What is a SUNDAY morning like in your house??


This morning we all got up at 7am and ready for church. The kids can dress themselves and brush their OWN teeth, which is great. Sophia even combs her own long blond hair. I have to get the baby ready of course. Here she is all dressed up and ready to go:
We really didn't have much time to get ready- Up at 7 and church begins at 8.... plus there is a 20 min drive.As usual I get MYSELF ready, feed the Baby and get HER ready and Supervise the other THREE children getting ready AND make coffee ALL in the time it takes for Chris to get himself UP AND READY. I know that all the women out there can relate to this senario. I have just accepted it as fact. Chris is just NOT a morning person. He makes up for it by putting the kids to bed every night.

So we leave and begin our drive down the H-3 to Kaneohe... how beautiful!






















The H-3 is probably one of the prettiest drives in the world! Chris and I have been here over a year and it STILL takes our breath away. Soon we pull into Hope Chapel, Kaneohe. The Church is at the bottom of a Mountain.




After Church we always go to IHOP! This is a fun tradition of ours.























Happy Sunday from Our House to YOURS!

What is a Saturday Morning like in YOUR house??

Saturday Mornings here start with a Stop at the COFFEE center (well, actually EVERY morning starts with a stop at the coffee center.) The only difference is on Saturday I get to sleep in a bit so instead of getting up at 5:30am I get up at 6:30am.

 The sign in the picture is directed at the children-  This way they will never question my NEED for a pot of coffee in the morning. When they get older maybe they will get smart and actually set the coffee pot FOR me.

Once the Coffee is made and a few cups consumed I begin our Saturday morning breakfast. Soon Sausage is cooking on the stove and Waffles are waffling away in the waffle make.... And yes, that is chocolate and butterscotch chips next to the waffle make. I am a Super Mom and hide little bits inside the kids waffles for them. (Because you know, there is not enough sugar in the syrup!)


















So as the Hawaiian sun shines through the glass doors we all get together over the kitchen counter and enjoy breakfast. We talk about our week- and the exciting things coming up.... the kids were so excited this morning because Halloween in TOMORROW!  Today Joey has a football game and tonight is Church....  And THAT is a Saturday morning at the Schmitt House!

This morning the kids had a HALLOWEEN PARADE at school- how Exciting! Chris, Lucy, Vangie and Me went to support Joey and Sophia and to look at all the awesome costumes.



Vangie dressed up as Super Girl today (which was Sophia's costume LAST year... but she didn't want to be anything else. ) Lucy was ..... the BOOBIE MONSTER. She is very scary. She is wearing the Halloween Socks that her Grandma sent her.































So the parade began... the school played scary "Halloween Music" over the speakers... which was great until they turned it on and Since we were standing RIGHT NEXT TO the speakers it almost blew Lucy's ear drums out. We moved a more comfortable distance away.

 


Sophia is a Scary Witch, Laria is a Kitty and Joey (pictures Right) is a Scary Skeleton! They are ready for Trick-or-Treating on Sunday night. I am glad Chris is home to take the trick-or-treating. Last year he was deployed and I had to do it.... I am better suited for handing out candy at home!

I am sorry in my late updating of the yesterdays events… Now that I have FIVE children it is taking a little longer to get things done…. 
 

9:15- we left for the hospital. Me, Vangie, Lucy and Chris…. We drove the 2 miles to Tripler and then drove around and around and around looking for parking. At 9:40  we finally found a spot in BFE and hiked the ½ mile to the Urology unit.

 

At 9:45 we sat in the waiting room. I tried to take Chris’s mind of what was coming with some light banter. He was not responsive and had developed a sweaty sheen to his forehead. He did tell me that the Dr. who was doing his procedure was called the “Vas King”.

 “Why is that” I asked him.
 “Because he is the quickest and most efficient”.

“Hmmm….. I said. That is great that he is quick and gets the most Vasectomy’s done in a day… but wouldn’t you want someone who was slower and take their time since they will be working down there in your most sensitive area??”

Chris did not seem happy  and informed me he had already entertained these thought. But anyway….

 

At 9:55 the nurse came out and called his name. She had a big smile on her face. I had a BIGGER smile on MY face. When Chris got up to her she exclaimed “I remember you from the vasectomy class.” I couldn’t help but start laughing. Was that a good thing or a bad thing??

 

After Chris went back behind closed doors, Vangie, Lucy and I relaxed and read and waited. About 30 min later Chris was back . He looked normal. I was eyeballing him…. Looking for some evidence of what he had just went though…. Nothing  seemed different except for he was walking a bit more slowly….  (Below is Lucy patiently waiting for her Daddy to come back.)

 

We walked out of the clinic and I asked him “How did it go??”
He mumbled something in response.
“Did you just say it was FUN?” I asked Him.

 "FUN??? God NO, It was the most Horrible thing I have ever gone through!”

  He looked at me with a crazy look in his eye.  And then I made him tell me the WHOLE story…. Which is what I will be telling you…..

 

 Once he got back in the room he waited a bit. They took his vitals . An elderly woman nurse came and took him to a room and sharply drew the curtain shut. “Okay sonny” she said rubbing her hands together “Pull everything down to your knees., I’ll be prepping you!”Chris sat for a second , confused. He thought maybe he would get a gown…. Or at least be taking his SHOES off… But NO… The Vas king had things down to assembly line efficiency… he had to keep his numbers up!  Chris went to take his watch off. (why the watch? I don't know... I think it was nerves...)

 “I see someone isn’t paying attention!” squawked the nurse. Pull everything down to your knees  and Lay Back!!” This time Chris obeyed…

 She “prepped the area”…

The Dr. Came in and Introduced himself.“Hello Mr. Schmitt. I’m Dr. Vas King… ” I’ll be doing your PROCEDURE this morning. I’ll tell you everything as I do it. Wow, your 31 and FOUR kids eh??? Good thing your in here…. Now… I’ll be giving you a tiny poke. Okay, now THIS SHOT IS THE MOST PAINFUL PART.”



 Chris said he really couldn’t feel much pain until on this particular side. Then Dr. King reached in and pulled and tugged and then a SNIP SNIP. Chris said he held his hands up by his face and didn’t look. Then came the cauterizing. The smell of burnt flesh filled the room. (at this point in the reenactment I admit I wanted to puke).
 
“Okay, Mr. Schmitt. The GOOD news is that THIS side is done. The bad news is we have one more to go. BawHaHaHa (evil laughter added for dramatic effect). The second side was the same as the first, Chris said he could REALLY feel the poke from the shot. And then it was DONE. An Army solider came in and helped Chris clean up. They packed him full of gauze and sent him home to me to take care of.

 

Now, I wonder…. Does anyone ever get prepped from surgery and then FREAK OUT and not go through with it?? Does anyone’s wife bust into the room…screaming STTTOOPPP!!!. A change of mind about her husband getting sterilized?  As for us…. We are very happy to have this behind us. I cannot tell you the immediate feelings of RELIEF that another Schmittling  is not going to happen.

Dr. King said that if the “tubing” was going to grow back  it would during the first 8 wks. After 8 wks is when the man takes his "Specimen" in to be analyzed and officially deemed STERILE. Dr. King said he has NEVER heard of one of his patients getting his wife pregnant after the 8 weeks had elapsed…. Well, Dr. Vas King…. You had better be right about this, or you WILL be hearing from my lawyers. (just joking, I meant my psychiatrist because I will be locked away in the Looney Bin.).

 

I walked the ½ mile to get the van and picked my poor hubby up and drove him home. I had to go do some grocery shopping so I set him up on the couch with a motrin, his water bottle, his phone and the TV remote-controls…..

Now it is the 2nd day of recovery. Things are fine. Chris slept all day but was still able to empty the dish washer last night and make the kids dinner while I took the girls to gymnastics. He hasn't complained or moaned too much. For anyone out contemplating getting the BIG "V"... it was a piece of cake!  The scariest part was the anticipation leading up to it... oh ... and having strangers stare and poke at your manly bits. But from the wife's perspective it is definitely a WIN-WIN situation.

Yesterday the whole family went to Target to run some errands. I was perusing the clothing section looking for some shorts. Oh, silly me.... I forgot that now it is almost November all the summer clothing has been put away in leu of the Winter clothing.....


 
Yes, that is all of us (well, minus Chris who was taking the picture and Lucy because there was not a fur coat small enough for her...) Posing in our Fur Coats. Really??? Does Hawaii NEED all this winter wear?? It's still 86 degrees out for crying out loud!!! I know I vent about this a lot, but I find it ridiculous!!

In OTHER NEWS..... today is the BIG DAY!!! 
That's right... It's "V" day, and No, I do NOT MEAN VALENTINES DAY.

 I am taking Chris to Tripler Hospital at 9am this morning with a bag of frozen peas.... I think he is a little NERVOUS. Of course he will deniegh being nervous..... but he was up at 4am this morning... in the bathroom... for a while.......
 
I was worried about him because he has NEVER, EVER , EVER ,EVER gotten up that early for ANYTHING without the use of at least TWO alarm clocks the whole time we have been married. He got up on his own and decided to get "one last workout in" before he will be laid up for a few days.   He also went to Blockbuster last night and rented 5 movies. I am so excited for Chris to be on "Vasectomy Leave.... " He is FORCED to sit on the couch and watch movies with me!!!

This is very exciting for me because if you know Chris you know he is always UP and DOING SOMETHING. The boy cannot sit still for any amount of time.... until TODAY.  Now he will be FORCED to listen to me as I chat about whatever I want too.... We'll have oodles of conversation and relax on the couch together and there is ZERO chance he will either
a) get up and clean the garage, wash the car or weed-wack like usual or
b) attempt to coerce me into getting some "Lov'in" if you know what I mean.... No chance of THAT for at least a week.....HA HA HA HA HA HA HA...... it is the perfect scenario for me.... Yippee!

I am trying a new layout with the blog... adding the pictures right into the post. This way I don't have to constantly add and delete them... they will stay with that particular post indefinitely.

I had the craziest thing happen to me today! Chris and I were outside , getting the kids in the van to go run some errands. Sophia was MIA so I asked Joey to walk across the street to the neighbors house to see if Sophia was at her friends house. Vangie wanted to go too- so I said that was fine- and reminded them to look both ways before crossing the street. When they were about HALF WAY across the street I HEARD the sound of a vehicle coming very fast.... at the end of our street is a ROUND -ABOUT- which can be bad in a way because cars are not forced to STOP... which would reduce their speed. The speed limit in our neighborhood is only 15 mph... so usually this is not a problem. PLUS there are TONS of kids on our street so most everyone drives very slowly.  I raced out behind the van and yelled at the driver to SLOW DOWN!!!! I could tell the driver... who was a teenage girl REALIZED she was going too fast.... she immediately slowed way down. My HEART was in my throat because I was terrified she wouldn't see Joey and Vangie in the street.

THIS is when the PASSENGER of the vehicle- also another teenage girl took it upon herself to stick her head out the window and SCREAM at me. She said some things like " WE AREN'T GOING VERY FAST" and "YOU SHOULD BE WATCHING YOUR KIDS BETTER." After I got over the SHOCK that this GIRL was talking to me like that I informed her they were DEFINITELY speeding and I WAS watching my kids!!! I was RIGHT THERE, THANK GOD to yell at them to slow down. Not ONLY was this rude girl yelling at me out the car window... she acted like she wanted to get out of the car... to WHAT? THROW DOWN WITH ME??? Did this arrogant undisciplined little high schooler think that she was going to beat me up?? He friends were telling her to stay in the car and the driver just kept driving. I told CHRIS that it was a good thing She didn't get out.... I have a LEAST 20 more pounds of muscle MORE than that girl AND I had more adrenaline coursing through my veins than any time I can remember. I would have probably KNOCKED HER OUT and ended up in JAIL.

THEN the girls drove tuned off our street and drove to a house, where the loud-mouth  ran inside and back out and then they left. Perhaps I should have followeed her and informed her Parents of her DISREPECTFUL ACTIONS. Honestly I was too shocked. I would NEVER speek to an adult like that when I was a teenager....  I was in shock over the rudeness.  Thank God the driver slowed down and didn't hurt or kill anyone and hopefully she drives slower in the future. The loud mouth passenger better hope she doesn't run into me in the future!

What did YOU have for dinner last night?? Was It SPAGHETTI-TACO'S like WE had? Probably NOT!
Last week the kids were watching Nickelodian and on one of the shows they were eating Spaghetti-Tacos.... Its Spaghetti, eaten in a Taco Shell! I thought that was so NEAT and COOL. So last night, that is what I made! I am pretty sure the kids were shocked to have such a HIP dinner. Joey ate two--- so I know he liked them!  I am not sure how they tasted, because I did not have any.

I also had Parent-Teacher conferences yesterday. Let me start by saying that I am so BLESSED  to have always hadvery good teachers for my kids. This year is no exception.

Let's start with Sophia- she is doing great in school. Her strong point is English- she LOVES to write and draw and is always making up little stories which she is turning into books.... I remember diong that what I was her age! SHe is a very self-motivated kid and will sit and do her work without her teacher having to supervise her. He teacher loves having her in class.  She is also coming out of her shell and is excited to raise her hand and answer the teachers questions. She has lots of friends and is a really likes school. She is above the class "Average" on practically EVERYTHING- she ic consistently getting 100% on her spelling  and vocabulary tests.

Joey- Joey is an all-around good student. He EXCELS In Math- and his weak point is that he RUSHES his work- he is usually the 1st one done and he COULD spend a little more time to make things a little neater. He is at the top of his class in every area- and is reading at a much higher level than 2nd grade. He actually tested 100% in an Algebra and Geometry test his teacher just gave him. Academically I believe he will always be at the top of his class.

 He has LOTS of friends and everyone likes him. His Teacher loves having him in class. She actually told me that what-ever I am doing to keep doing it becasue he is a great kid- she called him an "All-Around Great Kid". That made me feel so good! But honestly I have been blessed by God to have my wonderful children.

Vangie as you know is being home-schooled in Pre-school by ME. And she is doing great. We have covered 3 letters so far- "P", "H" and this week we are on "B". We also work on adding and doing lots of little projects together. I am getting Vangie excited to start Kindergarten NEXT YEAR! I know she will love it.

Today is Monday. The kids are back in school- YEAH! But for the next TWO weeks they are getting out EARLY at 1pm! WHY??? Parent / Teacher conferences. I don't remember it being like this on the main land. I guess on the main land the teachers stay AFTER school? Or Maybe there is One whole day off and that is it? Like a Friday off... and not 10 straight school days of early dismissals??? What-ever. I have Sophia and Joey's conference this afternoon at 2:15... I picked 2:15 because school USUALLY gets out at 2:05 so I thought I would walk to school to pick them up and get the conferences out of the way... But NO! I have just enough time in-between early dismissal and conferences that that would not work. I would have to walk to get them, walk home. Walk to the conference, walk home. As much as I love to walk.... that is a bit ridiculous.  I'm driving the van.

Yesterday we went BOWLING.



Joey had a really good time- he is big enough and has enough arm strength to throw the ball. Sophia and Vangie used the ramp  still.... we ate lunch there and made it a fun afternoon. When the baby got fussy and wanted to eat Joey was able to help his sisters so it was a good time. Chris has been at work since yesterday morning so it will be nice to see him tonight! 

Lucy is such a happy baby! She is smiling all the time and laughing.



Chris is working today....  I am taking the kids bowling in a couple hours. New pictures will be posted later!  Joey had his football game yesterday. He did AWESOME. He played both offense AND defense for most of the game. He was dripping sweat when he was done- he was so motivated!

Chris is on duty so he was not here last night to set my coffee pot for me- It is so nice when I come down at 5am and all I have to do is push a button to start the coffee brewing. No measuring coffee grounds or water so early! Today I actually slept in until 6am- no time to make any coffee.... so I am drinking what is left in the pot from YESTERDAY. Is that acceptable? I just added some almond milk and am drinking it cold.... it is actually pretty good and getting the caffeine is my number one goal so I think I am accomplishing that!

I have some new pictures of Vangie and Lucy on the right- I laid Lucy on the ground yesterday and peeked into the living room to see Vangie playing dolls with her- she set a barbie on Lucy's belly and everything... It was SO cute.

On the way to school this morning Vangie fell on the sidewalk and scrapped her knees.... there was blood. I wrapped the baby blanket around her leg and she was able to ride in the stroller home and felt better once she got a couple band-aids. She is recovering now on the couch while watching Sesame Street.

Lucy will be 6 weeks old tomorrow! She slept very god last night- she only woke up a couple times, ate well and fell right back asleep. We are getting into a good routine. I am trying to enjoy very single second of her baby-hood. (is that even a word??) She is so sweet and cute. All of us- including the kids- cannot get enough of her. We all love to kiss her and smell her sweet baby scent and touch her tiny baby feet. Sophia is by far my biggest helper- she LOVES helping give Lucy her bath, change her diaper, comb her hair.... and picking out her outfit is very thrilling. Lucy is so lucky to have such amazing siblings. And I am so blessed to have them all!!

Yesterday as you know was our Anniversary..... so I decided to make Chris one of his favorite meals.... Chicken Parmesan! I dusted off my copy of JOY OF COOKING and went to it! And it was easy. I make it "Chis" style-- which is NOT anything too healthy (he prefers fried to baked, no added vegetables or anything like that!) SO it was straight up fried chicken Parmesan and it was really good! 

Sophia has been bugging me for a LONG time that she wants to be in a Pageant- she was enthralled with the Ms. Universe pageant and just loves anything girly- and a pageant is right at the top of the "Super Girly" list! 

I would never in a million years know what to do at a Pageant- I am not the "Pageant Mom" type! BUT, a few weeks ago I saw an advertisement for the "Pretty Little Princess" Pageant . It is pageant for beginners... the girls are not allowed to wear make up or hair pieces... there is no talent competition. Basically there is Formal Wear (which is like a pretty Holiday dress) and Casual Wear. The girls are really looking forward to shopping for their "pageant outfits".

 The pageant people will teach the girls how to walk across the stage... there will be lots of fun and games. Everyone gets a trophy and leaves a winner.  I am excited because Sophia is so shy around other people, I think this will be a good confidence booster for her and bring her out of her shell.
 
She is SO excited about it. She already make a "count-down calendar" and hung it in her room. The Pageant is on December 4th in Honolulu.  Both Sophia AND Evangeline will be participating. I really think it is going to be so much fun and such a fun time for the girls.

Today is Me and Chris's 9 year anniversary. NINE YEARS. wow. and we are more in love now than ever. We are soul mates now and forever. And I am forever grateful that God brought us together. I woke up to a beautiful card from my hunny on the counter.... and the card told our love story perfectly...

Our Love Has Been A Journey

I couldn't have known when we first met that everything in my life before then had been leading me to you... Today I know for sure that when our paths came together and we found one another, it was really only the beginning of the most beautiful journey of all- the journey of two hearts beating as one. (to which Chris added ... And now their are 6 hearts!!) 

SO here is many, many more wonderful, exciting, never a dull moment, years together raising our little military brats and making the most out of every day that we are given.

Chris just had one day off this week, so in true Schmitt Style, we shoved as much into that day as possible. That morning after we both worked out- but separately because SOMEONE always has to watch the baby!... we went to the commissary and bought our groceries...   then that afternoon we took the kids to see Secretariate. It was SUCH a good movie- the kids loved it. Lucy went too and slept pretty much the whole time- this was her 2nd time at the theater, she is becoming a little movie buff.  

 We are real rebels and always sneak in our "goodies" into the theater. Chris frowns on this practice. I have no idea WHY, since it saves us probably $40 from not having to buy our own popcorn and candy.  AND it is much HEALTHIER to eat the air popped popcorn that I bring instead of the popcorn you get at the theater which is popped in coconut oil and gives everyone a stomach ache anyways!

Today was a very busy day for me between going to Costco and a Dr. appointment so I am ready to relax tomorrow and not go anywhere.

I can't believe that I haven't posted since Thursday! Where has the time gone?  Things has been running smoothly around here. Yesterday Joey had his flag football game. Chris was working so it was up to me to get all the schmitt-lings ready to go and there on time.  Joey played really well- he was on offense and was the Running Back for a few plays. At one point he ran the ball all the way down the field and just shy of a touch down- Go JoEy!!!

Joey has football practice twice a week and games every Saturday- I always bring a blanket for the girls to sit on and play... so they bring some dolls and I bring snacks and they just sit and play really nicely. The baby usually sleeps in her car seat the whole time so it is actually pretty relaxing for me.

Yesterday I met the coaches wife- who is a VERY nice and beautiful woman. She is due in December with her 5th child- and 4th boy! She also has a 4 year old and 2 year old boy who were wrestling around and just being boys- running, tackling.... and now I know why God gave me girls..... He knew my limitations.  I enjoy that the girls can play quietly... although they also do their share of fighting , screaming and "tattling" on each other... there ARE times when things are actually pretty peaceful around here.

For those of you who didn't know- my beautiful sister Diana had her Wedding on October 2nd!! She and Trent were actually Married last August when my Mom was in the hospital dying of Cancer. They were married in the hospital so my mom could be there- and it was beautiful. Diana then planned for an actual wedding ceremony all year. I heard it was wonderful! I really wish I could have been there.... but that is just part of Military life... you miss a lot of stuff that happens "back home".  But anyways...  I am so happy for Trent to be my brother- He is a kick-butt Agricultural Lawyer back home in Edmore and I know he is a wonderful husband to my sister!

Today Chris went to his "Vasectomy Class" (insert dramatic music here)  at Tripler hospital. apparently this is where they explained everything that a Vasectomy IS.... ...How the man is NUMBED UP BEFORE HAND (I think Chris should do this NATURAL with NO PAIN MEDS.... and if you have read my birth story you will know why!!!) How the Procedure is DONE ..complete with graphic pictures.   How RECOVERY will feel (ummmm.... sorry guys, this can't be as bad as giving birth without drugs. There is no pain greater than that.) 

They also make the men wait until MONDAYto make their Vasectomy appointment as apparently this is a BIG DEAL. As in sterilization.... as  in NO GOING BACK. The Colonel who was one of the Doctors giving the class said he had only seen ONE CASE OF A VASECTOMY GROWING BACK in his 26 years as a Dr.....If I get pregnant in the future after this Vasectomy you better commit me to the nearest phyco ward, that is all I am SAYING. My body (and mind) cannot handle another pregnancy and birth. As much as I love my Minions, I know WHEN TO SAY WHEN.  This BETTER be PERMANENT, that is why we are signing up! 

I told Chris he better be on that phone to make his appointment at 8am when the clinic OPENS UP on MONDAY. Because he is getting NO RELATIONS until he is deemed STERILE.... (AND THE DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS....)

They even included directions on how to give a post Vasectomy semen sample... Which I found simple hilarious.... part of it says "collect the specimen into a specimen container. Please do this at home before coming to the Lab....WHAT?  Do men attempt to give their "specimen" in the parking lot or something??

Apparently this is Chris's time to be "pampered". Ahhhh yes.... he will be taken care of, do not worry about that. He will be pampered INDEED.  (Insert pshycotic laughter HERE)

Lucy D. if officially a con artist. The girl knows how to get what she wants. And lately what she wants is sleeping in bed with me-   last night I heard her in the bassinet- which is right by my bed.. chewing on her hands and making pitiful noises like she was just STARVING.
 
SO, I picked her up and laid her in bed and tried to feed her. (A huge benefit of breastfeeding is feeding the baby where-ever whenever. I cannot imagine getting out of bed in the middle of the night to make a bottle *shudders*). Well, I couldn't feed her because the girl was SOUND ASLEEP!! So, I put her back into the bassinet- and yup, you guessed it.... 5 min later she was acting like she was dying of hunger. I put her hack in bed..... and sound asleep again!!!

I was really amazed at her ability to get what she wants. So, I just let her sleep in bed with me- and I positioned her so I could not roll over on her- and I woke up ever 15 min to check on her. Howver, I am NOT going to let this become a habit of hers.... I don't sleep as soundly when she is in bed with me and I NEED my beauty sleep.

We just got back from gymnastics- the girls both go to Hawaiian Twisters and they  LOVE it. ( and a site note... Chris was able to go to gymnastics with us tonight so I got my toe nails done in the nail salon right next to the Hawaiian Twisters. I had an old Asian man do my nails... now at first I was a little hesitant because he was a man and usually women do a better job in my experience. Well, this guy must have had OCD  because he did a FABULOUS JOB! The BEST pedicure I have EVER GOTTEN!!! That is currently my favorite nail place on the island! And cheap too- on $24!)   

Now the big kids are in the bath tub, the husband is making dinner (he is in training for husband of the year) and I need to wash the baby and take a shower. It just never ends. BUT... I love that it never ends. I am never board. And one day, my house will be clean again.... one day!  And actually I keep the downstairs  pretty clean, just don't judge the upstairs... and don't look look too closely at the bathrooms. (there scary!)

Today we went for a family hike to Makapu- Lucy thoroughly enjoyed herself and slept the whole way- except when I ripped her out of her car-seat to get her picture.. but them she fell back asleep again. 

We are getting ready for tomorrow and school being in session again after fall break!!

Yesterday my Pork Chop was 1 month old. Wow! She is getting so big and so much fun. She will now look into my eyes and make little noises at me. She smiles occasionally... and is so snuggly!  She is officially busting OUT Of any newborn clothes and some 3 month clothing.

Chris has today off- Happy Columbus Day to all of you out there!  Yesterday we went to the mall and picked up a copy of Beauty and the Beast. We came home, made popcorn and put it in.... I think it was good... I did what I do every evening when I settle in to watch TV with the family... I feel into A COMA! I literally CANNOT keep my eyes open most nights past 8:30pm. Chris held onto Lucy while I was in dream land. At 10pm I woke up as the ending credits were scrolling by on the screen. I took the baby and stumbled upstairs into bed. Thank God Chris was there to tuck the other three in bed or they would have partied all night long- because I was still half asleep and could not have tucked them in. I only had the energy to put Lucy in her bassinet and fall into bed.

No, Lucy does not sleep through the night. Don't be crazy. She needs to eat every three hours to stay sufficiently padded-  I am just glad the OTHER three sleep through the night!

Today was "Lucy and Daddy" day.... Or should I say "Joey, Sophia, Evangeline, AND Lucy and Daddy Day." I had a MUCH needed hair appointment so Chris took all four kids to Joey's football game. I sent him on his merry way with my trusty diaper bag and 6 oz of pumped breast milk. Of course I had to give him silly instructions before he left. Like "Don't leave the baby in the car. " I knew he most likely WOULDN'T leave the baby in the car... but if on the off-chance he MIGHT..... well, I just say these things. Like If I hand him the baby I will say "Don't drop the baby"  "Don't fall down the stairs with the baby"  I think EVERY mom feels that way with their little newborn baby.  I am with my children the most of anyone, so of course I feel super protective of them. 

Chris and the kids had fun at the game- Lucy slept the whole time and he didn't even have to get her out of her car-seat. When they got home from the game she was hungry and she took the bottle like a champ- I was afraid she wouldn't take it but she loves to eat so much she wasn't going to let anything  like a new eating utinsil stand in the way between her and her boobie milk.

Joey took the picture above of Chris feeding Lucy- and then He and Sophia had fun posing for the camera. What Hams.

It's 5am and "The Luce" and I are coming to you LIVE from Honolulu, HI. I think my little pork-chop may have her days and nights mixed up a bit- she slept like a champ yesterday during the day and admittedly I got a LOT done. I was able to workout for an hour (she slept in her bouncy seat while I did) we even went to the Movie Theater and she slept through her first movie! We saw that owl movie... The Legend of Gahoul... from watching the previews I honestly thought this movie was going to be SO BORING. But it was really great!  The kids (and I) LOVED it. And, so did Lucy... who never made more than a peep as I held her in my arms. I held a blanket around her ears because we sat close to the front and it was LOUD. I don't think the noise bothered her much... having three siblings she is USED to lots of noise in her daily life. (not to mention she has a mom who yells a lot anyway... she got used to the noise while in the womb!)

So Lucy was up basically every couple hours last night so at 5am I threw in the towel and came downstairs.  I thought it was the perfect opportunity to call some people from back home... I always feel bad becasue I am so busy during the day that lots of times when friends and family call I cannot answer the phone. SO I called 4 different people and NO ONE ANSWERED!!! Its noon on a Saturday on the East Coast... they are all probably busy. But I just KNOW I will get a ton of calls today when I am too busy to answer myself. It's hard with a 6 hour time difference!

Today Chris returns home from work and Joey has a football game. I am letting Chris take all 4 kids to the football game himself so I can get my HAIR DONE! I am getting a MUCH, MUCH, MUCH needed Highlights and Cut, Hallelujah.  I feel SOOOOOOOOOO unattractive at the moment so I am hoping this will help.   I think Chris will do great with all the kids... 

Lucy had a Dr. Apt yesterday... She will be one month tomorrow and is OVER 10lbs. She is busting out of the 3 month sizes now.... she is soooo cute. Yesterday I got her to smile for me several times. I will get some good pictures of her this weekend. She still has some baby Acne, but it is slowly going away. I still cannot tell if her eyes will be brown or blue.... They are a weird grayish purple color right now. 

Last night Chris had to stop at TWO liquor stores to find the  ingredients to my drink. And even THEN he could not find and Almond Liquor... But, this being Hawaii, he DID find some Macadamia Nut Liquor!  Yeah! So, once we returned home from Joey's Football practice and got all the kids bathed and ready for bed I made us our drinks....  Sadly not the "Pink" squirrel because the Macadamia Liquor is not pink.... we christened it the "White Squirrel".  And it was good!

But you know what?? After just one drink I started to get a headache... and that headache lasted ALL NIGHT LONG.... not joking, every-time I woke up... which was several times, thanks Lucy.... My head was HURTING. Am I so far removed from the party scene that I get a headache from one measly drink? Sadly the answer is yes.

Today Lucy has her One Month Check-up. I wonder how much my powder puff weighs? Chris is also on duty so it will be just me and the kids until tomorrow. No games or practices today so maybe we will take Lucy to see her first Movie at the Theater? We will have to see how the day pans out.

Back when I was pregnant, I swore UP AND DOWN that I WOULD KEEP A PROMISE to myself... what was that you ask?? That I would drink more. As in alcohol.Now don't get your panties in a bundle, I don't mean "drinking" as in becoming a closet binge drinker and driving the kids to thier various sports events with a bottle of Jim Beam poking out of my diaper bag.... But just an evening libation. ONE DRINK. It has plenty of health benefits...,. just Google it. I need to REEELLLLAAAXXXXX.   I mean, having 4 children and a husband who works 80 hours a week is plenty relaxing in itself, for sure...


ENTER: The Pink Squirrel.  My New drink of choice. I stole this drink Idea off another blog that I stalk and so I am posting the recipe here for you all to try.
It is called the Pink Squirrel:

It calls for 1 1/2 ounces of "creme de noyaux" (that's almond liqueur), 1/2 ounce of white creme de cocoa, and one ounce of light cream. Sure, you could substitute milk, but I would call you a total killjoy - it's an OUNCE, girls. Live a little. Shake all of these up in a mixer and pour over ice.

Yesterday I taught Sophia how to SWIFFER the floor- she was so excited to help. AND she ran the vacuum. She did a pretty descent job. After a few more training sessions she should be good-to-go. I realize that with the amount of children I have I need help around here to get it all done.

SO, either we win the lottery so I can hire a nanny or housekeeper or chef (or all three!!) OR I start teaching these kids of mine to do things.  Cleaning of course will be what they master FIRST... and then in a few years I am envisioning them making me wonderful meals.... am I dreaming? Probably.

I just realized that while yesterday the house got cleaned, I worked out for an hour....we had a play date at the park.... the girls got to gymnastics on time... and dinner thought of and  taken out of the freezer to thaw.... I NEVER got a chance to do school work with Vangie OR to do my devotions. EEEKKK. Perhaps it is NOT possible to "DO it ALL". Good thing I can re-try to DO-IT-ALL Today..... and tomorrow....and the day after that.... and the day after the day after that.......

Yesterday I made the kids blueberry muffins for breakfast- because I am "super mom". (not really... or am I??) Anyways, the kids LOVED them and SCARFED them down... and so did I! Well, last night Joey had diarrhea.... and I was wondering WHY... was he getting sick??? Which is what I was scared of... diarrhea running through 4 children is NOT what I want... and then I remembered... the muffins I made were FIBER ONE muffins.... each muffin contained 20% of their daily fiber quota... so mystery SOLVED. Joey always has diarrhea after eating FIBER ONE products, he has a sensitive system I guess!

Chris had duty yesterday and was gone the whole day (and still is gone, he will be home tonight) He called me yesterday at 4:30pm.... Okay, NOT a good time to call!! joey had football practice at 5:30pm... so at 4:30 I was simultaneously trying to feed all the kids dinner (and they all wanted something different) clean up dinner... I still wasn't even DRESSED, OR SHOWERED.... the Baby decided that after being super good and not making a peep ALL DAY to start screaming JUST when I needed her to be good and sit quietly in her swing.... The house was a MESS....  But in the end everything came together just like it always does. We made it to Joey's practice on time and all the kids had fun.

Tonight the girls have Gymnastics- I am going to attempt to be more prepared this time so we don't have that CRAZY hour before hand when everything falls apart and we are running around like mad people.

This morning I gave the kids a step by step tutorial on how to change a diaper. They were really excited about this new opportunity. They are at first confused on how to get the babies legs out of her pajamas.. Joey said he didn't want to "break them off". I told him I didn't want him to break them off either!!  I gave him a couple tips on how to get Lucy's legs out of her pajamas and how to change her diaper. They are still totally in love with Lucy and want to help do things for her in any way that they can- whether it be helping me change her diaper, helping me bathe her.. or Sophia's personal favorite- picking our her clothes for the day.  They also kiss her all the time. They also love to smell her, comb her hair and hold her on their laps when they sit on the couch. She is so lucky to have such loving siblings!

Last night we took the kids to Target to look at holiday decorations- We didn't find anything that we really loved, so we left without a new decoration. BUT, the kids DID find costumes. Well- Joey and Sophia did. Joey got a skeleton outfit and Sophia is going to be a witch. Evangeline didn't like anything... well, she wanted to be a princess or a fairy... and we ALREADY have LOTS of fairy and princess costumes at HOME.... so I was NOT going to buy her yet ANOTHER one of those.

I found and fell in LOVE WITH an ELMO costume (you know, from sesame street..) It was a furry red body with a furry hooded "head" ... It was SO STINKIN CUTE!!! I MADE  Vangie try it on and loved how cute she looked.... I tried to persuade her to buy it but she REFUSED and would not be talked into wearing it for Halloween. I was so disappointed.... Halloween is as Much for the MOTHER to see her children dressed in cute outfits!!! But my girls??? They won't wear anything that I like.... ever!! I have a feeling there resistance to my opinion will last forever.  I almost bought the Elmo costume anyway for baby Lucy to wear in a couple years... it was THAT cute.  SO, Vangie is going to wear the Super-Girl costume that Sophia wore LAST year. She wants me to wear my "super-woman" costume that I wore last year.... but I don't think I am going to FIT INTO it this year.... 

It is almost noon and I am still in my pajamas! This has been a "productive lazy" day so far.... A lot has gotten done, but I am also doing a lot of sitting down and holding the baby. I worked with the kids on their school work.... Vangie was being SUCH a stinker. SHe KNOWS how to do things, yet was acting like she didn't know what I as asking of her. It was driving me crazy, I could NEVER be a pre-school teacher. It was all I could do to get through the lesson!!! After her school lesson Vangie was immediately banished to her room to take a much needed NAP. I told her that acting stupid on purpose was going to earn her a nap everytime. She thew a fit but was asleep 5 min later.

I am adding a link to my new exercise blog-- where I will organize all of my "running pages" . The link is ABOVE. So there are now TWO blogs- The SCHMITT HAPPENS site... with info on the family me blogging about our daily adventures. And my RUNNING PAGE site... with my daily exercise information and where I will eventually move all my running related pages.  Hope that makes sense!

This past weekend Chris got out all out Autumn decorations!  Holloween is almost here! It still is so hard for me to get used to the heat and sunshine of Hawaii. As a Michigan girl the 85 degrees means summer-- I miss the cool, crisp air and leaves changing colors so much.  This will be our second winter spent in Hawaii- I am a little more prepared. I will buy more pumpkin spice candles and do more to get myself in the Holiday Spirit.  This means baking holiday cookies and crafts.

Every year I try to buy a new decoration for the house. I will head to Target later to get us a new Halloween decoration- and also to have the kids look at the Holloween costums- what will they want to dress up as this year? Vangie already told me she wants to be a bumblebee..... AGAIN... like she has been for the past 2 years!!! I told her she has to get a new costume. I DO know what Baby Lucy is going to be.... a Boobie monster!!

This morning I took the kids to the playplace at Mcdonalds and let them play- I met a friend there and had a good time visiting with her. Then we came home and had lunch and another friend stopped over with her three children and we all had a fun afternoon together. It was a good first day of fall break!

Tomorrow is the Start of FALL BREAK. What will we DO with ourselves? Any bets on how long it takes before the kids bickering makes me want to lock them in the closet?  Hopefully they all play nicely together.

Vangie has been telling me lately that she does NOT want to grow up. She wants to stay little FOREVER. I told her this is fine with me. She can stay my little girl and live with Chris and I forever and forever.  She has even taken this so far that she doesn't want to eat certain foods (like anything healthy) because she does not want to grow up! We have to tell her that certain foods are "Anti-growing" foods and then she will eat it. She is so funny! (and odd, but hopefully this is just a phase.)

Joey had his first Flag Football game today. See the picture ABOVE and to the RIGHT.  He absolutely LOVES football- and has such a great time playing. His team is the Bears. Chris and I both wear out Bears Baseball caps to show our team spirit. I need to get Lucy a little Bears Cheer-leading outfit and make her the mascot! They did really great playing, especially since it was their first game of the season.

The kids are on Fall Break for the next week- they are happy to have a week of of school. (and so am I!! It is a lot easier in the morning when I don't have to scramble around and get everyone ready so early in the morning.)  They are excited to help me work with Vangie on her Pre-School Curriculum. The FIRST thing we are going to do is make Pink Peppermint Play-dough- we are working on the letter 'P' this week.

Also, my sister Diana had her wedding today back in Michigan!!! She was married last year at the hospital in Alma so my mom could be there before she passed away- Diana has been planning this thiswedding for the past year. I am so happy for her and Trent! I also cannot wait to get some pictures and will post them here as soon as I get some.  I heard that she looked absolutely BEAUTIFUL and the ceremony and reception were amazing. I love you and Miss you Diana- I wish we were there, but we were there in spirit!!!

We are going to church tonight and then out to eat at IHOP- this is our weekly family tradition. The kids love it.- I will post more tomorrow... Chris will be off work tomorrow and  he will be able to hold the baby so I can type with two hands instead of just one.