The devastation in Haiti is heartbreaking.

Countless children lost.

Countless families divided.

When something like this happens we are given an opportunity to see what is really important in life.  What really matters.

It isn't all the material things that bind us, it's human connection.  It's touch.  It's a hug from a friend.  It's a phone call from your mom.  If you've been putting off that interaction today is the day to reconnect.

As for me, I'm at home today nursing a sick little boy who has a stomach bug.  I'm sitting in my warm house hovering over him as he tries to fall asleep.  He had a few sips of clean, pure drinking water and he is resting comfortable on our couch.  The only sound is the rythmic rotation of the washing machine as it cleans his soiled clothes and bed sheets.

Even in my exhausted state, I am capable of seeing how truly blessed I am.

May God's goodness shine down on Haiti.  We are praying for you.

1. My children: They are ornery, healthy and always underfoot. Sometimes I take that for granted.
2. My husband: We can get on each other's nerves just like any married couple but when it comes right down to it, he usually knows exactly what I need.
3. My sister: Growing up it was fun to torture her, now that she live 8 plus hours away I miss her more than anything. How can I explain this to my kids. It is so true that you don't know what you have until it is gone.
4. My dog: Of course, if you tell him I will deny this statement. He begs for food, he smells, he has the loudest bark in the entire world, but he lays with me when I am sick, he knows when I am sad, and he thinks going for a walk can cure anything. He may be right.
5. Bloggy buddies: I think you are awesome. Those who comment, those who follow, those who stop by regularly and those who just like lurking. Words of affirmation is my love language and this blog provides a lot of them.

Have a happy and safe Halloween. Keep your fingers crossed that our trick or treat doesn't get washed out or I am going to have three very sad little blessings on my hands.

To read more Friday High Five Posts click here.

Tomorrow is New Year's Eve and a perfect time to reflect over some of the highs and lows of 2008.

My oldest daughter turned 9. Sometimes it is hard for me to believe that in a few short months I'll have been a parent for an entire decade. This year's party didn't go as planned. We had to reschedule it because of illness and then most of the family couldn't come to the rescheduled event. It was a little overwhelming without the help I was used to and the girls seemed to bicker a lot, but daughter seemed to be oblivious to it all.

Beach weekends are better than therapy. I had the opportunity to spend two glorious weekends with my sister and a dozen of our friends "scrapbooking at the beach" which is really code for hopeless drunk.

One Wedding, two funerals. We witnessed our long time friend, and sometimes roommate, marry his soul mate; we said goodbye suddenly to my cousin, Michelle's husband, "Tiny", who died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident and we said good-bye to Baby Ike.

"Bob" got a stay of execution. After waiting months for an appointment with a plastic surgeon to look at my middle daughter's "odd mole", I realized that even if this particular PS was the only PS in my county, I wouldn't let him touch any of my children. Rude. Ignorant. Bastard. Also, after finding out my middle daughter named her mole Bob it seemed rude to have him cut off. We decided to use the less evasive approach of monitoring his growth pattern and making sure he uses sun screen. So far he has not changed in nearly a year.

Camping and Dutchwonderland. We took the kids tent camping for five nights and I realized that is about 2 days too long for me. We also had the opportunity to spend a full day at Dutchwonderland, an amusement park not far from our house. The kids (and the grown ups) had a wonderful time.

A 7 year old's baby shower. Not really, but I did buy baby shower decorations for my middle daughter's birthday party. She wanted to have a baby doll party and believe it or not this isn't a popular party. Her guests and their babies all seemed to have a blast. Now as long as we don't revisit this theme in 10 years all will be right with the world.

ALS walk. For the third year, I attended the ALS walk in memory of my Aunt who died nearly three years ago to this date of this dreaded disease.

Scrapbook convention. My mom and I attended the CK scrapbook convention again this year. Unfortunately, because of work obligations my sister couldn't come this year. It wasn't the same without her, but we still had loads of fun. Pretty soon my mom will be coming to the"dark side" and scrappin' with us too. LOL

REBA and Kelly. My mom and I had the opportunity to see this concert and it was fantabulous! I never laughed so hard when "Barbara Jean" did the opening. Great memories for us both.

Zoinks! What a great party. My son had a Scooby Doo party, complete with a masked bandit that stole the Scooby treats. I'll never forget his reaction when he saw daddy in a Frankenstein mask trying to get away with the treats.

A houseful for Thanksgiving. We were blessed to have a houseful of guest for Thanksgiving, including my dad and step mom, my in laws and my sister and her family. We had dinner and then my sister and I got to shop on black Friday. It doesn't get much better than that!

Blessed. Going into 2009, I feel very blessed. My nephew is out of the hospital and according to my sister his blood sugar levels have remained stable. All of my children are healthy, though I'm a little under the weather. We still have three more days of vacation and we are waiting to hear word about weather a shelter dog will be joining our family. **more about that tomorrow**

Here's hoping that 2009 brings more laughter than tears to you and yours.