Jacob Milo July 1997-July 2008

Do dogs go to Heaven??? I think so. This is....was my Jacob. Most people called him "Jake." His mommy called him Jacob Milo Jingle-heimer Schmidt. He was my first born, my sweet boy. I loved him very much. My heart hurts. Jake left us to be with Jesus on July the 8th 2008. He had a very short illness-cancer of the spleen and possibly the liver-that was diagnosed on the 7th. He left behind his dad and mom, three brothers (Turner, Hooch, and Rhys), and a sister (Maggie). We miss him. Jacob was a sweet boy with a wonderful spirit. Some of the things that Jake loved were: peanut butter, bananas, cheese, "Bic-Bic's pound cake (I pretended like I didn't know this!), and his family. He loved his family. Jake was one of those quiet folks that only said things that needed to be said. He loved everyone......well, except the home health nurse that was sent to our house after Turner's heart surgery. For whatever reason he did not like her getting close to Turner. He would just stand there between them. It's hard to move a 100++ lb dog who does not want to be moved! Needless to say after two days, we had a new nurse. Jake didn't seem to mind her coming close and taking care of his little brother. I miss him. He was so smart. He helped potty train his little brother, Hooch, when we first brought him home. He was the best big brother anyone could ask for. He didn't mind all the kids using him as a horse or a jungle gym. He just didn't care. He was our protector, our confidant, our friend. We miss him. I got Jake when he was seven weeks old just before I started OT school. It was not the best of times. I know God gave me Jacob to help me through those valleys in my life because my walk with God was NOT where it needed to be. I am so thankful for the time I had with Jake. I am so thankful that his suffering was short. I am so thankful for two wonderful veternarian clinics that helped me through these decisions. Jacob was a wonderful dog.........I wish you ALL knew him the way we knew him. There is a hole in my heart and my life that will never be filled. As hard as I (and my oldest son, Turner) are taking this.....Hooch is taking it worse. In six years he has never gone outside by himself.....he has never eaten alone.....he has never used the bathroom by himself......he has never slept alone...............he has never gone to the vet alone........he is really sad. My heart hurts for him. I know it may seem silly to go on and on about a dog.....he was my friend, my sweet boy, my baby for 11 years. I miss him.

Are you there Sheri? It's me, God.

I've been thinking a lot lately (that is never good for me or my family) about life and purpose. I often wonder if I am really fulfilling my God-given purpose for my life. How do we truly know? Does He let you know somehow? Well, I don't think I am in that spot right now. I look around me and see weird and tragic things taking place in my family and friends lives and think "What am I doing here?" Then for a split second I think "Are you there God? It's me Sheri." Then as quick as that question comes the answer follows. He has always been there and always will be here. It is me that strays from the path. I just forget sometimes. I get so frustrated with my kids when I get on to them for...oh, I don't know....keeping their hands to themselves....and their answer is "Oh, I forgot....." I wonder if thunder is really God banging His head against a cloud when we do something so completely ridiculous while saying, "What Am I Going To Do With You?!?!?" He has given me all the tools I need to get through life and sooooo much more. A wonderful husband, three beautiful children (and I'm not kidding--they are BEAUTIFUL), a great church (a God-fearing/loving church), an awsome Sunday School Class, I teach the special needs class at church.........why do I feel like something is missing?? Yes, I know I am neurotic and selfish. I just need accountability (is that a word?-sounds weird). I have been reading some awsome blogs lately....some awsome spiritual blogs (thanks Steph for yours and all the other links--you are amazing). They have taken my journey and my thoughts deeper. I am not as elegant as they are when writing my thoughts. My husband calls it "snowballing". No one really knows what I am thinking or saying half the time---just not a writer--Sorry! Thanks for enduring my "snowballing"................

Sit Ubu Sit

Look at me!! Please ignore my big brothers in the background-- it's all about me!

If she is close to someone or something, she tries to pull up to standing!! She wants to keep up with her big brothers.....Lord help us!

Three Little Monkeys

We had 3 month pictures taken for Maggie (yes, I know she is almost 6 months old--we are getting those pictures done at the end of June) with a Wonderful local photographer, Emily Peyton Cook in Covington. She did a fantastic job capturing the kids' personalities. Rhys got so caught up in the moment that he yanked out one of her tulips to give to me!! Emily didn't even get upset with him.....she said it was because he was just being sweet giving his mommy a flower. The patience of Job, I tell ya! She is also the photographer that had to deal with the bunny poop incident......you remember that don't you?? We have really enjoyed working with her. She does a great job on the prints, too. We play around with the funky shapes and they look wonderful. Time is really flying by way to quickly. I am glad that Emily has the baby plan (she lets the whole family in them). It holds me accountable to get their pictures done. A good friend gave us a gift certificate for a family portrait as a baby gift (thanks, Connie). I put it off thinking I would take off some of this baby weight......it ain't happenin'!! So I guess I'll make an appointment for those to be done before the kids are off to college.

Got Herbs? No, Got Milk!

We went to a local herb festival this weekend. It was interesting, you know the kind of interesting

I'm talking about...you load up all the kids, drive

10 minutes up the road, unload, walk around about

5 minutes before you start hearing "this is boring".

I actually love going to small (and it was small) local festivals, just not feeling the love from the kids when we do it!! We redeemed ourselves by

letting the kids milk a goat, even Maggie got her
turn!

Okay, just kidding about Maggie! Please don't call

child services!

Mom's Day gift pictures

Here are the pictures of the gift the kids (and Cliff) made for me. I have really enjoyed going to my herb garden and picking fresh herbs to eat. Didn't they do a great job?!!!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!! Okay, I'm a little late! Hope everyone had a great day. We went to church and had a baby dedication. It was real sweet. Then I got to spend the rest of the day in bed while hubby made a wonderful International meal for my mom (I should mention that I apparently got a 24hr stomach bug!). I hear that the dinner went well and everyone loved the Filipino cuisine. Do you know how long I have been waiting to make all that stuff and pig out on it?? Well, as long as mom enjoyed it. Daddy and the kids planted me several herb pots. I loved them. All of my favorite yummies! I will get pics and post soon. I do have some pics of Maggie eating and Rhys singing. He's a natural!