caleb daniel

Our second born turns 12 today. Caleb is an amazing kid, and we are so blessed to have him as a part of our family. He challenges us to think outside the box, to ponder and reflect. One thing I love about Caleb is that he has a deep desire to stand against injustices and I believe God will use that for His kingdom. Caleb has always walked to the beat of his own drum, he is independent and loyal. He is a tender-hearted warrior that is willing to take a stand for what is right, not unlike his namesake, Caleb in the Bible. I love the verse that says, "But because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it" (Numbers 14:24). In the Bible, Caleb stood against the crowd and followed God wholeheartedly. I see the same qualities in our Caleb, and pray that he will follow God wholeheartedly all the days of his life.

Happy Birthday, Caleb!

And to the rest of you, Happy New Year!

greetings from the frozen north!

We are still up north in Minnesota. We have had a wonderful time visiting with family and friends. As I type, the kids are out back playing football in the snow with Bob and Uncle Daron. We will be heading home tomorrow, probably driving straight through rather than stopping for the night. The kids are missing Willow and Musa (the dog and cat), and are eager to sleep in their own beds. We have all loved spending time with Levi, Ella and Abby (my 1 1/2 year old nephew and nieces), but it makes me miss them even more - and long to live closer! I'm filling up all I can now on babies, hoping it will hold me over till the next time I can see them all again! Lots of pictures to come...

Friday Flashback

February, 2002
Watch Micah's progression as he tries to get a better view of the book...

the gift of friendship

We are blessed with incredible friendships. When I think about the number of people I can call on at any time - to help with our kids, to go to coffee, to tell me I'm not crazy, or just to bring perspective to my life - I am overwhelmed with thankfulness! One group of friends that has become dear to us is our Family Small Group. We began this group a year ago, co-leading with our wonderful friends, the Straits. We clicked immediately as a group, and have enjoyed digging into the Bible together as families, praying for each other, sharing wonderful meals, camping, laughing, and just plain fun! Last week we got together for a family Christmas party, and had a blast! Several of the kids (including Micah and Maddie) performed a musical they wrote and directed all on their own. We ate wonderful food and played Christmas games (way to go, Morrisseys!). We also set up a Christmas store where the kids could shop for their parents and siblings at cheap prices. We had each family bring their cast-offs that were still in great shape, and the kids each had an opportunity to shop. We were blessed when the money raised was given to Nate for his trip to Swaziland!

We have loved the idea of having our families all together for our group times. Too often the parents are in one room while the kids are in another. It is awesome to learn together, pray together, and grow together!

The whole gang - Straits, Schwarz's, Kuglers, Morrisseys, and Heislers

my girl

Today we celebrate the life of our youngest child and only daughter. Madelyn Suzanne was born nine years ago today. I have a hard time believing it could possibly be that long ago that she entered our life! I can't tell you what a precious blessing she is to our family. Maddie is full of life and passion. We affectionately call her a Drama Queen, but only because everything she does is worth doing to the fullest. The highs in life are over the top, the lows are the depths of despair. Life is never dull for her, or for those around her! Maddie loves people, is the most faithful of friends, and has a tender heart for the brokenhearted. I am proud to be her mom, and look forward to the days when our relationship begins to shift to friends (just like me and my mom!). I love spending time with Maddie, she's a hoot to be around!

Here are pictures representing the last 9 years of her life. How quickly they have gone, and I try not to think about how quickly the next 9 years will go...

(As a side note, I have added this playlist in honor of Maddie today. The second song, "Ellinana", is my song for Maddie. She loves for me to sing it to her, I just sing "Maddie Sue" in place of "Elliana.")

December 15, 1999

December 15, 2000 (1st birthday)

2 years old
3 years old
4 years old
5 years old
6 years old
7 years old

8 years old

9 years oldHappy Birthday, Maddie Sue! You are loved!

overwhelming_odds

Friday Flashback

C & N, 1998

secret santa

We started a new tradition in our home last year (our kids' school was shut down for a month over the Thanksgiving/Christmas holidays due to a "sick" building...we needed something to do to keep us from going crazy!). We exchange names and do secret santas within our family. We decided to do it every weekend in December, getting a new name each weekend (we don't do it during the week as it is much too distracting with homework and such). I can't begin to tell you how much our kids LOVE this! And how GREAT they get along in the midst of it! We have talked as a family about how when we are focused on giving to others, instead of our own selfish desires, it spills over to every area of our lives and we feel better, too! It is so much fun to see what the kids come up with to give to each other, and how sacrificial they can be. Here is a note that Nate left on Micah's bed yesterday (click on the picture to enlarge it)... Can I just say how proud I am of my kids and how much I adore them???

I saw what I saw

This video puts to words and music what I feel when I think about my time in Swaziland. I left a part of my heart there when I visited over a year ago, and I can't wait to go back. This time, Nate will be going with me. We will go in March 2009, and my prayer is that it will change both of us. You hear the statistics, you know the devastation of what HIV/AIDS has done, but when you look in the eyes, hold the children, pray over the women, something in your spirit, deep down, changes, it changes forever.

We, along with a team from Vanguard Church and Children's HopeChest will have the opportunity to build a new legacy. We will offer medical clinics, work on needed construction projects, camps, life skill training, and leadership development to the leaders and children there in Swaziland. We will visit and share hope and help with children in other areas and ministries as well, including HIV/AIDS abandoned baby centers. And that is just the beginning. The real beauty is in the life-long relationships and real life changes that we are building through a mission trip of this kind.

Without the support of friends and family, this trip won't be possible. Please be in prayer for Nathan and I as we prepare and travel to Swaziland. If you are interested in helping us financially, please email me at schwarzgang@gmail.com.

Friday Flashback

Micah and Daddy, the day Maddie came home from the hospital

thanksgiving recital

M has been working on this to present to Grami and Papa as a gift on Thanksgiving Day. Her outfit was her own creation. My girl loves all things having to do with history, even the clothes! :)

Enjoy the recital...


We had a wonderful Thanksgiving...very quiet; just our family and my parents. But I think it's just what we all needed. As we spent time reflecting on our blessings this Thanksgiving, I counted my parents as one of my greatest! I love you, Mom and Dad!

Friday Flashback

In honor of Maddie's best friend. Happy Birthday, Christianna!

Friday Flashback

Spring 2000

thirty-nine

Today we celebrate the life of a wonderful husband and father. How blessed we are by his faithfulness, commitment, integrity, and love! This is a man that makes lunches for his kids in the morning, takes them on special "dates" to Panera on Sunday mornings, goes to all their sporting events, recitals and performances, leads our family in devotions every night, prays for and over his kids and wife, brings his wife flowers for no reason at all, honors his parents, builds into the lives of other men, works hard to provide for his family, and loves God with all his heart. I am married to a godly man who loves me completely. Today, I celebrate and praise God for the gift he gave us in the life of this man.

The kids decorated the table this morning and we enjoyed eggs, bacon and cinammon rolls - Yum!

We Are the Champions!

M finished his flag football season on Saturday. The Colts were undefeated and the official Middle Weight Superbowl Champions! Woohoooo! He finished the season with 1 rushing TD, 2 receiving TDs, 1 2-point conversion, and 2 interceptions! One of those TDs I actually caught on video...until I accidentally erased it. I am sick about it, but, believe me, it was AMAZING! Way to go, Buddy! We are so proud of you!

Holding the prized Superbowl trophy

With a couple teammates after the big win!

Happy Adoption Day!

Jason, Megan, and Levi,
We celebrate this special day from afar... We love you!

Friday was a history day at our house. We had Native American Day and Mideival Day. The kids' school goes all out for these days, which are the culmination of weeks of study. The kids love these days, and get to taste lots of food, play lots of games, and experience some of what it would have been like to live during these times in history. All of my kids love history, so these days are greatly anticipated!

Advent Conspiracy Promo Video

I just watched this on my cousin's blog and had to post it on mine, as well. Hope it challenges you like it has me!

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17

I just returned from a girls' weekend in the mountains. What can I say? It was wonderful! To tell you the truth, I wasn't overly excited to go. There is so much going on, so many things I missed by going away, how can I give up an entire weekend when I have so much to do? But, I had already committed, and we had worked so hard to find a weekend that worked for all of us, I couldn't back out. So, on Friday afternoon, after frantically trying to get everything in order so I could leave, I picked up my friends, and we were off.

Now, these are no ordinary friends. These are soul friends. These are cry together, laugh together, call each other on the carpet kind of friends. And we did all of those things! We first became friends when I was pregnant with N, and no one else in the group had kids. We were in a couple's bible study group that lasted 5 years. Through those years, we journeyed together through pregnancies, infertility, miscarriages, deaths, new homes, new babies, new jobs.... You name it, we experienced it. You don't go through those things without coming out on the other side stronger, and committed. Though our group ended many years ago, we continue to get together, some of us only once or twice a year. But when we do, we pick up right where we left off.

This weekend filled my soul. Not just because we were in the most beautiful setting, surrounded by mountains, aspen and pine trees, and the gorgeous Colorado sky, but because these women spoke truth into my life. They loved me, encouraged me, prayed for me, and allowed me to do the same for them. Ladies, take the time to invest in friendship. It may seem inconvenient or time-consuming, but it is never in vain. Janna, Lori, and Linda, thank you for your friendship! Thank you for intentionally choosing to fight for our friendship, even when life is too busy. And thanks for being iron to me.

it's finally time!

I love voting on election day. It makes me feel part of the whole process, part of history. Today, I voted after dropping the kids off at school. We walked right up to the table, got our ballot, filled it out, and cast our vote. Painless. Easy. No lines. I know that's not the case everywhere, but even if I had to wait 3 hours, I'd do it. We can't forget what a privilege it is to vote, and what it cost so many to give us that right!

Oh what fun! We had a last minute invitation yesterday to join friends in their neighborhood for trick-or-treating. They happen to live on an old farm in the middle of the city, with a great old neighborhood surrounding them. We went on a hay ride through the neighborhood, then ran all over the place trick-or-treating! It was perfect! The crunch of the leaves, the smell of hay, and, to top it all off, we have had amazing weather! We usually have to put heavy coats over our costumes, but this past week has been in the mid-70's, and last night was in the low 60's while we were out. After all the outdoor festivities, we headed home where friends joined us for hot cider and pumpkin bread. I'm telling you, it was perfect!

My little pumpkins, not-so-little anymore....

Indiana Jones

Joe (not the Plumber) - Attack Dog Trainer

Hobo

Mary Poppins

This is the tractor that was supposed to pull the hay wagon, but it broke down just before we arrived... Bummer. The truck worked nearly as well, though!

Best buddies!

the whole crew

On our way!

"What'd ya get??"

And, of course, checkin' out the loot!