After four very full weeks, this week was a much slower-paced week. It was so nice… and I have a feeling we’ll be seeing a lot more weeks like this in our future. 🙂
We spent Memorial Day at home catching up on random projects and then took dinner to some new friends of ours, Brent & Tammy, who were home-bound because Brent recently tore his Achilles and was waiting until the swelling went down so he could have surgery. (He ended up being able to have the surgery on Wednesday and it was successful — we’re so grateful!).
We had a blast and loved getting to know them better! (And sadly, I realized I didn’t get any pictures of our fun evening!)
Tuesday was a Lazy Day at our house. We slept in, did basic chores and homeschooling, made Cinnamon Rolls, and then watched movies, tackled a mountain of laundry together, and went to bed early. I love days like that!
And there was a reason we went to bed early… because I had a 5:30 a.m. flight to catch to Little Rock for some radio broadcast tapings and filming with Family Life. In order to be presentable for the day and get to the airport in a timely manner, I got up at 2:45 a.m. Not my favorite wake-up time, but since I’d gotten good sleep the three days before, it wasn’t bad.
I love the opportunity flying affords me to get in some quiet reading, focused writing, and sometimes just quiet praying and listening to music.
Here’s a picture of my travel companions on my trip to Family Life: my Bible, a Mark Batterson book that I loved reading, Fast Company magazine, and Starbucks!!
{I subscribed to Fast Company magazine as part of a promo not too long ago and it’s become one of my new favorite magazines. If you are a small business owner or entrepreneur, I definitely recommend it. And this weekend, you can get it for just $4.50 for a one-year subscription!}
Thursday was another Lazy Day. Guess what we did? More laundry, homeschooling, a few projects and some movies. I love simple, quiet days at home!
Friday evening was Pool Night with our friends the Smiths and Acuffs. So much fun… especially when the guys had a sort of Diving Showdown. Hilarious! 🙂 (Photo from Angie’s instagram — because my phone was dead!)
Saturday afternoon we had a surprise party for our dear friend, Ann Voskamp, to celebrate the fact that her book, One Thousand Gifts has sold over a million copies. How incredible is that??
Ann inspires me so much with how she lives intentionally, loves well, and chooses gratitude. I’m so thankful for her life and her example!
While I was at Ann’s party, Jesse and the kids went to a birthday party for Tammy & Brent’s daughter, Kassidi. Silas and Kaitlynn had fun playing ping-pong for the first time.
And Kaitlynn got to hang out with Mrs. Tammy — these two had fun together, can’t you tell?!
So that was our week in a nutshell. How was YOUR week? Anything interesting or exciting happen? I’d love to hear!
Tara G. says
Hedbanz- because leaving out the a and putting a z on the end makes it even more fun!!! 🙂 Rejoicing with you that you’ve been surrounded by a great community of believers to welcome you and build you up in your new area (a la Romans 1:11-12)!!!
Marie says
Crystal I get so excited when I read your posts about your new start and how amazing things are going. The fact that you have these awesome friendships already!
Even though things are less then ideal for us right now with our neighbors I realize it’s not anything we’re doing. I was feeling like the “outcasts” of the cul-de-sac. But the more I thought about it I realized being “including” in their circle would mean listening to inappropriate stories, swearing and drinking. So when they sit in there driveway with the other neighbors for a bonfire I realize I’m ok with that.
So while I know we’re “not accepted” we still try to be nice and say hi. I realize we will focus on other relationships.
I’m really happy for your family. Angie Smith is a person I hope to meet one day! Her story touches me. And I love that she has twins, like me. God is richly blessed you!! Thanks for the encouragement I always find from your blog.
Kimberly says
Last Sunday I joined WeightWatchers. Monday we had a Memorial Day cookout with my sister-in-laws family. Tuesday – Friday was school for me (I teach 3rd grade in a NC public school), work for my hubby, and daycare/day camp for my boys. My Mom came to visit and we celebrated my birthday on Friday….the first one since my Daddy died three weeks ago. Oh my word….it was so hard to be happy when I was missing him being with us. But this afternoon was my weigh-in….and I lost 5.4 pounds! Daddy would be so proud of me! My husband and mom sure were! Thanks for sharing your week with us.
Stacy @ A Delightful Home says
Sounds like you are all settling in so nicely, Crystal! It’s a joy to read about your family having so much fun.
Suzanne says
Sounds like a great week! Our’s was quiet, until yesterday, that is. My mom and I took my nieces (11 and 7) to the Farmer’s Market, then to buy some summer play clothes. It was fun to have a girls’ day, but exhausting! I would also love to know what movies you guys watch- we’re having a movie night once a week this summer, on the girls’ ‘sleep-over night’.
Janell says
My life has been on overload so I had to make cuts. One thing I did was cut WAY back on all the pages/blogs I was trying to read daily. So, I’m very sorry to say I have not been a daily loyal fan as before. I recently felt the need to find a new church and I’ve even joined a community group/small group. The leader happened to be telling me about One Thousand Gifts this past week. And then here you are talking about it in the first post I read. I’m on a very tight budget, so I’m trying to find someone to borrow it from. But I really feel this is a sign I NEED to read this book.
Marianne says
Sounds so fun! And I’d love to hear some of your family’s favorite movies. With summer coming we will be on the hunt for some good ones!
SandyH says
Well we have something in common, I pray the entire time I’m flying…lol, nervous flyer here!
Kelli says
Hee, hee. Me too!
Melissa says
Just curious what kind of family movies you watch on your lazy days. 🙂
Lana says
Our awesome thing was paying off our house on Wednesday! It seems that is all I can remember! We do have some big budget decisions coming up as a result but we can think about that in a few days.
Tammy says
Lana – That is AWESOME!!! Congratulations!!!!!
KFC says
We had an amazing week! My husband is in the Navy, so was off Monday. We always enjoy going to the various restaurants that offer free meals. It’s almost like a game to see how much free food we can stuff ourselves with. Tuesday– my 1 year old and myself did some crafting and relaxing. He recently bought himself a water table, so that’s provided us with so much entertainment lately. Weds–was another laid back day, we did one activity from our summer bucket list, tons of reading, and he had lemonade for the first time!! Thursday- day took a random off from work so the two of them could hang out while I went to a photo shoot on location and shot 20 day care students ages 9 mos-5 years. I was absolutely beat!! We went to the chiropactor after (a favorite venue at 35 weeks pregnant!) and dad took Liam out for French fries and ice cream? Then, they got haircuts. I know Liam loved it. Getting to see his dad so much this week. Friday– Liam and I went to the splash pad. Every morning we made it to the gym this week. Last night– my friend , whom I exchange free babysitting with, watched our son so we could go out for a date night. We went to an event that teaches you how to paint and there’s wine there. I used a BOGO free coupon and I couldn’t drink the wine. So, it was a fun and unique date night without breaking the bank and we left with a canvas of our art!! We are so blessed to have fun and always adventurous lives in our home. I grew up in tennessee and I am loving here all about your experiences there! I hope now that you live closer, I’ll be able to attend a speaking engagement. schedule something in indianapolis, would ya? 😉
Misty Nicole Overstreet-Roberts (The Lady Prefers To Save) says
It sounds like you have had an awesome week. I do find it funny that so many people consider this time of year Summer. Having lived in the deep south for half a decade now, I’ve come to know that the season won’t actually change for almost three weeks, which is a blessing as the humidity has yet to set in! With having hosted my mother-in-law this week, and my grandmother having an eye surgery this past week, I’d love to have a few slow weeks as well! Here’s to Summer!
Tam Hodge says
You’ve been my favorite part of May.
Glad you are here my friend!
Crystal Paine says
Aw, you are so very sweet!! We are BLESSED to know you all and so, so happy that you live in our neighborhood!!!