Welcome to my weekly post I share a peek into our lives, talk about things I’m loving, share links to interesting articles or helpful ideas I’ve collected throughout the past week, and just talk about whatever is on my heart! ?
Kaitlynn had Spirit Week this past week at school and had fun dressing up for the different themes every day. Monday was Western Day and here was what she wore!
I made a batch of our favorite Banana Bread — but I accidentally baked it for too long. It was still yummy! I sliced it and stuck it in the freezer for quick snacks.
And I also made up a crockpot recipe that we really enjoyed!
I was so excited to find Sparkling Water for just $0.99 and Flowers for just $0.49 and $1.49 marked down at Kroger! Speaking of markdowns, I wrote a comprehensive post on How to Find Markdowns at Kroger.
I’m so excited about how our library bookshelves are coming together. They should be finished in the next few days! I can’t wait to show you the final product — and I can’t wait to get our books organized on these shelves!
Silas celebrated his 9th birthday by inviting a few of his closest friends to go with him and the girls to Home Depot for their free Kid’s Workshop (this was all his idea! He told me, “It will mean that the party is basically free!”)
We also had our traditional Mother-Son ice cream date. And we did some other fun things together as a family to celebrate and to celebrate him!
Don’t mind us, we’re just the crazy family who decided to spend 30 minutes having way too much fun trying to jump over these posts — while all sorts of people were walking by!
Swipe on the photos here to see all of our jumping — including one of my extremely graceful attempts. ??
And yes, it took me four tries to get it — one of which could have sent me to the ER since I almost landed on my head.
But am I a quitter? Nope. Not when everyone else in the family did it. You better believe Mama ain’t gonna be upstaged like that. ?
We might not feed our kids an all organic diet. They might sometimes go to bed an hour later than they probably “should”. We might barely make it to school on time some days. And we might have just finally gotten caught up on laundry after being behind for two weeks. But ya’ll, our post-jumping skills are on point! ?
The older my kids get, the less I worry about what people say we “should” do as parents and the more I focus on seizing the spontaneous moments to laugh and have fun together, building relationships, loving my kids right where they are at, and being okay with making a complete fool of myself in order to make memories.
Something I’ve Been Thinking About
As an awkward and often insecure introvert, I’m here to tell you that relationships are WORTH IT.
I am so much healthier and happier and more wholehearted as a person because I’ve opened the door of my heart (and my home!) and welcomed people in.
If you are struggling in relationships and longing for friends but feel like you don’t know where to start, who to invite, or you just don’t know that anyone would WANT to be your friend, I so get that.
I was lonely for a lot of years and felt like maybe I just didn’t know how to be a good friend because it felt like I couldn’t ever seem to find good friends or that I was constantly blowing it when I did find someone who I thought could be a good friend.
Here’s what has made such a difference for me in the past few years:
1) Recognize the unhealthy way I’m approaching relationships — and stop trying to seek others’ approval.
2) Stop believing lies about myself (“I don’t know how to be a good friend.” etc.)
3) Embrace my gifts and unique personality and live resting in the fact that I am fully loved by God.
4) Pray for two-way relationships where there is mutual give and take.
5) Understand what a life-giving relationship looks like and believe that I am capable of being a great friend and capable of being loved well by others.
6) Initiate, initiate, initiate. Look for those who don’t already have a large friend group in place and have space in their life for relationships.
7) Go first with honesty and vulnerability. Show up as your true self — not pretending or performing in order to impress them or hope they will like you.
8) Be upfront early on about what you are hoping for in relationships.
9) Don’t be discouraged if many of the relationships you pursue don’t pan out. Keep initiating.
10) When you do find someone who could be a great friend, lean in. Prioritize time with them. Show up for them. Show up fully. When you are scared or feel like pulling back out of fear, press in. Be honest. Don’t hold back. Don’t walk on eggshells. Give them the gift of getting to know you for exactly who you are.
And when the rough patches come, don’t run away… fight for your friendship. Good friends are worth the risk!
2018 Goals Update
Personal Goals
1. Read 100 non-self-help books that will build me up/encourage me/inspire me/recharge me. (Fiction/story-driven/biographies/inspirational living books/devotionals.) See the list of 44 books I plan to read this year.
**Progress: 19 books read so far this year
2. Read through the entire Bible.
**Progress: I’m using the Robert Murray M’Cheyne plan and am all caught up— yay!
3. Write one handwritten note to someone every week.
**Progress: 20 notes written so far this year
4. Run 500 miles.
**Progress: 158 miles run so far
Marriage Goal
5. Go on an overnight trip with Jesse without the kids.Jesse and I went to NYC together in January.Family Goals
6. Read 10 books aloud with the kids.
**Progress: I’ve finished one book so far.
7. Take the kids to South Africa.
**Progress: We bought our tickets this past week!
8. Go on a family road trip.
Financial Goals
9. Save up to pay cash to finish off an office for me and workout room for Jesse and me in the basement in our new house.
**Progress: We started finishing out the workout room this past week.
10. Replenish our Emergency Fund (we dipped into it to replace my car when it got totaled because of the carpet beetle infestation.)
Business Goals
11. Increase our gross income from the business by 8%.
12. Launch 5 new courses.**Progress: We launched 4 Weeks to a More Productive Life launched in January, Content Creation 101 in February, 4-Week Blog Coaching Program in March, Email List Setup 101 in March, and Make Over Your Mornings LIVE in April.
Christy says
https://thistlewoodfarms.com/simple-easy-idea-to-make-a-bookcase-cuter/?utm_source=Thistlewood+Farms&utm_campaign=9afac2aad3-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2018_05_09&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_5ae9f9d053-9afac2aad3-90206725
I would never have thought to paint the backs of bookshelves before, but saw this idea and just wanted to share since you are building bookcases. It may not work for the type of shelves you’re doing (and by the way I love your idea!!) just wanted to share.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for sharing!
Sarah Clews says
I just can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate what you’ve been sharing about showing up as your authentic self and the way you’re parenting now as opposed to a several years ago. You’ve really encouraged/inspired me to do the same. I’ve been trying to just be myself at social things instead of being someone I think people will like. For some reason, the things you’ve been sharing are just really meeting me where I’m at and I appreciate it!
Also, I did your makeover your mornings course several months ago and just boiling my life down to 3 main priorities is still huge for me!
Crystal Paine says
Thank you so much for your kind words of encouragement! I’m so grateful to hear that!
Kristen says
Crystal,
Thanks for sharing those pics and videos of your family having Fun! It brought a smile to my face to see you all truly enjoying one another! I love moments like this with my family!
You are so on point too about how these kids are growing so fast. Enjoy every moment . Xxo
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your encouragement!
Jen @ Bookish Family says
Great, practical advice on making friends! It seems like it should be something you don’t have to learn but if you don’t end up living where you went to high school or college (and even if you do) you might need to LEARN how to make friends as an adult.
I especially like “Look for those who don’t already have a large friend group in place and have space in their life for relationships.” I’ve observed that some people just don’t need more friends right now. It isn’t personal about you! Move on and don’t give up. They can still be nice acquaintances. Find people who are both HUNGRY for friendship and willing to do the work of making friends with you. It is so worth it when you find the right people for you.
Crystal Paine says
Such wise words! Thank you for taking the time to share!