Michael W. Smith - Arms Around the Sun (Official Music Video)

Our Weekly Snapshot

 

Nate was able to help with board breaking and sparing at TKD. 

We had a fabulous field trip with our Co-Op. 

Nate got a bulls eye in archery. 

Weekly Menu

 It is Labor Day Weekend which is the unofficial end of summer!  Looking back I'm happy with our summer - my guys were as busy as they wanted to be and enjoyed lots of fun things.  I accomplished some things, read a lot of books, and just tried to enjoy the summer with my teens.  

Friday - This is a carry over recipe - Glazed Chicken Thighs and Fried Rice

Saturday - My teens are attending a bonfire with friends so Darryl and I will enjoy dinner together.  Last month we grilled; not sure what we will do this time around 

Sunday - sausage Gravy and biscuits with fried potatoes and eggs

Monday - It is Labor Day -we are eating at my moms. 

Tuesday -  meatballs and mashed potatoes and salad 

Wednesday -  Eggs, Bacon and English Muffins

Thursday - Fried Cod, Rice and Green Beans 

August Goal Recap

 Yes, I know, August isn't officially over but it is close enough that I can do a quick recap.  Our August was oddly busy with physical therapy for two of us, TKD, Centershot, Choir beginning again and just other fun things that were on the calendar.  I wrote some amazing weekly plans and daily plans; too bad they didn't work out the way I planned HA!  I can still blame the horrid heat/humidity as it hung around until this week.  Shoot it was so nice yesterday that I even gave my willow tree a hair cut without breaking a sweat!!!  I still have hopes to wrap up a few things this weekend but we shall see!  (It is also the last few days before school starts so I also fee like reading LOL) 

Here's a quick over view of what I accomplished this past month: 

1. I created a list of 31 drawers, cupboards, and small spaces that I want to declutter and organize throughout the month of August.  The goal is to finish all 31.  Most of them are 5-10 minute jobs.  I accomplish some of these items but not all of them.  I might carry the list over into September. 
2. List, sell, and then donate any unsold Homeschool Books we are done with.  I'm hoping to make a little money to help cover the cost of the rest of Josh's books for 11th grade.  I did list and actually sell a few books.  The rest I'm going to donate.  Josh is all set and ready to go next week! 
3. Clean off the TV stand, move it from the wall and work on the craziness of cords.  Nate told me he would help with that job.  I'm hoping to still enlist Nate's help on this project before the long holiday week is done.  It will not take long . 
4. Wash the outsides of the main windows - Josh told me he would do that (Plus is the only one that can go high up on the ladder without fear of dying LOL) It has been too hot to clean windows BUT this is another "hopeful" item for this weekend.
5. Plan weeks 1-3 of Joyful - for real.  I need to pick out our verses, plan activities, and prep all of my bags Everything is done except picking our verses.  
6. Steam clean the carpets - Dining Room, Living Room, Bedrooms Again, I did not want to add more humidity to the air that was already way to humid LOL  
7. Continue with the basement clean out - just 15 minutes a day.  Little by Little.  That is all that matters
8. Replace the board on Nate's bed. Not done yet - and this might not happen until September.  
9. Josh's room - just keep helping him plug away on the last pieces I keep trying but he seems pretty content with where it is at this point.  
10. Work on "It is Well with my Soul" I have practice it a few times.  My goal is to play it by the end of September. 
11. Date with Darryl Done
12. Read at least 6 books with one non-fiction.  I still need to read a non-fiction book for June and July. Done with the fiction; I have a non-fiction on my Kindle waiting to be read in the next few days. 
13. Memorize 1 verse for August (and June and July) Working on this - I did actually pick out quite a few of my verses for the next year too. 
14. Review my 101-1001 goals so I can tackle more of those items. Done.  
15. Review my 2025 Goals and see what I need to accomplish. Done - I made a master list of both this and the 101-1001 goals for this year and laid out a plan to accomplish them by December. 
16. In my menus I have plans to try two new recipes - I would like to utilize my cookbooks I own and try two new options from one or more of my books. I have tried new recipes this month - at least two. 
17. Order July Photos Done
18. Scrapbook - I really need to schedule my scrapbook days and then stick to it- once I get moving I generally keep moving; it is just making the effort to do it!  So, my goal for August is to Finish January-March of 2025; then to Finish 3 months of 2011 photos.  (I'm not really that far behind - someone I skipped over 2011 when I was moving through years) January is done and February is 1/2 done.
19. Make Christmas list plans for both guys and slowly start picking up some things. Not done yet
20. Plan a family activity for this quarter (July-September). Need to fit this in during September. 
21. Attend planned activities - Teen Brunch, FunTyme Meet-up, at least one more time with Kids Bowl Free, a Worship on the Waterfront Concert, and maybe a movie if there is anything good out there to see! The only item that worked out is FunTyme (which is today!) 
22. Write my blog posts for upcoming weeks. Ideally I'd like to have them written through the end of September (yes, I do most of them in advance) and then stay on top of the weekly ones such as our Weekly Snapshot and then any related to my Joyful Co-Op class. Done
23. Follow the Fly-lady plan for August with the 15 minute daily challenges for cleaning and/or decluttering.  Not Done
24. Lay out plans for the rest of the year - retreats, known field trips, family days, etc.  Calendar planning is my "thing" :-) Done
25. As always - complete at least 1/2 of these goals.  Done

Seph Schlueter - Won't Start Now (Lyric Video)

Our Weekly Snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week.  My photos loaded backwards do it really is “back”🤣

Nate finally returned to Thursday night TKD after two months off due to a busy schedule. 

The teens enjoy having friends over but I don’t always get to take photos.  I did sneak this one with Nate’s friend Monty.  

Nate enjoyed another week of Centershot! 

Darryl, Josh, and I attended a celebration of life lunch for my Uncle.  This is all of the cousins that were able to attend along with one aunt and one Uncle. 

Weekly Menu

 Summer is quickly coming to a close.  While we homeschool and you might think that it is a different feeling, as a former full time teacher, I still get the same feeling at the end of summer as we move into a different schedule with school and activities.  Guess what stays the same?  Meal planning! 

Friday - Amish Breakfast Casserole 

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's

Sunday - pork roast, crash potatoes, salad and biscuits

Monday - Shrimp Scsmpi and Red lobster biscuits 

Tuesday - Beef, Tomato and Pasta Soup with French Bread

Wednesday - Baked Teriyaki Chicken and Fried Rice

Thursday - BBQ Cups and Fries 

Recipe Fun

 

This recipe is a long time family favorite - Stuffed Shells.  Years ago, before we had kids, we went on a vacation to Gatlinburg, Tennessee and, while there, visited some long time friends.  She made us a wonderful lunch of stuffed shells and they were amazing.  They are simple and filling and too me, this is just one of those comfort food recipes.  

Danny Gokey - Only For A Moment (Official Music Video)

Our Weekly Snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week: 

Last Sunday Nate attending a Great Lake party with the youth group.  

On Tuesday we had a teen lunch with friends from the co-op

• And Nate had his first official week of Centershot and he even got a bullseye!

Weekly Menu

 The next two weeks are my self imposed relaxing weeks before the rush of the school year.  My guys aren't quite as excited about these weeks but I like keeping it simple.  I'm sure things will come up and we might go bowling again.  We shall see!

Friday - Beef Drip and Fries (Basically a beef drip is a style of French dip) 

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's

Sunday -our church has a meet and greet with a youth intern and I’ve heard there might be pizza.  If not we will just grab Little Caesers

Monday - Broccoli Cheese Noodle Soup, Ham, and Rolls

Tuesday - summer beef stew and biscuits

Wednesday - Amish Breakfast Casserole, Fruit Salad, and Overnight Cinnamon Bread

Thursday - Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Loin, Crash Potatoes, and Green Beans

August Goals

 Every year in August I find it a little hard to write a list of goals.  August is my month to breath before school starts (I know I will mention this in several posts in August I am sure!)  So, instead of writing out a long list of goals I'm focusing on some key things that must be done before September.  Anything beyond that is just icing on the goal cake HA! 

1. I created a list of 31 drawers, cupboards, and small spaces that I want to declutter and organize throughout the month of August.  The goal is to finish all 31.  Most of them are 5-10 minute jobs.  
2. List, sell, and then donate any unsold Homeschool Books we are done with.  I'm hoping to make a little money to help cover the cost of the rest of Josh's books for 11th grade.  
3. Clean off the TV stand, move it from the wall and work on the craziness of cords.  Nate told me he would help with that job.  
4. Wash the outsides of the main windows - Josh told me he would do that (Plus is the only one that can go high up on the ladder without fear of dying LOL) 
5. Plan weeks 1-3 of Joyful - for real.  I need to pick out our verses, plan activities, and prep all of my bags 
6. Steam clean the carpets - Dining Room, Living Room, Bedrooms
7. Continue with the basement clean out - just 15 minutes a day
8. Replace the board on Nate's bed. 
9. Josh's room - just keep helping him plug away on the last pieces 
10. Work on "It is Well with my Soul"
11. Date with Darryl
12. Read at least 6 books with one non-fiction.  I still need to read a non-fiction book for June and July. 
13. Memorize 1 verse for August (and June and July) 
14. Review my 101-1001 goals so I can tackle more of those items. 
15. Review my 2025 Goals and see what I need to accomplish. 
16. In my menus I have plans to try two new recipes - I would like to utilize my cookbooks I own and try two new options from one or more of my books. 
17. Order July Photos
18. Scrapbook - I really need to schedule my scrapbook days and then stick to it- once I get moving I generally keep moving; it is just making the effort to do it!  So, my goal for August is to Finish January-March of 2025; then to Finish 3 months of 2011 photos.  (I'm not really that far behind - someone I skipped over 2011 when I was moving through years) 
19. Make Christmas list plans for both guys and slowly start picking up some things. 
20. Plan a family activity for this quarter (July-September). 
21. Attend planned activities - Teen Brunch, FunTyme Meet-up, at least one more time with Kids Bowl Free, a Worship on the Waterfront Concert, and maybe a movie if there is anything good out there to see! 
22. Write my blog posts for upcoming weeks. Ideally I'd like to have them written through the end of September (yes, I do most of them in advance) and then stay on top of the weekly ones such as our Weekly Snapshot and then any related to my Joyful Co-Op class. 
23. Follow the Fly-lady plan for August with the 15 minute daily challenges for cleaning and/or decluttering.  
24. Lay out plans for the rest of the year - retreats, known field trips, family days, etc.  Calendar planning is my "thing" :-) 
25. As always - complete at least 1/2 of these goals.  

Geesh, I did not think I would have 25 items this month - but somehow, I do!  Lets go August! 

Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding - The First Hymn (Official Lyric Video)

Our Weekly Snapshot

 Here's a quick glance back at our week.  My pictures loaded from end of the week to beginning of week so we shall go backwards through the week HA! 

Joshua and Nate spent the week at my mom's - we call it "Nana Camp".  They invited me over for lunch and to play "Ioniaopoly".  Josh ended up winning because he had the most money when we needed to stop playing.  

Nate start a program this week called Centershot.  It is an archery program where they learn all the archery skills and also have a Bible study.  He ha wanted to do this for year but it was always on a night he couldn't attend . .. until this year!  

Our sweet Harley :-)  He's pretty sassy actually but we sure adore him. 

Darryl and I celebrated our 24th anniversary on Monday of this past week.  Darryl unexpectedly had the day off work as we had to take his work vehicle (our Escape) in for warranty work.  So we enjoyed a day at home until it was time to go pick up the car; then we went out to dinner after running that errand. 

Then, to start the week - Joshua and Nate had a bonfire with friends.  They spent part of the time down the road at a park.  I'm thankful for their great group of friends.  

It was a super busy week actually.  Nate and I are both also going to physical therapy so, between the two of us we end up going 4-5 days a week.  He has a sports injury in a muscle in his back and I'm dealing with a old injury in my ankle from college that decided come back to haunt me about 6 months ago HA!  

Weekly Menu

 Welcome to my favorite post of the week HA!  Well, it is my most consistent that's for sure.  I find menu planning relaxing and rewarding because it is something fairly easy to control.  Even when I make changes, it is because I have control over what is cooked.  I know, weird.  That's ok.  I recently organized my recipes alphabetically (again, weird, I know) and am working on cooking my way through them to see what we actually like and what I can clear out.  It has also allowed me to plan weeks ahead.  Now, I'm the first one to tell you that meal planning is like lesson planning - nothing stays the same.  So even though I might plan through the end of September I fully know that things will come up, recipes will get moved or not made at all, and we may eat out a few times that aren't planned and that is all ok!  The planning helps me keep an eye out for sales for future meals to help keep the grocery budget in line.  The boys come back from Nana camp this weekend and, while we still have a busy week before we hit my self imposed "slow two weeks before school starts" weeks, I am back to menu sincere meal planning.  :-)

Here's the plan for the upcoming week:

Friday -My plan is chili dogs, corn, and potato salad

Saturday - It is time to "pick up the kids!" HA!  So, dinner at Nana's 

Sunday - Keeping it simple today - Shredded Chicken Tacos

Monday - Choir starts back tonight so we eat in shifts.  I'm going to throw a premade lasagna in the oven along with breadsticks

Tuesday - chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes and corn

Wednesday - Roasted Pork Shoulder, Sour Cream Rice, and Asparagus

Thursday - Dill Shrimp Pasta with Cheesecake Factory Bread

Recap of July Goals

 July was a long, hot, humid month.  It was also busy.  As I'm writing this I thought - "Wow, this is the first day all month we have had nothing to do" and then I realized it was August . . .HA!  My teens have a pretty busy social life, which I think is great and the way it should be when you are in your mid-teens.  Friends, Church, Family - all great things to be involved with.  Here's a look back at what I did -- and did not -- accomplish in July: 

Here are my goals for July! 

1. Declutter the basement.  I have made steady progress on this and am continuing with my goal of basically going through one bin/box/bag/shelf a day - but when I start with one I usually end up going through several depending on how much time I have available.  I don't have a set goal in mind of where I want to be on this project by the end of July - I just want to continue on with progress. Still a work in progress - but progress is the key word :-)  

2. Scrapbook - If you read by 101 in 1001 days goals you know I have quite a bit of scrapbooking to get done.  Based on what I specifically want done this year - I have a few goals for July.  1) Finish two total months in 2011 2) Finish January and February of 2025 3) Get all of the memorabilia in an album if completed or ready to go in albums not completed. I had high hopes for this with my guys gone but apparently my motivation was also gone HA! 

3.  Finish up the last things in Josh's room - he and I have already talked about this and what needs to be done and plan to do it the week Nate is at camp.  Really, we have 2-3 hours total of work to do so it isn't much.  He and I did make progress on this but there is still more to do.  I think he has less motivation to do then I do so that makes it not happen very quickly. 

4.  Fix a board in Nate's bed - this is really Darryl's item BUT it goes on my list LOL  It's not a hard task - just have to find a board, cut it to size and screw it in!  (We've done this before) Nope :-)  

5. Figure out Google Workspace (Nate is helping me with this so hopefully he can figure it out HA!).  Then, once I can actually access it, I need to upload all of our co-op documents to our workspace for others to access.  Nope.  My excuse is that we have to get Nate's computer fixed to really do this LOL.

6.  Clean out all of the co-op documents on my computer. Nope 

7. Nate has asked to paint basketball lines in the driveway so I do have a goal of helping him accomplish this project - my part comes more in the motivation and buying the paint - - his part comes in painting what he wants! He and talked about this and, with it so hot and humid it was not the time to paint.  He's planning to work on it in September. 

8. Sell our unused homeschool books (or attempt to sell).  Nope. 

9. Deep clean the living room.  This will also include figuring out and organizing the "cord" situation behind the TV and in other areas of the living room.  This is about half done.  Lots of cleaning but still need to deal with organizing cords and such 

10. Re-learn/Master "It is Well with my Soul" piano arrangement. I found the book and put it on the piano, does that count? 

11. Memorize a scripture verse (part of my 101/10001 is to learn one verse a month) Nope

12. Read at least 6 books including at least one non-fiction (part of my 101/1001) I read a lot of books but not a non-fiction book.  I need to find some really good ones to read. 

13. Repaint everything that is white in my house (trim/doors).  This is on the list because we have some painting to do in Josh's room that includes, well, white paint.  I figured that if I have it out, we might as well use it! Man, I had some big dreams HA! 

14. Steam clean the dining room rug.  I did not do this when I deep cleaned the dining room as I wanted to wait until I was doing the Living Room carpet anyway.  This will get done this month! Oh my goodness, no. 

15. Deep clean my truck - I usually do this during Worship camp but it didn't get done.  Hopefully this month!  YES YES YES!!  I also deep cleaned our newer vehicle to get it ready for Darryl to drive for UBER so that counts twice! 

16.  Plan and Prep at least 4 of my Joyful classes. No.  I tried.  I just am not feeling it yet though.  I have zero inspiration on what to do this fall. 

17. Clean out my jewelry.  Nope

18. Wash the kitchen rugs.  Nope

19. Deep clean/organize the garage - this might sit on my goals list until fall but just in case we get a surprisingly cool few days in July, I'll add it.  Nope

20. Complete the Flylady room cleaning each week. Nope

21. Go on a date with Darryl. Yes! 

22. Finish up Joshua's transcripts and plan for the fall (11th grade!) This is about 50% done.  

23. Find time to have a bonfire or two - with hot dogs and smore's!  I laughed at this one - it was so incredibly hot and humid.  

24. Once the living room is done, deep clean the bathroom. Yes!  A lot of work was done in that room this month.  Is it perfect.  No.  But I consider this a win! 

25.  Complete at least 1/2 of these goals!  (This is always my favorite goal LOL ) Not even close. 

Andrew Ripp - Breakdown (Official Lyric Video)

Our Weekly Snapshot

 Here's a look back at our week.  

We sign up every year for "Kids Bowl Free".  We talk about how we should go every week since it is free and make plans to do it often just for something fun to do.  Well, this was our first time going this entire summer HA!  We some friends join us and it was a fun, relaxing time.  :-) 

I feel like we had a busy week but apparently nothing else was photo worthy LOL  

Weekly Menu

 As we enter that last full month of summer vacation, we also enter a week of Nana camp :-)  We started this simple tradition last year where my teens go to my mom's for a week of what we lovingly call "Nana camp".  They spend the week at her house playing lots of games, maybe going on an adventure if there is anything fun to do, and just hanging out for the week at her house.  She treats them well with food and fun and it is a great way to make memories! 

Friday - pork loin and broccoli rice cheese casserole 

Saturday - The guys have another bonfire with friends so Darryl and I will enjoy dinner at home - maybe something on the grill

Sunday - Roast in the crock pot with noodles and a salad

Monday - My guys head to Nana's.  Today is also our anniversary so we will get something out for dinner tonight. 

The rest of the week I'm not sure what we will do for meals - I like being able to plan by the day and even go to the store to grab something simple without putting a lot of planning into the week.  It is also a nice break from planning meals for me!