Hmmmm…I love October.
Leaves, pumpkin patches, cocoa, football, the State Fair, Halloween…I love it all.
Before we get to my October goals, here’s how my September goals went down…
1. Read 2 books.
Goodness! This month, I read 3 really different books.
The first book I read was hands-down, without a doubt, the best book I’ve read in a long, long time. It was What Remains by Carole Radziwill. This book is so good! It’s Carole’s autobiography about her husband dying of cancer…and at the same time, his cousin (and BFF) is John F. Kennedy Jr. and her BFF is Carolyn Bessette Kennedy…and we all know how that ends. It’s really meaningful, fascinating, and lovely all in one book.
The next book I read was Nicholas Sparks’ The Best of Me (which is coming out as a movie this month). Hmmm…it was okay. I love Sparks’ books and thought this one was good but not my favorite.
The last book I read was Tina Fey’s Bossypants. I laughed, I learned, and I read it quickly because it was entertaining. If you like Tina Fey, you should read this book.
2. Family goes to Wednesday night church
We went to Wednesday night church every week this month. My kiddos like their classes and Andrew and I like our classes too. We’re going to continue going the rest of the semester :).
3. Walk to school twice a week
Yeah, that didn’t happen. We tried the first week and it was just too hot. We tried again last week and the weather was much better…so we can start doing it more now…but out of the entire month, we only did it twice.
4. Have friends over for dinner
On Sunday night, Andrew had a bunch of guys over for food and football and lat night, we had two families over for supper (we ate enchiladas on the patio and watched the kids play…it was so fun!).
5. Find the perfect fall polish
I found several polishes that I love! I talked about them on Friday. Click here to see the results.
And now for October’s Goals…
1. Read 2 (or more) books
Yup. I’ll keep you posted.
2. Walk more
The weather is so pretty that I need to be walking more in general (not just to pick Kensington up from school). Most nights, we walk after dinner and let the kids ride their bikes…I’m going to make a conscience decision to walk more this month.
3. Enjoy pumpkin everything
Listen, pumpkin is my very favorite flavor, so I need to enjoy it this month. A little (or a lot) of pumpkin makes this girl very happy.
4. Finish my Christmas shopping
I would love to have most of my Christmas shopping done by the end of the month. If I get it done this month and wrapped next month, then in December, I can enjoy the holidays without stressing. I need to focus. Focus, focus, focus.
5. Volunteer and Kensington’s school once a week
Last week, I volunteered at Kensington’s school one day and really enjoyed being able to help. The days Smith are in preschool are the best days for me to help out, so I’m going to really and try and do that at least once a week this month.
6. Finish Ashby’s room
Her room is basically finished but she needs basics like clothes, shoes, pjs, diapers, socks, coats and such. I need to get her closet and dresser full of those necessities.
Since we’re talking about October, here are a few pics from last weekend’s Oktoberfest in our town…
My kids looked forward to Oktoberfest all week! It’s an annual tradition for us to attend our town’s (last weekend) and my parents’ town (next weekend). We started off our day with lots of jumping!
They loved the German dancers :).
They raced along the hay bales.
We bought candy and popcorn!
We did the “chicken dance” :).
We had the BEST time!!!
Happy (almost) October to you!
And for dinner tonight…
…my Tex Mex Chicken & Rice Soup. Yum :).
XOXO
Tab & Erika says
Great minds were thinking alike this morning!!!
Natalie Zambreski says
That soup looks so yummy! One of my goals this month is to use my crock pot as much as possible so that I can be spending more time enjoying the good weather and less time in the kitchen! Now just cross your fingers it actually starts to cool off! 🙂
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
We've never done Oktoberfest. Why in the world have we never done Oktoberfest? That's going to be a goal for me next year. Remind me, m'kay? 🙂
Narci says
I love your October goals! Also, I love that you go to 2 Octoberfests! How fun!!! 🙂 see you tonight!!
Angela Ellingson says
Yay October! Great goals. It's inspiring how intentional you are being. It would be so amazing to get most of my Christmas shopping done this month!
Barbara Williams says
I love the idea of monthly goals?.
kimm atwood says
Hard to believe it's October alteady (well almost) such a fun fun month!!!
Lauren says
Those are some great goals for October! I know I'm definitely planning to continue enjoying pumpkin EVERYTHING all month long! 🙂
Marty says
The house in your first picture? I want to live there. 🙂
Rachel Broomfield says
Hello Shay! I am a newly married (to a wonderful Australian man) 21 year old from Canada, living in Melbourne Australia. I absolutely love reading your blog. I look up to you in so many ways and hope that I can be a mom like you one day! You inspire me to be a better wife and to one day be a fantastic mom. I just wanted to say thank you for being so great and organised. I have been trying to get in the habit of waking up at 5 am so that by the time I have kids I'm in the habit and I can still do the things I want to do for myself like working out. You're fantastic, thanks Shay!
melissabunny100 says
So cute!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
fun goals!!
can u post about how you do your Christmas shopping for the kiddos!
Tracy says
I'm an early Christmas shopper too but I'm not sure I'll get it all done this month! Good for you! Great tip on getting it all wrapped early. I don't know why I always wait till the last minute.
I loved volunteering at my kids' school when they were younger. Great way to get to know the other kids! Have fun!
Brianna says
Have you tried the pumpkin Noosa yogurt yet? It's AMAZING
Melissa says
Loving your October goals!!! I am adding What Remains to my book list…always love a good Kennedy read ; )
Erin C says
I have read What Remains and The Best of Me as well! I tried Bossy Pants, but couldn't get through it . . . and I love Tine Fey! Thank you for your Monthly Goals, I am starting my list right now!
Amanda & Jerrod Carpenter says
I'm making those enchiladas tonight for dinner! And I pinned that soup recipe, that looks soooooo yummy. I am so thankful for your quick and easy recipes for this working woman 🙂
Haley @ Cupcakes and Sunshine says
since the weather is absolutely beautiful, i want to walk more outside this october! I'm really great at walking on tredmills. but tend to avoid exercising outside unless it is fall! and oh…to get a pumpkin spice latte!
Jillian Manesh says
great goals!! i really need to START christmas shopping. xo jillian – stop by! I'm hosting a May Designs giveaway on cornflake dreams
Renae says
It look like your getting your October off to a great start!
Sara Laverty says
What Remains is one of my favorite books. SO interesting!!
kteacher22 says
I agree! I would love some ideas for toys for my kids!
Mackenzie says
Love the goals! Funny- I read What Remains in September and The Best Of Me in August. Had the exact same opinions…What Remains was beautiful and Best Of Me was just meh! Loving your October goals, and I am going to make some for me too!
Linda says
I love your idea of setting monthly goals. I definitely need to emulate two of them–walking more and reading more! And I have had an unopened crockpot in my garage for about 6 months now. I need to crack it out and try some of your recipes!
Katelyn Magerko says
I have What Remains and only made it through the first chapter as reading always gets put on the back burner for me for some reason. After hearing how good you thought it was encouraged me to finish it!!
Ridhi Heberer says
Shay- have you read Gone Girl? I saw you mentioned Best of Me and it being made into a movie (totally agree with you on the fact that it's not one of his best). Gone Girl comes out as a movie Friday with Ben Affleck and the book was FABULOUS!
jencraig says
I am obsessed with your Christmas shopping goal! so question…how do you know what everyone will want for Christmas so early?? Do you ask people for ideas or gifts or do you totally go own your own and get people what you think they will want??? I SOOOO want to get my shopping done early but am afraid they will want something different as the holidays approach! Help 🙂 love your goals!
Jennifer
Sarah Mcclanahan says
For books- Have you read any of Gillian Flynn's books? Gone Girl is good & is coming to theaters Oct 3. For the pumpkin goal- not sure if you like donuts but dunkin donuts has a pumpkin donut right now…SO GOOD!
Anonymous says
Did you keep clothes from Kensington so Ashby can wear them?
Kensington always looks adorable and fashionable! 🙂
Laura
Ashley Brown says
Love those goals, simple and sweet!
http://scarlettmoonblog.blogspot.com
Kelly says
Hi,
I love reading your blog! I am SO excited for you to bring Ashby home. I was wondering if you could tell is what country you are adopting her from and how old she is? I hope that you are able to bring her home safely very soon! 🙂
Allison F says
How sweet is Rachel's comment! I love it. I also loved this post – I am definitely going to read What Remains. Walking more for sure! And how proud are we to live in the #1 town baby?!? Go McKinney!! Mom & Popcorn has the best kettle corn, yummo!! Love K's picture there!
Mary says
I'm not sure if you have a Trader Joes, but they have the biggest selection of Pumpkin flavored food I have ever seen. You should check it out girl!
Alison says
I love your October goals. Especially, pumpkin everything!!
V @ X-tremely V says
Your October list looks great! I am with you on enjoying everything pumpkin! YUM!
Jaren says
Your monthly goals have become some of my favorite posts! Fun to see what you did and want to do. It inspires me to do that in my life.
amoveableme.com says
I'm going to have to read What Remains. I am a huge Kennedy fan, and I am just reading JFK Jr, George and Me… so far so good!
So exciting that your are getting closer to bringing Ashby home!