It was a very full week — between launching my first-ever video course and a two-day business trip to San Francisco with Silas — but it was a good week. And, by the grace of God, the house is clean, the laundry is done, my to-do list for the week is almost entirely completed, I’ve mostly caught back up on sleep, and I’m looking forward to church and then a quiet day of rest tomorrow!
Here are 5 things I’m loving this week:
1. The New Women in the Word She Reads Truth Study
This Summer study is going through dozens of stories of women in the Bible and I’ve been loving it so far — as I love all of the She Reads Truth studies.
By the way, this picture is a great example of the fact that even if you have to leave the house early in the morning, you can still find ways to start your day off well!
On Wednesday morning, I slept in a little later than usual to catch back up on sleep after the Make Over Your Mornings launch (is that an oxymoron that I had to sleep extra after launching a course about mornings??), so I skipped my usual morning routine and instead started my day by doing the most important things that needed to be done before Kaitlynn and I headed out the door for her all-day figure skating lessons/practice at the ice rink.
Then while Kaitlynn was in an off-ice class this morning, I found a table to sit at and write out my to-do’s for the day, eat something nutritious, drink my coffee, and read my Bible.
The whole #MakeOverYourMornings concept is not about always doing the exact same thing in the same way every morning nor is it about finding and following a “perfect schedule”, but it’s about being intentional about starting your day in a way that will set you up for success, help you get the most important things done first, and it’s about taking time time to refuel your tank so you have energy to give out to others.
2. San Francisco
Silas had been begging to “go on a business trip” with me for some time, so when the opportunity came for me to go to San Francisco to meet with the ePantry folks about some business ideas, I asked if I could bring him along and they graciously said that’d be great.
He counted down the days and could barely sleep the night before we left. He had to get up a little after 4 a.m. (to catch our early flight) and was so full of excitement. He said, “I can’t believe I’m this wide awake this early in the morning!” I told him, “Buddy, that’s called adrenaline!”
I’d never been to San Francisco before and had heard so many things about what a cool place it was and it totally lived up to its reputation. It was such a beautiful city with so many unique restaurants and shops and sights. I wouldn’t want to live there, I don’t think, but it’s a wonderful place to visit — especially because the weather was gorgeous while we were there.
3. The Golden Gate Bridge
After an early morning, two flights, and a long afternoon of meetings with the wonderful folks from ePantry, Silas and I took a Harbor Cruise to see some of the most famous sights in San Francisco.
I wish you could have seen how excited Silas was about going on boat. He could barely contain himself! The ride was an hour long and much bumpier than I expected, but such a fun memory!
We totally geeked out at seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. Silas’ reaction and excitement was priceless: “IT’S THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE!!” he almost squealed. And then followed up with, “It’s so GOLDEN!!”
This boy was quite the trooper — getting up at 4 am, long flights to San Fran, meeting a bunch of new people, spending the afternoon with adults in business meetings, going on the cruise, going out to dinner with the ePantry team at a very quintessential San Fran restaurant, and not making it back to the hotel until after 9 pm (which would be 11 pm our time).
He had some tired and cranky moments, but overall did so well. When we finally made it back to the hotel, he told me he had no idea business trips would be so exhausting!
Gratefully, he slept for 10.5 hours that night since we didn’t have to get to the airport until around 10 am the next morning morning and he woke up with all sorts of renewed enthusiasm. However, I think he has a whole new perspective on what a “business trip” actually is!
That said, as soon as we got home, he was ready to go again. In fact, his prayer request during our prayer time that night was that he could go on another business trip with Mom!
4. An Encouraging Book on Marriage
One of my goals for 2015 was to read at least one book on marriage every month. So I read this short little book on the plane ride home and was inspired by it.
I’ve long loved the books by Pam and Bill Farrel and think that it’s important to regularly be doing things to encourage yourself to keep the spark alive in your marriage. Marriage is hard work, but it’s so worth the investment and books like this serve as good reminders to me to keep on looking for new and creative ways to pour into my marriage.
5. Friends Who Love Us So Well
Our good friends, the Hodges, were so sweet to come out on a hot Saturday afternoon to Silas’ last baseball game of the season today. These people have humbled us by how much they’ve poured into us, cared for us, welcomed us into their home and lives, listened to us, laughed with us, prayed with us, and become like family to us.
Hardly a week goes by that we don’t get together at least once or twice — if not more. We are so grateful for them and for the gift of their friendship.
See previous 5 Things I’m Loving This Week Posts here.
What about YOU? What 5 things are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments.
Dita says
I love this weekly post Crystal! What a great gift to be able to bring your son on your business trip and have those wonderful moments together. 🙂
My five things this week:
1. Your Make Over Your Mornings e-course! I am on day 5 and already this course has transformed my days. The evening routine was tough for me at first to complete all the tasks in order to make my mornings better, but what a difference it has made in my mornings and my whole day! I am loving the course!
2. My Mom has been in Texas for the winter and she just got back and she will be with us for five months! She is such a blessing to our family and my five year old daughter enjoys her so much. She is very creative and always pushes me to complete projects and goals that would have taken much longer to complete if not for her encouragement and help.
3. In my “new” mornings I have been doing a gratitude mini bible study on my kindle that you had posted recently. I had not regularly read my bible in some time and this has really helped me to get started on a new path of reflection and learning that has really been an unexpected treat for me.
4. Getting to spend some quality time and relax with very dear friends of ours. Seeing them love my daughter and shower her with attention is just the best! We don’t see them as much as we would like to, so days like these are very special for us.
5. Having a small makeup bag in my purse – I used to do this when I was younger but had completely gotten away from it as I got married and had a child. Just having an extra small set of my coverup, mascara, lip gloss, a nail file, a few band aids for heels or uncomfortable shoes at work and hand lotion, has made my life easier lately. I forget to do “touch ups” all the time before leaving the house and almost every day I reach for this little kit and I know I can look pulled together at a moments notice, no matter how little sleep I get or how busy my day is(!) and it’s just one small thing that makes my day run smoother.
Cara Thompson says
My 5 things:
1. The #MakeOverYourMornings course! (Seriously, this is not a suck-up comment. 🙂 ) I’ve taken each day to heart, and the intentionality to plan within reason has encouraged me so much already.
2. Bullet Journaling! I don’t fill in planners well – at – all. This system has been and continues to work for me, and I can’t wait to have my BuJo Companion ready for download so that others can be encouraged to plan and live with intention too.
3. Welcoming home my close friend from her first long-term missions trip. 10 months apart – and I will see her in a few minutes!
4. Bought and started reading my first Hemingway book. (One of my “self” goals is to read more for fun!)
5. Seeing progress on my blog – some of the little streams of traffic that Crystal talked about on the video from The Pursuit.TV – I was so encouraged by those words and it has been so cool to see it starting to come together.
I think the #5Things is so fun! I always enjoy seeing them in Instagram too. 🙂 Happy Monday!
Nichole says
What am I loving this week?
-I am loving learning about dressing your truth. Like somebody said it is giving me permission to be who I am and helping me understand who I am and that there is nothing wrong with that though I have often felt it was wrong. I have often been overwhelmed with the whole shopping deal I have stayed away and when I asked a friend to help me I always came home with her style. Now I am so excited to experiment with the colors and style they suggested to compliment the way God made me! Any type 1’s out there?
-I loved the blessing of being sick this week because it allowed me to connect with my daughter and not worry about all the to-dos I had or the busyness in mind.
-I am loving reading Head to Toe book with my daughter. I love the interaction the book creates. Bending neck like a giraffe, clapping like a seal.
-I am loving having meals planned and for two weeks this time!
Crystal Paine says
I love, love, love that Dressing Your Truth is impacting you in similar ways that it impacted me — yay!!
Emilie says
1. http://www.calm.com You choose your meditation, timed or guided, length 2-20 minutes, background images and sounds…amazing and free (website or app)
2. a miracle witnessed at church yesterday
3. a later than normal start to my teacher in-service today
4. nectarines and other fruits in season
5. curling up with my kids and watching movies (Jurrasic Park and the Blind Side the past two nights)
Crystal Paine says
I love your list! Thanks so much for sharing!
Shelly says
Looks like you had a great time in San Francisco. My husband grew up there and we used to go visit his family there about once a year. But now his family lives near us, which is nice. We always loved visiting there. My husband’s favorite bridge is the Golden Gate.
Five Things I’m Loving,
1. Our wonderful neighbors who came to help me move a cord of wood from our driveway to our wood holder all the way around the back of the house. Cut my work down by at least 3 hours.
2. Thankful we have wiggle room in our budget to bless our other neighbors with 20 freezer meals for them to eat after she has her surgery this week.
3. All the wonderful produce we are getting from our garden. Yeah for strawberries, raspberries and peas.
4. Quiet time and time for a nap this past week, I was tired from all the hot weather.
5. Time spent with my Dad just grocery shopping for his household and ours.
Crystal Paine says
I LOVE how you’re blessing your neighbors with freezer meals — you’re such an inspiration!
Keri says
I just started that SheReadsTruth study and am loving it! So good. I am very excited about the mornings challenge- I clearly need to get to bed at a more decent hour!
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the SRT, too!
annie says
1) I’m loving the make over your mornings course. Its helping me decide what’s important.
2). My gratitude journal. In a couple of months it is so much easier to be grateful for everything.
3) My ePantry candles. I never knew how much I enjoyed a great smelling candle burning.
4) my husband and I snuck away early yesterday to the farmers market to buy a few hanging baskets of flowers. So beautiful
5 . You, my seat Crystal, for changing my life these past several years. 🙂
annie says
Lol. “My dear crystal”
Crystal Paine says
Aw, this was such a sweet comment. Thank you for your kind encouragement! I’m so humbly grateful!
kariane says
I love that you brought your son on a business trip with you. Way to go!
This week, I’m loving road tripping with my kids. I wrote here about how we made it through a 15 hour drive screen free:
http://everydaymindfulliving.com/how-we-entertained-our-kids-screen-free-on-a-15-hour-road-trip/
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! Thank you so much for sharing this!
CPA Mom says
I looked up ePantry after reading your post. It looked like a great way to get environmentally friendly products for my home. I’m excited to see what you have to say about their company and if you have any specials coming up related to them.
I’m also participating in the Make Over Your Mornings. I love the daily course content but I’m having a difficult time with setting goals. I typically feel so overwhelmed I don’t sit and think about what I want to accomplish and just let life happen to me. I have felt a sense of calm since starting this process this week but need to do some soul searching to figure out what kind of goals to set. I know my greatest priorities but have a hard time deciding on goals.
I love reading your posts.
Crystal Paine says
My encouragement to you is to keep it simple when it comes to goal-setting. Maybe just choose two small, realistic, and very measurable goals to start with. Don’t feel paralyzed by not knowing where to start, just start somewhere and take small little babysteps and then let that momentum continue to propel you in the right direction.
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
What a whirlwind of a week for you! Very exciting that Silas got to come with you for the conference. My oldest is the same age as Silas, so I’ve always felt a little connection there 🙂
5 Things I’m Loving This Week:
1. Fresh herbs–I planted an herb garden for the first time and love it!
2. Board games in the evening (Candyland, Memory, checkers, and more)
3. Last day of school! Teachers get excited about summer, too 🙂
4. Gretchen Rubin–I’ve read two of her books recently and have been inspired
5. Having my husband home–he was at a conference in Greece for 10 days. So happy to have my love back home.
Crystal Paine says
Yay for the last day of school! And yay for your husband being back home again!
trix says
I think it is wonderful that Silas got to go on the business trip with you AND attend the buisness meetings. Doing life like that with Mom & Dad is a fabulous way for children to learn about how it all works.
Crystal Paine says
I’m so grateful to have the opportunity with our jobs to involve our kids on a first-hand basis. It’s so true that it gives them an insider view on how business and life works!
Misty Nicole Roberts says
Thank you for this new series, as I have grown to look forward to it! I love San Francisco, too! For part of my childhood, we lived in that area, and it’s awesome! I also love ePantry, but wish that their prices had not gone up since last fall; currently Amazon Prime has better pricing on every single Method and Mrs. Meyers products they currently offer (even more so if you use Subscribe and Save), so while it’s a boon for this site, it’s not as cost effective for those of us buying their products.
As for my week, I’ve been loving:
1. Cooler weather: Mississippi has been averaging temperatures still in the 80’s which is awesome, compared to this same week last year!
2. Lowe’s: My local Lowe’s has been featuring daily $1.00 plant cart deals, with expensive perennials ($20.00 or more retail), marked down to $1.00 or less, which has allowed me to re-do three flower beds for a song!
3. Having my husband home for summer; as he is an educator I love having him home for summers, especially to work on the accumulation of honey-do lists I’ve compiled!
4. Burt’s Bees Candles: I’ve recently discovered Burt’s Bees new line of indoor and outdoor candles, wax melts, and essential oils, and they smell as awesome as my e-Pantry favorite, vanilla, for a 1/4 of the cost!
5. My local library: This year, my local library has placed not only the traditional student AR titles cart, but a new cart of American literature geared towards adults, and specifically women; it’s so nice to re-read old favorites from Faulkner, Hemingway, and Fitzgerald again, off of a nifty, vintage pink library cart!
Crystal Paine says
Woah! SUCH a great deal on the flowers!
And I hadn’t heard that Burt’s Bees had a new line. I will *definitely* have to check that out!
{And I really appreciate your feedback on ePantry — they are a new company and learning a lot right now and really, really listening to feedback from customers and bloggers!}
Ashley B says
What an awesome experience to go on a business trip with your son! That is such a blessing to your family ? I remember when my dad took our whole family with him on a business trip and we were able to see Niagara Falls. Silas will never forget this.
Five things I am loving this week:
1) Starting the Make Over Your Mornings course and a new Bible study/devotional on motherhood.
2) Beautiful weather and much more outside time.
3) My 22 month old son is trying to speak coherently and mimic new words.
4) We had additional kitchen cabinets installed, nearly doubling our counter space.
5) Last night we celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary by throwing a party for our friends who were in our wedding party. It was so much fun!
6) (Because this is a dream come true and I can’t contain it) We paid off my student loan, therefore making us debt free (aside from our mortgage)!!!
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
Congrats on paying off your students loans! That is such an accomplishment! Very inspiring!
Crystal Paine says
WOOHOO!!!!! I’m celebrating with you on paying off your student loan!!! Yay!!
Monica says
That is so wonderful that Silas was able to come with you on your business trip! What precious memories you both will have. And what a cute reaction to seeing the Golden Gate Bridge. 🙂 Before kids, my husband and I took a trip there and rented bikes so we could ride bikes across the bridge and around the city. It was amazing!
5 Things I’m Loving: 1) Warmer weather 2) Our first week of summer break (from homeschooling) 3) Watching our son confidently ride his bike – after a long process of learning and being afraid 4) Making connections with amazing women – receiving an invite into an online group this week was so exciting for me 5) Working through the Make Over Your Mornings course 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Yay for your son confidently riding his bike! It’s so cool to see our kids punch fear in the face!
Jill says
I LOVE these posts! 🙂 They are such a good reminder/ challenge to reflect on the blessings from the previous week.
Thanks for sharing!
Crystal Paine says
You are so welcome! I’m having fun putting them together!
Victoria says
Whew! That is quite the week you had. I want to see that Golden bridge sometime too.
5 Things I am loving this week
1. My son held his first pool party in our backyard pool. With the water being only 52 degrees! Crazy.
2. My daughter and I enjoyed the first community wide rummage of the season. I love our time yard sale shopping together, it is great mom and daughter talk time.
3. I had so much fun going through a box of old photos looking for a baby picture of our eldest son for the graduation ceremony at church coming up. I posted way too many old photos on Facebook. I simply took the pictures outside into the shade and snapped shots of them with my iPhone and most look as good as if I scanned them.
4. My husband and I picked out the spot of our son’s graduation open house. We booked a shelter at a nearby lake our son loves. We will have it in July since he is still finishing off one last course (homeschooled).
5. I have been really enjoying the book “Run To Overcome” by Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflizighi. Such and inspiring story. I am realizing lately I haven’t made reading time a priority. To fix that all summer long I have decided to set a timer for 1 hour every afternoon and read my book on the swing chair on the front porch. (so far I have fallen asleep at the 30 minute mark every day 🙂 )
Crystal Paine says
That cracked me up about having a pool party when it was 52 degrees! That’s some pool commitment there. 🙂