Our Charlie

I thought it was time to journal about our Charlie, and how much joy he brings us.  Charlie was a gift from God.  We prayed for a long time for the right dog, and Charlie appeared....well, not really appeared, he flew in all the way from St. Louis to Florida! Max was on a business call (God's timing, of course!) with an old friend from Germany, and she told him that she bought Charlie for her teenage daughter, but he wasn't getting the attention he needed. Next thing I knew, we were picking him up at the airport.  He is the perfect dog for us.  He doesn't shed at all!....(which is awesome for my allergies), he's small enough to take on road trips (and he loves going anywhere!), he's snuggles with Payton and wrestles with the guys.  And he's a great guard dog because he doesn't have a clue he's only 17 pounds. :)

So here are just a few pictures of "Charles Jacob Jingle-Hiemer Schmidt" - or  Charlie for short.

He is always with us in the homeschooling room. The kids couldn't resist putting on my reading glasses one morning, and opening a book by his bed. Too funny! Why does he look so cute in those glasses, and I just look old?

                                          These two are in this position 80% 90% of the time.

                                                                  Charlie serenading us.

 Landon called me into the living room....and this is what I saw.  Charlie with Landon's body, or is it, Landon's body with Charlie's head. Either way, it was funny.  :)

 Charlie will always find a cozy place to lay- he'll lay on Max's duffel bag, pillows, dirty laundry, etc.. anything with a little padding.  He's just a little spoiled.  :)

Here's the cowboy and cowgirl in Florida after winning 1st place in a dog show for "Most Look Alike."

How sad life would be without pets (particularly dogs!).

“For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth forever. Praise ye the LORD.” Psalms 117:2

Soccer Tournament

We spent last weekend in Phoenix for a soccer tournament. We got the tail end of a cold front, so the weather was beautiful. It's really nice to have the option of a metropolitan city close by, there is so much to do there. The team met at the Cheese Cake Factory on the patio for dinner....if you haven't had their cheese cake, don't wait any longer! ;)

I love the faces she makes. :)

A kick with grace....

.....one with more determination than grace. :)

Bored to Sleep!

This is what Landon thought of my Hallmark movie.  :)

Balloon Fiesta

It was not easy, but we cancelled (lots!) of activities to make it to the Albuquerque for the 40th Anniversary Balloon Fiesta. And, it was well worth it. It was spectacular! Visualize over 550 hot air balloons filling up  New Mexico's beautiful blue sky. The only thing that would have made it more perfect was if daddy could have been there with us. He had his work weekend (UTA), so he had to stay behind in Tucson. Nevertheless, uncle Mike, Auntie Mary and Nana joined us, and whenever this gang is around...there is always lots of laughter and fun! ;)

Filling them up....

Don't let this picture fool you, they were cold. (Maybe next time they will listen to their always-prepared- for-the-cold mother.) ;)

Payton and I taking a picture and video of each other.

 Thanks, my lovely family, for getting up at 4:00 am to join us....it wouldn't have been the same without you!

Lined up and ready to go!

Isn't it amazing what fire and air can do?

New Mexico flag

Up, up and away....

This one is for my dad, who was not willing to fight the crowds. :)

Here's Darth Vader for the Star Wars fans....(which I'm not).

Must be from Tucson?

Elsie the cow

Gotta "love" this one!

I love the size comparison in this pic.


The rest of our day consisted of food and family.  It was a fun packed day!

Arizona the Beautiful

We started school the beginning of August - but then took a short vacation to travel (the very diverse) Arizona.

The Grand Canyon is breathtaking! My pictures don't look real because it's so picturesque.

Thanks to a stranger who was willing to take a family shot for us. (They were from Norway....and honestly, it was rare to hear the English language spoken. There were many, many Europeans.)

          Mr. (or Mrs.?) birdie posing for me.

A beautiful view.... :)

And of course we couldn't leave the Grand Canyon without a joke from Landon. :)  When we lived here years ago, I didn't have any desire to bring my young kids. I was paranoid enough with a 16 and 12 year old falling over!

          The beautiful red rocks of Sedona....

We did lots of hiking. We hiked in Prescott, Sedona and the Grand Canyon.

          The end of our hike...

Here we are walking up to a church in the rocks. Aren't the colors amazing?!

           Here is the church...

         I love Sedona. :)

The natural water slide at Slide Rock Park was a HUGE hit with the kids.

Here's Landon jumping into the "cold" water. It was really refreshing on a hot day, but still tooooo cold for me. I prefer bath water temperature.

          Payton's turn...

          Here they are sliding down the "very" slippery rocks!

Thank you, Lord, for your amazing creation.


“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” Psalms 19:1

A Bitter/Sweet Week

For the first time EVER - I was apart from my son for a full week!!  He went to a Leadership Camp in Texas.  It was a wonderful experience for him....(notice the emphasis on "him!" Yes, I know he's 16, but  does a number make you care less, miss less...or love less? I think not.)  Anyway, back to the camp - it was a week jammed packed with seminars, agility tests, public speaking....just to name a few activities.  I sent a camera with him, and you know how many pictures he took...ZERO!! A big fat zero! Ah...it's killing me!  He said one of the counselors took over 600 pics, and I'm waiting patiently to receive the link....(well, maybe not so patiently!).  :)

We missed our guys.


What made the week even more interesting was Max was also out of town.  So it was just my Snookums  and I.  We had such a sweet time together! (Hence the title, bitter/sweet!) We had our own Mama & Daughter Camp." We shopped, swam, ate out, had lots of popcorn with World Cup (go USA!) and got our fill of our favorite cooking shows, played chess, worked out, did our nails, had an appetizer party, dessert party, we played with her hair, we talked, talked and talked, we prayed together, slept together....and had plenty snuggling time....and let me just say - she is the world's best snuggler!  Here are just a few of my favorite snuggling pics.  :)

It was a super fun week with you, Snookums!  :)

4th of July

 My plan when moving back to Tucson was to have an annual 4th of July party.  I love 4th of July. I love my country! I'm grateful for our forefathers that founded this land. I'm grateful for the men and women who, to this day, fight for our freedom.  

Most important, I'm grateful to our Lord; for the freedom we have in Him because of the cross.  

Anyhow, my plans for a party didn't happen.  (I stayed too long in NM to plan accordingly.)  So, we had a quiet, special celebration.  Payton led us in the Star Spangled Banner (which she sings quite well...due to lots of practice!) :) We enjoyed a typical BBQ before the monsoons kicked in and drenched Tucson.  The temperature dropped from 101 to 70 within a short time.  (Only in the desert!)  It cooled down  beautifully and made for a wonderful evening of dessert and games.

May....

...and may America Bless God....

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people He chose for His inheritance.  

Psalm 33:12

Washington DC

In front of the White House....(or as Landon called it, "his future home.")

                                                            The Lincoln Memorial

                                                    Payton and one great president!

                                                The Washington Memorial - 554 ft high!

Landon actually reads the brochures.  :)

A beautiful view from the top of the memorial... 

Our tour inside the Library of Congress.  If allowed, Landon would have camped out there. :)

We also got a tour inside of the Capital.  (We had our feet on the star... but unfortunately, I forgot the significance.)  ;)

Payton and I with a statue of one of our finest Presidents ever -- Ronald Reagan!

A few shots in the museum. The Smithsonian is amazing!....and free!! :)

Whose brain do you think is larger? :)

A general's stuffed horse.  Eew! 

The last pictures are of the war memorials - where there are too many numbers, too many names, too many lives.  May our heroes never be forgotten!

Vietnam Memorial

Korean War Memorial

WWII  Memorial

This wall says it all...