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.

Charlie's New Friend!

Just take a look at these two pictures. One is from 2 months ago halfway across the world in Quanzhou City, Fujian Province, China. The other is from today 9 miles from our house! This is Charlie and his new friend. We were so lucky to be able to meet Nathan in China. Charlie and Nathan are not from the same orphanage, but from the same city. When we visited Charlie's orphanage, the director of Nathan's orphanage was kind enough to bring him to Charlie's orphanage for a visit so we could meet him. Nathan's mom and I have become friends and found out we live 9 miles from each other. Nathan's mom is a wonderful woman and Nathan is her 6th adopted child. I am blessed to have met her, her family, and Nathan. What a small, small world!

Amelia in a Play!

We thought Amelia would be perfect for acting classes. Well, turns out she is quite shy in front of other people (she is a total drama queen at home)! Here is a link to a little play she was in for a little acting class. The play is "Ferdinand the Bull" and she plays one of the bulls! Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jaM3_2uYT8E

Glorious Fall!

Wow, last weekend was incredibly beautiful here...around 70 degrees and dry! The fall colors were just amazing...reds, yellows, oranges and browns. Beautiful! We spent the afternoon raking leaves in our yard. Now, I know many people find this an ugly job...but, I always like it! I love working in the yard and especially when it is so beautiful outside. To me it's exercise and generally I just think alot when I'm working in the yard. Today was especially nice since the kids were out playing in the yard, too! We raked up a big pile of leaves and let the kids play! I don't think Charlie had seen too many piles of leaves in his lifetime and he joined right in on the fun! At first he didn't like the leaves in his hair, but he got used to it after a while. Here is a little video of fun in the leaves!

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.

Halloween Fun!

Who is that??

Oh, it's Charlie!!
And, Amelia!!

Charlie as Yoda!!

Our Family on Halloween!

Ewww...gross pumpkin guts!

Wow, our house was bustling with activity Thursday and Friday! Thursday we painted and carved pumpkins. At first Charlie was not at all liking touching the inside of a pumpkin...you know how neat he is! He'd reach in and say "EWWWWW" and "UKKKKKY!" After a while, I think he thought it felt kind of fun! Pete carved the coolest pumpkin...it said "The Schmidt 6" and CJ made a barfing pumpkin, Clara painted a cute dracula pumpkin and Amelia made one with a silly smile. It was fun.

On Halloween, our family went in all different directions. Clara went with her friends and a couple dads...she was dressed in her PJ's. CJ went with his friends and Pete. He was Angus Young (from ACDC). Amelia was a cowgirl riding a horse and Charlie was Yoda! I took Charlie and Amelia and went around with some friends. Charlie got a kick out of holding out a bucket and getting something in it every time! He pushed his way to the front of our group and said "twick tweet" and "tank ew" every time. It was precious! Then he totally konked out! He was exhausted. Grandma and Grandpa were still here and they really enjoyed seeing how excited the kids were these last couple days!