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.