Joyful Fall 2025 - Week 1

 Our first week of our fall co-op started this past Friday.  As I did previously I plan to share my basic lesson plans for my teen class which is called Joyful.  I have taught this now about maybe 6-8 semesters and every semester is different - or at least as a majority of different things.  I do repeat items if teens ask for them but I also try to do new things as well.  I always tell them that I will teach the class as long as there is interest and, considering the fact that the class fills up (or almost fills up) every semester I guess there is still interest (a max of 15 kids - I have 14 this semester) The reason I share my plans is that I have found it super difficult to find teen co-op classes when I search.  Most of them or "for credit" ideas and, honestly, I just want to have fun with the teens.  

Week One is our intro week.  

We start our week with the "Joyful Bucket".  This is our candy/toy bucket.  We go around the room and everyone shares one things that brought them joy from their week and then take a treat.  It is always fun to hear about their lives! 

Then, we headed outside to play an "Get to know you game".  It is called "Speed Meeting" (think .. "Speed Dating" ha!)  They each received a packet of questions and then got into two circles facing each other.  I set the time for 1 minute and they started asking each other questions.  Once the time went off, the inside circle moved one space and started again.  It was a neat way to learn new things about people who they really already knew! 

Next up was a game called "Llama Llama".  I saw this game a few weeks ago at Center Shot with Nate and thought it was too funny not to do in Joyful.  At the end of each round there was an "old fashioned moo-off" to find the winner HA!  It was a fun game.  

We took a group photo before our morning ended.  

Some years the first week of joyful is chaos.  Some years it is super quiet.  This year - it was just perfect.  Everyone was kind and respectful and everyone participated.  It was a good day. 

Sidewalk Prophets - Father, Let It Be (Official Music Video)

Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week: 

These first photos are from last week when Darryl and Joshua went to the tigers game. 😊

On Tuesday, just one week late, we went out for our annual “first day back to school” lunch.  What? Last week was busy!!! 

Youth group started on Wednesday! 

Nate attended TKD on Thursday.  He also attends on Monday but I don’t usually stay so I don’t get any photos. 

Finally, our co-op started on Friday and it was a great day!  After we were done, we went to a friends house to meet their kittens. 😊

Weekly Menu

 The last couple of weeks have been a little more busy than normal as Nate and I both have had physical Therapy multiple times a week but we both "graduated" yesterday.  We are finally getting into our normal school routine.  This just means trying to keep our days - especially the mornings - free from too many extra activities so that both guys can get their work done.  Nate has a few more weeks of Center Shot and then we will actually have a week night with nothing (actually our Tuesdays will be 100% free!).  That will feel good for sure!  

Here is our weekly menu.  I have slowly gotten my routine down better so that I have dinner ready by between 4:45-5:00 so Nate and I can eat before going to TKD and then Josh and Darryl eat it around 6:00 once Darryl is home.  This has helped with quick trips to McDonald's while Nate is busy or grabbing a slice of pizza at the gas station HA!  

Friday - Our Co-Op starts back up and I've done this enough years to know that I will be so tired when the day is all done so I have already planned to order some Little Caesar's Pizza.  

Saturday - We are taking off on a Family Fun Day.  I have a great picnic planned to enjoy for dinner. 

Sunday - Crock Pot Fajitas and Chips and Salsa.  

Monday - Meatball Soup and French Bread.  We just love this soup and it keeps well for lunch the next day too!

Tuesday - I saw a recipe post recently with some great looking crock pot recipes so I am incorporating a few this week and maybe next week.  First up is Swedish Meatballs, Noodles, and Green Bans.  I love Swedish Meatballs but have never made them. 

Wednesday - The guys are back at youth group so Darryl and I get dinner - normally just Taco Bell because it is the least expensive!  

Thursday - This is the 2nd new crock pot recipe.  Cranberry Turkey Roast, Potatoes, and Corn.  I love the Turkey Roasts that are available in the freezer section and have made them in the crock pot many times using the gravy packet that comes with it - this is just a different take on a recipe fo the turkey. 

That's it for this week :-) 

September Goals

 I spent quite a  bit of time in August planning and refocusing on my goals to accomplish the rest of the year (which was actually one of my August goals!).  I'm hoping to be a little more intentional with my time as well as more disciplined. I mean, I love curling up with a good book but also think I probably need to knock a few things off the to do list BEFORE I curl up with that book LOL  So, with that in mind, here are my September goals - which are a bit more specific then in months past.  (Or at least I feel like they are!)  Actually, I wrote a specific list for August-December.  As is normally the case, I did not finish all of the goals for August so I'm going to include those and note those accordingly. 

1. Scrapbook Goals
1. From August: 
1. Finish scrapbooking February and March 2025
2. Finish scrapbooking April, May and June 2011
3. Put at least one month of memorabilia in an album (or have it ready) 
2. From September
1. Scrapbook April, May and June 2025
2. Scrapbook July, August and Sept 2011
3. Put at least one month of memorabilia in an album (or have it ready)
2. Continue the big basement clean out 
3. Flylady - Work on weekly room cleaning routines
1. Do monthly habit of swish and swipe (August)
2. Do monthly habit of making my bed every day (September) 
4. Home Decluttering Goal
1. August - Finish up the master - it is almost done
2. September - the Kitchen
3. I finished about 1/2 of my August 31 list so I am carrying it over into September so it is not a "August and September 31 list" HA! 
5. Teen Projects (From August)
1. Nate and Darryl - Finish fixing the second lawn mower 
2. Darryl - Fix the board in Nate's bed
3. Darryl, Josh and Me - Hang up all of the decor in Josh's room. 
6. Call Specturm and try to get the bill reduced (From August)
7. Research a Will.  A friend gave me some info to use so I'm going to check it out. 
8. Go on a Date with Darryl
9. Work on establishing my habit of devotions and prayer time
10. Co-Op Work
1. Make sure that my Joyful classes are planned for September
2. Work on clearing out documents that I know longer need for our group that our on my computer.  
3. Since Google Office is not my friend - I want to get a thumb drive and move documents to that so that they are off my computer for the future.
11. Piano Solos
1. Work on It is Well with My Soul.  (The goal is to play this one in October)
2. Work on an easier solo for September (need to choose)
12. Visit the huge slide in Ravenna. 
1. Plan a Family Activity (Q3) - I'm going to tie this slide into our plans; Maybe go to the slide and head to the lakeshore 
13. Clean the outside of the windows - Joshua has already said he will help with this project (since he can climb the ladder with out fear . .. or fear of dying HA!) (From August)
14. Organize the TV Stand Cords - Nate has said he would help with this project.  :-) (From August)
15. Plan the Christmas Budget and get Christmas lists from the teenagers. (From August)
1. Need to start ordering a few items as the budget allows
2. Purchase tickets for the concert at Maranatha. 
16. Figure out what it means to "eat Mediterranean" HA!  I put this in my 101-1001 goals so I figured I'd do some research and maybe plan some meals so that I can try to incorporate this idea.  (I said I would do it for one month so once I get it planned I can move forward with that!!) 
17. Move my FIL's piano to Josh's room.  Technically I'm just the organizer of this plan.  Josh, Nate, Darryl, and a couple of Josh's friends actually have to move it! 
18. Plan Josh's birthday - what will we do and the budget. 
19. Repaint all of the white inside the house.  (Hopefully I can convince Josh and Nate to help paint LOL) 
20. Memorize my September verse.  I am a few verse behind so my first goal is to get September's memorized.  Once that is down, I will work on a second one. 
21. Read 2 non-fiction books.  Again, I'm behind on my 101-1001 overall goal but I'm hoping to start catching up on that goal. 
22. Find at least one new soup, crock-pot, or appetizer recipe. 
23. Finish at least 1/2 of this list! (My Favorite Goal every month LOL) 
24. Ideas/Plans for September I hope to see happen: 
1. Plan our first Sunday of Football Food Party (Food to eat throughout the day of Football!)
2. Maybe go to Anderson and Girls
3. I have a choir Concert
4. Our Family Adventure Day mentioned earlier in the list

SANCTUS REAL | THE DIFFERENCE - Official Music Video

Our weekly snapshot

 I’m a little late but that’s ok!  

My guys started the weekend with a bonfire and games  with friends 

We had dinner and played games at my moms on Sunday night with my brother and sister-in-law. 

Nate got a haircut on Tuesday. 

Nate had Centershot on Tuesday.  During the Bible Study section they played a game and to break the tie at the end they had a mooing contest (and Nate won). 

We also started school on Tuesday. 

On Wednesday Josh and Darryl went to a Tigers game with friends.  I’m still waiting gif Josh to send me photos. 🤪

Thursday Nate had TKD where he was a judge for practice forms. 

Finally our Co-Op open house was Friday.  Nate had Drama tryouts as well.  

Weekly Menu

 Well, our first week of school is done!  It kinda felt good to get back into our more "normal" routine (even though this past week was not really normal as it was a holiday week).  I'm trying to keep this next week simple with meals.  Then I'll get back to "cooking through my recipes" next week.  I've enjoyed the variety but also like to plan super easy things too!  As we settle back into this routine it will get easy to plan and prep meals too. 

Here's the plan for the coming week:

Friday - fried fish, rice, and zucchini

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's  house

Sunday - BBQ Cups and Fries 

Monday - Chicken Quesadillas and chips. 

Tuesday - Sweet and Sour Meatballs over baked white rice

Wednesday - This is the first week back to youth group for my guys.  They have changed the time this year from 2 hours to 1 and 1/2 hours which doesn't really give me time to come home so I'm not really sure what we will do as far as dinner. This is a new "twist" in our routine.

Thursday -Chicken thighs and fried rice 

1st Day of School!

 Here we are again - it is time to start grades 10 and 11 for my guys.  Labor Day came early so it feels a little weird to be posting about the first day of school on September 3rd HA!  This first week is a little bit "soft" with a lot of intro lessons and without extra things starting yet this week.  Youth group, our Co-Op and music lessons start in the next couple of weeks.  

Joshua is continuing with traditional homeschool which means I (we) pick out his curriculum and plan his year.  He will be doing the following this year: 

Math - Geometry with Teaching Textbooks.  He started geometry in the spring, took the summer off, and will pick it back up now.  His goal is to finish it early and start Algebra 2 by spring.  We switched to Teaching Textbooks after both agreeing that what we were using before just wasn't working.  Teaching Textbooks using videos to teach concepts, gives him time to practice and learn from mistakes before taking the quiz.  It grades everything so he can see exactly how he is doing.  This does cause him some frustration because he can't go back and fix mistakes.  

Social Studies - We are doing Notgrass World History.  Someone actually gave me this curriculum last year.  I debated using it as Josh really likes work book style lessons but I haven't really loved what we were using.  History should be fairly interesting but also, quite honestly, fairly easy.  So this allows him to do daily reading, answer some basic questions and then take quizzes and tests throughout the units.  I might try to create our own "workbooks" for each unit so he can still do what he enjoys. 

Reading/English - The Good and the Beautiful has been a great fit since 8th grade.  The workbooks cover everything from grammar, to comprehension, to vocabulary.  Plus he reads some good books too.  

Science - Chemistry is what is on the docket for this year.  We are working toward adding some basics for his plans to go into medicine.  

Language - he is working on his second year of Spanish. 

Health - He is continuing on with LifePac health.  He started it last year and, even though it is technically a one semester class, I told him he could do it at his pace - it just has to be done before he graduates HA! 

Electives - His electives will be music, Essentials of Worship and music lessons. 

Nate's plan is much easier - Nate is continuing on with Connections Academy.  This program works great for him and he loves it.  He is taking all honors classes this year as well as Journalism/Sports Management and Sign Language.  

So . .. here . .. we. . .go!  My 10th and 11th graders!! 

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!