I’ve been waiting to find the USB cable to offload pictures from the camera before I updated, but alas, I can’t find it so I’m updating sans pictures. Hopefully I’ll find it soon and be able to post some pictures of what’s been going on around here.
We’ve been having a great time. We went to Butler University’s Dance Marathon last Saturday. We all had a blast! They had a bounce house, an inflatable rock wall and an inflatable surf simulator. Brad spent several hours bouncing or surfing. Mickey spent most of her day dancing with the college girls. Michael and I both went in the bounce house and on the surf simulator. We stayed till then end to see that they raised over $47,000 for Riley! What an achievement. The next day we made a quick trip up to Purdue for a family fun day with their Dance Marathon executive committe since we’re heading up there in Feb. for their Dance Marathon. It was a whirlwind weekend.
I’ve been leading school assemblies around Indy for the Leukemia Society’s Pennies for Patients program the last couple of weeks. It’s been fun and challenging. I would estimate that I’ve spoken in front of a total of about 2000 students from Kindergarten through seniors. All of the schools I’m going to are getting ready to start their program and I’m just going in to get them excited. I will be doing this all through the next month.
Tomorrow is a big day here in the Deputy house. Yes, I know it’s the Super Bowl, but that’s not what’s so exciting for us. Tomorrow, Feb. 1, marks two years off treatment for Miss Mickey! Can you believe it’s been 2 years?! Sometimes it seems like a lifetime ago and others it seems like yesterday we gave her that last 6MP pill! We thank God for how far He’s brought her and our family. We also thank all of you who have prayed for us for the past 4 years as we’ve been through the most challenging part of our lives. I pray that God will bless all of you for your faithfulness and prayers.
Aside from bitter cold temps and stomach bugs, we had a pretty good week. Mickey was sick Tuesday night and then Brad got sick Thursday night. Fortunately the bugs only lasted about 12 hours. School was closed Friday due to extreme cold so my first school assembly for LLS didn’t happen. I will have my first one Thursday unless a new one gets scheduled before that.
Today I took the kids to see The Tale of Despareaux. It was a fun movie. After that we went over to the mall for lunch. I don’t remember the last time we ate lunch at the mall. The kids had a good time checking out the food court before deciding on pizza. After more running around we rushed home so Brad could get ready for horse riding lesson, only to find an e-mail that his lesson was cancelled due to cold. Brad was bummed but soothed himself by watching part of the PowerPuff Girls Marathon. Oh.yea! Tomorrow the kids go back to school after their 4-day weekend. I’m ready. Them – not so much.
We just came off a day of yuck here. Michaela started feeling bad yesterday evening and by 9:00 was in the throes of a stomach bug. Fortunately it was only about 12 hours in duration but it did earn her a “stay home from school” ticket. After being up and down with her all night, I had to get up very early to take Cinder to the clinic to be spayed. While I was waiting at the clinic, the snow and wind started so driving home was fun. Mickey and I stayed home cuddled up nice and warm while Brad went to school and Michael went to work. Fortunately her horse riding lesson was cancelled due to the weather, so she didn’t miss anything. Cinder is home and recovering nicely. I am thankful that for now, at least, everyone in our household is healthy and happy!
I’m not used to having to put a title on my entries. We didn’t have that feature on the old format. I should have Brad help me since he’s very creative with things like this. 
Speaking of Brad, he had his riding lesson tonight. He is gaining confidence each week. It’s fun to watch him! Wednesday will be Michaela’s turn to ride. It’s going to be so cold that night, I think I’ll stay home with Brad and let Michael take her.
On Friday I start my temporary job with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I will be going to area elementary schools doing assemblies to get the kids fired up about the Pennies for Patients program. I am rather nervous about this as it’s unlike anything I’ve done before. But I figure once I do the first one, the other 8 will be much easier!!
We all had a wonderful Christmas break. We enjoyed all the time we had together as a family. I found myself missing the kids today as they were back in school. Now we’ll get back into the groove of horse riding lessons, homework and school. Speaking of horse riding lessons, Brad did excellent tonight at his lesson. Michael and I were both amazed at how well he controlled the horse. He is getting more comfortable and worked on trotting a bit. Mickey is waiting patiently for her lesson on Wednesday.
Good morning! Welcome to 2009! That’s about it – nothing deep and philosophical, no great nostalgia…just Happy New Year!
We’ve had a great Christmas break so far. Cousin Sydney was with us from Saturday till yesterday. There was a lot of Wii playing, movie watching, Lego playing, and boy talking going on. We rang in the new year with our friends Tim and Shelly. We played Wii and Rummikub and ate lots of good food.
Michael and Mickey just got home from a grocery store run. They brought home cinnamon rolls and Starbucks for breakfast (yes, we are eating breakfast at 11:00 since we slept till 10:00). We’ll have pizza and breadsticks for dinner. It’s going to be a fun lazy day to start the new year. I’m off to eat a cinnamon roll. May God bless you in 2009!!
Indianapolis, IN