Three and Three

Before there were these three:

There were these three:

Who now look more like this:

These three boys took up much of my time while I was younger... and I wouldn't have had it any other way.  The one on the left is the oldest (this photo was taken at his wedding) and I began watching him when he was just 8 months old.  Only from time to time at first...  but as the years progressed and the other two came along, I helped rear them four nights a week....including feeding them dinner and putting them to bed... and all day on Saturdays, while their parents were starting up a business.  I did this for 8 years until I was married and had my own children.
These three (and their parents) became like family!  I hauled these boys all over the city of Oshkosh while babysitting and grew to love them as much as you can love kids who aren't your own.


Now that I have my own kids, I sometimes feel overwhelmed at the depth of trust that their parents had in me while I was still just a teenager.... sometimes traveling for days at a time entrusting them in my care.  I didn't really understand that depth at the time.  For me it was just fun... a bit like playing house...but now!!!  Wow!!! 


I'm not sure where I am really going with this except that today I attended a baby shower for the oldest one's baby.  And again, I felt overwhelmed and so,so gracious and  grateful that I was able to be a part of their lives.  

The Upside To Eating Alone

I get to make all the foods that my picky family won't touch.


First, two filets of tilapia - dipped in egg and coated in crushed pecans.

Then, asparagus, brushed with olive oil and sprinkled  with sea salt and pepper.

Bake at 400* for about 15 minutes and................ viola!

Oh my goodness.... yummy!  And I have enough leftovers to bring for my lunch tomorrow : )


And just because he has been my only constant companion for the past 6 days:

Don't ya love how his under bite makes it look like he is smiling?

Trapped...

...in my house all day yesterday.


I went outside about 3:30 to scope out the situation since I was planning a trip to the store (my excitement for the evening).  I soon discovered that I would not be going anywhere.


One of the "perks" of living in 'little house on the prarrie" in the fierce winds and the huge drifts they create!  


Such was the case yesterday as even though we only got about 3-4 inches of snow, the drifts were much, much higher.


I cannot complain too much though because just 20 miles north of here got 10 inches... and Green Bay got 18 inches... sheesh!


Today is the last day of hubby working his 12 hours days - which were switched yesterday and today to 11:00 am-11:00 pm.  By the time he gets home tonight he will have worked 78 hours since last Friday.


Tomorrow is my turn to work since I get to sub in the fifth grade - my last year's students. then Saturday night we are going out to dinner for Jerry's dad's birthday... Sunday I have a baby shower to attend.... and then Monday I get to pick up Jon and Zack!  Wish I was picking up C.J. too.

Here We Go Again

Once again the snow had completely melted only to be replaced by a fresh coat!  This is so incredibly frustrating.   


Saturday was so beautiful that no coat was needed when I went outside. Monday, for the first time since November, I did not have to wear my boots when I did recess duty.  The basketball courts were completely clear of snow and there were at least four separate games going on at the same time.


And now:

This was yesterday right after it started "snowing"

And this is what I had the "pleasure" of waking up to this morning

Yesterday we had everything from snow to rain to sleet to thunder and lightning!  

Today it is just snow.... but we will escape the majority of it.  In fact, schools did not close in our area today.... further north - just 30-60 miles north - they are expecting 8 -14+ inches.

I guess even though it is spring, winter is not over here yet!

Still Lonesome

Tonights excitement:


Going to the store to get chocolate milk!


Luckily, the store was out of it.... so I got to extend the fun by going to a second store. 


Oh I am so pathetic! 


The best thing about tonight though is that hubby is only working a 1/2 shift so he should be home by 11:30. 


Sadly, this is because he has to be up and back to work by 7:00 a.m. and work until 5:00 p.m.


This is also true for Tuesday and Wednesday  7:00am  to 5:00 pm.
Thursday night is 5:00pm to 11:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am -5:00 pm


Then if he is still alive by next weekend..... he can relax!

I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry

No... I'm serious


I am so lonesome I could cry.   Right now this is anything but a full house.  


All four children are in Florida right now for Spring Break and Jerry is busy working...  nights. And the dog.... well, there is only so much a dog can do to keep you company!  


Did you ever get so desperate that you ran to Petco with your dog just for something to do?  Yeah, me neither.... ahem.


Then you walk around just looking for something to buy because ...after all... why else would you be there?


I finally settled on a doggie toothbrush and toothpaste.... just in case you were wondering.


Can you tell it's going to be a long week?  

Already....

missing C.J. already.

Michigan

With C.J. being home for Spring Break, I took Jon out of school and used the opportunity to drive up to Iron Mountain, Michigan to visit my grandma.  We had another nice visit with her... though at this point in her life she can only tolerate company  for about 3 hours... so the trip up there and back is much longer than we actually get to stay.

As an added bonus... we decided to stop in Green Bay and  visit Lambeau Field on the way home.   We could not do a tour or visit the Hall of Fame.... that was already closed.   But the Pro Shop and Arcade were still open... the Atrium is usually open but was closed last night for an event.

No more Brett Favre!!!

The boys played this game - free... trying to hit the lit targets

Vince Lombardi

Curly Lambeau

Oh yeah... and we purchased the Packers Super Bowl season on DVD yesterday too.


Fantastic Day!!!!!!

Full House Again

This weekend.... for the first time since August... the entire family will be under one roof again!!  All six of us!!              


Can't wait!

Stream of Thoughts

Three more days till we are all together again!  I pick C.J. up at the airport Saturday early in the morning and he will stay for his week of Spring Break.....yeah... it is actually spring in Florida right now.  Maybe not the actual season of Spring... but definately in weather.    


Ahh yes, this was always my favorite time of the year when we lived in Florida.  From the beginning of March to the beginning of June most years we were at Disney every weekend!  The weather was always an awesome 75-80* with no humidity and very little rain.  I sure do miss those days.  The fact that we would go every week (and usually always to EPCOT) meant that we were under no stress to get on certain rides or do certain things.... it was more about spending time together...even the rides home provided memorable times as  we would listen to 70's Saturday night and the station would ALWAYS play YMCA  at exactly 10:00 - just the time we would be driving through downtown Orlando... this would be followed by the Meatloaf song "Glowing Like the Metal on the Edge Of A Knife."  Then the boys would fall asleep and I would have to carry them up to our second story apartment and tuck them in bed once we got home.
Good memories!


Life is moving along here at casa Schneider/Koeck.  Basketball season is over... and none too soon as I eye the gas prices on the rise each day.  The focus now is on forging ahead with home-schooling and getting financial aid applications in for our various colleges.  The thought of four of us in college next year is a little bit overwhelming.  


As I think about next year I am almost certain I am going to try to get back into a classroom.  I seriously never thought I'd miss teaching as much as I do.... I went into the fourth grade last week to teach the Constitution and about the Electoral College.. just because I wanted to.. and I really felt the sting of it all. Of course, Oshkosh Christian will always be my first choice for a place to work... but I will not limit myself to them.  And if the governors new budget goes into effect... there is likely to be many public school teaching jobs. 


That is all for now.  Please continue to pray for the McRae family as Kate begins treatment today in Houston.  They are facing terrible odds.... but we all  know that GOD is mighty and powerful and odds mean nothing compared to Him.


www.caringbridge.org/visit/mcraekate