Tragedy and Triumph

Fox 21 News Television Interview 1-17-2012

2012-01-17T11:31:00.003-08:00

Aly Myles, a reporter for Fox 21 News Television is doing a series on alternatives in education and interviewed Rebekah, Annabelle, and Joel (and JO ANN) at the rink on 1-17-2012. She was especially interested in our style of homeschooling called Unschooling, but was also interested in the kids' intense and busy schedule and life! It was so much fun!

Cross Country Skiing and Snowshoeing - Martin Lurther King Day 2012

2012-01-17T11:25:00.000-08:00

The weather wouldn't allow us to do downhill skiing, so we settled for a wonderful day together playing in the snow.

The Schneider-Farris Family's Annual Greetings and News

2012-01-15T12:34:00.000-08:00

Every year, in December or so, I get a bunch of holiday greeting cards via snail mail. Every year, I have every intention of writing the people who took the time to think of us letters or notes or cards back.

The internet, sadly, had made me very lazy in "that department." It's just easier for me to write one big update and post it on this blog for those who care about the Schneider-Farris family to read. (...I still hope to answer those cards though...eventually...)

Anyway, it's time for another annual summary of what went on with the Schneider-Farris family in 2011.

Actually, 2011 was not the happiest year. It seemed to be a year where we heard about many deaths.

On January 29, 2011, my wonderful mother, Edith Kadison Schneider, passed away. She was 88, almost 89, and had a wonderful life. My parents had just celebrated their 60th anniversary on August 20, 2010. Mom got sick in early September of 2010. We are very grateful she lived so many months after we found out she had cancer.

Then, in the August of 2011, my best friend's father-in-law, Mel Curtis, died. What was really hard on me was that my father had had a wonderful time meeting Mel the day after my mom's funeral. In fact, Mel had cheered him up. Marion was holding Mel's hand (just like in the movies) when Mel breathed his last breath.

I also have another close friend who lost her sister in 2011 and another acquaintance whose young wife died after a long battle with Lou Gehrig's disease. A friend from our Atherton House days lost his mother. We have fond memories of his mom, so hearing about her death made us sad.

Also, in the summer of 2011, my dad's first cousin died tragically when he wandered out of a hospital room after being sedated for a surgery and was lost in the Arizona heat.

Hearing about all these deaths made 2011 just a very difficult year.

The other thing that made 2011 so very difficult, was there was an interruption in my children's ice dance training that made things very uncertain regarding skating altogether. That, along with so much personal sadness, just made 2011 stressful in general.

On a very positive note, all three kids attended Ramah Outdoor Adventure in the summer and had the BEST time! In addition, a huge highlight of 2011 was Rebekah's Bat Mitzvah which took place on June 17, 2011. It was a wonderful experience for Rebekah, but also for our family. My dad came and so many wonderful friends we've connected with in Colorado Springs (both Jewish and non-Jewish) attended. My brother, Billy, and his son Charlie, couldn't come, but his wife Amy and my niece Phoebe came. Rebekah was wonderful and Rabbi Levy who was the rabbi at the time at Temple Beit Torah made everything come out "just right."

We also had a wonderful beach vacation in California in late August and another wonderful vacation with my dad in late December in Colorado. The beach does something to heal the soul and so does playing in the Colorado snow!

I also made a wonderful new friend named Bernice (who is also a rock singer!) who moved to Colorado Springs in August of 2010 from Florida. Her family got to join us for a day at the Schneider family's Colorado vacation home and all of us played in the snow. My dad really enjoyed visiting with Bernice and her family. We spent Thanksgiving with Bernice's family and it was wonderful!

Earlier in the year, Bernice organized a wonderful hike in the Colorado mountains. I continue to be thankful that our family lives in such a beautiful place! When I hike in Colorado and see the mountains, I am just so grateful.

We celebrated Rosh Hashanah in the mountains with my dad. Also, Bernice's family came.

We also traveled for skating competitions. Annabelle, Joel, and I and also my dad, went to Indianapolis for the INDY Challenge pairs competition and our entire family went to Midwesterns in Fort Collins and then Annabelle, Joel, and I and also my dad, went to Junior Nationals in Lansing. Annabelle and Joel won the Pikes Peak Classic for Pairs and Dance in September.

As 2012 begins, Annabelle and Joel have increased their training hours. Joel is extremely motivated to do the best he can at pairs this year. The kids have a goal to make nationals, and also master a star lift and double twist. Rebekah is looking for a new skating partner for either pairs or dance since Joel is putting all his efforts into pairs with Annabelle now.

I'm also very excited since I'm going to San Jose, California soon with my best friend, Marion Ennis Curtis, to the 2012 US National Figure Skating Championships! The Four Continents Figure Skating Championships will take place in Colorado Springs in early February, so it's going to be a great time for me to watch skating and write about it!

I continue to love my job as About.com's Guide to Figure Skating and continue to make more skating friends and contacts through Facebook. I absolutely love it when someone "friends me" on Facebook and tells me they are a fan of my articles! I've been with About.com over five years now!

I also ended up getting another "writing gig." I'm the Colorado Springs Ice Skating Examiner. Getting to also write about local skating stuff in Colorado Springs is so perfect for me. It's great to get paid for writing about skating for both websites. It just seems like the written word keeps flowing out of me and now I have a place to put everything I have to say.

The kids continue to love Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy. Rebekah and Annabelle learned violin and guitar in the Colorado Springs Conservatory program that is included with Mountain Vista enrollment. All three kids continue to take part in fencing with Mountain Vista too. Annabelle got to be in the Parade of Lights again since she took part in Mountain Vista's baton twirling club. Rebekah continued to do Kung Fu. In the Spring, the kids we also involved with Yearbook Club and the Drama Club. Annabelle took part in Mountain Vista's Drama Club in the fall of 2011, and hopes to continue in 2012.

Joel also played hockey again in 2011 at Colorado Sports Center. Joel began his first job in 2011 too: he is teaching learn to skate at the Colorado Springs World Arena. Joel and I subbed the hockey classes there together and Joel also subbed some of those classes on his own.

We also had a blast as a family getting to go to a live Weird Al concert! Little things (like laughing) make our family so happy.......

Another fun event was attending "The Blessing of the Jewish Pets!"

We also said good-bye to another car in 2011. The little white VW Cabriolet's transmission broke. (That was a pretty bad car anyway...it had no heat and didn't lock, but what could you expect from a $500 car?) We now have a red Dodge Avenger to replace the VW car that at least locks and has heat.

Speaking of heat...our heater in our house went out in April of 2010. That didn't matter too much in the spring and summer, but as winter came along....brrrrrrrrr! Blankets and space heaters didn't really help in January or February of 2011, so in March we finally got our heater fixed. I now appreciate heat!

Anyway...as 2012 begins, I am thinking about happy thoughts and I do hope wonderful things happen to us and others. Happy 2012!

Just a "Little" Snow! 12-22-2011

2011-12-22T19:34:00.000-08:00

There was just a "little" snow at the Schneider Family's Colorado vacation home! What a fun way to spend a vacation!

Hanukkah poem 2011 by Russ ירחמיאל

2011-12-21T21:07:00.003-08:00

(This is an original poem written by a fellow skating coach. It is such a good poem, I'm passing it on!)

Hanukkah poem 2011 by Russ ירחמיאל

Twas the night before Hanukkah and we were prepared, with candles for lighting, singing, and prayers.

The menorah was placed on the table with care, a sign that the Festival of Lights was quite near.

My Zadie was dancing the Horah with glee and Bubbie fried Latkes especially for me.

The Dreidel was spinning again and again to see the letters nun, gimmel, hay, and shin.

When out in the kitchen there arose such a clatter, Oy vey, someone must have dropped the gefilte fish platter.

We laughed and we sang and we ate for 8 nights.

Happy Hanukkah to all and L’Chaim to Life.

Annabelle and Joel Perform In Broadmoor Skating Club's Exhibition of National Competitors 12-18-11

2011-12-18T20:16:00.001-08:00

Annabelle and Joel were honored to be asked to participate in Broadmoor Skating Club's First Annual Exhibition of National Competitors! They skated GREAT!

Photo With Santa In Detroit 12-15-2011

2011-12-16T18:52:00.000-08:00

Just before my dad boarded his plane when we were in Detroit, we were approached by Santa and his elves and were told we could get a free photo taken with Santa! I jumped at the opportunity and there were no strings attached. The holiday spirit of giving was there for weary travelers. What a great way to end a very fun and memorable Junior Nationals.

Annabelle and Joel Had So Much Fun Competing At Junior Nationals 2012!

2011-12-14T21:07:00.001-08:00

Another Junior Nationals is over for the Schneider-Farris family. The Schneider-Farris kids have taken part in the event for 5 years in a row!

Goals for Annabelle and Joel are to learn new moves and improve and to keep getting better at pairs. We'd like to find a new ice dance or pair partner for Rebekah.

Of course, the goals would be for the kids to all qualify for "big nationals" next season! It's been a wonderful ice skating journey that continues to be rewarding and fun.

No More "Stand-Alone" US Junior Figure Skating Championships

Parade of Lights 2011 - Wow was it cold!

2011-12-04T12:09:00.000-08:00

Last night, Annabelle and other kids from Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy marched in Colorado Springs Parade of Lights and twirled their batons. It was so cold last night and it was snowing, but many people, including the Schneider-Farris family were there to cheer everyone on!

Thanks, "Coach Tiff!"

2011-12-01T13:52:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I put together an article about Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck who coached Rebekah and Joel in ice dancing since they were young kids.

It was so fun to write the article. I was inspired to write it since addition to writing for About.com, I write for Examiner.com and I was asked for articles about coaches that give back and have a passion for what they do. Tiffany certainly has done that.

The article made me appreciate Tiffany so much. Thank you, Tiffany, for giving so much of yourself to the Schneider-Farris family!

Ice dancing coach Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck goes over and above for her skaters

Skiing Is Easy For Figure Skaters

2011-11-28T12:47:00.000-08:00

The first time I went skiing, I was twenty years old. I signed up for a set of group lessons at The Broadmoor Ski School.

The instructor showed us a bit about how to maneuver around on skis, and then told us a bit about how to get off and on the ski lift. She told the class to wait for her when we got to the top. I didn't hear those words....

When I got to the top of the mountain, I immediately skied down without any instruction! It was so much fun. All my years of ice skating immediately crossed over into skiing! There was "nothing to it!"

Joel, Rebekah, and Annabelle learned how to ice and roller skate as soon as they could walk, but they also learned how to ski at about the same time. Every weekend, we took a day trip to the mountains to play in the snow and ski.

Our family likes both cross-country skiing and downhill skiing.

Yesterday, we ended our Thanksgiving break with a wonderful day at the Breckenridge Nordic Center. We all "skated" in cross-country skate skis (except Dan who used snowshoes).

The best part was we stayed together and had a lot of fun enjoying the outdoors. When we go downhill skiing, Rebekah and Joel always take off since they ski faster than me and Annabelle and Dan does a snowshoe hike. This was really special! What a nice way to end the Thanksgiving weekend!

Sports That Figure Skaters Might Be Good At

Annabelle and Joel - Pairs Competition 11-18-2011

2011-11-23T20:16:00.000-08:00

Annabelle and Joel have qualified for Junior Nationals 2012! They will compete in Lansing, Michigan on December 13. Both kids are very excited that they've added so much content to their pair skating during the past year. Last year, they didn't do overhead extended lifts...this year, they are doing both a press lift and a fully extended loop lift. They also had single throws last year. This year, they are doing two double throws. The kids both love pair skating and that is what counts!

L'Chaim - To Life!

2011-11-19T03:10:00.000-08:00

I'm sharing my kids' performance at the recent sectional ice skating event. I'm a very proud Jewish mother...

By the way, I just read about why we say "L'Chaim." We are thanking G-d for creating us and giving us life.

No matter what difficulty life brings, no matter how hard or painful or unfair life is, life is holy and worthy of celebration. Even the wine is sweet to remind us that life itself is a blessing.

May each one of us have the wisdom to bless our loved ones out loud and then to say to them: "L’chaim, to life!"

Conservatory Recital 11-14-2011

2011-11-14T16:56:00.000-08:00

Due to the great partnership Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy has with the Colorado Springs Conservatory, my kids performed today.

They learned how to play the violin and guitar in only 5 weeks, and also sang and danced to Gershwin and George C. Cohan Broadway music! Very impressive!

Sababa's "Beauty of the World" - Definitely "Cool Jewish Music!"

2011-11-07T16:40:00.001-08:00

The Jewish musical group, Sababa, came to Colorado Springs last spring. I fell in love with their music and bought both of their albums.

I wrote them and asked if I could put together a slide show to go with their song "Beauty of the World."

I am so excited about this video and song, that I MUST share it! Enjoy!

"Beauty of the World" Video

Beauty of the World

Music & English Lyrics by: Sababa;
Hebrew Text: Traditional Blessing for rare beauty

Clouds lift, sun breaks through
A day of beauty, a gift from You
Mountains rise, wind calls my name
Each day renews creation - never quite the same
And I thank You for the
Beauty of the world

Baruch Ata Adonai Eloheynu
Melech Ha’olam
Shekacha lo, b’olamo (2x)

Sun sinks - darkness falls
As night descends, I hear You call
And I thank You for the Beauty of the world

Blessed are you, God, Creator of the Universe, Who has such beauty in the world.

"Beauty of the World"
©2010 Sababa (Steve Brodsky/Scott Leader/Robbi Sherwin)
www.SababaMusic.com
All rights reserved

More about Sababa and their "Cool Jewish Music" can be found at:
http://www.sababamusic.com/

Count Down to Midwestern Sectionals 2012

2011-11-06T14:13:00.000-08:00

It's been a very "interesting" year as far as figure skating training goes. Due to circumstances beyond our control, we lost our ice dance coaches.

During the spring and summer, I made sure Rebekah and Joel passed the necessary tests to qualify and I paid for the kids to compete in the Midwestern sectionals even though I was uncertain who would coach them this season.

Thanks to the combined efforts of Ryan Jahnke, Erik Schulz, and Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck and the Colorado Springs Ice Dance Academy, (and with some help from Rachel Tibbetts and Collin Brubaker, Melissa Gregory & Denis Petukhov, Tanith Belbin, and Bruce Hurd) they've been able to somehow pull things together and they will compete in novice dance in less than two weeks at Mids in Fort Collins!

Annabelle and Joel have continued to improve at pairs and will also compete in sectionals. In preparation, they performed in Broadmoor Skating Club's Fire and Ice exhibition last Friday 11-4-2011 and skated a clean program. Coaches Dalilah Sappenfield, Larry Ibarra, John Coughlin, and Becky Bradley have done a terrific job with their training. Joel is so excited that they are doling press lifts and overhead loop lifts on the ice. Annabelle lands clean throw double jumps most of the time. Off the ice, the kids are doing star lifts and step-up lifts! It's been fun to see their progress.

Rebekah and Joel will perform their competition free dance in this Friday's Fire and Ice. Last year's Fiddler on the Roof free dance program (with an additional lift added) has come back to life!

Then...on to Sectionals!

Blessing of the Jewish Pets 10-30-2011

2011-10-30T11:14:00.000-07:00

This morning, we went to the most fun religious ceremony EVER! The ceremony was for all the Jewish pets out there. The main thing we did was hug our sweet little dog and tell her how much we love her. We love you Porcher!

I did some reading about this ritual. Here's a great explanation of the tradition:

“We celebrate the wonderful variety of animals in our lives."

“The wonderful dogs and all their joy and energy, the amazing cats who rule us and are our masters, our gerbils and hamsters and bunny rabbits and fish, the birds that flap in the cages wishing they were free but loving to be with us, and from the ant farms and the earthworms to all of the animals that make our lives joyous, we celebrate them.

… We celebrate each of them and all the joy they bring to us and thank G-d for the blessing that they provide our lives."

Annabelle Passes Her Novice Moves Test - 10-29-2011

2011-10-29T16:14:00.000-07:00

Annabelle passed her novice moves in the field test today and all three judges passed her! Go Annabelle!

This means that Joel and Annabelle will be able to test for their novice pairs test after this competition season. Pretty cool in my opinion!

Getting Ready For Halloween 10-29-2011

2011-10-29T16:06:00.000-07:00

I must admit that this photo of my kids makes them look like models!

It's only Saturday and Halloween is two days away, but the kids are going to two parties tonight. I think this year's costumes are the most fun ever.

Happy Halloween!

Hike In Williams Canyon - Sunday, 10-23-2011

2011-10-25T17:29:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Rebekah, and I, went on a fabulous hike this past Sunday with my friend, Bernice, and her daughter, Lila, and our new friend, Terri.

Being in the mountains and being outside with friends gives me so much joy!

Simcha Torah 2011

2011-10-21T11:03:00.000-07:00

Last night, my family got to march around the synagogue with Torahs and wave flags! It was so cool. We also all got to go up to the bimah and do the Aliyah blessings. It is mind boggling to think that in synagogues all over the world people were celebrating! What a fun holiday!

What Is Simchat Torah?

School Photos 2011-12

2011-10-18T18:53:00.000-07:00

Who says homeschoolers don't get to have school pictures? These photos were taken at their "school" for homeschoolers!

Pikes Peak Classic 2011 Photos - Annabelle and Joel WON~

2011-10-13T18:48:00.001-07:00

It was really exciting for Annabelle and Joel to win gold!

Rosh Hashanah Reflections 2011

2011-09-29T19:31:00.000-07:00

Every year, my family goes to the mountains to celebrate Rosh Hashanah and then we go to a park in Colorado Springs to throw bread in the water with our friends. This year's celebration was even more special since my dad joined us!

Fifteen years ago was the first time we went to this service. This year, more than ever, I realized how much Jews are connected to one another. I knew so many of the people that attended, and saw people that I met 15 years ago!

At the Tashlich service at the park, I felt that connection again. Rabbi Glazer welcomed and hugged each person that attended as they arrived. People took the time to say hello and wish one another a happy new year. My kids love this part of Rosh Hashanah!

I also remembered the first Rosh Hashanah Dan and I spent in Colorado Springs. We went to an evening service at Temple Shalom. I remember looking around and wondering if Dan and I would fit into the Jewish community in Colorado Springs. It's obvious, after living here for 20 years, that we do!

This morning, I did some thinking about what brings Jewish people together for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It's the sense of being family. That's IT! Being able to think about G-d and rejoice on Rosh Hashanah connects Jews all over the world. Today, being outside and with family made my connection to G-d so very special.

Remembering Friday, September 16, 2005 - 6 years ago - I Thought It Was Just a Typical Day

2011-09-16T16:14:00.001-07:00

Today, on Friday, September 16, 2011, I can't help but remember how my family's life changed forever on Friday, September 16, 2005.

Remembering is a bit painful, but writing down some of my thoughts and memories is also helping me remember all the things that my family should be thankful for.

I need to write about those things today...

The photo in this blog post shows Rebekah, Jo Ann, Annabelle, Dan, and Joel, with my parents in October of 2005 shortly after Dan woke up from a coma and was near death. Wow...we've come a long way since then.

Below are some excerpts from our famly's blog, Tragedy and Triumph, which is a journal I began to tell our story. Eventually, I decided to keep the blog going and made it our family's news blog. Six years of blogging has created quite a story in fact!

Read Tragedy and Triumph - By JO ANN Schneider Farris (Note: It's a blog, so the oldest entries begin at the end...)

---------------------------------------------------------

We waved good-bye just before 7:00 AM

Just a little before 7:00 AM on Friday, September 16, 2005, my children and I waved good-bye to my husband, Dan.

It was a typical morning: we had packed the car for a busy day with skates and ballet clothes. Dan had packed lunches for the children. As we drove away from our house, I realized I forgot a folder that contained some scheduling information I needed for the day; Dan helped me conclude I could get by without the information for the day. We sipped coffee as we drove. (Dan made coffee every morning.)

When we reached the parking lot of the Colorado Springs World Arena, we said our good-byes to Dan, and he headed towards the bus stop near the World Arena that would bring a bus to pick him up at 7:08 AM and take him downtown. I remember telling him not to worry about helping us get into the rink on time like he usually did. I knew we were running a bit late and I didn't want him to miss his bus.

Nothing seemed unusual, but I knew Dan was tired. It had been a busy week. I'd gone to Denver with the children on Wednesday of that week for my children to have lessons with my brother, Billy. We'd left the house at 6:00 AM on that day and on Thursday morning, we'd also been up early. He'd got the oil changed in the car and he'd even mowed the lawn on one evening and put weed killer in the backyard. He'd taken my son to hockey evaluations and we'd been busy with our children performing in a stage production of CATS !

Yes, our life was full: it was directed by the children's activities and on Saturday, 9-10-05, we had spent some time alone together between CATS performances and had walked around downtown Colorado Springs holding hands and talking about our lives and our children. We had gone out to dinner together at a Japanese restaurant. We knew we were really busy!

Anyway, that Friday did not seem all that different. My son, Joel, was determined to skate by himself on an early morning freestyle, so we had been up since a little after 5:00 AM to prepare so we could make the 7:25 AM Freestyle session.

What a wonderful father Dan was, I thought, to be patient enough to wake up early every day for me and my children!

Just a Typical Day - Friday, September 16, 2005

Friday, September 16, 2005 turned out to be a wonderful day for me and the children. We left the World Arena and went on to Chapel Hills. I told the children how proud I was that they had worked so hard on the freestyle session at the World Arena.

We worked hard at Chapel Hills and I then taught one class at 11:00 AM.

Our friend, Hellene Anderson, took the three children to The Ballet Society for ballet classes and I met them there.

I decided that it would be good to take the children to see the Colorado Springs Invitational Competition for the afternoon and we headed towards Sertich Ice Center.

The children enjoyed the competition, and especially enjoyed playing with certain skating friends that were watching the competition. My brother, Billy, was with some students at the competition, so we stayed and watched his skaters and some others.

The skaters were really good. The kids learned a lot and we were so impressed when the National Novice Ladies Champion, Rachael Flatt, landed at triple Lutz!

I bought the girls skating dresses that were selling on consignment and as it got to be close to 4:30 PM, we said good-bye to my brother.

Little did we know that at about that same time, my husband had fallen off a bridge and was near death.

Another Beach Vacation!

2011-08-28T07:58:00.000-07:00

For the past few years, we've gone to Long Beach every summer for a few weeks and had a beach vacation!

This summer, of course, we did that again. We've experienced swimming, kayaking, playing in the sand, eating, relaxing, walking, inline skating, sailing, boat rides, sight-seeing, riding scooters, shopping, smiling, and visiting with family and friends!

Colorado is a great place to live, but the beach is a great place to visit!

Why Not a Figure Skating Vacation or Stay-Cation?

Rebekah and Joel Pass Their American Waltz Test - 8-14-2011

2011-08-14T16:07:00.000-07:00

We are so happy! Rebekah and Joel passed their American Waltz ice dance test today 8-14-2011. Only one more silver dance to go and they'll be on their pre-golds!

Annabelle's Ramah Adventure - Continued

2011-08-13T09:52:00.000-07:00

Here are some more photos of Annabelle at Ramah of the Rockies. She is having a great time!

Our Day At Acacia Park - Miss Jesse Lane Concert 8-8-2011

2011-08-08T19:33:00.001-07:00

Today, Monday, 8-8-2011, Joel, Rebekah, and I went to the Farmers Market in Acacia Park especially to see Miss Jesse Lane sing. She was INCREDIBLE!

More Ramah Photos

2011-08-06T18:00:00.000-07:00

Rebekah came back from a month away at Ramah Outdoor Adventure camp and was so very happy! Annabelle is there now. I'm so happy that all three Schneider-Farris kids got to experience Ramah this summer!

They got to do things like rock climbing, archery, mountain biking, kayaking, drama, singing, dancing, hiking, and more. I think this summer will be one all three kids will never forget!

INDY 2011

2011-08-06T15:45:00.001-07:00

Joel, Annabelle, and I went to Indianapolis last weekend. My dad met us there. The kids competed in the INDY Challenge for Pairs. We had so much fun!

Annabelle's Birthday 7-23-2011

2011-07-26T18:24:00.000-07:00

Annabelle created her own birthday celebration this time around.

We spent the night at the Schneider family vacation home in Larkspur. She invited 3 friends to spend the night and help her celebrate.

The girls made Annabelle's birthday cake together and ate Chinese food and played games and watched Harry Potter movies. They ate popcorn and played hide and seek too!

Thinking About How Our Family Has Triumphed

2011-07-24T15:29:00.000-07:00

I am having a lazy Sunday afternoon. I spent the afternoon watching the 1978 version of Ice Castles.

It is a story of triumph. Most likely, a person who is injured and becomes blind, couldn't come back and compete and land a triple loop, but still, the heroine's triumph, is heartwarming.

Sometimes I forget that for my family to do what we have done after experiencing a time of tragedy (in 2005) is truly a triumph in itself.

The kids have been able to skate and have passed lots of tests, traveled, competed, and won medals. They have become such accomplished figure skaters! They've had a chance to do wonderful things with Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy. Rebekah had a great Bat Mitvah this year. All three have had a chance to go to Ramah Outdoor Adventure.

We also have such great friends and family.

My job as About.com's Guide to Figure Skating has given me so much joy. Dan has a job that he enjoys.

Triumph is about pushing forward when things at first may seem hopeless. Lots of sadness has happened to us in the six years too, but we continue to press forward.

Anyway, I realized today that we truly have triumphed!

Joel gets to play ice hockey again

2011-07-17T09:17:00.001-07:00

We are so happy that through a new rec league in Monument, Joel can play ice hockey games again! He hasn't had a chance to play ice hockey since the Chapel Hills rink closed in June of 2006. His team won yesterday!

Annabelle and Joel - Fire and Ice 7-15-2011

2011-07-15T21:28:00.000-07:00

Annabelle and Joel did this season's pair program for the first time at Fire and Ice on 7-15-2011. They skated great. They landed both of their throw doubles and did a clean program. They were so happy! Go kids!

5 Years Live With About.com!

2011-07-14T13:19:00.000-07:00

Five years ago today, July 14, 2006, my About.com Figure Skating site "went live." I competed with several figure skating writers for that job.

Read a blog post I wrote on Friday, July 28, 2006 - Jo Ann Has Good News!

I've written hundreds of articles (maybe over a thousand articles...) since my site went live five years ago.

I've met and interviewed so many famous ice skaters since then.

I've learned about new figure skating products. I've read and reviewed figure skating books. I've seen so many ice skating movies. I written about figure skating moves and given my thoughts on figure skating issues.

I've passed on much information to my readers. I've gained fans! How cool it that?!

About.com even sent me to the Vancouver Olympics!

It's been a great five years.

I love my job with About.com! It's so much fun. It is really an honor to share the passion I have for skating and get paid to write about it. It doesn't seem like work at all...

I am so glad I can share my love and knowledge of skating with the world! It makes me and others happy.

Happy Skating!

Ramah of the Rockies 2011

2011-07-14T12:33:00.000-07:00

The Schneider-Farris family will remember the summer of 2011 as the summer when all three kids went to Ramah Outdoor Adventure, but at different times.

Joel went to Session #1: June 21 -- July 4, 2011

Rebekah went to Session #2: July 6 -- August 1, 2011

Annabelle will go to Session #3: August 3 -- August 15, 2011

Some people are asking why the kids all went to the same camp at different times. Here's the answer:

Rebekah and Annabelle went last year. Rebekah pleaded with me for a month long camp experience, so this year, she went for a month. Annabelle made friends last year with campers that attended in August, so she wanted to return in August to link up again with those friends.

Joel didn't care when he went, so June seemed like a good time to go. He made friends, tried new foods, and got to do all sorts of fun things like kayaking, white-water rafting, hiking, mountain biking, and climbing.

Below are some photos of the great experience Joel had. I've also included some photos the camp has sent us of Rebekah's experience so far. I see she took part in mud-wrestling...

There's also a photo of Annabelle with some of the kids that was taken at a pre-camp family gathering in Denver.

A Book Called "The Janitor's Girl" Inspired My Life

2011-07-03T14:39:00.000-07:00

When I was a little girl, growing up in the 1960s, thanks to my parents, I learned to love books. I read constantly. We ddin't have good things to watch on TV, so books were the way to go. Schools gave us a chance to buy inexpensive paperback books from Scholastic Books.

One book I read when I was about ten or eleven years old changed my life. The book is called The Janitor's Girl. The author of the book is Frieda Friedman.

The story is about a girl named Sue who moves to New York City into a huge high rise apartment building. Her father is the Building Superindent ...the janitor.

Sue's sister warns Sue that others will look down on her because of their father's job. Sue doesn't believe that could be possible.

At first, things go okay for the story's heroine Then, a snobby rich family moves into the building. The snobby family has a daughter named Rosalie who looks down on Sue because of her father's job. Rosalie's family are mean people and Rosalie is mean.

Soon Sue is shut out of an exclusive club Rosalie starts and girls she thought were faithful friends won't associate with her.

As first Sue is really upset, but then she does something that changes her life. She befriends some immigrant kids that are not accepted by many Americans. The "outcasts" form their own club and do some really fun and inexpensive things together in New York City.

Some of the girls in Rosalie's exclusive club realize that Sue really has a good thing going. Eventually, they decide that Sue and her friends are really true and faithful friends. They realize that being exclusive or hurting others is not the way to behave.

The Janitor's Girl teaches a lesson. The lesson is that following a prestigious or exclusive group is not always the right way. Following or associating with "outcasts" or those who aren't in the "in-crowd" may be the way to go!

I have followed what I learned from that book for my entire life. I try to never be unfriendly or snobbly. I include, rather than exclude, anyone who wants to be included in my circle of friends. When I have been shut out, I form something new that includes. I've passed on this outlook to my children. I hope they will use that attitude throughout their lives.

I do hope that those who read this can also use this lesson in your own life!

Rebekah Is a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist! 7-2-2011

2011-07-03T09:52:00.000-07:00

On April 24, 2005, Rebekah passed her Pre-Preliminary Moves in the Field figure skating test. A little over six years later, on July 2, 2011, Rebekah passed her Senior Moves in the Field test and became a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist.

In April of 2005, passing the Pre-Preliminary moves test seemed like a great accomplishment. Little did we know then what it would take for Rebekah to achieve what she accomplished on July 2, 2011.

Rebekah has become a very accomplished figure skater! We are so very proud of her!

Annabelle's Girl Scout Camp-Out At Rocky Mountain National Park

2011-07-01T12:57:00.000-07:00

Annabelle's girl scout troop went on a great camp-out to Rocky Mountain National Park from Tuesday, June 28 to Thursday, June 30! These photos show how much fun she had!

Annabelle Wins Silver At the Broadmoor Open 2011

2011-06-26T09:46:00.000-07:00

Joel is at camp, so there's no ice dancing or pair skating going on for the Schneider-Farris kids at this particular Broadmoor Open, but Annabelle competed in singles.

She skated great and we are so proud of her!

It was fun too because her event was right before a practice session for Dalilah's pair teams. All of Dalilah's skaters were cheering loud for Annabelle! That was so fun!

Our Rabbi Is Leaving - I'm So Sad

2011-06-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

I shed some tears last night.

You see, finally, after so much time of not feeling like our family belonged anywhere, the rabbi at our temple, Temple Beit Torah, gave us a sense of belonging. He also became part of my family's life. Not only did he officiate at my mother's Colorado funeral, but he is the one that made Rebekah's Bat Mitzvah possible.

Now, Rabbi Levy is leaving. Last night, the congregation said good-bye to him and his wife Clara.

He truly cared about his congregation. He gave me a feeling he truly cared about me. He liked teaching Rebekah. He liked Annabelle. He cared about my father when my mother died. He loves Judaism. He passed that love on to everyone he met in Colorado Springs.

He said he does not know where his family will be in a year. He also said that sometimes we have to leave a place where we feel comfortable and secure and loved to go to to whatever God has in store for us next. He explained that the temple is not about him, but about the people that are there. His great love and knowledge and joy of God shows in all he does. I know in advance I will miss him greatly.

This year has been one of change for our family. There have been very painful changes. My mother died. Our ice dance coaches were taken away from my kids. Now, our rabbi is leaving.

I know God's love does not change. I am convinced of that, but still, losing this rabbi at this time, is hard for me. I wonder what the future will bring.

Photos of Tanith Belbin and the Schneider-Farris Kids 6-14-11

2011-06-21T16:59:00.001-07:00

Tanith Belbin visited the World Arena during the week of 6-13 to 6-17-11. She was so sweet!

Rebekah's Bat Mitzvah Memories - 6-17-11

2011-06-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

Rebekah was WONDERFUL! That's the best way to describe her special day. It was great to see so many friends and family there too. Rebekah says she loved her Bat Mitzvah!

3 Kids - 3 Ice Dance Tests Passed 6-12-11!

2011-06-12T21:38:00.000-07:00

Figure skating tests become more and more difficult. The passing standard is very high. Many skaters do not pass figure skating tests.

Since the standard for figure skating tests is so high, our family is very, very happy when the kids pass tests. Today, 6-12-11, was a good day for our family. All three kids passed one ice dance test!

Both Joel and Rebekah passed their Rocker Foxtrot and Annabelle passed her Willow Waltz, which completed her Bronze Dance test. The Rocker Foxtrot is a silver dance, so for the first time, Joel and Rebekah had to solo the dance in addition to doing the dance with a partner.

Joel skated with Rachel Tibbetts and Rebekah skated with Collin Brubaker. The kids' longtime coach, Tiffany Dombeck, was there for us.

In addition, my dad got to come and our dear friends Paul and Judy Steiner came to watch.

After the tests, Annabelle went to the circus with a birthday party and Dan took Joel and Rebekah to the circus. It was a really fun day!

Rebekah's Bat Mitzvah Announcement/Invitation

2011-06-03T17:14:00.000-07:00

Jo Ann and Dan Schneider-Farris would be pleased to have you join them when their daughter Rebekah Abigail Schneider-Farris is called to the Torah as a Bat Mitzvah on Friday, June 17, 2011 at 7:00 PM, Temple Beith Torah, 522 East Madision Street, Colorado Springs, Colorado

School Reports - Annabelle, Rebekah, and Joel Schneider-Farris

2011-05-30T17:29:00.000-07:00

Every year, around this time, I write up a summary of what my three kids are doing in school. I began doing this when Joel was in first grade, shortly after we began homeschooling/unschooling.

When the kids were young, I found my summaries of what we were doing with their education so fun to read and much more interesting than report cards or progress reports that just included letter grades and a few comments.

Anyway, it's that time of year again. I'm going to start with Annabelle:

Annabelle Deborah Schneider-Farris - Year End School Report 2010-11

For the past two years, in addition to doing school work at home, Annabelle has been enrolled in Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy (a homeschool supplement program). Through that program, she's been given formal classes in language arts, writing and spelling, history and geography, art, music appreciation, science (including lab classes), Spanish, and computer technology. In addition, opportunities were available in drama, dance and theater, piano, voice, Medieval and Renaissance culture and history, martial arts, fencing, baton, and yearbook club.

Mountain Vista's program was so extensive, that we only needed to do math and writing and literature at home. We also discussed political events and history.

In addition, Annabelle's figure skating activities took up much of our time. She competed at the regional, sectional, and national level in both pairs and ice dancing and passed several US Figure Skating tests in singles, pairs, and ice dancing. She also took formal ballet, modern dance, and piano lessons and participated in dance and music recitals.

Annabelle took strength and conditioning classes at the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She went on regular ski trips, played tennis, went swimming, and went roller skating.

With her girl scout troop, she earned badges in cooking, hiking, camping, art, architecture, science, music, dancing, and crafts. She advanced to being a Cadette scout.

We also traveled to Washington DC during the summer of 2010. That was probably the most memorable educational field trip our family has participated at to date. She saw the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, went to the White House and an accompanying museum, went to the house that Lincoln died in, and visited the World War Two Memorial. In addition, we visited natural science and art museums locally as a family. It should also be mentioned that Annabelle also got to take part in "being a part of history" when she attended the 2010 Winter Olympics Games in Vancouver.

In addition to secular studies, after attending Camp Ramah of the Rockies in August of 2010, Annabelle requested more education in Hebrew and religious studies. She registered and took part in Temple Beit Torah's religious school for the 2010-11 school year. She will attend Camp Ramah again during the summer of 2011.

Goals for 2011-12 and beyond include mastering and improving at certain essential math skills, becoming more fluent at reading and understanding Hebrew, and improving at reading comprehension and writing. In addition, a major goal is to continue to improve at figure skating since Annabelle spends two to four hours on the ice each day, 5 days a week. Annabelle will advance to 6th grade at Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy. She is excited about the challenges that will come with the new school year.

Rebekah Abigail Schneider-Farris - - Year End School Report 2010-11

Like Annabelle, Rebekah has attended Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy's homeschool supplement program for the past two years, and through that program, she too has been given formal classes in language arts, writing and spelling, history and geography, art, music appreciation, science (including lab classes), Spanish, and computer technology. In addition, opportunities were available in drama, dance and theater, piano, voice, Medieval and Renaissance culture and history, martial arts, fencing, baton, and yearbook club. Rebekah took part in everything and excelled in all areas. She also took part in two drama productions.

At home, Rebekah worked on her American School of Correspondence curriculum. She completed courses in math, biology, U.S. history, psychology, career planning, physiology, and English and received "A"s and "B"s in those courses. Although she was enrolled in 9th Grade at Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy, she is a bit ahead academically, and is nearly completed with 10th grade in her core subjects that are part of the American School's curriculum.

In addition, like Annabelle, Rebekah's figure skating activities took up much of her time. She competed at the sectional and and national level in ice dancing and passed US Figure Skating tests in singles, pairs, and ice dancing. She also took formal dance and piano lessons and participated in music recitals.

Also, like Annabelle, Rebekah took strength and conditioning classes at the National Strength and Conditioning Association. She too, went on regular ski trips, played tennis, went swimming, and went roller skating.

As mentioned before, we traveled to Washington DC during the summer of 2010. That was probably the most memorable educational field trip our family has participated at to date. She saw the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, went to the White House and an accompanying museum, went to the house that Lincoln died in, and visited the World War Two Memorial. In addition, we visited natural science and art museums locally as a family.

In addition to secular studies, after attending Camp Ramah of the Rockies in June of 2010, like Annabelle, Rebekah requested more education in Hebrew and religious studies. She decided towards working towards having a Bat Mitzvah ceremony and has undertook an intense study program with Rabbi Don Levy during the Spring semester of 2011. Her Bat Mitzvah is scheduled for Friday, June 17, 2011 at Temple Beit Torah in Colorado Springs. The ceremony will show off all that Rebekah has accomplished in reading Hebrew and religious studies. She will also attend Camp Ramah again, this time for an entire month, during the summer of 2011. She hopes to take part in horseback riding, rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, and hiking during her camp experience.

Goals for 2011-12 and beyond include completing more courses through the American School of Correspondence and to begin SAT/ACT preparation. In addition, a major goal is to continue to improve at figure skating since Rebekah spends two to four hours on the ice each day, 5 days a week. Rebekah will advance to 10th grade at Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy. She is excited about the challenges that will come with the new school year.

Joel Benjamin Schneider-Farris - Year End School Report 2010-11

Like Annabelle and Rebekah, Joel has attended Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy's homeschool supplement program for the past two years, and through that program, he too has been given formal classes in language arts, writing and spelling, history and geography, art, music appreciation, science (including lab classes), Spanish, and computer technology. In addition, opportunities were available in drama, dance and theater, piano, voice, Medieval and Renaissance culture and history, martial arts, fencing, and yearbook club. Joel took part in everything and flourished in all areas. He also took part in two drama productions.

At home, like Rebekah, Joel worked on his American School of Correspondence curriculum. He completed courses in math, biology, U.S. history and geography, career planning, physiology, speech, psychology, and English and received "A"s and "B"s in those courses. He was enrolled in 10th Grade at Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy, and has completed about one-fourth of the 11th grade in his home study curriculum.

In addition, like Annabelle and Rebekah, Joel's figure skating activities took up much of his time. He competed at the sectional and national level in both pairs and ice dancing and passed US Figure Skating tests in singles, pairs, and ice dancing. He participated in music recitals.

Also, like Annabelle and Rebekah, Joel took strength and conditioning classes at the National Strength and Conditioning Association. He too, went on regular ski trips, played tennis, went swimming, and went roller skating.

As mentioned before in Annabelle and Rebekah's reports, we traveled to Washington DC during the summer of 2010. That was probably the most memorable educational field trip our family has participated at to date. He saw the Lincoln Memorial, Washington Monument, went to the White House and an accompanying museum, went to the house that Lincoln died in, and visited the World War Two Memorial. In addition, we visited natural science and art museums locally as a family.

In addition to secular studies, Joel will attend Camp Ramah of the Rockies in June of 2011. He continues to study Hebrew with Partners in Torah. He, like Rebekah, hopes to take part in horseback riding, rock climbing, kayaking, and hiking during his camp experience.

Goals for 2011-12 and beyond include completing more courses through the American School of Correspondence and to begin SAT/ACT preparation. Improving at basic math skills is also on the agenda. In addition, like Annabelle and Rebekah, a major goal is to continue to improve at figure skating since Joel spends two to four hours on the ice each day, 5 days a week. He is excited about the challenges that will come with the new school year.

Someone Copied My About.com Articles Word For Word

2011-05-29T13:57:00.000-07:00

I was shocked to find out today that a figure skating coach in Michigan, who is PSA rated and certified, took my original About.com writings and some of the photos that went with the articles and put them on her site without crediting or linking to me.

She has not only violated PSA Ethics, but also copyright laws.

Even though I've written thousands of pieces, I can recognize my own original writings in a snap. I have spend hours and hours writing and researching my About.com Figure Skating articles, and to see someone use them in this way is very disturbing.

My Bad Experience With A Private School Called University School of Colorado Springs

2011-05-26T11:21:00.000-07:00

I was told yesterday that my son could not even apply and would NEVER be accepted to a private school called the University School of Colorado Springs. (I don't want to get into details of why here, but I did feel that there was some prejudice involved. When I get upset, I write about it!)

The administration did not even take the time to interview me or my son in person. We are so disappointed. We were just exploring possibilities. It felt like a door was slammed in our face.

The school's director made the statement that she did not "feel right" about considering my son's application.

We will never forget that he wasn't even given a chance to apply.

Something just doesn't seem "right" about the way this was handled.

Now, I'm glad my son was not given a chance to apply to the University School of Colorado Springs. I was saved from further frustration and also wasting my money on that place!

Perhaps one day this school will realize that slamming the door in our face (and probably the faces of other past and future applicants) was really mean.

I am passing this information on so that others can be warned to stay away from that school!

Review of University School of Colorado Springs

Link to Story of Joel's "Unconventional" Bar Mitzvah

2011-05-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

I finally figured out how to get this online. It's the story of Joel's very non-conventional Bar Mitzvah! The name of this story is The Bar Mitzvah Minus the Year of Planning!!!

Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy End Of Year Activities

2011-05-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

It seems like we just began our adventure at Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy. Our family's second year at the school has already come to and end! Last week, the kids gave their final performance at the Colorado Springs Conservatory (which was part of the school's program) and today was the Renaissance Festival that took the entire semester to prepare for.

It's time for me to reflect on what Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy has done to add to my children's lives.

Before we began the school two years ago, we were "lone unschoolers." I did things my own way and didn't think I needed what schools could offer.

I also admit the children and I were a bit afraid of went on inside of SCHOOLS in general. I had "rebelled" several years before because of a bad experience I had had with an online public school and had vowed to never put myself or my children in a public school again.

Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy has changed that attitude. They've made friends, their study and learning skills have improved, and the children are also confident about being in a school setting and feel more prepared for life.

The program and the teachers are great. The kids did incredible art and science projects this year, went on field trips, took part in a school dance, were in a parade, learned fencing, baton, and Ku Fu, were in drama productions, learned so much about history, got better at their reading and writing, and improved at their computer skills.

We can't wait for school to begin in the fall!

Kung Fu Class Show 4-28-11

2011-04-28T17:55:00.000-07:00

Through Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy, the kids have taken part in a Kung Fu class all year long. Today, the class did a final presentation for parents and friends.

My Thoughts After Seeing "Soul Surfer" - A Movie About Tragedy and Triumph

2011-04-24T16:59:00.000-07:00

I took my kids to see Soul Surfer today. It's a movie about a young surfer, Bethany Hamilton, whose entire left arm was literally bitten off by a shark on October 31, 2003 when she was thirteen years old.

When the accident was shown in the movie, I began crying so hard! I remembered when my husband was in a tragic accident on September 16, 2005 and also when our dear friend, fourteen year old Haley Gans, was killed in a skiing accident on November 20, 2009.

I wept for Haley's family and I remembered, too, what it was like to be in the midst of what almost seemed surreal as Dan laid in the hospital and was near death.

The memory of me crying out to God asking for help, asking for a miracle, came back to my being.

Tragedy can happen in an instant. Somehow, supernatural strength comes to those who experience tragedy and life moves on.

I realized today, as memories of my own experience with near tragedy flooded back, that when people told me I was "so brave and strong," I only was brave and strong because God gave guidance and strength during that very surreal time.

Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy School Play - 4-22-11

2011-04-22T19:10:00.001-07:00

Joel, Rebekah, and Annabelle have been in Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy's drama club all year long. The club's final performance was tonight. The kids put together an original play about Ellis Island.

Passover 2011 - We Went to a Community Seder

2011-04-20T15:07:00.000-07:00

Our family has celebrated Passover every year since the kids were little, but this year was the first time we've ever attended a community seder. It was really fun!

Passover 2011 -- A time of hope, a time of new beginnings

2011-04-19T11:57:00.001-07:00

Last night, our family sat down together for a Passover Seder. We had a wonderful seder as a family. We celebrated with our good friends Hellene, Sam, Jeff, and Leo Orenstein-Anderson and with Larisa and Larry Gendernalik. We laughed and sang and rejoiced.

All three of our families have been through so much together.

Larisa and Larry lost their precious daughter, Valerie, in a terrible tragedy during Memorial Day Weekend 2008. (Valerie was murdered.)

Hellene's mom and my mom were alive last year during Passover; since then, both have passed away. All of us went through and were there for one another when my husband, Dan, almost died five and a half years ago.

Although we've been through a lot...

Like the Hebrews rejoiced when they were freed from slavery, we rejoiced. We remembered how Miriam and other women sang and danced after the Hebrews made it safely across the Red Sea.

We remembered how God delivered the Jewish people and how wonderful God truly is. We remembered that miracles do happen.

I am so very glad that we've passed the tradition of celebrating Passover on to our children. I also feel very fortunate to have such good friends!

Rebekah's Birthday Is Today - April 16

2011-04-16T19:26:00.000-07:00

Fifteen years ago, on April 16, 1996, Rebekah was born.

Of my three children, Rebekah's birth was probably the easiest. I got to pick her birthday since I she was a planned C-Section baby. I picked April 16 since it was the day after tax day.

I remember arriving at the hospital at about 6:00 AM. The whole thing seemed like a trip to the airport! Rebekah came on schedule; there were no delays. Everything went according to plan and Rebekah neatly arrived at 8:50 AM!

Rebekah was also a very easy baby. She was the only baby that would drink formula in addition to breast milk. She has always been easy going and sweet since the day she was born. She loved everyone and everyone loved her. She did what she was told and rarely caused anyone trouble.

She is good at everything she tries. She loves art, music, dancing, skiing, reading, movies, shopping, hiking, bike riding, animals, camping, museums, hanging out with friends, fencing, kung fu, drama, baton, horseback riding, snowboarding, kayaking, and ice and roller skating.

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet daughter!

Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy School Dance Photos

2011-04-12T17:43:00.000-07:00

In late January of this year, there was a school dance for the high school students at Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy. I ordered the photos from the dance, but sadly they were misplaced, so I recently ordered the photos again. They are below.

I think it is really a great thing that Joel and Rebekah and their friends got to take part in a school dance! Home schooled kids usually miss out on opportunities like that. I'm so glad Mountain Vista Homeschool Academy made what shouldn't happen possible.

Yasa snd Yuri Lessons and Seminar - 4-9-11

2011-04-09T12:36:00.000-07:00

"Yasa and Yuri" Iaroslava Netchaeva (Ir-ra-sla-va Ne-cha-ae-va) and Iouri Tchesnitchenko (Your-ri Tches-nit-chenko) came to the Colorado Springs World Arena and the Broadmoor Skating Club on Friday, April 8 and Saturday, April 9, 2011.

The kids got to take private lessons with them on Friday and also took the seminar they gave on Saturday.

It was really a great experience!

Israeli Dancing! - 4-7-11

2011-04-08T08:48:00.000-07:00

Last night, 4-7-11, there was a women's Israeli dancing event in Colorado Springs hosted by Chabad. With Passover coming, it was an appropriate time.

Everyone also got to decorate tamborines, and Rebekah brought her friend, Cassie.

Remember when the Hebrews crossed the Red Sea, the women danced and praised God!

I have always liked "Miriam's Song" by Debbie Friedman for years. The words based on Exodus 15:20-21.

Miriam's Song - Music and Lyrics by Deborah Lynn Friedman

Listen to Miriam's Song

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

And Miriam was a weaver of unique variety.
The tapestry she wove was one which sang our history.
With every thread and every strand
she crafted her delight.
A woman touched with spirit, she dances
toward the light.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

As Miriam stood upon the shores and gazed across the sea,
The wonder of this miracle she soon came to believe.
Whoever thought the sea would part with an outstretched hand,
And we would pass to freedom, and march to the promised land.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

And Miriam the Prophet took her timbrel in her hand,
And all the women followed her just as she had planned.
And Miriam raised her voice with song.
She sang with praise and might,
We've just lived through a miracle, we're going to dance tonight.

And the women dancing with their timbrels
Followed Miriam as she sang her song
Sing a song to the One whom we've exalted.
Miriam and the women danced and danced
the whole night long.

April 7, 2011 - Dan and Jo Ann Celebrate 32 Years of Marriage!

2011-04-07T12:25:00.000-07:00

Today, April 7, 2011, Dan and I celebrate 32 years of marriage. (Wow...that makes me feel kind of old...)

Tragedy and Triumph

The reason this blog is called "Tragedy and Triumph" is that when I first founded the blog in 2005, my husband, Dan, had been in a horrible accident, and he recovered. His recovery was a miracle! When I reflect on the past 32 years, I can't help but realize how much Dan and I have been through.

Now, I will share little memories and tidbits of our adventure in life together.

For starters, let me share how we met:

I was living with my grandmother in Belmont Shore in Long Beach, California. Calvary Chapel of Long Beach announced a youth camping trip to Catalina Island over Labor Day Weekend 1978. We traveled to Catalina on a huge boat and Dan was the only college graduate in our group. Everyone else was in high school or still in college, so I enjoyed talking about a variety of subjects with Dan. He knew so much. We talked and talked the entire weekend as we walked around beautiful Catalina. At the end of the weekend, I gave Dan my phone number and he asked me out a view days later!

Our First Date

I think our first date was the Thursday after Labor Day, 1978.

Dan took me to Marie Callendars in Lakewood. He ordered a cheap hamstack sandwich, so I had to order something cheap.

It was not all that romantic really.

He had this old Ford Falcon station wagon. When he dropped me off at Grandma's (home), I asked him to wait until I got in safely, but he drove away anyway.

After that first date, he kept asking me out all the time. It seemed like we saw each other every day. We spent most of the time taking walks in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach talking about our families.

Engaged - November 1978

We had a very quick courtship.

After 32 years of marriage, I think it's amazing we got engaged so fast. We hardly knew one another!

This is what happened:

Dan picked me up one Saturday and we started talking about marriage. We were sitting in front of Grandma's house in Dan's old Ford Falcon during the conversation, I recall.

I blurted out something like, "Dan, I think I'd like to marry you someday."

Dan replied, "Is that a deal?"

We shook hands.

We then went in the house and told Grandma our news. We then took Grandma and her sister out to dinner to the Katella Deli to celebrate.

Rings:

We lucked out getting rings. Since my late grandfather, Max Schneider, was a jeweler, his younger brother David Schneider, had a manufacturing jewelery office in Long Beach. We arrived at Dave Schneider's store to put down a deposit for rings. Instead, we ended up with gorgeous rings for both of us for only $300 since he sold the rings to us WHOLESALE! We were amazed at all the diamonds on my ring!

Three Years at the Atherton House

We settled into a beautiful 2 bedroom apartment with two bathrooms and a fireplace in Downey, California. Dan drove to work in Long Beach and I worked at the private school in Downey. Things seemed perfect.

Then, the surprise came: the school was not going to renew my contract. I was suddnely without a job.

We took drastic measures. We decided to save money and move back to Long Beach and to share a house with a bunch of people to cut costs. I went back to school for graduate work and worked part time.

Eventually, someone named the house The Atherton House.

So many different people lived there! There were times that I'd come home and see a stranger cooking food in our kitchen. I'd see a strange body sleeping on one of our couches. It seemed like if someone mentioned FOOD, and instant party occurred.

My closest friend Marion visited me at the Atherton House and eventually moved to Long Beach.

Looking back, I'd must say that the three years at the Atherton House were some of the most fun years of our marriage!

32 Years of Cars Falling Apart

Thirty-two years of marriage also means we've been through many different cars.

When I married Dan I had a cute bright green Gremlin. Dan had a huge Ford Falcon station wagon.

One day, Dan decided that we didn't need two cars, since his back window didn't work on the Ford Falcon, so he sold it. He rode his bike to work and we paid for insurance on only one car.

We were fine with that little Green Gremlin, but it was totalled when were were in a horrible car accident and the car was rear ended something in 1979 or 1980.

We bought a huge Ford Torino with the insurance money. We drove that until the transmission went out. I loved that Ford Torino, but was it hard to park that "thing!"

Then Dan bought a new light blue Ford Escort.

That car went to San Francisco with us.

In San Francisco we needed two cars, so we bought Susan Rothbard's Toyota Tercel when she moved to Israel.

Then I don't remember why, but my parents gave us the Chervrolet Cavalier to replace the Ford Escort.

We drove the Chevrolet Cavalier and the Toyota Tercel to Colorado.

I don't remember which car broke down first, but eventually, both were towed away.

The replacements was one black Ford Escort, which we called "The Black Car" which we bought used and a white Ford Escort that we called "The White Car." My parents gave us "The White Car." "The white car or the black car was replaced with a green Suburu that my parents gave us on January 1, 2001.

I think the black car was towed away first. We decided to get along with only one car and Dan began taking a bus to work.

After Dan's accident in 2005, my parents gave as their black VW. That car was towed away during Christmas vacation 2007 and replaced with a white VW that Dan bought from our mechanic named Donny for $500.

Recently, the green Suburu came to the end of it's life and has now been replaced with a car given to us by Dan's parents: a white Nisson.

Our Three Wonderful Kids: Joel, Rebekah, and Annabelle

I don't talk about it much, but for many years, it seemed like we would never be blessed with children. Then, all of a sudden, we were blessed at once! Once Joel, Rebekah, and Annabelle came into our lives, life changed dramatically for us, but for the better of course!

Our three children have taken up most of our time and energy during our years in Colorado.

They are the love of our life!

I put together a bunch of photos of the kids from different times. Most of these photos are recent photos, but some show the children from "just a little ways back."

Enjoy!

Rebekah and Joel Pass Their Novice Free Dance Test 4-3-11

2011-04-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

Today was another Broadmoor Skating Club test session day. Rebekah and Joel passed their novice free dance test! Go kids!

Tiffany Hyden-Dombeck (who has been their ice dance coach for nearly five years) and Ryan Jahnke who also coaches them and choreographed their program could not be there for them today because of other commitments, so Bruce Hurd, who coached them long ago, was there for the kids.

Also, our close and longtime friends, Paul and Judy Steiner, come from Denver every time the kids test to watch and support our family. We had a wonderful time together celebrating at I-Top-It after the test.

A Friendship From the late 1940s to 2011 (and beyond!)

2011-03-25T17:09:00.000-07:00

My parents met on a "sort of blind date in the late 1940s at UCLA. My dad's best friend was Jerry Smith. Jerry and my dad were lifelong friends and met at UCLA.

The "sort of blind date" went like this:

There were 2 girls and 3 guys. My mom had to choose between my dad and Jerry. The reason my mom told me she chose my dad was:

1) My dad was wearing shoes
2) My dad was short but taller than her.
3) My dad was Jewish.

My parents were married a few years later, in 1950.

Anyway, Jerry ended up marrying Phyllis. Jerry and Phyllis had 2 daughters: Evony and Karen. Evony had Kelsey.

The story would end here, but it doesn't.

When we were kids, our two families got together many times. I played with both Evony and Karen.

Then, many years passed. In the 1980s, Jerry worked for my dad and Karen visited my parents in Illinois.

Evony and her husband Jim, moved to Colorado Springs in the mid 1990s. My parents sent a copy of a letter Karen wrote to them to Jo Ann telling about Evony and Jim being in the Springs and of "baby Kelsey." Jo Ann decided to contact Evony by mail.

Evony called me and we set up a time to meet. I was in the middle of hiring coaches for the ice rink at the Chapel Hills mall shortly after that. Evony mentioned her husband Jim played hockey. Jo Ann hired Jim to coach hockey at the rink.

Eventually, Jim started teaching learn to play hockey classes at the mall rink and Kelsey learned to skate. In fact, Jo Ann, was Kelsey's first private lesson skating teacher.

My children and Kelsey became good friends and played and skated together when they were little. We've been in touch ever since.

Who would have thought that a friendship and blind date in the 1940s would result in a continuing relationsihip in 2011!?

These photos are of me and my kids and of Kelsey and Phyllis and Evony and Karen. They were taken when Phyllis and Karen were in Colorado visiting Kelsey, Evony, and Jim during Spring Break 2011.

Sadly, Jerry and my mom are no longer with us, but the memories of the good times and how we are connected remain. I wish my dad could have been with us in Colorado to be together with Jerry's family, but he is in Chicago right now. (Daddy...we all were thinking of you today!)

Skiing! 3-21-2011

2011-03-22T18:02:00.000-07:00

We went skiing on Monday 3-21-11 at Ski Cooper! It was WONDERFUL!

We went to our favorite place: Ski Cooper. We have taken the kids there since they were tots and we all just love that mountain!

Annabelle and I went up and down the mountain about 7 or 8 times. Joel thinks he skied every run in the place (about 25 runs!) and Rebekah snowboarded. Dan went on a two mile snowshoe hike!

Rebekah and Annabelle Pass More Figure Skating Tests 3-6-11

2011-03-06T15:13:00.001-08:00

Today, Rebekah passed her junior moves in the field test! What a major accomplishment! And...Annabelle did a tremendous job on her Hickory Hoedown which is a Bronze dance. Thank you Ryan Jahnke, for skating with Annabelle for the test and for coaching Rebekah through such a great junior moves test.

Many fellow Broadmoor Skating Club members passed tests. Ana Vinson, passed her Senior Moves in the Field test and Logan Bye passed his Gold Dance Test! Ana is only 12 and Logan just turned 13. Wow passing those tests at such a young age is really impressive.

Go kids!

John Coughlin Teaches Pair Lifts to Annabelle and Joel - 3-3-11

2011-03-04T20:07:00.000-08:00

Annabelle and Joel get to take off-ice pair lift lessons from U.S. National Pair Skating Champion John Coughlin!

After their lesson on 3-3-11, the 2011 National Pair Skating Champs (Caitlin Yankowskas and John Coughlin) took the time to smile with my kids!

Someday we'll say, "We knew them WHEN!"