My Family

My husband mows my lawn, washes my dishes, cleans my house, feeds my cats, and is Santa Claus at Christmas time. Though I refer to him as Hubby here, his name is Jim, but most everyone calls him Himey, a variation on Jimmy in Spanish. He has no Spanish in his blood. To look at him, you would say he is mostly Irish. That is true in looks and bloodline. His temper is even and he is incredibly patient. He rarely drinks alcohol. We've been married since 1997; he is my soul mate. A gift from God.

Nick, the son, the eldest child, earned his Eagle Scout in high school, was on the national honor society, was in band, was a favorite with teachers. College did not treat him so well, but he bucked up, earning a degree in engineering physics. His accomplishments in college actually are impressive. Co-founded a new student organization on campus - the Donut Run Club (certainly, a totally academic venture). Traveled to Ghana, twice, with Engineers Without Borders, was their treasurer. Traveled to Lexington, Mississippi, six times with Habitat for Humanity. Secured the speaking engagement of two of the stars from the show "Myth Busters", for a campus event. In March 2012, he finally secured a job as an engineer, his dream for as long as I remember. He still travels and has returned to Ghana once since college and has volunteered in Kenya with either me or his sister multiple times. He found his soul mate, Jessica, when they were in high school, but they remained just friends for nearly two decades. In 2023, they finally realized they were meant to be together. She is a second daughter to me.  

Val, the original dauughter, the youngest child, is the strong-willed child.  When I was a child we called SWC's "naughty". When I was a teen-ager they became "difficult".  Aren't you glad we became politically correct? Val wasn't always naughty or difficult, though.  It is a challenge for me to find the right words to describe her. She is just Val, and you have to know her to know what that means. Her compassion for others is deeper than Green Lake (the deepest inland natural lake in Wisconsin), her spirit is intense, her wisdom remained hidden for years. She dreams of returning to Africa; she left a part of herself behind when she spent six months in Kenya as a volunteer. I've lost track of how many times she has been there since. In 2013, she founded the volunteer organization, Tumaini Volunteers, to provide hope to those living in poverty in Kenya. Suddenly, sadly, Jesus took her home to heaven August 22, 2025. She will still be with us all, always.