35th Week

Over the course of the last several months, there are certain things I've noticed nobody seems to mention about being pregnant. Here's just a few I can think of at the moment:

 

• While everyone talks about constantly needing to pee, no one says anything about the increased cost you'll spend on toilet paper over the course of a pregnancy. It's been so shocking to me how quickly I can go through that stuff now that I'm heading to the bathroom every 15-20 minutes of the day. I guess I could've put two and two together, but I feel like maybe this should be in at least one of those articles on baby websites about "budgeting for baby" because it's an expense I certainly didn't consider.
• Get ready to be handicapped, or at least made to feel that way. I've had numerous people question if I should be driving simply because I'm pregnant. I know they are coming from a place of love, but I couldn't help but laugh the first time I was asked this. I don't understand why having a baby inside me suddenly makes my life hazardous. Maybe my pride is keeping me oblivious to certain things but I don't feel like danger is lurking behind every corner. I'm an able-bodied person and if I'm capable of birthing a child, I think I can handle driving a car, taking a hike, or wearing high heels. Although to be honest, you will not catch me in high heels anymore. Not because it's dangerous, but because I am enjoying comfort these days and I don't think yoga pants go with high heels.
• Another thing that caught me by surprise is just how entrenched some people can be in societal norms that, when you don't go along with them, people can't seem to understand why you would possibly do that. We've made a lot of decisions for this baby that aren't typical of American norms (but they are still completely safe and rational), and each step of the way has been met with people utterly bewildered as to why we wouldn't just do what is normal. I was expecting to hear plenty of unsolicited advice when I got pregnant about how to give birth and raise my baby, but I didn't think nursery colors or deciding to cloth diaper would be topics up for discussion too. Everyone has the right to do things the way they see fit, and other people shouldn't worry about little details unless it poses a risk. However, I'm fairly certain that choosing not to decorate in traditional boy/girl color schemes will not harm the child's psyche.
• No one told me that I was not allowed to have normal feelings during pregnancy. Or that my normal feelings would be taken as raging pregnancy hormones, even when I was simply expressing an opinion, completely void of any "raging" tendencies. Don't you hate when it's your time of the month and when you respond a certain way, someone puts it off as you PMSing? Well, after 8 straight months of that, it's gotten old. I am completely aware of the instances that my hormones made me react in a way other than I would ordinarily choose, and those instances have been very limited and Jakub is one of the only two individuals to witness them. And when my hormones do get the best of me, I am just a blubbering idiot, not a woman on a rampage. But, if you want me to go on a rampage, simply look at me crazy and tell me I'm being hormonal. Then I might turn into the pregnant version of the Hulk.
• Another thing no one mentioned is just how much it means when a perfect stranger tells you you look beautiful, or makes a sweet remark about your belly. A lot of times (in my experience) the people closest to you can respond to your changing body in ways that make you feel like you just busted into the room like the Kool Aid man. I'm sure their shock to how your growing is simply because, in all the time they've known you, you haven't had a 5.5 lb. baby inside of you. That's why it's nice to be in a place surrounded by strangers: they're seeing you for the first time, as a cute pregnant lady, and the chances that one of them saying something lovely is high. They're also more conscious of what they're saying to you. I've had the pleasure of having several people stop me just to tell me I'm beautiful pregnant, and it has always seemed to be when I needed to hear it the most. Having random people stop me to talk about my beauty is not something I'm used to, but it made me question: why aren't we all doing this to each other regularly?! It's an amazing thing and you should try it, whether you're pregnant or not.
• To be fair, a few people have told me this last one: it's really not that bad. I'm definitely in the phase where doing just about anything is inconvenient or uncomfortable, but people make pregnancy out to be so much worse than it really is. Maybe it all depends on your mindset and if you believe in all the stereotypical b.s., but my pregnancy has been great. Yes, I have broken down and told Jakub that I'm ready for the baby to come out, but it's purely for selfish reasons like when I want to sleep on my stomach, or fit into pants, or have a glass of wine. Just the other week, a woman at the flea market stopped to tell me that it's really not that bad. That people who have had bad experiences want to tell you all about it, but the people who had great experiences don't feel the need to stop you and tell you all the things you need to do or all the things that are sure to happen. She was referring to childbirth, but I think the same can be said for pregnancy. While I haven't gone through childbirth yet, I have gotten married, and people were doing the same thing with marriage. When we were engaged, just about all we heard was people saying, "oh, get ready..." blah blah blah. They made it seem like it was the end of happiness, and that the only way we could find happiness was to be the first one to make our spouse miserable. Yes, marriage can be hard work, but it's the most fun I've ever had. Pregnancy comes with it's inconveniences, but it's so rewarding and exciting to experience. And I can bet that childbirth, raising a baby, or any other new experience we have will have it's fill of difficulties, but will ultimately be outweighed by the goodness in it. 

So, to those of you that are pregnant or will one day be pregnant, don't take to heart all the advice everyone has to offer. Think for yourself and be confident in who God made you and the mind he gave you.

And to those of you who are related to, or in any way aware of, someone who is pregnant and you're thinking about putting in your two cents, shut it down! Instead, tell her she will love being pregnant, that she is strong enough to endure childbirth, and she will be a brilliant new mom. If you want to add even more joy and comfort to her life, tell her she's got a beautiful body. But not in a creepy way. That won't help anyone.

Six Weeks

Six measly weeks.

 That's how much time is left before my little family grows to three, before our lives are changed forever, before we each take on new roles and new experiences that make us into different people. 

Each day that passes brings more preparations that need to be taken care of for this expansion, but I can honestly say that I'm ready. At least for the moment, I'm ready. I'm ready to put in the work to get this baby into the world. I'm ready to see everything with new eyes, and I'm ready to experience it all with Jakub.

Most of all, I'm ready to show this baby what beauty the world has to offer. The past several weeks in particular, our time has overwhelmingly been spent in the company of some amazing individuals, some of which were perfect strangers. If there was ever a time in which I understood why God made us for community, it is now. My heart has been thirsting for a life like this, and it feels so good to be moving toward individuals the way I was created to. It's amazing how much richer life becomes when you take the time to be more intentional with the people around you, from the people standing next to you in line to the people you see day in and day out. I'm ready to show this baby what love can do in the world. And I know that sentence just oozes idealism and, perhaps to some, naivety, but I don't care! It's authentic and powerful, and that's enough for me.

Before I go I should probably give a little update because lets be honest, who knows how long it will be until I post again! I've been in my third trimester since I last posted and since then, I've had a few midwife appointments, ate my way through Oregon for the third time, had the most wonderful baby shower, and spent too many nights with incredible people up way passed my bedtime. Did I mention I'm up to about two naps a day on average? By that statement alone it's clear to see I'm living the good life! Until next time, friends!

Creeping Up Behind Me

This is just beautiful. About as beautiful as my night is about to be. If you're lucky, I'll tell you about it later.

In the case that I don't get a chance to write about it (just like so many other things happening lately), just know that I'll be spending the evening with my husband and some dearly loved friends. This night is something that I need so badly right now and I'm taking full advantage of it. Love is a wonderful thing, and the fact that God brought us together! Don't get me started! This guy knows what He's doing!

Enjoy your night everyone!

The Beginning of The End

How do you tell your husband that his life will never be the same after today? That he will be fighting an uphill battle and possibly everything he knew about life will be thrown out the window? This is what I am struggling with today because something has captured my heart and I don't know what to do. Let me explain...

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That's right, homemade peppermint patties, and boy are they delicious! I've had this recipe saved on pinterest for a couple months now and today was the day I welcomed them into my home and I think they're here to stay. Thankfully my friend, Meg, loves this delectable treat as much as I do and so she was my partner in crime. [sidenote: I see why having an accomplice is so necessary: it lowers the feeling of guilt, and that is always a good thing.]

The recipe itself is pretty inexpensive, very easy to follow, and extremely rewarding. Before I saw this recipe, it never crossed my mind that you could actually make this at home. Never again will I be so silly. Now I just need to figure out this thing called self-control or my husband will be in for quite the surprise. You see, he doesn't share the same enthusiasm for sweet treats that I have, so he doesn't know the pull they have on me. I think once my metabolism slows down he's in for a whole lotta woman, if ya know what I mean.

If you enjoy peppermint patties, I highly recommend this recipe, but you've been warned: they mean business.

It's Just One of Those Days...

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You know those days where you wake up and the air seems to be clearer, the birds are more chipper, and everything just exudes a certain amount of electricity that on other days you can't help but miss?! Well folks, today is one of those days for me! I think this is due, in part, to a few things:

• I am truly enjoying my life right now, so much so that I have nearly stopped looking towards the future with anxiety (which is so unlike me). I've always felt a desperate need to know the direction my life was going in, but now I am basically giving up on that and just enjoying each moment and being aware of how each one is changing me into the woman I'll need to be in the future. 

• At 23, my life is about learning to balance responsibility while maintaining youthfulness. I think not stressing about the future has given me so much time to realize where I am now and to really enjoy this stage in life. It's the first time where I actually feel my age and it's so nice! Taking advantage of every opportunity (and challenge) that comes my way, instead of worrying about the "what if's" in life has helped me to see life and love in a more beautiful picture than what I was used to.

• After not having to be employed for the last two years, it was quite a shock to my system to have to take up so much responsibility for my family. There were so many moments that challenged my selfish nature, as well as my spiritual beliefs; it's been harder than I thought but it has also been so rewarding. I have a better idea of the kind of person I am and I'm so glad I wasn't given the opportunity to stay the way I was, because I know I would have; it would've been the easier road, but I would not know what I am capable of. There have been things each step of the way that I have been terrified of, and luckily each step of the way I have had to overcome those things. Living outside of yourself is the only way to really live, and I see that now.

• I have been so inspired by everything around me lately and it has completely affected the thoughts that come into my head. I've loved watching my husband get inspired and experiment with new things. Seeing his excitement for things has given me a new sense of joy that I hadn't known before. We've had so much fun working with each other to make a life for ourselves that is completely unique to our tastes and beliefs. I see the kind of man he is and it just gives me so much hope. Life is an amazing thing and I can't seem get enough of it!

Wedding Bells

Last night, these two fancy people became one in marriage! For those of you who have read my blog for a while, you've heard me talk about Craig and April and their upcoming wedding. Well folks, here they are in all their glory:

It was pretty spectacular and a little surreal for me to be standing beside these two as they committed the rest of their lives to each other. During the reception, people were making speeches and then the mic was handed to me. I should've started my speech with a disclaimer: I am horrible at public speaking, and I tend to panic when I have to make decisions in the moment, especially if these moments only come around once in a lifetime (like giving a speech at my best friends' wedding). However, I didn't and people had to sit still and watch something similar to a plane crash (this could be an exaggeration, but I don't think so. You be the judge!).

I started out asking my table about 58 billion times (maybe 10), "can you hear me? can you hear me?! CAN YOU HEAR ME?!!!" Each time more terrified than the last. [side-note: I guess you don't necessarily hear yourself in the mic like I previously thought you would.] I then followed up with, " I'm sorry... I don't do talking." Ya don't say... (This is what I imagine everyone was thinking by this time.) Then, as I was doing a balancing act of rambling and apologizing for my rambling, I thought of something I could direct my thoughts to! I made the announcement in full confidence, "Oh! This will make a great speech!" And in a split second, I realized that no matter how great my idea was, it would never come out the way I planned, so I immediately said, "oh, no it won't!" but began to tell it anyway. I think towards the end, I might have gotten something nice out, but at some point I'm pretty sure I stuck my arm straight out beside me. Who gives a speech like that?!

Once I sat down, my husband was like, "I thought you were going to talk about how they met or something like that." Oh that would've nice, huh Jakub, you should have told me that BEFORE I made an ass out of myself. Since I don't think I'll be getting a redo for them anytime soon, and I can't save this speech for their 50th wedding anniversary, I would like to offer up a little speech on here so Craig and April can know what I meant to say, and so that people will know I actually do have a brain! So everyone, imagine you're sitting around the tables, and you see the mic passed to me. I stand up and introduce myself...

Hi, I'm Rachel and I have known April for seven years and Craig for six. In this time, they have both been some of the best friends I could have asked for. I have known each of them separately and watched as they have each grown into the person they are today. A lot of times, people in love say things like, I wish we would've known each other sooner or, I wish we would've gotten together years ago. But I can say, over the years, I have seen them grow into the type of person that would perfectly complement the other. I have also seen them develop their relationships with God and learn to trust on him in the process of finding a suitable helpmate. This is something they both deeply wanted, and through God's perfect timing and creative order of things, they each found the one that would be able to stand next to them and help them through life.

They first met during our wedding shower in 2009. They both came over early to help get things ready and I remember Craig's reaction when he saw her. He would glance over at me and I knew exactly what he was thinking. If it were a cartoon, there would be hearts coming out of his eyes! Shortly after our wedding, they began to talk more and develop their friendship. It's amazing to me because I knew them both for so long and knew they were just like each other, but it never occurred to me introduce them until the situation presented itself. And boy, am I glad things work out the way they do because they both got what they wanted: someone special to share life with, to make it exciting, and to lean on when it's hard. Even though y'all have only been together for a short time, it's been a long time coming! Congratulations!

... Feel free to clap wherever you are, because that was much better than what happened last night and definitely closer to what I meant to say!

Again, Congratulations Mr. & Mrs. Norred. Enjoy your first day as husband and wife today!

p.s. don't we make a cute couple?

We Make A Good Team

Jakub, Me, Craig--don't mind my crazy eyes please : ) and that last picture of me altogether

For those of you that don't know, this is like the three musketeers of dinners. The dream team, if you will. We have been doing private dinners and events together for about three years now and they have always been some of my favorite memories.

Not because of the food, but because of these two guys. (Who am I kidding, it's also because of the food!)

They have been with me through thick and thin, the good and the bad, and most certainly, my ugly moments. No matter how life changes (and there have definitely been a lot of changes lately), when we come together for these events, it's just like old times. I'm guaranteed a good 6+ hours of  quality time with some of my favorite guys, without any distractions--besides making food. But really, it's less of a distraction and more of a bridge.

See, we make a pretty good team. We've gotten in sync with each other from doing this over the years and it's not something we need to really think about; we all just do our part.We can go a while without doing a dinner and then come together and it run smoothly. That's something I don't take for granted!

Tonight we did an event for March of Dimes with three or four other chefs. Everyone made hors d'oeuvres for about 300 people and everything ran smoothly. It was held at the Metro Appliances building and each chef had his own kitchen to work in. The one designated for Jakub was finished just a few hours before we showed up and I wish I would've gotten a picture of it, because it's my dream kitchen!

This is what was on our menu:
48 hour sous vide short ribs with celery root puree.
Scallop ceviche with vanilla bean, tarragon, granny smith apples, and yuzu juice.
White truffle custard topped with creamed porcini mushrooms.
And toasted brioche with St. Andre's triple cream cheese and black currant gel.

If there's one thing my husband can do right, it's make beautiful food that's so good it makes your heart hurt haha. It's true though, I'm amazed at how talented he is!

We didn't get any good pictures, but here's two from tonight. Unfortunately we didn't get a picture of the short ribs... That was the big hit of the night.

 

See what I mean? Craig and I have made a good team since 2006. That's pretty official.

Even though we can go a while between dinners and still get in sync, tonight reminded me that I've got to start being more purposeful with my friendships. I need to work harder to let the friends I love know that I love them. Life happens and circumstances change, but I need to let my friends know that I'm not going anywhere! We all have things that pull at us but no matter what, the friends that I hold dear, we're going to be together through thick and thin.

A Few Things That Have Me Feeling Alive

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1.  Freshly mowed grass
2. Our back yard is surrounded with honeysuckle and every breeze brings the smell closer. This is what summer smells like.
3. Cookies baking in the oven.
4.  Knowing that I'm about to eat those cookies with some of my favorite preserves (Jakub got me hooked on this).
5. Thinking over what I read in "The Pursuit of God" yesterday.
6. Cuddle time with my two favorite dogs.
7. Knowing I'll be at one of my favorite places in Tulsa in just a few hours with one dear friend.
8. Thinking that in just a few months I'll have my brother and his kids living just minutes away and everything that brings with it.
9. The indescribable feeling of joy that comes in the moments when I realize that God truly does have everything under control and I don't know much.
10. The weekend plans that are coming about.
11. Being around my family in the small, everyday moments. That's what I'll cherish the most I think.
12. Finally getting my studio organized in a way that gets me inspired and ready to create because boy, do I have a lot of creating to do!

I'm just overwhelmed with peace and contentment in life right now and I thought I'd share a few reasons why. Beyond all these circumstances, I think God is finally bringing me (or I'm finally following Him) to a place where, no matter what happens in life, I have peace in him. You really won't find peace in this world, because you're not of this world. He's the only source of unconditional peace and comfort. And in that, I relish.

Warrior Dash 2011

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And so it begins... Jakub and I are going to wake up tomorrow morning and head out on the road with our good friends Zach and Shauna for what may rightfully be called my "Judgement Day."

My husband, being the sweet guy that he is, will be running alongside me making sure I make it out alive from this.

Zach and Shauna will be there for moral support, to document that I actually did something active in my life, and of course the trip to IKEA. I'm sure they really wanted to come because they had to see it with their own eyes that I am crazy enough enter myself into something this far out of my league.

Initially I entered this race so that it would be an "inciting incident" to getting into shape. While I have run several more times than I think I would have otherwise, I wouldn't say I'm in shape or anywhere near it. And though that may be the case, I am still so excited to be doing something so out of my comfort zone with my husband by my side and my friends cheering us on.

This is one step closer to moving past fear, trying something new and seeing what I'm really made of. To many people this race is probably just a joke, but I'm going to be prouder than heck when I cross that finish line.

So friends, next time you see me, you'll be seeing a warrior : )

p.s. Our wave starts at 12 pm on Saturday so if you happen to look at the clock around then and remember this post, say a little prayer because I'm gonna need all the help I can get! Have a great weekend!               

What's Better Than Eating Puffy Cheetos?

I'll tell you what, making friends with someone that gets you from the very beginning. Someone you instantly connect with and are drawn to. Someone that can relate to you on every level.

Today I hung out with a girl, Meg, I met a few Sundays ago and it was unreal how similar we are! I have a few friends that I feel are like extensions of me, but this was the first time where we connected on our stories and where we're at right now. I'm telling you, if I were to look in the mirror, I wouldn't see someone more similar! This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship! The crazy thing is, I feel like I've grown up with her all my life! God definitely has a great sense of humor and I bet he was just tickled to death watching us today, reacting to each other with such surprise and disbelief at each twist and turn in the conversation. He had to have been proud of his creative skills at that point!

I've been surrounded lately with such wonderful people: my incredibly handsome and supportive husband, my best friends that have stuck with me through so much, my parents, who I'm growing closer to each day and understanding on a whole new level. I've even been so lucky to make my first blog friend! (you should check Betsy out at her blog Three.20 She's really quite something).

They all bring so much to my life and I feel like Meg is just what I've been praying for over the past several months. If I didn't think so already, today showed me that God has a beautiful plan and you better get on board because he's movin' and you want to see where he's goin'! Today left me speechless and with a perma-grin that, frankly, I don't want to go away. I hope you all enjoyed your Friday as much as I did!

Try Something New Tuesday v. 4 (Image Heavy)

I don't think this series should be all about me. The point of it is people doing things they've never done before, whether it's small or large, that somehow affect their life in a positive way. Today, I share with you THREE things that haven't been done before, and let me tell you, our lives are greater for it.

The first comes from my friend April. I've mentioned her several times on this blog because she is a lady y'all need to know! There's so many fascinating things about this woman and I'll share them with you over time. However, this past week she told me something that was downright shocking! She's 23 years old and has never gone sledding before! Needless to say, this had to be remedied immediately and I'm so glad she felt the same. On Sunday our group, minus two key players, trudged up the side of a highway and began the descent into a more fulfilled life. She was rather nervous at first, and maybe for the first couple times, but she's a warrior, that woman.

This was how she looked right before she took the plunge!

This is what she turned into: a speed demon

The second "new thing" I've already alluded to. For as long as I can remember, I have dreamed of going sledding off the side of the highway. Don't ask me why, but I always thought it'd be more daring than a normal hill. So, I can now check that off my list of things to accomplish before I die. Luckily I have proof. It may not look too daring, but that's only because the picture was taken at the wrong moment : )

This next picture doesn't have to do with TSNT, but can I just take a moment to show you how perfectly we were made for each other?

 

To the untrained eye this just looks like a picture full of random faces, but if you look closer you see that clockwise, starting with me, we  made the stages between sad and elated. What makes this even more showing of how perfect we are for each other is the fact that this was completely unplanned. It's like finishing each others' sentences but in picture form. We didn't finish a sentence, we made a story!

Back to the point. The third "new thing" was something new for us all. Jakub kept mentioning this week that he'd want to make a huge snowman. Well, we ran with that idea and made changes along the way. When we pushed the snow ball as far as we could, we decided it should be a bear face. Then, it turned into a cat during the decorating phase with the addition of whiskers. Do bears have whiskers? Without further ado, meet Simon the bear-cat. (It's name was Simon because we were right by the mall)

 

Have you ever made something out of snow that monstrous? We hadn't. But now, our lives are different. 

 

Between the sledding, Simon, and the snowball war I mentioned yesterday, it's safe to say that having a day where you act like a kid can do wonders for your spirit. You should try it sometime.

 

Weekend In Review

This was one spectacular weekend for the Hartlieb household!

Friday night, Jakub and I made some delicous pork cheek enchiliadas with homemade tortillas.

When I say delicious, I really mean they were so good that it made my heart hurt a little. You know on the food network or infomercials where the hosts take a bite of the food they just prepared causing them to bring in their shoulders like they're being bear-hugged by a shield of delight, then they lift up their faces as if the clouds part and God himself shines upon them, which is too stunning so they close their eyes and a deep and glorious groan spills out of their mouths almost as if it was instinctual? Well, that's child's play compared to what we experienced with these enchiladas. I must say, being married to a chef has its benefits.

Saturday, we braved the streets (it was my first time out since the snow hit) and went to a marriage workshop called:

Don't worry, we're ok ;) We had wanted to go to this when we were engaged but it never lined up, so we planned to go sometime after we got married. Then time went on and we forgot about it until our good friends, Craig and April, were looking at premarital counseling. We all planned to go, but the weather foiled those plans. Craig and April, both, couldn't get out of their neighborhoods. But, it was so much fun! If anyone lives in Oklahoma, I'd recommend going! It's common knowledge stuff but it's a nice little reminder of what you should focus on in your relationship and how to work through issues and express your love in a way that the other person connects with. It's free AND you get a free lunch, snacks, and a little photo booth session! We love learning all that we can in how to keep our marriage where it needs to be and it was nice to do something different than normal.

Then Sunday we had an amazing time at church and met some people. Then we spent the day with Craig and April. I'll go into more detail about this tomorrow for my Try Something New Tuesday, but it was a blast in a glass (anyone else addicted to Jersey Shore other than me and Craig?! Jakub and April [lovingly] think we're fools for it) We spent the day playing outside and then wrapped it up with dinner at El Tequila! I'll give you a little preview to tide you over for tomorrow:

Yes, we had a snowball WAR, or snowbrawl as craig said, of epic proportions

We also had a mini photo shoot

Craig makes some of the best faces I've ever seen. He commits.

Also I should note that Saturday was my first time to drive through our neighborhood. I thought I would be terrified, but something came over me and it was like I couldn't get enough! It was so exhilarating and I felt like I could do anything. So, I think it goes without saying that I was the "snowfer" (another one of Craig's creations) for our day together. Seriously, it was like what I'd imagine riding a bull is like! A slow and aged bull, but a bull all the same!

It's such a great thing to spend a weekend fully enjoying the love of my husband and the company of exceptional friends. They're mine for life, all of 'em!

Like A Tall Glass of Water

How is it that when you get to your lowest, something comes along to cheer you up again? In my case, it was THREE great "things" that came my way. Lucky me, huh?

First thing's first. Yesterday my mom called me up and I went to dinner with her and my dad and then went and picked up a bike for my nephew for Christmas. It's his first "big boy" bike so it's pretty exciting!

Then, as a complete surprise, my friend Shauna invited me to go get desert with her at the restaurant where our husbands work. It was the first time we had a chance to get to know each other one on one and it was both long overdue and worth the wait. I had so much fun with her and it was a chance to see how much we have in common, which is quite a bit! It's nice to know I have one more person to know I can rely on.

Drum role please......

The final, and perhaps most refreshing "thing" happened today, when I got to spend the whole day with one sweet lady. I briefly mentioned her before, but April is someone who deserves a whole post. In fact, that may happen sometime soon (or many times?). I took my first solo road trip to see her and we went to an indie craft show, and spent several hours perusing the booths and catching up.

She's starting a blog too and will shortly (and finally) be joining me in the same city. For the past 4 or 5 years we've kept missing each other on living in the same town... kinda like phone tag, but.... home tag? town tag? or would it be city tag? Anyway, she will be back and I will have a crafting/blogging/thrifting/garage sale-ing/ church-ing friend in my neck of the woods! She gets me like no one else. In many ways, we are one person. [side note: for years, when I would talk about her to others I'd say, "she's awesome, she's amazing...she's just like me" which definitely sounds cocky but I guess I was just so thrilled to have someone understand and love me on every level. It wasn't that I thought I was that cool]

She also just happens to be getting married to one of my other best friends! SIX months from today!

Lucky's not the word. You could definitely say I'm blessed.

Good Company

I thought I was going to have time to post once we got back from Las Vegas, but it's been pretty busy around here. First off, I have to say, Vegas was much more fun than I imagined! I'm too cheap to be a gambler (however, I did put in $5 and won $16.50 for my first time! I also cashed out immediately) and too much like a grandma to like to stay out late, but I still really enjoyed myself. I think I will post some pictures later but I haven't had time to even look through them yet.

When we came back, we rested up before going to see the midnight showing of Harry Potter with our group of friends. It seemed like there weren't as many crazy fans out as there was last year.

The next day, I drove to Joplin with two of my best friends, April and Craig (who are actually getting married--it's a great story) to go see my third (but certainly not least) best friend, Isaac. He was playing a show with his band. It's been quite some time since I've seen that guy play drums and let me tell ya, he's so so talented! Sometime I should make a post about him, because even though you don't know him--well, maybe you do because it seems he knows EVERYONE--he is certainly a person worth knowing about. He's one of those rare people that change your whole life by knowing them. I feel so privileged to have each friendship that I have, but he is quite unique.

The day after that, I went to see one of my closest friends growing up get married. I think I'm still in shock! It's so crazy that we're at this age! It's a wonderful thing though, don't get me wrong.

This past week has been rather busy, but with things that I feel so blessed to be doing--spending time with family and friends and celebrating their lives with them! What more could I want?