Happy 54th birthday to me. I spent a very nice evening with my fantastic husband. Dinner at Hoggy's, We Are Marshall - great flick and a dip of coconut chip at Graeter's. Yes, I know it's hard to believe when you look at me that I'm 54 but nevertheless it is true. I really didn't feel like my age when I was singing to Love Shack in the car tonight!!Ha!! And this old lady is looking forward to seeing Rod Stewart in concert (seven rows from the stage). I hope I have 54 more to go.

Another beautiful Christmas. Christmas eve was spent at my mom and dad's apartment. It was bitter sweet. My mom really enjoyed having us there. The highlight for me was hearing Eric sing again. I don't get that opportunity very often. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel. Thanks Eric. Christmas day was wonderful. I enjoyed every minute. It was kind of difficult to hear my Dad ask if it was Christmas day. No snow but all in all a blessed day. I was still hunting for presents as they were being opened. I think the problem boils down to too many presents. Oh but it is sooooo much fun. I usually have some trouble facing the new year. I don't know why. But this year I feel very good about 2007. I will turn .... well I'll turn a year older in two days and then we will spend a quiet New Years Eve with some friends, and another year will begin. May we all live one day at a time and live that day to the fullest. I will try to rest in the fact that whatever 2007 brings, God is in control; there is no other way to live. Happy New Year!!!

I have a very busy day today so I slept in a little later this morning and chose to put a CD in for church today. I picked up an old Trans-Siberian Orchestra CD this season because I love one of the songs always played on the radio. But I got far more than one good song. This CD is a story. A story about Christmas, angels, prayers, grace, hopes and dreams - all the things I truly believe in. I highly recommend this one. It is entitled Christmas Eve and Other Stories. Listen to it with the words in hand from beginning to end. I think you'll like it.

Riley called me one day last week and said he wanted to bring his friend Lance to Nana's house. It has been very important to me that my house is a fun place to be and tomorrow he is bringing his friend to play here. How cool is that?!!! Basketball, a jeep ride and decorating rudolph cookies will be a few things on the agenda. Then tomorrow night we will go to his Christmas program at his school and Saturday is Trey's birthday party. Sunday after church is a Christmas buffet at my Mom's apartment and then a few friends over for a little get-to-gether. Monday I hope to wrap up my Christmas shopping. Today I received a framed black and white picture of my sister and me as little girls on Christmas morning. My sister sent it to me and I will cherish it. I have spent a lot of time thinking back this Christmas season. I'm not sure why, but I have re-lived a lot of past holiday seasons this year.

Well, knock on wood I think we're on the mend. Baby Evan has been too sick for too long. Trey had a cold and Riley had the stomach bug. But through all of this I got to take Riley and Trey to see Santa Clause 3 well, at least the first half hour of it thanks to scary Jack Frost!! Then we went to see the real Santa Claus complete with pictures. We saw Happy Feet and they loved that. Yesterday Trey went to the Ohio State Basketball game with his PaPa. It's good to know that Trey is comfortable in his own skin and knows himself very well. PaPa asked him what he had been up to and he nonchalantly looked at him and said, "trouble". I just love that kid!!! Trouble proceeded to eat his hot dog and dippin' dots, climb up on his seat and sleep through the entire first half.