End of the Year Review

Well as the year is ending I thought I would post some pics and share some things we have experienced in order to reminisce over this past year we have had!!

I would say first and foremost we have thoroughly enjoyed Tater having a normal work schedule!! He is now working at FedEx World Headquarters and though it doesn't meet all of our needs financially it is definitely meeting our needs as a family. He is no longer so tired from working that he can now enjoy fun playtime with Tot and myself!!

(A Reynolds family tradition)

I guess one of the other major changes we have had in our family is that Tot has started PreK. Tater and I had noticed that Tot had some severe social shyness (swimming lessons were a challenge) and after seeking some council we thought it would be best if he was socialized in a small christian class environment. We found the perfect place and, as the Lord worked it, the school/church is right across the street from our house! He has changed SO much and he absolutely loves it!!

(Tot and Aunt Kiss at Swim Class)

(Tater and Tot on his first day of school)

We have also been blessed by being "assistants to the teacher" of our awesome Bible Fellowship Class. We were asked almost a year ago by Frank and Virginia Roberts to consider helping them out with their class. Of course our answer was yes! It kinda odd to serve the people in our class because we get such a blessing out of it. You would think that it would be difficult with so many people from so many different backgrounds but our class is SO amazing!

(Robert's/Reynolds BFC Camping Trip Tishomingo State Park 2011)

So many other things that have happened this past year but that would take me forever to blog! As always, I hope to be more faithful on my postings but I am a busy woman and my blog is so far down on my list of "things to do". So, ya get it when ya get it :)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Gettin' Crafty!!

So Fall is upon us and it makes me feel like getting a little crafty!! Now I never like spending much for doing my crafts so the Dollar Store and Hobby Lobby sales are style! Here is a pic of some things I made for Bunko (Bunko girls if you read this you just ruined your surprise!!).

I have some burlap a friend gave me FOR FREE so I am looking for a neat craft for that. I am thinking a door wreath or pin board!! I will post a pic when I am finished :)

Where has the time gone??

My goodness! I can't believe how long it has been since I last blogged. So much has changed and happened this summer. Tot is now two, Tater works 60 hour weeks and I am still keeping kiddos. There is just SO much to catch ya'll up on I think I will just post some pics to save time. Enjoy!

Tot's First Boat trip



Sunday in Forest City, ARK w/ MuMu
Easter @ BBC

Ten Things Thursday

10) I just spent 20 minutes laying on my belly across from Tot eating Nilla Wafers at 11pm. (he was butt naked) b/c he has an awful diaper rash that had to be "dealt with". You Moms know what I am talking about!

9) My High school girls soccer team played and won their first game 4-1

8) I loved driving with the windows down today!!

7) My family has a birthday on every Sunday of this month! How does that happen?!?!

6) As I am typing this my dog keeps pooting right next to me. Thank you Zuri.

5) I have only seen Tater maybe 10-20 minutes today and won't see him till tomorrow evening:@(

4) I am bummed that I didn't get to go to my friends wedding shower today. I was really excited about going then I found out that my team was playing in Millington... who plays soccer in Millington anyways?!?!

3) I have never done Ten Things Thursday and I don't think I will do it again. It is hard... I ran out of things at number 6. Can you tell? Lol!

2) I wish my neighborhood/neighbors were a bit more friendly. Moving from the country, where your neighbor is about five acres or more away, I guess I had higher expectations of city folk ha ha!

1) I realized today how behind I have gotten on my Chronological Bible reading. I am so ashamed. Inconsistency will be my demise!

Yum Yum!!

So I don't have much to share right now but here is a yummy recipe for Summer.

Road Trip Roll-Ups

8 Large Tortillas
1 package of 8 oz. Cream Cheese
1 package of 8 oz. Sour Cream
16 slices of Turkey breast (sliced thin)
1 package of 7oz freash Spinach Leaves (rinsed and well drained)
1 package of 4 oz. Alfalfa Sprouts (rinsed well and drained)
2 Large Tomatoes, seeded and chopped
8 oz. of Havarti Cheese -sliced (in the Deli's specialty cheeses)

Instructions:
Spread each tortilla with 1 oz. cream cheese and then 1 Table spoon of sour cream. Arrange Turkey slices atop each, then divide spinach leaves, alfalfa sprouts, tomatoes and cheese evenly over the turkey. Roll each tortilla up tightlyfrom one side to the other, securing with a toothpick. Chill. At serving time, cut crosswise into slices for tasty, wheel-shaped sandwiches. Serves 8.

Let me know if you try them and what you think! I love them!!

Just another day

Yes. This IS a picture of a spoon! Please, Let me explain.
Well, other than the beautiful weather outside today, was just another day. Watched kiddos, felt completely overwhelmed with things that I need to do but can't. My agenda today was to get my house picked up despite the three kids taking everything out that I would put up so I ditched that idea. After the kiddos started getting fussy inside I decided that it was definitely time to move this party outside!! While we were picking flowers to go in our special soup we were cooking under the jungle gym, Tot and Sissy had a little situation that led to me having a revelation.

Situation:
Tot and Sissy both had one of my big kitchen spoons that they had been playing with. Well, now Sissy decided that she was no longer happy with her spoon and she wanted Tot's. So she snatched it away and of course Tot was all upset like his puppy had just died (he can be SO dramatic sometimes).

Revelation:
This literally came to me as I popped Sissy on the bum with the spoon b/c of her reaction to me making her share.
God gives each of us what we need as a way of showing His love for us. Lot's of time we take it, play with it, then we spot someone else that has something we want. It can be good things like a strong prayer life, knowledge and wisdom of God's word, lots of friends, a big house etc.... and rather than being happy and content with what we have we get the "I Wants" and now His provision (external display of His love for us) for our needs is no longer adequate. It is so funny how little kids will come over and play, like Sissy, and will take Tot's toys and then say, "he took MY toy". I laugh b/c they don't understand that those toys aren't theirs or Tot's. Tater and I have provided Tot with those toys for his pleasure and enjoyment and the enjoyment of those that come and play with him because we love him. The same way that the Lord has given us things (not just earthly things but certain characteristics that make us unique) because He loves us.

I have such awesome friends. I can literally list them and right next to their name put something about them that I would want that they have (characteristic not earthly stuff). It is so easy for me to find things in others that I want. What I should be doing is enjoying the things God blessed me with that make me unique. I remember one of the speakers at the Downline Conf. a few months ago talking about how she wanted to be just like Beth Moore. Then the Lord spoke to her and said, "I already have a Beth Moore, I want you to be the best YOU that I can make." Did you get that? Be the best YOU that God can MAKE.

Well, that was my day. I hope you had a great one! Remember to view it through spirit-filled eyes!!
Till Tomorrow,
Much Love

(Emily, you can beat me with a wet noodle for talking about your child snatching things...:@)

Dare you say, "I Love You" ??

Ok So after reading this maybe you will understand why guys have such a hard time saying "I Love You". I am just kidding, as if we could ever understand anything a guy does or doesn't do!!

I was reading in Donna Gaines book, There's Gotta More!, yesterday and the chapter I was reading(How about a Love Checkup) was A-MAZING!! So I am going to share it with ya'll. In this chapter Mrs. Gaines quotes Amy Carmichael on her thoughts and feelings of "Calvary love". I am going to quote Mrs. Gaines who is quoting Amy Carmichael so please be patient with me ;@) Here goes,

"How is God's love fleshed out in my daily actions? Amy Carmichael described it this way: "If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary love. For a cup brim full of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water however suddenly jolted" (46). In other words, if someone is unexpectedly rude to me and that unexpected arrow seemingly out of nowhere can cause me to speak an impatient or unloving word, do I really understand Calvary love?"

Ok. so read that and really soak it in!! Now look at what God commands of us as believers.

Ephesians 5:1&2
Be Imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Ephesian 5:25
Husband, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her...

Man oh man! Calvary love is all about death to self so that others may have life. We have to die daily to ourself, our flesh, personal desires and agendas so that the Lord can work through us to lead other to eternal life!!

This has changed my perception of love. When I say that I love my son, I literally mean that I would give my life for his. If my love is that fierce for him why do I get short with him (and to be honest... sometimes harsh)?? Why can I be patient with a clerk that I don't even know but rude with my own family?? Is that Calvary love?? I want to be filled to the brim with such sweet water that the only thing that comes out when I am bumped is God's sweet living water!! Well, I hope that makes you think when you tell your "Honey-Bunny" that you love them or when you say, " I LOVE mint chocolate chip ice cream".

Till Tomorrow,
Much Love!