I'm Back!

Christmas has come and gone in the blink of an eye, and the snow that also came has gone, too. It is bright and sunny outside today, and Laptop (Trent's beautiful longhaired cat) is roaming the back yard, pretending he is a wild feline with prey to catch! The squirrel that runs up and down in the leafless trees is keeping one eye on the ground today, just in case Laptop gets extra brave...but he probably doesn't have to worry. So far, it's all been pretending!

Well, today I'm posting about Andrea because I miss her, and maybe she needs to hear it! Andrea went to California last fall to attend Vanguard University. I am so proud of her! But...

Monday-night gettogethers at your house aren't as much fun without you, Andrea! And guess what! There's a new Super Wal-Mart opening this week up on Grant and 99th! We would surely have to go check it out if you were here. I miss you saying, "Aunt Jeanette, I have to ask you something," and then we'd go in your room and close the door for one of our girl-talk chats. We miss you saying, "Do you want to play Skip-Bo?" So now we are saying it instead, and your mom, Trent, and I are playing games together often. It would be so fun for you to help me cook Sunday dinner again or make apple crumble for dessert. Coral would be in I'm-as-stiff-as-I-can-get-with- excitement heaven if you were here today to sing along with her CDs. You are so special, girlfriend, and don't you forget it!

This is Andrea, my niece, in one of her graduation pictures. She is the youngest child of my brother, Gord, who is married to Barry's sister, Paula. Our families are very close and spend lots of time at each other's homes. I don't think there is anything that can take the place of a close-knit family, and I'm so thankful we have one! This includes my sister, Carol-Ann, and her family, too. If only they lived closer!

Andrea and Coral, arm in arm, reading in bed! During high school (and now when she is home from college), Andrea often cared for Coral while Barry and I got a little time off. Usually, this was when we took short trips with our prison-ministry group. Here they were, making a memory, when we caught them at it!

Here is Andrea with her friend, Will. They went to highschool together and, along with their friend Jamie, formed a group of three that hung out together all the time. Now Andrea and Will are attending different schools in California but still find time to get together once in awhile.