2009 is upon us. Seems as if we were just taking that big plunge into 2000. Where does time go? I have been acknowledging to myself and to God this morning that I often approach a new year with trepidation ; don't know why but I do. This year seems a little different ; don't know why it just does. I guess that is the reason for my new year apprehension - all the "don't know's". But if I stop and think about it, that is true for each new day, it just seems bigger when I look at a new year. So, I will continue to live one day at a time into this new year (or at least try) and try to never lose sight that I need Him, every hour I need Him.

I need Thee every hour, in joy or pain
Come quickly and abide or life is vain.

Another beautiful Christmas day has come and gone. I have realized that my favorite part of Christmas is actually the preparation. And I thoroughly enjoyed preparing this year. I guess my two favorite gifts this year involved my daughter and and my son. My daughter received her referral to adopt a beautiful little girl from Liberia. This has been a process of over a year and now it seems it really is going to happen. Hopefully by spring we will be meeting little Nana and welcoming her into our family. My other favorite gift is the fact that my son is married and has a beautiful baby boy and has come back to work with his dad. I told my sister today that I don't think we realize the effect particular stresses have on our lives until that stress is gone. The day passed very quickly as it always does and it was a little different this year as Eric had to leave for work and we had to share Mikey with Nicole's family. But all in all it was another beautifully blessed Christmas and I am looking forward to the year ahead. I have learned that we never know what the year may bring but all the challenges we were faced with beginning last Christmas have turned out to be undeniable blessings. I'm sure there will be our share of mountains to climb but we will climb them one at a time with God's help. Happy New Year everyone.

For I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able, to keep that which I've committed unto Him against that day. Lord, give us all the strength to keep it all committed to You.

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.
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe.
This gift of love and righteousness,
Scorned by the ones He came to save.
'Til on that cross as Jesus died,
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid,
Here in the death of Christ - I LIVE.

Right now, I know of a lot of people it seems, that are praying for miracles. Do I believe God can perform miracles? ABSOLUTELY. Do I sometimes wonder why those miracles don't always happen? ABSOLUTELY. Sometimes I think the true miracle comes in a completely different form than healing from a disease, or the blessings of a baby, or even a job when there is none. The line in this song that says - "what heights of love what depths of peace, when fears are stilled, when strivings cease". That is the miracle that God ALWAYS brings if we will accept it. Read those words again, they are powerful. In the midst of our worst days, knowing God loves us and is in control can bring love and hope and peace no matter what may come. And sometimes that is all we have to stand on. But it is all we need. I don't pretend to understand all that happens in this life but I have experienced this indescribable peace that is able to cease my striving and when that happens, there is no other rest like it.

We had so much fun at Trey's birthday party this week. He is such a special little guy who loves to paint and create art and loves to eat out. He must get that from me. So we all went to Spaghetti Warehouse and ate, opened presents and laughed. I'm sure his cheeks must have been sore because he didn't stop smiling the entire night. Neither did I. His great-grandma was there and his new cousin, baby Austin enjoyed the evening with us. He will soon be 5 and we all learn from him everyday. We all should have a heart like Trey's.

Well, another beautiful Thanksgiving. We had everyone together at least for a short time. Eric had to go to work and Mikey had to go to in-laws. We all ate too much but oh well... Of course something usually happens in my kitchen to make the dinner eventful. Not too many years ago, it was my oven, yes my oven. I got pretty ugly or so I'm told. This year it was the dishwasher. So.. we washed by hand and used Chinet plates to make it slightly easier to clean up. But that wasn't the end of it My husband decided that he would try to will the dishwasher to work and continued putting it through its cycles only to force water through to the ceiling of the basement. Yes, that's right, our ceiling is falling!!! Gotta love it. So, tonight we will be dishwasher shopping. I wrote on my facebook that I had finally learned to keep life in perspective. This is no big deal. So the Pressley family is happy and well, and looking forward to the Christmas holiday and a brand new year.

I am having trouble jumping in to Christmas this year. Everybody knows that is very strange for me. I think I know why. I really miss my Dad. He loved Christmas, no I mean really loved it. He would get depressed because the day was over. He was a kid at heart and Christmas really brought it out in him. He wrapped every present. Mom didn't wrap any. We would joke because he taped every side of the box and put half a role on each present. A Christmas would never go by without someone opening a gift marked for them and it was really intended for someone else. Frilly night gowns opened by one of the boys was a common ocurrence. And pictures, did he take pictures!! I would be posed with a new hat and mittens and the camera wouldn't work - he had forgotten to turn it on. Unfortunately I'm noticing that I tend to be filling that role in the family now. I guess the best thing to do is to remember, remember him fondly and thank God for the memories.

I just wrote my words of sympathy to the Hymes family. First the mother to cancer, now the beautiful daughter to a drunk driver. Life isn't fair. So, I opened up my book of "words" that I am collecting. If you know me at all, they are mostly words from songs. But I have read these words in many situations so once again, I read:

"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 ravaged world. You will not be disappointed."
Palmer

Here's to hope!!

I got up this morning to some horrible news. A couple months ago I went to the funeral of a friend who died of brain cancer. She was a beautiful woman and a mother of three. Last night her middle child Nikki, died in a car accident. Her husband has been coming to church every Sunday with their youngest daughter. They have looked so sad, but she has been there by her Daddy's side every week. She is in middle school and I'm sure she was looking to her older sister to somehow fill in for the mother she had lost. This man has buried his wife and now will go through it all again with his daughter. I don't understand, I just don't understand. There are no answers.

I can't stand it. When one of my little ones hurt, I can't stand it!! I look forward to Monday nights. Kerri and the boys come for dinner and we just hang out. Last night we had spaghetti and meatballs and the boys played Wii. The night was winding down and it was p.j. time. Evan was doing his naked dance and the next thing we knew, he had fallen face first into the hearth. We even had pillows up because Papa and the boys had been wrestling earlier. One pillow had shifted and that's all it took. My little Evan had oral surgery today and had all three busted teeth removed. He called me today to tell me how brave he was. I love this little boy.

I don't know why but I feel very frustrated today. I feel like I'm not doing a very good job of keeping up with everything and everybody. I feel like I am on a run-away train that keeps getting faster and faster and I just need it to stop. I need some quiet time to settle myself and do some self-talk. I think I'm going to let the little ones trick 'r treat with their parents and realize they won't miss me and it's o.k. not to be there. I just don't want to miss anything, life is too short. But at the same time I can't be everywhere and life does go on without me!! I just hope I am being what they need me to be. I hope I live my life like these words describe. Yes, another song.

Wake up to the sunlight
With your windows open
Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken
Wear your red dress
Use your good dishes
Make a big mess and make lots of wishes
Have what you want
But want what you have
And don't spend your life lookin' back

So go to the ballgames
And go to the ballet
And go see your folks more than just on the holidays
Kiss all your children
Dance with your wife
Tell your husband you love him every night
Don't from the truth
'Cause you can't get away
Just face it and you'll be okay

So give to the needy
And pray for the grieving
Even when you don't think that you can
'Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you
so think of your fellow man
Make peace with God and make peace with yourself
'Cause in the end there's nobody else

Oh wherever you are and wherever you've been
Now is the time to begin

Turn up the music
Turn it up loud
Take a few chances
Let it all out
'Cause you won't regret it
Lookin' back from where you have been
'Cause it's not who you knew
And it's not what you did
It's how you live

My little ghosts and goblins getting ready for Halloween. As you can see, Mr. Punkin isn't too happy. But Nana is, they always make her extremely happy. I do believe I'm the luckiest woman in the world!!

Excuse me, I just can't help myself. I hear songs and I just have to share them. Just move on if you don't feel like reading another. But I think this is really good.

I've heard the angels and I've seen the devil
Fought with the lion, sent through the fire
I've been in the valley when it was dry
Walked through the desert to the other side

I'm not a preacher and I'm not a hero
My life has never been that kind
But there is one thing that I hold onto
I am Yours
and Lord, You are Mine

And through all these years You have been there
Dried all my tears and answered my prayers
I just want to feel your presence again
I'm down on my knees in need of a friend

I've seen a widow cry through her sorrow
And still raise her hands in the midst of it all
and Lord I'm reminded when I was weary
You carried me, yes, You carried me

In the midst of a struggle
There is one thing I know
You'll never leave me, no never alone.

Another great week-end. Of course I miss my husband but nevertheless I had a wonderful week-end. Friday Kerri and I took her three and baby Austin to the Pumpkin Show in Circleville. We really had fun - pumpkin donuts, pumpkin burgers and pumpkin fudge. I spent the night with them and Saturday morning we went to the Clintonville Farm Market. I had the Very Best Donut I have ever tasted, bought some fresh produce and just enjoyed the morning with the boys and my daughter. We went back to her house and enjoyed a Harvest Party her and Eric gave for the community kids with lots of help from their friends. More Fall Fun!! Today I took my mom out for lunch after church. All in all a pretty special week-end. Here are some pictures. It's really difficult for me to get too worked up about politics and elections when I am blessed with so much. We sang a song in church today and one phrase stuck out to me - "kingdom authority". We are of another kingdom and God is the authority. That leaves not much to worry about.

I just want to add a quick blog. I was sending pictures to my friends and looking at this one made me so grateful. These are three beautiful women that I am so proud to call my friends. All three are strong and have been there for me for a long time. I love them as sisters. I know I could call them anytime for anything and they would be there. I thank God for these women today.

What a wonderful fall. The weather has been great and I've really had fun with family and friends. We had a great picnic this year. Everybody loved having it in October so that probably won't change. Most everybody was able to come but I really missed Mikey. Then this past week, Mike and I got some time with old friends some we hadn't seen for a long time. We played golf, a lot of golf and my body is trying to recuperate. It was so good to recapture the good times from the past. Everybody is doing well and it was just a relaxing few days. It seemed like everybody was at the place in their lives that we are just grateful that our kids are happy and healthy and we are able to enjoy our beautiful grandchildren. I think between the four couples we have 18 grandchildren and more on the way. Life is good.

What a good day Sunday was. Austin Michael Pressley was dedicated to the Lord. This was quite an experience for me - somewhat surreal considering all we have been through. He is a very sweet child and he has already brought great joy to our family. Mike is gone for most of the week and it is really getting cool. Another year almost gone. It has been good, we are very blessed. A lot of talk lately about our country's future. All I can say is I know who is in control. I'm looking forward to my picnic I have once a year. Mikey won't be here but it should be fun. Austin is spending the day with Daddy so Nana has a day off. Lot's of stuff to do better get busy.

Tomorrow my son and his wife will be dedicating their little boy to the Lord. This may not be all that remarkable but some of you know the journey our family has been on over the past few years. It truly is a miracle. Not just the dedication, but that my son is alive, is over 230 days sober and living such a radically different lifestyle - all miracles. It is definitely a "God" thing. Prayers are answered. I should never doubt that after watching Him work over the past several months. But as I write that I realize, He's been working a lot longer than that. He works when we don't see what He is doing. It is our job to trust until it becomes evident. Sometimes that takes a long time. I have been praying for the little ones He will give to us from Liberia and those prayers are truly blind prayers. I have no idea what their lives look like but I know one thing - God loves them and is taking very good care of them. Prayers will be answered!!

My husband and I were having a quiet late dinner on the deck last night. He looked at me and said, "you will never guess what I did today". Well, I usually hold my breath when he starts a conversation this way, I'm never quite sure what will follow. But he looked at me and proceeded to tell me about doing something that I know was very, very difficult for him. But he knew he needed to do it to make things right with him and someone else. I understand you really can't appreciate this because I'm not giving the details. But trust me, this was big. You see, I'm blessed to be married to a wonderful man that strives to follow God. I have watched him for thirty some years struggle and grow into this true man of God and I am very grateful to have him in my life.

Yesterday was a great day. First I put baby Austin to sleep. He is a little out of sync lately. I can't think of a better way to spend an hour. Kerri was going out with friends from church so I spent the evening with the other three grandsons. We ate berry granola dessert together and then I watched Riley and Trey sing to Highschool Musical. What a hoot!! Trey and I worked on a puzzle while Evan "cooked" pretend food for me. I can't think of a better way to spend an evening.