Yep—I left for a bit and didn’t tell you guys!!   I had planned to do some posts while I was gone but you know—it just did not happen.  First we took Carlton home.   He was thrilled to get back home to his “Man Cave” and his own routine but he sure had fun with us which makes me know that he can stay with us anytime he wants to!! That is a good thing to know!!!

Then it was off to be a part of a truly special event in the life of our sweet great niece, Harper Adelle, as she was baptized.   It was a truly touching service and we were so grateful to be a part of it.   Christopher and Carla are wonderful parents and Harper is one special lady—-I even loaned her my tiara for a bit….

Then it was off to visit with my mom for a few days—-lots of great talks and plans and things that we had wanted to do were done!   I am so blessed to have her as my mom (and she is one of my most faithful readers and commenters for those of you who haven’t figured that out!).  I am so grateful that we have such a solid relationship.  

Then it was off for a quick morning visit to see my sister and her husband who drove us to the FiestaWare outlet!!!   Thanks to Carl’s muscle I was able to purchase a boatload of seconds to complete my set and yes….there was a teapot involved….

A short drive and I was soon at my brother and sister in law’s house —what a great time I had with them.  I always want to stop and see them but it always seems like they get the short end of the stick so I am trying to be intentional about spending more time there.  My sister in law has to be one of the most gracious hosts—she even got up at 6 to make me breakfast before I hit the road and she is definitely not a morning person so that was a huge thing to me!!!  Once again, I realized what a charmed life I lead.  To be able to spend time with my family and not have “deadlines” of a job to get back to is such a luxury right now.

The long drive home took a toll on my buttocks but I made it in just over 12 hours from their house.  Buddy and Holly were so happy to have me home even though the high school girl we have check on them when we are gone did a fabulous job.  

A day to recharge and clean and settle back in and back to the airport to pick up my sweetie from another China trip.  Delta has a flight tracker app and it is always great to see that plane come over dry land and head to MSP!!!   I kind of crashed last night with him—-I think I had sympathetic jet lag.

The week is filled with things to do but hopefully I will get back into the regular blogging cycle again though I admit—-a rest was needed to recharge.  Sometimes that is needed and for me—time with family was just what I needed to reboot.   As the month draws to a close I am excited to see what the results for Amanda and her efforts to get a tablet for her classroom!  I just hopped over to check out her project and guess what??? She has received a ton of funding already so I made a donation early to complete the project for her!!!!   Way to go!!!!  I am VERY excited!!!!  There will be some extra money most likely from my comments so I am coming up with some ideas for that for her, too!!!  What a way to start the week!!!!  Extreme smiley face!