Most of November 2025

The first nine days of November, I "worked" about 85 hours helping with my mom. I am putting work in quotations because 63 of those hours were in the evening while she was sleeping. My shift was from 5pm to midnight, and I would usually help her use the restroom once during those hours. Otherwise, I was creating Shutterfly calendars, watching Netflix, working out, using the massage chair, and missing being at home with Brian. (He stopped by most nights after work, though, and we were able to catch each other up on our days.) I also worked 8am-5pm on Tuesdays/Fridays that fell in the first nine days.

During that time, my dad was at a photography workshop in southern Utah and Arizona. He takes such good care of my mom, and they enjoyed traveling all over the world together. I LOVED that he was able to go explore, meet new people, and work on his photography skills. These are a few of the awe-inspiring pictures he sent to my siblings and me. He is working on a book with more pictures he took while on this tour. I am looking forward to seeing his work.

Horseshoe Bend in Page, Arizona

Lower Antelope Slot Canyon in Page, Arizona

I had two of my nephew's children one morning. I thought it might be fun (for them) and easier (for me) to have Kaide come over as well. Noah is four,  Kaide is three, and Gracie is two years old. 

I am not sure having them all at once was my best idea. For one, I am out of practice taking care of a pack of tiny humans at the same time. For two, Kaide is used to one-on-one time with me. I think he felt somewhat betrayed by my divided attention and limits to what we might do at any certain point in the morning. For three, Noah was very clear that he wanted nothing to do with Gracie and/or Kaide and fully expected that I would be interacting solely with him throughout the morning. Gracie, bless her, got the gold star. She played happily the entire time. 

We had lots of good times: Lincoln Logs, obstacle course, playing outside on the swing, going on a walk, snacks, and more... but there were tears. I felt bad because the tears were in full swing when both Erin and Adam came to pick up their children. I promise...there were good times too!

Gracie and Kaide are best buds and love to play together on Sunday nights, at playgroup, and during nursery at church.

Noah was so cute building his cabin while singing boisterously. He was seriously jamming!

Megan asked me to keep Gracie and Noah one afternoon in December. Part of me really wants to invite Kaide over again to join, but maybe I should just practice with two kiddos and build up.

Parker sent this picture to our family group chat, and we were all jealous that he got to meet and snuggle baby Wells, my nephew Joseph's new baby.

Lots of great BYU football in November. BYU is having an awesome season, and all of our children and their spouses have made it to a game. (Parker and Aubrey to multiple.)

BYU played Texas Tech in Lubbock. Tanner and family bought tickets. Kaide was not a fan. (An early morning two hour car ride and then a hot and loud midday game...I get it!)

The Birds and Adam and Lincoln went to. I was definitely feeling the FOMO, but the game fell during my dad's photography trip, so I had committed to be with my mom. Brian had to work the weekend so he could not make it either.

Adam, Hudson, Ella, Lincoln (#11), Brit, Charlotte and Braddock (The guys got their jerseys, for free, at the alumni tailgate.)

Nate and Beth were all in for the big game too...just cheering for the WRONG TEAM! For the following weeks after, Kaide would shake his head and sadly say, "B.I.U. did not win the big game. Texas Tech won the big game." We kept mentioning to Kaide all of the other games BYU won, but alas, he would remind us that it was not the big game.

A couple of weeks later, these four met up for a quick picture at a home game and sent a picture in our family chat. Erin replied that she was jealous. Aubrey drew Tanner and Erin into the photo so they wouldn't feel left out. It's pretty fun having six college-aged kids. (Derek graduates next month, and Brinley wraps up her Master's degree in June, so I can't say that for much longer.)

In fact, this is a picture of Brinley and Derek celebrating after she defended her thesis. She has worked extremely hard, and we are very proud of her.

Kaide finally got to go to work with his daddy and loved it. I am so happy for him to have a tangible image in his head about where his "dadda" is all day when he is at "work." In reality, Tanner is mostly on the road taking supplies from this warehouse to his clients, but still.

Gigi and Kaide day. We are both happy when we spend time outside. I read a statistic recently that children average 7 minutes of outside time a day. Seven minutes. That breaks my heart. 

We've had a very mild fall and our tomato harvest is still going strong. We enjoyed gathering some before walking to the monster house. 

Also, we had the best surprise. The trash truck came down our alley while we were picking outside. I love this picture of Kaide reverently watching the trash truck until he couldn't see it anymore.

I've worked on a few orders here and there this month. I really need to be better about marketing. It's amazing what happens when I actually list something on Facebook or in my Etsy store. (Imagine that!)

Kind of at the last minute, Ang asked me if I could make 200 pillowcases for her missionaries. She was going to be in the states for a birth (baby Wells) and a baptism (Lincoln). I tried to talk her into something smaller to take back, because I knew that would add a lot of bulk to her international travels, but she had an idea to have all of the missionaries sign each other's pillowcases for a keepsake. I'm sure they will love both the signing activity and the keepsake. Also, I really do love making and pressing designs, so I was excited to dive in. 

I was able to find enough pillowcases in bulk, and luckily, I had already designed a logo before they left in June. I was a little worried about having enough time before all the kids came for Thanksgiving, but a little blessing occurred. I found a new company locally to purchase the DTF prints from, and they offered to let me use their amazing automatic double press. I didn't even know this existed. It was magical and saved me about six hours and a very sore shoulder from pulling down and lifting up my press every fifteen seconds. (Pressing 200 items would usually take me about 10 hours.) I want one! Maybe this press will be my inspiration to get back on top of marketing more.

*December 14 update...Sadly, the pillowcases never made it all the way to the mission home in Cote D'ivoire. Ang had some flight delays and her luggage was lost. One suitcase eventually got to her, but the 70lb suitcase containing the pillowcases did not. I feel so badly for her and Chris. This was their Christmas gift for their missionaries. She is still praying for a miracle.

Moving on with our month, Brian was vacuuming sawdust in the garage, and Kaide knew he was needed. He grabbed the Dyson and went out to help Papa.

Tanner is currently a young men's advisor. I love hearing about the activities and his involvement as a leader. He is dependable and willing to help with the service activities, devotionals, weekly activites, or campouts. It makes my momma heart proud. 

I love this picture with his cousins, Hudson (15) and Braddock (17), from a campout at the Davis Mountain Preserve.

Have I mentioned that our family group chat is called "Kaide Cult"? He has us all wrapped around his pinkie finger. Also, I can't wait to update that name in March when baby boy Atkinson is born!

All in all, November has been good to us. I'm grateful for all of these little happenings that make life interesting. I'm looking forward to making more memories with the fam over Thanksgiving.