IKEA and beyond Swedenland

Confession:  I am directionally impaired.  None was this more apparent than my weekend trip to Chicago IKEA.  My four hour trip turned into a six and a half hour one.  I made a pit stop and drove fifty miles out of the way.  I thought I had passed some of those signs.  I got lost once I got to Chicago and it took me longer than I expected there.  After a rough day, and then getting turned around for the umpteenth time, I lost it.  I just screamed.  Right there in my car.  I had so many other frustrating things that had happened and that was my final straw.

I eventually made it to the hotel and had a wonderful weekend with my college roommates (510).

The insisted on having a picture before the adventure begin.

We really like IKEA.

It was absolutely great to see these girls and to reminisce about college days (511).  These twice a year reunions are never enough, but so sweet when they do happen.

 On other good turns to frustrating news, my bike had minimal damage from my accident and the broken elbow pads and bent handlebars were straightened out quickly by the bike doctor (512). :)

The summer has been full of open water swims and bike rides (it's been too hot to run far), along with some good times with family and friends (513).

Speaking of family, I did not post (or reflect) on Father's Day.  I had honestly avoided posting anything because I wanted it to be deep and insightful.  However, really, I am just horribly blessed.  I have an amazing father, two amazing grandfathers, and a "great-uncle" who love me, pray for me, and show me what it is like to be a loving father and husband, and a man of integrity (514, 515&  516, 517).  The longer I am in my job, the more I see broke families and the more I realize how much I could have been born to another family (518).  My dad's integrity precedes me when I work at the hospital (519).  Working for the same company as him has allowed for me to see how much respect people have for him (520).  It causes me to want to be better, so I don't ruin that reputation (521).

The cousins just laid around and had a heart to heart (522).

We were able to Skype with my uncle in Africa (524).