Generous, maybe even lavish. That is probably the best word/s that describes both of these experiences. [caption id="attachment_32" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Ella Mercy"]

[/caption] first stephen and i took off a day earlier than planned to spend time at the beach with his family. it was beautiful and restful. anna, one of our sisters, is 3 weeks ahead of me in expectation of delievering her second baby, this one a boy. her precious little daughter Ella added so much joy to each of our days as she soaked up the last days in the limelight as the only grandchild. it was wonderful to have them visit us in Charlotte, play with us at the beach and then come to my first baby shower. thanks anna and Ella, we loved the time with you and miss you already knowing we don't get to play again until Christmas. Sarah, the youngest sister in the crew (hard to believe i am not the youngest somewhere), is newly engaged and will be marrying a wonderful young man in the fall. we watched them kind of float around the rest of us as they relish in the glee of this commitment, this new love. again our joy was increased as we witnessed God's provision for Sarah and Danny of being able to do life together from here on out. Then was good time with Tom and Sherry, and hearing of their blossoming church, how even in this very uncertain financial times, God is affirming their place in Roanoke at this church with their portion. i returned home and recieved a last minute request to go on the Charlotte Chamber's Inter-City visit to Chicago in my boss's place. Wow, i was thrilled and a little scared if i could do it at 29 weeks, but it was too great an opportunity to pass up. I loved it - while traveling on a charter plane, staying at the Drake Hotel, dining at amazing resturaunts (and passing on the wine - painful!), taking a architectural boat tour of downtown Chicago, and attending a Cubs game - i just felt SO lucky. i loved everything i learned and truly developed some fantastic relationships on behalf of the University. The trip examines best practices of other cities so it was so fun to learn about their urban higher ed presence, their fantastic transportation portals and their amazing green movements including millienum park. really great city. [caption id="attachment_64" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Cubbies Game w/Colleague"]

[/caption] [caption id="attachment_65" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Wish my dad and Ben, my brother-in-law could have been with me!"]

[/caption] with fat feet at the end of those long days all i can say is... thankful. [caption id="attachment_66" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Prego enjoying a Chicago dog - tomatoes, relish, mustard on poppyseed, like a local"]

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