Valenversary

 So yeah, that’s not a word! But anyway...this weekend I surprised Mitch with a quick trip up North. We didn’t get to celebrate our anniversary and February will be full with swim meets (hopefully) and a trip North to visit family before Mitch heads to Spain....Valentines weekend. I booked a room at the resort where we were married and we had a lovely dinner overlooking the lake. It was fun to see him try to put it together. I told him we were just having a lunch date while the girls were at Saturday swim practice. I just kept on driving. Ultimately it was the email from Papa Murphy’s pizza that did me in. He couldn’t figure out why I was ordering a pizza so I had to spill the news that it was for the girls and the baby sitter because we weren’t going home.

When we wed 13 years ago it was in the midst of quite a snow storm, a few years back when we came to visit it snowed again. This morning we woke up to plenty of white stuff. I wonder if when Lake Geneva sees us coming it thinks “here come the Schultzes...get the snow plows ready”! 

Relocating

 For weeks I’ve been debating, when is the right time to share this news...

At the end of 2020 I shared my word for 2021...opportunity. This year we are going to seize them. So the Schultzes are relocating. But this isn’t just any relocation. We will be crossing the ocean and setting up residence in Valencia, a beautiful city on the Mediterranean Sea. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous, if it wasn’t a little scary, but we’re diving in head first. Because OPPORTUNITY like this doesn’t come along every day. Mitch is excited about the work he will be doing. The girls have handled the news very well, they have questions but they’re mostly excited. It helps that this is temporary. The plan is for us to return to Mt. Zion summer 22. We’re going to make the most of our time in Europe, hopefully the girls come back bilingual and all of us better off for having the experience. Mitch leaves in about 6 weeks and the girls and I will follow when school is out. We’re ready for all that 2021 has to offer.

December 37th, 2020

 So much for “2021” is our year!!! It’s January 6th...too soon to ask for a refund???

We returned from AZ and Mitch had a cough, then he was sweating and shivering through the night. At first he had no covid symptoms other than a cough. I mean, he could smell, he could taste, no sore throat, no fever...surely this was just a cold. But the test proved otherwise. He’s Covid positive. A few days later and we’re ALL positive!!!

In other news political extremists stormed the Capitol building in Washington DC today. Congress was set to count the electoral votes today to verify our new president. What I watched on TV was truly disturbing. Our country needs healing...our country needs Jesus. Praying for healing for our land. I’m scared for what we are leaving our children. 

And then to top it off a spectacular day, Mitch heard the dogs barking outside. When I opened the door and called for them, Piper came running and seconds later I heard Zoey yelping. Piper ran back out and a few minutes later they both came in. Only later did we discover Zoey had a gaping puncture/flesh wound on her back leg. The vet had to put her under and stitch her up. Thanks for nothing, 2021!!!

Hattie in the snow

 Oh Miss Hattie...she just loves catching up with Lisa. I think the feeling is mutual. She always makes taking pictures a breeze because she never stops smiling. She's wearing the same sweater in these pictures that Leah wore a few years ago. Love the pop of color...fitting for my Hattiecakes!

Kiersten in the snow

 My Bug...always one to pose for the camera. She absolutely delivers the best pictures with her laugh. And she doesn't hesitate to try out any pose that Lisa suggests...even when it means laying in the snow. Imagine my surprise when I looked out the window and Lisa was laying in the snow too. I love that we had the opportunity to do this again!

Leah in the snow

 Oh this girl is growing up too fast. She had a bit of attitude this morning...trying to get her makeup just right. She didn't like the sweater I asked her to wear...It makes her ribs stick out!!! I loved when Lisa complimented the sweater right away, and even knew where it was from. She let me do her hair and she'd looking more and more like a teenager. My beautiful little Leah. 

Snow Photos

 I spoke too soon...as I was finishing up my last post, Lisa emailed me the link to all our pictures. They are so magical. I love that they were taken here in our yard, at our home...a magical winter wonderland!!!

Kicking off 2021

We arrived home on Friday, January 1st, from a wonderful Christmas vacation. We drove THROUGH lots of snow to get home and then WOKE to lots of snow on Sunday the 3rd. I don't love the snow, really don't love the cold, but I'm here for it!!!! I had messaged Lisa Hastings a while back about doing snow pictures if the opportunity presented itself. So sure enough at about 7:15 this morning we had a plan. I told her I'd get the girls up and moving. She was in my driveway by 8:45 and we were done by 9:15...we even had Zoey and Piper join us. They are loving the snow. 

The girls played in the snow from about 9:30 to 3:00, only taking a break for lunch. They clearly weren't phased by the snow. It was really gorgeous. The sunset tonight in our backyard was stunning. Now I'm anxiously awaiting Lisa to work her magic.