November Goals

 Did you read my October goals?  Good. Neither did I HA!.  About midway through October it dawned on me that I hadn't written any new ones or even look at September, for that matter.  It might be because Nate told me he never reads them anyway so I don't need to post them LOLOLOL  October was a busy month and the weather was just fantastic. I'd love to say that I got tons of things done but, I didn't.  Between my teens schedules, homeschooling, our co-op in full swing, volunteering and cleaning our church - it was busy!  BUT 'NO"-November has begun so . . .maybe I can say no to a few things and accomplish some things on my 2026 goal sheet :-)  I am not complaining about any of the things going on - I'm enjoying this busy season and I'm enjoying my teenagers very much.  I know time is a thief and in just a short time this season will change and I'll be busy with other things (wishing I was still busy with the teen things!). 

November brings in new things as we end the year.  The final yard clean up, Thanksgiving plans, preparing for Christmas and another upcoming birthday, and snuggling in for colder weather. It's also when I take one "last" look at my 2026 goals and see what I can realistically finish up!  

So, here's the plan for November: 

1. Scrapbooking - I have not done well on this goal this year at all and I'm not really sure why.  My main goal this month is to find time to scrapbook - pick a weekend (or two!) and scrapbook!  I'd really like to finish 2-3 months in the 2011 book I'm working on right now. 

2. Clean the outside of the windows. (before it snows!) 

3. Clean off our front deck.  

4. Decorate for Christmas

5. Finish half of my Christmas shopping by November 30th. 

6. Wrap all Christmas gifts that I currently have by November 30th. 

7. Plan for Nate's birthday - and get his gifts. 

8. Get sidewalk salt and get the shovels out - plan ahead for the first snow. 

9. Learn at least one Christmas song for offertory at church (maybe even a duet with each kid - big dreams LOL) 

10.  Wrap up my Joyful class and prep all things for Presentation Night. 

11. Pick a room and deep clean it.  (Sometimes I pick one for my goals but when the month starts, another room calls my name so I'll shall see which one it is!) 

12. Clean the stairs and stairway walls. 

13.  Do something fun as a family. 

14. Clean out and organize my file drawer (which will also remove a bag of paperwork from my dining room!) 

15. Update Josh's Transcript. 

16. Update my 101-1001 goals - get  good idea of what is done and what I would like to focus on in 2027. 

17. This is an odd one but . . .find my second set of truck keys.  They quietly disappeared a few months ago and we haven't really done a hard search for them.  I just recently scoured my truck for them and did not find them; so now I need to start looking other places!  I just keep praying quietly that the Lord would drop them in my lap! (He did that once with another set of keys :-) )

18. Put together the Grinch calendar so it is ready to start on December 1st!  (We've been doing this for a lot of years!) 

19. Clean the Laundry Room.  

20. Plan December Goals (I feel like this is a good one since I forgot to do Octobers LOL) 

 

Weekly Song

 I heard this sing on the radio a few weeks ago and it stuck with me

— so I’ll share it with you!! 

Our weekly snapshot

 My week loaded backwards so we will start with Friday! 

The guys put in an amazing concert. 

We had a great day at our Co-Op. 

On Thursday the guys began their set up! 

Such a pretty view! 

On Wednesday we took some fall photos. 

Tuesday was carving pumpkins. 

Also on Tuesday Bate had a pulmonologist appointment and we got Biggby! 

 

On Sunday we celebrated Josh’s birthday with Darryl’s mom! 

A busy, fun week. 

Weekly Menu

 It's hard to believe that it is the "Holiday Season".  It feels like this year has just flown by and, as I say every year, I really want to try and enjoy the season; to be intentional with all the things - family time, planning, finances, etc.  Trying to make sure that the things we do and commit to are important.  (Thus - NO-November!)  My guys are busy - which is great - I want them to enjoy these teen years as much as I enjoyed mine (or maybe even more!) even though it means extra planning and running at times!  

This week brings a great concert, Halloween, a Pot-Luck at church and a visit from by brother and sister-in-law, Kel and Deb.  It should be a great week! 

Friday - My guys and their band have a concert tonight.  I'm not 100% sure of the dinner plan.  I think Darryl is coming from work so it probably needs to be something I can carry to him!  So I might just make some chicken tacos. 

Saturday - It's Halloween.  I know at least one of my guys has concrete plans and I'm guessing they both will by Saturday.  I'm planning to make some Chicken and Dumplings for who ever is home.  

Sunday - It's Pot-Luck time at church!  I'm just taking a taco salad this time. 

Monday - I'm still working on Josh's birthday meals HA!  He's got three left!  Tonight is Spaghetti Carbanara and French Bread.

Tuesday - Dinner at my mom's with my brother and sister-in-law

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Chicken Alfredo and Garlic Bread (Josh's choice!) 

Weekly Song

 

Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week, which my brother Kel looks forward to every week: 🤣

Nate, Darryl and I headed to my father-in-laws where we helped him do some projects he needed done.  Josh was spending the day with friends. 

Josh at youth group Sunday 

Nate and I attended a band night to see his friend Silas march! 

Josh on I while he was still 17! 

We went out to lunch for Josh’s birthday. 

Josh’s birthday! 

Birthday peeps at our co-op

Pumpkin patch photos!!! 

Weekly Menu

 My brother, Kel, asked me recently if things have ever "slowed" down because I often say, "things should slow down soon.".  Well guess what?  They have not!  I think things just get busier!  Some days I think my head is spinning.  For real. I really wouldn't trade it though as I know this season is fleeting so I am enjoying it - even on the crazy days.  That also means that my menu plan sometimes shifts faster than the sands on the dunes along the Lake Michigan shoreline!  You will notice some repeats from last week as the schedule changed a lot!

Friday - There is a game night for Josh and Nate - I know Nate is going for sure.  Who ever is home will have pulled pork and mashed potatoes.  (All microwave items that keeps it simple!) 

Saturday - My mom's for dinner!  

Sunday - We are grabbing McDonald's after church before heading to my mother-in-laws for birthday dessert with her for Josh's birthday.  She really wanted a chance to see him for his birthday since he turned 18! 

Monday - Zuppa Tuscana and Bread. This was on the plan for last Monday and it did not happen!

Tuesday - Chick-Fil-A Nuggets, Cheesy Potatoes, and veggies

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - I think my guys are having band practice before their concert on Friday.  So I'm really not sure and probably won't know until Thursday morning. 

It was an easy week to plan since it all carried over from last week HA! 

Our weekly snapshot

Here’s a look back at our week: 

On Saturday Morning we took Nate to a weekend retreat. The camp was located on Lake Michigan so we took a moment to stop and enjoy the lake before Darryl and I headed off for lunch at our favorite taco place.

Josh and Avery enjoyed dinner before heading to homecoming

A few more photos from Nate’s weekend retreat

Josh and I went on his first College visit.

The boys enjoyed youth group on Wednesday night

Our semester jumping for joy photo

A picture of the three seniors in our joyful class

 Josh And Nate attended a football game on Friday night with friends. when I arrived to drop them off there was this amazing rainbow in the sky

This should’ve been the first picture in this post, but somehow it ended up at the bottom. This is when we dropped Nate and Morley off for their weekend retreat.

Weekly Menu

 The countdown to the big 18 is on!  Whew!  Josh gave me a list of some of his favorites and requested fruit with most of the meals and veggies with them as well.  Yep, he likes to be healthy even though he doesn't really like veggies HA! 

Friday - tacos

Saturday - Josh made plans with friends; Meanwhile Darryl, Nate and I are heading to my father-in-laws to help him put things away before winter.  (It seems like just yesterday we put all of his summer stuff out!) We will eat with him. 

Sunday - Josh's first request - Ham slices, homemade mac and cheese, and roasted veggies

Monday Josh's second request - Zuppa Tuscana Soup, Fruit and Bread

Tuesday - Josh's third request - Cheesy Potatoes, Fruit, and veggies (and I'll add Chick-Fil-Lay nuggets too) 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Josh's Birthday!!!!  His birthday dinner request is . . .. .Chicken and Rice Stir Fry, Fruit, and I'm adding some crescent rolls too. 

He's got a few more dinner requests that will carry over to next week! 

Weekly Song - Wake up Sleeper

 

Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at our week: 

Wednesday night youth group! 

And Friday School ! 

Weekly Menu

 Well, hello.  October has been amazing.  Beautiful sunny days and cool, crisp nights!  I think October is my current favorite month. haha  Even the dog loves it - he often can be found laying in the sun on the deck and when asked if he wants to come in, he raises his head, looks at you, and I actually think he rolls his eyes before laying his head back down.  For Real.  This is the month of THEE birthday - Josh turns 18.  I don't think any of  us are quite ready for that!  Later this month he is picking dinners but for now, it is still on me! 

Friday: At the typing of this I'm still debating.  Sometimes there are extra kids here; plus my guys are heading to a football game.  I'm leaning towards a couple frozen pizzas and bosco sticks but we shall see.

Saturday - Nate is heading to a fall retreat with friends, Josh is heading to Homecoming with Averie and Darryl and I are chauffeuring.  We will get dinner somewhere :-) 

Sunday - We are picking Nate up from his retreat around noon so I'm really not sure what we are eating yet.  

Monday - Homemade pizza.  Simple. 

Tuesday - I have a mom's night with our co-op I might attend (I don't always go).  I'm thinking an easy meal in case I'm not home - Cheese Tortellini with alfredo and Garlic Bread

Wednesday - Youth Group! 

Thursday - Boneless Turkey Breast, Mashed Potatoes, Stuffing and Gravy. 

I feel like this weeks planning is a little bit of "we shall see where we are and what we are doing" kind of planning.  :-) 

Weekly Song

 I heard this sing recently and thought it unique- and liked it 😊😊

Our weekly snapshot

These are actually from Friday - the guys did a corn maze with our co-op. 

Then dropped Nate off to work a retreat at camp! 

 Here’s a look back at our week: 

On Saturday we went to a family party and this is the only photo I took. 🤪

On Sunday I had a choir concert.

On Tuesday we had a field trip for Biology. Josh had to categorize where our food came from. 

Nate had his last night of Centershot. 

Good friends 

Youth group games!