A Work In Progress!

Preparing to remove the wall

And it's outta here

The Demolition Crew

They loved "working" on this

Getting ready to build the pantry

The new pantry to be

Ready to cut the hole for the new door

The new place for the bedroom door

The two doors that are now leading out of our bedroom, only one will remain.

Several of you have asked how the remodel project is coming and so I thought that I would share a few of the photos. We are nowhere near done, but we are progressing. I told someone yesterday that, "come Christmas I think that everything should be done." I was only joking, but have to admit that there are days that I think that it is going to take that long. I married a perfectionist, and I am truly grateful because it will be done right, but it does cause delays. We were actually moving along with great speed up until the wiring and lighting part of the kitchen, and then...a brick wall seems to have appeared out of nowhere, stopping all progress. In reality, he has gotten alot done with the wiring, but when you "look" at it, you don't "see" anything, so therefore, you feel as if nothing is getting done.

For those of you who don't know or have never been to our home before, let me explain. While I am ever grateful for what God has provided and have enjoyed where we have lived for the past 10 years, you can attest to the fact that we are in need of some updating. With hunter green carpet, matching kitchen flooring, and coordinating counter tops, can anyone say "hello 90's?" I have been patient, but the fact that this carpet, after 10 years of wear, still looks like it is brand new, convincing my husband that it was way past time for a change was difficult. He would look at it and tell me how well it was wearing, that it still had years of life left. I am convinced that you could burn this carpet and it would still look new! I have begun to hate it, but also learned to live with it because I could see that I was getting nowhere with all my suggestions of updating. Well, when he finally saw that I was in need of more storage room, the kids in need of a toy room, and him in need of his own office, the ball began to roll. And while we haven't started with the carpet and paint, we are heading in the right direction and I do believe that I am going to be pleased with the end result. So here are a few pictures of our work in progress. I hope that I can update weekly, meaning that we are making some serious progress! Enjoy...

Rolling Back In Time...

Ready to skate

Sharleen & the girls

Ashley, Brooklyn, & Cole

Cole Helping the Girls

Me & My Friend Sharleen

Good Buds!

Brooklyn & Ashley eating before they go skate

I haven't roller skated for years and used to love it as a child. I spent countless hours playing with my oldest sister, LaRona, pretending that we were "professional skaters" traveling around the country, performing our show. As part of 'Spirit Week' yesterday, the entire school rented the Rollaway for a few hours and skated the afternoon away. Being the mother of a Kindergartener, we were required to accompany our child. Prior to going, I had gone over in my mind about how it was going to be to try to attempt something that I used to be good at, but hadn't tried in a very LONG time. I was pretty confident that I would be able to pull off a few turns around the room, but that confidence faded when I walked in and saw what was going to be a boat load of spectators. Yes, spectators! Those Mothers whom had come along with their child from older grades, that had no intention of putting on skates themselves, but rather sitting, watching, and even laughing at those of us who dared to try it out. What I had origionally thought was going to be an afternoon of fun, teaching Brooklyn how to skate, had now turned into my worst nightmare. Every imaginable thought and doubt went through my mind and I debated joining them, but then swallowed my pride and realized that I didn't want Brooklyn to miss out on learing a fun new sport and in truth, when I carefully scanned who all who were there, I realized that most of them were actually friends of mine and that there were only a small handful of them that I didn't know. As it turns out, I actually inspired a lot of them to put skates on themselves and to give it a try. It wasn't long before the floor was crowded with not only 80 some plus students, but also moms and dads who were having the time of their life.

It turned out to be a very enjoyable afternoon. Brooklyn, who had only gone once before, was soon "walking" with her skates everywhere with her classmates. The instructor told them that if they could learn to "walk, walk, slide" then very soon they would be skating everywhere. What an adorable site they made, holding hands and helping each other learn this together. And by next time, perhaps she will even be able to roller skate. I'm glad I went and very glad that I rolled back in time to some very special memories that I have.

I Love Life!

I have to start by saying, I love life. More importantly, I love the life that God has chosen for me to live. Oh, there have been times that I have questioned whether or not I was on the right road, but knowing who was, and is, writing the directions, I am re-assured that I am indeed following Him. Leaving everything in His ever-present, capable, hands is what I have been learning of late. I am not one who made a list of "New Year Resolutions", but I do desire, and am striving to grow more each day in Him. I want to be able to look back at the year's end and see where I was, compared to where I am now, and see major progress. I have started this year out by reading a book by, Elizabeth George called, "A Woman After God's Own Heart," a great read I should add, and it is stretching me. I am learning, growing, examining, re-shaping my own life according to God's Plan for me. And through that, I am realizing that I love life even more by following His Plan. He is guiding me in ways that, left on my own, I would have have never trodded. Already this year, I have faced some challenges, some hardtimes, things that I never thought that I would have to face, but I have kept my hand in His and I am finding that I can come through it unscathed, maybe a little more fragile, perhaps a little more knowledgable, but definitely more sensitive toward others and God, and this for me is growth. So, while the dust from re-modeling our home is filling the air, cleaning house for the hundreth time this week, volunteering at the school, several different additional school activites, company coming this weekend, Praise Team practice, small group meeting and everything in between that goes with being a Mommy and a wife, I can still say that I love life. And even more, I love the One who created my life!

Above are a couple of pictures from our "life" this week. Please bear with me as I am trying to learn this whole 'posting pics thing' and it isn't going well. The first two are of Brooklyn dressed for 'Hat Day' & 'Backwards' for 'Spirit Week' at school. The next two are of the boys "wookin" on the re-model project together. Sorry that two of them are sideways, but I don't have the hang of it all yet.:)

Christmas With My Family

I know that Christmas is way past, and that everyone is out of the Christmas spirit, but with all that has been going on around our house, I have been unable to post about Christmas at my parents home. This is the final posting that has to do with Christmas '07, I then I will move on. I will do my best to keep it short and to the point.

Christmas Eve morning was spent with most of the girls in the family coming over to my parents and helping out with the baking. Usually, my mom has all of this done beforehand, but with new knee surgery she was a little out of commission. It was my suggestion that we help out and make a girls day out of it. So, we made sugar cookies, gingerbread, and fudge. My children had never frosted gingerbread, so it was a treat for them and all of us girls just enjoyed being together.

That evening we all went out to dinner at Olive Garden and then it was home again to start our Christmas. While we quoted the Christmas Story from Luke 2, we had Brooklyn, Brittan, & Rena dress up as a character in the story and 'act' it out. This turned out to be adorable and something that we all really enjoyed, so we now have a new tradition. It made the story really come to life for Brooklyn and she was in Heaven getting to be Mary. Even though it took us several hours going around the room, taking turns opening gifts, the evening went by way to quickly.

Next to the kids dressing up for the Christmas Story, I would have to say that the most special part of the evening for me was when Brooklyn passed out the gifts that she had picked out and bought with her own money for everyone. She was so excited! Watching the excitement and anticipation on her face as each one received, and opened, their gift was priceless. Each gift had a personal meaning to her that she had bought for each one. Each gift may not have been much, but they were given with more love than any of the other gifts nd that is what it is truly all about!

Christmas morning we had our traditional breakfast of butterhorns and fresh fruit, it was delicious thanks to Allen. Then we spent the remainder of the morning and early afternoon opening our stockings and just having fun being together! It was another wonderful Christmas, we got more than we probably needed to, but the best part of all was just being together as a complete family!

A great big 'Thank You!'

It would be ungrateful of me not to post a public 'Thank You' to my new friend Karla for all her help and hard work on my blog. For those of you who know me, you know, I am not the most knowledgeable when it comes to new computer programs and I hate trying to learn them by myself. Well, switching to blog spot was no exception! She was wonderful to work with and never made me feel silly for all the many questions that I have asked. (and will probably continue to ask) So, thank you Karla for a job well done and everything in between. You are the best!

Welcome!

Since Yahoo 360 is experiencing problems, with the possibility of closing down I decided to find a new home. Like with any new home, there are new adjustments, changes and thoughts about all you have left behind. And this is no exception. Bear with me as I get used to this site. A friend of mine is working on transferring all my blog posts over from my Yahoo 360 site to here. It will be so wonderful to have everything here in one spot. Without them I have felt lost and almost as if I am out of place here, but in time I do believe that they will be here. Thanks to her many hours of work for me! So with a blog home that looks to be in place for years to come, I say welcome. I will do my best to keep you informed of as many new happenings in the Schatz household as possible. And the new journey begins...

Extended Family Crane Christmas

On Sunday evening after church, my dad's entire family, there are 5 Gordan Crane children, got together for a meal & fellowship. I believe that there were 60 people total. It was so wonderful to see all of them. They only come home every other year, so lots had happened since we had seen them all last. Between recent marriages and new babies, there were several "new" people there. That is always fun! We were able to spend time with them a couple of times throughout the week and each time included laughter, food, and fun! I am learning more and more the importance of family and the huge role they play in my life. I am not just talking about immediate, but extended as well. Although we may not take the same paths in life, it is the love and loyalty that we share that gives us a strong bond to last forever.

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