New Opportunity Awaits

Okay, now that everything is official, I can tell everybody about the new oppotunities that await both Mark and I! I accepted a new job last Monday. I will be transitioning from my current position as a Financial Actuarial Analyst to my new position as an Actuarial Services Analyst. In my new position I will be testing the system when there is an upgrade or conversion, when new products are released I will be making sure the system is handling the more complicated calculations/features, regression testing, etc... I've very excited!! On Monday, Mark will be starting his new job as a Commercial Underwriter. He's been in claims for while and I think this will be a great move for him. I know many of you have been praying for us during this time and I want to THANK YOU!

Schuyler spent her first weekend away from home! Mark's parents took her down to Missouri to surprise her cousins! I think it was harder for me to be away from her!! She had a blast. At first, McKenzie was a little lost w/o her sister but she enjoyed being the only child for a couple days. We took her to her first ever circus. Papa treated us to a ride on an elephant and she LOVED it. The rest of the time all we heard was "Where elephants"? We left after intermission and she crashed in the car=)

Last year in my twenties

Monday I officially started my last day in my twenties. Yes, I am 29 and enjoying every minute of it. The typical questions one gets asked on their birthday is "Did you do anything fun\special?", "Did you get something nice"? I would say it was a day like any other. I will be embarking on a new opportunity and that decision was made on my birthday. Sorry folks, I can't share more. You will have to follow the blog to find out what it is. I ate more sweets than usual... VI (Village In) triple berry pie, and my fave kind of cake, angel food, or angel cake as Schuyler calls it. She also picked me out some cherry frosting and I had both girls help frost. As you can imagine, it wasn't the prettiest decorated cake and I'm sure more frosting was ate then spread on the cake;) The nice thing was Mark came home ON TIME from work!! I actually cleaned the dreaded bathroom while he tackled the dishes manually since the dishwasher is broken. My dad and grandma came over for cake that evening. Can I say my B-day wish and still have it come true? I wish that my last year in my twenties will be as blessed as the previous!

Round 2 - Potty Training

So, the other day (the 9th) I go to pick up the girls and there is a note in our box. Not the ocassional 'ouch' note we get, but different. It went something like this...

"Dear Mark and Jill, This morning McKenzie went into the bathroom and said "potty". We helped her get her diaper off, which was dry, and she went. We decided to put her in a long sleeve t-shirt and underwear for the day. She went on the little potty and was dry all day. This may be a sign she is ready. (Signed) Ms. Krystal"

Holy smokes! This is very much her personality. Trying to keep up w/ the big kids. But, I'm not ready!! Although diapers are an expense there is also some convenience in them. Schuyler was potty trained at 24 or 25 months which I thought was good. I understand every kid has their own time when they are ready... some later and some earlier. She's only 20 months! Anyway, we are on day 3 and she is doing awesome. Only 1 "accident" and that was at nap time. Here we go for round 2 of potty training. Wish us luck!!

Viola Study

Back in December, after some encouraging words from the staff at her school, we decided to enroll Schuyler in Suzuki viola. Little did we know how passionate she would be for this. To start, they actually practice with a pretend viola. They do this for a variety of reasons... to learn how to respect and handle the instrument (one that I'm sure won't be cheap!), how to properly stand and hold the viola, how to get the basic bow movement down. Let me just say at the ripe age of almost being 4, she know far more than I do about a viola. She knows the strings and ALL of the parts of the viola and bow. So, in a month, we will be renting or purchasing our first 'real' viola. Keep us in mind if you know of one!!

McKenzie wants so much to be a part of this. There are fights over the foot chart (how to properly place your feet when standing and bowing). She is learning the 'pepperoni pizza' rhythm along with her sister. And she cries hysterically when Schuyler and I leave for lessons. Luckily this is only twice a month and Ms. Christy comes to the Montessori weekly since a group of the students take from her. Looks like I need to find an outing for McKenzie and I to do on a monthly basis...Hmmm?

Bunkbeds for the Girls!

So, this past weekend we purchased used bunkbeds for the girls. We weren't looking for any but an opportunity came along and we grabbed them. Dadddy and Papa Schlattmann put them up on Sunday and the girls are very excited. Mack will continue to sleep in her toddler bed until she fully develops good sleep habits. She tends to wonder into our room between 3 - 4:30 a.m. Schuyler will sleep in the bottom bunk until she is ready for the top. Although, if you ask her, she is ready. We haven't attached the ladder b/c we are afraid Mack will climb up and think she can jump off. Aunt Mitch and cousin Justin came to see us! We had a GREAT time visiting and Schuyler refers to Justin as her "silly" cousin - LOL! I got to try on bridesmaid dresses w/ my to-be SIL and her sister. I forgot how fun wedding planning can be and am so excited for them! We are enjoying the warm weather and Mark is taking a half day to golf - imagine that! Hope all of you have a great week!

The month of Feb...

Just one pic for today. I've been MIA for a while but let's see if I can remember some of what we've been up to... This past weekend we enjoyed a model train show at the fair grounds. Ofcourse this involved a train ride and Thomas items were there, too. As you can imagine, it was a big hit. Lil Mack can even say Thomas. It's very cute b/c she says it so properly. Valentine's day is always a big hit! Schuyler literaly brought home a box of valentine's and we went through every one. Hopefully, I'll get a chance to post her home made box. Mack got the flu for the first time on the 11th. Poor babe woke us up at 2:00 a.m. so scared. The worst part is it got all over her puppy, which she doens't sleep w/o. It was hard to explain that puppy had to get a bath, too! Mark and I are taking a Vital Christianity class and joining our church after going there for 6 years. We do this every Thursday night for the month Feb. It's been very refreshing for us both. Hope all of you out there are doing good!

She's part Schlattmann

I'm not sure if it's true or tale, but supposedly some of the Schlattmann's always had their tongues' out as kids? So, I know which side I can blame for this trait. The rest is still up in the air. Mark and I tend to agree she looks more like her mom but her personality is very much her father's. That probably says a lot in itself. She's one spit fire of a little girl who keeps us on our toes! Wouldn't have it any other way!