December 29th, 2010. I turn 58. Amazing. Amazing that I'm 58, it's hard to wrap my brain around that. Amazing that I have been blessed with far more than I deserve. An amazing husband that makes me laugh and always has my back. An amazing daughter that has such a huge part of my heart and blesses me with a smile that lights up my life. An amazing son that has the art of making me laugh just seeing him walk into a room. Two children that I could not be more proud of and all the while they literally make life worth living. You really don't want me to start talking about the grandchildren. Just suffice it to say that I really don't need Christmas or birthday presents... I have 5 that make any gift look trivial. I am still blessed with a mother that has loved me unconditionally all my life. I can't forget my sister who becomes dearer to me with each passing year. A son-in-law and daughter-in-law that love my children and are sharing life with them in a beautiful way. Yes, I am amazingly blessed far beyond what I deserve.

I have a very special song that reminds me of my grandkids everytime I hear it. It's called "You Make Me Smile". The highlight of my Christmas was watching the boys as I played each of them their own DVD made up of pictures that I have taken through the years. Thanks to my friend Jen for doing all the techy stuff I could have never done. I will have pictures playing in my mind of each of them for the rest of my life. Hopefully this is something they can carry with them as they grow to remind them of how much they made me smile. Yes, we had another beautiful Christmas and I'm looking forward to another wonderful year with the unbelievable family that has so blessed my life. Happy New Year.

Another Christmas, it's hard to believe. Seems as if we just began 2010 and it's almost gone. I love to watch the movie Christmas Vacation. I always relate to the father who has such high expectations of Christmas. I always want it to be perfect and while it never is, I can't remember a Christmas in my life that wasn't beautiful. I have such wonderful memories of each chapter of my life. My Dad loved Christmas probably as much as I do. He was always sad when it was over. I've had times of let-down and even dread as I enter a new year. Not sure why, just a melancholy feeling here and there. But as I get older, I look forward to each new year, even each new day. I am such a blessed person, and there is so much to look forward to no matter what 2011 brings.

December 16th, the birthday of Trey Ryan Stetler. Absolutely one of God's most precious creations. This child is so smart it's scary and at the same time so full of love and compassion, there are times he doesn't know what to do with everything he is feeling. A beautifully sensitive little boy whose eyes see and understand more than most his age. No matter how old he is, his Nana will always remember him like this.

I love reading my daughter's blog right now. They have moved to the country on 9 acres of mostly wooded land. They are blissfully happy and so enjoying the new environment. I am adjusting to the fact that they are an hour away. I love the drive getting there. It is so scenic and quiet. It's actually a nice little getaway for me. And now, they are just far enough away that they often stay a night or two. LOVE IT!! In fact they will be coming for Trey's birthday party this week-end, AND....spending the night. That reminds me, I better get the flannel snowman sheets on their bed.