Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our Christmas week! 

Weekly Menu - Racing towards the New Year!

Now, it is time to settle in for a week or so and just relax and enjoy the end of the year.  I'm hoping to scrapbook in-between running my teens to hang out with friends.  (Their social life is busy sometimes!).  

 Friday - The plan for dinner tonight is just leftovers.  I may throw a couple of sweet potatoes/potatoes in the crock to go only with ham depending on what sides we have left.  

Saturday - dinner at my mom's house :-) 

Sunday - pulled pork tenderloin and acorn squash 

Monday - Han and potato soup 

Tuesday - Ham and Scallop Potatoes and Green Beans

Wednesday - It is New Year's Eve!  This year our church is having an event so we will enjoy snacks there.  

Thursday - Our tradition is to enjoy a late lunch at my mom's :-) 

Merry Christmas!

 

Sandi Patty | O Holy Night

This is my all time favorite Christmas Song by my favorite artist.  Christmas wouldn't really be Christmas without listening to this at least once! 

Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week: 

Weekly Menu - It is Birthday Day and Christmas Eve!

I have been trying to savor and enjoy this last month of 2025.  The lights, the Christmas songs, picking up little gifts, the wrapping and remembering the true reason of this season - Jesus.   It's easy to get wrapped up in the daily lists in order to get everything accomplished especially in this social media/Pinterest perfect driven world.  The reality is that no ones world is perfect and spending time with family is where the memories are really made.  Thankfully this week is full of family AND festivities!  

Friday - Josh and Nate have a youth group Christmas Party on the books for this Friday eve.  I think Darryl and I will grab something out (and I have one last stop on my to do list so we will do that as well!) 

Saturday - Today is our Family Christmas with Darryl's side of the family.  The plan is do have soup, salad, and sandwiches.  I'm bring dessert - a fruit trifle and a plate of varies yummy cookies.  

Sunday - We are celebrating Nate's 16th birthday today (officially it is Monday)!  He has requested chicken in the crock pot and Velveeta Mac and cheese.  I'm going to add sweet potatoes and a salad to the menu to round it all out. 

Monday - Today is Nate's birthday!  My mom is coming over for lunch with us and Josh's girlfriend will also be here.  I'm just planning to have chicken pulled tacos for dinner as Nate has TKD and Josh and I will need to take Averie home and then pick Nate up.  It will be a busy evening! 

Tuesday - Pork Loin, Acorn Squash and a Salad 

Wednesday - Christmas Eve!  It's time to tie up all of the lose ends before we head to my mom's for Christmas Eve.  The extra treat this year is that my brother, Kel and sister-in-law, Deb will be in town!  We are looking forward to a fun evening of snacks and family time! 

Thursday - It is Christmas!  My mom, Kel and Deb will join us for breakfast.  I've thought alot about breakfast and I think (as of this writing - my grocery order is not going in until Sunday afternoon so this could change HA!) I'm going to go "old school" and make scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, a fruit salad, toast, and a breakfast pastry.  Oh, and a batch of our favorite Orange Julius (along with milk and apple juice).  Later in the day I will serve up Christmas dinner.  My mom and possibly my Father-in-Law will join us.  Ham, Cheesy Potatoes, Green Beans, a salad, rolls, and dessert.  

2026 Word of the Year

My word of the year for 2026 is . . . . . Mindfulness.   

Why do I pick a word of the year?  The simple answer is just because I want to!  The more in-depth answer is because it helps me focus on something to try and improve my daily walk.  I have been doing "theme words" or choosing a word for my year for more than ten years.  You can find a recap of some of those by clicking here - which will take you through some older blog posts from years past.  (I'm not sure why they don't all show up other than I either forgot to tag them or tagged them differently) 

Why "Mindfulness"?  Last year I picked the word "Worship" because I wanted to focus more on the heart.  Finding ways to worship and draw closer to God.  I did not accomplish nearly what I had hoped to but I did work towards finding ways to worship and to focus my mind on worshiping.  I increased my daily devotional time and started a small prayer journal.  These are things I want to build on this year while expanding it into more areas of my life and to me, the idea of "mindfulness" tied into that concept. 

I have some goals on my 101 in 1001 goal list that tie into this which include scripture memory and reading non-fiction books.  I am setting some stronger goals relating to Bible Study and prayer.  Then there is the idea of "mindfulness" with our home as I continue to work on better organizing, decluttering things we truly don't use or enjoy.  Along with that is reducing what we have stored away in the basement.  I did a big cleanout/organization last year, which I just finished up recently, but it was surface level.  This year I plan to dig deeper and clean out more. Part of this whole concept is looking at my time, my spiritual walk, each room in our home and taking time to mindfully consider what is truly important and valuable.  Filling my mind, heart, and home with those things that are uplifting and bring joy.  

There is an underlying goal in all that I am currently working on and that is to be to a place of "comfort and ease" as we get closer to our teens graduating which will mean a shift; especially for me.  That shift mostly will include at the very least a part time job but most likely something full time.  I would like to be to the point when I reach that milestone that my heart and home are comfortable and at ease.  The spaces will be relaxing and organized; my heart will be full of joy and Jesus.  I am working now, before we reach that point, to be ready WHEN we reach that point.  

So, as I enjoy the last few weeks of this year and focus on enjoy family, friends, and being mindful of the true reason for Christmas -- I am also looking forward to 2026 and am excited to see what God does. 

Micah Tyler - Feels Like Joy (Official Lyric Video)

Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week:,

Monday Josh had is final drum lesson with Miss Sally.  He told me in October that he was ready to “graduate “ from drum lessons. 

Nates getting ready for Black belt testing and that requires a photo! 

We played a new game this week! 

Josh’s final drum recital!  He did awesome! 

Weekly Menu - It's getting closer!

In case you are wondering, Michigan is in full winter mode.  It's been a few years since we have had "winter" in December.  For the second week in a row, youth group was cancelled due to weather.  I don't mind the days where everything gets cancelled, truth be told.  (My guys, not so much LOL)  Instead I'm enjoying finishing up some things for Christmas and just trying to enjoy the real reason for the season - Jesus.  

Friday - meatballs and Mac and cheese 

Saturday - My guys hanging with Nana while Darryl and I go on a date to celebrate 25 years of our first date! 

Sunday - Concert - So pulled chicken tacos keeps it super simple! 

Monday - Pork Chops, Rice and Green Beans

Tuesday - Chick-Fil-A Nuggets and Fries

Wednesday - Youth group is done until January so now I have to plan dinner. 🤣  Lazy Day Crock Pot Ravilo Lasagna, Salad, and Garlic rolls 

Thursday - Cheesy Broccoli Soup, Rolls and Ham

A Few Updates

 As we close in on mid- December I just wanted to give a few updates on things from November! 

First up is my November goals.  You can see the updated list HERE if you are really interested. A quick overview is that I accomplished most of the November items :-)  Including round 1 in the basement!  My first goal was to do a quick clean out, clean up, and making space for everything that stayed.  I did not dig deep into things that either take more mental space to decide what to do with them or figuring out how to store certain things.  I did clean out a lot of trash and some donations.  I also made sure I could get to everything now.  Next year, on my 2026 goals, is round 2 of the basement.  :-)  

Second up is a quick recap of my "No!vember"   A couple of key things.  It was successful!  It helped me break some "habits" like using a busy day as an excuse to grab a pizza or something out.  Instead I struck to the menu and/or cooked at home with what was here (meaning - no extra runs to the store!).  It helped reset my mental standpoint on spending money.  I also tracked everything - for real.  I made it a challenge to myself to have some days of zero spending!  This meant planning ahead to ensure that I was ready for things coming up. Now, there were some things I had not planned for including extra spending money for camp, paying for an overnighter, etc. but for the most part I felt it was successful.  I'm now trying to carry over some of my "lessons re-learned" in November into December.  

And, since this all kind of boring (LOL!) I thought I'd add a couple of Christmas poems to enjoy this season. 

Skillet - O Come, O Come Emmanuel (Official Music Video)

Skillet released a new Christmas Song - with an old carol.  I thought it was a good way to start out the listening season!  :-)  

Our weekly Snapsot

 Here’s a look back at our week 

Saturday night we had a snow storm and ended up with about 7 inches of snow.  Church was canceled on Sunday so we had fun in the snow before shoveling. 

A few of our teens ftom our co-op played Christmas music at a local retirement community. 

We started the reading of our Grinch calendar 

We had dinner and played a game with my brother and sister-in-law, Kel and Deb. 

Josh and Nate attended a teen brunch with friends from our co-op on Thursday.  Nate and I then headed downtown Grand Rapids for his semi-annual pulmonary appointment.  After we got home I realized we didn’t take our photo in the sky bridge like we normally do!  

On Friday I attended a funeral for a gentleman that we knew first through his job at Meijer as the manger but later through lots of our friends that were related to him.  He was a great example of Jesus.   

Weekly Menu - The Countdown Continues

Winter is here and it hit hard!  Lots of snow, freezing rain, more snow, and cold.  I enjoy the changing seasons but, even for me, this intense bite of winter is just a bit much.  I keep looking ahead in the weather hoping for a few more days of 40 degrees HA!  

Here's the plan for the coming week: 

Friday - Shrimp and Grits 

Saturday - we are off to get our tree! I'm planning Meatballs and Homemade Mac and Cheese to enjoy with decorating. 

Sunday - Turkey Breast, potatoes, and a veggie

Monday - Chicken Noodle Soup, crackers and bread

Tuesday - Pasta Carbonara 

Wednesday - Youth Group (Chicken Noodle Soup or Tenders) 

Thursday - Josh has his final drum recital this evening which means a quick early dinner.  I think we should have leftover chicken and or turkey breast so I will just make a big pan of fried rice.  It's easy to eat and quick to make! 

December Goals

 

It's really hard to believe that it is already December.  At the end of this month I'll take a look back at my 2026 goals and see if I stayed on track.  It's interesting sometimes to see how my goals have changed since January.  Things that felt important 12 months ago are not such a big deal now.  Anyway, I am really supposed to be talking about December goals!  Listed below are the items I'm hoping to accomplish this month as I wrap up the year.  

1. Have all gifts purchased and wrapped by December 20th.  

2. Plan Nate's birthday party at Chuck-E-Cheese.  It's not that much - really just pick the date and reserve the space.  

3. Take a couple boxes of books to Baker Bookhouse to sell.  

4. Continue with my current "habits" - Swish and Swipe, Making my Bed, The "resets" (Monday Morning, a quick walk through at night, and a weekly blessing hour), Taking out the trash from all rooms on Wednesday, and finally sticking to the laundry schedule.  

5. Organize the garage.  I'm not focusing on a deep clean but rather just organizing what is there for now.  The complete clean-out needs to wait for spring when it is a little warmer! 

6. Read my advent Devotional.  

7. Review my 101-1001 goals - I had some that I was hoping to get done this year; so check my progress and see if I can wrap any other goals up by the end of the year

8. Scrapbook - my goal is to be able to scrapbook every single day over Christmas break.  I haven't decided what my main project will be but I'd really like to finish 2011 and 2025.  

9. I have 2-3 bins that hold all kinds of Co-op supplies.  I plan to sort through them all, organize it, get rid of what I will never use, and try to use up supplies this next semester without buying new!  

10. Plan the first 2-3 weeks of both of my co-op classes

11. As I'm writing this at the beginning of December, it makes me a little sad to type this one BUT . . .. undecorate for Christmas inside and outside by December 31st.  The same way I decorated - literally one bin a day.  

12. Write my resume (in case the perfect work from home or super simple part time job happened to drop in my lap that would fit perfectly into my schedule with my guys) 

13. Write my 2026 Goals including picking out my 12 piano songs to learn and 6 songs to sing at church.  I would like to copy them and put them all in a binder so instead of having a bunch of books hanging out on the piano I will just have my binder.  

14. Pick out these three things for January:  1 nonfiction book (I have a bunch saved in my Amazon "book list" to choose from), 1 verse for January - and write it out on an index card to hang in the kitchen and on my bedroom mirror  and the first writing scripture list (I'll explain this more when I write my 2026 goals) 

15. Write a "honey do list" for Darryl :-) LOL  I have a short list of things that are not in my wheelhouse; Darryl is really great at fixing things and putting things together.  I always chalk it up to being left handed - everything is backwards!  (Plus I have no patience for some things ha!) 

My last goal?  Simply to enjoy the season.  Enjoy the traditions, listen to Christmas music, enjoy our Grinch Calendar with the teens, find a few Christmas things to do together.  I want to savor December and not get lost in the rush of commercialism.  The lights, the Joy, the true reason for the season - Jesus.