Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes

How do you measure a year?

My first couple years in public accounting I was able to purchase discount tickets to the Ahmanson Theater in Los Angeles (how I would love those $17 tickets now). One of the first shows that I saw was RENT. After getting over the initial shock of the story (those were my naive days), I was overwhelmed with the beauty of the music. My favorite was Seasons of Love. This soundtrack has been playing in my head over the last week.

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred MinutesFive Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments so dear
Five Hundred Twenty-Five ThousandSix Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?
In Daylights - In Sunsets
In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches - In Miles
In Laughter - In Strife


365 days ago I was sitting with my husband and four kids at Cheesecake Factory in San Francisco celebrating my son's 11th birthday. We had splurged and decided to celebrate Jared's birthday with an outing to San Francisco instead of gifts. 365 days ago I worried about my kids in school and how finances were tight. It was not until that evening that everything changed.

Over the last year, I have seen amazing things:

• The strength of a community to provide my sister with meals for 6 months, which allowed her to sit and have dinner with her kids every night.
• Dentists and professionals donating their time to help continue the amazing dental practice my brother-in-law built until it was sold.
• Numerous people who planned the funeral and donated their means to provide food and drink for the hundreds that attended.
• Friends who won't take no for an answer when offers for lunch or a walk were turned down.
• Countless phone calls and texts that continue to be sent even though not always answered.
• A pair of orthodontists who have completely taken care of my niece and nephew.
• Pajamas, movie tickets, and 12 days of Christmas gifts that have shown up on doorsteps just to make a family's day a little better.
• An attorney and practice manager (that I didn't even know a year ago) who I trust with my life, and who enabled the practice to be sold in 6 weeks.
• Friends that planned a 44th birthday party (and again wouldn't take no for an answer) just because we needed a reason to celebrate.
• The bond of our Schultz family of four, which has enabled us to survive and support each other through the unimaginable.
• A wonderful group of my brother-in-law's friends who organized a golf tournament that resulted in over 100 people in attendance, celebrating Steve's life and donating money to my niece and nephew's college fund.

As my little family has endured the last year of the loss of Steve, the loss of our wonderful Papa, the loss of Jeff's job and another fall by one of my daughters (who seem to think that falling from high places and coming out unscathed is the norm), I have come to appreciate the little things. Unfortunately the last year has not made me perfect. I still worry about my kids and I still get annoyed by little things that my husband and kids do (even though I should be appreciative that I still have them). I do now worry a little bit more when my husband and kids are running late because I realize that bad things do happen. I also have 20+ pounds to show for the stress of the last year.

I have become acutely aware that I have little control over life which is a difficult thing for a control freak. I loathe the song Stronger by Kelly Clarkson because I have no desire to become stronger - though I hope that maybe the last year has made me a little stronger.

As I drove to work today with a lump in my throat, I remembered the last Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand Six Hundred Minutes and how much love I have experienced. I hope that this year I will be able to be on the giving end instead of the receiving.

Thank you to all of you have shown so much love.

First Day of School 2012

Another year is upon us. The girls are much more excited for school to start than the boys. Amazingly, we got everyone there on time.

Here's a picture of the whole crew as we were running out the door.

Jared is starting 7th grade. He continues to love sports and would rather do almost anything than go to school - though he did get straight A's last year.  He does have a good group of friends with whom he hangs out at recess and after school. He read 20 books this summer and reached his goal of running a mile in under 7 minutes.

Our Leah is in 4th grade. Unlike her older brother, Leah loves school. She couldn't wait to show off her outfit that her Nonni bought for her. She is just starting her fashionista phase. Leah also read over 20 books this summer and improved all of her swim times.

Lucas is starting second grade. He would much rather be fighting a light saber battle than do school work. He had a great first season on swim team.

Claire is in first grade and now can play on the big kids' playground. Her family is not fooled by her innocent look.  There is no way the cute headband pictured lasted past recess. She starts soccer again this fall and seems to take after her oldest brother in competitive fire, speed and coordination.

Dinner with Banks Family

Our last night in Newport we were able to meet up with Jon and the girls. Our kids affectionately refer to them as their uncle and cousins. Lucas once told me they are the best kind of family - the kind we got to choose!

Lucas Jonathan with his namesake.

Me and Jared (you can tell it was the last day of being out in the sun).

The kids.

We had a great dinner at Javier's in Crystal Cove. David Spade walked in with his entourage while we were there. Jeff parked the car in the lot next door; our 2000 Toyota minivan didn't quite fit in with the multiple Ferraris parked in the valet lot.

Bowling in Newport

To get out of the heat, we went bowling. As always, every Anderson event has to be competitive. Thankfully the brothers let the little kids have their own lane.

Serious concentration for Jared... it didn't exactly pay off. Jared doesn't enjoy playing if he doesn't win!

Leah's celebration. The girls had a great time.

Jeff posing after his best game ever - see below.

Of course we had to get a picture. Notice my score is only slightly worse than my 2-year-old nephew.

Claire chilling waiting for her turn.

Lucas enjoying himself with his cousins, Lincoln and Spencer.

Shakes on the beach

Nothing is better than a homemade shake on the beach. The shakes were amazing and the sunset was beautiful.

Leah and Hayden are always ready to pose.

Link and Jared 

Lucas enjoying life.

This picture pretty much sums up Claire. She looks innocent at first.

Here we are - the couple that created four of these crazy children.

Disneyland

In our family, there are few things better in life than going to Disneyland. Jeff spends days planning the perfect itinerary on Ridemax. Every part of the day is perfectly planned as to ensure that we maximize every moment and get on all of the best rides with the least amount of waiting.

The day started out with everyone in good spirits. By Jeff's orders, we were in the car at 6:15am in order to arrival in the line for the park by 7:00! Have to get going early to make the most of the day... With both Disneyland and California Adventure on the docket, there's not a minute to spare!

 The girls had a special treat, having lunch with all of the princesses at Ariel's Grotto. Meanwhile, the boys went to the Jedi Academy and both Lincoln and Lucas were selected to battle the dark side.

Mr. Incredible came out to meet us. Our incredible group posed with their strength!

            

It was our first time going to Cars Land. It was definitely my favorite. The kids outlasted their mother and stayed with dad until midnight.