Memorial Day Weekend

We had a wonderful weekend camping with several friends of ours. We took the chance to head south to a new area instead of camping in our usual spots. I am so glad we did! Cottonwood point at Marion Reservoir did not disappoint. We are already excited to go back next year. There is just something about being outside and having nothing on the agenda that helps you refocus.

 

On Saturday, Hunter found the 'swimming pool' which was really just a large puddle from where the rain caused overflow from the lake! All little boys (and girls) can smell mud from 100 miles away, for real. They can. Just ask them!

 This is my attempt to get Lily to take a nap. She was NOT having it and thought the better thing to do was sit on mom and see how long it would take for me to give in. She kept turning around, looking at me with her big beautiful eyes, laughing and then saying 'Hi'. It wasn't long before we were back outside! I am a sucker, I know :)

 After a day in the 'swimming pool' mud hole, the little guy was so tired. He didn't want to give in to  bed time so I just let him sit with me. Within minutes this was how things ended up. Matt kept asking if I wanted him to take Hunter to the camper and I just said 'No'. My heart was full because I knew times like these were getting fewer and far between. I soaked up every ounce of this night!

 We have some great friends that live close to where we were camping. They just had the most precious little miracle baby and I HAD to get my hands on her. Best part is they live on 40 acres and have a couple horses. Hunter was so excited to get to ride and Veronica was so patient and wonderful with him. He loved every minute of this and I loved getting to snuggle sweet little Clara.

 Sunday night we lit up the campsite...or the kids did! I had been stocking up on these glow sticks for a couple weeks. Best couple dollars I have spent! The kids loved them. The joy on their faces when we pulled them out and put them together was priceless. Reminds me time and time again to see life through the eyes of a child!

We had such a great weekend. As you can tell, the kids really enjoyed themselves. It was a very quite drive home that's for sure!

This weekend reminded me how important time with my family is and how quickly it can pass. I am honored to live in a country where I get to do this without fear. Another reflection from the weekend is that we truly are blessed to have men and women willing to risk their lives for us. I can't wait for my kids to get older so that I can teach them the importance of this day.

Five on Friday

Joining in on the fun and doing Five on Friday. Here are five things on my mind today!

One

It's Memorial Day Weekend and even though we are gearing up to go camping my heart is thinking of those that have given the ultimate sacrifice. My heart hurts and my eyes fill with tears just thinking about this. I have such a pride for our country and knowing that young men and women give their lives daily for me keeps me humble.

Two

My crazies! We are in the midst of so many adventures with these two! Sometimes being a mom is hard...ok a lot of the times. Especially in this season we are going through. One is potty training but can't seem to figure out the pooping part (sorry TMI), the other well she is 100% me and is 18 months. She is hell bent on doing everything her way. Her new favorite word...'NO' and she says it with authority!

Three

Chewbaca Mom. I seriously can't get enough of her. Her pure joy will make any bad day better. And her heart is on fire for Jesus and that is A-Mazing! She is using her voice to bring about joy to this broken world!

Four

Set backs stink but they happen. We are in the midst of building our forever home and Mother Nature is not cooperating! It will happen though...one day ;) We have a back wall formed and the wall for the garage formed...progress!

Five

I am stronger then I think but still not where I want to be. I have been doing CrossFit since November and there are still times I feel defeated when I leave the gym. Like today...totally defeated but then I remember how far I have come.

Join in the fun! I am linking with A.Liz Adventures for Five on Friday!

Actions Speak Louder than Words

This struck me like a bolt of lightening the other day. What are you saying that you aren't backing up?

I have distanced myself from people in my life because their actions have continued to show me that me being a part of their lives doesn't mean that much to them. They can say it all they want but their actions speak volumes over them.

Some may say that I read into things too much or that I am overreacting and maybe on somethings I am and I will acknowledge that if they acknowledge the hurt. My memory will keep some of the little things they were there for but it will highlight the BIG things they missed. Those are the actions I will see replaying several times a month.

Some may say it's time to get over it and they may be right but now I have two little one's hearts to protect. I do not, nor will I ever portray my fears of being close to people onto my kids but I will also teach them the value of actions over words. I don't want my kids to ever have a doubt that they mean the world to me. I don't ever want them to doubt the love I have for them and the only way to keep this from happening is to back up my words with actions.

Reflecting on life can be hard. I have made mistakes, we all have but I am mature enough to acknowledge them. Will it change how I approach things, yes because I am guarding my heart and my kids but at the same time I am willing to give it a chance. I will always remember the hurt I felt on the big days where the lack of presence spoke volumes.

Remember to back up your words with actions. Love deeply no matter what.

Dusting off the ol' blog

Wow, it has been over 2 years since I have written a post. So, I think it is time to start this ol' thing up again. I have been thinking about it for some time but I just didn't know where to start. I want this to be more than just a blog so we will see where it goes. But before I get in too deep, let me know tell you what the last two years has been like.

This little baby...is now this amazing little boy! He is full of wonder, imagination, love, laughter and all things little boy are full of :) He continues to steal my heart on a daily basis.

 

His personality brings me so much joy! Not a day goes by he isn't doing something to make me laugh.

 

He became a BIG brother to this little girl in November 2014 and our world has been crazy ever since. This one is a spit fire and will be keeping us on our toes for sure. She is probably the reason I haven't blogged in awhile! haha

 

Never thought I would have a little girl, but this one has changed it all for me!

 He has been an amazing big brother from the start! He loves his Lilypad!

Our family of four! These people have my whole heart!

 

I started running again and have been hitting some great PR's. This is my happy place and is one of the things that really keeps me grounded. I also started CrossFit last Novemeber and have enjoyed the progress I have made in my weight lifting.

I took a job in Topeka, so we sold our house, moved in with my in-laws and started building our forever home. It has been a lot LONGER process then anyone thought but we are making progress. We started pouring concrete today! We bought a camper so we have been spending a lot of time doing that this spring....and I mean A LOT! The last month we have been camping :) It is hard to not have a place of your own so this is our little place until our home is built.

I also started a new business venture in April or 2014 that has kept me pretty busy. It has changed our lives for the better and I can't wait to see where it continues to take me.

So, that is small snippet into our lives over the last couple years. I am still thinking and praying about what I want this blog to become. I seem to have a lot that I would love to say about life, being a mom, work, running etc but just not sure how to put it down in writing. We will see where this goes.

Pumpkins and Halloween 2014

It was another great Halloween for the Schafer's. Hunter was a little more into the pumpkin carving this year than last year. Obviously his age had A LOT to do with it :)!

So fun!

He had so much fun cleaning the pumpkin out with dad. He just kept saying 'oooohhh' 'aaahhh' and laughing uncontrollably. We did a self portratit of Hunter for the pumpkin...ok not really but we tried. HAHA.

Let me get some more

The best part was when we turned out the lights and lit the pumpkin and Hunter gave the most infectious belly laugh. There is nothing better than the laugh of a child.

Look, it's me!

AHHHH!

We anxiously waited for Friday night! We did not let Hunter Trick or Treat but he did pass out candy to the other kids. Or at least he tried :) Mostly he just ran around like the crazy pants that he is and entertained the adults.

Max heading out

But then again, that might have been better than passing out candy anyway. Matt found the costume he wanted Hunter to be...Max from "Where the Wild Things Are". He wanted to dress up as one of the Wild Things but we could not find an Adult Costume.

Crown kept falling down

Maybe in 2 years we can prepare better (I say 2 years because the Max costume will fit Little Miss and Hunter can go as a Wild Thing:)).

So with Halloween 2014 in the books we are on to anxiously waiting for Little Miss to arrive, Thanksgiving and Christmas! I LOVE this time of year. Be thankful for your blessings!

Scarf Swap 2014

Ahh, I am late to the party as usual :) I participated in Scarf Swap 2014 and I LOVE my new scarf. This was my first time doing this so I was not sure what to expect or really what to do exactly. Now that I have been through it once, I can't wait for next year! I have ideas to be a better swapper to my partner! (Sorry to Sara for getting a newbie this year.)


I was paired with Sara (won't link to her blog because it is private). She sent me this BEAUITFUL blue scarf. I love it because it is so me. The color is perfect and is not a color I have. I could not wait to wear it, so today was the day! With the temps dropping here in Kansas this scarf will be worn a lot! I have already been on Pinterest finding new ways to wear it!

Sorry for the bad quality photo. It's from my phone. 

Thanks Sara! And thank you Chelsea for hosting.

(And if anyone can help me figure out how to add the button to post that would be great. I follow the steps but it never shows up!)

1st Ever 'Hunterman' Day

In a few short weeks there will be a newborn in the house. This transition may not be easy for Hunter and the last thing we ever want to do is for him to feel like he is being replaced or that he is not as important.  I started thinking about what we can do before our little girl arrived and decided that Matt and I needed to find a day that we could take off work and focus only on Hunter. This meant, no email, no work phone calls, no projects for Lily's room, no cleaning (yes!) etc. Just spending time with our little man.

'Dis mine."

So a few Fridays ago we both took off work and spent the day with Hunter. We were hoping for a nice fall day to do as much outside as possible because he loves to be outside but the morning was not too kind to us. It rained most of the morning so we just spent time inside playing. He is not old enough yet to tell us what he likes/doesn't like to do or what he would want to do so we just did what we thought he would like.

Breakfast started with donuts! He liked those a little but REALLY liked the large blueberry muffin. After breakfast it was just the 3 of us. He kept looking at both of us like, aren't we supposed to be getting ready to leave...but after a little bit he became his usual crazy self.












After spending most of the morning in his PJ's we changed and headed to Manhattan. We had lunch and did a little shopping, although we didn't find what we were looking for for Hunter we did find a few things.

Cool dude! We did not buy the hat :)

After that we headed to Britt's Farm to their pumpkin patch. The rain had cleared but it was still pretty muddy but we didn't let this stop us. We fed the animals which Hunter loved, took some silly pictures, went to the pumpkin patch to pick out our pumpkins and then did the hay-rack ride. During the ride Hunter did fall asleep! The day wore him out :) All in all it was a great trip. The look on Hunter's face when he found his pumpkin was priceless and made the whole day worth it.

Having a day just for Hunter is something that we will want to continue. It is so important for me to make sure he knows that he is just as loved now as when Lily is here.