Doing the Reitz Thing

Today my friend says to me in RS, "Dylan's talk in primary today was so cute!!". My jaw dropped to the ground, gaping mouth and speechless, yet laughing to the point of tears... for you see, me being the fantastic mother that I am, forgot all about it! (Not surprised, I know...)

So, yes, my son didn't even miss a beat! He hopped right up to that mic and winged it!! Yep, that's right! Impromptu speech... (giggle, giggle, sigh... tear.)

I think the post this week on www.thinkinge.blogspot.com is exceptional!!! Check it out!!!

New discussion topic is up as of yesterday! PLEASE everyone check it out and add comments!!!

Ok, so I googled my own name today just for kicks. I had no idea that every comment you post with anyone's blogs pulls up in the google search engine if your display name is used as your real name! That kind of freaked me out a little!!! Ok, a lot!!!! Now, maybe I am an idiot and all of you already knew this, but I am not the most tech savvy... So, I changed my display name to hopefully give me a little more privacy! Aaaaah!!

Ok, everyone!!!! The new blog is up and running!!! www.thinkinge.blogspot.com

Thinking E: Encourage. Empower. Edify.

Please spread the word so that we can have a huge impact!!! First official discussion post will be Wednesday, April 15, 2009!! So, Stay tuned and invite everyone you know!!

Problem #2... Any suggestions for blog names?? I'm stumped!

I have been thinking a lot over the past few weeks on how to make an impact and a difference in the world. My aspirations are HUGE and many of them will be only possible down the road. So, I have really been pondering the question... What can I do now???

So, here is what has been running through my brain and I would love input and thoughts on how to tie it all together!!

I have two large heart-strings. The first is Marriage. I am sure that most of us feel the same way, but it really tears me up that there are so many failing at their wonderful and beautiful "Happily Ever Afters". Those who know me well, know that I am pretty much obsessed with reading self development and marriage books. Now, I am so far from perfect... I am still reading... a lot... but somehow I would love to put what I have learned to good use.

Second heart-string is empowerment. I want to help as many people as I can to be able to see their true potential and the true plan of what God has in store for their lives. I think that we tend to settle for mediocrity, but HE has a much bigger plan for us. HE wants us to be amazing and to lead lives of significance. This little journey stirring in my heart is part of my path to leading a life of significance!

So, how to tie this all together??? My thought at this point is in Blog form... I am thinking that I will post ideas, excerpts, topics and have open forum of discussion. We can all share our ideas and thoughts to help us along the way! Let's find a way to touch some lives and help some marriages and families!! I want feed back!! Not only from all of you, my friends, but everyone you know!! Please send me emails! shantelreitz@yahoo.com.

I have been working on this post for a while. Writing and rewriting.... and rewriting again. With a little thanks to my sis Meg, her Post today made me realize that it is never going to be perfect, I just have to jump in and do it! I am ready!! Spread the word and help me out!!

HuBbY QuiZ!
Here's a chance to see how well you really know your husband. Cut, paste and fill in the answers, then tag 10 people ( I am not tagging anyone, but you may just do this if you choose!!). . . shoot, you know what to do. The real challenge is to have your hubby read it and see if your correct.



1. He's sitting in front of the TV, what is on the screen? It would be a movie the kids are watching. He doesn't watch TV.

2. You're out to eat; what kind of dressing does he get on his salad? Ranch or a vinegarette.

3. What's one food he doesn't like? Green Calamatta olives.

4. You go out to eat and have a drink. What does he order? Either water or coke.

5. Where did he go to high school? Hillcrest High in Midvale

6. What size shoe does he wear? 12

8. What is his favorite type of sandwich? He really loves Jimmy Johns. I think their #12?? But he is not picky! He will eat anything! (Except the olives)

9. What would this person eat every day if he could? His dad's shish kabobs. They are delish!

10. What is his favorite cereal? I don't think he has a favorite. He just eats what ever I have around.

11. What would he never wear? a speedo!

12. What is his favorite sports team? He doesn't watch sports really. We do enjoy going to an occasional Jazz, Ute, or Real game.

13. Who did he vote for? McCain.

14. Who is his best friend? Me. Other than that, he has a bunch of close friends from HS, but his favorite men would have to be Todd, Hal and Tim. They are all amazing mentors to him in his life.

15. What is something you do that he wishes you wouldn't do? I don't know. He isn't a complainer.

16. What is his heritage ? German from his dad. I don't know about his mom's side.

17. You bake him a cake for his birthday; what kind of cake? Nah. I am not really a baker...

18. Did he play sports in high school? He played football and was a yell leader.

19. What could he spend hours doing? Anything that involves hanging out with me and the kids!

20. What is one unique talent he has? He has the amazing ability to strike up a conversation with anyone, anywhere. He loves to pour into people and bless them, and to have them leave him feeling better....

LET'S ALL PAY IT FORWARD . . .

Ok, so thanks to my beautiful friend Tiffany who started this Crazy good idea of pay it forward!! I am continuing the tradition... or maybe making it one. Not sure... at any rate, I am going to do a drawing at 9am on February 24th for something FREE from ME!! That's right!! No strings attached!! Anyone can play!!

All you need to do is post your name on a comment. That's IT!
OK, well there's a little bit of a catch. I want this to continue - just think of ALL the happy people that will come from this.
So in addition to posting your name on a comment I want you to either write:
YES (you will continue it) or
NO (I'm a loser and won't).
Those that write YES will get their name in the drawing TWICE and those that put NO will just get the ONE.
SOOOO- Come on!!!! Let's all PAY IT FORWARD!!

As another Pay it Forward side note for everyone, if you click on the Tim Goad site on the left of my page, you can download a free book off his site. It is called "How to Face Giants"!! So there's a free-bee for all who want it. Awesome book!!

So, I have to make a little preface to the deer pics (they are in the following slideshow). There is the most adorable deer that comes and wanders my old neighborhood every winter. She is loved by all who live there... well, almost all... Poor Erin hates her!! (I can't say I blame her because I understand!! Having your plants devoured every year is a pain!) However, this little doe stole my heart today, and Dylan's...

The I Have Tag

Bold the ones youve done :)

1. Started your own blog
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
7. Been to Disneyland
8. Climbed a mountain- (does hiking count?? Or are we talking full fledged Mt Everest stuff??)
9. Held a praying mantis
10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
12. Visited Paris - sort of... I have been to the airport...
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child- We love out little sack of Brown Sugar!!
16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
18. Grown your own vegetables
19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept overnight on a train
21. Had a pillow fight
22. Hitch hiked
23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a Marathon
28. Ridden a gondola in Switzerland - And yes, Ash... there are gondolas on Switzerland. They are in the mountains, not the same as the ones on the canals... I think they may be spelled differently... not sure, but either way, I have been on both...
29.Seen a total eclipse
30. Watched a sunrise or sunset - both
31. Hit a home run-gotta love church ball... it wouldn't have been a homer in a normal setting...
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen Amish country
36. Taught yourself a new language
37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied- is there such a thing?? I will find out...
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
40. Seen Michelangelo’s David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
47. Had your portrait painted
48. Gone deep sea fishing
49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling -both. Scuba is much better.
52. Kissed in the rain
53. Played in the mud
54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
57. Started a business - 3 to date...
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi concentration camp
67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy- I throw everything away!!
70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
73. Stood in Times Square
74. Toured the Everglades
75. Been fired from a job
76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
77. Broken a bone
78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
81. Visited the Vatican
82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
84. Had your picture in the newspaper
85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone’s life
90. Sat on a jury
91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake- years ago. I wouldn't recommend this anymore... nasty!
97. Been involved in a law suit
98. Owned a cell phone
99. Been stung by a bee- I could have answered no until about a year ago...
100. One cavity or less - is that possible??
I tag anyone who wants to play