Vegas

I almost made the title of this post Viva Las Vegas, but all I can think about is the "Viva Viagra!" comercial, so now you are thinking about it anyway, sorry.  No more "VIVA!"

Each spring my friends from Kirksville/ med-school wives get together.  Last year we all met up in Chicago, this year it was Vegas, which was great so I could drive.  Katherine had a baby 4 days prior, so she wasn't coming from the get go, and Ashley couldn't come either, so it was just us three, Natalie, myself, & Jayne.

We had a lot of fun, tons of girl talk and laughing.  Too much shopping and THE GAP for me.  But I hate shopping, so I have fun hanging out and I prepare myself for shopping prior to going.  One day we went to 3 different malls.  The past 2 years I've stepped foot in a mall twice.  (other than the last girl trip in Chicago).  So my one mall trip per year then jumping into mall mayhem all in one day is shopping overload.  Anyway, blah blah blah. It was fun to hang out and go fetch the different sizes/ colors/ styles they needed from the dressing room.  I will admit I am the worst shopping buddy on earth, and Natalie & Jayne will testify to that.  I probably ruined their shopping experience and reminded them of their kids they were vacationing away from.

But now the things I LOVED.

The Bellagio water fountains.

Water fountains choreographed to music. 

I love this and it's every 15 minutes and I could stand their all night just waiting for the next one.  Jayne said she thinks I over-love it because it's like ballet with water instead of dancers.  Maybe she's right.

The other things we did.

Now for the food.

My first:

Serendipity's Frozen Hot Chocolate.

(we shared, thus the 3 straws and I'm not a total pig. I can pack food away, I am a pig, not a total hog maybe)

My first ever:

In-N-Out Burger.

Pretty good.  I'm glad I didn't sit in a 1-2 hour line in Provo to wait for one this past year, but definitely a good cheeseburger.

And our big splurge, the show.

We had a hard time deciding what to see from the acrobatic Circue du Solei shows, Garth Brooks, etc.

We decided on The Phantom of the Opera.

It was awesome.  I really enjoyed it and the set and cast were great.  I loved it.

With all girl trips, we do a lot of fun things and have a lot of fun memories, but I find I always leave thinking how lucky it is to have great friends, that you can be yourself completely.

Sometimes I forget how important it is to have other women who know your experiences and understand your struggles and frustrations, which is why I think I'm so close with these other med-student wives and the ballet girls.  You go through difficult crap and it really bonds you--for life.  Sometimes I go over a year without talking to them and we get together and you just pick up where you left off.  For being a crappy friend myself, I sure luck out with so many great people in my life.

I also am grateful Rhett supports these little trips, watching the kid and being happy for me to go.  Maybe it's not like this for everyone, but I know getting away is good for me and I come back a better mom and hopefully a better wife.  Although we talked way too late and all left sleep deprived, emotionally and mentally it's a refresher to go back to life and be appreciative for my roles since I had a chance to step out and realize mom & wife are really fulfilling...when I have a good attitude.

So yay for all our close gal pals who won't hate us when we complain about another Gap to go in, or don't snear when we bawl, or gross out at the suggestion to share desserts, or mock the blue showercap.