Masthead header
7.22.18

saying goodbye

Leaving my Zumba classes was one of the hardest things. I taught at multiple gyms + had some amazing students. It is by far the thing I miss the most about New Jersey, as I’m still not teaching anywhere in Oklahoma.

One of my weekly classes involved Hunter + Joseph. Both have very *big* personalities but Zumba really helped them grow. Hunter has a very special place in my heart, as I have actually been photographing him for several years (2010 + 2013). His sweet card brought tears to my eyes.

Years ago, I was asked to join the Princeton Fitness & Wellness team to teach Zumba Gold on Monday + Wednesday at 11:30am. These individuals pushed me to be the best instructor I could be. When I would hold back, they asked for more! It was not a traditional Zumba Gold class, but I saw such incredible strides from so many.

Monday/Wednesday Princeton Fitness & Wellness at Plainsboro Zumba Gold Class.

At the beginning of 2017, I was asked to take over the Tuesday night Zumba class at RWJ in Hamilton. This class was small but mighty. I appreciated their enthusiasm each + every week, even if my body was breaking down.

Tuesday Night Class at RWJ Health & Wellness in Hamilton. I’m not sure what is going on with the dude on the left or the lady standing next to me!).

In the summer of 2011, I began teaching Zumba at the Princeton Family YMCA. It was before a renovation got AC in this room which a switch up of the orientation in the room too. This is where my Y career really began. I’m thankful for those three ladies on left of me (in the picture). Mary Beth, Madhu, + Veronica have been loyal Zumba students since 2011!

My dedicated Wednesday night Princeton Family YMCA Crew

Not many days go by when I don’t think of one or all of these classes/individuals. The influence each student had on me as a teacher, a leader, + human is indescribable. Now to only have that body in these photos!! 😀

Filed in: fitness | kim
7.22.18

one year ago

One year ago, I accepted an offer at the North Side YMCA in Oklahoma City. When I got the call from Chris, the executive director, on Wednesday, July 12th, offering me the position, tears immediately welled up in my eyes. I knew that it was going to be a tough decision, with Anthony not having anything lined up in Oklahoma. Right after the call, I had to go on the pool deck + work one-on-one with one of our swimmers that has special needs, while campers were swimming on the other side of the pool. That was the longest 30 minutes of my life, trying to keep it together with a little bit of sadness in the pit of my stomach. About 15 minutes into the lesson, my boss Paul walks in to give me the biggest hug. At the time, he had no idea I had received the offer, but he had just spoken with Chris, giving a glowing reference. I lost it at that point, tears streaming down my face.

I had a Skype interview with OKC in the middle of the day. It worked out because it was right after my lunch time Zumba class, so I went over to the seminary library without it raising any red flags at work. After the interview was over, I went to the bathroom across the hall. When I came back I found this note. Thanks but no thanks mister!!

Here is the story that not many people know (I did share this in October at a conference I attended with my boss + fellow colleagues that had no idea either!) I officially accepted on Friday, July 14th. On Monday morning, Anthony received an offer to work in the special collections department at the seminary, a position that was in essence created for him, that was held up for many months. As I eluded in my post last August, that whole week was spent talking with everyone we knew + trusted, praying, crying, + talking it over with one another. It was an emotional rollercoaster!!! On Monday, July 24th, Anthony received a phone call from Nanny. She had been praying as she fell asleep the night before. In one of her dreams, God came to her, telling her that everything was going to be alright. He had the most perfect position for Anthony in Oklahoma. When Nanny told Anthony this, we knew that we were 100% moving back to Oklahoma. We knew we couldn’t question God or Nanny!

Kicking it into high gear, we had to figure out how we were going to move back (PODS), how we were going to visit all the places we wanted to see before moving away(!!!), plan our week long vacation driving back, + finding a place to live. We really don’t like things to be easy. 🙂

Last time at the Jersey Shore

One year later, two amazing jobs for both of us, we know we made the right decision. There is not an ounce of doubt for either of us. We still miss the East Coast terribly, but being able to drive to visit family every weekend is the absolute best!!!

Filed in: anthony | job searching | kim | the schmidt's | ymca
3.2.18

my office

I had been in my current role for several months when I had an employee ask me, half joking, if I was staying or leaving, by the way my office looked. At one point, it was a closet, now it’s my office. I have zero windows + cinder block on all walls. It was drab for sure. Not at all my personality.

So I made it my mission to figure out what I wanted in there, then I asked for some art work for Christmas. I’m really proud of how it looks now. It fits my personality so much more than the before!

Filed in: kim | ymca
2.28.18

meet baxter

m e e t   b a x t e r | our rescue boxer

For several years, we have tossed around the idea of getting a boxer. We never really wanted to get one when we lived in apartments (cause poop!). Right after Christmas, Anthony mentioned how he was ready for a boxer. I immediately go on to the Red Dirt Boxer Rescue website to fill out an application. We knew we’d adopt, hoping for a young-ish pup. On Wednesday, January 10th, I received a phone call from the foster parent about “JJ”. He’s a full bred boxer, roughly 6-9 months, potty trained, crate trained, + lease trained. She sent me photos of him + we couldn’t say no! That Saturday we went to meet him + adopted him on the spot.

He had surgery a few weeks before to remove 3 tumors from the top of his head. They were all benign but we appreciate that they took care of them. He was also neutered at that time. Currently hair is still growing back in the spots they shaved + the incision sites are healing really well. We call him our cuddle bug!

You can see the stitches on the top of his head in this photo.

He hasn’t had any accidents inside (we do keep him crated when we are not here or at night). Any time I say it out loud I wonder when he will stop but it just has a bladder of steel!

I’ve been working on getting him to fetch + release. He releases about 50% of the time, unless I have treats in my pocket. I also recently got him to allow me to put a piece of food on his nose + then he catches it in his mouth. He’s about 75% effective on this trick. Ideally I’d like to get him to shake for a treat but he’s not motivated enough for that yet!

Be prepared for an onslaught of photos of this little guy!!

Filed in: baxter | family | schmidt's adventure
2.25.18

meet lucy + tanner

m e e t   l u c y  + t a n n e r | miniature schnauzer puppies

My nephews received Lucy + Tanner for Christmas. Randon has been begging for years for a dog. My parents have been hesitant because they are already raising two extra children, they didn’t want to raise a puppy too. So when my dad put the kibosh on a boxer puppy, my mom decided on two miniature schnauzers. Growing up we had Sandy Mae, a salt + pepper schnauzer. It’s crazy to see these two puppies + be taken back to my childhood.

Santa gave my mom a call on Christmas Eve morning, telling the boys that he had made a mistake on their presents, that they needed to get in the car + head to Norman. The boys were very surprised to get not only one puppy but TWO! I had the flu so I got to spend much of the day with Tanner on my chest. It was the sweetest, to be able to cuddle him all day! To this day, when I come over, he’ll lay on my chest + fall asleep.

Lucy – she has a smaller face + is black/white.

Tanner – larger + salt/pepper.

Rylan picked the boy as “his” puppy, which was fine by Randon. He loves Lucy! Lucy was the name my mom wanted for her, so when Randon couldn’t come up with a name, she threw that out there + it stuck. Rylan on the other hand had all sorts of names picked out. At first he started calling him Patience, which I don’t think any of us were a fan of. At some point, I told him that he should probably pick another name. I wish I had it on video because it was the funniest thing.

R: I’m going to call him Patience.

K: How about another name?

R: Okay, he’s Tanner.

K: Stunned disbelief on my face.

Ever since, he’s Tanner. Or chunkie-monkey.

Just another day on the pool tarp!

They sleep cuddled up like this in their crate. It’s the sweetest thing!!

Filed in: family | oklahoma