New Year's Eve Ramblings...

In past years, I've brought in the New Years a bit more raucously than this evening...but kids will tend to curtail the ole' social nightlife a bit. The highlight of my evening was getting three more stars with Josh on Super Mario...pretty pathetic, huh? Actually, this silly game has become somewhat of a Odysseyan quest for me. I began playing it with Marie years ago...stopped at 5o stars or so, and then recently picked it up again with the advent of Josh's enthusiasm for the game. For anyone who cares, it takes 100 stars to free the Princess from the castle (Josh and I are up to 61 now)...I'm gonna do this before I'm 40! (which sadly is less than 3 months away)

We capped the evening off by watching the new Superman movie, which I inadvertently purchased from my DVD club. (forgot to respond to the monthly Director's selection...UGH!) Josh conked out about 9:30, but the littlest one should be awake here within the hour.

This afternoon I was privileged to help play for a "celebratory" service for one of our choir buddies who lost his life to cancer. It truly was a celebration of this man's life. One of the songs that we sang was We Will Dance- a tribute to the many lives that this man had obviously touched during his short stay on earth. Please pray for his wife and kids who invariably will have some difficult times ahead.

15 minutes till the ball drops...so far, I'm not overly impressed with the line-up on Dick Clark's show...I must be getting old because Christina Aguilera sounds just like a bunch of noise with more emphasis on her choreography than any real display of musical talents- like I'm sure she really cares about my critique of her performance...But God love Dick Clark- who obviously is still recovering from his bout of illnesses.

Well, Happy New Years everyone and God Bless!

A Night with Lebron...

Well, not really...but our seats were fantastic! Marie and I headed up to Cleveland around 3:00 this afternoon. After roaming around Tower City for around an hour, we headed over to the Hard Rock and had dinner. Then, it was just a short walk over to the Q- home of the Chosen One. After leading most of the game by 20, the Cavs managed to squander most of their lead, and the Bucks pulled within 3 points with about 5 minutes to play. However, "you-know-who" took over, and pretty much put the game away with some clutch shots. D. Marshall was also on fire tonight with his 3's.

I'm not sure if Marie is ready to become glued to the TV each time the Cavs are on now, but I really think she enjoyed herself being at the game. Like any sporting event, there is always so much that goes on that is not televised- like the scoreboard antics/ tricks, the team mascot Moondog, and of course- the Cavs dance team. Marie "dragged" me over to their signing table prior to the game to get their autographs...the things a dad must do for their kids!

Whudda ya mean

there's no more presents!

A Marietta Christmas

Christmas Morning....

Sarah caught on real quick
on the fine art of opening packages...

Twas the Night

Before Christmas

I'm really not sure what is harder... waiting till Christmas morning when I was 10, or now- as a parent- and waiting for my kids to wake up sometime later this morning. Cindy and I just finished playing Santa, and if it was up to me, I'd go wake the kids right now!

Marie and Josh baked and decorated cookies for the big guy tonight, and then proceeded in setting the table for both the jolly elf and his reindeer. I'll never forget the year when it was just Marie and I, and I had no milk in the fridge...TRAGEDY...I told Marie that Santa would probably just be as happy with a Sam Adams...she bought it- she was only three at the time! (Yeah, I know...no Father of the Year on that one!)

I took Marie and Josh to go see the Polar Express film at the Cleveland I-Max theatre- awesome! I'm a huge fan of the film to begin with, but seeing it again in this theatre really renewed my love of the storyline about a little boy who is on the cusp of losing his childhood innocence and turning his back on Santa...until he's given the magical sleighbell on his incredible trek to the North Pole. Watching Josh's reaction during the film made it even that much more magical.

As anxious as I am in watching the kids open their presents in the morning, I am also looking forward to our services at church. One gift that I bought Marie for Christmas is the book based on the film, The Nativity. I so want my kids to be able to keep everything in perspective when it comes to Christmas and never lose sight of the whole reason for us celebrating this day...truthfully, it's the kids who usually are level-headed about everything, and it's us adults who go stir-crazy in trying to get everything "just-right" for the holidays...Josh tells me all the time to just RELAX...and Don't Worry About It....the lil' guy is probably right.

UGH...it's only 12:30...too early to wake everyone up...

A Visit with Santa

Escape from Baby Alcatraz

Nobody knows the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow....

Yo Santa, this was NOT on my list...Dad says it's to keep me safe when he can't always hold me, but I know my rights. Maybe I'll get out on work release after Dad is finished cooking dinner. Hey, what about my Miranda Rights? I at least get a phone call, right? UGH...can't reach the phone anymore!

Nobody know the trouble I've seen, nobody knows my sorrow...

Melancholy in Barberton
-Sarah Kay