Culture & Chaos — October Was A Whole Movie 🎬

Hey friend,

October said “buckle up, sis,” and honestly… I did not.

I simply held onto Jesus, my energy drink, and my sense of humor.

Let’s review:

We kicked off the month with my daughters making their senior pants — which had me feeling all the emotions.

Proud? Yes. Crying? Yes. Googling “how to freeze time for 12th graders”? Also yes.

Senior year activated. Mama emotions… also activated.

Then Emma and Jasy got into a car accident on our anniversary. Because apparently romance now includes filing insurance claims and checking on concussions.

Don’t worry, everyone is okay. We still made it to my favorite Italian restaurant like the resilient carb-loving warriors we are.

Meanwhile, my immune system said “I’m out” and I got pneumonia.

Couldn’t go to Canyon Lake with our Ayusa students, but I did cheer them on from bed.

They did caverns, ropes courses, messy Olympics… I did cough drops and humility.

 While I was at home with pneumonia, they were out here living their best ropes-course, campfire, glow-party life.

Our Japanese daughter saw her first cow and screamed “COW!!!!” at the volume level of someone spotting Beyoncé.

I swerved. She cheered.

Texas agriculture: 1 | My blood pressure: 0

Then we went for treats and coffee and some antique shopping.

Yume after seeing her very first cow!

Logan came home from college.

He went shooting with the boys and my brother.

He definitely needs more time on the range. The boys said they've seen Nerf guns do more damage.

But he’s still my sweet Korean cowboy and that’s what matters.

Logan sent me his "first day on the range" photo

Nova escaped and I sprinted outside in my moo-moo and pantuflas (that’s slippers for my non-Spanglish crew), hair unbrushed, dignity somewhere on the kitchen counter.

If anyone has Ring footage… please delete it for the safety of my brand.

I volunteered at church and held babies — which always resets my soul.

Babies don’t care about to-do lists. They just vibe, eat, and nap.

Teach me your ways!

I attended a videography workshop. The instructor said stop texting and start sending video messages to start getting comfortable in front of a camera…So if I pop up in your phone FaceTiming you like a lost auntie, just roll with it.

Rusty Gates and Brittany Wright at the videography workshop. I learned so much!

We had Boo Beyond Borders 🎃

Costumes. Prizes. Awesome DJ. Saran wrap chaos.

The kids had the time of their lives… and my house survived.

Miracles do still happen.

Then we volunteered at a fall festival because we believe in community service and also in rewarding ourselves with Dutch Bros afterward!

Halloween night?

No haunted maze this year. Listen, the spirit was willing, but the energy budget said “girl, sit down.”

We handed out candy got to chat with the neighbors. Get the scoop on who all was passing out the best treats.

Maturity = knowing when to retire from chaos… temporarily.

October was beautiful, messy, exhausting, hilarious, and full of heart.

Basically… on brand.

Here’s my monthly reflection + what I’m walking into November with 👇🏼

Thank you for being part of my Culture & Chaos journey.

We don’t do perfect here — we do purpose, laughter, and loud love.

See you next month… hopefully Nova doesn't run the streets again.

Till next month — hosting teens, feeding teens, preventing teens from microwaving metal… just mom things!

With love,

Abrilina