Lauren Sparks

The Sparks Notes

  • Home
  • About
  • Favorites
  • Policies
  • Contact

Au Revoir to October

October 28, 2022 by Lauren 24 Comments

au revoirOne more choir concert for us, then Halloween and October will be over.  It’s finally starting to feel like fall here in Texas and the cooler temps are like a balm to me.  Taking my exercise outdoors has been a treat and putting on a sleeve feels sweet.  And yet it hasn’t been the easiest month for me.  Chuck’s doctor wanted to take another biopsy and waiting for the results sent us both into a little tailspin.  I am so grateful that the results were benign, but my reaction to it showed me that my mental health needed more attention that I’ve shown it.  A call to my doctor and a medication increase has me feeling more myself.  So I’m OK with saying au revoir to this month.

 

Nice weather accompanied the last Homecoming parade and pep rally for our high school senior.  This pep rally is no joke – it includes fireworks.  We enjoyed taking Shelby who gave astonished, “yeah”s throughout the display.  It is sometimes sweet to have a child who never grows up.au revoir

 

Allie and her date exchanged mums and enjoyed the football game and the dance.  Afterward, a group of friends retreated out of town to a supervised lake house for the night.  It was even warm enough to play on the water the next day.  On a side note, if you want to go down a fascinating rabbit trail, google Texas Homecoming Mums.  If you are not from here, you will not believe what you find!  My daughter chose to tone it down from the traditional senior mum and garter.  And she was glad.

 

After HOCO

 

My mom, sisters and I escaped to the Texas Hill Country for the Big Boo Cast Live – an in-person version of one of my favorite podcasts.  Together we are carrying some hard things in this season, but it was nice to get away, laugh and shop.

 

While I was away, my husband decided to arrange a date between my daughter Shelby and a friend from her school days.  I wrote a little about Matthew in Graduation and Complex Feelings, and they had not seen each other since that May ceremony.  They were delighted to see each other and go to Lyle, Lyle Crocodile with Chuck.  Matthew held Shelby’s hand throughout the entire show, even as she slept through half of it.  He wanted many pictures taken of the two of them and posted one on his social media.  So precious.

 

In the Middle

 

Mid-October brought Allie’s Fall Choir Concert and an invitation for her varsity choir to sing with the University of North Texas A Capella Choir.  We also worshipped again with Allie leading at church.  And we capped off a musical month with Allie performing in the Sing Out solo show, and her jazz choir performing with Voces8, an a cappella ensemble from the United Kingdom.  My former choir boy husband lapped it all up.

 

October’s Entertainment

 

My sister recommended Glad You’re Here:  Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences by Walker Hayes (the pop country singer and songwriter) and Craig Allen Cooper.  I’m so glad she did.  My ears devoured the audio version in two days time.  I recommend this beautiful story of relational evangelism and community.  Autumn in Sycamore Park by CP Ward popped up as a free Kindle book.  I can’t resist a theme, but confess it’s a bit of a slow slog.  But true to form, I’m not ready to give up on it yet.

 

We went to see Ticket to Paradise with George Clooney and Julia Roberts at the theater.  I loved this old-school light hearted comedy – a lot more than critics did.  And now as this month is almost over, this post definitely is.  I love you, I thank you and I hope November treats you well.

 

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

 

I loved studying Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis a few years ago with my life group and also love that Lois Flowers has pulled out some key quotes for easy access in Mere Christianity:  7 Helpful Quotes for Modern Day Readers.

The Link Up

 

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

Grace and Truth_Meet Hosts

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LAUREN SPARKS
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

 Now Let’s Link Up!

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of using the buttons below to share it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!  Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links and I earn from qualifying purchases. If you buy anything from one of these links, I will receive a few pennies to help offset the cost of this website at no additional charge to you. Thank you in advance for your help.

 

 

 

 

 

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: book review, Christian, family, Grace & Truth Link Up, mental health, monthly review Tagged With: Big Boo Cast, homecoming, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, Texas Homecoming Mums, Walker Hayes

Comments

  1. Amy Johnson says

    October 28, 2022 at 8:23 am

    It sounds like you had another very busy month. I’m glad your hubby’s biopsy was benign but yes, I can only imagine the stress you have been in. I will google Texas Mums…that sounds interesting to a flower lover from me. As for the George Clooney/Julia Roberts movie, I haven’t seen it, but I found I always disagree with movie critics so I’m sure I’ll love it. Thanks for the party.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 28, 2022 at 1:51 pm

      Make sure it’s Texas Homecoming Mums you google. Outrageous! And I’m with you. I often don’t agree with critics.

      Reply
  2. Barbara Harper says

    October 28, 2022 at 10:14 am

    A sweet but busy month for you! I clicked through to the C. P. Ward book–it was free for the Kindle, so I got it.

    I grew up in TX, but don’t remember the homecoming mums being a thing then–but that was decades ago. Fun!

    I shared the books I read this month on my end-of-month post yesterday. My favorite was The Italian Ballerina by Kristy Cambron. And I also “discovered” Grace Livingston Hill–I’d heard of her but never read her books til this month.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 28, 2022 at 1:50 pm

      I am just tagged The Italian Ballerina at my local library. Thank you!

      Reply
    • Lisa Blair says

      October 28, 2022 at 7:05 pm

      Grace Livingston Hill has some great books, Barbara. And a few of them have been narrated and are available on audible. The Obsession of Victoria Gracen, Aunt Crete’s Emancipation and Cloudy Jewel are three of my favorites.

      Reply
      • Lauren says

        November 3, 2022 at 11:02 am

        Thanks for those recommendations!

        Reply
  3. Joanne says

    October 28, 2022 at 2:22 pm

    I’ve been wanting to see Ticket To Paradise; I used to love those old school rom-coms so much. It sounds like a very busy month. Homecoming isn’t that big of a deal in our town; they have a small school only pep rally and then a semi-formal dance and that’s it. No prom king/queen/ homecoming court, etc. No parades and certainly no fireworks.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      October 28, 2022 at 2:30 pm

      Your version of Homecoming sounds better!

      Reply
  4. Trudy says

    October 28, 2022 at 2:48 pm

    I’m so glad the biopsy was benign, Lauren. I have never heard of homecoming mums! I guess I never thought of different homecoming traditions. 🙂 Love and blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 3, 2022 at 11:03 am

      Trudy, it is a hoot every year to see pictures of some of the ridiculous mums. I just can’t believe some spend hundreds of dollars on them!

      Reply
  5. Tammy L Kennington says

    October 28, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    Lauren, I love seeing a photo of your husband feeling well and am so grateful his results were benign. After all you two have been through, your body is bound to respond. That must be so rough.

    Glad you could fit in some time to enjoy movies, books, and girl time.

    Blessings to you,
    Tammy

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 3, 2022 at 11:02 am

      Thank you, Tammy. Not going to lie, sometimes I question why we have been given so many challenges. But I always come back to the sovereignty and goodness of God.

      Reply
  6. Lisa Blair says

    October 28, 2022 at 7:06 pm

    It sounds like an intense month, Lauren – intense challenges and intense joys. May the Lord continue to strengthen and encourage your heart.

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 3, 2022 at 11:00 am

      Thank you for that prayer, Lisa!

      Reply
  7. Tea With Jennifer says

    October 28, 2022 at 7:41 pm

    Hi Lauren,
    It was so wonderful to hear your hubby’s results were benign, such an answer to prayer! 🤗

    What a busy month you’ve had!

    I spent yesterday at my granddaughter’s last primary ‘Grandparents Day’ at her school, as she goes into high school next year.
    As you know she has special needs.
    It was such a fun time & several of the other children in her class, whose grandparents couldn’t attend, adopted me as their grandparent for the day! Which my granddaughter was happy to share. So sweet! 🥰
    Blessings, Jennifer

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 3, 2022 at 11:00 am

      How very sweet and kind of you, Jennifer!

      Reply
  8. Lois Flowers says

    October 29, 2022 at 9:49 am

    You’ve had a FULL month, Lauren. I’m so glad your husband’s biopsy turned out OK but sorry for the stress that caused. I always appreciate your movie mentions–I’m going to put Ticket to Paradise on our list. I don’t really get the homecoming mums tradition–the whole event is a bit more laid back here in Kansas. (So laid back that my daughter didn’t even go this year!) It sounds like Allie had fun, though, and that’s the main thing, right? Thanks for sharing my Lewis post and I hope you have a good November! 🙂

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 3, 2022 at 11:00 am

      Thanks so much, Lois.

      Reply
  9. Maryleigh says

    October 31, 2022 at 9:30 am

    I googled Texas Homecoming Mums – and WOW – Do they all use the “mum” flower in them? I couldn’t tell! I’m not tremendously craft, so I think that would create huge anxiety for me! LOL Our town has a homecoming parade, but homecoming is nothing like it was when we were in school! It was a Big Deal then! It sounds like your month has been packed with good things – Praying you get the rest and refreshing you need!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 3, 2022 at 10:59 am

      They do all use the mum flower (artificial) in them but then cover them with teddy bears, ribbons, bows, sometimes twinkle lights, etc. It is insane.

      Reply
  10. Linda Stoll says

    November 1, 2022 at 10:31 am

    I absolutely love that picture of Shelby and Matthew! They’re just glowing with happiness. Makes my day, Lauren!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 3, 2022 at 10:58 am

      Me too, Linda. Thank you.

      Reply
  11. Lisa notes says

    November 3, 2022 at 2:32 pm

    I saw Ticket to Paradise yesterday with a friend. While I predicted the ending as soon as I saw the previews, it was still a fun movie. 🙂 You had a very busy month doing lots of fun things!

    Reply
    • Lauren says

      November 4, 2022 at 12:23 pm

      Sometimes predictable movies are very comforting to me. Glad you had fun seeing it!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

About Me

I love Jesus, my husband and caffeine. The order of these can change depending on how tired I am. When my two daughters, stepson, and 4 grandchildren get to be too much, I practice yoga. God graciously allows me to share our adventures, victories and flub-ups from my laptop. May He be glorified here.
Read More

Subscribe for Updates

Enter your information below to receive the latest updates from the blog!

Recent Posts

  • I’ve Got Tears in My Ears (and Other Funny Titles)
  • Verse Mapping Joy!
  • Grace Upon Grace
  • First Friday Prayers: Prayer for the Caregiver
  • The Grand Finale of February

Find Devotionals By Me in These Books and Click on Image for Order Information!

A 25-Week Bible Study with Topics from Abide to Zeal
A 26 week journey to a better prayer life.
30 devotionals for faith that moves mountains

For Sharing

Lauren Sparks

Like Podcasts? I’m on This One

…and This One! click to listen.

Click below to get a free trial of my favorite technology monitoring platform

Need More Than Just Monitoring? Find Filters and Accountability Here

Search This Site

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Lauren Sparks | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

Stop!  Don't Miss Out!

I have a brand new e-book.  This was Not On My Bingo Card:  Essays on Cancer and Related Surprises is available to you FREE by simply subscribing to my blog!  

Invalid email address
I promise not to spam you. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Thanks for subscribing!