Every last child in double digits.....Happy Birthday Simon!

Well folks I have tried all morning to be in denial and wish for the best but it seems no matter how hard I try, Simon has turned 10.   Let me just remind you all of the mini breakdown I had when Bailey turned 10, just something about those double digits.  Its a big thing...a milestone...a no turning back... man I feel old...I don't have much time left experience.  So here goes a cheesy birthday post from a blubbering, overflowing with pride, sad yet happy mother of a wonderful kid named Simon.


My three double digit kiddos.  Bailey 15, Benjamin 11, Simon 10


Where do I start?   When I look at Simon I still see my sick little premie.  Born almost four weeks early you were tiny compared to Bailey and Benjamin weighing in at only about 4 pounds.   We were told that you couldn't breathe right and you were at risk for several problems later on in life, however compared to the 18 ounce babies next to you, you looked Ginormous!

It seems at times you were born to bring laughter to our family.  I know God loves me when I look at you.  When I hear your cackley laugh I love the way it makes me feel.   You have come a long way from the boy who jumped down a flight of stairs to prove to yourself that no matter what anyone said, you could indeed fly.  Perhaps when you hit the wall at the bottom and missed your stack of pillows you not only realized you weren't spiderman, you realized your amazing ability to just be a fun kid.

I don't know that you have changed much.  Your heart is ALWAYS for the underdog.  When you were a baby and you heard crying you would take off to help.  You have a heart for people in general and a deep love for family.  You are even keel, the first to forgive and oddly enough usually the first to be a turd, but always say sorry.   When I hear the floor creak in the middle of the night I know its you and I know that you are convicted of something that you have to confess before you feel free.  I have never in my life seen a more honest child.....EVER.

You sometimes stike me as the spitting image of my brother and I love how that makes me feel.   Just like Zach you are amazing at everything you try.  You have a natural gift for sports.  Everyone you meet is your friend.  Which reminds me of the time we were at the drive in and we came back from the bathroom to see some kids in the truck bed with you eating your popcorn, you simply said he was your new friend, you didn't even know his name! 




My Birthday Boy!


I get you.  You wiggle and wiggle and find it hard to focus.  You are random and wild, which I relate to.   While homeschooling you was a bit hard, I understood exactly where you were coming from and how to get to you.  You have your dad's calm spirit, you are non reactive steady and faithful.  You have your moms zeal, energy and love for people who need help.  You are the best of both of us Simon, just like Bailey and Ben. 

So go ahead and turn 10, grow up and be an ARMY guy firefighter who plays professional football and has the cute tiny wife he can "BREETECT" aka protect. You get big, take what you have learned and be the best daddy, husband and lover of God you have ever seen, nothing could make me more pleased.  I love your little self Simoney HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

My Ghoul and boys.....Mwah ah ah

Ok...firstly, I debated over whether to celebrate Halloween with my kiddos this year yet again, and we decided that our kids know enough to know what is real and not, and what their convictions are.  We told them not to do anything they were convicted of being wrong.....that being said I feel like we had so much fun this year with our kids.  It really was a time of new things and experiences and lots of just plain hanging out as a family and enjoying each other.   I am in awe of how old they all are and how fast time goes.   Here are some pictures of our weekend we wanted to share with you!

Ok so I have to put this one first because I love this picture.  Dave was cutting the tops off of the kids pumpkins and giving some pointers.   This was fun, I think the last time we carved pumkins bailey may have been 6.  Dave is such a cute Dave!  and just look at my cuties I love my family!

The kids gutted and carved their own pumkins they picked out.  The then put all of the guts in my kitchen sink and separated out the seeds and pulp.  Pulp was trash, seeds took a bath in butter and ranch seasoning and baked for and hour at 300.  The result was quite amazing if I do say so myself!

Cute little boogers!  Bailey carved and owl, Simon a skull and Ben did a bat.  I was happy to see none of them poop out before they were done!  Very awesome pumpkins.  However we decided that since our area is a bit on the questionable side, we would be best off bringing the pumkins inside.  So we did!

We pushed the two sofas up against the air mattress. This was so fun!   Lights out pumpkins lit, Simon picked our first scary movie of the evening.  Get this......"Mega Piranha".  Let me just say that this movie was NOT scary.  I am convinced that out of any movie in history I am amazed that this was even funded, or ever taken seriously.  The main star was Tiffany.....remember the red head wonder who remade the Beatles song, "I think We're Alone Now."   It was TERRIBLE AWFUL and Simon LOVED it of course.  Dave and I spent the movie texting to each other how miserable we were.  Then we watched a movie called House of Fears, not scarey but the kids sure thought it was the finished it off with an edited version of Bram Stokers DRACULA MWAH AH AH.

My scary kiddos.  Bailey is some sort of cutie pie 80's Zombie.   Ben is a mummy (see below) and Simon is the Dashing Vampire in the middle.   Let me say I spent exactly NO money on costumes, my kids were on their own and I was pretty impressed with their creativity.

Ok so lesson to learn here folks?   Saving money buying Scott tissue works great in the bathroom but not as a costume, it fell apart and lasted exactly one minute.   Poor Ben!



Frick and Frack



Kyle's Beautiful Familia

Larry on the run from the cameras

My beautiful nephew Caleb who said his first sentence on Halloween and I quote, "Summer you are my most favorite auntie in the whole world and I love you."  I was so proud, he is definately advanced.  HEE HEE

Other than Halloween, David and I have been going nutso trying to keep our house presentable.  We placed a contract on a home in Bradford, (six houses down from Dave's parents), and they accepted a contingent offer.  We are so very happy!  The house has a lake in the backyard, family close by and it has been well kept.  We ask that you continue to pray for our current house to sell.  Also we would love to find our own buyer because we would then only pay a 1% commission.   Someone is coming to look tonight so PRAY PRAY PRAY!    Here is a picture of the house we are shooting for!

Also David is trying to sell his 1999 For F-150 V8 pickup.  We are then hoping to pick up a more economical car and possibly a little junker for Bay's first car.  So hopefully this sells too.  Here is a pic if you are interested.  We have it listed at $4300.00 on craigslist.  It has about 133,XXX miles on it and is a nice truck. Holla if you're interested.

Peace Out From the Schoenhals Gang!