Monday, August 22, 2022

Lorien's CA Adventure & Drivers License

Two days after our adventure getting Opa, Oma, & Tuhk to the airport (with our van breaking down), we had to turn right around & get Lorien to the airport.  Our dear friends let us borrow their van & I woke up early to get Lorien to the airport 4 hours before her flight to CA!!!

This was her first time flying solo so I was a nervous wreck as a mom!  I knew she'd do fine, but it was still scary.  She's my baby & always will be.


Needless to say, I cried pretty hard as soon as we said goodbye & she couldn't see me anymore.


The reason for this adventure was for Lorien's Drivers License.  Last summer when we flew back to the states, we got Lorien her drivers permit in CA.  This year it was time to get her actual license.  We couldn't send the whole family back, so we sent Lorien alone to Opa & Oma in Northern, CA.

For a CA license, a student must pass a drivers ed course (which she already did) as well as a 6 hour in person instructor training.  We hired a company to do the 6 hour driving instruction the first week she was in CA.  Her instructor was a sweet young woman who just loved Lorien.  They got along SO well. . . & Lorien did an amazing job.


The whole 2 weeks Lorien was there, Opa & Oma made her drive EVERYWHERE.  She drove to breakfast or to lunch or to dinner . . . . or to the pool or grocery store.


Lorien got to visit with her cousins Olive & Phoenix too which she LOVED.


And they loved her too.





She had so much fun.  She went to a concert, to Hard Rock, swimming, to the movies several times, & more.  Opa & Oma are the best.






They also took her on several road trips to help her reach 50 hours of driving during her 2 weeks there.  She drove WELL OVER 50 hours.  We were proud of her.

They drove 3.5 hours (each way) to the redwood trees.








They also drove 3 hours (each way) to Lake Tahoe one day.



The drove 2 hours (each way) to visit Auntie Triskin too.






Overall, it was a LOT of driving & Lorien kind of got sick of it, BUT she passed her drivers test with flying colors & got her CA license NO PROBLEM!

HOORAY!


The day she flew home, Opa & Oma took her to the Walt Disney Family Museum.  SO FUN.












And then she hopped back on a plane & came back home to us.



We missed our little girl, but are so proud of her.

Today she got her German driver's license & this week she learned how to drive a stick shift.  She is officially able to drive herself & others to & from school!!!  YAY for this momma!  She can drive her siblings to hangouts, sports practice, church activities, & more.  I think I might be more excited about this than she is.

We really are happy for her.  She is very excited.
 

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