The Day After Halloween Is NOT Christmas

Jr. Jr. joined in on the celebration of Vinegar Day, November 1, this year. He is not a fan of Christmas right after Halloween and he made his position known to me.

It was also National Author's Day on November 1, which is an appropriate beginning to NaNoWriMo. I wished a happy this holiday to Nichole.

Since it was also Dia de Los Muertos, Lucky created a mask at school, inspired by some things Dad likes.

I Love to Write Day

November 15 was Clean Out Your Refrigerator Day. You know what that means. Leftovers Night! Unfortunately a lot of things went back into the refrigerator. It still needs to be cleaned out more.

I bought raisin bran for Raisin Bran Cereal Day that same day, but I forgot to get it out. Sigh. Sounds like me.

That day was also I Love to Write Day. Nichole happened to have her Creative Writing class that day. Jeremy did some writing that day as well. And since it was a special writing holiday (and because it's November- NaNoWriMo), Nichole had some hot chocolate in our composition mug.

Beginning November

Woohoo. We've reached November in our quest to catch up on my blog. 

You know what November is, don't you? National Novel Writing Month! How appropriate that November 1 is National Author's Day. Nichole had a goal to finish the first draft of her novel before November. She reached that goal and celebrated with hot chocolate in the composition mug. 

My goal for NaNoWriMo is to read her first draft and give her feedback.

November 1 was also National Cinnamon Day. I had apple cinnamon oatmeal.

Nichole needed to go out to get pictures to make up for her digital photography class she missed during quarantine so she and I went out to Bicentennial Park on November 2 to get some pictures. It was a lovely evening. We heard a belted kingfisher soon after we got to the park and later saw it flying around. That's a bird I expect to find at that park. Love it. We also saw a turtle swimming around and plenty of little birds, chickadees and finches and such.

We had some good lighting that evening for pictures and it was a pleasant outing.

November 3 was Sandwich Day. We didn't have peanut butter or tuna fish sandwiches (remember Lilo & Stitch?). Instead, Jet and Lucky both helped me make french bread rolls from Mel's Kitchen Cafe to try out ham sliders from The Food Nanny. Mmmmmm.

November 3 was also Stress Awareness Day and yes, I am aware that I have a lot of stress in my life. But November is also a month of gratitude and gratitude can be a great stress reliever. Last year I wrote about #GiveThanks and "No-Stress November" tips from the Orem Library. I think it's a good idea to look back at the post I put up on November 27, 2020 for ideas on how to get through the stress.

Since we're talking about gratitude, I'll mention something I'm grateful for. I'm grateful I have hair. Not everyone does.

November 4 was National Candy Day. The kids finished off the candy corn left over from Candy Corn Day.

November 4 was also Men Make Dinner Day. Jr. made pizza for us.

Looking at my blog post from last year, the men made a similar dinner that day.

November 5 was Guy Fawkes Day. Alexa and I explained a little bit about who Guy Fawkes was to some of the children.

November 5 was also Doughnut Day. As I've been doing lately with any doughnut or donut (depending on how you spell it) related holiday or celebration, I made cinnamon sugar doughnut muffins from Mel's Kitchen Cafe again. I'll tell you, they are much faster and easier to make than real doughnuts and so tasty.

So there you go. The first week of November... mostly. November 6 deserves its own blog post so look for that soon.

NaNoWriMo

All November Nichole and Jeremy have been working on writing novels. 
Nichole is in a writing club at school. Since they are not meeting in person right now, the teacher is encouraging them to write and report on different challenges. November's challenge was to work on a novel for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo). The students were encouraged to set their own goal of number of words to write each day since the usual amount of words may be overwhelming for students in school with homework, etc. Nichole still set a goal that had her writing more than other students. Good job, Nichole. 

Jeremy worked on the second book in a series he is writing. Both he and Nichole participated in some virtual meetings with other writers throughout the month.

My goal for NaNoWriMo was to read a draft of the first book in the series Jeremy's writing and take notes on what was confusing and what was good, etc. etc. etc. I reached my goal and I loved that book. I'm excited to see the changes he makes when I read it again. 

The other kids got some time to write throughout the month as well, just not as much as Nichole and Jeremy. It's fun to be in a family of readers and writers. You already know the creativity is there.

Give Thanks

A week ago, President Nelson counseled us to experience "the healing power of gratitude." You can see his message on The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints YouTube channel. You can also read the story behind his message on the Church's website.

He invited us to use social media as our own personal gratitude journal for seven days and to thank God in daily prayer. Lately I haven't been feeling very grateful even though I know that there is so much for me to be grateful for. I've been thinking too much of the stresses of life and letting it get to me. President Nelson said, "At the end of seven days, see if you feel happier and more at peace." I chose to participate in #GiveThanks and since my posts on Facebook and Instagram will get buried over the next little while, I want to share here what was in my "gratitude journal" for the past week. I'll tell you I also loved seeing what other people had to share. So I'll share Jeremy's posts as well.

 

Because it comes up, I will also let you know that for a week the Orem Public Library gave ideas for "No-Stress November," tips and ideas for self-care during these crazy times. Here's a quick overview of what they shared. 1. Create Art, 2. Meditate, 3. Laugh, 4. Go on vacation, 5. Write, 6. Exercise

 

On to my posts about #GiveThanks

 

November 20 (Instagram)

I am grateful for local libraries. I miss going into the libraries (new baby then pandemic. I'm also grateful for my husband, the designated library goer). I also miss the librarians. We've been able to do online activities with both Provo Library and Orem Public Library recently (and over the past several months) and this week I've been enjoying "No-Stress November." Today I "took a mini vacation." It was very mini, but while baby and I were out running errands, we stopped by the lake for just a moment. Baby slept and I took some time to look at a novel my husband is writing. I'm grateful for engaging books and my husband's writing.

(I later made this comment: Another suggestion from Orem Public Library for No-Stress November is to write.)

 

November 20 (Facebook)

I'm grateful my children are grateful.

Lucky: I'm grateful for my family.

Nichole: I'm grateful I can still go to school even though there's a pandemic.

Lucky: I'm grateful for Jesus. I'm also grateful for the disciples. 

Lucky: I'm grateful for toys.

Lucky: I'm grateful for beds.

Jr.: Good friends.

Jr. Jr.: I'm grateful that we have a loving mother who does so much for this family.

 

November 20 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for the peaceful moments.

 

November 21 (Instagram)

I'm thankful for this boy right here. We were recently given some canned goods (I'm also thankful for the people who gave those to us). He helped organize the area to put them in (he's got some skills). I'm thankful for his little brother's help with holding boxes and cans. I'm also thankful for the other kids helping with the baby so we could concentrate on the canned goods.  

 

November 21 (Facebook)

I'm thankful for the good day we had today, ending with the kids saying what they were thankful for.

Jr. Jr.: I'm thankful for my family.

Lucky: I'm thankful for blankets.

Jr.: I'm thankful for the opportunity we have at the end of each day to say what we're thankful for.

Nichole: I'm thankful for books.

 

November 21 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for my wife who is incredibly patient and supportive. I am also grateful for my kids...most of the time. ;)

 

November 22 (Instagram)

I'm grateful for what my family did for me today. My 10-year old sent me to my room so they could prepare a surprise for me. When I came out, I found they had cleared off the table and made Chex Mix which I love. My son wanted to make Mommy happy and got everyone else involved in it.

Later the kids made dinner.

 

November 22 (Facebook)

Both of my sisters are grateful for humor today so I wanted to follow suit. I'm grateful for humor.

Jr.: Ha Ha Ha Ha. Laughter.

Nichole: I'm grateful that Jet is stealing Chex Mix from my cup.

Jr. Jr. I'm grateful that Lucky can dance. And boy, can he dance. 

Lucky: I'm grateful for pillows.

Nichole: I'm grateful that our awesome mom is going to let us play video games today. Just kidding.

Jr.: That's what I'm grateful for.

Our reaction when Daddy brought home chocolate chips.

Watching a movie and dancing to its music while juggling. I'm a multi-tasker.

Yep. They did get to play video games.

And boy, can he dance.

 

November 22 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I love the fact that my wife and I have so much in common both in our upbringing and in our interests. It is not hard for us to find things we enjoy doing together. At the same time I appreciate her honesty and that she is not afraid to tell me when her opinion differs from mine. We are growing together and for that I am grateful.

 

November 23 (Facebook)  

I'm thankful I asked the kids what they were thankful for before they fell asleep.

Lucky: I am thankful for paper... so I can write.

Jr. Jr.: I am thankful that I have a wonderful mother that does so much for this family.

Jr.: My wonderful family.

Nichole: I am thankful when we can have Family Home Evening.

 

November 23 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am blessed with two great sets of parents. There is the one set that raised me, loved me despite my shenanigans, and now treat me like an adult despite some of my decisions. And there is the set I married into, who trusted me with their daughter, made me feel comfortable in their home, and treat me like an adult despite some of my decisions. I know both sets love me, and not just for the grandchildren.

 

November 24/25 (Instagram around midnight)

I'm grateful for my walking buddy. Sometimes he's awake and sometimes he sleeps through our outings. The last tip from Orem Public Library for "No-Stress November" is Exercise. So on a particularly stressful day, this little guy and I went out for a walk where I was able to enjoy a nice view of the lake. It felt so good and really helped. I'm also grateful for The Piano Guys because their music helped calm me as I drove to our walking spot. 

 

November 24 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for nature. It is one of the great stress relievers in my life. Being an introvert often I find relaxation, comfort, and am reenergized by being at home. In reality I also have five kids so home can also be taxing, chaotic, and draining. When that is the case a few hours out in the woods or by a lake away from people usually does the trick.

 

November 25 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for friends. I am grateful for the variety of friends I have. I have friends on the far left and on the far right. I have friends who believe in some incredible conspiracies. I have friends who are atheist and those whose lives revolve around God. I have friends where I am the weirdest person they know, if only they knew some of my other friends! I have friend that are close enough they could be family, and some of my family are my closest friends. I have friends I have never met in person and friends I have not seen in years. I have good friends in other countries whom I worry about when things get bad over there and who worry about me in return when America goes crazy. I have many friends who would and have gone out of their way to help our little family and whom I would return the favor to in a heartbeat. I am grateful for all of you my friends!

 

November 26 (Instagram)

I'm grateful for our gratitude jar. We started writing down things we were grateful for and putting them in the jar before we were counseled to post our gratitude on social media. Recently I was trying to narrow down what I wanted to post and I realized I didn't have to narrow down my list. I was able to write down each thing I was grateful for on a piece of paper and put it in the jar. At least one of the things we're grateful for is humor. 

 

November 26 (Facebook)

I'm grateful that the point of #GiveThanks is not to spam social media but to let gratitude make a difference in our lives. So I missed a couple of days of posting. During that time I had the opportunity to focus on the second part of "the healing power of gratitude." Prayer. The last couple of days I've had some very sincere and personal prayers where I was able to express my gratitude to my Heavenly Father (even during stressful times). It reaffirmed to me that He is there, He is aware of what is going on with me, and He cares. I believe this counsel was inspired of God and it has led me to have a very full heart and for that I am grateful. 

 

November 26 (Jeremy's Facebook)

I am grateful for animals that taste good.

National Food Day 2020

October 24 was National Food Day. I put on the menu plan for that day "Food."

Also relating to food (wait for it), the Orem Library put on a "Parking Lot of Terror." Jeremy took all of the kids but Jet to drive through the spooky parking lot. They encouraged decorating vehicles so Jeremy set it up so there were bags of "groceries" on the top of the car and it looked like someone forgot to put their groceries in their vehicle. See? Food Day?

There was such a long line of vehicles waiting to go in that Jeremy got stopped several times by well meaning people to tell him he forgot his groceries on the top of his car. Sigh. It was a car "costume." Sorry.

The librarians thought it was a fun decoration and recognized "their" balloon guy when they drove through even though he was wearing a face mask. Even though it was such a long wait, Jeremy and the kids still enjoyed it, and the kids got goodie bags with treats and books at the end.

Jet and I stayed home and looked at Instagram updates from the library throughout the evening so we could see what kinds of things they had without being there. 

Another social distancing success!

P.S. Jeremy and the kids saw someone's vehicle that was decorated like a Viking ship with the people inside dressed like Vikings. They said it was awesome. That vehicle won the car costume contest with our car as the runner up. Jeremy was able to pick up a prize for us at the library. We got a "Little Women" Cookbook, some leggings with a composition notebook pattern and a mug with the same pattern. Jeremy read us the box for the mug.

Jeremy: "Happiness is a good book and a warm drink."

Jr. Jr.: And pants!    

Now we're all set for National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo).