I am sitting here at my computer as Gary's two kids play the Wii with Jeremy. My oldest and his buddy are at a get together and I have to go pick them up in a couple of hours. We celebrated Christmas with Gary's kids today. Before I go get the other kids I will be taking them home. Sebastian has fallen asleep in his highchair. I will agree with Gary that it is a bit crazy around here but You know what ... I love it. I know where my kids are. They are happy and safe. We are in a house that has plenty of room.

So many do not have it quite so lucky. They are in shelters or there have been changes beyond their control. I was reading online a few days before Christmas that a family lost pretty much everything in a fire when their car burst into flames in their garage. Usually these are strangers to me. But not this time. They used to live in the same trailer park and went to the same school with my kids. When the kids were younger, we took turns watching each others kids. Now they are staying with her sister until they can get back on their feet. Their Christmas presents were destroyed. No one was hurt and a couple of family pets were killed (a couple tropical fish and at the time of the story their 2 cats were still missing) but I know it sounds trite but they have each other still.

I am so very lucky. And for those who were not so fortunate this past year, I hope that you life turns around this next year and it becomes a time of less stress and a time of joy and togetherness.

Take care all and have a great 2009.
Roxann