Memorial Day

On Thursday we went to Nathan and Shelby’s reception. I made a big charcuterie style veggie tray and thought it looked so pretty. We decorated it with fresh mint sprigs from our garden and it looked even better. I heart charcuterie boards. We went early to help Nola and she did such a good job with games and fun. I guessed the closest amount of Kisses in the jar and won a big jar of Hershey Kisses. 

On Friday Delaney and Adi had an exciting day at the dentist. Adi got her expander removed and she was so happy! Now she’s got to wear her Myobrace which is like a giant plastic retainer. She’s working to keep it in her mouth all night, but it’s kind of painful and big, so it pops out. 

Saturday was our neighborhood 5k. We weren’t going to participate, but Chris asked if I’d man the banana table and then Matt offered to man the course. It’s always a fun event, even when you’re roped into helping. They said the LG 5k has donated $24,000 to the Volunteer Fire Department over the last 10 years, so that’s amazing. 

Our girls have a tradition of opening up the pool, so even though it wasn’t too warm, they jumped in right at 10, along with our neighbor Tyler. 
 



They immediately popped up and said how freezing the water was. They didn’t last long. 

That evening we went to taco night at the Darrow’s.

The Myers’s came to town and it was such a great night! The kids all cut up and clicked right away. 

Shelly just got right back in. I miss her so much!

Thank goodness Shelly took some pictures because I get a D- in my weekend picture taking. 

On Sunday I went to LP’s 5th Sunday meeting and got to catch up with Rob Utzinger. They are moving back and we are so excited! I stayed for our ward with my family, and both wards had great 5th Sundays lessons. I had our last Temple Open House meeting, and then the Myers (and papa) came over for dinner. Again, photo thanks to Shelly. The adults went for a walk and we talked about all the things and it was such a good night. 

Monday was our annual Memorial Day picnic. It was hot, but a lot of fun. It was a really great missionary day. Cyndi brought her family, our new member Sheila came, the Howell’s brought one of Matt’s coworkers, and at the very end a lady showed up that I’ve never seen before and whose name and address I didn’t recognize. Then she said she had our RS 80’s happy birthday card on her fridge! We knew people would want to be our friends if they saw how cool we were! 😂 Anyway, she has a different name and address then what was on our records, that’s why I didn’t recognize it, but it was so fun to chat. And Delaney offered to watch her little girl at the park so we could visit under the shade, so she was being a good little missionary and I was so proud of her. 

When we got home Matt took the girls to the pool and then I went to Sarah’s for one last girls night with Shelly. We played games and ate yummy food and it was really fun. I came home with a tummy ache and then couldn’t sleep, but other than that it was a wonderful weekend. And after today we only have 11 more days of school!

Elm’s

Delaney and I went on the first field trip we’ve been on in at least 2 years. Probably my last Elm’s trip!

I got to squeeze on a seat next to D and Hayden. 

It was in the 50°’s and windy by the water, but of course the kids were all in on the pond searching. 

She found the perfect log to sit on. She really wanted to catch a frog, but no luck. 

Next it was the nets in the Bay. 

I’ve done this field trip at least twice before, and I’ve never seen so many kids so wet. You always have your outliers, but this time it was almost every kid in up to their waists. It had warmed up a bit, but I never took my jacket off. 

Everyone spent some time dumping water out of their boots. 

Now she wants to buy a net. 

The bay was choppy and the waves were loud and wild. It was a beautiful day at the beach. 

After lunch we got to work on our watershed activity. 

We had a firecracker who had trouble with listening ears and that made this activity tricky, but still so fun. 

Adi took pictures at ju jitsu, then they had a fun improv night for YW while D and I went to BJ’s and Target. 

Today i mailed bubba his first package. The postal worker was super helpful and it went smoothly. Coming up on a busy and fun weekend. 

Recital

Delaney went to a skate party on Saturday and Hayden’s dad shared some pics. Delaney loves to be goofy. 

After, they went to Hayden’s house to swim. I just love how Delaney’s like a 40-year-old woman sitting in the pool in her shades and sun hat. 

Sunday we had a really good virtual Stake Council. Then I went up to the Calvert building to Calvert’s RS, and Bayside’s sacrament and RS, then met with their presidency. It was in the high 90’s again and the air wasn’t working in their building. It was so toasty and after several meetings it made me so sleepy. I had one more really good Just Serve meeting when I got home, and then we went I the Lyons for Jacob’s mission farewell. I taught his primary class for almost 2 years, so I combed through my blog and found this picture. The funny thing is I just happened to be wearing this dress on Sunday. 7 years and going strong. 

This is so Matt! But more early to bed than introvert. 

Delaney and I did a temple countdown in the Friend this morning. She has 1 year, 7 months, and 8 days till she’s a Young Woman and can do baptisms in the temple. She told me when she’s a grown up, she’ll take her kids to any temple open houses around. And her husband. 😂

Her teacher shared that Delaney wrote about how to stay safe in severe weather.  

Today we went to piano and then met up with jeanne and dad for a delicious dinner at The Rex. The restaurant was open air and we watched as the rains came through and it was so nice and cool today and dinner was lovely. 

Matt and I ran the girls home to get ready for their recital and papa and jeanne hung out for a few minutes, then got us good seats at the church. 

Delaney was the first girl ready so we took some pictures. 

How is our baby already 10?

The girls were super nervous but they all did such a good job. Frankie played My Favorite Things. 

Delaney played Fur Elise and Spanish Caballero. 

Then Adi played Tales from Madrid and Burn (from Hamilton). Adi played the finale song, and Johnna said she’s her most advanced student right now. 

Johnna is such an amazing piano teacher! We’re sure blessed to have her. 

The whole crew. It was a fun night celebrating their talents. 

Another day at the temple

All the Rays have invited lots of people to the Temple Open House, but as these things go, most have not been able to/wanted to come. But a few weeks ago one of Matt’s co-workers told him she had reserved parking for today at 4. We knew we wanted to come show her around, so Adi and Frankie (Delaney had a birthday party) invited several friends and the only one who could come was Savannah. We also couldn’t reserve a parking spot, so we came up with a plan b that Matt would drop us off at the temple, then park at the Park-and-Ride and ride his bike, because we also couldn’t get tickets for the free temple shuttle. 

As Saturdays go, we got busy doing all the things and before we knew it we were later than we wanted to be. As we left I texted Nancy and part of me was hoping she’d say she couldn’t make it after all. We would have turned around and found things to do at home. She said she would be there soon and though I was a little disappointed then, I’m so happy now. 

As we passed the Park-and-Ride we saw the shuttle and it looked empty, so we stopped and asked and they said of course we could ride. Yay! It’s been in the 90’s for the past few days, so Matt would have been a sweaty mess by the time he got to the temple. Our cute shuttle friends took this for us. 

Frankie was so excited to show her friend around!

She was so excited when Savannah moved into the ward. She loves her class-o-boys, but having another girl is so sweet. 

Nancy and Denise were wonderful tour participants. They asked lots of questions and were so happy to see inside the temple. Denise’s dad helped with the plumbing back in the 70’s, so she was excited to see inside. I got to share all my favorite art which is now one of my fav things to do. Nancy thanked us so much for coming to give them a private tour, she said it will be a special memory for her and she wanted a picture to remember it better. 💕 Her husband passed away in 2020 and she’s just the sweetest lady. 

The girls were mostly patient as we chatted. 

One of these days all 5 MD Rays will make it to the temple together. So far M&M went, M&M&A went, M&A&F went, M&A&F&D went, and then M&M&F went. 

We stopped for dinner at Red Ginger and it was delicious as always. 

And one without Matt’s mask (masks were required). 

Also, Covid cases are spiking and we know several families that are positive right now but thankfully none are serious. That seems like the norm lately and feels very livable and we’re so grateful. Now if they can just keep Monkeypox at bay we’ll be golden. 

Order

*Adi sends me emails from school all the time. Her latest included a cute limerick:

The clothing will all escape

No matter the 'mount of tape

that's on the box

bursting with socks

And they aren't made out of crêpe

She’s so creative and clever.

*A few weeks ago I realized I had over 6000 emails in my inbox. I made a plan and spent some time, and today I have 300. Still too many for some, but pretty sweet for me!

*Also, I love this announcement from Chris’ unit announcing their latest mission:

“When the Army calls, the 10th Mountain Division is always ready,” said Col. Brian M. Ducote, commander of the 1st IBCT. “We are honored to serve in this capacity for our nation. We have trained hard and remain confident in our ability to excel at whatever is required.”

*I had a really cool experience in the temple. There is a picture of one of the mothers of a stripling warrior, her son is kneeling before her with his hand on her arm, and she is placing a helmet on his head. There was a couple that was studying the picture and wondering what it was, so I told them the story, and of course I teared up because, obvi. I told her why it was especially meaningful to me right now and about bubba, where he is, and that it was always his favorite scripture story. She shared her experiences of living overseas and being watched over and protected by our military. She said they’ve been trained well and they know what they’re doing and to try not to worry. It was really so sweet and meant a lot to me. 

*Can you tell I’m going through the 200 notes in my phone? Putting things in order. It’s really a never ending process. Enduring to the order end over here. 

*Another thing I wanted to remember is the fun time we had over Christmas break. I asked everyone their fav part and here were the reply’s:

Adi - We don’t talk about Bruno singing with cousins

Laney - Six Flags

Frankie - DC,  but wishes we could have done some museums

Michelle - games (and food)

Matt - adventure in Arlington (the walks)

*That was a fun time, a time before the hard. Speaking of the hard, I am doing well. I’m feeling better every day, even though I cry more than I ever have. Perspective during the day is fairly easy, but at night my mind turns on turbo. Guilt gets stirred up and that has never lead to anything good. It’s also non-sensical. I had a good conversation with a friend and her sharing ridiculous things she could let herself feel guilt about really helped. It’s not productive. its basically the worst and I’m trying hard to tell it to go to hell where it belongs, (thank you Brother Brigham) but it’s harder at night. Consequently, I’m still having some late, sleepless nights. I’m dealing though, napping when I need to and pushing through the sleepiness. It’s only been 2 months, I’m ok. 

*Today was in the 90°’s. Blah. 

*Frankie went to a new friends house. Adi babysat. Frankie and Delaney ju jitsu’d. We went shopping for a bubba care pack. I made more strawberry jam. 

Matt worked in DC, so long day for him. 

*and how about an oldie of Lex and Em! They went to a Blippy concert and Emmett loved it so much! He sand along to every song and clapped and cheered! He’s so fun!

Strawberries

Yesterday Kristen and I went to the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home to visit 2 sisters that live there. I was kind of surprised how happy almost everyone was. Our ladies were super friendly and all the staff was outgoing and funny. I love being with sisters in the Stake. After school we went to the Henderson’s to pick strawberries. 

Gardens are one thing I say I want to do every year and never really make happen, so maybe I don’t really want to do it? We all love their garden and I’ve been wanting to make jam for awhile, so it was perfect timing. 

After, we went to ju jitsu and then I saw that Chick-fil-A was having free military night, so we swung by there on our way home. 

I brought home all of my moms reading glasses because anyone with old lady eyes knows you gotta have glasses stashed everywhere. 

Delaney and Adi both thought they were looking good in nanny’s glasses. 

Today I made jam and then met up with Susan for lunch with another sister in the LP ward. I had an appt and then spent some time with my dad. Laney had friends over for our baked potato bar dinner and then playing at the park. As I feared it looks like we’re going straight from winter to summer and it’s gonna be in the 90°’s this weekend. 😩