Random October Thoughts

Random October Thoughts

Brian

He went out of town for five days. I missed him. He is the steady in my life. My safe place. It's nice to get a big hug when he walks in the door and just talk about our days together. Most of our days are pretty monotonous...but we share them anyway. I'm glad he is back home.

We have a cruise booked in November, and I am looking forward to vacation time with my guy.

My Gratitude Journal

I've kept one for the past six years. I started it at the end of 2020 when President Nelson gave the message, "The Healing Power of Gratitude." I try to jot down three things I'm grateful for at the end of each day. I love it. It helps me recognize big and small blessings every day. It's also fun to look back through those notebooks and be reminded of so many blessings I might otherwise have forgotten.

Almost always, on Thursdays, "girls' lunch" makes my gratitude list. Girls' lunch isn't really girls' lunch, the same way Taco Villa Monday isn't really on Mondays or at Taco Villa. It's the day my dad takes the girls to lunch. It's awesome having a weekly lunch with my dad and sister. (We miss you, Ang!) We talk about everything: my mom, the kids and grandkids, books we are reading, our callings, etc. One fun thing I realized this month at girls' lunch is that all three of us have missionaries out right now. Britney has her first, Braddock; I have our last, Aubrey; and my dad has Chris and Ang.

Seminary

Pressing forward. I am relistening to the Y Religion podcast series on gospel teaching, although I just listened to it for the first time in August. There are ten episodes that are about an hour each, and the topics discussed include asking good questions, teaching with the scriptures, actively engaging students, teaching the one, etc. They are well done and very helpful. I think I'm in a better place now to retain and apply what I'm learning.

Thanks to the school schedule, I had a two day teaching week in October, and it was amazing.

I worry about how little I really know about what my students are going through. I have a handful who come in upbeat and happy to be there. Another handful look pretty miserable. One student told me flat out how much he hates seminary (and school). I feel for him. My kids told me that on the regular. I told him to hold on...college is so much better. Luckily, for my fragile ego, that same week, a parent shared with me how much her son loves seminary.

A father of one of my students just passed away. Heartbreaking. Another student is so addicted to their phone that it is causing real life connection problems all around. The parents are so worried for their child.

I am pressing forward, hoping that all the sacrifices made by the students, parents, seminary teachers, and YM/YW leaders will help these kids come away knowing that their Heavenly Father loves them and that there is a plan of happiness

Christmas

It's coming! All of our kids will be home for the holidays. All of our Vore cousins will be in town too. It's exciting. My niece Erin called and has fun ideas for the cousin gift exchange. She volunteered to head it up, and it felt nice to pass the baton to the next generation. We will have a lot of littles...four new babies in the past year. (Wells, Cal, Saylor & Graham)

Aubrey

Mission life can be such a roller coaster. She's had two really good weeks, and after some of the harder ones, I'm especially happy for her.

And Now One Million Pictures:

Aubrey was able to FaceTime with Grandma and Grandpa Gwilliam when Brian was in California visiting them this month.

Our family friend, Alma Merriman, is in town for about two weeks and has been staying with us. She is so kind and loving. She has been helping care for my mom some nights because one of the caregivers had a baby. We have been making time for walks, watching the new church series: Dedicate, visiting friends from the ward and playing with Kaide.

BYU Babeeeee! Brit and girls came over for the big game. BYU was ranked #8 and beat #2 ranked Notre Dame. Woot woot!

Parker always seems to have connections and was able to score seats for the game.

The girls and Alma mostly painted while Brit and I watched the game. We all did a lot of visiting throughout though. (They left just before halftime.)

I was super impressed with their creativity.

Char and her peacock

Ella and her hedgehog

I just think this picture of Kaide is adorable...giant helmet, tiny cards, intense game.

I started putting up a question of the day for the seminary kids to answer as they come in. It's been a fun way to get them talking, laughing, and sometimes having a little friendly debate before we officially start class. 

A new baby will be added to the mix. They are due early January. What a lucky little boy to join Tanner and Erin's family.  Aren't these pictures beautiful?

Erin is stunning.

Charity was in town. She and Jake stopped by the Sunday night gathering. It was fun to catch up with them and meet baby Graham.

Couch: Megan, Erin, Charity and Graham Floor: Ella, Brit, Char

Megan getting to meet her newest nephew.

Adam getting to hold his newest nephew.

Brit won the Great Aunt Award by playing lots of chess and checkers with Noah and Kaide. (She's a great aunt in both senses of the word.)

Family Home Evening lesson. Tanner taught about developing our talents using the October 2026 Friend magazine. He talked about how Jesus learned and grew as a child and then had us go around the room and share something we were good at. Kaide got to look at a page filled with different activities and circle the things he likes to do. Tanner tied it all back to how we can learn, grow, and develop our talents just like Jesus. We finished up with a quick game of Hide and Seek before heading over to the Birds for Sunday night.

It was fun to see FHE through Alma's eyes. Her eyes were glowing as she talked about what a beautiful blessing it was. I agree. So grateful we have had this guidance through the church. It continues to bless our family.

Kiade's first Primary Program

Brinley sent this sweet picture of Cal a little more bundled up and ready for the cooler weather.

Keeping Up with Kaide

October 15, 2026

I get to pick up Kaide from preschool two or three afternoons a week, and I love having that time with him.

Last month, we had a little routine going. He would come in and wash his hands (he loves using his stool and being so independent.), have a snack—usually fresh fruit and pumpkin seeds or graham crackers and milk—and then do an interactive reading lesson on my phone, followed by about 5-10 minutes of Khan Academy Kids. After that, it was rest time for about an hour. He would play quietly in the front bedroom while I rested or took care of things around the house. Then we'd head outside to play, walk to Gram and Grandpa Vore's, play store or do whatever he chose until Erin or Tanner came to pick him up.

This month, he seems to have gotten a little tired of the reading app, so we've dropped that from our routine. He's also getting a little bored with the toys and games we have at the house, so I've been scrambling to come up with new activities or dig out some old favorites.

One afternoon, I took him grocery shopping with me. I'd forgotten just how much longer grocery shopping takes with an inquisitive four-year-old as your sidekick. Whew! We did manage to find a fun photo op at Sam's Club and stopped to enjoy our fruit and a pretzel on our way out. 

I was excited when he wanted to pull out the jumper for the first time in months, but that only lasted about 15 minutes.

I found our old Bubber set (it's similar to kinetic sand but can be molded and played with like Play-Doh). He was a fan! I also pulled out the paints, but those only held his interest for about five minutes. If it's not too windy this week, we may make a trip to the duck pond. Wish me luck—not with the ducks, but with keeping up with a four-year-old who needs a constantly changing lineup of activities (and a Gigi who wants to spoil him!)

 

Bryn and Cal Come to Town

October 8-12, 2026

Bryn's Visit❤️

Originally, I was planning to fly out to Utah to visit Brinley (and Derek and Cal.) I wanted to see Delta, Derek's hometown, and where they are living. Then one day when I was trying to find a plane ticket, I realized it might be more fun for her to come our way so Brian could enjoy some time with them too. Plus, Bryn could show off Cal and introduce him to family and friends in the Big O.

Luckily, she was able to arrange a five-day trip around her Tuesday/Wednesday work schedule. I was SO excited about her visit—giddy, really. My dad kept teasing me about just how excited I was. It was great to give my girl, who is such a sweet mama, a big hug.

And Cal! What an adorable little baby boy. Anytime someone caught his eye, his whole face would light up and he'd break into a huge smile. He was so happy and smiley, and his high cheek dimples reminded me so much of Brinley. 

Tan and his family were able to come over quite a bit, which was so fun. It made the weekend feel like a mini reunion. Everyone got to hold and play with Cal while catching up with Brinley.

Kaide kept telling everyone he had TWO cousins: Gracie and Cal. (Gracie is actually his second cousin, and she has three siblings, so it was funny that Kaide made that distinction. He and Gracie are good buddies.) He was a very proud older cousin. He had a lot of fun getting Cal to smile and playing a running game where Erin would swing Cal out toward Kaide as if she were trying to tag him with Cal's feet. 

We were able to enjoy several meals all together, which was awesome. I made white chicken chili and cornbread one night, and Brian made his delicious flank steak with petite potatoes. Then Erin, bless her, offered to cook Friday night (lasagna soup), and Tanner (bless him!) made his yummy smash burgers and corn on the cob for us on Sunday evening. We also enjoyed eating out a couple of times. Needless to say, much of the meal planning I'd done—and the food I'd purchased for the weekend—went right out the window!

Bryn and I were able to go on a couple of walks, watch a movie (Raising Helen), and enjoy visiting while getting pedicures. She also showed me a Shutterfly book she's making for me and our family about my childhood. (I filled out a book called Mom, Tell Me Your Memories and also wrote some of my personal history, which will be included.) It was beautiful and made me so happy! I did something similar for my parents, so I know the immense amount of time a project like this takes. It means a lot to me that she's doing it.

Brian took Friday off, so we all had some time together. Brinley also interviewed him quite a bit so she can put together a personal history book about his life as well. They enjoyed watching the BYU game together on Friday night, too.

Church was fun on Sunday. Who doesn't love showing off their beautiful daughter and adorable grandson? Everyone who knew Bryn from back in the day was so kind to come over, ooh and ahh over Cal, and catch up with her.

It was also fun spending time with Grandpa and Grandma Vore. And on Sunday evening, we enjoyed some time outside with Adam Vore (my nephew/her cousin), two of his kids, and the Birds.

All in all, it was a wonderful long weekend with our girl! So glad we got to have her and Cal here for a few days. ❤️

Kaide 4, Erin, Tan w/ Cal (almost 7 months), & Brinley

Introducing Cal to his great Grandma Vore

I love the way my mom loved on Brinley. She was really glad to see her and hug her great grandson.

Grandpa Vore was at Cal's blessing in May, so this was their second time hanging out.

My dad, Brit and I go to "girls lunch" together every Thursday. (Girls lunch because it is the day my dad takes his girls to lunch.) We decided to move it to Friday so we could make it a big party. We had a good meal and a great time visiting at Labodega. Also, Cal was an angel and sat in his car seat the whole time while we ate. Then Brinley went to pick him up and found out he had an epic blowout! (Thus the naked picture.)

Bryn asking Bri questions about his childhood and audio recording his  answers.

Cornhole and hanging out in the front yard

Pedicures

I loved snuggling Calvin, and we even read a few books together over their stay.

Church

Brit, Gram, Grandpa, Bryn & Cal

Hanging out at Tanner and Erin's apartment on Sunday evening before dinner.

Meeting Charlotte and Ella-his first cousins once removed...I think. 

Char, Adam V and Lincoln

We hung out in the shop and in the Bird's fun backyard for Sunday night. More cornhole took place.

Hud and Londyn

Adam B. w/ Cal

Bryn & Tan

Griffin, Blair, Perry and Sutton w/ Calvin

In the Dallas airport on the way home, Brinley ran into her Merkley cousins, and they were able to meet Calvin for the first time.