function rotateImages( imageList, imageInterval ){
  if( imageInterval == null ) {
    var imageInterval = 7000;
  }
  var myImageItem = imageList + "> li.imageItem";
  var fadeInTime = 500;
  var imageFadeTime = 2500;
  //var imageCount = $( myImageItem ).length;
  var imageCount = 4;
  var currentImage = 0;
  
  // set up first item
  $( myImageItem ).eq(currentImage).fadeIn(imageFadeTime);
  
  
  // loop through images
  var theBigLoop = setInterval( function() {
    $( myImageItem ).eq(currentImage).fadeOut(imageFadeTime);
    if( currentImage == imageCount ){
        currentImage = 0;
    } else { 
        currentImage++;
    }
    $( myImageItem ).eq(currentImage).fadeIn(imageFadeTime);
      }, imageInterval); // end of setInterval
  
} // end of rotateImages