It’s been a full few weeks! Here’s a peek at the behind-the-scenes goings on at the Paine household…
Our kids were over the moon excited that they got to meet Phil Vischer from VeggieTales and What’s In The Bible? at the God’s Awesome Word event here in Nashville.
Honestly, I have never seen our kids so stoked about getting to meet someone!! It made me realize anew how grateful we are for how this man has impacted our children and taught them so much about God and His Word through the What’s in the Bible DVD’s!
My baby boy is getting all grown up! He’s loving soccer — especially his Saturday morning games. I’m so proud of his determination, focus, and team spirit!
We spent part of one afternoon weeding/cleaning out the front flower bed as a family. This has been on the to-do list ever since we moved here in May (I’m a little ashamed to admit that!).
We finally all decided to jump in and tackle what had seemed like a BIG project that we’d been putting off for months. Guess what? With all of us working together, it took less than 30 minutes!
This was a great reminder that sometimes a seemingly big project won’t be nearly as time-consuming as you think. So stop procrastinating and just do it!
I made my first ever sourdough bread starter that I got for just a few dollars as part of the Ultimate Homemaking Bundle sale. Move over, Ma Ingalls!
I was excited that it actually worked like it was supposed to, but was very disappointed in the taste of the sourdough bread. I learned so much about how to make a starter and keep it alive, but I think I’m going to try a different starter recipe and see if we like it any better.
I was SO thrilled to discover that Dollar Tree here in TN has my family’s favorite sandwich bread for just $1 per loaf here in TN just like they did in Kansas! Our freezer is now well-stocked for the next few weeks! It’s often the little things that can make a new city feel like home.
Huge highlight of the past few weeks: My good friend Ginger who blogs at Just One of the Boys got to come visit!
We laughed, drank coffee, window-shopped in downtown Franklin, talked blogging and books, shared our hearts, and stayed up way too late… And it was such a blast! Our whole family was sad to see her leave!
Friendships like this — where you can just be completely yourself and someone can just come and make themselves feel right at home — are such a gift!
When we made our first sourdough bread from our sourdough starter, Silas made his own little loaf with chocolate chips (his idea). I have trained him well: pretty much everything is always better with chocolate! 🙂
Ever have moments when you’re just so proud of a friend you want to burst? That was me at the book launch party for Angie Smith and Breezy Brookshire’s new book, For Such a Time as This. I love these women so much and was honored to get to celebrate their hard work tonight.
Also? I can’t wait to read through this book with our kids! It’s beautifully done and the pages contain deep truths and messages that are written at the level that a young child can grasp. Watch the trailer for this book here.
Getting to spend time with this group of women one evening last week was an honor. Each of them have inspired me and blessed me through their writings and lives. And it was worth driving for an hour in very crazy Nashville traffic to make it there. 🙂
After a long, exhausting day as a parent at the end of last week, this little gal brightened it up so much by surprising me with this freshly made cup of coffee with whipped cream and a special straw… Just because she wanted to bless me.
For me, it was much more than a cup of coffee: it was a reminder that God sees me in my feeble attempts to parent these children He’s given us, that He loves me, and that He’s at work behind-the-scenes even when I don’t see it on the surface.
I’m not a crafter at all, but these dear gals let me join them for a fun afternoon making Christmas crafts. It was a blast and it was great to step out and learn some new skills… Like the basics of using a glue gun (I told you I wasn’t a crafter!!)
Lots of Personal Processing Going On
The past month I’ve been hit hard with processing our move. That’s been good and needed, but also hard. I think that there was so much going on for the first few months and I was so focused on helping my family settle, that I didn’t have time to process things myself.
So it finally hit — a few months after the fact! I’ve cried multiple times per week (which is very out of character for me!), I’ve struggled through doubts and “what ifs”, and there have been some rough patches for me these past few weeks as I’ve continued to figure out how to navigate the new waters of this completely new lifestyle we’ve embraced as a family, new friends, new community, new situations, and so much unfamiliar territory.
I’m grateful for the people God has placed into my life who have let me be completely honest as I’ve processed. Who have listened, prayed, cared, and loved on me. Every day, I’m learning more and more what it means to be a friend and how important it is to take the time to cultivate these relationships in our lives.
So that’s a little recap on our lives from the past few weeks. Life has been full and I feel like I’ve been doing a lot of personal processing, but I also have this deep inner sense of peace and joy and gratitude. There are so many blessings in the midst of the everyday and I want to take time to notice them and be grateful for them!
How has life been at your house? Anything new, exciting, or difficult going on?
Valerie says
Can you do a post on how to make those wreaths?
Crystal Paine says
You can find the instructions we used to make them here: http://decorchick.com/christmas-ornament-wreath/
Lydia says
It’s hard adjusting to a new community, new people especially when you have no family around. Praying for you this afternoon that you will continue to be able to process, acknowledge the losses and sadness and yet also fully embrace the joy and this new season of more opportunities! I’m so glad you are still able to feel peace in the midst of this.
And I love the wreath that you ladies made. As a fellow non-crafty person I can understand the accomplishment you must have felt! 🙂
Kimber says
What’s new in my home? I am writing now! And Crystal, you are one of my biggest inspirations – thank you! After a difficult few years full of pain and health troubles, I have decided to focus on what makes me feel better – serving, and encouraging others to serve – and I now have a website. I’m sharing service challenges week, and it has been SO great for me to remember to make service the center of my life. Thank you, Crystal, for years of inspiration and for always encouraging your readers to make the most of life, break out of their comfort zone, and escape survival mode! 🙂
Andrea says
LIfe has been extremely difficult the last few years. My 12 yr old has bipolar and OCD. While my husband knows the difficulties he travels 90% of the time. This summer God allowed him to not travel and the reality that we needed to send my daughter to a residential center was evidient. She has been there about a month and is getting help learning some new cooping skills and the doctors are trying to find the right medication. My other 2 kids are missing her which surprised me because she is very aggressive towards them. Also last week I had a stroke and this week I have been having lots of chest pains. Sometimes I wonder what else is going to happen but whatever does come our way I am feeling so peaceful. I know that God is incontrol and I am not really stressing (this is very different than about 3 monts ago–God has really taken me and love me and cause me to remember). The funny thing that happened last week was when I was in the hospital they asked me if I was dealing with anything stressful–I said no and then I started laughing. It is so amazing how God gives believers such peace–I truly don’t know what I would do without him.
Kimber says
I admire your faith, Andrea, and I’ll be praying for you and for your family!
ClareC. says
Crystal,
In the early part of the summer, I commented on a blog about moving that we were going to make a crazy, fast 5 week move to the other end of our state to chase a dream and head where we thought God was leading us. You gave me a very encouraging reply that helped me through that rushed and busy time of our lives. We’ve been relocated here for about 7 weeks now and just found out yesterday that our dream jobs had come crashing down all around us and we’re going to have to move again. It’s been a miserable couple of days for my husband, myself, and our kids. So hard to see the light at the other end of the tunnel, even though I know it must be there…
Crystal Paine says
I am so very, very sorry! I just prayed for you — for peace, for direction, for provision, and for hope in the middle of great disappointment. My heart hurts for you!
Kara M says
I always love reading your recap of life and how honest you are! Besides all the regular back to school craziness in our lives right now…we have been SO excited and blessed to see years of prayers answered before our eyes. Our 14 year old daughter (who was diagnosed with Asperger’s 3 years ago) made the high school tennis team and has been welcomed with open arms especially by the senior girls on the team. She had not won any matches in several years (we live in a hotbed tennis area) and in the last month has won more matches (both singles and doubles) than you can keep track of. Just typing this I have tear running down my face. It has been an incredible month….years of prayer requests answered.
Crystal Paine says
That. Is. AMAZING!!!! I’m so proud of her and excited for you all!
Stacy says
I love these updates, Crystal.
Thanks so much for sharing with us.
It’s amazing what a process moving can be! Even when you move to a wonderful place, there’s still difficulties to work through.
Thanks again for sharing your life with us. It’s fun to see all the neat things you are doing.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement!
Lori says
I know how you feel. Our family moved over 1000 miles from family, friends, my son’s high school and the life we knew for so long to what seemed like the lonest place on earth for me for quiet sometime. I too have cried and cried and morned the life we left behind in Tennessee. I’m a little better now than i was a year ago but still have a long way to go. Still haven’t made any friends, just a few moms from my son’s football team. Still gotta keep moving forward.
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!} I am so, so sorry it’s been so rough for you. 🙁 I just prayed for some encouragement for you today.
Carla says
Keep in mind that sourdough starter becomes much stronger in potency and flavor the longer it is alive. Don’t dump it yet! Even if you only feed it every week and don’t make any bread with it, within a month or two, you might be surprised by the change in flavor.
Another idea – I don’t know how you made your bread, but I have found that I needed to set the starter to sponge (1/2 the starter mixed with 1 cup flour and 1 cup warm water) for 24 hours (in warm weather) before making up the dough. Especially early on (with much less potency), the sourdough needed that extra time to add the right flavor.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for these sourdough tips. I’ve been learning so much and feel like this sourdough thing is a whole new territory. It’s been fun to “stretch” myself a little in the kitchen, though!
kim t. says
I agree with the more time to develop flavor….I.e. let pancake/waffle batter out overnight, let bread rise in the fridge at least overnight…It’s amazing how the flavor can change from loaf to loaf/recipe with little changes. Keep trying! yummm! also, look at the books by Peter Reinhart…
Brittany says
I always love reading these kind of posts and hearing the heart behind the face of moneysavingmom. You are such a blessing and encouragement!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your sweet encouragement!
Guest says
From someone looking in, it seems to me that this move has absolutely been ordained by God. The opportunities, the welcoming neighbors, the friends, finding the great house – those are all gifts from God and seem to say you’re where you need to be! Honestly? I’ve found myself being jealous of how quickly you all have settled in and made friends. We moved a little over four years ago and I think you have more local friends than I do! 😀 It took me a REALLY long time to settle in here and I feel like I’m still working on it. Anyway, not that I know God’s view on your move, but it SEEMS like He has ordained it and continues to bless it so you can rest in peace knowing that and tell those what-ifs to get on out of town. 😉
Crystal Paine says
Yes, we definitely do feel like we’re right where we’re supposed to be. I loved your encouragement to tell those “what ifs” to get out of town. 😉
Guest says
I can’t take credit. Our daughter’s first grade teacher (Christian school) asked the kids what Eve should have said when she was tempted in the Garden of Eden. The teacher apparently said Eve should have told that snake to “get on out of town!” complete with a sassy little snap. It has become our go-to response for dealing with bad dreams, bad thoughts, etc. 😉
Crystal Paine says
I love this. 🙂
Stephanie says
We moved from OK to KS at the end of May. And the decision to move wasn’t forced as in a job transfer, but rather a preference to be near my husband’s family. It was tough to make the decision and I still question it sometimes now. Trading the familiar for the unfamiliar is hard! New hair stylist, new dentist and doctors, new church (haven’t committed to one yet), new everything! I’ve made one new friend, but am in search for more. I get sad at times longing for the people in OK but I know it just takes time to adjust. It simply must get better!
Crystal Paine says
Here’s to hoping for more friends and more settling in very soon for you. {Hugs!}
amanda says
Thank you for including the coffee that your daughter made you. My son helped me load the dishwasher yesterday morning without being asked and then asked for snuggles on the couch. Pretty unusual for my big grown up 7 yr old. So thankful that my feeble attempts at mothering do pay off sometimes!
Crystal Paine says
That’s so sweet to hear about your son! You’re doing a great job as a mom!
Laurie @PassionatePennyPincher.com says
Crystal – thanks so much for sharing that you’ve felt some growing pains in your move too! After moving to Ohio in May, it has been HARD (*lots* of teary days), and like you, I’m not one to usually be all that weepy.
Anyways, as I’ve read your posts through the last months I’ve felt like I was doing something wrong because our move wasn’t as easy for me, so I appreciate so much your transparency here. Finding new friends, ALWAYS being lost when driving somewhere (that’s getting better – thank goodness!), and helping kids navigate a new community, schools and church has been beyond overwhelming for our family. Thanks for sharing that you’ve had your tough moments too – I know God has good plans but sometimes it’s hard to remember that in the midst of them!
Crystal Paine says
I’m SO sorry it’s been so hard for you. {hugs!}
Just please give yourself a lot of grace and don’t compare your situation to ours. We went into this with a great community of friends already, so that has made a MAJOR difference for us. There have been a lot of new things to navigate, as with any big move, but it’s been made so much easier because of having those established relationships from the get-go.
Laurie @PassionatePennyPincher.com says
That’s a great reminder Crystal – it’s so easy to compare so I appreciate that! It’s definitely getting easier, but goodness, moving is HARD (I’d forgotten just how difficult!)
Thank you for your encouragement!
Sonja says
Thank you for your transparency! Bless you! Change is hard; but we learn to trust God more, as you know! 🙂 Your sweet daughter making you coffee is so awesome! Wonderful reminder that God sees…and cares!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for your sweet words and kind encouragement!
Petra says
Good morning ladies! Life has been doing well at my home. Every Monday, all my girls have home work & it’s a bit challenging to help all 3 at the same time. I usually come to work early & work through lunch just to be home for my girls to help them with their home work & to try to cook dinner for my husband & us. Then on top of that, I clean it. It’s gathering time up here in Alaska. So I went out over the weekend to pick cranberries. I will be praying for ALL of you women in here.
Crystal Paine says
Sounds like it’s busy at your house! But I love how you’re restructuring your schedule to be there for your girls!
Amanda@CrunchyHippieLife says
Thank you for your honesty and transparency! And it seems like you had such a fun week!
As for our house, we just celebrated our 9 month wedding anniversary and are starting to prepare more for our baby coming in just 3 months – people are being so generous and blessing us with clothes, toys, a carseat, and even a huge stash of cloth diapers! My husband got his first paycheck from his new job and we were able to increase our grocery budget from $35 to $55 – we even had enough left over to stock up on eggs when our local store had a sale! My husband is 21 and a total gym rat, so the increased amount of food is definitely appreciated (I’m sure you remember those days!). We are blessed and thankful this week. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Woot! Woot! So many exciting things happening at your house!
Jessica @ The Mom Creative says
Love that we got to spend so much time together this week! xoxo
Crystal Paine says
Me, too! So very blessed to know you!
annie says
Years ago we had the opportunity to meet Bob and Larry characters at our local Christian bookstore. It’s been maybe 15 years ago and the girls still talk about it and the influence Veggie Tales has had on their lives.
Thank you too for the link to making the wreath. I remember last year’s clearance section containing several large packages of ornaments.
Crystal Paine says
We used a bunch of ornaments that Jessica from The Mom Creative (who planned and hosted the party) had gotten at crazy after-Christmas sales last year!
Amy says
It’s a little hard to even type but I have learned lately that there is some type of time trigger that happens a few months after a loss/big event that makes you start processing it all. I had 2 major losses back in late spring that I thought I was dealing with in a healthy way. Then all the sudden major anxiety/panic started happening 3 months later. I started seeing a counselor who said this the processing of a loss/big change starts several months later. While it hasn’t made the process any easier just hearing it was normal helped some.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for sharing this. And I am so very sorry for your loss! {Hugs!}
Lisa says
Crystal
This summer I made a move–not geographical, but a move from working very hard at a full time career. I hope you will read about it here:
http://www.atimeforhome.com/whyiquitmyjob/
It turns out the decision to slow down and actually making the change was the easy part. It has been a struggle for me to find my place and I am still processing my new life. I have prayed and continue to try to be obedient to God. I know there is purpose in this season of life and he has a purpose for my future. This is a very precious time and I don’t want to waste it by worrying about my career or what work I will do in the future.
I have been blessed by being allowed to do some work from home and I am pursuing other similar opportunities. However, I also know I need to embrace this time.
I have read your blog from almost the beginning and I am always inspired. Thank you so much for all you do.
Lisa
Amy says
Hi Lisa,
I left my career to stay home (at least most of the time) with my kids 8 years ago. I completely understand where you are with trying to find your place. I don’t know that I have really found my yet.
I have worked part-time for most of the 8 years that I have been home. I still look at full-time jobs (and interviewed for one last week), but know in my heart that it’s not what God wants for our family right now.
I do feel like I am better when I work 2 days a week (or so – I don’t always contain my time at work very well), but it’s hard to find challenging opportunities at that level of commitment.
Praying that you will find your contentment and not over-commit yourself to volunteer opportunities just filling the space. I did too much of that myself.
Amy
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for sharing your blog post. I was blessed by reading it.
And I just prayed for peace, wisdom, and encouragement for you as you walk through this new season.
Victoria says
I wish there was a hug button so I could just send a hug. Moving is so hard, and you are right, moms are so busy at first making everyone else feel settled it isn’t until things slow down a bit that it does hit us. Hang in there. HUGS
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much, friend!
Emily says
I am getting ready to move to Knoxville, TN this week from a state several hundred miles away and I am pretty nervous! I don’t know anyone there so it will be building a whole new life!! Your move and making new friends quickly has been encouraging to me that hopefully I will be able to settle in as well.
Missy Robinson says
I’m in Knoxville – I hope you love it here! Feel free to say hello when you arrive? Are you coming for family? For work? What brings you?
Emily says
Moving for my husbands job! Looking forward to lovely weather too though!
Crystal Paine says
I hope you’re able to get plugged in quickly, too. It makes such a big difference!
Megan says
I grew up in Knoxville, and I live outside of Nashville now. My entire family still lives in Knoxville. It’s still home to me! You will love it—people are friendly, football is awesome, and no place is better than the Smoky Mountains in the fall! Blessings to you as you move!
Christa says
I have been blessed by your blog for many years now, thank you. We to have made a big move this summer. Moving from WV to PA was harder then I thought on our family of 6. As you said, at first I was just focusing on getting settled and then it just hit me. Finding myself missing WV, my neighborhood, schools, church, and my grocery store, where you know where everything is! The feeling of “starting over” was a bit overwhelming at times, “did we make the right choice.” But, I’m grateful for this new journey that God has placed us on. And excited to see His plan for us unfold.
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!} Thanks so much for taking time to comment. I hope the transition continues to grow smoother for you!
Jesenia says
I remember meeting Phil Vischer and you at Allume a couple of years ago! One of my trip’s highlights. 🙂
God-willing we plan on moving to another state once our oldest goes to college. I’m also anxious, but excited for the move. Glad you have found the support system and prayers needed during the transition process.
Crystal Paine says
Aw, you are so sweet! Such great memories from that time at Allume!
Crystal says
Try these with your sourdough they are the BEST very addicting and quick to make. http://chocolateandzucchini.com/recipes/bread-brioche/sourdough-crumpets-with-natural-starter-recipe/
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing!
Brenna says
My husband has a sour dough starter that he has been feeding & kept alive for several years. The first few loafs of bread that we made (in our Dutch oven) were really good. However they just didn’t have a sour dough flavor. So after researching the issue we found that a lot of people use citric acid to achieve the desired flavor. We found ours on Amazon for around $6. We have yet to try it. Hope it works!!!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing!
Laurie says
Crystal: I have read your blog for so a long time and have been so blessed to be a part of your journey. Change is so hard and moving that far away from family to pursue business goals must be very difficult. You work very hard and have had your ups and downs,but look at you now. I am not driven like you are so at times I read about your life and think gosh I can barely keep my head above water. The main thing I struggle with is not having close friends like you and so many other bloggers have through your blogging community. The people you have been able to meet has been amazing. I wish I had friends like that. I am a hard working single mom by choice. I am raising 2 daughters and I love being a mom. That being said I really do not have any close friends that I can do anything with. We do belong to a nice small church and I know a lot of people,but not personally. At this season in my life I am not able to volunteer that much and get really involved. Maybe as my kids get older. So any suggestions on how to meet some other moms? Have you ever thought of asking other bloggers about doing some single mom posts etc? I would love to connect with them.
Lana says
I am not a single Mom so I will not tell you that I can relate but a church that we used to go to had a single Mom’s group and they had a potluck dinner after church once a month. I heard that is was a huge blessing for those Moms. Maybe something like this could be started at your church or even in conjunction with another small church in your area. Hugs to you. Praying for you now.
Missy Robinson says
Hi, Laurie! I just wanted to say that I completely understand. I’m married now, but had lots of single mom years and had to admit that it was tough! Keep being a great mama, don’t limit your friendships to other single moms (remember we have more in common that different) and also be intentional about taking care of you! That looks different for each of us.
It’s alright that there are seasons where we can barely keep our head above water – they won’t last forever. Those children get more independent, you will connect with someone, who knows.
Thanks for reaching out!
Crystal Paine says
{Hugs!} I started to write a comment in response and then it got so long that I’m going to turn it into a post. Look for it tonight or tomorrow. 🙂
BethC. says
Also have been there and also sending hugs-maybe do a small bit of volunteering by attending PTO meetings or some type of volunteer activity that you can do with your kids where other adults and kids participate? I was a single mom without family in my local area-but even though I worked really long hours and poured all of my heart and soul into my kids, I still went to monthly PTO meetings and volunteered for one-time events (not the Girl Scout cookie mom, though :). I made friends over time that way. I eventually moved, remarried and had to start all over in a new community. I loved my husband and our new home, but cried a lot because I did not think I would be able to make new friends. Slowly, I started making connections-it can take a while. I joined a book club (also not a huge time commitment) and reached out to a couple of other PTO moms to see if they would like to join, too. Just keep at it-and remember that many people are shy even if it does not look that way. You’d be surprised how many people will be glad that you reached out.