Thinks that are the best: Autumn Love

Wednesday mornings at the temple are the best. This week it was warm and sunny when I came outside and I felt like sitting on a bench for 10 minutes to feel the sun on my face and get some vitamin D. 

What a pleasure to see cute Annalisa skipping up to join me. My heart was so full after we visited for 30 minutes or so. I sure love this sweet young friend and our meet cute was of divine timing. She’s the best!

Big Rub diy tacos are the best. Years ago we had a taco truck here called big rub. I made a copycat of one of their tacos using leftover pork shoulder that I hadsmoked for pulled pork sandwiches a couple days before. 

La Abuelita fresh tortillas, black beans, pepper jack, avocado, cilantro, lime, a drizzle of crema sour cream, and a drizzle of hot sauce. The last three together are key. These were so good. Taco night is the best! 

Christmas bird ornaments are the best! Here are two that I saw with my mom at Kohls this week that I thought were unique and so so cute. I wish I had purchased them. 

I didn’t take a pic of Lady but we sure had a time Christmas decor shopping last week! I didn’t buy anything, but we found new ornaments and decorations to update all of my mama’s house. It’s about to get very festive up in here. She’s so excited and I’m excited to set it all up for her. My mom is having knee replacement surgery in early December and that is a super bummer. To cheer her up, we are gonna to decorate for Christmas nice and early so she can look at it and enjoy something pretty when she’s laid up sorry in recovery. She asked me to play “designer” last week so I sent her images of new holiday decor ideas and she told me which styles she liked. She wanted to tie her vintage decor together and update the things she’s tired of and not feeling nostalgic about. I came up with a decor/design board for her living room that fit the vibe and we went on a spree (thanks Dad for funding mom’s holiday happiness!) it was so nice to be out for a few hours with her and the peppermint crinkle cookie from swig that we shared was a nice bonus. I loved going from store to store with her with her and finding all the pieces to create and refresh her Christmas house. Stay tuned for a pic when it’s up. Christmas is the best. My mom is the best. 

A day trip with my best friend is the best. We left at 5:45am and drove to Little Rock. 2 hours at Vital Records for me, 2 hours of wandering through stores we don’t have in NWA (I didn’t buy anything but it was fun to look at Anthropologie, Trader Joe’s, Costco, and Urban Outfitters. We ate $1 Costco hot dogs for lunch and then drove on to Hot Springs for a CASA errand for K. We arrived an hour early so we decided to explore a bit and discovered we were just outside the Anthony Chapel. Much like Thorncrown chapel in Eureka Springs and Mildred Cooper Chapel in Bella Vista, the views inside and out were breathtaking. We had a wonderful and successful day together! 

Visits from Denmark are the best! I was gladdened on Sunday to glance across the pews and spot Emily B in Sugar Creek congregation! Emily spent the summer months in 2024 visiting the United States, staying with extended family in Bella Vista. Quincy befriended her and she joined our Sunday school class when I was teaching the 17 and 18 year olds. She is just so lovely and it thrilled me when she found us after church to catch up for a bit (and send a selfie to Q of course!). 

Holding out with patience for a good deal is the best. Here are some photos of the sofas I had pinned for inspiration for our music room. $7,800 is crazy LOL. So is $2,350 or even $1700. I saved these because I love the shape, color, and design of this. Wanted something low and firm For sitting on the edge to play guitars, yet deep and lengthy enough to nap on. A rich, warm, velvety textile  was also important to me for the space to counter the cool, grey, angular wallpaper and the hard textures of all the instruments and wood flooring.  It needed to look soft, sit firm, and be large but cozy. I want our music space to have good acoustics without feeling sterile. It should be inviting. 

I have waited and watched for just the right thing and right price while the room has been unfurnished for a year. Last week, I found a dreamy dupe (pic posted out of order, scroll down to see) and brought it home. It’s a great fit and will post pics of the room at some point after I get the rest of the instruments hung up.  

After my efforts and tirelessly bringing Soren’s running shoes back to life, the end of XC season is actually the best. I will not miss this very smelly chore! 

Tiny twinkle players are the best. Look at the curve on that pinkie. Look at that left wrist. Miss Cami is form and technique focused and it’s the best 

The “fat Huz” gif is always the best. 

Here’s the sofa! Not a bad dupe! Another discount got me this beauty for under $400 👊🏼👊🏼

There are pillow cushions too.

A day trip to Fayetteville with Tiffany is the best! I just love this fun and funny friend! 

Funny texts on the family thread from Aaron are the best. Especially since he is the TP/soft tissue director. 

Soren calling Josh, “Cappy” is the best. The haircut I gave him was some of my best work. 

Starting a new book is the best. Sharon Eubank is the best. She is such a powerhouse. Humanitarian aid is the best. Super excited to read this. 

Getting weekly pics of Reese at the temple is the best!

Quincy happy about making progress in her language study is the best. She has been working  on her goal to be able to string together a simple prayer in Korean before she enters the MTC. She sent this text today after her zoom Korean lesson. So happy for her. 

I have a super power for finding online designer dress dupes. This was great for prom season, and is proving to be a fun project before I send Quincy out on a mission. She will be a well dressed sister missionary. But I refuse to spend designer prices! Left: $198 Anthropologie tobie dress. Right: online dupe $34. That’s what I’m talking about! It’s a niche gift but when it is dress buying season, it’s the best! 

The fall colors are here and it’s the best! 

 

Climbing Everest Has Highs and Lows.

I have been climbing Mount Everest for almost 4 years, and I reached the first two base camps in the last week! 

On adoption day (in February of 2022), we took home the Adoption Decree that the twins signed with the judge. 

The Report of Adoption, however, was never given to us. 

Both documents are required to obtain birth certificates. 

For years, I’ve been reaching out to the caseworker and our attorney.  DHS say it’s our attorneys problem. Attorney says they don’t have it, DHS does. And round and around we go. 

I told kasey how frustrated I am and she was inspired to have chat create a step by step checklist, simplifying the monumental process into manageable steps. 

Step one: obtain adoption decree. Done! 

Step two: obtain report of adoption. Doh! 

I spent many phone calls pleading my case to Vital Records, hoping someone down in Little Rock could help me out. And one of those calls paid off, because one lady said, “if they’re adopted, go down to the Washington county courthouse and ask the judge to sign it! 

Judge Z had retired. Bummer! 

But that got me thinking I might have some luck with the county clerk. 

Tiffany came with me for moral support abd we took a little trip to Fayetteville and begged a county clerk to help me. Since I had the Adoption Decree, couldn’t they give us a copy of the report? 

Turns out there WAS a report created on file and it had been sent to (drumroll please…) the caseworker! Yes, the very caseworker that I have YEARS of email and text and phone call correspondence with her telling me to go ask my attorney. 

And what’s worse, the “decree” I had was only a temporary keepsake decree, with the juvenile court case number on it. A final decree as well as a supplemental decree had both been filed by the judge AND SENT TO DCFS, and no one would give it to us, or even tell us they exist and are necessary. I almost nailed the juvenile decree to Little Rock in a Hail Mary attempt to get birth certificates, but couldn’t bring myself to put it in the mail bc it’s the only documented proof I have that these babies are adopted and I am their legal parent. I had decided to go for gold and show up at the court clerk’s office to try to obtain the Report of Adoption myself because it was literally the ONLY thing I could think to do. 

Success! The clerk is an adoptive parent as well and totally understood my predicament. She printed signed and sealed everything I needed. I left with 1 sealed and certified Report of Adoption and 2 sealed and certified copies each of the final decree AND supplemental decree. It was a red letter day that emboldened me to really test my luck and continue on this journey after years of getting nowhere.

On Monday, Kasey pulled up at 5:45am and we drove to viral records in Little Rock. As previously demonstrated, we did not have all the information correct, BUT I did have the correct documents, a support system, and a friendly smile.  

They kept my original copies (and gave me photo copies at least. Good thing I got a backup original of the decrees!)  Gottem! The worker who brought the certificates out to me in the waiting room announced, “congratulations, it’s twins!” 

What a perfect day! 

That was Base Camp 2. 

On to obtaining social security cards. I spent 90 minutes ON HOLD with the SSA yesterday.  Once I had a live agent on the line, she confirmed that an appointment is required for getting SS cards post adoption. Unfortunately, the state of Arkansas shows no live appointments available at this time, so please call back in 1 week and try again. 

Whyyyyyyyyy

This. This is why the children are 10 and had no paper proof they exist until now. I’m so tired of this fight. 

“Wait are you for real? There’s NOTHING?” 

Affirmative. Nothing open and nothing she can do about it in Pennsylvania at the central SSA scheduling office. She gave me the laundry list of required documents for adopted children who have no copies of their prior ss cards. Yeah right did DHS give OG cards to us. I remember when we found out after we had fostered them for a YEAR that they’d given us bogus SS numbers, too. They owned up to that at least. I know there are actual copies of their cards somewhere in that office though, because I still remember the day a lady named Mona (you never forget a Mona) called to give me their accurate numbers over the phone, but I digress. 

I’ll be gathering up said documents and heading to Fayetteville next week to see if a live agent in person can schedule an appointment for us. Maybe I’ll get triple lucky and they’ll see me right then. One can hope. We’ve certainly waited long enough. 

Bear Starts Piano Lessons

 Bear has asked and asked to take piano lessons. Sister McCash had an opening so we jumped on it. He is so excited! 

Willyween 2025: parties

Reese and Logan had a double date and spooky craft night adding bats and ghosts to art. 

Ward Party: here’s the traditional “fun mom” pic with a bunch of moms who dressed up. Jill S, the ultimate dress up mom, you were missed! 

Esther C, Danielle P, Me, Katie G, Tess H, Amanda H

Somehow, the Willies won best family theme costume, but I think it was rigged because Corbin’s buddy was the judge. There were SO many fun costumes! 

Class Parties: 

Bear’s class had a fun escape room and Esme’s clsss played carnival games. 

Primrose Lane Block Party: a Chili cookoff, hot dog roast, desserts, cotton candy, trick or treating, and visiting with neighbors! My favorite part was absolutely Masza and Richard handing out salami to doggos and adults. Masza and Richard met in Spain, and I told them that handing out salami on Halloween has to be the the most European thing primrose lane has ever seen 😂

Thelma blessed us all with her famous coconut cream mini pies. Heavenly.

Hal and Lady manned cotton candy station. 

Corbin went to the football game and Soren left to go trick or treating with Dean S. Sloane Bear and Esme loaded their bags up on primrose lane and were spoiled by all the neighbors. 

Mother Daughter Date: Anne of Green Gables

 

Sloane and I finished Anne of Green Gables and had a late night date to sip hot cocoa and watch the movie. So so cute. I should have gone full send and looked up bow to make raspberry cordial 😂

 Sloane loved taking a turn staying up later than the other kids. Aaron and the big boys watched the final World Series game at my parents house, so we had the living room to ourselves. She snuggled in, laughed and commented on every detail that was noticeably similar or different than the book, swooned over Gilbert Blythe, and full on sobbed when Matthew died, hoping that would be a change from the original plot. I love my spunky Sloanie girl! 

Treat Yo Self Day!

There’s a series of episodes on Parks and Rec where Tom and Donna celebrate Treat Yo Self Day. It’s hilarious. This fake holiday (much like Festivus or Galentine’s Day)  is celebrated October 13th. This year, I happened to be taking a walk at Coler and a beautiful girl zoomed by on roller skates. She was wearing a long flowy boho skirt, and her gorgeous long wavy hair wildly blew behind her. She wore headphones and looked like she was living her best life jamming to music and roller skating. I remembered my adolescent years where I lived on roller blades. I rode those things all over Gilroy: to Janelle, Annie, and Emily’s houses. To the grocery store, ice cream and bagel shops. Once drug store for the bull candy bins. Along the levy that encircles half the city. To parks and babysitting gigs. They were my primary transportation until I could drive. And honestly, I loved them. So when I saw this girl with her headphones and flashed back to 14-17 year old Meg cooking along the levee with her Walkman and roller blades, I thought to myself, “what am I even doing with my life?! Why am I out here just walking and sweating? This girl is really living. I am a grown adult with free will. I could be skating right now!” 

So I bought myself a pair of roller blades. Because:

TREAT YO SELF! 

They arrived a week later, but then the weather turned chilly and it rained for a week. 

Yesterday was the day. Aside from 3, maybe 4 trips to Great Day Skate place, it has been 25 years since I’ve put on some skates. 

I may have overestimated my skills. 

Actually, I did much better than expected, what I failed to consider are hills. Gilroy California is flat, flat, flat. 

The razorback greenway is not. I almost ate pavement many times after going uncontrollably fast and not having any clue how to slow down or stop on a hill. I have definitely never done that before! 

But we did a thing and Sloane, Esme, and I skated from one end of Coler Mountain to the other! At the top of each big hill, the girls would rest, hold onto the bridge hand rail, and watch me go down the hill (terrified out of my mind). Once I reached the bottom of the slope, I’d turn and coach/encourage them and they did it! They both have a few big wipe outs, but thanks to wrist and elbow guards, there were no cuts or scrapes! We made it! 

If this doesn’t earn cool mom status with my children, I don’t think it’s possible. Roller skating on hilly terrain outdoors is NOT the same as on a flat surface or indoor rink! This adventure was not for the faint of heart and I felt my age. I also feel it in my sore body today. I’m really so proud of us for doing this, and I’m so relieved we made it to the end.