Mums

Toddler girl wearing romper and rain boots by garden

Much Needed + Trash

Jimmy and I went on our first date since the onset of COVID restrictions! Whew did we need that time alone. My mother-in-law graciously watched Sadie for a few hours on Friday night while we went out to eat and walked around a few stores.

Toddler with rubber band bracelets

Sader Tot had a blast with her Grandma!

Of course with mostly came home with toys for Sadie (this animal set has been a big hit, as have these puffy stickers), but Jimmy also picked up spirograph and has been having a blast unwinding with it at night and reliving childhood memories. 

On Saturday we picked up trash! Our church gathered together and headed to a local park with a bike trail and picked up litter. 

Group of people picking up litter on trail

I was thinking that we have so much fun with our church family that it doesn’t really matter what we’re doing together.

Sometimes there are hard things, hard work, and hard times, but fellowshipping with our family in Christ makes it all so much better. It’s such a blessing to have a community of believers to spend time with and share our joys, hardships, and everyday life. There’s just nothing like it. 

Other happenings around the Zottola house lately:

  • I planted more mums to spruce up our front porch and literally every time I see them I smile.
  • We filmed another vlog and my favorite part is Sadie helping me plant the mums. 
  • We are on week two of homeschooling and loving it so far. 
  • Our garden is slowing down big time, with mostly tomatoes and peppers growing at this point (sad!). 

How about a few photos?

Mom and toddler smiling

Sadie is going to be two-years-old soon. She is growing and changing so much lately. I can’t wait to share her two year update.

Also, if you could say a prayer for her eye to heal, that would be so, so appreciated! I mentioned that she has a nasolacrimal duct obstruction and that we were trying eye drops for about a month before doing anything invasive.

Her eye hasn’t had any progress so we will be talking to her doctor at her yearly checkup later this month. I know the procedure to unblock the duct isn’t too bad, but who is excited for their child to go through that, you know? I watched a video of the procedure and totally shouldn’t have, LOL.

Purple and orange mums in a black planter

Here’s a look the mums I planted. It’s just a planter filled with happiness for me, haha. 

Toddler girl wearing romper and rain boots by garden

My little garden helper ❤

When we went to clean up litter on the bike trail on Saturday we brought Sadie’s trike along and she was so happy to be pushed around and stayed in it almost the whole time (<– miracle).

I totally thought it would be a disaster to bring a toddler to clean up litter, but she surprised and impressed me! 

Toddler girl riding Radio Flyer tricycle

Last but not least, our Niva girl has been loving the cooler weather lately. She stays outside longer when it’s below 60 degrees and just lays in the yard. It’s adorable and I’m excited to see how she likes the snow this winter.

I know I’ve mentioned it before, but she truly is great with Sadie and we are so incredibly thankful for that. Case in point, Sadie put Niva “night night” by piling her with pillows and a blanket and she just laid there like “okay, sure!” haha. 

Siberian husky with pillows and blankets

Alright, I am signing off here. We’ve got a busy day ahead. Sadie is going to be learning the color yellow today, I’ve got real estate work and some cooking to do, and I’m taking Sadie to her first chiropractor appointment (outside the womb, lol) this evening! 

What are your plans for the day?

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Socialization and Salsa

Hi and happy Wednesday! I feel like I’m totally confused on what day of the week it is this week. Our church is having its annual fall revival, which started on Sunday and ends tonight. It has been amazing to be at church, listening to great sermons, and hanging out with fellow Christians, but I feel totally confused on what day it is since we are usually at our church on Sundays and Wednesdays!

Anyways, I am sharing some snapshots and thoughts for today!

I am back on a button art kick! I’ve made a few canvases for friends and family and even button art in the shape of a pelican. I love crafting as a creative outlet. Working with my hands always helps relieve stress.

Blue and green C button art canvas

Mavis has been making some new friends lately! I brought her to my parents’ house on Saturday for a cookout and she got to meet Brandy (their cocker), Reggie (their labrador), Lily (their tabby cat), and Indy (my sister’s golden retriever).

At first, she was so afraid when I brought her in the house that she peed on me. Poor gal. I know that all of the socialization will pay off, even if it’s scary for her in the beginning. We took things slow with the introductions and by the end of the day, she was much less fearful!

Cocker spaniel puppy and golden retriever puppy

Mavis and my sister’s puppy, Indy! We trained them together on Saturday and it was absolutely adorable!

She also met two of my pet sitting clients, both of which are puppies. It was so cute to see her romp around with a havanese and corgi!

cocker spaniel and havanese puppy

Alright, enough about Mavis! How about a picture of some mums? I saw these while I was heading home from grocery shopping and just had to take a picture (I was sitting at a red light when I took the photo). I love doing things like that because it reminds me to stop and smell the roses… or take pictures of mums 😉

colorful fall mums

I can’t believe it is almost officially fall. I feel like the summer went by in a flash! It was a great one, though. Speaking of great, my brother and sister-in-law gave us some salsa that they made and canned with tomatoes from their garden and it is incredible. I hope they have more jars left because we’re almost finished with the one they just gave us!

Homemade salsa from garden in a mason jar

Guess who is going to the vet tomorrow evening? Malcolm! He’s due for his one year check up and booster shots. Jimmy and I are trying to decide if we should bring him to the vet in his stroller or borrow a carrier from our neighbor. Decisions, decisions!

Black cat sleeping in sunlight

Alright, I better get my day started. I have lots of work to do, along with a bunch of laundry to fold!

I’m thinking of doing a Q&A post soon, so if you have any questions, feel free to leave them in the comments!