A wonderfully "Wicked" weekend

In honor of Wicked, the amazingly fabulous Broadway musical

I was privileged to see in Portland this weekend, I give you
some sentimental lyrics from "For Good,"
the closing number sung by two witches in the land of Oz:

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you....

Like a comet pulled from orbit

As it passes a sun

Like a stream that meets a boulder

Halfway through the wood

Who can say if I've been changed for the better?

But because I knew you

I have been changed for good.

That, folks, is how I feel about my wonderful Oregon family. Being there, seeing them...it was like a lovely dream I didn't want to end. It was full of quiet, peaceful plane rides, endless talking and laughing with girlfriends, a baby shower that defied all expectations for fun and generosity, delicious food at parties and restaurants, shopping, hugging, sitting on couches, bathroom emergencies, adventures in parking, an incredibly awe-inspiring Wicked experience, blankets and burp cloths and bows (oh my!), chance meetings on street corners, "traveling trio" singing, and more pregnant bellies than I could count. I came home with a suitcase full of baby girl goodies and a heart full of love for friends and cherished memories.

My wonderful weekend hosts:
Krista (on the left, due in May) and Natalie (on the right, due in July)
with Cindi, another friend.

Carolyn, Julie, and Andrea

Melissa, Tiernan, Angie, Nancy, Jenelle (twins in May), Sandra, Tina, and Jen

Melissa, Jeannine, and Julie

Betsy and I are due about the same time!

Tiernan, Wendy, and Melissa

My mom and sister surprised me by mailing a package of goodies to Krista for the shower. My mom made the fabulous quilt and Angie made the incredible hair bows!

Julie organized all of the clothes, accessories,
and gift bags so I could pack them.

Natalie and I outside the Keller Auditorium after seeing Wicked.

My special thanks goes out to the husbands (especially mine) that sponsored this weekend of fun, to my fabulous hosts, Natalie and Krista, to the girlfriends who came to--and spoiled my sweet babe at--the baby shower, to Carolyn for buying my Wicked ticket, and for the Alaska Airlines Visa miles that made my airfare cost five bucks. I love you all. Let's do this again sometime!