Road Trippin'

A LONG read ahead.

I spent this weekend in Iowa. I ended up going alone because Jacob had his 10 year class reunion to go to. I ended up getting off work a half and hour early on Friday and hit the road. It ended up taking me 5 hours to get to Cedar Rapids, but I was happy when I finally made it. I spent my drive belting out songs from my favorite high school boy bands. Good times.

Saturday, Emily and I got to hang out all afternoon. We had lunch at Las Glorias. This baby loves Mexican...or at least its momma does. Then shopped at Target until we had to go meet Keith somewhere because the kids were misbehaving. While Emily had to go into the store, Jamie, Chloe and I stayed in the van. This is how Chloe and I passed the time:

Ran to the church to drop of the new drum set Keith and Dave had just purchased and then Emily and I took off again to do a little more shopping. (Minus the kiddos again!). It got very sunny and Emily couldn't find her sunglasses, so I suggested she wear Chloe's since she kept pulling them out of her purse.

Stylish, don't ya think?

We went back to the house and hung out a little bit more before I had to go.

Jamie with Buddy

Our traditional Remily picture.

Had supper at my parent's house and then went over to visit my grandma and grandpa for awhile. We took dessert over there and had fun visiting. Grandma couldn't remember where Kendra was, and decided she was in "Nicabooger"...which is better known as Nicaragua. I love that lady.

Went back to the house where mom and I decided to play with the Wii. (I am still amused that my parents own a Wii). We bowled and boxed. The boxing was hilarious! I won...but was almost doubled over with exhaustion so we had to stop!

I was so excited for yesterday morning! I went to Valley View for church and got to see almost all of the people that I've been missing so much! It was like a big happy reunion for me. I can't really describe it, but the best I could come up with to tell Jacob was I felt like I was back "home" again when I walked in there. The music was awesome. At one point I had to stop singing because my eye welled up with tears of happiness. Thankfully greeting time went on forever because I was able to talk to SO many people. Of course...I had to run and give Sheila and big hug as soon as greeting time started. Also, as an added surprise, Clay and Ruth were there yesterday! It was the first time I heard their new(er) (I think he's been there almost a year now!) pastor and I really enjoyed his sermon. Afterward there was a fellowship time for the graduates which I hung around for too. Gave me even more time to catch up with everyone.

You all know I'm a huggy person and that was one of the reasons Valley View meant so much to me. I was laying in bed last night and could sleep so I started thinking about all of the hugs I got yesterday. 16! I told ya it was a big happy reunion for me. I love that I hadn't been there for a service in over a year and was still welcomed back with such love and excitement. I miss it. A lot.

After church, mom, dad and I went to Ruby Tuesday for lunch and then mom and I went shopping at Coral Ridge. I can't say just how much I appreciate what my mom does for me. She's bought almost all of my maternity clothes so far. Yesterday I got another pair of shorts, 6 shirts and 3 dresses (although 1 of the dresses and 2 of the shirts I used a gift card on). I'm feeling much better about having enough clothes now.

Plus last night she and I went to her co-worker, Stacy's house because she had some clothes to give me too if they fit! (I used to take care of her niece when she was a baby!). It was fun. I got to hold their newest addition to the family. A 2 week old baby boy. There is just nothing like holding a newborn baby. I ended up with some capris and a pair of shorts and TONS of shirts. Mostly long sleeved which will be good for October and November. She had a lot of jeans, but I wear talls and her jeans were way too short on me.

Today I slowly got myself ready to go. I had everything ready by 10 but didn't leave until almost 11. I was excited to come home to see Jacob, but at the same time really sad to once again be leaving Iowa. I actually starting crying before I even took my suitcase upstairs. Why did I have to have such a good time!? Haha! Said goodbye to my parent's...and then cried for the first couple miles of my drive.

After that it was nothing but boringness. I made good time, but it still felt like the longest drive ever. I just wanted to be home! Funny how I cry because I don't want to leave one place and then I want to cry because I just want to be back home!

I was greeted by my hubby who had cleaned the kitchen, mowed the yard and washed the sheets! And I even got a back massage! We went out for breakfast for supper at Round Table after I got unpacked.

Yep. A great weekend in Iowa, but great to be back here too!