surprise!

Oh, surprises are so much stinkin fun!

I wanted to post a photo here of one of my bestest friends in the whole wide world. Because, she turned 40 this weekend, and I had the opportunity to be there to surprise her and celebrate in Chicago! But I am once again having technical difficulties with the photo download ISSUE.

But, let me just say, I had no idea 20 years ago, sitting in my World History class at community college, that the girl I was studying with would become such a huge part of my life FOREVER.

We studied together that semester, ended up going on a hilarious trip together that spring break (with her best bud from childhood who I have grown to love as well), and from that point, our lives have been forever immeshed and connected in so many ways.

I truly love this woman and thank God for bringing her into my life.

I am also so thankful for the generosity of her best bud from childhood who is about the best friend a girl could ever have. It was her who contacted me and begged me to come to Chicago to celebrate. She even covered a lot of my expenses to make it happen!

Carrie, you have an amazing husband, an incredible best friend, and we all love you! It has been hard to move so far away from you, but I am looking forward to every future opportunity we have to hang out, and all of the future milestone birthdays!

home

We're home!

What a long strange trip it's been (to be sung like the legendary dead song). Hey, I miss jammin to the grateful dead. I'll have to pull up some tunes today.

Ahhhhh, we arrived last night after 11 1/2 hours on the road from Charlotte, NC. We decided to stop at a restaurant first so we had the nourishment needed to do the unloading of the van. We stopped at a Spanish/Mexican restaurant in our hood that I love. Have only been there twice, so it felt like a real treat. Sat outside and enjoyed the meal with my girls, with the bustling street and sidewalk traffic to enjoy as we ate. Ahhh, feels like home.

When we pulled up, there was a perfect parking spot waiting for us in front of our place.

When we walked in, there was a message on the answering machine from my sister welcoming us back to our little home, and a poster on our wall from our neighbors saying they missed us! Come on! Who gets a welcome home like that?

Well, I have a lot of deep thoughts running through my head in regards to the "long strange trip". And, that is referring to the "trip" we've been on for quite some time. Living with Timm's parents, moving here, then this summer going back to MI, then spending time with family and friends in GA and NC, then coming back here......feeling blessed beyond any possible measure, yet dealing with the reality of this being difficult at times (especially for the girls). All I can say is that when you are smack dab in the middle of God's plan for your life, there is peace beyond all understanding! And, I'll take the peace! Even if I can never quite explain the "trip" in a way that makes sense.....I can say that there is peace and joy. And, deep down, that is what we are all craving. I feel so blessed to be floating in a sea of peace and joy. Thank you Lord!

Now, it's on to my day of unpacking, re-organizing, making room for some accumulation of items (clothes, shoes, books, toys), grocery shopping, laundry, catching up on emails, signing up for volunteer opportunities, making doctor appointments, going through mail......and just diving back into our life and reconnecting with friends.

And to everyone who made our summer of "Oh ten" so awesome....thank you. We don't take any of the hospitality for granted. We are so blessed!