Simon Martin Schramm

The adventure began yesterday. At 4 in the morning, Chelsea woke up with minor contractions and couldn't really fall back asleep. She visited the doctor in the morning and he told her she was fine to go home until tomorrow. However, last night around 9 pm, she and Paul packed up and went to the hospital. They gave her the epidural so she could sleep through the night and then this morning, at approximately 7:40, they broke her water for her and were expecting the baby by lunchtime. However, he had different plans. The rest of the day, we all waited anxiously for any news. At about 12:30 Chelsea was fully dilated but had not begun pushing. My mom was receiving the occasional update from Paul but still, no baby. At 3, my mom came home from work and started packing to catch a 5:30 flight tonight. My dad and I took her to the Airport and came home and STILL no word. 

At 4:58 Arizona time (5:58 Colorado time), we received word from Paul:

"Simon Martin Schramm is here! Mom and baby are great. More to come by email later."

I started screaming "Paul Schramm! Paul Schramm! Paul Schramm!" because my dad was on the phone with my mom (who was about to board her plane) and he immediately knew what I meant. I read the text aloud but was so excited it seemed like gibberish so he read it to my mom. I think we both teared up a little bit :) I was officially an aunt. I can't explain how happy this makes me. Only a little bit later, a picture came through.

I love how modestly he posed for this picture. Smart kid.

He weighed a whopping 7 pounds, 8 ounces and is 20 inches long. He's got dark wavy hair and long legs like his dad :) He's just so perfect.

My mum is lucky to be there with them for the next 12 days. The rest of us won't get to meet him until May 18th, when we all go to Colorado for Paul's law school graduation and Simon's baby blessing. I'll be counting down every day.

Our family has been so blessed this year with the new additions; Holly and Simon. It's been such an amazing year and it's only four months in. I can't wait to spend time with little Simon Schramm and watch him grow in this wonderful family. I might be a little biased, but this kid is one lucky boy for picking our family. And we are even luckier to have gotten him.

Wendy Darling

Today is one of the best days.

Today is my mum's birthday! This lovely lady deserves to have the best day and that's a total understatement. Without my mum, I don't think I would have survived all these crazy 21 years. She has provided so much for me and my siblings and been an amazing beacon of strength throughout many things in my life. My whole life has been filled with laughter and love because of her. I've learned so many things from her and am so blessed that she is my mother. To me, she is the epitome of what I want to become and if I end up with just a speck of her greatness, I'd be happy. 

I'm so glad I get to spend the day with her and I hope it's absolute perfection. My parents do so much for me and all I can hope is that they know my love and appreciation. Happy Birthday to the world's greatest mum, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I love you!

Regaining Happiness.

whoa. it's been a while. like over two months. just goes to show how much has happened in the past two months haha

well, i'm happy to say that, i'm happy again. it's taken quite a while but things are going well. and not like crazy, hard-to-believe great. but just, good. and that means more to me than anyone knows.

the biggest thing that's happened is that my one of my oldest friends AND my oldest brother (also my oldest friend) got married!

First: Paige's wedding was on February 16th. I can't even begin to explain how amazingly happy I am for her and how happy it made me to be able to be in her wedding party with some of our oldest friends.

Me and the bride

It was just a perfect day to spend together with not a care in the whole world. I even teared up a couple times.

Taylor, me, Kelley, and Anna

We got to spend some really great quality time before Paige and Jordan came out of the temple.


And then the real party started! We went to a luncheon for just family and us close friends. We sorta got bored waiting for a while though.

I missed her so freaking much.

Then we got to rest for a while and then they had the ring ceremony in the church. I actually fully cried at this point. I can't even tell you how beautiful and happy she looked and it just made me so so happy for her. Kelley even almost cried too haha.

Then was the reception and we got to decorate Paige and Jordan's car! Then we danced all night long and said our goodbye's. I love her. And him. And them together.

It was a great day :)

The next big thing was going up to Utah two weeks ago for Natedawg and Hoddie Bee's wedding!!

Things were just like old times.

We drove up on Thursday and drove back on Tuesday. Friday night was the rehearsal dinner at Rodizio's Grill and after that, I got to go to Provo and see all my old roommates again! Even Dylan drove down from Logan! It was most excellent.

Emma, Launa, Kaitlin, Lindsay, me, Dylan, Carley, and Jennica.

all these girls are so special to me and they gave me some seriously needed cheering up :)

I missed her so much.

The next day was wedding day and everything was crazy hectic. From the video not being finished and the groomsmen's ties being black instead of red to my sister spraying Mace in our hotel room while we're getting ready and my mom is finishing up the cake. Gotta love family time.

It was so amazingly fun though. And so fantastic to be able to see Holly and Nate's wedding. I can truly, honestly say that I've never seen Nate this happy before and the change in him because of Holly is wonderful. I think we're all overjoyed to have her in  our family now.

It was such a lovely day and so fun to see all my parents old friends and a lot of our family drove up! I had a blast :)

She absolutely glowed!

The whole wedding party!
Paul, Cam, Dale, Nate, Holly, Jenna, Sarah, Emily, Stephanie, Chelsea, and me.

Such a fun day:) The next couple of days were great too since Nate and Holly didn't leave for their honeymoon right away. We all just got to hang out and party together! 

I needed nothing more than to hang out with my other siblings. It was so amazing to have all six of us kids back together.

Now, Chelsea has less than a month till "Peabo Hector" Schramm is born. (we don't actually know his name yet) I'm so thrilled to be an Auntie for the first time! And glad I finally get to live up to the name I was given and be "Aunt Kate". Tears will be happening :)

Side Note: my jaw surgery is ON TRACK! after the minor hiccup of my orthodontist having unexpected open heart surgery, he's back and was able to see me on Monday and let me know that by the next time he sees me, he thinks I'll be ready for surgery! I'm so so happy and can't wait for it to be over with.

Like I said, I am happy once again :)

A Whole New Year

This year is looking up!!

I finally got an amazing job!

 I work for a photographer now as an assistant putting together the photo albums for weddings he shoots. It's so much fun and just the job for me. Also, on days when everything's done and the parents are away, I get to babysit (play with) their little darlings. The sweetest little kids ever. I'm definitely loving it!

I'm signed up for online classes!

My family and friend relationships have never been better!

I'm giving a talk on Sunday (which means I'll be set for the whole year)

And I'm just all around having fun almost every night now that Cam works days :)

For example, he got promoted and I got a job so we got to go out to celebrate with the fam. We also started watching Arrested Development. We got through the whole series in like 5 nights. Loads of fun and laughs :)

This was DEFINITELY the right semester to move home.

New Mexico

After lighting off the few fireworks we had for New Year's, we were addicted. 

We got a tip that the best fireworks were in New Mexico and, after shooting off other, not so great fireworks, we decided (at ONE IN THE MORNING DURING BREAKFAST AT IHOP) to take the day and just drive there and back really quick.

It actually took longer than we expected and made a whole road trip out of it.

Starting at 8 AM.

we actually were pretty excited at first..

Matt and Alan,
our lovely Pilot and Co-Pilot

Tucson, here we come!

Some beautiful scenery!!
"They're probably trees of some sort"
Thanks, Cam.

About two hours in, we were extreeeemely bored, tired, and
ready to throw in the towel..

Gas station in Tucson that provided
us with breakfast.

My face when Alan started playing his Mitt Romney
book on tape.. Worse than the Christian Rock station..

More rocks

Getting closer to New Mexico, the rocks changed colours
and got larger

he stole my camera.

you asked for it.

FINALLY!! Lordsburg, 69 MILES!!!
Happiest moment of the trip!

1st stop, Phantom Fireworks Warehouse!

Proof that we actually WERE in New Mexico.
"New Mexico Information Center"

2nd stop, Patrick's firework warehouse!

Love the advertising skills :)

We were excited, I swear,
just really, really tired.

They did for us that day :)

Blurry but,
"FRAGGLE ROCK"!!!

I loved seeing these signs.

"Hug a beaver today"
Best advice anyone had given me all day.

Sunset coming home..

I love you, Arizona, and your wonderful sunsets.
Feels good to be home.

"Times long past"

How fun was this New Year's?

we had fireworks

and good friends.

We love fireworks so much.

Alan's a good pyro

Cammie-Jo

The whole gang came to party :)

We had LOTS of fireworks and Alan
and Cameron were the honorary lighters. 

Cam and Alan with Roman candles
(not magic wands)

So excited!!

Natalie and Danny with some roman candles

Luke just being good at stuff

The grand final
(it was definitely 'grander' in real life)

In conclusion?
The best.