It's Growing Season!

It's growing season all around here at apartment 307.  We decided to go ahead with doing an organic garden this year, just something small since we live on the third floor and have just a small balcony to work with.  With the early spring weather, we were able to start planting about a month and a half early!  And as of yesterday, we've already enjoyed two rounds of lettuce and one round of beans!  Normally down here you wouldn't be planting until after April 15th, so we were spoiled with a warmer than usual winter!  This year we are growing stringless bush beans, zucchini, bell pepper, loose leaf lettuce, herbs (spearmint, basil, cilantro, parsley, thyme, dill), strawberries, green onions, and two avocado trees.  We started everything from seed except the strawberries.  It is so fun to come home and slice off a handful of lettuce and enjoy a fresh salad for dinner.  So worth it!

baby beans after about 2 months of growth from seed

lettuce after about 2 months of growth from seed

first cilantro sprout

Lettuce at 3 months, after our first harvest.

beans and zucchini coming right along, planted in 5 gallon buckets

Our first meal including lettuce from the garden - topped with whole food black bean burger, roasted asparagus, and avocado.  Heaven on a plate!!!

Also growing at an extremely fast rate is our little nugget.  Austin has six teeth now!  Two on the bottom and four on top!  The top set came all together last week.  He has been handling his teething pretty well this time, we barely knew they were coming until the day they cut through.

Grandma Sarah - this turned out to be Austin's favorite new toy.  :)  Coming in a close second is a chip clip he snagged from the fridge door.

naked time on his potty  (Elimination Communication for anyone wondering)

My boys in their polos.  Love!  A's first day in 12 month clothes. (7 months old here)

Austin is also outgrowing all of his clothes.  Well, at least it seems that way!  He weighed in on Tuesday at his check up at 25 pounds!  (I forgot his height measurement, but he was in the 25th percentile for height.)  I'm sure every mom feels this way at some point of their child's life, but I've got to say I feel like I'm upgrading his clothing size every week!  Haha!  What fit last week fits no more!

We had a fabulous Easter, which started off with a gorgeous early morning breakfast and traditional service at a church we visited in South Carolina.  As we left the service, the youth of the church released a few dozen butterflies at the large cross on the lawn just outside the church doors.  It was about 9:00am and the sun was streaming down thick rays through the clouds.  It was a beautiful experience and the perfect way to honor Christ!  We then went to our church for a second breakfast at Christ Lutheran and the contemporary service to follow.  So we had quite the mix of everything on Easter, and we loved it!  Enjoyed a walk on the greenway in the afternoon and Yoforia before heading home.  I think we will always cherish Austin's first Easter and what a perfect day it was.

Austins' first Easter basket!  The cookies are for mom and dad.  ;)

crawling over to his Easter basket

pictures by the cross and lilies in the sanctuary

Couldn't get him to hold still long enough for a solo picture.  He thought it was so funny to grab the flowers.

Walking on the greenway on the beautiful Easter afternoon!

Here are a few videos of the cutie pie growing up!

Oh yes, and I must mention what happened to us two weeks ago.  We had gotten a babysitter for the first time and had her at the apartment set up with Austin.  Now I wish I could say we had a big date planned, however no.  We were in our office room working on the business plan and financial projections for our future business we plan to open soon.  We had four hours carved out with the sitter, and we had just sat down to start plugging numbers when there was a *knock*knock*knock* at the door.  Dave and I were pretty surprised, because we never get a knock at our door.  And I really mean never, like never in the 10 months we have lived here except for the occasional package from UPS.  I hesitantly answered, expecting to find a salesperson of some sort.  But it was our neighbor from across the breezeway.  She accidentally backed into our car!  Thankfully we had pulled in with the back of the car facing outward this time (usually Dave will back in to a spot with the front of the car facing out.  God had our back on this one!).  So Dave spent the next couple hours working out the details with a police office and insurance.  We drove the sitter home an hour early, because there was no way we could focus on our work after that.  And we haven't had the chance to touch our project since.  Ahhhh, parenthood.  :)

The damage.  Just a few scrapes and broke the light cover.  The light fixture was A.Okay!

Hello from beautiful NC

Well folks, we made it!  We've been here in Charlotte for almost 3 weeks now, hard to believe time has gone by this quickly.  It took us that first week to really get settled in, drive around our south part of town getting to know the streets, and start plugging in to community groups and find a church.  But we've made great progress!

We started our trip up on Good Friday.  Not the most ideal time to be making a move, but with Dave's end date at his clinic in Orlando and start date in North Carolina, we really only had Easter weekend as opportunity for traveling.  The entire trip from Orlando to Charlotte was about 11 hours I think.  Plenty of stops along the way as baby was pushing on my bladder.. Dave didn't like that part so much "Um...Dave, don't get mad (because this is the third time in two hours), but I have to go..again."  "Now?"  "Yeah, like, NOW.  Next place we see, okay?!!"  Good times, good times.

We split our trip into two days, drove about 8 hours to Augusta, Georgia to see Dave's brother Eric and family.  Were able to spend the night with them and part of Saturday morning.  So great to see them again -- I think it had been two years!  Their girls are getting so big, blossoming into little beauties!  On Saturday, we drove the remaining 3 hours straight up to Charlotte.  Beautiful drive as we entered South Carolina and into North Carolina.  We missed the trees!!!!  Let me say, Orlando (Florida in general) just didn't feel like home without the trees!  NC really reminds us of the UP, just a little bit warmer.  And we like that.  ;)

We stopped at Daytona Beach on the drive up to Augusta.

It was beautiful!

For these first few months, we'll be renting a room from a woman just to help us save a little cash as Dave begins his business.  We arrived and met her, got moved in (it only took us a half hour to get all our stuff moved from our car and put away in our room, ha!), then took a drive around the main part of town looking for natural grocery store options.  Unfortunately there aren't many co-ops here, one thing we miss most from Minneapolis.  There is also, surprisingly, no Whole Foods here!  We were shocked!  There is an Earth Fare, which is a small scale Whole Foods.  We'll be seeking out local organic grass fed farmers soon though.  It's been a while since we had some quality meat products, and Dave is sure missing his chicken and beef!  But Earth Fare will do for now.

Now, what else?  Well, probably the most exciting news is that Dave started his practice pretty much immediately after we moved.  As of today, he's about 3 weeks in.  We had Easter Sunday to relax, settle in, and celebrate all the good things God has done for us.  Then, Monday morning we were at the grindstone.  So far everything is going great.  My job is more of the networking stuff from home, setting up local events and community outreach for Dave.  And he's been doing everything else.  That's what I just love about Dave, he's able to go out and get it done.  He's doing awesome and he is SO happy to finally be living his dream.  I am so proud of him.  He is really in his element and already making a mark in Charlotte.  More news to come on this adventure I'm sure!  :)

I must share a sort of funny story about the apartment we're renting a room in.  The woman has a cat, but Dave and I are both very allergic.  She agreed to give the cat away the week before we moved in, since he was a mostly outdoor cat anyway, she wouldn't know the difference.  The only time she let him in was at bedtime.  So, we said "deal."  The apartment is a great opportunity and the rent was too good of a deal to pass up.  So we began our trip up from Orlando.  Well, we were about 2 hours from arriving at her apartment, and she texted us to say she came home from work to find her BOY cat had given birth to five kittens!!!  haha, for a few minutes we didn't know how to react.  We ended up laughing about it. I mean, how hilarious that for a couple years since she got the cat she thought it was a boy.  What a surprise that must have been to come home to!  Wanted to share a few pictures of the absolutely adorable little ones.  It just stinks for us as we're putting up with the cats in the apartment all this time until they're old enough to be given away.  Counting down the days (and so are my sinuses!), but until then we definitely enjoy their cuteness.

Five adorable kittens with mom.  Four grey & white, one black.

They just can't keep away from Dave!

They love to climb on him, but their little claws don't retract yet and get stuck in his mesh pants or shorts.

Precious!  Wish you could hear their "mews."

And, I think that's about it for now.  Oh, a little baby update..  Dave got to feel baby Schwartz kick for the first time tonight!  Very exciting moment.  He's such a proud daddy!!  Everything is going great, he/she is growing by the day.  I told Dave earlier that today was the first time my belly has gotten in my way.  But, I love it, wouldn't have it any other way.  Being pregnant is a really fun experience, such a blessing.  One more week and I'll post my monthly belly pic.  Right now it's looking like a little basketball.  I'm feeling great, just a little tired mid-day which requires (as I tell Dave, hehe) me to nap for an hour or two.  I actually felt it pretty bad this past weekend while we were out at an all-day event both Saturday and Sunday.  No nap either days, and man was I struggling!  So whenever I can get in a few extra zzzz's, it's a good day.

More in a week!

Charlotte, here we come!

Got to post really quick here as I'm running out of time before work!

We've been doing a lot of praying and weighing out our options since January when we found out Baby Schwartz was on the way.  It was either to stay in Florida thru the fall, a bit longer than planned, and open our clinic toward the end of 2011  OR  to leave the Maximized Living training program and seek work else where for a year or two before opening our clinic.  Well, everything has kind of come together week by week.  God was definitely pointing us in a certain direction.  We have decided to leave the ML program for now.  As of THIS FRIDAY we are moving to Charlotte, North Carolina!  Dave has accepted an independent contractor position at a Maximized Living office in Charlotte.  It's a great opportunity for us as Dave will have is own patients and all, but we won't have to pay start up costs of a brand new business.  We are so blessed!  This opportunity will allow us to get on our feet and prepare for baby.  We plan to be in Charlotte about 1-2 years if all goes well.  You can start making plans now for visits.  ;)  North Carolina is a beautiful state!  We'd love to have you!

So this is why I am in such a rush at the moment.  Spent too much time packing, even though I wanted to get this post and a few other things done online before work.  But, we'll get it all done in time.  We always do!

And really quick, here is my first "official" baby belly picture.  I have just entered week 20.  To me, my belly is really big.  Pants don't fit anymore and shirts are all getting tight.  Everyone thinks I'm looking tiny though.  I just keep telling myself God is only going to put inside of me what I can push out.  My baby will be the perfect size for me!  No need for comparison to others.  Mindset is everything when preparing for a healthy birth.  :)

Also here is a picture of the palm tree in our front yard, with house in the back.  We have two palms, but this one was the smaller of the two.  Couldn't get a good picture of the other because it is so tall!  We'll miss the little things of Orlando, but at the same time are happy to be leaving.  We feel much more suited to Charlotte and North Carolina.

We'll write again soon after getting settled in Charlotte!  More soon! :)  OH!!  And we wish you all a very blessed Holy Week and Easter Sunday!!  HE IS RISEN, ALLELUIA!

Spring Time Changes and Growth!

Philippians 3:10-12 (NIV)
I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.  Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

I absolutely love spring time, the changing seasons, the flowers and grass, the return of birds to the sky and trees.  I also love to read thru the Easter scripture and reflect on it, what it means to me, to us.  Philippians 3:10-12 is the part that really jumped out at me today.  It is everything Dave and I have been trying to say and to do for so long, and will continue to do.  I think it applies to a lot of you who read our blog and you will find hope and encouragement thru rereading that verse.  Happy April 1st!  Celebrate Spring!  Celebrate all that He has done for us!

Dave said his Part 3 Boards tests went, to quote him, "Alright."  Sooo, we'll have to wait and see when that little white envelope comes to our door with his scores..  I know he did fine, but he and his buddies were a little nervous about at least one of the sections as it was a bit harder than they anticipated.  Thanks everyone for your prayers and encouragement again!  Every little bit of support helps!

Last weekend, actually it was longer than just the weekend, he was gone for 6 days -- Wednesday thru Monday -- to a Maximized Living Training Camp in Florida.  He and 5 of his guy friends from ML drove down for Florida in an old van which I think they borrowed from another friend.  Why did they drive down you might ask?  Because it happened to be Spring Break weekend and ticket prices TRIPLED the norm, reaching over $800 a person, normally around $150-$250.  Cost to ride down with 5 other people in a van?  $65 each round trip.  Yup, that's why.

This was Dave's second time going to a Camp since he came to chiro school and both experiences have been so amazing for both of us.  He comes back a changed man (for the better) each time.  At the camp, the coaches help you to break down, leaving your weaknesses and inseurities behind.  And their slogan is "What happens at camp, stays at camp" (much different than the similar Vegas tagline..), meaning not even I am allowed to know what went on a camp or what the issues were.  All I need to know is Dave comes home a stronger, more powerful husband and doctor each time and that helps me to likewise be stronger and more powerful to save MORE lives in my community.

Now Dave transitions into Finals WeekS (big "s" because finals are this week AND next week, hence we have to stay around here yet again for Easter so the guys can study together).  On top of more studying, yesterday he co-hosted an event for their Maximized Living club called "Dinner With the Docs".  He and Vernon organized the event for students.  They brought in three super successful doctors from the Cities to speak, to tell their chiropractic stories (mistakes they made, where their passion comes from, why we do what we do thru Maximized Living) to encourage students who are not already ML members to join, come to the next seminar, that sort of thing.  Unfortunately I couldn't be there (I'll explain why next), but I think Dave said they had a huge turnout of 30+ non-member students (give or take a few because I can't remember the exact number).  So that was really great!  Dave was very happy when he got home with how everything went.  The students were impressed by the doctors' stories and many had signed up by the end of the night.  A great night for the ML club!

Here's what's been happening in my life lately...It’s been kinda nuts.  Dr. Suzy was in a car accident last week (she’s okay, but was injured pretty badly and still cannot adjust patients for 2 more weeks minimum), so I’ve had to kind of carry on more responsibilities of the practice.  Christina is almost ready to have her baby (due on April 10th) so she will be leaving shortly as office manager -- have to learn so much yet before she is gone!  We have also recently undergone a complete software switchover to a much better, more efficient system, and while it’s better for us on the office managment side, it’s very new and confusing for patients.  We are also in the midst of hosting our bi-yearly health & lifestyle makeover series called Rev It Up!, so I have been doing a ton of marketing and prep work for that.  Basically my life has been Revolution Wellness Center 24/7 for the past few weeks...many extra hours put in to make sure everything is going great and the patients hardly notice all the drama.  :)  Oh the life of a Chiropractic Assistant!  haha  So that is why I ended up missing Dave's dinner event.  Haven't been getting home until 9/9:30pm most nights lately.

I'm taking some ME time this morning before heading out to babysit for some adorable kids at 12noon.  It's already 60 degrees out, so I'm confident it will be shorts weather by the time I need to hit the road.  I think we'll be doing some walking, biking and other out door fun this afternoon!  :)

Catch you all later!  Going to post some more recipes from this past week to Healing Cuisine.  I rolled out a facebook page for my recipes blog this past weekend and it's been a great hit!  I'm excited to see where Healing Cuisine goes in the coming months!

Hope you all have a blessed Easter weekend!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter to our readers! We hope each of you have had an enjoyable and blessed Holiday!

We were part of the Kuznia clan this weekend. We joined Vernon, Allison, Ocean and Ezra for their Easter festivities!

On Saturday, we tagged along on their morning Easter Egg Hunt, which was actually held at the chiropractic school which Vern and Dave attend. It drew in hundreds of people! Below are some pictures from the day. It was a lot of fun to spend time with Ocean and Ezra and see all the kids having so much fun in sun! It was a gorgeous sunny day!

The day started with face painting!

Ocean showing off her glittery hopping bunny!

Ezra looking out at his field of eggs.




So this video is a little humorous. Dave wanted us to record the hunt take place, just to see what happened. First, let me explain how the Easter egg hunt actually started. There was a man on the loud speaker coordinating everything. He was supposed to yell "Ready, Set, GO!" when it was time to start. Well there was still about 4 minutes til the actual hunt was supposed to take place.. Kids were divided up in age groups, a huge square of grass per group. We were hanging out with Ezra in the 3-4 age group. So this family standing next to us was messing around with their 3 year old. They were saying "1-2-3 Start!" to him, and laughing about it when he actually ran out!! This of course created a massive chain reaction. Before you knew it, hundreds of kids in all of the age groups flew into their fields to fight for their eggs. It was chaos. So, I was a little thrown off at starting this video because I missed the "official" start. But I brought you to speed on the point in time when I did start taking the video. Then...I got lost. Literally. Hey, it's hard being short and in a mob of people. It took me a few minutes to find my peeps again!!

A pose with the Easter Bunny.

Poor Ezra was wiped out by the end of the day.

Today we headed to church this morning. This Easter was my turn for attending worship service, so we picked out a new church to visit just a few miles from our apartment. (There are actually quite a few Lutheran churches right near our place, so it's very convenient.) The service was very nice and full of color! It was the first Easter service that I've seen a huge array of spring flowers at! Normally I'm used to seeing white lilies in memory of loved ones, but this church did something really neat. They had the white lilies in memoriam and had colorful tulips, lilacs, irises, daisies, gladioli, etc in honor of living loved ones. I thought this was such a great idea. A lot of families were honoring their moms and grandmas who were probably at church with them. It was just so refreshing to see the church full of such life and color in the flowers! After all, Easter is to celebrate life!

After church we headed over to the Kuznia's for Easter brunch. It was so delicious Allison!! Thank you guys so much for having us again! We really enjoyed ourselves. After brunch, we played games with the kids and just relaxed. Later in the afternoon, Vernon, Allison, Dave and I went to see Adventureland at the theater. Allison's mom was visiting from Fargo, so she volunteered to take care of the kids while we were gone. All in all, it was a very relaxing and fun Easter for me. For Dave, on the other hand...he has 3 more final exams tomorrow, some more on Tuesday and just one on Wednesday. Poor guy. We got home and he immediately left to go study with Vern. I won't see him again until Wednesday probably. Alas...at least we have his spring break to look forward to in the coming week!

Again, wishing you all a HAPPY EASTER SEASON!


- Elise