Wrapping Up August 2025

Wrapping up August 2025

Can I just say watching Stake Conference from home is THE BEST. If we go in person and want to sit anywhere near the front, we have to leave 1.5 hours early. If we leave 45 minutes early, we are at the very back of the cultural hall, and it's pure chaos. (By pure chaos, I mean chairs scraping, people talking, a constant flow of children and adults in and out of the side doors, phones not silenced, uncomfortable folding chairs, etc.)

It was beautiful being able to see and hear the speakers. There was a children's choir, and they were sweet. We picked out Ella in the group. Erin and Aubrey worked on bracelets. Tanner and I quietly kept Kaide happy. Brian, sadly, had to be at work this weekend.

I scored all of these boxes of beads, plus four more, for $30 on Facebook Marketplace. I am hoping we can utilize these for a Relief Society activity one day soon.

I think the bracelets they created are the cutest.

This was one of Kaide's quiet projects during conference. He found this game in our game closet and was very interested in the colors and shapes.

Brian and I had a fun date night. We went to see Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat performed by a local community group. It was outdoors, and I loved having a chance to just be on a date with my guy.

Tanner and Erin come over every Sunday night and Tanner will usually stop by at least one other evening during the week. It's the best. Here is a picture of Papa and Kaide getting in a little football fun.

One Gigi and Kaide day, I introduced Kaide to a game our children loved, "Kids on Stage." It's a charades game, and he is obsessed. When he walks in, he goes straight to the game closet, and we immediately play at least one full game. He loves acting out the cards. He is also really good at counting the die and moving his piece along the board. Aubrey, Erin, Tanner, Bri, and I have all played this game with him so, so, so many times, but it is never enough for this little boy.

One Saturday, I took Kaide to the duck pond again. It was so cute watching him take care of the ducks and the birds. 

Afterwards, we picked up Papa and headed to the donut shop. This is actually the first time we have taken him anywhere for a treat. His parents are good to feed him a healthy diet, and he especially loves fresh fruit. Tanner and Erin did give him a donut last month on his 3rd birthday, so I figured we could probably get away with it.

He knew right away that he wanted a red donut. He had no interest in trying one of my donut holes. He also had no desire to get his fingers dirty. It was hilarious watching him try to carefully eat his donut without getting anything on his hands. 

First he tried not using his hands at all. Then he switched to delicately holding his donut with the tips of two fingers and a thumb. 

The frosting on his face didn't seem to bother him at all. 

We sure love this little boy.

A fun Taco Villa Monday on Wednesday at Fudruckers. I actually didn't go to this one, but I heard it was happening. Gram was able to go, and it unique because it was mostly just cousins aged 17-20.

Brit, Aub, Becca, Braddock, Gram, Grandpa, Erin, Kaide & Tanner

The weather was a little bit cooler one Sunday night, and we all headed outside. The cousins had an awesome touch football game going. Everyone, from Kaide on up, had a blast.

Friendship Speed Dating

August 21, 2025

Scooping Up New Friends--Be the Reason It's Sweeter by Attending!

About a year ago, when I was serving in the Stake Relief Society, a president of one of the units passed on a packet of questions for a fun friendship speed dating activity they had with their sisters. I passed it on to Odessa 1st RS, but they did not end up using it. Fast forward to July 2025, when I received a new calling as a counselor in Odessa First Ward RS, I knew the perfect activity to help all of our sisters feel more connected: Friendship Speed dating.

I used Canva to design a cute invite and a sign-up sheet and Chat GPT to come up with a catchy title. Then, we began spreading the word. Luckily, several sisters chose to attend, and we had the best night of chatting and laughing together--plus ice cream!

Our RS activity committee is depleted right now, but our two remaining sisters were such a huge help. Vonda came early and helped set up and then manned the sign-in table. (The table had name tags and friendship bracelets.) She also gave a beautiful spiritual thought about how she prepares to bring the spirit into her classroom at the beginning of each school year, and how we can invite the spirit into the day-to-day activities of our lives.  Olena came early to decorate and stayed until the bitter end to clean up, which was so appreciated. Of course, the new RS presidency was all hands on deck, and Melanie, the previous president, was AMAZING to come up with a really cute table display.

 Teamwork=Dreamwork

Anna & Melanie

Check out that cute ice cream cone tucked in the vase!

Aurelia (from Odessa 3rd) and Vonda at the check-in table. (You can kind of see the cute friendship bracelets I ordered from Temu.)

We had four long tables set up in a U-shape in the gym. We lined up four chairs on each side of the table directly across from each other. Those who sat on the outside of the tables never moved places, but the sisters on the inside moved one chair to the right when directed. We placed the questions on the tables and told the sisters they were welcome to use these prompts or come up with their own. They had a total of four minutes with each person. Due to the large turnout, the sisters didn't get to rotate through everyone.

We had 6 chairs at each table but had to add two more to some to accommodate the turnout.

 Sister Lake & Cindy getting to know each other.

Here is a sample of a few of the questions that Andrews branch gave us.  

I added about twenty round cards from a game we have at home.

I had a handbell and a timer set for two minutes. The sisters on the outside of the tables asked the questions for the first two minutes. Then I rang the bell, and the sisters on the opposite side of the table had a chance to ask questions. It was so fun to see everyone talking and laughing together. When I rang the bell to rotate, it was cute to see the sisters quickly trying to wrap up their conversation and move to the next table. I was teasing our president, Natalia, about holding up the flow. She was a lingerer!

Left: Mel, Amanda & Cindy Rt: Tylor, Janet & Penny

Madeleine & Olena at the front of the table

Blanca & Erin at the front of the table

Debbie (our new 2nd counselor) & Elizabeth

We stopped the rotations at 8:00 to enjoy loaded ice cream sundaes. Many of the sisters brought toppings to go along with our Blue Bell ice cream, and they did not disappoint: Heath Bar, Kit Kat, pecans, walnuts, slivered almonds, gummy bears, strawberries, bananas, whipped cream, caramel sauce, chocolate sauce, and more.

Cathy helped keep the ice cream table stocked.

Cathy, Betty & Shari (Side note...Cathy & Shari are the moms of my two best friends in my teens: Shawn Bonifay & Angelique Martin Vore!)

Aurelia, Blanca, Sister Mickelson, Olena 

We had this activity on Thursday, and I definitely noticed a difference in our RS meeting on Sunday. There was more mingling and visiting before the meeting started because we had recently connected. I hope we can keep the momentum going and become even more united as a group.

Big News in a Birthday Package

August 16, 2025

When we were in Idaho for Max's homecoming, it was also Brian's birthday weekend. We began Saturday morning with a little gift-opening party. Brinley had been asking me if I had any ideas on what to get Bri. I didn't have much. He is tricky! If you ask him what he wants, he will usually say something like, "just for everyone to be together." I mentioned to Brinley that maybe she could get him Play-Doh or something like that for him to enjoy with Kaide.

So, when Brian opened his "Papa Kit" from Bryn and Derek, I didn't think twice. They had magnetic ABC letters, a Go Dog Go board book, puzzles, and more. When Brian read the card, however, the Papa kit was a gift that could also be used to play with his newest grandbaby, coming in March.  

Wait....WHAT?!?!?!

Brian got a huge grin, and I started squealing and jumping up and down all around the small living room. Parker was there too, which made it all the more fun. We hugged and congratulated them and got all of the details. Then Bryn and Derek FaceTimed the rest of the family. Erin was headed to a concert with her family, but Tanner, Kaide, and Aubrey were all together. Brinley told them the news, and lots of celebrating followed. Bryn was able to get a hold of Erin a couple of hours later. I think everyone was pretty surprised by their announcement, and I know we were all extremely excited. 

That little baby is lucky have Derek and Brinley for his parents. We can't wait for baby boy Atkinson's arrival next spring! 

College Bound + Mission Accomplished

August 2025

College Bound

This month was filled with goodbyes for Aub Daub. She had lots of "last dinners" and "last hangouts" with her friends. They often followed with one or two more "lasts" because they just didn't want to have to say a final goodbye.

I will miss these girls hanging out in our family room four or five nights a week.

Aubrey isn't a big crier, but she was often teary this month. I think that surprised her. She was anxious about roommates, college and the unknown. She was sad about leaving friends and family. I gladly accepted the extra communication and hugs from her coming my way. I also tried to reassure her that everything she was feeling was normal, and that it would all work out. 

Then I would walk through the den where she and her friends were gathered, and my stomach would drop. I would think, "What are we going to do without our crazy girl? It's going to be so quiet around here." And then I would reassure myself that everything I was feeling was normal and that it would all work out.

Maci & Aubrey

Saying goodbye to Tanner, Erin, and Kaide was tough-especially Kaide. Aubrey doesn't want to miss out on all of the cute things he says and does, and she doesn't want him to forget her.

She stopped by Gram and Grandpa's and had a final Sunday night farewell with the Birdies. She got emotional hugging Britney, who is not only her aunt but also her dedicated seminary teacher for the past several years. She was also super sad saying goodbye to Hudson. They are buddies. I think she felt a little guilty about abandoning him on future Sunday nights.

Back: Braddock, Brit, Aub, Hudson, Adam  Front: Char & Ella

Aub & Ella

This was pretty much how she said goodbye to me. Fitting! Wrestling is our love language. Well, it definitely was our love language for years, until my back became delicate. She showed no mercy on this day though.

Mission Accomplished

While Aub was saying her goodbyes this month, we were able to fly to Idaho to welcome home our nephew, Max. He has been serving in the Washington D.C. mission for the past two years. 

I especially loved that Parker, Brinley, and Derek were able to go too. We all stayed in a very compact VRBO. We enjoyed time eating, shopping, taking walks, and playing games together in between the official homecoming family events. We also celebrated Brian's birthday and he (we) received the best b-day surprise. See the post here.

This cute picture at the airport has a pretty hilarious backstory. When Max was a Senior, he ordered a service dog vest from Amazon. The last day of school, he put it on his very large dog and took her to school. The principal and teachers just shook their heads, laughed, and looked the other way.

Well, the family decided they needed to utilize that service vest once again--this time to surprise Max. Their dog is older and was kind of a nervous wreck in the airport, until she realized his long lost bestie, Max, was in the crowd! Pretty sweet.

Kris and Eric know how to throw a party. They had a Saturday night Fiesta for family, and a Sunday lunch for family and friends. We had lots of time to visit with extended family, and I think everyone had a chance to enjoy some one-on-one moments with Max.

Bri, Henry, Derek, Brinley, Max, Parker, me (Erin)

Kris, Macy, Brinley, Me

Some of the Gwilliam girls! Kris is a wonderful sister-in-law. I love visiting with her and wish we lived closer. She has also been the best aunt. She took excellent care of Brinley when she was on her mission and is now is doing the same for Parker when he is in town. Also, Brinley and Macy are good friends (and cousins) and have really enjoyed their BYU years together. 

Jack and Henry-Max's younger brothers. 

Megan, Lindsey, Bri, Parker, Levi, Kaitlyn, Holly & Ryley

Bruce, Denise, Lindsey, Tyson, Megan and her family, and Kaitlyn and her family were able to make it to Max's homecoming as well.  

Bruce and Eric

Max did an excellent job with the limited time he had for his talk. He focused on The Book of Mormon and following the spirit. He shared two really impactful stories about both.  I'm really glad it worked out for Brian and me to fly out for the weekend.