Going Home or Am I?

This weekend Joe and I are headed to St. Louis for a jam-packed weekend. It is going to be a bitter-sweet trip. We are going to see friends and family, tackle some wedding planning tasks and attend a memorial service for my grandma.

My alarm blared this morning at 4:30am. I usually snooze an extra 15 minutes, if not 30, but this morning I got out of bed without a lot of hesitation. I finally got in a decent workout, so the weekend is already off to a great start. (Note to self...try getting up earlier more often!). The work day blew by, which I don't know if it is a good thing or a bad thing. I love that my days end before I have time to look at the clock and long to go home, but man is the to-do list ever going to get accomplished? Joe dropped the boys off at their foster mom's house. (I miss the little guys already. Joe and I finally gave in and have started letting the boys up on the couch. It's so much better than the hard floor.) Now, the only think standing between me and the weekend is a long flight.

Tonight, we are having a sleep over at my dad's. I'm so excited. You know the feeling you used to get when you were a little kid getting ready to go to a friend's house for a sleep over? Yeah, that same feeling, but only better. Tonight's sleep over will involve a good amount of vino. My sister is even coming to my dad's tonight. She texted me today to tell me that dad bought stuff to make homemade pizzas. It's just like old school sleep overs, late night junk food and lots of gossip. Yes, I somewhat gossip with my dad. He is one of my best friends. We talk about everything.

In the am we are planning on going for a run and a swim. I packed all my gear, but let's see how ambitious we are after late night talking and drinking. I hope we have time for some coffee on his patio! After lunch my dad is dropping me off at the jewelers, where the wedding planning festivities will begin. Joe and I are going to look at wedding bands. My soon-to-be sister-in-law (wow that's a lot of -) told me that our jeweler will lend out jewelry for the wedding day. I hope this is still the case. If so, hello layers of diamond tennis bracelets and diamond/pearl chandelier earrings. If not, it's a good thing fashion district is only a few blocks from our place. I'm sure I can find some fake bling for the big day on Santee Alley. After dreaming big at the jewelry store, Joe and I are headed to meet with our minister. We have to go in for our marriage counseling session. I'm sure it will be pretty good. There is not much we don't know about one another after 11 years of dating. We are ending the day with dinner at this fantastic mom and pop pizza place with friends. OMG! I can't wait.

On Sunday, I am taking a spin class with my sis and dad. I seriously have enough gear in my luggage to complete a triathlon. My grandma's memorial service is Sunday afternoon. This will be the first time I have to come face-to-face with the reality of my grandma passing. I don't think I am ready to realize that she is gone. Nothing like heading to the bridal shop after a memorial. I have a few hours to grieve and then it is back to wedding planning. Geeze...our weekends are packed when we come to St. Louis. I have my dress fitting Sunday afternoon....yikes! There is a lot of vino and ice cream to blame if that dress doesn't fit. Sunday night I am hanging out with my goddaughter and her parents of course. I can't wait to see her. I told Joe I call dibs on holding her first. :)

Monday morning we are off, back to LA. Am I headed home this weekend or will I be headed home Monday morning? It is starting to feel like St. Louis is where I am from, but LA is home. LA is where Joe and I are building our lives. It is a slow process, but we are moving along. We started our family by getting our boys. (Puppies of course. I am way too selfish for children right now!) We are both making strides in our careers and we are meeting tons and tons of people. Of course, it is always nice to go back and connect with the people we love. But, LA is exciting and full of opportunity. I can't wait to see what our future has in store.