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Unexpected Realities

Fighting infertility, growing in faith, and enjoying life through food, wine, and travel

  • About
  • Blog
  • Health
  • Infertility
  • Parenthood
    • Down Syndrome
  • Recipes
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    • Main Course
    • Desserts
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  • Travel
    • DC Daytrips
    • Croatia
    • France
    • Germany
    • Iceland
    • Italy
    • Slovenia
  • Wine
    • Winery Reviews
  • Let Them Mourn – National Infertility Awareness Week
  • Eat Your Way Through Ljubljana, Slovenia
  • Perfect Day in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
  • One Year Later: What the Doctors Couldn’t Tell Us
  • 5 Ways Infertility Will Bless You

Let Them Mourn – National Infertility Awareness Week

April 26, 2020 By Jennifer Weitz Leave a Comment

People of faith mourn as they express theirfaith while suffering. We cry out for relief, forescape, for understanding, for perspective.“God, help me to understand this.” We desire something we don’t have. And we mourn."- Kimberly Monroe My daughter's favorite book of all time is a board book called First Bible Basics. Of all the choices in her book basket she pulls out this book to look ... continue reading...

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Latest Recipes

Caleb’s Tuscan Pasta Sauce

Dark Chocolate ‘n Nut Butter Avocado Smoothie

Blueberry Peach Oatmeal Smoothie Bowl

30-Minute Healthy Mulligatawny

Asian Chicken Noodle Stir-fry

Sautéed Pepper, Red Onion, and Shredded Pork Salad

Latest from Travel

Eat Your Way Through Ljubljana, Slovenia

February 29, 2020

Ah, Ljubljana. The city that no one knows how to pronounce. (It's lyoo-BLYAH-nuh, by the way.) Ljubljana is the capital city of Slovenia, and it's our favorite small-big city. The first time we had an opportunity to choose a ... continue reading...

Perfect Day in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

August 10, 2019

Ok, let's talk about our favorite area of Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia. Nestled at the very northeastern tip of Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia doesn't end up on most people's itineraries when planning their trip to Italy. It's a ... continue reading...

Stari Podrum, Heaven on Earth

January 29, 2019

You know when you go somewhere, and it's wonderful, and you dream about returning and having the same experience, but when you go back....it doesn't live up to your dreamy memories? This is not one of those places. This ... continue reading...

9 Reasons Why We Love Slovenia

January 21, 2019

Why Slovenia? After clarifying that we did in fact go to Slovenia and not Slovakia, this is often the second question we get. My husband and I have been tacking on the country count over our last nine years of traveling, but ... continue reading...

Welcome!


I'm Jennifer, a foodie and wino that's learning to cook healthy(ier). Waiting with hope in God's timing for building our family, and supporting others who have to walk the same road of infertility. My husband and I can't stop/won't stop planning trips and traveling to new places. Thanks for joining me on my adventures! Read More…

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Word of the Week

Latest on Instagram

Watching the sunrise at the point on Rio Grande, P Watching the sunrise at the point on Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 🌅
⠀
Only tropical weather, my man, and the promise of breakfast right afterwards could entice me to be up for the sunrise not one but two mornings in a row! We had a whirlwind less than 2-day trip to Puerto Rico a few weeks ago, and the resort where we stayed had a perfect spot to watch the sunrise. We took a beautiful walk along the beach to the end of the point, where we had a very windy view both mornings all to ourselves. The first morning was mostly clear and the second we got the cool colors of the sun slowly peeping up through the clouds.
⠀
I really hope this resort stays such a great deal on Hyatt points because we would love to go back next winter! Check out my story Highlights for more info!
⠀
We have some fun travel plans coming up (with toddler!! 😄) that I will share soon (hopefully once we know for sure it's happening 😆)
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#puertoricogram #puertorico #riograndepuertorico #travel #travelpic #travelphotography #lifewelltraveled #traveladdict #travelmoments #travelmemories #traveler #imisstraveling #instagood #discoverunder10k #momentsofmine #thehappynow #wanderlust #keepexploring #travellikealocal #theworldshotz #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations #sunrisephotography #sunrise #tropicaldestination #thursdaymotivation
Welcome March, a day late... ⠀ March reminds me Welcome March, a day late...
⠀
March reminds me of our orchid plant, since I usually associate orchids with winter, but it can easily transition to a spring flower too. March is like that, having one foot still in winter and one foot in the spring. I'm wishing for warmer days even more than usual this year. I feel like nothing makes you long for warmth and not having to wear coats, mittens, and hats quite like having a rambunctious toddler who needs lots of outside time!
⠀
I know there are probably quite a few more cold days still ahead, but this month brings the hope of spring - even if it's just on the calendar - and that is enough for today.
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#spring #springvibes #springiscoming #tuesdayinspiration #thehappynow #momentsofmine #prettythings #loudouncountyva #orchids #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday #momsofinstagram
FIRST DAY OF PRE-K! ⠀ Don't mind me, just sittin FIRST DAY OF PRE-K!
⠀
Don't mind me, just sitting over here wondering how my baby became old enough to have her first day of preschool! She started today going to her special ed preschool program two days a week. I, of course, had a hard time sleeping last night and have already cried multiple times, but she was happy as a clam at drop off. She didn't even look back as she was led into the building by a stranger! She's social and loves being around other kids, so I know she will do well. But along with the regular anxieties of a parent, I have other worries too. Will anyone understand her version of sign language? Will she be gentle with the other children? How will the in-class therapy go?
⠀
All that to say, if you have a moment over the next couple of days, say a prayer for me! 😆
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#downsyndrome #upsyndrome #t21love #shouttheirworth #dontbesorry #theluckyfew #extrachromosomeextracute #ilovemyextrachromosone #homiewithanextrachromie #nothingdownaboutit 
#downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #wouldntchangeathing #instagood #parenthoodafterinfertility #lifeisbetterwithyou #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #specialneedsmom #specialneedsparents #momlife #momsofinstagram #toddlersofinstagram #picoftheday
Apparently it's #nationaldrinkwineday??? ⠀ Gotta Apparently it's #nationaldrinkwineday???
⠀
Gotta love all of these very random celebration days! (This is not to be confused with National Wine Day 😆) I'm throwing it back to this bottle of @revalationvineyards Viognier that we had in December, mainly because I realized I never posted this pretty picture! I love Virginia Viognier and this one did not disappoint. We paired it with risotto, Provencal chicken, and asparagus. What are you drinking tonight to celebrate this obviously very important day? 😄
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#revalationvineyard #viognier #virginiaviognier #vawinetogether #virginiawinecountry #virginiavine #youcansipwithus #womenwhodrinkwine #wines #wino #vino #winegeek #wineaddict #winelove #winetime #sippingwine #wineenthusiast #instawine #winelovers #adventuresinwine #virginiawinery #winesofvirginia #vawine #virginiawine #vawinery #thehappynow #instagood #foodandwine #foodandwinepairing
I love you more than all the stars in the big, wid I love you more than all the stars in the big, wide sky.
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I love you bigger than the whole, wide universe.
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I love you longer than the birds can fly.
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I love you wider than the big, blue sky can reach.
⠀
I love you higher than the sun and the moon in the sky.
⠀
I love you deeper than the widest, biggest ocean.
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Just know that you are....deeply loved.  Xoxoxo
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[a friend of a friend who is a fellow DS mom sent me a book with these lyrics shortly after Dayna was born, and I've always loved it!]
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#advocatelikeamother#upsyndrome #t21love #shouttheirworth #dontbesorry #theluckyfew #extrachromosomeextracute #ilovemyextrachromosone #homiewithanextrachromie #nothingdownaboutit 
#downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #wouldntchangeathing #instagood #parenthood #parenthoodafterinfertility #lifeisbetterwithyou #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #specialneeds #specialneedsmom #momlife #momsofinstagram #toddlersofinstagram #picoftheday #mommyandme #mommyandmeoutfit
Happy February! I have enjoyed seeing lots of snow Happy February! I have enjoyed seeing lots of snow pictures the last few days. The Washington DC area had one of the best snow events that we have seen in a while. The accumulation probably won't end up being more than 6 or 7 inches by the time it's done, but it's been such a pretty snow! It's been slowly falling since early Sunday morning and is supposed to last through the night.
⠀
This picture is from The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV where we spent Saturday night before waking up to the first layer of snow from our room balcony on Sunday morning. Definitely one of the prettiest buildings to have covered in snow!
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@bavarianinnwv #bavarianinn #bavarianinnwv #shepherdstownwv #magicalsnow #snowfall #snowsnowsnow #travel #travelpic #travelphotography #lifewelltraveled #traveladdict #travelmoments #traveler #instagood #discoverunder5k #momentsofmine #thehappynow #wanderlust #keepexploring #travellikealocal #theworldshotz #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations
Beautiful Budapest at night for #traveltuesday!
⠀
Back in 2012, [almost t e n years ago!!] my husband and I went on our second trip to Europe to Budapest, Hungary and to Vienna, Austria. I took this picture on a sightseeing boat on the Danube with my little Sony point-and-shoot. I still can't believe that this picture turned out so well. It's one of my favorite photos I have ever taken and we have it printed on canvas in our house. The Parliament building in Budapest is an amazing piece of architecture, and at night when it's lit up it becomes an incredible sight to behold.
⠀
Budapest is on our list to make it back to someday! We had a good time, but we were still very new to traveling and there's a lot that we would do over.
⠀
Do you have Budapest on your travel list? If you have already been, what did you like about it? Let me know!⠀
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#budapest #budapesthungary #budapesttravel #budapestgram #budapestatnight #budapestparliament #travel #travelpic #travelphotography #lifewelltraveled #traveladdict #travelmoments #travelmemories #traveler #imisstraveling #instagood #discoverunder5k #momentsofmine #thehappynow #wanderlust #keepexploring #keeptraveling #travellikealocal #theworldshotz #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations #nightshot #picoftheday
"Only as we reflect on the Gospel can we go from s "Only as we reflect on the Gospel can we go from someone who desires self-protection to someone who desires to protect others. The Gospel motivates us to see every person as someone God values rather than merely a statistic. The Gospel empowers us to value those society rejects as those who have been created in the image of God." - Raleigh Sadler
⠀
📸 My beautiful girl at Ida Lee Park in October
w e e k e n d vibes ⠀ One of my favorite charcut w e e k e n d vibes
⠀
One of my favorite charcuterie boards that we have done was the one we made on Thanksgiving to hold us over until the turkey arrived. Olives, nuts, jams, berries, pomegranates, mustard, cheese, salami, chorizo, and prosciutto - we had the whole gang! We paired our spread with a Beaujolais. I usually try to space things out on my charcuterie boards but I have discovered that my favorite ones are when everything is basically just piled together 🤣 Hope this gives you some  charcuterie-inspiration for your own creations!
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My Life in Pictures

Watching the sunrise at the point on Rio Grande, P Watching the sunrise at the point on Rio Grande, Puerto Rico 🌅
⠀
Only tropical weather, my man, and the promise of breakfast right afterwards could entice me to be up for the sunrise not one but two mornings in a row! We had a whirlwind less than 2-day trip to Puerto Rico a few weeks ago, and the resort where we stayed had a perfect spot to watch the sunrise. We took a beautiful walk along the beach to the end of the point, where we had a very windy view both mornings all to ourselves. The first morning was mostly clear and the second we got the cool colors of the sun slowly peeping up through the clouds.
⠀
I really hope this resort stays such a great deal on Hyatt points because we would love to go back next winter! Check out my story Highlights for more info!
⠀
We have some fun travel plans coming up (with toddler!! 😄) that I will share soon (hopefully once we know for sure it's happening 😆)
•
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#puertoricogram #puertorico #riograndepuertorico #travel #travelpic #travelphotography #lifewelltraveled #traveladdict #travelmoments #travelmemories #traveler #imisstraveling #instagood #discoverunder10k #momentsofmine #thehappynow #wanderlust #keepexploring #travellikealocal #theworldshotz #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations #sunrisephotography #sunrise #tropicaldestination #thursdaymotivation
Welcome March, a day late... ⠀ March reminds me Welcome March, a day late...
⠀
March reminds me of our orchid plant, since I usually associate orchids with winter, but it can easily transition to a spring flower too. March is like that, having one foot still in winter and one foot in the spring. I'm wishing for warmer days even more than usual this year. I feel like nothing makes you long for warmth and not having to wear coats, mittens, and hats quite like having a rambunctious toddler who needs lots of outside time!
⠀
I know there are probably quite a few more cold days still ahead, but this month brings the hope of spring - even if it's just on the calendar - and that is enough for today.
⠀
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
#spring #springvibes #springiscoming #tuesdayinspiration #thehappynow #momentsofmine #prettythings #loudouncountyva #orchids #instagood #picoftheday #photooftheday #momsofinstagram
FIRST DAY OF PRE-K! ⠀ Don't mind me, just sittin FIRST DAY OF PRE-K!
⠀
Don't mind me, just sitting over here wondering how my baby became old enough to have her first day of preschool! She started today going to her special ed preschool program two days a week. I, of course, had a hard time sleeping last night and have already cried multiple times, but she was happy as a clam at drop off. She didn't even look back as she was led into the building by a stranger! She's social and loves being around other kids, so I know she will do well. But along with the regular anxieties of a parent, I have other worries too. Will anyone understand her version of sign language? Will she be gentle with the other children? How will the in-class therapy go?
⠀
All that to say, if you have a moment over the next couple of days, say a prayer for me! 😆
⠀
•
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#downsyndrome #upsyndrome #t21love #shouttheirworth #dontbesorry #theluckyfew #extrachromosomeextracute #ilovemyextrachromosone #homiewithanextrachromie #nothingdownaboutit 
#downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #wouldntchangeathing #instagood #parenthoodafterinfertility #lifeisbetterwithyou #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #specialneedsmom #specialneedsparents #momlife #momsofinstagram #toddlersofinstagram #picoftheday
Apparently it's #nationaldrinkwineday??? ⠀ Gotta Apparently it's #nationaldrinkwineday???
⠀
Gotta love all of these very random celebration days! (This is not to be confused with National Wine Day 😆) I'm throwing it back to this bottle of @revalationvineyards Viognier that we had in December, mainly because I realized I never posted this pretty picture! I love Virginia Viognier and this one did not disappoint. We paired it with risotto, Provencal chicken, and asparagus. What are you drinking tonight to celebrate this obviously very important day? 😄
•
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#revalationvineyard #viognier #virginiaviognier #vawinetogether #virginiawinecountry #virginiavine #youcansipwithus #womenwhodrinkwine #wines #wino #vino #winegeek #wineaddict #winelove #winetime #sippingwine #wineenthusiast #instawine #winelovers #adventuresinwine #virginiawinery #winesofvirginia #vawine #virginiawine #vawinery #thehappynow #instagood #foodandwine #foodandwinepairing
I love you more than all the stars in the big, wid I love you more than all the stars in the big, wide sky.
⠀
I love you bigger than the whole, wide universe.
⠀
I love you longer than the birds can fly.
⠀
I love you wider than the big, blue sky can reach.
⠀
I love you higher than the sun and the moon in the sky.
⠀
I love you deeper than the widest, biggest ocean.
⠀
Just know that you are....deeply loved.  Xoxoxo
⠀
⠀
[a friend of a friend who is a fellow DS mom sent me a book with these lyrics shortly after Dayna was born, and I've always loved it!]
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.
.
.
.
#advocatelikeamother#upsyndrome #t21love #shouttheirworth #dontbesorry #theluckyfew #extrachromosomeextracute #ilovemyextrachromosone #homiewithanextrachromie #nothingdownaboutit 
#downsyndromeawareness #morealikethandifferent #wouldntchangeathing #instagood #parenthood #parenthoodafterinfertility #lifeisbetterwithyou #motherhoodunplugged #motherhoodrising #specialneeds #specialneedsmom #momlife #momsofinstagram #toddlersofinstagram #picoftheday #mommyandme #mommyandmeoutfit
Happy February! I have enjoyed seeing lots of snow Happy February! I have enjoyed seeing lots of snow pictures the last few days. The Washington DC area had one of the best snow events that we have seen in a while. The accumulation probably won't end up being more than 6 or 7 inches by the time it's done, but it's been such a pretty snow! It's been slowly falling since early Sunday morning and is supposed to last through the night.
⠀
This picture is from The Bavarian Inn in Shepherdstown, WV where we spent Saturday night before waking up to the first layer of snow from our room balcony on Sunday morning. Definitely one of the prettiest buildings to have covered in snow!
⠀
•
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.
.
.
.
.
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@bavarianinnwv #bavarianinn #bavarianinnwv #shepherdstownwv #magicalsnow #snowfall #snowsnowsnow #travel #travelpic #travelphotography #lifewelltraveled #traveladdict #travelmoments #traveler #instagood #discoverunder5k #momentsofmine #thehappynow #wanderlust #keepexploring #travellikealocal #theworldshotz #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations
Beautiful Budapest at night for #traveltuesday!
⠀
Back in 2012, [almost t e n years ago!!] my husband and I went on our second trip to Europe to Budapest, Hungary and to Vienna, Austria. I took this picture on a sightseeing boat on the Danube with my little Sony point-and-shoot. I still can't believe that this picture turned out so well. It's one of my favorite photos I have ever taken and we have it printed on canvas in our house. The Parliament building in Budapest is an amazing piece of architecture, and at night when it's lit up it becomes an incredible sight to behold.
⠀
Budapest is on our list to make it back to someday! We had a good time, but we were still very new to traveling and there's a lot that we would do over.
⠀
Do you have Budapest on your travel list? If you have already been, what did you like about it? Let me know!⠀
•
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#budapest #budapesthungary #budapesttravel #budapestgram #budapestatnight #budapestparliament #travel #travelpic #travelphotography #lifewelltraveled #traveladdict #travelmoments #travelmemories #traveler #imisstraveling #instagood #discoverunder5k #momentsofmine #thehappynow #wanderlust #keepexploring #keeptraveling #travellikealocal #theworldshotz #beautifulplaces #beautifuldestinations #nightshot #picoftheday
"Only as we reflect on the Gospel can we go from s "Only as we reflect on the Gospel can we go from someone who desires self-protection to someone who desires to protect others. The Gospel motivates us to see every person as someone God values rather than merely a statistic. The Gospel empowers us to value those society rejects as those who have been created in the image of God." - Raleigh Sadler
⠀
📸 My beautiful girl at Ida Lee Park in October
w e e k e n d vibes ⠀ One of my favorite charcut w e e k e n d vibes
⠀
One of my favorite charcuterie boards that we have done was the one we made on Thanksgiving to hold us over until the turkey arrived. Olives, nuts, jams, berries, pomegranates, mustard, cheese, salami, chorizo, and prosciutto - we had the whole gang! We paired our spread with a Beaujolais. I usually try to space things out on my charcuterie boards but I have discovered that my favorite ones are when everything is basically just piled together 🤣 Hope this gives you some  charcuterie-inspiration for your own creations!
File this under "Things I Forgot to Post Last Year File this under "Things I Forgot to Post Last Year"
⠀
2020 definitely had its lows, as everyone can attest. My sister got me this shirt from a local lady who puts everything on shirts and personalizes anything you can imagine. I took these pictures on one of the days in September when we were trying our best for things to start to feel "normal" again. I have a feeling I will get a kick out of this shirt for a few years to come. Or maybe I need to wait 10 years or so for it to actually be funny 😂
⠀
While I can't recommend 2020, I *can* recommend @walshfamilywine, which felt like a second home for us last year! Getting to go on a few dates and also having the opportunity to let Dayna run around outside in their beautiful grounds while the weather was still warm was a big blessing. Also I'm pretty sure their Friday night Drinkwell virtual tastings saved our sanity, especially through March-May last year 🍷 just sayin'
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p.s. speaking of which, local friends... did you see that @pauliesitalian is going to be at Walsh this weekend serving up fresh pasta dishes? Run, don't walk...what I mean is, click away from IG and go open your bowser right now and make a reservation!

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