Christmas morning at the Schmoll's

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Butter braids for breakfast, the smell of coffee brewing,

paper ripping and flying, squeals of joy and excitement,

"ooh's and ahhh's" Smiles, words of thanks.

Christmas morning.

Our Christmas Eve

Well, you may be wondering why there is a photo of a giant shop-vac on my post that is entitled "Our Christmas Eve".
To anyone who does not live in the Midwest... we have had 3 + days of SOLID, unrelenting rain.
On Christmas Eve day, around 1:00 dad and I headed to the basement to look up a recipe on Foodnetwork.com (I misplaced the recipe somewhere in the chaos of my kitchen).

Our plans were to serve a Beautiful Beef Tenderloin with a mushroom ragout, fresh asparagus, herb roasted potatoes, fresh baked bread, fresh brussel sprouts in a bacon and leak saute', followed by pecan pie, chocolate cake, cake balls and lots of other sweets.

Back to the story- dad and I went down to the computer only to discover... wet floors...
my basement was taking on water... the ground outside is saturated...and the water is coming in...
We quickly got ALL the towels in the linen closet and started soaking up water... we got out the small 5 gallon shop vac and started sucking up water...
an hour later Rowdy arrived home from work and joined in the work- I left and went to Lowe's to buy the BIGGEST shop -vac they had. (Merry Christmas Rowdy- I got you a shop-vac).

We proceeded to suck up seeping water for HOURS. Rowdy using one vac and I using the other.
Dinner was not looking like it was going to happen... so my dad went out to get something to feed the hungry masses............
Rowdy's mom, Sue, arrived for dinner only to realize we were going to sit down to a FEAST-
Kentucky Fried Chicken

We ate dinner and returned to our work... finally finishing at about 9:00. Tired, wet footed, and joyful the rain had finally stopped.

A Christmas Eve to remember---- and to hopefully never be repeated!

It all started with Granny

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Our family pictures....

My how everyone has grown up and changed since last year!!!

Granny's Christmas Fun and Game

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What fun we had. A few years ago we decided to bring the fun and family back into our Christmas gatherings.... we decided to eliminate the need to exchange gifts and to make the fun in the family time. We all gather to play games,win silly prizes and enjoy the evening more than ever before. The kids play a game where we read a story about the "Wright Family" and they frantically trade stockings filled with candy and trinkets. This year we played a question game to "get to know your cousin"... lots of things were discovered and LOTS of laughs were shared.

Everyone played a rousing round of "rob your neighbor". the highlighted "prizes" were a bobble head Santa Yoda, matching pink and blue hair turbans, a "grow" starfish, and of course the trivets and the lint rollers.... Everyone laughed and played.... it was a Great time!!!

Christmas at Granny's

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Well, Christmas at Granny's is synonymous with fun and food... and this year is no different!

We were excited that this year Uncle Don and Aunt Bea could join in the fun. Nothing makes Christmas better than MORE family!!! Uncle Mark was also able to make it this year.....

hopefully the craziness won't scare them off for next year......

We enjoyed Lots of great food, Lots of great desserts (thanks for the cheesecake Uncle Don!!!),

and we had a GREAT time. Everyone is growing up so fast, it seems like just yesterday the cousins were all lined up on the couch (with room to spare) all wearing their footy pajamas....

It is amazing to think that Devin is in college this year, Dalen, Cortney and Megan are all finishing their 8th grade year- on to the high school next year. Emily is on their coattails in 7th grade, Mackenzie is right behind her in 6th grade. Jake follows them in 5th grade, and finally....not to forget Miss Jillian who is sprouting up in 1st grade this year!

Christmas at Granny's was fun.

Gingerbread Adventures

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Well, we have tried many times before to make a gingerbread house... this year I bought a boxed house...Just assemble and decorate. And ... Success.

the kids had a great time decorating the house with lots of sweets. I have to admit that it looks good...but it is not yummy like the past houses that we baked fresh...and that fell apart, but tasted good.

Well, we had fun!

St. Charles at Christmas

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On our trip to St. Charles, we saw Santa's from other countries,

we saw Christmas carolers and lots of shoppers. We ducked in and out of many little shops to find lots of Christmas treasures. We sipped on hot chocolate and tasted Chestnuts roasted on an open flame. (I am the only one that liked them).

We got cold and tired...and it was fun!

Why ?

I must pose this question that is floating around in all that EMPTY space inside my head...
WHY ?

The question is why? it is not a profound question like --- Why are we here?
Or a complex question, like ---- Why do some people believe in a higher being, while others seem quite content without that in their lives?

My question is simple. Why.... Why is it that when we are young,( say 21 and in college) and have very few TRUE responsibilities ....WHY is it that... then...we have the ability to move a mile a minute, we can stay up until the wee hours of the morning just hanging out, we can function on VERY little or NO sleep at all......and still seem to be happy, and productive....

Meanwhile, here in the 40's(my new age category), I can't seem to get anything accomplished.
I have mounds of laundry that seems to reproduce every time I turn my head. I am constantly in the car - picking up or dropping off a child to school or activities.... I feel like the meals that must be prepared come every 15 minutes, it has been AGES since I sat down to scrapbook or do something that I enjoy..... and... well, I can't seem to keep my eyes open past 9:00 no matter how hard I try!!!
So the question is WHY ? It doesn't seem fair that when we have the energy and stamina.... we don't really need it....and when we need it....well we don't really have it!!!

Not complaining...really....just pondering the question....WHY?

Busy,busy,busy

Does anyone else feel as though they are catching themselves coming and going?

My weeks seem to drag on....and yet there never seems enough time in the day to get everything done on my list (or even half of my list).

My weekends are over and done before I even realize they have begun.

Maybe it is because I try to cram so much in to so little time.

Among other things.... my weekend consisted of my usual visit to the nursing home to visit with grandma, clean out her closet, give her her weekly manicure and fix her hair. This visit followed by my usual shopping trip to Sams. Then you follow that with a trip to Wal-Mart and Target.

Come hope to feed lunch to the children. Scoop up Emily and head out on a pajama hunt (for her best friend's Christmas gift). Follow that up with LARGE purchase of a new bed for Jake.

(It didn't help that Emily and I had to load the thing into the vehicle ourselves....

NO CUSTOMER SERVICE. Rush home to create a wonderful meal for the family.

Sunday afternoon was no better- as I made the mistake of thinking that the gallon of paint that I retrieved from the garage was the kitchen wall paint.... (I had a few spots/scuffs on the kitchen wall I wanted to touch up before the holidays...) Turns out the paint that I generously slapped on the wall in MULTIPLE places.... dried darker than it appeared initially----and I realized it was in fact the LIVING ROOM WALL COLOR...... so...

My kitchen got a fresh coat of paint...... now it matches the living room....

not exactly my plan for the afternoon....but I guess it looks nice and fresh and new....so it worked out in the end. (of course while I was painting, Rowdy was traipsing through the house trying to hang the new doors we got for all the interior doors in the house-- CHAOS.



But- we survived.



Today. One of my closest friends will deliver her second child. I am so excited I can't stand it!!!!

She does not know if we will get a boy or girl, so I went shopping last night and bought an outfit for both---- I want to be prepared to go straight to the hospital after work!!!

(silent prayer that all goes smoothly with the birth).

Her husband is in Afghanistan and will not be present for his baby's arrival. I hurt for her- knowing that she will miss him so much, and that he too will miss this event.

I appreciate the sacrifices he is making for my family...to protect our freedoms and everything I hold so dear to my heart.
That is all for now.... should be doing 101 other things on my list....
More later.... if time allows

Musical Evening

Last night was very exciting for Emily and for all of us. Emily 's school band hosted an evening of music to showcase all they have learned since joining the band at the start of school. For those of you that do not know, Emily's instrument of choice is the SAXOPHONE. The instrument is a beautiful, BIG instrument that weighs almost as much as Emily. She is very dedicated and lugs that HUGE case home almost every evening. She has practiced and practiced and it has paid off.

In the beginning I teasingly (or not so much) said it sounded like a cat in a lawnmower.....BUT

that has changed . Now.... she makes ....MUSIC. She is quite proud of her new found musical abilities... and so am I.

The concert was very nice and I have to admit I was expecting it to be PAINFUL... but it was very enjoyable...and the best part was the pride on the faces of these young musicians.

In just a few short months they have learned more than I will ever know about music and how to create it so wonderfully. If this is what their FIRST concert was like...

I look forward to future musical evenings.

Thank you Emily for all your passion and dedication in all that you do.

I love you and am very proud of you.

love,Mom

PS. Sorry that the photos are less than wonderful.... the seating arrangements may be great for a band concert...but not so much for a proud mom with a camera.

Simple

We put up our "skinny" Christmas tree yesterday. The children were so excited. I remember that feeling... the excitement of seeing the tree. The rush of "Christmas spirit" you feel as you pull out all the decorations from their hiding places.

I love the "rediscovery" of all those old ornaments from season's past. The sentimental ones, the delicate glass ones from special trips, the "crafty" ones created by little stubby hands busy at school. Each and every one of them are so special, with a special memory or story closely connected.

This year- my children surprised me.... although they were interested in looking through the boxes of ornaments, and they wanted to reminisce about what that glass ball or figure means to them...

None of them hang upon our tree this year. Not a one.

It all started on Thanksgiving when Emily decided to use some scrap Christmas material to make homemade garland. She cut out strips of material and carefully tied them to the shiny red ribbon she had found. When it was time to decorate the tree, she carefully wrapped her homemade creation around the tree. It was quite beautiful. Jake joined in and the two of them began to tie the remaining "ribbons" to the tree. After adding several "Christmas Bows"...and ONE single string of red beads.....

They both stepped back and pronounced that the tree was finished. I asked if they planned to add the ornaments from the boxes. They spoke softly and secretively to one another...and proudly said...

"No. We like it like this. It is beautiful... we like it ....SIMPLE !

And that is how it will stay. And I agree.

The tree is SIMPLY Beautiful!

The Day of Thanks.

Over the river and thru the woods to Granny's house we go....

Rowdy and the kids are ready to go...

me ..not so much.

I am sick. Just a miserable cold. I NEVER get sick. I think it is because I spend so much time with little sick people at work. I have a good immune system. I can tell you when I got this cold.

We took Emily to the movies a few days ago...and this big oaf (is that really a word) of a man who sat behind me kept coughing and sneezing... and never...not once did he cover his mouth or nose.

After several attacks from behind me...I even told Emily--- you know that I am gonna get sick now... and look. I was right!!!

I hate being sick ( that is a stupid thing to say- who likes it?). But it is even worse when it is a holiday.

None-the-less. Thanksgiving still happened..and all is good with the world.

I am a little bummed...I guess I will not be shopping on BLACK FRIDAY. Maybe it is for the best.... but still a little sad.

To all .... Hope your Thanksgiving was full of Turkey, stuffing, and lots of goodies...

mine was full of Kleenex, hot tea and.... NYQUIL!

The excitement begins!

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving. The day to gather and reflect upon your blessings.A day to gorge yourself with wonderful food...and vow not to regret it...after all it is a holiday!

I am headed to my mother-in-law's for the feast tomorrow. I am excited to spend the day as a family. I have made the vegetable tray, the fruit tray, the green bean casserole, the cranberry relish and the pumpkin and apple pies. Emily has prepared fresh green beans with bacon.

Everything looks and smells delicious.

I am scouring the sale ads for "Black Friday". I have not yet decided if I will brave the crowds or will stay safe at home. I actually enjoy the RUSH of the shopping event at 4:00 in the morning... but I can't seem to find any other friends who feel the same way...so I may just bow out...as opposed to shopping alone... we'll see.
Wish my mom were in town---she would brave the shopping FRENZY.

Well- enjoy your thanksgiving prep work... I will update tomorrow with photos of our Thanksgiving at "granny's house"

Just so proud !

Today the counselor from Jake's school called to invite me to watch Jake receive a very special award. She explained that Jake had been selected as: STUDENT OF THE MONTH

at North Jefferson Intermediate. The award is based on many criteria, and she explained that he had been nominated by his teacher, and the award committee had unanimously agreed that he was a deserving recipient. The award program is sponsored by local ELKS club. They awarded Jake with a plaque and a gift certificate. He was photographed for the school paper and for the local paper. (If I sound like I am boasting---it is because I am. I am very proud of my son.)

This is what Jake's teacher wrote in her nomination for Jake:

I am nominating Jacob Schmoll for the 5th grade Student of the Month . Jacob is a true leader in the sense that he leads by example. He always has something positive to say to his classmates. He is not afraid to ask for help or show that he does not understand something. Jacob will be the one to say "this is what confused me but what helped me was..." showing others it is ok to be unsure of something. He does this in such an honest way that the other kids don't see this as "nerdy". I often catch Jacob making encouraging statements, stopping to help someone, no matter who it is, or offer to find out something that comes up in a class discussion. He is very intelligent, but not "showy" at all, and he has a wonderful sense of humor. Jacob goes above and beyond expectations set for students. He is the ideal student and the ideal citizen: sweet, caring, and honest.


I hope that Jake always displays these qualities. His honesty,his consideration and his kindness are qualities that I admire in my son.

Thank you Jacob for being the boy you are!

Just a Prayer and Good Wishes

Just a quick posting today. PAPA D. Please know that we are all praying for your speedy recovery. We pray that you will be stronger than ever after you get out of the hospital.
We love you so much and know that Gamma will take good care of you until you are stronger than ever.
With love and prayers always!
The Schmolls

Just a day out.

Rowdy , Emily, Jake and I took the afternoon and enjoyed a little time at Suson Park.

We have been visiting this park since the kids were born. I remeber bringing them here with our playgroup when Emily was about 3 and Jake was just a few months old.

We walked around the lakes, watched the ducks and visited the animals in the barns.

I think Emily would spend all day just talking to the horses...Jacob likes the park and the lakes, but he would rather not go in the barns.... he can't handle "barn smells".
I love spending the day just hanging out with my family. I wish that we could make time every day to just hang out together....

but...

life fills our days with school, work, homework, housework and errands to run...

I hope we can spend another lazy day together....SOON!

Halloweens Past and Present

Can you believe these photos?

Emily's first Halloween- she was a cute little Peacock.

And look at her now- a Beautiful Prom Queen.

Jake has grown from a Police Officer to a

Night in Shining Armor.

I can't believe how they have grown.

I remember making these

costumes and the excitement

over their first Halloween.

I am sure they had no idea why I was dressing them up

and carting them around.

But the memories are priceless!
I look at these photos and can't believe how much time has passed.

In some ways it makes me sad.

But in others I am excited about what is next to come.

I hope they never grow out of the fun that such holidays can bring...

even if they grow up and think they are too old to trick or treat.

I think the best part of Halloween is the permission it gives each of us to just have fun.

Remember to never take yourself so seriously

that you can't laugh at yourself.

Life is too short to be a stick in the mud!

EWWWW Pumpkin Guts

Time to carve the pumpkins.

Emily doesn't mind cleaning out the pumpkins.

Jake is not so fond of the task.

The kids choose a design, and Rowdy lends a hand...

and in no time....

We have MASTERPIECES.

Stay tuned for the photos of Halloween night.