The Reynolds Nation

Making: Absolutely nothing...decided to order pizza tonight, which I haven't done in a long time Drinking: Blackberry Izze...my favorite drink...carbonated juice, the best alternative to soda Reading: Nothing...school started, so my reading consumption is a bit low right now Wanting: Autumn to come quick...it's my favorite season Watching: Watched 19kids and counting today...love that show Eating: Nothing now, but pizza before Smelling: A clean house...I love when my house is clean from top to bottom Wishing: Probably not wishing, but praying...would love to adopt another child Enjoying: Our new life in North Carolina Loving: The beautiful summer we have had...goodness it's been delightful Hoping: The insurance season goes smoothly...my hubby is in insurance Needing: A ladies night out Feeling: A little down today...doesn't happen often, but it's here Wearing: You don't want to know...black t-shirt and black athletic capris Following: My favorite...

Today we started and celebrated the first day of school. Thirteen years of homeschooling. Started out with one child and this will be my last year with 5 kids all at once. Today was Bryn's last first day of school with us. Very sad, but at the same time it is wonderful. She is taking one class with us and the rest are at the local college. Esther and Caleb are in 6th grade, William in the 4th and Judah in 2nd. Though homeschooling has been challenging and difficult at times, it is still one of the most rewarding jobs ever. I believe that it has changed me more than them. God takes time to pull off the ugliness that we have. It's not always pretty, but it's good for you.  So if you think of me, pray...My prayer is for a smooth homeschooling year...full of lots learning, change and more cohesiveness with the kids. God has a greater plan than just education...he wants their hearts and their lives. And if today was your first day, I hope it went beautifully.

Bryn took this picture on Friday when we were out on the lake with my dad, his wife and the kids. She has a real eye when it comes to taking pictures. When I saw this picture I felt like it summed up how awesome our day was. Kids splashing in the lake, William and Esther on the kayaks, Bryn and I jumping off the dock and Matt and Judah in the canoe. It was a fantastic day. And the beauty that surrounded us is just majestic. I feel as though I will never get tired of looking at what I see. I am amazed at the richness that is before our eyes. I love it. I am in a place of no regrets. No regrets on moving to the Land of 4 Seasons. I feel so peaceful in my soul. There is no longing to leave any more. It's a weird feeling. After you live in a place that you hate for over 10 years you almost feel like you will never get out of it. I feel so unbelievably happy and peaceful. God is so awesome. When he opens the door wide, his opens is WIDE! We are blessed. Back to school tomorrow. Will ...

This definitely makes you look twice when you drive by. Are they serious or is this just for fun, lol.

 We are totally taking our new life in North Carolina by storm. We are embracing life, enjoying each moment and taking in the beautiful benefits. For weeks on our homeschool email list a person has been advertising their small farm where you can come and pick your own sunflowers. I have seen it but the times didn't work out for us. Until yesterday. We headed down to the farm, which was only 20 minutes away. This was a definite first for all of us.  Judah loved running around the farm and finding the biggest sunflowers. There were bumble bees everywhere, but he wasn't afraid. He probably cut the most, besides me.  All the kids went with me. See all the sunflowers behind them. It was just so beautiful. The mountains surrounded us, the air was a perfect temperature and we just took it all in. Funny thing is that the farm goes by the "honor" system. Pick as many flowers that can fit in your basket and leave your money in the envelope. Crazy, right? Can't do...

A little sidewalk chalk time this morning with the family...this is my husband's message to everyone. There is no better place than the mountains.  After living by the beach (which I know so many love) we can't imagine exchanging the mountains for the beach. It's just beautiful here...all the time...rain or shine, cloudy or sunny. This is our place.

This girl has been caught taking selfies on our cameras. We don't realize she has taken them until we look at our phones. She is so cute...and so preteen. As we are winding down the teen years with Bryn...we are in the homestretch, we see several more beckoning. Caleb will be 13 in one month and Esther is 11...and she is just bursting to be a teenager. She still has that softness of a little girl, but we keep on seeing glimmers in her life that are totally "TEEN." The entrance of selfies is a prime example. Love it. She has always been our quiet, keep to yourself girl...but all of a sudden she is becoming a social butterfly. Lots of friends...texting them on her tablet ( you should have seen my face when she sent me her first text)...small temper tantrums. It's in the mix..and Matt and I feel a little more prepared this time. We have some experience...we know what to expect...what to pay attention to and what to just ignore. By time we are done with this load of kid...

It started raining yesterday and continues today. The high today on August 1 is 65 degrees. Not sure when summer is expected to show up? I plan on getting a lot done inside today. The washing machine is going...my printer is humming with sheets of schoolwork coming out for the new school year...and I don't have any plans to go out during the day. That's a good day. What do you like to do on a rainy day?