My coffee table right now: a book I loved (Bread & Wine), a book I can’t wait to read (The Nesting Place), flowers I bought for a song, and fingerprints from little people I cherish. Love it!
It’s been an interesting and full few days. I flew home with Kaitlynn and Silas on Sunday while Jesse and Kathrynne stayed back for Jesse to tie up a few loose ends with his business in Kansas. He and Kathrynne drove our second vehicle back on Tuesday afternoon/evening.
They arrived home around 3:30 a.m. on Wednesday morning… and we were SO glad to see them (And I breathed a sigh of relief as it was hard for me to be at home waiting up for them while they were driving at night hoping they stayed safe!)
We all slept in late on Wednesday morning and then got up and around quickly for the busy day ahead of us. We had a big strategy/planning meeting scheduled with the new publicity team we recently started working with here in TN and my business manager, Joy, was flying in from Colorado for that.
Our friend, Lexi, came over to watch our kids while Jesse, Brian (my other business manager), Joy, and I headed to downtown Nashville for the all-afternoon meeting. We are so excited to be working with this publicity team and we all pretty much instantly connected and bonded!
In fact, and in a very short time, we were talking about our love languages, crazy quirks, swooning over Aldi, and introducing one of the gals who wasn’t feeling well to essential oils. In between all that, we also mapped out some short-term and long-term plans for the business. It’s always fun to brainstorm, discuss, and dream!
While we don’t know what all the future holds, we are so honored to be working with such amazing people on the journey. I love how they challenge me to think big, aim high, keep growing and learning, and strive for excellence.
After the publicity meeting, Joy, Brian, Traci (Brian’s incredible wife) and their son came over to our house and we all hung out, ate P.F. Chang’s, laughed over crazy things, shared our hearts, and did a lot more business brainstorming.
I am so grateful for the wisdom and experience Brian and Joy bring to MoneySavingMom.com as my business managers, but, more importantly, I am so grateful for how they (and their spouses) pour into our lives and love us for exactly who we are and yet challenge us to be the best we can be. Friendships like these are such a gift… and ones we don’t take lightly!
Breakfast courtesy of Kaitlynn this morning
By Wednesday evening, we were all exhausted and we went to bed early and got a really good night’s rest (which felt SO good!). Kaitlynn made bacon and eggs for breakfast for us this morning (her first time to make breakfast all by herself — I was so proud of her!) and then we spent the morning and afternoon hanging out as a family, reading together, working on homeschool lessons, cleaning the house, and taking care of some other random things that needed to be done.
Waiting to board our flight at the Nashville airport.
Joy came over in the afternoon to meet with Jesse about some projects they are working on while I packed and got ready to leave for the Teach Them Diligently conference that I’m speaking at in DC this weekend. Joy and I left for the airport around 3 p.m. to catch our flight to DC tonight.
By the way, while the Nashville airport takes a little more time to get to and navigate, it’s so nice to now have the option of direct flights to some cities! Direct flights were almost unheard of in Kansas and getting to DC would have taken me at least half a day, as opposed to a few hours!
I’m excited to be speaking twice tomorrow and twice again on Saturday and I look forward to meeting some of you at the conference. {If you’re attending, be sure to come find me after one of my sessions or stop by our booth. One of my very favorite things about speaking at conferences is getting to meet my readers!}
Angela says
Turned on the radio this morning and heard a woman talking about her husband buying a GoPro camera & thought “I wonder if that’s Crystal?” Sure enough, it was your friendly voice on the radio. I too love how you share your real life with us so that we can learn from your experience & wisdom. Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so very much for your kind encouragement! I was honored to have the opportunity to do that interview!
Jennifer says
Hi, this is your occasional copy editor. I think there’s a word or part of a word missing in your sixth paragraph:
“While we don’t know what all the future holds, we are so honored to be working with such an people in this journey.”
I’ve been enjoying the more personal posts!
Crystal Paine says
Whoops — thanks for catching that!
bberg says
But are you going to tell us about the project that moved you to Nashville?
Crystal Paine says
We didn’t move for one specific project, but just because we felt God leading us here for a long list of reasons. 🙂 We’re not sure what all the future holds as there are many different opportunities and options right now and we’re just taking it one day at a time, but we’re excited to see where it leads. I’ll definitely keep blogging about things as they unfold. Thanks so much for joining us on this journey!
Dawn says
I wish I could be in DC to see you again!! I keep thinking that now you’re only a day’s ride away, I’m gonna’ finagle a way to come see you!!
I know those folks at TTD will be blessed by you. Have safe flights and enjoy!
Crystal Paine says
It was SO great to meet you!
Denise says
I love your personal posts too!
And you are so right about the KC airport. It may be small and less crowded but that doesn’t help much if you have to take multiple flights to get to your destination! Hope you have a great time in DC!
Sarah @ The Teacher's Wife says
It’s so exciting to know you are living closer to “my neck of the woods” (in Richmond, VA). I know some folks who are there in DC for the weekend for the conference. I have to say though that I’m still so curious about some of the opportunities that prompted your move although I know it’s none of my business. 🙂 Anyway, I’m glad you are settling in well and enjoying so much support!! I hope your talks go great this weekend! 🙂
Michelle says
I agree with the personal post comments! 🙂
And out of curioisity and could be a future personal post 🙂 – did Jesse give up his law practice in Kansas and starting up in Tennessee? What’s he doing now?
Crystal Paine says
Jesse is in the process of closing up the law firm in KS and getting licensed in TN. He’s excited about what the future holds for him here in TN!
Elizabeth says
Nashville Airport is real nice. My husband & I don’t fly much but our children are extremely well traveled and you’ll get used to the Nashville Airport pretty quickly if you use it a lot like we do.
Lana says
‘ and fingerprints from little people I cherish.’ I love it when I find and entire sticky hand print on one of our many French doors after our grandchildren leave. Sometimes I clean around them and leave them there for weeks. They just make me happy. 🙂 I too am loving these personal posts you are doing.
Kim M says
I know just what you mean. When my son was about18 months or so, he took a bath in a go-gurt, then must’ve been trying to paint with it. We have an enclosed front porch with many little windows. On the lowest window, right near the door, there was a perfect little yogurt-handprint. We left it there for 6 months, it was too precious. It got cleaned away by accident, and I was heartbroken, but I to this day, I love seeing little handprints 🙂
Erin @ My Mommy World says
Hey, you’ll be in my neck of the woods! Wish I could meet up with you 🙂 We’re supposed to get some crazy rain today, so stay dry and enjoy your stay!
Jen says
I’ve been a money saving Mom reader for about 8 years but honestly the last few years I haven’t read it all because you were moving away from the personal posts that attracted me and it seemed (to me anyway) to be moving in more of a business direction which didn’t appeal to me. I’m happy to see that you are moving back to more personal posts. I love reading about little glimpses of your everyday life. For me it’s kind of a getaway from the busy everyday hustle and bustle of being a mom and also encourages me to know someone else is out there just doing the best we can with the cards we’re dealt.
Chris says
I agree with this post, and could have written it also. Long time reader here, and so glad you realized your personal writings are what can influence people for good. What you have is a gift and I am so happy you are back.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for your kind words, Chris!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for your sweet encouragement! Honestly, I’ve been blown away by how well-received these “daily life” posts have been. I’m truly enjoying writing them — and so appreciate everyone who has expressed that they are enjoying them. Thank you, all!
Holi says
Me too! I love seeing how big the children are. I am always amazed when I hear how old they are. Plus the cooking, menus, daily life, etc I have missed that too. Now I can’t wait to hear about the “new” state & adventures there. I also agree with the note of encouragement. I always feel better/more positive, after reading your more personal posts. 🙂
Davonne Parks says
I’m in DC this weekend too! My family is here for another family member’s wedding so unfortunately we won’t be able to attend the conference but I hope you have a lovely time!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much! And have a great time at the wedding!
Catherine says
I’m so sorry you have yucky weather for your trip 🙁 it’s not always pouring in dc. Hopefully the sun comes out while you are here. Best of luck downtown! Are you hosting any reader meet ups while you are in town?
Crystal Paine says
Since I’m speaking today and tomorrow and then flying back out tomorrow, there wasn’t time for a reader meet-up — but that would be so fun, wouldn’t it?!