I was born the youngest of four siblings on August 17, 1971 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Lawrence and Margaret Schmitz. Ironically, I was born at Magee hospital in Pittsburgh while my oldest sister Karen was born at St. Elizabeth's hospital. Before me, my parents were already blessed with 2 daughters and a son. (Karen, Susan and Steven) My parents always tell us the tale of how they knew if it was going to be a girl or a boy so they could pick out a name in the hospital. Apparently, they liked to play Gin-Rummy in between labor pains. The way they tell the story was that if my mother won the game it was going to be a girl. If my father won it was going to be a boy. Needless to say, my mother must have been a better Gin-Rummy player because they had three girls and a boy! They named me Elizabeth Jean Schmitz. Elizabeth because my mother wanted to call me Beth. They picked Jean as my middle name because my father liked a song that was popular at the time that said “Jean, Jean, beautiful Jean”. I was the only child that my father got to be in the delivery room to see me being born. So, of course, I must be his favorite. You know what they say, “They save the best for last!”

Once again Karen, Elizabeth’s oldest sister,was being displaced by yet another baby coming into her world. I was told that Karen couldn't stand the name “Elizabeth” and couldn’t understand why mom and dad would pick such an ugly name! My parents came to the conclusion that she was very upset about having yet another baby come into the house and get attention from her mommy and daddy! Here is Karen holding her new baby sister. (“They just keep on coming! I hope this is the last one.”)

Two months after I was born on Halloween 1971 my dad carved a pumpkin, as he does every year, and apparently, I became the decoration on the top! Fast forward in time to Halloween 1999 when I was 28 years old. Here is a picture of Jacques and myself all “dolled” up for a Halloween party at our dance studio. I had found some Raggedy Anne and Andy dolls in the closet and we though it would be funny to use them as part of our costumes for Halloween. Only we took it a step further than that! Can you tell which one is Elizabeth and which one is Jacques?

My, how things change over the years!

How could Elizabeth’s story be complete without at least one picture of her at four months old in nothing but her diapers. Isn't she cute!!!

Elizabeth playing with the wrapping paper from a present.

(Of course a baby would be more interested in the wrapping paper than the present!)

Believe it or not, I still remember that toy! It was a puppet football player that you could use your fingers to make its arms move. I have many fond memories of Steven pestering the cat with it!

A day at the beach! (July 1972)

I also have many fond memories of enjoying the great outdoors with my family as a child. We went camping every year with the family. Sometimes to the desert, sometimes to the beach. I think it is because of this that I have always enjoyed the great outdoors. Here are some pictures enjoying some of those moments in my childhood!

“Yummy this chicken sure is good!” (picnic - 1973)

October 1981 - Fifth Grade school picture (age 10)

Elizabeth grew up in Costa Mesa with her family. Elizabeth is the youngest of 4 siblings. Elizabeth has two sisters and one brother. Starting from oldest to youngest: Karen (Schmitz) Valbuena (age 34), Susan Schmitz (age 31), Steven Schmitz (age 30), and Elizabeth Schmitz (age 28) (soon to be Kilchoer). This picture was taken in August 1971 right before we left for my Baptism. My Godparents are Joe and Linda Yont who were friends of my parents in Pittsburgh.

Fast forward to 1995.

This picture was taken at Olan Mills the year after I graduated from College.

High School Senior picture. (17 yrs. old.) June 1989. Well, I did it! I officially survived 12 years of Catholic School Education! (8 yrs. of Grade School and 4 years of High School) I must say I did learn a lot about growing up in world from all those years of Catholic education! Well, off I go to College to continue my higher education.

Since it was difficult to have a career in the art world today, I took a year off to work with abused teenagers in a group home setting. I learned a lot about my strengths and the world around me by working with these girls. It really opened my eyes to the world to see what those girls have been through at such a young age. I then figured, if I could handle being a house mother to six abused and emotionally dysfunctional girls by myself on the day shift, I could certainly handle being an Elementary teacher! (The rest of the teachers out there will appreciate that statement.)

So, off I went to Pepperdine University to get my Elementary Teaching Credential and Master’s in Education. I started my course work in August of 1995 and completed my Professional Clear Elementary Teaching Credential and my Master’s Degree in Education all in one year. I graduated from Pepperdine University in 1996. Needless to say, my friends and family deserve an metal of honor for putting up with me during that year of emotional ups and downs! Thank you to all my friends and family for putting up with me and giving me your undying support as I worked very hard to reach my goals in life!