MIssing Home

   I could not be more happy to be going home this coming Thursday to see my family. Before I left for college I knew I would be sad and upset and would miss my family, friends, and dogs tremendously, but when I got on campus I wasn't as homesick as I thought I would be. With my mom being my best friend ever since freshman year of high school, I miss her the most because she keeps me sane and keeps me happy. She can always put a smile on my face and make me laugh even in the worst situations. Even though she struggles with some stressful things in her life all the time, she still is my best friend because we keep each other accountable.  I keep her accountable on exercising every day because that's what helps her anxiety go down and makes her a happy camper and she keeps me accountable for making smart choices and getting my work done on time. We have a good thing going.
   I miss my middle sister Chloe because she is so wild! She is 12 years old and full of life. She keeps me young and on my feet and reminds me why I need to have a healthy relationship with her. Even though we bicker and she likes to pick on me, we are becoming closer and closer sisters ever since I came to college. Recently, she texted me from her IPod saying how she misses me and how she cant wait for me to come home. It's nice to know that I am missed by her because sometimes it feels like the total opposite when I was home before college.
   I miss my dogs Maggie, Sophie, and Roo. Sophie is a Boxer and is the youngest of the three. She is six years old. Roo is a Jack Russell Terrier and is eight years old. Maggie is a black Pug and she is also eight years old. Maggie is my baby and I miss having her cuddled up by my side every night. I miss the fact that every time I would say I am going somewhere, all the dogs would get excited because they would want to go in the car with me. When I would let them ride along in the car with me, Maggie would bark at the water tower every single time we passed it because she was scared of it. Or how excited Maggie would get when I would tell her we are going on a walk because she loves exercise so much, even though she is so fat. These dogs mean a lot to me because they make life more wonderful than it already is.
   I miss Oksana, my one year old sister, because she is so little of course! I feel like I am missing everything while I am here! She is almost walking and is getting bigger and bigger every time I see her. I always feel that one day she will forget me because I have been gone so long, but once I go home she knows exactly who I am by the little things I do when I play with her. She really enjoys playing peak-a-boo or when I make funny faces and sounds. Everyone around when we are together says how much Oksana looks like me and I hope she does! I hope even though there is a 17 year difference between us that I can be special in her life.
   I miss my friends back home too. Well really just one. His name is Dallas and he goes to UW-Plattville now. He was the only person that ever truly stayed my friend through thick and thin. This past weekend, I got to see him at our cross country meet in Lacrosse, Wisconsin. I feel like I haven't seen him in ages and I was very happy I got the chance to. In high school, he was my running and cross training buddy( he got me into trying a triathlon next summer). We are also in Venture Crew together. Venture Crew is a co-ed scout group for older kids in which we take big trips and little trips and do adventurous, crazy fun things together. This coming summer we are going to Washington for 13 days to go back packing and hiking and camping.
   Even with missing the most precious things in my life, I know I made a good decision into coming to Wartburg for college. It makes me appreciate coming home more and the little things my mom and family does for me. I never thought I would miss back home like I do now, but I am happy that I can look forward to coming home.