Our weekly snapshot

 Here’s a look back at the last week! 

Last Sunday Nate attended a fall harvest party with his Sunday Night Yough Group.  They had a chili cook off and Nate won using my Chili recipe! 

Wednesday night the boys  had youth group at our church. 

We took some time to take some fall photos - just a few outtakes. 

We took my mom a Diet Coke 😊

Friday night was our Co-Op Presentation night.  This was my joyful table. 

Nate attended an all nighter with friends.  

And then had a lead role the following day in a play and did fantastic! 

It was a great week! 

Micah Tyler - Praise The Lord (Official Lyric Video)

Weekly Menu - a Busy Weekend

 We have reached the end of our co-op.  I'm always ready for a break but we also miss seeing friends.  This is a busy weekend with lots of things related to our co-op though! Menu planning has taken a little tricky turn because I figure out a couple of weeks ago that my oven is not heating properly so for now, my oven is out of commission.  It's all ok - I have the stove top, crock pots, an air fryer, and a toaster oven.  I just have to remember that I can't cook a whole pizza on the fly LOL  

Friday - Tonight is Presentation Night for me; Nate is heading out on an overnighter with kids from youth group; Josh is planning to hang out at home.  We will be eating in shifts so I just plan to have all the stuff for Tacos.  Everyone can make their tacos/nachos when they are hungry

Saturday - Today is our Co-Op Drama (and Nate has a lead role).  By the time the play is done I imagine that Nate will be ready to head for home (not to mention the all-nighter HA!).  I plan to put a pork roast in the crock pot to have for dinner.  I will make fried rice and corn to go with it. 

Sunday - Simple Sunday Supper today - I am pretty confident that there will be left over Pork Roast (and/or Taco Meat) so I'm planning pork tacos (or beef tacos) along with bean dip and chips

Monday - My mom picked up some chicken drumsticks for us so I plan to cook those and serve them with some rice-a-roni and green beans

Tuesday - Turkey breast in the crockpot, stuffing and green beans  

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Chicken and Dumplings (a favorite!) 

"No" November (or NOvember)

 I went digging through some older posts from past years to find where I have talked about No-November in the past but I have yet to find anything.  Yet, I am positive that I wrote about it before - maybe I just mentioned in a goal post . . .. I have no idea.  

Several years ago I read/heard about the idea of "No-November" and really liked the concept.  Now, that are several versions but mine is pretty simple; say "no" to anything not already planned or on the calendar related to events and money!  I can remember that the reason this was inspiring to me was that we had been so extremely busy in September and October that I just wanted things to stop.  I felt like our time was overwhelmed and our money was running through a sieve! I wanted it all to stop; to snuggle in as the colder weather arrive; to save instead of spend.  It really put some things in perspective.  

My family cringes a little when I say, "Guess what month it is???" LOL  They all no exactly what I'm talking about.  Last week I said something about it and Nate responded with, I have a few things to talk to you about and get on the calendar before Saturday :-)  He knows the drill!  Even though my instant answer is no to everything, there are things that come up that do get a "yes" such a friends birthday party.  After all, I'm not really THAT mean!!  It does mean no last minute stopping to grab something to eat, or to treat myself to my favorite coffee.  Those are things that get a hard and fast no!  

Will we still do things?  That answer is yes.  Our Co-Op has its Presentation Night this week plus the drama.  My guys are heading off to a weekend retreat the weekend after that as well.  But I do say no to things like field trips and unplanned extra events.  This helps limit gas money and the need to grab a "treat".  

Spending is the bigger item.  I try to limit any extra spending.  We live super tight anyway (super duper tight!!) but it's crazy how those little $5.00 stops add up.  (Even things like adding my $0.99 box of popcorn from Meijer when I stop for gas adds up over a month - I know, a silly example but you get the idea). This time of year always seems to want money (yes, I did just type that and it is true - just think about it)  With Birthdays and Christmas; plus all the extra events for the holidays - youth group parties, friend parties, get togethers and more.  It is so easy to spend yourself crazy!  I work hard to find some fun free things to do for holiday fun or create our own fun at home.  

I recently updated our November calendar on the fridge and the comment from everyone was "Wow, that is so empty!" then came, "Lets keep it that way".  I'm trying my dear family, I'm trying! 

MercyMe - Heartbroken Hallelujah (Official Music Video)

Our weekly snapshot

 Here's a lok back at our week.  

The Drama Club at our Co-op is getting ready for their play which is coming up soon!  Nate has a lead roll and is enjoying it very much. 

Friday was our last day of our Co-Op for the semester so I took photos of my Joyful classing. . . jumping for joy.  I thought I'd share these too for your enjoyment.  

Josh got to go up front this week to celebrate his birthday.  It's always fun to get to sing Happy Birthday! 

Halloween Costumes!  This year both guys went with friends, seperatly HA!  I'm glad they have great friends to hang out and have fun with. 

Our final pumpkins - Joshes is the one on top, Nate did the "6,7" pumpkin and Darryl's (I mean OURS) is the other one.  

We even managed to squeeze in some pumpkin carving this week even though our evenings had been full.  Yes, three pumpkins - Darryl and I shared HA!  A local market had theirs marked down to 3 pumpkins for $10.00 so that is what we got!  

Weekly Menu

 BOO!  Don't be scared - it is November HA!  It is time to start thinking all things holiday and enjoy the next two months with food, fun, and family.  (Not that we don't always enjoy those three things - but the holidays bring about something different!) 

Friday - It is Halloween!  I'm not about all the spooky stuff but getting free candy is always good.  I believe both of my guys have plans to hang out with friends for Halloween.  So, with that in mind I'm not really sure what is happening for dinner.  I think they are planning to head to friends houses by about 4:00 so Darryl and I may just pick up something simple.  

Saturday - Dinner at my mom's 

Sunday - Spaghetti and Rolls 

Monday - Spaghetti Carbonara 

Tuesday - French toast, bacon, and sausage 

Wednesday - Youth Group

Thursday - Potato and ham soup