Another good week-end draws to a close. I enjoyed another OSU game with my husband. Boy that's fun. Especially when they win. GO BUCKS!!! Kerri, the boys, Jen, Mikey and Deanna spent the afternoon with us today. Mikey seems to be getting into the habit of Sunday being "Mom and Dad day". We had a relaxing time playing games, eating and just hanging out. Mom stopped by for a while too. Jen showed me how to buy songs to put on my IPOD I am going to treat myself to tomorrow. I need something to help pass the time on the cardio machines. I get really bored. I'll be shocked if I do it without another house call from good old Jen. She even hooked up Mike's X-em radio whatcha-call-it that he won at market. She is amazing. Looking forward to another week. Lots to do.

Back from Pittsburgh with my daughter. It was a very successful trip to IKEA. We returned with a new crib, changing table and comfy chair for mommy for feeding time. We had a really good time but I really need to confess something. I probably ate more crap than I have eaten in a long time. I really don't want to list everything because it was really bad. Just leave it that I didn't stick with the soup and salad at Olive Garden and I really, really love gourmet malted milk balls. Unfortunately, that was just the tip of the iceberg. But confession is good for the soul and the gym is good for the body, soooo off I go to put two days in Pittsburgh behind me. Mike is coming home today hopefully. I'm really glad!! And thanks Kerri for a fun time. If Eric asks me about your food choices I've got your back. Never fear. That's what Mom's are for.

I heard this song for the first time yesterday and it blew me away. I think we have all been here at one time or another. I've been praying for some people that are living this today. I just wanted to share these words

I was sure by now that You would have reached down and wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say "Amen" and it's still raining.

As the thunder rolls I barely hear you whisper through the rain - "I'm with you"
And as Your mercy falls I raise my hands and praise the God who gives and takes away.

I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You arae who You are no matter where I am.
Every tear I've cried, You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry, You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone, How can I carry on
If I can't find You?

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth.

I'll praise You in this storm and I will lift my hands
For You are who You are no matter where I am
Every tear I've cried You hold in Your hand
You never left my side and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I thank God for His faithfulness even when we can't see His hand.

It is Sunday morning and I am praising God this morning. Mike and Mikey just left for a furniture market and as Mike was sharing his feelings about going to beautiful downtown Tupelo Mississippi, Mike quietly said, "I'm glad to be going to Tupelo, a year ago I was in jail and couldn't go anywhere." I tend to get lonely and feel sorry for myself when they are gone, but this trip I am so thankful that I have a son that is alive and on his way to market to work with his Dad. And I have a husband that is happy with his work and is sharing that with his son. So I will go to church this morning with a grateful heart.

I had a great Valentine Day. I spent part of the day with my two littlest valentines and of course my best friend - their Mommy. I was on my way home from dinner with my gorgeous husband and I was reminded of a love song that has always brought out feelings not so much for my husband but for the little boys in my life. Until you are a Nana, it is impossible to know what that kind of love feels like. This song tries to put it into words for me. So this is for Riley and Trey.

Have you ever been in love

You could touch the moonlight
When your heart is shooting stars
You're holding heaven in your arms
Have you ever been so in love

Have you ever walked on air
Ever felt like you were dreaming
When you never thought it could
But it really feels that good
Have you ever been so in love

Have you ever been in love
You could touch the moonlight
When your heart is shooting stars
You're holding heaven in your arms
Have you ever been in love

The time I spent waiting for something
That was heaven sent
When you find it don't let go
I know...

Some place that you ain't leaving
Somewhere your gonna stay
When you finally found the meaning
Have you ever felt this way

The time I spent waiting for something
That was heaven sent
When you find it don't let go
I know...

Cause have you ever been in love
So in love
You could touch the moonlight
You can even reach the stars
Doesn't matter near or far
Have you ever been so in love

I've been blessed with far more love than I deserve.

Some say love, it is a river,
That drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor,
That leaves your soul to bleed.

Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you, it's only seed.

It's the heart, afraid of breaking,
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream, afraid of waking,
That never takes the chance.

It's the one, who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give.
And the soul, afraid of dying,
That never learns to live.

When the night, has been too lonely,
And the road has been too long.
And you think that love is only,
For the lucky and the strong.

Just remember, in the winter,
Far beneath the bitter snows,
Lies the seed, that with the suns love,
In the spring, becomes the rose.

Happy Valentine's Day

Another week-end comes to a close. It was good. We had our boys all to ourselves Friday night and Saturday. Took them to see Curious George. They are so much fun. Trey just kept grinning at me through the whole movie as if to say, "Thanks for bringing me Nana". It doesn't get much better than when your 4 yr. old lays next to you in bed and squeezes your hand three times and says, "That means I love you Nana." Be still my heart. What did I do to deserve this?
Then to top off the week-end the Bucks won another big game.
Here's to another good week.

Well, it's another boy!! He's healthy and if he is half as cute as the two we have, we just can't go wrong!! I'm just glad to finally know. It's hard for me to feel like it's real til I know what it is. I just can't wait to get my hands on him.

Good things about this week-end:
Snow
My husband was home
Ohio State Basketball game (We won!!)
Sunday lunch with the Stetlers
Super Bowl game with Mikey
Relaxation

Bad things about this week-end:
Not enough snow
My poor husband had jet lag
Kerri didn't feel well
Too short

Happy Monday!! Here's to a good week. We will find out what Kerri is having tomorrow if the little one cooperates. Plans will start for my new sun room and deck this week. The boys will spend the night with us Friday. Can't complain. Life is good.

My husband is out of town and I just got back from an unbelievable date with a very handsome younger man. He's a big OSU basketball fan so we have a lot in common. I hope to see more of him. He thinks I'm wonderful and the feeling is mutual. We watched the Bucks win big over dippin' dots and hot dogs. Boy did we have a good time!! Tonight there was no where else I would have rather have been and no one else I would have rather spent my evening with. He made me buy but I really didn't care. The only problem was he fell asleep on the way home. What a great date!! I love you Riley!!

As I promised here is short round one in his OSU jersey. Unfortunately Riley was not in the mood to have his picture taken. Maybe later. It is half time and we're not looking too good. As this was being taken he was yelling"go bucks!!" I'm sure they will pull this one out.
Thanks to Jen for showing me how to post this picture but the true test will be remembering for the next time. She does it so fast I can't really keep up with her.We had a good time tonight, just ate too much.

Well the week-end is almost here. I had a good day with Kerri and the boys yesterday. Thank goodness for mall playgrounds during the winter!! They really have fun at the Polaris one. The place is always packed but it is amazing how few kids get hurt. I found them Ohio State basketball jerseys. I can't wait to see them on. We are having a "family night" tomorrow and maybe Jen can show me how to post pictures on my blog. Riley gets to stay up late to watch the game. Monday night someone will be taking him to the Schott to see the game. It will be good to get together and just hang out. Trey says he wants to play hide-n-go-seek with Mikey and I'm sure there will be several games of Pigs played. How can such a stupid game be so addicting? Pizza, munchies, games and OSU - sounds like fun to me.

To everyone who's lost someone they love
Long before it was their time
You feel like the days you had were not enough
when you said goodbye

And to all of the people with burdens and pains
Keeping you back from your life
You believe that there's nothing and there is no one
who can make it right

There is hope for the helpless
Rest for the weary
Love for the broken heart
There is grace and forgiveness
Mercy and healing
He'll meet you wherever you are
Cry out to Jesus, Cry out to Jesus

For the marriage that's struggling just to hang on
They lost all of their faith in love
They've done all they can to make it right again
Still it's not enough

For the ones who can't break the addictions and chains
You try to give up but you come back again
Just remember that you're not alone in your shame
And your suffering

When you're lonely
And it feels like the whole world is falling on you
You just reach out, your just cry out to Jesus
Cry to Jesus

To the widow who struggles with being alone
Wiping the tears from her eyes
For the children around the world without a home
Say a prayer tonight.

It seems like I know so many people living in these words. I guess we've all been there

OSU basketball and American Idol!! I think I can make it through this weird winter. Actually time is moving too fast. Really wish it would slow down. My little ones are coming over tomorrow. Maybe it will be warm enough to get "the car" out for them. Have I said lately how much I LOVE those boys??!! I gave my OSU ticket for tonight to the Stetler family and Kerri showed us how much she takes after her Dad and not her selfless mother. She gave it to Eric and then took it back. She's cold!! I really needed to watch this game somewhere where I could pace. Have fun with your Dad Kerri!! I love you too.

I've been thinking alot about how this year has started. Strange, very strange. I've also been thinking about my plans for the year; a trip to Florida, maybe re-uniting some old friends at one of our old get-aways, meeting my sister somewhere for some time with her alone, market, a new grand-baby, our trip to the beach. And then there's the dreams and goals for all the people I love. However the beginning of this new year has reminded me that we're not in control and we really don't know what tomorrow or the next day or the next might bring. God knows what 2006 holds. And while sometimes I wish I knew the future, I know it's best I don't. I do know that God wants what is best for me and all of us. That's what I want too.

I hugged and kissed my boys tonight and said "good-bye" to Luis. He's resting in peace.

My sister sent me this prayer today. I will read it often.

"I stand between the years. The Light of My Presence is flung across the year to come-
the radiace of the Sun of Righteousness.
Backward over the past year is My Shadow thrown, hiding trouble and sorrow and
disappointment.
Dwell not on the past - only on the pressent... Bury every fear of the future...
of suffering, of loss.
Bury all thought of unkindness and bitterness, all your dislikes, your resentments,
your ssense of failure, your disappointments in others and in yourself...
leave them all and go forward to a new and risen life.
Remember you must not see as the world sees. I hold the year in My Hands - in trust for YOU.
But I will guide you one day at a time. Leave the rest with Me.
You must not anticipate the gift by fears or thoughts of the days ahead.
And for each day I shall supply the wisdom and the strength."

Thanks Libby.

Some things just don't make any sense. How can a little boy wake up one day with an earache, have seizures the next and the next be brain dead? How are Kerri and Eric going to explain this to Riley? Luis was so full of life. He sometimes had more energy than we wanted him to have. He called me Nana as if it was my first name. I remember the door opening Christmas Eve and in walked Luis with a little basket with Christmas candy for the Stetlers. I remember thinking what a fine young boy he was becoming. He was thriving in school. Why? How do parents and siblings survive this? What can Eric possibly do or say at that little boys bedside? We take life so for granted. I'm really sad and I guess having answers wouldn't make that any different. May God minister to that family tonight.

What a great birthday!! Thanks to my mom, dad, Mike and Mikey, Kerri, Eric, the cutest little boys in the world and of course the ever popular Jen Leonard - I had a stupendous birthday celebration. I love you all!!

We had a beautiful Christmas day and I hate to admit it but I (and even my husband) slipped into some kind of funk and we have been fighting it for several days. I think we are finally getting on top of it but it is hard when you aren't quite sure what caused it. This is a true confession as I am very ashamed I allowed this to happen. This season of the year is so beautiful and God's blessings on our lives have been just as beautiful. Oh well, beating myself up won't help either. Speaking of God's blessings, He is able to grant us His grace even in the midst of a funk. Ironically, I think this state I have been in is somewhat related to the amount of time I have practiced His presence in my life lately. So tonight I am thankful for the way He loves us all the time no matter what no questions asked, no strings attached.