The Reids

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

You want hodge podge? I got your hodge podge.

My Christmas shopping is done! I say "my" because we still have 1 gift left to get --- Eric's dad. And, I'm leaving that up to Eric! So, my shopping is officially done. ;-) I also finished wrapping yesterday.

Wrapping.

Sigh...

If you know me well, you know that I have lots of visions about how things should go in my head. For example, when we put up our Christmas tree, I have visions of perfection. Me, dressed in pearls and heels, dancing happily around the tree to the fun Christmas music playing softly in the background. The kids sitting, handing me ornaments, laughing with each other, giving each other hugs. Eric sitting with his cardigan sweater on, taking puffs from his pipe, reading stories to the children...uh, yeah...that's not quite what happens up in our crib. I usually raise my voice ~~several times~~, the kids end up breaking something, and Eric doesn't smoke a pipe!

Another vision I have is for my wrapping paper. In my head, it all looks beautiful and shiny and all the packages fit nicely together under the tree. My paper, all in coordinating reds and golds, helps to bring out the joy of Christmas! Again, FAIL.

All I have is hodge podge! Mismatched paper. Nothing coordinates. I am appalled. ;-)

Okay, so I am teasing {sort of}. But, I just couldn't see going out and buying all this beautiful new wrapping paper without using up what I have!

Next year. Next year will be the year of the bold, beautiful wrapping paper. {And pigs may just fly!}

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

stick a fork in him, he's done!!

Last night was the night. The big kahuna. Eric had been studying for weeks for his final exam which would cover the last 7 months of material. YOU GUYS...for hours on end, Eric would sit at his desk or in the recliner --in this unbreakable zone-- headphones on, listening to lectures, reading books bigger than your head. Sometimes, the kids and I would be in the same room as him and I would be watching tv. Eric was in his zone. And, the kids would be going at it! Like WWE going at it. Pushing, hitting, yelling. I would look over at Eric like "handle your kids" because I'm trying to watch Friends (the episode I had seen 86 times) but, he would be in the zone. So, I would handle it. Most days. ;-)

So, last night, we sent Eric off to school with high hopes that he would send us a message that he passed. We waited. And, when my phone alarm told us it was 5 o'clock, Levi gathered us together to pray. Every time Eric took a test, we would all pray for him, so tonight was no different. When Levi started to pray, I took my phone out of my pocket to capture this sweet moment.

To keep my mind busy, we started to decorate. First up...a strawberry cake with strawberry icing. Eric's favorite!

Second...balloons! If, by chance, Eric didn't pass, my plan was to rip down the decorations and take them out to the trash before he got home. Levi got one balloon blown up, but then his cheeks hurt. I can empathize. I loathe blowing up balloons.

So, what do you do when you don't like blowing up balloons? You call Papa and ask him to come over and use the air compressor for you!! Yay for my dad!

We hung a banner that said "Congrats! We love you".

And, we also made some posters.

Levi added, "I hope you passed your test". Sweet!!

I let the kids pick out some cards to give to Eric and I could not for the life of me get Maggie to get a card that said Congratulations! She wanted THIS ONE with the Christmas tree. And it says, "FaLaLa Grandson!" Hilarious!

A couple of hours later, I got this text: I PASSED!! SEEMS LIKE IT TOOK FOREVER BUT I AM DONE!

And the angels broke out in the Hallelujah Chorus.

Seriously, I was so excited for him! For us! The kids were thrilled and Levi wanted to know when he could have cake!! Unfortunately, Eric still had a while to be at school, so I had to go on and put the kids in bed. BUT, Levi got a surprise in his lunch today - some cake! I hate it that I didn't get any pictures of Eric and the kids together last night, but we will get to celebrate later this week. :-) He still has two weeks of clinicals left, but NO MORE STUDYING until his boards. Yay! For now, we enjoy Christmas together! Playing, laughing, and letting Daddy break up the fights while I sit back sipping hot chocolate and watching Friends. ;-)

Good job, babe! We are so proud of you!!

Saturday, December 8, 2012

time with Maggie and picking out a toy

For almost six months, I've been attending a Bible study on Thursday mornings. I really like the study -- we are studying the book of Mark -- but because I am usually quiet and shy around people I don't know, I find it hard to engage in our discussions. This gets on my nerves!! YES, I get on my own nerves because I am so quiet. Hopefully, with time it will get better {most people would think six months would suffice!}. ;-) Anyways, Thursday mornings are a sweet time for me. I'm not babysitting, so it's just Maggie and me and we kind of do our own thing. She enjoys her Bible study class now. For the first several months, she would scream when I left her. Wonder where she gets separation anxiety from?! Ha!

After Bible study this week, we headed to the grocery. She loves to ride Sandy and I think it's adorable! Still only a penny to ride!

Once we got home, my friend/neighbor, Jill popped over and gave Maggie a million dollars. Or at least that's what you would have thought she gave her! Check out her new princess shoes!! Not only are they high heels, but they click really loudly on the kitchen floor! Awesome.

When we dropped Levi off at school last week, I told Maggie, "You better not get big and go to school and leave me!" She said, "I not go school til I get big and get a pack pack." Lord have mercy. She is a bucket of cuteness. I love one-on-one time with her.

Last night, my parents invited all the grandkids over to have pizza and put a gingerbread house together while the parents got to have 2 hours to eat and shop!

I think they did a pretty fantastic job!

Eric is in devout study mode. All day every day. His last exam {over the last 7 months!} is Monday night. He did take a break and met me at Target to get one last thing for Levi and then we ate at Applebee's. Yum! Funny story -- we were in the aisle looking at Beyblade stuff. {Levi played Beyblades with Pierce in BG and hasn't stopped talking about it! Beyblades are like fancied up spinners or tops.} This kid walks up right in front of us and starts picking through the Beyblades. He looks at me and what I have in my hand.

Kid: You buyin' some Beyblade stuff?

Me: Yes. Do you know anything about Beyblades?

Kid: {eyeroll} I am a Beyblade proooofessional {thumps himself on chest}!

Me: A professional? Hunh. How old are you?

Kid: I am ten years old.

Me: Oh, okay, so if my son is almost 7, would he like this?

Kid: Oh, man, your son would love it.

Me: So, is this kit a good one to buy?

Kid: Well, the arena is good, but those Beyblades won't win. They are plastic. If you want a Beyblade that will win, you need to get one of these double or triple packs that are made out of metal and...

{at this point, my eyes glazed over and I couldn't keep up with what he was saying.}

Me: Wow, you know a lot.

Eric and I were cracking up as we left! I can see Levi trying to help some "old couple" shopping for their kid one day! ha! :-)

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

It's Wednesday, yo.

One thing that I really enjoy doing is helping out in Levi's class. Every Tuesday morning, Eric or I help out with his reading groups. I just love that special time with him.

It never seizes to amaze me how quickly he learns. At the beginning of the year, we read the stories to them. Now, they read to us. This little blob that I used to carry around is READING TO ME. And, he is writing in complete sentences.

He is seriously almost ready to drive and be a preacher. Sigh... The other night he said, "Mom, do you know what that line in the middle of our ceiling is?" I responded with something incredibly smart like, "Sure, it's called a crease." He just stared at me and said, "It's called a line of symmetry." Of course it is.

****************************************************************

Eric's mom brought over a fun little surprise! She brought the kids a bunch of books that are wrapped individually. We put them under the tree and each night, they get to unwrap one and we read it before bed. THEY LOVE IT!!! :-)

Loving this time with my kiddos!!

Monday, December 3, 2012

Traditions have begun

Saturday morning, Levi woke up at 6:05 am and asked, "How much longer until we leave for Aunt Gail's?" I looked at the time on my phone and rolled back over.

Me: "Not for three more hours!"

Levi" "THREE HOURS?! This is the longest day of my life."

He has a flare for the dramatics. ;-) A little over three hours later, we headed to Indianapolis for our annual Miller-Schaefer Christmas!

Maggie napped, {which was good for everyone!} while Levi watched Christmas movies!

Once we arrived, the kids were forced to pose for me before they could break out the toys. This was the best I got! ;-)

Within 4.2 seconds, my aunt and uncle's home went from elegant and pristine to TOY LAND! But, I don't think Kevin and Gail minded...they love having the kids there to visit.

As always, my aunt's decorations were beautiful!

She always has little treats sitting around for us to take home...

My aunt has a beautiful Christmas tree, decorated only with Christopher Radko ornaments ~~that cost more than my home~~, so I had about 40 heart attacks when the kids would get near it. Shew!

My mom and her sister -- I love them!!

I love the relationship they have and that they are best friends!

It made me miss my sister (who was home with a sick baby girl...boo!), but made me happy to spend time with this sister...

I asked my brother to take a picture of the four women. Fail.

When you rely on my brother, he will always make sure BAD photos are in the mix!

Until you threaten his life (or tell him he can't eat lunch until he gets a good photo!)....

After lunch, the kids were ready for what they thought was the real reason we were in Indy...BOWLING!

This was Maggie's first year bowling. You guys -- it was arguably one of the cutest things ever!! Check out the toddler sized bowling shoes!!

Of course, we had the bumpers up on the lane for the kids, so after we showed her how to roll the ball, she became a pro!

Well, sort of. It still took about 8 minutes for the ball to make it all.the.way.down.the.lane.

We would all wait. And wait. And wait. ~~And run to get a diet coke from the concession area.~~ But, once it hit the pins, we would explode with cheers!

Levi, however, was an old pro at bowling and did a great job!

I do believe these little turkeys had a great day!! We definitely missed our other cousins, though. :-(

I think these two enjoyed watching the kids, too.

Ha! We did enjoy our day and are so thankful for our family!!! Love them so much!

Saturday, December 1, 2012

Thankful part 2

I decided for November to do a photo-a-day of Thankfulness on Instagram. For the first installment, click here. I have the rest of my thankful pictures below! Hope you enjoy. :-)

Thankful: Day 15

Hanging this ornament on the tree reminds me of the baby I will get to meet in Heaven.