1. Guilt-Free Friendships
I love this girl something fierce! She rearranged a lot of things in her schedule to make breakfast with me work while I was in Indy. And then she spent the whole time pouring and pouring and pouring into me.
She has so much going on in her life right now and she’s speaking at TWO conferences this weekend, but she made time to love and listen well. She is such a beautiful picture of what authentic relationships look like.
At one time during the conversation, I apologized for not being a better long-distance friend. She looked at me sincerely and said, “I believe in guilt-free friendships.” She doesn’t just say those words; she lives them out 100%. Love you, Lisa-Jo!
2. Makeup
So, since I’ve been sharing more videos recently, a bunch of you asked if I could please, please, PLEASE do a hair and makeup tutorial. I feel like the last person who should be giving tips on this, but because I’m all about helping a girl out, I stepped out of my comfort zone and shot a video on it.
It’s super real-life and will probably make you smile… or at least just feel less alone. You can watch it here.
I’ve been loving experimenting with different kinds and types of makeup looks thanks to YouTube tutorials and Amazon credit from Swagbucks.
3. Two Big To-Do’s Crossed Off My List!
This week, not only did I get a brand-new TN driver’s license, but I also finally applied for TSA Pre-Check.
Both items have been on my to-do list for way too long and I waited until kind of the last minute to get them done. My license is expiring really soon and we’ll be in South Africa when it expires so this week was one of the last chances I had to get it done — especially since I knew it would likely take half a day at the DMV to get it done (and yup, it was 5 hours total from the time I checked in online to the time I actually made it out the door with my new license!)
We applied for the TSA Pre-Check awhile back but then had to go have the sit-down meeting at the airport office during the window of time that our application was valid. We tried multiple times to make it to the airport with enough time before flights to actually go to the TSA office, too, and it just wasn’t working out every single time.
It feels so, so good to have gotten these things done — especially since the TSA Pre-Check will likely save me at least an hour or two (or more!) of waiting in airport lines every single month.
4. My Little Scrambled Egg Maker
“How many scrambled eggs would you like today?” he’s asked me multiple times the past few weeks. And then 20 minutes later, he delivers this to me in my office or at the kitchen table or wherever else I am (if I’m not in the kitchen with him overseeing, someone else is as he’s still too young to use the stove all by himself.)
This boy loves to serve his mama and it never ceases to melt my heart. (Also, moms of littles: let this picture encourage you. All those hard days and all that hard work is going to pay off!)
5. This Intensely Focused Child
See that intense look on her face? That’s how she approaches most of life.
I love her old soul and the fact that she constantly analyzes life and belief systems and philosophies and won’t take “just because” for an answer. Though there are days when, as her parent, it would certainly save me a whole lot of time if she just accepted things at face value instead of needing to dig deep and try to understand why!!
I love how she’s so perceptive and intuitive and can look past what some would consider “rough edges” and see so much value and worth in people.
She came with me to Indy this week and was not only such a great traveling companion, but also such a big help to me. She loved getting to meet some of you and told me that one of her favorite parts of the conference was, “getting to talk to all the adults!”
What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments.
Denise@Life With the Lid Up says
Highlight of my week….and one of my life…two of my sons were baptized on Sunday.
ElizabethClare says
Such a wonderful gift to have beautiful and loving friends! God has really blessed us by surrounding us with supportive friends in the last few years. Nothing better!
Leah says
That’s great that you got time with your friend (and wouldn’t it be great if more relationships were guilt-free!). I also got to touch base with an old friend while traveling over the weekend.
This week I am loving the fact that we survived our first car trip with our 13-month old (MD to NC). I have hope for the future!
Oh, and now I have something to add to my to-do list…TSA Pre-check. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
So glad you got to spend time with your friend this weekend!
Jamie says
Hooray for guilt-free friendships! And my 5 year old son has been into making eggs lately, too. Sweet boys.
I’m loving the sunrises, the chill in the air, the whole Saturday our family spent together, learning more details about the Bible from a class, and a “new” journal I found on my bookshelf.
Crystal Paine says
Aren’t little boys the sweetest??
[email protected] says
I am loving my book that I am reading this week, The Nightingale. It is such amazing story of courage and triumph. I don’t have any big to-do’s this week, but I do have a small to-do that I have put off for way too long. I hope to finally motivate myself to do it this week.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for that book recommendation!
Kim says
The TSA pre-check will be awesome and such a time saver! We had a it for a flight a few months back and didn’t even realize it.
Courtney says
Hi Crystal!
I have been following you for a few months now and I just want to thank you for all the incredible inspiration and advice. I was wondering if you have any advice on utilizing Swagbucks. I have been on there for a few months and really like it but feel its pretty slow moving. You seem to have lots of success with it so any tips you can share would be greatly appreciated!!
Thanks!
Crystal Paine says
If you go here, there are some links to some helpful posts on how to earn more Swagbucks: https://moneysavingmom.com/money-saving-mom-search-results?cx=007411191005105397513%3Aunk5vrqj0se&cof=FORID%3A11&ie=UTF-8&q=swagbucks
Jamie @ Medium Sized Family says
That’s an amazing friend you have there! This weekend I am loving the sense of accomplishment from getting a project finished, family time, yard sales 😉 , beautiful weather, and long walks.
Lisa Appelo @Trueandfaithful.net says
Totally love a guilt-free friend! What a gift to be able to do life together with no strings attached.
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
You’ve reminded me that I have a couple of “big to-dos” that have been on my list for a long time. I’ll try to make an appointment with my specialist and add some podcasts to my device to listen to while running. Somehow those to-dos weigh down on me–getting them crossed off will be a big relief!
Also, I recently discovered the beauty of small DMVs. We live closest to a very big DMV with super long wait times. A friend told me to check out a DMV a couple of counties over. It was a 20 minute drive, but had absolutely zero wait time! I was in and out in 10 minutes, which I am sure is some kind of record. Totally worth the drive. Maybe you have a smaller DMV in a neighboring county that you could try next time. Have a good week!
Crystal Paine says
Thanks SO much for the tip about the small DMVs. I totally should have checked on that before going to the main DMV!
A friend told me that there’s a smaller one that’s 30 minutes away that you always get right in and get right out of. I’ll know better next time!
Erin @ My Mommy World says
What a sweet little boy…making eggs for his mom! My daughter has just learned to make scrambled eggs and she thinks it’s the greatest thing ever…she is so proud of herself when she makes breakfast for the whole family 🙂
So glad for you to have gotten the driver’s license thing out of the way…5 hours seems like a long time to have to wait for it. Although, it would be a good way to pass some time with a book…and without distractions from little ones 😉
Crystal Paine says
So fun to hear you have a scrambled egg maker at your house, too!
Victoria says
I too leave renewing my license to the last minute…always. Usually when I go it requires two drives back home for more paper work and that is after reading what they needed from me first and thinking I had it all.
5 Things I am loving this week
1. Getting to spend some time with you this week.
2. Maxi dresses I finally found one I really love…the trend is probably dying and I finally found a style I like. Typical me.
3. Soccer games. My son’s team is playing some great soccer.
4. Apples. A friend gave use two big buckets full so I have been having my one son peel them for us, then either my husband or I make them into something. We have had 2 apple pies, 2 apple crisps,and 2 crock pots full of apple sauce. ..in just over a week and none of it made it to the freezer.
5. Warm days. Besides a little rain Friday and Saturday it has been warm and sunny in Indiana and I am soaking up every ounce of it so I can make it through winter.
Crystal Paine says
It was GREAT to see you! And yay for Maxi Dresses!