A nice relaxing Saturday. I've slowed down and in doing so I have been reminded in so many ways just how long I have lived. Mike and I went down to Creekside in Gahanna today and had lunch. It was really nice. I've been around long enough to remember when "old Gahanna" really looked "old". Lots of changes. I'm going to some graduation parties today - I remember when these kids were born. My daughter even babysat for one of them!! Then I came home and sat on my back porch. From there you can see a beautiful tree. It's tall and full and shady. It's a special tree to me. My dad and his best friend, Ralph went out in the woods and brought that tree back to transplant in my yard. It has grown tall and come out full year after year. It's been there for a long time. Back when my dad was strong and vibrant. He landscaped my entire yard for me. That tree was planted back when Ralph could fix my car blindfolded and go home and bake pies for whoever needed a thoughtful gift. That was before my dad lost track of time and before Ralph had a heart attack as he was leaving to deliver one of those pies to the pastor. I often wish I could go back and re-live a day here and there. I think that is a sign that I have had a beautiful life so far with many wonderful memories.

Well another Monday and the time has finally arrived. My son will be leaving tomorrow for 28 days of incarceration. I haven't said much about it but here it is and we can't escape the reality of it. I'm feeling like everything is a dream lately. Not only are we facing Mike's situation but my husband's mother will probably have a foot amputated this week, one of his sisters has ovarian cancer and the other mentally challenged sister just had a premature baby. Am I living a soap opera?! I don't know that I will ever fully understand all the mysteries of prayers but I am experiencing the unbelievable way it can sustain you through tough times. I can't say I always feel strong but I'm surviving each day and I haven't shut down and for me that is big. I get phone calls and e-mails telling me they are praying for our family and all I can say is I feel them. I feel those prayers and I am so grateful. I really need t0 find the energy to visit my Dad. It has been far too long. Maybe once I get past tomorrow I can try to get that done. I'm not going to make the trip to Indiana tomorrow with my husband. Fortunately we have a wonderful caring Pastor and assistant Pastor that want to make that journey with him and I think it will be best that way. I'm going to spend the day with my daughter and grandkids.

Welcome to the world Zoe Ryan Line!! Your arrival has been very anxiously awaited and it looks like you sure were worth the wait!! You have an awesome Mommy and Daddy. Aunt Debby can't wait to get her hands on you. I hope your Ohio State cheerleading outfit fits you by football season. Hugs and kisses from Ohio.

Thanks to my family for such a beautiful Mother's Day. Each one of them is so special. I missed seeing Eric however. (Shhh don't tell him!!) I am very tired tonight and I'm wondering how I am going to have the energy to face what I must face in a little over a week. I am really going to miss my son, having him around 24-7 lately will make it hard when he is gone. Sometimes 30 days fly by, I'm not sure these will.

We had a celebration last night. We celebrated 90 days of sobriety for my son. As I look back over the last three months and re-live that first night it really feels like a dream. It feels like an amusement park ride that at times I've wanted to get off but it doesn't stop. Then other times it feels really good and I enjoy it. But always I feel totally out of control, I'm not in charge of the ride at all. The real miracle is that we genuinely have something to celebrate. When the phone rang in the middle of the night, I really didn't think we would get to this point. There is only one way this has happened. It is honestly and truly a God thing. Good out of bad, that's what He specializes in and I have seen it first-hand. The ride continues. Mike will be gone for 30 days soon. I pray that Nicole feels His presence more than she knows is possible. Then we face the next mountain and see how God helps us over that one. We will continue to get ready to meet baby Austin and trust that God has control of the ride.