They All Fall Down

Brayle & Hunter braved the elements last week and tried ice skating. It took courage to wear my old white skates with the cracked lining, but they did it. I was shocked their feet fit in them. I've been saving (more like dreaming) forever for this day.





Brayle glided across the ice very gracefully dodging little brother & others. Her long legs moving in rhythm with the music. She was a natural.


Hunter was like the cardboard figure in an arcade shooting game. Everytime he fell down, he'd quickly pop back up for more. He never gave up as he smiled his way around the rink. What a fun afternoon.

'Honest, I didn't push him. He fell down on his own'! Brayle seems to be saying in one of the pictures.

I'll save the skates for another year & another grandchild or person gullible enough to try them.

Fruit Pizza

I always remember how cool it was to go to the Sorenson's for any special occation. They would always have fruit pizza. We always thought it was so cool & always requested it. I found sugar cookie dough on clearance. (Yes I am just like Mom when it comes to $!) It brought back all those memories of birthday parties at Julie's. I wanted my boys to have the same great memories of fruit pizza. I also discovered that Kade loves kiwi just like Jory.

Emma's Blessing

We had Emma blessed on Jan 3rd. She wore this adorable, pretty, pink, princess dress that my visiting teacher gave us. She was beautiful!

Here is some of the things Mike said (from quick notes I took):

With the power of the Melkesdick Priesthood, which we hold, we give you a name and a blessing. The name we have chosen is: Emma Delight Stevenson.

We bless you with health and strength;

to know your family - especially your brothers and sister, love you.

We bless you with a strong will, a desire to stay close to your Father in Heaven. That you will enter the temple, take a mate there and have a knowledge of the temple.

We bless you to know the priesthood and to know it is true.

We also bless you with any other blessings you are in need of.

Those in the circle were: Bishop Steve Martin, Brother Gardner ( our home teacher), Paul Abraith (friend of Mike's), and Paul Risenmay (another friend).

Our ward now has Sacrament last. The boys were so entergetic when we finally made it there. I forgot to take a pen so I had to ask for one from the people in the row behind us. I took the only paper on our row that had a small space to write on - Noah wanted it. After Mike left our row to do the blessing Kade & Jacob both tried to escape during Mike's prayer. Noah kept trying to take the pen &/or paper from me that I was making the notes on. I kept asking them to: be quiet, fold their arms, stay in the row, stop trying to take away the pen &/or paper, and listen to the special prayer. I even swore at them I was so frustrated & angry. Then Mike blessed her with a strong spirit - that is all I need I thought. I was lamenting to a freind the next day & she just laughed at me. She helped me realize that Emma had to have a strong will to survive her brothers - oh and the latter days too! I was happier after that realization.

Meatball Maranara Sub

We recently hade meetball maranara sub sandwiches. The boys love them!

Everytime we eat them I think of Jory & his mission farewell. If you weren't there or don't remember what he said about them then just ask someone. I still laugh about that unforgettable comment!

My Little Lama

Here is my little lama. Her chubby little cheeks & adorable skirt from cousins Sara & Zach. Sweater is courtesy of Uncle Jory while in Chile. I found it at the bottom of the drawer and remembered how much I loved it. Jor & Sar - when she grows out of it I will send it back to you for the next niece or nephew. Jacob was so cute in it too! Is this a lama or an alpaca?

The Bathroom Anew

Here, finally, is the picture of mom and dad's redone, remade bathroom. Doesn't it look great? New counter tops, new mirror, paint, faucet, etc.

Jor & Sar's newest baby

You can call this beautiful bullet many names, 2004 4wd master, the mini escalade, seat warmer frenzy, or many call him the black panther- we Jory and Sarah Schmidt, are calling our newest and very loved addition to the family, Ceasar, king of the sleek.

We have been very excited with it, and have been using our built in GPS system while out on any errand- the grocery store, the mall, etc. We're loving it. If you would like to come give Cesear a test drive, call, we'll arrange any time that will work for you. There will be a small fee, but no fee is too grand to pass up driving the King. But, we will warn you, if you do take our car for a spin, you will fall instantly in love, and quite possibly, trade your current mode of transportation for your own, luxurious seat warmer frenzy.

Jenn's Journaling #1

Some of the most memorable things about my childhood were:

Mom and her generosity. I remember always doing things for others, taking things to people, visiting, thinking and talking about others. We didn't have alot, but always shared with others.

Frugality - mostly out of necessity. We always had what we needed & most of our wants but didn't go overboard with extra things that we didn't need. I mean how many times can you water down Ketchup and Koolaid? Our mom saved us into Frugality!!!

On a side note Mike has now become my censor... Nothing goes out without approval.

Simple Truths - by Jacob

Jacob and I were just cuddling and talking nose to nose.
He asked, "Mom, do you have hair?"
"Where is my hair, Jacob?" I said.
He rubbed my head & hair.
"Here is Jacob's hair," I said while rubbing his head.
"Daddy has no hair," he said.
I laughed and said, "Yes."
"Mommy has no penis. Jacob has a penis, but Mommy has no penis."

So cute. So true. So real.

journaling prompt #1

What lessons did you take as a child that have carried over into your adult life?

We were not super scheduled children as so many are these days. I assume that this was due both to financial constraints as well as inability to do many things with five kids to involve in different activities.

Mom did force me, however, to take piano lessons for several years although I don't recall exactly how many years I participated in them. I took lessons from Elaine for several years and then continued with LaFaye Hamilton for several more years. I remember dreading piano lessons although I think it is more likely that I dreaded LaFaye's dogs. I quit even though Mom didn't want me to. And she was right. As an adult, looking back, I wish I had continued with lessons for a few more years. I feel pretty confident playing most of the hymns. I sometimes like to sit down and play them and find it oddly relaxing. I have been successful for several years in not letting others know that I play the piano and have rarely had to play in the presence of others. Then I moved into the Englewood ward where very few people play the piano. I now have to play frequently in Relief Society. It makes me nervous, and I often make mistakes. But no one cares. They are just glad that someone can play--even if sometimes it is only the top hand.

I also recall taking tap lessons from Darlene Stoker. I enjoyed it, but every time I think about that pink pepto bismol outfit with the feathers I get a bit queasy. Angela Anderson and JaNae Webb were in my class. I can still do the stomp hop step flap step. It is one sweet move.

In middle school I was on the volleyball team for two years. I loved it. I played as the setter simply because I was too short to play anything else. I still have the t-shirts although I haven't worn them for ages. I still enjoy playing. I think playing volleyball has led me to want to maintain an active lifestyle.

journaling prompts

I came across some journaling prompts while visiting at home this summer that must have come from a Young Womens lesson or activity. They are little colored strips of paper with questions typed on them. I'm going to post one here occasionally and try to write about it. You may join me if you wish. I think it will be interesting to share what our experiences have been and also to get down some information about ourselves for posterity.

Third Week of Winter

On the first week of winter (Dec 21st) the weather gave to me
A twenty-four hour storm, so I nearly slid into a tree.

On the second week of winter (Dec 28th) my honey made sure to see,
That we bought tires for the car, so we sped along with glee.

On the third week of winter (Jan 2) smog surrounded the city.
At Five Mile pass we played in the snow 'til we were giddy.

On the fourth week of winter (next week), avoid the cold take pity.
While the weather's super bad, make some tortillas super pretty.

By then winter will be one third over, and this little ditty
Will continue on measuring the snow, cold & salt so gritty.