1. Taking More Time for Quiet
During this Year of Rest, I’ve been working on being a lot more intentional about making space for winding down and quiet in my life. Multiple times before bed this past week, I got everything done before dinner, and then had an hour and a half to wind down, take a bath, and read a book before bed.
Even though last week was very full and we had multiple activities every day and friends over at our house every day, it was such a productive and calm week — and I know it was because I was intentional about building in these spaces for quiet.
I’ve also been intentional about making time for Sabbath in my week — taking a day to refresh my soul, recharge my batteries, and re-energize my body for another week. A day to shut out the noise and soak up the quiet. A day with few responsibilities and commitments. A day to just let my soul inhale and exhale.
2. Finding Spiritual Whitespace
I finished this book this week and it was one of my favorites this year, so far.
Finding Spiritual Whitespace wasn’t anything like I expected it to be, but it was everything that I need to read right now in this season of life.
3. Seeing My Kids Learn New Skills
We make homemade Bread Machine Cinnamon Rolls again this week. Only this time, Silas wanted to made the dough almost entirely by himself and then I taught him how to roll it out, roll it up, and cut it up!
He ended up doing almost all of the Cinnamon Rolls by himself… and I think with a few more practice tries, he’ll be able to make them without any help from me at all!
Folks, this is how I work myself out of a job! 🙂
{Note: Notice his hair cut? This is why.}
4. Prepping for the Business Boutique Events
I’ve said no to almost every opportunity this year as part of my Year of Rest, but one of the few opportunities I said yes to was speaking at the Business Boutique events — a new event for women who are in business or who want to start a business from the Dave Ramsey team.
The events will be held in Dallas and Phoenix in May and Early Bird tickets are almost sold out! The speaker lineup is incredible and the price for the two-day event is really fantastic!
If you want to hear more about the event and about what I’m speaking about, watch this scope I did while I was meeting with the folks from Dave Ramsey’s team this week.
{If you are interested in attending, go to BusinessBoutique.com for more details on the dates and price. Psst! You can use coupon code BBPAINE to get $10 off the price of any one ticket! That makes the Early Bird Tickets just $149!!}
5. Seeing the Love Our Kids Have for Each Other
It was a rough day yesterday. Kaitlynn competed in her first away competition (in Cincy) and got 4th place — which devastated her.
She had been dead set on getting first place (unbeknownst to us!) and was very disappointed in herself that nerves had gotten to her and she hadn’t performed like she knew she was able.
It literally took an hour of talking and hugging and working through it for her even be somewhat consolable. Seeing her older sister and younger brother love and encourage her when she was so upset was a beautiful thing. And it warmed my heart in the middle of a hard parenting moment.
As parents, while we’re so proud of our kids and are their biggest cheerleaders, we are grateful for times when they get to learn life lessons… Even though it breaks our hearts to see them struggle through loss and failure. Ultimately, though, it’s opportunities like this that will shape and mold their futures.
{And I’m so happy that Kaitlynn is now ready to press forward and is talking about what she’s going to do differently at the next competition!}
(Posted with Kaitlynn’s permission.)
What are YOU loving right now?
Cheryl says
Learning to cook is a life skill, we give my boys chores to help them learn. My older son knows how to sort, put the laundry in the washer, transfer to the dryer and fold clothes. My husband does 95% of the cooking and he has involved the boys in making pizzas and salads. They set and clear the table, and unload the dishwasher , and put them away. We have the boys help do yard work of clearing leaves and snow removal as well.
We do haircuts at home. My husband trims my hair and gives the boys their haircuts as well. We put the scissors and clippers away after the haircuts so they are not played with. While your son got an unscheduled haircut by his sisters, at least it was salvageable. If the children had tried the clippers on your daughter’s hair, that would have been a disaster.
Jaime says
I love this picture of your kids! You caught a special moment.
Jen says
I love that your children look after one another. My seven-year-old does this (most of the time) for her two-year-old little brother and it warms my heart.
I’m loving:
1) I taught my daughter to blow a bubble (with gum) yesterday and you would’ve thought I’d given her the world. She thanked me and hugged me multiple times (this is NOT something she normally does).
2) I turn 40 on Thursday. My husband asked what I wanted to do and I said a party. He determined that it was going to be at our house, which started to stress me out. I’m working right now (which isn’t the norm) and wanted to know how the house was going to get cleaned, who was cooking and planning the food, etc. I somehow have just figured out how to “let it go.” Whatever happens, happens. It will just be fun to drink a margarita (or three) and see friends I don’t get to see often.
3) My Girl Scouts. They drive me crazy sometimes (there’s 12 of them and they’re 7/8 years old). They’re in the process of selling cookies right now and are knocking it out of the park.
4) My in-laws.My MIL drives me crazy sometimes, but since I’ve been working the past month, they have really stepped up to help us out with after-school child pickup. It’s been a blessing to have them be able to pick up my daughter and she gets to spend one-on-one time with her grandparents.
5) As a happy 40th to me, I booked an hour massage for myself for Friday. It’s been several years since I’ve had a massage and I’m REALLY looking forward to it.
Carmallita says
That picture of the kids makes my heart melt. So beautiful.
Renee says
5 Things I’m Loving
1. A new to us car that we paid cash for
2. Devotions as a family each night
3. Steaks on the grill – thanks to my hubby
4. Came home from an appointment, and our kids had cleaned the entire house, including the dishes, and lit candles!
5. Walking over 6 miles on Friday with our son – it was 70 degrees in TN
Alicia @ Turquoise Grace says
I love that you’re children are so sweet to one another!
I’m continually being blessed this week- not anything big, but in several subtle ways. I love knowing and seeing God work in my life, and giving me the confidence that I’m on the right path- His path!
Theresa L says
I’m loving my son’s karate instructor. He’s so encouraging and supportive. My son is learning so much. I’m so proud.
I’m also loving the book My Side of the Mountain. We just started in our homeschool and it’s great!
Finally, loving my husband. We’re going through some rough circumstances right now and he’s knows it’s been really stressful for me. He’s really stepped up and helped out around the house. I love him for it! 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I love that your husband is really pitching in to help you… but I’m sorry it’s been rough! {Hugs!}
Tasha Fortugaleza says
Your kids are so cute. It is so heartwarming to see how they show love for each other.
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
I always love seeing your weekly posts. Silas looks great in his new hairstyle & Kaitlynn looks exactly like a Mini-Crystal.
Five things I’ve loved this week:
1) The weather! We were outside in t-shirts all day yesterday building tables for our new office and it was glorious.
2) Our neighborhood friends. Having a dozen girls, and a few boys, ages 3-13 at our house is such a blessing after years of praying for just one neighborhood friend for my daughters.
3) My husband and oldest daughter have relieved some of my load by taking over laundry duty without me even asking them.
4) Jeggings & boots. I got both things on clearance a few weeks ago and getting dressed each morning has gotten so much easier – jeggings, boots, cute top and necklace, DONE.
5) God’s faithfulness. He blew me away this week. After a solid year of working overtime while homeschooling, I finally decided to give up my dream of homeschooling my girls and after a sleepless night full of heavy tears, I resigned to His plan and called to enroll them in private school. Later that very same day, someone walked into our office for an interview – he’s EXACTLY what we’ve been searching for, his references are incredible, and he very much wants to be part of our team. I am still processing this but I am absolutely in awe of how much God loves each one of us and how He gently holds our dreams in His hands.
Crystal Paine says
I’m SO excited for #5 for you!!! I know what a BIG deal it is to find the perfect fit for a job after so much searching!
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
Thank you so much! I keep thinking of Abraham & how he had to follow through with willingly giving up what he loved the most before God swooped in and stopped him. I’m humbled to think that He is so much bigger than homeschool, bigger than a career, and larger than our wildest dreams <3
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
I love seeing Silas helping you in the kitchen. It also inspires me, as my oldest son is Silas’s age. I need to let him help more!
Brenda says
That is so neat to see your kids supporting each other. I also like that you’ve taught your son how to cook. I haven’t done that with my kids and I should have.
Kristen S. says
Aww, that’s so sweet your other kids were so loving and supportive to Kaitlynn! And I love your perspective about the whole thing! So true!!
Charlotte Musha says
So jealous that you guys get to go to the Business Boutique! I keep hearing about it on Daves podcast and sulking because I’m all the way over here in the UK lol xxx
Jennifer says
I’m loving the book hanging out of Kathrynne’s hand! I can so relate to that, hahaha
Crystal Paine says
😉 She basically never goes anywhere without a book or two — just like her mama! 🙂
Susan says
Thank you for writing “Posted with Kaitlynn’s permission.” It is a little thing that means a lot that you asked her and that you let us know.
Jo says
What I’m loving this week:
1. My husband had a very hard time with post surgery complications, but he turned a corner this week and is recovering well, at last. whew.
2. My cat was lethargic, and I thought, oh no that’s the last thing we need is for our pet to die on top of everything…but he is recovering now too!
3. Beautiful weather, we went for a slow walk and talked, without any electronics. 🙂
4. My son bought a trip to go with his sister to do something on her bucket list. (they are both adults). Made my heart happy that they are so close and kind to each other.
Crystal Paine says
I’m so glad that your husband is doing better!
Jo says
thank you, me too! Its such a relief.
Victoria says
Silas’ haircut turned out really good! If I hadn’t seen the before picture I would not have known there was any particular reason you gave him such a close buzz cut.
5 things I am loving this week
1. Our very warm Saturday. It gives this northwest coast gal strength to carry on until warm temperatures are the norm again.
2. A Friday afternoon off from our normal routine. We just grabbed paint for the rental, lunch out and did a bit of shopping ,but it got rid of the cabin fever my one child was getting a bad case of.
3. My eBook getting closer each week to being done.
4. Can’t give all the details here but a HUGE reminder of God’s faithfulness this week.
5. Trader Joe’s flowers: over 1 week old now and only had to toss 2 blooms in the bouquet and not until Thursday!
Crystal Paine says
I love it that your ebook is almost done!!
Gretchen @ Desert Survivor says
Congrats to Kaitlynn! Fourth is still great–she actually got out there and participated and did her routine.
Our daughter finished fourth in a cross-country ski race yesterday and also had a really hard time with it, crying for a long time. We told her it didn’t matter what place she finished, just participating made her a winner. It’s hard to get that idea across when kids have a different idea of where they think they are going to finish.
So nice that your kids were able to help console Kaitlynn.
Crystal Paine says
Parenting is tough, isn’t it?? It’s hard to know how to best prepare them and then the words to say when they experience disappointment.