This month I had planned to make a short trip somewhere.  I had a few ideas and they all sounded interesting and relaxing, but our family ended up planning an unexpected trip for my oldest daughter to fly home from school for the weekend and it ended up being just what our family needed.  Time together, under the same roof, cooking in the kitchen, eating a meal (or two) together, going to church together, sisters laughing and daddy daughter conversations.  By the time Michelle went back to school on Sunday night, my heart was happy and full.

Michelle turned 21 years old last month and since she was away at school for her birthday, we couldn’t celebrate this special milestone as a family, so this trip provided the perfect opportunity to do just that.  She picked one of her favorite restaurants in the city, “La Pizza & La Pasta” in Eataly.  We made our way there from the suburbs on a very rainy and foggy night.  Traffic was “delightful”, but we made it there just on time for our reservation and Stan even found free parking just across the street from the restaurant, hurray!  It’s the little things that matter people, it’s the little things! 😉

I have been eating a gluten free diet since beginning of January to help me with my migraines and eating at a pasta and pizza restaurant does not exactly scream gluten free.  I was very proud of myself though because I avoided the temptation of that delicious bread with olive oil and herbs they serve before the food arrives. If I compare the agony of my chronic pain when I get a migraine to the taste of bread, it’s simply just not worth it.  Luckily for me, they do have gluten free pizza and pasta options on their menu so I focused on those items.  I had the gluten free option of Tagliatelle which is pasta with braised brisket in a tomato based sauce.  It was quite delicious and it definitely satisfied my pasta cravings.

We had a lovely time and most importantly, Michelle fully enjoyed her birthday dinner.  We ended the night with some gelato at one of their sweet stops in the lower level which wade a perfect ending to our night.

Sunday night proved to be one of the windiest days in the Windy City and of course that was the day Michelle was flying back to school.  For this nervous flyer of a mom, I had preferred she rescheduled her trip for the next morning, but she didn’t want to miss her first class of the day, so off she went.  I tracked that flight during the whole duration of mid air time as a boiling pot of pasta.  When I saw the words “LANDED” on the screen, I was able to breath again.  Michelle said her flight was one of the most turbulent flights she’s ever been on and by the time they landed she was nauseous and anxious, and this is coming from someone who is not a nervous flyer, oy!  Let’s just say, thank goodness I was not the one on that flight or I would’ve made a scene for sure. 😬

Feeling beyond thankful all around for our time together, for my daughter’s visit which was very productive and joyful and for her reaching her destination safe and sound.  Now to count a few more sleeps until her next visit. ❤