the bar

HE'S DONE! THE BAR IS OVER!

 I was trying to think of a word besides epic but I can't. This is an EPIC time in our lives. Ha.

 I am so happy.

 It was a fun few days.
 We took the (just over an hour long) train down to Chicago, Monday afternoon. Scarlett so enjoyed it :) She stood on the seat most of the time, looking out the window. She talked a lot about the things she was seeing...she got most excited at the stops when she saw all the people getting on the train.

 We got into the city about 3 pm and walked for a good half hour with luggage and a baby to our hotel in 102 degrees of burning hot sun! I thought I might die. Or at the very least pass out. Scarlett and Alex run so much warmer than I do, I felt extra bad for them. But finally we made it to our nice, cool hotel room, praise the Lord! We stayed at the Inn of Chicago...I was pleasantly surprised...it was nicer than I was expecting. Which I am very grateful for because I'm a little picky when it comes to hotels. I guess I just like them to be nice enough so I don't feel like I'm going to get murdered in my sleep.

hot and thirsty

 But anyway, we just spent Monday afternoon / night eating panera for dinner and relaxing in our room. Scarlett was exhausted and went to sleep at 7. So Alex and I just layed in the dark on our technological devices. But I could barely keep my eyes open so I went to lay down with Scarlett (scar and I shared one bed while Alex had the other all to himself) and literally 15 minutes after I fall asleep she wakes up. And I can't get her back to sleep. I couldn't believe it -- that never happens! Sooo we turned the lights on and hung out til about 10. I'm glad she didn't stay up any later than that 'cause Alex needed a good night of sleep. Which despite all the nerves he actually slept well :)

Scarlett and I were planning on walking with Alex the next morning to his exam, which was about 5 blocks from our hotel, but it was pouring rain, so alas...we did not...which worked out 'cause Scar was still sleeping when Alex had to to leave. Scarlett and I just hung out in the hotel room for the morning. I don't know if it was just being somewhere different or what but she just seemed to be having a blast the whole time we were there. I think a big part of it was that this was the most Alex had been around at one time in the last few weeks. He has been busy busy. So needless to say, she has loved having all daddy's attention.

good morning!

leaving for (most of) the day.

 A little before noon we picked up some lunch and went to meet Alex! I was so excited to hear how his morning went...or how he felt it went. We sat in the grass outside the building waiting for him to come out. Slowly they started trickling out, until it seemed like it was going to be a never ending out pour of lawyers-to-be carrying their little plastic bags of necessities...anything they brought had to be put in a ziploc of sorts. Weirdos. We brought him lunch the next day, too and also met him at the end of the day when he was done. Each time while we were waiting for him I heard so many of them talk about the questions on the exam and their answers and essentially how awful they thought they did.

waiting for daddy

licia licia licia

 On Tuesday Scar and I met up with one of my closest friends, Licia on her lunch hour...which was more like two hours. She works downtown, right on the river. We had a good visit. I'm so glad I got to see her. On Wednesday after lunch with Alex little boo and I took a walk down Michigan before nap time. And then picking alex up/meeting him when he was DONE was amaaazing...ahhh it was a little like christmas. I got my husband back. Scarlett got her daddy back. And he got his life back. Ha. I am so happy!!!! I really enjoyed the city those couple days...visiting is a blast but I am always reminded that I am a small town girl at heart.

And speaking of small towns!...We're driving to the (very) small town of Arispe, IA right now. Maybe 100 people. Maybe less? Headed to the in-law's farm! Very much looking forward to this trip. I love this family so much and I know this is some much needed time away for Alex.