This past weekend the  kids and I spent Friday and Saturday at Perkins Pond. Even though the weather was CHIILLY- highs only in the low 70's- we all had a fun time. Friday night we had a camp fire, made smores!! and slept in the camper.(Mommy Schmitt did not get much sleep this night!)  Saturday night we had a camp fire but left around 9pm to come back to the house to sleep so it would be easier to get up and get ready for church on Sunday.(And so Mommy Schmitt could get some sleep!)

Today at Church the kids and I are in charge of the snack for coffee hour. How exciting! We are serving cookies and crackers with cheese.  After church we are planning on going to see the new movie that is out called "UP". It will be a family event with all the Uncles, Aunts and Cousins going too- along with Grams and Gramps.

Yesterday I did a long run of 19 miles. I mostly ran on the Heartland Trail- a great paved trail and used to be a railroad track. It passes my parents house about a 1/2 mile down the road so its a very easy and close option.
 
I am doing all my lonng runs on pavement to get my legs used to the pounding because the Marathon I am running will be on pavement. (In the past I have trained all on dirt roads and suffered during the actual race.)  I am adding a picture from my run- this is the Trail right outside of Edmore, MI. You can see the Edmore water tower in the distance. I am at about mile 13 when I took this picture. I have not run that far in a long time, and although the last 2 miles were grueling I finished with no problem. I would like to do two more long runs of 20 miles before my Marathon on June 27th.

This morning Joey got on the bus for the very last time as a Kindergartner! He is very glad that today is his LAST day of school. I think he is tired of getting up in the morning! I can't believe the year has flown by already. Joey definitely looks and acts much older than he did last August. For one thing, he is rocking the long-hair look! 

Chris flew up over the weekend and we had a very nice time. We BBQ'd at our Pond and the kids went swimming (even though it was only in the low 70's! and the water has to be around 50 degrees!)  They played in sand and had a great time.

In other news I have signed up to run a Marathon on June 27th up in Charlevoix, MI. My goal is to finish smiling. So I have been doing a lot of running to get ready. Over the weekend Chris and I ran a 14 miler on Saturday and then 6 on Sunday. Yesterday I wanted to run 18 but it was rainy and windy so I did 14 on the treadmill.  I moved the 18 miler to Saturday. Today is a non-running day so I will lift weights and do some ab exercises.

Today I am also babysitting my nephew Jake who is 5. I need to figure out something fun for us to do! It is another cold, dreary day and since we are in the middle of no-where anywhere we go will involve some driving!

Lately Sophia has been teasing Evangeline and calling her a "baby". This REALLY makes Evangeline mad, mad, mad! She will come and find me, crying. I will ask her what is the matter and she will sob to me "So-so-sophie called me a BABY!"!!! Of course then I will have go go find Sophie and tell her that Vangie is NOT a baby, she is a big girl!

Vangie is sure growing up! She is now totally potty trained (and actually has been for at least 8 months...) she sleeps in a big girl bed... there is nothing "baby" about Vangie- except she smells so sweet still and she loves to snuggle. And of course, she will ALWAYS be OUR baby!!

In a picture to the right I have Sophie posing in an outfit her daddy sent her in the mail. She was so happy to get a package from her Daddy! Sophie is definitely a "Daddy's Girl" and has been taking Chris being gone the hardest out of the three kids. At first she wouldn't even talk to him on the Web Cam or on the phone because she was so mad at him for not being here! She is getting more used to his absence now and will talk to him if he calls.

Chris will be flying up to spend the weekend with us! I will pick him up from the airport on Thursday night! We are all so excited!! We are counting down the days!

I now have 2 weeks done and 8 to go.  On Friday we were suppose to do a periscope trainer in the afternoon with lectures in the morning but we were able to get the lecture moved up to Thursday.  This made Thursday longer but it allowed us to do the trainer Friday in the morning.  This would have meant that we would be done well before lunch which is great for a lot of people who head out of town over the weekend, especially if they have to drive anywhere near New York. 
So my section was scheduled for 0900 and 0945 and I was in the first group.  So my friend Steve and I got up at 0545 to run 5 miles(We signed up for the 5,000 fathom---5.68 miles---road race on the base May 31 and were getting ready).  Then around 0800 we got a phone call that the Secretary of the Navy was here and wanted to watch our trainer.  This meant that our trainer was now at 1130 and that it would probably be a lot longer and a lot more painful.  This really sucked for Steve because he was driving to Pennsylvania for his friends Graduation this weekend.  So we ran some errands until it was time to go and we arrived at our trainer. 
We were briefed on how the sequence of events would go and that the SECNAV and his entourage would be there shortly thereafter.  Then, at the time he was suppose to arrive, we found out that they were behind schedule and that they were going to skip over our event.  We were all instantly relieved and we were able to finish our trainer expeditiously.  So in the end, we were done by about 1245, only 3 hours later than we had originally planned and for the most part, for nothing. 
This is just another one of the many times that someone important wanted to come visit something I was a part of and made it more painful.  The worst time was when I was on deployment back in 2003 and we were suppose to pull into to Cartegena, Spain and some members of Congress wanted to come visit us.  So instead of pulling into Port, we got to stay at sea for who knows how many days straight and put on an air show, not to mention all the unnecessary cleaning that goes on.  So that was my excitement for the week.
Unfortunately for my friend Steve, this was just the beginning of his exciting Friday.  While we were running errands earlier in the morning waiting for our trainer, his battery light came on in his car.  So we stopped at Discount Auto Parts to have his battery and alternator checked since he had a 400 mile drive later that day.  Well, it was pretty corroded so we cleaned it off and they determined that his battery and alternator was fine.  So we drove back to base for our trainer.  Then afterwards he was heading to PA and I told him to call me if he broke down and needed me to come get him.  I told him I would be at the gym for a while but I would check my phone to make sure everything was okay since his battery light never cleared.  Well, as he was in Western CT, he noticed his electrical power starting to fade so he called his friend in PA to google an auto place in the area he was in and guide him there.  So he was on the phone, following directions with his windows down since he no longer had AC and ended up in the projects(hood, ghetto, government housing, whatever you want to call it).  When he stopped at an intersection,  two 15 or 16 year old males ran up to his car asking him what he wanted which startled him since he was on the phone just hoping that he would be able to make it somewhere safe before his car shut off.  They obviously thought he was just a white guy driving into the projects to buy drugs which definitely wasn't the case.  He said he didn't want anything and thats when they noticed his money clip sitting on his passenger seat.  One of the guys grabbed it and Steve said he was calling the cops.  Fortunately, the guy just tried taking the money out of it and not his ID's or anything else and as he was doing this Steve was able to grab it out of his hands and attempt to roll up his windows.  However, due to the lack of power, his windows didn't really roll up very fast.  He eventually escaped the whole situation and made it to a place where he was able to get a new alternator. 
Now its Saturday morning and I'm taking the day off from physical activity.  I played basketball yesterday for 2 hours and swam 1 mile(1650 yards at the pool(1650 yards, 66 laps in a 25 meter pool).  I went to the commessary earlier to buy some more fruit, water and salad.  I don't need much since I'm leaving Thursday to fly back to MI for Memorial Day weekend.  I'll probably just watch a movie and then go walk around the mall for a little while later to kill time.  Tomorrow I'm going to get up and go study for my test on Tuesday so that I don't have to cram it all in Monday night.  This way I can just review my notes Monday night or Tuesday morning before the test and make it slightly less stressful.  No matter what, there is always a slight fear of failure, which is probably a good thing.    

It's half way through the week of my second week in sub school and we had our first exam this morning.  It was a weapons exam and I studied a total of 3 hours for it.  I probably studied too much for it but better too much than too little.  Especially since if you fail, you have to do 15 mandatory study hours a week.  We don't know who passed or failed yet but I do know that my grade was good enough to pass based on the electronically graded portion. 
So far this week I've just been going to class every morning at 0730 and finishing up around 2pm everyday.  Then I still go workout or run around the base and then I spend the evening in my room watching basketball, primarily the Magic who blew it again last night.  Hopefully they can come back tomorrow night.  
On Monday Laura went back to the old neighborhood to visit with the neighbors and seemed to have had a good time.  It was neat for the kids to all see each other again after having been away for 18 months.  Other than that, nothing exciting happened that I know of.  
Today, Laura received a package that I sent the kids with clothes that I got them.  She said they were really excited and really liked the outfits.  
Thats about it though, nothing too exciting going on this week so far and I don't have any new pictures to add yet.   

It is a beautiful day here with lots of sun but it is also really windy.  The weekend is going good so far.  I kicked it off with a deep tissue sports massage on Friday at a local place where it was only $65 when at most hotels you’re looking at $200.  I figured I deserved it after the past year.  It was a guy named Chris and it was the first time I had ever had a man perform a massage out of the 2 or 3 times I have ever had one.  It was a little weird at first but by far the best because it was extremely painful.  My body was already really sore since all I do is workout now.  I could feel him press his knuckle between my outer muscle tissues as if it were separating and digging down into little knots below.  It definitely wouldn’t be considered a relaxing time for most people but I enjoy a little pain. 

So after the massage I searched for Starbucks so I could buy myself a coffee cup.  This way I can bring a reliable cup to class with me in the morning.  I just don’t trust those little Styrofoam cups they give us in our rooms, especially when I’m in my uniform.  In the Northeast, you really have to search for Starbucks.  This is Dunkin Donut land and it’s probably a crime to buy coffee at Starbucks.  I like DD as well but they don’t have regular coffee cups for sale.  I haven’t attempted to search for Chik-fil-a though because I did my research online and already knew that there is not even 1 chik-fil-a in CT and I am also sad to say that there is also not 1 chik-fil-a in HI. 

Following my coffee cup search, my friend Joel invited me out to dinner with him and his wife and their 6 month old baby.    We ended up going to Ruby Tuesday’s which made me really happy because they have a triple play meal with ribs, chicken fingers, and Louisiana fried shrimp.  3 things that I really like to eat.  I usually don’t ever go there because Laura doesn’t really care for their food and I can find a steak or ribs at any restaurant.  After dinner Joel and I were going to play basketball but the gym closed at 8 so we came back to my room and watched the magic and Lakers until after midnight. 

Saturday morning I slept in and then did my laundry.  When my laundry was done I went for a 90-minute run around the base.  It was really nice because it gave me a chance to see everything on the base.  I think I covered pretty much all of it.  I started out with the trails in the woods which were very dangerous.  There were large jagged rocks sticking up everywhere and it was really steep at parts.  Plus it is really wet so I had to walk at times.  I even rolled my ankle once.  So after 20 minutes in the woods I escaped to the higher part of the base and looped around to the front gate.  Then I just tried to stay on the asphalt and run the perimeter of the base and it turned out to be a great route.  So I will probably just stay out of the woods until it dries up and I get bored with the streets. 

After the run I had to shave my head and then I went to the exchange to buy the kids something.  I got each one an outfit since they always can use more clothes and toys would take up to much space which we don’t have since we have to live out of 10 suitcases between the 5 of us until we get to HI.  I also had to buy some more groceries so I can at least eat breakfast and lunch in my room.  Then at 5 there was a movie on at the base theater so I went by myself to the see the Fast and Furious.  It was entertaining and took up 2 hours of my free time.  Then I wrapped up the night by talking to Laura and the kids and watching basketball.  I don’t know what I’m going to do when basketball is over.  I guess I’ll have to rent movies. 

So here we are, Sunday morning on Mother’s Day and I just want to say why I couldn’t have found a better wife to be the mother of our kids.  Laura is amazing with the children.  She takes them all over the place and exposes them to so much.  She works with them on school stuff, dresses them, does their hair, takes them to the pool, the museum, the movies, and just makes every day an adventure for them, even if they really don’t want to go on 10 mile bike rides or walks.  Sophie even requires a nightly brief at bedtime of the events for the following day.  She is a little mommy and she needs to put her input in too.  We don’t have an easy life with all the moving and the lack of my presence at times, but she takes it in stride and stays strong.  She is a great wife and the kids and I appreciate everything she does.  She makes us the perfect military family.  From myself, Joey, Sophie, and Vangie—Thankyou mommy for everything you do and and we love you very much!!    

From the five Schmitt’s, Happy Mother’s Day to all the mothers and thank you for all that you do!!

Look at the flowers Chris sent me for Mothers day!! Do I have the best husband in the world or what?

I plan on taking the kids to the Movie Theater later today to see Monsters VS Aliens in 3D- It should be lots of fun! Its a rainy day here so a perfect day for the movies.

Hello everyone from Edmore, MI.  The kids and I are getting used to our daddy-less schedule. We don't LIKE it, but we can live with it. We are already counting the days until we see him Memorial Day weekend! 

 Joey is doing great at school. I have a cute story: On Joeys first day at his new school he had a spelling test. His teacher decided to let Joey take it, and told him not to worry about how he did, he did not have a chance to study the 6 words so she would not hold the test against him. 
 
Out off the 33 students in Joeys class, only 4 got a perfect score- and Joey was one of them! Needless to say his teacher was impressed!

I have been working with Sophie everyday on her letters and numbers. Everyday we have "school" where she does some school workbooks that I bought for her, along with a devotion and Bible verse.  She is doing very well! Her writing is really improving.

Vangie is doing great, everyday she is talking more and more and getting bigger and bigger. She is now insulted if you call her a baby and will tell you she is NOT a baby she is a BIG GIRL!

Hi everyone.  Laura decided that since I get to sit in a hotel room and do whatever I want for 10 weeks, that I have more time to update the website, so here I am.  She'll have to add pictures though. 
So I left Michigan on Saturday and stopped by our old neighborhood to see some of the old neighbors which was really nice.  Everyone seemed to be doing good and our old house has turned into the party house with their 17 year old daughter and rarely present mother which is unfortunate.  But anyways, I left there around 3:30 and drove on I-80 through Ohio and into Pennsylvania where I stopped for the night at a Holiday Inn Express which was really nice.  They did an excellent job revamping their image.  Then Sunday I left around 8 and drove through the rain and traffic into New Jersey, New York, and then Connecticut, finally arriving at the base at 3.  I met up with my friend Steve who was our neighbor in Charleston and we checked into the command which took an hour because we couldn't find the Bldg's we were looking for.  The base sits on a rock hill along the river and the roads are one way and it's just really confusing, not too mention, it was still raining and foggy.  So we eventually got checked in and moved into the Groton Chalet, which is a privately owned hotel on base. 
I live in the 6th floor of the hotel and since the hotel is up on the hill, I have a great view of the river, the subs on the waterfront, the houses across the river, and the I-95 bridge.  I'll have to borrow a camera from my friend and take some pictures.  I have a microwave, coffee pot,  and a decent size mini-fridge in the room so I'm able to feed myself at least 2 meals a day.  I also have room service so someone comes and makes my bed everyday and brings me fresh towels and takes out the trash.  I always make my own bed though because I can't look at a messy bed while I'm up and about in the room.
So far Sub school has been really relaxing.  We are able to get through most of our classroom lectures pretty early and we are always able to go study more, but after what most of us went through for the past year, the few hours in the morning is all we need to pick up the material.  So I have been spending at least 3 hours a day at the gym. 
Today, Wednesday, is actually the first day I have seen the sun here in CT, since it has been raining non-stop and the sun didn't even come out until 11.  It's suppose to start raining again tonight though and throughout tomorrow which stinks.  I'm glad I didn't get stationed here.   
So thats pretty much it for me here in Groton.  Laura has been staying busy with the girls, going grocery shopping and cleaning the house.  Joey hasn't missed his bus again but had to be motivated yesterday morning by mommy because he wasn't looking for his socks with the military urgency required.  Laura and I both recently signed up for Skype which allows us to talk for free over our computers and we can even use our webcams so the kids can talk to me easier.  It's been the best thing we've discovered since we've been separated.  We started on Monday and I've talked to Joey everyday so far and Evangeline once.  Sophia hasn't wanted to talk to me though.  Hopefully she will today!

Right now Chris is driving to Groton, CT. He will stop around 9pm tonight at a hotel and arrive tomorrow. The kids and I miss him already!
  
Today I pushed the girls in the double jogger 6 miles round trip and Joey rode his bike the whole way! We stopped at McDonald's and got some chicken nuggets and then crossed the street at ate our lunch at a brand new park in Stanton, MI. This park was just built this past year and it is GREAT. The kids had a great time and got some fresh air. (and Joey and I got a great cardiovascular workout!)

Right now Sophie is spending the night with her cousin Jake and Salone is spending the night here with Joey and Evangeline. They will watch a movie and eat some popcorn in a little bit.

I am sad because my Chris is leaving tomorrow for Groton, CT for sub school. BUT, I'm happy because he will be done in 10 wks and we will be on our way to Hawaii! Today is our last full day together.  We really don't have any plans, I am trying to convince Chris to go for a 7 mile jog with me and the girls in the double jogger stroller. It is FINALLY sunny and warm(ish) out. It has been raining here almost everyday so we need to take advantage of the nice weather.
   
Joey made the bus this morning, I think we are finally getting the hang of it!  Tonight Uncle Vachel, Aunt Krysti, and cousins Jake, Salone and Ayden are coming over for sloppy Joe's and Mac-n-cheese- its a going away party for Chris.