Spring break ‘23 - day #1

I had the girls skip the Friday before spring break and we woke up at 4:30 to get a jumpstart on spring break traffic. 

The girls always think they’ll go back to sleep, but they’re always so excited that they don’t. They did keep it quiet for a few hours before everyone was fully up and at ‘em. 

We stopped at a Wally for stretching and road trip snacks.  

Frankie was excited to repeat our road trip from November, so we had to stop at South of the Border. Where it was v bright. 

She never finds her name, so she was super excited!

We got here just before 11:30 and I took a tiny sleep and then felt a lot better. 

It might be fun to stay at their skeezy motel one of these days. Or maybe not, I don’t know. 

We debated going up into that sombrero tower behind me, but ultimately didn’t feel like taking our lives into our hands. 

Everyone was excited about Buc-cee’s and she never disappoints. 

Silly shot!

There were a few patches of traffic, but whenever we could we’d pull over and take a break to avoid it. Being the only driver, I would way rather spend time walking wasting time than sitting wasting time. 

D was on a glasses kick that week. 

They had worked it out so Frankie sat shotgun, Adi in the middle row, and D in the back row. And they stayed that way the whole time. 

Cute little lighthouse!





We had just watched Forrest Gump, so of course we all had to sit with him. 

There was traffic ahead, so we spent some time there. 

We all love Spanish moss!

We walked the trails all around the welcome center and it was so nice. 

Each stop was warmer than the one before. The beauty of driving south. ❤️ ☀️ 

Unfortunately the Florida welcome center had already closed, so no oj for us. 

We finally made it to papa’s house around 8:00, happy to be done driving and excited for our week!

The in-between

We got home from spring break in Florida on April 7th and then I left for Montana on the 12th. Easter and some other fun things happened in those in between days. 

Firstly, church wide we had a big push to give Easter more love. Nola brought this up years and years ago and I’ve thought about it ever since, just that we put so much emphasis on Christmas, which is of course wonderful, but Easter is, arguably, more wonderful. Tracie made up these cute invitations and Matt and I shared it with several people, none of whom came. But the success lies in the invitation, so we were still successful. Ish. 

I was honored to speak that day. I was excited to speak about our Savior, and the hope and faith and absolute knowledge I have of Him. I don’t really get nervous about writing talks or speaking, but when I started planning I realized A - there was SO much I could say, and B - this was supposed to be an exceptional sacrament meeting, so then I got a little nervous. Whenever that happens I put in the time and rely on the Lord to make up for my deficiency’s. I definitely felt relieved when it was over. And we grabbed a quick pic after church. 🐣❤️

Johnna had invited us for dinner, which was so sweet because we’d just gotten home and I’d spent all day Saturday finishing and polishing my talk. Sweet Charlene got each of the kids a giant chocolate bunny and was so excited to sit them down and pass them out. 

Johnna and Katie made a delicious ham dinner and it was nice to let the kids play while we visited. 

We took Charlene home and grabbed a picture. These girls love Charlene and she loves them. She calls them her grandchildren, she’s got a bunch. Charlene is such a character, she’s got her funeral all planned out and wants all female pall bearers, so that will be an experience. 

We decorated eggs with our whirly marker thing. 

They still love decorating eggs and they’re so self sufficient that its super easy now. 

The next day Susanna called and asked if I could come help her with some chores. I took the girls with me and we got down to business. The big girls took the babies outside and D and I crossed tasks off our list, then they traded when Suki was done being outside. Adi got her to sleep and Delaney loved cuddling with her. 

They took turns helping Jason dig into this rock. 

He kept wiping his dirty pic on their shirts and laughing and laughing. It was pretty cute. When we left we talked about how good it feels to give meaningful service. I’m so impressed and happy that she asked for help. I was/am not good at that and it’s so simple and feels so good to help people, I really should have asked for more. 

That night we drove out to the mechanicsville DQ for dinner and Anna-made blizzards. Except she was working the drive-thru, so she didn’t actually make them. But she did grace us with a picture. ❤️

That night we had our flashlight egg hunt.

I had a few bags of our fav Cadbury eggs and then put cash and coins in the rest of the eggs. 

It was kind of thrown together, but the girls had fun. 

We found all but one, and that one is still missing. 🤷‍♀️

Frankie has wanted one of these carts for a long time, so Lexi sent one for her birthday. She’s using it as a nightstand/skincare cart/bookshelf. I love the picture of her and Jesus she made with Jamie Naluai at the 12-13 year old YW activity. 

I had to retire the softest, most comfy pair of pj’s. I got a little hole but continued wearing them as it got bigger and bigger. 

Finally it was Wednesday and time to fly to Montana. Matt and I checked out the new bakery, Kneaded, in downtown Leonardtown. 

Then he dropped me off at Reagan, where I got checked in and then grabbed snacks at the USO before my flight. And then I was off for my one regular flight to Salt Lake then my small regional jet flight to Great Falls. I *hate* a small plane, they are so bumpy and turbulent and kind of awful. After both flights I told Matt I would rather drive the 8 hours from SLC to GF than fly on those small planes. Blah. 

Blog article

I was cleaning out my inbox and found Adi’s “Blog article” from March 20th that I neglected to share. One of my fav motto’s is better late than never!

*********

Hello!

I’m Adi, a long-time frequent reader of this blog. I’ve already done some segments (see A Whole Month! By Addison), and I saw that the blog hadn’t been updated recently, so I’m back. 

A lot of stuff has happened lately. 

Michelle (Mom) had Women’s Conference recently. She had been planning it for a year in advance, and in the weeks following it was game time. Mom bought a bunch of tissue paper, and the whole family helped make tissue paper flowers as decorations. 

The Thursday before the conference me and Frankie went to the stake center, where it was being held, and we helped set up. 

The conference looked pretty good, and I think it went well. 

The conference was at 10 am on a Saturday, and me and Frankie went with Mom and Dad to assist her with the conference. We had to wake up at 6 to pick up some flowers and finish setting up, but everything went smoothly. 

Delaney didn’t come because she had a birthday party but I hope she had fun.

Love,

Adi

Church, and other stuff

Last Saturday Matt and I had an all morning trek training. We made bread in the Dutch oven, put together a handcart and pulled it, learned about the medical side of trek, and talked to Elizabeth about the spiritual side. It was really good and I feel a lot more prepared. Matt and I finished reading the guide together and will read on our own a few times, and we’re making a list of games to play during the downtimes. I’m excited and nervous. After, we went on a nice day date.  

That night D had a birthday party at Hayden’s. 

I went to the Capitol ward where I met up with my presidency and also a handful of other stake leaders and after sacrament meeting we had an adult leadership meeting. Then my presidency trained the new Capitol RS presidency. Because of Covid and weird schedules this was the first time we’d all trained a new presidency together in person. It went really well and it was fun to get to know them. Then we had a presidency meeting. We ❤️ our meetings. In all honesty though, I don’t mind meetings because most of them are really good and productive. We forgot to get a picture before women’s Conference and Denise remembered we wanted a picture. Amber, me, Denise, and Debbie. Love these ladies!

Matt flew to California for work Monday morning. Of course I love when we’re all together, but there’s something fun about Matt being out of town. It feels like girls night every night. 

Adi has continued with her “Days of Mother’s Day.” One day she gave me 6 lovely words. I’ve also gotten gum, Australian licorice, and a back rub. She’s so sweet. 

We had a family council and talked about summer plans. We always start with big ideas and then Peter out. We’re working on life skills this summer. Adi’s got 3 more years and lots to learn!

Delaney has a chorus concert Wednesday night and she let me do her hair. She wanted half up, half down with a bun and a ribbon. I evened out the bun a little after this pic, but we were late so we had to go. 

They had art all around and it’s fun to see what the kids have created. 

These 2 cuties sang their hearts out. They both sing so earnestly, I love it!

My baby is almost done with elementary school!

8 years at this school and we’re almost done. Bittersweet, but I’ll choose the sweet. 

Matt and grandpa were able to worship in the Los Angeles temple that evening. Extra special because that’s where Jim and Sharon were married. 

Alecia hosted brunch and I made a bunch of blueberry muffins. My recipe didn’t call for vanilla, so I made some following the recipe, then added vanilla to some and almond extract to some, and I color coded using different muffin liners, then I took a pic to help me remember. Honestly, they all tasted about the same. 🤷‍♀️

Grandpa and Matt came home Thursday night. 🎉 Friday morning the Duke pta hosted Donuts with Grownups. I went early to setup and helped serve. It was a beautiful morning and it was great to see so many friends. 

Saturday was out 11th Life’s Good in LG 5K. I signed us all up to help. Matt and I manned the banana table and cheered on the runners. The girls helped corral the little kids for the fun run, then played at the park. They weren’t happy to wake up at 7:00 on a Saturday, but it’s always a fun event. 

These goofy girls. 

I caught Adi mid jump. ✅

They all 3 talked a big talk about being the first in the pool, but Laney was the only one that followed through. It’s been beautifully pleasant, but not at all warm. 

She popped up out of breath because it was so cold. I told her she’d last 10 minutes, so she made sure to prove me wrong by lasting 12. 😂

D went to a birthday party and adi and I went shopping. After we picked her up we went to salsa’s for dinner and then down to the wharf. 

We walked around and then when I went back to find D I didn’t see her, so I called out to her and of course she was up in a tree. She helpfully let me know I probably couldn’t climb it because I’d most likely break a branch. Thanks, D. 

We were chatting in her room that night and when she couldn’t close her pajama drawer, even though it always closes, she reached her hand in the back and pulled out a ton of size 4T clothes!

We were cracking up and so shocked. How did that happen? How did they stay hidden back there for 7+ years? So wild. 

Today I had zoom stake council, then went to Pax and then LP. Nola gave an amazing talk about the law of chastity and Mike’s was good about the law of consecration too. Then Lana taught RS in LP and it was also fabulous. It was just a lovely long day at church. Then Susan and I caught up and went to visit a sweet sister who is having surgery this week. I got home around 4:30 to a hot dinner Matt made, and then it was time to say goodbye to grandpa. 

The girls and I made brownies and hot fudge and had sundaes. Oh yes, and Wednesday was the last day of seminary and now we only have 9 more days of school! I love the fun anticipation of these last few days and promise of summer. ❤️