Stuff

Haven't updated in a month....sorry........worked Journey to Damascus #78 - amazing experience! I've never worked so hard in all my life but never did any other work that was so rewarding. I sponsored two beautiful people which made it even more fun.

Jillian's sister-in-law threw a baby shower for Nicholas. It was fun and they received lots of good wishes, books and prayers for the baby. I think we're all ready to meet this little guy. I feel like it's been the longest pregnancy on record, EVER! We've been waiting for another baby since she lost Catherine! Thank you God!!!

Wednesday marks the 1st anniversary of mom's death. Hard to believe a year has gone by.......healing is still happening but I have faith that I will see her again. Funny thing is....I miss her hands most of all. I can't explain it....I see my hands in the mirror and think immediately of mom.

Sorry so short....Kim's on his way home for dinner..........check out pictures on Picassa

Week-end in Chicago

Jill, Curtis and I went to visit my sister, Nancy and her family this week-end. It was such a great time! She has an absolutely amazing family. I've never been around HS kids that are so awesome!!!! They take such good care of their little brother and are not ashamed of proclaiming their love of God and family. I am so proud of them. Nancy & Chris - thank you so much for everything!!!

Dean played a really great game. He's an amazing athlete! It was so much fun yelling "Hit somebody!!!" Then when Rudy had an "accident" he took such great care of him....Rudy is really lucky to have such a wonderful big brother.

Kurt was fun......he's still the freshman (you know what I mean!) but is such a nice guy!!! He helps with Rudy quite a bit too.

I can't say enough about Rudy (of course, I may be a little prejudice since he's my Godson). He shared all his toys with Curtis and didn't complain much at all.

Curtis was pretty darn amazing too. I know I've said it before, but Jillian and Jacob are amazing parents. This little guy is so well mannered and fun loving. He held in 5 hours worth of pent up energy on the plane. We thought he was going to explode when we disembarked! What a cutie patootie!!!!

Gotta end to get ready for bed but wanted to tell everyone interested what a great time it was. Feel free to view the pictures!!!!!

Travels, dad and swine flu

OK - figured it was time to get a little updating to this thing. All is well.......Kim and I celebrated our 33th wedding anniversary August 28. How did that happen so fast? We know we are so blessed! It's definitely not like it was our wedding day.....THANK GOD! We are still in love though and are best friends. I don't know of many people that can say that.

Dad is doing so well. Still traveling lots of places by car. I'm nervous about him next month since I can't get there for the anniversary of mom's death. I'm going to try and see if one of the kids can go.

Jill, Jacob and Curtis just got back from visiting Jacob's grandma in Minnesota. They had a great time but found out today that one of Jacob's aunts has the swine flu. That's scary with Jillian being pregnant. Guess we'll just have to wait and pray. I sure wish they'd take a trip to Florida to see my dad. He sure can use a visit from them.

Dan, Kristy and Kaylee were in the valley again for a week. Kristy's dad still has some health problems so it's nice for them to give Paulette a break. Maybe they can go to Florida?????

Yeah...I'm workin' it! :)

End of Birthday Week.....

Well, birthday week was a blast! Yes....I celebrate my birthday for a week. Forget that stinkin' one day stuff!!!! HAH! I am so blessed! I had two close friends from work take me out to buy beads for a new rosary on Tuesday (Thank You Judy C!) . Then they took me to Burger King. Next up was a family party on Wednesday at Jillians house. It was so much fun...only way it could have been better is if Kim could have been there (football season!). Then Thursday they threw a birthday breakfast for me at work. On my actual birthday, Kim gave me a bracelet that I've been wanting from James Avery. Then I met my bestest friend (Lana) for lunch and then went to a Premier Jewelry party where someone was getting out the business so everything was 60% off! Awesome!!! I got lots of Christmas presents! After that I had a volanic stone massage....aaahhhhh.....then a long nap! A great day!!! Today reality hit! I have finished washing the floors, vacuuming, doing dishes...laundry....the list goes on. YUCK! Oh well....

I am missing the rest of my family. It was a strange Birthday day with Kim working, Jill & Jacob are in Albuqurque (sp?), Dan & Kristy are in the valley......glad I have my friends to call and visit with. Like I said....I am truly Blessed!

Galveston...counting our blessings....

Galveston is so disgustingly dirty but the Schwartz family had a wonderful time. Saturday was spent at Schlitterbahn and napping. It was so much fun! I especially loved waking up to my little babies in the morning. That was Kim's and my way of getting special time with the grandkids and letting their parents sleep a little longer. We went to the beach on Sunday morning.....it's still pretty gross....lots of garbage everywhere. None of us went in past our thighs. Curtis had a blast running in the sand and burying Kim and Jacob's feet. The rest of us sat in lawn chairs and watched. Poor Kaylee was pretty sick of sitting! She had to sit in the tube at Schlitterbahn and then sit in a chair at the beach. I was thrilled to have the entire family together for some rest and relaxation. I don't think our kids have any idea how much Kim and I enjoyed ourselves. We talked on the way home about how blessed we are. So many people we know have had such trouble with their children growing up. Dan and Jillian were such wonderful children. God definitely showered us with graces when he sent them to us. They have married such God loving people and raising great kids - very differently!!!! It's fun to see how they parent so differently from each other. Kim and I just stand back and enjoy it! Been there done that - bought the T-shirt!!!! All we need to do now is love them all - we're doing out best!!! It's a tough job but somebody's gotta do it! HAH!

When Kaylee got home, she just decided she was sick of wearing out her knees. She got up and walked across the room. What a little toot! I'd have loved to see that!!!! She's such fun!

Jillian had her big 5 month appointment today. It's definitely a boy and everything looks wonderful. Thank you to everyone for all your prayers. Keep 'em coming!!!

Megan and Michael

Megan and Michael are now Mr. and Mrs. It was a beautiful wedding and we can't thank Denny and Jane enough for a beautiful wedding. Megan and Michael - we love you. Hope you're having a great time in Cabo. You have been in our prayers. Check out the pictures on Picassa!

Cows and Keys

Florida Keys were interesting.......that's about all I can say. I'm not sure I was totally in love with them. It's just a bunch of beach communities. Kim and Dan were a totally different story. They LOVED the fishing. Kristy and I tried our best to stay busy but there wasn't a whole lot to do. We did go to the Turtle Rescue, Dolphin Rescue, Snorkeling, Theatre of the Sea and to Key West a few times. We stayed as busy as we could. Of course, we can't forget the reason we went - Ashley and Matt's wedding. Talk about a beautiful couple!!!! WOW! Lots of pictures posted on our picassa.

Sweet Kaylee was such a trouper on the trip. She even snorkeled with us! She has got to be the easiest baby I've ever been around. When that little one cries, people listen, she just doesn't cry unless she really is miserable!

I was glad to be home. Got to see Curt-Burt, Jill and Jacob Sunday. Little Nik-Nik is starting to show himself. Jillian - you are a beautiful pregnant woman EVEN in a cow costume! Which reminds me....anyone reading this, please go to: http://www.showusthecow.com/photos.php?view=browse&tag=COUNTS and vote for the adorable cows.