Opa and Oma

I felt like doing a post this morning on two of the most important people in my life. Opa and Oma Schuenemeyer. Brace yourselves, it will be at length because that's what they deserve. Credit.

Here is the happy married couple...

They will be celebrating 63 years of marriage this November 27th. Wow. 63 WHOLE YEARS!!! That's interrupted time, people. Never parted each other's side. What an inspiration and what role models.

I'll start with Oma first.

Actually, we call her the "energizer bunny!" She's up before the sun every day. She cooks every meal from scratch and smiles while doing it. Food is her nitch. You give her the ingredients and she'll make a lavish meal. Every. Single. Time.

She has a garden at my parents house that she gives her heart to. 100 degree weather doesn't phase her. She's still there, hunched over pulling weeds while sweat drips from her body. And guess what, she gives to her family. We ALL get her goodies all year long. Aren't we lucky? I'd say so! :) Her food is all natural. We eat meat from cows we raise (that also get Oma's garden scraps) and vegetables that were planted with love and tendered to all summer from the hands of our Oma. It really can't get better than that.

She's made quilts for us all. All by herself. Giant quilts. Talk about lots of hard work. It doesn't go unrecognized. Hopefully she knows that.

Oma has a beautiful personality. She enjoys life to its fullest every day and she loves her family. She doesn't sit much. She's always on the go and always giving back to her church, family and friends. I love her.

Opa.

Ohhhh, Opa. He's one of a kind. Have you ever met an older gentleman and instantly fell in love? This is Opa.

The biggest memory I'll always cherish is his voice. He can sing better than anyone I know and I've never heard him sing the same song twice. Seriously. Never. He sings all of his songs he picked up during the war. Some bring a tear but most bring a smile.

He's witty, too. Never a dull moment with him. He's quick with his words and jokes. He giggles at his own jokes. :) (Which now I'm smiling as I write this!)

Opa has a routine that we all know. He'll eat breakfast, do a crossword puzzle, go to The White Rose for coffee with "the guys" and then head home for a lunch made by his lovely wife. He takes naps and then heads to the Legion for a beer with "more guys" and then heads home for another dinner made by Oma. He'll do more crossword puzzels and watch TV before going to bed in the wee hours of the morning.

If you haven't read it yet, Opa was in the paper recently for his time spent in War. Please take the time to read it. It's amazing. http://www.emissourian.com/more_news/senior_lifetimes/article_78c66517-6468-56b6-9907-30fe7ddb2dc5.html

I love these two more than anyone can understand. They are so good together, even after 62.25 years. They've set an example for us all and I only pray I can spend many more years with each of them.

Thank you for taking the time to read a little about my grandparents.

God Bless!

One Summer Hobby

Jerod and I absolutely love summer time. It's by far our favorite season. We both love everything to do with the outdoors. If someone told us we had to live in a camper at Montauk for the rest of our lives we would feel like we just won the lottery! :)

One of our many favorite things to do is to pack up a cooler and ride off into the sunset....

Breaks are necessary for the bum and kisses are necessary for the heart.....

Caught! A girl still needs her phone. Even in the woods. You never know where big foot is.

The color green and the sight of hay. Perfect.

Thankful for the patient animals God gave us. 

The only reason we get blessed with these relaxing rides is because of Jeff and Ashley.

One beautiful sight on the ride.

Now all I need is for Spring/Summer to get here so I can do this all over again. :)

God Bless!

My Favorite Day

The greatest day of my life landed on November 12, 2011. It was a crisp freezing but beautiful day. Just like everyone says, it flew by and was over in a blink! Here are just a few of my favorite pictures....

My first love....my daddy.

Couldn't wait to get that ring on my finger!

We had the best wedding party anyone could ever dream of. If it's possible. I love them more....

And we did it!!!!!

The moment of truth on waterproof mascara! I love the inventor of that product!

My favorite little girl that constantly tries to steal my heart.

Well, we'll be married 2 WHOLE months tomorrow and it feels like yesterday when I slipped on the most expensive dress I'll ever own and said the most important words that will ever leave my mouth. I'd do it all over again in a heart beat.

A very big thank you to all of our family and friends for sharing in our special day. We truly cannot thank you enough and trust me, one day soon you will get your thank you note, if you haven't already. :)

God Bless!

Pudge

Well.... I went to my family Christmas party in St. Charles (while my awesome husband slaved away at work) and fell in love with my cousins new puppy. It was at that moment when she told me the mother to six of these cute little things had just been hit by a car and needed homes that I decided I just HAD to have one. I did the nice wifey thing and called to ask before just bringing one home. He, of course, said no way. I begged, pleaded, threw a few tantrums and maybe acted like a baby to get him to agree. We got the last one available. And here he is...

SO cute, right?

And here he is again working for Jerod's affection!

The headless dog. I swear he sleeps in the most awkward ways. This is when I truly know he is out like a rock and I can sneak off to get things done without him bitting my ankles! This is serious kid preparation! I mean, who seriously has to sneak away to use the restroom so this 3 lb monster won't follow you in to chew on the rug??? ME. I do that.

And last, but definitely not least, is a moment I captured just the other night of my big strong husband "not liking the dog at all." Ha. That's a big YA RIGHT!!!

This is him voluntarily getting down on the floor to let Pudge try and get to his face. Yep, you've been caught! :)

TA DA! Jerod and I love the new addition. Minus the moments where he chews on everything we own, licks our wet, freshly showered legs clean, poops on the floor right after taking him outside, barks at every new sound, eats the Christmas tree, and whines more than any 3 lb anything I've ever seen before. Seriously, we love him.

Costa Rica

Our wedding was on a Saturday, like most, and Monday we boarded the plan for a honeymoon to Costa Rica. It was an adventure. I hate to fly and Jerod had never been in an airport before, let alone fly. It was like watching a young child walk for the first time. I begged demanded to sit by the window because I was a wreck and the entire time all I got to see was the side of Jerod's face as it was directly in front of me gazing out the window. I didn't sit by the window anymore...but we made it.

The view from our room was simply breathtaking and I truly miss it.

Well that is all for now. I'm new at this so I'm still learning the traits! I hope you all have a wonderful first week of the year!