A different generation

About two years ago I was working at Sunnyslope High School. I was in a science class when a student in the far back said something about 9/11. The conversation made its way to the front of the room where a student looked at me and asked

"Mrs. Schneider, what is so important about 9/11? I mean, I know its a big deal, but why?"

I stood shocked for a moment. How does this kid not know? Did they live in a hole for the past 6 years? And then it hit me...6years...their 13 now, so that means they were 7. They were in 2nd grade. Their teacher was probably instructed to keep the television turned off so that it wouldn't scare the children. Their parents told them the bare minimum as to not scare them.

How odd is it that there is an entire generation that won't remember where they were that day, or just how important it is to remember the lives lost on that September morning. Just kinda odd I guess.

Birthday Party!!

Well Madison had her first birthday party! It was small, just family at Robin's house (Matt's mom). Matt grilled burgers and dogs and we had plenty of food leftover. Madison got a years worth of gifts and she loves ALL of them! My sister and Matthew got her books and whenever we are playing she grabs a book and brings it over to me so I can read it to her! SOoooooooo cute! Here are some pictures from that day, we had a great time, thank you everyone for coming!

1 year ago today...

So in about 3 and a half hours our little girl will be a year old! When people say having kids changes everything their not kidding! Having Madison in our lives changed everything for Matt and I and all in a good way. Sure having a kid makes things a little more difficult, you can't pick up and go to a midnight movie anytime you want, you can't sleep till noon if you stay up to late the night before and we are currently getting to the stage where she is absorbing all the sounds we make so I am trying to edit my swearing...of which there is a lot of. But all of those things are nothing compared to the joy and wonder that is our little girl! We love her so much and can't believe that we have been blessed with such an amazing gift! Here are some pictures of Madi from the past year. Unfortunately the go in descending order rather than ascending order...sorry about that but I am too tired to fix it! I copied this idea from my friend Nicole who did this on her daughters 1st birthday...thanks for the idea friend:)


Not even a year old and already walking

First time at the beach

Shes a fish!!!! LOVES the water!

Easter 2009

Thanksgiving 2008

First family picture!!!! August 26, 2008 12:35am 4 pounds 2.6 oz and 16 inches!!!

Pictures of the happy couple!!!!

My brother and Tara are getting married! I had already posted about that awhile ago, but no there are pictures to prove it!! Are friend Kelsie Pinkerton is an amazing photographer! She took their engagement pictures a few weeks ago and will also be taking their wedding pictures. Here is the link to check them out...www.pinkertonphoto.com/slideshows/tarad

Baya...just click on the underlined above and it will take you to see their pictures! It might take a few minutes to load! Love you!!

4th of July, naked time and her buddy Declan!

Playing in Auroras crate!

Her buddy Declan came over the other night. They played in the front yard together got really dirty in the grass and mud...then it was time for bath time! Madi is much more interested in the washcloth!

Everyone needs a little naked time

On the 4th of July we went swimming in the Folzs' backyard. Thank you Susie and Bill for the wonderful gift of a pool this summer! We go all the time and it is just like having one of our own except without all the responsibility!!

Madi and Momma in the pool!!! She is holding herself up...I'm not helping I swear!

So its been awhile since I posted...i know this! And my parents are out of town and need some pictures of Madison. My mom actually called the other day and asked to talk to Madi so she doesn't forget her voice...I think shes going through grandchild withdraws! Madi is standing on her own and so badly wants to walk. She is swimming every day and loves it!! She loves kicking and putting her face in. Her kick is actually a breast-stroke kick!! In my 10+ years teaching swim lessons I have never seen a baby do a breast-stroke kick!! She is a swimming prodigy already!! So here are some pictures of the past month or so hope you enjoy!!

My "boss":)

Let me start by saying I love being a mom! I do...I really love it. I feel very blessed to be able to stay home with Madi and I love the time we get to spend together. I know for the rest of my life I will always treasure these times, because I will never get them back. With that being said, let me say that it is not easy. I consider staying at home with Madi my job and like any job it has it's ups and downs. The only difference is that in this job I have a 10 month old boss that is sometimes very demanding and very messy:) With other regular jobs your boss gives you feedback, positive or negative. A 10 month old can't say "Your doing a great job! You are going over and above your job requirements and we really appreciate the time your putting in." Sometimes not hearing that is difficult. I need to know that I am doing a good job from the person I am doing the job for, but she can't tell me that. The only way I know that I am doing what she needs for her is when she giggles at me when were playing peek-a-boo or when she smiles at me while I'm changing her diaper. Those are little subtle things but they are encouragement nonetheless. I hear from Matt all the time that I am a great mom and he can't imagine doing what I do. Which is wonderful and I really appreciate. I guess I will just have to wait a couple years when she can look at me and say "Thank you mommy." Can't wait!!!!

my new favorite face!!!

We had asparagus last night...Madi was not a fan!!! I love this picture! She is becoming so much more expressive!

On vacation...no pics!

I am on my last day of vacation with Madi and my mom in Palm Springs. We orginally were going to go on this awesome trip to Washington D.C. with 5 seniors from Sunnyslope High School. It would have been the coolest trip, but we weren't able to get the tickets changed over to our name (two kids droped out, that's why were able to go). I was super disapointed!! I love D.C. and would have loved to share that expereince with Madi and my mom. Oh well, God had another plan...my mom said "hey, we were already planning on going on vacation, let's go somewhere anyway!" So she rented a house in Palm Springs, CA for cheap and we have been here since Saturday. This trip is super relaxing filled with swimming, shopping and eating! Madison is LOVING her swim time and I have been loving my relaxing time! I realized that I really don't relax very much at home. I always feel that there is something else to be done. I am a lot like my dad that way. Even as a kid I can remember going on vacation with the family and watching my dad, he never fully relaxed. My mom has no problem getting into relax mode. But my dad never could switch into that mode as quickly. I really want to be able to switch into the "vacation, relax mode" a lot faster. On another note...I am ashamed to admit that I love US Weekly, PEOPLE magazine and all other trashy celeb gossip magazines!! I know that they are horrible, but I can't help it! Whenever I see one, especially when I'm on vacation I desperately want to buy it and when I do I feel a little guilty that I bought one! It's a catch-22. I really love them though:)

Its been AWHILE!!

I apologize for the lack of posting in almost a month. Life has gotten away from me and I haven't gotten a chance to sit down and load some photos onto the computer. I am just getting over a cold and now my sweet little Madi is getting it. Nothing major, just a cold, but I hate it when she is sick! We leave on Thursday for a mini family vacation to California so I am hoping we are all in great health by then. At least that is what I am praying for!!

Here are some pictures of our life the past couple weeks! Hope you enjoy!

Madi got dedicated at church on Mother's Day! She was such a good listener while Shannon prayed!

Best bed head ever!!!!!

Last week I watched my friend Julie's girls. She has a 3 and a 1 year old (Madison and Haley). We had a great time!!! This is use playing in our front yard with a tarp, water and some Dawn soap! The girls loved it...hours of entertainment!

No pool, No problem!

Due to the fact that we live in Phoenix and summer time comes in April we need to keep cool. We don't have a pool and Madison loves the water so we decided to play with the hose in the front yard yesterday. It was 96 degrees outside so she loved the cool water!

Easter Pics!

This is Madi and my dad up in Camp Verde after church on Easter! So Cute!!!

The Schneider Family in our Easter best!!! Madi loved her Easter headdress!!!

This picture was taken on Saturday. Madi looks so big with her daddy's hat on!

I LOVE Easter!

While Easter is not one of the most popular of holidays, it is one of my favorites. I say its not popular because it doesn't hold the following of millions as Christmas or even the 4th of July. Sure people get together with their families on Easter Sunday to eat and socialize but I bet if you asked the vast majority of people why we celebrate Easter most would have no clue. What I think I love the most about Easter weekend is Good Friday. I know what your thinking "Jeannette, your favorite part about Easter is the day Christ was crucified??" And my response is Yes. For many reasons Good Friday is my favorite part of the weekend 1) Christ died so I can LIVE!!! Good Friday is a great day to remember just how much he really loves us! 2) Ever since I was a kid my mom would take us to this place in Phoenix called Canaan in the Desert. It is a beautiful place that shows Christ's life and death throughout this beautiful desert garden. 3) Good Friday Service @ Open Door. It usually is just music and communion and it is the most peaceful service. I love it!! 4) This year is the first Easter with Madison. It is so neat to be able to start our own traditions and to keep some of the old ones going.

So I hope all of you have a wonderful Easter weekend. And while the holiday has turned into peeps and giant chocolate bunnies, I hope we all take a moment and remember what this weekend is really about.

By the way here are some fun pics of Madi...she is getting sooooo big scooting along trying to crawl and growing up so fast!

what we do as parents

As parents we do funny things to our children for the sake of a memory. We dress them up and have sit them on the lap of Santa Clause or the Easter Bunny when they clearly don't want to. We encourage them to sing the solo in Christmas pagent even though they can't sing (haven't had to do that yet, but I'm sure I will). And we put bunny ears on them in Target and ask our child if she is a "funny bunny". The question "are you funny bunny?" always makes Madi laugh and I figured it would totally make her laugh harder if she could be wearing bunny ears...it worked she did. Now if she only new how much this picture would haunt her for the rest of her life, for the sake of a memory!

working from home...easier said than done!

So I know I haven't posted in awhile, but after you read this you will know why. So in the beginning of Feb. I got a part-time job. Then I lost the job (they lost the grant that was going to be paying my salary) then I got another job. This job is actually much more perfect for me and I get to work from home! I am the fundraising developer (for lack of a better title) for a The care Foundation. This foundation works within the Center for Autism Research and Education. It is a great organization and I am proud to be a part of it. So I am currently planning a huge event coming up May 3rd. The event is a Spring Fashion show and silent auction. It is going to be great! However, given the state of the economy people are not as willing to donate items as they were say a year ago. I am still getting people to give, just not as much as I would like. I did get a company to donate a venue for FREE so that made me feel really awesome!!!! The other challenge I am coming up against is working from home while Madi is teething. We all know teething sucks for babies and I think it is equally hard on the parents to see their little one so sad. Matt is great and gives me as much time as he can during the mornings and on his days off to work, but there is so much still to do and 1 month to do it in! I know that I can do this! I know that God would not have put this perfect opportunity in my lap only to fail 2 months later. I just want to be able to make money for my family, while spending time with Madi. Right now I am doing it, I just hope this event is successful so that I can continue to do it! If you wanna pray for me pray that...donors come out of the wood-work to give us things to auction off, pray that we sell 100 tickets to the event (heck...if your praying...pray we sell 200 tickets) and pray that Madi cuts a tooth soon, she is pretty grumpy these days and I hate seeing her like that!

So I apologize for the lack of posting in awhile...but the pictures above are some current pictures of Madison. She is sitting up and is able to pull herself up on all "fours" but she hasn't crawled yet. Not for lack of trying!!

My dad has a blog!!

I mentioned a few months ago that my mom has a blog. She still does actually and never posts, what she likes to do is look at everyone elses blogs. My dad on the other hand just started a blog yesterday. So far he likes it...kinda. He's not quite sure how it all works yet but he is learning. My dad has many talents painting, building stuff, dancing (he can gator with the best of them) and writing. He wrote a book called Emancipating Elias which you can buy at the Borders Bookstore on 24th st. and Camelback. He is also working on a new book called Holy Ground. So go check out my dads blog and buy his books so he can but a new baseball hat!!

http://markjwilliams.blogspot.com/

Happy Birthday Matt!!

Today Matt turns 27!! He is a little bummed about it, but I think its great! I got him the best gift ever!! He hasn't opened it yet so if you know don't tell him:) Matt is the best husband and father I could ever ask for. I am so lucky to have such a wonderful, 27 year old, sexy husband:))

Check it out!!

http://www.downtownphoenixjournal.com/

My friend Kim is marrying a great guy named Sam. He is wonderful and perfect for her. He also owns a website. I really don't understand how one owns a website but he does! It's a great site and it gives a ton of information about the in's and out's of downtown Phoenix. So go to his website and subscribe to his newsletter. It costs nothing and they just send you an email every month...the more subscribers he gets the more people will want to advertise on his site and the more money he will make! They need the money cause they really want to buy the house next door to Matt and I and fix it up!!! he he...

Princess Madison!!!

My brother took this picture of her yesterday! Doesn't she look so stinkin' cute?!?!?! She loves her uncle Tdub:)