Spring Break!

The kids had off last week for their spring break. We were very fortunate to have Grandpa Walt come to visit us while the kids were out of school. The kids loved having him around and I did, too (I always have a list of fix-it items for him to work on when he comes)! It was a busy week...we spent a few days at home, then 6 days at the beach, and then back home for Easter. We had a really fun time at the beach. Our friends joined us for a couple days which made the trip even better...the weather was cool, but we were able to do lots of kayaking in the canal, play in the sand at the beach (waaayyyy too cold to even put your feet in the water), go on our favorite nature walk to the bay, do lots of outlet shopping, tour a historic town nearby that we'd always wanted to go to, and, of course, EAT CRABS!

We Have Snow!!

Yeah!! We were so excited to finally get some real snow here! The last couple years have only brought dustings and lots of sleet/ice. School was cancelled on Monday so we got to have lots of fun playing in it. They love to play on the playset when it is covered in snow and, of course, their favorite thing is to go sledding. I think we got about 8 inches, but sadly, it is supposed to warm up this week so it will be turning to slush pretty soon. Charlie thinks it is so fun...I have to drag him inside or else he'd freeze! Doodle loves running around in it and trying to eat it...don't ya love Doodle's frozen beard?!

Random Pics Since I Haven't Posted for a While

Since we have been dealing with the loss of my mother, I have not posted pictures in a long time. So I picked some events that happened over the last few months to show you....a visit with a family who adopted a girl from Charlie's orphanage a few months before us, Charlie's baptism, Christmas, and a ski trip to Colorado. Enjoy!

This picture is self-explanatory...guess which players the kids sought out?

The Vikings, of course!

Together again...Charlie and his friend from the orphanage!

The smile says it all...shear delight!!

Swimming!!

The following are pics from Charlie's baptism.

See...he can still use chopsticks!!

These are pictures from Christmas. We were so happy to have Pete's family visit from MN. Charlie got to meet his cousins, including Taya who was adopted from China 3 years ago!

Who is this bearded man?

The kids in Christmas PJs.

Our first Christmas family photo with Charlie!

G and G Schmidt and their 7 (!) grandkids!

Charlie and Taya!

These are from our ski trip to CO with our good friends the Zilkenats. They used to live here in our neighborhood, but moved last year. We are so happy to stay in close touch with them!

Our little ski bums!


When I say he can throw a good tantrum, I mean it!! See the tonsils?!

A Tribute to My Mom

As many of you know, my mom passed away on January 10th. It has affected me more deeply and profoundly than I could ever have imagined. I think of her every day, all day, and how I long to just talk to her or touch her one more time. However, I am blessed to have been able to spend the last 3 weeks of her life with her. She became ill in November and after several weeks of treating her for back pain (due to a fall she had here at our house), the doctors discovered it was something more serious. We got the final diagnosis of pancreatic cancer on December 24th and I flew out to be with my parents on Christmas Day. While there were many ups and downs while I was there, we did have many good moments together...some laughs, some tears. I will treasure my time with her forever. And, I am so thankful that she was able to spend 2 weeks here at the end of October...it was before her illness set in and she spent many fun days with her 4 grandkids! She was able to meet Charlie for the first time and absolutely loved him (how couldn't you...he's such a sweetie).

Actually, I am so thankful that she was such a big part of our lives...always! Even though we lived an airplane ride apart, she always made the effort to be here for the kids special events (bdays, halloween, etc). My parents usually came to visit us every 3 months for 2 weeks each time. And, we visited them about once a year. So, while we didn't see each other every day, they made sure they were a part of our lives. I am forever thankful for all the wonderful memories that we made.

Here is a poem I read at her Memorial Service on January 17th and a picture of her, my dad, and Charlie. I love you mom and miss you mom...more than you could ever know.

A Mother's Love...by Helen Steiner Rice

A Mother's love is something

that no one can explain.

It is made of deep devotion

and of sacrifice and pain.

It is endless and unselfish

and enduring come what may

For nothing can destroy it

or take that love away...

It is patient and forgiving

when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters

even though the heart is breaking...

It believes beyond believing

when the world around condemns,

And it glows with all the beautiy

of the rarest, brightest gems...

It is far beyond defining,

it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret

like the mysteries of creation...

A many splendoured miracle

man cannot understand

And another wonderous evidence

of God's tender guiding hand.

He Just Belongs Here

Way back when we had Clara, and she was born with a cleft lip and palate, Pete's grandpa wrote us a letter and said that God only gives you what you can handle...I have always thought of that in difficult times. Not that we are having a really difficult time, but we are all still adjusting to having a 4th child in the house. Most of the time Charlie is sweet, funny, loving, silly, etc...but, he certainly is challenging at times. He can have terribly loud, kicking, screaming temper tantrums over seemingly minor things (like telling him to stop picking his nose) and they can last 30 minutes! It's difficult, but I keep telling myself there is probably more to it than whatever set him off (like some memory of his orphanage, ayi's etc). He now calls me "mama" about 95% of the time (instead of ayi)...the other 5% of the time is "ayi-mama". I think that's definite progress. Here is a picture of CJ and Charlie being silly and one of sweet Amelia! Charlie definitely fits in here and belongs with us...God knew the perfect child for our family.

Soccer!

CJ played his first soccer game today (besides the tournament last week). It is his first year on a travel team so competition and competitors are quite fierce! Their team is the VIPERS! They lost 6-2 to a really good team. Here's a little video of CJ (he's #30)...we always think he looks like he runs on his tip toes!

"His" Room is Done!

Our sweet little boy now has a room of his very own...thanks to our amazing contractor friend. He knew our deadline and he met it! Thank you Joe!

I decided to do a train theme. CJ has always loved trains and said from the very beginning he couldn't wait to teach his new brother how to build tracks with our Thomas the Train set. So, I thought it would be appropriate.

This room is actually CJ's old room, minus 3 1/2 feet that became a hallway into CJ's new room. I didn't attach pics of CJ's new room because he still has no furniture. Just a mattress and stuff all over the floor. But, I did include a picture of the new Jack-and-Jack bathroom we added. It turned out just beautifully! I just can't wait to see our new son in it!!

First Day of School!

On Tuesday the kids went back to school. It was relatively uneventful, except for the fact that Clara started Middle School!! She was really nervous the night before, but then hopped out of bed, got ready, and headed off for the bus! The whole bus thing is new for us. We've always been "walkers" to elementary school since we live within a mile of the school. We are lucky because the bus stop is only 2 houses down from our house so she can practically sit on the porch and wait for it to drive up (but she didn't). She wanted me to walk her down to the stop so I did...but then quickly left because no other parents were there. I did manage to snap a picture of her getting on the bus (without her knowing...we know how EMBARRASSING that would have been). Clara bus picks her up at the same time the other kids need to get up...so, the morning is quite a bit quieter with only two to get ready after she leaves. (I guess that will change in a few weeks with the addition of our new little guy).

Amelia and CJ were up and ready in a flash. Both were so happy to go back to school. Amelia has been counting the days! We just love our elementary school and it was so nice to walk them to the lobby, take a few pictures, and say good-bye. Let's hope for a great year!

Under Construction

Well, with the impending arrival of "little boy Schmidt" (who still does not have a name from us), we are undergoing a pretty major construction project. We are adding a bedroom and bathroom above one side of our garage. CJ's current room will become "little boy Schmidt's" room and CJ will get the new room. The two boys will share a new bathroom. We were very concerned about how the outside would look...we didn't want it to look like an addition. A friend of ours has a construction business. He has done an amazing job...here is a picture, although it doesn't do it justice...he is much farther along now...most of the siding is done, the windows are in, the brick is completed, and much of the trim. We are really excited. However, the timing couldn't be worse. Imagine a major addition, planning a trip to China to bring home a new family member, and a 10-day vacation in the middle of all that. Yikes!!










Here are two pictures...one with the roof of the garage taken off and one with the new rooms framed in. The project is expected to be completed at the end of August...how's that for cutting it close to our China departure date (which will probably be around 9/9)!