the R&R was just in time

As Monday morning is quickly approaching, I cannot help but reflect on how good of a weekend this was. Not only was it a time for rest before finals week, but I also had the wonderful opportunity to spend time with girls I had not previously gotten to know. Friday night was spent making cookies and chatting for what ended up being four hours with an extremely encouraging and insightful woman I have received glimpses of from her blog since we rarely pass each other on campus. While it is somewhat unfortunate that we have not spent time together until just now, I was strongly encouraged by a woman who challenges me in certain ways and is quite like-minded in others~

On Saturday, my beloved Gretchen had a spa party planned. Due to pending exams, I was not sure if I would be able to attend but decided otherwise at the last minute. Oh, am I glad I was able to be there (even if the time was brief)!! A friend of Gretchen's brought BeautiControl products and treated us to an evening of hand creams, foot cream that smelled like rainwater and pina coladas, and microdermabrasion (still don't know how to spell that one). You can see that Gretchen was thoroughly enjoying the special treatment~

I also had the opportunity to laugh about blue cupcakes with a two girls who also attended the spa party. We had such a good time, and I am always encouraged when meeting other women from school who share in the simple joys of hanging out together~

Since I didn't stay for the entire evening, Gretchen gave me the thoroughly enjoyable task of taking pictures with her camera. Haha... yes, I have been nice to the ladies in posting some of the better pictures on here. All in all, it was a fun time complete with strawbery shortcakes - compliments of Gretchen. Thanks to these silly girls, I will never look at blue cupcakes the same, nor will I be able to listen to a "relaxation" CD again and take it seriously~

My boyfriend also treated me to a Saturday matinee at the IMAX theater to see "Spiderman 3." Not that those are my absolute favorite movies, but the enjoyment of being able to spend a relaxed Saturday afternoon with him was unmatched. In a nutshell, the weekend was spent thanking the Lord for the sweet and simple blessings that could otherwise so easily go unnoticed.