Big Changes

 

Kari with her shift

 This is how Kari spends her days. In a big, wet, dog pile

Our awesome little family. We sure do love it when we are all together

 None of this would be happening if it weren't for the two of us. I am so lucky to be married to my best friend.

 

 

Kari and the boys before she started the 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. She climbed 110 stories in honor of Lt Kenneth Phelan Engine 217 FDNY.

 

 

The 6 grandkids on Kari's side.

So much has been happening the past few months.  We had a crazy summer. The boys were both busy with camps in June. In July we had lots of visitors, Kristi and Blake; Lana, Jonelle, and Jase; Cheryl and her kids. I'm pretty sure there were more but I have lost count.We took all 4 of our kids to Arkansas for the week of 4th of July, it was a total bust. Everything was closed for the whole week becuase of the holiday.  The kids handled it really well though. We managed a few great moments and either way loved being together.  August brought the start of school for Zane, Ryder, and Kari. Zane started first grade, Ryder started "school" and Kari started the fire academy.  It's been a lot of changes in schedules and routines and figuring out a new way to make this crazy life work.  All in all it has been amazing.  Both boys love going to school everyday. Actually all three of them love going to school everyday.  Kib is keeping up with his cycling and rock climbing. He did the Hotter n Hell ride in August which was a huge deal for us because it marked the 1 year anniversary of his cycling accident.  What can we say, life is good!!!!

FF Winner (oops, I mean Reed)

 There are a handful of people that only read my blog, mainly my step son and my father in law, who happen to be two of my favorite people in the world.  A couple of months ago I was selected to take part in the City of Richardson Citizens Fire Academy.  It's a 10 week course in which we learn about, and get to take part in, the fire dept. I only have 2 weeks left, and it has been an experience of a lifetime.  My fire fighting genes have been in full force.  This week we get to do a live burn, and then next week we graduate. After that, we are part of the Alumni Association where we can continue to help the fire dept in many ways. Here are a lot of photos of what we have been doing. During these last 8 weeks I have been allowed to do ride-outs at the different stations.  It's been amazing. I have seen a lot of neat stuff, trained with the fire fighters, seen their day to day life, and even got to see a real apartment fire.  Truly an amazing couple of months. 

 

Learning how to use the hose

 

 

 A few of the 25 volunteers

 Our ladder truck

 Getting ready for the confined space rescue 

 Here I have a 30 lbs SCBA (self contained breathing apparatus) on

 Haz Mat Suit (so much easier than a Pluto suit)

 Cutting open a car

 This had a roof when we started

 Our whole class

 FF Winner (yup, I would totally use my maiden name if I was a FF. It just sounds cooler)

 Our class photo

 Just before repelling down 3 stories

 Trying not to look nervous about climbing the ladder truck

 That's me up there. 100 ft in the air at 70 degree incline.

 Pulling the hose up 3 stories

 Me after running up and down 9 stories with the SCBA on.  It was actually kind of easy

 ET phone home

 Actual apartment fire (started in the kitchen)

 That's me in the vest. I was helping (but of course no photo of that)

Let's catch up

 The boys flying kites with Daddy

 Ry at the Dallas Zoo

 Zane learning to ice skate

 The boys being boys

 Thank goodness for friends parties

So it turns out that my step-son, Blake, actually reads my blog so he can see what we are up to.  That right there is reason enough for me to start blogging again.  A lot has happened in the past few months.  Zane started Tae Kwon Do, he's about to get his yellow stripe. Ryder turned 4, and just started school full time this past week.  Those are pretty much the highlights.  We are eagerly preparing for this summer with school, and camp, and Kristi and Blake coming to visit.  I'm starting school again in June, I'm so excited.

A photo update...

Just the six of us bowling during Thanksgiving!!!  Life is so good when we are all together.

No time to write, but here are a few photos to help catch you up on what we have been doing. Needless to say, we have been beyond busy. Moving, holidays, Zane in school, Kari completing her Personal training certification. Visits from family and friends. And so on, and so on. It just wouldn't be our life if it wasn't insanely busy.

The boys opening some of their Christmas presents

Christmas Eve. All dressed up to go to a Christmas eve service with some friends.

Chillin with Daddy

Zane Dressed up for College Spirit week. "go Longhorns"

Our family holiday photo

My new blog

I'm going to update this blog soon. I promise, but I wanted to make sure to share my new blog site with those of you that aren't on facebook with me. It's all about our families journey with going gluten free (and dealing with Zane's Functional Disconnection Syndrome)  www.fortheloveofzane.blogspot.com

Kindergarten

Zane giving Ryder a kiss goodbye

Mommy and her little man

My 3 Reed boys!

Green Eggs and Ham to start the year off right

Zane getting off the school bus

Yesterday was a huge mile marker for our family. Zane started Kindergarten. He has only been asking to go for about 2 years, so he was more than ready, and so was I. All 4 of us took Zane to school to drop him off at his classroom. He got a sneak peak on Friday, so he was familiar with it and his teacher (who is about 70 years old and can barely move, it's a hoot). There were no tears from any of us. The parents go to stay at the school for a PTA breakfast. I am so excited to start my PTA responsibilities.
Zane rode the bus home yesterday and he LOVED it!!!! When I asked him how school was, he said "AWESOME." phew! i wasn't all that worried, but you just never know how it's going to go. He told me about learning about the calendar, doing art, eating lunch (where he found $5 on the floor in the cafeteria), and of course, recess, and the bus ride home. The hardest part of the day is getting the grizzly bear to get out of bed. He has never been a morning person. But this morning he told me that he doesn't want me to take him to school anymore, he wants to ride the bus. Seriously? 2 days of kindergarten has rendered my unnecessary. I love it!!! He is so independent. I don't think I will get so lucky with Ryder. Speaking of, Ryder, he doesn't seem to mind Zane being gone. He starts Moms Day out next week so that I can spend time at Zane's school. We are all loving this new change in our life.