Five of a Kind

Clarity

2009-10-12T12:54:00.000-07:00

It’s nice when you can just stop for a second and listen.
When you don’t feel the need to say a word
Your soul is calmed and mind is at peace
Everything seems to move in slow motion, and breathing becomes a reflex you are grateful for.
You feel connected with the world even as far as a connection with the universe
Things fit
If it weren’t for those brief moments of clarity life would not be as meaningful.

Aiden is three!

2009-10-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

Aiden turned three today. I am so thankful to have a healthy, beautiful, sweet as can be, three year old son. However, at the same time I am sad and wonder where the time has gone. My goodness my baby is three. My daughter is four, and my oldest is six and a half. I really can't believe it! Aiden has reminded me many times today that he is not a baby anymore he is "big now". He has started to talk alot more but when we notice him talking and comment about it he stops and will say something in baby language. He just doesn't want to talk, he figures he probably has about six months of the baby playing role than he will move past it. I can just tell that's what he is thinking. And boy how he eats. He will try anything, still loves fruits and veggies (thank God). He is creative and so much smarter than I sometimes give him credit for. He is also still Daddy's "workings guy" the second he hears the lawnmower he is running for his shoes and out the door. I don't see him for about two hours after that. He doesn't care if it is cold and raining outside, there is always something that needs to be worked on. Just remember to hide your keys. He is notorious for taking the keys out of things, putting them in his pocket than they get lost in the yard. He really doesn't mean to loose them and he gets sad when he does, he is just trying to be like Dad. He does like to imitate Ruth and I however shortly into his actions he says, "No Mom, my boy, not girl" he will than set down the makeup and laugh thinking he was tricking me or trying to make a joke like he was going to put on makeup or dress up. He is something else, and I could never thank God enough for giving me such a gift as Aiden.

Family Reunion/Grandmas 95th Birthday

2009-08-05T15:10:00.000-07:00

We had the most wonderful time reuniting with family for Grandma Helen's 95th birthday. She has been planning for months, and it turned out to be the biggest birthday bash I have ever been to. She did such a wonderful job as did the rest of the family. Linda Puckett made a family tree dating back to the 1800s and didn't miss a single family member. Mind you there are about 200 hundred of us now. My kids got to meet a bunch of cousins they have never even met before. The last time we had a family reunion was 1989. I remember it, and so did the rest of the cousins I haven't seen since than. Someone brought pictures from that reunion and it was so funny to see us running around in our life jackets riding on paddle boats. swimming and fishing as kids and now we are all grown up with families of our own. What a great time this weekend was. Little did we know when we checked into the small in on the outskirts of town that the entire place was booked with our family! It was two nights of reuniting and talking about old times. Thank you to Grandma for getting us all back together again. My Grandma is the last original Read still alive she is 95 and still going strong!

Nothing is Ever Easy...

2009-06-20T15:39:00.000-07:00

There was a man fixing our toilet today. Half way through he started to have problems. Something wasn't fitting right. He walked up stairs and looked at me and said, "Nothing can ever be easy..." than walked away. I was looking at my pile of dishes than continued washing. He was right, nothing is ever easy. It got me thinking. If things were always easy we would not appreciate accomplishment. Sometime you start the most simple task and it becomes one of the most complicated thing you have tried to do. Those situations are called life lessons. That is the only way we learn patience, self control, respect, and appreciation. So next time I start a project I tell those challenges to "Bring It On". Not only do they build character but once they are complete, regardless of the waisted time, I am sure it becomes a lesson learned for next time. Life is interesting.

Time With FAMILY

2009-05-19T18:40:00.000-07:00

There is one thing I could never live without and that is time with family! I have been blessed with such wonderful "in-laws" however I use that term lightly because they are SO much more than that. They are wonderful, amazing, brillant people, and even though I am not blood related (our kids are) and we have been brought together to make a patchwork quilt of detail, quality, and hope for bringing up the next generation to experience the fun and love that we all share!

Around Town

2009-05-13T10:25:00.000-07:00

I am so thrilled that Spring is finally here. It seemed like a really long Winter that we had been couped up inside the house. The first day that it was warm as soon as that wind hit my children's skin they were out the door. It is a chore trying to get them back inside. So with that in mind I decided that I would just get used to the fact that I won't be getting much done inside the house. I warned Adam. Spring and Summer are for play, and Winter can be spent indoors cleaning. I don't want to miss this opportunity to watch my children explore, plant, play, and dig in the mud outside. I have been blessed with my dream home! It isn't forever, but I will soak up every minute while I am here. The yard is huge, the front porch is breath taking, the garage is the size of my old house. It is more than anything I could have ever asked for! Our neighbor is letting us use his yard to plant a garden. So far we have peas (which the rabbits are eating), carrots, tomatoes, corn, cucumber, zucchini, and peppers. This is the first time I have had the room to make my own garden. It has been so fun! I pray that it grows, I usually kill any type of plant form. I don't mean to but it just happens, lack of water, infestation of bugs, not put in the sunlight. So I am trying to get this just right! I have my little buddy Aiden to help. If I let him he would put up a tent and sleep outside. That is no lie!

Easter and Spring 2009

2009-04-22T11:07:00.000-07:00

Our Trip to The Dollar Store

2009-04-14T15:06:00.000-07:00

I had to go to the dollar store today to buy some paper goods. Than the kids saw the toy isle. Usually it isn't a big deal. We walk down the isle the kids look at the stuff and ask if they can get something than I say no not today and they put it down without a fuss. Jack and Ruth know that we don't buy things we don't need. Another reason I go to garage sales because than we can buy games or toys that I know they will enjoy for a cheaper price. PLUS I am teaching them that we only buy things we need to use or an item like a game or flashcards or a learning tool. This time didn't go as well as usual. Aiden saw a motorcycle. He wanted it and started screaming. I said Aiden you stop that, we are not buying you a motorcycle you have many at home. He continued to scream. I was kind of shocked because he had never done this before. Plus we are in the Cedar Lake dollar store and I knew Aidens voice was echoing off ever wall, and I was ever so embarrassed. Jack than chimes in with, "Mom, mom, I can handle this..." He than says, "Aiden you can hold the motorcycle but you have veefs (cars) and gutigas (trucks) at home and you don't need to buy another one. Aiden says "Ah,hu". However he was still holding the toy. I decided to let Jack handle the situation just to see what happens. We finished our shopping and got to the register. I was very curious to see how the next three minutes were going to play out. Jack said to Aiden, " I am going to give the motorcycle to the lady because we aren't going to buy it today, you have lots at home to play with." Jack went to the cashier handed her the motorcycle and the lady went ot ring it up and Jack said, "No, we aren't buying that today so I am giving it to you to put back." The lady said. "Well, thanks for giving it to me instead of leaving it in the store because when people leave stuff laying around it makes the store look junkie." Jack than continued on with "you have a small store here, but with lots of stuff..." the usual with Jack, he loves to strike up conversation. So we loaded the bags into the cart with no screaming fits and left. As a mother, I felt accomplished. What a wonderful thing to see my children interact in a positive way. I am proud today!

Now We are Six

2009-04-09T12:24:00.000-07:00

Ananias is six! We had a very special birthday party for him on March 28th. It was a small family get together with The Hazlett's and The Coleman's. We had lots of food and the whole day to relax and visit while the kids played together. Jack had a pleasant surprise of a package from Aunt Denice in Ohio. Included was a book called Now We Are Six by A.A. Milne. A very old, and special book made up of children's poems. It has now become a family heirloom and I am so happy that she sent it! Thank you Denice! I gave Jack the gift of Courage. How you might ask do you give someone courage? I started by explaining that courage is the heart that enables us to take a risk. Courage is a feeling of confidence that allows you to try something you may be afraid of doing. When you have courage you think highly of yourself which gives you a good self-esteem. We all know that without self-esteem we don't believe in ourselves and find ourselves missing out on great things. He said, "I get it mom, thank you!" That was enough for me to hear. His first test of courage is going to be horseback riding just as soon as the weather is nice. I cant wait to take him! (By the way, Jack has always had courage. I am proud of him) "Do not fear for I am with you, do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my hand." Isaiah 41:10.

Joylyn and Sophia

Jack, Isaiah, Isobella, and Ruth

Mimi, Jack, and Joylyn

Marilyn, Aaron, and Adam

Our Guy

Aiden and Me

Good Results in the End

2009-03-23T11:50:00.000-07:00

Adam woke me up at about 5:30am freaking out because he was urinating blood. He was so pale, and had already fainted due to looking up those side effects on the internet. He was afraid it was cancer or kidney failure, etc... I called Kathie and she came right over to watch the kids while I took Adam to St. Anthony in Crown Point Indiana. They got him right in, Dr. showed up within minutes and they started an iv. This made me a little nervous because usually it is waiting for a long time. I should know, this being our fourth e.r. visit in the last 8 months. He had a ct scan, blood work, urine samples, IV, and the outcome was that he had passed a Kidney Stone. No more were spotted, Thank God! That was the best news. So he is going to take antibiotics for an infection they said he has and is going to start drinking more water! My orders! He is home napping now. Every day is a gift.

Watch out winter, here we come!

2009-03-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

I searched the internet for "Winter" poems, something cute, yet inspirational to go along with our Winter pictures. The ones I read were nice however they did not fit just right so I wrote my own.

Little feet travel upon a frozen path
They leave steams of breath behind never to look back
A mission waits
An adventure at hand
A sniffle, a fall, too brave to let that stop the marching ban
Trees tower above, wind throwing frigid air
Reluctant's on a mother’s part “It is too cold out here!”
A river runs with rapid force
Cries of joy from the children’s heart’s
Look there is a log leading right across…
Oh my, Cabin fever has gone straight to their heads!
Nothing will stop the urge that grows fierce from within
We are going across mom, are you in?
I bite my tongue and let them go for their journey does not have room for rational thinking
They made it across each and everyone how exciting and fun to capture the winter just this once.
-Gina Hazlett

Helen Read Wagner

2008-07-15T12:24:00.001-07:00

Making memories that will last forever

She calls this the Garden house. When we were children we played school and house in there, they even put a little fridgerator with snacks in it for us.

Grandma teaching Aiden how to feed the squirels

My grandparents have been feeding the squirels dried corn for years

My grandma was born in a farmhouse in Fairfield Illinois one of seven children, and the last one living of the original Reads. She will be 94 years old next month but you would never know it.
She has been living in the same house for the last thirty five years and all of my childhood memories are being there with her and my grandpa. Lucky for me my children now get to do the same things I did when I was a child. I think that is part of the reason why God has kept her alive for so long. So my children can have the same memories I had.

The journey

2008-05-21T06:01:00.000-07:00

My husband has this crazy job they send him to other states to work for 7 to 10 days than he has 3 to 5 days off. So I have been home with the children while he is gone. They cry and ask about every five minutes when will daddy be home and it gets boring not having him around to add the tense excitement that he adds to our family. So this time he asked us to come with him to Missouri because he isn't working nights. That is when the journey began....

I have always had my mind set on being this certain type of family. Clean, organized, respectful of one another, patient, eat dinner at exactly 5:30, bed at 8pm, family fun night, church every Sunday, picnics, gardening, building things, a husband and father who is home every night, improving our home on a regular basis, children who have this desire to listen and obey me, and only doing things that improve yourself, having fun, but organized fun LOL. I know that is sporadic but things like that.

Well, I married Adam. Need I say more. The good thing is that he has taught me to live life to the fullest. To do things that I never thought I would do and to do things outside my comfort zone. I do love him for that.

The last thing I wanted to do was sit in a hotel room with three kids for five days in a row. Augh. I have learned some wonderful things from this. One, never do it, just kidding! I have dropped Adam off at work which is the Missouri State Prison (the kids have been saying to people we have to go pick daddy up from jail, than people crinch). The kids and I than go out and explored this country town called Cameron. When we first pulled in and drove threw it we were like oh no, this is a small town and Adam has to stay here until September. Than I spent the days exploring with the kids. I ask locals where there are lakes, parks, steams, the little secret charm that most small towns have. We have found some great places. At home I would never take the kids on a two mile hike by myself, I would never pull over at a stream I was driving over and let them get out and play. Here, that is what we do. Not to mention there is a lot of relaxing going on, no dishes, no places that we have to be at a specific time, and I am not telling the kids that I don't have time to play. This has turned out to be a wonderful adventure and I look forward to coming back more during the summer months. I will post my pictures in a couple days!

So my life is not what I planned it to be, but it is better!

Cantigny- Wheaton, IL

2008-03-28T11:16:00.000-07:00

Every year once if not twice or three times we take the kids to a State Park called cantigny. Their website is http://www.cantigny.org/. My boys (Adam and Jack) especially love this place because of the many tanks you can climb on and the war museum. My favorite part is the acres of gardens. I am anxiously awaiting summer so we can go back for a visit. I wanted to tell everyone about this special place in case you didn't know about it. Bring your cameras because you you will be sure to take a lot of pictures. By the way, it's only $7.00 a car, can't beat that when you have a large family!

Chess anyone?

Jack at the Normandy Beaches

Jack and Ruthie playing on one of the machine guns

These pictures are from Fall 2007

My Five Year Old!

2008-03-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

My son is five! I told him yesterday, on his birthday, about the night before he was born and how the meteor hit Park Forest and scared us all to death. And how I was in labor with him for two days. He said, "So I was your first child right?" I told him yes you were he than said, "So that means you love me the most right?" I told him yes I love you the most. Man, I say that to all of them. I am not too sure how to answer that question but my answer sure did make him feel special. Jack is special, smart, and motivated to do what he wants. He loves legos and playmobils and his mind operates in a way I have never seen. Sometimes I think he is smarter than I am. He has also started to help me with the other kids which I truly appreciate. His only flaws are that he still wont eat what I prepare, and he whines a heck of a lot. Hopefully with a little more discipline he will get over that. So here's to Jack my five year old! My first born and most favorite child! LOL

Why I named our site five of a kind

2008-02-15T12:17:00.000-08:00

Hi, and welcome to Five of a Kind. This is my first attempt at a webpage. I am sure they have made these things a lot more simple than they used to be but I still get confused. Do bare with me while I get things together. I decided to call us five of a kind although we are more like a Royal Flush (the best hand you can be dealt in a round of poker) or a set of two Pairs, Ace high or maybe just a Full House (three of a kind and one pair). However you want to look at it depends on you of coarse. I just think it is funny to look at your family ranking in poker terms.
My main purpose of a website is to keep family and friends updated on our activities and to share with everyone some of the things that I have been learning in life. I have run across some interesting websites lately that I have been dying to share with people. Also I have been inspired by my mother in law Kathie's website and my sister in law Denice's website so I thought I would make one too. So far I am having fun with it, but I can see where it can be very time consuming. I will have to give myself a schedule so I don't spend all day making a website while my kids ask me when I am going to get off the computer. That's never a good thing. So I am excited to see where this takes me and I hope that everyone enjoy's my page. Thank you for checking us out!