Happy Holidays - it's only been about 5 months since my last post.  Instead of being 90 degrees and sunny outside its only about 30 and freezing rain.  Since my last post our family was able to attend our first ever Ohio State football game in Columbus, Karen and I went with my mother-in-law on a 5 day cruise and while we were gone my husband remodeled our kitchen for me.  Also, since my last post our son has moved out into his own apartment, and is doing well and enjoying himself.  Because we don't have any children living at home now, I haven't really gone through much of an empty nest period because our son is only about 20 minutes away and I get to see him at least once a week.  But because we no longer have any children living with us, we converted one bedroom into a guest room., but our daughter still calls it her bedroom.  Our son also had to take his car to the scrap yard and see it being crushed.  He then had to make the decision of buying a new car from a dealer or from the car lot called "mom & dad's used vehicles."  He chose the later.  Now Brian is looking for a new SUV,  Maybe that will be our only Christmas present this year.

We just got back from having Thanksgiving at our daughters house, it was a great time with all four of us gathered in her small one bedroom apartment,.  Now its getting busy with all the corps activities and company Christmas activities.  Please make sure that even in this busy time you take time for immediate family.  I have two prayer requests in closing this post: (1) I have injured my foot and find it very difficult to walk any distant and (2) our daughter Karen fractured her elbow this past Monday, she can't drive and she can't use her right arm for at least 3 weeks.

Love and Prayers Always, SAMom

I know that it’s been a while since I’ve posted, but I’m back.  It’s been a very good few months, my back is doing of and my family is going forward in their lives.  There have been a few changes at my office at the transit agency, but I still have a job and that’s the important part.  Right now we are able to work compressed work schedule so I’m able to get off work early on Tuesdays.  Matthew is on break from college and is looking to have his own apartment by the end of the summer.  I am ok with that as long as it is not more than 15-20 minutes away.  Karen is doing ok in Marietta; I’ve heard that the summers have a lot of activities on the riverbanks.  Since I last posted Brian and I have been in Washington DC for a work-vacation and had a lot of fun seeing all the “tourist” attractions in DC, then just a couple of weeks ago we were in Hershey PA for commissioning.  Hershey was a good time seeing old friends and spending some time with Karen and one of her corps members.  I’m looking forward to my next vacation, but it won’t be until October when Karen, Brian’s mother and I will be going on a cruise.

We have new assistant officers here in Dayton and are really looking forward to some good times in The Lord with them.  I have a prayer concern for one of our friends and neighbor.  Steve just found out he has leukemia, his wife said that the doctors feel that it should react to treatment pretty well, but he and his wife definitely need your prayers.  Also please remember in your prayers all the officers that just arrived at their new appointments, it’s always difficult to pull up roots and go to a new town.

Good evening, this has been a good week at work and home.  My boss has been out of the office so I’ve been able to catch up with some of my work that had been put on the back burner.  It’s been good to feel caught up, first time in a while.  I join a group of ladies at the office for a “Biggest Loser” contest from March through June.  We pay $5 every pay week and the one who looses the most weight gets all the money.  No cost to the company just something we are doing as a group of friends.  So far I’m not doing the best, but then I’m not really trying yet, but I will.  Last time the winner only lost 4 pounds and got over $300, now that’s incentive.

My husband and I got our taxes done this week, it’s the last year that we will be able to claim our son and we have not been able to claim our daughter for a couple of years now.  Maybe we will have to adopt a child just so we have an extra deduction next year, NOT.  It’s kind of strange when your children are too old to be your dependents, but they are still costing you money every week.

My husband and I went to visit our daughter in her new appointment in Marietta, OH over the weekend.  The community kind of reminded me of our first appointment in Maine.  Small city, old fashioned homes and family owned businesses.  I think the corps has a lot of potential and I think Karen will fit in quite well.

Please pray for me, my voice has been gone for about the last 6 weeks.  I am going to see a specialist on Monday to see what’s up and why I can’t speak but a whisper.  Take care and prayer for each other, Love and Prayers Always, SAMom

It's been a good and bad week, it's been good because we have had snow and it's still snowing, I love snow.  But it's been bad because I'm going on my second week of having a cold.  It's also been a good week because Karen will be here all weekend.  Yesterday was Karen's birthday, I guess I can't be 29 anymore, it's good to have a friend and a daughter.  It's bad because this may be here last weekend home for a long time since she will be moving on March 4th to her new appointment in Marietta, OH, it's about 3 1/2 hours away not just 45 minutes, but at least she is still in Ohio.

I hope you each have a wonderful Sunday of worship and may God bless you.  Love and Prayers Always, SAMom

Good afternoon folk, we I can put my Seahawks jersery away for another year.  I am still very proud of my Seahawks and will look forward to watching them as often as I can next year. 

I hope you are having a good year so far, mine has been good, however I wish we could get some snow here in Ohio.  Have a wonderful day, love and prayers always - SAMom