The Reynolds Nation

To end the month out with a bang, we decided to dip apples in caramel tonight...then smothered them in M&M's, peanuts, and chocolate chips. We did this a few years ago, and the kids loved it. So, here are a few pictures of the little kids enjoying there treat. Goodbye October, see you next year!

PUMPKIN PIE CAKE DESSERT-This is a very easy and delicious dessert for a crowd...1 – 29 oz can pumpkin, 1 cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, 3 tsp cinnamon, 3 large eggs, 1 large can Evaporated milk (Not sweetened condensed)1 Yellow Cake Mix, 1 cup pecans, chopped, 1 cup butter, melted Combine the pumpkin, sugar, salt, cinnamon, eggs, and milk and place in a 9 X 12 – inch baking dish. Sprinkle one box dry yellow cake mix over the pumpkin mixture. Sprinkle the chopped pecans over the top of the pumpkin mixture and dribble the melted butter over the top.Bake at 350°F for 50-60 minutes. Serve with real whipped cream. I made this dessert for our pumpkin party last week! It was delicious and the whole pan was gone by time I got home (one left for my mom and Matt, but that was gone immediately). It is a quick recipe and will make your home smell so festive! You can make this a bit healthier...by adding honey instead of sugar and you can add flour instead of the cake mix. I also used my own pumpkin puree...

Just a quick moment to shout Hallelujah!!! Monday afternoon, Matthew confirmed that he was offered the position of full trainer/liaison with Blue Cross for Berlin and Denys Insurance. The position has been in progress for a few weeks, but now his official start date is November first. Though he has been training new agents for the past year, his responsibilities have expanded and now he is on salary with benefits!!! I am so excited for him...and he will still be selling insurance, just not full time. Matthew has always been such a loyal, consistent worker for our whole marriage...I have never worried about him being the provider. His work ethic is strong and he is focused on his job. He is such an asset to this company and he has such favor there...a great relationship with his boss and co-workers! So here are three cheers to my man! Great Job!!!

Just wanted to post a picture from a few weeks ago of Judah and Cohen. Cohen is my nephew, almost exactly a year younger than Judah (though not much different in size). He visits us every week now, and we love having him here. It's all about family!

When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang myfirst painting on the refrigerator, and I immediatelywanted to paint another one.When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed astray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kindto animals.When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make myfavorite cake for me, and I learned that the littlethings can be the special things in life.When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say aprayer , and I knew that there is a God I could alwaystalk to, and I learned to trust in Him.When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make ameal and take it to a friend who was sick, and Ilearned that we all have to help take care of eachother .When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give ofyour time and money to help people who had nothing,and I learned that those who have something shouldgive to those who don't.When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take careof our house and everyone in it, and I l...

I wanted to post a few pictures from my birthday at Epcot. The picture of Bryn and I in front of the huge ball isn't coming through, so here are a few others from that day. Of course, we had a blast and it was a lot of fun spending one on one time with Bryn that day. With five kids, you don't get as much of that. I posted a picture of the pin they give you when you get in free for your birthday...it was actually kind of cool, because you could recognize all the people other who were also celebrating their special day and all day long the workers at Disney say Happy Birthday...so by the end of day I think I was told about 200 times. They also give pins to your family and friends that say "I Am Celebrating." Bryn is wearing hers in the last picture posted. All in all, a great day. Something different...I am not a huge Disney fan, but we still had a great time!

I just had to post these pictures from yesterday. We went to our local pumpkin patch and picked out our pumpkins for the season. The kids were so excited and they had a great time selecting the perfect pumpkin for themselves. Judah is in the picture above...is he cute or what? Here they all are after selecting their pumpkins. The patch had several varieties to choose from...orange, white, red and bumpy. It was fun picking out our favorites. Here is Esther with her pumpkin and her favorite friend, Tiptop, the giraffe. I love this picture. Two of my boys smiling and having a nice time. Their big smiles make my day! We had a fabulous day on Saturday. We visited both of Matt's grandmothers, ate lunch with one of them...went shoe shopping in the late afternoon (where the clerk asked me, "do you watch all these kids all the time?" Where I replied, "yes, they are all mine!" They were behaving beautifully , but five kids can be overwhelming to anyone.) W...

I have been a sad poster lately. Life has been so busy with the kids, church and work...I don't get much time to sit down and write. It is six o'clock in the morning...I woke up and I was out of bed...my body can't change from the normal week schedule...so my house is quiet, the kids and Matt are still sleeping. It is actually quite pleasant. My little William is at Nana and Pappap's house for the night...I missed his normal chatter last night. He was so sweet when he left. Nothing new going on here really. We are in the rhythm of school and that is going well. We have so far had an awesome school year...lots of work done and much progress. The weather has been incredibly hot, but today it is supposed to cool down. The temp outside is 63 degrees...better than yesterdays 76 degrees...and these are our lows. It is only supposed to be 74 degrees today...I have so been looking forward to fall...and it may be finally here! So, that's why I posted this picture...with the...

I had to take a moment to talk about Bryn. Ninety days ago, she came up to us and said that she had heard about some others wanting to take the ninety day challenge to read the whole bible through and she wanted to participate. We knew that this was a huge act, so we told her that it was a big commitment and if she chose to do this then she would have to complete it. We try to stay consistent on this issue...make a commitment then keep it! So, today is her day. She kept to her commitment and today is her day of completion!!! She read her whole, entire bible in 90 days at age 12!! Unbelievable in this day and age. There were days that were hard to keep, but she was so persistent . She kept her word, her promise. I am amazed that at this age she was able to do this. She pushed through the hard parts...I thought we were going to lose her in Deuteronomy...but she held on tight. So, today...my shout goes out to my Bryn!! Good job!!!

I am writing in ORANGE today, because we have finally entered my favorite month of the year!!! October!!!! Not only is it my birthday month, but it usually is when the weather changes a bit here in Florida. I am sitting here with the windows open...enjoying the cool morning air. Yes, I am sure my air conditioning will be on later, but that's okay. A little break from the FPL bill is nice, right? Been busy the past couple of weeks. Of course, school keeps us going at a crazy speed...we have been able to be outside more, which is so nice! We took the last week or so to come down from our super busy days from our anniversary services for our church. And tomorrow we are going to Epcot for the day for my birthday. Disney has a deal this year where you can get in for free on your birthday! How awesome is that! So, Matt, Bryn and I are going to Epcot. We haven't been since I was pregnant with Bryn 12 years ago. So we are so excited to take her. The little kids are going ...