The Last of It

I finally made it home from the best time with Rozann.  My flight was cancelled for two days, and we're so lucky we even made it to the airport Tuesday.  Our guardian angels were definitely working overtime as the car in front of us on the freeway started spinning out of control!  

Here are the pics I took on my camera..

Breakfast at Perennial Virant.  We were the only ones there that chilly morning.

Rozann's roommate couldn't have been sweeter the entire time.  We all went for manicures, to daily Mass at St. Michaels and had long girl talks.  I asked her about pediatric stuff (she's a pediatrician) while she asked me about marriage (she has a serious boyfriend), and it was the best.

Rozann and I managed to find reservations as Girl & the Goat.  It lived up to the hype!  Small plates including roasted broccoli, seared scallops and ham frites...mouth watering.

And, we ended up staying one night at The Peninsula, watching a movie neither of the boys would have loved and getting massages the next day.  It seriously was a girls' weekend to the max.

A view from outside her place the evening before it became so bitter cold.  While cold, it was sill beautiful and well worth every bit of time we had with each other.

The next time I'm in Chicago, she'll only have a few more days as a Carter!

The Sister Weeked

So, some of you know my sister.  Some don't.  Those who don't are really missing out.  I mean, really.  She is the queen of thoughtfulness.  She always has been.  And, of course, she planned for me the most incredible, no-detail-unthought-of bachelorette party of all time.  Super sweet, classy and special.   That is Rozann Carter.  

Well, fast-forward a few years, and it's my turn.  Needless to say, I have been looking forward to this day and semi-dreading it at the same time.  Not really dreading it but knowing for a fact that nothing I do/did would ever be as special as what she did for me.  Once I came to terms with that (ha!) I was okay with it.  

Insert the fact that I'm having a baby in June and she's getting married in July here.

I have had amazing pregnancies and have made it all the way to the end with all three, but as you know, each new pregnancy is a brand new experience, so I decided I better get to Chicago ASAP and get something in the works before some act of nature prevented me from making Rozann's last few single months as special as can be.  The only act of nature I didn't really consider was the weather.  Chicago in January.  No big deal :)

So, Rozann decided than instead of a huge bachelorette party with friends and family (who would have to fly in to Chi-town), she wanted just a low key weekend with me and then a get-together of some sort the night before her wedding when everyone was already in town.  Perfect.

Thus, this came about:

 (found here)

I flew in late Wednesday, and by late I mean I finally arrived at 2:30 am on Thursday.  Her work was cancelled on Thursday due to weather, and she worked from home for a bit on Friday, so we truly had a lot of time together.  Every single thing was amazing.  The fun dinners, the shopping in the frigid temps (-6), the morning at the spa, spending one night at a hotel and relaxing with a chick flick, meeting her soon-to-be new family -- everything was so.much.fun!

 We checked out a few places for a bridal brunch and hotels for a wedding block.

I failed to fully weather-proof my Uggs, and my feet were going numb, so I had to buy a waterproof pair, right?

We got to hang out poolside (indoors) as it was snowing outside - such a fun feeling. 

 

And, we of course had to get a cupcake for the boys back home (and maybe a mini one for ourselves).

We met up with Sean for an evening and went to Mass where they will be married (gorgeous Church)!  

The next morning, my flight was cancelled for at least two days.  So, my next few days might look a little like this as I try to do something productive :)

It has been the best time and a reminder that I'm not giving my sister away for good (I know, I can be a baby), just seeing a new level of love and joy enter her life in the form of a family of her own.  She has always been a rock for me, one of my very best friends, and one who knows me like no one else (except Jeremy).  Thanks to my husband, my parents and my in-laws, I was able to spend this precious time with her, and it did wonders for my heart.

Here's to the weekend turned almost week in Chicago with the best girl alive!