Early Thanksgiving

My family visited from Virginia and Michigan last week. We had a great time. It was good to see my mom, sister Shawna and her daughters. My brother Lonnie came from Michigan with his wife, Dawn and their kids JD and Kailey. We got to see Shawna's newest baby girl - Clara Jane, too. Our Grace and Martha have grown so much, too. They were adorable. The cousins - Kailey, Grace and Martha all got along, too and had fun playing in the bedroom. My 12 year-old nephew, JD was hilarious when he went into the room and scared them. We heard screams of terror and soon replaced with screams of laughter. Of course being 2, 3 and 6 they wanted him to do it again and again. It was fun. Cherie and I live in a small, 2 bedroom apartment so space was at a premium with eleven of us there. Our two babies - Marmie and Nelpe Ann went into hiding for the majority of the visit. We had our Thanksgiving together even though it was three weeks early. It's always fun to share time and memories with family. I don't get to see my family very often so it was a real treat. My mom is doing well and made her famous dressing patties. Growing up we never had stuffing in the turkey. It was just a tradition that my mom made them into patties. They were great on sandwiches later, too. I love Thanksigiving meals and the smells of the holidays. I had left our Halloween decorations up, too because Shawna and her girls love Halloween as much as I do. I wanted to share them with someone. Cherie and I were worried about seating and sleeping arrangements, but things worked out very well for us. I think everyone was comfortable - at least they said they were. It's just nice to spend time with those you love. I have to say, though, that I was sort of sore and not feeling great. I think it was mostly because Cherie and I had been cleaning and doing all sorts of errands for the week before. I'm in horrible shape. I push myself too hard, too. I have always had a bad habit of doing that. All in all, though, the time was wonderful and went by too quickly. It always does when you're having a good time. After everyone left I thought of all of these things I had wanted to do with them and didn't. Isn't that how it goes? I can't wait to see them all again. It had been over a year since I had seen my mom and sister. I love them so much. I do love and cherish my family. Cherie and I are very lucky to have such wonderful people in our lives. We also have some of the best neices and nephews anyone could hope for. JD is growing into such a find young man. I am so proud of him. They are all so smart and beautiful. Shawna has the most beautiful babies. I think Clara Jane was kissed more in the short time she was there then probably in here seven months of being here with us! Grace and Martha were so sweet as they jumped on their Aunt Cherie in bed the first morning they were there with us, too. Kailey Marie was a doll, too. She is a good girl and is so mature for a three year old! I can't get over her conversation skills. I guess you can tell I'm a proud Uncle. I do enjoy them all. Distance is a hard thing to deal with when you miss your loved ones. It was a good time for all. I can't wait to do it again.

Yes, We Did!

I can't believe it...wait, yes I can! Barrack Obama is our new President-elect for the United States of America! I cannot begin to tell you how excited and hopeful I am as we begin a season of change in our country. I have never been so nervous about an election as I was this one either. Aside from the enormous charisma that Obama has, I just feel that he will do what is best for our country. I also am so proud of America for embracing someone of color - a true African-American as our President. What a huge change. In my lifetime there has been such strife in our country over race and now we can see some movement towards color-blindness. I hope it continues. I know that there is much more to do. Cherie and I were to have adopted a black child several years ago. Last night I thought of him and his family watching this election. Of course the adoption fell through but I still hope that he watched last night with his family and felt pride in knowing that there was someone with a similar face smiling back at him from the television.

I grew up in the South and although prejudice still exists, I had many friends who were black. I used to talk openly with them about their struggles. As a white person in this country we have no idea what someone of color goes through just to live in this country. I hope that those obstacles continue to be torn down. I have such hope for our nation. I want so much for the things that President Obama promised to be made realities in our country. I hope that healthcare and the economy can be helped. I also hope that these wars in the Middle East can stop taking our men and women away from their families. I hope we can heal a lot of wounds around the world, too. We are a great country and last night I was reminded of that. I was proud to vote yesterday. Even though I live in a predominately Republican area of Indiana another desire of mine was met last night, too - Indiana went BLUE for the first time since 1964! Way to go Hoosiers! I had three wishes for last night, one, that Barrack Obama would win, two, that Indiana would go blue and three, that our incumbent governor, Mitch Daniels (yes, a Republican), would retain his office. All three came true!

So, here's to you America! We did it...Yes, We Did!!!