The Reynolds Nation

     This post has been churning in me for months and knew that I wanted to write it and post it one day. I have been very open and honest about where I have been at the last few years, so some of what I write today may not be a surprise to anyone. Either way, I hope it brings help and healing and promise to some of you.      Two years and ten months ago my husband and I had just got into bed. It wasn't very late...maybe around 10pm. Life had been busy...he had just flown in that morning. He was long distance commuting between Florida and North Carolina with his job. I had picked him up that morning in the Greenville, South Carolina airport and then we headed to a swim meet in the same town for our daughter, Esther. We were there most of the day...stopping at some stores before we headed back to our home in North Carolina. I hadn't talked to my mom in a few days, which was rare. I was super busy and she hadn't called me either. I called her, and she didn't answer.

The other day I was heading down the road and I heard something on the radio from a woman talking about being a "hot mess." We hear that concept all the time in today's culture. I think that something that started out as a funny has now become an acceptable and cultural norm. It actually almost has a badge of honor on it...if you are a hot mess, then everything is just okay. Because that's the way we are supposed to be as women in today's age. And why would we want to change it... "Everybody is doing it!" Right? So, I sat and pondered this thought for a bit. And it actually made me a little mad inside. It lit a fire in me. Why? Who said this was okay? And why do we have to be like this? Then I started to think about what God must think of this. His beautiful creation...created to be the helper...created to be "born responders"...he has great purpose for us. And somehow I don't think it's supposed to be a strung-out, overbooked, exh

I have never been a Christmas countdown kind of person, but I am actually getting excited for the upcoming Christmas season. Is it too soon to talk about it??? I used to think so. I didn't want to talk about Christmas until after Thanksgiving...but something has changed in me. Last Christmas season over half of my house was packed up. We were weeks away from moving back to Florida...Matthew was technically living in Florida at that point and we were taking turns going back and forth. It was an extremely cold December in North Carolina. We had a cold front come through Christmas week that froze our water meter at the road and we didn't see double digits for days. And I was sad. I was very sad. My mom had been gone for a year. And we were moving away from the place that I loved. I was just keeping my eye on the Lord and trusting him for each step ahead of us. But, I sure was sad. I can't even explain it. My life was changing and it was changing quickly...and change is not

Three years ago today our world changed so much here at the Reynolds Nation. On that day we found out officially by the psychologist that Judah was dyslexic. I had been concerned for about 9 months that he was...I had heard on Good Morning one day what are some of the signs of dyslexia. Though I always watched my kids for dyslexia, Judah just didn't have the classic signs... like the turning of the letters B, D and P.  Everyone always looks for that, but Judah didn't do that. But he was behind in his reading. And wasn't progressing in a rate that was okay. So, we had him tested. And it was confirmed. And on that day I started an intense search to find what help we could find for Judah. Several people pointed us to the Barton Reading and Spelling program...and that's the avenue we took. I took the training program and I tutored Judah...he went from a reading level of a kindergartner/first grader to a sixth grader when we were finished with the program. And then I s

Today was one of those days where your body feels super tired, but you know that you just can't be in bed all day.  Yeah, I know we homeschool. And there are certain liberties that come with that. But we also have a house full of high schoolers and middle schoolers...and you can't take too much time off without it hurting the rest of your week or school year. And with co-op now starting on Fridays there isn't any extra, spare time later in the week. So...we marched into Monday with tired bodies...but we got it done. I guess the question is...why were we tired? Days ago one of my closest friends from NC called and said that she would be at St. Simons Island and could we drive up to see them. It was only 175 miles away...much closer than Western North Carolina.  I tossed the idea around in my head. Do I want to drive that far? Is it worth it? Matthew was going away for the day and night on a business trip, so he wouldn't even be home. If we had more time we would hav

The day after a three weekend can be rough. Especially when your family spends the Monday at Disney all day and they get home at 11pm. I had some tired kids this morning. I, on the other hand, was home all day so I am ready for the week...hehehe. So, I thought I would post some thoughts that are rummaging through my head on this first Tuesday in September (can you believe it's September??). 1. First I am posting a picture of my special girl. She is 9 years old today. She is one of the best dogs we have ever had. We all adore our Holly. 2. Luke 6:40...look this scripture up and tell me what you think. 3. Summer is coming to a close...yes, it will be hot out for awhile here in Florida, but I know we are on the backside of the season. Summer is my least favorite season, so I am happy. 4. Have you decorated your house for Fall yet??? I haven't...I am thinking that September 15th is acceptable time wise. Not too early, but not not too late. What do you consider the right