Surprise!

May's bulletin board: Horoscopes.  The 7th graders are learning future tense so this was a fun project.  Nice job, kids!

I put this together Friday the 17th and shortly thereafter boarded a plane bound for the USA.  Anyone that reads this blog probably knows that I surprised my mom and sister in South Bend for Josie's graduation.  It was great!

I tapped my mom on the shoulder and asked if the seat next to her was open.  At first (after looking right at me) she said yes and started to move.  Then she looked again and realized it was me.

Dad was in on it so he was the photographer.

It was a special moment.  I love you mom!

This was all happening at Josie's Political Science recognition ceremony so she was down on the floor with her fellow graduates.  When she crossed the stage I met her on the other side.  Another special moment.

Congrats, Josie!  I'm so proud of you and I'm glad I got to share this with you.

Marisa, my ND friend who now works in the admissions department, helped me plan all the logistics.  Thanks Reese!  I couldn't have pulled this off without you.

Graduation speaker: Cardinal Timothy Dolan.  He did a great job talking about Mary, Notre Dame, Our Mother, and her connection to the campus.

On Sunday evening I went with the parents to stay near Chicago where we have a few relatives.  It was great to see the Moebius/Bartels clan.  This is Brittany, my second cousin once removed (yup).

The new thing this year in coasters is making woodies with inversions.  We were driving right past one in the Dells so we stopped to take some pictures.  It's still under construction but I look forward to riding it someday!

Lamentably I didn't document the rest of the week so well.  It was full of friends and family, lots of good food and good memories.  I also renewed my driver's license, got my Bolivian visa, and got an International Driver's Permit.  Mom took lots of pictures so if I can get my hands on those I'll share!

Back to the grind this week.  6 full weeks of teaching until winter break!