Lori's Rambling

It seems like Christmas commercialism starts earlier every year.  This year, as most years, the increased commercialism simply makes me think about the things that really matter.  As I think about Christmas as I grew up, the things that stand out in my memory are not the gifts that I thought I needed to have or even the surprise gifts that I never expected.  I remember the family times spent  talking about past Christmas memories.  One thing that my brother and I particularly enjoyed was hearing the stories from our mom and dad of their memories Christmas growing up with their families -- those stories inevitably turn to stories of the escapades of my dad and his brothers.  I still marvel after all these years of hearing his stories that he and all his siblings survived to adulthood!  Every year our family's special Christmas tradition was gathering on Christmas Eve in the living room, turning out most of the lights, and reading the Christmas story together as a family.  We would t

Well, I seem to have less and less time to keep up with the blog.  I have been so busy with work, Jaelyn's soccer games, getting ready for Jaelyn's birthday, etc.  Now I am the proud mother of a 6 year old daughter.  I'm still trying to figure out where the last 6 years have gone!  It seems like just yesterday that she can in my arms for the first time. I am very proud of the girl she has become.  Jaelyn is very compassionate and caring.  She is a bubbly, active girl, who is almost always ready to try something new (activities that is, she is getting better about trying new foods!).  Jaelyn has a determined personality and applies that determination to anything she tries.  This year she tried soccer for the first time.  Jaelyn began in September and the season just ended last weekend.  The difference in her skill from the first game to the last game was amazing to watch.  Jaelyn became a very skilled and instinctive defensive player for her team.  Toward the end of the seas