Christmas 2009

HAPPY HUSBAND + HAPPY CHILDREN + HAPPY GRANDKIDS = WONDERFUL CHRISTMAS

No better way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

and now for the pictures of all the happiness:
Bethy´s fabulous Chrismtas brunch
Mabel in her first (and probably favorite) outfit of the day
Caroline - very serious about her new bike
Devin - not so much the theme of the toys this year seemed to be mobility - from bikes to cars
to high heels
except for Leah, who was happy to sit on Papa´s lap
great Christmas with the happy Reeds,the happy Funks,and the happy Petersons
which makes me VERY happy! We missed you, Fernash and Poodle, but were happy you had fun together.

tomorrow

tomorrow I leave

a place I have called home for nearly three years

with heavy heart

my mind whirling with memories

of friends I love

of experiences and adventures that have changed me.
I leave a country of beauty

and turmoil

a little more wise

a lot more grateful

sad that I could not have done more.

although we will shuttle back and forth

it will not be the same. ever.

tomorrow I return -

back to the home I love.

concrete

Here in Mexico concrete is the method of choice for construction. They use it for practically everything. Houses are not framed with wood, they are built completely with cement.
Even the telephone poles are made of cement.
How do I know this?
because I ran into one while out running this morning.
yep. concrete.

Top Performers 2009

This year's Top Performer trip was late - due to the recession and lack of funds earlier this year, but they pulled it off. Here is where we stayed - Huatulco, Mexico (for the second time this year.)We enjoyed four wheeling . . . (don't worry, they didn't let me drive)
playing games on the beach . . . (dad's team won) Did you see me? I sailed! I'm a sailor! I sail! With the wind and the waves-- ahoy! (compliments of Lindsey)
dancing on the beach (to dissuade any talent scouts, we're not disclosing pictures of us)and jet skiing (again, no driving for me - I think DTB considers me "high risk")It was a blast - one of the "perks" at Nextiraone. Thanks, Claudia for another fabulous Top Performers!

Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

Last night fireworks went off all night and I thought it might be one of the many Synagogues near our home celebrating Hanukkah. Turns out, it was the celebration of "Dia de Guadalupe", who is Mexico's "Patron Saint". On this day thousands of faithful Catholics from around the country make a pilgrimage to the Basilica de Guadalupe, where it is believed she appeared to Juan Diego in a vision. Guadalupe is the Catholic icon of the virgin Mary, also known as Virgin de Guadalupe. According to the legend, Juan Diego, a simple indigenous peasant, saw a vision of a young girl surrounded by light on December 12, 1531. She asked him to build a church at the site in her honor. He immediately recognized her as the Virgin Mary and went to tell Bishop Fray Juan de Zumárraga, who asked for a sign. The virgin then told Diego to gather flowers (which were not in season and not indigenous,) which he did. She arranged them on his cloak, and when he presented the cloak to the Catholic Bishop, her image appeared on the cloak. This was taken as a sign, describing her image as containing a coded message for the "Aztec" people.

Since I was intrigued, we decided to go on another adventure. First we visited our temple in Mexico City, which is close by, after which we walked over to taste a bit of the Mexican culture. We found thousands finishing their pilgrimage to the Basilica, which was built in her honor. We also interviewed several people. Check them out on YouTube: click here and here and here.

This is where everyone was headed: The Basilica de Guadalupe Some were in costume, others dancing, some carrying her picture as an "offering"
One man we saw walked the entire distance on his knees. He was obviously in great pain.
Many vendors took advantage of the event by selling their wares.
and everywhere you turned, there was an altar to the Virgin.
Once again, a very interesting cultural experience - a very different experience from visiting the temple that morning.

Driving

I recently had a discussion with my husband, in which he noted (after I had backed his car into our neighbor's car) that my problem (with driving) is that I pay attention to other things besides driving. Well yes, I do. Doesn't everyone? Are you really supposed to think about NOTHING when you're driving (except driving)? Seriously? (this is not a rhetorical question - I would appreciate feedback from anyone and everyone. We may be on the verge of a breakthrough.)

Merry Christmas 2009 - Christmas letter

Dear family: Please review the following letter and make any corrections or changes that you wish before I mail it out. (aren't I nice to give you a preview?)

Dear family and friends:

Another year has passed, and with it, many events in the Reed Family. We are still enjoying our adventure in Mexico City (these events have not included being kidnapped, mugged, or caught in a drug shoot-out.) In fact, most of the exciting happenings have been in the states or other countries with our children. Read on if you're interested in the highlights.

Bethany and Brandon, during a wild ride to the hospital, welcomed a third beautiful daughter, Leah Bluebonnet, to their family (see the three girls in photo bottom left.) She joins big sisters Mabel (3) and Annie (1). Bethany is still practicing Ob/Gyn in Katy, Texas, and is a wonderful mom!

Ryan and Brianna were thrilled to add Asher Ryan (their first, and a boy!) to their family (see photo left upper corner.) He was born on tax day, April 15. Yikes, is there a career in accounting in his future? Ryan completed his second triathlon this past year with Asher and Brianna cheering him on.

Brittany is enjoying life in Washington, D.C. She is a physics teacher at Bullis Academy and she and Ashley travel the world.(photo center right) This summer's adventure took them to Dubai and Rome. I'm jealous! Brittany has become quite the athlete, completing a mud run, the 197 mile "Ragnar Run" (group effort), and a junk food half-marathon.

Ashley (also photo center left) is still working with an economic consulting firm in Dallas, but will be transferring to Menlo Park, California early next year. She made a great score on the GRE and is considering graduate school in her future. In addition to her escapades with Brittany, she joined us for a long weekend in Huatulco, Mexico.

Carrie and Shawn had their third child, Graham Rodney, who joined Caroline (3) and Devin (2). Carrie has been busy with the kids while Shawn has been interviewing for positions in Orthopedic Surgery residencies. We're hoping they stay close. They're hoping for the best program.

Lindsey and Brandon lost their newlywed status by becoming parents of Violet Alena. Lindsey is enjoying her journey into motherhood while she completes her last class at BYU for her degree in Spanish. In April, Brandon will graduate with a double major in Geology and Engineering. Then they'll be off to graduate school.

As you can see, we have had quite a prosperous year, now with eight grandchildren. Mike's company goes on and off the market almost as often as the power goes off in Mexico City (actually, a bit of an exaggeration, since that is usually several times a day.) Hence, we live life day to day and are enjoying being together and visiting our wonderful family. What could be better than that?

Grateful

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays - family, friends, pies, giving thanks. This year as I was thinking about what I was thankful for, I remembered many of the small acts of kindness that I have been the recipient over the years. These are only a few of them:

• my husband fills my water bottle every night and sets it on my nightstand (in case I get thirsty,) is able to get any stain out of my clothes, calls me "guerrita," and in spite of the many accidents I've had still lets me drive his car.
• my children forgive me over and over when I am "not smart."
• a friend of mine invited me to a movie after I'd heard some unpleasant gossip going around.
• my son-in-law insisted on taking over my assignment of picking up an incoming family member from Hobby Airport, because it was too late at night.
• one of my daughters is a bargain queen. she shares her good finds with me.
  
• Devin confusing me with Poodle. I realize he is (was) almost blind, but still. Quite a compliment.
• my daughters making dinner many, many times while I was in residency, or coming to the hospital to eat dinner with me.
• once when I was 9 months pregnant I came out of the bathroom with my dress tucked into my underwear and Carol Burns chased me down and untucked it.
• after my first major accident - I totaled my car and was a bit shaken up - my sister surprised me with a new pair of shoes.
• my daughters recently invited me to go to a movie with them.
• my granddaughter spontaneously threw her arms around me and said "I just love you, Reed."
• my sister told one of her neighbors about my penchant for jelly rings and she (Shannon?) had a bag waiting for me when I came in town.
  
• my parents do the same
• my daughter writing me a note of gratitude when she was in college.
• my son and daughter-in-law surprised me by cleaning my fridge while I was out of town taking a class for my board exams.
• another daughter showing me that the scissor-tailed flycather (crazy bird) that was attacking me while I was out running was only protecting her young.
  

and so many, many more. I feel very blessed.

Thanksgiving

We were invited to Thanksgiving at Bethy's this year. And if anyone is wondering, it was a "Martha Stewart" production. Excellent job.
very festive
with the entire Peterson clan attending, as well as most of the Reeds
dad made his famous mashed potatoes

there was even a "kiddy" table with place cards.
and after dinner a "craft hour" - taught by Patrice - while the guys were watching football. We made these cute ballerina skirts for the girls.

Thanks, Bethy!