Merry Christmas

I have dreams of updating my blog with all the wonderful things that we have done and amazing insights that God has given our family since I have dropped off the blog-world. However, don't hold your breath waiting, and while you are waiting...enjoy our Christmas Card (on the header) and our Schacher Update.

MERRY CHRISTMAS, FRIENDS!!!

Positive Thinking

As I have been going about the last week, husband-less (Missouri has him), I have been trying to be positive. Here are some of the "up-sides" of not having a husband for a month:

-I only do 5/6th of the laundry I normally do (yes, the kids each count for 2 people when it comes to laundry and no it isn't that much of a difference, but when it comes to laundry...i'll take anything).

-I don't have to make "big" dinners. Kids can eat chicken nuggets and I can have a salad (or wheat thins and ice-cream) for dinner if I want without feeling guilty for not making something elaborate.

-I don't have to move dirty boots from the carpet to the "actual place" the dirty boots are supposed to go everyday.

-I can park my car anyway I want to without worrying about Dan's pickup fitting in our driveway.

-My mom feels bad that I am "husband-less" and offers to watch my kids more (thanks mom).

-I tend to get more done when Dan is gone. I have the attitude that "if something is going to get done around here, it has to be me that does it". And I don't get in an argument with anyone for having that attitude.

-I never have to explain that the laundry basket is only 3 steps from where the clothes landed on the floor.

-Dan's "man bathroom" gets cleaned...and stays cleaned.

-I pay closer attention to the small details in my kids lives to make sure Dan hears about or sees pictures (or video) of whats happening.

-I am forced to rely on Christ, because I don't have someone around each evening to talk with, complain to, or hug, whenever I desire.

So, there you have it. Some of the positives that come out of not having a husband for a month at a time.

Pep Talks

Hey blogging world. I know it has been forever since I have posted and quite frankly I don't even know if anyone still reads this (or ever did).

I guess I am writing asking for prayer for strength and wisdom. My hubby is leaving for Missouri tomorrow morning for a job. It is a good thing (I keep telling myself) and will be good for the company (I keep telling myself) and help us out (I keep telling myself) in a hard finacial time. It came about so quickly that I didn't really get much time to process it all (until I started "really" thinking about it today). There is no real time frame on the job, just a "whatever, whenever" (whenever it snows so much they can't drill or until the job is done).

I would drop everything and go with him, but the job came up so fast that I didn't have anytime to figure out the details. I have some random comittments that I just don't feel comfortable backing out of. I also just committed to watching a 2 1/2 year old boy and don't want to let that mother down feeling like she has no childcare. So, I feel like I am somewhat stuck here.

If I am going to be honest...I am having a hard time. I am such a logical thinker that throughout the last week of contemplating this job my attitude was "this is what we have to do". However, when it comes down to Dan leaving in the morning and me being with the kids by myself for the next month...it's rather hard and all logic has gone out the window.

So, I end my day counting the number of "pep-talks" (turned "ok, how is this going to work, talks") I have given myself over and over again. "You can do this, Andrea." "People go through much worse." "It's only a month tops till I see him again." "The kids can see him on Skype." "You CAN do this, Andrea." You get the picture...

So, I leave you begging for some prayer. Strength for me, Dan, and the kids. Wisdom to know what to do, when we should go and when I need to stay. Prayer for Dan's partners family. Prayer for their employee's wives. Peace to get through my nights (that seems to be the worst time). Patience and Love to show to my children. A heart of thankfulness toward the Lord. An open spirit that is willing to growing deeper in love with Christ and learn more than I ever imagined through out the next month or more.

I also leave you with some of my favorite pictures that depict how wonderful of a dad Marissa and Spencer have!!!

Sitting on the dock at the lake, putting their feet in the water.

Just fishing.

At a wedding where Marissa was the flower girl and Dan was the officiant, best man, and reception MC.

Planting seeds.

Wrestling and kisses...two of our favorite things.

Random Insights

Throughout the past 3 years of my life I have been pregnant, or lifting children, while remodeling, moving our house from downstairs to upstairs and then back downstairs, painting, putting caulking on baseboard...well you get the idea. This has done a number on my back and a few times has put me down for a day or two. Recently, I did something while I was lifiting Spencer out of his crib and it has been the worst yet. I continued working out and going about my "normal" daily routine (ok, maybe I laid on the couch or in bed the majority of the day) hoping that it would just go away. Well, it didn't...so I decided to see my doctor. She always makes me feel like I did the right thing by coming in and is always concerned with my potential "self, internet-diagnosed" illnesses. This time she thought it was probably more of a problem than I had thought. The pain had gone down my legs and was affecting one of my feet. So, she put me on a steroid for a few days. I haven't been on any major medication and wasn't sure how it was going to affect me. Well, it has been almost impossible for me to get to sleep the last few nights, which has kept me up looking at all sorts of interesting information I could possibly think of googling on the interent. Here are a few insights and websites I have found. Happy reading (if you have about 6 hours).

*From: An iphone Bible app (someone put some of their insights on their Scripture reading and life):

Luke 24:45 "Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures".

Over the past month I've started a Bible Reading Plan to grow closer to God. Honestly, I didn't think I could keep it up for the long term. I have never been a consistent Bible reader. A little bit here, and a little bit there most of my life. Sure, I've had growth spurts but never anything long-term. For the majority of my life I have starved myself the Word of God. What I've discovered is that God wants to see us reach our potential but we cannot do it by listening to Sunday sermons and reading a few self-help books. There is no shortcut or secret. God desires to spend quality time with all of us through the Bible and prayer.

This hasn't been an easy journey for me. When I decided to begin this 90-day reading plan I had to force myself to make time in my 'busy schedule' for the intense study that I personally chose. Can you believe most of us don't have time for God even if it's just for 5 minutes? We act like it's the end of the world to make room for the God of the Universe, our creator, when he has all the time in the world for us!! I confess that I had that mentality for so long. I realize how selfish I was. I found after the first two weeks my appetite began to grow for more of the Word of God. I sometimes fell short of completing my daily reading but I kept going because I discovered a hunger inside of me that wasn't going away. After I started reading the Bible plan I truly experienced what it says in Luke 24:45.

Not everyone is excited to sit down and read the Bible at first but after you let God's word penetrate your heart, you began to experience the presence of God in new ways. My heart has become more open and full of understanding. It's such a great feeling to be so connected to God! You know that feeling you get when you listen to what you consider a great song and you play it over and over and over because it resonates deep in your soul. Well... that's exactly, what the feeling is when you meditate on God's word and hide it in your heart. You feel so drawn to read more and excited to see God revealed throughout the scriptures that it becomes a healthy addiction. You turn the obligation to read the Bible into an opportunity for serving God in new ways!! Your eyes are opened to His truths, your heart remains sensitive and you see more opportunities to serve God instead of yourself.

Reading the Bible is no longer boring or old-fashioned. There are many ways to stay up-to-date and fresh in God's Word... YouVersion.com and BibleGateway.com are two awesome examples of online tools for reading and researching scripture online- with many different translations. You can read the Bible via mobile phone apps or another option is audio Bible cds. The thing is you don't need to read the Bible in 90 days. That was a personal choice I made. There are reading plans out there for 365 days, for new Christians or beginners, and even more challenging plans. Whatever you do, do it with excellence for the Lord. Spend time with Him, pray and be consistent in doing both! You will see a change in your appetite and begin to grow spiritually!!

Joshua 1:8 "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful".

2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work".

*From: A blog of a mom of 11 (Great and interesting view on apologies from children):

http://maprap.blogspot.com/2010/06/apology-accepted.html

*From: A blog from one of my old guy friends from high school, Andrew Murch, who became a pastor and is living in Tacoma, WA. I love his insights and book reviews.

http://spacecreated.blogspot.com/

*From: A friend who lives in Mexico and has an amazing ability to get her thoughts, feelings, and emotions down. So glad I get to keep connected from so far away:
http://arms-wide-open.squarespace.com/

*2 fun blogs with cool mom stuff I like to read about. Pretty random stuff, but it is neat to see all the fun stuff out there:
http://www.coolmompicks.com/

http://www.mamaista.com/

*Some fun sewing blogs. I get some great ideas...of course they are just ideas until I get some time to actually try their projects.
http://sewchic.blogspot.com/

http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/

*Then of course there is etsy.com: I could spend hours on this site looking at all the creative stuff people do (and then try to copy it :)

*Here are some great moms and ministry and just special Spiritual insights from some great blogs:
http://momsministryandmore.blogspot.com/

http://danabailey.blogspot.com/2010/05/call-to-rest.html

http://livingstonesministries.wordpress.com/devotionals/

Anyways, here are some great reads for you if you feel like you have a few extra hours to sit (hahaha, that is probably not much of an option, unless you are up nearly all night like I was).

Everyday Fun

Here are some precious, everyday moments that I have been able to encounter the last few months. Oh, how my little ones are growing.

Love these two little ones.

Spencer finding his feet for the first time. He is so little...I miss that.

Marissa's first pigtails. She loved them. Anytime we go anywhere she insits on "ponytails".

Precious father/son moment. Love these two boys!

Hmmm...this explains a little bit of how quickly this little boy picked up on crawling, climbing stairs, oh, and getting into everything. Little boys, little boys.

So he didn't get up on the bike, but it does fall on him often as he tries to crawl up on the bike himself.

Marissa loves it when I put her in Spencer's crib. They are too cute together.

When Spencer wakes up from his nap, Marissa goes upstairs to keep him company until I have the opportunity to come up and get him. The other day I found Marissa "reading" to Spencer. So, special.

Spencer's first "big bath". He is a crazy kid...diving for anything and everything he sees in the water. Marissa loves to have a buddy to play and splash with.

Brother and sister swinging. They are going to be best buds.

Trial Without the Blessing

*From May-ish

God is so powerful. I have been learning through BSF that God is just unfathomable (we cannot fully comprehend His love, compassion, or even His plans in our lives). He has created me, my family, my life, my husband, his job, etc. all for His glory. Now, I am not saying that I, my family, my husbands business, or anything else are amazing and are going to glorify God by the positives they bring into the world. Actually quite the opposite...they will glorify Him through the trials that come in our lives. A statement hit me hard a few weeks ago and it has brought me into a calming mood about the "little things" in life (I'll give it to you at the end of this post).

Since the day I married my husband I knew he as a wild card. Actually, that was one of the things that attracted me to him...we were opposite. But there were always "plans" of him going to college and settling down with a 9-5 job that would provide for our every need. Boy did God know that wasn't in the cards. After him going to one sememster of college (and us both realizing he WASN'T called to be a student) he went back to work in the drilling industry. We were in limbo for such a long time just asking God what He wanted us to do (go into ministry, keep working in construction, work up the ladder into a manager position at a retail type store, etc.). Finally in 2007, after I figured out I was pregnant and had just quit my job to go back to get my Masters, Dan annoucned to me that he wanted to start a company. Every bit of logic inside of me screamed NO, NO, NO...however I had this overwhelming sense of peace about it and the Lord just told me to follow Dan's lead. I felt like I was a very supportive wife, but as I look back, I was also his biggest adversary because life was never stable. In fact our friends Ryan and Tara were more supportive and believed in Dan more than I did (I can look back and admit it). Lately God has been teaching me about the kind of wife I need to be to my husband. About the attitude I need to have while I am with him and when I am not with him (I admit, when he is not around or can't put his full attention toward our family, I get very upset and then let that affect the way I treat him). It is easy for me to say that I need to be strong and postitive through major trials that come up in my life, but the Lord has brought me to a place where I desire to look at the ordinary trials (the daily ins and outs that can create larger trials) and know that He will bring glory through them. I desire to look at what ever the future brings (good, bad, ugly, or "normal") and say the same. I know that the Lord gave me that "wierd" (what seemed to be wierd at the time) sense of peace about my husband starting a company, because He desired to show me a little bit of Himself through the situations that have presented themselves (both good and bad). It may not be the most stable job or always provide for us...but I know that God wants me to look at each obstical through his eyes, seeing the blessing at the end of the small and large trials.

Along with owning a business comes the many ups and downs of that business. I HATE that. I am a stable person, that likes having a stable income and knowing that my husband is going to be home at night. It is actually quite the opposite with my husbands company. I never know if there is going to be steady work, if he is going to be working 8 hours away, or if he will be home in time to put Marissa to bed. I have struggled with that since August 1st of 2007 when they left to Idaho. Through it all I have tried to be positive...being very unsuccesful (thinking I was being postive...but actually being very negative). Lately with the downturn in the economy and the uncertainty that faces so many businesses it is hard to know when things will pick up. We have some good things going for us, but it is hard to see the light at the end of this crazy tunnel. I don't know where we will be financially or physically (whether Dan will have work here in the area or far, far away). Through it all, I look at what we have to face and the plugging away that we have ahead of us and I HAVE A CHOICE. I don't know if God is going to bring us "fortune or misfortune" (I say that not in a finacial tone, but in a spiritual tone) or take us away from where we call home or if He will securely place us where we call home. But I hope that through the best or the worst I can look at my situation and say:

"Do I react to seeming misfortune like it was a blessing in which to give God glory or do I waste the suffering, because I do not use it to experience the glory of God in a new way and what He will do for me in it?" (paraphrase from BSF notes)

"God will work in my life and in then lives of those around me. Without the trial there would not be the particular blessing which that trial is meant to give. When I do not look for a blessing in the trial, the suffering of the trial is often wasted as though it was an effort spent, but with neither profit nor fruit." (paraphrase from BSF notes)

So, from this all...I can say that I am "excited" for the blessing in this trial and to see how God's glory is going to work through it. Trying to keep a positive attitude so that I (and others) can experience God's purpose in the midst. It's just earth, right? There is a place where we won't have to worry about this stuff.

Monster Truck

*From May 16th*
Well, my husband never stops surprising me...actually, I don't think anything will surprise me anymore. His company traded "something" for...a Monster Truck. It has been fun to watch all of their friends, co-workers, relatives, etc. come down to the equipment yard with their kids and take a ride on the Monster Truck. Dan justifies keeping it, saying "it's good advertising", but then says they will probably sell it eventually. So, while it is in our possession...we have been able have some fun with it.

Marissa and Dan in front of the tire.

Marissa and Logan Bennett taking a ride in the back of the Monster Truck. They both thought it was pretty loud.

The Bennett children and Marissa in the tire of the Monster Truck.

Of course, Ryan and Dan had to take the truck for a spin while I watched the kids.

Pet Parade

*From: May 15th*
In May every year Silverton has a great, little pet parade. It is the cutest thing to watch all the children, with their parents, walk through town showing off their animals. One day I am sure I will be watching Dan, Marissa, and Spencer walking with Rogue.

Dan, Marissa, and Rogue watching the parade as it begins.

Marissa loved collecting the candy, but also feeding Rogue the dog treats that were thrown out.

Spencer...taking it all in.

Marissa Turned 2

*From: March 6th*

This year I decided to make Marissa's birthday a little more low key than last year (I am not sure I can pull off mulitple "crazy" parties in a year...and Spencer's 1st is coming up). We had a gathering at Home Place with pizza and cupcakes. I decided to do the plates and decorations in a luau theme (I wonder where that idea came from...Hawaii). We all had a great time celebrating my beautiful little girl.

Dan insisted on taking Marissa to Chuck-E-Cheese on her birthday. He did the same thing last year.

Marissa eating a cupcake at Home Place.

Singing happy birthday to my 2 year old.

Marissa with her aunt "A".

Dan got Marissa a seed starter kit for our garden. Marissa had so much fun watching Dan plant. She wouldn't touch anything because it was "dirty".

Airplanes and Amie

*From: March 4th-8th*

At the begining of March Amie (my soon to be sister-in-law, good friend, old soccer player, and old Young Life girl) came up from California to do some wedding planning. Marissa and I were able to go pick her up from the airport. We went early, sat at the cell phone waiting area and watched the planes fly in and out. Marissa loved it. Once Amie was here we did some major invitation planning and had a "invitation making party" at my house. Here are some great pictures.

Watching for planes and loving it.

Invitation making party at my house.

More invitations.

Heavenly Hawaii

*From: February 21st-28th*

Photo Diary of our Hawaiian Vacation

For the first time since our wedding 6 1/2 years ago Dan and I were able to go on a vacation (other than work or the beach with my family). My mom, sister, and Dan's dad graciously watched our 2 beautiful children. We went with our good friends Ryan and Tara Bennett. Here is a glimpse into our week of "wonderful".

Picture out of our hotel.

Dan and I at our Luau.

Photo session before the Luau.

Dan and I on a whale watching and dinner tour.

Dan's favorite activity: renting mopeds.

After our late night walk on the beautiful Hawaiian beach.

Waren and Annabelle's Magic show. Dan and I were his "helpers".

Tara and I went on a submarine.

Ryan and Dan rented mopeds and treked around the island.

Hang Loose.

Last day in Hawaii. Filling up for gas. Tsunami warning.

Guys playing hacky-sack, while wating for the pseudo-tsunami.

Lovely Valentines Day

*From: February 14th*

Yep...this post is all the way from Valentines Day.

My beautiful bouquet, teddy bear, balloon, and chocolates.

Dan and I decided not to do anything for Valentines day this year, because we were leaving for a vacation a week after. Well, my hubsband can't control himself. He came home after going to his equipment "yard" with flowers, a teddy bear, a singing ballon, a new coffee mug, and chocolates for me. For Marissa he brought home a bunch of balloons, a stuffed animal, a pink flower, and a hot cocoa cup. He is so thoughtful. Thanks babe (almost 3 1/2 months later).

Zoo in Beautiful January

*From: January 27th*

Towards the end of January my mom, Aiden (my nephew), Marissa, Spencer, and I headed to the zoo for a beautiful day. It was a little chilly, but so nice. We had a picnic lunch and enjoyed all the animals. I just love watching my mom with her grandchildren. Here are some pictures:

Grandma watching the polar bears with Marissa and Aiden

.

Aiden and Marissa chillin in the boat.

My sweet Marissa girl.

Long day...Aiden and Marissa were tired.

Where Have We Gone

Well, after glancing over my blog I realized that I have been quite absent in the "blorld" (blog-world) for quite sometime. I enjoy writing about the ups and downs of my life, but realized a little while ago that there were very important things that I could not fit into my life if I spent time keeping up on my "web-life". Gradually, blogging, facebooking, and checking emails have taken a backseat to my beautiful children, studying the amazing Word of God, keeping up my household, taking care of the greatest husband in the world, and finding outlets for myself. I do enjoy documenting the ins and outs of our little Schacher life and it has even been more than useful in remembering significant milestones in my children's developemental progress. So, needless to say I hope to continue, just not sure how routine blogging will be in my life. For those of you that enjoy keeping up with our family of four (the few of you out there)...here are some short updates from the last 4 months of our lives.

Feeling Crafty

It all started with my cousin, Danyel. She came over one day and showed me this AMAZING blanket she had sewn. I started thinking that I could do the same thing...except for the fact that I didn't have a sewing machine. After mentioning it to my husband in passing (for any of you that know my husband, mentioning anything is like a done deal...I really have to be careful), I got a sewing machine for Christmas. I have had so much fun with it. I am not the best and don't know how to do much, but I have made my first quilt, my first few burp cloths (made of flannel and cloth diapers), and pacifier clips. I also saw the greatest canvas craft at Craft Warehouse and decided to try my hand at it to fill some blank walls of Marissa and Spencer's that have been waiting for the perfect decor to come along (yes, Marissa's has been blank for almost 2 years now). The canvases didn't turn out perfect, but I am so excited to have handmade decor that fills my kids rooms.

The quilt is big enough for a double bed...Marissa can use it for a long time.

Each night before bed Marissa says "momma made that".

Dan is pretty proud of my "craft-i-ness" lately, even if it means wrapping himself in pink.

The Dot Burp Cloth. Flannel on one side, cloth diaper on the other (wth a flannel decorative strip).

More burp cloths (don't worry, this is all I have made).

Marissa's wall art...not perfect, but a lot of love and thought put into them.

Spencer's wall art...made with love!