Jacob's teacher, Miss Jessica, went on maternity leave recently but not
before dropping us this note. We knew it was blog material from the
moment we opened it!
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Monday, June 2, 2014
In Memoriam
Kenneth Wayne Reeder
December 24, 1946 - May 25, 2014
Kenneth was employed at Capitol Cash Register and Austin POS for 40 years and built a great rapport with many Texas restaurants and bars as he introduced, sold, and supported the latest POS technologies to help grow their businesses. He was greatly respected by his colleagues and clients for his honesty, humor and integrity.
While he was passionate about his career, his family was his life. He lived for big family gatherings. He would walk to the ends of the earth for family and was a beacon of support, comfort and wisdom for his extended family and friends. He was a human compass, both figuratively and literally. Who needed a GPS? Kenneth knew every back road, Farm to Market and interstate in the state of Texas and could always get you out of a bind.
His wife, Carolyn, was his soul-mate and he was her protector, best friend, and comic relief. He made her laugh every single day of the 46 glorious years they were married. He did anything and everything for his daughters, Lori and Lisa, never missing a sports event and was known to drive several hours just to help them change a car battery. His grandsons, Noah and Jacob, loved playing with him and they would sit contently on his lap as he read them stories. His eyes would light up every time they were around. He was very proud of sons-in-law, Brian and Randall, and didn’t hesitate to enlist their help in his numerous projects around the house and cabin. He deeply loved his parents and made sure they had companions for their trips to casinos (this was win/win for everyone) and we know he will be pulling handles with his mother in Heaven.
While Kenneth made a big impact on everyone he touched, it was the little things in life where he showed his true love and selflessness. He was excited to share select emails or articles of personal interest that he found with family and friends, Carolyn’s car was ensured to be warmed up on cold mornings, and no tractor or pickup would go unrepaired at the Jung ranch. Kenneth was also a great gift-giver, always putting much thought into his purchases for family and friends.
He loved tinkering with electronics and Grandma Fritz always had a list waiting for him at the house. His home in Pflugerville and the cabin were wired with numerous cordless phones, motion lights, surround-sound systems and electrical outlets. Many will remember he even had “The Clapper” for lights in the living room. He had a passion for Blues music which he instilled in his daughters. He derived great joy in his pets and taking care of them. He enjoyed Texas high school football and followed many Central Texas teams through the regular season and the playoffs.
Much of his time was generously dedicated to St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Pflugerville as a member of St. Vincent de Paul and the church choir, and always ensured he lived up to his commitments. It was not uncommon for him and Carolyn to leave the Harper cabin late Saturday nights to sing in the St Elizabeth’s choir early on Sunday mornings.
He had a passion for travel and was always planning his next trip. Volumes of Mobil Travel Guides and hotel brochures ordered by mail were his early research tools and later it was the Internet, and he was often found finalizing plans in the wee hours of the morning. He loved looking at the beauty of God’s creations especially in National Parks, the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies (stopping at every scenic outlook along the way) and sharing those experiences with those he loved through slide shows. He also loved going on trips to casinos and to South Padre with his family. He was never known to take the short path anywhere, always the circuitous route, and before cell phones the “Hot Toddy” would talk to his trucker friends on the CB radio to identify the best roads. For Kenneth, it was the destination AND the journey.
While he was passionate about his career, his family was his life. He lived for big family gatherings. He would walk to the ends of the earth for family and was a beacon of support, comfort and wisdom for his extended family and friends. He was a human compass, both figuratively and literally. Who needed a GPS? Kenneth knew every back road, Farm to Market and interstate in the state of Texas and could always get you out of a bind.
His wife, Carolyn, was his soul-mate and he was her protector, best friend, and comic relief. He made her laugh every single day of the 46 glorious years they were married. He did anything and everything for his daughters, Lori and Lisa, never missing a sports event and was known to drive several hours just to help them change a car battery. His grandsons, Noah and Jacob, loved playing with him and they would sit contently on his lap as he read them stories. His eyes would light up every time they were around. He was very proud of sons-in-law, Brian and Randall, and didn’t hesitate to enlist their help in his numerous projects around the house and cabin. He deeply loved his parents and made sure they had companions for their trips to casinos (this was win/win for everyone) and we know he will be pulling handles with his mother in Heaven.
While Kenneth made a big impact on everyone he touched, it was the little things in life where he showed his true love and selflessness. He was excited to share select emails or articles of personal interest that he found with family and friends, Carolyn’s car was ensured to be warmed up on cold mornings, and no tractor or pickup would go unrepaired at the Jung ranch. Kenneth was also a great gift-giver, always putting much thought into his purchases for family and friends.
He loved tinkering with electronics and Grandma Fritz always had a list waiting for him at the house. His home in Pflugerville and the cabin were wired with numerous cordless phones, motion lights, surround-sound systems and electrical outlets. Many will remember he even had “The Clapper” for lights in the living room. He had a passion for Blues music which he instilled in his daughters. He derived great joy in his pets and taking care of them. He enjoyed Texas high school football and followed many Central Texas teams through the regular season and the playoffs.
Much of his time was generously dedicated to St. Elizabeth’s Catholic Church in Pflugerville as a member of St. Vincent de Paul and the church choir, and always ensured he lived up to his commitments. It was not uncommon for him and Carolyn to leave the Harper cabin late Saturday nights to sing in the St Elizabeth’s choir early on Sunday mornings.
He had a passion for travel and was always planning his next trip. Volumes of Mobil Travel Guides and hotel brochures ordered by mail were his early research tools and later it was the Internet, and he was often found finalizing plans in the wee hours of the morning. He loved looking at the beauty of God’s creations especially in National Parks, the Pacific Northwest and Canadian Rockies (stopping at every scenic outlook along the way) and sharing those experiences with those he loved through slide shows. He also loved going on trips to casinos and to South Padre with his family. He was never known to take the short path anywhere, always the circuitous route, and before cell phones the “Hot Toddy” would talk to his trucker friends on the CB radio to identify the best roads. For Kenneth, it was the destination AND the journey.
His incredible spontaneous wit and sense of humor put people at ease and everyone felt comfortable in his presence. Kenneth’s tremendous spirit and selflessness was evident, even through his most difficult and trying times as he battled cancer. HE.LIVED.LIFE.TO THE FULLEST. EVERYDAY. Kenneth’s glass was not only half-full, it was three-quarters full…and now in Heaven his glass runs over.
While Kenneth’s time was too brief on earth, we find comfort and solace that he is at peace with God and smiling down on all of us.
P.S. Dad – thank you for pulling some strings and delivering the last two days of rain in Central Texas
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
The Bear
Noah....you have officially overtaken the bear and you are no longer hesitant to have your picture taken with this guy. We will have to get the montage of pics from the last four years together to see your progression. It may be time for Jacob to join in the fun and games later this summer.
Monday, May 19, 2014
Friday, May 16, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Nebulizer
It was a long three weeks of illness for Jacob. He's now officially back to 100%. We went through multiple anti-biotics, steroids, and the nebulizer.
Monday, May 12, 2014
Mother's Day
The Mother's Day photo booth was operational again this year at church. Lori got some pictures with both the boys and Noah got his own set of photos with his buddy, Noah. In the afternoon, we went over to Grandpa and Grandma Reeder's house and stayed for a wonderful dinner.
Sunday, May 11, 2014
Barbarians at the Gate
The baby gate made it all the way to it's third birthday but came down last week. It went up in May 2011 and survived a relentless pounding. Jacob is now free to roam about as he pleases. Noah is quite indifferent about not having it around anymore. As for mommy and daddy, we are left to invoke the words of Martin Luther King, Jr. (Free at last, free at last.....thank God almighty, free at last). While nowhere near contextually accurate, you get the picture. For the record......yes, he did tear it down!!!
Thursday, May 8, 2014
Let the Light Shine In
Memo #2 of this project for Noah and Jacob. Yes, you can do this. There are always obstacles to something like this but nothing that you can't overcome. Just a little carpentry, construction and masonry work, all valuable skills. Now....remember in our last post that we said to always use caution and that there may be a live wire hiding behind this wall? Yes, the same wall that has no outlets or switches. Sure enough, there was one hiding there (expect the unexpected); however, we didn't have to disturb it. Our house finally has a fully functional office that no longer feels like being in solitary confinement.
Tuesday, May 6, 2014
Monday, May 5, 2014
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Somebody Get Me a Doctor
Jacob wasn't feeling the best last week but he now is all better after a trip to see the doctor, some antibiotics, steroid, etc. Noah brought along his doctor kit to help out with the diagnosis.
Monday, April 28, 2014
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