We had a very good week-end. It's that time of year - March Madness!! We had tickets for the games in Columbus. Some good, some bad, but still a fun time. On Friday, Kerri and Mikey were with us. Yesterday Kerri, Riley Michael and Mister Evan came along. Lots of fun. And of course THE game with THE shot made by Ron Lewis was almost more than we could stand as we huddled around the Stetler t.v. Almost more excitement than this old woman can stand. Unfortunately, along with March Madness, now comes market time. We now go to spring market in March. So this Thursday we will be headed for High Point N.C. Oh well, let's get another one over with.
It looks like my little ones are on the mend but I'm still not sure about my two Mikes. It is definitely time for spring!! They are still a little under the weather. Hope things get better this week, we've got a long few days ahead of us. HAPPY SPRING!!

It almost seems as if the older I get, the more questions left unanswered. The difference is, finding the answers just doesn't seem as important. Most of the questions we have, aren't that important. I was reminded of a song today that gives me all the important answers.

He is the Alpha and Omega
The Beginning and the End
The Son of God, the King of Kings
Lord of lords, He's Everything.
Messiah, Jehovah
The Prince of Peace is He.
The Son of Man, Seed of Abraham
Second Person in the Trinity.

Like I've said before. I'm a simple person. And for this simple person, that seems to say it all.
If all of this world should pass away, the love of God will always remain and I guess that's all I need to know.

My sister comes today. I'm looking forward to a good few days with her. Hopefully we can come to some concensus on my Dad's future.

I'm so thankful for the sun today. We made our beach reservations this week-end. Switching the trip up a little. Going to Topsail Beach; another nice quiet place for two weeks. Spring and summer WILL be here. You just gotta keep the faith.

Well, if anybody watched Dr. Phil today, you will know why I am apologizing for my whining. I thank God for my HEALTHY kids and grandkids. I just really needed to go on record with that today. Thanks God.

Prayers for my family today. EVERYBODY is sick. I hate this!! I just want everybody to be well. I went to Kerri's last night to help her get the boys to bed and when I walked in, there was Trey, on the couch with a fever so high you could see it and he was laying there with his Ninja Turtle mask on. Evan fell asleep holding the breathing machine by himself. It is soooo hard to see everybody sick. Kerri and Mikey are even sick. I know, I'm whining!! Hopefully it won't last much longer.
I can't believe tomorrow is March. I leave for market soon. YEA!! But, everyday brings us closer to warm weather. Hang in there!!

I found this poem and I was really moved by it. I thought I would pass it on. It shows such great depth and insight. I really relate to this.

Mother and Grandma

My mother feeds me tuna fish
with broccoli on the side.
But Grandma gives me candy
when my mouth is open wide.
My mother slices apples
and oranges for dessert.
My grandma brings me doughnuts
if she finds out I am hurt.

My mother makes me drink my (soy) milk
most every single night.
But Grandma gives me ice cream bars
when I do something right.
My mother cooks up rice and beans
that have an awful taste.
So I say, "See ya later,
I'm going to Grandma's place!"

Nothin' in the world like bein' a Nana!!

I needed to hear this today and I thought I would pass it on just in case someone else needed to hear it too.

"There is hope in the midst of hopelessness. Death is not where we lose; the onset of hopelessness is the great defeater. So allow hope to rise up within you. And when it seems that hopefulness is the least appropriate response in this situation, let it rise up even more. Whisper your hope when you lie down at night; scream your hope when you wake in the morning. Live your hope as if it is the one and only thing that sustains you in this revaged world. You will not be disappointed!" a godly man

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song.
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand.

Back from the Dominican and enjoying the winter weather. Yea, I know, I'm crazy. But it won't last forever!! We had a great trip except for the airlines. USAir is on my poop list. We actually made a friend on the island. We are looking forward to staying in touch with him. He's a very hard working father of two with a wonderful spirit. The people there really captivated us. They are beautiful inside and out. I'm sure we will return. The resort was wonderful and we had such a good time with our friends.
I have been feeling a little out of touch with people lately. I contacted by e-mail an old friend and found out she had been feelling much the same. It will be agood to have her back in my life if only by e-mail. I'm going to make some pro-active attempts to surround myself with people a little more but sometimes it seems you can try and try and they just don't respond.
Riley and Trey stayed with us while Mommy and Daddy (and Evan) went to Mt. Vernon for a little get-away. Ninja Turtles became the theme for the visit. Have I said I love those little boys?!

This morning I am completely overwhelmed by the joy these three little guys, pictured on my blog bring to me. I could tell you how cute and smart they are but that's not what it's about. I am blown away by the blessing they are to my life. I can't think of them without smiling and crying at the same time. Some of you are thinking I'm really nuts but I am sure those people aren't grandparents. Grandchildren are truly one of God's greatest blessings. Someone once said, "Grandchildren are God's way of thanking you for not killing your teenager". You just can't understand the joy of being a grandparent til you are. I thank God this morning for this wonderful blessing.

Midnight moonlight shining through the curtain lace
Paints a perfect picture on your perfect face
One sweet angel sleeping in my arms
You are the promise I knew God would keep
You are the gift that makes my world complete

And you'll never know how much I love you
But I'll keep on telling you my whole life through
Now I believe in miracles, and you're the reason why
So dream on while I sing you my angel's lullaby.

A beautiful snowy day. Brunch with the family and then just hangin' out. Missed Mom and Dad. They didn't get out in the weather. But is was a good day. Actually and good week-end. We went to the 94th with friend Friday night and then saw a really exciting OSU basketball game last night. Mike is in Las Vegas this week for market and I will be busy getting ready for our vacation. Looks like it's going to be a cold one. Bundle up and have a good one.

A tough start to the new week. It never ceases to amaze me how life can give you such unsuspected turns. Sometimes having the best intentions just isn't enough. When someone is very important to you and you end up being the source of their disappointment, it makes you feel like a total failure. It might be totally out of your control but it doesn't make it feel any better. Another year begins with lots of uncertainty and nothing you can do but trust, leave it in God's hands and trust. It seems the older I get, the more I am called to live one day at a time. I know I say that repeatedly, but it truly seems to be my theme song.
When this day comes to a close, my Riley will be home. I have really missed him but it sounds like he had a really good time. He is such a big boy. It will be good to hear him tell me all about his trip to Florida. I love to hear him talk.
Less than three weeks and we will be leaving for the Dominican Republic. I hope Mike can really relax. It should be fun.

Prayers tonight for Luis's family, left trying to fill the void since he went to be with Jesus. It's been a year now and I am sure his mother still cries herself to sleep at night. The times I have seen her, she has been so brave with that beautiful smile on her face. But I will never be able to fully understand the pain in her heart and I am sure she is convinced it will never go away. I still ask "why" every time I think of that dear little boy. In your prayers tonight, whisper Joy's name and pray she may feel God's arms, knowing that one day she will see him again.

As I begin this new year, I am called by God to trust Him in a lot of circumstances. And that, I am determined to do. Because you see, when I have trusted Him in the past, I have found it to be the right thing to do. Actually, when I truly depend on Him I find myself getting excited about the unknown. What He has in store for us is always, always GOOD!! I have placed everybody I love and all the things I don't understand in His hands and I am excited about 2007. I pray I will be used in some of His answers.

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.

Well, Thanksgiving has come and gone. We had a nice time with the family. Evan is still coughing and taking breathing treatments but he is improving. Trey has some kind of gunk coming out of his eyes and Mike and Mikey are both sick. I have Mikey at my house filling him up with Juice Plus and veggies. He takes such lousy care of himself its no wonder he can't get well. I got back to the gym today after dealing with some foot pain and it really felt good. I am 99% done with my decorating and I am pooped. Tomorrow is movie day with the boys - Santa Clause 3. It should be fun. Then shopping with my friend Ruth and dinner with the guys on Wednesday. Next week is Mikey's operation and I will be glad when that is over. I took some decorations to my Mom's apartment yesterday. Dad was really confused when we were putting up the tree Thursday. He asked if we were taking it down!! I'm not dealing well with the empty eyes my Dad has these days. He lived such a vibrant life, it doesn't seem right for it to be this way. I've really been missing my sister lately. I really wish we could all be together for Christmas this year. A lot of things just don't seem right.

I feel so bad right now. Evan is still very sick and Kerri has just about hit the wall. We are all really concerned for the little peanut. I just wish there was something I could do for her. Funny thing is, she feels the same about her child. See, it never changes. It doesn't matter how young or how old they are, you still are the mother and you still should be able to "make it all better". I still see her as my little girl and she's having a tough time. I just hope and pray that today will bring healing to Evan's little body and rest for my little girl.

Monday morning, hit the ground running, little frustrations - life. But this morning I am thanking God for his hand of protection over Riley. He came far too close to getting hit by a car today. My mind can't even go there. God is good and really does watch over us. Sometimes we don't even realize it but this time if was all too obvious, too close for comfort. Baby Evan is really struggling but I am sure God is watching over him too. It is so hard to watch a little one hurt. He is so good when his Mommy gives him the breathing treatments. He has such a sweet spirit. I thank God today for all three of my little ones. Life just wouldn't be the same without them.

FYI on a lighter note - Ty Pennington is in Whitehall. They're starting on a house tomorrow. Am I there? You bet I am!!!