A quick video to end the year!

Happy New Year!
Here is a quick video I promised my sister-in-law Michele I would post!
Wishing everyone a FANTASTIC 2010!

So thankful for all our blessings!

Love,

Dani, Gary, Makenzie & Zach

Merry CHRISTmas!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!!! We sure did!

Highlights:
Makenzie was SO in to it this year!
A great Christmas eve service with my hubby!
Kids sleeping until 715AM Christmas AM!
Cinnamon rolls!
A birthday cake for Jesus!
Gifts...way too many!
Maki handing out gifts to everyone!
Skyping Nonnie Pat! So great to hear her voice...her camera was not working but at least she could see us! So glad she has Skype now!!!
Skyping G's sisters (and their fams!) Maki loved seeing Shya and everyone else!
The excitement on Makenzie's face when she got her big girl bike!
Zach cuddled on me for 30 minutes on the couch! PRICELESS!!!
Tita & Jaja being here!
My Mom's cooking!
Relaxing all day long!

Pics to come...

Hoping everyone is feeling all the joy of this wonderful time of year!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

catching up! most of November...

Hi! Sorry it has been so long since my last post! Been busy living life! ;) Where should I start? Mak and Zach are doing great! HEALTHY! So grateful we are through all of that! ;) We had a GREAT Thanksgiving! My parents came up for a few days and we also hosted for some of our dearest friends...Love you Sargents, Herbolds, Steeles & Heller! It was so fun to have so many babies/kids here for Thanksgiving! While my parents were here we went non-stop! I took a 2 hour nap the day they left! My Mom and I went out on black Friday @430A shopping...found GREAT deals! We went to San Francisco, Halfmoon Bay and the Stanford vs. Notre Dame game! Such a jam packed wonderful weekend! Gary wanted to buy my Dad Notre Dame tickets since that is his favorite team and they were playing Stanford Thanksgiving weekend. So the 4 of us went! SO FUN! And what a great game! Such a great memory to have with my parents and hubby! What else?...Maki is Mommy's super helper and loves running errands with Daddy! All of his clients love her! But then again, who doesn't!?!? And precious Zach is a walking machine! He gets so excited he cheers for himself! I must video it and post it! I hope everyone is doing great and enjoying this wonderful time of year!

More posts to come soon... ;)

me and my dad at the notre dame vs. stanford game! gary, my dad, my mom and I had a BLAST!

Tita and Jaja with the kids!

Maki got her 1st pedicure with Tita and Mommy! My mom was so excited to take her with us! I have to say this is something that when I was pregnant I imagined sharing with my little girl...and she loved it! Not sure how often we will go but it was definitely something special! Aren't those toes so cute!?!? Oh yes, and the polish was off in about 3 days! ;) They only charged us $10 for her!

Having fun with Tita!

After we got the house ready for our Thanksgiving dinner! We had such a great time!

Maki's centerpiece she made for Thanksgiving!

Our candle centerpieces! Thank you Marthastewart.com!

my hubby helping me with our center pieces for Thanksgiving dinner! So grateful he has his tools! :)

climbing! what Zach does best!

making a play dough cake for Daddy! Love those wedgits! Thanks again Schmidt family!

napping on Mommy and Daddy's bed! She was reading stories 1 moment and I turned around and she was out the next!

update on Makenzie!

**Here is an updated email we sent out about Maki! :)

HI!

WOW WHERE DO WE START?!?! THIS EMAIL IS IN CAPS DUE TO OUR OVER THE TOP EXCITEMENT!!!

ALL TESTS CAME BACK NEGATIVE!!!! AND NO KIDNEY DAMAGE!
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR YOUR LOVE, SUPPORT AND PRAYERS!

WE ARE A BIT PERPLEXED, SHOCKED AND SO GRATEFUL! THE INITIAL TEST SHE TOOK 1 WEEK AGO SHOWED THAT SHE DID HAVE THE SYMPTOMS OF THE CONDITION AND THE MORE INVASIVE TEST YESTERDAY WAS SUPPOSED TO SHOW US:
1-IF THERE WAS KIDNEY DAMAGE AND HOW MUCH
2-WHAT DEGREE OF THE CONDITION SHE SUPPOSEDLY HAD

WE HAD FAITH THAT THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY THAT SHE DIDN'T HAVE IT, BUT THEY HAD PREPARED US THAT SHE DID. TO SAY WE ARE OVERJOYED AND RELIEVED IS AN UNDERSTATEMENT!!

I WON'T GET IN TO ALL THE DETAILS OF THE TEST YESTERDAY BUT TO PUT IT LIGHTLY, IT WAS AWFUL! THE DR. CAME IN PULLED ME ASIDE AND SAID "I JUST WANT TO PREPARE YOU THAT THIS TEST IS HELL, AND IT IS NOT ONLY TRAUMATIC ON HER, BUT ON ALL OF US IN THE ROOM!" AT LEAST HE WAS HONEST... ;) MAKENZIE WAS A CHAMP! SHE DID WAY BETTER THAN GARY OR I WOULD HAVE FOR SURE! SO THANK YOU ALL FOR PRAYING FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT OF TRAUMA AS POSSIBLE...SHE SEEMS TOTALLY FINE TODAY ABOUT IT!

THIS IS NOTHING LESS THAN A MIRACLE AND WE ARE PRAISING GOD FOR HEALING HER! IN THE DOCTOR'S WORDS "PERPLEXED" WHY IT WOULD SHOW UP ON THE INITIAL TEST AND NOT ON YESTERDAY'S TEST IF SHE ACTUALLY DID NOT HAVE IT! HE SAYS "PERPLEXED!" WE SAY "MIRACLE!"

SHE IS STAYING ON THE ANTIBIOTICS FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AS A PRECAUTIONARY MEASURE AND WE WILL HAVE A FOLLOW UP APPOINTMENT JUST TO CONFIRM EVERYTHING IN MARCH...AND THEN WE ARE BASICALLY DONE WITH ALL OF THIS! AND SHE DOES NOT HAVE TO HAVE THAT TEST EVER AGAIN! :)

WE CAN'T TELL YOU HOW FORTUNATE WE FEEL...IN LIGHT OF HOW WE ARE FEELING WE FEEL LED TO DO A LITTLE TOY DRIVE FOR LUCILLE PACKARD CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AT STANFORD...WE HAD THE GREAT PLEASURE OF MEETING PARENTS AND KIDS YESTERDAY WHO GO THROUGH MORE IN A WEEK THAN WE HAVE IN OUR LIFETIMES...FAINT HEARTED CAN DEFINITELY NOT VISIT THAT PLACE...YES, GARY CRIED WALKING THE HALLWAYS...LOVE HIS TENDER HEART! SO OUR PLAN IS TO GO TO SUNNYVALE TOYS R US TUESDAY AFTERNOON AFTER ZACH'S NAP TO GO SHOPPING FOR THE CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL...IF YOU ARE FREE AND INTERESTED IN JOINING US, PLEASE DO! OR IF YOU WANT US TO PICK ANYTHING SPECIFIC UP AND TAKE TO THE HOSPITAL PLEASE LET US KNOW! THIS IS JUST 1 SIMPLE WAY TO BRIGHTEN SOMEONE'S DAY THERE AT THE HOSPITAL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD! WE ACTUALLY GOT THE IDEA YESTERDAY RIGHT AFTER MAK'S PROCEDURE...2 DEAR FRIENDS HAD DROPPED OFF A TEDDY BEAR AND CARD FOR MAKI AND BEFORE SHE WAS EVEN OFF OF THE TABLE WHERE THE PROCEDURE HAD BEEN DONE, A TECHNICIAN CAME IN AND HANDED IT TO HER...I CAN NOT TELL YOU THE JOY THAT CAME OVER HER AT THAT MOMENT...ALONG WITH A HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF! I KNOW SOME OF YOU ARE NO WHERE NEAR NORTHERN CAL AND I'M SURE IF YOU FEEL LED YOU CAN FIND A CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL NEAR YOU...IF YOU NEED HELP LET ME KNOW! I KNOW FOR US THIS WAS A LITTLE WAKE UP CALL TO TAKE CARE OF THE SICK TOO...NOT JUST THE HOMELESS, NEEDY AND POOR...BUT NO PRESSURE! THIS IS JUST WHAT WE FEEL LED TO DO...GIVE WHERE EVER YOU FEEL LED! WE JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN US IF YOU WEREN'T SURE WHERE TO GIVE OR WANTED TO GIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE AS WELL.

WELL ENOUGH OF MY BLABBING FOR TONIGHT!

PRAISING GOD! AND SO THANKFUL FOR OUR AMAZING FAMILY AND FRIENDS NEAR AND FAR!

ALL OUR LOVE AND GRATITUDE,
DANI, GARY, MAKENZIE AND ZACHARY :)

prayer request for precious Makenzie and some pics

***this was an email I sent out today...sorry if I missed your email address on the email!

Hi Everyone!

I'm sorry for sending a mass general email but we don't have the time nor energy to talk with you all individually...sorry!

Long story made REALLY short...Makenzie is having issues with her kidneys. We are having a test done tomorrow at Stanford at 945AM and COVET your prayers!

A few specific ways you can be praying:
1- that there is NO permanent kidney damage!

2- there are different degrees of this condition (1-5) and we are hoping for either complete healing and that there is NOTHING there or that she has a lower degree 1 or 2, and does NOT require surgery!

3- she is having a pretty invasive test done...pray that she is not traumatized AT ALL over the procedure and that it goes smooth and quick!

We know our precious little one is in our Creator's hands and have peace knowing His will, WILL be done...we would rather have news that we don't want to hear, and know that He will carry us all through it, than for His will NOT to be done...it honestly took us a few days to get here...praying we stay here!

A HUGE praise already in this situation- we were not supposed to get this appointment scheduled to well after the 1st of the year because this specialist is so booked up! But when I called the office the scheduler got us in this week! I didn't even have to bribe her! ;) So THANK YOU LORD!

Thank you all for your prayers and support!

On our knees now more than ever...
Love,
Dani & Gary

Here are some pics from the last couple of weeks! ENJOY!

lovin' on little bro!

our cutie boy!

dancing with our guide at Hidden Villa!

look at those moves!

how do you spell P.R.E.C.I.O.U.S?!

petting a cow!

How cute are my boys!?!? My hubby can even pull off that nerdy hat! ;) Love you G! :)

yes, they are that cute! ;)

on a train ride when we cut down our Christmas tree! well, I should say Gary cut down the tree and we all ran around and ate cookies! so fun! :)

HAPPY 1st BIRTHDAY ZACH!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY BOY!

just days old...

Oh precious Zach you are 1 today! Where do I start? You are so full of joy! You have been an absolute pleasure to parent Zach! Let's go back about a year or so...And what a year it has been! Let's start with Mommy's pregnancy...it was wonderful!...well for the 1st few months then it was horrible! And by horrible I mean...HORRIBLE! Mommy was so sick...trouble breathing...well trouble with everything. I had enough fluid for you and 2 other babies...polyhydramneosis...when the Dr. broke my water it was like I was normal again...I could breath and my heart no longer skipped beats...my blood pressure went from 149 over 90 to 119 over 70 almost immediately! I was induced week 37 and could not wait for that moment! My sweet boy I tell you all of this because I want you to know how much I love you...and I would DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN FOR YOU! You are so precious and wonderful...I really didn't know my life was missing anything until you were born...and now I have realized YOU were the missing piece! I now feel complete...although I didn't know I wasn't complete before...weird huh?. God gives you what you need when you need it I guess! You were quit the colic(y) baby...and by colic I mean COLIC! You screamed your head off for hours...and hours! But even then you were oh so cute. We took you to the chiropractor out of desperation and it was almost an instant transformation! From that moment on you were/are the happiest baby boy! We are so thankful to Dr. Tarr! You have had quit the busy year...You went from a diet of just breastmilk to now eating everything in sight! You love your food! Especially cheese & fruit (just like Mommy!)! You are so lighthearted and funny (just like Daddy!)! You laugh at almost anything and have the cutest smile and laugh (just like Makenzie!)! And you love being outside (just like Daddy, Mommy & Makenzie!)! You have been on a few trips this year on an airplane & by car...You love to fly but are not the biggest fan of your carseat! You are all boy...you climb everything in sight! And you love to cuddle! You sleep through the night! Mommy & Daddy THANK YOU for that ZACH! Your smile lights up a room and we are so thankful for you little one...
Happy Birthday!


Here are pics from his party Saturday and dinner tonight to celebrate our baby boy!

1 year later...

His train cake that I made him for his party! Daddy and Maki helped too!

His 1st experience with cake was wonderful!

opening presents with bis sisters!

His pal Brendan and him trying to break out from the party! ;)

Our dinner tonight!

They were just a little excited about the cake! Maki has been sick so it was wonderful to see a smile on her precious face!

The after party! Lively group, huh?! Look at Jaj sleeping! Both kids took a 3 hour nap as well! Nina (on the left) came with Shayna for the party! She is such a delight! :)

Cozy with Daddy!

Can't start brushing too soon, right?!

Action shot!

cozy!

Where's Zach?!

It was bound to happen...

Yes, Gary and I both woke up sick last week...Gary is umm, how do I put it?...a horrible patient! But after a decade I think we are finally getting somewhere...! I have to say it was nice doing "nothing" and not having an agenda but I just wish we were feeling better so we could of enjoyed it more! THANKFULLY we are better now...but now precious Maki is sick...please pray for her and also that Zach doesn't catch it! This is like the craziest cycle of sickness ever! Ready for a sick free week for all of us! :)

And 2 cute little Maki stories!
#1 Makenzie last week...We were looking for tortillas in the refrigerator and for some reason I kept missing them...even though they were right there in plain sight where we always keep them...again, I was sick ;) After many moments of looking we found them and Makenzie said "we should pray and thank God for the tortillas!" So she dropped to the floor bowed her cute little head and said "Thank you God for the tortillas and the eggs! AMEN!"
#2 kind hearted Makenzie strikes again!
I put Zach down for a nap and Makenzie was playing in her room while I got ready for the day...I went to check on Mak and found her wrapping a book with a receiving blanket for Zach's B-DAY! I walked in and she said "look Mommy, I'm wrapping books to give to Zach for his Birthday!". Gosh I love this little girl...her kind heart never ceases to amaze me! I took a pic of the wrap job as well...gotta love all the tape she used! I'm thinking with a little direction I can have her wrap all the gifts for Christmas!

...Zach's dedication video is coming soon!