2010 Year in Review...

Because it seems like the perfect thing to do... I'm going to do a Year in Review.
Get some coffee and a cookie, settle in, enjoy listening to my ramble... if you make it to the end... reward your self with another cookie!

To get started, I found these questions at this link from a friend's facebook page.

Year End Review Questions:
1. What are the 2-3 themes that personally defined 2010 for me?
Themes- WOW!! This is good!
Theme 1: Love!!
How could it not be. I mean seriously I did get married to the love of my life this year. I have spent the whole year transitioning into being a fiance to being a wife (which is much more work than I thought it would be!)
Theme 2: Relationships!!
There have been many changes in my life this year, however the biggest one (including location) has been relationship changes. Most have been great changes. A few that changed are:
I am now a wife
I lost a best friend for reason's I am not aware of
I left my home and my relationship with those friends shifted
My relationship with my parents has changed... it is a good change! There is more respect, love and understanding all the way around.
My relationship with Cami (my dog and most precious baby girl) even changed... she is not my top priority any more... we have both had a hard time adjusting to that. (she also had a relationship change... she now has a brother... she is still NOT adjusting well to this)
I have also developed some new relationships with wonderful people here in Bartlesville!! They have been amazing. Everyone has opened their arms to me and just taken me in!
Theme 3: Change!!
This year has been all about change... and for those of you that know me, you know that change does not come easy to me. In fact I tend to fight it with everything in my body. I would rather be miserable where I am than change and be happy sometimes. However, the changes that have happened have been amazing. Such a great opportunity for me to really learn to put my trust in God as my ROCK! Now that it is over... (for a while I hope) I have loved every moment of this ever changing season!




2. What people, books, accomplishments, or special moments created highlights in 2010?
People: My family!!
Book: I read for the 5th time Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and for the 5th time it changed my life
Accomplishments: Did I mention that I got married this year?
Special moments: Our wedding... this is just a "no duh" answer for everything big in this year




3. Give yourself a grade from 1-10 in the following areas of focus for 2010: vocationally, spiritually, family, relationally, emotionally, financially, physically, recreationally.


vocationally: Well let me tell you, this has totally rocked my world this year. As I made the transition from Midland to Bartlesville I looked for a teaching position. However, due to budget cuts and layoffs in Oklahoma education there were few opportunities. So we began praying that God would provide a job for me. No sooner than we started praying than we were lead to the doors of a non-profit Christian organization. I am an Admin Assistant in our Newsletter department. I have learned a whole new skill set. I love the opportunities it has provided me, however, at times it has been a hard transition from the classroom. God is using this job to shape me though. I have learned so much and I am so grateful for that. 
spiritually: Sometimes I think we are brought to places where we MUST grow spiritually. In the midst of all these transitions, God has been my rock, my strength, my encourager, and so much more. So spiritually I have grown... and hope and pray I am always stretched and pushed to grow more. 
family: My family changed in a MAJOR way! Not only did I get a husband, but I also got a son (Buster the boxer-with a tail), I got a sister-in-law, I got a mother and father -in-law, 2 new aunts & grandparents. We have all been changing and adapting to what each other's personalities are, how we handle different situations, our strengths & weaknesses. It really had been great. 
relationally: Someone was talking to Andrew and I and he described relationships. He said that a relationship is deeper than a friendship. A relationship should mirror your relationship with God. Someone you talk to DAILY, someone that you share all your emotions with, someone who knows everything about you. So I have added the relationship of my husband to my relationships, I am also trying to be more cautions with the way that I use the word RELATIONSHIP. 
emotionally: I am TOTALLY not an emotional person!! I am probably the most level headed, constant person I know... BAHAHAHAHAHAAHHHAHAHHA that was fun! For a moment I believed it. Then I got my feelings hurt. Emotionally this year has been NUTS. There was the whole falling in love, engagement & wedding. I could really stop there but just for giggles and grins lets add leaving home, changing jobs, new friends, new church and getting 2 new roommates. HOLY COW!! I kinda want to have a quick little mini-meltdown right here right now! Yes emotionally this year has been a roller coaster- nuff said. Lets move on! 
financially: 2 incomes is nice!! However; rent, bills, groceries, dogs & entertainment are expensive. We have come a long way. We have & still are making the transitions into a 2 income household. It is hard being on a budget. It is hard having someone else who has input on how you spend money. It is just HARD! (But always getting better!!)
physically: Good gravy!! No one warned me that I would gain weight when I got married. SERIOUSLY!! I married a personal trainer and so I guess I thought that I would just be in shape. NOT! I have tried working out a few times... it was fun, until I hurt the next day. Andrew even tried training me, then he decided he liked to eat dinner with out worrying about food poisoning. Now for Andrew's birthday, we have decided to run a half marathon in May. So ... ask me next year how I'm doing physically, I'll either be feeling great or be dead!
recreationally: Fun?? What is that?? There is NO fun in Marriage!! There is no fun in Oklahoma!! YEAH RIGHT!! We have fun all the time... except when we are not having fun. Anyways- I have learned to have fun doing little things like cooking dinner & watching a movie at home for date night. My next goal is to learn to have fun while cleaning the house and doing laundry. If I succeed I'll be the happiest dang woman ALIVE!! You won't be able to contain the excitement!!

4. What am i working on that is BIG for 2011 and beyond?
Wow- after the year that I have had BIG for 2011 is going to be quite small on most people's scales. But as a family our BIG project will be running our half marathon in May.
For myself it is going to be working on changing my attitude. If you haven't noticed... I can be QUITE the pessimist.
5. As I move into 2011, is a majority of my energy being spent on things that drain me or things that energize me?


OH wow! This one is hard, and I hate the answer I have for it.
I do believe that it is draining me and I hate that. I do believe that I am waisting WAY to much time on the negative things in life and not celebrating ALL the joy that I have to experience every day! I am way beyond blessed. God has been so good to me!!
6. How am I preparing for 10 years from now? 20 years from now?
I know you are going to laugh but...
for the next 10 and 20 years ...
I'm preparing to keep up with my children!! Physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and educationally!! NO we are not expecting and do not want kids right away. However, someday... they will be here. And when they are I want to enjoy everything about them. I don't want to be so sleepy, overwhelmed or depressed that I can't love them fully.




7. What 2-3 things have I been putting off that I need to execute on before the end of the year?
YIKES... my dads gonna get me for this but... I think that I still have a handful of thank you notes from the wedding that need to be sent out... they are done... just not sent!! I know... total laziness. I here you loud and clear. I will do it!! OK!! I promise!! Before 2012 I will have them in the mail... ohhhhk dad... I will have them in the mail before you come see me January 7th!! I PROMISE!! I REALLY DO. (I'm sorry...)


New Years Resolutions- I usually don't do New Years Resolutions because honestly, I never follow through much past January 5th... if that far. However, this year I am setting some pretty serious goals. Here they are... feel free to hold me to them and ask me about them often!

• Run a half marathon- Why not? Everyone is doing it.
• Have more control over my eating habits- There really isn't an option in my house.
• Find time every day to appreciate something God has done in my life- SERIOUSLY... He is so good to me and I take it for granted all the time.
• Quit biting my nails! - yes I know this should have been my New Years Resolution when I was 7... but it never happened and I just wasn't ready. However, now I am no longer getting my nails "done" and I am making the choice to act like an adult and QUIT biting them. It is nasty!! It is GROSS!! EWWWWWW who does that... oh yeah KIDS... kids who don't know better. SO I will be quitting. You heard it here. If you see me biting them... SLAP ME! Tell me it is nasty. Tell me you can't be friends with nail bitters... tell me I stink. Just please don't tell me I'm not pretty... you don't even want to know the melt down that that will lead too...
• Learn my husband's love languages- and use them often! - I hate that I haven't really taken the time to do this. I "thought" I knew them... I was wrong. (Or I'm not doing them right!)
• Continue to build relationships no matter how scared I get about loosing someone - Weather it be from moving, death or changes in situations; I don't need to be scared to get close to someone. The friends that I have are what have made my life here in Bartlesville amazing!
• Hang out with friends at least once a week- My hubs and I were talking last night about the fact that we NEVER ever see our friends. We were wondering what ever happened to just stopping bye someones house. So ... ladies and gentle men- this is your warning. The Schumacher's might be stopping by at any moment. Don't freak out if your house a wreck, the kids are crying or dinner is on the table. We are just stopping by to say Hi and see your fabulous faces. After all... for now we are pretty mobile. It is fairly easy for us to run around. When we have the babies and yours are bigger... we will fully expect for you to just stop by our place unannounced. OH and here is the good news- if you are busy... "busy" or it is NOT a good time, don't answer the door. We won't lurk long. And if we see all the lights go out and blinds suddenly shut... we will eventually get the hint. Also, we don't want to intrude, so if we are staying WAY past an acceptable time, by all means- KICK US OUT!! We do not want to be "those people"!!

SO that is my year-in-review!
I hope you enjoyed it... It was good for me to think through.

Happy New Year!!

Quiet little prayers

I am blessed to work in a place where I am surrounded by fellow believers. Weekly we have a chapel meeting where we hear updates on what our organization is doing in other countries.
Today we hard about North and South Korea. Our speaker told us about the different ways that they are taught and basically brainwashed.
One thing that we always as them is HOW can we pray for YOU? This is how they responded:
We pray for you! Westerners are so full of money and things that they truly don't know how to worship. How true is that. We don't know anything about going with out.
This idea blows me away!! But, it is so true. Us "westerners" don't have a good grasp of what it is to be 'with out" anything. Everything we have ever needed or wanted is at our finger tips. However, in the Bible it says that TRUE believers will be persecuted against. So Koreans see this as a natural way of life. If they choose to follow Jesus, then they chose to do without. However, Americans have a comfortable relationship with Jesus. We will NOT do with out. Just look at our churches today... many of them have nice cushy seats, some serve coffee and some even serve donuts and other breakfast treats in the  mornings. The lights are turned down low during worship time so that we can "focus" or "not be noticed" as we worship. Everyone wears their "Sunday best" and often leaves church to go indulge in a meal that could normally feed 2 or 3 adults.
Shame on us for thinking that this is what we deserve. We do NOT deserve anything... Christ gave up His LIFE for us. We deserve nothing but death.

The second point that was made was the way we pray. Koreans are blown away that we pray so quietly. When they pray they SHOT to the Lord. They begin their prayers by throwing their arms up in the air and shouting "LORD! LORD! LORD!" then they speak their prayers out loud with out humiliation, with out being self conscious, with out shame. I pray all day long. They are simple and in my head; usually sounding like "Jesus give me patience" "Jesus help me understand!" "Jesus help me figure this out!!" And occasionally it may sound something like this "Thank you Jesus for ..." but honestly that is rarer than the cries for help!
I have no doubt that God hears these prayers. There have been often times I have been granted understanding, patience, and peace... but in my heart I wonder how much more peace I would feel should I shout my prayers and praises to the heavens.
In chapel this morning we did just that!! We started by SHOUTING "Yo Choy! Yo Choy! Yo Choy!" which is Korean for "Lord!" then we spoke our prayers out loud. I will admit I was afraid to do this. Even in the safety of our small chapel group, however I stood there surrounded by others who were worshiping and crying out their prayers to our Lord. It was amazing. The room was filled with the Holy Spirit!

I'm not saying silent prayers are not ok, I'm not saying every prayer needs to be shouted. I'm just saying that we Americans take for granted the freedoms we have.

Ok that is my rant and rave for now... Hopefully after Christmas I'll have happy wonderful things to report back on.

Merry Christmas to you all!!

Dear X

Dear X (You don't own me) by Disciple came on the House FM this morning as I was blow drying my hair. This song reached out to me and grabbed my heart. It talks about not letting a feeling or emotion take over your heart. My favorite part is "Go ahead/You're never gonna take me/ You can bend/ But you're never gonna break me/ I was yours/ I'm not yours anymore/ Oh, you don't own me!! What freedom.

Many of you know that for years I have struggled with depression. Some of this being from my past, some being genetic. I tend to beat myself up constantly. Last night was one of those nights. We went to find clothes to wear for family pictures this week and I could not find ANYTHING to fit. Andrew even had to tell me that a pair of jeans I tried on were too tight. My heart was broken. Some parts of me are too small, most are just too big. I was beating myself up all night long. I had a small melt down on the drive home. I called my mom and she talked to me. She is taking me out shopping tomorrow and everything will be ok. But this morning I couldn't help but let this song sink into my heart.... Dear Depression... YOU DON'T OWN ME!! I might struggle with this... it might cause me to bend... but it will not cause me to break. I am a child of God. He choose me, and he would not choose anything less than worthy. Besides that Ephesians 2:10 tells me that I am God's masterpiece. He has created me anew in Christ Jesus, so I can do the good things he planned for me long ago. Yes I changed the verse to make it  personal but I was told once that that is ok. And it is ok to read it just like that... Sit back and think about that... You are God's MASTERPIECE!! He created you NEW in Christ, this means your past is GONE!! He created YOU to do great things!! And on top of that He has planned those good things out. I don't know about you but as a closet (ok not so closet) planner... I find this so reassuring.

So all that to say several things...

• God can speak to you in the midst of noise (blow dryer)
• God created You & Me to do great things that He has planned
• When we don't stop and listen to God in the quiet... He will get our attention among the noise.
• Depression does not define who I am. Christ does... and He says that I am a Child of the Living God and he loves me regardless of how I cook, what I weigh, how clean my house is... the list could go on and on.

Here are the lyrics to the song. Read them... where it says Pain or Hate put that emotion in that you struggle with. Sing the chorus declaring that you will NOT let it take over you!! You will not break!


Dear pain, oh, it's been a long time

Remember when you were holding me tight
I would stay awake with you all night
Dear shame, I was safe in your arms
You were there when it all fell apart
I would get so lost in your beautiful lies
I let you go
But you're still chasing

Go ahead
You're never gonna take me
You can bend
But you're never gonna break me
I was yours
I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Dear hate, I know you're not far
You would wait at the door of my heart
I was amazed at the passion in your cries
Dear anger, you made me so high
You were faithful to show up on time
Such a flame that was burning in your eyes
I let you go
But you're still chasing

Go ahead
You're never gonna take me
You can bend
But you're never gonna break me
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Go ahead
Put a target on my forehead
You can fire
But you've got no bullet
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

You tempted me to look back
But everything that we had together was a lie

Go ahead
You're never gonna take me
You can bend
But you're never gonna break me
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Go ahead
Put a target on my forehead
You can fire
But you've got no bullet
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Go ahead
Put a target on my forehead
You can fire
But you've got no bullet
I was yours
But I'm not yours anymore
Oh, you don't own me

Apples of Gold

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a settting of silver" Proverbs 25:11

Apples of Gold is a program put on by some women at Grace Community Church here in Bartlesville. The program is 7 weeks long. Each week consists of a cooking demonstration, Bible study & dinner. The ladies that lead were our "mentors." To be a mentor is to be of wise and trusted counselor or teacher. These ladies held that title with such grace and love.
When I was invited I was very hesitant about it. I have never been one to hang out with a bunch of women for extended periods of time. And besides that, I was new to Bartlesville and I didn't know hardly anyone that would be there. I went with the encouragement of a few others and quickly realized how desperately I needed this opportunity. God is so good at leading you to the place you need to be, it is just up to us to follow that path.

Each week we covered a different topic. I'll list and sum them up below:

1. Kindness
Mentor: Cindy Molder

The verse that stuck out to me the most was:
Psalm 117:2 "For His lovingkindess is great toward us, and the truth of the Lord is everlasting."

Cindy stressed that kindness is an attitude that is contagious.
Sometimes as a day goes by and I am feeling beaten down and overwhelmed, I can stop and think about my actions and my words to others... were they kind? Most likely not. However, if I change my attitude then others attitudes changes towards me.

2. Loving your Husband
Mentor: Amy Snowden

Something that stuck out to me was this phrase that Amy got from a book.
"What if God designed marriage to make us holy more than to make us happy?
Really... take some time, think about that. You will be perplexed for a while... then relieved. God's mission is to make us Holy!! We were not ever called to be happy!! Hallelujah!!

Amy talked about two topics Respect and Sex.
I was very impressed... I honestly thought this lesson would go something like this...
Women, if you love your husband, have sex with him. The end, good night. Go home.

I was amazed when Amy went into detail about what it meant to R-E-S-P-E-C-T my husband. There were 4 points that she made:
1. If a man feels disrespect, he is going to feel unloved.
2. It's a CHOICE!!
3. You have to show it!!
- Respect his judgement.
- Respect his abilities.
- Respect in communication.
- Respect in public!! (I have had to learn this one!!)
- Respect in our assumptions!!
4. We have incredible power: build up or tear down?

Amy opened my eyes to a new way of looking at my hubs. The way I communicated alone was out of line. I wasn't giving him the respect he needed and deserved as the leader of our family.

3. Submission
Mentor: Nancy Skopak

Nancy and I have a history. We know her and her husband fairly well and enjoy spending time with them. It was great getting to hear her speak. Nancy was also a teacher for a while. I love this about her. It fits her so well. It was NO surprise to me when she brought out the visuals.

Nancy used the illustration of an umbrella during her talk. She said that we are to be covered with the protection of our husbands. Thus we stand under their umbrella. However, even our husbands are imperfect and their umbrellas have rips in them. Therefore the are to stand under the umbrella of the Lord. He has no imperfection or rips. He protects them from any falling rain.

The quote that stuck with me the most is in my bathroom so I see it every morning and evening (maybe more than that).
"Submission is an attitude of my heart. it's an outward sign that I place the goal of a life-long marriage first. This day I choose to join my husband under his umbrella."
This is a choice that is not easily made by someone who lived single for a while. (Much longer than I planned on!) I am very independent and do NOT want to "submit" to anyone! However, it is so amazing when I do. The dynamic of our marriage is so much better for it.
Now, I'm not saying I do this well, thus why I still need the reminders. But, I do try.

4. Loving Your Children
Mentor: Debby Nyhof

Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go (and in keeping with his individual gift or bent), and when he is old he will not depart from it.
Psalm 127:3
Children are a gift from God, they are His reward.

Debby did a great job talking about loving our children. We do not have children right now, so it was hard for me to relate to this. However, it was fun hearing different stories of how others love their children. It was fun thinking back to ways that I KNEW I was loved when I was growing up.

One thing that she stressed that I have heard many of my friends with children say is that, our children are not ours. They are the Lord's. My first initial reaction to that is "Say What!!??" I do believe that I will be doing the birthing, raising and guiding... WRONG!!! How can I be so selfish. I do NOT want to be the one raising my children. I want it to be Christ through the hubs and me. Our children may not follow our "plans" or fulfill our "dreams" that we have for them... however, all we can do is raise them to know the love of the Lord. And pray that they are following His will.

5. Purity
Caroline Casselberry

Psalm 51:10a
Create in my a clean heart, O God!

My first thought was... "Ummmmm I'm married... what does purity have to do with me?"

Caroline sweetly showed me. I could go on and on and on about this.. but I'll make my summary as short and sweet as I can with a few bullet points to think about .

• Regardless of what you have done- if you are a daughter of Christ you are pure!!
• Purity is a FACT for a believer!! Can I get a hallelujah??
• Purity is shown in the way we live: what we say, where we go, what we do
• We are called to live above reproach
• When we leave the "plan" God has prepared for us, we are committing adultery against Him. Much like when a spouse leaves the "plan" of your marriage.
• Purity defined: The moral excellence i demonstrate in my life as I constantly do what is right in God's eyes.
• (My favorite) Purity is a position that we gain as a believer. At an event called Salvation. A purity that will NEVER be taken from you!! Again... hallelujah anyone??

6. Hospitality
Mentor: Kelly Spencer

Hospitality is - cheerfully sharing food, shelter, & spiritual refreshment with those whom God brings into our lives.

The points that Kelly made were great!! She did a wonderful job at opening my eyes to what it really meant to be hospitable. I thought that it was simply... having a clean house, having people over, offering them a drink. (All of which I stink at!)

1. Entertaining Christ
Matthew 22:37-39
You shall love the Lord  your God with all your heart & with all your soul, & with all your mind this is the great & foremost commandment, the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.

2. Dedicating Your Home to God
Psalm 127:1 Unless the Lord builds the house they labor in vain who built it.

* Regardless of how it is now, with God's help, your home can become a home of hospitality.

3. Showing Hospitality to Your Own Family
Proverbs 22:6
Train up a child in the way he should go & when he is old he will not depart from it.

* Kelly shared many ideas of how to show hospitality to our kids. I am so excited to be able to do this. :)

4. Showing Hospitality to Others
Acts 28:7-10
(Its long, I'll summarize)
Paul was visiting an estate where there was a sick man. Even though it was not convenient for the family they hospitably welcomed him. Paul healed the sick man and others on the island. In return they honored Paul in many different ways.

5. Piratical Hospitality
Kelly said something that really scared me ....
She was not an organized person, until God gave her 4 kids.
(My prayer is this ... PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE God, give me organization before you give me the babies!!)

The last week our husbands were invited to come. This was such a treat. We had been hearing so much about all the husbands but didn't know many of them. It was wonderful introducing Andrew to some of my new friends. It was amazing showing him what I had experienced these past 6 weeks. Now he knows why I loved going so much!! We also had an elder at our church speak to the men. He challenged them to love us the way Christ loved the church. (I'm not going to lie... it was hard for me to listen. I was thinking about all I had learned in the past few weeks. I was fighting back tears at how special it was for each of these mentors to pour into us. I was really struggling with self control!!)

Apples of God is over and I am very sad about that, however, I am so glad I was able to experience it. My heart has been overwhelmed with the love of each one of these ladies. I have made many new friends. I have even learned how to make a few things. (I could go on and on about the yummmmmie goodies... but I have to stop somewhere!!)

not recomended

So last weekend we decided to take another trip. We have been very adventuresome lately and have loved it. Recently we had felt the need to get away from "life" for a while. So we decided to go Camping. for the past several months, maybe even the past year, Andrew has been talking about this place called Devil's Den. It is about 30 miles south of Fayetteville Arkansas, which is where Andrew spent most of his growing up years.

I agreed that camping would be fun. (yes... he didn't even have to convince me!!)

We packed the whole family up and headed out on Friday. The dogs were THRILLED to be going for a ride.

Because I tend to get a little wordy (I saw that eye roll) I am just going to list a few bullet points that give the facts... and ONLY the facts... then I'll put some pictures at the end. :) You have to read this way... you don't just get to see the pictures!! HA !

• we arrived around 6pm
• we had to walk 1/2 a mile to our campsite...
• (this was a long ways)
• I packed way too much but I was so glad about that
• My Hubs is part Super Man!!
• We set up the camp site!
• We started a fire.
• The sun went down
• We ate hot dogs for dinner... in the dark... freezing!
• It got cold!
• We went to bed (at 9pm)
• It got colder... 35 degrees. to be exact.
• 4 am- Buster the big dog pukes in the tent!
• 9 am I finally get up... don't even think that I slept that long... there was VERY little sleeping in the cold!! There is a temperature where sleep is in fact impossible. It is below 38 degrees!
• Pop tarts for breakfast
• We went on a hike. My hubs packed us a yummy PB&J lunch and we had a blast!! It was amazing and the dogs did wonderfully!!
• We made it back to the camp ground... I would say we walked about 10 miles Saturday. It was great!!
• We were able to eat in the light on Saturday. :) It was hot dogs again but this time we splurged and added chili!
• We went to bed at 9 again.
• It wasn't as cold this night... and Buster didn't puke!!
• Woke up
• Packed up!
• Went home!!

On the way home we stopped by Fayeteville to see the Hub's Grandparents!! It was so great. I love getting to visit them and spend time with them. Then we went to Siloam Springs to see his mom and dad. They welcomed us with open arms and before we could get to far into the house they showed us to the bathroom where we got to clean up!! (My mother-in-law really understands my need to be clean!!)
Then we came back to the Ville and enjoyed an evening at small group. It was fantastic!
I'm still recovering, mentally, physically & emotionally but ... it was wonderful and next spring... you bet I'll do it again. (However, I will try to negotiate a cabin into it!)

Ok and now past the blah blah blahs... and on to the pictures!!

Buster boy... he is lucky to be alive after his puking stunt Saturday morning!



Cami- The BEST camping dog!!



Getting ready for our hike!



Family picture!!



Cami Joe was such a great little hiker!!

The handy walking stick I found... it was helpful.

Another family picture!

This crazy rock the Hubs just HAD to sit on!!



Resting while we had our lunch! (they almost look like the like each other!)





The leaves were stunning!



I love my family!!





This was the view from our tent! Absolutely STUNNING!

 The trip was a blast!! I'll do it again ... I just need a while to recover. 

My friend Shelby is coming into town this weekend. She is coming all the way from Midland to see me! I just can't believe it. We have lots of fun things planned and next week you can count on a blog update with some fun pictures!! :)

Blessings and happy fall yall!!

no pictures...

This one won't have any great pictures along with it... I'll explain later...



Our weekend started off great. We had a wonderful, relaxed Friday date night in. Saturday morning we got up and went to Jude's and were able to meet with a wonderful loving couple who is going to lead our small group. Poppy and Evelyn are just precious and I can't wait to get to know them even more. After Jude's we went to Atwoods to pick up a few more things for the electric fence. When we got home Andrew busied himself with the fence and I was inside doing Saturday stuff... mostly being lazy. I went out to trick Cami to falling into the fence (to make sure it worked and she knew not to go near the thing!!) well... we both fell into it... and ... IT WORKS!! Dangit!!
We spent the rest of the day being lazy, cleaning up the house, watching football... nothing too exciting. We went to bed that night with Sunday morning on our minds. We just love going to our church and seeing all our friends.
However, as I was getting ready to leave I realized I had left my purse in the car. This is very unlike me. "STUPID!!" I thought to myself. I ran outside to put my coffee in the cup holder and to grab my lip gloss when I realized the contents of our glove box were all over the front seat. Then I realized the big black purse I was expecting to find in the floorboard ... wasn't there.



 I panicked... Andrew panicked... I cried... Andrew panicked. First thing first... cancel that debit card!! Luckily the hoodlums hadn't used it yet. 2nd think about everything that was in that purse... here is what the list looks like...

• Very cute purse (black, held everything in the world)
• Very cute green wallet
• Debit card
• Social Security Card - YUP... MORON!!
• License
• Insurance Cards
• Receipts
• Change
• Bible - my brand new with my married name on it Bible that I LOVED!!
• Calendar - if you know me you know my world is falling apart. That calendar was my GO TO for everything.
• A very cute bag that held all my cosmetics (bath and bodywork's dark kiss lip gloss, various other lip glosses, nail file, mirror...)
• The final 10 + thank you cards that I had written from the wedding.
• Some VERY important meds...  you know the kind that keep you from having babies... VERY VERY important to these Schumachers right now!
• Big full bottle of midol
• Big full bottle of Ibuprofen
• My favorite pen ever
• Pictures of me and my love from before we were married
• Our camera... our beloved camera... I loved that thing! (still do... camera if you are out there... come back home... please.)

Like I said... this purse held everything. I purposefully was hanging on to this thing thinking "this will be a great mommy bag... it will hold everything that a diaper bag will!" oh well!



Here is my conclusion...
I am not mad at the creepos that did this. I'm frustrated with myself for not being more careful. I'm praying for the hoodlums and hoping that they read the Bible and found some good verses that I KNOW I had marked.
My pride is taking a blow... big time these days... this was just another hit.
God is working on me pretty dramatically in these first few months of marriage. I was proud of myself for not ever once getting mad at the bad guys. However, for realizing that the initial mistake was mine. I will continue to pray for them as I run around all week trying to replace all my valuables. I hope that someday I run across them and can tell them I forgive them.
Just because I'm not made, however, doesn't mean I'm not nervous. There was a storm here last night, a big huge storm with glorious rolling thunder booms! It was majestic to say the least. However, it did not help me sleep like it usually does. It only made me jumpy. I heard everything in the house. I dreamed about shadows lurking around. I'm gonna keep praying... God has taken fear away from me before ... and I'm not going to let this hang around me this time.
To top off this weekend I spilt coffee on the console of  my car this morning and I'm not talking a little dribble... half the full mug... in the cup holder. The day started off rough, however... I'm finding reasons to Praise my King!! I will rejoice in my frustration. I will NOT let satan get me down!!

I hope each of you have a great week!!

lessons learned...

For my last semester in college (a student teaching internship) I came back home to Midland. This is where I had grown up and where I swore I would NEVER live again. However, God had other plans and knew what was best for me.
When I moved back home, I moved in to the old room I had before college, (and during on random weekends- used mostly for catching up on sleep.) I loved my house. I loved being home... for a season. It was during this season that I learned many life long lessons that I will never forget. I thought I would take a minute today to share some of them.


Lesson 1: Look around... don't be spontaneous
I began my teaching career in January of 2006. The weather was beautiful. I was turning 23. I still lived with mom and dad but, hey - they were letting me. One day I got a wild hair that I needed to own something of my own. I was SO dependent on them for so much that I wanted freedom (ironic how it is not even close to freedom now)! So I decided to sell the 2000 Honda that they had given me in college for a new car. I looked... I wish I could say long and hard but I can't... I looked for about a week. Saw a PT Cruiser in the paper for $9,000!! Dude - That's totally doable I thought! SO I sold my Honda to a family friend who gave it to their daughter who was going off to college at the time. She loved it ... she is STILL driving it in Louisiana. STINKER!! Anyways... no bitterness here. I sold my Honda, took out a loan for the rest and bought this beautiful, shiny, silver with a sunroof PT Cruiser. Prior to making this decision I received many bits of advice that sounded something like this "Heather, only people over 50 drive PT Cruisers!" "Heather, Your Honda is fantastic, it has room, its in good shape!!" "Heather, there is nothing cool about a PT Cruiser!" "Heather, you will look like a dork driving that car!" And from my dad "Heather, I wouldn't do this if I were you!" But alas, he wasn't me... And I was ready to make my own decisions! So by golly I bought myself a Shiny Silver with a Sunroof PT CRUISER. The car has now been dubbed the "looser cruiser!" We are driving it. It is our family car. Andrew hates it, I hate it. (Actually I hated it about 3 weeks after I got it!) So now the lesson I have learned is to be happy with what you have! Be grateful for what is given to you.


Lesson 2: It is not about WHO I am but about WHO's I am
When I came back home from college a very sweet lady took me in under her wing. Why she picked me I'm not sure. But we had many many conversations at Starbucks over coffee. Some would last hours and hours. She would listen to me pour out my heart and all the burdens that I was struggling with (and there were lots back then) and she would just listen. Sit and listen... and then she would advise me. She would lead me in the direction I needed to go. Not though her words, but though God's. One bit of advice that I have carried with me all these years is "it is not about who I am, it is about WHO's I am!!" So today as I was thinking about this I thought Who am I? I am Heather, I am 26, I am a wife, I am a friend, I am an employee, I am a teacher, I am a listener, I am a cooker, I am a cleaner (most days), I am a talker, I am a singer (didn't say good) and I am a reader... those are just a few things that I am. However, the single most important thing about me is that I am a Child of God's! He looks down on me, despite what I have done, or will do, and he calls me HIS! He takes pride in ME! ME!! Some days I just can't grasp that. Why would the Creator of the Universe care about ME? He must have so much to deal with... but yet he cares about me. Unbelievable.... but yet so very real!


Lesson 3: 'Honor your father and your mother.'
As I moved back home I had a hard time transitioning into having authority again. I went to college for 4 years, and 1 of those lived on my own with out anyone but my dog. However, God knowing what I needed to hear had my pastor speak truth to me one Sunday at church with one of his sermons. He said that regardless of our age or our living situation we are to honor our mother and father. That means that I keep my actions clean, and pure so that they are seen in a good light. I'll be the first one to admit that my parents and I see things in a different light. They have chosen to not drink at all and I have decided that it is ok to have a drink occasionally. They don't feel it is necessary to drive with loud obnoxious music blaring out the open windows of their car, however, I feel like this is the most relaxing thing. They keep their house clean, picked up and presentable at all times, I however kept my room in a wreck. (Not as bad as high school) but it was far from "clean"! I'm not saying that I did a 180 and lived up to my parents standards. There were several times where I was out with friends or listening to a song that was not appropriate that (after it was all over) I was mortified and hoped that my parents friends hadn't seen me. Or I prayed on days that I left my room a wreck that I at least remembered to shut the door in case someone stopped by.


Through all of this newlywed stuff I am learning to honor my parents in different ways. One way that is a struggle for me is by really, truly listening to them. When they offer advice to the hubs and I ... to really stop and listen. When I am cleaning my house it is to my mom's standard. I think to myself "if momma walks in here will she feel comfortable?" If I'm thinking about making a decision that is big I think "is this how momma and daddy became the people that they are?" I want so badly to be as respected as my parents are by their friends. Not only because of their actions but because of their marriage. They are head over heals in love with each other and everyone knows it! Its quite disgusting in a really sweet way.
 I'm sure as time goes by and my relationship with momma and daddy changes so will the way that I honor them. I'm sure it will look different as we move into having a family in a few years. Honestly, I can't wait to see where it goes.


God has brought me a long way from that silly little girl that came back "home" all those years ago. It wasn't THAT long ago, however... with the many lessons learned, (and yes there are more than just 3) it seems like years ago.
So as I go forth and try to look around, remember WHO's I am and honor my father and mother... I pray that I do so with conviction and the integrity that comes with following Christ.

Just a few things

Well here it is... Thursday. Honestly, I never thought this day would get here. I have had a rough week. My sinuses are overwhelmed to say the least. I have a continual headache from the time I wake up to the time I go to sleep. My doctor (yes I went to the doctor) said that I am just getting use to this Oklahoma weather. Apparently fall here is different than fall in West Texas. OH yeah as in it comes before Thanksgiving!! Oklahoma: 1 Texas: 0
Pretty soon the trees ... yes the TREES that we have will not look like this:

And they will start looking more like this:

This makes me so happy. In West Texas our trees pretty much turn Brown after they are green. (If they turned green to begin with.)

So I'll take my headaches. I'll take my sinus meds. I'll be happy!! Because outside my window this year, I will have a beautiful view. I plan on taking seasonal pictures. Oh and this weekend... (Andrew doesn't know it yet) we are decorating for Fall. Oh HAPPY day!!

Camping: The art of getting closer to nature while getting farther away from the nearest cold beverage, hot shower and flush toilet.

So Friday was my friend Renda's birthday. To celebrate I made her a little gift... here are the pictures.

It was so fun getting to do something fun and special for her for her Birthday. I loved it.

Then Friday night the hubs thought that it would be fun to go camping to celebrate 3 months of marriage. (yes we are still silly and celebrate our monthly anniversaries... and I plan on doing this for awhile... till we forget basically...) For those of you who know me you must be thinking "CAMPING??? Heather??? What was he thinking?? Does he know you at all??" The answer to all these questions is... YES. Yes. yes...

We went camping at Osage Hills here in Bartlesville... it was a "trial run" before we REALLY camp in October at Devils Den.

I packed a light bag with a couple changes of cloths... warm and not so warm... you never know the weather around here. Andrew was shocked... he asked why I even needed extra clothes... we were just going for one night... to which I rolled my eyes and he put a change of underwear and a tshirt in the bag. :)

Here are a few pictures ... they don't capture how great the night was ... but they are fun.

The car... all packed... FULL!!

 Buddy Boy Buster is ready to go!!

Cami is ready to go... she has NO idea what she is getting into!

The hubs and I ... ready to go! (yes he asked me if my earrings were necessary...

 I told him just because I was camping didn't mean that I didn't need some bling!)

Is that a lighter?? Maybe... but remember this is NOT real camping... (Yet)

Buster was not a good boy... he had to be punished...

Cami "Brother, what did you do?"

"Sucker"

His behavior improved... he wanted to enjoy the fire with out being tied up...
 (notice my leg... I'm in my flannel jammies... it was ONLY 8:30 here!)

Rise up old flame, by thy lights glowing, show to us beauty, visions of joy...

It still takes my breath away to see a beautiful campfire. This picture doesn't do it justice at all!

These are several little boys and their dads...
they did not respect the "quiet after dark" rule...

All in all it was a wonderful trip. Andrew said we will really need to be conscious about what we bring because we have to walk aways to get to our camp grounds... I have informed him that it is ok. He can make multiple trips... I will be packing clothes, and shower stuff. There WILL be a shower, there WILL be a toilet that flushes, and we will again pack the tent with the air mattress. It will be great... Andrew won't quit raving about the beautiful trees and leaves and weather. He says that it is time for me to experience a real fall!

Saturday morning ramblings

So today was the first day in quite a while that I did not have anything planned. Andrew did... he is at a workshop learning how to make people build those muscles. I have sat in front of the tv watching Food Network thinking about how I so wish to be a great cook... and drinking my coffee... it has been amazing. As I have sat here and vegged out I have thought about what is going on in our life. Some random thoughts that I have had are as follows...

• Daily I track Ree Drummund on this blog The Pioneer Woman. She is the coolest lady... one day I hope to be kinda like her... :) Ree if you are looking to take on an apprentice ... PICK ME!! I would love to come and just watch you for a day. I would take the best of notes... You inspire me! 
• Our dogs are finally getting along... Hallelujah!! They even catch themselves playing together on occasion... its fun!! 
• My parents came for a visit last weekend we had so much fun!! Mom and I did some shopping and the hubs and daddy worked in the back yard putting up a fence. They did great... we did great... all I need to find is a pair of jeans and my fall wardrobe will be set... until winter!! :) 
• I'm getting motivated to start training to run. I'm going to go get a pair of shoes ... this week hopefully and if that fixes my aching knees and ankles then I'll be on my way to being a runner. There is a program called Couch to 5K... I'm going to give it a try. I have never been a runner... much less a workouter... but I really want to be. I would be living proof that the hubs can do his job well!

Ok thats all for now... I'm getting ready to go out with my friend Renda and we are going to have some great friend time. 

Here is a question that I would really like feed back on. 

I am really wanting the Iphone 4... any advice. I doubt the hubs will go for it... but I really think it would be a great Christmas/birthday/valentines/anniversary day gift! 

Have a great weekend!! 

Our House...

So mom and dad will be here in about an hour (maybe less by the time this is done). They are coming to see Andrew and I for the first time sense the wedding. We are very excited, but, if you know me... you know what this week has been like. I have been stressed planning things for us to do, cleaning the house, wondering how things will go and what they will think. Well, to document this event I decided to take pictures of the house ... the whole house... clean... picked up... organized (sorta) ... unpacked (mostly).
Here they are...

The front of our house... quite charming... don't you think?

The front porch!! One of my favorite things!

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Living room from the front door... I LOVE the blue walls.

Living room from the other corner.

Living room from dining room.

Dinning room.

Into the kitchen/guest bathroom.

Kitchen... I know what you are thinking... ALL that storage! NOT... looks are very deceiving...

The kitchen sink... looking into the dinning room.

The rest of the kitchen.

Into the guest bath... yes... it is pink. No... we did not pick out the colors.

Laundry room... I'm so thankful for this!!

Back yard... getting a fence this weekend.

Spider infested storage building... not being used for my stuff...

Hallway upstairs... different blue than downstairs.

Bathroom... green floor, green walls... different greens... again didn't pick the colors...

Shower!!

There is this closet behind the tub that is currently holding most of my stuff from my classroom in Midland. The rest stacks nicely in front of the door.

Guest room :) Come see us... we have an extra bed.. and a Teddy Bear if you need something to snuggle!

Our bed... my in-laws found our bed and my mom made the pillows. They all make me very happy!

Reading corner... other wise known as Buster's hang out!

I love this space... I don't ever use it...

My dresser.... never ever this cleaned off.

Andrew's dresser... never ever this cleaned off...

Well that is it! Our little house. I love it. It has been a good house so far... full of lots of memories. It will be a great house to laugh about down the road!! Come visit us... it gives me a good reason to cook up something yummy!!