18 December 2010

Santa Clause

Last Saturday we saw 2 Santa Clauses at 2 different locations.

First we went to our favorite Cosely Zoo in Wheaton, did crafts and saw Santa. Later that day we met the Ogborns at Blackberry farm and rode the Polar Express and saw Santa.

It never occurred to JT that Santa was in 2 places at once though:

17 December 2010

Model Trains

Our boy LOVES trains. There is a big model train display at the Morton Arboreutum right now. And he could spend HOURS looking at it... oh wait he has.

A Casa Viva Christmas

 

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A Christmas Care Package

everychildhasastory 2Every child has a story, every story is unique. If a crisis occurs, children need handcrafted solutions. We honor children when we consider a full spectrum of care.  Read more in the Casa Viva Christmas "Welcome Home."

Two New Children Connecting to Families

Please pray for Kattia, 8 months, and Deikel, 9 years, who will be connected to their new Casa Viva Families in the coming weeks.  Transitions are never easy, especially when they happen during the Christmas season.  

Send a Care Package to Latin America

CarePackageYour partnership helps us create unique solutions for children by bringing together the local church, local Christian families, Casa Viva's professional staff and more.   Give online here. 

 


 

Give Online | Website | CVCR Blog | CV Greenhouse Blog

Questions or comments? Contact us at info@casaviva.org or call 630.427.4040.
Casa Viva, PO Box 120, Wheaton, IL, 60187

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Casa Viva
PO Box 120
Wheaton, Illinois 60187

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16 December 2010

Spertus, You Treated Me Well


Today I attend my last class at Spertus. About 2.5 years ago I started their program to receive a Masters in Nonprofit Management. I studied with the same 14 people for the majority of those 2.5 years.

My cohort was a diverse group of nonprofit workers from across Chicago including nurses, child support service workers, a teacher, a botanist, fundraisers, and second career adults.

I learned a lot from my classes and truly enjoyed many of my professors: Felix, Karin, Charles, Almarie, Betty, Michelle, Peter, and Laura come to mind.

I would highly encourage anyone pursuing the social sector as a career to consider Spertus. It's a good solid program with a great cohort model.

Learned a ton. Enjoyed it much. Glad to be DONE!!!

05 December 2010

JT and the Lights

Yesterday (Monday) we decorated for Christmas.

We went out and hand-cut a tree for our living room. We also set up a short 4ft tree in the kids' room. We went out and bought true Christmas lights for that tree... you know the kind of bulbs that are big and you have to twist into the sockets.

Anyway JT LOVED having the tree in his room. After we set it up, he asked if he could sleep by the tree, I said sure why not.

So we got out his sleeping bag.

As we were laying there talking about the day he starts to say,

"My love my lights... blue, green, pink, red, and lellow. My love my lights." He said that over and over several times to me. About 30 minutes after I left Kristin listened to the door and she heard:

"My love my lights... blue, green, pink, red, and lellow. My love my lights... blue, green, pink, red, and lellow. My love my lights."

Well 15 minutes later, mind you this is like 1.5 after bed time. Joshua comes out and says, "can we turn the lights back on?"

I asked if he unplugged them, well I went into the room and they were still plugged in, but sure enough, no lights....

It was about then that I realized there was a pile of bulbs on his pillow.

Joshua had literally unscrewed every single bulb. And when he unscrewed the last one, the lights went "out".

So we screwed the bulbs back in. Packed up the sleeping bag and within 5 minutes he was dead asleep.

#

04 December 2010

02 December 2010

The Temple

We recently took advantage of a Groupon and visited the DuPage Children's Museum. At the museum JT was excited to find a TON of architecture blocks. Joshua wanted to build a Temple... so we did.

Quite a masterpiece if I say so myself. #
From 2010-11 (by Eye-Fi)

17 November 2010

Su Dancing

A video of our little Su dancing. While JT plays "guitar".

15 November 2010

Move Coming Soon

Dear Friends and Family,

After serving at Casa Viva for nearly 3 years, God has clearly laid a new path before us. On January 1st I'll begin serving as the Executive Director of Campus Life in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Over the past year I have felt a continual tug at my heart to be more involved in our local community. Yes, there are great needs abroad, but I have had an ignited passion for Americans who do not know the saving grace offered by Jesus Christ. This desire along with other factors led us out looking for new opportunities to join God at work and ultimately to Campus Life.

What is Campus Life?
Campus Life is an evangelism and discipleship ministry for high school and middle school students. We run clubs and events in local schools to reach out to the unchurched. We share the Gospel and disciple them as they develop a relationship with Jesus Christ.

What will you do?
I will be leading our team of staff to reach students of Lincoln and the surrounding area. I will be working with the board to expand our ministry into new schools and venues. And I will be developing partnerships with churches and other organizations to see the name of Jesus Christ glorified through the spreading of His Word.

Are you still raising funds?
Yes, we will still be raising funds for our service at Campus Life. You will be receiving a letter from me shortly with further information, otherwise you can learn more about giving options by reading on our blog: http://www.schultesays.org/2010/11/giving.html

Prayer Requests
-Continued peace as we follow God's guidance.
-Sale of our townhouse in Winfield, IL.
-Continued health for our family including baby #3 who is due in February, 45 days after we move--yikes!


#

11 November 2010

Su Walking and "Talking"

Here's a video update of what Su is up to... she is making a few noises and walking all over.

Giving


Support our work at Campus Life by:


Mailing a Check to:
Matt Schulte  c/o Campus Life

PO Box 6081
Lincoln, NE 68506

Electronic Funds Transfer:
Call Pat Williams at 402.420.7475
or Fax or Mail a voided check with the dollar amount you'd like withdrawn on the 5th of the month to:
402.420.7476

Credit Card Giving:
Call Pat Williams at 402.420.7475

10 November 2010

Halloween Highlight Photos

Here are our Halloween highlight photos... staring Joshua the Dinosaur, Susannah the Flower, Daddy the Cowboy, and Mommy on the basket-holding support team

From 2010-10-31 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-10-31 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-10-31 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-10-31 (by Eye-Fi)

09 November 2010

07 November 2010

Race Day

So you have heard of Kristin and my exploits in running this year... well this weekend Joshua ran his first race.

Our small group decided to run a race as a family activity so one representative from each family ran a 5K, in our family it was the not pregnant adult. And the kids ran a tot race.

(Yes we are wearing coats as it was 19 degrees when we left home.)

Joshua LOVED every moment of the race, except for the start when they signaled the beginning of the race with a cannon. He ran and ran.

For his accomplishment he received a shirt and a medal which he has taken to bed with him the last few nights. This morning he insisted on wearing his race shirt to church... mommy agreed as long as it was UNDER his sweater.

I think its safe to say this may be the first of Joshua's many races.



From 2010-11-06 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-11-06 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-11-06 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-11-06 (by Eye-Fi)#

10 October 2010

Spanish Video

This weekend was missions fest at our church. They asked me to briefly share about Casa Viva in our Spanish-speaking congregation. They recorded me, cut and sped up our conversation and made this 1 minute intro video before I was interviewed.

06 October 2010

Jumping


A video of Joshua jumping... and "carrying Su-nana"

01 October 2010

Playing "Baseball"

JT and I were playing outside yesterday and he told me that we were going to play baseball. I was naturally excited to play a game like that with my son.

He ran into the garage and emerged with a soccer ball... hmmm I thought... we seem to be a little confused.

I was wrong, we are VERY confused about how to play baseball.

He showed me where the two bases were. I was instructed to stand on one. He stood on the other and said, "I am going to say hike, throw the baseball, and then we tackle."

So sure enough. He stood on a base. Held a soccer ball in the air. Yelled "Set, Hike!" Threw the ball. and then we tackled.

So we are a bit confused about our sports, but we had fun.
#

30 September 2010

Su swing

We added a swing to our garage for Susannah, she LOVES to swing. Here's a video.
#

21 September 2010

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

My team, the White Sox, were eliminated from playoff hopes due to their inability to win against the Twins. So I decided to see if I could get some dirt cheap tickets to a game. I found some $5 tickets and took Joshua on Sunday night.

We made it through 5 1/2 innings and then, because it was 2 hours after his bed time, we left. Some highlights:

1 - Meeting the "Green White Sox"
2 - Seeing the bugs fly around in the lights up above.
3 - Seeing the dark -- Joshua was very confused about how the sky could be dark, but everything was light -- I guess big beams of lights don't make sense to a 3 year old.
From 2010-09-20 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-09-20 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-09-20 (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-09-20 (by Eye-Fi)




13 September 2010

Raspberry Picking

On Saturday we had a grand ol time picking raspberries as a family. We found a great pick-your-own place and walked away with over 2lbs for a great price.

Joshua's favorite part was the hay-bale maze. I carried Susannah on my shoulders and chased Joshua in the maze for a long time.

Lots of fun. Enjoy the pics.

06 September 2010

24 August 2010

Inside-Out and Backwards

Joshua is getting bigger and bigger. He is enjoying dressing himself now... well at least he tries to put his pants on himself.

;)

23 August 2010

Susannah swinging

Susannah swinging at the park while Joshua runs around. #

21 August 2010

Air Show Video

Video of Joshua and I at the Chicago Air and Water Show 2010

19 August 2010

Field Trip Weekend - Air and Water Show

Field Trip weekend continued when Joshua and I went to the Chicago Air and Water Show. Joshua and I jumped in the car with my bike and bike trailer. Then we made the journey to join an estimated 1 million of our closest friends. It was packed and fun.

Slideshow:
From 2010-08-14 - Photos (by Eye-Fi)

From 2010-08-14 - Photos (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-08-14 - Photos (by Eye-Fi)

From 2010-08-14 - Photos (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-08-14 - Photos (by Eye-Fi)
From 2010-08-17 - Photos (by Eye-Fi)