Home-Sickness

I have been feeling a little sad lately - missing my family. As some of you know - I was born and raised in Michigan and all of my family is still there. I have been here in Texas for 27 years and have been home once every year until I retired in 2005. That year I went home in October for 3 weeks and again at Christmas for 4 weeks! It was so wonderful!!!! I have tried to make it home twice a year since. Although, I haven't been since last Christmas and when the price of gas kept going up and up all summer - it was looking like it would be next year before I could go again. But now with gas prices going back down and the deep ache in my heart . . . well . . . I'm going!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm thinking I will leave around the 15th of December and stay until around the 4th of January. I'm afraid Christmas in Texas just isn't Christmas. Don't get me wrong . . . the reason for the season is Christ's Birth and no matter where I am that is what I celebrate. But it just seems that what makes the holidays even more special, are the childhood memories. Texas has much beauty and I love many things here, more so, I love many people here, but family is family and Christmas requires SNOW!

Let me introduce you to my family:

This is my big brother, Lee, (he's 10 years older than me) his wife Florence and their youngest son, Arend (who is in his late 20s and works for Edward Jones in New York City). The little guy at the bottom of the picture is my great nephew, Jason.

This is my "older" sister, Jan (she looks younger than me and she is 8 years older! Not fair!) The boys are her grandsons, Jason II and Cole. Little Cole has some very serious medical issues that Drs can't seem to diagnose.

Isn't he the cutest?! He is 10 and little Cole is 5.

This is Jason and Diana. Jason is Jan's son and the little boys, Jason and Cole are their little boys.

The pretty young lady seated is my sister's daughter, Jennifer. She is a nurse practitioner. The handsome young man behind her is her husband, Claudio. He is from Italy.

This is my "little" brother, Paul. He is 5 years younger than me. He is holding his grandson, Andre.

Here he is with his two daughters, Leah, 18 and Amanda 19. Amanda is Andre's mom.

Now, get this . . . this is Jerry and Andre. Jerry is Andre's uncle. Yes, Jerry is Paul's youngest - age 5. Andre is 3.






This is Andre's mom and dad and Aunt Leah.

See why I want to go home? I need to go every 3 or 4 months to be able to keep up with everyone! I am missing so much!!!!

Ok, I'll shut up! Just wanted to introduce you to my gang. It gave me a good reason to spend some time looking at pictures!

I'll get back to some quilting stuff tomorrow.

Good night!