Mercy started gymnastics in November. She goes once a week for an hour. She has really improved from those 1st weeks. She has great form and desire to do well. She really loves this activity. She does seem to be a natural at this.

January has been a busy month. Jt had his 1st Tae Kwon Do match. He does pretty well. At this age they are amusing. He was so proud of himself as was his grandma. He is learning so much. We have another match in April in Indy. Should be fun!

Jt and Stacey became engaged on December 18th, 2011. When they took this picture last summer, I said it would make a great engagement picture. They are a perfect match for each other. She loves him and his kids. They all adore her. I am lucky that he found a good girl that is a good fit for our family. I stayed with the kids so they could go away for the weekend. Stacey thought she would be surprising him by taking him to a couples hotel with a swimming pool and hot tub in their room. She had no idea the surprise would be on her when he proposed to her. She called me that night to tell me he proposed and she said yes. The kids were screaming, they are so excited to have her as their stepmom. So now it is time to lose a few pounds so I can get a nice dress to wear to the wedding, which by the way is September 15th, 2012.

End of 2011

I haven't done a great job keeping up with my blog this year. 2011 was a tough year and one that I will be grateful to see end. Our family experienced a lot of loss in 2011. My husband's good friend died in April. He was only 51 and committed suicide.

Then I lost my mom on May 24th. I never thought I would be so lost without her. There is a hole in my heart that will not close. I have cried many tears since that day. The holidays are the hardest without her. She made my childhood and adulthood memories of the holidays very special and it will NEVER be the same without her.

I lost my Nana on August 18th. This was my other rock. Besides my mother she was the closest woman to me. God now has 2 angels in Heaven with him. I just wish I could have had them here with me a few more years.

So as 2011 comes to a close I will reflect on those I loved and lost. Those I love and hold dear to me and pray for a good 2012. One filled with love and happiness, peace and joy. Merry Christmas and God Bless us eveyone.

Spring has came and the Good Lord called my mom home on May 24th. She was is now pain free and with my dad. As difficult as it is without her, I know she is happy. I miss her terribly. For the 1st time in my life I feel truly lost. I love you mom.

2010

As I close out another year, I look back at the year that just may have been one of the most difficult years I have ever experienced. My son was divorced and awarded full custody of his children. My mother became ill and now requires around the clock care. That has taken a toll on our whole family since we care for her ourselves in shifts.With the major caregivers being myself and Louie. She is no longer the person that raised me. She is very difficult to live with and care for. I still have hope that she can improve, but it doesn't seem likely.
At work things have improved. Business is much better than last year. People are slowly getting jobs again. I hope 2011 will see gains in the job market for many unemployed people. I want my friends and family to know that I love them and I hope 2011 brings peace and prosperity to all.

Fall 2010

My son's family has experienced big changes this last year. He was divorced and was awarded full custody of his kids. He met a great girl and they are building a solid realtionship. My grandchildren love her and that is wonderful. Here are a few pictures. Mercy

John Tyler (JT)

Stacey, JT, Little JT and Mercy

Iraq war is declared over! 7 1/2 years after it started the last full combat brigade crossed over to Kuwait. Remember the beginning, Mar 2003. Had a WNDU news reporter in my living room. They wanted reaction of local familes of Company B Marines in Iraq. Was a big deal then. Didn't even made the TOP story on local news stations tonight. I was watching it on MSNBC. Know more about Iraq than I ever needed to know...