September Goals

With September starting - it's time for new goals!  I always hesitate to post my actual goals because I already know that I won't accomplish things and I don't want to be judged on that but I also think it's good accountablity and gives me a slight motiviation to work on things so I can have some success to share at the end of the month HA! \

September Goals

1.      Home

a.      Paint the trim/front door in the living room

b.      Finish the art work in the Living room

                                                    i.     Hang the framed photos

                                                   ii.     Pick up the last few frames for the photos I already have

                                                  iii.     Order photos from our photo shoot for the photo wall and frame

                                                  iv.     Purchase the clock for the living room and hang

c.      Have Darryl check the VCR/cord to see if it works

d.      Follow Flyladys weekly cleaning plan

e.      The Basement – Spend 30 minutes each week (2 hours in the month) working in the basement

                                                    i.     Need:  2 more shelves – one for the laundry room for camping storage and extra stuff; one for in the basement for storage

f.       The garage – spend at least 30 minutes each week organizing and cleaning out

g.      Prep and paint the dining room

h.      Order the boys photos for the walls

                                                    i.     Get 4 matching frames for the dining room wall

i.       Corner to corner cleaning

                                                    i.     Living room – Start in one corner and spend 15-30 minutes a day cleaning.  Includes, going through drawers, baskets, and bins and cleaning stuff out.  Making sure everything has a home, washing windows, and more. 

1.      Supplies I need:  1 shelf for all of my scrapbooks to get them off the floor

                                                   ii.     Master Bedroom – Start in one corner and spend 15-30 minutes a day cleaning.  Make sure stuff has a home, clean out under the bed!!

2.      Scrapbooking

a.      Order all of 2014 and 2015 photos that are not ordered.  (I want all of them for the two crops in October)

b.      Find packs of page protectors and put with the stacks of scrapbooks (I will sort through them once I get my shelf)

c.      Want to order: 1 album, 1 set of page protectors, 1 set of page pockets, and 1 month of digital photos and 1 set of pages

d.      Want to organize all photos on the computer so that they are ready to edit and then order.  Goal is to just order 1-2 sets (months) each month

e.      Goal is to complete 2 pages each day – so 14 pages a week – by the end of September (need to clean off desk!)

f.       Make plan for October scrapbook dates (Croptober Fest and Weekend Crop)

3.      School

a.      Order School Shirts

b.      Gather supplies for Agape/backpacks

c.      Lesson Plans for Agape – write the following Fridays plans on Saturday (or Sunday) So I’m always ready before the week begins.

d.      Stay current on all lessons and tasks in Connections

5.      Family

a.      Plan Josh’s birthday spacifically

b.      Plan our camping trip in October

c.      Future trips

                                                    i.     Plan a trip to Gulf Shores for Darryl’s birthday

                                                   ii.     Plan a trip to Metro beach over spring break

                                                  iii.     Plan a trip to the UP in July

                                                  iv.     Plan next summer’s camping trips

                                                   v.     Plan a trip to Chicago

                                                  vi.     Plan a travel trip for a future year

d.      September Possible events

                                                    i.     Sept 2 – Free Kid Flicks – How to Train your Dragon 3D

                                                   ii.     Sept 9 –

1.      Youth Day at Charlton Park

2.      Monarch Day at John Ball Zoo

3.      Attending a Baby Shower in Linden

                                                  iii.     Sept 10 – Darryl’s Concert

                                                  iv.     Sept 16 – Go to Boulder Ridge Park and Attend the Ionia Football game

                                                   v.     Sept 21 – Field Trip to the Orchard

                                                  vi.     Sept 24^th – Matt Maher coneret with Darryl (If possible); Halloween Weekend at the campground

                                                vii.     Sept 28^th – Ruth Everhart event at Baker

                                               viii.     Sept 29^th – Agape September Mom’s Event

                                                  ix.     Sept 30^th – Diary of  Wimpy Kid (Free Event)

                                                   x.     No dates yet –

1.      the event in Lake Odessa with the bounce houses

2.      Go to Heidis the last weekend on September??

3.      Ninjago Movie opens in September – Maybe see in Ionia?

4.      Saranac Park with Agape (can’t remember the date as I type this)

5.      Check out any other free movies – maybe in Lowell?

e.      Misc Items

                                                    i.     Work on eating healthier and finding time to exercise – discipline

                                                   ii.     Keep planning for Christmas

1.      Goal this month is to buy a few stocking stuffers

2.      Also – whats the chance we can get tickets for Michael W Smith??

                                                  iii.     Read books for book clubs/bible studies

                                                  iv.     Plant bulbs

Plan Thanksgiving

Happy Labor Day!

We are enjoying the unofficial last weekend of the summer and I hope you are too!  

Sunday Scripture/Song - Zach Williams - Old Church Choir

I thought this song tied in well with my recent post on joy.  I was listening to our local Christian station while working in the kitchen when this song came on and just loved it!

Old Church Choir There's revival and it's spreading Like a wildfire in my heart A Sunday morning hallelujah And it's lasting all week long Can you hear it? Can you feel it? It's the rhythm of a gospel song Once you choose it, you can't lose it There ain't nothing There ain't nothing gonna steal my joy I've got an old church choir singing in my soul I've got a sweet salvation and it's beautiful I've got a heart overflowing cause I've been restored No there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy No there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy When the valleys that I wander Turn to mountains that I can't climb You are with me, you never leave me There ain't nothing There ain't nothing gonna steal my joy I've got an old church choir singing in my soul I've got a sweet salvation and it's beautiful I've got a heart overflowing cause I've been restored No there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy No there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy Clap your hands and stomp your feet Till you find that gospel beat Cause He's all you'll ever need He's all you'll ever need I've got an old church choir singing in my soul I've got a sweet salvation and it's beautiful I've got a heart overflowing cause I've been restored No there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy No there ain't nothing gonna steal my joy

Our Week in Photos #11

We had a quiet start to our week with swimming on Saturday and then this pretty much sums up our Sunday:

After church, we came home and all kind of crashed.  Darryl was working, the cat took his chair, Nate put on his favorite PJ's (because that is what guys do on the weekend - hang out in long pants and comfy shirts HA!), and Josh set up a bed on the couch to relax in.  I read, watched football and may or may not have snoozed a little.

Monday we were able to enjoy another campfire at Nana's with S'mores and lots of laughs.

 These crazy kids.  They were running down the hill with their arms tucked in their shirts, trying not to fall. 

Darryl and Nate in a deep discussion while lighting the fire (most likely Nate asking questions about the fire!) 

Wednesday brought fresh haircuts and some photos! 

 Josh with his fresh haircut. 

 Yes, his hair is blue - the hairdresser always loves 'playing' with their hair and adding colors! 

 Brothers and best friends

 Nate's fresh haircut (he did not want any color in his hair this time!) 

Friday no one had school so I had planned to take all of the kids to the pool but . . .a cool and windy day changed our plans.  Instead we headed to the park.

 Well, lets keep it real.  I went to read my book and enjoy my favorite coffee sitting at the picnic table in the park. 

 Josh and Nate have both conquered the art of swinging.  Which is great because I highly dislike pushing anyone on a swing! 

 And then we went to the wilds of Africa and chased a Lion.  (Isn't that what it looks like?)  

 This cat became the center of attention.  Unlike most children, these four watched in amazement as . .. it rolled in the grass. HA!  They finally ran over and asked if they could touch it.  (Who asks to touch a cat?? LOL) 

 The cat loved them and Josh and Nate were thrilled that the cat loved them. 

Then they all sat down and gave the cat more attention then it could have ever imagined.  It loved them.  

We actually ended our night with swimming.  Nana checked out the pool and it was warm (for real!) so the boys and I met her at the pool and spent a good hour swimming.  

Weekly Menu - Labor Day is here/The unofficial end of Summer

Just like that, true summer is done.  Now, that doesn't mean we won't still have warm days and great weather but it just seems like once Labor Day hits, there is a turn in the feeling of the day . . I think it's called school work HA! We finally start our school this next week but we are still looking forward to days at the campground, campfires, and hopefully a few more days of swimming!

Friday - Chicken Noodle Soup and crescents.  Not very "Labor Day-ish" but, yeah, sometimes you just make what you make HA!

Saturday - Hot Dogs/Brats, Baked Beans, and Corn on the Cob

Sunday - I have some steaks in the freezer so I think steaks on the grill, baked sweet potatoes, and a fruit salad

Monday - It's Labor Day so what better to cook than Hamburgers!!  Not sure what else yet but we will have burgers!

Tuesday - Tacos

Wednesday - Darryl has Practice so we eat with my mom!

Thursday - Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans.

Recap of August Goals

So, I have a confession.  When I wrote the August goals that I posted HERE were not well written nor complete.  I had kind of written a rough draft and never got back to it; by the time I sat down during the first week of August and really wrote them down, I decided to not go back and change it.  This is what the real deal looked like:

Yes, three full pages of plans, hopes, and "dreams" . .. ok, not really dreams but dreaming of all that will get done!  This is the first time in over a year that I've really sat down and wrote out my goals and plans for the month and it felt good to do so.

Here's a recap of what I got done

Scrapbooking
1. I sorted all of my printed photos (that I printed back in March and just got to!)

Family
1. Picked out Halloween Costumes (to order first week of September)
2. August Possible Events  (I made a list of all of the possible events to do in August; a few were even added throughout the month.  It gave lots of ideas and I could pick and choose based on the week, the cost, and the weather.)
     a.  Zoo - August 4th    This year it was cold and Rainy on the "Family Zoo Day" where entry was $4.00 for everyone.  We didn't go last year because it was about 300 degrees ;-) Maybe next year!
     b.  VBS - August 6-10th - DONE!
     c.  Kent County Fair - August 8th.  Free Rides for reading Since the Rides were free (due to reading books) I was leaning towards doing this but the Entertainment Company is the same one that had rides at the other two fairs the boys have gone too and I think they had had enough.
     d.  Movie at Saranac Library - August 10th
     e. Mashville Church Carnival/Sandyland Concert - August 12th
     f.  Ninja Warrior Cometition - August 12th (This was an add-on that I learned about in August.  We watch this show and we have a guy we know that competes in it as well.) - THIS WAS AWESOME!
     g. Free Movie - Wizard Of Oz - August 14th
     h.  Blanford Nature Center At Baker BOokhouse - Aug. 15th followed by a picnic/trip to the park (either the Interactive Fountain to meeting Agape people at a Park)  We actually went to the park the day before because we ended up with a conflict on this date.
    i. Saranac Library Relay Games  - Two things 1) it rained and 2) the boys had a dentist appointment
    j. Kids Challenge  - Again, it rained so I'm glad I didn't buy tickets!
    k.  VBS at my mom's Church! - They had fun!
    l. Tri-Ponds/South Beach with Darryl - The kids were gone and we did this!
    m. Agape Kick off - We did attend.

Home
1. Totally 100% cleaned the boys room

School
1. Pay the Agape Fee for Friday School.
2. Organized each boys desk with their new books
3. PLanned our schedule for school online (Set their schedule for classes)

Family
1. Started talking about the boys birthdays - gift ideas, plans for their "day"
2. Talked about Halloween costumes to order in September

Misc
1. Planned some fun stuff for Darryl and I to do for our anniversary while the kids were gone.
2. Put Christmas on the radar - starting writing down some gift ideas.
3. Cleaned out and organized my recipe binders

I feel like I accomplished a lot, but yet, I have a lot that didn't get done.  That's the point of making lists and having goals though - I know I will never finish everything on my list but it gives me something to work towards!

Joy or Joy Stealer?

Recently, I was wandering the aisles of Target on a day out without kids and I overheard a conversation between a mom and a soon to be college student that went something like this:

Mom: All of this other junk is fine, but how do you plan to take your clothes with you?
Daughter: I haven't decided yet.
M: Well, you need some bags. (walks down an aisle).  Like these.
D: These say I need a vacuum to suck the air out and I won't have a vacuum.
M: What other idea do you have then?
D: Maybe some totes.
M: You actually expect us to haul totes of clothes back and forth from school for you? I'm not spending that money on totes just get these bags.
D: Why do I want space saver bags?  I'm not going to unzip them everytime I want clothes?

You get the idea.  The mom was done.  Probably tired of spending money, tired of trying to get all of the things that everyone thinks they need for a dorm room; tired of thinking about her daughter moving away (even though at the moment I think she was ready to drive her away right that moment HA!)

It got me thinking - too often we let our attitude or our "direction" steal someone elses joy.

I find this true in my own life.  I have certain things I expect to happen in my day, with my kids, ect.  When those things don't happen it is so easy to become negitive because life doesn't go the way I planned.  I find myself telling my kids no about everything, getting on them about little things, or just rolling my eyes (when they can't see) after they have said "mom" for the millionth time.  I can see it in their little faces as I begin to steal their Joy.

Snoopy.  Is there anyone that symbolizes joy more than Snoopy?  My third grade teacher's husband was the school counselor in my elementary school so we got "special treatment".  See Mr. Hyde had a special talent - he could drawer Snoopy.  It was a treat to get a Snoopy from Mr. Hyde but because we were in his wife's class, he would often stop by and draw a Snoopy on our papers while we worked.  Why did he do it?  Very simply, when he drew a Snoopy, the students smiled - he handed out Joy through the ink of his pen.  He was a joy giver.

A Joy Giver > A Joy Stealer

So, back to me.  I don't really like to be a joy stealer.  It happens most often when I'm tired.  Or when I get a little put off by what someone does.  Or when my plan is knocked off kilter.  Or, again, when my kids have done me in.  You get the idea.  It. just. happens.  Just like I can see it on my kids faces, I can sense it from other people in either their words or the look on their face.  So what do I do?  I work to change from taking joy to giving joy.  For example.  Recently in the truck as we headed to town - a 35 minutes drive - my youngest asked me to play "the song" (Disc 2, Song 2).  And to play it loud.  This is a common request which I don't mind usually because we are driving 3.5 minutes to the store which means one time through the song.  BUT, I rolled my eyes at the thought of doing this for 35 minutes so I said, "Fine, but only twice and then I'm listening to the radio."  As it played the first time, the conviction started as I thought, he loves this song.  This song that is singing about chosing God; a song that is teaching him about the love of Jesus.  At the end of the second time through, I said, "So, do you want to hear it again?"  To which TWO voices chimed in loudly "YES!!!".  We listened to it 8 times . . .8 times in a row.  Guess what?  By the time we got to town, we were ALL singing it with Joy.