December 28th, 2006
What an amazing weekend up in Iowa! By the time I flew back to Oklahoma my head was full of newly-made memories, and contemplations about my future. Family, old friends, Christmas, and a wedding made my weekend a whirlwind of activities and reunions.

            

My best friend from my college years, Stacia, went on our family's annual ski trip last year. It was there that she met my brother's best friend, Andy Stroud. This past weekend they became Mr. & Mrs. Andrew Stroud. What a trip! At the wedding I saw many people from the church I grew up in. I also saw many old friends from college and even kids I worked with in the youth group. The wedding and reception were great, but more than that - I was reminded of what great people I had the pleasure of knowing during my time in college. In the same way I was overwhelmed with fond memories from high school that I had forgotten until I attended my 10 year reunion, I was again flooded with the memory of how great I had it in college when I attended Stacia's wedding. I have really been blessed with great friendships over the years, and have realized recently that I have often casually left them behind as I moved into each new stage of my life. And I find myself wondering why... and if I might be able to rebuild those lost relationships.

With all that on my mind, I stayed at Gabe and Emily's new house with my parents after the wedding. We have such a good time together - just talking and hanging out as a family. Gabe and Em's little puppy, Tessa, was constantly entertaining us. I am so excited for Gabe as he begins his new career in Cedar Rapids. I am so excited for them both as they prepare to have a baby in just a few more months. I miss having them near bye in Oklahoma. Mom and dad are always fun, but at least I get to see them on our annual trips we take together.
     
I spent Sunday with the Bennett side of my family, and Monday with the Davis'. My cousins have grown up so much and are so great to hang out with. We gathered almost all my aunts and older girl cousins around the table for a monster-size game of Hand and Foot at the Bennett gathering, and got an educational Texas Hold'em poker game going at the Davis party.

With such a large family I definitely miss out on getting to talk one-on-one with each person when we get together. It's tough to have such limited time because I am slowly discovering that each aunt, uncle, and cousin has such a unique perspective that I would love to discover if only I was around them more.
 
We have so many traditions that I cherish. Several years ago we started the Davis Family Orchestra and we put on an impromptu concert each Christmas. I can't imagine that very many families in the world are able to enjoy this kind of entertainment together.

After all of this, I find myself reviewing what is really important to me, and considering the order my priorities are in as far as life, family, and career goes. I’ll admit that it can be tough to live down in Oklahoma City all by myself. I moved here to be with the man I thought was the love of my life, and instead I found myself feeling very stuck. I have learned to appreciate the good things about this area as much as I can, and I think I have been able to grow through the situations I have been in while in Oklahoma. I just wonder if my time here might not last as long as I would have thought just a few months ago. I miss my family. There are some things that just can’t be replaced. I have much more thinking to do about all of this.