Frankie is 14!

It’s our even birthday year, for everyone but Matt. Now Delaney is 12, bubba is 26, Frankie is 14, and Adi and Alexis will soon be 16 and 28 respectively. 

We missed having friends over for dinner but we still enjoyed Alfredo and Adi’s yummy bread, then Oreo cupcakes that are a favorite. 

Our spring breaks plans had been way up in the air, but we finally decided on Sunday to go ahead, with all the back and forth and thinking about spring break I was also hatching a bigger idea. We initially planned to be gone M-Sat, but the girls don’t have school the Monday after Easter either, so I looked at flights from Maryland to Orlando and they weren’t terrible, so I proposed to Matt that he fly down after work on Thursday and then we could spend Easter in Florida with my dad. Anyways, it looked like it would all work out and we lightly packed on Sunday. 

Monday got off to a rocky rocky start, but we did finally get on the road at 11:30. With my eye still a little wonky I wasn’t sure if I could comfortable make the 12 hour drive in one day, then papa graciously offered to get us a hotel halfway. Otherwise we’d have just left Tuesday morning and I’d have had to suck it up or take breaks. I have to admit it was nice to split the driving up, though I’m way too cheap to do that regularly. 

Anyways, more on spring break to come. But first:  🦀 ❤️ Especially following the horrific bridge collapse. All the Maryland love and prayers. 

And this one that I screenshotted for papa. Bet. 

Conjuncta- what

The pink eye saga went from bad to worse. 

I got to the pharmacy right as they were closing and thankfully they got me my drops and meds. I also have a sinus infection and I felt so sick. Just achy and cold and gross. 

Then on Thursday I could barely open my eye. It was so itchy and sensitive to light. That lasted till Friday afternoon, but my eye still looked terrible. I quarantined myself to my room in the hopes of containing pinkeye 2024. 

Today is Frankie’s birthday. It started with donuts and continued with a ringing phone that she found. 

It’s my old one that’s kind of busted, but she was excited about. I kind of hate phones for teens, but also want our kids to learn big lessons inside our home. 

The crew is at church without me today. I’ve missed out on so many things and I’m #overit. Praying this stupid conjunctivitis goes away and nobody else gets it!

Wonderful and not

I had the best Sunday. It was the Bowie ward conference and I’ll never get tired of hearing the bishops and President Boyd speak, it’s always wonderful. Also, the last 2 sacrament meetings I’ve been to have sang children’s songbook songs for one of their hymns and I’m in love. 

After we did 2 ministering visits to a new member and another sister. I learned so much about prayer and angels around us and it was just the best afternoon. 

Laura met me at home and it was so wonderful to visit with her! We went to the RS devotional broadcast together and that wonderful too. Then Laura and I stayed up way too late talking and I am still so sleepy. 

We hung out till the afternoon and only took one picture when we went to salsas

It was a whirlwind but so glad I got to see her! Also, the girls said I looked like Gru in that shirt. 

Anyways, Adi drove us to piano and she did great and also it was so scary. 

The Bowie RSP gave me these beautiful daffodils. Spring love. 💛 

I just finished this book and it was so good. I told everyone about it and I just want to talk and talk and talk about it. Holy moly. 

Also, Kate Gate. What the heck? Jackie and autumn and I have been texting. We’re about to break out our detective gear!

There have been some pretty great memes. 😭

I took down St. Patrick’s day and put up Easter and these two empty baskets made me sad. 

Bouncing around, but Laura asked about the 3 bears house so I sent her photographic proof, did you hear that Kate?

Delaney got her tinker crate labryinth and we had to send Laura a picture. Also, she did not love sleeping with her hair wrapped and did not like the outcome either. 

On Tuesday I hung out with this cutie. Sarah always used to offer to take the girls before a big trip and it was so wonderful to be able to pack and not have to worry about them helping and taking things out of suitcases. He was kind of sad at our house so we walked for a long time and then went to the library. 

And this made me tear up. Oh this body of mine. I haven’t always, but I’m learning to love her. 

This morning I woke up like this:

Why do we all love pink eye so much? It is so itchy and gross. My Dr. didn’t have any appointments so now I’m going on 60+ minutes at Urgent Care. 👎🏼 

Celebrating Frankie

Frankie asked for a party this year, and since we went sit her 13th birthday trip last year I said fine. She wanted to do the Moll Dyer Escape Room, which of the 5’ish escape rooms I’ve ever done, is probably my favorite. It was tough finding a good day because her birthday is the Sunday spring break starts and people are going out of town. 

We decided to do it Saturday, less than 12 hours after I got home, but it was lowkey and simple. She invited her Sunday school class, but when none of the girls could come and it was just her and 4 boys I let her invite her 3 besties from school. 

They all listened intently as they got the directions and story of Moll Dyer, a local “witch” circa 1700’s. 

They worked we had was fabulous, she was flexible and had fun with them. She went into the room several times and gave them little hints and then stayed to make sure they were on the right track, and then let them figure out what they could on their own. They “escaped”!

Teens and silly shots, they’re so crazy!

Matt and I sat in the lobby and listened to the fun and hijinx, then when it was over we brought everyone back to our house for cake and presents. 

She got such thoughtful gifts. Somehow everyone knows and remembers she loves hot Cheetos and Reese’s. I’m always impressed when people remember little thoughtful details. 

We had some snacks out too while she opened presents. 

They had like 30 minutes till we dropped them off to get rides to the dance and activity that night and it was so beautiful outside that they went to the park to play lavity no gravity and had the best time. 

Since the silly shot hadn’t worked earlier I made them jump for their second picture. At least I got one airborn. 🤷‍♀️

It was an easy party and after we cleaned up we lazily hung out the rest of the day till I went to bed feeling yuck yuck. Traveling is so fun but is sometimes so physically tough and I don’t know why. It’s frustrating to me!

A day in Minny

My flight from great falls to Minneapolis was 99% full so they offered to check carryon bags for free and I was all like 🙋‍♀️. I arrived in “Minny” at 9:30 (because I lost a hour) and walked 5 miles to the airport bus stop to catch my bus for adventure. I was pretty hungry but on a schedule, so I was super happy when I had 10 minutes between bus connections and a Culver’s right across the street. I ordered a butter burger that just tasted like a regular burger but was tasty. 

After three buses, .8 mile walk, and 2 hours, I finally made it.  

The best priced flight was one with a 10 hour layover in Minneapolis and there also happens to be a temple 10 miles from the airport, so I scooped it up and made a plan. I’d hoped to have time for initiatories too, but the busses took a lot longer than I thought they would. I’d have done some after my endowment session but the temple closed down in the afternoon, whomp whomp. 

I was a little bit of a hot mess with my travel backpack and my tennis shoes, but I’m so grateful for the opportunity to worship in the temple. I know they’re all the same, but I love seeing different temples. Minnie makes #40 for me. I’d love to do every temple, but since 15+ are announced every six months, that will never happen. But I can still try. ❤️

Aren’t these trees so fun? Waiting on busses isn’t all bad. 

I’d have loved to find some authentic Minneapolis food, I even looked up ideas, but after my mega trek to the temple I was pretty tired and just kind of wanted to hang out at the airport. Downtown out the window. 

The end of the line at the airport metro. 

They don’t have a uso at the airport but do have an Armed Forces Service Center that was actually nicer than a uso. I got a delicious bagel and a soda and took a nap in a cozy recliner while I waited for my 8:00 flight. 

That flight was also full, but I was able to sleep a bit and I made it home and it’s so good to be home. 

This cute girl got her permit in the mail. I had my first drive with her and she did fine but it was extremely terrifying and I can’t wait till she has a few more hours under her belt and is more confident. Teaching kids to drive = way worse than potty training. At least no ones life is in danger during potty training. 

I came home to Spring! So fun to be surprised by everything blooming since it’s not Spring yet in Montana.. 

I was so happy for about 12 hour and then my allergies hit like a Mack truck. Now I’m still happy, just snotty and tired too. 

That’s a wrap

Bath time fun. I covered them in bubbles one night so then they asked for them every night. 

The night lexi was gone I slept upstairs and Carter came into bed with me and he was the worst co-sleeper! No matter how many times I scooched him over, he crowded me, he talks in his sleep and is just generally wiggly. Anyway, we sent Lu a tired Mimi and Car-car picture. 

A very particular boy enjoying a thumbs up kind of morning. 

They went to school and I enjoyed a long run. I did laundry and cleaned bathrooms and vacuumed so everything would like beautiful when Lex got home. 

After school we went to the library which the boys loved! I thought about taking them to a play place, but library’s are so fun and free, so I think we made the best choice. 

They colored pictures and were so happy. 



Until Emmett told him he used the wrong color on mommy shark and he got upset. 🙄 

Thankfully we got over it. 

Emmett spent all his time coloring and then was sad he didn’t get much time to play. And we took more pictures home to color, just to be on the safe side. 

Back in the 301 Delaney and Frankie and crew did some family history. 

We left flowers and pictures and a favorite treat for when Lu got home and I made white chicken chili and salad and we had a nice night. 

On Friday Carter woke up with pink eye, whomp whomp. It was going around his school, so it wasn’t unexpected, but still annoying. He asked for me to take him to the dr, so that made me happy. 

He’s such a sweet guy!

We had to go to the walk in clinic and it took a long time but we finally got eye drops and his eye started looking better almost immediately. He did end up getting it in both eyes, but he’s the only victim, so yay. 

Friday was so busy. After the Dr and Walgreens for the Rx I went to Emmett’s school for a special corned beef and cabbage family lunch to celebrate St. Patrick’s day. I was so happy I got to go!

All the kids call me Mimi and I got so many (pink eye) hugs and loves. 

I was not excited about the corned beef but it was actually really tasty! Emmett had like 3 helpings so lunch took forever but it was fun to be with him in his classroom so it’s all good. I can’t believe this big boy starts kindergarten this year!

I went for my last long run in Montana. I love running there! This is Lexi’s third house in Great Falls and my favorite area to run around.

I relistened to some Liane Moriarty books and I love them and love the scenery and love being Montana. 

Back home Frankie and crew checked out a Lax game. Frankie’s ready for some Raider gear! Also can’t believe she’s starting high school next year!

I said goodbye and gave the boys all the loves that night because I had to leave by 4:30 the next morning. It was a fabulous trip and I’m so grateful I was able to spend so long with them!