Last week, we made some fun memories prepping for and celebrating Easter.
On Friday, our friend, Tam, invited us over to decorate eggs and have lunch with her.
As you can tell, the kids had SO much fun coming up with all sorts of creative ways to color their eggs and I felt incredibly grateful for the gift of friends who love my children like this. It’s a beautiful thing!
And then, Tam and her husband, Brent, invited us and some other dear friends over to celebrate Easter. She had made Easter baskets for all the kids and a special Easter egg hunt — complete with specially marked eggs for each child with notes they had written to each child, money, and candy.
I’m blown away by the way these families have loved us and welcomed us here in TN since we’ve moved. It’s humbling, heart-warming, and it teaches me so much how to be better friend and to love others well.
We were so blessed by attending our church’s Good Friday Service. You can read more about it here.
Then, Sunday dawned a beautiful day! Not only was it a time for celebrating the true meaning of Easter, but we also loved the opportunity to serve in our church’s café together. We had fun shopping for food and supplies on Saturday and then we all worked together to get up and around and out the door by 7:30 a.m. in order to be at church in time to serve at all three services.
We opted to go for use-what-you-already-have-in-your-closet Easter Dresses this year. (Kaitlynn wanted to wear her green dress, Kathrynne didn’t care, and I looked briefly but couldn’t find a dress that I liked enough to actually pay money for!) I didn’t even realize until we all got dressed that morning that all of us girls were wearing green and polka dots!
{I was kind of proud of the fact that I watched a YouTube tutorial for this Dutch Braided Bun hairstyle and actually pulled it off… As a girl who typically can never replicate anything from a YouTube video without a major fail, this is pretty epic!}
Here’s an update on how I did on my goals last week:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. Decorate Easter eggs with the kids.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Continue working on developing the habit of obedience in our home(I attended the Laying Down the Rails workshop at the recent homeschool conference and it’s really motivated and inspired us in our parenting. We’re choosing the habit of obedience to implement in our home for the next 6-8 weeks. Just a week of working on this and it’s already made a big difference. Watch this video here for a snippet of the workshop.)Personal Goals
4. Exercise at least 5 times.5. Finish at least two books.
6. Listen to at least two inspiring audios/podcasts while working/driving.(I’ve recently been challenged to do a better job of using those little cracks of time throughout the day to fill my mind up with good things and things that make me think and analyze life.)Local Ministry/Hospitality/Friendship Goals
7. Research how to make the best coffee with the new commercial coffee machine we got for our church’s café.
8. Host a Dessert Night at our house.Business Goals
9. Outline/write 3 substantive blog posts for next week.
10. Finish all final edits for the Make Over Your Mornings course.
This week’s goals:
Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals
1. Take the kids on a field trip to the Nashville Zoo.
2. Write a love note to Jesse.
3. Continue working on developing the habit of obedience in our home (I attended the Laying Down the Rails workshop at the recent homeschool conference and it’s really motivated and inspired us in our parenting. We’re choosing the habit of obedience to implement in our home for the next 6-8 weeks. Just a week of working on this and it’s already made a big difference. Watch this video here for a snippet of the workshop.)
Personal Goals
4. Exercise at least 5 times.
5. Finish at least two books.
6. Listen to at least two inspiring audios/podcasts while working/driving. (I’ve recently been challenged to do a better job of using those little cracks of time throughout the day to fill my mind up with good things and things that make me think and analyze life.)
Local Ministry/Hospitality/Friendship Goals
7. Have a lunch date with a friend.
8. Have friends from out of town over for dinner.
9. Finish reading a friend’s manuscript & writing an endorsement for it.
Business Goals
10. Outline/write 3 substantive blog posts for next week.
How did you do on last week’s goals? What are your goals for this week? I’d love to have you share your progress on last week’s goals and your goals for this coming week in the comments. Of, if you’ve blogged about it, leave your direct link below. Let’s cheer each other on to live purposeful and productive lives! You can download a free customizable weekly goal-planning sheet here.
Janet T says
Crystal, I love how you are so good about setting goals and attaining them! Its inspiring and encouraging me to not give up trying. 🙂 Love reading your posts-the content is helpful and relevant in so many areas.
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for your kind encouragement!
Cari says
Looks like a very fun, good and productive week! Yay for getting the braid to work! It looks very nice.
Jennifer says
I am always a write out your goals kind of gal, but being accountable to countless people is really taking it to the next level and challenges me to really make sure I get them done. Last week was impossible for me to get my goals done since I wasn’t living at home, but while the week was passing me by I kept thinking about how excited I was to get back at it this week. Thanks for encouraging us to step up the accountability factor, too!
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo! Yay! I’m so proud of you!
Patty says
What inspiring podcasts do you recommend?
Crystal Paine says
This past week, I’ve been listening to episodes of Inspired to Action by Kat Lee.
[email protected] says
I love your heart for your husband and your family. Thank you for sharing!
JW says
I have hesitated to ask this question, but I wonder every time I read your goal posts, it seems like it’s should be so simple. What is the difference between a goals list and a to do list? My to do list would have laundry, call and make an appointment, grocery shopping etc on the list, yours never do, so I’m assuming that you have a goals list and a to do list… or do you view them as the same thing? Thanks for the help!
Crystal Paine says
My goals are usually things that are helping me have forward movement in areas I am working on — strengthening my marriage, developing myself as a person, being strategic as a business owner, etc. I use them as a starting point for then creating my daily to do lists — to make sure that I’m being intentional every day and taking tiny steps in the direction I want to be headed.
Kim says
Looks like everyone had a wonderful time. Yay. 🙂
Sarah@TheOrthodoxMama says
I love the braid! I am going to have to check out that tutorial. I am hopeless with my hair 🙂 I may have to try it for our Easter this Sunday. I am an Eastern Orthodox Christian, so our Holy Week is this week and Easter (Pascha) this coming Sunday. Thanks again for sharing the tutorial!
Rhonda says
Crystal, I love how you have posted the progress of your goals. I have always been a goal-setting girl, but this year I have written both personal and professional goals. I homeschool my 4 children and life gets hectic. It’s a great check in and good reminder, because time does fly. I recently checked in to see how I was doing, and noticed I had neglected my date nights with my husband. Between soccer, baseball and homeschool, I asked my husband out and we had a great date day exploring the new town that we have moved to! Thanks for posting the reminder not to forget the little things! – Rhonda
Crystal Paine says
I love this! Thank you for sharing and I’m so glad you guys had a great date day!
kariane says
What a blessing to have such wonderful friends! We also have friends who truly go above and beyond for our children. Everyday I’m thankful for their love and example.
Tracy says
I had bought a new dress to wear for Easter. However it didn’t work out we had a couple inches of snow. So I wore a nice slack outfit instead.
Crystal Paine says
It was a lot colder here that I was expecting it would be, too!
Jennifer says
Your hair looks fabulous! I’m so impressed you followed a tutorial to do it. I figured your little fashionista had worked her magic 🙂
Crystal Paine says
I think it’s pretty much the first time ever a tutorial hasn’t been a big flop for me. It’s given me courage to try others… who knows, I just might end up with more than three hairstyles I can do in the future! 🙂
Sonya says
Listening to podcasts while driving sounds like a great way to utilize your time and learn something new.
Cheryl says
We also had a wonderful and meaningful Good Friday service, all of the members placed a black lego (sin) on the white lego cross and then was blessed by the pastors. Our sermon series though lent and earlier was being connected to Christ and also our church family. Just my daughter got a new Easter/Spring dress this year since she has been growing like crazy! Happy Easter! He is risen indeed!
Amber Woods says
You are going to love the zoo. We finally bought the membership last year. They are pretty good about changing up the exhibits to keep things fresh. My husband and I love it just because with the two littles in the stroller we can walk around and talk and breathe the fresh air in a beautiful setting. The playground is awesome too. We did the lunch with the Easter Bunny on Saturday. It is their busiest day of the year, but that part was not crowded and so worth it.
Kaitlynn looks so much like you. I think it is funny since you talk about her fashion sense and how you guys are so different. Love your blog and the fact that you now live here in Nashville. Glad you love it like we do!
Crystal Paine says
We’re excited to try out the zoo! I can’t believe we’ve almost been here and year and have never gone!
Jasie says
I’d love to hear what Podcasts you listen to!
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
I would, too! 🙂 I’m glad you had a nice Easter!
Crystal Paine says
Last week, I listened to Kat Lee’s Inspired to Action podcast. I am planning to try a few different ones each week and will probably be blogging some on what I love/learn.
Emily says
I noticed the braid right away. Looks great!
Happy Easter! I know it’s after Easter…but I’m thankful that we can celebrate His resurrection any day. 🙂
Crystal Paine says
Yes, that’s the thing that really hit me this Lent/Easter season — how we need to be living in light of the resurrection every single day!
Vickie @Vickie's KITCHEN AND GARDEN says
You all look so nice for Easter! I also opted to wear what I had in my closet this year.
I hope you have a great time at the zoo!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, thanks so much! And yes, it can be fun to make do with what we already have, can’t it?
Julie@frugallyblonde says
My son is on spring break this week so my goals are pretty simple. Work on a few blog posts, do something fun each day with him, and have him clean out his room/closet/playroom.
Crystal Paine says
Have a wonderful Spring Break!
Jillian Kay says
We just got back from a trip to the Great Smokies! We love Tennessee!
Listening to podcasts while I drive is one of my favorite things to do. I feel like I’m winning over the traffic.
Crystal Paine says
Yes! I love redeeming that time in the car!
Victoria says
We have been to Nashville several times and have not been to their zoo. That seems really strange now that I think of it considering one of our children begs to go to the zoo in each town we visit. Hope you enjoy your field trip there. My goals for this week are to get my posts written for the blog by Friday again so I can work on ebook edits on Saturday. Also want to get an ice skating get together going for my daughter. We got a groupon for a nearby skating rink a while back and normally my husband takes my daughter and her friends (he hockey skates circles around me) but he has a few extra shifts this week so that leaves me, hopefully I don’t come away too bruised from falling.
Crystal Paine says
Can’t wait to read your book!!