Go IU/Green Day

I am not a huge basketball fan, but I do live in Indiana and it is March, so that means I have been watching more of it. I have grown up in a die-hard IU family, and this year with IUs surprising success-it is that much more exciting. So my Maddie is supporting her IU colors. Also today was green day at Preschool in celebration of St Patrick's Day. E was so excited to tell me about the Leprechaun that came to school and messed up their classroom-he also left gold coins for each of them to find. Too cute.

After we hung out at Mom's for a bit, E and I went with Meg and Eme to sign Eme up for preschool. Ellie was so excited to show Eme her school.

More Playtime

We had another 80 degree day. Meg and Eme came over to play after we both got done with work.

Bath Time

After we got home from Megs, it was time to bathe my dirty children. Maddie's hair is so curly and Ellie is straight as a board. All Ellie wants is to have curly hair. We have been trying all sorts of things-so tonight after her bath, we put it into braids.

She is all the time learning new songs, here is her latest and greatest.

Play Date

Tonight after rehearsal the girls and I went to Meg's so the kids could enjoy that last few days of winter. That sounded odd I know. It was near 80 degrees today and spring does not start until next week.

Loving the Gator
Best Friends-they both fell after this grip

Saturday

Today Bob and I had a wonderful day date. We went to the Louisville malls and had lunch by ourselves. This is so rare. We do not mind having the kids with us, but it is nice just to be alone sometimes. I was also able to convince Bob that eating at the Cheesecake Factory was a good idea. And as usual it did not disappoint (even Bob liked his meal).

Meghan had invited us all over for dinner earlier. Ellie could not wait to go over and play with Eme.

I love the Apple store. Today we got Maddie the cutest thing. After I got my iPhone, I gave Maddie my iPod. She always keeps pushing the center button to reset everything. So we found a cute bear that the iPod goes into and only the screen shows. It also has a bear program that talks and is interactive. She loves it, here she is showing Eme.

Finally

I finally gave my Blackberry up. I love my Blackberry, but my everything else that I use on a daily bases it an Apple. Here are a few of the first pics I took on the camera. The girls spent the night with Mom and Dad, so I had to stop by and get some cuddle time before they went to bed.

Cheese Face

Sisters

The girls have really been starting to interact more with each other. I know that it will not be long and they will be sharing a bed. Maddie already wants to sleep with Ellie, but she always falls out, so I know she is not quite there.

And then there was snow

Today was 2 hour delay number two for the year (yeah I know it is March). Tornadoes on Friday, four inches of snow on Sunday night/Monday morning. It is no secret that I am not a fan of snow, but if it is going to show this is what I like. Snowing at night, only a 2 hour delay because it is not on roads, and gone by time I get out of school because it is sunny and warm.

It is supposed to be 70 tomorrow. Such crazy weather. But I was able to take a beautiful picture this morning while driving into work.

Blessed Be Your Name

Today at church we sang a song that was so appropriate for what is going on. It was not God that caused the tornadoes, but it will be God that shines through us a we become the hands and feet for Jesus.

Blessed Be Your Name

In the land that is plentiful

Where Your streams of abundance flow

Blessed be Your name

Blessed Be Your name

When I'm found in the desert place

Though I walk through the wilderness

Blessed Be Your name

Every blessing You pour out

I'll turn back to praise

When the darkness closes in, Lord

Still I will say

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be the name of the Lord

Blessed be Your glorious name

Blessed be Your name

When the sun's shining down on me

When the world's 'all as it should be'

Blessed be Your name

Blessed be Your name

On the road marked with suffering

Though there's pain in the offering

Blessed be Your name

Reminder

When we hear about all the evil in the world, it reminds me of Bible stories. How God would provide, the people would turn away, God would provide, the people would turn away, you get the picture. I have been reminded the last 24 hours that people really are good deep down, just like God intended. There has been an abundance of help and donations for the victims of the tornadoes. It rebuilds our faith in Americans.

On another note, here are my two girls being loving sister.

In Awe

A Semi in a tree

Aerial View of Henryville

I have no idea where or how to start this post. But I sit her in awe of the events that occurred today. So let me start from the beginning.

It was storming this morning on the way to work, and it rained most of the morning. The NWS had be predicting bad weather for our area for a few days. But this morning they updated our risk of severe weather from moderate to high, with a probability of tornadoes at 40% (the highest it goes). It was not shaping up to be a very fun day.

I have a senior in my second to last class of the day who wants to be a meteorologist, so when he came in we were analyzing the radar and forecast together. It was not looking good. It seemed as if the storms were coming straight for us and quickly. As the end of the school day neared, it seemed as if it was going to hit right at the time school was letting out. Parents started calling to sign their kids out. Then five minutes before we were dismissed we were put into our tornado shelter areas. A few minutes later we would start to get reports that Henryville had been hit (around 3:00). Then about twenty minutes later we would hear that Marysville was "flattened." At this point I was really getting scared--we are very close to there. Around 3:30 we were sent back into our rooms only to be put back into our safe zones five minutes later because another storm was headed our way. On the radar (I had my ipad by my side the entire time-I was not going to be in the know) the second tornado was heading straight for us. But it suddenly just suddenly headed north. At that time all I could do was praise God and then try to check on my house. I knew it must have been really bad because I was getting text from all over the country. One of my good friends from Portland, even called to see if we were ok.

Bob had left work early to head to his mom and dad's where the girls were. He said that he was pretty sure the house was ok, but my friend Cindy who lives close by drove past shortly after the storm had passed. She said that all was well with the horses and the house.

We finally were released from school about 4:30. I went to Bob and Janet's to get the girls. Bob had already left, and Janet was cooking dinner. Sue came in and ask me if I would go with her to check on her properties (she is a realtor). She had to attempt to get into Lexington. So I went with her. Wow! Marysville was pretty bad. We checked on her properties and then headed back to get the girls and meet up with Bob who was returning from helping with the search and rescue.

Here is the NWS official reports on today's tornadoes.

I know we serve an awesome God, and I know that God did not do this. I just pray for all those who lost their lives and homes.

On Track

Today I met with my advisor from IUS. It looks like next spring I will graduate. This will be such a weight lifted when I no longer have to take classes. However, I only plan to take a few years off (until Maddie gets into school) before I go back. I have always has a dream to go to law school, and I am still being pulled in that direction. Not that I want to give up teaching, but I have always wanted to have a law degree.

So the countdown begins- five more classes. Two-three this summer, one in the fall, and then one in the spring (which will be a school law class).

Progress Report

E got her progress report today from preschool. She did so well and is progressing nicely. I am so amazed at what she has learned over the last few months. I can not wait to see what she can do with the remainder of the school year. I am so pleased with Growing Minds Preschool.

This was in Ellie's bag when she got home--too cute

It says "Ellie says 'Love is playing with Emmy.'"

Girl Scout Cookies

Are here!!!

Mmmm

Love is

This smile

Annual Birthday Bash

Tonight we had our 2nd Annual Zollman Birthday Bash. My poor husband had to prepare everything by himself. I had class until 4:00 and the party started at 5:30. On the bright side my six weeks of Saturday classes is over. Today was the last class. I made it, and I am so glad that I took the class. Only five more classes to go until I have my Master's.

But he did a wonderful job and it turned out fabulous. It is so nice to catch up and visit with all of the family.

Uncle Bud turned 80!

Sleepy Maddie

Ellie Loves her Uncles

Happy Valentines's Day

The first 2-hr delay of the school year came in the middle of February. So odd! But on a sadder note Ellie's Valentine's Party was cancelled because they did not have preschool. Even though it will be moved to Thursday, Ellie was still very much looking forward to her party.

Horses

Bob was gone last week to Cali, and when he returned he worked all weekend to get our field ready to bring his and Ellie's horses home. He has been wanting to bring them home for a long time, but with the warm winter and Ellie's constant reminder of her Betsy--he finally decided to build the fence to get them home. It has been warm for weeks, but wouldn't you know that when he actually starts to build the fence, winter decides to show up. It has been such a cold weekend. But he did get it done, just like he always does.

This afternoon he and Ellie went to get the horses and to bring them home. Ellie was so excited. I think Bob is really excited to have them home too.

Not a great picture-but her face says it all

Had to take a picture of Maddie too

Mega Cavern

Field Trip class #5 was a lot of fun. We went to the Mega Caverns in Louisville. It was so neat. If you have never been on their tour, then I would suggest going. I learned a lot of about the caverns (that I had no idea that existed until last Christmas when we drove through the lights). It is a little pricey, but well worth it. Also the fact that it was 30 degrees outside but 56 degrees inside was nice too.

Only one more Saturday and then I can have my weekends back.