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Grateful - sometimes I have a hard time saying it out loud...why?  Well, the Christmas before we lost Ryan I remember sharing with my mother in law how happy I was, how I literally felt so happy that I feared something bad happening and just 2 months later we lost Ryan.  So for the past 17 years I almost cringe after speaking of my happiness or being grateful for anything, for if I do I may jinx...

 Running  14 races
Medina half marathoncleveland half marathonlightning bug 5kMedina twin sizzler 10k 
 
 
 
 

at Christmas time but be thankful year round for the gifts you receive.  ~Lorinda Ruth Lowen

 Sam made all of the kids scarves
What a wonderful Christmas we shared with family this year. But it always comes and goes so quickly!  By the evening of Christmas all of the kids gifts were put away and there was nothing under the tree!

 Our Christmas morning ritual - start with the stockings
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So much on my mind and so much I want to do...
For starters I want to organize my house.  Doesn't that always happen after Christmas? That must be why so many organizational bins are on sale at Target, because after the hustle and bustle of Christmas we are now ready to simplify our lives!  I know I am!
I'm going to start a room at a time, actually a theme at a time really.  Like starting with...

Reflecting on the year that has almost come to a close, lots of fun memories, great vacations and lessons learned!  Wow, time sure does fly!
  
Christmas pictures to come...

it's the best time of the year...

 
 Hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!

Thursday Thirteen....
 
I know this usually comes after Christmas, but I've been thinking a lot more about this recently....
In November we went to dinner for my brother in laws birthday.  During that dinner he talked about a couple resolutions he has which are donating an hour of his time a month, reading 3 books in the year and continuing his workout schedule.
Isn't it those things that we...

In between the craziness of Christmas and all the holiday fun I have been also receiving and trying to organize the many books that have so far been donated in memory of Ryan to build the library for the Metro Hospital Pediatric floor.
I've also taken the month of December and paid it forward in memory of Ryan by leaving $5 after paying for my order in various coffee shops, drive through, etc.  It's...

and we are sure counting down here!
So much to do and yet so much to enjoy!  We got some snow on the ground, just enough for the dog to roll around in and a coating on the grass to make it look pretty!
Last night we went to the Trans Siberian Orchestra at Quicken Loans Arena and it was a fabulous night and a fabulous show!
 
The light show itself was spectacular and then add the music!

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One of the things that sold me about buying our house over 16 years ago was the fireplace...
And I have loved it ever since, even more so when we switched over to gas logs.  Our family room was once the coldest room in the house, but that is no longer the case!
It is perfect for the cold winter afternoons while baking and wrapping gifts to look over to see the glow of the fireplace and really lends...