Happy Easter!!!!

"I have learned that being with those I love....is enough."

~Unknown~

I was all excited to post some new photos from Easter, but I have run into some technical difficulty. For some reason, all of a sudden, my computer isn't recognizing when my digital camera is plugged in and, therefore, cannot load pictures. I think it just might be time to invest in a new laptop as mine is growing quite ancient. SO, as soon as I can, I will post some fun and new pictures.

I hope everyone had a lovely Easter. Mine was WONDERFUL! I cannot think of a better way of spending Easter than with your family. Easter vigil was beautiful at our our Church. Our new priest, Fr. Michael, has restored a bit of hope in me that the Church is indeed moving forward. The candle lighting is particularly moving for me. Something about the lights off, the burning of candles, and everyone joining together in beautiful music is rather awesome! Tutu cooked Easter supper this year, the first time in many years, as Easter is usually spent in Webster City at my Aunt Linda's. Aunt Linda, however, is spending Easter in Japan this year, so everyone came to Des Moines. It was quite delicious and fun. My Uncle Fred was entertaining us with lots of stories from when he was little---I am trying to get him to write them all down for us, so we'll always have them! He's a hoot!

This weekend I will officially move out of my apartment, finally. I have spent most weekends driving to KC and loading up my car and bring stuff home. This will mark the final trip to my apartment, which is bittersweet. The best part of it is that Abby is staying all night with me Friday night for some wine and fun on my last night in the apartment and Amber and Christina are coming to KC this weekend, so I finally get some time with them as well. I am still missing college and the ability to run down the hall and be with some of my best friends in seconds. I don't know if I'll ever get over missing college (smile). I heard a quote the other day that made me laugh "you can always retake a class, but you can never relive a party." (CHUCKLE) This pretty much describes my freshman year of college! They were all fun, but freshman year was particularly wild and crazy---I think we lived by that quote for the most part!

HAPPY NEWS---my great-uncle Paul (pictured with me--above) came through his surgery wonderfully yesterday. You know you love all of your family members, but there are those one or two that you are particularly fond of and close to? Well....Uncle Paul is one of those for me. Ever since I was little and he took me to go hold a monkey at the Iowa State Fair he has been one of my favorite people in the whole world. I have been able to enjoy spending a lot of time with him and my Aunt Janice in Davenport---traveling, going to zoos, swimming, rollercoasters, the list goes on and on. Anyway---a week ago they found that his right carotid artery was blocked 99%. So--he had to have major surgery yesterday. I spent the night with my Uncle Jim Sunday night and we left at 4am to surprise Uncle Paul at the hospital before his surgery. The surgery went very well, with no complications thus far. He is in ICU for a couple of days, but the doctor tells us he is lucky because he was probably days away from a massive stroke. God is good! Now I pray he continues to heal well and that he FINALLY starts to take the doctors' orders seriously.

Life continues to be moving forward, a good thing. Now that Uncle Paul has made it through surgery, our family is breathing a sigh relief and gratitude and particularly grateful for such a wonderful Easter gift.

I hope life is treating you well. I will post some great pictures as soon as I figure out what is wrong. Happy Easter season everyone!