Some Reflections

     In addition to Father's Day yesterday, I celebrated my birthday with Darrell and the kids. I had a great day with the family.  It was so nice to have Michael home for the weekend too. :) After church we went to brunch and enjoyed a matinee together.  Michael then headed back to the Cities, and the three of us went home to relax.  Darrell and I took naps, and Dani read for quite awhile.  She won't find out until late November if she is accepted into the master's program she applied for at St. Kate's, so after a lot of family discussion, she has decided to move back home for the interim.  She moved back home right after graduation (planning for a couple week stay), but after weighing the pros and cons of transferring from the Tuesday Morning that she works for in St. Cloud to the one in the Cities, it made more sense to stay here until she knows about grad school.  Now that she has made her decision, she seems more at ease and less stressed.  We love having her home again, so all is good!! :)  Although, Darrell jokingly said now there are two of us girls home to gang up on him again. :0)

Michael and Dani at brunch yesterday morning

     Here I am at the end of the night...enjoying some time visiting with Darrell and holding my puppies.  I am also sporting the new pink Twins baseball cap the pets gave me for my birthday. :)

     Tonight I joined some friends to support my good friend, Claudia, whose mother passed away last week.  I picked up my friend, Becky, and we drove to Plymouth for the wake.  We ended up seeing some other colleagues, so Claud wanted to take a picture of all of us.  She teaches 8th grade art and is my next door neighbor at school.  She is an amazing artist and an incredible friend.  Claud was so touched that we all showed up.  Her mom is definitely at peace now.  God's blessings, Claud!!

Claud and I at school/Claud and me at a bachelorette party last summer :0)

     A special thanks to Bob, Debbie, and kids for the HYSTERICAL birthday greetings from JibJab.  It was unbelievably funny, and Darrell and I have laughed several times since receiving it.  I can't wait until my dad sees it and when I get to laugh with Bob, Debbie, & the kids in person about it (two weeks away)!!