Best buddies

Miles loves our guard duck

This little duck used to live in my Grammy's garden, but Miles loves it, so now it stands watch at our front door.

Real Life vs. the Text Book

argh...so much to think about today. I began a functional behavior assessment, working with a child, a school social worker, principal and regular education teacher...I have read so much about this process - multiple classes have covered it in text books, journal articles provide case studies and forms to fill out, procedures to follow, discussions to have among team members.

THEN - today, I met with a real kid - not a case study out of a text book or journal article - who has problems and needs help! Never have I felt so in the dark about what to do first, next, last, or at all. So much information, so many hypotheses, so many explanations, opinions, politicking, etc. etc. And the weight of the life of this child is heavy on my heart. God, give me the grace to do this job without too much unnecessary anxiety, heartbreak or fear that I'm going to screw it all up!

Tomorrow is a new day - a day that I will organize my information, do some research, make some calls, ask some questions, get some help to try and figure out how to do this! I've moved away from getting it done for a grade, and I really want to figure out how to do it for my career and for kids who will need it.

Welcome to the real world

Baby Preacher

I think I may have found something Miles could do...this baby and the yelling reminds me all too much of my own son. This is awesome.

Isaiah 30:18

18 Yet the LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!

Zoom, Zoom Bolt

So we added a new member of our family yesterday. After visiting the Panhandle Humane Society on Friday, Dustin convinced me we needed to go there on Saturday to puppy shop.
I told him this was definitely not a good time to get a puppy because of moving, school, house renovations, and various other very good reasons. Naturally we got a puppy the next afternoon.
Our new little guy is 3 months old, has huge paws, a long tail, the shoulders of a line backer and the head of a boar. The shelter staff thought he was pure bred lab, but if he is he's going to be big for a lab. He's ot the most beautiful dog in the world, but he's adorable because he's a puppy and so far he seems to have a sweet personality. Isaiah named him Bolt after his favorite movie...thus begins a new chapter of our lives with our new family member. pictures to follow

Movin' on out...and movin' back in.

So much has happened and I have not been a good little blogger.

My Grandfather "Papa" 's death in September was very difficult, but also a blessing because his Alzheimers disease was progressing and rapidly decreasing his quality of life.

He and Grammy moved out of their home of 48 years, where my dad and his sisters grew up, and into his nursing home and her snazzy new apartment at the Village in Scottsbluff, respectively, about a month before his death. Their family home was left empty, and my dad asked if my family and I wanted to move in. Of course we did! We love the house itself even without all of my family's history, my own precious memories, and the life in the country that comes with it. It has a horse barn, corral & pasture, a large dog kennel and best of all - it's next door to my parents / my boys' grandparents. This is how I grew up, with Papa dropping by every afternoon, and tractor and tail gate rides any time we wanted...and usually candy bars in the back of the truck.
The land with the house is all one piece, and my Papa and my dad have worked so hard to make it what, to me, is the most beautiful peace of earth God created.

We've been stripping wall paper, cleaning out cupboards, packing up old stuff, sorting, organizing, throwing out, packing up, etc. etc.

And so we're going to move...AGAIN.

My First IEP meeting

I recently sat in on my first IEP (Individual education program) meeting -a meeting to determine needs and services for kids who need special education services - and I absolutely loved it. It was actually very comforting and exciting that this was what I've been working so hard towards. Also, it was wonderful that I got to go with a close friend and see the situations through her eyes. I learned several things I would do, and definitely some I would NOT do. Short post...my one year old is standing on the top of the couch. yikes.

There is No Place Like Nebraska...

Saturday September 26, 2009 - the date of Isaiah's first Husker game.

He had the most fun with Jack Walker, my dad's good friend from college - John Walker's son. Jack is 12 and is Isaiah's new hero. He entertained him during tailgating.

Isaiah was "bored of this" before kick off while the band was playing, and I think a little overwhelmed by all the noise, but he had fun once he settled in.

He was quite appalled at the amount of noise Grandma made, as she is normally so sweet and compliant. He didn't realize she turns into a college boy at football games with the shouting and clapping and high fiving and shouting and shouting.

Overall, it was a great game - Lousiana Lafayette got shut out, but we were glad Isaiah got to see the Huskers win. Go Big Red!

Write, Write, Write

Oh I feel like writing or making something tonight...which probably means, oh crap, I'm ovulating. This happens one or two times a month, which usually means I write a song, attempt something on my sewing machine, get our my journal and art supplies to make a mess, or get out all my scrapbooking crap.



Anyway, I was just thinking of a recent conversations I had with some of the people I love most in the world, a group of girlfriends I've had for 12-18 years. We were discussing how, growing up in a small town, life is very much about the relationships you have. They, who live in New York City, Kansas City, Dallas, St. Paul & Omaha, contrasted this to their city social lives which they said were much more about what they are doing, where they are going, and what they are wearing. They're all tired of it. We had a great weekend of rekindling our relationships sitting in a house wearing tshirts and sweat pants (we went out once in 5 days) . It was definitely refreshing for all of us. Even though I'm in a different season of life with kids, so I'm not doing a lot of the same things or going to a lot of the same types of places, and certainly not dressing as splendidly as they do, I can understand how they feel.

My perspectives are shifting - I'm believing world culture less and less. I'm starting to form my own solid opinions about families, marriage, cities, jobs, women and men, churches, parents, culture, attitudes, mainstreams, etc. etc. I guess this is called becoming an adult. Realizing that much of what the world tells us in text books, in media, that we say to each other just really really isn't true. It doesn't work. It causes destruction. It leads to despair.

So far I know - Small town life is for me. Close to my family and collective family living I like better than the individual all-about-me attitude of many Americans. I'm excited to work - but I don't need to work to feel fulfilled. I respect and submit to my husband, and I don't feel like less of a person because of it. I love my children, and it's okay that they drive me crazy.

Unfortunately fatigue has overcome my compulsions to write - must be hormones after all...no pithy conclusion. Just growing up I guess.

Encouragement to Share

This was an encouraging email that I received from Pastor Paul Shepherd of Enduring Truth Ministries in California. He is my favorite pastor to listen to on the radio, and I got this email on my blackberry right after my Grandpa's funeral. Jesus loves me so much- knows just when I need his touch.

"In the midst of your busy week ... I want to encourage you to be a "praiser." Wake up praising God. Go to bed praising God. Drive to work praising God. Throughout each day, find time to give God praise.
Here are seven reasons why we should praise God regularly:

1. We were created to praise God (1 Pet. 2:9).
2. God deserves our constant praise (Ps. 113:3).
3. Praise is the best way to approach God in prayer (Matt. 6:9).
4. Praise wards off heaviness and despair (Isa. 61:3).
5. It's the best response to the goodness of God (Ps. 103:2-5).
6. It's an offering that truly pleases God (Heb. 13:15).
7. Praise often leads to victory (2 Chron. 20:1-24).

No matter what your circumstance, God is worthy of our praise. What will you praise Him for today?"

God I praise you for Who You Are today. Circumstances, though full of blessing, are also sad in my life this week. So I fix my eyes on you, the author and perfector of my faith. Thank you Jesus for life, and death, and the opportunity to praise you during the short time we have on earth.

Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig

I'm sitting on the couch with my wonderful husband after a great weekend in Keystone, Co with 5 of my best girlfriends from high school. I had a wonderful trip; but a ten minute hug from my 1 year old son, and a "Mommy! I missed you!" " Mom, I love you so much" from my 4 year old - cannot be topped. I LOVE my boys. My husband was excited that I got home just in time to change a poopy diaper. Loved my trip, and a sweet homecoming can't be beat.

Spontaneity

My boys and I were headed out for ice cream one afternoon, mostly because I had to get out of the house, and we were leaving right as Dustin was getting home from work. He jumped in the car with us and we headed to Dairy Queen. Too busy stuffing our faces with ice cream to talk, we overheard the table next to us was headed up to the top of the bluff to look around. Dustin looked at me with a glint in his eye and said, "Let's go drive up the bluff."

So we did. I can't believe I hadn't been up there for almost 4 years, and had never taken Isaiah. We walked around on the top just as a thunderstorm was rolling in. Dustin said this was probably good, because if there wasn't lightening I would have wanted to stay longer and hike a lot more than he wanted to. Which is completely true.

I have so much fun when I don't plan everything with every detail! I want to do stuff like this more often.

The voices in my head

I got up this morning for some 'quiet time' to read my bible before the boys woke up. I'm reading 1 Samuel, and I was just reading about the classic Bible story of God's voice calling to Samuel. Because he was young, he didn't recognize the voice of God when God called his name. I was just praying that I would learn to recognize God's voice, when I heard a different, frantic voice from the basement, "Mommy, mommy, come quick!"

Isaiah was standing at the foot of the stairs, his little stomach heaving as the flu bug wreaked havoc on his diaphragm. What are the odds that the one time of the year my family gets the flu, we're on vacation!! Miles had flu symptoms all weekend, but despite the gross digestive system issues, both boys have had energy and seem to feel good, so that is a blessing.

It's a cooler day on the lake today, a little below 60, so we're not ready for any water activities yet, but as soon as Miles wakes up from his morning nap, I'm going to take the boys for a walk in the woods.

Verse of the day, thanks Facebook application (jeez i'm a dork) is:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.
2 Peter 3:18

My Favorite Summer Meal

Taco Salad

hamburger, browned, drained & rinsed
red kidney beans, drained & rinsed
garbanzo beans, drained & rinsed
pepper jack cheese, cubed
monterrery jack cheese, cubed
ranch dressing
chilli powder
chopped bell peppers of various colors
one tomato, diced

mix all ingredients together and refrigerate. Serve with lettuce and chilli cheese fritos

I didn't put amounts of ingredients, because you can vary them to suit your own tastes. Maybe you're in a meaty mood - use more hamburger. Maybe you like a lot of beans - go crazy with the beans! I love orange & yellow peppers the best, but depending on the grocery store price and the state of my bank account, sometimes I don't pay for those colors, and get green or red peppers. My mom uses onions instead of bell peppers, cheddar instead of pepper jack, and green goddess dressing instead of ranch; but we like the above mixture better. I don't think you can actually buy green goddess dressing in scottsbluff anymore but that what was in the original recipe. Enjoy!

The Men in my Life

My husband Dustin is the absolute love of my life and my hero in pretty much every arena. He is the funniest person I know, and the weirdest person I know...one of the perks of the intimacy of marriage I suppose. He can be seen in this picture strangling Miles stuffed duck at Miles's first birthday party, which kind of says a lot. He hates having his picture taken, so when I get a treasure like this one, I savor it.

Isaiah Gibson

Isaiah's life has been nothing but a testimony of grace from the very first day I knew I was pregnant with him. Isaiah means God's salvation. Gibson is after his Daddy's guitar. Born in August of 2005, he is almost (gasp) 4! He is sweet, mild mannered, and very obedient the majority of the time. He is boy to the core, loving to play and watch anything on tv that includes a ball,, including basketball, golf, baseball, and football. His favorite color is indisputeably red, and he loves to wear ALL red as much as possible. He also loves anything with wheels and loves to go FAST.

Miles Lewis

Miles means soldier. Lewis means warrior. Miles is a name I fell in love with after one of my favorite characters in fiction. Lewis is a family name. Originally Florence Lewis, my great grandmother married Dale Reinhardt, and they had son Lewis K Reinhardt. Such a great man inspired James Lewis (my dad), John Lewis (my cousin), Lewis Scott (my brother), and now Miles Lewis. I got to name this kid - and the Lewis was truly after my brother, who had a life transformation in the name of Jesus in February when I was pregnant with Miles.

Born in May of 2008, Miles is feisty, persistent, adorable and TROUBLE. He always has an opinion and thinks he has to have his hands on and into everything. The word "no", out of my mouth at least, doesn't mean much to him. He also has a sweet side. He loves to help, cuddle and spend as much time as possible with his brother, though he never wants do anything Isaiah's way. A second child, like me, I'm excited and terrified to see what his future holds, and how his personality will grow.

Sunday Afternoon List

Lists, how I love you. I think in lists. My most organized friend makes fun of me because I draw little squares beside my list items, and then I check them off. I am not extremely organized, but I am a heck of a list maker.



5 Things I Enjoy That I Shouldn't

• Peanut butter and Jelly Sandwiches on white bread


• Britney Spears #1's such as "Hit Me Baby, One more time" and "Toxic"


• Lifetime Movie Network - but only when Dustin isn't home because he NEVER lets me watch it if he is.


• Reading celebrity tabloids in the grocery store check out line (I never buy the magazines, I'm much too big of a person for that) ha!


• The Husker Game Trifecta: Stadium hot dog, Pizza Hut pizza and a Runza - because that's how the Reinhardt family rolls.

Ten Mile here I come

Threeish days until I leave for summer vacation without my husband. Excited? Yes I am. Crazy? Yes I am. Dreading the entire trip? Yes, a little bit, I am.
From Scottsbluff to Ten Mile Lake, near Hackensack, MN it's about 12 hours, if you are a road warrior and Helen speeds.
Road Warrior - (n.) a person who consistently goes above the speed limit and stops as little as possible. Stopping is only permitted to eat, drink, fill up your tank or empty your bladder. Must be named Helen Reinhardt. Must talk much at great length through all trips about the fact that one is a road warrior. Must have become this way by being tormented by husband Jim to stop at every gimmicky tourist trap on I-90 across the state of South Dakota (i.e. Pioneer's Auto Museum in Murdo, South Dakota; Corn Palace, in Mitchell, SD) just because he knew it would annoy her.
Not being named Helen, and also knowing if the trip is made with two kids who feel the need to pee, scream and hit each other, I'm going to estimate that it would take me about 15 hours. Therefore, to preserve the lives of my children and my own sanity, I'm breaking up the trip a bit.
Wednesday we're heading to Lincoln, where we'll spend two full days with my grandparents. A trip to the children's museum is planned, and whatever else my Grandad has on his mind. then Friday night after dinner, I'm driving the sleeping (please God?) boys to Owatonna MN to stay with Dustin's parents for two days. Sunday night around 7, I'll then drive the sleeping (please, please God?) boys to Ten Mile Lake in central MN. I'm hoping to stop and see my friend Brittany in St. Paul at her new apartment, but if she's in the middle of moving in, I'll probably catch her on the way back home.
We're meeting my parents and sister at the Massey family's home on the lake, I could not be more excited. I'm going with a mind to have a complete servant's heart, and to read my Bible a lot. To anyone who reads this in the next couple weeks, please pray for safety and patience and intimacy with God on this trip.
Ten Mile, after 5 years away from you, Here I come!!!