Quickly...

Hey Everyone...
Not too much to report on Aristana, since her next appointment is on Thursday. However, she's been having good days since I wrote last. She's eating more, and having fewer "sheet changes." She's even dancing again :)

Next, CONGRATULATIONS SHELLY & ROB!!! We found out yesterday that Mike's sister Shelly, and her husband, Rob, are going to be having a baby in March! We are so extremely excited for them. We know they will be absolutely wonderful parents, and make God so proud.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has been keeping my brother in prayer, over the last few months. We received word yesterday, that he has returned from Qatar, and is again in Tampa. Although, with this year's hurricane season in the US, he may have been safer across the ocean. We are so proud of him, and his passion for our country. Thank you Brady!!!

I'll probably write again on Thursday or Friday, once we have returned from her appointment in Milwaukee.

Aristana update... We took her in to see her doctor, with the understanding that she would be referred to another doctor. She has been tested, poked, and prodded, all with "negative" results. She is not sick in the flu sense of the word, yet has suffered from flu like symptoms for about a month and a half now. She's lost almost 1 1/2 pounds, 1/2 pound within the three days. We were referred to a pediatric gastroenterologist at the Childrens Hospital in Milwaukee. I'll be taking her in next Thursday. Please keep her in your prayers. She's such a great kid. I just want her to not feel so miserable, as she does when she has a bad day.

I also need to send out my love and prayers to the family and friends of Nancy Kaster. Nancy passed away this week, after a five year fight with cancer. She was a great lady, who impacted our family in so many ways. I'm so glad we got to have her in our lives.

Sorry, not much fun stuff this time. Thanks for reading. I'll keep you updated.

Been a long time...

So, I've always had an issue with vomit, and feces...don't you? I never understood how people didn't get sick when having to deal with a child's sickness. As I rewashed Aristana's crib items for the fourth time in two days, only after I gave her her second bath of the day (she had only been awake for one hour), I realized that the thought of being disgusted never even entered my mind. I had made it through...not that I look forward to doing it again tomorrow. I just love that little one so much, and just wish that she felt better. It's been about a month since she started going through this on again, off again sickness. I finally decided to take her to urgent care on Friday, since the weekend seems to go by very slowly, when you're not sure you're doing everything you should, to make her feel better. We'll get her lab results back on Tuesday. Please say a prayer for her...she just doesn't deserve this...

Things haven't changed much around here otherwise. We've been able to spend some great family time together this summer. We've hit a few festivals, picnics, and fairs...danced to the Groove Hogs, and Nashville Pipeline...hung out at the park, and Grandma and Grandpa Hinz's farm...One of the greatest things though, is spending time at home in the backyard. Aristana loves to harvest the veggies from the garden. She eats the beans off the bush, and has a tendency to stick her finger in the tomatoes. She's also a huge fan of her sandbox, and waving to the airplanes flying overhead. I love Wisconsin summers!

An update... My brother Brady, who has been stationed in Tampa, FL (McDill Air Force Base) since May, was able to accompany his superior on a trip to Qatar. That's about all he can say, for security reasons. I am so proud of him, and his service to our country. What a great guy! He keeps a blog too. Click here if you're interested in checking it out. He will only be gone for a short time...but we're glad he was able to go over there, in a secure setting. I have always looked up to him, and his ability to be an outstanding brother, husband, father, and teacher. He is an amazing man!

I'm still selling lia sophia jewelry. I'm also still selling my mom's art at the Sturgeon Bay Farmers' Market, although that will only go for another couple of weeks. I can't believe how fast summer has flown.

Oh, weight update... I have lost around 80 pounds now. I have been on a plateau for almost a month, so I hope this doesn't mean that my weight loss has slowed down... arghhhh

See? Pretty boring. I promise, I'll let you know if anything exciting does happen.

Catching Up...

Okay, it's been a long time since I've written...and now that I'm learning that there are people actually reading my blog, I'm going to attempt to be a little better at writing more often.

First, I need to speak about the Brett Favre drama. I need to speak about it, because I want to make sure that everyone knows how much I can't stand the Brett Favre drama. I understand I am from Green Bay. I am definitely a Packer fan. I also do have an opinion on the whole situation. However, I realize that in our society, we are constantly complaining about how much time we DON'T have for things that matter. So why on earth should we all take time away from our families, church, and other activities that actually matter, to head down to Lambeau Field (every Sunday, according to the protest starter-uppers), to try to get face time on the news cameras. Seriously, when they were interviewing the man that started the whole protest, it was like he wanted the world to know what a serious thing this is...that the Packers should take a vote of "The People" and see what they should do. Here's my vote...go home...take your kids to the park...do something worthwhile! Okay, I think I'm done there.

Next, my weight update... I am down 75 pound, and have under 100 to go! Yeah! I am losing a lot of my hair, since I'm having trouble getting enough nutrients. That makes me pretty tired too. However, the doctor said that about six months after surgery, the body starts to understand what it needs to do. I am willing to deal with this, because the outcome is so great.

Finally, I had a very wonderful weekend this past weekend. On Saturday, Mike, Aristana and I headed out to Sturgeon Bay, where we met Andrew, Julie, and Julie's family, at the Pudgy Seagull. After breakfast, we all walked to the farmers market, where I got to be a shopper, and not a vendor. It was nice. Here's my shout out to Andrew and Julie! Thanks for reading my blog!

On Sunday, we went to Way-Mor Park for a surprise party for Roger and Carol Boeder's anniversary. It was a great time. Dave & Kristy Hinz were up from Illinois, with Rollie and Valerie. ...such cute and fun kids! Aristana played around with Dad, and Uncle Matty, Uncle Nate, and Lis. It was nice to get together with everyone again.

That's it for now. I have to get back to cleaning for my Arbonne party tomorrow night. yeehaw!

My 31^st birthday… What an awesome day! My mom took Aristana the evening of the 26^th, so I could have most of today to myself. It was such a great gift!

I slept in until 8:00ish. After a couple of “Happy Birthday!” phone calls, I got ready to head out. First, I went to get my nails done. I’m getting more girly, so I love getting my nails done now. Next, I headed out to the Atlanta Bread Company, where I ordered an iced tea, and WI-FI. I looked at the new lia Sophia catalogs, and figured out what I wanted to order first.

My dad stopped by about an hour and a half into my camping out. We hung out for about an hour, and he went on his way. It was great to spend some time with him again.

I stayed at ABC for another hour and a half, ordering Penne pasta with pesto sauce, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes, and chicken. YUM! Lots of leftovers to take home.

I went home for a little bit, to find two boxes waiting at my front door, from lia sophia. My first official order from the new catalog arrived, along with the order from my show. Awesome…

I left the house around 3:30, and went over to Looks Unlimited in Ashwaubenon, to get a hair cut. Cheryl, my beautician, also gives scalp massages… I love that part!

From there, I met Mike at Tucsons, for dinner. Again, lots of leftovers to take home.

Now I’m at my mom’s house, back to normal, getting ready for another early morning tomorrow. I’ll be heading up to Sturgeon Bay, to sell my mom’s artwork at the farmers’ market. 364 more days until I get to do this again! At least I have enough leftovers to last for a few days.

A BIG THANKS to everyone for the birthday wishes, cards, and gifts. I appreciate everything!

And the Winners Are...

Thank you to everyone who participated in my "lia sophia Big Giveaway & Last Chance" show. I have finally completed the drawing. As a reminder, entries were earned by:
RSVPing (Yes or No): 1
Coming to the show: 1
Bringing a guest or outside order: 3
Placing an order: 3
For each $50.00 spent: 3
Booking a show: 10

*Note: If you won an actual jewelry piece, from the current catalog, it will be given/shipped to you, at the end of July. I will need them for shows until that time.

Door Prizes (Collectors Piece, and extra goodies):
Renee Natzke
Kriss Kiel
Molly Bubolz

$5.00 Gift Certificate Winners:
Bev Schumacher
Carol Schultz
Marlis Hinz
Molly Bubolz (2)
Renee Natzke (2)
Yvonne Krutz

$10.00 Gift Certificate Winners:
Julie Schumacher
Shelly Pagel
Yvonne Krutz

$25.00 Gift Certificate Winners:
Kris Schumacher
Kriss Kiel
Lauren Kiel
Renee Natzke
Roxanne Siekmann
Lisa Arentz

Hostess Bonus Item Purchase Privilege:
Heather Natzke
Julie Puyleart
Kriss Kiel

Eclectic Necklace, Page 9 in the current catalog:
Kriss Kiel

Mingle Necklace, Page 9 in the current catalog:
Mary Kresal

Midas Touch Set (Earrings & Necklace) Page 25 in the current catalog:
Julie Schumacher

Sea Grass Necklace, Page 32 in the current catalog:
Lisa Arentz

Soleil Necklace, Page 34 in the current catalog:
Shelly Maertz

Minted Earrings, Page 44 in the current catalog:
Sarah Kinate

Euphoria Necklace, Page 53 in the current catalog:
Lauren Kiel

Bellagio Bracelet Collectors Piece: Sarah Dufresne

Splendor Earrings Collectors Piece: Molly Bubolz

Concerto Bracelet Collectors Piece: Deb Grothman

CONGRATS TO YOU ALL! If you don't hear from me within the next few days, with arrangements to get the item to you, I will be sending it to you, in the mail.

Thank you all! I will be planning on doing this giveaway show about every six months. I'll see you at the next one, in January!

Maggie

Conference Day 2

2008-06-12

It’s 6:30am, and I’m hanging out here, in the Hyatt lobby area, informing you, the imaginary person who reads my blog, of my whereabouts.

Okay, lia Sophia really knows how to put on a show! The events officially started last night, at the US Cellular Arena, in downtown Milwaukee. I thought we were going there to spend three hours clapping for all the advisors and managers who made something of this past year. I didn’t know that I’d leave, feeling that I was at some sort of concert.

First, we got to meet the Kiam family, and the lia Sophia “big guys.” I love Tory! He’s adorable… He refers to himself as the C.H.O. of lia Sophia (Chief Hugging Officer). Everyone who got an award got a b

ig hug from Tory. Jen W and I decided that we too, will hug Tory next year.

Next, music started, and a lady with a beautiful voice (but in a very interesting and elaborate costume) began to sing. All of a sudden, we realized that it was a Circue Du Soleil act. It was spectacular. I don’t ever get too dramatic about entertainment, but this was on a whole other level. The strength and abilities of these people are truly amazing.

Next, they had a surprise entertainer for us. Anita Renfroe, a comedienne, and absolutely hilarious. I actually pulled a tiny muscle in my chest, from laughing so hard. She sang a song about moms, that was to die for. Click here to see it on Youtube. Her act revolved around motherhood…so in an arena consisting of about 98% women, it was a riot.

Our featured speaker today, was Stacy London, from TLC's "What Not To Wear." She is just as AWESOME as she seems on the show. She is also a fantastic speaker!

Okay, today we had some breakout sessions, some raffles, a tornado warning, torrential downpour, a close call with a lightening bolt, and a bus driver who took us 45 minutes out of the way... we ended our evening with dinner (again, we were one out of three buses, and ended up going all the way to the airport, instead of dinner), then Comedy Sportz. Good times... I was able to get on a different bus, on the way back.

Comedy Sportz was a blast, being with our team. It's always so fun going with a group. Also, they had a bunch of those mirrors that make your body look different. In the bathroom, they had one that made you look reeeeally skinny. It was awesome! You can see, that we were having fun with it. I know, I didn't want to leave the bathroom. Jen W would've taken the mirror, but couldn't fit it under her shirt. Oh well.