Happy Sweet 16th Birthday Ashlyn:

Well, it has been many months since my last post but Ashlyn's 16th Birthday has brought me out of hibernation. Where in the world has the time gone? It is so hard to believe how fast she is growing up.

I will never forget the excitement and joy Jonathan and I felt 16 years ago when the nurse handed me the most beautiful dark haired, brown eyed baby girl with the longest eyelashes I had every seen. Imagine the surprise we felt to see that she had all that dark hair since I was sure I would produce a redheaded child. (Husband may be bald now but he had a full head of red hair back then). I have loved watching every minute of her growing up so here it is:

My favorite things about Our Ashlyn

1. Ashlyn is a great sister! She always has been (now of coarse she and her sister have their moments) but for the better part of everyday Ashlyn and Amber get along pretty well. She was happy to have a sister from the moment we brought Amber home. Pretty sweet!

2. Ashlyn loves shoes and coats. Now this is a favorite thing to me because I also love shoes and coats AND we have the same size feet AND we can share most of our coats. So you can see how handy this might be with 3 girls in the house. Amber also has the same size feet. So it is like having 3 closets of shoes! NICE!!

3. Ashlyn is a great student, great dancer, great friend, great reader (she LOVES to read) and since her Freshman year we have found out she is artistic as well. She has been taking art lessons from Jill Maxwell and has really found a love for painting. I can't wait to see what all she is able to create.

4. Ashlyn is tenderhearted. She cares for her friends, her family, for that person standing on the curb with a sign. She is full of compassion for others and I am so proud of her for thinking of other's feelings.

5. Ashlyn laughs at her Dads jokes. "she is the only one that laughs-every time" (Jonathan Stewart)

6. Ashlyn is just fun to be with. Our family enjoys hanging out together, whether it be to watch Nights Tale (for the millionth time), play Rock Band or Dance Central. Play games, cook, listen to a book on tape on long road trips or ridding roller coasters. She is always ready and I am thankful we spend quality time together.

7. Ashlyn loves God. She loves her time at church, her Huddles, and attending church camp at Blue Haven. We are so proud of the Godly Woman she has become and continues to become.

We are so proud!

Love you Ashlyn.................. always!

7 things (not necessarily my favorites things) that make me feel old

This week as I turn 43 I thought it would be funny to list some things that have made me realize I am getting old OR they just make me feel that way. I know and believe the saying 'you are only as old as you feel' and all those nice things but here is some proof and no denying the fact.................. I am not getting any younger! ha ha

1. For the first time ever in my whole life I am older than my preacher. I am so excited and already love Highlands new preacher Jonathan Storment. But I am pretty sure he is 'twenty something and I am forty something! ugh!

2. Yesterday was the inauguration of Abilene Christian University's 11th President. While I am NOT older than ACU (thank goodness) I am older than my good friend Phil Schubert (the new president). I have a hard time believing I am old enough to be friends with the family of this position-let alone that I am actually older than them!

3. I am older than my Primary Care Doctor. This reminds me of Jonathan's grandmother Addie B. when she was in her 80's it was brought to my attention that her doctor was OLDER than her! So I am glad I have gone ahead and jumped over on this one.

4. The first kids that Jonathan and I taught in Children's Church here in Abilene are now Seniors in High School.

5. One of the new faculty members in the College of Business at ACU is a former student of Jonathan's from several years back. (this one actually makes Jonathan feel old-hahaha)

6. Last Sunday at church they introduced all the sweet little kids going into kindergarten and said that they would graduate with the class of 2023! I will be 56 then!!! Not that 56 is old! (right??)

7. And last but not least when I hear someone refer to 80's music as "the oldies" or see my girls wearing some of the same type of cloths that I wore when I was in high school

(in the 80's)...................... makes me feel old!

And we are not even going to talk about the fact that I can't read anything up close any more.

Look out for the 'middle aged' lady in the blue VW Bug!

Twenty Years Ago Today!

On August 11th of 1990 I made one of the best and easiest choices of my life. Marrying Jonathan Stewart. I am posting a few pictures for your enjoyment-yeah I know we looked like babies and we were rocking the 80's hair styles.

I just want to take a moment to say Thank you Jonathan for choosing me, for loving me and taking such good care of me all these years. You have blessed me with 2 beautiful girls, loads of fun memories and all the love and support I could ever ask for. I knew I was making a great choice in marrying a guy like you and I knew I loved you 20 years ago. But I had no idea how much more I would love you today than I did when we said 'I do" back then.

I honestly cannot believe it has really been a WHOLE 20 years. I thought we would be really old when this mark came around. The older we get the more I push back what I consider "old". ha ha

Thanks for sharing your life with me, for playing the guitar and singing to me, for taking walks with me, for cooking on the grill (it doesn't matter if it's snowing or 11o degrees out there). You are so great with our kids-we could not make it with out you! You give 100 percent at all you do-work or play, we are so proud of you.

I love you and can't wait to see what happens with the next 20 with you!

Happy Anniversary my sweet Husband!

7 Favorite Foods that somebody else has made

I have been away from the Blog for a few months now but I am changing my blog background and typing on my computer. In a effort to come up with something different I started thinking about food. So rather than listing my favorite foods I started thinking about favorite foods or recipes that friends and family have made. So here goes

"7 Favorite foods by some of my favorite people!"

1. My Mom and Dad's Biscuits and Gravy. Every time we go home you can bet on them cooking up some biscuits and gravy with sausage. Homemade biscuits from scratch, none of those frozen things or mixes that you add water or the kind that come in a can. The kind where you make the dough, roll it out on the counter and press out circles with a biscuit cutter (I hear mom and dad have even found a way to make REALLY BIG biscuits for my nephew's! They are big boys and need a big biscuit I tell you!)

2. Mamaw's Coconut Cream Pie. Jonathan's Mamaw Hughes could make a lot of delicious foods and LOVED to cook for everyone. She would always have enough Blue Bell Ice Cream for all the family to have morning, noon and night (and she would offer it to my small children at all of those times of day- ha ha). But her pies..................... mmmmm mmm mmmm, just ask my father in law. I am pretty sure he felt the same way.

3. Jonathan Stewart's Sweet Potato Gratin. Ok, really I guess it is Bobby Flay's recipe but husband is the one who makes it! For all of you (I think I have 8 followers now) turning up your nose to sweet potatoes hold on!! First you slice them really thin (with a thing that WILL cut your fingers off!) then you layer them with a sauce of chipotle chile puree and heavy cream. I promise you it is THE BEST!!!!!

4. Tammy Link's (My favorite sister) Sugar Cookies. Ok, she actually doesn't make these but she buys them for me (and her daughter Megan) every time we go to Roswell NM. These cookies are big, soft, always cute with pretty frosting on top and they taste soooooo good! My sister is a fabulous cook so I feel really feel bad to not pick something that SHE cooks -like her pies, brisket, green salads, or potato salad (she always makes me a little batch without raw onions before she 'ruins' the rest). She is the BEST!

5. Sally's Chocolate Cookies (my sweet mother-in-law). She uses that recipe on the back of the chocolate chip bag BUT she adds extra flour (my sister in law and I usually can not find that magic amount that makes Sally's cookies so fluffy (not flat) and so good!

6. Loree's Tacos (my sister-in-law). I can't even tell you for sure what makes her Taco's better than any others I have EVER had but this is a true statement. "They are the best Taco's I have ever had!" You would just have to taste them to believe me, there is no person or restaurant that makes them like hers.

7. Kevin Robert's Mac and Cheese. It is rub it on your face good and I love it when he brings it to my house as a side dish or to church potlucks! Way to go K-Rob!

I hope you all are having a great summer (I cannot believe how fast it is going by).

Love to you all!

Cindy

7 of my favorite movies

It may be hard to actually list just 7 favorite movies but I will keep it at 7 (I can always do the list again if I want-I can make up my own rules since it is my blog) ha ha

1. Overboard with Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell. I have seen this movie so many times (you can find it on the TV regularly) and I will stop and watch it almost every time.

2. Mary Poppins: My email and the name of the purse business I used to own is named from this movie (What's all This) I love it when the Chimney Sweeps all come from the roof into the house through the fireplace and the dad is yelling What's all this, what's all this.

3. Knight's Tale: One of Heath Ledger's movies. The movie starts out playing "We will rock you" by Queen and has a bunch of great music. I would be embarrassed to know how many times we have watched this movie.

4. Elf: What a funny movie. It is just silly!

5. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang: I loved this movie when I was a kid and now the girls and I love to watch it together. Dick Van Dyke is in this as well as 'Mary Poppins' It is so cool when Truly Scrumptious and Cractacus Potts (yes that is the names of the lead characters) act like they are wind up dolls. And all the music is awesome.

6. The Proposal and every other movie that Sandra Bullock has ever been in

7. How the Grinch Stole Christmas: (the cartoon version) Well................ Cindy Lou Who is just adorable and she has a great name!

Well, hope you are all enjoying summer, I know I am glad it has finally arrived.

Loves!

Cindy

7 Favorite things about the birthday girl. Amber Michelle

I can't believe my baby girl turned 13 this week. I am the mother of two beautiful teenage girls now. Holy Cow where does the time go? So while it hasn't been a full week since my last 7 list I feel like I have to do a shout out for Amber on her birthday.

1. Amber always thinks about others and loves to celebrate events to honor a person. When it is one of our birthdays, mothers day, fathers day........... anything. She is usually the first to want to plan a special breakfast, homemade cards, or making cookies for the neighbors. She has taught our family to think more this way.

2. Amber loves kids and they love her. They may be just a few years younger than her or just little tiny people. She has been invited to birthday parties or asked to 'come over to play' with some of these younger than her. Last summer we would go to the pool and she would make friends with small children and have a blast playing with them. She is gonna be a great babysitter someday and a great mommy!

3. She loves to make peanut butter cookies!

4. She has a passion to teach others about the Bible.

5. She is a great student, she gets Math. (I do not get math so I can really appreciate this talent)

I have had many teachers brag on her as a student and as a friend to others at school.

6. She loves family. Loves her sister, loves her cousins, grandparents, dog, I think she even loves her parents!

7. Amber is such a kind, thoughtful and considerate soul. I have watched her write letters to sick children, give or raise money for a good cause, make cookies for her friends, neighbors, church and school classes, make pictures, cards and paper animals for tons of people. Be a peace maker, and be patient when it wasn't easy.

Here is a quote that was read about Amber just a few weeks ago during an award ceremony at Craig Middle School. She was one of several students honored for the month. She makes us proud to be her parents!

"Amber Stewart has that enduring quality of sincere charm and, like a magnet, friends are drawn to her. She's an excellent student, perfectly mannered and always dependable. Amber's sweet smile is contagious! She fits the definition of a Craig outstanding Student to a 'T'"

P.S. To all you parents out there............... yeah she forgets to make her bed, pick up her clothes and doesn't always get along with her sister. But that is not included in THIS list. hee hee.

Happy Birthday Amber. I love you!

Not my favorite things!!!

I decided to do something different this week; instead of doing 7 favorite things I am going to do 7 things that are NOT my Favorites.

1) Confrontation. I hate to be confronted and I hate to confront someone, I hate confrontation. It gives me a stomach ache. Lets just be happy and all get along please!

2) Having stitches pulled out. Ugh it makes to shiver just thinking about it. I haven't even had to have stitches very often. It doesn't bother me as much to get stitches (which is a little weird since that part involves a pointy needle going through my skin). But that tugging feeling- the skin being stuck to the thread...................aaarrrrgggggghhhhh

3) Many of you know by now that I love the summer and being warm. The down side of summer is air conditioning. Now I am all for air conditioning unless it makes me cold. Why in the world do we need winter coats in the summer at church, the grocery store, the mall, the movie theater, etc. etc. etc. Why can't all these places just find a comfortable temperature, save some money, save the planet.

4) Termites. I didn't know this would be one of my 'not favorite things' until a few weeks ago. I got to experience a termite 'swarm' in my very own house. Many, many, many little flying buggy things came out of the door facing of the bathroom. I don't want to talk about this anymore, I feel itchy. (you do not have to be afraid of coming to our house-they have been dealt with)

5) When husband tells me "you are snoring". How can we not be sure it wasn't that he woke himself with his own snoring? I know my allergies have been bad and my nose has been stuffy but surely I do not snore, I don't!

6) When momma's have to bury their children. I have walked this journey with a couple of my friends and it breaks my heart. No matter if their child was small or a grown adult, I wish this pain did not exist.

7) When Children have to bury their Momma's. It just seems like kids need their moms to help them grow up.