2010 - We Won't Soon Forget You!

We hope that all of you have a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year's celebration!

Here's our first family picture!  Eliana is 2 weeks old.

     This year has been the craziest since we've been married.   In 2010 we made it through: a re-location (from Findlay, Ohio to Indianapolis, Indiana), a house sale (still trying to figure out how God did that one), and a new baby (Eliana). 

     From January through May, we lived apart commuting back and forth every week to spend a little time together.  We lived with a new friend, Pat, from June through October.  Finally, we moved into our new house in November.  If you're keeping score, we've had 4 addresses in this calendar year.

     Bringing Eliana into the world has been the greatest adventure that we've ever been apart of!  She is such a beautiful blessing and is growing by the day.  We're enjoying the transition into parenthood (all 2+ weeks of it).  Thankfully, we've had the help of Erin's mom, Peggy, to help us juggle the day-to-day tasks around the house and having a new baby.  She has been such a huge help to us!

     Working at The Church of Mt. Gilead has proven to be the right step for our ministry as a family to continue to help point children and families to a growing knowledge and relationship with Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. 

     Through all of this, we have found time to reflect on what God has been teaching us:

• Patience - God helps along our patience by giving us ample opportunities to show patience.  God models patience for us in that we waits for us to turn to Him.  
• Cord of 3 Strands - We are stronger when we lean on one another than when we try to take on life by ourself.  However, we are exponentially stronger when we lean into God together.  We trust that He hears our prayers.  He answers them in His way (which is higher than our way) and in His time (which is more perfect than our time).  
• Tomorrow doesn't have to be Yesterday - God doesn't waste anything.  Everyday is an opportunity to grow closer to God.  We seek to become better as Christ-followers, parents, spouses, leaders, friends as we step into 2011.

     "We know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."  Romans 5:3-5

May God Bless you and your family, and may you turn toward Him today and find the true love and peace waiting for you there.

Merry Christmas!

Welcome Eliana!

Well after much anticipation (and pain) our girl, Eliana entered the world on December 7, 2010.  We could not be more proud of how she turned out.  It's going to be a wild ride as we try to figure out how to be parents.  In future posts, we'll make sure to note things that we are learning along the way (which will probably be common sense to seasoned parents).  All in all, we're just excited, and sleep deprived, but it is such a blessing to have Eliana in our lives.

Ready or Not

This next week will be week 36.  There is still so much to do, but I'm quickly getting over the fact that it won't all get finished.  There's also a chance that they will want to take the baby early.  I'm having some problems with my liver levels, which is causing my skin to be itchy all over.  So, we'll see what happens with that.

In the past month, we finally sold the house in Findlay and moved into a rental house.  We also had a baby shower, and we got a lot of things that we needed.  Here are some recent pictures from the shower.  Stay tuned.  She's coming soon!

We got lots of really cute baby clothes!

Brutus made an appearance.  

Our little family!

Progress

December is quickly approaching, and it feels like I'm finally making progress on some baby things.  We ordered our crib and two dressers.  They were apparently on clearance.  Ha!  It also worked out that we got a steal on a rocking chair/glider.  The picture below shows all the baby furniture waiting to be moved in to our new place.  In November, we will be renting a house in Indianapolis.  It will be much better than being in an apartment.  We're so thankful that this opportunity came up because a friend is moving to Florida for awhile.

In other news, things with the baby seem to be going pretty well.  She has been moving around a lot, and I get quite a few comments from adults and kids about how big I'm getting.  I guess that's a good thing.  Last week, I had my glucose test, and I passed after nearly passing out.  I go back next week for a regular check up.  We also went to a baby class this weekend and toured the hospital.

I haven't posted any pictures of Fred.  So, I caught him off guard and ended up with this beauty (seen below).  He's been so great throughout this entire process.  We've had our ups and downs with how crazy and unstable our lives have been since January, but I couldn't ask for a better husband.  He's been my biggest fan, and I love him more than ever.  I guess that's why we have to go through times like this, so we can truly appreciate how blessed we are.

Just Tell it Like it is

People have been making some interesting comments lately about how big I'm getting.  Here are some of my favorites.

"You're really starting to blossom."
"You're not going to be able to keep that secret any longer."
"You're really starting to show."
"You're really starting to pop out."
"You're belly is still sticking out."

So, here's the latest picture.  I'm 26 weeks.

This last picture gives you a little glimpse at my new obsession, which is trying to figure out how to be a mom.  I've been a little overwhelmed with trying to figure out where we're going to live, what crib to buy, what brands of things to register for, investigating cloth diapers, and etc.  Needless to say, I have a long way to go.  There's no way that I'll have it all figured out by December.  I guess this is what parenting is all about.  

Ode to Maternity Clothes

At first, I was totally opposed to maternity clothes and the thought of getting bigger.  However, I tried a pair of maternity pants the other day, and I fell in love.  They are so comfortable compared to wearing those bands that go over your regular pants.  So, I finally splurged today and bought quite a few things.  Some of the shirts seem like tents for now, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time before they'll fit.

In other news, I've actually taken some steps towards getting prepared for the baby.  I've scoped out Babies R' Us and Buy Buy Baby, and I think that I have a good idea of what to register for.  These stores can be totally overwhelming.  Thankfully, a friend helped me navigate the necessary vs. the unnecessary.

I definitely feel good about making some progress.  Now, we just need the house to sell.  Still waiting on that.

The Baby Bump

Here are some fun baby bump pictures for you all to enjoy!  Please note that I think the side shot baby bump picture can be a little cheesy.  So, I tried to spice it up a bit.  This is me at 22 weeks and growing.

I can't even do the side baby bump shot right.  My one arm is in the middle of my stomach.  Nice!

This was Fred's idea for a pose.  There's really nothing else to say about it.  :)

Introducing Baby Girl Schmitt

Because my family in Florida has not gotten the chance to see all of the pictures of our baby girl, I'm posting quite a few of the ultrasound pictures.  

Here she is at 10 weeks in 4D.  Very cool!

20 weeks - leg

20 weeks - foot

20 weeks - hand giving a thumbs up

We had to schedule another ultrasound because she would not flip over during the first ultrasound.  Apparently, she's proving to be a little stubborn just like her mom.  At 22 weeks, were were finally able to see her left ventricle and get some good 4D face shots.  She's a cutie!

20 weeks - spine

The Latest News

2010 has proven to be a crazy year as we struggle to get settled into a new city and ministry.  We are definitely looking forward to some positive changes in our lives and family in 2011.  For those of you who have not heard, we are expecting our first baby at the end of December.  After quite a bit of waiting and surgery for me (Erin), our dreams of becoming parents are finally coming true.  So far, we know it’s a girl, but we have nothing else planned.  She remains nameless (besides a few ideas that we can’t agree on), we do not have a bedroom for her, and we have not registered for a thing.  We will certainly keep you all posted as everything progresses.  I can tell that parenting comes with a lot of difficult decisions even before the baby is born.  I’ve been trying to investigate immunizations, diapers, routines, names, and etc.  I’m not sure that I’ll ever have it all figured out. 

In other news, our house is going back up on the market again in September after a new roof and painting throughout the house.  We’re really praying that it sells quickly because it’s hard to plan things for this baby girl while we’re waiting to know where we’ll be living.  Currently, we are blessed to live with a lovely woman from the church.  However, we have to sell this house to get into our own place before the baby.  We’re also really praying that we don’t go into major debt from selling it because we’re dropping the price considerably.  Here’s hoping for God’s perfect timing to take place sometime in September. 

Honor

Letting others know you see how valuable they are.

I want to spend some time and mental energy to express my gratitude to those who have helped Erin and myself throughout our lives thus far.  Of course, when you write posts like this you run the risk of omitting someone (or many people).   Please note, this is not an exhaustive list, but an attempt.  If you are reading this and find it interesting...please pay it forward and honor others this month.

Parents
Our parents are vastly different as individuals, however at their core is a deep desire to love us help up succeed in our lives.  Soon, hopefully, we will be able to continue the legacy of love that our parents have instilled in us.  The sheer fact that this post is being written is evidence of the fact that I have had the blessing of parents who have demonstrated what it means to be thoughtful, and giving.

The lessons are too many to count and re-iterate here, however they were caught......eventually.  Erin and I have found that listening to the wisdom of our parents (even when it was unsolicited) is valuable.  Our current position in life will allow us to help others, as we remain faithful to the opportunities that God opens for us.

My prayer is that our parents would know how important they are in the formation of our lives, both good and bad.  My hope is that they would never cease to parent, but remain interested in our life together as a married couple.  My desire is to build a family built on love, one where my children are proud to be placed in.

Mom, Dad, I love you.    /FS