Cat Nap: Time to CATch up.

Isn't he cute??

Nothing new going on. Not much to blog. I did win tickets to see Steven Curtis Chapman and his new cd. I love his song Cinderella. I have been listening to it a lot. If you haven't heard it...you can check it out on an early blog entry. Very pretty!

Gene works this weekend. So no big plans this weekend! Hope you all have a great one!

Funny Friday

A Lynzi funny for the day...

Today Lynzi got some lunch on her clothes so I told her we would go home and wash her clothes. She asked if we could wash her doodle bear too. I said, "Sure, we will both just put on our jammies and wash all of our clothes. That way all the laundry will be all done. Then I won't have to do any laundry this weekend." She said, "Then you won't have to laundry next year or this year or July!"

Tuesday

Here comes the snow again! I have to say it is pretty. That is not saying I LIKE IT! The way it is sticking to the trees is pretty. This morning Lynzi said, "It looks like there are flowers on the trees!"

Here is a picture of Lynzi on the way out to our car this morning. It is kinda dark. Hmmm.

Once we got to work I did Lynzi's make up. She has been asking to do make up for the last 24 hours. So I packed it up and told her we would do it once we got to church. Here are a couple pics of that.

Speaking of make up---don't forget I am having a Mary Kay party on March 4th. If you can't come and would like to order something go to www.marykay.com/michellestewart or just let me know.

I am so proud of Lynzi. She told me last night that one week at Kids Club (our Sunday night kids program at church) that a little girl asked her if she wanted a piece of gum. She said, "I told her my mommy probably won't let me. I would have to ask her first." I never taught her that! I am glad she knows that...but I never did tell her that! She amazes me on how smart she is!! So I told her she would have to ask me because I didn't know the little girl. She said, "Yep, that is what I thought." :)

I hope you all have a Terrific Tuesday!

Sunday

Well today was a pretty good day. I filled in for the special music person at church today. So I chose an old song to sing. Lynzi LOVES it when I practice. She loves to do interpretive dancing while I sing. I sang "We Shall Behold Him" and when I would sing..."Be----hold" she would wrap her arms around her. How cute.

While we were eating lunch Lynzi asked, "Mommy? Do you we have a picture of Grandma and Grandpa?" A little confused I said, "Yes we do." She said, "Oh good, then I won't miss them." She absolutely loves going to Grandma and Grandpa's house. You probably can't tell by this picture!

Grandpa has this picture in a cute little frame and it sits right there on his table!

This evening...before bed...we decided to explain to Lynzi about her teacher. I really worked myself up for a long discussion. Ready to answer questions. Explain things. I asked her what her teacher's name is this year. She told me. Then I asked if she remembered her teachers name from last year. She said, "Miss Brenda." I said, "You remember she was really sick this summer?" She said, "yes." I said, "Well, she died yesterday. Do you know what that means?" She said, "She is in heaven with Jesus." I said, "Yes you are right." With tears in my eyes I was so sorry to have to tell her this news. She then said, "Is there something else you want to tell me?" HA! I guess there is no more explanation, no questions....nothing. It isn't very often we have her sit in our bed with us before her going to bed. So she figured that discussion was over and was hoping there was more because she didn't want to go to bed! I am sure they will have question and answer time tomorrow at school. She seems to understand that she is gone. But I don't think she understands how people are going to miss her. She is taught about Jesus in Sunday School and in her different classes at church...as well as at school. So she is probably happy that people get to go see and be with this cool guy, Jesus, that she is constantly learning about. It is hard for us to say goodbye...and we sometimes hang on to that...but we should concentrate more on the fact that she is no longer hurting, and she is with the Savior!!

On a lighter note...we watched the Oscars tonight. In fact, I am still watching them, but I saw what I was watching for. Jon McLaughlin performed the song So Close from the Disney movie Enchanted. Jon McLaughlin is a 2005 graduate of Anderson University, my Alma Mater, where I played percussion with his older brother Jeff. Unfortunately, the long didn't win but what a chance of a lifetime to perform at the Oscars!! I have not seen the movie. Grandma and Aunt Tina took Lynzi to see it. I guess i will get to watch it March 18th when it comes out on DVD.

So...three posts in 2 days. I need a break!

Here's your post already!

After basically being challenged to post before it was another week...I decided I had better! (Thanks Krista!) HA!

Nothing too exciting happened this week....except SNOW! I think we got more snow this week then we have all year. School was delayed an hour at the preschool on Wednesday. Since it was snowing I just stayed at church(work) across the street from the preschool until she got out. No sense going all the way home and driving back to get her in the nasty white stuff! I ended up shoveling some snow at the church...um...for fun! ????

Friday Gene had the day off. So after Lynzi got out of school I got permission to leave work early since I had all my work done and had all my hours in. We picked up Lynzi, went to McDonald's and then headed to Anderson to pick up Steven Curtis Chapman concert tickets and a CD I won from the radio station. We got about 15 min down the road and turned around and headed back home after pulling over twice to scrape the ice off the windshield! It was crazy! So...I still need to get to Anderson to pick those up!

Today Lynzi went to the local Church of God for Winter Wonderland. It was a winter VBS. It lasted from 10am to 2:30pm. Her friend, Sydney (her mommy, Karen, is my friend) goes to that church. Lynzi had a blast. They got their picture taken in front of a snowflake background and made a cute snowman picture frame where they placed the picture. Then they did crafts, played games, learned a Bible verse, and ate lunch. From 1:30-2:30pm they had a magician. The parents were invited to come back to watch if they so wished. Gene and I did. It was really good! While Lynzi was there Gene and I enjoyed a breakfast out. I can't remember the last time I at breakfast out. Then we went to Baby B's to find some deals. We got Lynzi a blue jean jumper and a cute Children's Place skirt. I had enough money on my account that it was....once again....FREE! I love consignment shops! Then we had NO IDEA what to do with our time! HA! So we stopped by the credit union to see what the payoff would be on our 2 loans there if we paid them off in Aug....which is our plan! We can't wait! The teller said, "Planning ahead?" We told her, "Yes, we are working on our budget and plan on paying off the loans in Aug." She said, "Wow, I couldn't get that done." Pointing at me, Gene said, "She can help you with that! She loves to do our budget!" HA!

So, in August we plan to be debt free---except for Sallie Mae and our mortgage! That is exciting!!! Considering 2 years ago (after Gene's photography equipment was stolen so he pretty much lost his income) we were 3 months behind on everything but our mortgage, had 2 maxed out credit cards, 3 doctor bills, 2 car loans, 1 personal loan and another school loan at BSU. We have come a long way...and we are excited to keep going!!!! Thanks Dave Ramsey!!!

Brenda Ferrell

Brenda Ferrell was Lynzi's preschool teacher last year and was the preschool director for many years before. This summer she resigned from director/teacher since she had been diagnosed with cancer. It was a real shock...as it usually is, I suppose. Today, she passed away. Praise God, she is no longer in pain. She has touched many lives and won so many kids hearts. We have missed Miss Brenda at school....and we will miss her even more now. She was able to visit the kids at school on rare occasions.

Please keep in your prayers Miss Brenda's family. Her husband had been cured of cancer years ago...in a miraculous way,only God can do...their faith was so strong and hope that the same would happen with Brenda. She has one daughter and one granddaughter who will miss her as well. Please keep in your prayers the preschool and all the kids whose lives she had touched!

BOY AM I SLACKING!

I can't believe how much time has passed since my last blog entry. I am really am slacking! Let's see what has happened since the last entry.

The whole family has gone thru antibiotics! This sickness is everywhere! It is not leaving out anyone! So if you haven't gotten it...yet....watch out!!!!

I had my Lia Sophia jewerly party and recieved my free jewelry already! WOO HOO! It took less than a week to get it!!! I like FREE stuff...especially FAST FREE stuff!

On Wednesday Lynzi had her Valentine's Day party at preschool. We made some heart shaped cookies with the Pampered Chef Cookie Press and put icing on them. Lynzi helped by putting the heart sprinkles on top!

On Valentine's Day Gene was feeling pretty rotten. We don't make a big deal out of Valentine's Day...but I got him some Chocolates. He felt bad that he didn't feel well enough to even get me a card...but I told him. "Honey you got me jewerly! And you did good!" HA! That wasn't enough for him. On Saturday evening he came home with some tulips and some cookies with whipped icing. Those cookies have meaning. When we met at PayLess Supermarket in Anderson the bakery had Cookie Monster cookies that had a TON of icing. They would make me hyper and Gene told me I couldn't have any more because they just made me too silly! Then he had the VCR set up and we were going to sit there eating our icing filled cookies and watch our wedding video. How sweet! However, the tape got stuck in the VCR and so we didn't. But it is the thought that counts. He tried!

So...on Valentine's Day I spent the day with my friend Michelle. She, too, is a ballet mom. She also is a Mary Kay consultant. I have been out of the Mary Kay business for a while and she asked me if I would like to have a facial and see all the new stuff! So ...she was my date on Valentine's Day! We had a lot of fun with the facial and I am getting myself started back on the skin care. The date ended with a chocolate heart! How sweet!

Friday I took Lynzi to Marion to stay with Grandma and Grandpa since it was an Angel Food Distribution weekend! I swooped over to Anderson to pick up my sweetest friend, Becky, and she rode along. We don't get to see each other often so it was nice to talk while we drove to Marion and back.

On Saturday I got up to do the Angel Food thing. Have I mentioned I look forward to this day each month! I just love to serve in this ministry! Each week something just about brings me to tears!!!! Tears of Joy! This ministry touches more people then what is evident, I am sure! Anyway....I did the distribution thing and then had the whole day to myself since Gene was at work. So I went to a little kids consignment store. I found this cute jacket on the $1 rack! It is used, and too big...but $1????? I had to get it.

I also got her a long sleeved shirt on that rack and some $4 dress up sandles for summer....that looked brand new!!!!! I got it all FREE!!!! I am a consigner there and had money on my account! FREE JEWELRY!!! FREE KIDS CLOTHES/SHOES!!! What is next??

Well let me tell you what is next! FREE SKIN CARE!!! I am having a Mary Kay Skin Care Class on March 4th. It is going to be a Good Night Party. That is...we will be getting our faces ready for bed. I am looking forward to this! As I have mentioned before...I have started the skin care again. I feel guilty doing something for me....and I have decided that if I feel good about myself then I will be a better wife and mother. If you would like to check out the products go to....

http://www.marykay.com/michellestewart/default.aspx

Sunday was my mother's birthday! We celebrated with going to her favorite mexican restaurant! We ate until our tummies were content and then went to her house and napped! It is just something about Sunday naps!

Last night I attended a Mary Kay meeting with Michelle. It was a lot of fun. Brought back lots of memories. Many have asked if I will get back into the business. I just am not sure yet. I am not a impulsive decision maker. I do love the product...so that is not a concern. I just have to evaluate my life and see if it is what God wants me to do right now.

Today if ballet day! Gene will be taking Lynzi to Hagerstown for her lesson while I stay at home and get things done! Tonight is Euchre Club Night! My gracious friend, Tammy, will be watching Lynzi while I am at card night. This is my 2nd card night. It was a lot of fun last month.

Well this has been a long post then I thought it would be. Had to make up for lost time! HA!

WOW! HAS IT BEEN A WEEK!

I can't believe it has been a week since my last blog entry. During the Superbowl Lynzi fell asleep on the couch. Not normal for her on a Sunday evening. When I woke her to take her to her bed upstairs she was warm. I took her temp---99.7. UGH! So I gave her some Tylenol. It is funny the things you do to get your kid to take medicine! I tried something new this time. She is not taking the Tylenol Meltaways. So I would sing...
"All around the Mulberry Bush the monkey chased the weasel.

The monkey thought twas all in fun. POP (put the pill in) goes the weasel. "
Worked every time!!!

She missed school on Monday...and her temperature wouldn't not stay down. Four hours after Tylenol...it would be back up to 101-102 degrees! Tuesday---same thing. So I called the doctor's office Tuesday morning and got her in at 3:15pm that day. They did a quick Strep test that come back negative and sent it off to see if it grew cultures. The doctor said they could do a flu test but it was up to us. I asked, "If it comes back negative...what can we do?" She said, "nothing since it has been 48 hours since her first symptoms." So we declined the test. Seemed useless.

Here is a picture of her on Sunday night.

Here is another one on Tuesday afternoon...

I began to feel sick as well on Wednesday. Lynzi and I slept in "mommy and daddy's" bed and Gene slept downstairs! Since she still had a fever Tuesday...on and off...we didn't let her go to school on Wednesday. She got up about 12:15pm and played a little on the floor beside my bed and watched tv. I fell asleep and woke up a couple hours later. I didn't hear her. So I went looking for her. I heard her MP3 player ...but I couldn't find her. I passed her twice before I found her laying on the floor asleep in the next room!

We had someone to watch over us.

Then he started to slack.....

That is it! He is fired!!!!

Thursday I went to work while Gene watched Lynzi at home. I got home and was getting ready for my Lia Sophia jewelry party at 6:30pm. My friend, Karmen (who sells the Lia Sophia) got there about 6pm and soon after the doctor called. Lynzi does have strep. I get this call as Lynzi is laying on the couch sleeping. She obviously isn't feeling better. So he calls her in an antibiotic. She is unable to go to school on Friday either! UGH! She was not happy! She loves school! I emailed a friend of mine at church who is a NP and asked her if I should make an appt since I have all the same symptoms as Lynzi. She emailed back, "Nope...we will call you in an antibiotic!" I didn't work on Friday---stayed home with Lynzi while Gene went to work. I called my boss on Thursday evening and asked him if I could just work on Saturday to get things done for Sunday morning service. And of course, he was fine with that.

My Lia Sophia party went well...still waiting on a few outside orders to make up their minds...then I have to make up mine! ACK!!!! I want one of everything!!!

Here are a few pics of Lynzi with her hair up in curlers last Saturday night. She liked it so well we did it again last night for church today!

Here is our princess today at church...wearing her pretty Valentine's Day dress!

It is now Sunday evening and Lynzi is psyched to go to school tomorrow. I have told her we would make Valentine's Cards tomorrow evening and she squeeled with excitement. Tuesday is ballet for her and then euchre club for me. Wednesday is her school Valentine's Party and then we will be going to ballet again to make up for last week's class she missed. Thursday I have a facial and Friday Lynzi goes to Grandma and Grandpas for the weekend. Saturday is Angel Food Distribution and Gene works the weekend. Perhaps I will get some scrapping done!!!

That is all for now. Hopefully it be won't be as long for the next blog.

Super Bowl XLII Eli Pass to Tyree

Happy Groundhog Day!

PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. - Brace yourself for more wintry weather. Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow Saturday, leading the groundhog to forecast six more weeks of winter. The rodent was pulled from his stump by members of the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club Inner Circle, top-hat- and tuxedo-wearing businessmen who carry out the tradition. Each Feb. 2, thousands of people descend on Punxsutawney, a town of about 6,100 people some 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh, to celebrate what had essentially been a German superstition. The tradition is that if a hibernating animal sees a shadow on Feb. 2 -- the Christian holiday of Candlemas -- winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says spring will come early. That was the forecast from Gen. Beauregard Lee, Punxsutawney Phil's counterpart in Lilburn, Ga. Beau did not see his shadow Saturday morning at the Yellow River Game Ranch. It was the third year in a row the two groundhogs' predictions differed.

So chances are 50/50. Oh wait, that was the chance yesterday....and will be tomorrow. Hmmm.

Evolution of Dance

You may have seen this before...but I have to go back often and watch it for a good laugh! ENJOY! (warning: contents may make you pee your pants! Go potty first!)

Happy February 1st!

Here are some pictures I hadn't posted yet from January.


Can you guess who Lynzi has wrapped around her finger????

At preschool a couple weeks ago they learned the letter L. The Friday of that week they had a Luau party. Thanks to Karmen Lynzi looked very Hawaiian for her party!

Here are couple pictures drew at Grandma and Grandpa's house on Tuesday night. She said this is a Colt's cheerleader. I wrote the names and drew the stick people in the second picture.

Here are pictures from Lynzi hair cut a couple weeks ago. Her bangs were obviously way too long. And since she hurt her finger on the bowling ball I knew it would be a very dramatic time getting her in the tub...so she was so excited to get her hair washed at the beauty shop! The lady doing her hair talked me into letting some of her bangs grow out because she had too many. All was well...until I got home. It looked like she had some long and some short. It was not going to work. So the next day I took her back .....

And this is what it looked like after the 2nd haircut!!!!! So much for calling around to find the cheapest salon!

Steven Curtis Chapman - Cinderella

My Angel Food Helper

Saturday night while I was out the Julie Gene called and told me that Lynzi wanted to play "Angel Food". She got out her baby's bunk bed...used it as a table and got some "menus" and said, "Ok lets take some orders." Strawberry Shortcake is getting a good deal on some food! Too cute!

To find a Angel Food Ministries host site near you visit www.angelfoodministries.com

The Weekend

Friday....let's see...we went to the library to get some movies for the evening. I met Gene and Lynzi there after getting off work. There is a little table with a coloring book and crayons for kids to sit and color while mom and dad are picking out movies. I decided to venture over and look at books about...of course...you guessed it...scrapbooking. Every time I turned around Lynzi was right there (not coloring)...ok, fine. However....when it was time to leave she threw a big fit! She wanted to color. TOO LATE NOW! I had to pick her up and carry her out kicking and screaming. The reason she told me she was crying..."I wanted to give the picture to daddy!" She has never acted like this. I taught her long ago..."if you throw a fit when we leave, we won't come back. " She then was upset that she didn't get to pick out a movie. "When you don't mind you don't get special things." Hard lessons!

Saturday... we all slept in . So nice! Then Lynzi and I went to the Muncie Children's Museum with our friends Karen and Sydney. The last Saturday of the month is free day. We try to go each month, however Karen and Sydney are much better at that than we are. Since I work with Angel Food ministies 2 Saturdays out of the month it is hard to make it there. While we were there the girls got video taped by the Muncie Star Press Newspaper. Karen and I were briefly interviewed. The videographer told us it was for their website. Saturday was the first day for a new exhibit.
"Chagall for Children" offers kids (and adults) the chance to explore the whimsical and abstract world of Marc Chagall, the world-renowned Impressionist artist. -Star Press

It was a lot of fun! However, when it was time to leave...you guessed it...Lynzi threw a fit! The fit only happens after she has not obeyed me and I physically make her do what I told her to do. Where has this come from all of a sudden??

Saturday evening I went to Muncie with my good friend, Julie. We went to Olive Garden and did some shopping. While there my sister in Wisconsin called and said she was leaving for Indiana in the morning. Her biological father was in the hospital and they did not expect him to make it through the weekend. Later my other sister called sobbing that he had passed away about 8pm. Therefore my sister did not make it to the hospital to see him. I am sad for my sisters and plan to spend a few days with them.

Sunday. We had a pastoral vote today and it looks like we will have this pastor for 4 more years! Which it also means I still have my job. When a pastor leaves, technical the whole staff leaves and has to be "rehired". After church I took a 2 hour nap. ALWAYS GOOD!

One day closer to Friday

Yay! It is almost Friday...the weekend is coming! It is a weekend where Gene is off ...so that is great! It is a weekend where we have no plans...so that is greater. It is a weekend where I might get some scrapbooking done...that is the greatest!

Our week--

Lynzi-her finger is getting better. When I picked her up at school I was sharing with her teacher that she got a headstart on the letter O this past weekend. (My mom got her a subscription to HIGH FIVE a magizine for 2-6 yr olds. The older version is HIGHLIGHTS.) In there was a story about the letter O. Her teacher said, "She doesn't need a head start on anything. She is past ready for Kindergarten." Makes a mommy feel proud!

Gene-worked Sunday, Wednesday and Thursday. He is really liking his new job. He has been asked to do pictures for the Sheriff's department. So he is excited about that.

LeeAnne- I got lots of cleaning done this week. I took Monday off and I am off on Wednesdays. This week has been a short work week....always good! lol I am planning on going to dinner with a friend of mine one night this weekend. That will be fun!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

I HAVE TITLES NOW!

Thanks to Morgan I got to looking into details on the blog...I now found out how to put a title on my blog entries! I know, little things make me happy! Give me time I will change something else!

Bath and Ballet

Here is a picture of Lynzi taking a bath this evening. She was just singing away....just making up songs about making grapes. She had a bowl and some play grapes. I didn't have the heart to tell her grapes grew on vines. She had an audience as you can see. After the cat crawled on the edge and put his front paws on the faucet I got a cup a water and poured it on him. He just stood there for while until he realized what had happened. He slowly ran away....and oddly enough...we never saw him again during bathtime!

Today Lynzi had ballet. We paid for her costumes for the recital in June. One song they will wear plain leotards with a chefs hat and apron. For the other song she will be wearing this....

They will not be wearing the gloves and will be wearing black tap shoes instead of white. She will look cute, of course, and I can't wait to see her in it!

Can you believe 10 minutes before this picture she was throwing a huge fit! She was at church and she wanted mommy to go away and she wanted to stay at church with Tammy, her Wednesday night teacher. After getting home I asked her why she wanted Tammy and not mommy. She said, "Because Tammy takes care of me." I asked her if she was mad at me or didn't want me to be her mommy anymore. She said, no she wasn't mad and yes she wanted me to be her mommy. I think her teacher Tammy showed her attention and probably made the other kids jealous of her and she liked it! LOL She looks fine here! Well almost fine. She loves being pampered over her finger. And...i am doing it to a point. She wanted me to feed her her mac and cheese because she couldn't get off the couch to get to her table and chair. I said, "Your butt isn't hurt...it is your finger. You can get in your chair." It isn't the hand she writes with so she fed herself just fine...and ate it ALL up! Now she is in our bed...crying...stopping...crying stopping....

Emotions!

Well, today I read our friends' blog. I normally read it at night before I go to bed...but the last 2 nights I went to bed earlier than usual...and didn't. Well, Baby Kate is our friends' 18 month baby girl. She just underwent her 4th heart surgery right before Christmas. The drs said it didn't hurt or help her heart. However, Monday they told them they have exhausted their options and they were just pretty much doing what they could to make her comfortable in the hospital. So, Tuesday morning she passed away in mommy's arms at 10:30am. If you could find room in your prayers to remember this family. Baby Kate has stayed more of her life in the hospital then she had at home. Andy and Krista, our friends, have thanked God for all the blessings he has given them throughout all this. Andy is Gene's college friend. He was in our wedding and Gene in his. Krista is our friend...and mostly Gene's favorite opponent when playing games. It is very entertaining watching them play games. They are both competitive! LOL We really love these guys and hurt for them! If you would like to read more about Kate's life you can read it at http://www.layman4.blogspot.com/ . You truly will be blessed.

Not that my emotial day compares to theirs...but today after reading about Baby Kate...and crying....I went downstairs and told Gene the news. Then I said, "We are going Bowling!" He was like "Why?" I said, "Dont ask any questions...we are going bowling!" And...being the obeying husband that he is ...again he asked, "Why?" GRR!

Later I finally told him..."Lynzi has been wanting to go Bowling and I have been using the lame excuse that I don't want to spend the money on that. You never know if you will have a chance to do it tomorrow!" So we went to pick up Lynzi from school and take her to the Bowling Alley. When I got out to put Lynzi in her seat she said, "Do you know what we made today? We made a heart!" How appropriate!

We didn't get thru 3 frames and Lynzi slipped in her fashionable bowling shoes and fell with the bowling ball landing on her first finger. Her finger is all black and blue. She is never sick and never gets hurt...so I KNEW she was hurt. The lady working in the concession gave her a plastic glove with ice in it and Lynzi wanted NOTHING to do with that. I was hiding the tears back when I couldn't take the hurt away. Then I thought..."I have been dealing with this for 5 minutes....not 1 1/2 years like Krista has. I can't even imagine!" So let the tears begin!

We get home and I go to get some Tylenol out of the cabinet...and like I mentioned earlier...she is never sick or hurt...all the meds were expired. So I had to run to the grocery to get more Tylenol.

She is doing much better now. I don't think I can handle another emotion today!