September So Far

The First Half of September 2026

Bri and I made it to the temple, and it was perfect timing because it’s closed for the next two weeks for its yearly maintenance. The sun was right in our eyes for this picture, and Bri was giving me a hard time about my insistence that we needed to take one—which explains my extra-big cheesy grin. He may have been a little grumpy about the picture, but he humored me anyway. I know he loves me!

ChatGPT for the win. It removed the shadows in seconds-sweet.

Brian has been working on this huge foldable table for his new CNC machine, and this month he finally got it finished enough to start putting the CNC to work. He is such a hard worker and can figure out how to build or fix just about anything. I’m glad he has hobbies and projects like this that he enjoys.

A practice piece

Cal is 6 months and adorable as ever. (He has pretty great parents too.) We are looking forward to Bryn and Cal visiting next month.

I bought two new swimsuits from Amazon and Tanner, Kaide and I have gone for a quick late afternoon swim at Grandpa Vore's a few times this month. Brian joined in one time as well. It's kind of ironic because we didn't do this once all summer. It's still plenty hot here, and it was nice to do something outside of my normal routine and with my (adult) boy.

Also, the Ector County Fair was in town, so I took Kaide for about an hour and a half. It was dollar day for the carnival rides, which was perfect. It was blazing hot (which was not so perfect), and everything was set up on the black asphalt, but we still had a fun time. We ran into Brit and the girls, and they were so cute with Kaide—going on some of the rides with him and watching and cheering him on for the ones he rode by himself.

I look forward to Sunday evenings when we have dinner and FHE with Tan, Erin & Kaide. Pretty soon this little family will be a family of four. 

They went on their first family vacation to Sea World last month, and Kaide has a great suggestion for his baby brother's name.

My nephew Kyle and his wife Sarah  had their first baby: Millie. 

It's seriously been so hot for so long. I've been trying to walk for about 10 minutes after meals to help with my insulin resistance. Don't worry, as of September 18th at 6:30 pm, we're only at 92 degrees. (insert eyeroll) Nevertheless, I've been faithful and my A1C has dropped a bit, so that is great news.

And since we are heading into a new season, I decided I wanted to come up with something different for our mantel. I took a picture and asked Chat, "what simple decorations can I add for fall?" 

Chat's suggestion:

What I found/bought/put up:

My fireplace is already pretty busy with all of the texture, plus I prefer simple. The lantern with the battery operated candle makes me happy. I am on the look our for some greenery to add a little softness to the lantern side. Overall, I love it.

Book club was in Midland this month at my friend Diana’s house. The book was good, although it wasn’t really one that led to a lot of deep discussion. Plus, only four of the seven ladies there had read it. We had lots of delicious treats, and I really enjoyed the drive there and back with my friend Debbie.

However, I think my book club days may be coming to an end. I gave it a go for a year, and while I really like the idea of being in a book club, I tend to leave feeling a little disappointed. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but I think I’d enjoy it more if our get-togethers focused just a little more on the actual book and discussing what we read. I’m glad I gave it a try, though, and I’ve enjoyed some good books and time with friends along the way.

My dad has been bringing the baby to church for my mom the past couple of weeks, and it's the sweetest thing. I wish I had a picture of he and my mom and the baby, but I don't. Here are some cute pictures from the past two Sundays.

Tanner & Gram

Hudson

Adam & Britney

Erin Noel

Also, this week Mom was DONE. Right before Sunday School ended (and before RS started), she was already headed outside. My dad was gathering up his supplies (he teaches said Sunday School class), and Mom pointed straight at the car and told me, “In there.” She isn’t able to say much anymore, so every once in a while when she manages to make it very clear exactly what she’s thinking, it’s pretty fun. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the keys, so I spent the next few minutes trying to convince her to stay in her wheelchair and wait just a little longer until Dad came out. She was definitely ready to go home!

Parker is always fitting fun adventures into his life. He and some friends went to the Tetons the week before BYUI started. They even saw a bear.

The first week of school there was a flash flood in Rexburg. Parker said it was a lot of fun--crazy college kids.

Here are a few pictures of my girl. Isn’t she beautiful? I love getting to talk to her each week and hearing about all the highs and lows, the friends she is teaching, and the good things she gets to be a part of in Argentina. I sure love her and love getting these little glimpses into her life there.

Love this one-it's so Aubrey

I got to pick Kaide up from preschool, which is close to my house. I carried his bike with me, and then we walked/rode home together. When our kids were young, we lived close enough to the elementary school that we could walk to and from school, and I always loved those days. It was sweet getting to do a little version of that again with Kaide. He was confused at first, but then pretty excited. He kept bringing it up to me throughout the week. I can't wait to try it again!

And there you have it—the first half of September. Lots of ordinary life, family time, a few fun outings, kids and grandkids near and far, and temperatures that still refuse to acknowledge that fall is coming. :) September has been good to us so far.

Ask me again after Isaiah

September 2, 2026

I have taught five full days of early morning seminary, and I think I’m going to survive.

Maybe even settle in—but I don’t want to jinx it. Also, the next week I teach we are starting Isaiah...so there’s that.

I don’t think I’ve ever talked to someone who taught early morning seminary who didn’t love it. I’m not sure exactly why, but whenever I mention that I’m teaching seminary, former teachers get huge grins on their faces.

“I LOVED teaching seminary.”

“The kids are the best.”

“You’re so lucky.”

That is what I've heard over and over again.

I honestly have a some good memories from teaching seminary 25 years ago, but this time around, my terror of actually getting started overshadowed most of them. There was so much to prepare and remember and figure out that it was hard to imagine getting to the point where I would just enjoy it.

But after a week, I’m starting to understand those big grins a little more.

I already think about our 20 students a lot. I pray for them every night. I want to connect more with each of them, although right now it feels more like a group connection than an individual one. There just isn’t much time during class for one-on-one conversations, and there really isn’t a time outside of class either.

We’ll see how that develops.

I am starting to make my way around to the different groups when they have a group assignment and interact with them that way. This is definite progress because the first few days I would give them an assignment and then immediately and frantically scan my notes to figure out what I was supposed to do next.

Baby steps.

I’m also just really impressed with these students. Their days are FULL. They have school, extracurricular activities, Wednesday night church activities, temple trips, home responsibilites and some of them have part-time jobs. And somehow they are getting up ridiculously early and coming to seminary too.

They are kind to each other. They are smart. They participate (at times, and sometimes with candy bribes, but I’ll take it). And they have already given some amazing devotionals. I genuinely enjoy being with them.

Last week I had an impression about callings sometimes being tender mercies in our lives. And that reminder itself felt like a tender mercy to me.

I’m only one week in, so I certainly don’t know yet what this seminary year will look like. But I am grateful for the opportunity to serve, learn, stretch, connect, and grow.

And maybe—just maybe—I’m beginning to understand why former seminary teachers get those huge grins on their faces.

Ask me again after Isaiah.

The Things In Between

April-August 2026

I got so bogged (blogged?!) down in catching up on the big events—Cal's birth, our Africa trip, Utah vacation, Aub's mission, etc.—that I wasn't able to write about some other pretty important things. I actually love documenting some of the day-to-day happenings because those are the things that are so easy to forget.

Well, my chance to document the day-to-day from April until now has passed. However, I'm going to post some pictures and comment on some of the happenings along the way.

Brinley graduated with her Masters degree in Speech-Language Pathology in June, but walked at graduation in April. I am incredibly proud of her. She started her new job in the Nebo School District a couple of weeks ago and will be working two days a week. 

Derek graduated in December with a teaching degree in history, but also walked in April. I am proud of him as well, but haven't been invested in his education all of his life. He recently began teaching English at Delta Middle School. (Shout out to Colleen and Thayne who are helping with Cal while Brinley works, and also opened their home so Bryn and Derek can save money for a home.)

April 2026

And speaking of Cal...he has hit a lot of baby milestones the past several months. (smiling, babbling, rolling, lauging, trying solid foods and more)

Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday is alive and well. I'm very grateful to my parents for creating traditions that allow us opportunities to remain close as an extended family.

Grandpa Vore (my dad), Char, Brit, Braddock, Becca, Aubrey, Erin & Megan

Char and Aubrey

So much cousinly love.

Gracie and Kaide

Brian and I were able to enjoy a weekend trip to Dallas to relax, see the musical Wicked, and pop in on the Merkley family. 

Beck, Brian M, Griffin, Sutton, Perry, Blair, me and Bri

Brinley and Derek made the drive to Lafayette, California to spend a weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Gwilliam. Eric (Bri's brother) and a few of his kids were in town too so it was an extra bonus. (Maci and Bryn were good friends growing up and especially throughout their BYU years.)

Jack, Cal & Maci

Our nephew Logan Fontaine got engaged.

We had a pretty big surprise when Kaide and family stopped by to share a picture....

(This was taken at the other grandparents' house...I was so surprised, I fogot to snap one!)

Also, on July 4th they had Kaide kick a soccer ball to reveal the gender of the baby. He was really confused when the ball broke in half, blue dye exploded and everyone was clapping and cheering. Soon though, he was excitedly spreading the news. 

Later that evening he told Britney, who had no idea they were expecting, "Hey Britney, I kicked a ball and made a baby brother." She was like, "What?! Erin Noel! Do you have something to tell us?!" She also said, "Really....so that's how babies are made, huh."

I hosted another bookclub, and we made bookmarks while discussing the book. I also had a few RS friends come help me put together the Father's Day gifts for the men and young men at church.

Shari, me, Kara, Tyler

Erin Noel

I had fun making tags, baking brownies and especially gathering with friends to put them together.

Tyler, Debbie, & Janet

Loved celebrating my dad and Brian for Father's Day. They area the best of the best.

I LOVE that Tanner, Erin and Kaide live just a couple of miles away. We get together every Sunday night for dinner, FHE and Sunday night gatherings at the Birds. It's also fun to see them throughout the week. I help with Kaide some while Erin is at school, and Tanner will often come over one week night or on Saturday mornings.

Erin is working her tail off in nursing school, and I am so impressed with her focus and dedication. She was recently released as a counselor in the Primary and called to serve as the Young Women Secretary. She’s pretty amazing, and I hope she doesn’t overdo it trying to juggle all the balls in her life.

Kaide turned four, and his parents through him a big swim party with lots of family and friends to celebrate.

My mom is "hanging in there." People often ask me how she is doing, which is very sweet. It's always a little hard to know how to answer. One time I heard my dad smile and say, "She's hanging in there," and I've found myself using that explanation often since. 

This was one of her clearer moments. She picked up the phone and was having quite the conversation with whoever she thought was on the other end. I appreciate being able to go over almost everyday to love on her.

Visiting w/ her oldest grandchild, Adam

Parker did summer term at BYUI. He is a man who likes to be busy. On top of school, his calling (counselor in the bishopric) and trips with friends, he has also been working at a custom cabinet shop. Our niece and her family live in St. Anthony, and her husband, Levi, hooked him up with the family business. Parker has enjoyed working with Levi and getting more experience that goes along with his major: Construction Management.

Parker (in the orange hat) and friends at a concert

Park's been getting more into golf the past year.

Braddock started home MTC in July, and then headed to his mission in Modesto, California. 

Left-right/back row: Adam Vore, Adam Bird, Hudson Bird, Braddock Bird and Britney Bird, me and Brian, Erin Noel Gwilliam, Tanner Gwilliam, Grandpa Vore  Front row: Lincoln Vore, Charlotte Bird, Christian Vore, Ella Bird, Kaide Gwilliam

My dad was released in August from his two year service mission teaching BYU Pathway Institute classes. He taught online religion classes to students in Mexico, West Africa, Central America, and the southwest United States. 

Ella, 11, was asked to speak in Stake Conference on why having faith in Jesus Christ is important.  She prepared her own talk and did a phenomenal job.

This little guy...what can a Gigi say? I need him/them to live closer!

Fun to have my happy helper nearby.

And my Hermana Gwilliam. I love this girl. I know how hard it was for me to adjust to being a missionary in the States—and I was speaking English! I can't even imagine how difficult it is to adjust to missionary life AND learn another language, culture, and country.

I look forward to reading her letters and talking to her every Monday. She is doing good things in the Argentina Buenos Aires South Mission.

With her trainer Hermana Nalder

With her 2nd comp in the field, Hermana Costa