July 2026 Goals

Happy Wednesday! We're eight days into the month, and I'm just now sharing my monthly goals. This month is going by so fast already.

June was unexpectedly busy and at times incredibly stressful. We were busy with home repairs, and we also had a ton of appointments. I'm glad we got all of the appointments for June out of the way before school starts back again. 

Even though June didn't go as planned, there were some great days. One highlight of the month was celebrating Father's Day. We spoiled John with some gifts. John and I also went out on a date. I got to see my youngest niece and nephew. They have gotten so big, and it was nice to see the kids all together. I participated in my first online focus group, and it was so interesting. 

This month, I'm really hoping for a slower month. I'm a little sad that summer break is almost over, and I'm determined to have a less stressful month. I'm looking forward to celebrating my wedding anniversary and going on a nice date with John. I'm looking forward to more decluttering around the house. I'm impressed with how much I've gotten done. I'm also looking forward to continuing my low-spend summer. I really like that I've been intentional about my purchases this summer, and I'm hoping this continues after the summer as well. 

I'm planning to continue to take it easy on my monthly goals. Although I should have more time this month to work on my goals, I don't want to stress about it. Since I've mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's have a quick recap of last month's goals and check out my goals for July.

Recap of June Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: Raphael and I read several books from the Pigeon series by Mo Willems. I also read Love Poems by Rupi Kaur.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read Cloud Runner by Jo Harjo. I absolutely enjoyed this collection of poetry. The way Harjo put her grief into words was powerful, sad, and at times heartbreaking. I also read Bad Bunny by Lexi Davis. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I did not make any layouts or anything crafty. June was an insane month, and I was so busy with a bunch of things that I knew I wouldn't be able to focus on any crafty projects. I'm glad I didn't forget to make anything; I just simply did not have the time. 

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe: I completely forgot about this goal. Honestly, even if I did remember, I did not have the energy to even try a new recipe. I mainly stuck to our favorites, but we also had takeout a couple of times. 

July Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe

• Work in my journal/art journal

• Watch or stream a movie

• Enjoy the rest of our summer break

What are your goals for July? How did you do in June? 

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

June 2026 Goals

Happy Thursday! Can you believe it's already June? We're halfway through 2026, which is wild. Honestly, I'm glad May is over. May was an absolute whirlwind of a month. It was a fun month, but there were some really stressful days mixed in, along with some tears. Some happy tears, some sad tears. Such is life. 

In May, we celebrated Michael's birthday. We also celebrated Mother's Day and started celebrating a bit earlier. We went to Mami's the day before Mother's Day and spent time with her. Then John and the boys spoiled me on Mother's Day. The boys also had their award ceremonies, and we are so proud of all they have accomplished this school year. 

I also had a big decision to make related to my career, and I feel so much better now. I have a few plans set in place, and whichever option I choose, I feel so much more at ease. A not-so-great moment was having to deal with car maintenance. We had to get both our SUV and car serviced in May, and the amount we had to pay was unexpected, but we got it done. I'm glad it was taken care of, and we won't have to worry about it in the long run. We are also getting a few home things taken care of, which was and is still a bit annoying, but we're hopeful it'll all get finished in a few weeks.

This month, I'm hoping for a slower month. With the boys and me on summer break, I'm looking forward to not having to stick to a routine. I'm looking forward to going on adventures with my family. I'm looking forward to eating all the summer fruit and treats. I'm looking forward to working on a few creative projects. 

This month (actually, this summer), I plan to take it easy on my monthly goals. Although I should have plenty of time to work on goals, I just want to have a more carefree summer. I was a bit disappointed that I didn't get most of my goals done in May, but I need to remember that May is an extremely busy month for me. Of course, since I mentioned goals and it's a new month, let's have a quick recap of last month's goals. Then let's check out my goals for June.

Recap of May Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read The Greatest Sentence Ever Written by Walter Isaacson. Raphael and I have been on Mo Willems kick. We read It's My Bird-Day!, The Pigeon Has to Go to School, and Will the Pigeon Graduate? by Mo Willems. We also read Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Kobina Commeh.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read Notes on Love: Poems and Photography by F.S. Yousaf, Words to Love a Planet by Ella Frances Sanders, This Is Terrible, This Is Wonderful by Rani Ban, and The Best Dog in the World: Essays edited by Alice Hoffman.

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: So this did not happen. I was way too busy in May. This time, I can really say that there just simply wasn't enough time to work on many of my creative projects. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: This also did not happen. Again, see the explanation above.

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt: Ugh. This also did not happen, and I'm a bit disappointed I didn't work on any prompts. This was probably the main creative project I was hoping to work on, but I didn't get to it.

June Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Try 1 new-to-me recipe

What are your goals for June? How did you do in May?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

May 2026 Goals

Happy Wednesday! Woo-hoo! It's finally May! I'm so excited! May is one of my favorite months of the year! We have so many things to look forward to in May, and I can't wait.

April was such an overwhelmingly busy month, but it was a good one. In April, we celebrated Easter and had a small but fun Easter egg hunt for the kids. At one point, John and I actually forgot how many eggs we hid, but eventually the boys found them all. We also celebrated Raphael's birthday. We did our usual birthday traditions and went to Urban Air to celebrate. I was (and still am) obsessed with all things Artemis II. I still can't believe that astronauts orbited the far side of the moon. I received some incredible news and have to make a big decision soon. Even though it's great news, it did make me a little anxious, so I did a lot of research and went for long walks to help settle my mind and body. On one particular day when I felt really unsettled, I went for a walk, listened to Lord Huron, read about Artemis II, and took some random photos, which was the perfect way to destress. April was an eye-opening month full of lessons and, honestly, a breath of fresh air. I fully believe that everything that happened in April needed to happen. It was a long time coming. 

This month, I'm looking forward to celebrating Michael's birthday. I can't believe he's turning 16! Where has the time gone? We will be celebrating all month long. I'm also looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day. I've already bought Mami's gift, and I can't wait to spend time with her.

I'm looking forward to celebrating my sons' teachers for Teacher Appreciation Week. I'm especially looking forward to summer break. I'm incredibly excited and have been counting down the days.

Of course, since it's a new month, it's time for a quick recap of last month's goals. Then we can check out my new goals.  

Recap of April Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: I read Brawler by Lauren Groff. Brawler was such an interesting read and kind of a dark read at times. With that being said, if you need trigger warnings for your books, you may want to check the triggers first. Raphael and I read Fish Friends Forever by Kerry Ferguson, The Hole by Lindsay Bonilla, and The Shortest Day: Celebrating the Winter Solstice by Wendy Pfeffer. I found it funny that we read The Shortest Day during spring. We had the book placed on hold with the intention of reading it on the day of the winter solstice. However, it took forever to finally get the book.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: One Moment: Poems by Luis Muñoz and Axolotl-Ella: A Sort-of Cinderella Story by Kate Messner. One Moment was a nice collection of poems. I loved that the original Spanish poems were included alongside the translations. Overall, the translations were solid. Axolotl-Ella was such a cute read. I love a Cinderella retelling, so I was excited to dive into this one. The illustrations by Lian Cho were amazing. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I didn't work on this at all. I have all my photos, so I just have to put them where I want and then work on the journaling.

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: Unfortunately, I did not work on this either. I simply did not have the time and, quite honestly, the energy to do anything really creative this month. 

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt: I remembered wanting to do this, but I need to look at all the different prompts and decide which one I want to try first. I'm hoping to find some time this month to work on a prompt or two.

*With how busy I was in April, I'm not surprised that I didn't really cross out all of my goals for the month. In fact, I'm surprised at the number of books I read. Normally, I read way more, but even reading took a bit of a backseat.

May Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt

What are your goals for May? How did you do in April?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Dhony Koswara on Unsplash

April 2026 Goals

Happy Monday! We're a few days into April, and we're on Spring Break, so I'm really excited. March was an emotional, strange, and draining month. So I'm hoping April is a much smoother, calmer month.

In March, we were dealing with a lot of allergies due to the nonstop high pollen count. This year, it's hitting Raphael the hardest. We've gotten prescriptions and have been staying indoors a lot. Thankfully, the medicine seems to finally be working. I tried a bunch of stuff I received from Influenster, and a few of the items are things I will actually purchase. March was a slow reading month...I was surprised at the number of books I read. However, a lot of the books I read were really good. I went through waves of grief in March and thought about Mike a lot. I watched a new-to-me movie and listened to a lot of music. I visited my favorite boutiques and was inspired by all the spring products I saw. 

This month, I'm hoping for a calmer month. I'm also hoping to create and play more in April. As we're currently on Spring Break, I'm looking forward to not having to stick to a routine.

I'm looking forward to random naps, catching up on shows and movies, and going on adventures with John and the boys. I'm looking forward to celebrating Raphael's birthday. I can't wait to see what this month brings.

Well, since it's a new month, it's time for a quick recap of last month's goals and a look at my goals for April.

Recap of March 2026 Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library. Raphael and I read a couple of books he borrowed together, but I didn't finish any of the books I personally borrowed. I'm still reading Brawler by Lauren Groff, which I'm enjoying.

• Read 3 books I received from NetGalley: I read Captured Prey by Reno R. Mist, How Lucky I Am by Christian Watson, Make Believe: On Telling Stories to Children by Mac Barnett, and We Burned So Bright by T. J. Klune. My favorite read of the month was We Burned So Bright by T.J. Klune. In fact, this book will probably be included in my favorite books of 2026 list.

• Make 2 scrapbook/Project Life layouts: I didn't work on any crafty layouts. I just didn't have the energy to work on anything crafty. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: I didn't work in my journal; however, I've been keeping notes on my phone. The notes will eventually go into my sketchbook/journal (I never really know what to call it).

• Try 2 new recipes: I made ground beef sliders using Jacqui Saldana's recipe, and it was delicious! I also helped Gabriel make Latkes for a food project he had to do for a class. 

April Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Try 1 Introverted Drawing Club prompt

What are your goals for April? How did you do in March?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Content Pixie on Unsplash

March 2026 Goals

Happy Wednesday! Another month has passed, and for being the shortest month of the year, February felt like it lasted forever. February was absolutely nonstop, and I'm happy that it's March. 

February started off rough. My eye was injured while I was cooking (I'm fine now), but it was a bit scary. Thankfully, my doctor is great, and the medicine I was prescribed really helped. We had a low-key Valentine's Day. I loved the gifts and treats John and the boys gave me. I was (and still am) in my floral-and-candle era. I lit a candle every day in February. I was especially excited for tulips and was so happy to get a bunch on Valentine's Day. We had winter break in February. I planned to do nothing and get as much rest as possible...I did, but unfortunately, I also got a really bad cold. I'm feeling much better now. I went for a few winter walks, which really helped my mood and made me even more excited for spring. I also went to the grand opening of my local Paris Baguette and visited a new-to-me pie shop, Southern Baked Pie Company. We closed out the month by getting new flooring after a leak in the downstairs area of our home damaged our carpet. I'm so happy with how the hardwood flooring looks in our home. 

This month, I'm hoping for a quieter month. As you may remember, March is usually an emotional month for me as it's the birth and death anniversary of my baby brother. This month, I'm going to give myself grace and prioritize and protect my peace. I am welcoming all the feelings that come with grieving.

Since it's a new month, it's time for a quick recap of last month's goals and a look at my goals for March.

Recap of February Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read Held by Anne Michaels. This was one of Exhale's book club picks. I enjoyed the book, but I definitely think I need to reread it. Raphael and I also read quite a few books together. We read I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea by Janice Milusich, Penguinaut! by Marcie Colleen, There's a Giraffe in My Soup by Ross Burach, and Nunu and the Sea by Isabella Kung.

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley: I read so many good books I received from NetGalley. I read Snow Bound by Hannah Murray, Night Owl: Poems by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, Begin Again, and Again, and Again by Alessandra Olanow, A Year Without Home by V.T. Bidania, and the Now I See series by Mac Barnett, Someday This Will Be A Funny Story by Nora Ephron, and Is This a Cry for Help? by Emily R. Austin. I especially loved Alessandra Olanow and Emily R. Austin's books. I plan on buying a physical copy of Olanow's book. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I did work in my Project Life album, but I still have lots of layouts to complete. I have a bunch of January photos printed, so I only need to add journaling to those pages. As for February, I need to order pictures from that month, but I did start working on those layouts as well.

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: I did work in my sketchbook, but not as much as I'd like. February was such a chaotic and insane month. I'm really hoping to have more time in March to play in my sketchbook.

• Try 1 new recipe: I don't remember if I tried a new recipe, so I'm assuming I didn't. 

March Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library
• Read 3 books I received from NetGalley
• Make 2 scrapbook/Project Life layouts
• Work in my sketchbook/journal
• Try 2 new recipes

What are your goals for March? How did you do in February?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

February 2026 Goals

Happy Wednesday! Can you believe we're already a few days into February? Per usual, January felt like the longest yet shortest month ever. The first few days of January, leading up to my birthday, were amazing. I spent those days preparing for the month and the new year. Of course, I also spent those days celebrating my birthday, since it fell on a weekday. 

In January, John and I went on a date and tried Roxy's for the first time. The food was pretty great, and we plan to go back soon. We also wandered around the Marietta Square and explored some shops. I got some new art supplies, a gorgeous vase, a new mug, and a few fun other things as gifts. John and I also went to First Watch and ordered some of their seasonal menu items. Their B.E.C. was delicious! 10/10 highly recommend. I also had jury duty for the first time, and it was interesting. I know a lot of people usually get annoyed when they have to report for jury duty. I was annoyed at first, but quickly changed my mind. Raphael and I played Mario Kart, and it was so much fun. We also had some winter weather that forced schools and workplaces to shut down. It was so nice to rest at home. Unfortunately, we didn't get snow, but we definitely got some on the first day of February.

This month, I'm looking forward to a slower(ish) month. I'm looking forward to celebrating Valentine's Day. I'm especially looking forward to winter break. I'm hoping to catch up on a couple of shows and (maybe) watch a movie.

Recap of January 2026 Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: Raphael and I have been on a Jory John kick and enjoyed reading several of his books in the The Food Group series. We still have a few more books from the series to read, and I plan to place a few more holds soon.

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley: I read How to Be Okay When Nothing Is Okay by Jenny Lawson. This was a really great read. This book read like a mix of self-help and memoir, which I loved. It was interesting to read Jenny Lawson's take on anxiety, depression, and ADHD.

• Participate in Exhale's January blog hop: I didn't participate in the actual blog hop, but I did make a piece using the prompt after the blog hop's date. You can check out my piece here.

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I worked in my Project Life album, but didn't complete the layouts. I am waiting for my photos to arrive, but I have already worked out the placement for my cards and photos. Next, I plan to work on the journaling.

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: I haven't worked in my sketchbook. January was extremely busy, and I did a lot more organizing of craft and art supplies. I do know which sketchbook I plan to use, so I'm really hoping that this creative block is finally gone for good. I just need to set aside some time to play with my art supplies.

• Drink more water: I've been drinking a lot more water, and even more so once I was under the weather. I hope to continue to keep this good habit.

February Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library
• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley
• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout
• Work in my sketchbook/journal
• Try 1 new recipe

What are your goals for February? How did you do in January?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash

January 2026 Goals

Happy Monday and Happy New Year! We are already five days into January! And it's my birthday! I'm so excited to celebrate my day with my family. I actually started celebrating over the weekend since my birthday is on a Monday. So far, it's been a blast. 2026 is looking good. I'm going to continue to stay hopeful. Before I continue to mention more of this new year and chapter, let's bring it back and quickly recap December.

December was a whirlwind. We did our usual holiday traditions, like going to our city's Christmas tree lighting, and then I made hot chocolate when we got home. We put up our Christmas tree and decorations. Instead of buying one new ornament, we bought three. We went to Raphael's class holiday party at school. We celebrated Gabriel's birthday. Of course, we got him his favorite ice cream cake and a few gifts. We also visited Mami during Christmas week. Overall, December was a good month. Busy, but good.

However, there were some unexpected moments. We found out Gabriel had the flu the day after his birthday, so we had to postpone the extra celebrations. Since he was still under the weather during Christmas week and John didn't feel well either, we had to postpone our breakfast at Mami's on Christmas Day. We ended up visiting Mami the day after Christmas and had a lovely breakfast. We had a low-key Christmas at home, but it was so great. John and I made a nice breakfast, and for lunch I put together a big charcuterie board. We all just grazed for most of the day while the boys played games. I even got to sneak in a much-needed and well-deserved nap. 

Now it's finally 2026 and January! A new year and a new month! With that comes new goals for the month (and for the year) and a new word of the year. (I'll share my word of the year and yearly goals at a later date. But for now, let's recap my December goals and check out my new goals for January.

Recap of December 2025 Goals

• Read 3 books I borrowed from the library: I was still on a Humans of New York kick and read a few more books by Brandon Stanton. I finished reading Humans and then read Tanqueray by Stephanie Johnson and Brandon Stanton. I also read The Legend of the Christmas Witch and The Return of the Christmas Witch by Dan Murphy and Aubrey Plaza. To celebrate the winter solstice, Raphael and I read The Shortest Day by Susan Cooper. 

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley: I read quite a few good books. I finished reading Little Alleluias by Mary Oliver, Central Park by Cristina Ergunay, and Girl Warrior by Joy Harjo. I was excited to read See One, Do One, Teach One by Grace Farris. 

• Participate in Exhale's December blog hop: I read the prompt but didn't work on it. Although I could feel the creative block that had been plaguing me for months begin to lift, I just didn't have enough time to work on this.

• Try 2 new recipes: I honestly can't remember whether I tried any new recipes, so I'll assume I didn't. 

• Make 2 scrapbook/Project Life layouts: Yikes! I did not work on any layouts, but I did start reorganizing my supplies so I could work on my 2026 album. As for my previous albums and other unfinished layouts, I think I'm going to work on them slowly (maybe pick just one unfinished project to focus on each month), but primarily focus on documenting 2026. 

• Participate in Jo Blaker's Winter Trees daily drawing challenge: I'm disappointed I didn't work on this drawing challenge. Once again, I just didn't have time. December really was a whirlwind, and a few unexpected things happened. By the time I had even a small pocket of time to work on the challenge, I was so discouraged after realizing how many days I had missed that I decided to pass on it.

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: Nope, I did not work in my sketchbook. It wasn't a creative month, but I read a lot. 

January 2026 Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley

• Participate in Exhale's January blog hop

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Drink more water

What are your goals for January? How did you do in December?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Aly Ko on Unsplash

December Goals

Happy Monday and first day of December! I cannot believe that it's already December. This year has truly flown by, especially the last few months. Although I'm sad that fall will be over soon and winter will arrive in just a couple of weeks, I'm looking forward to the holidays. I'm also looking forward to winter.

As always, November was a very busy month. In fact, it seemed like November was busier than usual. It was a month full of events, celebrations, and spending time with family. We went to Raphael's Thanksgiving feast at his school, celebrated Vivi's first birthday, and went to Mami's house for Thanksgiving. 

We had another low-key Thanksgiving, and honestly, it was perfect. We spent the morning resting and relaxing until it was time to go over to Mami's. 

The next day, I went shopping, and I'm so happy I stuck to the things on my list. I'm really trying to be more intentional with my shopping, especially for this holiday season. I'm happy to report that it's going really well. I also went shopping on Small Business Saturday and was so excited to shop at my favorite local businesses. I even went to a new-to-us pizza spot and really enjoyed their food.

This month, I'm looking forward to a few events in my city. I'm looking forward to a few school and holiday events. I can't wait to check out the Kris Kringle Market after the Christmas tree lighting. I can't wait for the holidays and am looking forward to watching so many holiday movies and shows. 

This month, I'm going to give myself grace. I want to focus on enjoying this month, crossing things off my list, enjoying the days leading up to the holidays, and welcoming winter with open arms. I'm still going to keep working on my monthly goals. However, if I don't accomplish any of them or even try to work on them, then I'm not going to give myself a hard time about it. 

Since I mentioned monthly goals, let's recap my November goals and check out my new goals for December.

Recap of November Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: I read 20 books I borrowed from the library. Most of the books were children's books that Raphael and I read together. He's been on a Creepy Carrots kick and is now really into Jory John's Food Group series. I'm currently on a Humans of New York kick and have been reading the books in the series. I read Nora Ephron's I Remember Nothing and loved it. 

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I didn't finish the two books I was reading, but I am very close. I should be done with at least one of them by the end of the first week of December.

• Participate in Exhale's November blog hop: I didn't participate this month. I had a few ideas, but couldn't decide on a format for my piece. I'm hoping to work on this prompt in December, since I think it would work for this month and the winter season.

• Try 1 new recipe: I tried a chicken nacho recipe and added a few things to make it my own. It turned out surprisingly well. I love how quick and easy it was to make. The kids loved it, and I plan to add it to our go-to lunch/dinner rotation.

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I actually forgot about this goal until the last day of November. Honestly, my excuse is I was swamped in November, and I'm still dealing with this awful creative rut. 

• Work on the latest round of the Here: Five Things course: I worked on a couple of the prompts, but did not finish. I may try to complete them in December. I'm really hoping that December is the month that my creative rut subsides.

December Goals

• Read 3 books I borrowed from the library
• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's December blog hop
• Try 2 new recipes
• Make 2 scrapbook/Project Life layouts
• Participate in Jo Blaker's Winter Trees daily drawing challenge
• Work in my sketchbook/journal

What are your goals for December? How did you do in November?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

November Goals

Happy Wednesday! Can you believe we're already a few days into November? October flew by, and November might do the same. 

October was a fun-filled and extremely busy month. We attended a couple of festivals, including the Spooky Festival, the Smyrna Birthday Celebration, and the Crafts and Drafts Festival. We celebrated Jaileny's birthday, and I got to see my niece and my nephew. We also went to the last few farmers' markets before the farmers' market season ended. I indulged in all the treats and baked goods. I bought half gallons of fresh apple cider and apples every week. I tried a new-to-me bakery, McEntyre's Bakery, and fell in love with their seasonal cookies. The apple bread was also delicious. I've been listening to Florence + the Machine's Everybody Scream on repeat. I love that it was released on Halloween. We carved our pumpkin kind of late in the month (literally days before Halloween), and I loved the design John carved. I was thrilled that Halloween fell on a Friday. We handed out candy to some trick-or-treaters, and then we took the boys out to trick-or-treat. Overall, October was a dream.

In November, I'm hoping for a slower month. I'm looking forward to Thanksgiving Break and spending time with my family. I'm looking forward to watching the Thanksgiving Day parade. I'm looking forward to celebrating my niece's first birthday. I'm looking forward to preparing for Christmas. Although I mentioned several events in that list, I'm really hoping for more days of rest and relaxation. I'm looking forward to cozy days and staying at home.

I'm sure there will be some busy days and some weeks in November, so I'm going to give myself some grace, just as I did in October, when it comes to my monthly goals. I still set some goals, as I love this monthly ritual, but it's okay if I don't complete any or if I forget about them. 

Now that I've mentioned goals, let's have a quick recap of my October Goals and take a look at my new goals for November.

Recap of October Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read a bunch of books I borrowed from the library. Yes, many of them were books for Raphael, but I'm still counting them. We read a ton of Halloween-themed books, and it was perfect. 

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read a few books I received from NetGalley, but I only finished reading one of them. I finished reading Pocket Bear by Katherine Applegate, which was a delightful read. 

• Participate in Exhale's October blog hop: Unfortunately, I didn't work on the prompt for the blog hop. By the time I remembered the blog hop, the deadline was so close, and I didn't want to stress much about submitting something. I still plan to work on the prompts that I missed, and I may share a few on the blog.

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: Once again, I did not work in any of my sketchbooks or journals. I keep getting stuck on which journal to use, and it's been extremely frustrating. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I completely forgot to work on some layouts, but to be fair, I didn't have the necessary photos to complete the layouts I wanted. However, I placed a large order of photos, which I'm hoping will arrive within the next week or so. I'm itching to make a couple of 6x8 layouts, and I'd like to use some in a layout and a traveler's notebook.

• Try 2 new recipes: I stuck to our go-to recipes and dishes this month. I honestly forgot about this goal. 

November Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library
• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's November blog hop
• Try 1 new recipe
• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout
• Work on the latest round of Here: Five Things ecourse

What are your goals for November? How did you do in October?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

October Goals

Happy Tuesday! We're a few days into October, and this month is going by fast, just like September did. Although October came in like a whirlwind, and I won't complain because it's one of my favorite months!

September was a fun-filled month. We celebrated John's 40th birthday! What a blessing to experience all those years! We celebrated his birthday with breakfast from one of our favorite restaurants, and then we had a day date at the Marietta Square. We had a blast checking out an art gallery, an antique shop, a bookshop, and a few more shops around the square. Later on, John, the boys, and I enjoyed pizza from our favorite restaurant, Marietta Pizza Company. Later in the evening, after singing happy birthday and enjoying a delicious birthday ice cream cake, we went to the Village Green and played frisbee. There's a lovely pond at the Village Green, so we stopped by and watched the turtles, fish, and geese.

The first day of fall coincided with fall break, which was so cool. Fall break was a much-needed break. During the break, we went to the fair and enjoyed the rides. We also had to get some fried Oreos. We visited several farmers' markets, and, of course, I bought some apple cider and apples from a vendor who works at an orchard. We also bought the boys their Halloween costumes. We had a fun time checking out the scary Halloween animatronics at Spirit Halloween. All in all, September was an amazing month. 

This month, I'm looking forward to going to a couple of fall festivals. The farmer's market season will end in a couple of weeks, so I'm looking forward to going to the market for the remaining weeks. I'm looking forward to a few of the boys' school-related events. I'm looking forward to watching all the scary movies and series, as well as reading a bunch of books. I'm also looking forward to Halloween. If you don't know, Halloween is my favorite holiday. We've already bought candy for trick-or-treaters and have our decorations ready. We have a few things to still put up, but we're almost done. 

With September being such a busy and fun-filled month, I realized I didn't really focus on my monthly goals. I foresee the same thing happening this month, which I'm ok with. However, I did set some goals for October. And since I mentioned goals, let's have a quick recap of my September goals and take a look at my new goals for October.

Recap of September Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: I read 13 books I borrowed from the library. 12 of those books were children's books that Raphael and I read together. I really enjoyed reading Don't Feed the Coos by Jonathan Stutzman and Fairy Walk by Gaia Cornwall.

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley: I read Twisted Tales to Tell in the Night, which is an anthology of spooky stories. It's also similar to Alvin Schwartz's Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, and now I want to reread the series. I also read Claimed by Her Monsters by Lexi Davis. I also finished reading The Little Book of Winter by Brittany Viklund, which made me a little excited for winter. 

• Participate in Exhale's September blog hop: Unfortunately, I was unable to participate in the blog hop. I worked on the prompt and came up with a few different formats, but couldn't decide which one to use. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: I did not do this at all, and I have conflicting feelings about it. I'm disappointed because I was hoping to spend some time playing with my supplies and using a few new things I bought, but I just didn't. 

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: Yikes. I completely forgot about this, but I did set aside a few supplies for a layout I'd like to make. Also, this just reminded me that I need to place an order for some prints for the layouts.

• Try 1 new recipe: I made a red velvet banana bread loaf and a fudge banana bread loaf. I was particularly fond of sweet loaves in September. Also, banana bread just screams cozy to me. I also made a buffalo dip. It wasn't even close to tasting spicy, but it was still ok. I also made lots of whipped coffee and felt like a barista.

October Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library
• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's October blog hop
• Work in my sketchbook/journal
• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout
• Try 2 new recipes

What are your goals for October? How did you do in September?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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September Goals

Happy Monday and Happy Labor Day! Can you believe it's September already? We're in the 'ber months! Also, how cool that the first day of September is on a Monday! 

August came in like a whirlwind, flew by, and is now gone. August was the month for getting back to our usual routine. The boys are back in school, and I'm back at work. We already attended a few school events. Summer is still here, so we've been trying to make the most of the remaining weeks of the season. We went to the farmer's market almost every week and are still enjoying summer fruits and treats. I was definitely more conscious of the snacks I've been buying and have been trying to get healthier snacks. 

The hints of fall were in full force in August. Many stores have already set up their fall and Halloween displays. The pumpkin spice latte is officially back, and I had one in August. I was trying to wait until today to drink one, but I just couldn't resist. After a rough last week of August, I decided to treat myself to a PSL. It was glorious. I've been researching a variety of fall recipes to try and fall events I'd like us to attend.

This month, I'm looking forward to trying some new recipes, attending the first couple of fall events, catching up on some shows, and reading a few cozy books. I'm hoping September is a slower month filled with all the cozy vibes. I'm looking forward to celebrating John's birthday and spending time with my family. 

I'm looking forward to fall break and the official start of the fall season. I'm feeling so hopeful and excited for September. 

Before I start rambling about the fall season, let's get to the real point of this post: sharing my goals for the month and having a quick recap of my goals from August.

Recap of August Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read Feeding Little Ones by Megan McNamee. Raphael and I also read I Am Human: A Book of Empathy by Susan Verde and The Wild Robot on the Island by Peter Brown. I'm still working through a few more books I borrowed from the library.

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read A Suit or a Suitcase: Poems by Maggie Smith, The Guerilla Art Guide by Keri Smith, How About Now by Kate Baer, and Just One Gift by Linda Sue Park. 

• Work on one previous blog hop prompt from Exhale: I did not do this at all. I actually forgot about this goal. I'm hoping that since it's a new month, I'll feel inspired to work on the September prompt and maybe a few previous prompts.

• Try 1 new recipe: August was such a hectic month, so I stuck with our go-to favorite meals throughout the month. Random note: I've been meal prepping and so far, it's going well. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: Ugh. I kept looking at my supplies and just couldn't decide where to begin. I have no idea why I keep getting stuck at this point, but I'm hoping to finally work on my sketchbook or journal. I have so many ideas, but the moment I decide to work in my journal, I end up second-guessing which one to use. 

• Make at least 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I completely forgot about this as well. However, I just received my kits from Ali Edwards, so I just need to order some photos. 

• Start getting back to meal planning: I've been working on this, and it's been going well. I especially love that I've been prepping my breakfast in the mornings since I would sometimes skip breakfast. Lately, I've been really into overnight oats, and it's been the best thing ever. I love that I can just grab my overnight oats and head to work. 

September Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley

• Participate in Exhale's September blog hop

• Work in my sketchbook/journal

• Make 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

• Try 1 new recipe

What are your goals for September? How did you do in August?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

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August Goals

Happy Monday! Can you believe the month of July has come and gone? July really flew by, and I'm a little sad that it's August. Summer break is over. August is such an odd month. We're in what I think of as a transition season. Summer is definitely still here, but fall is right around the corner. Although I'm so excited for fall, I'm going to keep enjoying the rest of summer. 

July was an eventful month. We had lots of appointments to prepare for the upcoming school year. Michael and Raphael are now wearing glasses, and they look so handsome. We finished back-to-school shopping for the kids. 

John and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary. We went to dinner at Maggiano's (where we had our wedding reception) and had a lovely date night. The gorgeous bouquet John gave me is still alive. One of my favorite traditions is getting a bouquet of our wedding flowers. 

My older sister, brother, and I visited Mami. It was nice for all of us to be together. Our little sister wasn't able to make it, but hopefully we'll all catch up soon. The boys had a blast spending time with their cousins. 

I tried lots of new-to-me things like food and drinks. I definitely indulged in all the summer foods like strawberry shortcake ice cream, mixed berry smoothies, rainier cherries, BLTs, and homemade pizza. I also visited a couple of new-to-me small businesses and a few shops I hadn't visited in a long time. 

July was a self-care heavy month, especially since July marks the end of our summer vacation. I read so many good books. I was so grateful to get an advance copy of Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith's book, The People's Project. I also read so many good newsletters on Substack. 

July was such a whirlwind that I didn't think too much about my goals. And since I've mentioned my goals, let's have a quick recap of my July goals and then check out my new goals for August. 

Recap of July Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: I read Everything is Tuberculosis by John Green. I also read The Most Boring Book Ever by Brandon Sanderson with Raphael. 

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read I Am the Swarm by Hayley Chewins, A Rebellion of Care by David Gate, 31 Days of Spooky by Harper Celebrate, and The People's Project by Saeed Jones and Maggie Smith. My absolute favorite read was a tie between A Rebellion of Care and The People's Project. 31 Days of Spooky made me yearn for autumn and Halloween. 

• Participate in Exhale's blog hop: Unfortunately, I didn't participate in the blog hop. The prompt stumped me, but I still want to try to work on it. The Exhale Creativity community is on a sabbatical this month, so it's the perfect time to look back at some prompts and see if there's any I'd like to work on. I may even try to work on a few other creative exercises. 

• Try 1 new recipe: I made chocolate chip banana bread using GoNanas banana bread mix. I love that you can add other ingredients to the mixes. Try adding fresh strawberries to any of their chocolate bread mixes or the original banana bread mix...you'll thank me later. 

• Work on a photography exercise: Yikes. I completely forgot to do this. 

• Declutter at least two closets: We went through the boys' closets and were able to fill up three boxes full of clothes to sell and/or donate. I'm still shocked at how much stuff we can accumulate. I definitely need to work on my closet next.  

• Work in my sketchbook/journal: Ugh. I'm disappointed I didn't work in my sketchbook. Every time I tried, I kept struggling to choose which sketchbook or journal to use. In fact, I'm still struggling with this. I'm not sure if I want to work in a pocket-sized Moleskine watercolor notebook, a mixed media spiral pad, or one of my Get Messy journals. This has been really frustrating because I'm bursting with so much creative energy, and I'm just stuck on what journal to use. 

• Make at least 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout: I also forgot to work on this. However, I do need to order some prints for some layouts.

August Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library
• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley
• Work on one previous blog hop prompt from Exhale
• Try 1 new recipe
• Work in my sketchbook/journal
• Make at least 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout
• Start getting back to meal planning

What are your goals for August? How did you do in July?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Andrea Stuart on Unsplash

July Goals

Happy Monday! How is it already July? The year is truly flying by fast. I was hoping June would be a month of rest and relaxation...and it did not disappoint. June was a dream. We went to the pool a few times, visited the farmer's market, and went to the library several times. At the end of the month, we went to the Smyrna Pride Festival. I read so many good books and even completed our local library's summer book challenge. June was the month for all the sweet treats. We tried an Oreo cake for dessert, we've devoured popsicles and ice cream sandwiches, and I tried a chocolate cheesecake from Crumbl. We've also been devouring all the berries. We especially love strawberries, and I've been eating Rainier cherries. I bought a couple of small mixed-media, watercolor, and drawing spiral notepads to just play. I'm hoping that these notepads will help me break out of this creative block and overcome my fear of starting a new sketchbook. I'm not sure if I should call it a creative block, because I usually know what I want to try, but the first page always scares me off. 

This month, I'd like to create more. I really want to work in one of my sketchbooks or mixed-media notepads. I'm looking forward to spending time with my family. I'm looking forward to continuing to read good books and take more photos. I'd like to work on a photography exercise I learned about last week. I'm looking forward to celebrating my wedding anniversary later this month. I hope this month is just as restful and relaxing as June was. 

As it's a new month, let's take a quick recap of my goals from June and review my new goals for July. I'm actually looking forward to working on a few of the goals this month, especially my creative goals. 

Recap of June Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I read Felicity by Mary Oliver. I'm still reading Everything Is Tuberculosis by John Green. 

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read five books I received from NetGalley. I read Dear Writer by Maggie Smith, I Hope You Remember by Josie Balka, Lucky Tomorrow: Stories by Deborah Jiang-Stein, The Never Was by Tyler Knott Gregson, and Letters From Gaza.

• Participate in Exhale's blog hop: I did not participate in the Exhale blog hop. I felt stuck on the prompt, but now I have a couple of ideas. I may work on June's prompt sometime this month, as well as the July prompt.

• Try 1 new recipe: Hooray! I tried two recipes. I made a simple blackberry syrup. Now I want to make so many other homemade syrups. I also used Soul Food Holistic Healing's recipe to make Black Butterfly Lemonade. You can check out the recipe here. 

• Make time to play with my memory-keeping supplies: I finally took some time to work on some layouts in my 6x12 Project Life album (our family album) and used so many of my Stories By The Month kits. I also made some layouts in my 6x8 personal album. I still need to journal on most of the layouts, but I got the pictures, cards, and ephemera all down.

• Work in my sketchbook/journal at least once a week: Yikes. I didn't do this at all. Here's to hoping that I work in my sketchbook this month. I'm planning to participate in Rukristin's Find Your Voice Summer Camp, and I'm looking forward to checking out the prompts.

• Declutter one closet a week: I didn't do this. It's still on my to-do list and I'm determined to work on this in July. 

• Work on Week in the Life: I did work on this. I decided to document my week using the Week in the Life notebook. So far, I have only written things down, but I still need to put down ephemera.

July Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library
• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's blog hop
• Try 1 new recipe
• Work on a photography exercise
• Declutter at least two closets
• Work in my sketchbook/journal
• Make at least 1 scrapbook/Project Life layout

What are your goals for July? How did you do in June?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

June Goals

Happy Monday! Maycember is over, and it's finally June! I still can't believe that we're halfway through this year. May, as usual, was an incredibly busy and mostly fun month. We celebrated Michael's birthday. I still can't believe Michael is 15! We also had numerous school events like field days, class awards, and Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. Summer break officially began mid-late May, and we are excited! I always try to rest and do nothing during the last week of May or so. However, it was anything but restful. We had an issue with a faucet in our bathroom, and what we thought would be an easy repair ended up becoming an entire ordeal when the repairman accidentally damaged a pipe. The pipe then took longer to fix (as I write this, the repair is almost complete). A minor inconvenience, but a stressful one, especially since we had to move all our stuff from the bathroom. So, needless to say, I'm glad May is over. 

This month, I'm looking forward to some rest and relaxation. I'm looking forward to spending our days at the pool, exploring new-to-us places, visiting the farmers' market, and attending Food Truck Tuesdays. I'm looking forward to consuming a large amount of Rainier cherries and s'mores. I'm looking forward to working on some crafty projects, such as Week in the Life and Here: Five Things, and creating layouts for my Project Life/memory-keeping album.

Before I continue to ramble and possibly stress over the bathroom mess again, let's have a quick recap of my May goals and take a look at my new goals for June.

Recap of May Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library: I finished reading Blues in Stereo by Langston Hughes. I also read A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver. 

• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley: I finished reading A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe by Mahogany L. Browne and Drawing Is...: Your Guide to Scribbled Adventures by Elizabeth Haidle. I also read The New Book by Nikki Giovanni and Memento Mori by Lenore Nox. 10/10 highly recommend The New Book by Nikki Giovanni.

• Participate in Exhale's blog hop: I did participate in the blog hop. You can check out my piece here.

• Try 2 new recipes: I didn't do this. I simply stuck to our usual go-to meals, which were convenient as it was a very busy month.

• Make time to play with my memory-keeping supplies: I did not do this. However, I did make a small pile of supplies that I'd like to work with for a few projects. It was fun going through the supplies. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal at least once a week: Yikes! I didn't do this at all. The creative block is still here. Mostly, I simply didn't have the time. Maycember was a beast. By the time summer break officially started, I was exhausted. Additionally, we experienced an issue with a pipe in our home, so my attention was focused on that. Repairs have taken a little longer than we anticipated. However, I feel like I'm bursting with creative energy, and I'm eager to create something — anything.

• Work on writing a piece for an online publication: I haven't worked on this yet, but I'm trying to decide which publication I'd like to write for and submit a piece to. 

June Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library
• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's blog hop
• Try 1 new recipe
• Make time to play with my memory-keeping supplies
• Work in my sketchbook/journal at least once a week
• Declutter one closet a week
• Work on Week in the Life

What are your goals for June? How did you do in May?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Sixteen Miles Out on Unsplash

May 2025 Goals

Happy Monday! It's finally May—one of my favorite months of the year! April went by pretty fast, except for that last week. 

April was a fun month. We celebrated Raphael's birthday and were so glad that his birthday was in the same week as spring break. We started the celebrations early by going to the Great Wolf Lodge a few days before his birthday. The kids loved the water park. We also had so much fun playing mini golf and bowling. We returned home on his actual birthday and did our usual birthday traditions —birthday cake, balloons, candles, and gifts. We also went to the spring festival. Raphael enjoyed the bouncy houses, Michael and Gabriel had fun exploring the area, and we all enjoyed eating some treats. I tried a new-to-me mobile coffee shop and went to Sincerely Yours Bookstore on Independent Bookstore Day. 

This month, I'm looking forward to celebrating Michael's birthday. I can't believe he's turning 15! I'm looking forward to celebrating Mother's Day. I already bought Mami's gift, and I'm glad I did this early. When I went to buy the gift, the item was the last one in stock. I'm also looking forward to celebrating Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week. I'm also looking forward to the end of the school year. Only 12 more days! I'm so excited!

Since it's a new month, it's time to have a quick recap on last month's goals, and then we can check out my goals for May.

Recap of April 2025 Goals

• Read 2 books I borrowed from the library: I read The One Thing You'd Save by Linda Sue Park and The Deal of a Lifetime by Fredrik Backman. The Deal of a Lifetime nearly had me in tears. It was such an amazing read. Raphael and I also read several books we borrowed from the library together. 

• Read 2 books I received from NetGalley: I read Tuck Everlasting: The Graphic Novel by Natalie Babbitt, and I Heard the Bells on Christmas by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Tuck Everlasting is such a great book, so I was excited when I found out that it was being made into a graphic novel. The graphic novel was great! It was definitely condensed, but it worked well. Reading Tuck Everlasting made me want to watch the movie. As for I Heard the Bells on Christmas, this was a cute poem that was made into a little book. The illustrations were gorgeous, and the message is so important, especially with everything going on in the world.

• Participate in Exhale's blog hop: I did participate in the blog hop. You can check out my piece here.

• Try 1 new recipe: Unfortunately, I can't remember if I did try a new recipe, so I'm going to assume that I didn't.

• Make time to play with my scrapbook/memory-keeping supplies: I did not do this at all. April was such a busy month, and I simply didn't take the time to sit down and make any layouts. 

• Work in my sketchbook/journal at least once a week: See above.

• Make my own flower arrangement using grocery store flowers: I haven't tried this yet, but I definitely want to. I didn't bother to make any arrangements because I already had a few bouquets given to me, and the flowers lasted for a while.

• Work on writing a piece for an online publication: I haven't worked on this yet, but I have a few ideas for a few pieces. It's a matter of picking which one I'd like to work on first.

May Goals

• Read 1 book I borrowed from the library
• Read 1 book I received from NetGalley
• Participate in Exhale's blog hop
• Try 2 new recipes
• Make time to play with my memory-keeping supplies
• Work in my sketchbook/journal at least once a week
• Work on writing a piece for an online publication

What are your goals for May? How did you do in April?

Thanks for visiting!

Until next time...

Photo by Timo C. Dinger on Unsplash