After a few weeks of Christmas break, traveling, and sickness, we were back to homeschooling and a regular schedule this week. And I was shocked at how well the week went.
Usually, easing back into a routine after a few weeks off is hard. But this week everything felt so smooth and calm.
I really attribute it to the grace of God, giving the kids a clear picture of how our tweaked schedule was going to look, getting them excited about how we had changed things up a little bit, writing out a to-do list for each child every day (they loved this and were highly motivated by it), and instituting Morning Time as part of our homeschooling schedule.
They loved Morning Time so much that they asked if we could please do it on Saturday, too! I am so grateful for this excitement and new life breathed into our homeschooling and am hoping this momentum continues!
I am loving the She Reads Truth John study this month. Jesse surprised me with the Yearly Membership to She Reads Truth as my Christmas gift and I can’t tell you how thrilled I was!
These studies have challenged me, encouraged me, and inspired me to dig deep into God’s Word. If you are looking for a great Bible study/devotion, definitely check it out. You can get the daily Scripture reading/devotional for free online and just use a notebook to record what you’re learning/studying/praying.
We also started using The Confident Mom Weekly Household Planner this week. I’m divvying up the daily chores amongst myself and the kids and that seems to be working well.
I’m curious to see if this is a good fit for us long-term… we’re committed to try it out for a few months to see how it goes!
I’ve been doing a LOT of reading recently. It’s been so soul-filling for me to get back to making reading a regular part of my every day after a few months of not being so intentional about it. And I’m just loving the variety of books I’m reading.
You can see what I read last week and what I’m reading this week here.
12 years ago today, I married my childhood sweetheart. We were full of big dreams, completely idealistic, and incredibly naive.
We’ve experienced a lot, moved a lot, failed a lot, fought a lot, and grown a lot in these last 12 years. While the years and struggles have made us quite a bit more realistic about life (and maybe a wee bit cynical!), two things haven’t changed: we’re more madly in love than the day we got married and we still want to spend our lives doing all we can to make a difference in this world.
Only God knows what the next 12 years will hold, but we are grateful to be following a God who is always faithful and never changing.
{Thank you, Jesse, for the beautiful anniversary flowers, thank you for 12 amazing (and eventful!) years, and thank you for loving me and believing in me — even on those many days when it’s the last thing I’ve deserved. I love you with all of my heart!}
Today’s frugal fun: Fort-building in the dining room. We don’t have a table in there yet, so I’m happy to see the area be put to good use!
The kids had a blast setting it up with me and then had popcorn and watched a movie in their tent so Jesse and I could enjoy an at-home anniversary date!
How was YOUR week? Anything exciting or interesting happen? Tell us about it in the comments.
Mickey Repko says
I enjoy your writing type, do keep on writing! I
Lydia @ Thrifty Frugal Mom says
So glad you had a smooth adjustment. That always is such a sweet blessing.
And congratulations on the anniversary! I love your honesty about your marriage- it’s ups and downs and your struggle and yet choosing to be committed through it all. Maybe I appreciate it so much because I can relate.
You said:
We’ve experienced a lot, moved a lot, failed a lot, fought a lot, and grown a lot in these last 12 years. While the years and struggles have made us quite a bit more realistic about life (and maybe a wee bit cynical!), two things haven’t changed: we’re more madly in love than the day we got married and we still want to spend our lives doing all we can to make a difference in this world.
I was nodding my head in agreement through out that whole paragraph because I could have said the exact thing about our marriage – except we’ve been married 8 years, not 12.
Anyway, thanks for being an example of a committed relationship where you struggle and yet still love each other and enjoy your relationship too. And I hope you have many more years together….and that they keep getting better and that you only fall more and more in love!
deborah says
I’m glad your week went so well!
And Happy Anniversary! Woo-hoo for committed marriages!! I loved your description of your years together. Probably because I very much relate. I love my man and my marriage and we’ve grown over the years and we are in no way perfect, but we are thankful for each other and our life together and working through the ups and downs that are called “real life'”. 🙂
And I well remember the days of forts built by my kiddos! They often built them in the small dining room in our old farmhouse. They also built them in their rooms, on their beds, outdoors……… They still have some forts in our woods, but they’ve pretty much outgrown the indoors forts. Although, my son and his cousins slept under our pool table the last time his cousins visited, so that kind of counts! Childhood days move right along…
Blessings on this week.
Marie says
Happy Anniversary!! I love that you have found a new “rythm” and everyone is loving it. It makes such a difference.
We to have implemented some changes and last week went amazingly well!! The kids are excited about helping with making their lunches and knowing what the meals each day will be. They like the new chore routine too. My week last week went so smooth! I loved the picture of your fort building. Last week we had a no school day because it was -35 degrees. We made a huge fort in the living room and they had popcorn and movie time. it was the best. Kids don’t always need an excursion, just a diversion from the “normal routine”.
Crystal Paine says
Kids don’t always need an excursion, just a diversion from the “normal routine”.
That is SO true!
Angi @ SchneiderPeeps says
Happy Anniversary!
We do morning time, too but my kids call it “together stuff”. It is amazing how it anchors our day. We do bible reading, Greek and Latin roots and a short creative writing thing.
Kelly S says
My big accomplishment was creating a cleaning schedule and setting a daily routine. I used the TCM Planner last year and loved it. But, I found myself feeling like a failure if I didn’t finish everything on the list every day (my issue, not the planner’s!).
I am trying something new this year. I think I got the concept from “Say Goodbye to Survival Mode!” My cleaning schedule includes a list of daily routines (morning, afternoon, evening) as well as weekly chores. I made a spreadsheet of monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual tasks. During the baby’s nap time or when I have a spare minute, I have a list to chose from. I might knock out a whole room or just one quick task. At the end of week one, I finished most of my list and my house found some order that had been missing (the holidays tend to create chaos!). I am energized and ready for week 2!
Crystal Paine says
Woohoo!! This makes me so happy!
annie says
In my prayer time today I thanked God for you and your blog. Thank you for the confident mom link. I have anxiety so the weekly planner pdf will be a great help to me.
Crystal Paine says
Thanks so much for your kind encouragement!
Julie C says
Happy Anniversary! This Dutch girl loves your tulips!
I spy decor on your walls…..wow, lovely!
Lydia @ Five4FiveMeals says
Thank you so much for sharing She Reads Truth. I just signed up for their email subscription and I can’t wait to start.
Crystal Paine says
Yay! I hope you’re as blessed by it as I have been.
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
I didn’t realize our anniversaries were so close together! We’re celebrating 7 today. High school sweethearts, married at 21/23 while still in college. 🙂 Living in Maine, a winter wedding was questionable, but it was a great week. Snowed two days after the wedding. lol
Theresa L says
So glad your week went well! This past week, I got to experience Disney World for the first time! It was more wonderful and magical than I ever could have imagined. It was just hubby and me. We went as a 2nd honeymoon. I was like a really big 5 year old. I’ve dreamed of going forever and it was amazing! I even got to meet Mickey! Awesome memories made and awesome time of reconnecting with my hubby! 🙂
I already want to go back! LOL
Jen says
She Read Truth looks great! I’ve been looking for something to use to grow in my faith. Thanks!
I love your blog topics!
Kristin Mohr says
Happy 12th anniversary to you guys! Thank you for sharing the fort building activities…..That is my boys favorite indoor activity at this time. We constantly have blankets, chairs, pillows all covering our living room. But hey, my boys are loving it! I can’t complain!!!!!
Jenny @ Women With Intention says
Happy Anniversary! I bet you never envisioned a trip to South Africa 12 years ago! 🙂 Best wishes for another 12 loving, fun, and committed years!
Christine thatcher says
I’d love information on the yearly She Reads Truth membership. I’ve looked around the site after reading about your gift but I cannot find any info.
Crystal Paine says
It’s the Black Envelope Program: http://shereadstruth.bigcartel.com/product/2015-black-envelope-program
Brittany Hess says
Happy Anniversary!! How do you get a year membership at she reads truth? I looked online but didn’t see it?
Crystal Paine says
It’s the Black Envelope Program: http://shereadstruth.bigcartel.com/product/2015-black-envelope-program
Lucy says
{Thank you, Jesse, for the beautiful anniversary flowers, thank you for 12 amazing (and eventful!) years, and thank you for loving me and believing in me — even on those many days when it’s the last thing I’ve deserved. I love you with all of my heart!}
This words touched my heart, this is so sweet. Thank you and Happy Anniversary to both of you.
Sarah says
Happy Anniversary!!
At-home dates are our favorite! There is nothing better than hanging out at home with the one I love.
Wishing you many more happy years together!!
-Sarah http://www.thefrugalmillionaireblog.com
Jen says
Happy anniversary!!! 🙂
Bethany says
This week we are celebration 6 weeks since the birth of our third child. We also plan on having a date at home while the two older kids spend time at grandma’s. 🙂 I’m very excited and happy anniversary! May the Lord bless your marriage.
Linzi says
Happy Anniversary and hope you are blessed with many more memorable anniversaries to come.
Sheri says
My daughter had two snow days this week and we were able to take down all the Christmas decorations and I started tackling all my clutter in the house. I made a ton of progress on those two days off. Happy Anniversary.
Shannon says
Happy Anniversary!
Trisha P. says
Happy Anniversary Crystal & Jesse!!!
Mihai Pintilie says
Good for you your coming back went well. We had a hard week getting back on the usual activities. And Happy Anniversary!
Lana says
Our long awaited for plan of getting rid of the gutters on our tall 2 story house and replacing them with Rainhandlers that will never have to be cleaned, came true this week. And we paid cash for it all! We are anxiously awaiting the first rain to see them in action.
Lana says
AND we cleaned out and took a big load of stuff to a local thrift store last week!
Becki @Running with Team Hogan says
I love how you used something fun for the kids (a fort) to get in an at-home date with your husband. So many people think of “dates” as something that involves a lot of expense, time, a babysitter, and pre-planning. Even when I was just “dating” my husband, we didn’t have money (or even cars). We just spent time together playing games and taking walks. Happy Anniversary! My husband and I are are 15+ years of marriage. Each year just keeps getting better and better. 🙂
Bethany says
My husband and I also took alot of walks in our dating years.
Kelly says
Happy Anniversary!!! I LOVE that they let you have a date! What great kids!
Luba Rokpelnis says
Happy Anniversary, Jesse and Crystal! What a beautiful and simple way you chose to spend your anniversary; you are an inspiration. 🙂
Lea Stormhammer says
Happy Anniversary Crystal and Jesse! It’s amazing how time flies, isn’t it?
Hoping you have many, many more years together,
Lea
Elizabeth @ Wonder Woman I'm Not says
Happy anniversary!