Can you believe that it's Thanksgiving week? I can't! I feel like we just started school yesterday and yet it's almost the end of the year. This is the first year in several that I am not cooking Thanksgiving dinner so I think that plays a part in it too - usually I plan out the meal and make a master grocery list at the end of October so I can buy everything on sale throughout the month. My mom wanted to do it this year so I let her ;-)
Despite not cooking on Thanksgiving, I still have to cook the rest of the week so here's the plan.
Friday - Breakfast for dinner - Amish Breakfast Casserole, Coffee Cake, and Fruit. This has been on the menu for weeks and just keeps getting carried over!
Saturday - I haven't decided yet. Sometimes on Saturdays - I'm ready to grab something simple - whether we all go to McDonald's or treat ourselves to Pizza Hut, it's just nice to have a night "out".
Sunday - We have our annual Thanksgiving dinner at church at 5:00 so, I will keep lunch a little lighter. Grilled Cheese Sammies and Tomato Soup sounds good :-)
Monday - Tacos :-) We eat in shifts on Mondays so Tacos is always a good thing to have for everyone to eat!
Tuesday - Pork Loin, Mac and Cheese, Applesauce, and biscuits
Wednesday - I don't know about you, but the night before Thanksgiving I've learned to keep it simple and as far away from Turkey as possible. My tradition the last few years has been homemade pizza and I think I will stick with that again this year. We all get our own little crust and get to put our own toppings of choice on it. It's fun, simple, and not too heavy!
Thursday - It's Thanksgiving! We are going "over the river and through the woods" to Nana's house!
Friday, November 22, 2019
Sunday, November 17, 2019
Weekly Worship - Tauren Wells - God's Not Done With You
A friend of mine shared this on Facebook this past week so I thought I'd pass it on.
Saturday, November 16, 2019
Our Week in Photos #42
Here's a quick look back at our week!
Saturday - I got to attend a ladies breakfast with some friends which was a nice treat for me! Then the boys and I went with my mom so they could all shop for their Operation Christmas Shoebox gifts. Finally, the boys had a friend come over to play for the afternoon.
Sunday - Church followed by packing boxes at church for Shoeboxes! This is the first time we attended and it was really an enjoyable event. The boys loved it.
Monday - The plan was school but . . .we got a snow storm. The first of the season so we had a snow day and the kids all played outside!
Tuesday - We got some school done followed by a trip to the Orthodontist and piano lessons!
Wednesday - Finally - just a school day!
Thursday - I had a leadership team meeting and then Nate went to a friends house to play for the afternoon.
Friday - We had a Co-Op gathering today followed by an afternoon at home.
It was a busy, but fun week!
Saturday - I got to attend a ladies breakfast with some friends which was a nice treat for me! Then the boys and I went with my mom so they could all shop for their Operation Christmas Shoebox gifts. Finally, the boys had a friend come over to play for the afternoon.
Sunday - Church followed by packing boxes at church for Shoeboxes! This is the first time we attended and it was really an enjoyable event. The boys loved it.
Monday - The plan was school but . . .we got a snow storm. The first of the season so we had a snow day and the kids all played outside!
Our dog does NOT like the snow HA!
A few friends playing in the snow!
Wednesday - Finally - just a school day!
Thursday - I had a leadership team meeting and then Nate went to a friends house to play for the afternoon.
Friday - We had a Co-Op gathering today followed by an afternoon at home.
It was a busy, but fun week!
Friday, November 15, 2019
Weekly Menu
Winter arrived this week hard and heavy. A snow storm; record breaking cold temps; my heat running more then it normally does HA! But, with cold temperatures comes staying at home more which means eating at home more. I love having leftovers to warm up for lunch and a kitchen that smells good at dinner time.
So, what's the plan for the coming week?
Friday - Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, veggies and biscuits
Saturday - We are attending a pancake dinner fundraiser for one of the boys from our co-op
Sunday - A Roast, Potatoes, and Carrots! Nothing smells better then walking into that after church! Then for dinner later we will have ham and cheese quiche and fruit
Monday - We have a field trip, time for a quick dinner, followed by TKD. So it has to be simple
Tuesday - Amish breakfast casserole, overnight coffee cake and fruit
Wednesday - AWANA! Pizza night!
Thursday - Tortellini soup and bread sticks
Saturday, November 9, 2019
Our Week in Photos # 41
Here's a look back at our week!
We had a quiet weekend. The boys had Christmas Program Practice on Saturday and we had church on Sunday.
Monday = School! Nate had TKD in the evening :-)
Tuesday = School, Piano and then Lego Club at one of our Local Libraries.
We had a quiet weekend. The boys had Christmas Program Practice on Saturday and we had church on Sunday.
Monday = School! Nate had TKD in the evening :-)
Tuesday = School, Piano and then Lego Club at one of our Local Libraries.
Nate building his creation
The theme of this months club was to build an animal. I even got in on the fun and made a cat :-)
Josh made a creature.
Josh and his creation.
Nate made an "Area 51 Raid."
Wednesday - We did school and then I took Josh into a foot doctor appointment (all is well!). By the time I got home and dropped him off, it was time to run Nate in for a haircut. We had just enough time to come home and eat dinner before the boys headed off to AWANA! Busy day for sure!
Thursday -- We had the privilage of going on a field trip to "Mission India" and learning about both the culture of India as well as how Mission India reaches the Indian people with the gospel.
Friday was our last day of Friday school for the semester which ended with our Presentation Night.
Josh's Lego Creation for "Lego Stem"
Nate's Lego Creation
Josh took an amazing art class - this is all of his Art Work!
Josh and Nate both took a Perler Bead class and loved it! They made a bunch of projects.
It was a really awesome semester and I'm so thankful for such a great bunch of people!
Friday, November 8, 2019
Weekly Menu
I actually think things are starting to slow down around here. We still have piano lessons, TKD, and AWANA but other things are starting to let up a little. It's good, though, I'm ready to buckle down on some school projects and get them done before Christmas break so when we come back to the last few weeks of the semester, there isn't quite so much pressure. We are eating at home more which is good too - it saves a lot of money! Here's the plan for the coming week
Friday - Tonight is Presentation Night for our Co-op. It's not a meal - just snacks and appetizers so everyone will need to eat something before coming. The boys will be with my mom and I'll be at the church so everyone just has to eat something where ever they are!
Saturday - Spaghetti and Garlic Sticks
Sunday - Stuffed Shells, Green Beans, Salad and Garlic Bread. I love this meal because it's easy to prep before hand and cook when we get home from church. By the time everyone has changed and put things away from church, dinner is done.
Monday - Tonight is Leftover night!
Tuesday - Pork Loin, Mac and Cheese, Veggies, and Applesauce
Wednesday - AWANA = Frozen Pizza
Thursday - Amish Breakfast casserole, Overnight Coffee Cake, and Roasted Asparagus.
Friday - Tonight is Presentation Night for our Co-op. It's not a meal - just snacks and appetizers so everyone will need to eat something before coming. The boys will be with my mom and I'll be at the church so everyone just has to eat something where ever they are!
Saturday - Spaghetti and Garlic Sticks
Sunday - Stuffed Shells, Green Beans, Salad and Garlic Bread. I love this meal because it's easy to prep before hand and cook when we get home from church. By the time everyone has changed and put things away from church, dinner is done.
Monday - Tonight is Leftover night!
Tuesday - Pork Loin, Mac and Cheese, Veggies, and Applesauce
Wednesday - AWANA = Frozen Pizza
Thursday - Amish Breakfast casserole, Overnight Coffee Cake, and Roasted Asparagus.
Tuesday, November 5, 2019
November Goals
When I write my yearly goals in January as well as pick my word for the year, it always seems like I have so many days to accomplish those things. Yet, as November begins and I think back through the past year, I'm amazed at how quickly it flies by. One of the main things that goal planning does for me is help me be more intentional. I know that I don't accomplish everything and that's fine but I do accomplish many things and that brings me joy.
November always brings me to the close of my goals in a way because I try to make December super relaxing and non-stressful. I like to enjoy the traditions, lights, and family fun during what is really the most joyful month of all! I like to try and accomplish as much as possible throughout this month while staying on task with school. I also work at trying to slow down our lives just a little as we come into the holiday season so we can just breath and enjoy.
1. Finances - I've said it many times - we live on a very tight budget. Yes, this is a choice because it is important to both Darryl and I that I stay home with the boys. The Lord has always provided - sometimes in mysterious ways (anonymous gifts through the mail that I receive every once in awhile - just a $20.00 bill - but it is always a blessing) but he does provide. This past year I have tried to make it a priority, almost my job, to be intentional with our spending. I've failed miserably at times but a few months along the way, I've succeeded. Amazingly, the harder I work at this "job" the more stress free and joyful our lives our because we aren't overwhelmed by finances. All of that to say my goal this month is to track. every. single. thing. This time of year with Christmas and another birthday always gets financially stressful. I want to alleviate that as much as possible by not spending on unnecessary items.
2. Cleaning - At this point, I've "deep cleaned" every room. Which really just means that I've taken time to intentionally clean each one and get rid of what doesn't belong. The main goal this month is to set up a routine of keeping everything clean. I love Flylady ideas of cleaning - I just need to own it.
3. Scrapbooking - My main goal this month is to finish November 2014 and December 2014 I have no goals of ordering any supplies or photos. Why? Go back to #1 listed above. I have plenty of supplies to use; I can make a list of things (stickers) that I want to add in and purchase them a little later. Generally though, I have plenty of what I need! November 2014 is done (I had some great scrapbooking time on November 2nd!!! which actually allowed me to finish November photos!)
4. Family Fun - I will be looking for some family fun activities to do. Inexpensive but fun!
5. Purchase all of Nate's birthday presents by mid-month.
6. Finalize what we hope to purchase the boys for gifts for Christmas and start saving for those items. Also make a list of other gift buying - you know, the ones that surprise you a week before Christmas - and start purchasing those items as well.
7. Decorate for Christmas. My mom is hosting Thanksgiving this year so I feel like I can get our decorations for Christmas out the week of Thanksgiving. I want to be intentional with our decorations. Put out what I love, get rid of what I don't love or have room for and make it easier to put things away in January.
8. Decorate outside for Christmas. I like to do this in November before it gets REALLY cold.
9. Finish November schooling current! I've been really striving this year to stay current and not get a few days behind on lessons.
10. Register for our winter semester at Agape. This technically happens the first week of December but I need to plan for it and set a little money aside to pay for it so the planning happens now.
11. Write our Christmas Letter, take a family photo, and make our photo cards. Last year, I figure out it is super cheap to turn a "photo" into a collage photo and use it as our Christmas card and it only costs a few dollars. It's the perfect solution to get it done at the right price. I also have stamps already so this year, doing one of my favorite things, is well within our budget!
12. Find a few Christmas projects to do with the boys. I love projects but the last few years I haven't planned well. I'd like to find something that they can make and enjoy!
13. I know I listed cleaning above but the basement is always its own category. Now the basement is cleaned and organized so now, I want to go deeper though. For example I have two HUGE bins full of baby clothes from the boys. I got rid of a lot, but kept even more because of memories :-) I feel like I am far enough removed from them now that I can re-sort them and keep only the super special ones and donate or sell the rest. Ultimately, I want to create a bin for each of the boys of things that I find special. That way I can add things like sports shirts, birthday shirts, etc. as the grow older. So, this month, I want to go through those two bins specifically and clean off my drafting table (it was my dads). The drafting table makes a great place to wrap gifts - but it is never, ever cleaned off!
14. Pick out the photos of the boys for my wall. This might also mean taking a photo as well. I worked in October on getting "the" photo but have really struggled this fall with great photos!
15. Clean out the big black rolling cart stored in my bathroom currently! It ultimately needs to go to the basement but first I need to clean it out :-)
16. Plan out our December intentionally. Things like our photo with Santa, our Christmas tree, seeing Christmas lights, the annual parade, and making Christmas Cookies (which I think my mom wants to do, or at least help do, this year) are all fun things!
17. Order my Christmas soundtrack and practice it; plus pick out the next song I'd like to sing.
18. Get the dog's nails cut :-)
19. Clean up the yard - put away the stuff like the hose, summer decor, ect. This has to get done before it's buried in snow! We will also have to move the pop-up camper but we are watching the weather for that - when they are forcasting inches of snow on the near frozen ground, we will move it to the side of our garage. Until then, it sits in the driveway :-)
There's my 19! In general, our November starts to slow down compared to October. We have more days at home and less days where we are running! I'm actually looking forward to some slower times - or at least a nice balance of time out and time at home. Nothing is better then being at home on the cold days, in snuggly clothes while we do school and drink hot chocolate! ;-)
November always brings me to the close of my goals in a way because I try to make December super relaxing and non-stressful. I like to enjoy the traditions, lights, and family fun during what is really the most joyful month of all! I like to try and accomplish as much as possible throughout this month while staying on task with school. I also work at trying to slow down our lives just a little as we come into the holiday season so we can just breath and enjoy.
1. Finances - I've said it many times - we live on a very tight budget. Yes, this is a choice because it is important to both Darryl and I that I stay home with the boys. The Lord has always provided - sometimes in mysterious ways (anonymous gifts through the mail that I receive every once in awhile - just a $20.00 bill - but it is always a blessing) but he does provide. This past year I have tried to make it a priority, almost my job, to be intentional with our spending. I've failed miserably at times but a few months along the way, I've succeeded. Amazingly, the harder I work at this "job" the more stress free and joyful our lives our because we aren't overwhelmed by finances. All of that to say my goal this month is to track. every. single. thing. This time of year with Christmas and another birthday always gets financially stressful. I want to alleviate that as much as possible by not spending on unnecessary items.
2. Cleaning - At this point, I've "deep cleaned" every room. Which really just means that I've taken time to intentionally clean each one and get rid of what doesn't belong. The main goal this month is to set up a routine of keeping everything clean. I love Flylady ideas of cleaning - I just need to own it.
3. Scrapbooking - My main goal this month is to finish November 2014 and December 2014 I have no goals of ordering any supplies or photos. Why? Go back to #1 listed above. I have plenty of supplies to use; I can make a list of things (stickers) that I want to add in and purchase them a little later. Generally though, I have plenty of what I need! November 2014 is done (I had some great scrapbooking time on November 2nd!!! which actually allowed me to finish November photos!)
4. Family Fun - I will be looking for some family fun activities to do. Inexpensive but fun!
5. Purchase all of Nate's birthday presents by mid-month.
6. Finalize what we hope to purchase the boys for gifts for Christmas and start saving for those items. Also make a list of other gift buying - you know, the ones that surprise you a week before Christmas - and start purchasing those items as well.
7. Decorate for Christmas. My mom is hosting Thanksgiving this year so I feel like I can get our decorations for Christmas out the week of Thanksgiving. I want to be intentional with our decorations. Put out what I love, get rid of what I don't love or have room for and make it easier to put things away in January.
8. Decorate outside for Christmas. I like to do this in November before it gets REALLY cold.
9. Finish November schooling current! I've been really striving this year to stay current and not get a few days behind on lessons.
10. Register for our winter semester at Agape. This technically happens the first week of December but I need to plan for it and set a little money aside to pay for it so the planning happens now.
11. Write our Christmas Letter, take a family photo, and make our photo cards. Last year, I figure out it is super cheap to turn a "photo" into a collage photo and use it as our Christmas card and it only costs a few dollars. It's the perfect solution to get it done at the right price. I also have stamps already so this year, doing one of my favorite things, is well within our budget!
12. Find a few Christmas projects to do with the boys. I love projects but the last few years I haven't planned well. I'd like to find something that they can make and enjoy!
13. I know I listed cleaning above but the basement is always its own category. Now the basement is cleaned and organized so now, I want to go deeper though. For example I have two HUGE bins full of baby clothes from the boys. I got rid of a lot, but kept even more because of memories :-) I feel like I am far enough removed from them now that I can re-sort them and keep only the super special ones and donate or sell the rest. Ultimately, I want to create a bin for each of the boys of things that I find special. That way I can add things like sports shirts, birthday shirts, etc. as the grow older. So, this month, I want to go through those two bins specifically and clean off my drafting table (it was my dads). The drafting table makes a great place to wrap gifts - but it is never, ever cleaned off!
14. Pick out the photos of the boys for my wall. This might also mean taking a photo as well. I worked in October on getting "the" photo but have really struggled this fall with great photos!
15. Clean out the big black rolling cart stored in my bathroom currently! It ultimately needs to go to the basement but first I need to clean it out :-)
16. Plan out our December intentionally. Things like our photo with Santa, our Christmas tree, seeing Christmas lights, the annual parade, and making Christmas Cookies (which I think my mom wants to do, or at least help do, this year) are all fun things!
17. Order my Christmas soundtrack and practice it; plus pick out the next song I'd like to sing.
18. Get the dog's nails cut :-)
19. Clean up the yard - put away the stuff like the hose, summer decor, ect. This has to get done before it's buried in snow! We will also have to move the pop-up camper but we are watching the weather for that - when they are forcasting inches of snow on the near frozen ground, we will move it to the side of our garage. Until then, it sits in the driveway :-)
There's my 19! In general, our November starts to slow down compared to October. We have more days at home and less days where we are running! I'm actually looking forward to some slower times - or at least a nice balance of time out and time at home. Nothing is better then being at home on the cold days, in snuggly clothes while we do school and drink hot chocolate! ;-)
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