Two Weddings, One Road Trip
and four days of solo parenting | Ed 11
Last week feels like it was years ago. Since Easter, I’ve been in three states and spent four days solo parenting a baby while getting my house ready for Airbnb guests. When it rains, it pours. Most importantly, Allie, a dear friend and all-time inspiring lady got married on Friday. It is such joy to see someone of whom I think very highly marry a wonderful man who is worthy of her and goes above and beyond in honoring her. Every part of their wedding was thoughtful and meaningful. It fully reflected their character and the God they serve in a way that was palpable the entire night.
Their wedding was in Durham, so to get there, Drew and I drove to Winston-Salem on Wednesday and stayed with more dear friends, Caroline and her husband, Philip! I haven’t visited since they got married and it was sweet to spend time together and live life with them for a day! This 6 hour drive definitely pushed the limits of Drew’s car-time endurance, so he had a hard few nights adjusting, leading to a tired few days for me. Amidst my weariness, the Lord still allowed me to feel mostly present which I am grateful for!
I regularly mourn that I used to be the friend who went to everything, remembered everything, and said yes to everything. That is so not the season or even near the realm of my capability anymore which can be disappointing. A fun fact about me is that I HATE feeling disappointed. Thus, I maintain very low expectations for everything and am pleasantly surprised when minor things go well. A strength and a weakness.
We are in DC for the week ahead of another wedding which I am thrilled about! It is always checkered to spend time here - sad to experience all the things we miss, but so happy to be with my friends. Cheers.
What’s on the menu?
As we were about to leave town, I enjoyed the personal challenge of making do with what was in the fridge.
Everything on Toast - I recently told someone that when Banner is gone I usually just eat toast with various toppings. Tuna? Great. Eggs? Awesome. Tomatoes? Perfect.
Sweet Potato, Chickpea, Sausage, Sesame Skillet - I also always cook with sesame when Banner is gone. I used our remaining groceries to whip up a little breakfast skillet situation that was delicious.
Odd Story Naan Wrap + Curry Fries - Mom and Eli and I went to a nearby brewery for lunch that has such interesting food. Curry fries, tikka masala wraps, etc
Bobby Boy Lunch - A cafe in Winston-Salem with top notch pastries and quiche.
Cava Pita Chips - iykyk
Many bleary-eyed coffees - I haven’t slept enough in many many days but I’ve had some quality cappuccinos carrying me through - homemade and from fun little shops along our road trip. Hoping our time in DC will bring many more.
Pizza Night - these keep happening and I am not sad about it.
Listening, Reading, Watching
I had little time for reading this week, but this Substack article, I Swore I’d Never Be That Woman was very thought provoking for me. I didn’t resonate with everything, but I have been thinking about it ever since I read it.
I am periodically reading Habits of the Household and all the hospitality I experienced this week brought it to mind. Hospitality isn’t about lavish belongings or polished manners or the most spotless counter, etc.
We have already experienced the generosity and hospitality of so many on this trip in ways that reflected the beauty of being part of the body of Christ and opening to life together. I wish I could experience these spirit-filled capsules all the time. There is a feeling you get in a home (traditional or not) where His love dwells richly that can’t be fabricated.I went back to watching Gilmore Girls this week while I cleaned after bedtime. Wow, what a breath of fresh nostalgia. GG has never, could never, and will never fail me.
I had lots of time to listen in the car, thankfully. I opted for Armchair Expert with magician, David Blaine and Malcolm Gladwell’s episode about Joe Rogan which is fascinating.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
I went to a YMCA strength class with Eli and my mom on Monday and it kicked my butt in the best way. I can’t wait to go back. Strength training is SOOO important for moms (and women in general), but it’s hard to have the motivation and know-how to do a quality strength workout. It is a huge gift to just show up and be coached and challenged through a lift!
Sometimes the nap is just that good. I felt so bad for throwing Drew off his routine with all the travel, but also our second kid won’t even get the privilege of having a routine, so really Drew is lucky I guess?
Doesn’t seem that bothered.. I went to baby bounce at the library on Tuesday with friends and it was actually so sweet and life-giving to have something to drag us out of the house and to see all the babies playing and engaging with music and toys. 10/10.
I’m almost 3 months into this social media-less journey and have many thoughts. Enough to warrant a special mid-week edition. Expect me when you least expect me.
They’re married!! Deeply needing and desiring more thoughtful and authentic spiritual formation. Ironically, I used to work somewhere where we had to do an hour of spiritual formation every day and I kind of trudged through it. Here I am now just wishing for that kind of intentionality. Woe is me.
We saw friends today who have three kids which is baffling and encouraging. Seasons of life can feel so permanent in the moment and one day it will feel like this went by so quickly.
Drew has always been a very distracted nurser, but recently he’s taken it to a whole new level and essentially practices taekwondo the entire time I’m feeding him.
Travel King Until next time!!
Inspired by Drew's travels