• my white noise sleep machine - works like a charm!
• productive morning at school, my room is looking alive again
• knowing my husband is having the experience of a lifetime spending time in Jerusalem
• catching up and eating lunch with a friend, her treat! 
• brother stepping in to help with car trouble
• gracious neighbor willing to lend out his jumper cables
• eager to have a sister that will live nearby (downstairs!), admiration for her as she trusts in God during an incredibly hard time
• chipping away at my "labor of love"

• the first tear-free Skype date in a while
• organizing and arranging my classroom in preparation for a new year, finding that this process goes a lot faster now that I have a couple years of teaching under my belt
• helpful janitorial crew that took care of the heavy lifting in my room, within only a few minutes of my asking!
• catch up phone calls with 2 best friends
• discounted canvas prices at canvaspeople.com
• hometown dates on The Bachelorette
• singing along (at the top of my lungs) with my all-time favorite Broadway musical soundtrack in the comfort and seclusion of my car

Reunion Weekend

Thursday:

• on time arrival in Chicago
•  car rides with friends I hadn’t seen in a while, prime opportunities for in-depth conversations
• a change of scenery, rolling corn fields and long open roads
• hugs that seem to say “I wish we lived closer”
• gracious dinner hosts
• laughter-filled games of beach volleyball
• watching the sun set and moon rise over Taylor Lake
• ignoring the early morning hours on the clock, discussing questions & answers that are best said “face to face,” savoring each moment with former roommates 

Friday:

• waking up fully-rested
• enjoying the lazy river at the Splash House, Indiana’s mini-water park
• bright sunshine, refreshing pool water

• so many ice cream options at Ivanhoe’s
• a beautiful night for a walk in downtown Lafayette, Indiana

• stumbling upon quaint bookstores, craft shops, art galleries, and charming street performers
• late night run for freshly-baked cookies 

Saturday:

• the whole gang together again, reuniting at Indiana Dunes State Park
• cloudy skies giving way to sunny rays

• cooling off in Lake Michigan, simultaneously enjoying the sun, sand & water by going in only half-way
• chatting and relaxing on beach towels
• getting some good pictures of the group (it is not often we are all in one place!)

a little chilly!

• finding our way to a local pizzeria for a good meal together before parting ways
• rockin’ out to Glee soundtracks
• enjoying one last glass of wine with a great friend (at least for a while)

Sunday:

• helpful roommate who was willing to make an airport run
• finding an internet connection in the airport, able to talk with my husband about our fun weekend trips
• an anything but healthy drink from Starbucks to hold me over and help pass the time
• kind customer who allowed me to go ahead of him in line
• making this list of highlights from a wonderful weekend with amazing friends (yes, I am thankful for each one of you – lj. wegz. christine. anne. jodi. luke)

props to our awesome photographer, luke

• helping out during the busiest season at Reiner
• getting packed and ready for a trip to the midwest, anticipating a reunion with college friends that I have not seen in a year!
• making it home before my car decided not to start anymore, good thing I don't need it the next few days
• kind gentlemen in the post office
• surprised by a chipmunk peering into my bedroom window
• treat from grandma

• left-hand rings looking brand new again after a cleaning
• chat assistance through Amazon.com
• enjoying fresh vegetables from mom's garden
• choosing a free bonus item from lia sophia
• songs that minister to me, preparing to sing them in church over the next several weeks
• a clean and well-kept apartment below ours

• finding a time to meet up with my mentor and brainstorm ideas for a new year
• discovering that my classroom is all clean! (for now at least - I will enjoy it while I can! It is amazing how quickly that will change come September!)
• a start on my 2nd set of DIY wedding invitations, much smoother printing this time
• pizza from Puzo's
• more details coming together for my brother's wedding
• an apartment available in our neighborhood for our tenant, so that my brother and soon to be sister-in-law can move in downstairs!

• out for brunch with two best friends
• discovering that the wireless connection at the lake is strong enough for me to Skype with my love
• the beginnings of an a.j.e.less designs blog - stay tuned!
• the sounds of laughter carried across the water
• happy hour
• baby raccoon faces peeking out from under the dock at sundown
• the puppy cuddled up next to me on the car ride home
• half way there to seeing my husband again