Everyday Moments

Life...unedited. 

These random iPhone photos are dark, blurry, and untouched,

but they capture everyday moments from this week.

Over the last two weeks, we've sold $17,400 in books at our school Book Fair in my library. With our profit, we'll be able to buy 200 new library books, as well as new technology and equipment for our school community:

During our Thanksgiving break, we've been enjoying some extra family time. Last night, we got some warm cake donuts from Duck Donuts. We got three cinnamon and sugar donuts (our favorite), as well as a chocolate covered donut, powdered sugar donut, and a pumpkin donut. Yummy!

Sisterly Love

Today our family put up our indoor Christmas decorations. Savannah loves her pink and purple Christmas tree in her bedroom:

This is Hadley's Christmas tree in her bedroom:

At the beginning of 2018, Tal and I started our home decor/home improvement shopping ban. Our goal was to spend zero dollars on home decor/home improvement in 2018. Instead of spending money on home decor or home improvements, we wanted to put the money towards other financial goals, focus on decluttering our home, and practice being content with our home...just the way it is. 

For the last 11 months we have stuck to our shopping ban. We haven't done any home improvement projects this year. I haven't walked inside TJ Maxx or Homegoods in 2018. We haven't bought any home decor items. No pictures, picture frames, throw pillows, towels, sheets, etc. (Just to clarify, in 2018, we've paid for some necessary home repairs to our roof, HVAC, plumbing, sheetrock, and garage door.)

Well, this week we broke our shopping ban. When we put up our Christmas tree, we discovered that half of the lights were burned out. We spent $10 on Christmas lights at Target and put them on our tree. Three strands of Christmas lights was cheaper than buying a new Christmas tree:

This morning Savannah and Hadley participated in the Home Depot Kids Workshop. Each year Home Depot has an "extra" Kids Workshop the Saturday after Thanksgiving. This morning the girls enjoyed making a gingerbread picture frame ornament. They nailed the pieces together, painted their ornament, and then added stickers. 

Savannah's Ornament

 Hadley's Ornament