I’ve been so grateful for some warmer days recently so we can take some walks outside!
I can’t believe I’m almost 25 weeks pregnant! It feels like time is really flying by!
Since I’ve had some different pregnancy complications (ongoing spotting and bleeding and placenta issues) + I’m 40, I’ve gotten to have extra appointments and sonograms. Last week, Jesse and I had a little parking lot breakfast date before my sonogram and specialist appointment. We’ve learned to not wait for the perfect moments, but to take the moments you do have and make them special.
(The kids were home from school, so Jesse got to come with me for the first time this pregnancy and see baby on the sonogram! It was fun to get to share that with Jesse after having all my appointments and sonograms so far by myself! And we are so incredibly grateful that the baby continues to be very, very healthy!)
Kaitlynn left for a week-long high school trip on Saturday, so I took her out for a date to the nail salon on Friday. She got her nails done and I got my toes done.
Kierstyn is constantly bringing so much joy to our home. She’s obsessed with stacking and her ABC’s right now and is trying to learn all of the letters and their sounds. It’s so funny because she’s so self-motivated and wants to learn everything she possibly can — maybe because she’s being raised with so many adults?? 🙂
I’ve been doing a little house project every day. This week, I’ve been working in the kitchen and one of the projects was to re-organize the baking cupboard.
He came home from school two days ago and handed me this necklace with my name on it and said, “I bought this for you today!”
Come to find out, on their field trip to the Science Center today, they were all given $10 in spending money to use at the gift shop. He chose to spend his money ÷////=≠p-=;\]to buy me a necklace.
There are many hard days as a mom. Days when you want to wave the white flag of surrender. Days when you feel like you aren’t cut out for this. Days when you think you are totally missing the mark.
There are seasons when you wonder if your efforts are making any difference. There are many monotonous and mundane weeks. There are times when you want to throw in the towel — if only you could find a clean one!
But then, there are sparkling, shimmering necklace moments like this. When your child’s kindness and thoughtfulness makes you want to cry. When you’re reminded that all those little seemingly mundane and monotonous moments matter.
Mamas: it’s worth it. It really and truly is. Even on the really hard days. Even in the difficult seasons. Even when you feel like your prayers and your efforts are going nowhere.
Don’t give up. Keep pressing on. And may there be many necklace moments to come in your future!
My 6 Goals for Last Week
I didn’t make a lot of progress on my goals last week, for a long list of reasons, but I’m grateful I crossed some things off! And here’s to hoping for more success this week!
Personal Goals
Delete 1000 photos and videos from my phone.Do one extra house-cleaning project every day(follow along on Instagram for details!)- Do a craft project.
Reading Goals
Finish one book.
Family Goals
Go on a date with Jesse.
Business/Blogging Goals
- Write a post on 50 Things You Don’t Have to Pay For.
My 6 Goals for This Week
Personal Goals
- Delete 1000 photos and videos from my phone.
- Do one extra house-cleaning project every day (follow along on Instagram for details!)
- Do a craft project.
Reading Goals
- Finish listening to The London House and The Four Winds.
- Finish reading Jesus Everlasting.
Business/Blogging Goals
- Write a post on 50 Things You Don’t Have to Pay For.
Bee says
Aw! Wow! Didn’t know you were pregnant! How exciting 😊 Would you share what it’s like with such a large gap between your older and younger kids? I’m 37 and have a 10 and 13 year old. I’m debate often if I want more. Part of me feels tired and not sure I want to go back but the other side always wished I would have tried for more when they were younger. Not sure having more now would change that dynamic.
Crystal Paine says
Ours were big surprises as we were told we couldn’t have more kids, but it’s been such a huge gift! Yes, it’s a different kind of stretching dealing with ACT scores and teaching ABCs at the same time and teaching how to drive and also changing diapers, but it’s been wonderful! I LOVE watching our older kids interact with our younger ones. (I share lots of little peeks into what this looks like on my IG account: https://www.instagram.com/themoneysavingmom/
Kimberly says
Awwww…..that is SO sweet—what Silas gave you! And with alllll his gift shop money!
And thank you for the reminder that all.the.things. we do as mothers COUNT!! Sooooo helpful to remember.
I read somewhere that Ruth Bell Graham kept a card above their kitchen sink that said, “Divine duties performed here daily.” 🙂 I copied her idea and put up, from 1 Corinthians 15: “Nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.” (NLT)
“Even those mountains of laundry, Lord, that keep coming and coming?!”
“Yes, darlin’—even those mountains.”
Crystal Paine says
Thank you for sharing that quote!
Jo says
I’m looking for food grade storage buckets 3.5/5 gal) with Gamma lids. What I’ve found so far, are really expensive.
Do you use these and if so, any suggestions?
Thank you!
Olivia says
I’ve heard they are cheapest on Amazon, but I haven’t done much research myself. You can often get the food grade storage buckets for free at different grocery stores (like Kroger) if you are willing to wash them yourself! You would still have to purchase the gamma lids. Hope this helps! -Olivia, MSM Team
Kimberly says
That’s what I’ve heard, too—some grocery stores will even give them for free! (Former frosting containers, etc.)
Erin M says
My youngest child is my only daughter. She has 4 older brothers. The boys are 21, 17, 15, and almost 10. And she’s 6. She’s the same way as your daughter. She wants to know everything and asks a lot of questions.
My oldest son’s bday is just before Christmas. One year when he was a kid he used half his bday money to buy me a cookbook for Christmas that he knew I wanted. He enlisted help from his grandparents to purchase it as a surprise. It meant so very very much to me!
I love how you’re making time to stay connected to your hubby in all the craziness.
I’ve been getting in more walks lately too in the beautiful weather! Such a blessing!
Crystal Paine says
Hasn’t the beautiful weather been the best??
Kimmie says
Can I please ask where you got that camo hoodie in your belly bump pic?? I love it! Super cute.
Crystal Paine says
Amazon! I’ve had it for a few years but it looks like it’s still available here: https://amzn.to/3CAg03C