PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/6/11

We first learned about Tim Tam's from my friend, Gab, in Australia. Through MFM, I met her and she became a long distance friend, and still is. She has sent us a few packages through the years and one of the favorite treats were the Tim Tams. The boys love them and I had heard they were now making them in America. I found them at Target prior to Christmas and bought them to use as a surprise for the boys. With all the Christmas cookies we had, I wanted to wait until it would be a big treat. Yesterday, as they came home from school, I had each of them close their eyes and take a bite. While not as fabulous as the real Australian ones, all of them love these and both Chris and Zach automatically knew what they were..."those really good Australian cookies we got from your friend" was a similar response from both. Thanks for creating such a special memory for us, Gab. :)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/5/11

Looking forward to Nick being home early on Wednesday afternoons...I know that there will come a day where he will be on his own and off at school, so I treasure this time even more. He's such a good kid and fun to be around and I think this semester for him is going to be one of the best ever! My goal: to try to not "micro manage" him and just enjoy the time together and support him and guide him when he needs me. I can't guarantee I won't nag (a little ;) ) or repeat myself 1 or 2 (or 5) times, but I really am going to try to not do it so much and know that he is very capable of handling things. (I'm really going to try, Nick, really)

PROJECT 365 PICTURE(S) OF THE DAY 1/4/11

It's time to say goodbye to our good ol' Sequoia. This car has driven Todd to work, taken us on fun vacations to Ruidoso and Utah, and many trips to the mountains, across town and to school. After 10 years, a big decision was made to trade it in at almost 100,000 miles and for Todd to take the plunge back in to truck ownership. His first love was his baby blue Toyota truck he purchased after we started dating. He worked so hard to buy that truck...and was so proud of it. It ran well for 10 years and we bought the Sequoia because, with 3 boys, we needed a car that could hold more than one carseat. When thinking back, it hardly seems possible that we have had it 10 years. Time flies when you're having fun. Now, Todd has the chance to own a truck again and I know he will love it. It's dark blue and he got the deal he said he would get or wouldn't move on so it will be nice, but a part of the Schmitt history drove away for the last time today. Thank goodness we have lots of pics and memories. A car can be a special part of your life...this is proof.

Chris is the last kid to take one last ride in here. Todd usually drives him to school when he leaves for work, so I will title this photo "The Last Ride" and if it seems a little silly that I'm crying as I type this, well, then I guess it is and I'm okay with that.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/3/11

DAY 3 : The boys head back to school today after a 2 week Christmas break. It seems like it went way too quickly and I always dislike these "first day back" days and this is no exception. Nick and Chris both leave close to the same time now so it's just me a Zach for the next hour 1/2 before he's off. When I asked him yesterday if he wanted me to pack his lunch, he said "yes, all my friends think I always have the best lunches." Now, usually it is either a sandwich or yogurt, juice, sometimes chips and always a piece of fruit...nothing at all exciting, but it made me smile to know that he thought it was "the best". He got this bread at the Bronco game that he went to with Todd yesterday so it made his sandwich even better today. Chris likes his peanut butter and jelly sandwich best when I don't use too much pb and enough jelly...think I may have overdone the jelly today, but what can ya do at 6:30 am? Nick usually buys his lunch but I load him up with "snacks" just in case he forgets money (or in this case, he had money, but left his wallet and drivers license at home). Just grateful that I can be home with them to do these little things and send them off to school. I don't take that for granted.

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/2/11

After being on break, we have all found ourselves sleeping in later. This morning, I awoke fairly early and Christopher came down a while later. When he came down, he said that I needed to go see the sunrise from the front yard. Boy was he right...it was a clear, cold morning, but after seeing the snow capped peaks, the glimmer of sun on the mountains, the fluffy clouds and the pink sky, I had to get my camera. I went out on the front porch in my nightshirt and no shoes (with snow on our entry way, no less) and captured a few photos. This will be one of my favorite photos ever...definitely for the beauty of the morning, but more importantly so, because Chris knew that this was special and wanted to share it with me because he "knew you would like it."

PROJECT 365 PICTURE OF THE DAY 1/1/11

Okay...it's day 1 (actually January 2, but just catching up) and I am posting my first photo for "Project 365". Todd and I were "posing" in the mirror for a few shots and I really liked this one. Great way to start the year.

In regards for the "word" project chosen by each of the 5 of us, here is the official list:
Tracy: EXPLORE
Todd: BETTER (as in doing everything a little better and being thoughtful of that)
Nick: STRIVE (to be the best or do his best)
Chris: TRAVEL (which will be happening this next summer, but also throughout the year, I'm sure...both literally and figuratively)
Zach: WIN (play to win and work to win...and as Grandad Dell would say, "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game" and I think that when you do your best you automatically win and I think Zach will do great)

HAPPY NEW YEAR 1/1/11

Okay, I guess it's as good of time as any to get started again on this blog. I always have really good intentions on keeping it up, but even with good intentions, it doesn't always happen. I am hopeful that in this next year, I will do better at it and even expand it to other areas of I can pull it off.

After a great Christmastime, it is time to look forward to the new year. I have asked everyone in my family to come up with a single word to help "define" them this year and to reflect on throughout the year. Chris has chosen the word "TRAVEL" as he will be literally traveling to Paris, London and Edinburgh. I also think it works very well for him because he will travel many different paths and I can't wait to see what he does. Zach chose "WIN" and initially, it is to win in soccer after a rough fall season, but I also think it expands to winning/doing his best in everything he does. Still waiting on Todd and Nick, but hope they come up with one by the end of today. So, I had come up with several ideas for my word including: "moments" , "remember" etc... but in the middle of the night, a word came to me and I think this is the word that is meant to be: "EXPLORE". I think it can be used in many different ways including exploring new opportunities and places, being open to new ideas, reading new books and wanting to go in different directions or at least try them out. I look forward to expanding on this word through the year with family and friends and with myself.

I'm also looking very forward to working on "Project Life" again and Picture 365 where I will take a photo a day. Ideally, I would LOVE to post my photo here every day and start a Flickr site also so I can hold myself accountable to do this. I'm remaining uncommital at this time, but hope to try to do it. Haven't taken any photos today so can't post todays yet :)

I pray for good health and safety for our family members and for us. Yay, I am on the right start to posting daily or at least more often. Can't end without a favorite photo or two taken in the past couple of weeks.