Mom of the Month Linda Schuetze looks back on her life and family and says she is "humbled and thankful. Everything has worked out perfectly." 

Schuetze and her husband, Tim, are parents to 14-year-old Brendan and 9-year-old Sinclaire. They have lived in Lancaster for six years. But for Schuetze, it wasn't easy getting to Lancaster or, for that matter, even getting to be a mother.

Schuetze was born with Marfan Syndrome, a genetic heart defect. When she was first married, she was told she would never be able to have children because of the medications she had to take. She and Tim just figured they would adopt in order to have the family they always wanted. However, an opportunity presented itself.

Schuetze was told she could have a donor valve placed in her heart. She would need to replace the valve in 10 to 15 years, but it would enable her to get off her medicine and allow her to try to get pregnant.

"I was thrown off balance," recalled Schuetze. "But, God gave me this window of opportunity, and I went for it."

Schuetze said, "This may sound hokey, but I always wanted to be a mom. I knew I would be a good one, or at least I try to be a good one."

Schuetze was a stay-at-home mother during her children's early years. "I was very fortunate. That is a gift that not everyone has." Currently, Schuetze works part time at an insurance agency.

Schuetze was able to have her second surgery to replace her heart valve last year and is relieved to have that behind her. "It's a really exciting time right now."

Brendan is in a marching band, and Sinclaire plays piano. "It's a thrill to watch them." Schuetze also noted now that her children are older, the worries are different. "Though I no longer have to worry about them climbing on the furniture, I have other worries!"

Schuetze said as a mother she sometimes struggles a bit with boundaries and discipline. "My husband calls me "Mrs. Softie," she joked. But, she said, it is important to her that her children learn about working hard and persevering.

"They didn't see my husband and I struggling during the early years of our marriage. They look at how we live now and think it has always been this way." That is why she teaches her children about service. One of their causes is Toys for Tots.

The Schuetzes have been married for 21 years. They met in Washington, D.C. She was in graduate school. and he was in the Air Force visiting from Connecticut when they met. She gave him her phone number, believing she would never hear from him again. Two weeks later Tim called to set up a visit, and three months later they were engaged.

During their early-married life, the Schuetzes moved around quite a bit because of Tim's career. They lived in Colorado, Connecticut, New York, Michigan, Ohio and now Lancaster. They also lived in Paris for six months.

"We knew no French, but it was a very interesting and exciting time." At that time Brendan was 16-months-old, and Schuetze said she wished he was older so that he would remember it.

Schuetze said about living in Lancaster: "I feel more at home here than anywhere else. It's rural and suburban, but at the same time so close to Philly and D.C. I love that. Out of all the places that I have lived, I end up here, in Lancaster ... so close to Johns Hopkins [Hospital] and the top doctors there. I feel God's hand in so much. My children are miracles that God bestowed on me. He really opened windows for me."

Then she thought about that time when she made the decision to have her first heart surgery. "I look back at that 28-year-old girl, and how she had the wherewithal to do that. I am so glad I did!"
 
December Mom of the Month Details

Schuetze likes to cook, though she doesn't always get the chance during the week. "I grew up having that big Sunday dinner, so I try to do at least that!"

When Schuetze cooks she said, "I am all over the place ... stews, chicken ... I do make a pretty good spinach and chicken lasagna ...."

Schuetze has four younger brothers.

Scrapbooking is something Schuetze enjoys when she has free time.

Schuetze noted how very supportive her husband, Tim, was in decision-making process for her surgeries.

The beach is one of Schuetze's favorite places.

Schuetze enjoys decorating.

Schuetze loves to go to downtown Lancaster. "There is so much to do there." She especially enjoys going to see shows at the Fulton Theatre. "We go all the time."

The Schuetze children Brendan and Sinclaire nominated their mother for Mom of the Month.

They noted in their application: "She puts her family first in everything she does."

By Maureen Leader, Lancaster Newspapers Special Features writer