Wee, Wee, Wee...

Justin surprised me a few weeks ago with a ticket home to see my family. He knew I was feeling homesick so he worked it out with my parents, my boss and my friend Linsley to get me home for a long weekend.

Linsley and Gavin picked me up at SeaTac Thursday night and we headed up to my old hood, Lake Forest Park, to meet friends Tara and Erin at the Lake Forest Bar & Grill. You'll have to take my word for it...I forgot to take a picture of the group.

Friday we headed out early for Eastern Washington to surprise my parents who thought I wouldn't be in Grandview until  much later that evening. I'm glad I made it home earlier because mom and I were able to join Brianna on a very successful wedding dress shopping outing (she found "the one!!").

On Saturday I got fitted for my bridesmaid dress and then I got to meet this precious little tatertot:

This is Miss Emmalyn, baby daughter of my friends Erin and Mike. It was so heartwarming to see my friend, a friend I've known  my entire life, and her hubby looking at and loving on their baby girl. I was so happy to get to meet Emmalyn and spend some time snuggling with her!

Later that evening we had more family join us at my parents' house for a family BBQ. Family came from near and far and it felt so good to see everyone! Family get-togethers happen regularly back home, and they're something I realized, during this last trip, that I take for granted. It'd been a while since I attended such a gathering that was held for no particular reason...well besides the fact that I was visiting. Seeing everyone together made me feel happy and sad at the same time, for all sorts of reasons. It's hard to replace the feeling of being in a room full of people I love and who (I'm assuming...we're family, after all) love me in return. It's probably what I miss most about being closer to home.

 

Joe and Dad chattin' by the BBQ

 Mom brought out the fancy cake for the occasion

 

Donald and Joe at the gun show

 

 Brianna and her entourage :) The kiddos love her!

 

Nanny and me

I went to church Sunday with my parents, and Joe & Brianna came too. They wanted to scope out the church because that's the venue they've chosen for their wedding ceremony. Mom and I made the loop with Brianna through the church after the service to point out all the different areas used for wedding prep. Of course, because there were more girls than guys in the house by the time we got back home, wedding talk continued into the afternoon where we talked over food options, yard decor for the reception, timing, photos, etc. It's cute to watch Joe & Brianna talk about wedding plans because they're both so excited! It makes a big sister happy to see her little brother in love.

My friend Heather came over Sunday afternoon with her baby girl, Makiya, who turned 1 in February. We spent most of the time trying to get Makiya to take a few steps, but she was happier flipping through books and playing with some of the toys my mom dug out of the old toy cupboard. It was great to spend a bit of time with Heather -- I've missed that girl! Some of my favorite high school memories involve Heather! I missed the opportunity to take a picture of the ladies, but I hope to have another opportunity to spend time with them again soon.

Monday came too fast, but at least I was able to spend most of the day in Grandview before mom and dad took me back to SeaTac. Before we left town, we stopped in Sunnyside to fulfill my only request: to go to Burger Ranch.

God bless Burger Ranch's fries and fry sauce.

I landed back in California late Monday night. As the plane touched down I was overcome with a strange feeling. It was a feeling of comfort and relief, a feeling of happiness and familiarity -- these were feelings I've never felt before when landing in California. It seems that I missed this place -- this place I've refused to call home for the last two years appears to be growing on me.

As Justin zoomed down the 101 towards San Jose I realized the feeling that washed over me was a wave of senses saying, "you're home!"

What's happening to me??!?!!

I guess all the "bloom where you're planted" advice is finally starting to sink in, eh? I shouldn't really be so shocked that I'm starting to be more comfortable with the fact that I'm living in California -- becoming more thankful and happy with where I am in life has been a prayer of mine since the day I found out we were moving. Sometimes it's hard to remember God has a plan and there is nothing I can do to predict, control or change it. I shared this "home" revelation with my girls bible study last time we met -- the majority of the girls in the group moved to the Silicon Valley with their tech-savvy spouses, so most are in a similar situation and rejoiced with me as I shared my story as a praise vs. a prayer request (keep your prayers coming, though!).

I had a wonderful time in Washington and can't wait until Joe & Brianna's wedding in July when we'll celebrate the newlyweds with more friends and family. I promise Justin will be with me next time. He does exist.