One Week ... Four Weeks

I have two countdowns beginning today. First is that today is Wednesday, September 8th, which means that in ONE week it will be Wednesday, September 15th. Which then of course means that Cutie Bear will be ONE YEAR OLD! I can't believe it! He's gotten so big and so cute and so sweet, I seriously want to eat him up. I'm excited for his birthday, and I am making him a pair of sock puppets as his gift (I know, I know, I'm adorable). I'm also extremely excited for Lisa. She had always been so proud of Emilian (rightfully so, he's the cutest thing ever) and I know she will just be glowing with pride on his first birthday. It will be a fun day filled with silliness, I'm sure :)

Today also begins the countdown for my return visit to the States. Four weeks from today I will be boarding a plane from Düsseldorf and flying to my beloved homeland. I can't even begin to describe how excited I am. I get into my final destination of Las Vegas at around 7:30 or so on that Wednesday night (Las Vegas time--which is 4:30am German time). I'm sure I will be exhausted, but I can't wait to see everyone that very second. My brother's wedding is that Saturday, and I can't believe it's almost here. Travis and Lisa. Married. Weird. I'm so excited. I was also talking with my mom a couple weeks ago and pointing out how although everyone is heading out there for the wedding, essentially, it is as if all my family/neighbors (who are also family of course) are taking a big vacation together. Which I don't know about any of them, but I don't know how we didn't think of this sooner! Southwold Court on vacay in Sin City. Sign me up! After staying in Vegas for the wedding extravaganza, I'll finally be on my way to Columbus. I seriously want to die just thinking about my reunion with my dogs. I can't wait to just cuddle with Loki the ENTIRE time I am home. Ahhh!!! I'm so freaking excited!!!! I just can't wait to see so many people and to have game nights and eat buffalo wings and laugh a lot and tell stories and pick up Suzy Bear (because she's so wee) and cuddle with Loki and hear Happy Howls and watch football as it was intended and drive my car and eat Chipotle (I mean, really..) and text silly things to my friends and be in my kitchen and let the couch eat Emily and I while we're lazy mice and watch True Blood season 3 and go to the library and have Granny crack me up without meaning to and high-five Bob and just basically all-around live the American Dream :) Can't wait to see you all. FOUR WEEKS!