"Girls just wanna have fun..."

*Cyndi Lauper*

Saturday night we celebrated Christina's 22nd birthday. As is our ritual (for the past 4 years) the birthday girl decides where we go to supper and what to do afterward. Chris wanted Jose Peppers and then to go to a casino--so we did. We had a great time!! The 4 of us (pictured above) have been friends since Freshman year at Benedictine. We have had some fun times together. Our night started out at Jose Peppers with supper, then the four of us *and Meghan* headed to the Argosy casino where Christina was the only one to walk a way ahead (by $13.00), the rest of us lost, but we had a great time. It's fun to think back to the past 4 years and the birthdays we have shared!! Sunday night was the Night of Dreams, which is an event the Sisters of the Mount put on in order to raise money. Catharine and I were there to set up and to help during and help clean up--it was a great night of meeting new people, seeing some that you haven't seen for awhile, and watching people's generosity shine--I am amazed by how many are so willing to give so much.

This next week will be a busy one. I have three papers, a test, and an article review due by next Tuesday. WHEW! But, if I survive until then, I'll have a great break at home for Thanksgiving--I have so much to be thankful for. Yesterday, at the Night of Dreams, they had a beagle puppy that was auctioned---I was in charge for some of the night of taking it around and showing it to people, getting them interested. I was so grateful for that job. Julia loved dogs and she loved beagles especially---it made me happy to have such a happy reminder of her--she always said that dog spelled backward was God--so I felt like I was showing God to everyone that night and holding God myself. I miss Julia everyday, but little things like that remind me she's still here--if I let her be.

I am off to prayer partners---very gratefully.