twin Archives - Lauren Sparks

I can’t believe we are about to wrap up another month. It passed quickly…you know, for as slow as 2020 continues to be.

I want to start by thanking those of you who prayed for my husband’s job search. Chuck landed internally with his company right before Labor Day in a Human Resources role. He is officially called the “People Operations Lead” and I have believed for years that this position suits him perfectly. Encouraging, listening and developing others comes naturally for him; and I can’t wait to see how God uses him to bless others.

Since yall are obviously so good at prayer, let me add something else to your list. The dry needling and physical therapy I told you about here only worsened the discomfort in my heels, so I am seeing a new doc and trying a new treatment or two. Allie is continuing PT for her ankle to improve range of motion since her break and surgeries.

We entered a “new normal” as our girls went back to in-person learning. First, our family paid a visit to my parents and PawPaw (who I wrote about here last week) over Labor Day weekend. School is definitely different with masks and social distancing and procedures for contact tracing. The youngest is tackling three Advanced Placement classes so the challenges take many forms. We give thanks for it all, though. Most of the time. But we thank our teachers and administrators all of the time. Their tireless work make this kooky year possible.

Access-Life, a Christian organization bridging the gap for individuals and families living with disabilities, brought their expo to Lake Grapevine on the 12th. We enjoyed boating, kayaking, arts and crafts and a food truck on a beautiful morning. So thankful for the opportunity to share some fun in the sun with Shelby.

In the middle of the month we went down to the Texas Hill Country to see my husband’s family and “bee” (that was the theme) present for my niece’s 1st birthday party. We enjoyed visiting and drinking in the cuteness.

In more stationary pursuits (stolen shamelessly from the Popcast), I read Where Does a Mother Go to Resign? by Barbara Johnson. Written in 1979, the text is a little dated, but still full of wisdom on parenting when things turn sour. I think she even convinced me to maintain my maternal post. I listened to an enlightening episode of The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey podcast (#314) featuring Rachel Gilson. I watched the movie Greyhound with Tom Hanks on Apple Plus, The Kissing Booth 2 (I know it’s a teen movie but there are so few romantic comedies now) with my daughter and my sister on her Netflix, and started the series The Durrells in Corfu on Amazon Prime. I recommend all – except maybe The Kissing Booth.

Speaking of romantic comedies, the hubs and I ventured out to an actual theater for a movie date. Twice. Haven’t done that since Covid lockdown, but we felt completely safe. The first show, The Personal History of David Copperfield, gave the classic story a fresh multi-ethnic twist. The Hamilton influence is all over it, and I love. Chuck, not so much. We both gave thumbs up to The Broken Hearts Gallery, which offered a unique premise and funny script. And there were never more than four other people in the theater with us. That’s what I call social distancing!

Last, and maybe least, I turn another year older today. As does my twin. Happy birthday, sis! I’ll sign off by saying, “I love you, I thank you, and I pray October treats you well!”

And now for this week’s featured post!

Who Would I Be…Without Jesus? left me worshipping my Savior this week. It’s a question I’ve never even thought about, and one – thanks to His lavish grace – that I will never have to find the answer to. Visit Maryleigh at bluecottonmemory.com to find her conclusions. And here’s a button for your blog, Maryleigh.

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).

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

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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HEATHER HART & VALERIE RIESE – Candidly Christian
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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Now Let’s Link Up!

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With temps still over 90 degrees here in the beautiful Dallas, Texas area, it’s hard to believe that we are knocking on October’s door. But the calendar says it is so. We filled our September days with school, work, eye exams and dermatology appointments, church, and tending to loved ones with medical conditions. I got to attend open house at the high school for the first time. Walking my daughter’s schedule at this 3 story behemoth left this country girl breathless and overwhelmed. It sure dwarfs the two hallways that made up my 3A school. I guess that’s one way these kids put all that energy to good use. And once I finally found it, I helped decorate the girl’s locker room to commemorate the start of volleyball district play.

Allie’s team competed in a couple of tournaments which gave me a little PTSD from the club volleyball season. Our girls brought home gold from the second, but Allie brought home a concussion. This is our first foray as a family into head injuries of any kind. And even though it is slight, trainers and doctors take these things very seriously. She has to be symptom free for a week before she can be cleared to play, and so far she has experienced headache, nausea, dizziness and light and sound sensitivity. She is currently doing physical therapy specifically for concussions (which I still don’t completely understand what is – for the record). I had no idea this kind of PT existed, but apparently a combination of ocular exercises, balance work, cardio, and hand eye coordination drills can help the brain reorient more quickly.

On the 19th, a new Sparks was born. A little 5lb 13 oz sweet niece for Chuck and I named Dylan. Can’t wait to meet her in person. And I am adding new gray hairs every day because Allie has her first high school boyfriend. Jesus be near. She is also getting involved in Young Life – where Jesus IS near – and had fun at their annual Crud War. A massive outdoor food fight the likes of which her clothes and our car interior may never recover from.

Chuck and I went to the theater on a double date to see the Downton Abbey movie. After months and months of waiting, it did not disappoint. At home we watched the John Crist comedy special I Got Questions and Too Funny to Fail – a documentary about the rise and fall of The Dana Carvey Show. I always loved his characters. I read Giddy Up, Eunice: Because Women Need Each Other. I was ready for a light and funny snack and I love the podcast the author Sophie Hudson does with Melanie Shankle. I’ve also started reading, and discussing with a friend, Sharing Love Abundantly in Special Needs Families: T he 5 Love Languages for Parents Raising Children with Disabilities by Gary Chapman and Jolene Philo.

I finished the month by turning another year older. I am now officially closer to 50 than to 40. A moment to cry about that, please. But I got to celebrate with a girls’ weekend and then with my twin sister and PawPaw surrounded by family. I can’t think of a better place to be, and I’m so grateful. I’d love to hear what you did this month. What you read or what you watched. Drop me a comment below. And don’t forget, I love you, I thank you, and I hope October treats you well.

Sharing is caring! If you liked this post, do me the huge honor of sharing it to your favorite social media accounts. And if you want to get these essays emailed to you once a week, subscribe!

And look up these great writers I link up with every week:

InstaEncouragements, Literacy Musing Mondays, Hello…Monday,

Dream Team link up, The Good. The Random. The Fun.

BloggerClubUK, Tea and Word Tuesday, Purposeful Faith,

GraceFull Tuesday Link-Up, Different Dream,

Let’s Have Coffee, Welcome Wednesday, Recharge Wednesday,

Worth Beyond Rubies, #TellHisStory Link Up, Porch Stories,

Encouraging Word Wednesday, Tune In Thursday,

Stories of Hope, Moments of Hope, IHeart Verse Link Party,

A Blogging Good Time, Fresh Market Friday, Feature Friday Time,

Friendship Friday Blog Hop, Faith on Fire, Traffic Jam Weekend,

Faith ‘n Friends, Dancing with Jesus, Grace & Truth, Booknificent

Lastly, my posts may contain affiliate links. If you purchase 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.