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Shared Feb 23, 2015 comment

10 Goals For This Week (+ an update on my goals from last week)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 23, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Goals from two weeks ago (we were out of town last Monday & Tuesday, so I didn’t get goals set or posted… such is life sometimes!):

Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals

1. Continue on with our Morning Time routine. Read aloud for at least 20 minutes every day. (I almost hit this goal, but ended up missing a few days while we were out of town.)

~~2. Write a love note to Jesse.~~

~~3. Have a date with Jesse.~~

~~4. Write a note of encouragement to one person.~~

Personal Goals

~~5. Exercise at least 4 times.~~

~~6. Finish at least two books.~~

7. Knit a Cosy Posy Ear Warmer. (I’m over halfway done with this! Yay!)

8. Try two new recipes: Trim Healthy Mama Waffles and Hot Fudge Pie.

Business Goals

9. Shoot a short video for a project I’m working on.

~~10. Finish up edits on the script/handbook on my soon-to-be-released course.~~ (More details coming soon! I’m SO excited about this and how it’s coming together thanks to a great team who is putting so much heart and effort into it!)

This week’s goals:

Marriage/Mothering/Homemaking Goals

1. Continue on with our Morning Time routine. Read aloud every day.

2. Write a love note to Jesse.

3. Have a family movie night.

4. Write a note of encouragement to one person.

Personal Goals

5. Exercise at least 4 times.

6. Finish at least two books.

7. Finish the Cosy Posy Ear Warmer.

8. Try one new recipes.

Business Goals

9. Train my new local assistant.

10. Review/practice script for my new course filming next week. (More details coming soon! I’m SO excited about this and how it’s coming together thanks to a great team who is putting so much heart and effort into it!)

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.

Shared Feb 23, 2015 comment

My Monday Morning Plan + Today’s Cleaning Project

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 23, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

My Monday Morning Homemaking Plan

It’s Monday and guess what that means? That means it’s time for our weekly deep-cleaning project! Every Monday morning this year, I’ll be assigning us all a deep-cleaning project to tackle (well, that is, if want to join us!)

Today’s project is to deep clean the kitchen. Do as much as you’re able to do — whether that’s a complete deep clean or just getting the dishes down, the countertops wiped off, and the appliances wiped down.

We have a really full week this week. We’re prepping for a big filming project next week that a whole crew of people are flying in from out of town to film/produce (I can’t WAIT to share more about this course we’re designing — I think you’re going to love it!), we’re back to our normal extracurricular activities now that the snow has finally melted, we have multiple get-togethers with friends (which I’m excited about — we were cooped up at home because of the snow for almost all week last week!), Kathrynne has an all-day swim meet one day this week, there’s a film crew coming in for another short film project this week, we have a few different appointments, and I’m training my brand-new local assistant whom I just hired (She starts today — I’m so grateful to have found her!)

So needless to say, I’m making sure to streamline thing, simplify as much as possible, and keep my expectations for this week on the low side. 🙂

With this in mind, I got an early start on today’s project and did some of it this weekend. 🙂 I already cleaned out the fridge and microwave and swept the floor. So this morning, I just need to do the dishes, wipe down the outside of the cupboards, and wipe down the countertops.

Here’s my plan for this morning:

Exercise, shower
Bible reading/journaling
Breakfast/Morning Time
Chores/quick house clean up
Clean the kitchen — dishes, wipe down countertops, and wipe down the cupboard doors
Get girls started on their independent work
School with Silas
Work on laundry for 15 minutes
Ready to go — lunch made — head to work at our office space

This evening, I’ll share a post about how my morning well and give you an update (with pictures) on how my kitchen-cleaning project went.

Need some motivation? Check out my post on 10 Ways to Make Cleaning More Fun.

Want to join me? Leave a comment to let us know you’re participating! If you have time, tell us what your morning plan is, too.

Shared Feb 21, 2015 comment

The Top 4 Most Popular Posts From This Past Week

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 21, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

MOMS: Why You Need to Give Yourself a “Time-Out”

Why I Can Never Complain About Doing Dishes or Cooking Again

One Book I Read This Week & How It Surprised Me

When Valentine’s Day Just Hurts… Hope for the Heartbroken

Tiny home idea on a budget: convert a school bus into a house!! This family's story is SO inspirational!

Shared Feb 21, 2015 comment

How We Improved Our Finances by Living In A Bus

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 21, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Guest post from Katherine:

The Dream:

When we were first married, my husband and I dreamed of living a self-sufficient life in a yurt on a couple acres. However, property values in our area were too high for us to buy at the time.

We spent a year begrudgingly paying rent. Then we found a converted school bus on Craigslist. We adjusted our dream to fit the opportunity and bought the bus with plans to live in it full-time — and no long term place to park!

Fortunately, friends offered to host us within a month. We’ve lived happily in our bus full-time for 3 1/2 of the last 5 years.

The Reality:

1. Tiny living has helped our financial situation.

We paid cash for our bus. Once we moved in, we put our rent money towards starting a successful business, building an emergency fund, and saving for a down payment.

We even went to Ireland for six weeks… and this summer we will be building a small, but not tiny, home.

2. Some traditional money saving activities are harder, but not impossible.

Buying in bulk? Preserving food? Gardening? They’re tricky, but we manage.

Our kitchen takes up a third of our square footage and when we stock up, we pack our cabinets full.

Dehydrating food is a space-efficient way to preserve. As for gardening and freezing, they depend on where you park your house.

3. We have an amazing host family.

Unless you have your own land or intend to move from RV park to RV park, you will need a host. Our hosts are happy for us to grow a vegetable garden and raise chickens on their property. We also have storage in their garage and attic.

In exchange for the space, we help them out in various ways like plowing the road in the winter and digging and fertilizing garden beds.

4. Mess builds up fast in a small space.

No matter how tidy I get the bus, everything explodes again within 24 hours. I am not a naturally organized person, so it’s hard to maintain order. However, I have learned to stay sane by blocking out part of every day for organizing and cleaning.

5. Contentment is the key to tiny living.

Tiny living is a great way to curb impulse spending as fun, new purchases quickly turn into annoying clutter in a small space!

I have to admit that our space does feel smaller now that we have a baby. As I seek to be content in our converted bus, I remember these words from Saint John Chrysostom, “If you see someone greedy for many things, you should consider him the poorest of all, even if he has acquired everyone’s money. If, on the other hand, you see someone with few needs, you should count him the richest of all, even if he has acquired nothing.”

Through living in our bus, we’ve created wonderful memories, developed better spending habits, and prepared for a financially sound future.

We have also skirted a number of pitfalls.

The Nightmares:

1. Stereotypes and Public Opinion

Some people assume that if you don’t live in a modern single family home you must be a drug addict, a hippie who’s forgotten what decade it is, or a loafer who can’t hold down a job. It’s not true, especially with the rise of the tiny home movement, but the idea lingers in many people’s minds. Be ready to prove them wrong.

2. Insurance Issues

It is possible to insure tiny homes and converted buses, but insurance may not be available in all states. RVs are obviously easier to insure. Although we did insure our bus (as an unfinished RV) for the 3 hour drive home, we don’t have insurance on it now because we don’t drive it.

The bus itself, a 1978 International with a bad transmission, doesn’t have much monetary value, so we have an emergency fund rather than insurance.

3. Legal Issues

From what I understand, living full-time in a tiny home, converted bus, or RV is often a legal grey area. If you are considering tiny living, you should look into zoning regulations, building codes, and covenants.

Most importantly, make sure your potential neighbors are fine with your plans.

In spite of these issues, I believe that tiny living can be a viable option for the right people at the right time.

Would living in a bus be a dream or a nightmare for you?

Katherine has worked as a whitewater rafting guide, ski instructor, and wilderness trip leader, but she embarked on her biggest adventure yet when she gave birth to her daughter last August. She is passionate about tiny living, outdoor adventure with kids, and micro-homesteading.

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Shared Feb 21, 2015 comment

Gretchen’s $46 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 21, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Dillons

1 Nature Valley Loaf Bread – $2

1.01 lbs Asparagus – $3.02

1 Sara Lee Cake – $2.99, Used $1/1 printable – $1.99 after coupon (The sale sign said B1G1 Free but it didn’t ring up as that. I’m guessing it was a sign they needed to take down from a previous sale.) 🙁

1 Thomas English Muffins – $1.59, used $0.40/1 coupon from the 1/11 SmartSource insert – $1.19 after coupon

2 Cucumbers – $0.79 each

1 gallon Dillons Milk – $2.50

1 bag Kroger Spinach – $2.50

1 dozen Eggs – $1.88

1 Simple Truth Almonds – Marked down to $2.79

2 Kroger Cottage Cheese – $1 each

1 Kraft Tarter Sauce – $2

0.59 lbs Broccoli – $1.12

2 Tofuti Cuties – Marked down to $0.95 each (I had never tried these before but thought it would be fun. They aren’t too bad!)

1 Kroger Sour Cream – $1

1.94 lbs Bananas – $1.14

2 bunches Lettuce – $0.99 each

2 Pineapple – $1 each

1 Celery – $1.49
I also used a $2/$10 produce coupon Dillons mailed to me.

1 pkg Kroger Chicken Drumsticks – Marked down to $4.43

Mega Sale Items (Buy 6, Get $3 off):

1 Trix Cereal – $1.79, used $1/1 printable (no longer available) – $0.79 after coupon

1 Honey Nut Cheerios – $1.79, used $0.75/1 printable – $1.04 after coupon

3 pkg Motts Fruit Snacks – $1.49 each, used 3 $0.50/1 printable – $0.99 each after coupons

1 Kraft Cheese – $1.99, used $0.75/1 printable – $1.24 after coupon

Total with tax ($3.04): $45.57

I also picked up a box of Fisher Boy Fish Sticks from Homeland this week for $0.99 but don’t have a picture of it.

Total for all grocery items: $46.56

Menu Plan for this Week

Breakfasts

Cereal

Toast & Eggs x 2

Oatmeal

Homemade Granola

Egg Muffins

Lunches

Fruit/Veggies/Cheese/Crackers x 2

Peanut Butter & Jelly Sandwiches and Oranges x 2

Cheese Quesadillas & Carrot Sticks

Baked Potatoes, Cottage Cheese, Fruit

Spinach Smoothies/Tossed Salad

Dinners

Baked Chicken Drumsticks, Steamed Asparagus

Dinner with family

Church Valentine’s Banquet

Salad Bar, Pumpkin Muffins

Fish Sticks, Tossed Salad, Steamed Peas, Pineapple

Chicken Enchiladas, Steamed Asparagus, Fruit Salad

Spaghetti Pie, Tossed Salad, Green Beans, Double Fudge Banana Muffins

Shared Feb 20, 2015 comment

One book I read this week & how it surprised me (+ what I plan to read next week)

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 20, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

This book wasn’t even on my list to read last week but after reading Erin’s post on Adrenal Fatigue, I was so intrigued by it and the changes she’s made that I used some of my Swagbucks to buy a Kindle copy of The Adrenal Reset Diet.

I’m such a paper/hardcover book girl so you know I was anxious to read this book if I bought a Kindle version and read it on my phone. Because I basically never do that!

However, I’m so glad I did because this book challenged and inspired me in some fairly significant ways. I was surprised to realize that some different symptoms I’ve been experiencing recently are likely the result of too much stress in my life and not enough sleep.

I’ve made getting an average of 7 hours of sleep per night a priority for quite a long time now, but reading the book and going through the Adrenal Fatigue quiz opened my eyes to some different things — namely that I haven’t been functioning at my best capacity for awhile now. Based upon what I read, I’m pretty sure sleep and stress are the culprits. And they kind of work in a vicious cycle.

I’m so much healthier and rested and sane than I was five years ago when I was completely run down, exhausted, and stretched way, way too thin. (If you’re interested, I wrote about my journey of hitting rock bottom and the steps I took to recovery in my book, Say Goodbye to Survival Mode.)

After reading The Adrenal Reset Diet, my eyes were opened to the fact that I’m not thriving as much as I’d like to be or should be. The book gave a lot of different recommendations, but the three that I decided to try for the next 4-6 weeks are: 1) Going to bed by 10 p.m. or earlier every night and shooting to get 8+ hours of sleep every single night. 2) Eating a high-protein breakfast every morning. 3) Not drinking coffee after noon (the book suggestions 9 a.m., but I’m starting with noon since I’m all about babysteps!)

We’ll see how it goes. So far, I’ve already been able to tell a marked improvement in just a few days. That’s exciting and encouraging!

9 Books I’m Reading This Week:

Help Me, Jesus! I Have Nothing to Wear! — I heard the author speak at a conference not too long ago and loved her suggestions and tips for dressing well. I was so inspired, in fact, that I went and bought her book and had her do my color analysis at the end of her session. Can’t wait to dive into this book.

Parenting the Wholehearted Child — Can I be really honest with you? Parenting books aren’t my favorite genre. In fact, I typically steer clear of them.

I was raised in an age and culture where many families followed parenting books and discipline plans to a tee and, well, much of the fruit from all that didn’t turn out so great. It left a bad taste in my mouth for the whole “follow steps A, B, and C as a parent and you’ll be a Godly family/good parent” etc.

So yes, I kinda prefer to stay far away from anything that remotely resembles a system or method of parenting. Because I truly have come to believe that there are no one-size-fits-all plans.

At any rate, I was hesitant to start this book because it fell under the “parenting book” genre. But I’m so glad that I did. I’m two chapters in and it is honestly turning out to be one of the best non-fiction books I’ve read in a long time.

I just want to sit and read the whole thing in one sitting. But on the other hand, I want to process it slowly so that I can take it all in!

Unstoppable — I’m about halfway through this book and being challenged and convicted by it.

She Reads Truth Lent Study/Bible — I am loving the Lent study so far… as I have loved all the She Reads Truth studies. Seriously, one of the best things I’ve invested in for my personal spiritual development and relationship with God ever.

Stepping Heavenward — My new friend, Allison Burr, (who is not only been a huge blessing to my life by helping me with some business projects but is also just a week away from moving from Minnesota to just 15 minutes away from me — I’m so excited!) sent me this book and said it was one of her very favorites ever. Can you believe I’ve never read it? I’m working on remedying that stat.

Lizzy & Jane — So far, I’ve found this to be really engaging!

The Cricket in Times Square — I’m reading this to the kids right now and we’re about halfway through it. They’ve all enjoyed it and beg for me to read more chapters each — which is always a good sign!

Long Walk to Freedom & Kaffir Boy — I’m working through these as I seek to understand more about South African history.

What did you read this past week? Any must-read book recommendations?

Shared Feb 20, 2015 comment

Brigette’s $51 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 6

Published: by Brigette on February 20, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Last week I didn’t go grocery shopping as our children were in various stages of the most aggressive and longest stomach virus that has ever hit our family. 🙁 My husband made a couple of “emergency” trips to the store for a few things, sweet friends stopped by with food, and we survived! I didn’t need to buy as much this week since we still have things to use up, but it felt great to get out of the house again. 🙂

Aldi

1 16-oz bag Frozen Tilapia Fillets – $3.49

2 16-oz bags Frozen Strawberries – $4.38

2 16-oz packages Frozen Ground Turkey – $3.78

2 3-ct packages Romaine Hearts – $3.98

1 bunch Bananas (3.33lbs @ $0.44/lb) – $1.47, plus receive $0.25 back from Checkout 51 – $1.22

1 bag Tortilla Chips – $0.99

2 3-ct packages Zucchini – $1.98

1 32-oz container Greek Yogurt – $3.89, plus receive $0.50 back from Checkout 51 – $3.39

1 3-ct package Green Peppers – $1.19

1 Dijon Mustard – $0.99

1 8-oz Swiss Cheese – $1.79

1 bag Mini Sweet Peppers – $2.29

3 16-oz cartons Egg Whites – $5.97

2 jars Kosher Baby Dills – $2.58

1 Gallon Milk – $2.99

Total after Rebates: $41.01

Harris Teeter

I bag Bananas, reduced – $1.00

1 box Honey Nut Cheerios Medley – $2.50, used $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $1.00 after coupons

2 boxes Gorton’s Grilled Fish Fillets (B1G1) – $4.29, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (doubled) – $1.29/2 after coupons

1 32-oz bag Frozen Broccoli – $2.00

1 32-oz bag Frozen Spinach – $2.00

2 8-oz blocks Kraft Pepper Jack Cheese – $5.00, used 2 $0.75/1 printable (NLA, doubled) – $2.00/2 after coupons

2 packages Trans Ocean Crab Classic (B1G1) – $2.99, used 2 $0.50/1 printable (doubled) – $0.99/2 after coupons

Total: $10.28

Weekly Total: $51.29

Weekly Menu

Breakfasts

Cereal

Trim Healthy Mama Pancakes (I use pumpkin puree in place of the cottage cheese)

Baby Shower Brunch – I am bringing French Breakfast Puffs

Steel Cut Oatmeal and Bananas x 2

Veggie Omelettes for me, Scrambled Eggs and Toast for the Family x 2

Lunches

Peanut Butter and Banana Sandwiches, Mini Sweet Peppers x 2

Potluck Lunch at Church – I am bringing Cheesy Hashbrown Potatoes and Upside Down Praline Apple Pie

Build-Your-Own-Tossed-Salad x 2

Baked Potatoes with Pepper Jack Cheese and Steamed Spinach, Bananas

Leftovers

Dinners

Spaghizza, Homemade French Bread, Sautéed Zucchini

Dinner at a Friend’s House

Baked Parmesan Tilapia, Steamed Broccoli, Creamy Milk Rice, Tossed Salad

Pancakes, Scrambled Eggs, Turkey Bacon, Oranges

Taco Salad, Brown Rice, Apple Slices

Chicken Noodle Soup (with homemade noodles), Fresh Veggie Plate, Sliced Cheese and Crackers

Leftovers

Snacks

Greek Yogurt and Strawberries, Smoothies, Popcorn, French Breakfast Puffs

Shared Feb 19, 2015 comment

MOMS: Why You Need to Give Yourself a “Time-Out”

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 19, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Not too long ago, I was talking with a mom and I was saying something about the books I was reading. She immediately shot back, “Oh, I love to read but I don’t have time to read because of my kids.”

My heart wanted to break right in two. Having kids is a lot of work. Trust me, I get that.

And it takes a lot of time and effort and work and sacrifice. Motherhood is no walk in the park.

Having your first child flips your world upside down and means that your schedule is no longer your own. You have a whole new set of responsibilities and to-do’s. Not only that, but you have a person who is now depending upon you and your spouse for their sole survival.

It’s a BIG thing. It’s nothing to shirk at. And it can suck the life right out of you — if you let it.

Which is why I’m about to say something that just might step on some toes…

Are you ready? Buckle your seat belts and hold onto your hats, because in the last few years, I’ve become pretty passionate about what I’m about to say:

Motherhood is a lot of work and responsibility, but it is NOT an excuse to stop using your brain and intellect, to stop enjoying life, and to stop taking time for things you love.

There, I said it.

It’s high time we quit using motherhood as a reason to no longer live life to the fullest, no longer feed our soul and intellect, to no longer enjoy hobbies and relationships like we once did.

Because here’s the truth: one of the BEST things you can do for yourself, your marriage, and your kids is to take time to refuel and refresh yourself. To stop and savor life. To make time for things you love.

Think about it. If you’re just constantly giving and giving and giving out to others, if you’re just pouring and pouring and pouring into your family, if you’re just wringing yourself dry to meet the needs of others and you’re never taking time to replenish, refresh, and refuel, no wonder you feel exhausted and spent!

No wonder you have nothing left to give. No wonder you’re so tired. No wonder you feel brain-fried.

No wonder you feel like you might just snap right in two if one more person asks you to do something or if one more child hollers “MOOOOOMMMMYYYYY!”

As women, we are capable of a lot. We can multi-task. We have “eyes in the back of our head”. We can pull all-nighters when our child is really sick. We can juggle a lot of balls.

But at some point, when a rubber band is stretched out too far for too long, it’s going to snap. At some point, when you keep running on empty, you are truly going to run out of gas and be stranded on the side of the road. At some point, the lack of sleep and running around like a chicken with your head cut off will catch up with you and knock you flat.

And that’s why I cannot say it strongly enough: Moms, give yourself permission to take time for YOU.

To do things you love.
To have coffee with that friend.
To work on that hobby.
To read that book.
To update your scrapbooks.
To work in the garden.
To S-L-E-E-P!
To piddle around in the kitchen.
To engage in stimulating discussions.
To study new things.
To try new things.

What fills you up? What refreshes you? What makes you come alive? What gets you really excited about life?

Set aside some things you think you “have” to do or “must” do or feel obligated to do to carve out some space to invest time into some of those things you truly love.

Investing in yourself is not selfish. Instead, it gives you more energy to be able to pour more into your relationships, your marriage, your job, and your kids.

P.S. If you wish you could find time to do things you love but you just don’t think you have any extra time at all in your schedule right now, I encourage you to check out Jessica Turner’s book, The Fringe Hours.

I got to read a pre-release copy of the book a few months ago and highly recommend it. It’s a must-read for all busy moms!

Want some practical help with setting up your day for success? It all starts the night before! Be sure to grab a copy of my brand-new online course, Make Over Your Evenings.

This 14-day online course includes videos, a workbook, and step-by-step projects and is designed to help you maximize your evenings in order to experience more success in your life, more order in your home, and more joy in your soul.

It’s time to stop sleep-walking through life and wake up to the amazing excitement and fulfillment that comes when you follow my simple plan to Make Over Your Evenings.

Find out more about it here.

Shared Feb 18, 2015 comment

Why I Can Never Complain About Doing Dishes or Cooking Again

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 18, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

{These children usually just have pap to eat. We brought them some fruit and they were so excited to gobble it down!}

Of all the new and different things I experienced in South Africa, I think the thing that will stick with me for a very long time was seeing first hand just how significant the hunger problems there are in the world.

And I know they are not isolated to communities in Africa — or even in third world countries. Right here in America, there are children and adults who go hungry. There are children who go home from school and have no food at all over the weekends.

{This JAM porridge is much more nutritionally dense than the pap that most South African children in the poorest communities eat. You can read more about it here. Take Action Ministries in partnership with Help One Now makes and feeds this porridge to hundreds of children every day in an effort to help fill children’s bellies with something that provides nutritional value.}

We want to change the world and make an impact, but sometimes, that starts with offering a bowl of porridge. When you have an empty belly, it’s hard to think of anything else. It’s hard to dream or imagine a life outside of the confines of poverty.

Those of us who have choices in what we eat each day are tremendously blessed. We worry about whether we’re giving our kids enough variety. We stress over whether we should buy more organic produce.

We wonder whether we should give our kids a different kind of vitamin or whether they should be eating more meat or drinking more milk or going off dairy or gluten…

{Samp and beans — this was what they fed to around 100 kids at the Reagoboka Drop-In Centre the day we visited. It made me so happy for the kids to get something other than pap to eat. We got to eat it for lunch, too, and I thought it was quite tasty!}

And none of these things we worry about as parents are wrong. We should want to do our best to nurture our children and encourage them to develop healthy habits from a young age.

However, going to South Africa gave me a completely different perspective on life, including things like making food and washing dishes. I realized that there are many things that I’ve complained about in the past that seem so silly and inconsequential now when you think of them in the grand scheme of things.

Here are two things I will never be able to complain about again:

1. I can never complain about having to do dishes.

I’ve often grumbled over a heap of dirty dishes… wishing cooking and eating didn’t make such a mess, wishing there weren’t burned pans to scrub, wishing I could just go to bed instead of staying up conquering that mountain of plates and cups and bowls.

But how can I complain when I realize that those same dishes represent the blessing of food? Food that is readily available in our fridge and cupboards to cook and eat and, yes, dirty our dishes.

Dirty dishes mean that little people at my house have food in their bellies. That none of us know the ache and pain of a seriously empty stomach or the fear that must come when there is nothing to eat and no money to buy food.

{The kitchen where the Reagoboka Drop-In Centre cooks food for over 100 children every day. And you thought your kitchen was too small for your family!}

2. I can never complain about how much time it takes to plan & prepare meals.

So many times, I’ve thought how easy it would be if we could just skip eating — or at least stick with really simple meals. I’ve sometimes dreaded the fact that it’s getting close to dinner and I need to make yet another meal.

I’ve had times when I’ve wished my kids weren’t hungry yet again. (Didn’t they just eat a few hours ago??)

But here’s the thing: I’ve never known what it is like to see my kids go hungry. To desperately wish I could give them something to eat and have nothing to give them. To see them suffer from hunger and be literally helpless to do anything about it.

{Visiting the Maubane Community. While we were there, Take Action Ministries arranged a special treat — lunch for all the kids in the community! They had pap and Walkie Talkies — which are chicken feet and chicken beaks!}

Yes, we’ve had very lean years, but we always had food to eat — even if it meant eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches almost every day. We’ve always had a roof over our heads, blankets to cover up with at night, enough clothes to wear, coats to keep us warm in the winter time, enough money to buy gas to drive where we needed to go, clean water to drink and bathe with.

How can I complain about things like “having to cook yet again” when there are mothers all around the world who would give anything just to have something to cook for their starving child? To have even one small bit of food once a day to quell their baby’s empty stomach?

From here on out, I hope that I look at that pile of dirty dishes, that messy kitchen, that refrigerator needing to be cleaned out, and the meal that needs to be made with completely new appreciation. Truly, we have so much more to be grateful for than we often realize.

P.S. If you feel called to help the children in some of the poorest communities in South Africa, we’d love to have you join us and over 100 others as part of the Ten Dollar Tribe. You can read all about this group and how you can get involved here. And thank you, thank you to each of you who have already joined. We are incredibly humbled and grateful that you’d join us in this!

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Shared Feb 16, 2015 comment

How a 9-year-old girl is making a big difference

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 16, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Parents, I want you to gather up your kiddos and go read this post with them about a 9-year-old girl who has such a heart for giving and making a difference.

I was touched and motivated by reading it, and I think you will be, too!

Shared Feb 16, 2015 comment

How I Made $1,230 This Past Week By Selling Items on Facebook

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 16, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Heather from Queen Bee Coupons is doing a Project Downsize series on her blog.

Head on over to see what she got rid of this week and how she made $1230 by selling items on Facebook this past week.

Shared Feb 16, 2015 comment

Sign up for AdsMoi and earn money watching videos

Published: by MSM Team on February 16, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

Abby emailed in the following tip:

I am writing about a mobile website called AdsMoi that allows users to watch advertisements and get paid. It isn’t much (like a $1 day) but it adds up.

I have used it for almost a month and was able to cash out to an Amazon gift card for about $25. Anyone can sign up for free. My 16-year-old son also uses it. -Abby

Have any of you used AdsMoi before? If so, I’d love to hear your experiences with it.

To earn more Amazon gift cards, check out Swagbucks.

Shared Feb 14, 2015 comment

When Valentine’s Day Just Hurts… A word of hope for the heartbroken

Published: by Crystal Paine on February 14, 2015 | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

As I’ve been scrolling through all the Valentine’s Day posts online the past few days — the posts on marriage, the pictures of the flowers he bought for her, the details of the surprise date they went on — I can’t help but think about all of the people out there that are hurting this Valentine’s Day…

The mom of two whose husband recently walked out on her.

The gal whose heart was broken in pieces when she discovered the love of her life was cheating on her.

The husband whose wife suffered a traumatic brain injury a few years ago and has never recovered.

The wife of twenty years whose marriage is crumbling.

The single girl in her thirties who desperately longs to be married.

The woman who is in an abusive relationship and scared for her life.

The elderly man who lost his wife to cancer ten years ago and misses her more than words can express.

For many, Valentine’s Day is not a day of romantic gestures and beautiful flowers and heartfelt love notes. It’s a day of pain. A day of mourning what was lost — or what one never had in the first place. A day of sadness and loneliness. A day that dredges up old wounds and past hurts.

I don’t know all your stories or struggles or past. But I just felt today like I was supposed to write something for those of you who are hurting this Valentine’s Day. Who are feeling sad, neglected, heartbroken, and/or rejected.

Here’s what I want to tell you:

1. You Are Not a Failure

Despite how someone else has made you feel, despite what the voices in your head are telling you, you are not a failure.

You may have failed in some areas, but falling down and making mistakes does not make you a failure. It just means that you are human.

2. You Matter

You have worth. You have immense value. Do not believe the lies that others or your own head tells you that says you are worthless or are good for nothing.

Note: If you feel this way, I strongly encourage you to read Brene Brown’s book, Daring Greatly.

3. You Have a Purpose

You have a story. You have unique life experience. You have gifts and talents.

You are the only YOU.

Own the gifts you have been given. They might seem small and insignificant. It might feel like you don’t have much to offer. But offer whatever it is you have to give.

Look for ways to make a difference and bless others. Often, it’s the seemingly small and insignificant things that make the greatest impact.

The world needs your gifts, your talent, your passions, your abilities. Be you, bravely.

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