Monday, December 31, 2012
Gingerbread House Fun
It's an annual activity for the kids....this year they went a little crazy with the icing - which means we needed further support! Good thing we have a P.E. in the house!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Schmidt Top 10 of 2012
Originally, I was going to do a Top 10 for our Christmas Card this year.
But, there was a super deal with this one website that allowed me to make a Top 5 and include 4 photos from the year...
So, my final blog post of the year (to be put in our 2012 Blog Book) will be our
SCHMIDT TOP 10
Now for the overview of the year:
Our year was full of excitement, as usual.
We have definitely simplified and gotten focused on the ways we serve, live and love others.
I (Megan) began 2012 motivated to change all kinds of things in my life - setting goals, reading books monthly, blogging often...etc. I was successful until our lives got a little overwhelmed with dealing with health issues with Jackson - and that just shut down any time I had taken to update, work on our work on my goals or blog.
Additionally, my time has been spent in a new and very fulfilling way in serving at our "bigs" school as a Co-Chair of our Family Tree Organization (FTO). It's kind of like a Parent-Teacher Association of other schools - but the main focus is on community building, teacher appreciation and for me, leadership development and finding/using the gifts and talents of our parents. The Oaks Academy strives to "know and love" our children - I trust and KNOW that occurs with every teacher & staff within our school. BUT, my focus in taking on this leadership role is to tap into our parents' passions and giftings and using them for His Glory. Hopefully, others have been as pleased as I have been with our efforts thus far. I have a rock start leadership team and 2 other Co-Chairs that really carry the load with me. It's such a blessing and I truly feel I (too) am using my God given Talents and Giftings in serving our school in this way.
I still serve for 3 months in the fall as the PreSchool Co-Teacher with a friend of mine at our church - Common Ground. It again was a rewarding and fun season of serving.
I have also greatly enjoyed a book study with a group of "wise women" on Wednesday nights that continues to be life giving and a great blessing to me.
Joe is best described as BUSY. Entering his 8th year at IMPA, he has taken on some big projects and excels at everything he does there. On top of his full time job, he has also began his MBA at Butler University. (IMPA has fully supported and funded this endeavor! Praise God!) It has him in classed a few nights a week with lots of papers, studying after the kids go to bed. His one love that I would not let him give up is his barbershop quartet - RipChord. They are a very talented group of men that finished 3rd in their District competition this fall. We have definitely become even closer as a "family" with both the men and their wives and just really enjoy each other's company.
If Joe isn't working, studying or singing - he's spending every minute with his kids while fixing, digging, moving or burning something around the house - in the name of Home Improvement!
He just amazes me. I am SO THANKFUL for him!
Joey (7 years old) is in second grade at The Oaks. He LOVES school. He excels in reading and math. He is a sponge with any topic that comes along. Second Grade focus is on Ancient Egypt. He's ready every book he can find at the library, insisted on us visiting the Indianapolis Museum of Art to see the "tombs" section and asks us to record anything related to Egypt that comes on PBS.
His favorite things are Riddle and Joke Books, books on Egypt, writing in his journal, playing the piano (he's in weekly lessons), and had a good time playing soccer this fall.
Morgan (5 years old) is in Kindergarten at The Oaks. She LOVES school too - but more so because she gets to play, organize, lead, talk, and hang out with her many many friends. She is our social butterfly (I have no idea where she gets it!). :)
She is doing well with her reading, starting to learn to write, and loves her teachers and classmates.
She is passionate in her story telling, concerned and involved in the friendships and relationships in her life, and loves to create, cut with scissors, color, paint, play in mud, play in water and get messy. She loves being outside, barefoot, hair everywhere, gathering leaves, potting soil, digging in dirt and collecting rocks.
Jameson (3 years old) is in 3s Preschool at the Early Childhood Center. He is our 3 child to have the same amazing teachers and he loves it. He is talking so well that our Speech Therapist (provided by our school district) has released him of her services - he's caught up! Praise God he has come so very far with his verbal skills - I still just listen in wonder at how very far he has come.
He is rough and tumble, yet sweet and sensitive. He is a servant - always listening for ways to help others and provide whatever is needed before even being asked.
He had to take a trip to the ER this spring with a wack in the face by a golf club - (it was an accident and Joey felt horrible). 4 stitches and a little scar to show for it. It won't be the last time we head there - he's just that kind of boy.
He LOVES sports - we once said we would not put any of our children in organized sports until they were 4 - but we broke that rule for JJ. He scored about 3 goals a game - he's a stud!
Basketball is another natural sport for him - you should see his follow through!
Jackson (just turned 2 this month) is our silly, noisy, funny, playful cuddle bug. He has a sense of humor that no child at that age should grasp yet...the looks, the delayed response...almost like punch lines!
He repeats everything you say and talks up a storm. He loves to laugh, play, push around trucks, or hot wheels or trains. He builds and plays with his big brother JJ really well (until he bops him on the head or pinches his back).
He is just a joy and we are so thankful our family is complete with our JackJack.
At the beginning of the year, he gave us quite a scare, though. He went in for a check up and we realized he was losing weight, his tummy was constantly bloated, his dirty diapers were gray and he'd stopped eating. It was a scary time. Around May, we finally had him tested for Celiac Disease and he visited both an allergist and a GI specialist.
All tests, blood draws, scans, MRIs and hospital visits ended with no true resolution. We knew he did NOT have Celiacs, he did not test positive for allergies to milk, soy, or gluten...but we did go Gluten Free and now he is just fine. (still not sleeping through the night - but no more screaming and writhing in pain like the spring).
We are thankful that he is gaining weight, growing fine, eating well and MUCH better! Praise God!
We hope this letter finds you well!
Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Visit this blog or become "friends" of Joe or I on Facebook!
http://jandmschmidt.blogspot.com/
Or check out stuff we're a part of:
www.theoaksacademy.org
www.butler.edu
www.cground.org
www.facebook.com
Happy 2013 to you!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Jackson
But, there was a super deal with this one website that allowed me to make a Top 5 and include 4 photos from the year...
So, my final blog post of the year (to be put in our 2012 Blog Book) will be our
SCHMIDT TOP 10
10 - Inductees into the HHS Hall of Fame - Megan was 1 of them
9 - vegetable types in our garden (maybe more!)
8 - Years Joe has worked at IMPA
7 - Cool things we did this summer - Air Show, Acation House, State Fair,
Holliday World, Camping, Indiana Beach, Indiana Dunes
6 - Mystery Inc investigators!
5 - months we endured all of Jackson's health/eating issues - Praise God,
just stay Gluten Free and he's great!
4 - Rip Chord Quartet
3 - Kids in Soccer!
2 - Kids at the Oaks Academy (Morgan in Kindergarten & Joey in 2nd Grade)
 |
| This photo was from The Oaks Academy Fall Fest (Jackson was home napping!) |
1 - CAMPER! (bought it at the end of the summer - big plans for 2013!)
Now for the overview of the year:
Our year was full of excitement, as usual.
We have definitely simplified and gotten focused on the ways we serve, live and love others.
I (Megan) began 2012 motivated to change all kinds of things in my life - setting goals, reading books monthly, blogging often...etc. I was successful until our lives got a little overwhelmed with dealing with health issues with Jackson - and that just shut down any time I had taken to update, work on our work on my goals or blog.
Additionally, my time has been spent in a new and very fulfilling way in serving at our "bigs" school as a Co-Chair of our Family Tree Organization (FTO). It's kind of like a Parent-Teacher Association of other schools - but the main focus is on community building, teacher appreciation and for me, leadership development and finding/using the gifts and talents of our parents. The Oaks Academy strives to "know and love" our children - I trust and KNOW that occurs with every teacher & staff within our school. BUT, my focus in taking on this leadership role is to tap into our parents' passions and giftings and using them for His Glory. Hopefully, others have been as pleased as I have been with our efforts thus far. I have a rock start leadership team and 2 other Co-Chairs that really carry the load with me. It's such a blessing and I truly feel I (too) am using my God given Talents and Giftings in serving our school in this way.
I still serve for 3 months in the fall as the PreSchool Co-Teacher with a friend of mine at our church - Common Ground. It again was a rewarding and fun season of serving.
I have also greatly enjoyed a book study with a group of "wise women" on Wednesday nights that continues to be life giving and a great blessing to me.
Joe is best described as BUSY. Entering his 8th year at IMPA, he has taken on some big projects and excels at everything he does there. On top of his full time job, he has also began his MBA at Butler University. (IMPA has fully supported and funded this endeavor! Praise God!) It has him in classed a few nights a week with lots of papers, studying after the kids go to bed. His one love that I would not let him give up is his barbershop quartet - RipChord. They are a very talented group of men that finished 3rd in their District competition this fall. We have definitely become even closer as a "family" with both the men and their wives and just really enjoy each other's company.
If Joe isn't working, studying or singing - he's spending every minute with his kids while fixing, digging, moving or burning something around the house - in the name of Home Improvement!
He just amazes me. I am SO THANKFUL for him!
Joey (7 years old) is in second grade at The Oaks. He LOVES school. He excels in reading and math. He is a sponge with any topic that comes along. Second Grade focus is on Ancient Egypt. He's ready every book he can find at the library, insisted on us visiting the Indianapolis Museum of Art to see the "tombs" section and asks us to record anything related to Egypt that comes on PBS.
His favorite things are Riddle and Joke Books, books on Egypt, writing in his journal, playing the piano (he's in weekly lessons), and had a good time playing soccer this fall.
Morgan (5 years old) is in Kindergarten at The Oaks. She LOVES school too - but more so because she gets to play, organize, lead, talk, and hang out with her many many friends. She is our social butterfly (I have no idea where she gets it!). :)
She is doing well with her reading, starting to learn to write, and loves her teachers and classmates.
She is passionate in her story telling, concerned and involved in the friendships and relationships in her life, and loves to create, cut with scissors, color, paint, play in mud, play in water and get messy. She loves being outside, barefoot, hair everywhere, gathering leaves, potting soil, digging in dirt and collecting rocks.
Jameson (3 years old) is in 3s Preschool at the Early Childhood Center. He is our 3 child to have the same amazing teachers and he loves it. He is talking so well that our Speech Therapist (provided by our school district) has released him of her services - he's caught up! Praise God he has come so very far with his verbal skills - I still just listen in wonder at how very far he has come.
He is rough and tumble, yet sweet and sensitive. He is a servant - always listening for ways to help others and provide whatever is needed before even being asked.
He had to take a trip to the ER this spring with a wack in the face by a golf club - (it was an accident and Joey felt horrible). 4 stitches and a little scar to show for it. It won't be the last time we head there - he's just that kind of boy.
He LOVES sports - we once said we would not put any of our children in organized sports until they were 4 - but we broke that rule for JJ. He scored about 3 goals a game - he's a stud!
Basketball is another natural sport for him - you should see his follow through!
Jackson (just turned 2 this month) is our silly, noisy, funny, playful cuddle bug. He has a sense of humor that no child at that age should grasp yet...the looks, the delayed response...almost like punch lines!
He repeats everything you say and talks up a storm. He loves to laugh, play, push around trucks, or hot wheels or trains. He builds and plays with his big brother JJ really well (until he bops him on the head or pinches his back).
He is just a joy and we are so thankful our family is complete with our JackJack.
At the beginning of the year, he gave us quite a scare, though. He went in for a check up and we realized he was losing weight, his tummy was constantly bloated, his dirty diapers were gray and he'd stopped eating. It was a scary time. Around May, we finally had him tested for Celiac Disease and he visited both an allergist and a GI specialist.
All tests, blood draws, scans, MRIs and hospital visits ended with no true resolution. We knew he did NOT have Celiacs, he did not test positive for allergies to milk, soy, or gluten...but we did go Gluten Free and now he is just fine. (still not sleeping through the night - but no more screaming and writhing in pain like the spring).
We are thankful that he is gaining weight, growing fine, eating well and MUCH better! Praise God!
We hope this letter finds you well!
Here's wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!
Visit this blog or become "friends" of Joe or I on Facebook!
http://jandmschmidt.blogspot.com/
Or check out stuff we're a part of:
www.theoaksacademy.org
www.butler.edu
www.cground.org
www.facebook.com
Happy 2013 to you!
Joe, Megan, Joey, Morgan, Jameson and Jackson
Monday, November 26, 2012
Dull's Tree Farm
Our annual tradition the day after Thanksgiving is to go to Dull's Tree Farm and cut down our tree.
It was quite chilly this year, but that meant for ease picking out a tree. We learned from last year that we need to get there as soon as they open (it's an hour drive to the farm). There was no crowd, no line at the tree shaking/wrapping area and the kids went down the slide a hundred times each!
It's a wonderful tradition we enjoy and look forward to every year.
This year we cut down a Canaan Fir - it's beautiful!
It was quite chilly this year, but that meant for ease picking out a tree. We learned from last year that we need to get there as soon as they open (it's an hour drive to the farm). There was no crowd, no line at the tree shaking/wrapping area and the kids went down the slide a hundred times each!
It's a wonderful tradition we enjoy and look forward to every year.
This year we cut down a Canaan Fir - it's beautiful!
Happy 2nd Birthday Jackson!
It's had to believe that our baby boy just turned 2!
He is silly, funny, has a sense of humor like none other and has dimples that will make you smile just in seeing them.
He had a great day - playing with friends, mac and cheese (gluten free) for dinner and a Thomas the Tank Engine cake.
He got lots of Hot Wheels, a Racing Ramp and a "Crash and Bash" Train Ramp too. He is into trucks, cars and trains right now.
He is talking like crazy with some of his favorite sayings being:
Stop it
Look at that
Thank you
He sings, repeats, points out the world around him constantly and plays really well with his siblings (except when he bops them on the head).
We love our little Jack Jack!
He is silly, funny, has a sense of humor like none other and has dimples that will make you smile just in seeing them.
He had a great day - playing with friends, mac and cheese (gluten free) for dinner and a Thomas the Tank Engine cake.
He got lots of Hot Wheels, a Racing Ramp and a "Crash and Bash" Train Ramp too. He is into trucks, cars and trains right now.
He is talking like crazy with some of his favorite sayings being:
Stop it
Look at that
Thank you
He sings, repeats, points out the world around him constantly and plays really well with his siblings (except when he bops them on the head).
We love our little Jack Jack!
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