!  He found out that he gets to go to Hawaii again this year and is super excited.  He will be doing lots of work travel in the next few months, so I will be "single parenting".  We always manage.  Thank God for Skype (video conferencing) via the computer.  Cause when it comes to 7th grade homework, well...lets just say I wasn't blessed with the "smart" gene. 

And as for me, I have started working out.  Walking/running 2 miles, then situps and pushups everyday.  I'm not getting any younger, 40 is creeping up on me, and it seems that my rear end has gotten bigger over the summer.  For those who know me, I drink up to 6 cokes a day.  So I have decided to cut those as well.  One a day is my goal.  I can't quit cold turkey.  The headaches can be excruciating.  It's not much, but baby steps for now, so we will see how it goes....wish me luck.

Reynolds Family Staycation!

Summer for the Reynolds this year has been so busy with graduations, soccer, Jason traveling, and so on, that we hadn't planned a family vacation.  So we decided to do something that would keep us close to home.  A "staycation".  We always travel to Grapevine Texas to see their annual Christmas Ice show at their local resort,  and knew that would be a nice place to stay, and it's only 15 minutes away.  They have built their own water park which has just opened this summer.  Jason and I wanted to keep it a surprise from the girls until we got there.  All they kids were told is to back for 2 days and bring a swim suit. They had no idea, and they were pleasantly surprised!

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Welcome Reynolds Family to The Gaylord Texan....

Graduation Party!

I wanted to something great for Jason, so I decided to throw him a big graduation party.  It was held at the Nylo Hotel in Plano.  I had been there before for our "girls night out" nights.  The venue was just perfect.  A beautiful patio, modern furniture, and relaxing swimming pool.  So I knew this was the place. I must admit I was totally stressed, I am so not a party planner.  After having 2 months of no rain and over 100 temps, it started to rain the day of the party.  The party was going to be on the patio of the hotel, and I had no back up plan.  It rained all day until about 4 that afternoon.  The party was to start at 8pm.  So stressed was an understatement.  But the good Lord was good to us, and the rain stopped and it was a nice cool 88 degrees.  Couldn't have ask for anything better.  I was so thankful.  I hired a great band that performed for us, and had the hotel provide the wonderful appetizers for this special event.  So with the great music, yummy food, and awesome beverages, it was a great party I must say.  Here are some great shots of our family, friends, and co-workers that came to celebrate.

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My speech...I am no poet, but I spoke from my heart....
Jason

The guy who had no expectations, who promised his heart,

Who always played the hand that he had been delt.

A man who caught my eye with his contagious smile.

Lending his shoulder, and drying my cries

I love you with all my heart, and so honored you picked me.

For 15 years its been a journey

Making so many memories, lots of good, some bad,  but mostly funny.

I couldn’t be more proud of this man who has always put family first.

He took this journey to make a promise, not only to himself, but for his pride and joy… our daughters.

To teach them that they should never give up, always push through. 

To look at the big picture, and go the extra mile.

No matter your age, it’s never too late. Have a dream, look towards the future, never at the past.

Congratulations to you,  you have worked so very hard,

now  that it’s over and we are having a big bash,

maybe you’ll  have the time to take out the trash.

A special thank you goes to all the people who came

to celebrate with us. 

It was a night I know Jason will never forget.