1. My Big Family
It was National Siblings Day this past week and I dug up this picture for it… yes, there are a LOT of us in my family! 🙂
We had this taken together with my parents at their 40th anniversary celebration last year.
While it’s always loud and crazy when we’re together, I wouldn’t trade my big family for the world! (Also, yes, we’re not really a touchy-freely kind of family, if you hadn’t figured it out by this photo. We make up for it with lots of laughter, though! ;))
2. This Girl Who Inspires Me to Be More Creative
Kaitlynn came in before bed one night this past week with her hair washed and braided and says, “Hey, Mommy, do you like my new braid style?”
I said yes and asked her where she’d learned that braid from.
“Oh, nowhere, actually. I just made it up. I was trying to figure out a new way to do a 4-strand braid.”
That’s my Kaitlynn! Why settle for a normal braid when you could “invent” a new type of 4-strand braid?
This is how she lives her life… I love it and am constantly inspired by it.
3. Slowing Down & Savoring Life
I’ve been slowing way down this year, living life at a much quieter & relaxed pace, and really having time to enjoy the moments and memories.
I’ve also been giving myself space to feel instead of stuff.
To listen intently instead of rush through my days.
To pay attention to the heart needs of my family instead of just trying to come up with quick fixes.
I’m learning that slowness can be good, powerful, and life-impacting. I’ve missed so much depth in life by hurrying through it instead of slowly savoring.
I just got this book in the mail this week and it looks like perfect reading material for The Year of Rest. Have any of you read it?
4. A Fun Surprise at the Chicago Airport
Do you recognize those two books in that display window?? Yes, there are not one but TWO copies of Money-Making Mom by yours truly!
LeAnn snapped the pictures and emailed me and said:
“My family and I went to Chicago last week. We were in O’Hare, walking to our gate to catch our flight home to Atlanta, when something familiar caught my eye in a shop window. I looked up to see two copies of your book on display, surrounded by lots of random things with red and pink. I had to take some shots of it because it was such a nice surprise to see it there. -Leann”
What a fun surprise!!
5. My New Exercise/Eating Plan & Feeling SO Great!
Y’all. I’m just not sure what’s gotten into me. Not only have I consistently been working out (mostly weight training) for an hour and half every single week day and absolutely loving it, but I’ve also consistently stuck with this eating plan Jesse put together for me.
I’m even eating — and enjoying! — things like Greek yogurt. Something I used to hate.
Did I mention I feel stronger and happier and more energetic than I have in, well, quite some time? Yeah. It’s amazing how much this whole “taking care of yourself” thing really does work!! 🙂
I don’t know how long this motivation will last, but I’m going to ride this wave as long as it lasts!
What are YOU loving this week? Tell us in the comments!
Dee Wolters says
I am loving spending the weekend with 2 of my college kids. They attend the same university and share an apartment. Yesterday I got to see my daughter present her chemistry research. Then we toured a local history museum and were escorted through the traveling “Bodies revealed” exhibit with her anatomy prof. Today, church with both kids and their friends. Tomorrow I will attend the department awards program- where my DD will received an award. Thankful!
Crystal Paine says
Yay for getting to spend some time with your kids!!
Jaime says
Wow, weight training for an hour and a half every weekday? I want to be you when I grow up. =) I lost 25 pounds and am at my goal weight, but I should have been weight training along the way to lose the extra skin. Gonna try to find a good plan/schedule that works! You’re doing awesome!
Meera says
Crystal, what you mentioned was really powerful: “I’ve missed so much depth in life by hurrying through it instead of slowly savouring.” At times, I know I’ve got to slow down but it’s as if that’s the only way of living I know. I make a conscious effort to not pass on that hurriedness to my daughter. To let her stop to pick the stones and chase the birds. Thanks for the timely reminder. Loved this post and all be sharing it! 🙂
Jr Davis says
I love your book Money Making Mom. I am also loving my job with Kroger and soon will be in management after only being there for 9 months.
Janis says
5 things I’m loving right now:
1. The beautiful spring weather
2. Planning my gardens & new patio
3. Time to read books I enjoy (not books needed for my graduate classes! LOL!)
4. Diving into my new blogging venture. http://www.facebook.com/fillingurcup
5. Coconut Danishes from this great new bakery! Yummy!
Kristina Holcomb says
5 Things I’m Loving This Week:
1. Week 6 of Trim Healthy Mama and 12 pounds lost!!!! Woot woot!!!
2. Your bread machine cinnamon roll recipe… wow!!!! Definitely not THM approved but an amazing treat and I totally doubled the filling 🙂
3. Perfect weather for getting all of my flowers planted
4. Spending a good day at a huge flea market with my family
5. Several new books that I can’t wait to start reading
Corie says
1. My 18 year old daughter leading Worship for our church, her first time leading alone. It’s amazing to watch her sing and play guitar to praise Jesus.
2. My 16 year old daughter loving her big sister so much that she goes to church twice on the weekends when her sister is singing. She also keeps big sis in a good mood by sending/tagging her funny things on instagram.
3. My 10 year old daughter praying for both of her sisters during children’s church.
4. My husband always saying ‘thank you’ for every thing I do for our family and never complaining about what isn’t done. He accepts me every day, in whatever shape I’m in, and whatever my ‘best’ might be for that day.
5. Starting a new book this week. I haven’t read a book in a few weeks and so far I’m enjoying a great story.
Lea Stormhammer says
It’s been a rough, rough week here. But, I’m grateful that I still have 5 things that I’m loving this week:
1. My children’s music – they play piano, trumpet and clarinet. I love hearing them play! It lifts my spirits so much and truly makes my day.
2. Warm weather – the daffodils are out and my rhododendron is starting to open up! I’m SO excited! These things make me just ridiculously happy.
3. My awesome hubby – he blesses me so much.
4. Comfortable clothes – I’m so fortunate that I have such a flexible wardrobe!
5. Email and telephones – so easy to keep in touch and I really appreciate that!
Sounds like you had a good week, Crystal!
Have a wonderful week this week too,
Lea
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
Your list makes me feel restful! Here are my five things:
1) My new fire pit! My husband surprised me with one on Tuesday and I love it so much.
2) Birthday cake. Three people made cake for me this week, and since my family is hard to cook for (2 of us cannot have wheat, 1 is lactose intolerant), it made me feel especially loved that they learned how to make something new just for me.
3) My new workout routine. I started running with a friend again this week and I feel great. Gotta love those endorphins!
4) My work schedule. Part time is AMAZING.
5) Extra time with family & friends this week. My cup overflows!
Davonne @ The Tidy Mom says
And Beverly Cleary turned 100 years old on my birthday! My girls and I absolutely loved writing letters to her and reading a couple of her books to celebrate. So much fun!
Diane says
Aww, that was one of my closest friend’s birthdays, too. Happy belated birthday!
Diane says
Can you share about your new eating plan? Glad you are feeling so great!
Jessica says
We finally got nice weather in Ohio! Loving that! Also I tried a new knitting pattern this week. The log cabin square / blanket pattern on Ravelry with a tutorial video by the pattern designer – Very Pink Knits. The tutorial is great and I’m almost done with my first square. It’s my first project picking up stitches. I also ordered some great indie dyed yarn to celebrate being alive and I just love all the pretty colors.
Victoria says
That sounds like a book I would love!
5 things I am loving this week
1. My foot is continuing to feel better a bit more each week allowing me to return to the sports I love.
2. AWESOME warm weather in Indiana near the end of the week.
3. Older children who can help me return our home to clean and tidy when it gets in sad shape due to a busy week.
4. A job that I can take outdoors on nice days.
5. Great grocery deals all over the place this week from .99 cents for a gallon of milk, to .59 cents for a dozen eggs, to .99 cents a pound for spiral ham!
Annie says
I LOVE Greek yogurt and eat it nearly every day. You’ll get addicted to it, too! 🙂
Elizabeth says
You are blessed to be in a family that likes to be together…which is rather rare these days. We are in our 60’s now…with grandchildren…but none of our kin desires much time or contact now. I grew up as part of a 4 generation family that got together NUMEROUS times a year, even included distant cousins, great great aunts and uncles, etc…but sadly once my great grandparents died, it was never that way again. And by the time my children arrived, though my immediate family got together a few times…it was never like it was during my childhood. And since my parents died and the inheritance debacle is now over, my 2 brothers and wives have written us off as well. It sounds like your parents are wiser than some, so hopefully they will enable your family to keep on as they are…and we have seen how inheritance can tear families apart…though we never fought with my brothers…it was their guilt I guess over what they pulled on me (I received partial even though I was oldest, and they took first choice of everything). Funny…seems they might be more worried over what GOD thinks…but guess not. And for me and hubby? We got rid of nearly all we had…we own very little now…and gave our kids all they would take…and now we are in a 500 sq ft apt. And living more happy than we ever have. We made sure our kids will not have the inheritance thing to have problems over…heh, they either already have it, or it was given to charity!!