Spring or Fall??

Well you would never guess just by looking at this picture that it was Autumn time outside. This is a picture that I took from one of my rose bushes just about two weeks ago. It was still warm enough that I had a rose bloom. These are of the variety Rosie O'Donnells -- I think that they are absolutely fabulous.
But just to the west of where I live you can see this, bare trees where leaves have already fallen and a few trees with leaves still hanging on. I love the different colors that you can see.
So pretty!!!

This is from a plant that I have in a planter on my front porch. I loved that those leaves actually turned colors as well.

The funnier thing is that I have Christmas lights now hanging on my rose bushes in the front and I have a blossoming rose. How crazy is that? But they sure are pretty.

oNe BiG hApPy FaMiLy

We did have all the kids in one location and managed to get a group picture taken and had a few decent pictures. I meant to get a picture with only the babies but this will have to be good enough. There are 17 grandkids now, and nobody is expecting as far as I know. But Ruth will be getting married in March so we might have one coming the end of 2008 who knows???

Here is Mary Beth with her baby Isaac -- I was trying out the Sepia setting on my camera

Here was another fun one of the girls -- Shantil and I are in the front just totally being silly. Shantil I need you to live closer!!!! We have too much fun together and it's therapeutic.

Here's a picture just for you Ben and Shantil -- he's smiling a little. This is my nephew Gentry.

Here are Amy and Richard -- they just seem so photographic all the time.

It's always fun to spend time with family. Especially when kids can play together and the Adults can interact as well. Hope that you had a Happy Thanksgiving as well.

Oh what a crowd !!

Thanksgiving 2007 --- Well we met at my in laws in Santaquin and had the fortunate opportunity to have all of my husbands siblings and spouses their kids and his parents all together for Thanksgiving. It was quite the noise fest but despite the few kids that came down with "fevers" or those that " threw up" the night before -- it turned out really nice.



So we of course took pictures --- the only picture that I realize I didn't take was one of my own family -- so when I can get what my father in law took I'll scan it into my computer and post it in a new post.







Here we have my husbands Childhood family as they now are:

Back (L-R) Dan, Chris, Ben

Middle (L-R) Mary, Dave (My parent in laws)

Front (L-R) Rebecca, Amy, Ruth, Mary Beth






Here we have all the guys in the family ---
Back Row (L-R) Scott, Richard, Jared
Middle ( L - R) Nick, Dave (my father in law)
Front (L - R) Ben, Chris, Dan

Here are all the ladies in the family.

Back Mary Beth, Amy, Rebecca

Middle (L-R) Ruth, Mary (My mother in law)

Front (L - R) Shantil, Wendy (ME)

The Engaged Couple : Nick and Ruth March 2008 is when they are planning on getting married.

A Random Picture of some of the kids -- Two of mine are in the middle --

The Westercamps

The Cox's

The Binkley's

Ben and Shantil's Family

Their kids were not wanting to be in the pictures and Josiah decided to only show his rear. So he's still in the picture but not with his face.

I'm Thankful for .......

I thought that it would be fun to do a blog where I went through the Alphabet to name something that I'm thankful for in honor of Thanksgiving coming up. So here it goes

I'm Thankful for :

A- Autumn ( The season I can finally pull out my sweatshirts which I love to wear, and I love seeing all the colors that autumn time has to offer)

B- Babies ( They are the most sweet, innocent human beings and they love everybody, and they don't judge)

C - CHRIS -- He's my best friend, my lover, my everything I know he'll always be there for me and that he'll always love me and that definatley makes me grateful for him.

D - Dad and Mom -- because without them, I'd not be who I am today -- heck I might not exist.
E - Ears and Ethan --- I love to hear the birds sing in the mornings or whenever during the day, my ears allow me to hear those beautiful sounds. And Ethan --- well he's my baby!! Do I need to say more??

F - Flowers -- I love the bright colors and fragrances, and they help bring a bit of heaven to earth.

G- Gardens -- Because I love the harvest of a season full of hard work and waiting. The "fruits" that are harvested are just mouth-watering.

H - Heidi -- She's so vibrant, and lively -- full of energy and she's my baby girl even though she's 5!!

I - Intelligence -- The ones with which I've been blessed with, not to mention the intelligent children that I have also.

J - JUICE -- what a great alternative to water. Especially when it's fresh squeezed !!

K - Kaylee & Katherine -- Kaylee is my first born and amazes me more and more everyday - from seeing her as a little baby, then a toddler now she's nearly a tween!! Katherine -- my second born child is such a great helper and she's gifted in many ways.

L - LOVE If we didn't have any love, there would only be Hate!! And we already have too much of that in the world. I love my family very much!!

M - Miracles -- Theydon't happen often but when they do, I know that it is because of my faith in Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father that they happen in my life.

N - Night time -- yes, because that is when all the little people go off to the land of NOD, so that I might enjoy a few minutes of peace before I go to sleep myself.

O - Orange Juice -- It's my favorite juice!! I love Oranges also, and I just don't know what would happen if these two things didn't exist.

P - Plumbing -- yes a very much needed modern invention!! I used those "fairy castles" at girls camp and well frankly they STINK!! So I like the convenience of flushing a toilet and having water at the turn of a knob.

Q - Quiet Time -- those moments that I get wheter in the temple, during naptime, or just when I don't hear the noises of the day and can relax in quietness.

R - Ricks College and the Randolph Family -- Where I met my husband and then eventually his family, who are good examples to me of how a family can be.

S - Spring!! Because you know that new life is about to start all around you. The flowers start to bloom, it's almost time to plant the gardens, the grass is turning green again. I can go around without a big huge coat on. It also usually means time for outside walks again without the worry of freezing to death.

T - Toilet Paper -- Whatever did the Pioneers ever do??? There again it's one of the convenience items.

U - Umbrellas -- what a great invention!! They have multiple uses. Keep you dry from rain or snow, and block the sun and shade you.

V - Very Special Friends -- Everyone needs someone they can talk to about almost anything, someone who doesn't judge them, but will let them know how things should be, but love them anyway.

W - WATER !! Come on and think about it -- you use water to clean with, shower in, you need water to flush the toilet. Besides the uses for cleaning, I love a nice drink of Water, keeps one hydrated. You can also swim in water -- I love to swim !

X - x-rays -- crazy I know --- but they've been so great in diagnosing various medical conditions.

Y - You !! Whoever you are reading this, I'm thankful for you!! Because you've taken a few minutes from your day to read what I have to say. Thank you.

Z - Zoo! I love being able to go to the zoo and see a lot of the wild animals that have been created and see the excitement on my childrens faces.


So there you have the list of things I'm thankful for -- of course this isn't all but it's a start. So what are you most grateful for this time of the year?

It's sad, but lets you know .....

I know it's kind of Sad, but read this and then see my follow-up comments down below.



Jacob Matthew Reinke
June — November, 2007

Published: Tuesday, November 13, 2007 11:07

The Reinke family was blessed to have Jacob Matthew Reinke join them on June 21, 2007. He went home to Jesus on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2007. He was such a happy baby. His joyful smile melted the hearts of those around him. He loved to smile and to “talk” to Daddy. He was so full of joy. With Jacob’s passing, we remind others that life is to be celebrated. Although we will miss him every day, especially his smile, he will forever remain in our hearts.

Jacob is survived by his loving parents, Rodney and Christina Reinke of Trona; sister, Michaela and brother, Michael; grandparents, Rod and Julie Reinke of Santa Fe, Texas; Danny and Diana Martin of Trona; great-grandparents, Don Reinke of Bakersfield; Jim Smith of Trona; Larry and Bonnie Martin of Ridgecrest; Ann Longhofer of Bakersfield; great-great-grandparents, Walter and Annabelle Martin; aunts, Shannon Hancock of Burleson, Texas; Shannon Cole of Friendship, Wis.; Desiree Bickel of Ridgecrest; Jennifer Martin, Danielle Martin and Kiana Martin of Trona; uncles, Trinity Stevenson of Ridgecrest; Travis Stevenson of Bakersfield; and Jared Stevenson of Ridgecrest; and numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins, who will greatly miss him.

Jacob’s funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 14 at the Trona Foursquare Church. Pastor Mel Wilson will officiate. Graveside services will be held immediately following at the Searles Valley Cemetery.

Arrangements provided by Holland & Lyons Mortuary, 371-1376. Media information provided by the family.


Okay so I know that this is sad, but I knew this family -- grew up with them, and all of the aunts and uncles listed. And the fact that I'm a mom, and have had little babies, makes me appreciate how fragile life can be. This baby, is so sweet and innocent and has returned to live with his Father in Heaven. I just want to let myself be reminded that even though being a parent is difficult these little babies are what make it all worth it. Their cute smiles and never-ending cooing, watching them achieve all of their milestones. We don't know how long we will be on this earth let alone how long our children will be on the earth. So please, please, love those children that are in your life, and know that they are a gift from our Father in Heaven. So if you read this I would ask that you please say a prayer for their family at such a difficult time. My prayers are with them. God Bless Baby Jacob and his family left behind.

Our Jack O' Lanterns

Chris carved this first one, and it was a conglomeration of ideas from our older girls, it has a hidden message. The nose is a little hard to see but is in the shape of a heart.

I just wanted to get these carved and just came up with these two, once again conglomerations of what our children wanted.

Here's how they were set on our porch -- and note the fake flowers in the picture -- are now at DI!!

I almost forgot!!

Here is our family for Halloween, I don't look very dressed up but I had a black cape on. I was also wearing my BYU Cougar sweatshirt ( so I thought I would just be a BYU fan) but Chris thought that wasn't cool enough and said I should put something else one. HE of course, took over the costume that Thomas was going to wear -- WE did have a lot of fun!!!

Our Halloween !!

Yes, my two year old little guy decided that he wanted to go with the devil costume that I borrowed from my sister in law. Only every time I tried to put it on him, he ran away and screamed, " NO!! DON'T PUT THAT ON ME!!"

But everytime someone would ask, " What are you going to be for Halloween?" What did he say? You guessed it --- " A Devil" Halloween night came and went and no devil was seen on the likes of Thomas. So I tried to dress him in a black cape that I made for my girls two halloweens ago when they were all witches, I put the smallest one on him and he said," I'm gonna be SUPERMAN!" and then he'd attempt to run all around the yard and house wearing the black cape. GREAT I thought he can just wear the BLACK CAPE and be SUPERMAN, I don't care he's only 2!! He might later on in life when he looks back at the pictures and asks what the heck were you thinking mom?? Oh well.

So we eat dinner Halloween night and proceeded to get costumes on and their treat bags located, and when I got Thomas all dressed up or tried to, he once again ran away screaming at the top of his lungs, " I DON'T WANT TO WEAR THAT!! DON'T PUT THAT ON ME!!!" So what am I supposed to do? HE didn't want to dress up, but he knew that he would get candy if he went trick or treating. So he's wearing his normal daytime clothes and just wanted to grab his blankie because he's a "blankie baby" and then to my surprise -- Katherine piped in, " Mom, I know!! He can be Linus!!" --- CLICK!!

There you have it, Thomas was Linus for halloween.

Ethan, of course, was a lot easier because he was a baby and didn't really have a say. But at least he was nice and warm while we went out trick or treating.

Heidi was able to dress up at school and decided to be Goldilocks at school since that fell under her choices of "curriculum" based costume ideas. I had her hair curled the first part of the day and sprayed it, but the curls ended up coming undone and just made the ends of her hair curled under. So for Trick or Treating she decided to be "Goldilocks gone movie Star" -- Thus the addition of the glasses. The only thing different from how she dressed up at school.

Katherine, is my all time most creative child. Very artistic and thoughtful. We were able to get an apron from our neighbor and she did the art work herself. So she went as an Artist. She loves to draw, paint, color, and make crafts. This girl is very creative.

Last of my kids is Kaylee who wanted to be a "cowgirl" So I bought the shirt and vest at DI the day before and we borrowed the hat from our same neighbor. We were lacking actual cowgirl boots but she were some boots anyway.

IF you've noticed the bags -- like the one Kaylee is holding -- I made those this year for their treats. I want to get rid of the big and bulky "pumpkin buckets" that we've used in the past. So will see if these bags are still good next year or I might make new ones, that are more in the design of Halloween. But -- they enjoyed carrying those bags, and they liked them. Because they each were able to pick their own material off the $1/yard table at Walmart. I finished the last two just a few minutes before we were ready to have dinner and then leave about 45 minutes later.

But I still believe that Halloween is highly overrated and next year -- I want to talk my kids into just doing a halloween party instead of going Trick or Treating. We'll see what I can pull off.

My kids came up with their own costume ideas and mom, just helped them get it together. Makes is so much easier on me.