I really tried to do a Christmas letter this year. I did. It might even still be saved as a draft post. All I can say: it has been one helluva year. A wild ride, that is for sure. I am glad it is coming to a close and hope that next year (and week!) brings us a year where things continue to look up.

We have a nice home that we love and can share with others. Mom is with us, even though she is in Michigan right now with family. The kids continue thrive at STEM. Maggie loves robotics and has started roller derby. Michael is doing better in school than ever. RJ is working and going to Sinclair, working on a degree in IT.

I am glad to be able to put this year to rest on a (mostly) good note. Christmas at dad’s was fun and chaotic as usual. Mom had a wonderful Christmas this year, both at home and in MI. She ventured out to dad’s with Aunt Dotty on Christmas Eve and enjoyed the chaos of 18-20 of us gathered about. She witnessed dad reading the traditional Christmas Eve story to his two granddaughters (I recorded it, Kelly snapped pictures).  When we woke in the morning, all the stockings were filled and we saw that Santa and brought gifts, had eaten some of the cookies, drank his milk and even fed some carrots to the reindeer. Breakfast was put into the oven and the opening of gifts commenced.

Kelly (my sister), Maggie and I did something we have never done before: went to see a movie. And what a movie it was! Maggie is already clamoring to see it again. We went to see Les Miserables. It was wonderful! She called Kelly and I wimps for crying so much … I called her cold-hearted for not shedding even one tear. Mom and I went to see at the Schuster Center in Dayton one year. I didn’t remember much of it and one particular event dawned on me when they were at the barricade and the young boy started singing. I immediately began crying in anticipation of what was to come. I will own that one.

I am now in planning mode for New Year’s Eve. I typically make many appetizers but am not sure what to make this year. Any good low carb ideas out there? Please share them. RJ won’t be home. Michael won’t be home. Wish I had thought to pull a few people together for a party … maybe next year. I think, instead, I will spend it knitting.