where did the weekend go?

friday: david and i were invited for dinner at my friend katie's house. she and her husband live in ankeny and have 2 adorable kids. i haven't seen her in so long, it was great to relax and catch up on the latest in her life. we had pizza, delicious salad, bruchetta, wine - i think i ate about 7 pieces of pizza. i also brought my lame attempt at cookies. they kind of sucked, but oh well. i still ate a few. so much for latest calorie-counting attempt.

by the time we left, it was too late to make an appearance at 8/7 central, so we ended up at my old high school haunt - wynnsong theater, to watch alice in wonderland. it wasn't mind-blowing fantastical (maybe avatar has ruined us all) but it left me feeling right - if that makes any sense at all. and i continue to give johnny depp points for making disturbingly creepy characters somehow endearing.

saturday: AM work at the 'bou - i consciously prayed to God to help it go better and -surprise!- it actually did. although the negativity grates on my spirit by the end of the shift. i am ready to be done there. then we high-tailed it out of here - heading north to cedar falls. the drive was great - spring is attempting to show it's face in patchy brown stretches of grass. i love being in a car with david. we travel well together (as it should be). i'm so comfortable next to him. content.

cedar falls was fun, we dug through piles of old photos of younger versions of david to find pics for our wedding slideshow. jenalee came over and ate dinner with us. the food was delicious and conversation was easy. later, jenalee and i had a lot of time to chat on the couch, sharing a blanket, swapping notes on our lives. i love how close we've become as sisters. she's one of the most beautiful and sincere people i know. it felt like such a good family night all around. words can't really capture it.

sunday: we drove back at 7 AM this morning. there was a thick fog everywhere, but it was so refreshing - the day was yet to begin, and we got to spend the first two hours together, drinking coffee, shaking the grogginess by degrees, goofing off, talking. a perfect way to start the day. when i think about him, all the cheesy phrases apply - i really don't think forever will be long enough. not long enough for all the conversations we've yet to have, adventures we've yet to take, inside jokes we've yet to create. i already can't imagine life without the guy, and we're not even married yet. i am in awe of this love that grows like wild in my heart, blooming everyday, and it is for no reason at all - other than him being himself.

i'm afraid i may not make any sense at all tonight. i'm so tired. i don't want to write about sunday anymore. except to say that our girl's group tonight was so good. it was some deep stuff, some heavy stuff, but there was some hilarious moments too. i know i have a difficult time opening up to any degree, but i really, finally feel like i am a part of something that is safe. and i feel a lightness, because i was able to get some frustrations off of my heart tonight. those girls are a blessing to me in so many unique ways. i learn so much from them. i'm thankful that this has lasted, and i'm thankful for what it's become. community always takes effort and sacrifice, but it is always worth it.

goodnight.