Happy Girl

"Happy Girl" - Martina McBride

You don't typically hear Sunday nights being described as the "best" or "most fun" night of the week.  It is the night before Monday, after all.  But I love them. I like to look at it as a time to reflect on the past week and anticipate what's to come in the week ahead (and it doesn't hurt that I'm off on Mondays).

  It's a new month. 30 fresh, untouched days that are waiting to be filled.

I look back on March and I have to laugh.  Cry a little. Tell myself a few "I told you so's."

And smile.

March, to me, used to mean "the most boring month of the year."

But 2012 changed that rather quickly.

I can most definitely say that it is a month I will never forget.

A month of many learning and loving experiences.

It started beautifully, as displayed in THIS post and THIS post.

Towards the middle,  it got nice n' shaky...full of wacky "surprises."

But in the end, it all came together and made sense somehow.

I sat in this very same spot many times last week, full of anticipation and wonder. Sometimes uncomfortable and restless.  Hoping and praying for answers.

And I got them.

(more on that later)

The end of March...

It was sweet....

A rainy Thursday with Kim.

She always drives, because my car smells like cat food and trash. (that will be a post someday!) 

But she doesn't just drive...she entertains.  One minute she's rapping and the next, she's singing to her son's favorite group, "The Fresh Beat Band," never missing a word...adding her signature moves.

We stopped at Toys R' Us for a few presents and tried on these bad boys.

 

Don't mess with us.

We ended our afternoon with a mexican lunch of tacos, queso and chips

and a little stalker-y visit to Kelly's house.  Mostly, so we could take this picture and send it to her.

***

Thursday dinner...steak and chicken fajitas at Brie and Vinny's.

Talking past midnight, laughing at funny youtube videos, shedding a few happy tears...

all made for a great night.

 It'd been way too long since we all got together. 

And I'm so glad we did.

too many fajitas for Zesterban.

***

Ahh, Miss Muffin...I love you.

***

Catching up with loves on Saturday...

My mom, Jessica and I took advantage of a quiet restaurant for lunch and didn't leave until it was close to dinnertime. 

We joke that they look more alike than my mom and I.

ladies in red white n' blue.

Saturday was just as productive as it was fun.  After our 4 hour lunch, I was ready to get some cleaning done.  My mom wanted to help.  And I took her up on it.  I thought it would be fun and also funny...us cleaning offices together in our "lunch" outfits. Lemme tell ya, I'm gonna hire her. She was awesome! We made a Starbuck's stop, chatted and listened to country music while we dusted and collected trash.

It was glamorous.  No, seriously, it was.

 Our last stop was to my brother's gig.  It was a wonderful, full day with my mom. I was so thankful for her help, but more thankful for her company.

***

Friday date night...

I cooked.  Okay, no I didn't.  I boiled some water (that overflowed twice).  Heated up a jar of sauce (set off the smoke alarm), and thawed some meatballs.  Steve and I lounged in our pjs and watched our favorite shows.  It was so nice to have a night with nothing to do.

And then, I watched my boys snooze it up on the couch.  I didn't want to wake him. They were too cute.

***

Now, for some of those answers I mentioned.

  My good ol' period showed herself on Thursday afternoon.  I, of course, was ecstatic.  My how things change...I doubt you'll be hearing me be joyful about another period after this one. 

  This one meant I got to make a doctor's appointment and find out if there was any hcg left in my system.  (Not only from the trigger shot, but from the loss).  And, most importantly...find out if this cycle was our GO cycle.

I went in early Friday morning for blood work. While talking to the nurse, she was pretty positive I'd be good to go. But also very honest that she was a little nervous for me too.  I always appreciate their honesty.

I knew it was going to be a long 3-5 hours before I got the call with my results.

Lucky for me, I had plans with this babe.

As much as I wanted time to speed up so I could get my answers, I liked time staying right where it was while we enjoyed a gorgeous day in the park.

Spring was in the air every step of the way.

We walked and walked and talked and talked.

And then, just as we were about a quarter mile away from the 5 mile mark, my phone starting ringing.  My heart began racing and my knees got that weak feeling.  Kelly gave me a hug as we both tried to stop tearing up and I stepped aside to answer...

I will let the photos do the talking...

*Thank you, Kelly, for capturing it all :)

This is the shadow of a happy girl.

And this is the face of one.

 our waitress was so sweet, but the picture...not so much.

There was no more hcg in my blood.  All of my hormone levels are right where they should be.

This is our cycle. 

And I'm on day 3 of these guys.

I'm happy.

I'm calmer.

I'm thankful.

Wishing you all a very happy April and a happy new week!

I'll be back later this week.

April Lovin',