Catherine

I'm back in Des Moines today. Headed on our usual trek to Florida with my family. This time, with the addition of the dear Elizabeth Dawson. Who might as well be my sister as well as Heather Knoff. My friend from elementary school in GA. I'm pretty excited about going, we haven't been in a few years and being near large bodies of water always brings me peace and genuine contentment. Alicia called me earlier this week, as she and Garrett were headed back to Iowa for a vacation. We got all the details settled and decided to get together today. Chelsea and Elizabeth were able to come too, we went out to DQ :) I think it was the first time that the 4 of us had been alone together since Spring Break '08. It was really fun, we always laugh so much when we're together. And so much had changed since then, Alicia got married and is now pregnant. Which just blows my mind. She's like 2 stages ahead of me in life. But, at the same time we're the same age and still friends. I felt weird talking about the bars I go to or the parties that I have. She's going to be a mom in 5 months. She's been a wife for a year and a half now. I don't know what any of that is like. She let me feel the baby kicking. I think it's the most incredible and crazy and magical thing I have ever experienced. I got teary eyed as I felt this small baby fluttering against my hand. I can't wait to experience that for myself, but, then I realized I can. Alicia and I are 2 different people. She has wanted to get married and have a baby since we were 14 and having sleepovers together. Is it something I want someday? Absolutely, but I just don't feel like I'm quite at the stage of life where I'm ready for that. Marriage? I could probably handle within the next couple years. But having a baby? I want to experience life with my husband and travel and have my career and move around. I'm excited for that stage of life. Also I have been kind of emotional over the last few days, but haven't had a good cry yet. That needs to happen soon, and before we move Elizabeth in. I've been avoiding thinking about it and emotionally dealing with it and it's starting to show. It needs to come out sometime soon. I'm really thankful for the next 7 full days I'll have with her (and the rest of my family) I love spending time with her and this will be a fantastic time together. It's looking like I'll see her in October for the first time after moving her in. Mom and Dad are planning on going to Baylor's homecoming and I think I could make it too, with no class Friday it would be worth the trip. That's only a month and a half apart. We can handle that. I miss Joel I wish he was coming on the trip with us.