The comings and goings...

dream trip

Sat, 1 Aug 2009 17:41:47 -0600

Shelby and I returned from an AMAZING trip to Ireland. We were gone for 10 days - touring around the country and performing with Caliente Community Chorus.

We performed four concerts. #1 in Galway at St. Nicholas Collegiate Church - #2 in Killarney at St. Mary’s Church - #3 in Kilkenny at St. Canice’s Church and #4 at a Community Center in Glendalough. All were wonderful experiences!!

When we weren’t singing, we were touring around the country in a comfy coach listening to Conor, our guide. What a pleasant man!

We visited Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Bunratty Castle, Blarney Castle, Kilkenny Castle, Black Abbey, and Knockmoy Abbey to name a few. We learned about Connemara Marble and Waterford Crystal. We saw an awesome sheep dog demonstration in Kells. We pubbed and we pubbed. My favorite was in Killarney at Buckley’s. It was so relaxing sitting there with a Guinness listening to a small local ensemble. I loved listening when the locals would get up and share a song or poem with us. Their words come from the heart - their music from their soul.

It was truly an AMAZING experience!

The best part was I shared the trip with my girl.

fhs schulz grad #2

Mon, 25 May 2009 10:28:59 -0600

May 19, 2009 - the weather couldn’t have been better! What a beautiful night to celebrate the graduating class of 2009!! Poor PVHS - two nights later it rained and rained and rained during their entire ceremony. I’m so glad Shelby transferred last year! HA!

We had a wonderful celebration. Aimee and Shelby threw a combined party the weekend before. I’m guessing there were 150 people here to wish them well. Gma & Gpa Frerich surprised Shelby at her party by getting to town a day early. What a squeal of joy!

I’m very proud of my “kids” and all they’ve accomplished so far in their young lives. The important thing that I try to remember at all times is they always do the best they can. They may not finish first, or get the top awards, but they always come out ahead because they are happy and love life.

Shelby is planning on staying here in Farmington for at least one year attending San Juan College. Then her sites are set on UNM (as she calls it, the University Near Mommy) She has a strong desire to help people and therefore has chosen a field in counseling. She will be AMAZING!!

spring brings new things

Mon, 4 May 2009 12:16:11 -0600

I LOVE SPRING! Its a crazy-busy time of year but I love the warmth of the sun, the new growth on trees, perennials popping up, and daffodils! ESPECIALLY DAFFODILS!!

The past month has been like Christmas around here. And I don’t mean the fact that we actually did have snow. I mean, walking through the new yard seeing all these little “gifts” popping up to say, “Hello new owners.” Its really quite a lovely yard.

The big dirt patch on the east side is now a wonderful garden area. We built two raised garden beds, made a home for the wood pile and finished up with bark ground cover. It is finished! I planted a “salad garden” and a “salsa garden.” I hope my enthusiasm lasts beyond July 1, the magical date I normally transform in to a non-gardening-stay-indoors kind of individual. New house, new yard, new garden... new outlook?

BIG NEWS! We sold the old house!! Closing was last week. I can’t begin to tell you how good that felt. The new owners are young and ready to take on the task. They are great! And since we are only three blocks away, I’m sure I’ll be running in to them now and then. Their two little boys love the fish in the pond and promised me they would feed them every day. OH - and they are hockey fans. HA!

Prom was a success. Shelby and Dillon had a wonderful time. Due to the fact that there were several Proms the same night, the kids decided to do a dinner here at the house. I made home made ravioli (nothing better than using HS kids for guinea pigs), parmesan zucchini, salad and cheese cake. We had a great time. I’m just happy the weather held and we were able to do some nice outdoor pics by the river.

Next up: Graduation.

happy birthday, baby girl

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:31:50 -0600

I can still hear the nurse the first time she carried my new baby girl into my hospital room. In a sing-song voice she proclaimed loudly to be heard over my screaming baby, “I’m sure glad I’m not taking this one home. I have redheads at home and know firsthand.” Of course, she was joking. Right?

Turns out Shelby just wanted to go home. That’s all it was. There were 7 babies born that day at San Juan Regional. ALL girls. Shelby was mad that she had to share a room with all those girls! That’s all it was.

Her brother was so proud of his “bee” - he came to see us wearing his “I’m proud to be a big brother” T-Shirt that the hospital gave him. I love the look on his face in this photo. He was so concerned that she was crying. He would pat her on the head and gently kiss her. Little did we know she would soon be protecting him! She’s been such a “lil’ mommy” to him.

Its all amazing to me that they are both legal adults now - responsible for their own actions - hopefully entering the real world with knowledge and morals to become good, respectful citizens.

Eighteen years ago today, our family was complete. Eighteen years from then, I’d like to introduce my lil’ redhead to her nurse.

heart of gold

Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:26:03 -0600

Shelby has gone through so many stages of personalities - “red-head-fireball” to “hide-behind-mom’s-leg-shy” But the one trait that has stayed consistent through almost 18 years is compassion.

She has a heart of gold. Her desire to help others is beyond most teenager’s capabilities. Yes, there are times where “Shelby comes first” but those are rare instances.

She cares for people and doesn’t want them to hurt. She is going to make a great Psychologist.

Part of her Senior English Project was to list the person she admires the most. She wrote, “The person I admire most is my brother Drew.” And then she had to write a paper explaining why. OH MY! Was it a nice one! She talked about the trials he has faced as a child with Asperger’s. She even mentioned the time she tore into a boy who was choking her brother at the bus stop. The teacher that came upon the scene “looked the other way” when she saw Shelby had it under control (well, not really, but you get the picture - lets just say Shelby didn’t get in trouble for fighting - the other kid did) There wasn’t really a fight, either, pretty much one punch did it. That’s my girl!!

She put her brother on a pedestal in such a way that made my heart grow.

Despite all their bickering, they are together in this thing called family. She’ll do anything to help him. And I know he’d do the same for her.

slow down, ya movin’ too fast

Wed, 11 Mar 2009 23:02:46 -0600

I feel as though time keeps getting away from me -

Shelby got her senior pictures back - we sure had fun at the shoot. But dang! This isn’t Sears anymore with those cute little stuffed animals that squeaked to created the smiles. This was modeling - pure and simple time to pose and create a look - modeling.
 Senior year is starting to stress that girl out. Only two more months until graduation - I hope she can relax a little and enjoy it. But there are so many projects due, deadlines to meet and papers to write. Not to mention scholarship applications and forms to fill out. Spring Break is right around the corner and that ought to help.

Drew competed in another State Special Olympics event a couple weeks ago. We all traveled to Roswell, NM for State Poly Hockey. His team took the gold!! He did a great job playing Goalie - he was very serious and really kept his eye on the puck. It was awesome!!

Tomorrow I head to Santa Fe to play in Concordia again. Its always a fun time and feels good to play. I am going to miss Shelby’s Honor Orchestra concert however.... but I did catch 3 hours of rehearsals today. They are playing some awfully tough stuff!! I’m SO proud of her!

I’m proud of BOTH my kids!!

homecoming and more

Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:14:52 -0600

Shelby and Phil are shakin’ it at the Piedra Vista High School Homecoming Dance at this very moment - Next week is Farmington High’s turn. They’ll be attending that one as well. Phil is a senior at PV. Their football game was last night. What an awesome game! PV was down quite a bit at halftime and then stormed their way back in the game to win by seven! Phil scored the winning touch down!!!! It was amazing!

That takes care of the Homecoming part of the title. Now the “more” part.

Its been a while since I’ve added an entry. Life has been a total whirlwind here. Drew’s job at Safeway is going well. He often times will ride the bus home from work which helps out quite a bit. He’s well on his way to independence.

We close on our new house in less than two weeks. Our current house is officially on the market as of yesterday. Sure hope it sells quickly. Once we are in and settled, life will slow down and settle in. We are all so looking forward to that. It has been crazy. Yes indeed.

This week my family lost a very special lady - Great Aunt Lucy. What a sweetheart she was!