Hello and happy Thursday! I only have to pet sit two dogs and run an errand for the family I work for today, so I thought I’d use my extra free time pop in here on the blog and say hi.
I should totally be editing my book, cleaning our bathroom, or finding out what Malcolm is up to in the living room right now (I hear all kinds of noises but don’t really want to know what kind of trouble he’s getting into!), but I just want to blog. So here I am 🙂
My brother’s birthday is on Saturday!
Billy and his dog, Moses.
I’ve had people comment on my blog before and say they never knew I had a brother, haha. He’s four years older than me and lives about 45 minutes away, so I don’t get to see him as much as I’d like. We do see each other at least twice a week at church, though, which is awesome.
I had fun picking out birthday gifts for him. He loves tacos, hot sauce, avocado, and Dunkin’ Donuts, so I tried to combine all of that in a gift. Plus some peanut butter chocolate chip cookies that I baked. Can’t go wrong with cookies, right?!
Growing up with my brother was the best. I followed him around everywhere and wanted to be just like him. Thankfully, he put up with me and we have a lot of hilarious memories. He was 10-years-old when Hannah came along, and I can remember how proud he was to hold her and carry into church for the first time. Ah, memories 🙂
Happy birthday, Billy, I love you!
I was looking through pictures on my phone from the weekend and had to laugh at the pictures Jimmy and I took before we went on a walk together. We took four pictures and none of them included both of us smiling and looking at the camera at the same time.
The struggle was real.
Can I just repeat for the 1,000th time how much fun I have with the cat of the family I work for?
He lets me carry him around in laundry baskets and I always find him sitting on top of the family’s dryer. I feel like he went through a growth spurt recently, because he seems so big now?! Maybe it’s because I go from holding 5-month-old Malcolm, to their one-year-old cat.
I found this picture on Pinterest and asked Jimmy if this can be our house in a few years…
Totally reasonable, right?
Well, I better get going. My second cup of coffee and Bible are calling my name, and then I need to get my day started.
Jimmy and I are beginning to study 1 Peter together, so I’ve been reading it and referencing my Halley’s Bible Handbook to learn as much as I can. 1 Peter focuses on Christians accepting and dealing with unjust suffering. Persevering in faith through trials is tough, but the book of 1 Peter gives so much encouragement and hope for the future. Love it.
Living My Full Life 
Happy Birthday to your brother Billy! I knew you had a brother but I’ve been reading a really long time, too. I remember when he got married as well and have seen him in pictures but just knew you don’t talk about him as much as your sis. Sounds like you’ve been really busy with work and writing too- and I like the pics of you and Jimmy. No way could I get Clay to just randomly take pics before a walk though!
I love that you remembered I have a brother! I miss living with him, but it’s always nice when I do get to see him!
Yes, work is keeping me super busy! The kids of the family I work for are back in school, so I’ve been doing a lot more meal prep for them. Pet sitting has been ramping up in busyness for me, which is random for October, but I’ll take it!
I have to say, I had to beg Jimmy to take those pictures! He wasn’t too excited, haha.
If I was your brother I would be stoked for that gift!
Haha, thank you Ellie!! I think he really liked it!
Great gift for your brother!! It’s nice that you’re so close to your family. And I love the memory you have of him carrying Hannah into church for the first time – so proud of his new baby sister.
All those black cats are so sweet – I hope that is your house in a few years – with a Lola for good measure! The cat that belongs to the family you work for is so pretty. Unique markings!
Thanks, Amy! I think he liked it! It as fun to see the smile on his face when he opened everything. Being close with my family means so much to me.
I soo want my house to be filled with black cats (or any cats…) in a few years. I’m totally obsessed.
The cat that belongs to the family I work for is a bengal cat! He’s a little more wild than a domestic cat, so he keeps me on my toes!
I was about to tell you that I had no idea you had a brother when I read that you are told that often hahaha. You are such a great gift giver! Also I love that picture of all of the cats. Please let that be your house in a few years. 😉
LOL! Yeah, he doesn’t make toooo many appearances here on the blog! You know hoe guys are 😉
YES to my house being filled with cats! I hope that dream comes true!
All those cats! HA! I love it! I could absolutely see that being your house in a couple of years. 😉
Such good gift picks for your brother! Happy birthday to him! 🙂
It would be a dream come true to have a house filled with cats just like Malcolm, haha!
Thank you! I had such a fun time picking out things I think he would like 🙂
Hahaha, I love the cat photo! Yup, definitely reasonable. 🙂 Cats are great (but so are puppies!) 😁
Happy birthday to your brother! Your choice of gifts is lovely and thoughtful.
This is a bit random but I know you love coffee, as I do: I went to T.J. Maxx in my lunch break yesterday and they were selling toasted hazelnut coffee. I didn’t buy any but now I wish I had!
Was it you who wrote about hazelnut coffee a while ago? I’ve never seen it sold in the UK before so I think it must be a US thing. I want to try it! Hopefully the store will still have it on Monday.
Have a great weekend!
Cats and puppies. The best!! It’s super reasonable to have a house filled with both 😉
I can’t wait to send you a package with hazelnut coffee 🙂
Hope you had a great weekend!
Oops, the second emoji looks really weird! It changed when I clicked publish. Not sure how it looks on your screen, but it’s meant to be a laughing/smiley face.
I got the emoji as a laughing/smiley face, too! 🙂
I think you did well with the gift! And having that many cats is totally reasonable…I’m not sure if it would be a good idea if they were all the same color and breed though! Haha!
Thanks, P! You’re right about the cats… what if I would confuse them all with each other?! Haha!
Those are GREAT gifts! 🙂
I’m sure the 1Peter study is really good!
Thanks, Nicole! 1 Peter is going so well! We are loving it!