The Reynolds Nation

"Guard your heart above all else because it determines the course of you life." Proverbs 4:23

Here are the girls this morning when we got to the local YMCA for their first swim meet. They were really nervous and unsure of what to expect. They look so cute in their new team shirts. And while the girls were hanging out with their team, warming up and getting pumped up for the session...the boys hung out in the pool with some new friends. The sacrifices the boys make... While we waited (we sure waited a lot between heats) Matt took the kids for a little ride. Esther snuck out of waiting with the team and hung out with us for awhile. Here is Esther competing for the 25 m freestyle. It isn't her favorite stoke, but she still did good...she came in 4th place! Here is Bryn at the end of the 25 m back stroke-her favorite stroke....she did really well. She was a bit hesitant at the end because she was afraid to smack her hand on the wall. Even so, she came in 5th. Not bad for her first competition.

After such a busy couple of weeks...I wish that I was out on this dock...with my feet dangling...the breeze blowing in my face...hair whipping around...and a sweet smile on my face...and I was alone with The Most High. Enough said.

I was sitting in my chair at the beach this morning and remembered quietly where I was a week ago today. I can't believe that it has already been a week since Judah's surgery...one week ago we were sitting in the waiting room, restless and nervous about major surgery going on with our son...fast forward one week and I am sitting on the beach watching my children (including Judah) romp in the sand. Isn't it amazing that we dread something coming up in our lives...but then it happens...and speeds past? It makes me realize even more that I am not in control of this life and that God is sovereign! It was a picture perfect day...the sky was the bluest of blues...not a cloud in sight...the water was a lovely 78 degrees...the sand hot and spicy...and I got to watch the joys in my life play. My kids, along with the cousins enjoying the loveliness of summer. It was so beautiful. Makes me appreciate life and love God more.

This past weekend was totally relaxed. We did a few things here and there, but overall we just hung out. It was so nice. Our weekends have a tendency to be super busy...but this is just the way we like it. But I was thinking about how I feel like it is a new day. After Judah's successful surgery I feel like a huge burden has been lifted! There was always something looming and ahead of us....for the past 10 months. Either the next MRI or possible surgery. And, now I feel like it is a new day. It is so refreshing. Though I haven't felt anxious over all of these medical problems...that's where your faith comes in...but at the same time everything was still on the agenda. So now..surprisingly, on the first day of Summer...it is a new day at the Reynolds Nation!

So, on this very special day...Father's Day...the actual 100th anniversary of Father's Day...my thoughts are on a very special man in my life. I have had the privilege of knowing and watching this man grow into his job as Father. It was 13 years ago when he became a father. I still remember the tears streaming down his face while he watched her being born. He was a hands on dad from the first day. He changed a million diapers...help feed...stayed up late hours allowing me to get a bit of sleep...and most of all he started building a relationship with each kid. Just because they are your child does not automatically make them come into relationship with you. It takes time and a lot of effort from the parent. He has camped with them...danced with them...played ball...had early morning sunrises...walks on the beach...drippy ice cream cones...long talks at the dinner table...you name it and he has done it. He spends more time with his kids than anyone I know. He involves them in wh...

Now that we are home, I thought I would write a thorough post about the surgery that Judah had. It has been 10 months since the first cardiologist heard the continuous murmur near his spine. They caught it when they were checking out his heart murmur...not expecting to hear anything but the heart murmur. His heart checked out okay that day, but it disturbed the doctor that he could hear that continuous murmur so loudly. He thought it was an echo from the heart murmur...but when his partner listened and went further down Judah's spine the murmur got louder and louder. So we are so thankful for that innocent heart murmur that he was born with, because they never would have picked up on the spinal fistula (continuous murmur). This fistula happens to people, and then they die young (30's) of an enlarged heart. The heart can't handle the pressure from the blood flow, so it damages the heart. So after 1 cat-scan, and 2 MRI's...they found the problem. Judah had the fi...