Quiet Saturday in California

It's a quiet Saturday afternoon at the Reed home. Dakota and Millie (daughter's pup we are pupsitting) are resting. Husband resting after a very long week at work. Me...got the house cleaned, laundry almost done and now kicking back ready to start five days of much needed vacation. Now vacation can really start!

Being a Mom

Being a mom is the most rewarding thing in the world. So when son calls me and tells me that he's on the way to what could be a very dangerous situation I try to stay as calm as possible. I stay calm on the phone and then start shaking when I get off the phone. Although I know that he knows how to be safe I'm still the mom and think of him as my baby....even though he's not a baby anymore. How fortunate I am to have a son who at 26 still calls home and keeps me updated on his life and happenings. I look around the world and see some pretty messed up kids and families and wonder "how did that happen?" What did we do to have some great kids? I don't have any magic formula but we love and trust our kids. Maybe that's the magic - love and trust. I look at our immediate and extended family and see such incredible human beings. How lucky we are to be part of this family and share in each other celebrations and sorrows - all which makes us stronger as a family. To all our family who might be reading this - love you!!

90 Years Old

So yesterday was Daddy's 90th birthday. Wow! Four of us five kids were able to celebrate with him. #5 was there in spirit. :) This whole 90 birthday thing started me thinking...I'm over 1/2 way to 90. Daddy is incredible. He still drives, enjoys his baseball and loves us all unconditionally. He has lived an incredible life. How lucky we five kids are to have him as our Dad.

Kids

Missing the kids being at home....

Family

Drove over to SF last night to celebrate son's 26th birthday. Daughter had gone over the day before to help "keep him busy." Son, girlfriend and daughter all spent the day together....and after a long day out came home to a complete surprise! He was totally caught off guard - which is hard to do. I realized watching him interact with family and friends what a great kid he is. I am amazed each day to think that we raised two wonderful children who are now fantastic adults. I am so proud of them and who they have chosen to be as people. They care about others, give to others, love others and appreciate life. How lucky we are!

Life

is good....... :)

Family

It's 2:20 a.m. and I'm sitting in Daddy's hospital room. After having surgery less than 48 hours ago he is up and walking and in rare form. He has been reminiscing about his time in the Marines. Daddy believes that his training as a Marine made him a better man and able to handle many things in life. It taught him to be a hard worker and to never give up. He also has been reminiscing about how lucky he has been in his life and how extremely proud he is of his family. I told him that all of his kids are successful because he and Mommy always taught us to work hard and to push ourselves to accomplish our goals. He said that Mommy would be very proud of all of us. Daddy feels he has been so very lucky in life to have two wonderful women he has loved and they have loved him back. I am so thankful that he found step-mom after Mommy died. The three of us were talking the other day and they both feel that having each other has helped them live this long. It truly is all about family - life that is. Each day we should wake up and be thankful for those that surround us in spirit and on Earth. How lonely we would be if we didn't have our family connections to help us celebrate and to get through those tough times. I know I am so very thankful for my immediate and extended family. :)