HONORING MR. REED

Mr. Paul Reed has a special place in the heart of our family.  He was Robert’s favorite AG teacher at Haines City High School.  In 1994, Robert didn’t have a driver’s license, in fact he didn’t have a truck to drive to school, and so being the Florida Cowman that he is; he rode his horse to and from school.  In reality he didn’t really ride to school.  He rode his horse to Mr. Reed’s house, stored him in the pen there, then Robert and his saddle caught a ride to the high school every day with Mr. Reed. 

Mr. Reed was more than a teacher to Robert; he became a lifelong mentor and friend.  We didn’t always stop to visit him at the school, but when we could we would swing in and say hi.  Fast forward nearly 10 years after Robert graduated.  Mr. Reed, being the man that he was, offered to help our son, John Robert, learn everything about raising poultry to prepare him for his trip to youth fair.  Not only did he give his time he also gave Robert his first prize winning hen and rooster.  He ingrained himself as an integral part of our children’s lives that day in the HCHS Ag department, sharing his wisdom and love with our next generation.  Every year at youth fair our kiddos can’t wait to go and see Mr. Reed.  Sadly, this was our last year to visit him there.

Youth Fair 2013, John's winning rooster.

The prize winning hen.

Last night Robert and I had the privilege of attending the 58^th annual Haines City High School FFA Awards Banquet.  It was a special night for us because after 34 years of teaching, Mr. Reed has announced he is retiring.  It was an honor to sit across from his family last night.  It was sheer joy talking about our kiddos with him, watching his eyes light up with pride about their latest AG related exploits.  More than that, it was an honor to be with him as he remembered his 34 years of teaching, and told us stories that he remembered about us when we were in school.   

Mr. Reed laughing at something Robert shared with him about our lives.

Robert and Mr. Reed, 21 years after high school.  Still good friends!

It is with joy that we tell Mr. Reed congratulations on his retirement.  More than that, it is with pure love that we look on the impact that he has had on our lives as teenagers and later the lives of our children as they learn and grow to love the AG lifestyle.  I wish we could have our children experience the joys that the Haines City High School AG department was in the mid to late 90’s under the direction of Jack Halibrin and Paul Reed.  More than that, we wish him nothing but success as he embarks on his latest adventure, retirement and being Papa! 

Thank you for all that you have done for us Mr. Reed.  We love you so much more than the education that you gave us.  We love you for being an amazing teacher, mentor, and having you as our friend.  

Mother’s Day 2016

This year my Mother’s Day didn’t go as planned, but I was ok with that, after all I am a mother.  Being a mother for almost 16 years I have learned that there are times that you have to be flexible.  This year happened to be one of those times.

It all started almost two weeks ago when Ethan came down with a wonderful stomach virus.  The virus went through all five children, hitting Jacob and Cole twice, before finally hitting me.  Let me tell you, being 4 months pregnant with baby number six, battling anemia and the general pregnancy exhaustion while raising five other kiddos, and then getting the stomach flu stinks.  It really stinks in a monumental smelly like a rotten skunk kind of way.  The worst part of the whole ordeal was that it knocked my iron out of whack even more so and now my recovery was taking twice as long.  Needless to say, this prompted me to spend my Mother’s Day weekend in bed. 

Literally, all day Saturday and part of Sunday (until my parents arrived and I was forced to get up), was spent in bed.  I slept for almost four straight hours on Saturday alternating between extreme hot and freezing cold.  Sunday was slightly better, but the exhaustion was still there.  This is where the gift of my children shines through.

Maggie was amazing.  She literally did EVERYTHING.  She cooked.  And I mean she cooked fresh snap beans from her garden, homemade potato salad, baked beans, and rolls.  Not to mention the chocolate, blueberry, and cinnamon muffins and coffee cakes she made for breakfast.  It was an incredibly delicious day!   She cleaned, and I don’t mean a light picking up but total house disinfecting in case anyone was still contagious.    She made sure that laundry was somewhat done, and that I was napping and resting as needed.  She helped her Daddy in the garden and kept the little boys as quiet as possible while I was down.  Of course Robert and the boys did what they could to help, mainly staying outside to keep the house quiet for me and cleaning up their bookshelves, but Maggie was amazing. 

How I was greeted Sunday morning.  Freshly baked treats for breakfast, candy, and my gifts.

I was spoiled Mother’s Day weekend.  Not with a ton of gifts, although the meal out with Robert and the pedicure from the kiddos was an amazing treat, but in the actions of my family.  I wasn’t planning on being down, literally all weekend.  I had wanted to do the cleaning to give Maggie a break, but she stepped up and did it all willingly without complaint.  I was spoiled in the unselfish love that was shown to me by my family.  My children aren’t perfect, far from it actually, but for me their perfect love and help was the best gift I could have received. 

Mother’s Day weekend didn’t go as I had planned, and that’s ok.  To me, it was better than what I had wanted.  My children showed me their character, their ability to come together and work hard to help our family when it is needed.  This to me is the greatest gift a mother can be given, to see that the training and ideals she is trying to instill in her children are taking root.  I am blessed as a mother.  I am highly favored in more ways than one.  I am so thankful for my children and their sacrificial love as I recover from the flu.  Their love is the greatest gift I have been given.  I am so proud to be their Mother.