Hanging onto Summer

Fall is officially here but we're trying to hang onto the last moments of summer by eating watermelon! As you can see by Malachi's attire, it sure doesn't feel like summer....BUT the sun is out today so I'm blasting (Andrew's favorite word used for sending emails) this post out to you all, then heading out for a walk.

Swim Class

A few pics from Malachi's swim class today, we started class last week and he loves it!....Daddy was able to join us =)

Eating!

These are kind of old but here are the pictures of Malachi trying out solids

Back when he actually used to wear bibs

 

Not sure if any of the food actually got into his mouth on this one.

He loved gnawing on apples...but now he can bit (with his gums, he doesn't have any teeth yet) right through!

Back to Malachi

Ok for those having Malachi withdrawals, here are a few misc pics from the past couple of months

No he was not constipated...this is his new favorite face.

A little Dr. Suess

He loves sleeping on his belly with his hands under his forehead.

Like Father like Son....the infamous cable box.

Kisses anyone? 

(you might have to press the play/pause button a couple of times)

Light of Love Video

I'd like to share this beautiful video following religious sisters of different orders around the US. The first convent they visit is the Sisters of St. Francis of the Martyr St George in Alton Illinois. I had the pleasure of visiting them for a week during my discernment many years ago, also I have a cousin who is apart of this group. Even though I was not called to religious life, the video is inspiring and has reminded me to include the Lord in everything I do as a wife, mother and fellow neighbor.

I have included the link to the website in case you have problems playing the video on the blog. I found it played best if you hit the download button below the text under the video on the website.

Light of Love from Imagine Sisters on Vimeo.

Click here if you have difficulties watching the video.

Fasting

I've been dealing with the desire to give up Facebook. I say "dealing"  because as much as I'd like to, it seems like it would be the hardest thing ever and I'm actually a little afraid to do so. Even though I gave it up for lent, and thoroughly enjoyed not being on all the time. And the first two weeks in Canada we had no internet at our apartment or even data on our phones....meaning I was only on facebook when I went to a coffee shop; it was great! I tried to come up with certain days or times that I would allow myself on, but that was more of an idea rather than a plan of action. I have no self-discipline and just can't stay off of it. Which I very much don't like. I don't like wanting to get on when Malachi is awake and watching me, I don't like comparing myself to others on FB or getting annoyed with what people post, I don't like rushing back from a walk or outing so that I can check whats new on FB. I'm actually addicted to it and I hate it! Now don't get me wrong I do appreciate a way to stay in touch with people but right now I feel that the negative it brings into my life outweighs the positive. I've been praying for the grace to give it up but didn't feel like I was getting anywhere, if anything the nagging feeling had started to go away, until the past couple of days. With that said I'd like to mention a couple of other things for a second.

While we were in California visiting my Grandma my Uncle was visiting as well. He had mentioned that he was fasting from chocolate, and offering it up for our president's conversion. I was so impressed with his self-sacrifice and thought I should do something of that sort too...but not until I got home of course, wouldn't want to ruin any vacation with fasting of some sort. Well, I've been "home" for almost two months and never did anything about it.

As most of you would know Pope Francis asked for a day of prayer and fasting last Saturday for peace in Syria and around the world. My first thought was "ugh, I don't want to fast on Saturday!" But by God's grace the day came and it wasn't so bad.

SO with the inspiration of my uncle and Pope Francis' plea for fasting the other day I've decided to combine the two and incorporate it into my life by fasting from Facebook and offering it up for peace in the world.

I decided today is the perfect day to start, seeing as it is the anniversary of 9/11/01. I'm not sure how long I will do this, I'm still praying about that but here it goes! If any of you decide to do anything of this sort, I'd love to hear about it.

Visiting Great Grandma in Cali

First airplane ride

Four Generations!

"GG" (Great-Grandma)

Pool time

Beach Time

Luau Salad from Cheesecake factory...it was DELICIOUS! And much bigger than it looks in the picture.

Malachi and Grandma, this is my favorite of them

Tri for Life

I'm trying to get caught up on some events that happened this summer before moving. 

In June the Schaal family participated in the annual Tri for Life that Options Pregnancy Resource Centers puts on as a fundraiser. Our team was The Three Stooges, we made our own matching shirts and everything!

"Pushin for 1st"

"Whadja think I was doin for the first 9 months?"

"Milk's done this body good"

Andrew did the first two legs of the triathlon; 500yd swim...

20K of biking...

then Malachi and I joined him for the 5K run, (which we walked.)

Malachi was exhausted after such an event.

We ended the day with delicious Almond joy cupcakes Robin made for my birthday...yum!

Canadian Adventures so Far

They've lowered the driving age in Canada

 BC Lions Game

First time exploring Vancouver

 We found a beach

Wouldn't want to get our feet dirty!

Driving along the coast on Labor Day

His new favorite face.

Ferry to Victoria, we didn't partake but one of these days we will.

Mom/Grandma came to visit and help when the movers arrived since Andrew was out of town.

Breakfast at Sophie's Cosmic Cafe...wouldn't recommend unless you like hard pancakes =)

Lucky's Doughnuts...not as good as USA's greasy deep fried doughnuts, but the coffee shop where they are served is good; Forty Ninth Parallel.