I am tired of cloudy skies and drizzly rainy weather. It makes me glad I do not live in the Pacific Northwest. I'm a girl who needs sun! While most of Houston has not experienced this weather, I have since this is my first day returning from San Diego for my father-in-laws funeral. Unusually, but appropriately it rained the entire time we were there....except the day we left.

In the midst of our loss, our family gathered at my husband's parent's home remembering, reminiscing and even laughing. It reminded me what a home truly is - a place of gathering and a multitude of memories.

When their home was first purchased it was a practical investment, they needed room for their growing family. It was just a house then. Today, in Real Estate terms, it has some functional obsolescence - a four bedroom home with only two bathrooms. It has an open floor plan, ahead of its time, but has no dishwasher which led to a lot of "bonding" in the kitchen. To the untrained eye, you would wonder why the nick on the corner of the wall leading to the hallway hasn't been repaired - to the family it is a reminder of the abrupt end to a rather rambunctious game of chase and how tall his sister was when it happened.

So what is the point of this? It is important to keep in mind the memory factor when buying a home as it keeps you respectful of the properties you look at. One person's flaws may be another person's memories. It is also important to realize that the wealth of memories cannot be translated into dollars when you sell, because know one could ever afford your home.

While I would never have chosen the reason to return to San Diego, I am thankful to have been able to see the fireplace crowded with personalized stockings for each family member again. The opportunity to take yet another photo of all the kids and cousins crammed on the fireplace. And more importantly thankful to be blessed with families where home is a place of wonderful and warm memories. Those are the things that transform a house to a home.

May your home be the beginning of wonderful memories this holiday season.