but at the end of the day October is still my favorite

 

The real things haven't changed. It is still best to be honest and truthful; to make the most of what we have; to be happy with simple pleasures; and have courage when things go wrong. 

~ Laura Ingalls Wilder

And just like that, it's   O c t o b e r . 

And for the first time ever, I am not excited about it. For years now, I have written an update in October. And, though my blogging has kinda died out, I knew I still wanted to do this. I still wanted to look back on what has happened between now and last October. God has been so good, and has blessed us so much. He has blessed me with the worlds greatest sister-in-law, and a pretty great future-brother-in-law. By the end of this year we will have married off two of my siblings - leaving just me and LaKaysha at home. Our family has grown so much, and yet home-life has shrunk, you know? 

Since last October we have added to our family; Gideon, Brynna and her "Baby Pooh", and soon Byron will be officially family (as if he wasn't officially added the moment he and Liberty started dating because we're one of those weird families, lol). I honestly had forgotten that last October we didn't even know if Gideon was a boy or a girl, so it's strange to think that now we have so many other people added to our once-family-of-seven. Now we are a family of soon-to-be thirteen. THIRTEEN. What!? I know that's not really a huge family, but it blows me away how quickly we grew. And how quickly we could still grow. Crazy. Chancy and Brynna's baby is due to arrive in April 2023, and I just can't wait to be an auntie again. It was kinda crazy to realize that I will have to share this baby with Brynna's family, but it's okay - being an auntie is amazing, so I will let Molly and Maybel be aunties to this baby too *winks*

Why am I not excited for October? 

I don't actually know. Maybe it's due to the fact that Fall in taking forever to come to the PNW this year. Or maybe it's because I will turn 23 next week. *wrinkles nose* Gross, I'm old. I am now way older than Felicity was when she married Josiah. And maybe it's because my eighteen-year-old baby sister is getting married in December. Or maybe it's all the crazy changes going on around me, without anything changing in my life, as far as big things. I am still single. I am still cleaning houses with LaKaysha (even though we are struggling to hold on to clients). I am still living at home. Still share my car with LaKaysha. But you know what? I will be getting my own room when Liberty is married. *laughs* there's something. I have never had my own room. And I have never not shared a bed with LaKaysha, but maybe this is God's way of preparing us to finally go our separate ways? Who's to say, really. Either one of us could meet someone and leave the other behind. And maybe now we'll actually be prepared for that change. 

Besides adding to our family, so many other things have changed in my life. We have moved! As I'm sure you know. We moved to a farm in the Flats and honestly nothing has ever felt so right. I love how the sun shines through the tree outside my window in the morning. I love how the birds sing like crazy in the evening. I love how beautiful the fog is, and I love the cows in the field, and the smell of hay, and the barn, oh how I love how cute that barn is. But I think my favorite part of living here is falling asleep to the sound of elk bugling, or coyotes yipping. There's just nothing like laying in the comfort of your own bed, listening to the wild animals wander the fields. just ahhhh *hearts for days* 

And the best change of all - my darling cousin and best friend has FOUND CHRIST!!! Heaven is rejoicing for her, and I am too! Having her back in my life has been the most wonderful thing. She's come down and visited twice now, and each time we stay up till wayyy too late visiting, and sometimes I have to just lay there next to her in awe. Hearing her talk about God makes my heart leap for joy. And sitting beside her in church, and knowing she's no longer lost... sometimes I get overwhelmed. God is SO GOOD. I can't even put into words how wonderful this is. I just thank God everyday that He has brought her home. *praising God forever over this*

It's now been over a year since Abi went Home, and going on a year since we lost my mom's dear friend, Susie. I have never really dared to share how hard losing Susie was for me. I guess I was afraid people would think I had no right to hurt so much for someone I hadn't even seen in years, or someone I have never even spoken to personally, just hung around with her and my mom through the years. But my pain is real, and it doesn't matter if people think I have no "right" to grieve her. The truth is I have had to grieve this loss. But now, coming up on a year, I can truthfully say I am doing better. I am no longer angry with God. Last year, when this was all fresh and I was really struggling, I had a dream. A dream I believe was from God, and I know it was meant to be a comfort. And for a while there I wondered why God would give ME that dream, when Susie's own family could use the comfort more than me. And that's when I realized that it was okay for me to grieve for me. It's okay that I was hurting. And maybe now I am ready to share that dream? I wrote it down in my diary, and now I've been thinking about maybe sharing it on here for Susie's family to see. What do you think? Should I dig out that old diary and relive that dream for the sake of maybe bringing comfort to someone who may need it?? 

But enough about sad things! It's fall (even if the weather still believes it's summer), and I am so ready to be doing all the falls things. Going to the pumpkin patch, drinking fall drinks, and eating fall treats. So ready for this. And this year I've been wanting to watch some cozy-fallish movies and shows. Any suggestions? 

Been diving into wedding planning... here we go again. Lol. 

So you know the saying, "Three times a bridesmaid, never a bride"? Well, what happens when you've been FOUR times a bridesmaid?? *laughs*

I hope you all are doing great, and I hope your weather is cooler than mine!!

Until next time, 

happy november

hello, folks.

Sorry I disappeared again. I really didn't mean to, I just got busy, I guess. Or lazy. I've been so busy, that the above picture is actually from last November. *laughs* please don't judge.

On the 10th of this month, I got to meet my beautiful niece, Kate Marie. She's the most precious thing ever. Right now I am sick with a cold, so must stay away from her, which is the hardest thing ever. I've yet to kiss her or smell her. But if I wear a mask I can hold her, which is nice, though it sucks. I caught this cold literally the day she was born. Talk about horrible timing. Hopefully I will get better soon and I can kiss her little cheeks. I'll do a post all about being an auntie, so no pictures of her right now *winks* most of you probably follow my sister, Liberty, who already posted pictures of her anyway.

This past weekend, LaKaysha and I drove our car over to the other side of the state to visit our aunt and uncle, along with our brother. He did the scary driving, and I drove the rest of the way. It was nice to take our own car on a long drive like that. Maybe one of these days I'll get brave enough to do the entire drive myself. Though I may have a hard time getting Chancy to give up his share of the driving. I think we both enjoy it. The weekend was a good time even though I'm fighting this cold, and so tired easily. It was great to see Kirsten again after that long time she was away in Montana. we got back just yesterday.

Work has been going pretty good. We even have a new client! Remember that our church had to move to a different building? Well we got hired to clean it! LaKaysha and I along with our aunt, Marissa. So that will be nice. We're also hoping to find at least one more client. It seems like we work nonstop as it is, but it sure would be nice to have the extra money to help pay our bills that we have now that we have a car. xP

I know I've been a terrible blogger, and I'm sorry, but don't worry. I have great stuff coming. Mostly a top ten post that I've been working on for quite some time now. I'm really enjoying putting it together, so I hope you guys enjoy reading it just as much. And that brings me to a question that I wanted to ask you guys. Do you even like my top ten lists? I'll probably keep making them, even if you folks don't like them, but I'd still like to know if there's anyone out there who actually enjoying seeing my top ten posts.

Also, are there any posts you'd like to see from me? I haven't done a photo dump since starting up blogging again, but I could start doing that if you guys would like to see them. Maybe a monthly photo dump? Or do one each season? I used to do Beautiful Words posts each month, and I could start that again. Let me know in the comments what you'd like to see from me in the future! I could even start a blogging schedule if you guys would like me to. Maybe that would force me to stay on top of it *laughs*

Anyway! Leave the answers to my questions below! also, what does your family eat for Thanksgiving!? I'm interested to know! bye for now, 

all about autumn || tag

yay! I've been tagged by the biggest sis, Felicity, for the All About Autumn tag!

so here it is *winks*


 - What are your plans for this fall?

hm. well. turn twenty. hang out with my pen pal. meet my niece or nephew. buy a car. *nods*
also drink lots of tea and coffee and eat some caramel apples. maybe have some cider. read some good books. And Christmas shop. Yes. Christmas shop. *winks*

- Which two things tell you that the Autumn season has begun?

rain. and pumpkin latte's at every coffee shop in town.

- What are three things you love about the season?

the rain. the pumpkin latte's. the colors.

- What is your best memory from fall?

Thanksgiving Day in 2013. It was the only Thanksgiving that I got to celebrate with both sides of the family, including both sets of Grandparents. That was the day my Grandpa Stenersen walked up behind me, gave me a hug, and whispered, "you're beautiful, Daminika." I've always treasured the memory, but I especially treasure it now, since Grandpa's stroke. <3

also, it was a good time with alllll the cousins *winks*

 LaKaysha, Kimberly, Emily, (me) and Kirsten. thanksgivng 2013

- What is your favorite scent from Autumn?

pumpkin. or apple cider. orrrrrr pumpkin apple cider *winks*

- What is your favorite Autumn color?

burnt orange.

- What is your favorite fall inspired drink?

oh boy. probably pumpkin flavored coffee. mocha. latte. or just a normal coffee with pumpkin creamer.

- What is your favorite food from Autumn?

Pumpkin pie for sure.

- Which place would you love to visit in the fall?

New Hampshire. But what else is new? *laughs*


I tag:

Natasha @ Simple Things

LaKaysha @ Calico and Lace

Hope y'all enjoyed this tag! Also, who else is excited for Fall??? 

Beautiful Words || October '18

"This is my favorite time of year, just before the holidays start. I love that feeling when everything is new, that anything can happen feeling" 

~Izzy Pettibone, Road to Avonlea 

Backyard Beauty Challenge || T A G

time for yet another tag! and this one I have to actually work for *winks*

thanks Emily for making this tag, and for tagging me! *grins*

~ RULES ~

Thank the blogger who challenged you.

Step out into your backyard.

Take at least 5 pictures containing some backyard beauty.

Share at least 5 pictures in a post.

Challenge some fellow bloggers to do the same.

~ I CHALLENGE ~ 

maddy @ little bit of sunshine 

Oh look || It's October

Oh look. It's October.
And I never did a September Photo Dump. *facepalm* all the pictures are still on my phone, and I'm just too lazy to download them. So. I'll do that one of these days.
Right now, let's take a moment to appreciate the fact that it's my favorite month again.

It's October! 

 It's time for Pumpkin Spice Latte's. Time for yummy fall milkshakes at Burgerville. Time for cozy sweaters, good books, hot tea, The Piano Guys. when I'm not cleaning someone's toilets or making random peoples beds. #cleaningladylife
The past two Octobers I've done a life update. So I figured I should probably do one this October. Keep up the tradition, ya know. *winks* The only trouble is, my last post was a life update of sorts. So. What am I supposed to say in this post? Shall I repeat myself? I'll try not to. *winks*

Can you believe I'm almost nineteen? Where has 2018 gone? Like, really. Someone needs to tell time to slow down. The clocks are moving way too fast. The seconds go by faster than they did when I was a kid. Or is that just me?
Nineteen. And just last year I was freaking out because I was turning eighteen. *laughs at my younger self* I guess I could say eighteen has been good to me.
-I stood in a wedding for the first time. 
-I made a trip to New Hampshire and made wonderful memories at Grandpa and Grandma's and Felicity and Josiah's. 
-I got another job 
-Had some adventures with the cousins 
I mean, when you think about it. It's been a good age.
and 18 is going out with a bang.
The weekend of my birthday, I am going to the beach. That's the plan anyway.
My first road trip - being the driver. I'll being driving my parents van, and LaKaysha and Chancy will be coming with me. It's not a birthday get-away. We're just going to visit my aunt and uncle while they're staying at the beach. It just so happens to be the weekend of my birthday. Which I think is awesome.
I can pretend I'm going to the beach to say goodbye to 18, right?
Since my birthday is that Sunday, and we'll actually be coming home that Saturday.
That should be fun. *tries not to squeal with excitement*

I'm not afraid of nineteen. I'm actually kinda excited. I haven't been excited for my birthday in years. But I am. *giggles* Maybe it's the beach trip plans? idk.

Though sometimes, when I think about it, I get sad that I'm going to be nineteen, and still I don't have a guy. Still, I don't even know any guy who could, maybe become my boyfriend. Nobody.
I don't like to to admit it, but I'm lonely. For someone I've never met.
What's up with that?
Is there something wrong with me?
I don't think so. I just have to be patient. Even though it's hard.

ANYWAY. ;P

What's up in your October? 

the facts of life || why i'm quiet

It's fall now.

I love this time of year. It's so refreshing after a long, hot summer.

It's fall, the year has gone by so, so fast. And I haven't been very good at blogging, have I?
I don't know what's up with me. I just never feel like sitting down at the computer. It's like I have nothing to say to the internet.

When 2018 started, I knew it would be filled with change. I mean, right off the bat, my sister got married and moved to New Hampshire.
I had never known what it was like to not have all of your siblings near by, when ever you need them. I knew that 2018 would be completely different than any other year of my life.
And maybe that's why I haven't been blogging as much as I used to.
I'm stilling dealing with all the changes around me.
And there are so, so many.
- Felicity is 3,000 miles away. as you know.
- my cousins, the ones I've grown up with, hung out with, and were my only friends have moved on in life. They have new friends. Two of them are now dating. And even though they're boy cousins, it's still hard. When I care about someone, I care about them a lot. So these cousins were like brothers to me. And suddenly I never see them. Sometimes they will bring their girlfriends to church, but they have their own plans for the day and I only see them for a few minutes. I'm not saying it shouldn't be this way. I'm just saying it's a change. I no longer have a "group". They have one, and I sometimes tag along. But I don't feel like a part of it. Some days the fact that I have no friends that live near me makes me want to crawl back in bed. And other days I'm fine with only chatting with friends on Snapchat and through texting. It's mixed up.
- I have started a new job. This it probably a good thing since I lost my first job, and I wasn't making very much money cleaning once a week with LaKaysha. (I started by just going to work with her, when needed, and I eventually got hired) LaKaysha and I both have started this job - plus keeping the one we already had. So we are now cleaning house for six different poeple. It's an adjustment for sure. And once I start making money, I'll probably be happy about this change.

So maybe these things, piled up, have taken away my desire to blog. idk.
I like to blog about things that make me and others happy. And I haven't been able to think of things like that to blog about.
No. I'm not depressed.
I'm just trying to adjust to my new life.
And I think that's ok.

Most days, I am happy. Please don't get me wrong.
I just felt like it was finally time to tell y'all the facts of my life. Why I've been so quiet on here.

Today I was writing in my diary - something I've also been neglecting this year - I was writing about not blogging. How I'm torn on what to do. I don't want to stop blogging forever. I just feel like I need a break.

And then I had this idea.

What if I stopped blogging for a year? 
All of 2019 take a complete break from the blogger world and just live. And if I feel ready at the end of 2019, I'd start blogging again in 2020. I know I still have a few months to decide if I'm going to do this. But I figured - why not run it past my followers? So they can help me decide.

So. Folks. 
If I stopped blogging for a year, would you stick by me and still be there when I came back?

Hello September || T A G

Another tag to do! *happy dance*
I get to do this one, thanks to Maddy @ Little Bit of Sunshine 

R U L E S 

Answer the questions and then nominate at least three other bloggers. Write out at least ten new questions or just copy these. Include the guidelines in your post, use the tag picture, and try to avoid nominating bloggers who have already been nominated.

Q U E S T I O N S  &  A N S W E R S 

fall or autumn? 

I call it fall, for the most part 

favorite fall activity? 

going out with my parents for my birthday

sweaters or hoodies? 

both. But i have more sweaters than hoodies (sadly) 

how would you describe the perfect fall day? 

rain. driving alone. listening to casting crowns. sipping on some kind of pumpkin coffee. and hanging out with family/friends. 

windy or rainy days? 

rainy. 

apple pie or pumpkin pie? 

pumpkin.

do you like apple cider donuts? 

are those a thing? must. find. some. 

favorite fall time drink? 

either apple cider or some kind of pumpkin coffee. but then i also like tea...

if you could go to one state in the USA, just for the fall scenery, where would you go?

New Hampshire. 

maybe that's a lame answer because New Hampshire is my go-to vacation any time of year. *laughs* 

what color leaf do you like best? 

hm. I think I like orange. 

Q U E S T I O N S 

sweaters or hoodies? 

windy or rainy day? 

favorite fall time drink? 

favorite fall color? 

what song makes you feel cozy? 

favorite part of fall in your state?

favorite pair of boots? (pic plz) 

 favorite jacket? (pic plz)

favorite fall memory? 

favorite fall pass time? 

if you could go anywhere in the USA, just for the fall scenery, where would you go?

I   T A G 

Natasha @ Simple Things

Felicity @ A Grand Adventure 

Mira @ Stepping in Sunshine 

Marissa @ Hidden Treasures

Photo Dump || November 2017

Ok, guys. 2017 has been going by WAY TOO FAST. How do we stop it!?
How can November be over!? Just yesterday I was planning a trip to NH for the month of May. And now you tell me it's almost December?! You've got to be kidding me.

November. Uhhhhhhhh. *mind is blank* I guess I'll just have to use the photo dump to help me remember what happened! *laughs*

P H O T O   D U M P:

did some knitting and writing. 

oh yes. Coffee. I wouldn't be living if I didn't make at least one trip to the coffee shop this month! (just so you know, don't go on Sunday. They're super busy and the workers know a lot of the people who go, so they chat forever and ever and you're sitting in line like HURRY UP.)

went to work. just look at that clean living room!! *is proud* *winks* 

ice cream is life.

oh! went shopping with the other bridesmaids and ended up sitting at a coffee shop for at least an hour, and got paid a huge compliment from a lady who was there. (I actually got tea, in case you were wondering *winks*) 

our church had the nut auction. I got some yarn, a shirt, and a record. 

here's a food pic for y'all. 

all five of us on one couch/love seat. watching a movie. <3

we took this little cutie wedding shopping with us because her mom couldn't find a babysitter. 

oh yeah! and the bro got his first buck!!! how cool is that!? 

ok so, my aunts, Marissa and Marita, finally got their own place and we helped them move in. Plus did a lot of visiting. in the first six days that they lived there, I visited six times. But I didn't go once a day! 

(oh yes, and Josiah came to visit and these two lovebirds kinda helped *winks*) 

nothing like a candle burning in a new house, freshly moved in, and all the lights off. <3

mocha truffle! Sadly, I was/is sick and I couldn't enjoy it. *frowns* 

now this I could enjoy!! *a million hearts* 

Eponine, climbing through our bedroom window. 'Cause we don't have a screen. *laughs* 

driving. <3 

visiting Marissa and Marita once again. <33 (I'm so in love with their house, I may have to move in *laughs*) 

pic with Kirsty on Thanksgiving Day. <333 

Thanksgiving dinner *lots of love here* 

drinking coffee in the unusually warm Thanksgiving weather. 

and we somehow managed to play a game with the lovebirds. *winks* 

it's not Thanksgiving without at least one pumpkin pie! <3 

ME 'N MY BLUE CHAIR. 

coffee on black friday. (first peppermint mocha of the Christmas season) 

with Thanksgiving gone, it's now time for CHRISTMAS!!!! 

and then we had Felicity's bridal shower! <3 It was tea-party themed, and I actually think we may have pulled it off. *winks* 

bride with all the bridesmaids, plus personal attendant. <3 

Mother, with all her girls <333

and the bride with the gifts she got showered with!! <3

my tootsie-roll. she's getting so big! 

one game we had at the shower. *smiles*

and it was over! done! WE DIIIIIDDD IT!! 

chocolate peppermint milkshake. I waited two years for this thing! (it's a seasonal shake, and they decided to try something new last year, but nobody liked it. Even I was upset about it *winks*) 

at the aunts' once again. *laughs* 

look at these two! They're adorable! <3 

supper date with the family. Even our new big brother. <3 

Well, there you have it. Josiah left yesterday. I go to work today. And life will go on.
First Christmas, then New Years, and then *dies* THE WEDDING. But even worse -- then Felicity moves three-thousand miles away! *sobs*

How was your month? Thanksgiving? (the long weekend tired me out. lol) 
Excited for Christmas!?