The Reynolds Nation

Labor Day is usually the official end of summer...so we are entering the Labor Day weekend...and I am so ready for the school year to start. That's why seasons are so great...there is a time and a place for them, and when they end you are so ready. Today I cleaned the grout in my kitchen and dining room and cleaned the leather couches and moisturized them. So that completes my list of things that I wanted to get done this summer. I made a list that I wanted to finish around the house before school started, and I have completed it and now I am ready to move on to the school year. I used to school in the summer until a friend of mine who has eight kids told me that summer is the only time you get to clean your closets out. So I now take the summer off as a mental, emotional and physical break, and I am so glad. It gives everyone a breather and then we are in the right mind when we start again. And of course I was able to complete a lot of tasks that I would have never been ...

I realized recently that I haven't written anything specifically about my oldest child, Bryn. I usually have something funny to say about William, or my prayers for Caleb, but Bryn is my special girl. She is the one who made me a mommy. Only 21 years old, married only one year and out comes this beautiful girl. I remember being in such awe of her and how God granted us such a beauty. It was just Matt , Bryn and I for a long time. It was fun just having one child. She went everywhere with us...camping, traveling, Walmart at 10:00 at night. Where ever we were, she was. Life changed a lot for her when Caleb came and only 19 months later we had Esther. She went from being only child to one of three in 19 months. That is a lot for any 5 year old to take on. And since then she is now the leader of this five pack. And what a responsibility that is. Not only does she have more responsibility than the others but she also has the burden of being the example for others. A long time ago, I rea...

Yesterday, the kids and I enjoyed making pretzels. I have never tried this before with them, but I have memories of doing this when I was a kid. Since we aren't doing much outside, because of the mosquitoes, I decided to try this new recipe I got from Family Fun magazine...if you have never seen this magazine then you are missing out. It is full of recipes, crafts and fun ideas to do with your kids. I got a stack of them free at the library and I found this recipe in there (I also found a great egg roll recipe that I did with our homeschool group, what a blast that was). Here is everyone while we were making the recipe...very simple ingredients (see bottom for recipe) and everyone got to join in. Note: Judah is in the picture, but he didn't care much about stirring the bowl like the rest of them, but he sure did like eating them, lol. Here is everything put together...we let it rise for 45 minutes and it reached the top of the bowl...the kids loved the fact that it grew. H...

Well, I must admit that I will think differently the next time I am told that a tropical storm is heading our way. We have had five days of being totally cooped up in our house...with five kids! My kids are used to swimming several times a week and to have the option of going in and out. They kept on asking me if they could go outside...and then I would point out the window and they would shake their head in disgust! I must admit that it has been a very productive week. Since we only have a week left until school starts, I finished all of my summer cleaning. My room was uncluttered completely, the kids room were organized, all the toys were gone through and thinned out...so here is a few pictures of this week, so you know what we were up to. Here is Esther with her treasured umbrella. Matt went into work for a few hours every morning, and he took a kid with him each day. Here she is dressed in her "office" outfit, ready to work. Here is William being super creative. He built ...

So, we are hanging out today...tropical storm Fay is dragging through the state. It is overcast and rainy and the storm is right below us. We have been through this before...so, we are just hanging out...getting some things done around the house and waiting for the storm to blow through. We need some dead limbs to come down in various places over the property, so I hope they fall down. Storms are the Lord's natural way to clean up. If it looks messy, I will post pictures in a few days.

As the rest of Volusia county prepares to start school on Monday, I must admit that the Reynolds family is going to be still splashing in the pool, the beach and soaking in the air conditioning, oops I mean the rays! As a Northerner I think it is almost illegal to start school before the Labor Day holiday. August is still summer...hasn't the Florida school districts figured that out? I just can't get into the school mode in this blazing heat and long humid days. Now don't get me wrong, my school schedule is in the back of mind, trying to push forward. I just scream, two more weeks...just two more weeks! So, while the rest of the moms are packing lunches and stuffing backpacks, I will be enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

I was in my quiet time this morning (at least I am quiet, with a dull roar around me, lol), and I was faced with this question in my notes from a few weeks ago. How much has our culture touched our lives? And is it the world's culture or Gods? How many things do we do are from what we have learned over the course of our lives and how many are from the Lord? How much "culture" are we allowing into our lives? And how is it getting into our homes? I was reading the first chapter of Daniel where the king was teaching the children of Israel the language and literature of the Chaldeans...they were taught this culture for three years to be ready to serve the king. Daniel "purposed in his heart" not to receive any of the kings delicacies. What in our world would be considered the "kings delicacies?" I am sure to each of us it may be different. Also in 2 Kings 17, we read about the children of Israel being captured and brought into the land of Assyria...

I was thinking this morning, what should I write about today. There is usually always something funny going on around my house...I could pick from anyone of those...but instead, I felt like the Lord wanted me to talk about reconciliation. I feel like I have entered a season of reconciliation these past few weeks. If anybody knows me, they will quickly realize that I don't like strife in my life. It wears me down and I try to push through any hint of it around me. I truly desire peace in my life...but at times because of certain circumstances, I haven't had peace with certain people. During those times I have continually prayed for those people and believed that God had the best for all of us. As the body of Christ how do we reach out to unbelievers, if we do not have peace amongst ourselves? As I am getting older, I am personally trying to maintain positive relationships and work towards easy forgiveness. What exactly is easy forgiveness? It is a place where you allow yourself ...

I wanted to share what is cooking in my crock pot right now...it is my husband's favorite dinner. I have made it several times now, and it is so scrumptious every time! White Chili 5cups of cooked chicken, cubed 3 cans of great northern beans, drained (I cook my own beans, and actually add more than this) 320z of chicken broth 16 ounces of salsa, mild (or you can use your own salsa that you have made) 8 ounces of mont. jack cheese, cubed or shredded ( I shred mine so that it melts better) 2 tsp of cumin Put in crock pot high for three hours and then low for two hours, stir occasionally-Garnish with cheese or sour cream This is such an easy recipe...I boil my chicken and then use the broth for the recipe...I make it early and then it is ready that night. And I will usually have some good bread on the side to dip in. And it is very nutritious...beans are so good for you...full of fiber, which many of us are lacking in our diets. And you can easily double the recipe, I just don't ...

Since everyone is blogging these days, I have been reading other blogs off the lists presented on the blogs. It has been quite fascinating reading about other lives in different places...sometimes I read so many I can't even remember where I started. So, I wanted to tell you about www.thepioneerwoman.com . It is about a city girl who married a rancher and all of her exciting tales. It is really great and have enjoyed reading it. Anyone else have a favorite to share?

Last night I was in bed talking to Matt and I was expressing to him that I am so content with my life. I am so happy in this season in my life. I love my kids and all their idiosyncrasies...their laughter, their funny phrases, even their naughtiness. If I had walked out my original set plan for my life, I never would have been able to walk out this chapter in my life...God knew what I truly wanted and needed. Matt and I have been married for 12 years, together 14 years and friends for 16 years...we are at a place where we know how we work...our desires, thoughts and moods. We have become the team that God desired...our unity is so strong, it brings peace into home. I love my job and all that it entails. Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become a lactation counselor. It is so awesome to work with moms and walk through their daily struggle to breastfeed and love on their babies. My job brings out my strong points (points that I didn't know that I even had)...and...

I must admit that I am so tired today. I have had such a busy week. I worked about 33 hours this week...a lot more than my usual 15-20. I attended a conference on Monday, which let me gain hours towards my license, and then I had major breastfeeding problems with several moms this week. My job is feast or famine...one week it will be so dry and no one calls and then the next week I can't keep up with the demand. So, today I am totally staying home all day with my kids...hanging out with nothing important to do. I love it. I hate when I am gone several times a week. Every time I get dressed up, William looks at me and asks, "where you going mommy?" And then the other day, he gives me the big eyes and says, "I don't want you to go to work." So, these busy weeks are a strain, but they only come every once and awhile. So, let my weekend begin...beach tomorrow if the weather holds up and lots of couch time...ahhhh!

Just wanted to show you our first step in our garden for the fall and winter. Caleb and I put down our black plastic so that we can kill off the grass and weeds. He was busy bringing rocks to me and then he held it for me while I unraveled it. What a big helper! Especially since the nasty Florida mosquitoes were swarming us. So this is as much as we got done today. I hope to show you progress reports as we move along. When we were done, Caleb asked me if he could get a penny for all his work...what cheap labor!

Sorry that I have been missing in action this week. This week has been super busy and I am so tired. I have been on my couch all day...I feel totally worn out. My mom had a heart catheter on Wednesday. When they found two arteries blocked they sent her up to Daytona Beach to have another procedure done to put a balloon in the artery...so, it turned out to be a long day at the hospital. She is fine and came home yesterday afternoon. I was in Daytona yesterday for cultural diversity training (doesn't that sound like fun) for my job...one of the many requirements for working for the health department, then I had a meeting with my boss and some co-workers...then home for 2.5 hours and then I went to teach a breastfeeding class. By time I got home last night I was so exhausted. So today, I have been lounging and enjoying my day. I did clean out my school closet this morning to see what I have for this next school year...I can't believe that school is starting in another month. I hop...