The Blanket Fund

Hello family and friends,

I am praying that all of you are healthy and well.

By now you have hopefully learned of the tornado that hit that the Schlag Family’s home. If not, please visit schlagfamily.blogspot.com. When you heard what happened did you ask, “What can I do?” With Michelle and Nate so very far away from many of us, we are left feeling helpless to support them in this time of immense need.

Though the actual tornado lasted but a short time, the reality of its devastation is widespread. For the Schlag family this ordeal is not over. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not next month. Unfortunately, the reality is that it will be a long road back home.

In an effort to support them through the day-to-day struggles that they are facing, I have set up a fund logistically entitled, "The Schlag Family Disaster Relief Fund." However, I lovingly refer to it as, “The Blanket Fund.”

Why is it called, “The Blanket Fund”?
Well, because it sounds so much more positive than "Disaster"! Being positive will yield positive results, right? Though I believe this is true that’s not the only reason. As the tornado ripped apart their home, Michelle covered her children with a blanket and with her body. She protected and shielded them both physically and emotionally from the unimaginable situation around them. With your help we can “blanket” the Schlag family in our love, compassion, and support. By clicking on the link that says “Donate” you can send the Schlags a figurative piece of blanket. Together we will create a giant blanket that will wrap our love and support around them.

Where Will My Money Go?
It will go to an account that Michelle and Nate have access to as they need it. I have chosen to link you to Pay Pal so that you will feel comfortable knowing your money is transferring safely and securely. If you would like to leave a message with your donation, simply click on "Add special instructions to the seller." Please note, that unfortunately Pay Pal is not a free service and will retain 2.9% of your donation. Sorry :( If you would rather, you may send The Schlags a check written out to: The Schlag Family Disaster Relief Fund.

How Much Should I Give?

2 Corinthians 9:6-8
Remember this -a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each make up your own mind as to how much you should give. Don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. For God loves the person who gives cheerfully. And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.


Donate today! Donate once or come back and donate week after week! Michelle, Nate, Trent, Dylan, and Aliya need our help!

A little while back there was a tornado that hit Epsom, NH. As I passed through the affected area I was astonished to see the road was packed with cars so thick the two lane 50 mph road had slowed to one lane. My heart broke when I realized that the people packing the highway were not there to offer support. Instead , they stood on the road taking pictures while the devastated families literally picked up the pieces of their lives. Are you taking pictures or are you willing to do everything you can to help pick up the pieces?


Thank you! Thank you for reading this! Thank you for praying for The Schlag Family! And of course, THANK YOU FOR DONATING!!!!

Do you know someone who might like to help? Please pass this link along!

Love and Peace,
Kerri

Thank You

The following was said this morning in the car:



"Mommy, Did you Nana was in the hospital for a few days?"

"Yes."

"I was sad, when she was there."

"Me, too, sweet heart. But the doctors made her better, right?"

"Jesus made her better," he corrected me, "because Miss Grace prayed for her."

"A lot of people prayed for her and you're right, Jesus made her better."

"Now she's home. I'm happy she's home so she can take me to the airport, now."

(They love going to the airport together to watch the planes)



The trauma of that day, the day my Mom had her heart attack, is still very raw for all of us, even the smallest members of our family were, clearly impacted. I can't begin to thank all of you enough. For prayers, for thoughts, for phone calls, for messages on my voice mail, for emails, for your love, and for your understanding of why I still haven't called you back. I'd love to sugar coat it all. To brush it all off my shoulders and to say that it's fine because she's fine now. But the truth is, when I saw my mom in the emergency room, in more pain than I've ever seen any human being, pale as a ghost and clearly talking as if she were saying her last words to me, my own heart suffered an emotional attack. It's funny how your mom, even when you're in your 30s, is still supposed to be untouchable. I can count on one hand how many times I've ever seen my mom sick at all. In that moment, as I held her hand dashing down the hall to the operating room, I remember thinking about Oalin. How in the world would I ever tell him that something happened to his biggest fan, his best friend, his Nana. There is a bond between them that is unlike any other. I can't describe the love that they have, but it's different, different than the love between a mother and child, different than the love between husband and wife. So warm and so incredibly special. I know that bond because I had it with my own grandmother, my Memere. During this past month, I've thought a lot about her. If I could come up with one phrase that would sum up what I believe my Memere stood for it would be, "Family is all that matters." My mom had few guests while she was hospitalized, she really just needed to recover. But seeing all of her siblings come to visit for, quite literally, 5 minutes (because that was all my mom could handle) was so heart warming, so supportive. As much as I knew everything was going to be okay, having the thoughts and prayers from family and close friends was truly what held me together and what helped my mom to recover. The biggest irony I have realized in a profound way is that on Christmas we celebrate the birth of Jesus, yet, he didn't receive a present. We did. The life of my mom.

Oalin and Nana at the Airport

Feliz Navidad!!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and "Feliz Navidad" as Oalin just told me. He really says the funniest things lately. Last night he told me, "When Kheenan gets bigger, and grows a lot of teeth like me, I will bring him to Grandpa's and take out the container out of the cabinet and give him a DELLLLLLICIOUS cookie and he'll say, 'mmm. That's good." and then I'll show him how to dunk it in milk and he'll say, "Oh! That's wonderful!" I just can't help but smile every time he talks. (I don't smile when he whines.) This weekend, was, busy. Come on. When is the Vivathana Family not busy. We had plans the whole weekend to go and cut down our Christmas tree. (Last month, we tagged "The perfect tree to celebrate Jesus"). Friday and Saturday flew by with no tree. So, Sunday before we went to my nephew, William's, 1st birthday party (how exciting!!) we decided to go and cut it down. Of course, Kheenan was exhausted and fell asleep 30 minutes before we were supposed to go. I really wanted to go as a family, but I knew Kheenan needed to sleep so thankfully, "Uncle Brett", was at the house and was willing to stay with him. We sang Christmas songs all the way to the tree farm and stopped to wave at every horse, cow, and llama. Oalin, in the spirit of Christmas, wore his elf hat. As we stepped out of the car I suddenly realized I had forgotten Oalin's jacket at home! We had quite the laugh as we put my jacket and mittens on Oalin and I wrapped myself in a blanket! Oalin could have cared less that he was flopping around in my dress-like jacket. We had a great time "finding" our Christmas Tree and Oalin was very excited to get to cut it with Daddy. Oalin even helped carry the tree to the car. The only thing missing was our sweet Kheenan. But, as we walked in the door and I saw him sitting on Uncle Brett with the biggest smile, I knew that rest was a much better choice for him. I love Christmas time. I love cutting down the tree together. I love putting up colored Christmas lights outside that look so cheezy and hearing Oalin say, "AHH! They're so beautiful! Beautiful lights for Jesus' birthday!!". I love reading about Christmas to the boys. I love Christmas music. I love family time and refocusing my priorities. I hope all of you are enjoying the season as much as us!

"Mommy, I gave Kheenan a toy."

"I'm going to read the directions. (It's actually a map to the tree). It says, 'First, cut the tree.' Then, decorate it."

Silly Christmas outfits didn't stop us! Brrr.. it was cold out that morning!

Uncle Brett and Kheenan!! (Shhh.. don't tell Uncle Brett, I'm sure he wouldn't approve of me posting his picture!!)

I Love Doing Laundry

YEAH! It's been one week since Sung got home and we moved into our new place. It feels so, incredibly good, to finally have life settling down (or at least going back to its usual chaos). Since I've last blogged Oalin, Kheenan, Nana, and I went to Philly for my friend Danni's wedding. Though it was a very quick trip we had a lot of fun together. To be honest, it was probably something the boys and I really needed in order to catch our breath from everything going on at home. Here are some pics!

Oalin on the plane. He was so excited; it was as if he'd never been on a plane before!

The happiest baby... Mr. Kheenan!

Oalin could hardly wait to get to the hotel and go in the pool with Nana! They were there for hours!!

Time for a train ride! Could this trip get any better?

Okay, because I was IN the wedding I didn't get to take any pictures of the beautiful bride!! I'll post some as soon as I can get them from Nana's camera. Here's one of Oalin smelling Mommy's flowers. Both the boys had on these little bow ties. They looked so cute!!

After we got back to NH Oalin kept asking to, "be a monk like Daddy." Oalin was so excited, at first. I took out the buzzers and at 7:00 at night I started to buzz his head. Of course, I had no clue what I was doing; I don't exactly buzz my head everyday. I got one cut up the middle of his head and his big eyes began to water. "I don't want to be a monk anymore." Oh, boy. There we were with a big cut up the center of his head. "Well." I said. And then a dramatic pause for the next 5 minutes. I didn't know what to do. He had wanted to get it cut, but now the sound of the buzzer was just too much for my sensitive boy. After much deliberation, I finally brought out some finger paints, put Oalin in the tub (without water, of course) and was able to slowly, over the course of an hour, cut the rest of his hair. When I was finally finished , I lifted Oalin up to see himself in the mirror. He was SO happy! "I look just like Daddy!!"

So, that brings us to today. We are in our new place and very happy despite the crazy amount of boxes we still have to unpack. It's, "intimate" (tiny, sounds so negative), but it's great. Having everyone together under one roof absolutely makes our house a home. And, if you're wondering about the title of this blog, well, yes, I have found pleasure in doing the laundry. There's just something so glorious about daily routines and chores; dishes, making the beds, and doing laundry have never felt so comforting.

One of the first pictures in our new house! The boys sporting their new PJ's from Nana. BTW, Kheenan's first tooth is starting to poke through!

A Taste of Normalcy

In the midst of all of this chaos, I am desperately trying to keep a shred of normalcy for the boys. Today, Oalin and I carved his pumpkin and painted the others. Oalin was very excited to finally get to see a pumpkin "turn into a Jack-O-Lantern". I painted a tractor on Daddy's pumpkin and when I turned it around for Oalin to see, his eyes lit up. I thought to myself, "This, this moment, is why I'm not packing, or calling to shut off services to the house, or packing for this weekend, or doing anything else but spending time with Oalin." Oalin has been having a very hard time lately without Daddy. There have been many tears shed and a constant repetition of, "I love Daddy. I want Daddy to come home." Getting ourselves full of paint was exactly what both of us needed today. I did hear from Sung's mom. She said that "Cooba Sung" (Monk Sung) was doing well. Though she later went on to tell me that he said,"This is worse than any boot camp I've heard of." Now, some, who have actually been to boot camp may disagree, but for Sung this has obviously been difficult.

Here's Oalin with our pumpkins. Once he saw the tractor I painted, he did his own. I thought it was quite cute that he included a smoke stack and grass. He even put himself in the tractor, but he did it in black so you can't see him. He decided that he must be, "driving the tractor at night."

Pumpkin Picking

I took the boys to McQuestin farm this morning to go Pumpkin Picking. Kheenan had a great time... he slept in the Bjorn the entire trip :)! Oalin and I had a lot of fun riding on the vedry bumpy hay ride out to the pumpkin patch. Oalin decided to pick out a pumpkin for each member of the family. Afterwards, we walked around and looked at all of the farm animals and tractors. Oalin is really into telling me when things are "similar" or "different". "Oh, look at that! That Kaboda tractor is similar to that John Deere because they are both green!" He's so funny! His conversation always makes me smile. When we got back I tried, desperately, to take some photos of the kids. I had forgotten to take my camera to the farm. Not a big surprise considering that my mind is on overload right now. Unfortunately, Kheenan was way more interested in picking the grass and licking the pumpkin (the bottom photo) than he was in picture taking!! Which pumpkin do you think Oalin picked for himself?

The biggest one, of course!!

As for Sung, this is the latest from his sister, Sing:
I spoke to my aunt and my dad VERY briefly as they were all very busy with preparations for the Temple. My dad said that Sung slept at the Temple last night and everything is going well. Dad said that yesterday they had about 400-500 visitors at my aunt's house and they expect the same today and tomorrow. Everyone was getting ready to head to the Temple when I called.

My life makes sense

I heard from Sung last night. He was preparing to get his head (and eyebrows!) shaved and go to the temple. He said that people had been up all night preparing for the ceremony. Though our talk was extremely short he said,"The living conditions are so poor here. It's so sad. Everything my parents have done, decisions they have made, now all make sense. My life seems to make more sense." Obviously, being there just a few days has already made a profound impact on him.
The boys and I are doing well, but we all miss Sung so much. Oalin asks about him constantly. After being together nearly ten years, it feels revitalizing to hang up the phone each of us saying, "Bye." five times over waiting for the other to hang up first. :) I'll let you know when I hear from him again!!

Found this clip of Lao monks collecting alms (that's the rice I talked about earlier).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WaKciqlmkdQ&feature=related