The Ray's Days: June 2020

Monday, June 29, 2020

Summer 2018 Day #10

Not the most fun summer day. We ran errands for 27 hours and then Addie got sick so we got to play the super game of let’s find an urgent care that will take our insurance from across the country. (She’s fine)

That was awful. We went to 3 different urgent cares and the first 2 wouldn’t see us because of our military insurance. Then, insult to injury. We went back and forth with the urgent care that did take us because they sent the bill to the wrong insurance address and we’re the only people that’s ever happened to and also the only one that could fix it. It was real frustrating.

Alone time at the urgent care. No ear infection and negative strep, hoping she feels better for camping tomorrow.

All. Day. Long.

Day #106 and #107

Yesterday we had our adult SS, youth SS, then Matt and I had a missionary meeting, then we did our family sacrament meeting. After ward council Matt and I tag teamed dinner and then played some games. We taught Delaney Codenames and I got this hilarious pic of her schooling Matt.

Dad stopped by today sporting his clear attachable mask, and one for each of us too! So stylish and cool!’

We met up with Darrow’s at Gilbert Run Park and this is the one picture I took. Delaney fell and got a goose egg. She was super sad. It was a very hot day, but other than the fall, the kids had fun playing at a new park.

We grilled some pork loin leftovers for sandwiches, and since we had our briquettes all warmed up, we decided on s’mores for home evening treat. Addie taught about her fav missionary, Abish, and then we caught up on Come Follow Me and watched Pres. Monson’s Stand Alone video. That provided for a good discussion about being brave and standing up for our beliefs. I told the girls about the time I went to a neighborhood party and the ladies were taking pictures of each other with balloon boobs and candy cane cigarettes. I was handed the candy cane to “smoke” for a picture and for half a second had an internal debate before I remembered that I don’t smoke and don’t want to simulate smoking, and i also really didn’t want a candy cane smoking pic of me floating around social media, or anywhere for thag matter. so I declined, and then several other girls in the picture were obviously relieved and also gave up their cc cigarettes too. The girls got a kick out of that silly story.

Bubba stopped by to pick up some mail, but it was fun to see him for a hot second.

Phot cred: Addie

Oh! I also got up super early this morning and went for my 15 mile run. I had my alarm set for 6:00, but I think I was nervous and I couldn’t sleep. It took me almost 3 hours, but I did it. Furthest I’ve ever run. I almost finished with Jane Austen’s Persuasion and I really like it. Why have I never read it before?

Because Hermione has buck teeth.

After we got the girls to bed and I was doing dishes the doorbell rang. Excitement! Because a nighttime doorbell wrong is always exciting, but a Covid one? Wowza. It was another Secret Sister gift. She got this really neat writing journal with prompts and word lists on each page. It’s so creative and I think she’ll love writing in it!

Saturday, June 27, 2020

Summer 2018 Day #8 and #9

Back to work. My crew and I had a productive day. We got an oil change, smog check, and then played our day away at an indoor play park.

I can’t remember, I’m thinking Max got hurt? He’s such a big teddy bear, it was always sweet whenever he needed cuddles.

Classic kick shot.

😍

It took a lot of tries to get them all coordinated.

And it didn’t really completely work. There was always at least one that jumped the gun.

Free summer movies and library summer programs, California style.

We didn’t see this movie, but we did love the billboard. - fun fact, we retook this picture every week.

These cute cousins are thick as thieves.

And she still makes this face when she’s explaining things! 😂

We love our library computers!

Little readers could have stayed all day. Too bad you have to pay by the hour to park there. 🙄😩

It was interesting to see the differences in Maryland summer versus California summer. It was so fun to have a new adventure, but what I missed the most during the days was my mom tribe. Letting kids play is much more enjoyable with friends. It was still great and I wouldn’t trade our time there for anything.

Day #105

This morning we got up and only worried about ourselves. I made us smoothies while Matt loafed up our bikes. It was quiet and clean and so nice. We decided to bike Three Notch Trail and it was so cool! It was fully shaded the whole 11 miles down. It’s mostly flat, and there were tons of bikers and walkers, but everyone was polite and friendly.

One of the highlights of the day was when we were passing a cute little boy riding in the middle of the trail. His grandma apologized because they were working on bike riding, and I recognized Mrs. Ramsey, our principal from Duke that left last year! She was so happy to see us and gave us the warmest hugs - our first non family hugs since before March. Without missing a beat she said she couldn’t believe Frankie was going to be in 5th grade and said we needed to watch the 5th grade promotion video because she still has a picture of her and her friends hanging in her office. It was SO good to see her! Our new principal is fine enough. I’ve volunteered at the school every week with Maker Space and I walk with my girls to school frequently, and at Frankie’s 504 meeting she introduced herself because she wasn’t sure if we’d met. It’s things like that that make me miss Mrs. Ramsey so much. She’s one of a kind, and it was so good to see her.

We made it!

It was a good 11 miles!

We were both hungry, so we got brave and crossed busy Three Notch Road in search of Arby’s be Uw Matt really wanted a gyro. We didn’t find Arby’s, but settled on Popeyes spicy chicken sandwiches and frozen lemonade, again, because we’re classy. On our way back we read some of the signs, including one that detailed Ye Cool Springs, which was the site of the first hospital in Maryland in 1698. It was built there because of the restorative properties of the springs.

We walked all around the springs and washed our faces in the cool water.

My chicken sandwich sat heavy in my tummy, and that, coupled with the lack of shade and 90+ degree day, made the ride home a smidge less comfortable, but still good. Then, 20.5 miles in, my pedal flew off my bike! We’ll need a tool to put it back on, so Matt traded me and ride the bumpy bike the rest of the way, such a gentleman.

I didn’t realize we’d be doing a biathlon this weekend, but we ended up doing 2 things on my never done in St. Mary’s County list and they were both so great. 6 miles kayaked. 22 miles biked, 14 years married. Pretty sweet.

We dragged the kids away from the Aina’s yard. They had a blast! They tried, and loved, TV dinners, stayed up past midnight, found baby bunnies, played with friends, and were thoroughly spoiled. Happy day for all!

Delaney and I got a rousing game of battleship in. I won.

Morgan’s family has movers today, so Morgan came over to play for a few hours. They tried on their dance uniforms from the recital they both will miss.

Cuties!

Tonight we’re back to papas for a movie and pizza night. He made pizzas and all the yummy movie snacks, and explained to the girls the intricacies of our feature film - A Hard Days Night.

These party people are ready for fun!

And last night, because though pesty, baby bunnies are pretty cute.

Day #104

I sent Frankie up to get out our tutoring gear and she had written this in our spell checker. She’s a keeper. Also, only 16 more days to have that gross carpet. 🙌🏼

We went to the pool and the girls laughed and laughed when they jumped in and said it felt like swimming in jello. 🤷‍♀️

Protecting the face is important.

We just found this Quinn hand me down suit and Frankie swears she’s gonna wear it every day. So far, she’s not been wrong.

Delaney came to cuddle with me and I asked how she’d scratched her ear. Then I got a closer look and I was pretty sure it was a tick. Of course Matt was at work, Laura moved, and I’ve never removed a tick. Sarah agreed she’d do the procedure, so my dad came and picked her up and took her for the procedure. Sometimes I am so helpless. I think I’ll take out the next one though. 💪🏻

We got home and showered and packed. My dad took A and F for their adventure, and then after D’s book club, she and I walked over. My girls like to be prepared.

She talked non stop the whole way. We talked about attack dogs, penguins, college, and she also told me solemnly that she would never be a double dater. I explained to her what double dating means and she confirmed that she thought it meant cheating. Oh how I love this girl!

Matt and I got packed up and headed to the wharf. I have never kayaked Macintosh Run and we set out to go up and back.

I’ve already got my summer tan on my feet with my Tiva cross cross pattern. Tiva’s are bomb.

We weren’t sure if we’d make it, but we decided to give it a whirl.

Looks like we made it! We got out at the winery just for a few minutes and then went to make our way back.

I was a little worried about not beating the sun, but we timed it perfectly for a beautiful ride home.

All day there was a warm and pleasant breeze and it was just so sweet to be out with Matt getting exercise and alone time. We went to Food Lion for ice cream and appetizers because we’re classy. We watched Jobs on our HBO that I cancelled one day late so we have for another month, ate wings, cheese sticks, and poppers, and enjoyed a quiet evening without putting anyone to bed. Happy 14 years to us!

Thursday, June 25, 2020

Day #103

It’s so nice not thinking about naming blog posts. It’s probably lame, but it’s working for now.

I didn’t take a single picture today. I did my Heather Robertson strength training videos this morning and then the girls and I did a HR yoga stretch and they didn’t even fight me on it.

We did the brekkie dishes and tidied up as we listened to Prisoner of Azkaban.

We had journal time where we all caught up on our writing. I had fallen behind on my line a day, so it was nice. It was dark and rainy, and we talked about how cozy and nice the day was. Addie said a rainy summer day is like a snowy winter day and i think it’s a perfect analogy. Co-to-the-Z.

Frankie and I did tutoring while Addie and D did piano. While I tutored Ruby, Frankie did piano and then they got to finish watching Coco from our 25 movies challenge. Ruby has started swimming and golf camp so we’ve switched to T and Th for an hour a day instead of our usual 45 minutes.

New carpet prep continues. I’ve got empty bins set up in the formal dining room and every time the girls come down they’ll bring a few books to put in their bin. We’re hoping to find 2 missing library books this way too.

I made peanut chicken for dinner and now we’re watching Big Miracle which is super fun with a lot of star power - John Krasinski, Drew Barrymore, Tony Danza, Kristen Bell. And the cute whales! 😍

Matt’s in the thick of his Navy annual training. Thankfully he’s back at Pax, hopefully for good this time. I miss him working from home though.

Tonight we’ll have yet another Zoom presidency meeting. The work continues and it’s the best work.

And finally one cute shot from Father’s Day that I took from my dad. These girls are so sweet and cute. And there I am in the back trying trying trying to get the ward Father’s Day video and letter posted. 🤦‍♀️