It’s finally starting to feel like fall here in the South. And I’d like to start my monthly muster by telling you another way (besides the cooler air) that God showed His kindness to us. Believe it or not, it involves helping someone move. During the last two and a half years, my hard-working husband experienced some pretty intense and repeated job upheaval, so the coffers are a little thinner than in previous years. What we do have, though, is an extra vehicle because the hubs now has a work truck. So we have two full size pick up trucks. And God has provided multiple ways for us to be generous with this truck when we can’t be generous with funds. So kind.
Chuck and I got dressed up to finally attend the Double Down for Dravet, a fundraiser for the Dravet Syndrome Foundation. Spending time with fellow families and hearing one of our favorite docs talk about how close we are to a cure for the condition my daughter suffers from made for a great night. My daughter also had her first high school homecoming. For those of you not from Texas, that is a mum she has tied around her neck. I don’t know how to describe it exactly except to say it is a thing. If you like to laugh while you learn, my friend Heather wrote a great post about homecoming mums here. 
My best friend flew in for a weekend we have been looking forward to for six months. We did a wood sign painting class, watched Baylor (Sic ‘Em!) and Dallas football and went to a Popcast Live Show. If you don’t listen to the Popcast podcast with Knox and Jamie, you are missing out on about 100 laughs a week. My BFF and I connect across multiple states over this weekly ritual and the live version was, although more expensive, much more fun. And I only cried a little when I put her back on the plane.
Allie had her first official high school choir concert and we are sooooo excited about her future her musical endeavors. Shelby bowled in the Special Olympics area meet and brought home a bronze medal. I think she likes the medals even more than the bowling. Our church threw a 20th anniversary celebration for our neighborhood with food, games, rides, magic shows and an outdoor service. After attending, serving and playing, we made an exhausted b-line to Sonic for Route 44’s.
I’m always happy to see the return of fall TV. A new This is Us season always debuts the week of my birthday. Because God is good. We are trying a couple of new shows. Bob hearts Abishola is a cute 30 minute sitcom and Almost Family fascinates me in a train wreck/can’t look away sort of thing. Time for reading mostly eludes me. I fall asleep entirely too quickly. I did start Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter, but have yet to finish. And I’ve been re-reading The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery in order to lead a discussion of it with a group of friends. The Enneagram is having a moment. If you haven’t looked into all the fuss, I highly recommend this book. I even wrote a review of it here.
I picked up a new snack on a whim while standing at the check out. I couldn’t find the exact flavor online, but these are close. These chips are yummy but the flavor is strong. And there has not been a gum or mint yet invented that can handle the breath they left me with. I had to basically start my day all over with a brush and floss!
The rest of our month feels like it took place in one doctor’s office or another. Allie has continued follow up and therapy for her concussion and, although not fully released, is working diligently to catch up on the school work she missed while impaired. Shelby moved to a less restrictive version of the drug trial she continues to benefit from. Yay! Chuck, now that he is 50, started his grown up journey to longevity by finally scheduling with a primary care doc. A family member endured a big surgery (I don’t want to tell someone else’s story – hope you understand), and the whole family suffers from congestion and cough.
To finish the month on a fun note, the winner of the Quest Q and A Study Bible is Leslie Coffey! Please check your email for details on getting your prize! Thank you to all who subscribed to enter. I hope you will stay for the fellowship. And…I dressed up for Halloween with my co-workers. Can you guess what I am? Drop your comments below. I know it’s punny, but I just can’t help myself. And I love you, I thank you, and I hope November treats you well.
You’re a maple leaf! Hope your November is a blessed month for all of you, Lauren.
That’s incorrect, Martha. Thanks for playing!
I enjoyed this. This is great, recapping your month like this. “Time for reading eludes me.” I don’t read as much as I used to, which I don’t feel that bad about. I get a little reading in every day. Some days more than others.
I love to read so much that I wish I had more time, Amy. Thanks for reading and commenting.
So there is a cure? Amazing and hopeful! Rosemary looks good and yes, I fall asleep while reading too. (:
There isn’t yet a cure, but researchers think we are close. So exciting!
Congrats to Shelby for her bronze medal and to Allie for her first concert. Such beautiful girls! I loved reading about your weekend with your BFF. I am lucky that mine lives only about an hour away (by car). We don’t see each other nearly enough, but I cherish the time I get to spend with her. I tend to be a little bit timid, conservative and she encourages me to be bold, which I love!
We are both lucky to have friends like these. It’s my favorite!
The days are slow in some ways and then fly by. Are you a piece of bacon?
So close. Canadian bacon. Thanks for playing!
What a busy month! But a full one with lots of neat activities. I guessed maple leaf, too. 🙂 I have an acquaintance who had a concussion–I had no idea they took so long to heal. I hope you daughter continues to heal from hers.
I had no idea either, Barbara. I’m praying for a release from the doctor at our appt today.
I so love it! Canadian Bacon!!!!
Thank you for sharing at the Farm Fresh Tuesdays Blog Hop this week!
Melissa | Little Frugal Homestead
Yes! Thanks for playing, Melissa.
What a busy month! You are Canadian Bacon! 🙂
https://www.kathrineeldridge.com
Yes! Thanks for playing, Katherine.
Overall it sounds like a pretty good month. We gave Bob hearts Abishola a shot too and I think it’s pretty cute but have a gut feeling it will be canceled. It doesn’t seem like many 30 minute sitcoms make the cut and I miss those. I feel like we are spending time with waay to many Doctors recently. I mean I love our Doctors but other than annual well visits I’d rather not see them.
I know what you mean about sitcoms. And I relate to spending too much time with doctors! Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
Sounds like it was a fun October. Canadian Bacon – very creative and fun! May November be just as wonderful for you and your family!
You got it! Thank you Joanne.
Love the Canadian Bacon costume 🙂 I hope they find a cure and your daughter is well again…prayers for your family.
Thank you for sharing your post on Farm Fresh Tuesdays…I look forward to hearing more updates this week!
Thank you, Lisa. So glad to have found you on the interwebs!
And this time change really makes me fall asleep!!!
Yes it does! I feel tired so much earlier in the day.
I say, “Goodriddens October.” You did not live up to your promises here in the south. You were way too hot! LOL November is behaving much better, and the leaves are gorgeous!!! It may be peak weekend here in Atlanta this weekend. 🙂 It’s so beautiful!
Thanks for linking up at InstaEncouragements, Lauren!
I agree, Patsy!
Oh my word, Lauren! The Canadian bacon has me in a fit of laughter! I do love a good pun and it’s even better in the form of a costume! Those chips look amazing and as I sit here with serious PMS going on, I want some! I also love the return of Fall television, but my pleasures are in the singing competitions…The Voice and American Idol. I watched AI religiously with my mother way back when. And since she passed in 2006, I have never missed an episode. It makes me feel close to her. Thanks for sharing your October with us!
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I love a pun too, Shelby. Much to my husband’s chagrin. I love your connection to your mom through your show. I’m kind of embarrassed to say that I used to watch AI only for the lousy singers in the beginning weeks and then lost interest when all the contestants actually had talent. How twisted is that?
Well, I don’t think it is that twisted! They make those audition parts out to be funny in a way and if that is the part that you enjoyed for the humor, it’s not really all that bad. There was one season many years ago where there was a terrible contestant who kept getting put through to the next level and I would call my sister on the phone and tell her that he was ruining my life. To this day, we still chuckle about that and I will use it as an analogy if something in life is getting me down…I compare it to that poor guy! I guess we all have a bit of twistedness in us.
Shelbee
http://www.shelbeeontheedge.com
I think you are right, Shelbee. What a boring world it would be if we didn’t!
Your costume is great! It definitely gave me a chuckle! It’s wonderful how positive you are and I think that a helping hand is worth so much more than a gift!
Thank you for your kind words Laura!
Hi Lauren, Thanks for sharing your month with us. 🙂
Thanks for coming on the journey with me, Karen.
i loved your costume, too. Very creative.
Sounds like all in all, you had a good month. How cool you got to attend a Popcast with your BFF! Fall weather didn’t really kick in here until the last week or so of October.
Thanks Jerralea. And yes, everything I do with my BFF is awesome!
Thank you for sharing about your month, and I hope you all feel more healthy again now! Love your Canadian Bacon outfit, it’s an unusal choice 😀
I hope they’re right about the chance of a cure for your daughter’s condition, and if not, good support, understanding and kindness goes a long way, doesn’t it? (I have an autistic son, and feel I can relate.)
Hoping that November is treating you well so far! xo #GlobalBlogging
We special needs parents definitely do understand each other. Thank you for your kind words and wishes. Praying God’s best for you and your son.
That is such a fun costume, Lauren! It took me a second or two to get it – at first I thought you were a flag…but then it clicked!! Thank you for sharing your month with us. Homecoming sounds fun, but I’m sorry you all have had some health challenges! Hope everyone is feeling much better very soon, and your daughter recovers fully from her concussion. Thank you so much for being a part of the Hearth and Soul Link Party! I hope your November has started off well.
Thank you, April. And thanks for hosting such a great link up. laurensparks.net