Mike finally got home from another week away. However, he's been comatose most of the day. That's just what happens after a market. It's been a good week-end. Went to see both Trey and Riley play basketball. They are so much fun to watch. Kerri, Eric and the boys spent the rest of the day with me and watched OSU take a disappointing defeat. My mom joined us for the game. Unfortunately, Mom is not doing so well lately. I am hoping it is just some medication problems. I will be taking her for an MRI tomorrow. She has fought hard to win over her loneliness but I think she is just getting tired.

Not feeling the greatest tonight. Worried about my mom, took her to the doc today. They will run some tests. Quiet in the house tonight. Then I checked my e-mail and I got the best message in the world from my oldest grandson. It's so nice to be loved so unconditionally. Kids know how to do that so naturally. Friends over tomorrow night and dinner sometime with the Stetler kids this week. Mikey, Nicole and Austin were over for lunch yesterday and we played monopoly. Nothing beats just being together. I wouldn't trade those times for anything. Just a little melancholy but I often am this time of the year. I keep reminding myself it won't be TOO long til we'll be here:

I'm trying, I'm really trying. I just don't understand. Why is there a beautiful little girl in Liberia that is loved and wanted by a family here and it just doesn't seem to happen? Why are there two little boys in Haiti that were scheduled to come to a loving family next week, but instead they are enduring a massive earthquake and may not make it home. I look at pictures of these children and all I can do is cry and ask why. There are no answers, only questions. So I will pray and as I pray I am reminded that God has taken care of them to this point and He will not leave them. I pray for miracles, yes, I still believe in miracles.

So far so good. I've spent more time with God in the mornings. Don't know why I seem to wander from this practice. I always leave that meeting place more calm and focused for the day and realizing that He leaves that place with me. I find it easier to live one day at a time and I enjoy that day and get so much more accomplished. Somehow I don't even feel as tired at the end of it all. It's just good to know that we're friends.

Today is shopping and the OSU basketball game with my daughter. More snow tomorrow and that's fine with me. Just hope my sister can get in from OKC on Friday night. Sunday will be a fun day with a baby shower to get ready for our little Cora Jean. It's coming soon and I still am having trouble thinking pink. I've had a lot of blue years!! I spent some of yesterday checking out tutus online. Can you say Princess?!

It's mind-boggling. My husband and I were talking about all that has happened in the last decade, 10 short years and it's mind-boggling. I wasn't even a Nana when we rang in 2000. Wow, it's been quite a ride. Good and bad, but even out of the bad has come good. I owe that all to God. He is a master at that. I wouldn't want to be doing this life any other way than with God and the family and friends He has given me. I'm looking forward to this year. I'm sure not every day will be wonderful and free from stress. But I proved a LONG time ago, that with God I can get through anything and come out on the other side knowing He was with me the entire way. I hope and pray 2010 will find me to be a better follower of His. I'm sure He won't fail me, I certainly don't want to fail Him.

Another beautiful Christmas day is over. What do I love about Christmas? Everything. I know it is talked about often and at the risk of sounding cheesy, I really want to carry Christmas with me this year. Christmas is real, there is no reason why I can't celebrate it all year and this coming year that is exactly what I am going to do.

I'm sure my Dad is smiling about the thoughtful gift my daughter and son-in-law gave. I have a wonderful, hand- made porch swing that my dad made for me years ago. I would hate to think what it would cost if bought, it is so well made. It is in need of some tender loving care and she has contacted my wonderful handyman and he will come and make it look like new.

I continue to carry on the tradition of mis-placed gifts on Christmas morning. I'm sure my Dad is smiling about that too.

I hope you all had a wonderful day, and maybe you are thinking about carrying Christmas with you throughout 2010 also. Happy New Year.

Counting my blessings tonight. Sooo many!! Family, friends, health, hope. Looking forward to a beautiful Christmas and a wonderful New Year. Thankful for the way God leads and directs us and the peace He gives when we trust Him.

It's been a while since my last post. I have accomplished a more relaxed approach to Christmas this year. I am finding myself getting up Very early and enjoying the quiet and lights of the house. I love Christmas lights. I am almost finished with my shopping. A few things are still on their way from the virtual shopping mall. I have found a balance of online shopping and shopping "on foot" so to speak. It seems like the more I wrap, the more there is to wrap.

More changes to come in the family. My kids certainly keep things interesting. More to come on this as it develops.

Today is Trey's birthday. What a special little boy. (I know, you hear me say that about all of them) He had a fun pool party with his friends. Everybody loves Trey. As he grows I realize that he is going to be one of those people that know how to make the people around him feel special and accepted.
We will be celebrating Friday night with a Star Wars cake. He has ordered mac'n cheese, green beans and rolls. Happy Birthday Trey!!

I am so grateful today for God's protection. He never sleeps, He is always watching. We can rest in that thought. He knows where we are and what is ahead at all times. He sees what we cannot see and sends His angels to take care of us. He is good. I love Him more than I could ever say and just needed to take the opportunity to say that. I never want to take for granted that He cares enough to watch out for us minute by minute. I shower my family with prayer and He does the rest. Sometimes we are aware of His protection and sometimes I believe we don't even know. But this time, today, I am aware and I am grateful.

Not the best of days. I had Austin at the mall today and he was not wanting to hold my hand. He dropped down to the floor and I tried to lift him back to his feet with his arm. Not a good idea. Spent the day at urgent care and feeling like the worst Nana in the world. I think he is o.k. but I feel like I've been run over by a truck. Couldn't have felt much worse if I tried. I would put my life on the line for all of my grandchildren, they are everything to me. Thank goodness he is o.k. Sorry Austin, hope you forgive your Nana.

Spent Sunday evening at Polaris with my family. (we missed you Eric) Ate dinner, saw the Christmas tree, caught a glimpse of Santa and did some Christmas shopping. I am never happier than when I have my family around and the hustle and bustle makes me smile much to the dismay of my husband and daughter. So, needless to say I had a fun time. However, the highlight of the evening was at the end of the evening. I said good-by one at a time to my three oldest grand-children and each of them asked me the same question; "when will we see you again Nana?". OMG!!! If I'm honest, I know the day will come when they won't be thinking that as they leave my side. But for now, I'll just revel in the delight of those words.

Feeling a little overwhelmed today. Nothing major, just living life. It's amazing to me how God can get our attention in so many different ways. Usually when I'm feeling this way, I haven't spent enough time with Him. He used my silly facebook today. Just looking through friends' updates I ran across a wonderful quote by one of my favorite authors. I don't know the reason why this friend had posted it, maybe she's feeling some of the same feelings today. Nevertheless, she posted it and just left it there, waiting for me to stumble on it and I'm glad she did. It's a simple quote, may not mean anything to anybody else. But to me.... well, it smacked me right in the heart and reminded me of God's love for me.

"Your part is prayer and gratitude. God's part? Peace and protection."

Thanks to Max Lucado and to my friend.

Babysat for Austin today and made dinner for Kerri, Eric and the boys. I worked on Austin's scrapbook and almost have it finished. I am beginning to have more energy and feeling much better than the last few weeks. I did some things and made some decisions and became pro-active about the physical problems that seemed to be slowing me down. The house was alive today with family. That's how I like it. I'm looking forward to jumping into the holidays. I really hope I can slow my husband down a little. He is meeting himself coming and going lately. Overall life is good. I think I'll take advantage of the weather and get some outside lights up before the cold hits.

I'm a little slow posting this one but a week ago Kerri and the boys took me to Hueston Woods to enjoy the week-end out in nature. What a great two days!! I still pinch myself when I look around at my family. They are wonderful, and I am so grateful for the blessings I have in them. We had such a good time in our little cabin, hiking, swimming and laughing. My family give me memories that can never be forgotten even though I struggle with my memory in my old age.
Sometimes I get a little sad at the thought of how quickly my own children have grown, but the cycle of life is good and my grandchildren are making sure I enjoy this chapter as much as the chapters that came before. Here are some more snapshots of this part of my book of life.

I LOVE October. Actually I love Oct., Nov., and Dec. It starts when I decorate for fall and it builds to the most wonderful time of the year - Christmas! Fall leaves, pumpkins, scented candles and fireplaces is how it all begins. Sweaters and jeans replace flip flops and capris. But I tend to get so caught up in the planning for the holidays, I really don't take the time to just be in the moment of the my favorite time of the year. I need to find a way to make it all wonderful for my family but at the same time sit back and take it all in. I think that is why I often feel such a post-holiday let down. I work through my lists everyday, to make sure everything gets done. I really hope I can make getting things accomplished, less of a priority this year. Just not sure how.

Chicken 'n noodles on the stove, grandkids eating muffins and building train tracks, listening to the rain on the roof of the porch and cheering for the Buckeyes all on a Saturday afternoon. I don't think there is another way to describe this - it's heaven on earth. I'll say it again "I am so blessed".

Monday, my beautiful daughter will be 32 yrs. old. It's hard to believe, 32 years is a long time. How do I describe Kerri Lynn Pressley Stetler? Beautiful, feisty, smart,out-spoken, compassionate, loving, thoughtful and simply the best daughter a mom could ever hope for. She is my friend and confidant and I have no doubt that she would do anything at all for me. I honestly don't know what I would ever do without her. She put a smile on my father's face like nobody else could. My mother literally beams when she talks about her. She's always had her dad wrapped around her little finger. And her brother admires her like no other, she has always been there for him even in the tough times. I love my daughter more than I could ever express in words and I wish her a very happy birthday. She deserves life's best.

I took Evan to see The Wiggles yesterday. Sooooo much fun. I love them. They are truly amazing. They've been around a long time and they seem to get more active every time I see them. It's an hour and a half of sheer fun. Kids are great.

I've thought a lot lately about how my situation in life is so different than several years ago. But I have learned that through external changes in life, a few things stay the same.

There's nothing like the warmth of a summer afternoon
Waking to the sunlight, and being cradles by the moon
Catching fireflies at night
Building castles in the sand
Kissing Mama's face goodnight
Holding Daddy's hand
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

Running barefoot through the grass
A little hide and go seek
Being so in love, that you can hardly eat
Dancing in the dark, when there's no one else around
Being bundled 'neath the covers, watching snow
fall to the groun
Thank you Lord, how could I ask for more

So many things I thought would bring me happiness
Some dreams that are realities today
Such an irony the things that mean the most to me
Are the memories that I've made along the way

So if there's anything I've learned
From this journey I am on
Simple truths will keep you going
Simple love will keep you strong
Cause there are questions without answers
Flames that never die
Heartaches we go through are often blessings in disguise
So thank you Lord, oh thank you Lord
How could I ask for more?

Another school year. Doesn't seem possible. I watched as kids stood at the bus stop and older ones walked off. Parents with camera in hand, mom's who don't want to let them go and I watch all this as if they were my own. Why? Because it seems like it was just yesterday that I was doing the same thing. It can't be possible that my daughter is seeing her oldest off to 2nd. grade and Trey will be starting kindergarten. I want to stop and tell them all to hold each day as a precious gift. This chapter in the book doesn't last long. I'm praying for my grandson as I write this, praying that he will have good experiences in that classroom, experiences that will him make him smile when he is looking back and remembering. Because he will be remembering all too soon.