Christmas 2011

Christmas this year snuck up on me. I am not sure how or why...but I just did not have my usual CHRISTMAS spirit. I don't think I was exactly a scrooge, or a grinch, but I am certain I was not my usual festive self.

I tried-- I shopped, I listened to Christmas music, I read the story of the birth of Christ, I wrapped over 265 gifts for less fortunate children at our school. My family "adopted" a family who was struggling this Christmas (I really did have fun shopping for this famiy). I baked fudge and traditional holiday goodies....

but I just never got it. I never got that feeling that only comes at Christmas.
It bumms me out to admit it, but it is the truth.
And now it is over....and honestly....I am glad, and sad all at the same time.

I am glad it is over--- so glad that I took down the tree and ALL signs of Christmas. It is all packed away. I am sad that I feel this way. I am not sad in general. No holiday blues that I can tell....

I just never got it this year. Not sure why. Can't put my finger on it.... but I know that I don't have "it".

I did take photos of our multiple Christmas celebrations.... but even my photos show that I just did not have "it".
Christmas at Granny's

Christmas in Memphis

Christmas Morning


I hope all of you had a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
I hope your new year comes with bountiful blessings.
I hope you all know how very much you are loved and that you are important to
the "schmoll world".
chat soon. :)

Murder Mystery DInner

Jake's team in school recently read Agatha Christy's "And Then There Were None".
After reading the novel, the students decided they wanted to write a murder mystery as well. His classmates stayed after school , gave up lunch shifts and spent countless hours writing a script for their murder mystery. Their teachers we so supportive and eventually the idea was hatched to create an evening out of all their hard work. The students decided they wanted to perform their present their masterpiece in the form of a MYSTERY DINNER THEATER.

The night has arrived, we are all kept in suspense as to the plot of the evening.
As we arrived in the school gymnasium, we realized it had been transformed into
the reception hall for a wedding reception. The tables had centerpieces and the head table had flowers. There was even a wedding cake.

The bridal party arrived and the guests were served a wonderful dinner--- just like a "real" wedding reception. Meanwhile the wedding party mingled about the guests.
The "actors" never broke character--- (Jake introduced himself to our table as the groom- Liam.).

The evening progressed much like any other wedding reception---until tragedy hit... a MURDER, then another, and another and another.

We were all captivated and saddened by the mayhem in the gym.....

After all was said and done---- the mother of the bride killed 7 people before falling to her own death of heart failure....

It was a Wedding Reception to remember.

The kids worked so hard on this evening.....and it was WONDERFUL!!!!!!

Tired

I promised myself that I was going to blog everyday---(or almost everyday).

So here I am. I have nothing interesting to share. I have nothing funny or cute to chat about.

Dinner tonight was yummy- Salmon, Corn souffle', asparagus and fudge for dessert.
Dishes are done, shower taken, jammies on and ready for bed.
Did I forget to mention that it is 7:30 P.M. and I am going to bed.

I am not sick, I am just tired.

Hope tomorrow brings something interesting to chat about......
but if not, that is ok too....
I like things being calm, orderly, relaxing....
I like going to bed at 7:30.
I think someone should call me "pops".
(My Pop's (grandpa) went to bed at 7:30. )
Remembering him makes me smile.....he went to bed at 7:30---- I like being like him!!!

Good night-
Chat tomorrow!




I am tired. It is 7:30 and I have my nightgown on and I am settling in to bed. Yes it is 7:30 P.M.

Just Checkin' in.

Busy,Busy,Busy, and yet...feel like I have very little to do.
Ever feel like that?

This last week has been so FAST.
Thanksgiving was nice. We spent the holiday at Rowdy's moms.
Emily and Jake spent quality time hanging with the cousins.
It was laid back and very enjoyable.
No big hub-bub. No DRAMA. No angst or anxiety.

Just some turkey, some fixin's and some fun.
The cousins and the kids really enjoyed "just hanging out".

I wish every holiday could be so CALM and WONDERFUL.

Did a little Christmas Shopping on Friday. ( I waited until well past 9 to head out- NO waiting in lines at 3 am in for this gal).
Emily went with me which make shopping a bit more difficult....but I managed by using my coat as a blanket over anything that may have been for her.

The next few days after that are a blur. Lots of buzzing around town with errands....but nothing that stands out as all that memorable.

I did have a super good engagement photo shoot on Sunday. It was COLD, dreary , drizzly and just plain YUCKY out..... but this was the only chance the couple had to get together before Christmas.... so we just MADE IT WORK. AND the shoot was very successful.
I'll share a few photos later.

And now we are back to work. Monday was terrible= just yucky with loads of kids who just were not ready to return to work. 12 subs in the building did not help.

Tuesday is bound to be better!

Chat soon!

What a Fun Saturday!

It has been a while....

Wow, it has been a really long time since I blogged. It is sad actually. I feel a bit like I have failed. I don't like that feeling. I don't like that at all!

I don't have a reason I have neglected the blog. I have not been particularly busy. I have not had a busy schedule or been knee deep in some glorious project.
I think the truth of the matter is...

Not much has been happening in "the Schmoll World".

That is not exactly a true statement. Lots has been happening.
Lots of school work. Lots of math and history homework. Lots of after school activities. Lots of EVERYDAY life kind of things.

Emily is LOVING high school. She is taking EVERY honors class offered. She is receiving straight A's. Emily is also excelling musically. She is in an upperclassman Jazz band (one of only 2 freshman), and she is preparing for her Christmas concert where she will have 2 solo performances. She has also joined the Pep band and is looking forward to performing with them.

Jake is enjoying his 7th grade year as well. Jake's teachers want to "clone" him and fill a classroom with "Jakes". He is an excellent straight A student as well.
Jake's communication arts class is writing a "murder mystery" and plan to have a Mystery Dinner in a few weeks. Jake has been working hard on that project. He is a typical young man in his spare time and is very involved in his video games.

Rowdy is working hard, as usual. He and Eddie are still great partners. Rowdy's spare time is spent helping with Math homework (I'm no help there), hanging out with the kids and I, and playing games with Jake.

I am loving my job more than I have in a long time. Changes in my office have improved my work environment GREATLY. I have such great friends at work, I look forward to seeing them every day. I have NOT spent much time crafting, or scrapbooking or EVEN taking photos.
I have really been MOM and Taxi service more than anything else lately. I am not complaining....just stating the facts.

I am happy to be back in the BLOG world. I have missed it. I promise that I won't be gone so long this time. (I know the 3 people who wondered where I have been are giggling right now....because they know they are probably the only ones to read this).

Chat soon!

More Homecoming

 

Homecoming Beauty 2011

Homecoming 2011

More photos to follow.....

Can you guess who is running for Student Council ?

Emily Schmoll decided she would like to run for student Council.

So she went to a meeting to get the information.

Next she had to get 100 freshman to sign a petition to get her name on the ballot.

Then she had to get a teacher to write a letter of recommendation , her counselor to sign off on her eligibility, and her principal to sign off on the petition.

Then she sent Rowdy and I out to buy supplies for the campaign.

Meanwhile, Emily sat at home writing campaign slogans, and catchy phrases for the posters.

Then we spent the next 2 days making LOTS of posters.

And More posters......

And more posters.

And tomorrow I will take her to school VERY early

(with her friend Angela)

to hang up posters in the halls.

And hopefully EVERYONE will vote for

EMILY SCHMOLL for Vice President of

Student Council, for the Freshman class.

Keep your fingers crossed.

Good Luck Emily. I am proud of you and all your efforts.

First Day of School. Where has the time gone?

I can't believe how incredibly grown up they are.

Today as they entered the doors to school, Emily walked in as a Freshman in high school, and Jake is now in Junior High, as a 7th grader.

It seems impossible. I distinctly remember walking them into their very first day of school.

I swear it was just a few years ago. Like two or three years ago.

That is it!

I see these two turning into adults.

Don't get me wrong, they still have a long way to go,

but at times I see little glimmers of them as grown ups.

I know parents are expected to be beaming with pride of their children.

I don't disappoint in that area.

I could not be more proud of them.

I have two super amazing kids.

I love you both and know that you will be so successful in the school year.

You are awesome children (and good guessers).

Love you both.... BUNCHES AND BUNCHES !

Good Bye Summer

Summer is over. I am sad. This summer has been a difficult one, but I still hate to see it go away. This summer was filled with summer school....and HEAT.
Emily wanted a jump start on her high school credits, and Jake just loves school and thought summer school sounded fun!

There have been a few fun outings ....but most of all...it has just been too hot to enjoy the time off.

Everyone who knows the Schmoll family know that we are...pasty white, NON- sun worshiping kind of people. We don't handle the heat or the sun too well.
That being said.... this summer kicked our behinds. It really ruled everything we did this summer (and everything we didn't get to do).

Lots of our time off involved indoor activities. Lots of movies, bowling and family game nights at home. Lots of inside video game-a-thons. Lots of hanging out snuggled up with a good book.

I love all of the above listed activities, but they don't scream summer .
We had plans for more six flags visits (that was nixed after Emily's heat stroke), plans for lots of trips to the pool, a float trip, a trip to the shut-ins...etc.
It just did not happen. In fact as we speak I have been actively doctoring poor Jake. He is suffering from a BAD sunburn. ONE day at the pool...followed by several days of PAIN.

Well, enough complaining. Summer is over, and school begins in just a few short days. Emily is excited about her FRESHMAN year. Jake is also excited about middle school. Everyone has school supplies piled up on their dressers, new clothes in their closets, and new shoes waiting to be laced up on the first day of school.

The kids have been comparing their schedules with their friends (via facebook), and anticipating the excitement of that first day of school.

I have had several days of re-certification and training...and am as ready as I can be to go back.

I promise to post new photos of the kids....very soon. I have been rather lax over the summer. Did I mention it has just been too HOT!

More soon. Thanks for hanging in there while I rambled !

BRACES UPDATE!!!!!

Jake is seven months into his experience with braces. His teeth are straightening out nicely. He has a way to go...but the difference is already astounding.

Emily spent 17 months in braces....

And she got them off TODAY.

WOOOOOHOOOOO.

She is beautiful (she was beautiful before the braces too)

But

The smile is captivating!

Keep smiling, Emily.

Jake- hang in there- you are next!

Isn't she just a pretty little thing?

We went to Granny's yesterday. We went out to hook up her wii. She got a new tv and needed help hooking up the system. Of course it was pretty steamy out, but I swiped Emily to go outside and take some photos. She is always such a good sport. I just hold up my camera, and say "please" and she agrees to sit for me. I am lucky to have a relatively willing participant, and one that is so photogenic too.
Thanks Em, you are beautiful, and I love photographing you. (Could you talk to Jake. He is not as willing to let me take his photos. I would love to snap a few of him every now and then too.)

Sky Zone Fun!!!!!

(click photos for a larger view)
SO the photos are AWFUL !!!
(my hubby keeps encouraging me to get a fast lens...maybe he is right)

But the FUN was GREAT !!!

Today we went to Sky Zone for a little Fun.

The place was awesome.
I loved watching the kids... I wished I could have joined them

(but I am old and fragile).

The kids jumped for 90 minutes straight.

The bungee guy said you burn an average of 900 calories an hour...

(I wish I could have the endurance they have)

We will be revisiting the SKY ZONE again soon....

Our Butterfly Collection!

I Love this!

Let me tell you-

I stole this idea from a blogger that I follow

(that is ok- she stole it from a blogger she follows)

The kids and I painted some canvas with a pale blue.

Next we used watercolors and painted random paintings...

patterns, swirls, even splatter paint.

No matter what you think the painting may look like.... you will be amazed with your butterflies.

Next we used this cool butterfly punch (punch all over the page-punch).

Then we slightly bent our butterflies to give them dimension....

and finally we hot glued them to our canvas.

We hung them in our main hall bathroom.

The bathroom has some random pale blue tiles... so the blue canvas is perfect.

I LOVE THIS CRAFT!

I love the colors and I love how these look.

These made me happy!

Emily and Jake love them too....

and it was so much fun...

we might have to make more....

(If you did not click on the photos of the butterflies.... do it now.... they are amazing.

You have to see them up close.....! DO it!)

Jake turns 12

Jake turned 12 yesterday. I can't quited believe that my "baby" is 12.
He has grown into such an amazing young man.
I know everyone says..."they grow up so fast"....
but it is so true.
Jake is still my baby in many ways... he likes snuggling up on the couch and watching a movie.
He still wants me to tuck him in at bed time, and he prefers that I pick out his clothes for him...
He still needs me in many ways...
BUT- he is also such a near "grown up" in so many other ways.
Jake has his own thoughts and opinions. He knows what he likes and dislikes, he is strong willed and is proud of his accomplishments. Jake is responsible and knows what is important in life.
Jake is a leader among his peers, his baseball buddies, and his classmates. He is a pretty amazing kid. (young man).
My little boy is growing up to be a young man . I am so proud of him , and look forward to all the milestones and changes to come in the next year.
Happy Happy Birthday to my son. I love you and admire who you have become.

Emily's Award Ceremony

(click on photo to enlarge)

Northwest Valley Award Ceremonies were held on Thursday evening. Miss Emily was the proud recipient of 4 academic achievement awards. She received the award for excellence in Academic achievement in Science and in Advanced Band, and Jazz Band. She also received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Education. Finally she received a very touching award - The Teacher's Choice Award. This award was given to her by Mr. Westermayer. He stated that this award is given to the student that inspires their teachers. Mr. Westermayer said that Emily is the highlight of his day every day. He commented that she is the student that makes him remember why he became a teacher...and why he comes to work every day.

Emily speaks so highly of Mr. Westermayer...clearly the feeling is mutual. She was so touched by his kind words, as were Rowdy and I. I think Mr. Westermayer will be one of those teachers that Emily will talk about for years to come. I wish he knew how very special he is to Emily.Maybe we will have to make him a student's choice award.... he would clearly be the winner!

Rowdy, Jake and I could not be any more proud of Emily's achievements. She works hard and is so dedicated to her school work. She is an impressive young lady. I hope she knows how much her mother ADMIRES her.

Keep up the hard work. It pays off....

We love you so much.... bunches and bunches.

Happy Anniversary

Seventeen years ago today... Rowdy and I married.


AMAZING... 17 years ago.


Sometimes it feels like just yesterday.


I remember so vividly falling in love with Rowdy.


I remember the excitement of planning a wedding.


I remember all the plans, all the dreams we shared.


It does not seem possible that it was 17 years ago.


Other times it seems like an eternity.


(I don't mean that in the typical sarcastic way)


I really mean it seems like I have been married forever.


I can't really remember life before marriage or before Rowdy.


I can't remember what it was like to NOT be his wife and the mother of his children.


We are a team. We are a pair, and a 4-some.


We are.... WE. There is no I or me .... there is just US.


I LOVE that.


I love that I am not alone. That I am part of US.


I love that I am married to the MOST amazing partner I could ever have.


I love that Rowdy is perfect for me.


I guess what I am saying... is...


I LOVE YOU ROWDY.


Thank you for being the most amazing husband.


Thank you for loving me in spite of my faults ,


for putting up with me when I am at my worst,


and for helping me to strive to be my best.


Thank you for always supporting me and believing in me...especially when I don't.


Thank you...for being my best friend.


I love you now and....FOREVER !!!