It’s been a f-u-l-l few weeks and I didn’t even get a chance to get this Saturday post up until now! I’m headed out to Colorado Springs for a radio taping on Wednesday and Thursday and then I’m done with book launch and business travel for 2015.
And I am so, so, so grateful that 2016 is going to be a much calmer year… or at least that’s the plan! 🙂 I’m going to be speaking a lot less, am not writing any books, have cut way back on my online responsibilities, and cannot wait to just stay home more and focus more on my home and family and just a few select business things.
The past few years of speaking and traveling and book-writing have stretched me and forever changed me in good ways as a writer, speaker, and person, but I’m excited about a new, much quieter season. In fact, my word for 2016 is REST. And that’s actually my biggest goal for the new year. 🙂
Stay tuned for more on my 2016 goals and plans next week! For now, here are 5 Things I’m Loving:
#1. A Whirlwind Trip to NYC
Jesse and I got to go to NYC for 24 hours to hang out with our dear friends from South Africa who were in the states for meetings and it was absolutely amazing!
The weather was gorgeous (we didn’t even need coats!) and we packed so much into our trip: a nice dinner out at a wonderful restaurant, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, riding the subway, good coffee, the Staten Island Ferry, the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bride, Wall Street, the World Trade Center Memorial, laughter and conversation with our friends from South Africa, trying to not get lost, good conversations as a couple, and a Broadway show!
After a hard few months with lots of heavy and emotionally and physically exhausting challenges, this getaway (our first as a couple in a few years!) was such a gift! And we used points and credit earned over this past year, so the trip cost us very little out of pocket, too.
#2) Getting to See My Favorite Broadway Show
I got to see Wicked last year when I went to NYC, so it was so fun to take Jesse to see it. He really loved it… though probably not quite at the fangirl level as me, but what can I say? I’m kind of into it. 🙂
I’ve only been to this one Broadway production, so I can’t speak for the others, but the production quality is just incredible. So well done and the quality of the performers is top notch! It’s expensive, but so worth it for a very, very special treat!
#3) My Fringe Hours Book
Jessica Turner sent me her new book, My Fringe Hours, and I went through it on the trip to NYC and found so much valuable information and encouragement in it. If you read and liked her first book, The Fringe Hours, I think you’ll really enjoy this as a companion guide.
#4) My Choose Joy Coffee Cozy
I already shared this picture earlier this week, but I love it so much that I have to share it again. 🙂 This is my Coffee Cozy from Julie who runs the adorable Etsy shop called Tokyo Blossom.
This Coffee Cozy has gone with me multiple places this week because I just love it so much!
#5) Kaitlynn’s Christmas Ice-Skating Program
We are so proud of this girl. She had her Christmas program last Friday evening and it was her first “big” program. She was a nervous wreck all week about it, but when her performance came, she went out and completely rocked it. You can watch the whole video of her performance here. She’s put in so many hours on the ice this last year and we are so excited to see how it’s paying off — not only in her figure skating, but also in her character development.
What are YOU loving right now? Tell us in the comments!
Crystal, you have a wonderful husband, beautiful kids and an amazing blog! God bless and thank you for all you do!
Oh I love that you are going to REST this year. My heart longs for that….I have not written books or spoken to large audiences, but this year has taken a huge bite out of me, and I would love to focus on resting in 2016. 🙂
Let’s both focus on resting in 2016!
Wow! You really did pack a TON into 24 hours in NYC. Very impressive! My husband and I went on our first trip without children in ages (read since we started having children seven years ago!) this past summer. We loved having some couple time–and I loved getting to sleep in past 6:15 🙂
I have had a cold all this past week and actually called in sick this morning. I’m a teacher and getting a substitute is often more work than just going in, so you know I’m sick! So, this week I’m loving hot tea with lemon and long naps 🙂
Sub plans are such a nightmare! Almost worst than teaching while miserable… I’ve been home for 3 years since having my second son, after 13 years of full time teaching k/1. Any time I am sick now (or the kids are), I truly praise God that I don’t have to type up sub plans. Feel better soon! ?
Sounds like you had a great week, Crystal! And way to do Kaitlynn! That skating was beautiful!
Here’s my five things I’m loving:
1. My parents visiting for Christmas. They’re here for 3 weeks and we SO excited!
2. My son receiving his Arrow of Light and moving from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts. So proud of him!
3. My students’ end of term projects. They did awesome and several of my colleagues agreed with me on that!
4. Christmas lights – these are making me absurdly happy this year.
5. My health finally leveling at a level of “healthy” I can live with. This is *such* a relief after months of constant pain and inability to do things!
Have a great week,
Lea
Oh my goodness!! Kaitlynn did such a great job – those spins and jumps look super hard!! I’m glad y’all had such a fun time in NYC too – NYC is magical at Christmas time! If you are looking for another Broadway show to try, check out The Lion King. It’s phenomenal!
I’m loving the fact that in a couple more days, I’m going to get to relax with my husband’s family. After writing my 21 days to a stress free and debt free Christmas series, I’m ready to get back to a a more realistic post schedule for me (although it’s been such a good experience)!
I’m loving the relationships I’ve recently developed through my blogging (just a beginner!). You’ve been an inspiration to me to follow my dreams and be a Money Making Mom, so thank you for that!
I hope you have brought your jacket for the CS trip today and tomorrow! It is c-o-l-d here, but it should look like a winter wonderland when you visit Focus. ? Hope you enjoy your visit!
Yay for cold and snow! I brought a really heavy coat, gloves, scarves, and ear muffs… just to play it safe! 🙂
You packed appropriately! Tomorrow is supposed to be even colder ?.
I am loving that it feels Christmas-y with the snow and cold this week, even if I don’t enjoy driving in it (or having the house be extra cold!). I’m also loving that my teacher husband and K son had a snow day yesterday and that today I had a great excuse (bad roads and an old Corolla) to stay home all day and be lazy(ish) with my two year old.
my mom and i went to see wicked 3 years ago.we LOVED it.
I bet that was a blast to spend that time together! My hubby and I haven’t gone on a trip together in a few years, either.
This week I’m loving:
1. Enjoying Christmas traditions as a family.
2. Seeing my children be generous with each other in the spirit of Christmas.
3. Angel Food cake! (Made one for my Mom’s birthday and kept one for our family.) 🙂
4. Having a working dryer after 2 weeks of no dryer at all. (Not much fun keeping up with a family of 7’s laundry!)
5. Mani/pedis with the girls. (Super special treat that happens less than yearly for me.)
Love the coffee cozy. I actually listened to the blab she did with Brilliant Business Moms while on the Elliptical a while back.
5 Things I Am Loving This Week
1. The warm weather we had over the weekend: I went out for 2 runs in it despite the fact that my plantar fasciitis is making post runs very painful for me. I just couldn’t help myself it was too nice for the Elliptical.
2. Christmas lights: Two parks near us put up huge light displays at Christmas time and our family drives through them together at least once a Christmas season.
3. Christmas shopping done: With my husband’s help we were able to knock out Christmas shopping in 3 hours followed by an hour of wrapping together. We both laughed at how small the gift pile gets when you get to the teenager stage of parenting. Same cash spent but the gifts are tiny.
4. Goal setting: I love this time of year for making new goals to reach for.
5. Christmas gatherings: We went to my husband’s staff party over the weekend and it was fun to put faces to the people he talks about.
I’m looking forward to seeing the new books on your 2016 reading list, Crystal. May you be blessed in 2016.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your 2016 goals! Rest sounds like a wonderful word to live.
Here are my 5 things:
1) The amazing weather last weekend! Riding bikes and playing outside in shorts and sandals was incredible.
2) Author friends. This week, a friend let me cohost an impromptu prayer series through the book of James on her blog. (MarriagePrayers.Today)
3) Taking my kids on a spontaneous & quick trip to visit my mom for her birthday! She was SO surprised and we had a wonderful time.
4) My energy efficient large capacity washing machine & dryer 😀
5) Wrapping up large, time-consuming work projects throughout significant company growth and transition . My to-do stack at the office had gone from a large drawer down to three folders so it looks like being caught up by Christmas & working even less hours beginning in January is a realistic goal!!
Wonderful read. Good to see people enjoying life!! 🙂
Bravo, Kaitlynn!! Simply Splendid!!
you have the right goals for 2016