This week

Excuse my absence. I haven't even thought about blogging because I have been so wrapped up in the everyday. This was my first week of school. It was great! Time consuming but great. I love my anatomy teacher. I have a feeling I'm going to love this class. Anatomy is very facinating to me for some reason. I am probably one of the oldest in the class, but because of my "girlish figure" (I mean how I look like a 12 years old), I think I fit right in. My 3 lab partners are probably around 21 and listening to them talk and discuss what is going on with their lives was cute, I was laughing inside. I was probably just like them when I was that age. One girl looked at me like I was an alien when I told her I have 3 children.
This week I have had an uphill battle and full out struggle with my middle child. MISS OLIVIA, God love her, I know I do. There are just some moments that I want to pinch her. She wants to argue about everything. Now she is at the point where she full blown YELLS AT ME! She is grounded right now. From gum, candy, friends, and last night she had to go to bed early. I had a long talk with her. She was half listening, half not. She didn't want to talk to me. She just got crocodile tears and asked for her Daddy (mind you, she has never been a Daddy's girl). So my prayer for this week consisted of Olivia, Olivia, Olivia. I feel like I am failing as a mother. I thought that her and I would have a great relationship because of me being the middle child as well. The harder I try with her, the further I get.
I had a little break down and played the "what if" game in my mind. Eli wanted to talk to me about it and I felt that I couldn't speak my mind because I didn't know how to explain my feelings in a way that it didn't offend him or make him feel like "WE" were a mistake or that I was regretting anything in our lives together. I made so many mistakes as a teenager and as a young adult. I hate thinking about how stupid I was right out of high school and how I could let wanting to party with my friends and boyfriend at that time alter going away to college. I took the easy way out. I was affraid to try something new and meet new people. Affraid I wouldn't fit in. I stayed in my little comfortable situation and lived at home. I had a university life sitting right in front of me, no questions asked, paid for. What did I do.....ANYWAY....enough about that.
Erika had her 2nd and 3rd soccer game. She is getting better! She says that she loves it but would like to switch back to gymnastics in the spring. I'm just happy that she is willing to try different things. I found myself being a "soccer mom", screaming, cheering, and carrying on....get the ball Erika, GO GO GO. I think I embarrassed Eli.
Makenna is doing better. She has a great attitude. She doesn't mind her cast and is using that arm more and more every day. Her recheck with the ortho was pretty good. The bone has fused together FINALLY, but not as straight as he would have hoped. He said that there will be a visual difference between the 2 arms, but as the bone grows it should straiten out and get back to the normal shape withing 6 months to a year. She might, and I say might, get her cast off in two weeks. Yippy!
I think I have covered my week.

Healthy Lifestyles

I started my online class on Friday night. I am happy to say that I am a week ahead of schedule. I worked on it Friday and Sunday, turning my project in early. I was a little nervous about the whole on-line learning system, but it is pretty simple and self explanatory.
My anatomy class starts on Wednesday. I am excited to be in school. I don't think it will be easy, but I have a drive that I have never had before. Eli is being so supportive and I think that helps as well. I was reading on Friday night and I looked up and caught him staring at me. He gave me a little look and said, "Dana, I love you and I am so proud of you." That was enough to make my heart melt. It made me feel like I was on the right track. I know I will need his support on so many levels in the next couple of years and I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband!
I was happy to get all my homework done and out of the way so I could enjoy the new season of 24 that started last night and another 2 hours tonight. The best part about it is we have TIVO now, so we can fast forward through the commercials......it was a whole new experience, complete with popcorn.

Nathan

Eli's mom called us yesterday to let us know that Nathan, Eli's brother, is going to be sent to Iraq. He is so young and he just became a Daddy. Please keep in your prayers, to keep him safe and bring him home soon!
Eli's sister, Tara, found out that she is having a girl. GIRLS, GIRLS, everywhere. She will be my 4th niece.

My trip to Lansing

I left the house last night! It was great! Cathie and I drove to Lansing to meet up with Monaca at the bookstore near MSU. I was able to get all my books except for 1. I was like a kid in a candy store. I was picking out books and Monaca was making sure the books for the class that she teaches was in, her students lied to her and told her that the bookstore was sold out. It was a little strange hanging out with a "teacher", especially such a young and cute one (and younger than me)! We went to starbucks for coffee and some girly talk and then headed home.
Cathie pointed out all the places that her a Dave used to live and talked about old times. It was so great to get out.
Tonight is my first "official" small group meeting. I am in need!
Two nights out in a row....I hope Makenna is better for Eli tonight than last night. Thanks Eli, I love you! (Correction - This will be Eli's third night in row alone with kids....I forgot that I worked on Tuesday night)

And the Saga continues....

Tuesday, Makenna had to go back to the orthopedic specialist. Her radius had shifted again, worse than before they set it the first time. SO....off with the old cast and on with a new. I chose a different color cast this time, purple, maybe it will change our luck....along with a ton of prayer! This is becoming exhausting, and I am becoming pretty emotional about it. It is making me feel that I am not as strong as I thought I was. I feel helpless to her. I just wish I could explain everything to her.
As if she doesn't feel crappy enough....yesterday she woke up with 103 temperature. She has pink eye and an upper respiratory infection. She looks so miserable, she won't eat, she hates her medicine, I can't get the ointment in her eyes.....has anyone been able to put ointment in a 16 month year old eyes before? Take it from me, it is not fun! The funny part is, I can medicate a nasty cat that is hissing, biting, spitting at me, but I can't medicate my own daughter!
I am tired. I am sad. I am so many things right now....

I just keep repeating over and over......"If God brings you to it, he'll bring you through it"
Sounds so simple doesn't it?

Update on Makenna

Isn't this just the saddest face.....this was at the ER last Tuesday night, before the the put her temporary cast on. Almost one week later....she is on her 3rd cast, soon to be 4th. Her cast is slipping once again, so I think we will be back to see the orthopedic in the morning. She is doing great though! What a trooper. She is becoming quite the daredevil. The cast is not stopping her. She is starting to lift her arm more and I think she is going to start to use it as a weapon soon.

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the prayers, love, and support that our family has been receiving the past week. We are truly blessed for all the great people that we have in our lives! Cathie and Jen were even so kind to make us some food to help me with the everyday Mommy load, they were so kind to think of the girls as well......cookies and stickers! I THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!

Makenna has a BOO BOO

Most of you may know...but in case you don't, Makenna broke her arm yesterday. She broke both her radius and ulna just above her wrist on her left arm. We went to the ER pediatric unit at St Joseph Ann Arbor, which I have to say, the nurses there are absolutely wonderful and so kind and know just where to put the chair when a mom is about to pass out. It is a pretty bad break. They set her arm the best they could and sent us home with pain medication and a referral for an orthopedic surgeon. Today we saw the surgeon. WHO CLEARED HIS SCHEDULE tomorrow morning to reset Makenna arm with a live X-ray. He wanted to do it tonight but couldn't get an open spot or an anesthesiologist. He was so nice and Makenna smiled and waved hello and bye bye to him (which was such a huge thing considering Makenna has been pretty miserable). I feel like we are in good hands but I am completely terrified.
I just wanted to keep everyone posted, while I had a quick second. I have so much to do to get ready for tomorrow. If you could please throw a prayer our way I would greatly appreciate it!

Pictures from Erika and Nana's Birthday

On Thursday night, the family met over at my parents to celebrate my Mom's birthday and also Erika's birthday. My parents left yesterday to go up north for the weekend and wanted to celebrate Erika's birthday then (Erika told Great Grandma they went to Africa).
Today, Diane and I took the girls to see Charlotte's Web. After the movie, we met up with the guys and Makenna at Lone Star for dinner (Erika's choice). The movie was just as I remembered it and better....and yes I cried when Charlotte died. Diane and I both agreed that we didn't remember it being that sad. That movie had so many lessons in it....I see more of that now that I am older.

Here are pictures and a little video from both nights......

Make photo slide shows at onetruemedia.com

Happy Birthday ERIKA JILLIAN

WOW! I don't know if it's harder to believe that Erika is 7, or that Eli and I have a 7 year old! It just seems like yesterday that Eli and I were driving home from Oakwood Hospital and I started sobbing like a baby, turned to Eli and said, "I can't believe those people let me take this baby home....I have no idea what to do." Now look at me, 7 years later and everyday with Erika, I still don't know what I am doing. It's a great ride though! She was sent to me from heaven! She entered the world at 6:00 am, weighing 6 lbs 1 oz, 19 3/4 inches long. The first night home, she slept through the night (of coarse not day 2 - 4 months). She also didn't walk until she was 15 months. She has never been in a hurry (except to be born....3 weeks early on the dot). When Erika is ready, she'll let you know. She is probably the most laid back of the 3, she is Eli's daughter.

She is stubborn, yet she does tend to go with the flow and have a great time doing it. She is definitely the older child, and boy she loves her Daddy and her little sisters. She loves pretty much everybody and she is the first in line to give you hug and a kiss and tell you how much she loves you! She is our "social butterfly" and does great in social situations. She will talk to pretty much anyone. Erika know's if someone's feelings are hurt or if someone wronged another person and usually tries to help. She if very aware of her surroundings.

She has a special love for nature and animals, mostly wild animals. Almost every library book she has ever taken out has to do with some kind of animal or bird. She is not afraid of quiet time alone with a great book or some sort of journal. She is not afraid to be alone. She is not afraid of what she wants and she will fight for it. I envy her sometimes.

Erika makes me proud. Proud of what a beautiful person she has already become. She has a beautiful soul! She is one of the greatest things Eli and I ever could have done together. Our little Erika! I am blessed to have her in my life. There are some times I feel as if I don't deserve her. There are many times I feel that she is the grown up and I am the child. She puts me in perspective.

Makenna's growing up

As if I don't have anything else to do....this was my project today. I had taken some video with my new camera and didn't know exactly what to do with it.... I decided to go through some pictures and add some other video from the OLD camera.....this is my end result! I laughed through it and cried through it. Good thing Eli has had a vasectomy. My Makenna is growing up SO FAST.
Enjoy, I did. The very last clip cracks me up, what WAS she doing?

Photo and video editing at onetruemedia.com

Happy Birthday Mom

Happy Birthday Mom.....I LOVE YOU!!!!!


1. My Mom is the most beautiful 57 year old woman I know......I hope she is not mad that I am sharing this information.

2. My Mom will not leave her house without being fully dressed or without her make up on.

3. If my Mom buys you shoes or clothes as a gift.....she has different sizes and colors hidden in her bedroom for you to choose from.

4. She is the oldest and wisest of 3 children. She also has 3 children herself.

5. She is late for everything.

6. She still, after 10 years of living in her new house has not found a set of drapes that she likes.

7. She was born and raised in the same house in Detroit Michigan, until she married my Dad at age 19.

8. She hates the word "Grandma", she prefers to be called "Nana".

9. She keeps beef jerky in her pantry at all times for her favorite son in law. (just kidding Jeff)

10. She probably has over 3000 unopened emails.

11. She would be the first person who would help out at any given time.

12. She NEVER pulls her hair away from her face, and has had the same hair style for probably 25 years.

13. She has more shoes than a department store.

14. She love all of her grandchildren and spoils them regularly.

15. She used to pass for my sister and would get carded at the bar frequently. Most of my boyfriends growing up had a crush on her.

16. Every year I grow closer to my Mom and realize why she is the way she is. I am a lot like her.

17. She doesn't take NO for an answer. She will try and convince you otherwise, and sometimes won't quit until you agree with her.

Christmas

Christmas at my parents was great. We had a little late start opening presents, lets just say we didn't finish exchanging presents till around 11:00 that evening. We had people coming and going throughout the whole day. The day was absolutely wonderful!
Kevin, Keith, and Dave came first...around 2:00. We had a great time visiting with them. It was so great that they wanted to share their Christmas with us. There was a ton of food, drinks, and laughter!
Great Grandma came around 3:00. All the little girls....especially Erika was just ecstatic. They love their Great Grandma.
Guy, Kristy, her boyfriend Chris, Alex, and Aunt Marion showed up a little later. It is so great that they could make it. It has been hard for them to come because of other family obligations and so on throughout the past couple of years. It was great to see them all again!
I went a little camera happy because my Mom and Dad gave me a new camera for Christmas! It is a Olympus Stylus 740. It is so great to take pictures without my camera shutting off randomly!
All in all, my Christmas was wonderful. My family is wonderful. We had a great day!

Pictures from Christmas

Ryan, Jeff, and Eli

Makenna in her pretty dress

My Daddy and I

Jeff and Eli enjoying some Bloody Mary's

Ladies in Red

Ryan and Great Grandma

Mom and Dad with Kevin

Enjoying some laughter!

Keith, my Dad, and I sat at the kiddy table. I guess we're not mature enough to sit at the adult table.

Keith and I

Diane and Kevin
Guy and Erika

Daddy's little girl

Ryan, Lauren, Erika and Makenna enjoying a late movie

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning was great. The girls enjoyed opening their present. After presents, Eli made breakfast, then we made phone calls to Utah. The girls were able to talk to Grandma and Papa Steve, and then Papa Schultz. It is so great to watch them talk on the phone to their grandparents....especially when Olivia asks Papa Schultz, "Where's your wife." And asks Grandma if she can talk to Papa Schultz instead of Papa Steve. oops....She means well, she just wants to make sure she is able to talk to everyone possible. She is a talker.....wonder where she gets that from....
It's so sad that they are so far away.

Christmas Eve Night

Our Christmas Eve is pretty quiet. We have my parents and David over. We had a great dinner, thanks of coarse to Eli, "THE MASTER COOK". We completely stuffed ourselves. After dinner, the girls and I went outside and sprinkled our reindeer food outside, then the girls were off to bed. That's when the true work begins.....Eli was putting stuff together (putting girly stickers on a barbie van and setting up a weeble wobble castle) and I was wrapping away. It was nice just to have some quiet time by the fire together. I think we make it to bed about 1:30.

We did our traditional pajama present. Even Eli and I exchanged pj's this year. No picture of that though and it's not because they're to kinky!

Erika tried to make Uncle David smile.....AND SHE DID!

Pictures of My Family

MY BEAUTIFUL GIRLS

Look at me go!!!!

The past week....If I can remember

Sunday, we had our first Marshall/Agusti get together....everyone was there except for Curt (Peggy's husband) and David. There were 4 grandparents, 7 of us...ADULTS, and 8 grandchildren. I am happy to say that Eli I have the most children. You can see pictures...CLICK HERE.
Monday, (well technically Sunday night) Olivia came down with strep throat. This is the first official positive strep culture within the Schultz children. I guess I could thank either the Meadors or the Kurts for this.
Tuesday, work.
Wednesday, Makenna had her 15 month check up. Doing great. Growing like a weed. Very tall, skinny, and small headed. She is officially walking. YEAH!!!! It's about time. She is all over the place now. She also figured out how to climb on the couch, and screams at the top of her lungs when she wants down (this is also true for stair climbing). She says Momma, Dadda, yesssss, I love you, uh oh, ahhhhhh. She gives great big hugs and wonderful little kisses....she also knows how to smack you across the face and throw food and the dog, and meows everytime a cat walks by her. She is IN LOVE with Olivia. To the point where Olivia is starting to push her away. I love this stage, all the new exciting things she is figuring out. GO KENNA!
I did a little shopping that afternoon and at night I went to the Bob Segar concert with Diane, Jeff, Mom, Dad, and some "overly nice" friends of Jeff. It was a little strange going out with a bunch of couples without Eli.
Thursday Eli and I cleaned house. That night went out with Dave and Cathie to a comedy show. The comedian was Cathie's uncle. He was hilarious! We had a great time.
Friday I woke up and shopped all day, and I mean ALL DAY! Started at the outlets with Diane, Ryan, Erika and I. Then at Costco with my Dad and the girls. Then Michaels and Target with the girls. By the end of the night, Olivia was stumbling through the aisle saying, "MOMMY, I just wanna go home." Believe me, SO DID I.
Now it is Saturday morning at 1:15 am and I have been wrapping presents for about 4 hours. Eli went out with some friends to the Bob Segar concert. I, of coarse, am sitting up waiting for him to get home, so I know he is safe (a long night from drinking and having to drive home....yes, does make me worry a little). I should be in bed because I have to leave for work in about 5 1/2 hours.
So this was my week. I am exhausted yet excited for Christmas. I love Christmas....everything about it. This year we are going to have some newcomers to our Christmas celebrations. Jerimia is coming to Christmas eve at our house. Keith and Kevin are coming to my parents on Christmas day. My cousin Kristy is also coming Christmas day, who we haven't seen is such a long time. So I am excited! Lots of Love and Laughter.....come my way!
I am going to lay down. GOOD NIGHT!

Work Party

Wow....I haven't actually sat down to write in my blog in a week. These pictures are from my work party. That is my boss, Dr. Jeffrey talking dirty to Santa. We went to dinner and then out to Snookers after. Snookers is where Eli and I met. A lot has changed there. It brought back memories.

Maria Christine Bracilano

Karyn gave birth to a beautiful baby girl, Marie Christine (named after Auntie Chris). She was born on Saturday, December 9, 2006 at 5:49 AM, 8lbs. 8oz, 21 1/2 inches long. Coen loves his little sister!

Grandma and Grandpa are smiling down on them from heaven! They are angels watching over their first grand daughter together!

The reason why Eli had a vasectomy....

I was reading the girls a bedtime story tonight and Eli decided to join in:

Me: "Here kitty kitty. Would you like to sit on my lap?"

Eli: (From in the other room mind you......) "YEAH....NOW THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT." Then he proceeds to burst out in laughter.

Erika: "What is so funny? Why is Daddy laughing so hard."

Me: "Oh Erika.....Daddy is just being Daddy. He just cracks himself up" (How do you answer to that)

What gets me is....the selective hearing that men have. Also the ability to make everything out to be a sexual thing. God love men!!! GIGGLE

Freakin dog

Imagine this:

It's Monday morning and you're sitting at your kitchen table, drinking your coffee. You see your crazy neighbor running through your back yard chasing their dog screaming "COME, GET BACK HERE". The best part is that it's winter and your neighbor is barefoot in her pajamas (shorts and a see through tee-shirt with no bra)........ YEP that was me this morning....the crazy neighbor. Remind me again why I have a dog........

Christmas Card Pictures

Last night I took pictures for our traditional Christmas cards. One thing I realized is that it gets harder to get a picture where everyone is smiling the more kids you have. So here are the best 6 that I had to choose from. I think they did pretty good considering Makenna was having a breakdown, as you can tell in some where her face is bright red.


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Erika's Writing Workshop Celebration

On Thursday, I went to Erika's school, for a writing workshop Celebration. We met in the library in small groups and Erika and her 5th grade buddy, Jordyn, shared all of Erika's short stories. I am going to brag about my child...... Erika has a great imagination and she is so artistic! I am so proud of her!

Erika and Jordyn.

Great poster! I love that it is hanging outside Erika's door at school, a public school.

Going to get the Christmas Tree

Olivia

Makenna

Erika

Makenna and Daddy

On Saturday, we went on our annual trip to Howell Nature Center to get our Christmas tree. I would have a picture of it but of coarse my camera died after I took this picture of Eli and Makenna. Oh Well! We made it just before they closed and was even able to slip in our traditional hot chocolate. They don't have the best tree's there, but they do such a great job rehabbing animals, I love that some of the money goes to help the wildlife.

Makenna

Makenna with her "bling-bling" pacifier, watching praise baby the other day. (with another pacifier on standby....it was not a good day!)

Makenna woke up in a great mood this morning!!

OUR BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYED CHILD!!!