weekending

 

Happy Monday, friends! How was your weekend? Mine was good, and I hope yours was too! I'm linking up with Holly and Sarah for today's post.

Once again, I got my weekend started off with some quality time spent outside. This is my new favorite thing to do on the cool mornings!

I'd love to say that I read, but truth be told, I was on my phone the whole time. Todd and I got new phones Thursday night, so at this point, I was still figuring it all out. We went with the new Google Pixel 8 Pro phones. A few years ago we had Google phones and loved them; when we ordered our last phones, there were none to be found. They are known for their camera features, which you know I am all about! I love mine already. I was playing with different settings and such. It wasn't cool outside, necessarily, but it felt like fall was in the air. 

I decided that Dad and I would stay in on Friday, so I heated up some leftover taco soup for the both of us. We finished it off, and it was as delicious as it was the night I made it this week. Dad is so easy to have lunch with; he never complains about whatever it is that I'm craving. It was a great visit with him this week! I say that because it wasn't a frustrating day for him. I think his day might have started off that way, but by the time he got here, he was fine. We enjoyed talking and never once got quiet this week. He talked a lot about his early childhood, and I learned some new things, like the fact that my great grandparents relocated to Hearne, Texas from the Welsh countryside in England. I knew that the Lloyds descended from Wales, I just didn't know it didn't go that far back. It was a wonderful afternoon of talking and laughing, as in the kind of laughter that paralyzed us for a couple of minutes. Neither one of us could move, we were laughing so hard! We got tickled at him trying to get up from my couch. 🤣

I include that story because that's my prayer each week: that it would be a great, fun, and relaxing day for Dad. I know he feels confused in his mind a lot, so it's a gift to be able to see him have an afternoon of respite from that. I also pray for my own self each week, that I would do and say the right things and not the wrong kind of things. For instance, I don't ever say, "Do you remember...". Instead I say, "I don't know if I ever told you this, but....". It seems more respectful and kind to say it like that. After our afternoon together, I took him home. I had to snap a picture of what it looks like at his house right now, it's so pretty!

There's the slightest hint of change in the color of the leaves that are still on the trees. We'll be out there decorating for Christmas soon! 

Todd worked that night, so I came home to have leftovers for dinner, then I watched this cute movie on Netflix.

Have you watched this? It wasn't as good as the one I watched last weekend, but it was good, nonetheless. I watched the beginning of another movie, then I ended up going to bed to finish watching it there. I sent this picture to our sons who still live here.

I captioned it: "Send help." Jonah got home ten minutes later, so it ended up not being an issue. 🤣

I slept late Saturday morning! I woke up at 7:30, which is like a whole two hours later than my normal. This is huge for me! I had ordered groceries to be picked up between 9 and 10, but Mom and I were meeting at 9:45, so Todd agreed to go get my grocery order. He came home and we put everything away, then I left to meet up with Mom. I told you on Friday that we were attending the Christmas open house of one of our favorite home decorating stores, John Mark's. It did not disappoint!

As you can imagine in a place like this, things are reasonably to very high end priced. Oddly enough, certain things are not much more expensive than what you'd find at Home Goods, and often are much prettier. Do you see the display with the houses and lights strung above them? I would love to start a collection of those, but the smallest one is almost $100! I'll keep dreaming. 🤣 

Something magical happened. When I walked into the store, I didn't think I'd be ready for Christmas decorations, but by our third stop that day, I was in the mood for all the Christmas things! Like, I may decorate in the first week of November, I am that ready. I love it so much, so I love to enjoy it for an extra long period of time! I also am still loving our fall decorations, so I don't know how I can love both of them so much at the same time. The only thing I bought during our outings was mouthwash and some Christmas lights for our tree once we do start decorating. Remember when Todd and I almost split up over the Christmas tree lights last year? I decided to be proactive and buy some new ones just in case. I have them hidden until we need them! Also, during our time browsing, I was inspired for the table I host each year at our Tablescapes event at church in the weeks leading up to Christmas. I am starting to get an idea of how I want to do mine. 

I came home to football on tv, so I spent some time outside reading while Todd yelled advice at the Alabama football team. 

I tried to get all of the dogs to pose for me, but only the two littles would cooperate. Aren't they precious? I love them all so much! That night I cooked dinner for our boys, and this is where my disappointment enters into the picture. I'd thought I'd have them all here, but Jonah had made plans to go to his girlfriend's house for her grandparent's anniversary party. He somewhat made up for it the next day, when they all came back over after church. Drew was here with his girlfriend Caitlyn, and it was fun getting to know her a little more. Church was all we did on Sunday. I had planned on attending a worship concert with friends, but I ended up staying home instead. I love a lazy day! Todd and I stayed in and binge watched The Great British Baking Show. 

What did you do that you loved this weekend? I'd love to hear from you! Thanks for reading my blog, friends. Love to all!