The Reed Family

My older sister had some wise words of wisdom for me once: when finding someone to take care of your children, make sure they raise their kids like you would raise yours. Nick and I have been very blessed in those who have taken care of Colby for us while we work. First, there was Miss Norann, who watched her when I first went back to work, but I knew she was returning to finish her nursing degree; so, it was literally the last week she was able to watch Colby and we had no idea who to turn to watch Colby. And then, one night I remembered that our friend Carolyn, who had been pregnant the same time I was pregnant with Colby, had mentioned in passing that one day she hoped to stay home with their kids and take care of a few others. I called Carolyn, and within a week, Colby had her new home-away-from-home....complete with a playmate...a little boy to rough-house with at that!

This past February, Henry turned 1! And, Carolyn asked if I would not only take his 1-year pictures but also take their family pictures as well! She is so good to Colby...I couldn't have been more honored!

Carolyn, thank you for taking such good care of our little girl....Nick and I couldn't ask for anything more!

Below are a few of my absolute favorites....click here to see a few more.

The happy Reed family.

Colby's Brother-from-Another-Mother: Henry!

Taking a walk with Mom.

Even happier now that Mom's close by.

Playtime with Carolyn is always fun. You know there's someone special taking care of your children when they reach out for that person when you drop them off in the morning!

Despite how fun Carolyn is, Henry loves his daddy quite a bit as well!!

Thanks for checking in...and also, thank you for everyone's emails, prayers and thoughts over the last few weeks. Blessings to you all!! KM

SisterSara - The Sixth Sister

My good friend Eric once made a profound statement to me..."There are two kinds of people in the world: those that get 'The Far Side' and those that don't." I laughed about that for weeks, but my older sister pointed out to me once that there are more people out there that DON'T get The Far Side than do. The same could be said for my own sense of humor. I love dry, witty, almost-British-comedy senses of humor; so, when I meet someone that 'gets' my sense of humor, I get pretty excited...like Sally Field on the stage at the Academy Awards saying, "You like me....You REALLY like me!!!" level of excitement.

About a year ago, my good friend Allison started copying me on email conversations with her friend Sara. Sara has a blog, and I laugh hysterically at her witty posts over her kids playing with sitzbaths, getting stuck in jeans, and her crazy family antics (Sara, we Indian wrestle at our family dinners!!!). Sara is so real about her family in such a self-depracating way, I just KNOW she would fit in SO well with my family!!!

A couple of months ago, in another email conversation, Sara said she'd always wanted family pictures done in the snow. So, we watched the weather, and after a few unsuccessful scheduling attempts, we got it done!!! And, while I love the images (you know how I love laughing-family-pictures!), what I love the most is that after a year of emailing back and forth, I FINALLY got to meet Sara!!!

Thank you, Sara, for enduring the cold...and for making me smile during the day with your sense of humor!!

Below are a few of my favorites. Click here for a few more!

Oldest daughter Abby is BEAUTIFUL...I love her smile...and her cheeks!!

Ummm....this image makes me think there may be some fun teenage years in store for Sara!!


But could a mom and dad say 'no' to this face....angel, I say, angel!!!

Little sister Katie wanted NOTHING to do with the camera....but I SOOO wanted a picture of those eyes!!!

Sara, we got it!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE laughing family pictures. And, yes, mom, I know they're not all looking at the camera, but that's the point!!!

Husbands are not always willing participants in family pictures...usually, it's more of a hostage situation. I think Jason told her, after an hour in the freezing cold, 'never again, Sara!'......I'm hoping he meant pictures in the snow and not family pictures in general!

Jason, do you forgive Sara and I now???

Thanks for checking in! Blessings! Kelly

Colby - More new videos

Colby - new video

I'm uploading several new videos of Colby...but thought I would go ahead and post this one specially for Carolyn! Yesterday we had a conversation about Colby's penchant for chewing on books and basically anything made from paper products. Last night she got into the wet wipes and this is the result. Ewwww!

I wish I may I wish I might

Last night I was going through images from a family portrait session in the snow and came across this image of the youngest...not entirely on board with the whole 'let's get family pictures in the snow" concept. I had to chuckle. I will call this image "Oh please, oh please, oh please let that lady be gone when I open my eyes!"

Sarah, I knew you'd want a bit of a sneak peek...the one that made me laugh out loud!!! KM

For the first time, this past week Colby got sick. She woke up last Sunday morning coughing and hacking. It got worse day by day with a runny nose and congested chest. After two trips to Walgreens, a purchase of a Vick's humidifier, and countless medicines deemed 'safe' for kids, I finally took her to the doctors on Thursday, where we also found out she had an ear infection. Poor girl. She's still got a bit of the runny nose, but her mood is back to happy-to-lucky for the most part. Here are a few pics from the week.


I'm just going to lay here with my boppy pillow and watch VeggieTales while I don't feel well.

Had to include this picture so that I could show the cute PJ's Aunt Kori got Colby! It's two pieces with the button-up shirt and little collar on it. So darn cute.

Once again, with my boppy pillow, a blanket, and my Veggie Tales.

She was starting to feel a little bit better at this point. I had my camera and her both on my lap and was trying to take pictures of her, but she's discovered that the pictures play on the back of the camera now; so, she's always trying to get a hold of the camera to see the pictures.

Grasping for the camera while I'm trying to take a picure...hence the out-of-focus pic.

Me grabbing her grabby little arm right when I hit the shutter button.

Her look of frustration that I won't let her have the camera.

And the tears now begin.


During happier times: Colby found this pair of underpants in a box of hand-me-downs, and I kept putting it on her head, which she thought was pretty funny.

Thanks for checking in!

Colby's First Primary

Yesterday we took Colby for her first voting experience: the Illinois primaries. This picture is of her giving a death stare to someone she didn't think was going to vote as they should. Can you just feel the political disdain? :)