Because Starbucks is finally handing out our beloved red cups filled full to the brim with holiday flavor, grab your favorite drink and join me for coffee. Amber is still on hiatus, but Erin has our coffee dates going strong.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I am thrilled for that holiday menu. I need to admit that I have never, ever tasted the highly touted Pumpkin Spiced Latte, but on Friday morning I ordered my first Peppermint Mocha of the season with the biggest smile on my face. No, it’s not paleo and yes, I could have made it at home. Do I regret drinking it, in all of it’s venti glory? No, I do not. It was delicious and full of unnecessary calories and approximately six dollars. I did see that you can buy the refrigerated version at the grocery store, but I think I’ll drink these when I’m at home and save the real deal for manicure dates and shopping adventures. What is YOUR favorite holiday drink?
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that Saturday’s Bible Journaling Workshop was amazing. I haven’t shared much about it here, but an Instagram friend messaged me about sharing at her church’s women’s retreat several weeks ago and I’ve been preparing my notes and my heart ever since. I am not a public speaker and I was nervous about standing on stage. I had a stack of notes, but I’m not sure I ever even looked at them. Aside from the moment when my ten year old facetimed me to ask where her favorite jeans were, everything went perfectly. I got to meet some amazing women, share my own testimony, spend some time crafting with them and share a few pages from my own Bible. It was so good for my soul and a great reminder that God equips us to do hard things when we ask Him.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that the video series about our new house project has been slightly postponed. Josh and I planned to do a video walk through of the new house a few weeks ago, but we’re still unpacking boxes and getting used to being a multi-generational household. When my mom dug out a vintage home video of my dad building the house (circa 1987), we decided that it needed to be the first installment of our vlog series. I dropped the VHS tape off at a local video shop this morning and I can’t wait for you to see us in all of our mid-eighties awesomeness. We will still be sharing an introduction video in the coming weeks, so look for our “log house vlog” very soon!
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that the whole “multi-generational household” thing is going really well. My mom and I laugh constantly, because we both get texts and calls from friends to check on us and make sure all is going well. I think they all expected this house sharing business to be hard on us all, when the fact of the matter is — it’s perfect. We know it’s only for a few months and both the kids and the adults are enjoying the time together while we can. We all still stumble over saying “home” and “Gran’s house” versus “our house,” but we’re getting there. As my parents slowly pack up thirty years of life and contemplate what the next thirty years might look like, we are continuing to live with the barest of belongings while we make plans for our renovation next year. Really, though, these months together are such a blessing and I know I will never, ever look back on them with anything but thanksgiving. How appropriate.
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I am so excited about our concert tickets next week. For the third year in a row, Moon Taxi is playing a local concert really close to my birthday. The first year, I wasn’t a huge fan, but Josh bought me tickets and an overnight hotel stay for my birthday. To this day, it’s one of my favorite shows ever and we still laugh about a few of the questionable occurrences that evening. Last year, the concert was closer to Christmas and we had just as much fun as the first year! When they announced they would be playing Alabama Theatre the week of my birthday this year, I told Josh it had become a bit of a tradition at this point, how could we say no? Months after buying the tickets, I had major regrets over not getting enough to take the girls. I know what you’re thinking — who takes their elementary school daughters to a rock concert?! Well, we do. Music is a huge part of our life and we’ve been watching the concert calendar all summer for something to share with them, but nothing quite fit the bill (all were over 18, the wrong venue or questionable language, etc.). A few weeks ago, I logged into the ticketing site just to see if I could find four seats together and the two seats next to us were available?! I figured that was divine intervention, so I snatched them up. To say the girls are excited is an understatement. Sophie has been practicing her rendition of River Water for weeks!
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that we’re having Sophie allergy tested in the next few weeks. After eighteen months of migraines and some pretty terrible stomach symptoms, our doctor is convinced we are dealing with food allergies. We’ve already eliminated dairy from her diet, but we’ll be starting from square one in a few more weeks. I’m hoping to finally identify what is making her feel so rotten all of the time!
If we were on a coffee date, I would tell you that I am ready for another dog. Josh and I have gone round and round about breeds, timing and the inside/outside debate, but I think we’ve finally agreed on all fronts. It will likely be spring before we can make it happen (holidays + travel + renovations), but I’m glad it’s finally on our radar. We are so ready for clickety nails on the hardwood floors and puppy snuggles on cold mornings.
I think we’re finally all caught up! In case you missed it last week, I shared our crazy beautiful family portraits, fall essentials for the persnickety tween in your life, a few of our favorite Thanksgiving crafts, and a new linkup where we’ll share our letters. Don’t you want to join the fun?
