Christmas Joy

Friday after Christmas decided to be an extra cold day. My husband took some frosty southwest pictures.

We had my uncle's family and my brother's family join us for Christmas. Fun was had by all.

Kids performing "Rudolph Rap" and showing off their pictures.

Before the aftermath

Lilian was "giving" me presents from Santa.

Merich Nathaniel Schaupp

Look at this cute baby! Merich is pronounced more like Merrick. He was born on November 29th 6lb 7oz (now 6lb 13oz) and 19 inches long. He is healthy and eating well. If only I could queeze him in my arms. Denver is so far away.

A New Baby

My sister is going to have a baby today! We are excited to meet this little guy. As soon as my mom has pictures (she going to Denver today!) I will post them.

You speak of Tolerance?

I am fuming!

Since when is protesting the democratic system tolerance?
Since when is disrupting church services tolerance?
Since when is firing someone for their belief system tolerance?

I HAVE HAD IT with all the gay groups out there who are crazy over the ruling for Prop 8 in California. They speak of Tolerance and Diversity and yet look at what they are doing! They demand a democratic society ("let us vote on it") but they come unglued when the results are in.

Where are my rights?
Why can't I believe what I believe?
Where is the separation of Church and State?

Happy Halloween

I am looking forward to carving a pumpkin this year. Though I must admit I look forward to it every year. I even carved a pumpkin when I was a missionary. I asked a Beehive in my class if her family was going to carve a pumpkin for the party and she said yes but her older brother and sister feel too old for it. I must be young at heart because I am NEVER too old to play with pumpkins.



My parents come home in less than two weeks! I am glad for their time spent in service to the church and Heavenly Father. I am thankful for the opportunity to stay in their home while they were away and for the things I learned from the experience. I am excited to see what the future holds when they come home.

Patti Drake

In Loving Memory of:
Patti Drake

A co-worker of mine passed away suddenly at home on Monday. I'd like to think that I was somewhat close to her. I only knew her for 2 years but for the last year I was in her office helping her whenever she needed secretary work done. I learned alot about Patti and I may have even learned about a few things she did for her family that not even her family knew about.

I will always remember the fierce love she had for her family. She was single and in her 50's with no children, but she loved her nieces and nephews as her own. She would do ANYTHING for them (as much as was in her power). Patti loved to brag about her "grand babies" also.

I will always remember her faith in God. I can recall several occasions where we had very brief spiritual discussions. I was amazed at how well a Latter-day Saint and a Pentecostal women could share the same feelings for God and not argue.

I will always remember how easily she laughed at simple jokes. "somebody call IX-I-I!" (Disney's Hercules). Her spirit was so innocent.

I will miss not being able to associate with her for the rest of my time at Tucson Medical Center. I find comfort in my beliefs on the Plan of Salvation and I know that I will get to see her again on the other side. Some co-workers who knew her even less than I did are still somewhat shook up and I amaze myself for how well I am holding up.

"Each Life That Touches Ours For Good"

"God Be With (Us) Till We Meet Again."

Titan Museum

Last weekend we drove out to the Titan Museum in Sierra Vista and had a good time. The docents knew their stuff. I guess that could be because they actually were part of the crew in the various areas where there were Titan missiles. My favorite part was when they talked about being with someone constanly for 24 hours, 9 spaced out day a month. Well Ben and I just looked at eachother and smiled....please.....try 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for 18-24 months straight! The 8 story tall missile, which goes down underground, gets dusted periodically by the local fire department when they have to certify on their rapelling.
Enjoy the pictures!

Tucson Sunsets

Compliments of Ben Schonewald

Kamikaze!!

Ben poked his head outside to check on some noise last night and this spider rushed his face. At which point he very loudly shouted a colorful expression and quickly pulled his head back inside. Then we grabbed the camera and took this picture. Turns out to be a large Crab Spider. They only come out at night and they don't make webs, they hunt down their prey. Kinda of reminds me of the spiders on Harry Potter.

Dangerous Beauty

The storm last night not only went over our house but covered the whole city of Tucson. I wouldn't be surprised if this lightning bolt wasn't the one that caught a tree on fire at Tucson Medical Center (where I work). Not to worry there was so much rain that mother nature did her own damage control. But a large area of the city was without power for over 12 hours.

Pull up a chair and watch the show

Last night we had two very electrically charged storms roll thru Tucson. Lightning was flashing constantly and every now and again you would get a great bolt shot. Ben didn't have to spend too much time waiting for a good one. Around 11:30pm the second storm came through and we awoke to a very large thunder crack followed by other close ones. Not to mention it sounded like someone had a fire hose on and aimed at the house.

God has other plans

Well it looks like we will need to try again. I have fallen into the 50-70% of all 1st pregnancies that end in miscarriage within the 1st trimester. I am perfectly fine with this event. I realize that it is not uncommon and I also know that it had nothing to do with what I did or did not do. The body is an amazing thing of miraculous science. With built in checks and balances to maintain homeostasis and symptoms that develop when it needs help. I am in awe at what Heavenly Father has created.

As with any change in plans there is slight disappointment but I am ready to try again. God is in control and I know that he is mindful of me and my husband. Believe me when I say more good has come of this than bad. (All things denote there is a God)

I still look forward to all the babies that my friends are going to have and especially to meet my sister's little boy when he is born. (when I get a chance to go to Denver or if she comes to Tucson= ) Babies are just so cute!

Guess what's in the oven!

I am pregnant! Our first. Ben and I are really excited. So far so good. I have only had a couple of "yucky" feeling days but other than that its hard to believe that I am cooking up a baby. The due date is yet to be determined but I am thinking it is around the 1st part of March. I am voting for a boy but we will be just as happy with a girl. Whatever happens, I will be grateful for this experience for the rest of my life.

Good Morning to you!

My husband decided to make some pancakes and hashbrowns one morning while I was getting ready for work. When I came out to get some breakfast I discovered that he had made not only regular round pancakes but a snake and a dog shape too! Ben is ever so creative!

I love Ben because he can make me laugh!

Newest Member of the Family

Welcome Molly....she is about 3 months old. She and our other lab love to play together. They try to keep the bone away from the other. Then they get really sleepy and Molly sleeps on Acura.

There is a Man on my Front Porch

This morning I couldn't decide if I should eat first or shower first. I decided to eat first so as I walked into the kitchen and I looked out the front window and saw a man standing on the front porch with his back turned to me, he was wearing running pants and a hoodie.....I ran back to the bedroom and told Ben "THERE IS A MAN STANDING ON THE FRONT PORCH!!!" I had to say this several times before he decided it was noteworthy enough to take a look. Of course Ben has to take his rifle with him and load it very LOUDLY in case the man is listening and leaves on his own. Ben told me that as he was approaching the front door he was thinking of some very choice words to say and just as he reaches the door knob he saw that it was......only my brother who wanted to get the camp trailer at 6:30am!!!!

- seriously you would think that a cop would know better than to hang out in front of people's houses un-announced early in the morning.

Best "Late to Work" Excuse

So on Thursday morning I am getting my breakfast when I hear a strange but familar sound outside. I thought that it sounded very close. So when I opened the front door I found this in our neighborhood.....a hotair ballon landing in the middle of the street! It did not totally block my way out but it was a rare event for which the whole neighborhood came out to see.

My Colorado Babies

These are my sister's girls, Nellie (oldest) and Abbie. Nellie loves to talk to you on the phone. You only understand about one out of 15 words but she's enjoying the conversation!

Easter FUN!!!

Lots of family came to the house for Easter. Saturday was Lindsey's blessing...Isn't she adorable! Then we had her brother Jamison's 4th birthday. It was great seeing my parents and having my sister and her girls there. I miss them already!

Here is the Chilla'beast. She loves her snacks and having you sit next to her. "tank u" and "peas" are super-cute when she says them. Not to mention she cannot get enough of dresses and shoes.....already a girly girl and she is not even 2 yet.

The new baby is Lindsey Lucille Kugler. Born 2/7 is the 7th grandchild on both sides and weighed 7lb 6oz 18.5" dark hair and long toes. Very snuggly. We all believe her lucky number is "7"! Jamison started singing lullaby's when he first held her and Lillian likes to "tuck" her in. Her blessing will be Easter Saturday and the whole family will be there!

I am not a good reference

The other day my husband was bugging me about something and I just blurted out "Oh, so are you going to be the wolf who cried sheep?" .............What! It was the boy who cried wolf! Ben just laughed at me and shook his head. I am never good at recalling the right words when I need them the most. So now you will know why we laugh if one of us cries out "SHEEP!"


Good News!
I don't have to see my endocrinologist for a whole year if I don't need him. My thyroid is undercontrol and unless I get pregnant I don't need to monitor my medication dose. I am happy not to have to pay a co-pay.


We are anxious for Easter. My sister and her girls are coming with my mom and dad! My parents are escaping from their mission for a baby blessing and other festivities. I always enjoy a large family gathering.