September 2025
Everyone keeps asking me how it feels to have an empty nest, and to be honest, so far it feels a lot the same. Aubrey did a good job of weaning us over the past several months. She worked 3-10 pm four evenings a week and was often hanging out with friends the other two. Luckily, some of those hangouts were at our house, and we also enjoyed being with our Aub Daub on Sundays. I think another huge help for me is that Tanner and his family live here. It's awesome that we are in the same ward, and that they join us for dinner and FHE on Sunday evenings. Tanner and Kaide will usually stop by at least one other time during the week, which is the best.
I am filling my days with work on Tuesdays and Fridays, working out, service opportunities, walks alone or with friends, house cleaning, bills, my t-shirt business, blogging, family lunches, phone calls/Marco Polo chats with my out-of-town kids, and my new calling as ward Relief Society 1st counselor. Brian and I get to visit about our days in each evening, and we occasionally play a couple of games or find a show to watch together. So my "empty nest" life goes on one day at a time.
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| Aurelia Muniz, me and Bro. Jesus Rodriguez (wearing the hat) |
We had our big Just Serve stake Relief Society activity this month. I enjoyed volunteering at the English Connect class at church a couple of times. The first week, I was trying to help a lady from Cuba who spoke no English. It was rough! The second week, I was helping Brother Rodriguez from Odessa 3rd who could actually speak English pretty well. He may have even been there to help other people?! I'm not sure, but we had a great time visiting about his family, and he did get to practice his everyday English.
Erin and I also went to the Sibley Nature Center to help with gardening. We signed up for this one last year as well. It was really nice to be outside, and it's a good one for Kaide to join in as well.
The last few years, I have been serving in the stake RS and have been on the organizing end of things. I'm not going to lie, it was pretty sweet to just be able to participate this year! (I did make the 330 shirts for the event, but I did get paid for that so it doesn't really count. My small business is another thing keeping my occupied while empty nesting though.) These were most of the Odessa 1st Ward sisters who made it to the luncheon in Midland. I love these ladies.
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I wore a 2023 shirt because I stained mine right before the luncheon.
Back row: Tylor Current, Shari Martin, Cathy Bonifay, Debbie Carlston, & Ashley Sequeira
Front row: me, Anna Guidry, Sandy McKown, Blanca Hendricks, Melanie Ormsby |
Here are some other notable September happenings.
Parker and Tanner had a boys' trip this month. Parker drove to Minnesota with some of his BYUI friends, and Tanner flew out for a few days to join in the fun. They enjoyed boating, fishing, golfing, and more. It was fun to get picture updates to our family group text. It was clear they were having a great time together. (From this picture, it might not seem that Tanner is having fun, but everyone who knows Tanner knows that this is his picture taking smile--crazy kid.)
According to Tanner, Park caught the smallest and the largest fish.
Tanner wished he could have fished more. He was also glad to add some infamous, in Parker's circle anyway, "Ben's Bait" gear to his wardrobe. He bought a hat and a jacket.
While I'm talking about Tanner. He is such a good Dada. I love seeing him interact with Kaide. Usually, they are doing something active together like playing football or soccer. In this picture, Tanner was sharing a Family Home Evening lesson he adapted from the Friend magazine.
Erin is the sweetest mama too. She is very attentive with Kaide and takes the time to get on his level when she has something she needs to explain. She has had a calling in Primary the past couple of years, and I just think those kiddos are so lucky to have her. She received some big news this month....drum roll please....she got into Texas Tech nursing school and will be starting in January!
Tanner had his 21st birthday. We had a little celebration with a candy bar cake and gifts on Sunday night after our dinner.
Some Gigi and Kaide day highlights:
We played hide and seek, and it was the most adorable thing. He had the hardest time finding me, even if I was curled up in a ball beside the couch. Also, he hid in the exact same place each time. It was really tricky to find him!
We were having the missionaries for dinner that evening, so Kaide helped me make some cookies. He wasn't interested for long, but it was still fun to try something new together.
We have also been enjoying obstacle courses. We have an outdoor chalk course we draw or a more elaborate/physical indoor course that we set up.
His "animal game" (charades) obsession is finally easing, and we've been able to introduce some other options like a modified version of Guess Who.
Also, here is a cute picture of Kaide and Papa at a Friday night football game.
Moving on to Aubrey. She is loving her BYU life and is settling into her classes and becoming better friends with her roommate, Hannah. They made this giant cardboard cutout of whoever this guy is. They also made a "hot guys wall" for their apartment. Silly girls.
She recently received her first calling: ward mission committee. The bishopric member told her they would need to get creative because there was only one person in their boundaries who was not a member of the church. She is excited to work with Alex, the ward mission leader, because he is one of her good friends.
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Anja, Hannah, Aubrey, and Lauren
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Parker started back at BYUI mid-September. He is doing an on campus internship/entrepreneur class for his business minor that makes up the majority of his credits this semester. He has several friends taking this course right now too. He thinks it will be a pretty cool experience.
He is also living his best life in nature. He loves all of the outdoor opportunities Idaho provides. He often sends pictures like this with very brief explanations or none at all.
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| Salmon run |
He gave no explanation, but I think it might be the Garden of Eden.
Park recently deeply bruised his eardrum after trying a new trick off the diving board and slamming into the water. It was very painful. He had drainage for over a week and couldn't hear out of his right ear. He went to the doctor first and then to a specialist when there was no improvement. He also had an eye infection in August from wearing his contacts too long.
Two words: FRONTAL LOBE.
Okay, more than two words, I hope Parker survives himself. I think he feels invincible, and I hope he can mature more quickly before he incurs permanent bodily damage.
On to lighter topics...
Aren't these two lovebirds cute? Derek recently started student teaching at Wasatch High School, and they decided to go to a football game there for date night. Derek seems to really be enjoying the challenges of preparing lessons and teaching history to high school students.
Brinley started her externship teaching speech at an elementary school. She is loving it. She is also so grateful she is feeling much better pregnancy-wise although she feels much more tired each day.
Also, Brinley celebrated her 25th birthday this month. We sent her a necklace, maternity shirts, and a couple of gift cards. We also had to include a couple of tiny baby outfits! (The Expo markers and a few other random school supplies were for Derek and his teaching semester.)
And lastly....good news....Kaide decided to finally give his Spider-Man birthday costume a try. He still isn't too sure about it though. He says he just wants to be Kaide.
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