a day of tears and joy.

This was how the boys started their day:

They used to fight over Daniel's iPhone..then he got me an iPod for my birthday. I secretly think he got me the iPod so they'd each have something to play on. There are more kid's games on my iPod than there are ones for me.

Today was the funeral for my Aunt Julie. The service was beautiful and it was really nice to see everyone. We had family and friends join us to celebrate Julie's life from Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, and all over the state of Virginia. She had such an impact on everyone and it was a blessing to hear so many kind words. My mom put together this photo collage of Julie:

The bottom right picture was taken when Julie was declared cancer free in 2008.

Since the boys, Daniel, and I were all dressed up I really wanted a family picture of us taken. It's really asking too much for all of us to be looking at the camera at the same time AND smiling.

I like it. :-)

We had to take a picture of mom, Celia, and I also. It turned out really nice.

Thanks to everyone for all of your kind thoughts and prayers for our family right now.

Julie's smiling at us from heaven now.