Thank you Mothers!

It has been a wonderful day, weekend, month! I appreciate all the mothers in my life that are to thank for the fun I've been having! The trip to China was thanks to Joe's support and encouragement  (his mom sure did well) as well as friends, my own mother and mother-in-law helping with kids and my sister-in-law traveling companion! The low key Derby day was lovely and the right thing with all fun new things happening in our past year. A special nod to Jack's Mom- Mandy on a lovely First Communion/Derby celebration!! I'm just sorry we all couldn't share the celebration and stay longer.

Being a mom on Newark-Granville Road is a good thing and I'm grateful for all the inspiration, support, assistance and love I feel.

Full Fabulous February

What a wonderful month. It has been jammed packed with learning, laughing, loving and celebrating. I'm so grateful for family and friends who've shared it all.  Marcia warned us at work @ The Works that it would be a demanding month.  But the beauty is all the energy needed to execute was exponentially returned!  Cocktails by the Fire, Art From the Heart, STEMFEST, the Civil War lecture, Fabulous Fun Fridays, Granville Co-Op's evening and tonight's dinner with The Grill's Deli and Newark-Granville Symphony Voyage of Discovery performance were just the events.  The beauty is the family and friends with me at all of these - it hasn't felt like work!!  February started well and ended better!  The in-between had its ups and downs but some great family times to carry us through- celebrating our anniversary and Joe's birthday with my parents.  We said farewell to basketball season- players and parents- thank you for the fun.  What a lovely place a gym can be in the winter!! We juggle the hours with activities still loving LOGOS and appreciating our time with the friends we consider family. This weekend has been simply beautiful with friend and kid time galore magnified with the sun and outdoor time!  Life on Newark-Granville road has indeed been fabulous in February!

February Off to a Great Start!

I think most people know I like a theme.  I like creative and simple themes.  I like when themes can unite and support one another, give options and make connections.  I won't go into analyzing why I like themes but I do.    Last night Cocktails by The Fire was filled with amazing themes that really worked and I want to say thank you to the creators of those themes.  Robert Abbott and Marcia Downes started CBTF six years ago.  I know I attended many if not all of them and they've been fantastic.  It is great to see something like this continue and stay strong!  The point of CBTF is to support the glass blowing art and education that happens @ The Works!  That happened last night and then some- fun was had while learning and engaging- thanks to great people, businesses and themes!

The Highland (scotch) mojito/mint/citrus theme really worked!  The design of the invite kicked us off and Janice LoRaso's talent took it to the next level.  I'm calling the party a success when the guests/donors are eating from the flower arrangements- they're that comfortable and happy. It wasn't because they were hungry- the restaurants out did themselves- amazing food provided by the list in the photo!!

The themes for the year in my life continue to be learning and community. I'm certainly spending time in the right place @ The Works!  It was great to hear Gordon Gee @ The Licking County Chamber event on Friday talk about creative genius and how Americans and Ohioans not only have it but also create it!

February is off to a great start on Newark-Granville road- we're having fun as a family, we're learning and we're excited with the adventures in 2011!  I look forward to sharing these with you on this blog- thanks for reading!

Welcome February!

It has been a quick start to 2011.  It seems hard to beleive February arrives tomorrow.  Life on Newark-Granville Road has given us a happy start to the new year.  We're looking to loving February and all the fun it will bring!  At Work @ the Works it will be a full month- we hope to share the fun with you there- Cocktails by the Fire, STEMFEST, Art from the Heart, The Civil War Lecture Series and a wrap up at the end with the Voyage of Discovery- dinner before the Newark-Granville Symphony event!  Looking forward to savoring every moment of learning and enjoying time together.

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Christmas on Newark Granville Road 2010

Now I know how the  idea of "freezing time" came to be.  There have been several moments this week where I've wanted to just.....stop the world and just live in the amazing, joy, contentment and happiness in these moments.

Last Sunday- hosting the woman who grew up in this house and her husband and some friends for a dinner party was amazing.  There were so many reasons it was a truly beautiful night.  Clare's tour was precious and the good energy from the stories and memories still fills the whole house and each of us.

Yesterday's FPC 4:30 service (thank goodness, as at  a point in the afternoon I thought it was 4 pm start and I paniced!!) was beautiful. The children leading worship in all ways was incredible.  Thank you to all those that made this happen- watching Clare and Peter ring chimes with friends- something I'll cherish and carry with me forever. Sally and the other under 5 years olds belting out "go tell it on the mountain" as they turned and swayed for the benediction- all I can say is AMEN!  Each child radiated what we all strive for peace, love, hope and joy in their own special and unique way.  

And now- can I just freeze time right now.  What a beautiful morning. How blessed we are and I'm grateful, so grateful.  Santa exceeded the Leithauser children's expections and delivered a Wii.  I'm so happy he did.  I appreciate all of those that listened to the reasons I didn't want one and shared why they enjoy theirs- mostly the intergenerational play.  (Our kids already asked if we may pack it to take to MD when we visit grandparents!!)  Joe and I were reminising on how we remember the "pong" christmas and the fun that brought our homes.  Good news- now my children say they can share more at The Works since they have their own....ha ha...looking forward to exploring more easily other exhibits with them!!

Some fun "overheards on Newark-Granville Road"  today:

Clare:  "I'm so happy with Santa on SO many levels"  

Sally:  "How did that Santa get that big (mommy's antique) bike down the chimney?...hmmmm....maybe Santa got daddy's stolen bike back and painted it for you mommy!" (future blog topic by the say- you'll have to tune in February!!)  Peter- uncovered the Nationals jersey immediately and screamed with delighted enthusiasm- "Dad-Dad-Dad- it's Zimmerman's!! It's Zimmerman's"  later he told Joe- this is my first jersey of a player that still plays for the team!!  

Joe- sitting reading on the couch looking at his stocking-"do you know the restraint I used, not to dig into my "baseball forecaster" before today!!"

Watching all 3 kids help Sparky Anderson into his new "crab" dog collar- darling.  The girls gathering their new dolls and old dolls together to introduce them and make them all look "bue T ful".

I sit here looking at the beauty of a white christmas on Newark-Granville Road, listening to the kids play nicely with their new toys, enjoying coffee in a gorgeous pink and green mug, eating YUMMY homemade sticky buns (thank you mary) and reflecting on how we got to this place- so much support, love, hope and joy has created this peace and happiness- I am blessed.

I'll savor all the joy today will provide with the hope of fun tomorrow- addressing and preparing our holiday cards!! I enjoy this process and look forward to taking the time to do this in my "vacation mode" which I'm loving!!  Here is what we're sharing, based on the fabulous artwork by our friend Carlo!  If you scroll down you learn much about the year as well- the letter barely covers all the good times on Newark-Granville year and beyond in 2010.

2010 Christmas Letter:

Yes the Leithausers are feeling a bit like our life in 2010 was snow globe- but all is beautiful and filled with fun!  See if you can find:

Susan dressed for work!  In May Susan traded in the volunteer badge for a full time position in Development at The Works (www.attheworks.org)!

Joe in his plaid pants! Fun Pant Fridays delighted his Cardinal Health co-workers!

The Granville School bus. In the fall Sally went to KINDERGARTEN!!, Peter to 3^rd grade and Clare headed out to 4^th grade at the Intermediate school!

Sparky Anderson- (spaniel mix) - misses the family but is happy to report a successful Turkey Trot run this year!

The Terminator Lice Comb- yup we got em…just wanted to share this must have if you need to deal with this annoying menace.

Clare (10) the ballerina- another great year with the COYB Nutcracker performance- she added puppet, Chinese and party to scene performances!

Peter (8) ready for action- baseball, basketball, sports camp in Maryland, swimming, and even violin recital in his cleats!

Sally (5) never far behind- keeps up well with everyone and cared for by fabulous helpers in our village including her St. Ed’s preschool’s enhancement Kindergarten program!

Vote sign- the family thanks everyone who helped the Granville Library levy pass in 2010!

Chinese characters- these represent Susan’s trip to China with the Licking County Chamber in April 2011!  Exciting times!  Please note this will put the annual derby party on hold in 2011.

We wish you Happiness, Harmony, Peace, Fortune, Joy, Tranquility and Love (these are what the characters symbolize!)

For a larger picture of this wonderful artwork by Carlo LoRaso, pictures, stories and to stay in touch send us an email!

ssleithauser@roadrunner.com   leithauser22@aol.com  

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow!

Winter wonderland on Newark-Granville Road this week and that is fine with us! If it is going to be cold we might as well have snow!  We're enjoying the festive activities of the holidays. Thanksgiving was indeed a weekend full of things we were grateful for- primarily family time.  Thanks to Nana and Pap and the Leithauser clan for making the trek.  In the Nutcracker, Clare did a wonderful job peformaing as a mouse, a girl in party scene, a snow flake, a puppet and chinese dancer!  Peter and Sally ran the 5K turkey trot with Joe, sparky anderson and me.   We loved the impromptu post party to toast the event in our kitchen to dry off!  We squeezed in the trip to get the Christmas tree with Scott and Ann's family- a great December tradition.

We hope everyone reading this finds joy this holiday season!  The Granville Leithausers embrace the simple pleasures: opening christmas cards, family movie nights, friend's festive gatherings to name a few.  We'll keep you posted as the season progresses, along Newark-Granville Road.