Opposition in all things

 The day a long planned trip finally happens is always so surreal. This was our first trip to Europe since 2024 and our first trip with just our family for the whole time. We normally go early, meet up with family, and then stay longer, but this time it’s just us 5 Rays. Our flight left at midnight too, so it was an all day affair waiting. I froze a bunch of food we didn’t get to and cleaned and made sure everyone’s luggage got weighed properly.

Word on the street is that the airports are a mess, but IAD was smooth and easy. We got through security in less than 10 minutes and everyone was kind and happy. We thanked them for being there even though they’re not getting paid. We were tiiiiired. 

Even when you fly at midnight, you are still served dinner, in my experience. And that’s why we ate tikka masala at 1:30am. 

5:08am. Matt and I scored a row to ourselves - no middle seat! So we took turns laying down and got semi decent sleep. 

7:18, just about to land in Munich. Get me off this plane! - that’s what I was thinking. But we actually had a lovely conversation with an older flight attendant about just how crazy things in our country are and just how sad and sorry about all of it we are. It’s good to hear people from other countries opinion, and in our experience, they agree with Matt and I. 

Landed! Hooray!

We killed 2+ hours in the Munich airport and then it was time for our quick 1 hour jaunt to Zagreb, Croatia. 

So our first flight was good. I don’t like flying, but it was the best kind of long flight you can spend in economy seats. Zagreb however, was having a storm with wind gusts up to 47 mph. And we felt that storm on the plane. I’d say the last half of the flight went from turbulent to very turbulent and never let up. The guy in front of me used his barf bag and I was thiiiis close. Even when we landed, the wind was whipping us around. And then it was freeeeezing, rainy, and windy. Feels like temperature of 15° and we were traipsing around outside looking for where to catch our shuttle to our rental car. 

We had to borrow someone’s phone because, even though T-Mobile said there’s no problem with us making international calls, our calls for our pickup still weren’t going through. We finally got picked up, and then, long story short, exactly what I didn’t want to happen with our rental car happened and it was terrible and very bad and I hate being taken for a ride financially. It makes me steam. 

Then trying to figure out parking for a cute restaurant Adi found near our Airbnb had us turning around several times and not finding any parking, so then we decided to go to our Airbnb first and walk to a restaurant, so Matt dropped us off because it was all city center pediastrain squares/paths and waited for us and we walked back and forth a few times trying to figure out the directions. We were cold, tired, wet, hungry, and I had to pee. We were not at our best and it showed. We finally put our brains together and realized it was right on the street where we’d driven past 5 times and walked past once. 

Then we got to look again at the check-in pictures our host had sent to figure out how to unlock the, I kid you not, 4 doors leading to our apartment. 

We finally fouu go red it out and Matt and I parked the car and met the girls and walked to the original dinner location, which ended up being a 3 minute (still very cold and rainy) walk from our Airbnb. This is the view outside our door. 

Dinner was absolutely delicious and everyone tasted everyone’s and I’m pretty sure all the mean things we said when we were hungry were forgotten. 

I can’t describe it adequately enough just how gross it is outside. See that abandoned, busted white umbrella? We saw at least 10 like that during our travails. Fences blown over all over, people walking just so miserable!

This is door #1 for us to unlock. 

I love a quirky apartment!

What even is this?

I know I already showcased the church, but so pretty. Right outside the front window. 

So today was wonderful and terrible and joyful and painful and that is life and tomorrow is a new day. 

And above all, we’re so thankful to be here to enjoy this beautiful world our savior created for us. ❤️ 

Happy birthday, sweet sixteen!

Yesterday our sweetie frog turned 16. She has been such a joy lately. She is thriving in her teacher program and just this morning i got a note from another of her teachers about what a wonderful student she is and how much he enjoys reading her papers. She’s really coming into her own and I am so thrilled for her.

She requested a Sleeping Beauty fancy dinner, which is perfect because Aurora’s curse ended on her 16th birthday.

I hadn’t seen Sleeping Beauty in at least 10 years but probably longer. So that was fun to watch. My donut cake being propped up by my breadstick broom. 

Our Make it Pink, Make it Blue drinks. Pretty, but not tasty. 

Our Wands, of course. 

And a little pre-travel fail. I didn’t want to buy potatoes since we’re leaving and I had some canned ones so I used those and they came apart. Whomp whomp. 

And spinning wheel chicken Alfredo. 

Frankie had conditioning after school and then she and Adi wanted to go to Sephora for her free birthday gift, so the birthday girl didn’t make it home till almost 7. 

Her vanity was her gift, but she got some nice sibling gifts to unwrap. 

Such a cutie. 

I happened to see her cheer happy birthday so I caught that too. 

And finally, Delaney went to the middle school play on Saturday and Sarah sent me some cute pictures. 

She got dropped off straight from her pointe shoe fitting, so she got to go in her leotard. It works. 

Family ties

I went up to Laurel today to see Ehlyvia. She took me to a really cool mall kind of place called Savage Mill and we did some thrifting/antiquing. I took one picture all day and it was to check the price of the encyclopedia set she ended up buying  

We went to lunch at Ivy on Main and then I helped her organize her little nook storage space and we got a lot done. That is one of my talents, I do like to organize. We chatted for a bit and then on my way home I grabbed Delaney from ballet. Where I discovered she hadn’t done some of her homework or eaten dinner. 🤦‍♀️

Hard with Jesus

Matt and I walked to the wharf this morning and walking back I was so grateful for this in between time. I got an impression to enjoy it and not think it worry about what’s next. Slow Sunday mornings have been chefs kiss and I am enjoying them so much. 

I gave the girls space during the party but did check on them a few times. They made pipe cleaner flowers and they turned out so cutely!

Christian is with Zach Davis and crew for his bachelor party weekend and they enjoyed a hockey game. #raysalwayswin 

My cute nursery friends were busy being cute nursery friends. And cherrisa put together the cutest lesson. ❤️

Frankie had fun putting all her birthday stuff on her birthday vanity. Looks so cute!

We had a late lunch together and then weren’t hungry for dinner. I love noon church, but our meals are thrown off a bit. Then tonight was the RS broadcast and it was so good! I especially loved President Johnson’s message about doing the hard alone or doing the hard with Jesus, and how when we do the hard with Jesus He can make the hard holy. Amen and amen. So beautiful. Lana and McKenzie lead the evening and the refreshments were good and it’s so precious to get time together with the sister saints. Sarah and I rode together and it was nice chatting with her too. A+ Sunday. 
 

Freshly 16

Today has been fun and also I’m glad to finish it up. 

Delaney and Matt headed out early to buy a second pair of pointe shoes before the spring recital. She felt like her first pair were too narrow, so she needed to be fitted again and since we’re heading out of town, it was best to get it done now. I knew I’d be too busy with Frankie’s party, so Matt got that joy.

Frankie and I worked all day on her party prep. She made her banner and blew up all the balloons and set up the basement while I cooked and did dishes and repeated that about 5 times. 

Delaney went to the middle school play and Matt and I went to the hospital so Matt and Richard could give Jackie a blessing. 

Adi pitched in and made the strawberry muddy buddies and practiced piano for tomorrow and laid low with cramps. 

At 3:30 Matt, Adi, and Delaney headed to meet the youth for Chicfila and a special fireside with Elder Nash. I gave a training one time and took a lot of info from a leadership training video he participated in, so I always think of that when his name comes up. 🙃

At 5, 10 cute girls showed up to par-tay! I love the shoe piles. 

Gotta arrange the gift table cutley! 

I set up all the food downstairs and have made myself pretty scarce. I did go down to take some pictures though. 

She invited two sets of friends - the cheer girls,  

And the other school friends.

She came up for happy birthday and presents. I love these girls because they love a picture as much as I do!

Wild that this girl will be 16 on Tuesday. She’s been such a gem lately, just sweet and steadfast and hard working. 

One time at one of Adi’s parties one of her friends had to leave early but wanted to see her open their present, so we did it just with them and I got pictures of the giver and the birthday girl and I loved that! Opening presents in a big group can be so awkward and overwhelming for the birthday child, and also I love acknowledging the giver with a special hug and picture. 

Anyway, I made these girls do the same, except she did open everything all together. 

They each quickly and happily went up and posed.  

These girls might be a smidge shallow, but they love documenting with pictures! And they are sweet girls. 

And they know Frankie really well and gave her such thoughtful gifts! She’s a lucky lady!

This was my first 16th birthday party since Alexis and Adi both took the trip option. 

Frankie requested, and I made - flower cupcakes - except I thought the flowers would be easier to pipe abd I was wrong and did not have the time today to practice, so they’re just kind of flower-esque, shrimp cocktail (so good, like the Texas ones I first tried and loved!), buffalo chicken dip, strawberry muddy Buddy’s, a fruit platter, hot Cheetos, Cadbury eggs, Reese’s cups, and then some random appetizers - pizza, poppers, and fried cheese. 

While the girls partied I cleaned up, again and then even had time for my Saturday chores. It’s wild to have a Saturday night pretty much to myself since Matt has the girls and Frankie is occupied. 

The party goes till 10 and Frankie has been sticking to the agenda I made her write out. 

I would happily host more hang outs. These kids need to spend more time with friends. At least my girls do.  

Oh yeah, they also had a dirty soda bar with our fun balls of ice and sugar cookie, vanilla, and sweet cream add-ins. 

They’re making pipe cleaner flowers (TikTok) and watching Pitch Perfect. Pretty sweet 16!