From Us to You, Merry Christmas!

It's December 22nd, and it's finally started to feel like Christmas to me.  Which is good, since, you know, we've only got three days left before the actual holiday.
 
(Adelaide clearly practicing for a Christmas Eve reenactment)

   

We started off Thanksgiving week with a bang.  Adelaide came down with her highest fever to date - spiking to 104 and sufficiently worrying both Chris and I.  

Thankfully it passed without any major incident, and we're all healthy as can be (for now anyways!)

Like many people do, we typically kick off the holiday season the weekend after Thanksgiving, but things got postponed/rescheduled since we were recuperating from the Great Fever of 2014.

So we had a late start, but our Christmas festivities have been in full swing lately.     

We (and by we I mean Chris, all by his lonesome) picked out our little tree (and by little I mean giant, 8 foot pine beauty) at a close quaint spot (i.e. Home Depot).  This would normally be a family activity, but instead Chris went by himself and was left to hoist that bad boy on the roof of an SUV BY HIMSELF at the Depot.  I'm still not sure how he did it.   

And a special bonus - we even got to decorate our tree not once, but TWICE.  

As Chris likes to put it, at 10 p.m. on a Monday night our tree decided it was time to lie down for a long winters nap in the middle of our living room.

 There were Ornaments everywhere.  

And notice the crazy sideways ribbon.  

And now our tree is missing a huge chunk out of the side where it landed, but no matter.  

Due to Chris's good work (as seen above), the tree stands again!  

It's like the resurrection, Christmas tree version.

We also took a little trip to visit Santa.  

And as soon as she saw Santa she began clinging onto Chris for dear life.    

Sooooo, we compromised.  There were no tears, so we considered this a win.

We've even made our salt dough ornaments.

Do I get bonus points for having this done before New Years?  

(I was a little late to the game last year)

And Lexi even got into the Christmas spirit (thanks to Nana)! 

Of course this lasted all of five minutes.

As you can see, it's been a crazy beautiful season.  

Thankfully it's been full of people we love and lots of fun activity.  

From our family to you...

We hope that your holidays are bright 

...And your tree stays upright.

With Love, 

The Schroeders

  

       

Thoughts on Thirty!

Last week I officially passed into "real" adult territory with my 30th birthday.  The big 3-0 makes it feel like there's no more negotiating my adult status.  I'm certainly thankful for everyday, and I know it's a beautiful gift to be celebrating 30.  In reality, I actually feel like 30 will probably fit me pretty well...despite needing to dye a few more gray hairs, no longer being carded because I definitely don't pass for a 21 year old, and having to invest in a SMOKIN' HOT mouth guard (I recently found out I'm a lifelong teeth grinder).  

What's 30 for, if not for spending $600 on a custom mouth guard?

Anyways, I've been mulling over this transition.  Recently the importance of intention has become very apparent to me, and I hope to become more intentional going forward.  Lately life has felt more reactive then proactive, and thirty seems like an excellent opportunity to change that.  Here are 10 goals I'm focusing on over the next year.

I know some of these aren't clearly defined goals and will not be "checked off" this list a year from now, but it's my list and I'll break the "goal-setting" rules if I want to.

So basically I'm starting off 30 with rebellion.

1) Invite people over more often.  
In my twenties I wasted too much time believing our home wasn't "guest ready" and I wouldn't always extend the invite.  Now I know that it's more important to me to practice hospitality then to have a well put together place.  Even though we live in a rental that doesn't reflect my style preferences, I want our home to be somewhere that people come and feel welcome. So what if my living room doesn't have the cutest accessories and the lower level is still jam packed with moving boxes from 18 months ago?  You're welcome at our place anyway.  

To really put this into practice beginning in November Chris and I will provide an open invite to anyone who wants to come to our place for lunch.
Basically, COME PLAY AT OUR HOUSE AND WE'LL FEED YOU.

"Sunday Soup and Salad at the Schroeders"

Date: Every Sunday, Beginning November 2nd, 2014

Time: 12:30 p.m.

 Chris would also like me to throw in "and sometimes sandwiches" because that would also be easy prep, and my husband has a deep love for these delicious delights.

2) Embrace the Gym (or Great Outdoors!) at least three times a week.  
Two years ago, I was a regular attendee at YMCA kickboxing and zumba classes.  Now, I'm lucky if I make it outside to walk Lexi for ten minutes.

Unfortunately our occasional walk to Starbucks for a delicious indulgence WITH whip doesn't count towards my workout goals.  

I have really struggled with how to make workouts regular with a baby, but I'm ready to make the extra effort here.  And If anyone has recommendations for exercise classes in the Johnson County area, I'm ALL EARS.
       

3) Be More Heart, and Less Attack.  
I've been listening to this song written by the group NeedToBreathe, and I love it.  I'm trying to be a little more like this everyday. "Slow to anger, quick to laugh, be more heart and less attack".          

4) Attempt one month on a healthy eating plan.
Chris and I did a "natural November" two years ago, and I am going to try something similar again this year.  Since Adelaide has been born, it's been too easy to let myself eat whatever is consumable with one hand and call it a meal.  I'm not interested in weight loss, but I definitely feel the need for a healthy living reset.  If I'm really honest with myself oatmeal chocolate chip cookies are not a breakfast food.  

5) Put the Phone Down.
I want to be present for the people I love, and sometimes I find myself passively checking what's the latest thing on social media.  I need to get this in check, now.  I plan to make certain times of the day "hands free".  I'm thinking evenings after 6:00 p.m. are a good place to start.    

6) Get consistent with my Bible reading.  
I often read books about the Bible and faith in general, but in reality, I need to go TO the Bible.  I've started using the "She Reads Truth" app to help keep me on track.     

7) Complete a 30 day Organization Challenge.
I've told Chris everyday for the past two weeks that I am UP.TO.HERE. with our organization probz.  We have very little storage space in our rental, so stuff (specifically baby stuff) has been piling up and I need a plan to get our organizational issues under control.  Also, I love a good challenge.  I'm gonna get started on this, stat.  

Case in point: the current state of our basement.  I wish I were kidding.

8) Be More Intentional as a Mom.  

Adelaide is at a really fun age right now where she is so interactive and loves to play, play, play.  I hope to come up with a unique and fun age-appropriate activity at least once a week for her. 

This is what I'm talkin' bout! 

 I also want to become more consistent about documenting our daily adventures together.  I have this awesome one line a day journal, but I'm not what you'd call consistent in using it. 

9) Become a better memory keeper. 

I am awful at the laundry game.  

I am probably the worst grocery shopper on the planet (even with a list).

But one thing I know I can do better then anyone else?  

I can definitely be the best memory keeper for my family.  

This entails a couple things.  First, I want to get better at photography.  Chris purchased online classes for me for Christmas last year, and I just need to prioritize the lessons and practice.  Second, I need to get the memories documented!  This means getting the thousands of pictures we have on our computer into picture books (again, suggestions appreciated!)  I'd also love to be more consistent about blogging our stories, but first things first, right?

10) Rejoin the ranks of Home Ownership

I've really missed spending money on home maintenance. 

Just kidding.

We're just ready to have our own place again. 

Here's to another trip around the sun!  

   

  

   

   

A Saturday at the Apple Orchard

I have a hard time picking favorites.  I'm indecisive and overly analytical, and I can sometimes have trouble committing and choosing JUST ONE.

So every year when fall comes around, I'm all "FALL IS MY FAVORITE!"  And it is.  I love all the fall activities, flavors, and scents.  I love it all.  But then in March, the new grass sprouts, the little yellow daffodils bloom, and I can't handle all the newness, so I declare spring to be my new favorite.

So basically I refuse to commit to a favorite season.

But this weekend, I was sure it was fall.

We spent Saturday at Cider Hill Family Orchard right outside Kansas City.  It's a U-Pick Orchard, and they have the most delicious apple cider donuts to boot.  We visited Cider Hill two years ago right before we moved to Kansas City, and we've wanted to make it back ever since.  Saturday was the perfect opportunity.

Adelaide was a great helper, and quickly gave up her cheerios so both hands would be free for the apples.

She WOULD. NOT. LET. GO. of the apple in her hand.

And then she kept licking the apples, but couldn't quite bite through the peel.  

Of course once she had TWO apples there was no going back to holding  just  one. 

So we put her in the stroller holding both apples to begin the trek back.  

When we checked on her again, she was most definitely devouring a 

WHOLE APPLE.  

ALL BY HERSELF.

Which she's NEVER done before!!

She had broke through the skin and was eating the apple.  

I probably looked like a crazy person freaking out over my baby eating an apple.  At an orchard. 

I still cut up a lot of things for her because I'm scared she'll choke.

And much like at the orchard, she's always made it clear when she's ready for a little more independence.

I carried her the rest of the way back, thinking that would be safer.  

Probably untrue, but we've already established I'll own my crazy.   

While Chris was in line for donuts, I found a spot to let little Miss Independent eat her apples. 

This face means business.

A little more relaxed, but still taking our apple eating very seriously.

Isn't this the sweetest?

We love her so.

And then we dropped BOTH apples.  

It happened so fast. 

She was ready to fly off the steps, rescue the dirt covered apple, and continue right where they left off. 

Losing the apples was a real low point. 

"I'M IN A GLASS CAGE OF EMOTION!!!!"

Fortunately, we picked enough apples to feed a small army.

Enter apple #3 and apple cider donuts. 

I'd pick the donut too, baby girl.

While we were there, they were setting up for a beautiful fall wedding.

Which made me want to get married all over again.

This time, in an apple orchard.

We loved our Saturday morning adventure at Cider Hill, and we hope to make this an annual adventure. 

What are your favorite fall traditions or festivities?

I'm realizing it takes real intention to create traditions, and I'd love to know your favorites.     

    

Be Prepared!

It's unbelievable to me that we have already celebrated Adelaide's first birthday, but every parent who has walked the face of the earth has been warned: "It goes SO fast!"  And although it's cliche, it is absolutely true.  If the next 17 years go as quickly as the first, I'm going to blink and tomorrow Adelaide will be walking across the stage in a tasseled graduation cap and gown.

As most people do with any major milestone, lately I've been reflecting on the past year.  The past year has been smoother then I expected in many ways.  I've always said that Adelaide has been a pretty easy baby, so caring for her has been relatively straightforward (to this point, ha!)  Her birth went as well as we could have hoped, she was a champion nurser from the get-go, and we never had challenges like reflux or a dairy allergy.  We ABSOLUTELY had our share of parenting "whoopsies" and there were plenty of times when I asked Adelaide to "give mommy the grace" because I didn't immediately pick up what she was putting down...but overall, our transition to being parents was smoother then either Chris or I expected.

With one exception.  The logistical mastery and planning required in caring for a brand. new. baby.

The non-stop planning and logistics of parenthood took me completely by surprise.  The constant timing of feedings, diaper changes, naps,  etc...completely blew me away.  Which was surprising because I am a planner by nature.  From the minute Adelaide was born, life began to be driven by when she needed to eat next, whether she had wet a diaper, and how long her last nap was.  All of a sudden life was measured in 2-3 hour increments because that was the window I had between nursing sessions.  Instead of waltzing out the door to Target with only my purse and car keys in hand, all of a sudden I felt like I was trying to pull off a military operation with a carry-on suitcase (aka diaper bag) hanging off my shoulder JUST TO GET OUT THE DOOR.

Every time I wanted to get out of the house, this is what my mental checklist sounded like...

Do I have a pacifier in case she has a meltdown?
Do I have a blanket so she'll be comfortable in her car seat on the way there?
Do I have socks on her feet so she's fully clothed?
SHE'S FUSSING, WHY IS SHE FUSSING?!  DOESN'T SHE WANT TO GO TO TARGET TOO!!??
Do I have enough diapers in the diaper bag in case she has a blowout in the middle of the produce section?
Do I have a change of clothes, in preparation for said theoretical blowout?
What about wipes, did I run out the last time she had a blowout?
Where are the extra wipes?!!
ARE WE OUT OF WIPES?!!
Add wipes to the list!
WHERE IS MY FREAKIN' LIST?!!

And that is how life felt everyday for the first few months. As a new parent you're constantly evaluating EVERY situation, trying to avert disaster.  I was like the newest boy scout - their motto "BE PREPARED" on repeat in my head.  Every activity is always preceded by a very long mental checklist and then I'm running around LIKE A CRAZY PERSON trying to pull off whatever task we need to accomplish.

Even after a year of adjusting to this new lifestyle full of logistics, we still have our share of parenting fails.  Take last weekend, when we were headed to Hutchinson for a couple's shower to celebrate my brother Bud and his fiance Anna.  Chris's famous last words as we walked out the door, "If we forgot it, we can buy it!"  Little did we know we'd be buying a $100 pack n'play BECAUSE WE FORGOT TO BRING A PLACE FOR OUR BABY TO SLEEP.  Along with forgetting the pack n'play, we also forgot the shower gift.  #parentingfail  

As a result of this constant planning, I can tell you that over the past year I've felt as though I'm in a fast moving river current, being pulled along, from one day to the next.  For the most part I'm keeping my head above water, but sometimes the current speeds up and I'm pulled under.  I always resurface, but the river never stops moving.  The days always go by too fast (but at the same time there are days it feels like the afternoon will never end).  Perhaps the constant planning and logistical execution is part of the reason time feels like it flies at exponential speeds as a parent.  This hilarious video paints a pretty decent picture of life with the babes.

All this planning...it's to make sure that from the moment they are born, they can sense how loved, how cared for, and how wanted they are.  I know there will be maaaaaany times we need Adelaide to "give us the grace" because we've missed something, regardless of our best efforts.  Despite all our mistakes (those made and those yet to be made), I hope Adelaide never doubts how much we love her.  

 

    







                  

How do you measure a year?

It's impossible that you are already one year old, but here we are celebrating your first birthday.  

It seems like just yesterday we were announcing your arrival, and singing you the birthday song for the very first time (that gem of a video, here).  

Your dad and I have been praying for you since the day we found out there was a you, and we've prayed so many things on your behalf.  God has already answered so many of our prayers in your first year of life, and we continue to be amazed at God's goodness displayed through you.

As we look forward to the years ahead of us,

We pray...

that you'll have a rich faith in God and know the Lord deeply

with a compassionate heart to love others

and resilience to carry you through life's trials

that you'll be hard working and confident in your abilities, but humble and conscientious 

growing up to be gracious and wise, 

clothed in strength and dignity

laughing without fear of the future (Proverbs 31:25)

that you're always surrounded by the people who love you 

and you never for a single second doubt how very loved you are

that health issues will be few and far between

and regardless of how life twists and turns, 

 that you know real joy and remain truly grateful in all circumstances.

(On a more hilarious note, I also think this prayer by Tina Fey for her daughter sums things up rather well.)

Last week as I was preparing for Adelaide's party the song "Seasons of Love" popped into my head.

   (In case you've been under a rock and have never heard the song Seasons of Love, here it is for your listening pleasure.  I trust it will be on repeat in your head all day.  You're welcome.) 

As I listened to the lyrics I felt like it was written just for a first birthday...

(Cue the music!)         

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes

Five hundred twenty five thousand moments so dear

Five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure, measure a year?

In daylights,

in sunsets

In midnights,

 in cups of coffee

In inches,

 in miles, 

in laughter,

 in strife

In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes

How do you measure, a year in the life? 

Happy First Birthday Sweet Pea.  

Denial...It's not just a River in Egypt.

If Adelaide had arrived on her estimated due date, we'd be celebrating her first birthday TODAY.

This means my baby is almost a year old.

She was like, six pounds, just yesterday.

Good news, she does like to eat, so she's not six pounds anymore! 

I've quite possibly been in denial that her FIRST birthday is upon us.

And maybe I'm still in denial, which is why I'm writing this post instead of preparing for her FIRST birthday bash this weekend.  And perhaps why her 12 month wardrobe was looking REAL slim until things got desperate last weekend and I finally accepted that SHE'S NOT 9 MONTHS ANYMORE. Do you know what happens when your babe sizes up from 9 months to 12 months?  

You shop in the toddler section.  

And that is just unreal.

BECAUSE SHE IS STILL A BABY, RIGHT?!?!    

I think the reality of this milestone is finally hitting me, and it has resulted in some serious procrastination and I'll admit, a couple tears.

It is unbelievable how FAST time has flown...and it doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. 

 



 

No place I'd rather be.

Have you ever traveled somewhere, and then returned to that very place to find that it may be even better then you remembered?   

I'm starting to understand that some things really do get better with age.

Just like this guy.  Ow, ow!   

Or maybe, it's that your appreciation of those places or people increases because you've seen a little more of the world, and understand something exceptional when you see it.  

This is how I felt being back in Hilton Head last week.

Growing up, my family would spend two glorious weeks visiting Hilton Head almost every summer.  Two entire weeks seems impossible now, but it was perfect.  We'd spend two days driving down in a huge conversion van, passing time using the license plate game,  playing Super Nintendo,  and watching movies like Dumb and Dumber (my brothers' choice) and Runaway Bride (mine).  When we arrived on Hilton Head, we would stop at the local grocery store to stock up for the week and then head to the house my family would rent for our two weeks there.

We've always stayed on the same little part of the island, an area known as Sea Pines.
Sea Pines is an area dedicated to protecting and showcasing the Island's natural beauty.
There is very little commercial development, no neon signs, no stop lights, and biking is considered a primary mode of transportation.

It's a place where deer hang out by the pool in the morning.

Where dolphins swim so close to the shore, you could unintentionally find yourself face to face with flipper. 

And alligators have been spotted crossing the road. 

HIDE THE PURSE DOGS!

That gem was taken on our trip in 2007.  

Growing up we would rent bikes as a family and go for "long, leisurely bike rides".  

We'd spend days on the beach searching for shells with my mom, and learning how to back float from my dad, master of the back float.

We'd soak up afternoons at the neighborhood pool when the beach got too hot due to the South Carolina sun and humidity. 

And we'd spend a few afternoons indulging in the excellent golf, and fabulous Outlet malls.

So you can imagine how one week with Adelaide FLEW BY.
It felt like one of the fastest weeks of my life. 

We did all the same activities. 

Adelaide adored her first bike ride.  

And of course we spent one afternoon taking a long leisurely ride to Harbour Town and back. 

Like a boss. 

A family picture in front of the iconic lighthouse. 

(That one is for you, Amy!)

And an action shot for good measure. 

We spent days splashing in the pool... 

And playing in the sand.

Somebody was especially interested in eating the sand...

And exploring with our trusty green sand shovel. 

For the first time EVER, ladies outnumbered men.  

It was great having Bud's fiance, Anna, and Sam's girlfriend, Celeste, on the trip too.  

  We spent a morning shopping at the outlets....

And even got a round of golf in.   

After our days of play, we'd go out for dinner as a group. 

Many nights we found ourselves at the Marina.  

 It's a short walk from our place, and they always have live music. 

Not to mention, seriously fun activities for the little people.

Hula Hoops, painting, and a DJ.  For the love.

It's also home to the very well loved Salty Dog Cafe. 

  So.  I may be a tad partial...

\

But there's no place I'd rather be.