Thursday, December 31, 2020

December Goal Recap and a Look back at my 2020 Goals

 I'm always amazed at how quickly the year passes by when December 31st arrives.  This year especially - after having 324 days in April alone and yet the rest of the year seemed to fly by.  First up, a quick recap of my December goals.  Second, a look back at the goals I set for the year back in January. I know, you are thrilled, aren't you? 



December:

December, quite honestly, was mostly consumed with school.  The kids worked hard to finish almost all of their semester lessons by the time Christmas break started which meant that I was working with someone from 9:00-4:00 most days. Not much else got accomplished outside of that goal. 

1. Scrapbooking - 1) Complete 1 page a day (so 31 pages total)  2) File all the photos I ordered last month and then order May and June photos 3) The Spines' Project - focus on the top shelf and make sure all albums are complete/order spines if needed 4) My niece's book.   Not a single thing got done this month.  Unless I decide to get out my scrapbooking stuff tonight, New Years Eve, and work on pages.  

2. Reading - 1) Read my book club book 2) Just read, curled up on the corner of the couch with a blanket and a cup of hot chocolate!!  Well, I read.  I loved sneaking in some book reading during lunch or after school was done! 

3. Cleaning - 1) Organize and declutter Nate's room 2) The kitchen is the focus - it's the last room of the house that i need to do a deeper cleanout.  (Then I'll start over in January and dig deeper!)  The kitchen didn't get touched.  Once Christmas stuff comes out, it's really hard to deep clean.  Nate and I did spend time in his room but it also got interrupted by Christmas décor since things get stored in there to make room in the living room for the tree. 

4. Family - This month is focused on Nate's birthday and Christmas.  Nate has asked me to make him a cake "like I used to" so I have to figure that out. All of this was accomplished :-) 

5. Homeschool - Wrap up as many projects as we can and as many lessons as possible. This was also accomplished 

6. - Holiday Plans - 1) Get our Christmas tree and decorate it 2)Make our gingerbread houses 3) Make and decorate Christmas Cookies 4) Go out and see Christmas lights This was all accomplished.  We didn't actually cut out/decorate cookies but I did do a lot of Christmas cookie baking of various kinds so that counts! 

Now, it is time to look back at the goals I set back in January. 

1. Take the boys to fun places in Grand Rapids and get photos.  (Fish ladder, the huge tire swing, the lion mural, the blue bridge, and more.  I want to take advantage of our city while the boys are "this" age. So, this plan did not happened due to Covid.  We stuck super close to home after March.  

2. Scrapbooking goals.  I'm learning to be more intentional  with scrapbooking at home.  It's been difficult to find scrapbook crops that I can actually attend so I have to make time to do what I love at home.  I'd really like to finish 2014 (almost there).  Then look at the other years and see where I'm at and work on the next year (I think it's 2016) while also working on 2020.  It is hard to work on multiple years but I'd like to be current with this year while working on catching up the other years.  I finished 2014.  I also finished 2010.  I worked on 2019 and I think I finished 2016 as well.  I also printed a lot of photos and started working on ordered engraved spines for my other scrapbooks.  

3. Reading.  I want to focus more on reading.  I had some issues with my contacts last year and found it very hard to read so, well, I didn't.  That problem is now corrected so it's time to read again.  My goal is to set a reading goal each month and try to accomplish that goal. I read a lot this year thanks to being at home.  I wish I would have track my reading better but maybe that it is a good goal for 2021.  

4. Cleaning I am working on creating a 20 day a month cleaning challenge for myself.  It is based on the concept I did over a year ago where the group I'm part of set a goal to get rid of the number if items to match the date.  It worked well for me - I don't tend to have hours to dedicate to a project but I can carve out 20 minutes or so around our school day..  This is one of those 80% goals - I feel like I did this 80% of the time and I did make it through every room in the house except the kitchen.  I also spent some time in the basement working on organizing.  

5.  Family.  Go see movies we want to see; do things we want to do; and enjoy time together.  The boys are looking forward to playing flag football this year so I want to help that happen.  Josh loves to run so I want to help him success at that by getting the right shoes and seeking out guidance from friends who are runners. Well, Covid.  That's all. 

6. The last "McMaster" niece graduates this year so I need to complete her graduation album by May. This is still sitting on my desk as I'm waiting for a few more letters.  I guess that is what happens to the "last" one.  HA! 

7. Complete some simple projects around the house including replacing the difficult lightbulb above m sink, getting the seal for a piece on the sink (that I dropped down the drain a year or so ago HA!), and maybe even a new thermostat just to name a few items. We did not get a new thermostat but we did replace the seal on the sink :-) 

8. Homeschool - I have some new ideas for our second semester including a "Monday Morning Meeting" were we can go over our week and also the goal of both boys working on their multiplication memorization.  I also, as always, will need to decide what to do about the fall when it comes to the program we will use for homeschooling. There are two parts to this 1) 4th/5th grade - we did all I had planned and mentioned above.  2) 5th/6th grade - we've had two extra kids here since March doing school (during school time) which has altered our schedule quite a bit. 

9. Learn how to make Macaroons.  It doesn't seem like much but I love them and would just like to try my hand at making them. Ummm, nope.  Going on the 2021 list! 

10.  Plan our "Holidays" - This includes Birthdays and traditional holidays.  I need to update my my holiday journal and then start on plans for Valentine's Day :-)  I feel like I accomplished this and did it well this year. 

11. The Misc List  - I tend to have a list of things that are just needed or need done - such as - Josh needs new dress pants, Nate needs a light jacket, I have two gifts we got Nate I need to return/replace, the boys need sleds, I need to hang up Nate's racetrack we moved to the basement, Darryl needs to help Nate make shelves for his TKD boards that he has broken, clean out the misc card in the bathroom.  As you can see that list is long and I'm sure there more! Ok, here we go 1) No new dress pants were ever needed 2) Nate got a jacket 3) Gifts were returned  4) I still need to hang up Nate's racetrack 5) Darryl hung up the shelves 5) The cart was cleaned out. 

12. Buy a "new" car.  It might seem odd to add to the goals but, we kind of now this has to happen so, I guess, making it a goal is a good thing. Thanks again to covid, we never did buy a car - we didn't need to since we didn't go many places.  Plus, not having a car payment is always a good thing! 

13. Go camping at least once in the summer. Yes!  We did this! 

14. The basement - this is separate then the other cleaning goal.  Last year I worked hard to make the basement need and basically organized.  This year, it's time to go shelf by shelf, bin by bin, and really clean stuff out. This ongoing project did make progress this year - not as much as I'd like but I did get more shelving and the right size bins for the shelves.  I cleaned out old bins and now need to just keep making progress. 

15. The garage - the boys want to have a garage sale, I do not HA!  So, no matter what the garage will get cleaned up and organized as stuff will either get sold that has been sitting out there for close to a year OR it will go to charity. Done!!!!  

16. Music - The boys are continuing piano lessons.  I would like to focus on "perfecting" one song a month on the piano and also having my next song for special music ready before it's time to sing :-)  Music was a struggle this year - lessons were cancelled and I worked with them some.  We have to hit this harder in 2021. 

17. Take a photography class.  There is a local photographer that does classes several times a year.  I have a goal to sign up and take one this year.  I took one from my friend several years ago and enjoyed it but have forgotten most of it - I'd like to learn to use my camera better. Covid.  I did buy a book but need to actually use it now! 

18. Plan some dates with Darryl.  With my mom close by, it is easier to make this happen now..  We've done a few spur of the moment things and took a day out for our anniversary and a weekend away. 

19. Spiritual - I'm a strong starter and a slow finisher when it comes to Bible Study Books.  I have one picked out to start - I'm part of an accountability group so hopefully that will help :-) I have not changed my ways - I start strong and never finish HA! 

20. Finances - I have some savings goals for this year as well as continuing to look for way to make a little extra income that fits well with our family life. I met my goals and feel like we ended the year well. 

Looking back over these goals, I actually accomplished more then I thought I did and for that I am grateful.  Writing year long goals is sometimes hard because there is no way to predict what might come along to alter the plan (Covid!) but, if you fail to plan guess what? You plan to fail!  My mind is already working on my plans for 2021 and I'll be sharing those soon.  



Wednesday, December 30, 2020

2021 Word of the Year

 Each year, like many, I pick a "word" for the year.  It's a way to focus on something and try to weave throughout my goals and plans for the coming year.  I've had words like "peace", "joy", "simplify" and more.  This year I happened to read a blog post and it struck a chord with me.  So my word for the coming year is "Purposeful".  The author of the post was taking specifically about decluttering - finding a purpose for the space and all things in the space.  If it doesn't have a purpose, it needs to go.  Well, I think applying that principle to many areas is a good thing.  Looking for purpose in all areas of my life and my home is what I am aiming for in the coming year.  



Ironically, my word for 2020 was "Peace" - in a year that ended up anything but peaceful yet in reality, I did find peace.  Everything slowed down, I had plenty of time to read and even accomplished things that had been put off for awhile.  Holidays and family time were more peaceful and I enjoyed peaceful moments at home.  I will continue on with my goal of a peaceful and joyful home even as I move on to being "Purposeful" in the coming year.  

Saturday, December 26, 2020

2020 Weekly Photos - #50

 What a great week!  Here's a look back with some photos: 


Saturday - We celebrated Christmas with Darryl's mom and step dad along with celebrating Nate's birthday with them as well. 







After celebrating, we drove through a Live nativity at a local church.  

We ended the night with Hot Chocolate and driving around to look at lights. 

Sunday - A quiet day at home jus relaxing and watching Football

Monday - I ran a bunch of errands in the morning.  Then we worked on wrapping gifts. 
Harley LOVES Christmas . . .specifically when we wrap gifts.  I had to give him his own roll of paper to lay in/on so he would leave mine alone! 
Nate - his last night as a 10 year old! 
Tuesday - It's Nate's birthday!  


Nate designed his cake and helped create it!  






Nate asked for a megaphone and, against my better judgement, we got him one.  I might regret that choice but he sure loves it HA! 

Wednesday - I did grocery shopping and the kids made gingerbread houses. 




I also baked a bunch of Christmas goodies!  This is something I've wanted to do for several years but usually don't have the time to do so! 

Finally, on Wednesday evening, Darryl and I went out for a bit for some "peace" before all of the "joy" of the holidays.  We got some hot chocolate and enjoyed seeing some more Christmas lights.  It was a nice hour out - plus it gave us time to talk about Christmas stuff without little ears trying to listen! 

Thursday - It's Christmas Eve!  We enjoyed a relaxing day at home while I cooked and prepped for Christmas and the males in the house wrapped gifts! 

My mom hosted Christmas Eve and it was so beautiful and relaxing! 

We had some amazing food before opening our traditional Christmas eve gift. 
The Christmas Eve photo with PJ's!  
And the traditional photo of the kids facing the tree. 

Friday - Christmas Day!  We had a wonderful day - I'll let the photos (almost) all speak for themselves. 








My mom created these amazing memory shadow boxes for each of the boys of Papa.  They are super special and both of the kids loved them. 
We even had a white Christmas! 





What an amazing week! 


Friday, December 25, 2020

Weekly Menu - More Holiday Time

    It's Christmas Time!!  Enough Said :-) 


Friday - Christmas Dinner!  The plan is ham, cheesy potatoes, and more! 

Saturday - Leftovers for sure :-)  

Sunday - Since we aren't doing our normal weekly treat on Friday, I decided that by Sunday night I'd be ready to NOT cook.  So we will get a treat! 

Monday- Scalloped potatoes and Ham

Tuesday- Sliced ham, Brown Sugar carrots and crash potatoes (and that is the end of eating ham HA!) 

Wednesday - Amish Breakfast casserole and cinnamon rolls

Thursday - It's New Year's Eve!  We always have snacks and lots of them.  I try to plan some "hot" appetizers for a late dinner (7:00ish) like meat balls and bacon crescent wraps with "cold" appetizers for before and after like a cheese ball and fruit.   

Sunday, December 20, 2020

Weekly Worship - Tasha Layton // Comfort and Joy // (Official Lyric Video)


This is a new Christmas Song and it just speaks to me - both the words and the melody.  Just a great song!  

Saturday, December 19, 2020

2020 Weekly Photos #49

 Hello!  This holiday season has been so much quieter.  I do miss all of the concerts and special events but I'm also enjoying not feeling rushed to get everything done.  We started our week with getting our Christmas tree and were even blessed with some amazing snow. 

Saturday - Our Tree!




Isn't the snow beautiful?  It was so unexpected.  We left home in pouring rain.  As we drove just 35 minutes north and as we drove the rain changed to slush, then to sleet, and then to snow. It was snowing hard by the time we got to picking out our tree which was amazing.  It is so much nicer to go Christmas tree hunting in the snow!! 

Sunday - After getting home Saturday evening from getting out tree, I had a zoom call with my brothers and mom plus our tree was covered in snow and ice.  We decided to let it dry out for the night and we would decorate it today.  
The tree before.  Now, lets keep it real.  When Nate cut the baling string off of it and it flopped open, we all just sat and starred at the monstrostity HA!  It looked nothing like the tree we cut down now that it was in our living room!  Well, Darryl went to work and cut off some branches so it wasn't overtaking the couch and cut some of the crazy top branches off so we had a place for the star and it started to look much better. 
Darryl had help with the lights. 
Adding the ornaments. 
The finished tree.  It really is beautiful all covered and lights and ornaments.  

Monday - Today was school as Josh is working hard to wrap up his semester work (Nate is two science lesson away from being done).  My mom treated us to Culvers for lunch as today was their grand opening here in our town.  There was some fun had with this years advent calendars too.  


Tuesday - School!  Josh focused on Science and finished up his Food Web project. We also went and saw some lights with my mom. 


First, we went church display that was set to music and it was awesome!! 

Then we went to another town and saw their lights including the covered bridge. 

Wednesday and Thursday were "just school" trying to wrap up things before Christmas break. 

Friday - Once our friends finished up their schooling, we had a Christmas party! First up, I had my mom picked up pizza for lunch as a treat! 
After lunch, we worked on an ornament craft painting snowflakes.  After that, we played some Christmas Bingo!!  
The four friends before we opened gifts!  
Finally, we also celebrated Nate's birthday with our friends!  It was a busy afternoon :-) 

So, that was our week - lots of fun and festivities!