I got to go to a Foster Care Appreciation Dinner last week hosted by Church of the City. It was such a special night — and made even better by getting to sit with some of my favorite foster mom friends! I had no idea that fostering was also going to mean the gift of a beautiful community in my life!
I had my 32-week ultrasound to check on the various issues I’ve had going on with this pregnancy. Good news — baby is finally head down and most everything is looking really good!! The ultrasound place just changed their visitor rules, so I got to bring Silas with me!
These two love to be on my lap — oftentimes at the very same time!
Kaitlynn got a disposable camera to use for prom and Kierstyn has been going around saying, “Say cheese” to us!
I also got to go to a paint night with other local foster moms, again hosted by Church of the City. It was my first time to do a painting night like this and I was honestly not sure what I’d think of it!
In addition to loving getting to hang out with my fellow foster mom friends…
I was actually quite shocked with how my painting turned out! For someone who is not artistic at all when it comes to things like this, I couldn’t believe that all the step-by-step help from the painter as we were working on this project really paid off!
I started my Red Raspberry Leaf tea, dates, and Evening Primrose Oil regimen in prep for labor. I can’t believe I only have 6 1/2 weeks or less until baby is here!
Silas has been on two baseball teams the past few months (his year-round travel team + seasonal middle school team). It’s meant lots and lots of time spent at multiple baseball games each week (we try to go to all of his games!), but I’m so grateful for the opportunity he has to pursue this sport he enjoys so much. Plus, there’s so much more than baseball being learned!
Kierstyn always loves it when there’s a playground at the ballfield!
This last baseball game, we found a nest of baby bunnies at the playground!!
My 6 Goals for Last Week
Personal/Family Goals
Delete 1000 photos and videos from my phone.Finish cleaning out my office closet.Go on a date with Silas.
Reading Goals
Business/Blogging Goals
Write& posta post on Weird Things You Can Do to Save Money.Finish and submit devotional Proverbs31.org.
My 6 Goals for This Week
Personal/Family Goals
- Delete 1000 photos and videos from my phone.
- Finish cleaning out the basement storage closet.
- Work on a craft project.
Reading Goals
Business/Blogging Goals
- Finish video on habits for upcoming online conference.
- Drafts done for upcoming sponsored campaign.
Leslie says
I love your pictures and comments. How do you do all your own activities and keep appointments, attend sports & other extracurricular activities of your teens, take care of the family, cook, clean, do crafts, read, write, maintain this site, sleep, shower, dress, eat healthy meals, podcasts, grocery shop, clothes shop for family, baby D’s special needs, etc.
Beth says
I think that’s a useful question. Part of it is that Crystal is good at managing her time. There’s a reason why she writes on the topic. But I’m not sure we readers really understand their family and business structure and it seems like Crystal is doing it all. But her husband is a huge support in the family/household responsibilities. In a way a lot of husbands can’t be because of work responsibilities. And they’ve taught their older kids to be independent and helpful around the house (and I’m sure with the babies). And they have employees (or an employee?) to help with the blog.
I don’t think she’s trying to come across as super woman. Just in these posts it sounds like she’s doing it all because the focus is mostly on the happy and goals accomplished. Which is fine.
Sometimes when people see or hear about all you do they don’t hear about all you don’t do. I frequently get comments about how much I do because I have four boys nine down to one and we homeschool. What people don’t know is that my husband can help out more because he works from home, we somewhat practice unschooling so the workload isn’t as much, currently we aren’t involved in any extracurriculars except our homeschool group and church. And my house isn’t very tidy ;). I also expect my kids to help with housework which helps. (and may or may not contribute to the clutter ;).
It’s very easy to compare and feel inadequate but often we don’t even know what we’re comparing. This happens in face to face relationships. It’s going to be even harder to really understand someone else’s life through the Internet.
Crystal Paine says
Great question — I think the biggest answer is that I keep it super simple, have really good systems, I have a flexible full-time work schedule, and our family works together as a team with everyone having responsibilities, etc. Jesse does a lot of the driving of the kids to their activities and we tag-team on D’s appointments and care.
Plus, I have a wonderful team who helps with the business (you’ll see their names here often on posts and in comments!) If you follow on Instagram, I share a lot of real, behind-the-scenes videos and details on life there that might really encourage you: https://www.instagram.com/themoneysavingmom Also, if you’ll notice, I only am setting 6 goals right now and often don’t cross off everything! 🙂