Finding Beauty in the Ups & Downs: A Few Drinks Sunday

Today- I had a few drinks. Doesn't happen very often in this house. I had three Blue Moons and was feeling pretty good. Like, "Not worrying about the future" kind of good! I could use these days more often. I jumped on FB and chatted with a good friend. You know those type of friends that have known you so long and through so much- that they won't blink at anything you say. I finally vented. It was a perfect storm- just enough beer and the "perfect" friend- leaves you with a floodgate wide open. I was able to finally say the things I have been holding in. It was awesome. She said the perfect things. She validated my crazy. She virtually hugged me!

We are playing around with a few trips in this next few months. None are official. One is for Hais Spring Break. She has a two week break. I want to drive home to California. It is an 18 hr drive- so 2 days. How awesome is that? I haven't been that close to home since Feb 2003. I will have to drive home with the two kids by myself. Not sure if that will happen yet.
I also want to fly out to Arkansas the end of June. The above mentioned friend is taking her son to college orientation for a week. She will be in Arkansas for a few days without him and I would love to have some time with her. Flights are $500- yikes. But it might just be worth it if I can make it work!! I remember the day X had his middle school orientation. She cried. I say that with a giggle but at the same time- totally miss that day. She is an amazing momma and she raised an amazing young man. If C turns out anything like X, I would be SO lucky.
We also want to go out east this summer- end of June actually. We want to be at my inlaws for a few days and then down to meet up with some friends from Germany- who are spending a week at Disney Florida. We are thinking of driving out to NC. Spending a few days. Then spending a day or 2 in Fayetteville NC with some of our favorite people- the P family. Then heading down to to Florida for 2-3 days. 1 day at Disney. 1 day at Sea World. Then driving home.
I think the key to making it through these days of uncertainty is plans. Fun plans to look forward to.

This includes all these trips plus...
-A possible visit from the bestie when my amazing "nephew" races in Denver in March
-A visit from the awesome Tina and Heather in early April!!
-A family retreat the end of April to Granby Colorado
-Flying to Sacramento the end of July for a week- just C and I- so I can run the Color Run with my bestie!
-Hiking the Grand Canyon the middle of September!

Anyhow. On to some awesome zoo photos. You KNOW you have wanted some zoo photos! Some Pueblo Colorado zoo photos. It has been cold here lately- and yesterday we hit high 50's. That called for an outside day. We had a Groupon for 4 entrances to the Pueblo Zoo and figured why not! It was a small zoo. Yet- we loved it. It was flat. Had some different animals than I had seen before.