Where has my baby gone?

At birth, August 2007

Age 2, August 2009

Schaeffer Jo's first day of preschool, Age 3

August 2010

Schaeffer & Mrs. Waning

Last day of preschool, May 2011

classmates

Schaeffer Jo & Mrs. Wodarczyk

My sweet Schaeffer, what a year this has been. You have grown leaps and bounds! There are times when I look at you--and honestly wonder if you've grown since my last glance.

You transmit God's love in a way that makes me so proud. I marvel at your joy, your love and your kindness--God has blessed you with the ability to be both a strong leader and a compassionate person. I love to watch you interact with others, adults and children alike, leading them in your 'plans', and bringing smiles to the faces of all you interact with.

You are a blessing beyond what I ever could have imagined--I cannot imagine how greatly you will be used by your Creator, because great are your gifts. What a delight it is to watch you grow, I love you, my sweet girl.

Makeshift teddy bear picnic

It's hard for me to believe Schaeffer Jo has finished her first year of 'school'. Tomorrow they'll celebrate with a teddy bear picnic for the class and their parents. Sadly, I will not be able to attend, as I will be having my crazy thyroid killed once and for all.

I couldn't not celebrate with SJ--so I packed our own picnic yesterday after school. We had the park to ourselves, and the weather, while chilly, was beautiful. We played with Betsy, Schaeffer's beloved dolly, and ate yummie cookies. We drank tea from her teapot and lifted out pinkies like fancy ladies.

It will not take the sting away from missing her party tomorrow, but at least we've created a special memory that's just our own. I love my sweet Schaeffer girl.

Planting flowers with GG Jean

At the greenhouse with Great Grandma Jean

Marveling at all the beautiful flowers

GG & SJ posing for a quick picture

Whispering sweet nothings

It has become a spring-time tradition to help Great Grandma Jean with the planting of flowers at the cemetery. The carrying of the flowers, shovel and watering can has gotten to be more than what she can handle, which has given us the opportunity to spend sweet time together.

This was Schaeffer Jo's first time coming with us--both to the greenhouse, and then out to the cemetery to plant them at the family grave sites. I was blessed to be have great conversation with SJ about dying and heaven. She thought about what we had talked about for a minute, and said to Grandma: "GG, I don't ever want you to die and go to heaven. I would be too sad without you here with me."

I'm so thankful for the time that God continues to give us time with Grandma. How blessed we are!

E-I-E-I-O Farm Animals!

Pig-caso

Cash Cow

Moo-saic

Ice cream!

Beautiful view from our swing on top of the bluff

Last Friday night we took SJ down to see the new barnyard animals that had just been unveiled in Saint Joe. It was a gorgeous evening, and we enjoyed eating our ice cream while the sun was setting on a swing over looking the Lake and the fountain. We are so blessed to live in such a place where the beauty of God's creation is everywhere!

Happy Birthday, Papa Al!

Busted!

Tobi & Schaeffer Jo playing at the GR Children's Museum

MeMa Laurie & Hazel

Schaeffer Jo working on her 'wiggle'

Giant bubbles

Funky photos with prisms

Bee catching

Snuggling with the birthday Papa

The car trip home was tight!

We were able to celebrate my dad's birthday twice this year! We were together as a family on Sunday, and then together again on Tuesday and Wednesday. We had planned to travel to Shanty Creek to golf on dad's birthday--but plans changed when he woke up with severe shoulder and arm pain. We ended up in the Urgent Care, ruling out a heart attack.

It was a startling reminder that we take life so for granted--and how intentional we should be in spending time with those we love. I'm grateful that my dad was given a clean bill of health--I can't imagine life without the man who has taught me and loved me so much!