1. H-O-M-E
It’s SO good to be H-O-M-E!! After a 10-day trip to Israel and Italy with little sleep, long days, and staying at multiple hotels along the way, I was so excited to arrive back home on Tuesday evening and be able to sleep in my own bed, snuggled next to my husband.
It was SO good to have the opportunity to go on this trip, but it’s also SO good to be HOME with my people. I realized just how much I love our quiet, simple life. This Year of Rest has made me savor life more and savor a slow pace with lots of room to be and breathe. I didn’t get much of that on my trip and oh how I missed it.
2. A Night of Fun
We celebrated my return home with go-kart racing, arcades, and dinner/s’mores at a really fun restaurant.
I’m so thankful for the sacrifices all of my people made to make this trip a possibility. Jesse not only ran the house, homeschooled the kids, and took the kids to all their activities, but he also spent countless hours on the phone listening to me and encouraging me through the highs and lows of the trip.
Our wonderful friend, Brian, who is not only on our team but also one of our dearest friends, took over many of my business responsibilities so I could mostly be unplugged, babysat our kids multiple times so Jesse could get a break, and kept me encouraged and laughing with his text messages throughout each day.
I’m so humbly grateful to get to do life with these people. Also, I may be a speed demon on a go-kart. 😉
3. Presence by Amy Cuddy
I’m quite confident that this book will be in my top 10 books read in 2016 list this year because it is just THAT good.
I hadn’t heard of Amy Cuddy or seen her TED talk before reading this book… I just happened to randomly pick it up because the title intrigued me. And I’m SO glad that I did — because it messed with me in such a profound way.
I shared on this scope how it changed the way that I approached engaging and interacting with people on my Israel/Italy trip and how it made such a difference for me. I’ll probably share a post with more in-depth takeaways in the near future.
4. Remembering Back to the Early Years of Marriage
A friend sent this picture to me this week of when our second daughter was a baby and Jesse sort of looked like he hadn’t even gone through puberty yet. 😉
When I first saw this picture, it took me a few seconds to even realize that was Jesse! He was fresh out of law school, we had just moved to Kansas City for job that only lasted for a short while, finances were tighter than tight, and we were both trying to figure out anything we could do to keep our bills paid and stay out of debt.
This was also right around the time when I started MoneySavingMom.com as a little side project to try to help supplement our income. Little did we know that that little side project would change the trajectory of our lives!
5. Breaking Out of Ruts and Discovering New Things I Love
While I’m SO happy to be home, I’m missing much of what I experienced in Israel — especially the amazing authentic food.
I’ve never been one who is much of a foodie, but after days and days of eating incredible 6-course meals and hot-off-the-brick-oven food and experiencing so many delicious combinations and varieties and colors, I realize that I’ve become more adventuresome when it comes to food.
I may also: have woken up the past few mornings craving croissants and fancy coffee, want to put a brick oven in our backyard, wish I could figure out how to make really authentic hummus, be looking for a recipe for Israeli pitas, want to try new and unique local restaurants, and feel a little bit let down when there’s only one or two courses at a restaurant.
Either I’m more of a foodie than I thought, or I may have just discovered that there’s a whole lot of flavor and richness to be had when you break out of your ruts of always doing and eating the same things!
What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments.
Laura@HeavenlyHomemakers says
It’s been so fun to read about your experiences in Israel, which makes it even better to read about you being home catching up on rest! #fellowintrovert
Crystal says
Peeling chickpeas is the key to smooth hummus. I have been making hummus for years and was always frustrated that it wasn’t as smooth as store bought or restaurant hummus. Peeling the chickpeas, tahini, a good olive oil, a bit of salt and garlic whirled in the food processor or blender and you can easily(and inexpensively!) make some yummy, authentic hummus!
Alaina says
There is a recipe at smittenkitchen.com for hummus that I think tastes authentic. And the key is, sadly, to peel the chickpeas. That’s what makes the huge difference between the grainy texture and the smooth texture. It is annoying, but really is worth it.
Alicia says
I’m so glad you’re back and had a good time!
5 things I’m loving from the past week…
1. That we’re all healthy! We had a flu scare there for a minute last week.
2. I’m finally getting somewhere with my efforts to work from home! I landed my first client last week and couldn’t be more excited about that!
3. Spending some quality time with family this weekend was rest for my soul.
4. My new Cents of Style shirts – I LOVE them!
5. My husband is FINALLY in the final stretches of completing his Bachelor’s degree – this week he has a conference that will account for the remaining credits. With a full time job and 3 children, it’s required A LOT of give. This means that 4 years of HARD work and sacrifice is about to pay off!
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
I love the picture of Jessie and Kaitlynne! My husband and I often go back through old pictures from our dating days or our wedding album and laugh at how young we were. So fun to see how we have grown together over the last ten years.
Jaime says
I love the prospect of you becoming a foodie! So much fun! Good for you for trying new things. My husband travels to Philadelphia quite frequently, and he visits what is arguably the top Israeli restaurant in the country, Zahav. He brought me the chef’s book, complete with signature, after his last trip. There is a lot of information in it about Israeli hummus. Maybe foodie books or TV shows will hit your next list of things you’re loving? Ha!
Theresa L says
I’m loving that I can depend on our Lord and Savior. With my father and my husband’s step-father both receiving very serious diagnoses recently, I don’t know how I could get through without Him.
Loving that Easter is coming! He is risen!
Loving that today is my 18th wedding anniversary! My husband is a gift from God. I love him more now than ever! I can’t wait to see what the next 18 years bring! <3
Crystal Paine says
Yes! I love this!
Kathy says
Vitamix has an excellent hummus recipe that is very close to our local Greek restaurant here in NC. Every Hummus recipe we had tried in stores or that I found online never came close to the taste or texture of the local restaurant until we tried this recipe. The other was their Tzatziki sauce and I finally was able to come close to it after much experimentation.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing! I’ll have to check that out!
Brenda G. says
I am a first time commentator on this website. Crystal, I have read your blog for years now and I can’t thank you enough for it. This week I am loving:
1) Sleeping. I have not read the fringe hours yet but I have it on my kindle and can tell how much better I feel when I sleep.
2) Hearing my daughter play piano- she had her first recital yesterday and I was so amazed by how calm she was. She just went up there and did it.
3) Karl Strauss red trolley ale- I don’t know if they have this in Nashville as its a San Diego based brewery but if they do you must try it.
4) Good friends.
5) A great church, Maranatha Christian, that I have been blessed to call my home church for the past 6 years.
I am so glad you got to go on this trip. Going to Europe makes you realize how young our country is doesn’t it? Anyway welcome home Crystal.
Crystal Paine says
Yes, it really does make you realize how young America is!
Liz says
Oh your #5! Welcome to the foodie side! 🙂 So many different new things to try.
My top 5 favorites:
1. A husband who is there for me when I need him
2. A great homeschool week
3. The word of God
4. A fun Saturday
5. Healthy Children
Crystal Paine says
I love this! Thanks so much for sharing!
Ciara @ Favored Mom says
What an A-M-A-Z-I-N-G trip!! =) And, you totally made me so hungry!! It’s kinda funny that my husband decided to make Greek food right now for dinner.. he must have caught the vibes! 😉
A few things I’m loving this week:
1. I got to “escape” for 2 days this week to work on my 1st e-book and email course. It was a very productive and fulfilling time!
2. I just started Sally Clarkson’s new book about Building a Life Giving Home.
3. We got daylight back with the time change! Yay!
Btw, that is a really great question, because it helps us focus on what’s awesome in life!! =)
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo for time to work on your ebook and ecourse!
Alison @ Tickling the Wheat says
Love your #5! My friend introduced me to hummus in college (before that, I never really broke out of my food comfort zone either), and oh.my.gosh! Hummus has become my ultimate comfort food. I’m fortunate to live in Michigan (not too far from Dearborn, which supposedly has the world’s largest Middle Eastern population outside of the Middle East). Every time I had an exam or was stressed out during my master’s program, I would stop and pick up some hummus! It was nice to sit back and enjoy something from a culture that wasn’t my own, even if I wasn’t that far from my backyard. 😉
I also loved your scope on Presence. Congrats for having the courage to break out of your comfort zone (and talk yourself through your insecurities). Thanks for sharing with us.
Welcome home!
Crystal Paine says
Yay for good and authentic hummus!
Victoria says
Your 5th point made me really hungry!
5 things I am loving.
1. BIG dreams with the whole family.
2. Being able to walk a mile pain free. (foot is finally healing)
3. Spring sunshine.
4. Chocolate! I got a lot of it for my birthday…like a month supply at least.
5. God’s provisions.
Crystal Paine says
I’m excited about your BIG DREAMS!!
Emily says
I’m so proud of you for going on this trip of a lifetime! I have had the opportunity to see quite a bit of the world (for business, mostly) and there is nothing that will open your mind more than traveling!! It is truly the best education. Changes the way you see things.
Crystal Paine says
Yes, so true!
Danielle says
Hummus is amazing! I have a pretty good recipe for hummus, passed to me by my mother in law. I don’t know if it is authentic, but she did live in Israel for a while, so maybe? I love to make big batches, very healthy and saves a ton of $$ compared to buying it in the store.
Crystal Paine says
It sounds like it probably is authentic!
Jessica says
Sometimes it is a blessing to force ourselves out of our comfort zones and come home to see our lives in a different light. Glad you got to get out and experience the world.
This week I am loving lots of things; home improvement projects, coming up with a savings goal so we can go to europe in May 2017, feeling the recognition of some hard work I have put in with my employer which will hopefully lead to some opportunities for growth within the company.
Jen says
Your night out with your family looks so fun! We live in Nashville, too. Where did you go for the go karts and s’mores?
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
Love your five things this week! Mine are:
1) Spring!!! So thrilled that winter is officially over!
2) Riding my bike to work. For years, I’ve wished I could ride a bike around town. Just last week, it occurred to me that the only thing stopping my was myself. So I hopped on my bike, rode to work & now my sweet kiddos are joining me for the adventure.
3) I am finished working overtime! Our new manager is working out so well that I’m able to help my youngest with homeschool, work on the manager’s training, and complete my additional tasks in the 9-6 window. I have felt so much relief in my schedule because of this!
4) Rest. I was really sick for 5 days and forced to rest. It was exactly the break my soul needed.
5) Assistance from my family. This past year has helped my immediate family to get in the habit of pitching in without being asked and I’m finally accepting that I shouldn’t be doing everything by myself!
Thanks for these 5 things Crystal, they make my heart happy. I’ve loved following along about your trip and the book you read looks incredible.
Crystal Paine says
Yay!! This makes me so happy!!