November Blog Challenge

1.  Write about a moment that changed the way you see yourself or the world.

2.  What is one misconception about mental health you feel called to correct?

3.  Describe a small, seemingly ordinary moment in your life that turned out to be a defining scene in your story.

4.  You’re stranded on an island and can bring three items—what are they and why?

5.  Write about a season when your faith or worldview guided you through something challenging?

6.  What has court reporting taught you about people and human nature?

7.  What lesson keeps resurfacing - and why might God be repeating it in your life?

8.  If you could visit any moment in history—or your own past—for one day, when and where would you go?

9.  What’s a story from your life most people haven’t heard but reveals something important about who you are?

10.  Describe a time you stepped outside your comfort zone and what you learned.

11.  If your life were a metaphor (e.g., a race, a garden, a song, a book), what would it be and why?

12.  What song best captures your personality or current season of life, and why?

13.  What’s a personal quality you’re proud of that others often notice?

14.  In an alternate universe, what does your life look like?

15.  What dreams or goals are stirring in your heart for 2026 and beyond?

16.  What has counseling taught you about people’s resilience and inner strength?

17.  If you could rewrite one scene from your life, what would you change - or would you keep it exactly as it is?

18.  You can invite three people (living or dead) to dinner. Who are they, and what would you serve?

19.  What is one truth or principle God is teaching you right now?

20.  What are five small things that never fail to make you smile or brighten your day?

21.  If your life were made into a movie, what is the title and genre, and who would play you?

22.  Who are three people who have had the greatest impact on your character?

23.  What is one quote or verse that has deeply shaped how you live or think?

24.  Which TV or film character’s journey reminds you of your walk with God, and why?

25.  If you could wake up with one superpower (serious or silly), what would it be and how would you use it?

26.  What movie or show do you return to again and again, and what comfort or truth does it offer you each time?

27.  Write a prayer of thanks for this year’s blessings, challenges, and lessons.

28.  What’s something you’re surprisingly good at that most people wouldn’t guess about you?

29.  What activity, place, or experience makes you feel most like yourself?

30.  Reflect on this year’s spiritual theme — what word or lesson has shaped your journey?

*Writing prompts courtesy of my close personal friend, ChatGPT. lol

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Thankful Thursday #233

"Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts,

for as members of one body,

you are called to live in PEACE.

And always be THANKFUL."

~Colossians 3:15

Today, I am thankful for...

1.  All the memes and reels that make me laugh, this meme and Rob Anderson's critique of Old Yeller being at the top of my list this week! lol

 I laughed way too hard about that!!  (For the record, must be legally single, within 1-8 years of my age, love Jesus, not have a hot temper, and not enjoy horror films.  That's literally my list, but you would think it was miles long for how difficult it is to find a match.  A potential matchmaking service quickly reminded me that there are loads of genuinely great guys who aren't Christians. I understand that, and to all of them, I say no thank you.)

2.  Kim (Rachel's mom) celebrating being cancer free and done with chemo!

3.  Mom's joy in CHA's Junior High football season... she loves the sport and so loves the playfulness and wannabe-toughness of boys this age! lol  (This = her with Jaceman, then her with TJ and Axel).

4.  However clueless I am about it, it's been fun getting to cheer for Jace with the fam!  This = a couple pics with Rach at his last game!

5.  Zana Lynn, a CHA friend from yesteryear, has started her own business called Mindful Resolutions, LLC, helping at-risk youth learn to regulate their emotions and find a compromise.  It's been a while since we've talked, but I'm proud of her and really happy to see her success here (and thankful for how it inspires me about what might be possible if I do my own thing with coaching)!

6.  As of two days ago, the new Chicken Salad Chick is open in Norman... fun!

7.  Hanging out with Miss Kyndal Faith, whom I adore!  She and her friends are at a great age, and it's been fun talking to them at J's football games!

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Home Sweet Home

Today marks three years since I moved into the "Taberhood," so happy home anniversary to me!!

For anyone who cares, working with Taber Homes was a fantastic experience from start to finish!  I love their design process (choosing from a few select options and upgrades - it was the perfect mix of making it my own without being responsible for designing every aspect of it), and they were very communicative and quick to work with us and fix a few minor things that went wrong.  This = our final walk-through a couple days before I moved in. =)

They also did several little things to make moving day feel even more special, and I very much appreciated that!  A care package with several random things you need during a move, welcome mat, red bow on the door, house keys, and champagne to celebrate (still unopened in my fridge, but it's the thought that counts). lol

Closing pic with Jordan (my realtor's son, who is also a realtor) + random moving day pics! The one broken dish was the only thing that went wrong, and it hasn't been missed. =)

The wonderful Wilson fam surprised me that weekend... look at baby Parker Elizabeth!  That helps mark the time for me. ❤

I got the pink moving truck... so fun!

Such a great house - love my kitchen!

And my living room!

And bedroom. =)

And navy mud bench!

Lunch at Slim Chickens (photo by Mom, who was also there). =)

Whitaker fam + me accidentally wearing the same shirt whilst decorating early a year later.

Hosting the fam Christmas Eve 2024!

Pic with the moose!

And hosting a Mockey Little Christmas Party in Moore, 2023 and 2024!

My only Taber complaint is that they don't yet exist in Tulsa.  I would absolutely go with them again if they did!  Anyway, that's all for today.  I love you and believe in you, and I hope you have a fantastic week ahead!!

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Thankful Thursday #232!

"Rejoice always, pray continually;

give thanks in all circumstances,
for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."
~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Today, I am thankful for...

1.  Teresa, whose birthday is today!! ❤  I'm grateful for her friendship and support and kindness through the years... and of course, I'm thankful for the key role she played in raising the best person I know!

2. That my niece and youngest nephew are having a fun Fall Break... Rach took them TPing Tuesday night, and seeing this pic brings back lots of fun memories!!

3.  Happy, colorful fresh flowers!  On the latest Eldredge podcast, they talked about how the beauty we find in our favorite parts of God's creation has a powerful healing impact on our souls, and I've been thinking about that and looking for it more since.  For me in this season, it's the details of colorful flowers and the calming effect of being near water (ponds, lakes, oceans, even pools).

4.  This reminder not to take the present gifts and joys for granted.

5.  A last-minute lunch plan with Mom yesterday... good talk, good food, and good for me! ❤

6.  Long story, and I can't go into all the details here, but I'm grateful for what God has taught me through my first and last paying client at ITS!  I was questioning the value of counseling and feeling like access to money made more of a tangible difference in people's lives than any counseling skill or intervention ever could, then something happened that flipped that script and reminded me that strong relationships and self-respect are worth more than anything money can buy.  It's been a journey the past couple months, but I needed that reminder!  Starting to feel more like myself again, and I'm grateful.

7.  At Jace's football game, a kind mom came over to talk to Rach for a bit, and she was wearing a cute t-shirt that said, "Motherhood is Kingdom Work."  True, and I felt myself quickly tear up as I read it - reminding me that I'm not quite okay just yet - then I looked away and pulled myself back together.  Yesterday was Infant Loss Awareness day, and there were several posts and podcasts that were helpful to me in this ambiguous grief.  Anyway, in talking to Chet about that moment at Jace's game, without being dismissive of my emotions, he reminded me that a lot of other things I'm already doing or stepping toward qualify as valuable "Kingdom work."  And again, I needed that reminder in this season!  So I'm grateful for God-given reminders of better things ahead, for the gradual healing process I can feel, and for what is hopefully the first of many publishing contracts I got to sign this week!! ;-)  (I was surprised to learn they're actually paying me to co-author a chapter of a counseling textbook with a CCU professor, and I laughed when they assumed I was also a professor - I'll take it.)

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Football is Life

Rach and I joined Dad for the OSU game yesterday!!

This = us in our verrrry sunny regular seats before we moved to a spot in the shade - love this pic.  My cap and the Chet fans were super helpful... I was very pleased that 2024 Lindsey left the orange sunglasses and those fans in my clear gameday purse! lol

This = Rach being deeply annoyed whilst lifting the caution tape for Dad to drive through it.  Aww, memories. lolol  His stubbornness and her impatience and irritation level make me laugh!

Rachael.

It was a light and fun day, and I know this meant a lot to Dad, and I'm genuinely very grateful the three of us got to go together!  And it was entertaining being there for the shirtless guys that made national news!

Full story by Stephanie here (love her closing paragraph)... we were in and out with the Club tickets, so we saw it when there were four guys looking kinda sad and lonely, then watched the crowd gradually rally as that section became huge... so fun!  I love knowing it started with just one.  Their chaotic energy made Friends in Low Places even more of a delight for me!!

Yay for this pre-game pic in Mom and Dad's driveway!

The food did not disappoint (for me, at least).  There was BBQ brisket and mac and cheese, stuff for salads and nachos and frito chili pie and baked potatoes, as well as brunchy foods since it was an 11am game!!  I gradually sampled the cheddar grits, cheesy hashbrown casserole, waffles, cinnamon role, biscuits and gravy, and bacon... along with some lemonade + cookies and candy and an ice cream bar to go!  (Back on track today, but that was fun!)

I was so happy to see this presh puppy in this huge truck during a 15-minute traffic jam that really stressed Rachael out! lol  When we finally got moving again, I said, "What a cute dog, and what a fun traffic jam!" and she was super annoyed with me! lol

Sister pic + Dad and Rach walking back to his car whilst I ate my ice cream and snapped a photo! =)

The Cowboys lost, but I can't express how little that mattered to me.  They fired Coach Gundy mid-season and their first and second string quarterbacks have been injured.  So it's a rough, slightly embarrassing, rebuilding kind of season for them, and on the metaphorical level, I totally relate to that and wish them all the best!  

Of course, on the reality level, I have no clue what's happening on that field 90% of the time, but I so enjoy being there. lol  Love the crowd, love the food, love the nostalgia, love the vibrant orange, love the fan energy!  To quote Danny Rojas on Ted Lasso, "Football is life!!" ;-)

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Septembers I Remember

As a past-oriented Ennegram 9 (something interesting I learned about in Suzanne's book this month), I like to look for patterns.  

In spite of my genuine love for football season, Fair food, and Fall fun with friends and family, September has historically been a bit of a sad month for me...

2001 – My Senior year at CHA, crystalized memories of watching the national news in Mrs. Young’s office on September 11th

2002 – Trying to find my footing as a new college student at OBU; unsure of my major and not loving the bug-filled dorm room; very much missing my family and CHA friends

2010 – Frustrated with single life and shifting relationships; wrote my first blog post contemplating single motherhood (15th)

2012 – Struggling through a difficult Statistics class at SNU-Tulsa

2013 – Got my printed SNU diploma the same day Malori confirmed our friendship was over (9-6); Lots of grief over that ending + lots of time with newborn Kyndal Faith

2014 – Came off of the antidepressant medication; Walked out of a crazy “prayer ministry” cult (9-19)

2015 – Received a maddening rejection email from SNU’s master’s degree program (reason still unknown) on the day of Sarah’s monkey bread fiasco (9-25)

2016 – Gradually reconnected with a newly-married friend after not speaking for seven months

2019 – Handwriting thank-you notes with Mom after Grandad’s funeral

2020 – Malori announced her family was moving back to OKC, which ironically meant increasing tension and disconnection in our friendship

2021 – Car wreck in Ruby Claire just before my first home study with Shay at 522; (also finished my first adoption profile book)

2022 – Touring my nearly-complete new construction Taber home; lab work and IUI appointments at OU Reproductive; processing some negative pregnancy tests on my own

2023 – Adjusting to the busier schedule with my internship at Restore; Babah’s rapid decline, hospice, death, and memorial service

(The FB memory that got me thinking about this pattern today.  I so love these pics of the Wilson fam!)

2024 – A jarring, friendship-altering conversation on the 3rd; my video interview for a CCU professor job (never heard back); the death of Maggie Smith

2025 – More vulnerable and emotionally-painful Dallas IVF appointments; feeling overwhelmed and under-motivated in multiple areas of life; paused my candidacy hours; briefly researched surrogacy; finally closed the embryo adoption chapter

Even in my current state of mild exhaustion, I feel deeply aware that God's grace has been consistent in every melancholy element and painful season of my life, and I'm grateful He has blessed me with dependable friends and family!

I'm also very grateful that we get to start fresh with a new month tomorrow!!

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