I am feeling a little "off" right now.... because my other half is here.... So far away from me.


Going somewhere out in the deep, wide , blue ocean. Having him gone out to sea is much harder mentally on me that him just being in the ship yards. 

To ease my sadness/anxieties I dressed the kids up in their Halloween costumes...



There was the GYPSIE...


The MOVIE STAR....


and the GANGSTER....


funny story about Joey's costume.... I tried to paint a "beard" on him using my mascara... it looked really good, but Joey didn't like it, he told me it was "itchy". I told him that Gangsters have beards! (or at least 5 o'clock shadows) and Joey informed me that he was a gangster with a "hideout' where he could go shave... ha ha ha!! That kid is so funny. He reminds me so much of Chris.

I of course had to get into the fun and I put on my own costume... I am a COP! The LONG ARM OF THE LAW....


Isn't that moustache just HILARIOUS??? The girls had to try it on too...




I will have to post pictures of Lucy later, she is not in the mood to be messed with this morning.

I had Sophia's Parent Teacher conference yesterday.  She is such a sweet little girl.. and it breaks my heart because she is really struggling with math! Her confidence is low and so are her scores when it comes to that subject.   I am enrolling her in some math tutoring from a place called KUMON Math and Reading Center that her teacher recommended. She will go in on Thursday and they will do a "placement" test to make sure they start her off with the right level. First they will give her really easy math work to build her confidence and slowly increase the level, and soon she will be ABOVE her peers.

Last night I told her that she was going to go to a place and learn how to be really good at math.. and she was so excited!!! I know she WANTS to understand it. I also had a very hard time with Math so I can relate to her frustration, I am happy that there is a place nearby that can help me help her!

Stella survived her teeth cleaning and now has shiny pearly whites. They also had to EXTRACT three of her teeth because they were infected. I am so glad I got her in when I did.

I better get used to being a Singular Parent for a while!  I pray evey morning for God to give me strength, because I can't do this alone, that's for sure. But with God, all things are possible.

Yesterday was one of those days where I was on the go from early morning to late at night. Days like yesterday leave me longing to move to a remote cabin in the woods and cut all ties with society... just the thought of living a whole day with no commitments, meetings, appointments and errands to run is my dream. You know you have been super busy when you think back to when you had the flu and fondly remember laying on the couch doing nothing all day. I'm not THAT desperate for a day "off" that I would want to go through the Flu again, but I DO think I would love a lazy day.

Yesterday I had Vangie's and Joey's Parent Teach Conferences, today I have Sophia's. The kids will be getting out early all week at 1pm for conferences.  Stella gets her TEETH cleaned today!! I am so excited about that... no more nasty breath for Stella!  

Well you all know that Chris's boat is heading out to sea for short little trips and in February will be sailing off to Guam. Originally the kids and I were going to move to Guam too... because we were supposed to be there already!! But schedules constantly shift around and so NOW it is not worth moving to Guam if we are only going to be there from Feb-June. It would only be to June because Chris is will begetting new Orders and leaving the Boat in June(ish).  It would take about 2 months for our House hold goods to get there and and then we'd have to turn around and re-pack it to ship it back to main-land because that would also take 2 months!!

I have thought long and hard about what to do while Chris is gone for those few months. I have decided to move us back to Michigan. We will be moving Back to the Sticks and into the Farm-House. The Farm-House is my childhood home , where I grew up back on the Farm... and is sitting empty right now. My family has SO GRACIOUSLY and GENEROUSLY volunteered to clean it out... it has some old office equipment inside... and just needs a good scrubbing. We will be moving there the last week of January. The kids are BEYOND ecstatic to see there cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Papa and Grandma Kathy. They are OVER THE MOON to experience SNOW and cold weather. I am very excited for them to experience a different life other than the city life here in Honolulu that they have become accustomed too. I am honestly looking forward to the country and the relaxing effect it will (hopefully ) have on me. I want the kids and I to spend more time together.... playing board games, making cookies, playing outside.... and so that is the plan.

I also won't have any of my "house-hold" goods in Michigan... which means I am totally relying on my family to help me find some furniture, beds , pots and pans... and the the most very basic neccesities. Grandma Kathy has already called me telling  me that she is going to make sure the house is ready for us, my brother vachel and his wife Krysti will be cleaning out the house for me, my other sister Diana called to said she would also do whatever she could to help us with our move. My Dad is going to put in new carpet and over-see the project....
 
How Lucky am I to have such an AMAZING FAMILY ?? When I first thought about making such a HUGE move with none of my house stuff, (just a couple suitcases for each of us!) I didn't know if that would work..,. but now I know it will. It will be such an ADVENTURE for us. The Schmitt's are "go'in Country!" come January!

The kids brought me home their school pictures this past week.













Sophia Kimberlie, age 7. 
2nd Grade at Aliamanu Elementary 2011.
































Evangeline Ava, age 5.
Kindergarten at Aliamanu Elementary.








































Lucy Delila, age 13 months.
Attempting to scribble all over the wall and eating an ego waffle  while Mommy tries to update the Website.





My Girls are so beautiful! I am such a lucky Mom to have such great kids! I know , I know, you are probably wondering were the heck Joey's picture is. Don't worry- he is still here and in the 3rd grade. However, his picture has been REVOKED. I still cannot believe it because I have never revoked a school picture before. But the kid had the worst smile in the world. He tried to smile WITHOUT showing hie TEETH. If you know Joey, you know the boy has really great teeth... and they are pretty big for his little head (he'll grow into them one day!) But to smile without showing his teeth made his smile seem very odd and his face looked deranged. I took one look and said "OH NO... you WILL be re-taking your school pics!!!"

Chris has been getting ready to go out to sea. He as been working late/spending the night on the boat all week. He told me he may come home tonight (late... 11pm-ish) and he MAY get to spend some time with us tomorrow before the boat goes out to sea next week. I am happy that things are moving along.  How exciting for the boat to finally go out to sea after being in the ship yard all this time!! Chris will possibly be home for Halloween. I hope he is because i got him a really cool Halloween costume but if he isn't here I will have to wear it myself.

In other news, my van is on the verge of death. I think it's terminal. Her transmission has been on the decline for a while, and now her battery has been acting up. It's a guessing game on whether or not she is going to start for me when I get in her. I make sure to park where I can easily get under the hood to jump start her if I need too. I COULD take her in and get her transmission and battery fixed....  but I don't feel like dropping 3k on her when I am going to sell her in a couple months before I leave the island anyway.  SO just HOLD ON VAN!!! Just 2 more months!!! I actually may try to sell her sooner than that, especially if Chris is going to be out to sea I will just drive his vehicle around. Once we get back to the mainland early next year we are getting a NEW VAN (actually used, but new to us, lol!)  And I cannot WAIT to have vehicle that I feel confident in!

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude.
Thomas Jefferson

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will.
Vince Lombardi

Happy 10 year anniversary to my best friend and Soul-Mate! We've been through a lot these past 10 years....

7 big moves through 6 states....
 
4 children....

deployments, work-ups, working late, missed birthdays and Holidays. We have learned never to be certain about anything because in the Military NOTHING is certain!  And we have also learned that we can get through ANYTHING because we have each other.

And I actually forgot that it was our anniversary today and it was only after getting a text from my Mother In law that I remembered. I never remember birthdays or anniversaries! And I think it is because I am so content and happy with my life that I do not need a special "day" to celebrate. Everyday is a celebration!

This morning Lucy helped me to take Stella to the Vet... Stella is going to get her teeth cleaned next week!!! Yeah for no more Halitosis!!!!

Lucy was actually NOT a very big helped (don't tell her I said that). She now likes to run all over and reek havoc. It is her specialty!!  Here is a picture of Lucy helping Sophia play the DS this morning...

We have been home a couple days now from our vacation. I am finally feeling back to normal, have everything unpacked and have made it through the jet lag. It was a really awesome expereince! I am SO lucky to have been able to spend this time with Chris before he begins deploying with the boat.   So now it is back to reality! This week Lucy has her 1 year check up... okay, about 1 month late but at least she is going. And also Stella is getting some blood work done because she will soon be getting her teeth cleaned!

This is the view of the sunset from our room at Atlantis.



Above is the Lounge are of our room... we also had another area with a king size bed/flat screen TV and a large bathroom with Spa tub!!



Me on the Balcony, before our farewell dinner on the last night.



A view of the hotel from a distance.



Me and Chris having fun.

i am trying to update this on Chris I touch and it is proving ver difficult! I am sorry if I don not get the pictures up, I am trying!

We have arrived at Atlantis. It is BEYOND beautiful here! Everyone is so nice, welcoming and the service/amenities are out of this world! Chris and i both agree we have NEVER stayed in a hotel this amazing. We left Hawaii yesterday at 4pm. Our flight was fine... flew to Atlanta, had a bit of a layover and arrived here in the Bahamas

around 11 am locale time.... which  was super late Hawaii time!  They had someone take our luggage and we didn't see it again until it was deposited in our room. Upon arriving at the hotel, our room wasn't quite ready, so we visited the "hospitality" room... lots of free product samples, a small gift, and yummy food... roasted veggies, great cuts of lunch meats and yummy cheeses.. then Chris and I went up to our room... on the 11th floor with the most beautiful views! Basically it is almost 2 rooms... our bed area is when you first walk in, and then you walk down some stairs to the couch area... and a balcony with a view of the Ocean!  Then we delivered a special gift of fruit and decedent chocolates! 

Chris and I went to the beach briefly and then checked out the gym..... very nice gym. I ran 10 miles on the treadmill and feel great... almost like i have been up for over 24 hours. During my run, the gym concierge brought me a cold towell that smelt like mint and ecaypus..so refreshing.. now we are in our room getting ready for dinner. I cant wait to taste the food.

Betcha wondered what happened to me, huh? I know, I have been a horrible website updater. Please forgive me. The kids have been on fall break keeping me extra busy.

Last weekend Chris and I went out with our friends from the USS Chicago- we went out on a little cruise and had snacks and drinks. It was beautiful, but honestly I had a horrible headache and I get sea sick....  here are some pics...


A great experience anyway, even if I did feel like I was going to get sick.

Vangie , as you know... LOVES gymnastics. She is on "Hot-Shots" which is an invitation only class that is "pre-team". Basically for all the girls who are either too young for Team (you have to be 6) and/or not quite ready. They had their team pictures taken and it is SO CUTE...



Oh, I LOVE this picture! She is so cute.

Today is such an exciting day... Chris and I leave for our BAHAMAS TRIP! I have been packing all morning, we leave for the airport around 2pm. We are going with my friend Alison and her husband, Mark. It is going to be such a good time. The excitement is just now starting to set in. The past few days I have been so busy running around trying to get READY for the trip (getting MYSELF ready... hair, nails, etc... and getting the kids food bought and their schedules written out)  that I have not had much time to think about it. Chris almost could not go... the boat was scheduled to be out at sea. However, something broke on the boat and the boat schedule changed so now he CAN GO!!! He checkout out on leave YESTERDAY around 5pm. We woke up and ran 7 miles this morning so we would be ready for the day. (I love that my hubby runs with me!!!)  He is also very excited!

This trip is all expense paid... and I am told AdvoCare makes it a trip to remember!  The ONLY things we pay for are our drinks and the stuff we personally want to buy and do. I will make sure and update DAILY... I promise! I will be on vacation, so I will have more time, right?! I have been packing all morning and I am bringing ONLY my sexy "non-mom" clothes that I NEVER get to wear.   And of course my running clothes because Chris and I enjoy running and working out and we plan on doing that every day too.

I have the BEST in-laws in the WORLD!!! Tuy and Bob are here to watch the kids. If they did not fly all the way out here then this dream-trip would not be able to happen. I CANNOT thank them enough, They are amazing. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! Plus the kids LOVE them and I know they will have a great time. (but prayers ARE appreciated because it is a lot of WORK to watch 4 kids.... )

Our plane leaves Honolulu at 4pm, we fly all night and arrive at Atlanta tomorrow at 6am, and then I think we arrive in the Bahamas around 11am? I am not sure... Chris has all the itinerary information. My job is to just look pretty. ;)

We're still here!  The flu is gone, we survived. It had been a long time since anyone had been sick.. I almost forgot how horrible that is.  Now hopefully we're good for the rest of the flu season.

The kids Halloween costumes came in the mail the other day. SOOOOOO CUTE!! I am not going to give anything away on what were going to be this year.... but I will give you a tiny peep at the tiniest Schmitt in her costume...

   Isn't she ADORABLE!?! I can hardly take the cuteness!! Do you notice the tear on her cheek? Well, that's my fault... I didn't realize that the head opening opened up and I tried to shove her head through a too-small neck hole. Not a good thing!!!  But we figured out the problem and got her into it.

It even has a long kitty tail in the back.  The other kids will look equally adorable/cool but you are going to have to wait for Halloween to see them.






















Here is a picture of Lucy from this morning, she is getting so big!


Chris was playing "little piggies" with her toes this morning and she liked that a lot.


Next week Grandma Tuy and Grandpa Bob will be here to visit and watch the kids while Chris and I go on our BAHAMAS VACATION!!! We are getting very excited. The kids are also on "Fall Break" next week.  I will be taking the kids hiking, bowling, to the pool and to the beach. 

 Tonight there is a work function that I want to go to with Chris, but am in need for a babysitter so I am scouring "sitter city" and leaving messages... so far no one has called back yet... someone will but I hope it is by 3pm this afternoon!!

I went on a 17 mile run this morning with my friend Elizabeth. Our average pace was 8:46. Pretty speedy for me. I am getting excited for the upcoming Honolulu Marathon on December 11th!