Welcome to my weekly post where we take a break from money-related posts and I share about what I’m loving right now and give you a little peek into our life from the past week.
I added a few fall decorations to our mantle this week — thanks to the Target Dollar Spot. I just LOVE fall, even if it’s still so hot in TN!
I told you last week that we completed our second Tough Mudder. They released the professional photos this week, and I just had to share a few of my favorites.
This was our first obstacle. Can you spot me? (I’m in the orange in the left corner!)
The very last obstacle of the event — I had already earned my 2x-er headband (see my hand!) but had to go through the Electo-Shock to get to the finish line. And yes, I did get shocked — on my neck. Yikes! It almost knocked me over!
We continue to adore Quill. He has seemed to adjust so well to our family and we all love him!
Tip: want to get your kids to help with laundry? Tell them that they can watch their favorite show as long as they fold laundry at the same time!
We don’t do much screen time at our house, so this is a win-win. A win for the kids because they get screen time. A win for mom because the laundry gets done!
Not too long ago, I made the conscious decision to stop using the word “busy” to describe my life.
It might seem inconsequential, but I realized that when I would say, “I’m so busy!” Or, “It’s such a busy week!” That I was in essence claiming that I am a victim of my calendar and commitments.
Like I didn’t have a choice in the matter. That all this busyness just “happened” to me.
In reality, I have choice in the matter. I can’t change everything about my life, but there are MANY areas where I can choose — and it’s important to remember that.
I can choose to live life at a go-go-go pace. Or I can choose to slow down and keep it simple. It doesn’t just happen to me.
My decisions (to say yes to that opportunity or to accept that responsibility or to take on that commitment or to sign my child up for this or that) have consequences — both good and bad.
For me, this simple shift in mindset in how I view my day (i.e. opportunities versus obligations) and messaging in how I refer to my day (i.e. no longer feeling like I’m a victim of busyness), has given me so much freedom to make better decisions and to enjoy life more.
Sometimes, simple changes make a world of difference. (Want some encouragement and inspiration to slow down, simplify, and savor life more? Sign up for my free class on 3 Ways to Stop Feeling So Overwhelmed.)
By the way, I’ve found that I thrive with a healthy mix of go-go and then stop. I like doing and producing so long as it’s balanced with plenty of being and resting!
This year, I’ve struggled as a parent more than I ever have. My neat little boxes of how I thought I should parent have been blown to bits by some unexpected circumstances.
Someday — when the time is right — I’ll share the journey with you all. For now, I’ll just say that I’m learning to parent all over again in a brand-new way.
I’m learning to step back and stop trying to micromanage my kids’ lives.
To stop trying to stuff them into the little mold I had created for them and instead to embrace exactly who God has made them to be.
To stop being frustrated when it feels that they aren’t right where I think they should be/making the perfect decisions I think they should be making/responding or acting exactly as I think they should be.
To instead step into their world, be interested in what they are interested in, care about what they care about, and to love them right where they are at.
As I’ve done this, I’ve gotten to not only know my kids in brand-new ways, but I’m closer with each of them than I’ve ever been.
And I’m grateful. Grateful for the beautiful, humbling privilege of getting to be their mom. Grateful for a God who uses unexpected circumstances to wake me up and shake me out of my unhealthy parenting ruts. He’s a good, good Father.
Links You Should Check Out:
- Thinking of starting a blog and need some help coming up with a great blog name? I wrote about 7 questions you should always ask before picking a blog name.
- Struggling to stay focused and productive? Sign up for Michael Hyatt’s new webinar called The 7 Deadly Sins of Productivity where he’ll teach you what is undermining your productivity and how to change it! Register for free here.
- The Healthy Living Bundle Sale is back again with all-new products and resources! This time around it’s a HUGE bundle (over $3700 worth!) and it’s just one tiny price: $29.97! Go grab it here while it’s available.
- I absolutely LOVED this quote on rest that I read from The Rest of God this past week.
- Our incredibly popular Choose Raglan shirts are on sale this week — just in time for fall! You can get them for just $16.95 shipped for the next few days!
- Did you see this yummy recipe for Individual Chicken Pot Pies from my sister? Yum!
Lauren says
Are there any resources that have challenged or encouraged you as you are learning to parent in a new way? My kids are younger than yours but I feel like I am in the exact same boat. Thanks for sharing.
Stacey says
As a mom, I have been struggling the last two years with my own parenting style with my 11 and 12 year old as they are becoming more of their own individual. One thing that has helped me is to pray and let those small things go. I ask myself is God going to talk to me about that when I get to heaven or he is going to say you taught them about me and loved them. Just a few tidbits from a mom that’s learning as well along the way.
Krystal @ Simple Finance Mom says
Two thoughts. 1-We do the same with folding laundry. It is one of the only times during the week my girls get to watch some TV. We call it our “folding party.” haha 2- I so needed that perspective on “busy.” I can’t even tell you how many times I respond to “How are you?” with that same answer. “Busy, busy, busy.” Thank you for encouraging to look at things in a different way.
Rachel says
Crystal, I really appreciate the way you share about your family. You’re honest about the struggles as well as the good things, while still respecting your kids’ privacy. That’s hard to do, and I think you do a really good job.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind words of encouragement!
Lynn Oyama says
Thanks for the great look into your week. I loved the exercise challenge you did! We have been following you for years. We are now blogging at fulltimefulllife.com thanks in part to your inspiration!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thank you so much for your kind encouragement — and for being such a longtime follower!
Peta says
Thanks for sharing! I always enjoy reading these posts and find what you have to say very encouraging. Wishing you all the best!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much!
Carrie Bennett says
Love the muddy pictures and the adorable hedgehog! Thanks for the challenge. My life is busy seems like my motto and to to words when someone asks me how I’m doing, so thanks for challenging my thinking to remember to look at it as opportunities, and gifts from God.
Crystal Paine says
You’re so welcome! I’m glad it encouraged you!
LEANNE says
such good thoughts on parenting…. I feel like if they aren’t right where I think they should be, their whole eternal future is at stake… but in all honesty, that makes ME their savior…. and NOT HIM– THE SAVIOR…. and I know I am pretty much NEVER where I should be…and He not only saved me, but lavishes His love on me anyway… thank you for reminding me of that…
Crystal Paine says
YES! Such good thoughts! Thank you for sharing!
Terry says
What are you reading these days, Crystal?
Crystal Paine says
I haven’t finished any books for a few weeks, believe it or not, which is why I’ve not shared about books for the past few weeks. I’ve started a few and decided not to finish them when I was halfway through. ?
I should finish at least 1-2 books this week, though, so look for a book update next week on my Sunday post!