A Very Lucky Girl

WOW! Hi, friends! It's been nearly 4 years, one pandemic, and almost 2 whole babies since I last wrote a blog post. I'm not quite sure where I got the audacity to spend precious time on this when I have a newborn to prep for and a 2 year old to entertain, plus a husband and a full-time job, but here we are.  A re-introduction may be in order? The Powell family is now a family of 3, officially, with number 4 on the way. Avonlea arrived in December 2021, and her brother, Truett, should make his appearance in early 2024. I wanted to blog this trip specifically for a few reasons. We were invited to a destination family wedding in Scotland this fall, which gave me all the best feels obviously! It's been almost 10 years since I went on my study abroad journey in Dundee so this was the perfect excuse to go back and visit one of the many homes of my heart. I'm really, really proud of my kid and how well she did on this adventure - she's always been our tiny traveler and thi...

Last week, we were left hanging in Scotland on the worst date ever. Hannah and Luke are pretending to eat dinner and Hannah picks up the date rose, only to say “I can’t give you this rose.” Somehow, Luke is confused. He’s frustrated with how their day went and says he will take full ownership of it (but doesn’t describe what “it” is that he’s taking ownership of…) and move on. Hannah repeats that it just doesn’t make sense to give him a rose tonight. Luke is stunned -- “so I go home tonight?” Yes, Luke, that’s the general idea. Hannah confirms this and asks him to please respect that as she gives him a goodbye hug. Luke is shocked, it never crossed his mind that he would ever go home because everyone loves him! Luke needs his hearing checked as he is determined to fight for her. Instead of climbing in the rejection SUV as instructed, he tracks down Hannah in the library. She immediately asks “what are you DOING?”, but deaf Luke is undeterred. He yells that he wants to move mou...

We pick up where we left off in Rhode Island with the Luke showdown. Hannah is confused and fed up with hearing the Lukes discuss each other and asks them to sit down and talk to each other. She wants to hear what’s going on. Luke S accuses Luke P of sabotage and that he is not trustworthy. Luke P continues to accept zero responsibility for his lies. Hannah’s boredom with the entire conversation increases by the second, until she gets up and walks away. Luke S rests his head in his hands, defeated by the classic narcissist. Chris Harrison announces the conclusion of the cocktail party and the imminent rose ceremony. Hannah’s suitors are frustrated and blame Luke P for their lack of time with Hannah this evening. They all cut him off when he tries to speak in his defense. A gentleman I’ve literally never seen on camera until this instant narrates the options: Luke P could go home. Luke S could go home. Both Lukes could go home or both Lukes could stay. Thank you, stra...

I love my share of the little grey house on Brooks Street. Kirsten hasn't moved in yet, but I am eagerly awaiting her arrival, desperate for the sounds of an actual full house. The empty room by the front door is a constant reminder that we are not yet complete. But Kylie and I have had a blast as roommates for the past two months! Many many laughs have been had, so much so that I've begun thinking I need to start a monthly installment of a post titled "conversations in the little grey house on Brooks Street." We've discussed pizza and breadsticks at great length. We've lamented the shoddiness of our oven and the over-alert-ness of our smoke detector. Whichever it is, whenever the oven is opened to take out food, it must be aggressively fanned to prevent the screeching of the alarm. We have learned and often warn each other when removing meals. We've spent time arranging the word magnets on our fridge into inappropriate phrases, fitting for a 22 year ol...