We had another crazy week! It was the last week of the school quarter and the kids were super busy making sure they had everything completed. Matt and I also started our second German class in the evenings.
Brooklyn also hit another milestone, she rode the bus by herself. One day after school, she was scheduled to have her first Girl Scouts meeting. I had told her I could meet her at school and drive her, but I had a meeting come up at the last minute. I texted her and she said she could walk the almost-mile, on base and find the building herself. After the meeting she walked about a half mile back to the bus stop on base and rode all the way back to our town. Then she had another half-mile walk home. I was so nervous the whole time but she made it and we were so proud of her, and she was super proud of herself. She plans on doing a lot more after school activities and not having to drive her anymore just freed up so much of our time!
Friday, Brooklyn and I headed back to the U.S. Unfortunately, due to the German quarantine rules, Ryan was still unable to join us so Matt stayed home with him this time. Brooklyn and I got up early, and Matt dropped us at the airport.
We made it back to Maryland, just in time for the rehearsal dinner at the farm.
Saturday was another early day for hair and makeup before the wedding but I did squeeze one nap in during the afternoon. Then we were on our way to the wedding.
The wedding was absolutely beautiful. To see everything in person, you would think they planned this for years, but they were actually able to pull it off in only a couple weeks.
The wedding was so much fun, I was so sad when it was over; it feels like it went by in a blur. I wish I had taken more pictures, but that’s the price of enjoyment, I guess. And, it was SO good to see family and friends that I have been missing so much.
I am SO THRILLED for Alli and Chad. They make the perfect team and I’m glad she finally found “her person.” This goes with a feeling of sadness, since we are separated by miles and can’t spend as much time together as I would want. But I know we are connected at the heart and we will have a lifetime to make up the time.
Sunday morning, Alli and I met Meg and Steph for brunch, we packed our suitcases back up and were back to the airport.
This time, we got to the airport in plenty of time and we’re able to hang out in the lounge before our flight. Our plane was almost empty and I was so grateful for three seats to stretch out across.
Our connection was in Brussels, and unlike two weeks ago, we had plenty of time to make our second flight. Breakfast was Belgian waffles and OMG they were so good. Then, we were back on our way to Stuttgart.
Our flight landed in Stuttgart twenty minutes early and when I texted Matt, he was still at our house. It is such a luxury to live close to an airport- finally! We had enough time to grab our bags and he met us at the curb.
It was only 9:30am and Brooklyn really wanted to go to school. So, she showered and she hustled Matt out the door to drive her to school. Her energy is incredible and she made it through school AND the first night of her babysitting classes. I had to sleep most of the rest of the day and I’ll probably be sleeping the rest of the week!
Congrats Alli and Chad, love you guys so much!!
Gilcrests Abroad 