Loving Loud, Hosting Proud!

Smiles brought to you by: hosting and zero dignity. By Abrilina Bray When I first signed up to host a student, I thought I was just opening my home. I didn’t realize I was opening my heart, my fridge… and sometimes, Pandora’s box. Our first year, right before our very first student arrived, I had gotten pregnant with Declan. I’m not sure how adequately prepared I was for hosting from the host family orientation that was given, seeing as I was pregnant and there was a large sn

November tried to take me out — from getting electrocuted at Body20, to chasing seals in Howth, to drinking martinis in Ireland, to hosting a Thanksgiving full of kids, exchange students, and pure beautiful chaos. This recap has travel, family, community, and cows who live better lives than I do.

A hilarious, relatable Thanksgiving survival sermon for anyone balancing cooking, kids fighting, exchange student confusion, and relatives who test your last nerve.