1 year ago today...

my mom and I were enjoying a girl's shopping trip. We were getting ready for the day when a phone call interrupted us. It was my dad, telling us that he had been "let go" from his job that he'd held since I was a toddler or younger. You can read about that day here

My dad found another job this past fall. He is working, and quite happy I might add :-)

I can't help but think that even in all of the craziness that day God was in control of the situation. My mom was with me, and my dad got to come home and gather his thoughts without anyone there. There was a reason for that!

I admit that I struggled with the idea of what happened to my dad. I felt angry many times. In fact I still feel angry sometimes. However, I know that he is in a much better work environment now!

My parents are blessed to have such great and supportive friends & family, but most importantly a wonderful God!

Skyping with my boys

It is hard being away from our families. Especially with the birth of Lincoln, Michael's sister's son. It also is hard not getting to see Luke growing up! I feel like I miss a ton.

For Christmas this year Maria & Chris got us a webcam. We have been using that to talk to them, and to see Lincoln in action. Tonight was the first night that I have skyped with Luke. He was pretty cute with the camera! I asked if I could have his cheeto and he tried to feed it to me. I wonder what would have happened if I had asked for a drink...

Anyway, I am so thankful for technology in this regard! Those two boys lift my spirits every time I see them! My heart is so happy right now :-)

William "Lincoln"

Luke Edward

These boys melt aunt Rarah's heart!

The Windy City

Michael and I decided last November that we needed to take an overnight trip to Chicago. So, we booked the room.

We drove to Chicago after work last night. Here is a picture summary of what we did!

Approaching the city on the interstate.

Embassy Suites by Hilton, where we stayed!

Our suite

Room Keys

Standing by the sign outside of the hotel

The interior view of the hotel.

The view from our room.

Where we had dinner! (Thanks to an old friend for the suggestion)

Us @ dinner!

Saturday morning we took the train to Wrigleyville to check out Wrigley Field!
GO CUBBIES!!!Michael outside the historic water tower!

We did a little shopping on Michigan Ave, aka The Magnificent Mile.

We saw this on the way to the museum, it is on the docket for our next trip!





All of the rest of these pictures are from the Museum of Science and Industry!

The German U boat Submarine @ the Museum of Science and Industry
In front of the U boat

Beach bound!

I have been so busy that I may have forgotten to tell you where Michael and I are going next month!

We are heading to Panama City Beach and staying at the Hampton Inn at Pier Park! We are of course, staying there so I can use my employee discount. This is our sort of graduation gift to Michael & Laura trip (Even though I'm not the one graduating). We leave on May 16th, the day after Michael graduates! I cannot wait!

I am used to staying right on the beach, and the hotel is probably a ten minute walk, but with my discount our lodging the entire trip will be less that $200 for 6 nights!

A silly little side note here...

Last night we were talking about beach chairs. We have the chairs that fold into bags, but those aren't really what I like for beach purposes. I asked Michael if we would buy chairs and he said, "We'll use what we have unless we find some for dirt cheap." Well today I decided to stop by Goodwill, guess what I found? Beach chairs! The kind you can pull down into the water. I know it sounds silly, but for $3 I was thrilled!

I love to eat my words

Picture it:

Me on the floor scrubbing my bath tub, while balancing my phone between my shoulder and ear talking to my mom. Here's how the conversation went.

Laura: Did I tell you Forrest is staying with us this weekend?

Jane: I think you've mentioned it a time or two.

L: I'm cleaning the bath tub. Not that he'll notice, or even really care. Still, I feel like it has to get done!

J: quoting a sassy teenage Laura "I don't know why you are even bothering! It isn't like my friends will notice or even care! What, do you think? That my friends are bringing their white gloves to test the cleanliness of the house?"

L: Why do I have to eat my words every day? You are enjoying this far too much mom! I'm getting off the phone so I can scrub with both hands!

J: Have fun with that!