Three Stooges

They are so precious to us!
Boo and Tay are "glued" to the TV because it is rarely on & Squirt is having a blast playing in her tub o' blocks.
The older two love being around the littlest one & I believe the feeling is mutual.
*Yes, Tay is topless. Sometimes we wonder where she gets her sense of fashion.*

No Words

No Words.
My mind is racing, yet standing still.
I wish it would stop, yet the pain of spinning is keeping me at peace.
I am afraid if it stops, my tears would flow freely.
You see, my pastor, Dr. J. Howard Olds, is in the arms of his Father.
Dr. Olds went to see Jesus, and was cured of cancer, on Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at 4:30am.
His caring bridge website has more details than I want to offer with my fingers.
However, you may go here yourself.
Brentwood United Methodist Church has been my home church since 1982.
It's what I know.
It's comfortable.
It's my home away from home.
My children go to the day school there.
Chris and I worship there.
We attend Sunday School there.
All three of my children were baptized by Dr. Olds at BUMC.
Just last Sunday, I was speaking about how I was protesting moving back to Brentwood when Chris and I lived in SC and he got accepted into anesthesia school.
Today, I ate my words.
I looked around that church and all I saw was LOVE.
Love for a man that was one of the most kind, sincere, generous, tender, powerful, giving, forgiving, loving, nurturing, seed-sowing, fruit of the spirit, down to earth, hand on the door of heaven, showing you the compassion of Christ - kind of man.
The church was filled to the brim with people.
This was not like Sunday.
On Sunday, the church was almost empty - Summer Vacation.
Well, the vacations were cut short.
Even the Sunshine Choir came back from Choir Tour early to sing for Dr. Olds today.
That brings a tear to my eye just thinking about it.
If you know anything about High Schoolers - it's not like them to cut their once-a-year vacation early.
Comfortable.
I saw some of my friends today and we just waived.
No words.
No words needed.
We knew.
Dr. Olds had the ability to just stand before you without saying a word and you knew what he meant.
These last three months we had with him were something else.
His cancer had progressed (he was diagnosed 11 yrs ago with colon cancer).
He was preaching from his soul.
As I sat in church today, I was enveloped with love.
My former pastors, Bishop Spain and Bishop Pennel, were preaching and it was like old times for me.
I felt like a little kid again.
Comfortable.
As I sat next to my mom (Chris was at work and could not get off), I was reminded of the simplicity of life.
I take it for granted that everything in my body works without the need of medication, that I can get out of bed each day just fine, that my kids are extremely healthy, that each and everyday will be about the same.
I actually look forward to this routine of life.
As a former teacher, I love routines.
Now, I do not take for granted my marriage nor that everyone lives forever.
Those two things I do not take lightly.
If you know me, I will tell you how I feel & I mean it.
I was once told not to tell people you love them unless they are your family members.
Well, you know that's not how I feel.
I love big-time and I will let you know it.
My parents are divorced.
My mom's parents have passed.
My dad's dad has passed & my dad's mom has alzheimer's.
I do not take those two things lightly.
Back to simplicity, I loved watching both of my former pastors speak about the man whose voice I so longed to hear today.
Today was simple.
The sermon was simple.
The service was simple.
It was routine.
The one thing I didn't like about BUMC when I left is what drew me in today - like a nice warm bath with lots of bubbles.
Comfortable.
When I was walking out of the service, mom and I were holding hands, I then waived to my friends, saw lots of familiar faces with many tears down their checks, quietly exited the narthex on the way to get the children.
Once at their doors, a smile appeared on their faces and on mine and moms.
Routines.
Comfortable.
This gave me great joy and peace.
I still have many thoughts and if you've read all the way to this, wow!
You are like my husband.
He somehow can take my all-over-the-board thoughts and make them into a straight line for him to follow.
In closing up my thoughts for this post, Dr. Olds has touched our hearts and souls in this family forever.
My children would rather go to the Awakening Service, than go to Sunday School.
Why?
Because of Dr. Olds.
I was listening to his last sermon (6/29/2008) tittle "Don't Stop" when we got home from church today.
Immediately, Gavin and Taylor Marie rushed over to the computer and said, "That's Dr. Olds".
They know this because they love hearing him preach.
I love that my babies want to go hear the sermon every week.
Dr. Olds will forever hold a place in our hearts.
He opened our minds to places we've never dreamed of going.
My children already know The Lord's Prayer & say it proudly every week in church.
Chris and I are a stronger couple because of Dr. Olds preachings and teachings.
We have made amazing friendships with other families in the church because Dr. Olds made you want to be better Christians, Parents, and Friends.
We will miss you Dr. J Howard Olds.
You are in a better place.
Thank you for making me a better wife, mother, sister, daughter, friend, relative, and an overall better person.
No Words

William Key Cortner

Welcome to the world, Key Cortner!

This sweet angel was born July 13, 2008.

Look at how beautiful he is.
He is just waiting for a kiss from me, isn't he?Seriously, I am in love with these toes!

Here is Key's sweet mama, Kate.She looks so beautiful!
I told her you put my "pajama's for two weeks" rule to shame. :)
And yes, Tay had to get in this photo.

How do I look as a mom of four?
Squirt is looking at me like I'm crazy, so you don't have to.
This is Blake.
He is Key's daddy. Key's mama is holding squirt muffin.
She kept saying, "Wow, this is what we will be doing in 8 months."

Here are some photos of Key's nursery.
Kate is an interior designer, Mary Kay director, & a new mom,
so she has her "stuff" together.

Key has the coolest room in the house!

Now for the kitchen.

I am in love! This is the cleanest, most beautiful post-pardom kitchen I have ever seen.
For a first time mom, Kate you get the I have my Sh*t together award!

Cupcakes Anyone?

Some of my Hip Mama friends came over to indulge in some of

Pamela's Products and to support The National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.

The Hip Mama's gathered together to indulge in some Chinese Chicken Salad and Chocolate Cupcakes with Confetti Icing.

Did I mention everything was dairy-free & egg-free?

It was and it was SO good! We had a fabulous time chatting, eating, & letting the babies play.

The babies loved the kid friendly table, plates and...wait, are they trying to share food? Well, that wasn't part of the plan.
Boo and Tay are loving the cupcakes!
Some of the Hip Mama's eating and watching their babies
More Mama's eating and watching their babies.

Wait...who's in the door with that pose?

Oh, that would be my "daisy duke" posing girl. Someone needs to tell her to not grow up.

One of the mama's feeding her little boy a cupcake.

Another mama fixing a cupcake for her and her boy.

This hip mama is looking precious with her sweet little angel.

Do you see anything in my teeth? No? I didn't think so.

Here are some mama's and babies

I love this photo. We so enjoyed the cupcakes!

Thank you Pamela's Products!

Squirt

This photo was taken with my phone.

Sorry for the poor quality. :)
Many of you have asked how our little Muffin Cup is doing. She is MUCH better! Thank you all for your prayers of healing. When the Dr. said that this can be caused by an allergic reaction, Daddy Bear and I thought that we had "sterilized" the house of all egg and dairy products. However, come to find the "Natural Flavor" in the margarine is a milk derivative. Well, needless to say, we were pissed! All the hard work and effort on our part and now THIS?! So, back to square one in our efforts and a more careful eye when shopping and eating out.

By the way, Olive Garden is not careful in the kitchen with the allergies like other restaurants we have been to. Thank goodness we are not deathly allergic to dairy or else I wouldn't be here.

We are now back to eating dairy-free and egg-free and all is well with the Reid's.

Spiderman and Darth Vader

Spiderman was wearing his pirate hair and carrying his light saber when he mysteriously found Darth Vader carrying the pirate sword.

Coincidence? I think not.

WHAT? Spidy, that's not Darth!

That's Conner!

Nice Dreads though, Spidy.

One would think this photo is precious.

Don't let her fool you. She is sitting in time out for pushing this most precious little boy, Will. For no reason. Well, I must say, that even if she had a reason, it wouldn't be good enough. She still should not push. Tay needs to learn not to look so darn cute in time out.

HGTV: Design Star

I love this room!

I snagged this photo from the Nashville Design Star Blog.

The contestants listed below the photo made over this suite in the Opryland Hotel.

They got to spend time (in her house) with country music star, Sara Evans, in order to gain inspiration for the look of the suite.

Now, if I could just get permission from my main squeeze...

Oh, well, just picture this next time you come over instead of what is in it's "place" now.

Trish, Mikey V. and Tracee's shabby-chic design

Water Baseball

Boo and Tay have been having a great time playing water baseball.

Boo received this game for his birthday party and they love it!

We would highly recommend this outdoor fun for any child.

I just hope the mosquito's won't come with your game.

Needless, to say, it comes with ours.

Boo is posing and Tay is trying not to eat her hair
He is so precious to me
This is a perfect shot.

He hit that ball out of the yard!

I love how the water looks like it was cut with the bat.

Tay is trying to drink the water and wet her hair.

Not concerned with the bat and ball.

The look before he hits the ball out of the yard.

Tay with her best attempt.
Back to the licking of the water
Tay finally getting the hang of the sport.

This game is a hit!

(No pun intended)

Fourth at Fluff's

What an awesome Fourth of July we had.We hung around the house, unloaded the POD in our driveway, worked very hard getting ready for our yard sale the next day.

That night at 5pm we arrived at

Fluffy and Giggy's for fellowship and food.

We love both of those can't you tell?
Getting back on track...

Boo, Tay, and Ella donned bathing suits and went out into the backyard after we ate a delicious meal prepared

by F & G.

The three of them were absolutely precious!

Fluff and Uncle Matt-Mew were the helpers out in the yard.
Daddy was holding Squirt while Aunt Peaches was holding Addie

No need for them to get wet. They really just wanted to talk to each other.

I was talking about Addie and Squirt, you know.

Fluff holding Ella while Tay tries to drink the water

Addie sitting up like a big girl

Daddy and Squirt smiling at Mommy

Uncle Matt-Mew and Ella holding hands wondering what my two are doing
And there is the answer.

Tay is eating her wet hair. I am working on that one, I know.

Boo is holding the sprinkler trying to fix it.

This conversation was great.
They always make fun of me (side note*I know I sound twelve in that statement)for talking with my hands, however I captured it on film, they are talking with their hands too!

I love this photo of the two of them

Now we are done. It was the perfect way to celebrate The Fourth Of July.

We did not need to see the fireworks, just laugh at each other (we seem to be very good at that), play together, hang out with the ones we love, and then go home to a cozy bed.

Maybe next year we will throw in a couple of card games.

X-Rays and Breathing Treatments

Yes.

The title is correct.

On Wednesday, July 2nd, Squirt had to go in for x-rays and breathing treatments.

No.

I did not foresee this happening when we went in.
It took two hours from start to finish.

*Side Note*

I have three amazing kids.

Boo and Tay had the best time playing with all the toys in the Dr's office.

Tay took the addition and subtraction game and pretended to make invitations for her birthday party in November.

Then she took the phone to call everyone she made the

invitations for and did follow up calls to ensure her guests were coming.

Boo was reading all the books, stacking blocks, etching on the etch-a-sketch,

and made sure his baby sisters were okay.

*Now on with the details*

Squirt had been coughing for over a month now.

She was getting worse over the weekend-think smokers cough.

Took her in Monday, June 30th, the Dr. thought bronchitis.

Went home with a z-pack and some Zyrtec (in case it was allergies).

By Wednesday, I thought Squirt was a smoker.

The Dr. personally called me back ( that's why we love him) and said he needed to see her.

Now you are caught up to the beginning of the post.

The x-rays came back clear so thankfully she didn't have pneumonia.

Now she has something labeled reactive airway disease.

So, we are giving her the rest of the Z-Pack, Zyrtec,

an oral steroid (to reduce the inflammation), and breathing treatments.

Man, that is too much for my little muffin cup!

Anyway, this is what we have to do to get her better.

*Update*

Squirt is doing better today.

She has had some rough patches, however she is trending in a positive direction.

Boo and Tay in the Dr's office
Squirt muffin holding the camera ready to take a bite
Here she is with her breathing treatment

Finally okay with it