We are coming off of a wonderful, exhausting (in the best way) weekend, and I’m recapping it all today!
Monday, October 20
Monday morning, I dropped the kids at school and then headed to Walmart and Publix to do my grocery shopping. I grabbed some yummy banana chocolate chip muffins from the bakery while I was there to have as a treat later that morning. I’d hoped to find some kind of pumpkin goodness, but there wasn’t anything that looked good.
When I got home, Brian helped me unload everything, and then once I got the cold stuff put away, I got settled in at my desk with my electric blanket, a muffin, and my hot cinnamon tea… it was 47 degrees Monday morning, so it was extra cozy!
The rest of the morning and afternoon were spent finishing my blog post for Tuesday, catching up on emails, and doing some blog housekeeping.
I had to pick Olivia up from school at three, but Jacob stayed behind since he joined the school’s E-sports team. When Olivia and I got home, I got a Bible study done while she worked on homework, and then I read for a bit and folded towels. I got the house tidied, I got the rest of the groceries put away, I watered the plants, and then I got the house all cozy for the evening – cinnamon in the diffuser and piano jazz on the speakers.
Brian left to pick up Jacob from school, and I got started on dinner. On the menu on Monday evening was stir fry with chicken, rice, broccoli, pineapple, red peppers, and garlic cheddar bay biscuits. The biscuits were kind of an odd combo with the stir fry, but they’re Olivia’s favorite and I hadn’t made them in a long time. Plus, I wanted to use the leftovers for our dinner Wednesday since we can’t eat them all in one sitting.
When Brian and Jacob got home, we all sat down and ate dinner together, and then Brian got out to mow the front yard one last time before the grass is dormant for the winter, and I got out for my evening walk. Oh, how I’ll miss my evening walks when the time changes this weekend!
Tuesday, October 21
Tuesday, I dropped the kids at school and then headed home to work all day. I worked on my blog post for Wednesday, I caught up on emails (again), and I worked on getting caught up on blog reading. I was so far behind that I didn’t get completely caught up before it was time to leave to pick up the kids from school, but I put a good dent in it.
The afternoon and evening were very hectic. Right after school, the kids and I ran home long enough for Olivia to change and get ready for dance. They grabbed snacks, and Olivia did her homework in the car on the way to the orthodontist as both kids had appointments.
Both checkups went well! Jacob got the same light blue color he’s had since the beginning, and Olivia changed her colors to red and green for Christmas since she’ll have these colors for the next eight weeks. She is already in the Christmas mood, and I’m not far behind her… this Saturday (November 1) IT IS ON. :o)
The last time I had my orthodontist appointment, I mentioned here that I only have two more appointments left and then I finally get my braces off!! However, instead of the usual eight-week appointment, they had to push mine to ten weeks because they’re so swamped, and I was bummed because that’s just setting me even further back to get my braces off. Well, while I was there with the kids, I happened to ask the appointment coordinator if they had cancelations, and she was able to change my appointment and get me in TEN days earlier!! Woo hoooo! I was so excited, and I’m hoping that means I’ll be on track to get my braces off in January rather than February. I was ecstatic!
It was also good because I had scheduled my original appointment the week I have jury duty (which wasn’t ideal because I ran the risk of having to push the appointment back even further) but if I hadn’t, I would have had to push my appointment to the TWELVE week mark (early December) since Thanksgiving week is in between and they’re closed. That would have set me back a whole extra month. So, I’m grateful things worked out to get my appointment moved up… a big thanks to whoever out there canceled their appointment for that day so I could snag it! Haha.
After the orthodontist, Olivia finished homework in the car while we ran by the eye doctor to pick up my contacts for my right eye, and then Jacob and I dropped her off at dance.
When we got home, I tidied the kitchen and added a few items to the calendar, and then I got organized for Tuesday. I was getting ready to go for my walk when Brian reminded me that he had a tennis match and I had to pick up Olivia from dance. I had completely forgotten, so I ended up having to pivot for my walk and for dinner. Instead of walking, I ran most of the way so I could get home faster, and then rather than making chicken and some sides for dinner, I baked some biscuits for sliders.
Wednesday, October 22
Wednesday, I dropped the kids at school, and then I headed to the ENT doctor for a vertigo checkup. I told him all about my upper cervical chiropractor, and he was so impressed that he copied his business card from me so he can forward the info to other patients. He told me he now sees more patients for vertigo that stems from the upper cervical area than the actual inner ear.
At the end of my appointment, he told me that he was ready to release me assuming that I was okay with that, but he told me I was welcome to make an appointment for a year out (or call him any time before then if I need him), and I thanked him for never giving up on me. He was literally the only doctor who NEVER gave up on me these past two years during all of my vertigo and dizziness issues, and I am just so very grateful for that. He does still highly recommend that I try botox in my masseter muscles (jaw muscles) to stop from clenching at night (for some reason I have been clenching worse than ever the last few weeks), but I just don’t know that I want to go that route even though he said that he’s had so many patients who have had great success with it.
After I was done at the doctor’s office, I went to Target to return something and grab a couple of things we needed, and then I swung by UPS and the gas station on the way home.
When I got home, I did Friday’s blog post from start to finish, I caught up on my emails, and I caught up on responding to blog comments.
In the car line, I talked to our resource officer since he was out doing his rounds, and then I picked up Olivia when she got out. Jacob had E-sports, so he stayed behind.
At home, I got my Bible study done while Olivia did homework, and then I dropped her off at dance. When I got home, I went for a walk, and Brian and Jacob got home right before I did. The air was crisp and cool on my walk, the sun was shining, the leaves were falling, and it was just beautiful out. I love this time of year so much. I snapped a picture of our house because I just love the décor right now.
Brian left to pick Olivia up from dance after the kitchen was cleaned, and I did some work in my office while Jacob showered and got ready for bed. When Olivia got home, she showered and got ready for bed, and then Brian and I watched Saturday Night Live to end the night. She was too tired to dry her hair Wednesday night, so she wrapped it up in her little pumpkin wrap and when I went to check on her later, this is how I found her. Lol. I love her so much.
Thursday, I dropped the kids at school and then I headed home to do all the things:
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I caught up on emails (again)
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I paid three bills (and got some crap off my desk)
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I did lots of little annoying tasks that have been
hanging over my head for a while
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I prepped a couple of things for Christmas
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I tidied up my office closet and put away a few
things that have been sitting in there
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I called a couple of docs to get some medical
records released for an upcoming appointment
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I cleaned out my List Master app as it had gotten a
little junky (because – all the things)
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I got organized in general – I had notes everywhere
that needed to be put on the correct spots on our calendar, etc.
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I scheduled a skin test for January since my fall
allergies are kicking my butt this year (my allergist said that he thinks it’s
about that time for me to start allergy shots again, and the skin test will
determine that for sure)
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I composed most of my blog post for Monday
After all that, I got in the car line and read for a bit, and then we
went to music lessons. It was Olivia’s
turn to have me in there, and she had an hour-long lesson since she had a
makeup lesson scheduled in conjunction with her regular lesson.
She worked on her Interstellar piece for a bit, and then Mr. Steve gave her a Dave Matthews Band song to try – Satellite. Olivia saw a video of Dave Matthews recently and she started loving him, so she said that she wanted to learn a DMB song and I can’t tell y’all how happy that makes me!
She switched gears right after that and decided that she wants a Christmas piece to work on as well, so Mr. Steve wrote out the tab for Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. She started playing it immediately, but it’s a “fancy” version, so she’s struggling a little bit with it right now. I know she’ll get the hang of it, though, if she sticks with it!
It was so awesome to watch her, and she was sad when it was time to go even though we’d been there for a full hour. She loves her guitar lessons! And I was happy because it was not as cold as a meat locker in there for once. Mr. Steve was so kind to turn the air off before we got there because he knows I’m always cold. Haha.
We started watching an episode of Lego Masters Kids and then we showed the kids a skit from SNL with Sabrina Carpenter because he and I had already seen it and it reminded us of them since it was about a bunch of teenage boys using all of their middle school slang. It was so funny and if you have a middle or high schooler, you’ll definitely appreciate it. The kids thought it was hilarious.
After they got in the bed, Brian and I finished Saturday Night Live, and then we headed to bed.
Friday, October 24
Friday morning, I got the kids to school, and then I headed home to get stuff done. I finished my blog post for Monday, I did some blog housekeeping, I downloaded some new music, I caught up on blog reading, and then I had to prep for wedding weekend – ironing Jacob’s suit, steaming Olivia’s dress, packing, etc. I also tidied the kitchen and made sure all of my daily tasks were done since we were heading out of town right after school. I had a little bit of spare time before I had to get dressed for the wedding, so I started my blog post for Tuesday, and then I painted my toenails since I had to wear open-toed shoes.
Brian and I went to pick up the kids together, and then we swung by Chick-Fil-A for milkshakes on the way out of town. The drive to get to the wedding venue was an hour and 45 minutes, so I read most of the way, and I organized a few things on my phone.
The kids changed clothes when we arrived at the venue, and then we rehearsed for the ceremony. The kids were both in the wedding – junior bridesmaid and groomsman – so they had to rehearse. And one of my niece’s bridesmaids had to work, so she had me stand in for her during the rehearsal.
After that was done, they had a taco bar catered and everything was delicious. They had the works – beef, chicken, pork, queso, guac, salsa, chips, all the toppings, rice, and so much more + key lime cupcakes for dessert.
We ended up getting home by ten, and after the kids went to bed, Brian made Manhattans for us and we started season two of Nobody Wants This. We only watched one episode and then we called it a night since we had to be up early on Saturday.
Saturday, October 25
Saturday morning, we were up at 6:45 AM, we all got showered and in some casual clothes, and we hit the road, wedding attire in tow. We arrived at the venue just before 9:45 AM and settled in for a long day.
Haley’s mom and future mother-in-law + the whole wedding party were already there, so we hung out with them all morning. Olivia was getting her hair and makeup professionally done, so that’s why we’d arrived so early.
The boys watched ESPN College GameDay and football while all of us girls got ready, and mid-morning, we made mimosas to go with the blueberry muffin bake that my nephew had made. Olivia was SO excited about getting full hair and makeup done, and she looked so beautiful when it was done. Her skin – I DIE. I would do anything to have that flawless, dewy skin. I had also painted her fingernails and toenails, so she was extra fancy. ;o)
Brian, Olivia, and I snuck over to the main venue late in the morning and took some pictures. The wedding coordinator and her team were in there getting set up and everything was looking SO beautiful even though they weren’t anywhere near done.
We all ate when they got back and then it was time for us to get dressed as pictures would be starting soon for the bridal party. Y’all, just look at these babies of ours… I DIE. I love them so much. And that one of Olivia laughing and Jacob raising his eyebrows at her? That is quintessential Jacob and Olivia… that picture wasn’t staged at all. I just happened to capture it while they were goofing off.
Haley and Corey took a few more pictures with the wedding party after that, and then it was time for her to hide out in the bridal cabin as the guests were starting to arrive. I snuck over to the main venue to grab some more pictures of the décor, and everything was just perfect. So beautiful.
The wedding started shortly after that, and Jacob and Olivia looked darling. Jacob carried the rings and handed them over to the best man, and Olivia spread flower petals all over the ground before Haley was walked down the aisle by her mom (Brian’s sister). I don’t think there was a dry eye in the whole place when Haley and Jennifer came walking down the aisle… I was a mess. And Haley looked so dang gorgeous. I cannot believe that she is married, y’all. She was only three years old the first time I met her.
The ceremony was short and sweet, and the officiant (one of Haley and Corey’s friends) made a 6-7 joke that had my kids cracking up. I really, really hope the wedding photographer got a picture of it. Haley and Corey didn’t want any guests taking pictures or videos during the wedding, so I don’t have but one picture from the ceremony (I discreetly snapped one of the kids as they were exiting together), and I also grabbed this one that one of Haley’s friends posted on Facebook. :o)
There was a cocktail hour after the ceremony with an open bar, but we were all needed for family pictures first. Once those were taken, we grabbed some whiskey and Cokes from the bar and joined everyone on the patio.
The weather could not have been more perfect for their wedding – the high was in the mid-70’s, there was no humidity whatsoever, it was sunny, and then there was a chill in the air after the sun set. It was seriously perfect.
After cocktail hour was over, we headed inside to be seated, and the DJ had everyone answer questions about the new couple to decide who could get in line for food first. We ended up getting in line about midway through, and I was so ready to eat! They had pulled pork sliders, chicken fingers, mac and cheese bites, a mashed potato bar with loads of toppings, and lots of desserts – wedding cake, grooms cake (which was chocolate cake with dark chocolate mocha), mini cheesecakes, and a candy bar for the kids.
After dinner, Haley and Corey had their first dance, and then Haley danced with her brother before Corey danced with his mom. These pictures are just so dang sweet.
Around eight, we did a sparkler exit, and I can’t wait to see the pictures from that! It was beautiful in person!
Sunday, October 26
Sunday morning, we woke up to the coziest dreary day, and we had nowhere to be until dinnertime, so thankfully, we had the entire day to get caught up on all the weekend chores and relax a little since we were all so exhausted.
I slept until nine, and then I made waffles for breakfast. After breakfast, we were all productive for a bit:
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We unpacked from the wedding
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We cleaned up our tornado of a house… we had
literally just come home and thrown everything down from the wedding, so there
was stuff everywhere
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The kids showered
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The kids did their laundry for the week
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I washed the towels
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I transferred all of the pictures from my phone and
got them organized
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I texted Haley a bunch of pictures and videos from
the wedding
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I got my planner ready for the week ahead
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I watched my sermon for the weekend
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The kids deep cleaned their bathroom
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I (finally) finished decorating for Halloween
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The kids tidied the whole house including the playroom
which was a disaster
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The kids tried on their Halloween costumes that had
delivered Saturday while we were gone
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Jacob didn’t like his so we ordered a different one
that should arrive the day before Halloween (yikes)
Brian left to play tennis after lunch and the kids and I stayed
home. I got showered and they played
video games. Then, I settle in my office
to get some more work done. I wanted to
work on this post since I knew it would be long, and I might have busted out
Serendipity to watch while I worked. I
usually save that for November 1 and the Christmas season, but I was READY,
y’all.
We went to my parents’ house for Sunday dinner, and my Aunt Joy joined us for the first time ever since my uncle was out of town. Momma made our favorite fettuccine alfredo bake with Caesar salad and bread along with a spice caramel cake and everything was soooo delicious.
Currently Reading
In October, I read four books – You Deserve to Know by Aggie Blum Thompson (4 stars), The Coworker by Freida McFadden (4 stars), One by One by Freida McFadden (4 stars), and I’ll wrap up The Locked Door by Freida McFadden before the month is over, but I’m not rating it yet since I’m not quite done.
I’m also still reading my devotional for 2025 – Everyday Gospel by Paul David Tripp. And I’m reading my Bible along with The Bible in a Year with Father Mike Schmitz.
Currently
Watching
With B: In October, Brian and I finished The Leftovers, and we started the new seasons of Saturday Night Live and Nobody Wants This. We are also watching a ton of college football as well as a little bit of pro football here and there. We are also still in the middle of The Chosen and we’ll pick that up again eventually.
With the Kids: In October, we started Lego Masters Junior, and we started and finished Is It Cake? Halloween. We also watched Hocus Pocus, and we watched more Universal Studios rides on YouTube to prepare for our trip earlier this month.
Alone: I watched Father of the Bride II a couple of times on Sunday afternoons during my Sunday office time, but I recently switched to Serendipity because, yes, we had one cozy, cold day and just like that, I was ready for Christmas. Haha.
Currently
Listening To
The Life of a Showgirl on repeat. The end. JK, we have also thrown in a few songs from our Halloween play list and some cocktail jazz for good measure. But seriously, TLOAS on repeat.
Happy Tuesday, y’all!
