Our Week in Photos

Here's a look back at our week: 

We started our week with Joshua's birthday on Saturday.  His choice for the day was to stay home and do nothing so that is exactly what we did.  He got to sleep in, play online with his friends, and we ordered Domino's Pizza for dinner.  It was exactly what he wanted and he really enjoyed his day. 

Then on Sunday we actually celebrated Josh with Sunday dinner, gifts and dessert! 

On Monday we started our day with haircuts.  We managed to squeeze in some school in the afternoon before Darryl, Joshua and Nate headed to a local high school to watch a friend march in a band exhibition.  

Tuesday was filled with some Community Service.  Nate was able to work with some friends putting together Homeless Kits for a local group. 

On Wednesday I went with my mom as she had eye surgery.  Joshua and Nate headed to a friends house so they could do all their things (piano, Youth Group and more!) . 

I was able to get a treat while my mom was in surgery and got Panara bread for breakfast.  It was amazingly good! 

I got to hang out at my mom's Wednesday and Thursday and train her in-home nurse, Molly LOL  :-)  Really, my mom did great and other then not really being able to drive until her next eye is done, she almost like new!  

Thursday night Joshua and Nate worked at the community dinner again.  

Finally, our Friday included our Co-Op which is the highlight of the week! 

There is a look back at our week! 

Weekly Menu

 And just like that we are sneaking into November.  We've had some beautiful weather - it's been a near perfect fall actually.  This next week is a little quieter, which is a good thing.  

Friday - We are doing simple dinner - BBQ that I just throw in the microwave along with Bob Evans Mac and Cheese and a Salad.  

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's.  Despite her recent eye surgery she is still hosting dinner ;-) 

Sunday- We are headed to a Family Reunion where dinner is provided. 

Monday - I'm taking Nate to a youth activity so Darryl and Joshua will get to have left over Chili.  

Tuesday - Baked Tacos and Salad

Wednesday - Chicken Alfredo, Salad, and Garlic Bread

Thursday - Chicken Pot Pie Crescent Braid and Salad.

Our Week in Photos

 We had a busy week but I don't have a lot of photos!  

On Saturday Darryl and I went to see his dad who had surgery a few days prior.  While we were gone, Nate spent the afternoon with a friend.  Once we got home, we all went to a cook out/bon fire at a friends house.  The food was amazing and it was nice seeing a few people we had not seen in quite a long time. 

Sunday we headed into Grand Rapids to a church where my brother and sister-in-law, Kel and Deb, were sharing a short update on their mission. 

Then on Sunday night Joshua and Nate worked with their youth group to built 50 bikes for a local charity. 

Monday was filled with a leadership meeting and then choir practice.  

On Tuesday we started out with school.  In the afternoon Nate's friend Monty came over.

On Tuesday eventing Joshua had Drum lessons followed by Nate's guitar lesson! 

Wednesday - we again started with school before heading to Piano Lessons.

At least my view is pretty while I sit in the car of an hour during lessons :-) 

Thursday I spent a lot of time trying to "fix things".  I had to run our car  to the shop and then ended up with a loaner to get home because it kept stalling in the lot!  That was followed by issues with Nate's school computer - so much so that they are sending us a new one.  

Finally - Friday! 

We had a great morning at Friday School.  This is my Joyful class - they are a lot of fun! 

Today is also the last day that this guy will be 13!  (He turns 14 on the 22nd) 

We ended our day at my moms.  First, my brother Kel and I went to get coffee together.  Then we enjoyed dinner at my mom's along with a game.  Then it was time to stay goodbye for another year.  I always hate saying Goodbye!  

Weekly Menu - Finishing up Joshua's birthday "week"

 I shared last week somethings Joshua had planned so this will be a little bit of a repeat. 

Friday - We are heading to my mom's to have dinner with my brother and sister-in-law.  It is "kinda" for Joshua's birthday but not really.  

Saturday - My guys were supposed to have a youth event all day but it got moved to next week.  Instead Joshua has asked to stay home all day and have homemade pizza for dinner. 

Sunday - This is the day we are actually celebrating Joshua - he wanted it all on Sunday the day "after" his birthday.  So it is Dr. Pepper Meatballs, Chili Cheese Dip and Fruit and Dip.   He wants a 3 berry crisp for his birthday dessert. 

Monday - I'm waiting on Joshua to tell me the last thing he wants for his Birthday Week (since we moved the Pizza to Sunday)

Tuesday - Turkey and Bean Nachos and Salad

Wednesday - Joshua and Nate will be at Youth Group.  My mom has eye surgery today so Darryl and I will eat dinner with her. 

Thursday - Joshua and Nate are working at a Community Dinner again so I will eat dinner there when I pick them up. 

Weekly Worship - Steven Curtis Chapman - Don't Lose Heart

Steven Curtis Chapman never disappoints! 

Our Week in Photos

 We had a super busy week!  Lots of fun things but a lot of non-stop days too.  

On Saturday, Darryl and I took for the day.  We love to head to the Lakeshore and then just drive and find fun things to see along the way.  Saturday did not disappoint! 

We started our day at our favorite place for brunch - Wolfgangs.  They serve such amazing food!  

We then proceeded to travel along the lake shore to a light house and then further north where we got to catch an amazing sunset before grabbing burgers for dinner. 

Monday and Tuesday were busy days with school and a mom's night out event with my homeschool Co-Op.  

Wednesday we started our day at a local charity called Manna's Market where we did community service.  Well, technically Nate has to get 12 hours of community service towards his black belt in TeaKwonDo so Josh and I went with him to help. 

After we were done we headed to McDonald's for lunch and to kill a little time before piano lessons.  My guys are a ton of fun and I'm so thankful for such great guys to hang out with! 

On Thursday we had a field trip with our Co-Op to a farm market.  Joshua decided to sit this one out (I get it, sometimes the teens start to out grow some of these activities).  We did have our friends with us though as they did not have school.  Nate loves people and loves doing all things that included people HA! 

Joshua enjoyed time at home doing his new favorite past time - knitting.  He's in his third semester of knitting at our co-op and he has found his groove!  It's so neat to see kids (teens) sitting around at our Friday School campus day knitting! 

Finally, we had our Co-Op on Friday and it was a great day! 

That's our week in a nutshell! 

Weekly Menu

 We are coming up on Joshua's birthday week so he picked out a week of his favorites.  

Friday - One of our favorites is the Crock Pot Fajitas.  I love them on busy days because the longer they cook they better they are so cooking them on a co-op day is perfect!  We will have a salad with it too along with chips and salsa

Saturday - Darryl and I are making a quick trip to see his dad as he is recovering from surgery so we will be gone part of the day.  Then for dinner tonight we, along with my mom, are heading to a friends house who is hosting their annual BBQ cook out.  

Sunday - We are headed to see my Brother and Sister-in-law share about their ministry at their sending church so my crock pot is getting good use this weekend!  I'm going to have Chili cooking for when we get home.  

Monday - This is where Joshua's week of meals begins!  He gave me what he wanted and I get to add the rest.  I'll put his request in bold.  Ham and Cheese Quiche, Ricotta Pancakes, and Overnight Coffee Cake

Tuesday - Amish Breakfast Casserole and  after school banana bread

Wednesday - Sausage Balls and Homemade Waffles

Thursday - Pork Chops and Cheesy Potatoes along with a salad

 . .. normally I end my menu here but I'm going to finish up Josh's Birthday week list

Friday - We are heading to my mom's to have a birthday dinner with my brother Kel and sister-in-law Deb for Joshua.  

Saturday - Our Youth group has an activity on the day of Joshua's birthday!  AND Joshua wants to participate!  So, Darryl and I actually get to have a date night.  

Sunday - Dr. Pepper Meatballs and Chili Cheese Dip

Monday - Homemade Pizza and Salad 

I think he did a pretty good job planning a week of meals! 

Weekly Worship - Jason Crabb - Good Morning Mercy (Official Lyric Video)

A few weeks back we heard this song on the way to our Co-Op.  I love up beat songs in the morning that get us moving! 

Our Week in Photos

 Our weeks are starting to slow down a little but we are still enjoying as much as we can! 

This past weekend I got to enjoy some fun.  First, my mom and I attending a ladies event at a local church.  The speaker was a great story teller and presented a great gospel message.  Then, that evening Darryl and I attended my choir banquet.  It was a great night with wonderful food, good company and a fun program.  No photos though :-)  

This week both Joshua and Nate had their "well child" visits. I schedule them on separate days so that I can spend a little one-on-one time with each of them. 

After Joshua's appointment he got to pick lunch.  He picked a frozen drink from Starbucks and B.C. Pizza and their buffet.  This is the best photo he would give me HA! 

After Nate's appointment he also got to pick lunch too and he picked McDonald's.  We enjoyed some good laughs and conversation :-) 

We also fit in as much school as we could this week before our wonderful day at our Co-Op on Friday. 

Finally we ended our Friday night with an unplanned trip to the movie theatre for pop corn!  We were watching a movie where the characters were, well, watching a movie and eating popcorn and I said, "Hey, I want popcorn!" HA!  Sometimes living in a small town with an old movie theatre has its benefits. 

It was really a great week.  :-)  

Weekly Menu

 Sorry for the lack of posts the past month or so.  We hit the ground running in September and I am just now "coming up for air" as things slow down and our schedule kind of locks into place.  Plus we are approaching "No November" (we did this last year) which means we/I start to say no to things!  We slow way down, stay home, and kind of snuggle in for the cooler weather and school days.  It also means more and more eating at home.  We had a few weeks in September that were so busy that we ate on the run many days instead of eating at home.  

Anyway, here is the plan for the coming week

Friday - I have some leftover Chili in the freezer from a few weeks ago that I'm going to use for dinner tonight (keeping it easy on a Friday).  I also have some cornbread to make so that all sounds yummy for what is suppose to be a super cool day! 

Saturday - Darryl and I can't get away like we did last year for a week but we can sneak off for the day :-)  Joshua and Nate will be enjoying some time with Nana.  (Thanks Nana!)

Sunday - I am shifting into using my crock pot on Sundays again as we like being able to eat when we get home from church.  This week is Sloppy Joes and Bob Evans Mac and Cheese.  

Monday - Using up some leftovers - Lasagna and Garlic Bread (by leftovers I mean I have a half a box of lasagna noodles, an almost full container of ricotta cheese that we only used a few spoonfuls out of to go with a soup last week, and half of a jar of pasta sauce that I can doctor up with some ground beef and tomato soup to create a pan of lasagna HA!)  This is creativity at it's best and, with the rising cost of groceries, it is important to use the things we have! 

Tuesday - I have a Mom's Night Out with our Co-Op so I'll be eating there.  There is leftover chicken w/salsa from last week that I froze so the guys could use it again this week for dinner.  

Wednesday - It's youth group night!  My guys eat at Youth Group; I grab something while waiting for them and Darryl's on his own! 

Thursday - Filipino Adobo Chicken, Broccoli and Rice Casserole, and Yeast Rolls

Katy Nichole & Big Daddy Weave - "God Is In The Story" (Official Lyric V...

Our Week in Photos

 We did a lot this past week and I did not get photos of everything!! 

On Saturday I had a concert with the choir I participate in (this is my 10th year!).  It was a great night but I forgot to ask my photographer (Nate) to snap a few photos during the concert!!.  Then on Sunday we took Nate to my in-laws to stay for a few days and . .. again . . .I took no photos!  

Monday - my mom, Joshua, and I went back to where I grew up for a funeral.  We took time to stop at my dad's spot before heading to the church for the service.  It was a great service celebrating the amazing life of a long time friend.  I enjoyed seeing people I haven't see in a few years and catching up with friends. 

On Tuesday Joshua and I had a quiet day at home.  On Wednesday I took my mom into town for an eye appointment.  We laughed because the appointment lasted all of about 30 seconds (ok maybe a minute HA).  

On Thursday we had a field trip for Connections Academy.  It was the first in person field trip since Spring of 2020 so it was great to be together again. 

This is Nate's third grade teacher and she is one of his favorites. 

This is Nate's homeroom online teacher this year - Mrs. Jones - she is wonderful AND loves football! 

They dragged me through a corn maze (I detest corn mazes HA!) 

Our group photo - we are down in the left had bottom "corner" of the apple. 

Finally, Friday we had our second week of our Co-Op and it was great! 

Nate loves the songs!  He is so enthusiastic about just life.  If you look closely, Joshua is standing in the back with a few of the other teens who like to NOT be the center of attention!  

In my Joyful Teen class we did a photo scavenger hunt and there are just a few samples of the photos the boys took.  They had a blast and were super creative.  

All in all it was a great week.