January 1, 2010, Nashville, TN., 6:39 a.m., C.S.T.~

Dear Journal~

Happy New Year, everybody!  Hope y'all had a wonderful New Year's Eve and Christmas holiday season.  We sure did, but I'm kinda glad it's over.  Too much craziness goin' on!  LOL  Now once New Years is over, we can settle back into our normal routine (what's normal with me and my family??  LOL).

We had a wonderful New Year's Eve.  Spent it last night downtown; they had a celebration (First Night) going on, including live musical entertainment, fireworks, family-friendly activities, and no alcohol, which is fine with me. There were scads of people there; it was pretty wild (not to mention, cold!).  Brrr!!

We didn't get home until 1:30.  The troops are still crashed out in their beds; I'm the only one up, besides some of the animals, of course.  Kind of nice to have peace reigning over Casa Sandusky for once!  LOL

It's been good having the kids home for Christmas.  Some have already left; Steffi and Tank are the only ones left.  They leave on Monday to go back to Texas. 

Anh, Dwerlina, Melizza, and Dianna have since left to return to their living quarters. 

I miss them already!

The living room still looks like Christmas overload.  Tree still up, kids' toys strewn all over the floor.  I am going to have to get after them for not putting their toys up after they got done playing with them.  *Sigh*  Bill and I will probably start taking the decorations and lights off the tree before taking it out to the curb, so it can be recycled.  I know the little ones will be disappointed; they always are when the tree comes down.

The kids return back to school on Wednesday, the sixth.  I will be so glad; I need some time away from the rugrats!  They've been driving me crazy with all their noise and running around!  LOL

I know, I know.  That's what I get for wanting a big family!  LOL  Payback time!  LOLOLOLOLOL

Yet I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world.  I love my kids (all one million of 'em LOL) too much!  They're my blessin's from Heaven, and I am going to do everything I possibly can to ensure they are happy and have all they need in life before they fly the coop to go out on their own.

Yesterday, Michael, Porter, and Jeraldo took the outside lights down; they're now in storage until next Christmas (11 months away).  It will be strange not seeing our red, white, and blue icicle lights greeting us when we come home in the eveningtime!  Our house will look so plain!  LOL  Going to have to get used to seeing a plain, lightless house again!  *sigh*

I hear activity down the hall, plus I hear Bill's crutches thumping on the floor, so I know some people are rising to greet the New Year.  I will go, so I can get breakfast on for the troops.  I just wanted to stop in and wish y'all a very happy new year; may it be full of love, peace, hope, joy, and above all, blessings from the good Lord above!  See you later!

~Love, your friend in Tennessee, Louie May.  :)