Home Part 1

I had the chance to go back to the Midwest last week and it was grreat! It's funny how you get used to the dryness out here- the minute I stepped off the plane in Chicago I felt sticky from the humidity. The second I got into the car to go to my grandparents house my whole body just relaxed knowing I was "home". I enjoyed spending some time with my grandparents. My grandpa is starting treatment for prostate cancer so if you wanna say a little prayer that his body will respond with minimal side effects I'm sure he would appreciate it! I am very blessed with such loving and supportive grandparents.

I also got to see my SBF, Alison and her cutie baby Parker and her awesome hubby, Ryan. And I had Chick-fil-A for the first time! Alison has been such a blessing to me. Our friendship began with her bringing me prom magazines and all sorts of fun stuff after my back surgery, and ever since then I can't imagine life without her! We often comment how cool it is that we are still such good friends even though our lives are so different. Her love for God and others and desire to honor Him is an inspiration.

 I got to see my cousin Justina for a bit and later went to my cousin Megan's apartment in downtown Chicago. I always love spending time with her and her husband Paul, even though the visit was short. Friday I took a train to Michigan City where my friends Emily and Cassie picked me up and we shopped at some of the outlets. Not gonna lie, I was pretty proud of myself for getting a taxi and getting on the right train on my own ;) We of course got sundaes at McDonald's on the way home (oh, did I mention the weather was great?! Warm and sunny and green-my favorite!) It was nice just being back with friends that you're comfortable with =) Friday night was our friend Joe's birthday, so I was able to see quite a few people at his celebration. I'm looking forward to seeing them all again in July because they are pretty fun people even if the majority of them are married ;) Just kidding guys, you know I love third wheeling it with ya'll!

 Saturday I had breakfast with my friend Staci who I love- she is so random and fun but deep at the same time =) Then I finally went home! My dog Benji is a chunky monkey now, so I had fun trying to get him back in shape and it's always nice to hang out with the rents. It's their 35th wedding anniversary in a few weeks (way to go Mom and Dad!) and again, I am blessed to have great, godly parents who put up with me =) And I finally got to meet baby Abram! He's a sweet, tiny little thing and Cardale is getting so big and but funny as always. It's so fun thinking how Jenn and I used to take walks at break at HMIC and talk about her and Ryan's dreams for a family and how God brought Cardale into their family and now Abram. God has blessed them and they are awesome parents and still cool=)

 Sunday was church, great dinner, more time with Jenn and family and then a last minute anniversary dinner for my parents with the whole fam. It was good seeing Tim and Jenny and I'm getting excited for their wedding! I remember having talks with Tim on our long car rides to the cottage about how it is tough to be single sometimes and that you just have to trust God in what He has in store for your life, so I'm glad that God has brought Tim and Jenny together in perfect timing.

 Then finally, my favorite part of my trip, going to South Haven to spend time with Stacy, Nate and the kids (I hope that doesn't offend any friends or family, but they'll always win in my visits ;) Stacy and I went to a cardio class Monday morning that kicked my butt. No joke. It's one thing to get showed up by your sister, but a whole nother thing when it's 50 year old women. I'm not coordinated at all (anytime you ask me to do separate things with my arms and legs just ain't happening gracefully) and I'm not in shape. I wish we had a camera there because we were rolling in laughter half the time. I have however, worked out every day since that class because I felt like such a fatty haha. We'll see how long this lasts =) Stace and I had some good talks, Julia and Isaac are just so cute in everything they do and I just wanna eat them up. I visited Caleb's class and took him out for ice cream which we both love. He was totally on a sugar high after that- I don't think he stopped giggling or talking for an hour!

Tuesday, I flew back home. Holy moly it was so turbulent, I thought I was gonna lose my snickers bar (yes, that was my morning snack, thanks, Nicole! =). But now it's home sweet home....or is it? haha I don't know, everytime I go home I go back and forth....do I belong in CO or back home?  I was talking to my friend Kim about it, and she has lived in Denver for three years, and she said she still wonders that everytime she goes home. Just something about home, I guess. Sorry for the book. Next post is all pics =)