I used to do a weekly post with a peek into the past week + lots of links. Many of you have missed this, so I’m bringing it back for 2026! I’ll be sharing some pictures and highlights from the past week + what I’m reading, watching, and listening to. I will also share links to posts or other interesting things I don’t want you to miss.
This week’s big cleaning project was my bathroom drawers and cupboards.
I didn’t think they were that bad… and then I decided to take everything out so I could see what I was working with, unlike going drawer by drawer like I usually do! Let’s just say I was really happy I had extra time because instead of 30 minutes like I thought it would take me, it took me 2 hours!!
But it felt SO good to have it done! And to create good organizational systems to stick with! It’s been a full week since I’ve cleaned it out and I am happy to report that it has stayed clean and organized!
If you want to see the full process, watch my short video here.
It’s basketball season and Silas has been having 2-3 games a week. Due to when the games are and that many are 45 minutes to an hour away, we haven’t been able to go to all of them, but we love to get to go when we can. David LOVES watching Silas play!
Just look at his smiles!
I went to Kroger to shop for markdowns twice this week! You can see a video of me shopping for markdowns here. See everything I bought and what I paid for it in my first trip in this post here.
Slowing down has been one of the strangest—and most life-giving—lessons for me lately.
I’m so used to pushing, producing, and filling every open space that learning to pause has felt uncomfortable at first. But with the help of wise professionals and a lot of listening to my body, I’m realizing how much I actually need margin, rest, and breathing room… and it’s changing my life!
I’ll share more about this on this next week’s podcast episode.
I went to the gastroenterologist this week at the request of my functional medicine dr. Due to my chronic anemia and some other issues, we scheduled my first colonoscopy and endoscopy in February. If you’ve had either before, would love to hear about your experience and any tips you have!
Jesse and I recorded a podcast episode on my fun list for 2026. Look for that coming on Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts (just search for The Crystal Paine show!)
She surprised me and came home Thursday night and we got to hang out and go on a mile and a half night run which was so fun!
Jesse and I worked on this World War II puzzle he got for me last Christmas (and we’re finally doing!) for our morning Sabbath on Friday. It was so fun — even if we only through the first section (which involved ciphers and codes and punch cards!)
My functional medicine dr had me start taking this when I began working with her since I had so many bouts of sickness last year. I don’t know if it’s just from slowing down, from taking better care of myself or taking this, but I have managed to not get sick since I started it — even though I’ve been exposed to so many things. I take two capsules every day or four per day if I feel like something is coming on (and every time, I never end up getting sick!)
I took Kierstyn, David, and Micah to Chipotle for a special treat on Saturday after we went to the gym and David was insistent that he sit in the high chair and wanted to try to eat some of the food. He didn’t actually eat any of it, but we are so excited that his interest in food has grown so much the last few months!
Jesse and I celebrated our 23rd anniversary this week by going to high tea at a local tea room (thanks to my parents for giving us a gift card for my birthday!)
Fun fact: I worked at a tea room when Jesse and I were first married and so I’m a huge fan of tea.
It was such a FUN experience!
Can you spot Micah??
I was SO excited about my order taking advantage of the $10 off $30 General Mills deal on Amazon! Here’s what I got:
2 Giant-Sized boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal – $4.46 each
1 Cascadian Farms No Sugar Granola – $4.59
12-pack Annie’s Mac & Cheese – $10.73 total
1 Nature Valley Protein Granola – $5.98
Subtotal before coupon: $30.22
Minus $10 automatically at checkout
$21.59 after savings!
Top Instagram Post of the Week
I shared a reflection on Kathrynne’s illness a year ago on Instagram. I’ve copied the text below…
This was exactly a year ago. Kathrynne got really, really sick with Flu A that turned into bronchitis that turned into pneumonia that turned into sepsis. It all happened so fast… looking back, we see much more clearly that the Holy Spirit’s prompting of me that I couldn’t shake quite possibly saved her life. We had already taken her to the ER two days before and they told us she had Flu A and Bronchitis and was really sick and likely would be really sick for another week. They gave us a protocol to treat her and sent us home.
After the ER visit, she slowly seemed to get worse. We had to work really hard to get her up out of bed to go to the bathroom. She wouldn’t really eat or drink. And then her breathing seemed to get worse and she started doing this shallow rapid breathing thing.
I’ve since learned that + her high heart rate are signs of potential sepsis… I had no idea at the time. I just knew I felt in my gut that this was something more than Flu A and Bronchitis.
She didn’t want to move but Jesse and I insisted she go to urgent care. He took her and they immediately sent her to the hospital. By the time they got to the hospital, she was barely functioning and says everything felt foggy and disorienting (also signs of sepsis).
Had we waited a few more hours, things could have been much, much worse. But because she went in when she did, they caught it and were able to start her on meds and reverse course very quickly.
We spent the next few weeks helping her slowly recover (she was incredibly weak, had lost a bunch of weight, and her lungs were still recovering). We didn’t know if she’d be able to go back to college or would need to take a semester off.
But, she worked really, really hard to recover and was well enough to go back to school at the end of January. Other than losing a lot of her hair and some other lingering health things she’s been working on this past year, she is fully recovered and we are so, so grateful!
I share this as a reminder that even if you feel crazy, if you feel in your gut that something isn’t right, go get it checked out. God gave us an intuition for a reason — let’s use it to advocate for ourselves and those around us!
Books I Finished This Week
The Only Woman in the Room — I felt like this book had a lot of potential to be really interesting, but it didn’t live up to my hope. It felt like the author was trying to weave a lot of history into the book and the novel part felt a little thin and lacking depth and fleshing out of the storyline. I also noticed that so many chapters would skip ahead pretty significantly in the timeline of the story and then kind of backtrack to bring the reader up to speed. I would have rather the story would have just been written more chronologically instead of needing to skip ahead and then backtrack multiple times.
Breath as Prayer – I got this as a free download on Libby and it has been really encouraging. If you struggle to slow down, to release your burdens to the Lord, or struggle with worry or anxious thoughts, I think this book would encourage you.
It’s Never Wrong to Do the Right Thing – I was so encouraged by the stories in this book of women in the Bible and women of faith. The author is a great storyteller and she brought out parts of the stories I’d never thought of before! You can listen to our podcast episode on this book here.
What I’m Listening To
I’ve been listening to worship songs on my drive home from the gym each morning. One of my favorites recently has been Jesus Loves Me by Shane & Shane.
What I’m Watching
I’m also watching When Calls the Heart during some of my afternoon work time that I can easily do something else while working. I am maybe going to try to watch all 13 seasons this year since I find it to be kind of a fun and engaging “background show” — the kind you can have on in the background while you do something else. I’m almost finished with season one (I’ve never watched the show before… can you believe it?)
In Case You Missed It – Posts From This Week
What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Lower Monthly Expenses? (50 Ideas!) – Looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list might give you some inspiration and ideas to try!
15 Ways to Make Money Online – If you’re looking to make extra money online from home to increase your income, there are plenty of ways to start. Over the years, I’ve seen countless readers successfully earn extra income online in practical, flexible ways — whether that’s freelancing a skill they already have, selling digital products, managing social media for a small business, or picking up simple tasks during spare moments. Check out this list of ideas for more inspiration!
How to Get Free Samples – Stretch your budget and discover new favorites by learning how to get free samples in your mailbox — from beauty and household items to snacks and baby products. This guide shows you the best, legit ways to try new products for free without wasting time or money.
This Week’s Podcast Episode
Episode title: How Understanding the Compassion of Christ Changes Us with Sherri Hughes-Gragg
To kick off the new year, I am joined in the studio today by Sherri Hughes-Gragg, an author whose writing has truly changed the way that I read scripture and experience God. Her Advent devotional stopped me in my tracks this December, and her newest book, The Compassionate Christ, feels like exactly what many of us need as we head into a new year!
Listen in as Sherri shares her story of growing up in a deeply legalistic Christian environment where rules mattered more than relationship, and doubt wasn’t just unwelcome but was dangerous. We talk about what it’s like to keep up appearances while you are privately unraveling and how years of trying to be “good enough” created a crushing sense of failure, especially in parenting. Her reflections are tender, unfiltered, and grounded in compassion – not only for herself but for her children and anyone who has carried spiritual shame longer than they should have.
Hear how a turning point came when Sherri began studying scripture through its Middle Eastern cultural and historical context, including time spent learning in Israel. She explains how this lens transformed familiar passages and healed some long-held fears of hers, especially around the crucifixion and the belief that God turns away in our darkest moments. One moment in particular – Jesus’ words from the cross – reframed everything she thought she knew about God’s presence and faithfulness.
Listen to this episode here.
Tell me about your week! Anything interesting happen? Did you read any good books, watch any good shows, or tackle any project?
