She got an ipod touch (mostly because we wanted her to be able to take it with her to the hospital in the winter, but she decided it needing “WASHING” a few days later and ruined it.  I managed to get a new one – thank goodness I bought that warranty but we ended up re-gifting it to Ross this Christmas… shhhh… don’t tell her… she never even noticed.. obviously she is not hurting for STUFF!)Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

• January 3, 2012 -- Blessed.
• June 24, 2011 -- Kyleigh’s dance recital
• May 15, 2011 -- “It is well. It is well… through the storms, I am HELD”…
• March 20, 2011 -- Spring Cleaning…. part two… Kyleigh’s room
• March 13, 2011 -- “aren’t you just beside yourself happy?”

This time we were at Sandal’s Negril.  We like it there too… but needed WAY more bug spray that I packed!  YIKES!!!  Still longing to go back to our Couples Swept Away haven again soon!

No matter where you go in Negril, you can’t go wrong… unless it’s the Treehouse… DON’T go there!  LOL

Jamaica always has the best sunsets… how could you not?  You’re in Jamaica!

A walk down the shore line in the early morning to claim our beach chairs:

A view of our favorite spot

The view from our breakfast table:

We even tried Sea Kayaking… no no… there will be no images from that!  LOL  I am glad to say that I have DONE IT… not sure I would do it again!  LOL  Either way… it was a nice break from the BUSY time in the summer… we were glad to leave and glad to come home!Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

Random Posts

• September 18, 2007 -- Been a While
• January 14, 2009 -- Asking for Help!!!
• March 25, 2008 -- Ky update of the morning…
• January 29, 2009 -- Kentucky Ice Storm 2009
• September 24, 2008 -- What is there to say?

Troy and I traveled a bit for ourselves too!  Troy is GREAT at finding tickets to small venues.  He found us tickets to Matthew West at the Billy Graham training Center in North Carolina.  We stayed at the Shepherd’s Inn on the property… there were so many hiking trails and it was so serene… no wonder Rev. Graham went there often!  See the mountain just behind the Inn?

The Chapel at the Training Center… GORGEOUS!

And of course Matthew West… The room we were in only held 200 and we were on the FRONT ROW!!! I was literally close enough for him to spit on me!  Luckily he did not.  I also had the privilege of meeting on of the subjects of a song he wrote for the “Story of your life” album… she sat next to me!  Awesome time!

And yes we got to meet him too!

And then decided to take the scenic route home… still undecided if that was a good idea or not!

Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

Random Posts

• April 16, 2009 -- Dear Mr. President Obama,
• January 17, 2009 -- Saturday Morning and a Breakfast Casserole
• June 10, 2008 -- RAK
• July 22, 2007 -- Cleaning out the fridge
• October 16, 2008 -- Love Letters… Day three.

Summer was amazing… the kids grew up so much, swam like crazy… ALL the time… Owen and Ross each learned to ride their bikes.  Owen went to LEGO camp, Kyleigh went to dance camp, Mom and Dad went to TWO destination weddings, one in Negril, one on Anna Maria Island.  We traveled, and ate out more than was appropriate and my back side is still paying the consequences!  It’s the age old quandary… either you have money, and no time to spend it, or not enough money and more time than you need!  LOL  I cannot complain though… I prayed that God would bless us and our business and allow us to be a blessing and He did and hopefully it WAS!

We learned that Ross’ Kindergarten teacher (our favorite teacher EVER) was leaving the school… so we hosted a goodbye / pool party for her!

We welcomed a new family member… no.. NOT a baby… there will be no more of those unless they don’t speak English and were left on a doorstep.  This is Buddy the Pugglebull.  So ugly he’s cute right?

Kyleigh turned 5 years old in July!!! (WOW!  I cannot begin to believe its been 5 years!)  She is such a big girl now!:

Fall came without warning and took us by storm!  Another busy season for our business came with a TWO weddings in our family and our kids acting as part of the bridal party for one!  :)  Proud mama again there!  There was lots of fun to be had as the boys went back to school:

We chose NOT to send Kyleigh to school knowing that she was scheduled for a life altering surgery in January.  There was no sense to put her in school and then turn around and yank her back out. So she is spending one more year hanging out here at home with mom!

Kyleigh was invited to be the Grand Marshall of the Run to Remember – 9/11 Run to benefit the Kentucky Children’s Hospital:

Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

• January 12, 2010 -- Coming Home!
• January 6, 2010 -- First SNOW!
• November 8, 2009 -- Christmas Card Preview!
• October 31, 2009 -- Carving and Couponing…
• August 28, 2009 -- Another few faves from Gulf Shores…

I mean really… have you ever seen anything so cute?!  If bought into the whole Wellies trend I would SO snag these right up.  Unfortunately I love the way wellies look… just not on me!  Someone out there I am SURE has a cute little frame that makes rocking Wellies easy!!    Head on over to Zulily.com and pick up a pair for only $29!!!!!!   Also be sure to list Amber Schmidt as your referrer because I can receive credit to buy more super cute stuff for Kyleigh!!!Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

Random Posts

• January 9, 2008 -- Day 5
• January 8, 2007 -- Another loss
• March 11, 2009 -- Dress for Less…
• August 15, 2008 -- In the Spirit of the Olympics….
• January 8, 2009 -- My dearest boy…

Yes… so she can’t ride horses or go cliff diving but the girl CAN DANCE!!!!!!  Her hypermobility in her lower limbs actually make her PERFECTLY built to be a dancer   Mommy is of course, extra happy about that!  I mean really if you are going to have a bunch of junk wrong with your body, the one time it is advantageous you have to be happy about it!  Back in May she performed her first dance recital on the stage of the Lexington Opera House.  She was amazing!  I cried… of course.  We wondered if we would ever get to see days like that and every single one that we GET … makes us appreciate every single second!

Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

• January 3, 2012 -- Kyleigh turned 5!!!
• January 3, 2012 -- Blessed.
• May 15, 2011 -- “It is well. It is well… through the storms, I am HELD”…
• March 20, 2011 -- Spring Cleaning…. part two… Kyleigh’s room
• March 13, 2011 -- “aren’t you just beside yourself happy?”

Between Owen and Ross they cleaned up TEN awards at their end of school awards day!  I am SOOO incredibly proud!  Here are a few pics of the boys receiving their awards.  Ross has come SUCH A long way this year… I am always proud of Owen and his natural talent and “smarts” but Ross is something extra special!

Ross and his teaching assistant Ms. Werhle…   Pics of Ross and his teacher to come at our “End of School Party” They are some great ones!

Owen and his first grade teacher Mrs. Hedge.  He will miss her a LOT next year!

Ross accepting the MOST IMPROVED READER award from the Principal.

Ross was SO proud of himself!  As well he should be!

The ceremony was a little long and tested Ky’s patience!  But she made it through thank God!!!

Excited for our bubbies!

Owen accepting the “ART” award for all of the first grade!

Owen with the “Exemplary Student” Award for NO reprimands the entire year!!!!!!! (brings a tear to my eye… that was always an award I took home!)

Owen receiving the SCIENCE Award   *beginning to see a pattern here?  By this point the principal was laughing*

Owen made sure to pose for the camera!  LOL

When the boys went back to their classrooms Ross got four more award and Owen got one more.  SOOOO incredibly proud of them both!Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

Random Posts

• August 21, 2008 -- What are you doing today???? KCH Radiothon 2008
• November 6, 2009 -- Breath of Heaven… Mary’s Song
• November 2, 2008 -- A quick capture from Halloween night
• August 29, 2008 -- Ever have one of those days?
• July 23, 2008 -- Cath a Baby Pretty Butt…

I love that my girl gets SO tan and SO blonde in the summer!  So does Ross… if they lived near an ocean they would be unbelievably dark.  No one believes that I put as much sunscreen on them as I do!  I took these quickly the other night before we headed out to dinner.  This is Kyleigh, straight out of the pool!

Yes… she is FULL of sass

Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

Random Posts

• December 30, 2009 -- Fabulous deal on Carter’s sleepers at Kohl’s
• August 23, 2008 -- Kyleigh Radiothon Montage
• April 23, 2009 -- YARD SALE at the Schmidts!!!!
• September 5, 2008 -- Time for some fun!! PLEASE VOTE !!!
• September 14, 2006 -- Meha Blankies!!

I took these photos for an online boutique that sells custom boys clothing.  So proud that my boys have such great “looks”.  They have each recently gotten “summer” haircuts so I was glad to have these pics to show off their leftover winter fur!

Owen said that he had been STUDYING “Big Time Rush” (the Disney show) for Modeling POSE ideas… he posed himself here.  Isn’t that hilarious?  My over-achiever.  He had to make SURE he got it right.  He tried so hard and then there is Ross… who is just a total natural!

Some of Ross alone:

Above= Blue Steel

My little men.  I cannot believe how big they are getting.  We just had to cut Ross’ hair SUPER short because he is TWIRLING it in the back and making a MAJOR bald spot … so for the summer he is short… hopefully he will break the habit and can go back to the traditional Rossy do!

I mean really have you ever seen a cuter boy (and saying your OWN … doesn’t count!  ROFL)

I told them that if they did good they could get IN the creek and hunt for fish and turtle.  They saw a turtle when they first got there but he was gone by the end.  They were perfectly happy to throw rocks and watch minnows swim through their toes.  Gosh I love having boys!

Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

Random Posts

• September 26, 2007 -- so it begins…
• November 1, 2007 -- Halloween Pics….
• July 15, 2008 -- Medical Update: Allergies, Cystoscopy, Nissen
• November 2, 2008 -- Love Letters… Day 15
• May 21, 2008 -- Give me a break!

YES we DO!  And I am darned proud of it.

When I try to sum up 2010 in one word, it is gratitude. I am SO grateful to my Heavenly Father for allowing my life to be so amazing. I have three amazing kids who make me laugh (and drive me nuts!) everyday. I have a great husband who works as hard as I do for our family and truly cherish our time together. I now live in a household shared with MY PARENTS (gasp… yes… most people would rather shoot themselves than share a house with their parents but my house is BIG and my parents are aging) and my kids get to SEE their grandparents EVERY single day. I cannot tell you what I would give or pay to have my Nana and Pap still around to see me and my family grow up. It’s been 8 years since we lost Nana and I still miss her every single day.

For my children to have the privilege of seeing their Nanae (my mom) and Popo (my dad) everyday, I just know that is such a gift to both my parents and my kids. I know that in years to come my kids will look back and know that it was a sacrifice that was well worth it to not have their own rooms (the boys have to share because we only have 3 bedrooms here) to be able to grow up with the love of their family around them. Last night, Owen said to my mom, “Nanae… I just haven’t seen you enough this week… I miss you!” Now, mind you, we live exactly 16 stairs away from them, my mother cooks the boys breakfast (bacon and eggs! what a life to live with your grandparents!) every single morning and 3/7 nights a week we share a dinner table too. And yet, he was craving some one on one time with my mom. So, after the little kids went to bed, we let him go downstairs with mom and dad (this is generally off limits during bed time… we have some pretty strict rules that are necessary for making the house function with so many people and opinions in it!) and he curled up in bed with them. They read some books, watched Lego Star Wars and when he could hardly keep his eyes open anymore, Owen stumbled back up the stairs to bed. WOW… can you even imagine what kind of nourishment for his SOUL that was? Of for my parents?! I have to say that this communal living started off as something that financially necessary. Now that we are financially stable again, we COULD move out. We could go get another house, another address, another street, but now… we don’t want to. Are there things that drive us absolutely NUTS about each other? Yes, but then again my own offspring can prompt me to want to pull my hair out some days so that is to be expected. Now, we cannot imagine having our life any other way. I still get the sideways glances from people when I say I “live with my parents” but truthfully everyone should consider some form of this. I am already seeing my kids reap the benefits of having so many adults in the house and especially the wisdom that another generation brings to the table.

What started out an effort to erase our large debt that was incurred by Kyleigh’s long medical battles, turned into a willing CHOICE that we will never regret!Recent Comments:

• Dianne says Thanks for sharing your family with us, your kids are so cute! [more]
• Amber says Nicole… I emailed you! Sorry it took me so long! [more]
• Amber says Nope.. I am not gone… just busy! Had a crazy, amazing, awesome and BLESSED summer and fall [more]
• Melissa Gooch says I hope you and your family are well. I was just wondering if you have you given up this [more]
• Nicole Walters says Hello
  I was recently diagnosed with chiari, and now my children are also showing symptoms. I came across your blog online, [more]

Random Posts

• January 19, 2009 -- Ignorance or Blind Faith??
• December 24, 2007 -- Wow….
• March 16, 2008 -- HOW to give??
• February 20, 2009 -- Blowing Eggs from Shells (Easter Eggs)
• October 20, 2008 -- GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!