Wow! What a way to start the year. I had hernia surgery last Tuesday. It has been a slow painful recovery, but as with most life experiences, it has caused me to realize and be so thankful for my blessings as a Christian. Our brothers and sisters at Marietta/Reno Church of Christ have shown, as usual, the love and care that is matched by none! I have not had a day without a call, visit, or delicious meal from someone. Yesterday I was feeling a little blue and the leftovers were getting scarce. Then my friend, Cynthia, came by with chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, homemade bread, and pepperoni rolls. At 5 pm, my friend, Tonya, stopped by with baked spaghetti, green beans, cheesey bread, and peach cobbler. Then when Kent and the kids came home from services, our friends JoAnn and Nancy had sent 1/2 a ham, macaroni salad, and a fabulous cake! Wowwy wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! My family, friends, and brothers and sisters in Christ are amazing! We have enough food to freeze for lunches for weeks! This is such a blessing. It can't help but make me feel better knowing I have all these people who love and care for me. I hope this year I can be a better example, better mother, better wife, sister, daughter, Christian. I hope I can work more towards serving others. When I am down and out and really am able to realize how much this means to me, I begin to understand how much I need to do things for others! I'm so thankful for my own family as well - hubby and kids - who are waiting on me hand and foot and doing all the things I cannot do. I am blessed.

May you all have a wonderful 2010 filled with many opportunities to show your love to others! And I have to send out a huge THANK YOU to all my loved ones for taking such good care of us!

We love you!
Tina

Today is our 21st Anniversary! Where does time go?

Wow, lots of big decisions made fast these days. Moving in the next 2 weeks to 711 Lawton Rd., Marietta, OH 45750 (Devola). Think of us! :)

**Update: Moved 2 loads of stuff already. Kitchen is pretty much moved. I have been in good shape since we have been trying to sell, already downsized and had stuff packed. I'm having a MOVING SALE on Friday and Saturday at the new house - 711 Lawton Road, Devola. Details to come. Everything must goooooooooooooo! It's time to purge. I want to do fun things and not be bogged down by too much clutter!

****We lowered the asking price on the house again. $175,000 now. 4 BD, 3 BA house, full basement, jacuzzi tub in master bath, huge walk-in closet, raised bar in kitchen with seating for 4, hickory cabinets, wood laminate flooring in main living area, ceramic in baths and first floor laundry room. Formal dining room, separate office with french doors, 60 ft x 8 ft front porch and 12 x 16 ft back deck, 20 beautiful acres bordering Wayne National Forest. Hunters DREAM! Only 6 years old!

Tell all your friends! You can see a virtual tour online on Century 21's website. The address is 10609 Dalzell Rd, Lower Salem.

My son Spencer turned 15 years old today. I cannot believe how time has flown. He is such a good kid and I'm so proud of the young man he is becoming. However, I have been fighting tears all day. I can't believe how my Spencie can be 15? It seems like yesterday I was rocking him to sleep and he would wind his chubby little fingers up in my hair. When he had croup at age 2, I had to stand on my knees on a chair in the hospital room, so I could lay my head in his crib! He couldn't comfort himself without my hair! Where did the time go? Thankfully, he is not one of those kids who won't hug Mom, but now he is almost taller than me!

I wanted to share this poem I found in Readers Digest. I couldn't believe I found it yesterday when I was already starting to feel a little blue about my baby! :) I thought it was very appropriate! Happy Birthday Spencer! I love you!

MY SON THE MAN

Suddenly his shoulders get a
lot wider,
the way Houdini would expand
his body
while people were putting him in
chains. It seems
no time since I would help him to
put on his sleeper,
guide his calves into the gold
interior,
zip him up and toss him up and
catch his weight. I cannot imagine
him
no longer a child, and I know I
must get ready,
get over my fear of men now
my son
is going to be one. This was not
what I had in mind when he
pressed up through me like a
sealed trunk through the ice of
the Hudson,
snapped the padlock, unsnaked the
chains,
and appeared in my arms. Now he
looks at me
the way Houdini studied a box
to learn the way out, then smiled
and let himself be manacled.

-Sharon Olds from "The Wellspring"

Ha Ha! I never thought you would hear that from me!!!! Our nephew, Tyler, plays football for PHS. I am learning more and more as time goes by, but generally never really understood the game. We love going just because it pleases Tyler that we are there to support him and we get to spend time with family we don't see often enough. Plus it is just exciting and a nice change of pace. We took posters last night to hold up saying "We Love #16!" I'm sure he isn't embarrassed at all - I think he likes the attention! :) Last night they played Brooke County whom I had never heard of. It was a good game and we lost by ONE POINT at the very end! That was sad! Anyway, it was nice family time. We went to my sister-in-laws after for pizza and had a great time. I'm very glad that my boys aren't interested in playing football (or at least I tell them they aren't). I was pretty sure a few times that they were trying to tear each others heads off. I try not to look! Luckily Tyler is more the guy who runs and knocks people down - instead of the one getting knocked down - so that's better for me! My other sister-in-law is a nanny for 2 little boys (ages 6 and 8). They sat by me last night and explained everything that was going on! First and 10 - alright!!! lol

We are getting into the swing of school. I'm gearing up for surgery (BLAHHHHH!) and we are looking forward to autumn! I love pumpkins, changing leaves, and Halloween! What's going on with everyone else?????????