I wanted to let my daughter, Madeleine, know how proud of her I am. Maddy has had many struggles in her 15 years of life. She has been on medication for psychiatric and neurological illnesses (bipolar disorder, anxiety, atypical EEG patterns) since she was 6 years old. She is the oldest of 6, and has had to share her attentions with siblings since she was 15 months old.
One of her biggest struggles has been her anxiety disorder. A couple times in her school career, she has been unable to attend school for months at a time, due to her anxiety attacks. Most recently, she was unable to attend the middle school in our district, for 2 months. I was not about to home school her, and we were running out of options. My parents were kind enough to intervene, and offered to have her live with them so that they could school her, or send her to their district school, which was much smaller. We left the choice up to Maddy, and after visiting the school in their small Virginia town, she decided that she would be willing to try it out.
She attended there for a couple months, and did fairly well. She got to come home 2 or 3 weekends a month. Then, she started feeling her anxiety again, and really wanted to come home. She was homesick, and was starting to worry about the upcoming SOL exams. Keith really wanted her to come home, but I thought that she really needed to stick it out, so that she wouldn't get into the habit of running from every problem that made her anxious. We decided to leave it up to her. She, of course, said that she wanted to come home, but I reminded her how to make good decisions (make lists, think hard, and pray!) so she said she would take a little more time, thought, and prayer. After about 3 weeks, she let us know that she had decided to stay. She told us that she felt good about it, but she also knew that she would continue to feel homesick, and that she would need our support and prayers. I was so proud of her!!
She decided to run track while she was there, and had a wonderful season! I was only able to see her final meet, but she ran her fastest times at the meet, and I was just bursting with motherly pride! I can't wait to have her run again, this coming season, so that I can watch her fly!
But, all worldly pride aside, what I am most proud about is Madeleine's strong spirit. She has always had a testimony of the truth of the gospel, but since she has been away, I have seen it grow by leaps and bounds. She is one of the most caring young women that I know. She wants to be friendly and welcoming to other girls who are struggling to fit in (just like she has always felt), and has righteous anger for behavior that involves cliques and popularity contests. She wants to do the right thing more than she wants to fit in. Another way she demonstrates this is by how she dresses. She will always come and ask me what I think about an outfit that she is unsure about, as far as modesty goes, and will always change if she continues to feel unsure. She keeps her language clean and is faithful to her beliefs. I feel privileged to be her mother!
Don't get me wrong- we have definitely had hard times, and most likely will continue to butt heads about some things, but I am very glad that I came to the realization that my daughter is truly a blessing!

Pictures for all you Non-Facebookers!

Calvin and Ivan

2 favorite fingers

Ivan

The crazed housewife!

Steven, being Steven

Check out those breastfed thighs!

Calvin

Eric

Calvin and Ivan

Aches and Pains

I was lucky enough that during my miserable pregnancy, I did not suffer from my daily aches and pains. I have developed arthritis in many of my joints, and for some reason, pregnancy gave me some respite from these (however, nausea is not something I would willing take on again. Way worse than pain!)

My worst pain right now is in my wrists, shoulders, and upper back. Just take a gander at some of these photos, and maybe the cause will become clear!

Adorable picture that Collee, my SIL, took at Pandapas Pond last week.
Chunky monkey!

Look at that girth!

The famous plumber's pose.

Like he cares that Mommy's in pain because he's obese. . .

Motivation

I took this semester off from school, obviously. I determined that I would use this time to study for the MCAT and try to take it in the summer. Guess how much I've studied! Nada. Zilch. Nil.

So, what seems to be my problem? I just don't feel like it! In fact, I just don't feel like doing anything, except playing on the computer, and reading fiction. I'll never accomplish any of my goals at this rate!

The solution? Change my goals! My new goal is to enjoy my days at home with my family. So far, so good!

Meanwhile, if anyone has some good ideas on how I can eventually get motivated to study, let me know!

8 Weeks!

Baby Ivan is 8 weeks! He is getting such a personality! We all love him to death (not literally, of course). Even Allison is perking up around him, and will actually give him kisses.














His older brothers love to spend time with him (when they are not fighting over computer games), and Steven is our designated Friday night babysitter- he can actually get Ivan to bed and to sleep! It is amazing!









Ivan is growing, as babies tend to do. Mostly in his cheeks. Don't forget, though. . . the camera adds 10 lbs.!

Sweet Dreams

Little George Ivan is 6 weeks old. He is smiling, cooing, trying to laugh, and, best of all. . . . he is sleeping through the night! He falls asleep between 10:30 and 11:30, and sleeps til 6:00 or 6:30. I get him out of his crib (which is at the foot of our bed) and he nurses a little, and goes right back to sleep. We usually lounge around 'til 9 or so, when I get him up to change him, because by that time he is completely soaked!

It has been so nice, and has really helped with recovery. After going into the hospital a few weeks ago, I was really concerned about how I would recover from that horrible abdominal pain and, of course, the birth. His nightly sleep habits just started improving since then, and now we both sleep like babies!

All of my other babies have slept with me, and wanted to nurse every 1 1/2 hours, and I felt like I never got enough sleep, so this is a surprise and a blessing (tender mercy). I figure that Heavenly Father knows that my body is just too old for the regular baby routine, and told little Ivan to take it easy on me!

I don't get anything done during the day, still, because I'm either holding, burping, changing, or nursing Ivan, but since I'm well rested, it doesn't really bother me. Just noboby plan on coming to visit any time soon!

Music Appreciation

During a pregnancy I get so sick that any stimulus can make me nauseous and start puking (gross, I know). Unfortunately, this includes music. With my first pregnancy, Keith and I had just bought this awesome CD called "Green Forest"- little aboriginal children singing to this cool beat. Well, after listening through my nauseous state, I've never again been able to listen to this CD without feeling positively pukey! Even if Keith says one line from one of the songs, I go all cold and clammy.

So, instructions for this pregnancy were as follows: no music - at all! Keith knew that if he played me a song he liked, he'd never be able to play it again. I hid all my favorite CD's so Iwouldn't be tempted. I even stopped playing the piano, fearing that all my fav's would never get played again.

At last, I am able to listen to music! I love music! Piano, classical, 80's rock, new age instrumental, Indie, Irish . . . the only exceptions are country and Celine Dion-ish. Unfortunately, I still can't play piano b/c I'm busy holding this guy all the time : )

2 Weeks!

Baby Ivan is 2 1/2 weeks old. He went to church today, for the first time. I only had to take him out of one meeting, for about 15 minutes. It's always a little scary going out with a baby for the first time. I've gone to Wal-mart a few times sans baby, and haven't bothered with make-up or decent clothes, but going to church is a big deal: make-up, matching clothes (for me), and packing all of the extras that baby might need. Keith is so good to come home from his early morning meetings, and get the other kids ready and off to church, so that I only have the get myself and baby (and, Eric, this morning) ready! I still manage to be about 5-10 minutes late anyway!

Maddy's new hair color- thanks Sam!

TTFN!

Welcome baby Ivan

-only 13 days late!

George Ivan Maxwell -

born at home in a nice warm baby pool.

Ivan weighed 9 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 1/2 inch long- definitely no Schrimpp!

Our New Years Eve baby!

Ivan sleeping peacefully after a hard days birth!

Baby, baby. . . wherefore art thou, baby?

Just thought I should post a couple of preggo shots, before baby comes. A lot of people have been telling me that I only look pregnant from the side, and from that view, I REALLY look pregant. It is a different look for me- normally I just look like a watermelon with a gland problem ALL over my body!

No sign of baby, yet, and going on 4 days overdue. . .

The Great Race!

This baby is due on December 18. My last final is on December 16. Try getting ready for a home water-birth, when you have 5 tests and 2 finals that are approaching just as quickly! Not happening! I don't even have a car seat, yet. Much less clothing, blankets, diapers or anything baby-related. If ye are prepared, ye shall have no fear- I have to say that I should be petrified!


But. . . I'm not. I'm just so tired of the whole pregnancy thing, that it doesn't even seem to be related to the baby that's inside. On the bright side, though, this is the first time that the last trimester (and the school semester), seem to be going way too fast!


Whenever Keith wants to talk about baby names, I just look at him and think "that's what all those hours of labor are for!" I don't say it, b/c he already thinks I've lost it (which is pretty perceptive of him!)

Calvin- Dec. 23, 2003

(This was taken 5 years ago - it's been a while since I've done this baby thing!)

This past 6 months, or so, I have been bombarded with trials and struggles. I have a really hard time with pregnancy, both physically and emotionally. It brings out all of my worst character flaws. With that, comes the realization of how far I need to go in order to overcome my "natural man" self.

But, beyond my internal struggles, I have a few family issues that are continual obstacles to my desire for a peaceful, loving home. Eric, my number 4 child, has recently been officially diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder, and Anxiety Disorder. This brings the official count to 2 children with the same dx (Madeleine, the oldest, was diagnosed officially at age 8). Together with Allison, the third child, who has a severe disability (lissencephaly), daily life in our home is anything but peaceful and orderly.

This has allowed me to do some growing, but most of my growing is in the area of realization of how little I have progressed, and how much further I must go to reach my potential in the area of motherhood.

I am in that small club of women who tally up good memory moments, not events or days. However, since they are few and far between, they mean a great deal to me. I think of them as the tender mercies of the Lord- if it were not for these small (but very significant) mercies, I would have given up hope long ago.

One of these events happened yesterday. For a while now, Keith and I have been wondering justhow deep Eric's spirit is buried under his emotional disorders. In the last 6 months he has shown little contrition for his hurtful and damaging behavior towards his family members. Almost as though he has no conscience. It is something that has topped the worry chart in my mind for many months. Yesterday, some things happened that brought me feeling lower than I have in a while- I won't go into details, but I could feel our little family just being pummeled by Satan's power. I was talking out loud to myself (yes, I admit freely to my own insanity), and wondering why Satan was trying so hard to rip my family apart. Eric heard me, and asked me what I meant. I gave him a very brief explanation, and a couple minutes later, I heard him ask me to remind him how to start a prayer. All was quiet for about a minute and a half, and then I heard him asking me how to end a prayer. He came out of my bedroom and told me that he had prayed that Satan would stop trying to hurt our family. To my knowledge, he has never said a prayer on his own before. I know this was the Lord letting me know that yes, my child has a spirit, and a conscience, even if it rarely surfaces.

So, anyway, with one less worry on my mind, I can jump to a much lesser one: how to get Madeleine to go back to school!

I'll save that story for another post.

It's been a while! Just testing to see if I can still figure out this blog thing!

Keith will kill me, but I'm to preggo to sit on the horse!

The Two Angels

The Two Angels
Originally uploaded by ckschempp.

Isn't my husband nice? Took the picture AND labeled it! I'm looking old- must be the dry climate. Luckily I have my sense of humor to keep me feeling young! Is there a hair color out there that will let me look just like my dog?

Mt. Charleston 10-2-2006

Mt. Charleston 10-2-2006
Originally uploaded by ckschempp.

The view of Mt. Charleston from our dusty backyard. The fence is quite high, so it's great for privacy, but not so great for views!

Maddy and Cresteds

Maddy and Cresteds
Originally uploaded by ckschempp.

The dog on the left is Troy, our first chinese crested. He's a sweetie, but not the healthiest of dogs. He's only 6 pounds!

Eric, Lucky, and Steven

Eric, Lucky, and Steven
Originally uploaded by ckschempp.

Our second chinese crested. Lucky is 4 1/2 month's old. She's a fireball, but soft as can be. Steven has taken over her ownership and sleeps with her. I'm co-owning her until the breeder has bred her, and then she becomes mine to show or breed or both.

Angel and Maddy

Angel and Maddy
Originally uploaded by ckschempp.

Our newest chinese crested! She's 3 years old and 1 point away from her championship. She is sitting on my lap right now, shivering b/c she's cold. Have to go get her sweater.

Boys and Rat 5-1-06

Boys and Rat 5-1-06
Originally uploaded by ckschempp.

Here are my boys. Ten points if you can figure out which is Calvin and which is Eric. Steven, of course, is the one with the rat! This picture was taken a few months ago. They are much browner now (the boys, not the rats). BTW, Maddy wants to breed the little buggers (the rats, not the boys), if anyone might be interested in a pup.
Charlene and Casey were here a few days ago. Charlene hates rats. We were sitting at the table when Calvin rolled a ball under the table- "Watch out, Charlene!" Casey says, "a rat's running loose!". . .
I guess you had to be there.

Mount Charleston 5-23-06

Mount Charleston 5-23-06
Originally uploaded by ckschempp.

This is our neighborhood- our house is the one on the right (not the one with the van in the driveway, but the one right next to it). The houses are very close together, but they all have block walls separating them, so they feel private. They go way back - much bigger than they look. We have the nicest neighborhood in the valley, so far, but I'd still like to have land!