Where We've Been... Part Two

Matt and I have done a lot of laughing this past month at just how crazy our life gets sometimes. I'm sure we're rather arrogant to assume we're the only people this happens to, but what are the odds that each of our respective closest friends (my maid-of-honor, his best man) would get married the same year?

One week apart.

On opposite U.S. coasts.

Six weeks before baby number two is scheduled to arrive.
::Insert screaming banshee here::

I say we've been laughing about this because we already had about five months of walking around with a deer-in-headlights look on our faces. But God is gracious - and faithful - and we now have some lovely memories to reflect upon.

Nope, none of us got H1N1 from the flights. Neither did Baby Roo decide to make a break for it and arrive in an unplanned state. We're back, safe 'n sound, healthy 'n happy. Here's how the month of October went for us, in two parts:

Trip One - Welcome to the Palmetto State!

If I've never publicly made this announcement before, let me say it now: my mom is awesome. Our wedding-themed "amazing race" of sorts started with the arrival of my mother, who came to take over my life. Literally.

My plan was to head to South Carolina a week beforehand to help my close friend with last minute wedding tasks. Although my mom (bless her heart) came down with a sinus infection 24 hours post-arrival, I was still able to make my Saturday flight to Charleston.

I spent the last week of September traipsing around historic Charleston and the neighboring Yonges Island helping my friend and her fiancee make last minute purchases, etc. It was very refreshing to be childless for five entire days, to sleep through the night and awake on my own time, and to feed only myself at mealtime. :-) From what I hear, Morenna didn't even miss me that much.

Two days before the wedding, the wedding party began arriving, including my parents, Matt and Morenna who, by God's grace, managed the 10-hour trip down with no meltdowns.

We had a wonderful weekend spent with family, church friends and old college friends. Morenna didn't end up making it down the aisle as flower girl (although she did for the rehearsal), but she made up for it by being super cute and dancing a whopping 2 hours at the reception! I think she pretty much collapsed from exhaustion by night's end.

Sunday we hit up the beach and introduced Morenna to the waves. The day was warm, not too warm, but nice enough to get in the water. She love it. Loved it.

Two of my close friends from college roomed in with my parents and us. We had a lovely suite in downtown Charleston with just enough room for us all. They were able to join us in the beach festivities and later in the day for a trip to the famous Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and my personal favorite - the Charleston Candy Co - for gelatos, salt-water taffy and pralines.

After nine days in the South, it was time to head West...

One friend successfully married off, one more to go.