I used to do a weekly post with a review of the past week and lots of links. Since many of you missed it, we will bring it to you again in 2026. I’ll be sharing photos and highlights from last week and what I read, watched, and listened to. We also share links to posts and other interesting things you don’t want to miss.
Jesse and I started the new year by going to our favorite class together at the gym for the first time! (Can you spot David in this photo??)
I love getting back to sourdough after taking a little break for the holidays.
Today I finished studying “She Reads the Truth.” I love the She Reads Truth studies and used them all during my morning Bible time last year. We plan to do the same this year!
This was my Friday project and something I really had to do. My bedroom closet (which I also shared with my three younger children) has been out of control since December. It’s time to give it some shape and a deep clean (something I’ve been meaning to do for months!)
It took about 3 hours, but I felt really good after it was over. I moved a lot of stuff upstairs to Kirsten and Micah’s new room and closet (they’re going to move into Kathryn’s old room!) and moved some items to attic storage. Every time I walk into my closet, I feel so happy!! This year I want to slowly work on the whole house and set up a better system that is easier to maintain. (Also, several people on Facebook said the carpet was disgusting. It definitely needs to be cleaned, but it has taken quite a beating over the last 5 years we’ve had this closet for us and our 4 small children, so I think it’s probably in the past for it to look really clean again!)
Who do you think pierced her ears? Watch a video of her experience here.
Caitlin helped Kirsten and Micah make homemade slime. It was something Caitlin loved to make. Here are some of her favorite recipes.
I made a huge batch of roasted vegetables for salads and to eat with eggs for breakfast. I used parsnips, butternut squash, onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, and potatoes.
This week’s top Instagram posts
this vulnerable video Why I went up a jeans size was my most viewed Instagram post this week. I hope this encourages you. It’s more than just your jeans size. Take a look here.
Books I finished reading this week
advent – Book #1 was completed in 2026! I loved this one by Sherry Gragg! We have a podcast episode scheduled for Tuesday, and I think you’ll love it! By sharing so much historical and cultural content, she sheds light on the Christmas story in ways I never expected.
Words Like Honey: How to avoid unintentional harm, model kindness, and nurture your child’s faith through words. – It really struck me how some of the little phrases we say, even with good intentions, can be harmful to children. Although I don’t agree with everything in this book, I thought it was very worth reading. Listen to the podcast I did with the author here.
the wild – I really enjoyed all three books in this series. This fascinated me, but I didn’t know how it was going to end until well into the book. But I didn’t like the ending. It felt monotonous compared to the rest of the book. That said, this series is very clean overall. It had some language and dealt with adult themes, but in a way that didn’t feel too graphic. However, these are murder mysteries, so you may disagree with me on that point.
what i hear
Breathing as prayer: calming anxiety, focusing the mind, and renewing the soul – I got this as a free download from Libby and it was really encouraging. If you have ever struggled with slowing down, letting go of your burdens to the Lord, or worrying or anxious thoughts, this book will encourage you.
what i see
we saw rio, night at the museum, Museum at Night: Battle of the Smithsonianand Night Museum: Secrets of the Tomb This week was off for Christmas break, so I went with the younger kids. We enjoyed them all and would recommend them.
I’m watching too When your heart calls Part of your afternoon workday allows you to easily do other things while you work. I’m probably going to watch all 13 seasons this year. Because I think it’s a fun and engaging “background show,” the kind you watch in the background while you’re doing something else.
In case you missed it – this week’s post
43 books read in 2025 – I finished reading 43 books in 2025. I kept all my books on a bookshelf and enjoyed watching them pile up over the year. See the complete list here.
My top 4 favorite reads of 2025 – When I looked through all the books I read in 2025, these four books stood out to me as the ones that had the most impact on me. These books challenged me, encouraged me, and I returned to them over and over again in conversations and recommendations. We’ll explain more about why we chose each in the reviews below.
How to create a budget spreadsheet (use the free download!) – Creating a budget doesn’t have to be difficult. This step-by-step guide will show you exactly how to manage your money. We’ll also show you how to download and easily create a budget spreadsheet for free.
25 things I’m glad I said “yes” to in 2025 – Over the past few weeks, I’ve spent some time reflecting on the decisions and choices I made in 2025, and I’m so glad I did. I created a list of 25 things I said yes to that ended up being impactful decisions that I will look back on this year and realize have made a positive difference.
How I achieved food freedom this year! – In the summer of 2025, I made a decision that I honestly never expected to have such a huge impact. I registered to meet with nutritionist Because it was covered by insurance! I had no idea how much it would change my life!
Reasons for not setting goals this year – For the past few weeks, I have been receiving messages from people saying things like: “I can’t wait to see your 2026 goal list! This is one of my favorite things you post!” And I kind of chuckled as I realized that the decision I made in November, with the encouragement of my husband and business coach, might come as a shock to some people. It was, “I’m not setting any goals for 2026!”
50% sale ends on Monday – prices as low as $3.50!
Through tomorrow, All digital products in our store are 50% offthis is the perfect time to grab something you’ve been eyeing for a while, or grab a resource that could really help your family over the coming year. Prices start from as low as $3.50!!
You can view All the contents of the year-end sale can be found hereand 50% off all digital products from January 5th:
Thank you so much for being here, reading, sharing, and letting me be a little part of your journey. I am so grateful to each and every one of you and I hope this sale will bless you as you have blessed me over the years.
Tell us about your week! Will something interesting happen? Have you read any good books, watched any good shows, or worked on any projects?
Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
