I am hoping this works

I have spent the last 3 months trying to remember how to log on to post pictures and updates.  I am hoping this works!

 

   Brooke Schuldheisz

       Math Specialist

     Westgate Elementary

 

Last ETHI

How far we have come

Last year we took the kids out on the boat to teach them how to jump into the water, float with their life jackets and climb back into the boat. Safety first is my motto... Danny and Lilly were the only ones who were enthusiastic by the idea of swimming in the river.

Today we took the kids out for the first boat trip of the year and ALL 6 of them jumped into the river the same way they jump into the car when we tell them we are going for ice cream... they were so excited! Marti (who last year was clenched onto Ben tighter than I have ever seen anyone clench another person) jumped into the water, swam around and had a great time. Jacob did about a hundred karate-cowabunga-cannonball-things into the water (hoping to splash me everytime) and Addy, Danny, Lilly and Joseph also had a blast floating around the "mighty Columbia. It was so much fun to watch them all having so much fun.

And yes, once again, I did NOT jump into the water. I really don't like swimming where fish might bite me... despite the fact that I told the kids at least 30 times that, "the fish are more afraid of you than you are of them." Shhhh.... don't tell them I am afraid too. :)

More kids????

OK... don't freak out! Yesterday, Addy and I had this conversation:

Addy: Mom, what can't I be a big sister like Linnea? I want a baby brother. Who put's babies in tummies?

Me: God puts them in.

Addy: So God put Danny and Jacob and Joseph in Daddy's tummy.

Me: Ummmm...

Addy: And he put me and Marti and Lil in your tummy.

Me: Ummmm....

Addy: Because boys come from Daddy's tummies and girls come from mommies.

Me: Ummm.....

Addy: Because I really want to be a big sister. I want a baby.

Me: Ummm... no Daddy and I are done having babies.

Addy: Why?

Me: Ummmm...

Addy: OK so when are you going to 'dopt a baby brother for me - from Ethiopia?

Me: Ummmm.... go ask Daddy.

Home again... home again... jiggety jig

Hello,
Anyone out there? Is anyone still reading this? Hello?

I am so happy to announce that we are in our new house, totally settled and LOVING it!!!! I can't believe what a perfect house we have. It is just right for my family. Joseph has his own room (decorated in black and red in honor of AC Milan, a pro soccer team), Danny and Jacob have a great big room that has room for their legos and all their clothes too! :) They love being in there and giggling and having fun. The girls are still sharing a room (Marti is actually thrilled to still share a room) and they love their lime green and aqua room. They have super cute comforters that match. I love their room almost as much as they do. We have a fabulous above ground pool that has gotten LOTS OF USE in the last 3 weeks. Ben, Joseph and Dan worked really hard to build a fence and deck around the pool and that has made our yard pretty much perfect too.

I now have an enormous kitchen that makes me smile everytime I cook and I also have a WALK IN CLOSET!!! I can't believe it! :) My other favorite thing about the house is the 2 washers and dryers - yep, their awesome!!!!

Life is fabulous!

The kids are all doing really well and loving the house. Addy had a couple of tough days adjusting to the change but is now downstairs making cupcakes with her play kitchen that has been in storage for 3 months. Joseph has been having a fabulous time with soccer, football and drivers ed (EEEEEKKKK). Marti finished 2 volleyball camps and then started an art camp that she has been enjoying as well. Danny and Jacob and Lilly have been going to a fun sports camp that keeps them tired - and that is a good thing.

Ben and I are loving the new house and keeping busy hauling the kids to and fro'. We are looking forward to a trip to Sun River soon and then we will start getting ready for school. Hope your summer is lots of fun!!!!
~Brooke

This week

This has been a crazy busy week and the kids have been a blast! Joseph got his driver's permit and started football for Kennewick High. Marti finished her second week of volleyball camp and had a blast. Lilly went to cheerleading camp and was SO stinkin' cute. Addy and the boys played outside and helped us get ready to move tomorrow. Ben and his dad spent the week painting and building a fence around the pool. Hooray!!!!!!!! We are getting ready to move tomorrow night and Saturday. In some ways it seems like we have always been here with Ben's parents - it is so easy and really fun in a lot of ways. The kids absolutely love being here and I am pretty sure they will be sad to not have grandma and grandpa to cuddle with each morning.

So tomorrow will be a day of cleaning their house and packing everything that is here (there is a lot). We are hoping to have the keys early in the afternoon and will spend the evening getting everything moved over and setting up Joseph's room (all of his stuff is here at Jan and Dan's). He has never had his own room - I keep wondering if he will love it or get lonely! Satruday at 9 we will start moving everything, if you are looking for something to do on Saturday we would love to have your help!

We would love your prayers as we step into this new "chapter"!

Hello

I cannot believe it has been nearly a month since my last post. Time has truly flown...

Here is a look back --

• we moved out of our house and into Ben's parents house. Moving was pretty stressful but we had several friends who came and made it almost fun. Joseph and Marti were the stars of the move - I really don't know how we could have done it without them. They were amazing. Living with Ben's mom and dad has been great. I seriously never would have thought that 10 people in there house for an extended period of time (it's been over a week) would survive happily. We are all happy! Grandpa has been spoiling me and I have only cooked once since we have been there - we are blessed!!!!
• the boys finished up their baseball season in 3rd place and are currently in the running for first place in the All City Tournament. Danny is a hot shot catcher and Jacob is pitching like a pro... I LOVE watching them play!! They have both hit home runs this year (did you hear me cheering - you probably did)!!!
• Lilly is just about to graduate from Kindergarten - I cannot believe she is that old. Although there are days I would sware she's 12 instead of 6. She is so much fun and her laughter is one of my favorite sounds in the world.
• Addy is turning into quite the big kid - and quite the ham. We were sitting at dinner the other night when she announced to us all, "Everybody PAUSE!!!! I have to go potty!" She is not one to miss the action and wanted to be sure that no one had any fun without her! She is also now a big girl and does not wear pull ups to bed! Hooray!
• Marti finished up a great softball season! It was so much fun to watch her learn and have fun with the kids and the coaches. She is such an amazing kid and really loves her classmates.
• we attended the Afro-American for Academics Society banquet with Joseph last night. He was honored for his terrific grades, what a thrill!!! He also starts football today -so prayers for an injury free season would be much appreciated!
• we are signing papers to buy our Dream House today. It is nearly 3000 square feet with a huge kitchen, living room and plenty of bedrooms! It also has a fabulous above ground pool that we are going to LOVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• school is almost out... what more could we ask for??

Exchange Students?

Someone asked me today if Joseph was my exchange student...

It made me laugh. People have asked about my day care rates too. :)

Nope... I am just a mom with a family! Right now they are out shopping for Mother's Day. Lilly asked me if I like peanut butter toast for breakfast... I wonder if I will be getting breakfast in bed tomorrow.

Addy has told me about 300 times today that she is going to help make it. Lilly keeps telling her to be quiet.

I know I say this a lot but I really love being a mom! It is super hard, wonderfully fun and never leaves me bored. I am a blessed woman!

Funnies from Addy

This is the monologue Addy had this morning...

Mom, where is my fishy? I think it died. I don't see him? Where is it? I didn't name it. When will it come back to life? I will name it Deady. When it comes back to life I will name it and then I will complete it.

Big Changes are Coming

We are so excited to announce that we have sold our house (pending an inspection tonight) and we are buying a new home from our good friends. We have outgrown our 1780 square foot home and even though I will miss some things about our house (the yard, the ability to hear when people are grouchy because it is so small) I am also SUPER excited about our new house. It is almost 3000 square feet with a huge yard (sorry Joseph - we know you don't want to mow that huge lawn), a pool, and every other wonderful thing we needed in a house. Joseph will finally have his own room and we will have 3 showers, 2 washer and dryers and a lovely deck that overlooks the yards.

We would love prayers that the inspection, paperwork, financing etc. goes smoothly as we sell our home. We would also love prayers as we pack and move. We will be living with Jan and Dan for 3 or 4 weeks (the boys and Ben will be sleeping in our camper trailer in Grandma and Grandpas driveway while we (the girls) sleep in the house). We are a little (a lot) nervous about driving Jan and Dan nuts and would appreciate prayers for them as well as us during that "transition time".

Moving is such a stressful and exciting time. We can't wait to let you know how it is all going!