November

A previous coworker lost her 22 year old daughter to a health crisis no one understands. Two friends called crying about a family member's cancer diagnosis. My mom is still reeling from the horror of sibling behavior around the death of her brother. A local plane fell from the sky. In the mess, it's easy to focus on the debris, but the morning quite literally rose from ashes with a stunning sunrise and gorgeous full moon after the plane crash. I have a choice to make daily. What will I see and focus my heart? Still not a Pollyanna by nature, I chase light and seek peace. In recent years, that has meant closing out all social media, remaining news free, stepping away from the church who sees it all as God's wrath and limiting my exposure to those who obsess over the current headline. Life is simply too hard without all that. I have made peace with the fact I will likely never have the answers I seek from the universe. As it turns out, I recently read, the universe actually doesn't owe me an explanation. This tracks. 

Post lake house nap because resting from rest was apparently required.

A friend generously lent us her lake house for a weekend retreat. Greg and I walked, rested, dined and absorbed the remaining moments of a gorgeous fall season away from the chaos of the world. We are beyond grateful for the gift. 

For his birthday, Makenna got them tickets to the big rival game.

This is Evan. We are calling him Blue Evan because he is a University of Kentucky fan. Erin's Evan is now Red Evan because he is a University of Louisville fan. Both Evans are pretty serious about their team. I've informed everyone we really haven't experienced much sibling rivalry in our family so I would like the significant others to hold it together. But the story of two Evans is pretty sweet. Both Evans are here because their younger sisters were close friends with Baughman sister. Erin teasingly demanded Makenna get her own story and not steal hers but here we are, none the less. 

Red Evan in the background of the rival game on Blue Evan's birthday.

I cannot with this dog. But also, Lauren cannot with Dean's overalls. 

Makenna decided she was ready to land on her own two feet and signed a lease for the end of this month. She left and took her bad babies with her. Despite the destruction and chaos, I actually liked the little stinkers and miss their snuggles. Diesel misses their energy but Oliver is completely relieved to be free of their constant attacks and relentless energy. I've slowly been replacing curtains, bed skirts, rugs and have drywall repairs planned for the near future. Frankie and Freddie were the kings of destruction.

Austin, "so like 4 minutes into that show, I knew Buddy had special needs."

I treated this crew to Elf at Derby Dinner Playhouse. Makenna took her first PTO day for the school year and was emailed during the show about a fight breaking out in her absence. Her class is ROUGH. Austin was as usual, very attentive and enjoyed himself but declared the musical as "very dramatic." I simply cannot love moments shared with him more. 

This one needed me to sew her baby blanket back together so she could sleep that night. It was in pieces after decades of love.

It was originally Makenna's but Kate adopted it when she was an infant and it's still treasured. The repair was sloppy but she was delighted it was saved. 

We hosted Thanksgiving around preparations for Makenna's move. Things weren't as settled as I would have preferred but it was still a good day. My sister brought Makenna her old patio furniture and her family, minus Brennen who was at home with back  spasms. My parents also arrived with appetizers and a Christmas tree for Makenna. All of our girls and their significant others hung out as well. Makenna declared the day her own version of a Turkey Trot with three total Thanksgiving meals between us and both sides of Blue Evan's family. Kate and Riley also started with an early lunch with his family before joining us. Despite this, we had so much food, I wasn't sure how to lay it all out. It was quite a spread. Each of the girls contributed side dishes and even though I provided take home containers, our fridge was stocked once the kitchen was cleaned. We won't need groceries for a hot minute; thank goodness.

Candle painting station 

I started the puzzle the evening before so it could feasibly be completed on Thanksgiving. Dean and Lauren took it home to work on it again.

The coloring tablecloth is always a hit.

Frankie

Freddie 

Once Makenna left, I spent two days recovering the spare rooms and closets. It was dusty work so I went ahead and hauled out the Christmas decor. I decided one massive clean up made more sense than two large ones. The twinkle light while winter winds blew this weekend made for a cozy atmosphere. 

Now that Frankie and Freddie have a new address, puzzles can be left out for casual attention.

The girls painted the snowmen during Thanksgiving and I think they are adorable.

THE game.

Other than the stockings, I think this look can carry us through February.

October

We kicked off the month with fall break for Lauren, Makenna, Ty and Austin. Makenna headed west to Moab, Utah with a group to ride ATVs and side by sides in the stunning desert. We actually had to talk her into this once in a lifetime opportunity as she felt she needed to devote the break to planning and preparing for the next quarter of the school year. Being restored will carry her further, in my not so humble opinion. She is so glad she went. 

Kate and Riley headed to Gulf Shores, Alabama with his family for a week on the beach. They had not yet arrived when his family dog became suddenly catastrophically ill and had to be put down. It was a brutal start to their vacation. However, they made the most of the week on the beach, including family photos that involved a proposal. We knew it was coming after a few indepth conversations where we asked Riley to wait a few years and he quite respectfully declined. He fits right in around here. They are young and we are still reeling from the impact of both Taylor and Noah's infidelity. Riley deserves better than to be held responsible for their transgressions; however, we see age as factor and would like to see Kate more sure of herself before being committed for life. It will be what it will be and like her sisters before her, Kate too is stubborn resilient. Riley's family is supportive and adores Kate. So whereas we aren't over the moon, we are also not disappointed. She says they will wait a couple of years before getting married and this helps my racing heart. Our beautiful girl is engaged.

We got the pleasure of keeping Makenna's cats and Riley's dog while they all vacationed. It was absolute chaos and not in the best way. The house may never recover but the cats loved Nali's energy and Diesel slept for days once she left. I lost one lamp in a sudden onset bout of zoomies and was never more thrilled to open windows to air out the odor associated with a house full of animals. 

Austin had a sleepover with pops around an OSU game while Lauren attended an evening wedding and I worked all weekend. Unfortunately he woke with a rash that Sunday and spent the entire next week pretty sick with Fifth Disease. October weather finally arrived just as he went down with the virus and I spent days in bed fighting something myself. On our final day of break together, we were both ready to stretch our legs so we walked the zoo for an hour and a half, sticking to the perimeter and away from enclosed exhibits. We knew we weren't yet strong enough to combat whatever the general public was sharing that afternoon. I'm glad we got the outing before routine resumed. 

I spent my birthday with Anne and Kristil in Nashville, Indiana shopping and enjoying brunch on a sweet garden patio. We all commented on the relaxed day and how good it is to see one another. We promised to do it again soon. However, there is a rumor of a possible job opportunity for Kristil's husband that would bring them to Louisville. I have crossed all my fingers and toes. That would be amazing. On my drive home, Austin called to wish me a happy birthday and invited me for ice cream where I had to get a photo with other family member born on the second. Since I'd not eaten anything since brunch, I chose a gyro instead of ice cream. Austin found my decision perplexing and judged hard. 

He is now two years old and allegedly better behaved.

Bringing me joy this month: open windows, colorful lemonade stand with a gentle lie about delicious warm lemonade, a pop up pumpkin patch along the highway, kiddos in the Halloween aisle declaring who they will be this year, good books, long naps, phone calls with Austin, group chat banter among sisters, soup Sundays at Erin's, harvest sunsets draping the world in golden light, Ty's word vomit when he is behind the wheel, phone-free walks, Austin's giggle when he is up to no good, nose-to-nose chats with Frankie, sunlight filtered through fall leaves, the smell of rain, crunching leaves on otherwise quiet walks, work pitch-ins and contests, Cuban food with Erin, sweatshirts and cozy blankets.

This dog. He unmakes beds to get cozy and secure his spot. You would not believe the pouting that takes place when Greg comes home from work early and wants his spot back.

Soup Sunday Greeting Committee President

Makenna bought herself a new to her jeep after Moab. She is in love and assures me she can sleep in it. Given she currently lives with us, this might be good news. Just kidding. Kinda. We love her. And her cats. 

Her first duck is a teacher duck and was gifted to her by the dealership manager.

She got ducked while we were shopping together! This jeep is so much fun.

Top off!

The kids asked my sister to host a Halloween party for nostalgia purposes. They all missed the messy pumpkin carving, pretzels dipped in chocolate and time together. Theresa, of course, went all out. We had the most amazing day together. However, my mom was called away just before we arrived to support her brother as he drew his final breaths. Cancer ate away at him slowly and painfully over the last several months. I have so many angry thoughts swirling in my head about the way he suffered. It simply isn't right and certainly shouldn't be necessary. This country is more humane to suffering animals than people.

From left to right, artists were Austin, Dean, me, Kate, Erin

Mine. 

My sister never ceases to amaze me with her creativity and decor details. She makes everything feel special.

Little man got pretty choked up releasing this his fuzzy friend. He has such a heart for all animals.

The following is the story of one very sweet baby. Boo came to us late last year, terrified of literally everything until he was comfortable. We noticed how well he tolerated Diesel's affection and Oliver's indifference so we reluctantly sent him to live with Erin and her not so welcoming cat, Ada. Erin had wanted another family member but Ada had a track record that made her more than a little apprehensive. I honestly believed Boo, re-named Ezra in his new home,  would be a good fit because he could hold his own; however, he quickly grew so comfortable, he terrorized Ada to the point Erin knew she had to give him up. I wanted him back but Makenna had just moved in with her two kittens, so Kate added him to her family. Riley insisted on another name change so Ezra became Vader and fit in beautifully with Obi and Nali. He had health issues repeatedly and required a lot of antibiotics to combat recurring bladder infections. Kate noticed his swollen belly when she returned from vacation and thought he was constipated. She started him on pumpkin baby food to help get things moving. A few days later, I visited and felt his extremely distended belly and protruding spine and knew he was in trouble. Kate took him to the vet where he was immediately admitted in critical condition with liver failure from an unknown source. Overnight IV antibiotics improved his situation temporarily but he quickly declined again and lost his life. We are all heartbroken. He was such a fun little guy who maintained a gorgeous coat and bright eyes until the very end. For those keeping track, that is two pet losses for Kate and Riley this month. It's been tough.

Boo

Ezra

Vader

Rest easy, beautiful boy

Two of Makenna's students chose to dress as Ms. Baughman for their dress up as the person you want to be when you grow up day. One made an Alani out of a water bottle and wore a colorful sweater. The other wore messy hair and leggings as Ms. Baughman on Fridays. I cannot love this more.

 

A sweet treat from a coworker. How cute is this?

Halloween was a festive evening with our entire crew and their significant others all gathered for the first pot of chili for the season alongside grilled hot dogs. It's our tradition. We all sat out front handing out candy and laughing together. It was a beautiful ending to a gorgeous month. 

He really wanted to pass out candy instead of trick or treat but his mom and Dean needed the candy so they made him walk 😂

Nali as a highland cow wearing Austin's Godzilla mask. Of course. 

October is my favorite and despite the challenges this particular October presented, it remains so. We had cause for grief alongside celebration. Behind the scenes, we are privately navigating some tough life but still showing up to support one another. I've attempted to memorize the beauty of this season to prepare my heart for the long, dark months ahead.