Strength

As I sit here, I am struggling with my own strength.  Fighting a diet and wishing I could be without temptation.  Our home teacher showed up last night with home baked cinnamon rolls with cream cheese icing (my favorite) and I broke down and yelled out "I QUIT! GIVE ME ONE!"  Eric, of course, held me away and refused to let me give in, knowing I would regret it.  Even threatened to call my mother who is doing the diet with me long distance.  I spent the rest of the night having my own pity party, sobbing several times about how hard this was.  Then this morning came and I got on here to read the updates on my friends blogs.
Two of my friends are going through breast cancer right now.  Reading their blogs humbled me and chastised me for being such a wuss!  The strength I find in these two wonderful ladies and their families is so remarkable.  I am made humble by the fact that my struggles with fitting back into my clothes are nothing compared to the struggles that they are forced to endure.  I am doing this by choice.  They are doing this to spare their lives.
I am so grateful that both of them are so far, faring well and have a good chance of beating their ugly foe.  The blessing of the Lord are great.  The little miracles every day are proof of His love and kindness.  The perspective it has given to all of us that surround them is a blessing as well.
Be grateful.  Share love.  Worry about what matters.  Let go of what doesn't.  Trust in the Lord.
THE LORD IS OUR STRENGTH.
Once again, the Lord is teaching me to get outside of myself.  If I am focusing more of my time on serving others I will have less time to think about hunger and temptation.

A Kindred Soul

As I recently sat watching a docudrama about my personal domestic situation, (A Denis the Menace Christmas), my heart found a kindred soul in Mrs. Mitchell (Denis' mother) as she introduced herself to a support group, and so I echo to people everywhere; "Hello, My name is Marla Schmitt, and I am the mother of a Spirited Child.... x 4!"  (All of whom are beautiful and well-intentioned boys- no matter the calamity that follows in every footstep!)

A feeling of gratitude

Wow!  Have I been negligent of my blog!  Thanks to my mother who decided to start her own blog that I have thought about mine!

Just wanted to say, it is Christmas time, my favorite time of the year.  I am so blessed this year.  I love my family.  We have had a wonderful season and the kids are being kinder and more serving to one another, and life is good at the Schmitt home.  This momma is happy.  I love the Spirit which dwells among men on earth this time of year and wish it was all year long, but will sapp up all that I can for now!

Merry CHRISTmas to all!  God bless us, everyone!

Could I have this dance?

I had some Southern Gospel music playing this morning while I was doing my ironing and my little Dylan came and wanted to dance with me.  Moments like these are so good!

Another Trip to Branson

My parents came to see Daniel in the State Championships and then took the boys back home with them for a couple weeks. During this time I began the daunting task of painting the house.

From Another Trip to Branson

After 8 years of white builder's grade paint on the walls, now covered with fingerprints and custom art from the boys, I couldn't stand it any longer and had to repaint! Although I did not get it completed before we had to go pick up the boys from Mom and Dad's, I did make great headway.
Headed back out to Missouri in the RV, Eric and I stayed with Rob and Angela Colt and boys in Wichita the first night then on to Branson.

From Another Trip to Branson

It was conference weekend so we all huddled to watch conference,

From Another Trip to Branson

celebrated Easter and Dylan's birthday which were on the same day, and then spent a few days playing in the beautiful spring weather, with blossoms and sunshine at Wallens Bluff

From Another Trip to Branson

and at Rock Creek, Silver Dollar City

From Another Trip to Branson

(We went down in the Marvel Cave that started the whole theme park),

From Another Trip to Branson

and a couple shows.  We also trekked Wilson's Creek Battlefield just north of Branson which was a premier site of the Civil War.

From Another Trip to Branson

We enjoyed eating at Lambert's Cafe (Home of the throwed rolls) where we were awed by Nana's attempt at a light meal when she ordered the salad (see picture and you will be awed as well!) 

From Another Trip to Branson

One little drawback came when Joshua got into who knows what (poison ivy?) and ended up in the ER.

From Another Trip to Branson

We came back through Wichita for another night so the boys could all play together. Back we came to snow....snow....snow....lovely Colorado who doesn't know what it means to be SPRINGTIME!

An Amazing Athlete

So, Daniel decided last spring that baseball wasn't his thing.  He began gymnastics.  In a few months time he accellerated 4 levels and prepared for his first competition.  During this time we see a tremendous change in Daniel.  His self-esteem skyrockets, his muscles grow, and he becomes a star in his brothers' eyes.   His debut was at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs!  He did a great job for his first meet and was able to meet several actual Olympic gymnasts.  Only competing in 4 total meets  for season, Daniel quickly learns what competition is about and drastically improved his techniques.  Culminating with the Colorado State competition, Daniel impressively competed and placed 7th in the State of Colorado in his age/level category!!  Way to go, Daniel!

Return to blogging....

After a long winter's nap, I have returned to my blog and commit to writing a little about what has been going on over the past few months....
We will start with Christmas.  We loaded up the RV and headed to Branson, Missouri to spend Christmas at my parents and with my sister and her family who live just half hour north of there.  We had a grand time.

Not wanting to waste time and energy on decorating the house for Christmas, since we wouldn't be here, I decided to decorate the RV.  In the end it looked like Christmas threw up all over our RV.  Eric said we looked like National Lampoon's and should put a sign on the back saying, "Redneck Christmas Express."  We didn't care because the kids absolutely loved it and it was entertaining to see reactions from those sharing the roadways with us, especially at night when we had the inside lights twinkling and strobing and flashing as we drove down the highway!  It ended up making a wonderful Christmas memory and I wouldn't have changed it for any touch of style in the world!

We had a great time in Branson.  Last year, they were boating on Table Rock Lake.  This year, we were cuddled up inside during a very unusual weather occurrence of snow for Christmas.  And not just a little snow.....we had enough to go sledding!  Thank you Colton, who prayed and prayed, against all odds, for snow for Christmas!  We woke up Christmas morning to the most beautiful snow cover.  So anyway, we were unable to enjoy the outdoor activities we had planned but had lots of fun all together as a family, playing games and baking cookies, etc.  We did get to go see a great Nativity show and also take in the beautiful decorations and lighting at Silver Dollar City.
It was a very Merry Christmas!