The Reynolds Nation

Here is one of our ladies coming back to the hive yesterday. After a busy day of getting pollen (you can see the bags of pollen on her back legs), she came back to the hive. The bees have been an amazing experience...just watching them has been so much fun. Our West hive has been doing really well...lots of good stuff going on. The East hive is struggling after being attacked by ants that first week. We are pretty sure that the queen is dead, so Matt put a new frame of bees in this weekend, hoping that they will rise up a new queen. So, perhaps there will be a coronation going on this week and we wouldn't even know it :) Yesterday, we set up our new pool. Our three youngest couldn't wait to get in the pool. They spent most of the afternoon getting in and out of the pool. The day was perfect weather...not too hot and no rain, which was originally predicted. We were tempted to go to the beach, but the kids had burns on their backs, so we decided to give them a rest from the sun...

Here is our boy...holding his #4 card, given to him from Grammy. He loved that when he opened it up it played music. Still can't believe he is four already! Blowing out his candle on his "robot" cake. Judah super excited about his gift from William...his own box of Hot Tamales. William bought a box for himself too! Judah later declared the Hot Tamales, "spicy." I thought it was an odd choice...I think William was thinking of his favorite, not Judah's. Posing for the camera. Judah asked for a "robot" cake...we will forever remember that Judah is our "BeBot." The four little kids...hanging out at the beach yesterday. To celebrate his birthday we spent the afternoon at the beach. The kids had such a great time! Judah blowing out his candle at breakfast time. As our tradition for the Reynolds Nation, each kid gets to pick out their favorite sweet for breakfast. I have made cake, pies, donuts, monkey bread...you name it, I have made it. ...

Can it be 4 years already? Since my little munchkin came to be? Happy Birthday to the sweetest of boys...my baby boy, Judah David. Four years ago, about this time, I woke up and my water broke..and that was the beginning of this tremendous journey Gosh, what can this mama say about my boy? So much. He is all giggles, and curls...laughter and screams...pure delight and love. He is Mr. Independent. He is my alpha-child...demanding and stubborn. He runs the other kids...he is the true leader. It's funny...birth order didn't rule my family...he is in Charge. His personality reminds me a lot of myself. Very strong and persevering! He look totally like his daddy...except the curls that just won't go away. I prayed for one little boy with curly hair...and I got one. When I look at him it makes my heart skip a beat. I am so blessed to be his mama. I love every moment with him...even when he is being head-strong and demanding. God made him with a purpose (just like all of my kids)....

Here he is!!!! My Joshie, my pookman, all grown up. This is him this evening...the night of his graduation. I can't believe he is this old. I remember him waving to me on the day of my graduation...he was only 6 months old, sitting on my mom's lap. I still remember calling him on the first day of Kindergarten...and now he is done. Sorry about the unclear picture...but I wanted to post a picture of him on his big night. Funny thing, he looks exactly like my dad, from a photo I saw of him at his graduation in 1963. On the way...it has been a long haul, but he completed the task. Josh is so brilliant...he has the world at his fingertips. Excited to see what he does with his future!!!!

Haven't had a gratitude Friday in a long time...feel the need for it this morning. Posting a picture of my two nieces on the day of Victoria's graduation on Wednesday (Victoria on left, Emily on right). 1. Thankful for a God who comforts, loves and wraps his arms around us. 2. Thankful for Facebook...I know, kind of weird...but how else would I see instant pictures of a cousin on her way to prom in New York (1200 miles away). 3. Thankful for a terrific husband who works so hard and perseveres. 4. Thankful for my home and all the provision that is here. 5.Thankful for great kids...with all their craziness, fun, and loudness. I am blessed. What are you thankful for this morning? Take a moment to think.

I thought I would post a picture of my mom from today. She just landed in Tucson, Arizona this afternoon and she sent this picture to me. She flew a long way to see her first grandchild graduate from high school. Victoria Warnock, my niece, will be graduating tomorrow, in the top of her class. Already accepted to one of the state schools in Arizona (where it is cheaper to go to school) and ready to fly. My mom will be there for two days and then she will be off to Dayton, Ohio...to see her next grandchild graduate from high school. Joshua Logan will be graduating there...which is amazing to me, since he attended my graduation, just a babe...so many years ago. After a few days in Ohio, she will be back in Florida. It will be a whirlwind of a trip...we are just thankful that Victoria and Josh didn't graduate on the same day :)

We made it through our first soccer season with William. We made plans during our family meeting for the 2011 vision for William to play soccer. It was his first sport and we felt like it was the perfect time for him to participate in a group sport. Any younger in age, I feel like the kids have way too many breakdowns on the field because they can't handle it emotionally. We told him weeks before we signed him up and he was ecstatic! He loves to be outside playing and this was a great opportunity. When we went to our meet the coach meeting in March, he held my hand so tightly...my little boy isn't too grown up yet. Anyway, he had a great season. He did really well considering he hasn't played in any group sports and has never gone to any type of school (including preschool). He wasn't the "top boy" on his team, the Dolphins, but I believe he was most improved. He at first was almost afraid of the ball during the game, and by the last game he was moving quite f...