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!  :-)