Hi Miss Yeagley!!

Today was Sarah's first full day of school at St. Pats.

Her new teacher Mrs. Cagle is very nice

but Sarah really misses her good friend Miss Yeagley.

She asked me to take this picture and send it to her.

Hi Miss Yeagley!

Daddy Daugher Princess Ball

This doens't happen every day . . . in the midst of the whole moving thing, buying a house, trying to sell the old house, coordinating movers and everything else, Supermom actually did something right and I have pictures to prove it . . .

When I was out here to buy the house I found a flyer about a Daddy Daughter Ball. I called and it was a bit of a chore but I was able to get tickets for our girls to go. Kate was so excited. She was not old enough to attend that Daddy Daugher Valentines Ball in Chandler last year. This year she got to go and she shined!!

Ladies and Gentlemen: Princess Kate

So graceful.

Ladies and Gentlemen: Princess Sarah

Both ladies are escorted by a handsome prince, Daddy.

First Day of School

Baby Kate started school the first week we got here. She's going to Our Savior Lutheran Preschool. All the kids were waiting for her to come. They have made us feel so welcome.

Here she is all bundled up and ready to go.

Sarah and I picked her up after school and took her to McDonald's play area for lunch and play and a first day of school gift ( a Hannah Montana necklace.)

Sarah's first day was Friday. She just went for a few hours to meet her classmates and get the hang of things.

Dressing in Illinois is very different than Arizona. Sarah is wearing a tank top, turtleneck, tights, jumper and a sweater. Topped off with furry boots from Aunt Tiff and later her parka, gloves, scarf and hat. Brrrrrr.

Ready Or Not Here We Come!!

Look out Illinois! Here come the Schultz Girls!!

We got up at 4:30 (aka the Bu(tt) Crack of Dawn, which the girls thought was really funny to say all morning and incidentally is only permitted if you're awake before 5:00 am) We fed the little monkeys and took off for Williams Gateway Airport, which is just a few miles from our Gilbert home. Ironically, we had been staying in Scottsdale with Granie and Grandpa so it was a 30 minute ride.

The airport was surprising crowded for a 7:30 flight. Granie and Grandpa waited in line with us and watched us get through security. It was actually a long wait; with my prosthetic hip I practically get strip searched every time. But we made it through, blew Granie and Grandpa kisses, choked back some tears and headed off for our new adventure. Starting with a trip to the news stand for water, magazine and a small toy. We met a nice lady with a small poodle while we were waiting. Before we knew it we were boarding the plane . . .

Off we go!!

Why did we have to get up so early.

I don't really need this sucker, I can suck my thumb.

Hey Sis, want to play Bratz?

Snowball the white rat even made the trip.

[He has his own story that I'll save for another day.]

Before we knew it we were landing.

It was 29 degrees . . .

I missed you Daddy!

Hello new house!

Hi Lola, we missed you too.

Oh look at the little Laurel ball. She's cold!

Come on Kate. Let's explore.

Here's Sarah's new room.

And Daddy has all our toys setup in the basement.

Hey Topher was right. My toys are here.

The first time they played in snow.

Even if there was just a little on the ground.

Making snow angels.

These are way better than the carpet angels Sarah used to make.

Mommy's car is here.




Hello Roxy Sequoia.

Brrrrr. It's cold!!

So long Arizona . . . for now.

WARNING: This is yet another sappy post. Nothing that will make you cry just a bunch of gratitude.

Most of you know that my 13 year old nephew Cody is battling cancer. He’s fought very courageously, doing the tough stuff when he has to and having as much fun as possible whenever he can. Seeing Cody last summer while he was in remission, I learned something very valuable.

LIVE.

Live every moment.

Enjoy the time you have with people you care about.

Jeff and I were just kids when we moved to Arizona. 23, just married. In the twelve years we lived here we spent a lot of time working and not enough time with the people we care about. We were very fortunate to make so many good friends in spite of ourselves and we're very glad to have shared so many of our major life experiences with you.

Most of you will recall me mentioning, a lot, how much I treasure friendships on behalf of our girls. Having grown up moving every few years, I don't have friends I’ve known since high school let alone preschool - so to me its really cool that my girls do and I thank you all for being such a wonderful part of our lives. I hope we'll always keep in touch.

Our last outings as Arizona Residents . . .

A bunch of my girlfriends had a

wonderful going away party for us.

Sarah and Sydney skipped school in the morning

so they could see each other one last time.

To Christine, AmyB, AmyW, Monica and Steph - you all have been so good to me through a few really crazy years and I so appreciate you all. Thank you for seeing us off with such a wonderful party. I will miss you all!!

Look at those beautiful faces. How much we'll miss you.

Miss Carrie, Kate's preschool teacher

who helped me out through the whole move.

Carrie, you were like an angel sent to save me; I would not have gotten through this move with any sanity if it weren't for you. We only knew you a short time but I hope you'll keep in touch with us always. You will be greatly missed!

Our precious Miss Yeagley.

You embraced us sappy Schultz girls all year long and you're sincerely loved by our whole family. Sarah is going to miss being with you every day - and I'm going to miss seeing my daughter through your very loving eyes. You've been a friend, a teacher and a shining example of the kind of people we want to be. I am forever grateful for the few months Sarah spent in your class. You've given us all memories that will last a lifetime! I know we'll keep in touch forever; we love you!

Miss Yeagley with Matt, Sarah and Kate

at our favorite place: Cheesecake Factory.

To the Chandler Mall Cheesecake Factory: Granie and I and the girls (born and unborn) spent many great lunches with you. I always tell my mom: when the going gets tough, the Schultz' go shopping which usually include Cheesecake Factory. We'll miss you . . .

Kate and Garrett

Garrett and Amy were our Tuesday/Thursday McDonald's Buddies

Amy - When we started getting together on Tuesday and Thursday mornings before preschool I never dreamed how important this time would become to me. Kate and Garrett loved their mornings together - even if they wouldn't make eye contact when they talked to each other. And you inspired me to be a true supermom. I know we'll keep in touch but I will miss you and our morning coffee therapy so much!!

The Last Few Days . . .

Sarah last day of school was on Valentines Day. Her classmate Topher, who has moved a lot in the last few years, was in tears at the thought of Sarah moving away. He had great advice for her telling Sarah that all her toys would be waiting at her new house. Miss Yeagley saw her off with a loving hug, a chance to say goodbye to each classmate and a beautiful cheerleader rag doll with brown pigtails and a blue an white outfit, just like our little West Gilbert Mountain Lion cheerleader!

After all our partying, we picked Sarah up from school, finalized things at our Gilbert home and ventured up to Granie and Grandpa's house in Scottsdale for our last two days in town. I don't have any pictures of us with my parents . . . how crazy is that? Good thing I don't claim the title of SuperDaughter . . .

We were pretty busy and just trying to enjoy every moment together. Dad, if you have pictures email them so I can add them to my post!!

Grandma Betty with Danny and Kate on Valentines Day.
You are so special to us. We love you Grandma!!!

On Valentines night we went to Aunt Pam and Uncle Wayne's for Grandma Betty's birthday party. I don't have many pictures of that night because in the middle of everything Kate had an unknown allergic reaction. We ended up in the emergency room.

Here's video of little Kate in the ER.

Uncle Wayne, I owe you special thanks for hauling a$$ and getting us to the hospital so fast. Thanks for staying all night and keeping my mom company. We love you!!

So long for now . . .

After we found out about the move to Illinois everything went really fast and we were busy getting things ready. There wasn’t time to even think that in a few weeks we wouldn’t be able to see our friends and family any time we want to. I knew it would hit us later on and did my very best to follow sweet Cody's example and LIVE, enjoying each moment. The girls and I enjoyed these very special moments with all our friends. Thank you all for all the fun times we've had together and for taking time to see us off.

We won't say goodbye, just 'so long for now.'

What Does A Month Away From Your Family Look Like?

This move has happened really fast for us. Jeff’s been gone since January 4th and I’ve been here with the ladies wrapping things up.

Today is February 7th: The movers are here ( a day early )packing all our stuff, they let me keep my office setup so I can get some work done, whew! Superdad is in Illinois and will close on the new house tomorrow, then he’ll fly to AZ Saturday. He's been gone just over a month. I saw him for a few days in January when I went to IL to buy a house - but he hasn't seen the lades since January 3rd.

Originally, Jeff was going to fly here to help with the movers then fly back to IL mid-week with Laurel to meet the moving truck. I spent a whole day arranging flights for him and Laurel and transport for the car – and wouldn’t you know it as soon as I hung up with the car people I noticed that little Laurel had gone into heat!! Poor thing. So the plan was changed. The Schultz' would roll into Illinois just like the Beverly Hillbillies with the car loaded down and our dog in heat. Poor Jeff - whos been in an uncomfortable hotel for over a month - would have to drive little Lo to Illinois.

Today is Saturday the 9th. Jeff gets in this afternoon and since the movers came early, he'll have to head out for Illinois on Monday. Eeek, he doens't know that yet. I’ll have to get Jeff to write a post of their trip - it promises to be an adventure . . . Exhausted Arizona guy, dead of winter, driving 1300 miles with a fully loaded car containing everything flamable we own, his grandfathers heirloom guns and oh yeah, our dog in heat.

Well Jeff made it. Allegiant Airlines Rocks.

After not seeing daddy for almost a month the girls were really happy to see him.

Dad looked a bit tired.

We'll all be back together in a week. Then we'll get some healthy home cooking in daddy and get him rested and he'll be back to himself again.

The Hannah Montana Movie

The other day my friend Christine (a real supermom) called and said she was getting tickets for the Hannah Montana Movie and asked if we could join them. What? There’s a Hannah movie? Go Supermom! Way to be on top of the single most important thing in your girls world!! Maybe I should change my name to SlackerMom - seeker of . . . well, nothing. I promptly ordered tickets for the first show on Superbowl Sunday (dad is still in IL) and we planned to meet our friends there.

The day of the show the girls were so excited! They woke up early and bounced around the house for hours before it was time to even get dressed for the show. They both wore their favorite Hannah-style outfits, complete with official Hannah dog tags and guitar shaped purses. We arrived about an hour before the show, thank goodness! It was packed.

Hannah Fans.

Sarah and Kate said the show ROCKED!! For me, it was more fun watching the girls reactions. Sarah was so moved by the music she couldn’t stay in her seat. She had to get up and dance and sing along.

After we got home, Kate needed to put on her own show, complete with Hannah Hair.

Oh Yeah, Girls Rock!!

GNO

Girls night out – or when you’re 3 and 5 it’s actually Girls Late Afternoon/Early Evening Out With Mom (GLA/EEOWM). It was a gorgeous Arizona afternoon, sunny, warm a light breeze. We went over to the new San Tan mall (to get my hair fixed – the hairdresser left me looking like Mrs. Brady, uuuugh) First we hung out by the fountains and made lots and lots of wishes. Then we walked around for a while and shopped and had dinner. If dad has to be away this isn’t a bad way to spend your time.