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.
I tried watercoloring using this for the first time in a while (maybe since I was a kid?) Brighter Day Press Watercolor Workbook It was given to me by my friend Whitney. It was a lot harder than I expected, but I really enjoyed challenging myself outside of my comfort zone.
This box arrived at our house last week and while the kids were excited to open it, I was even more excited. Do you know what was inside? Find out the answer in this fun video.
This is my very favorite foundation and I’ve been using it for years! I use it as both concealer and foundation!
I started crocheting again last week and I’m surprised at how much I like it. Kirsten’s scarf that I started making early last week is almost finished! I will share a photo of the finished scarf next week! By the way, if you want to learn how to crochet, be sure to check this out.
I went on a mission to find eggs before the winter storm and was excited to find Aldi had them well stocked.
meanwhile, Kroger had so many empty shelves that I had to make a funny video about it.
It’s this time of year that I spend hours in the stands watching Cyrus play basketball and I absolutely love it!!
Snow started falling Saturday morning, eventually accumulating about 2 inches, but then turned to ice and sleet.
David was so excited because he woke up on Saturday and it was snowing. He ran to the window and looked at it for a really long time.
The roads have been too icy to drive since Saturday morning, and it’s been snowing and icy for the past three days. Almost all facilities are closed and many people here currently do not have electricity. We were prepared to be out for at least a few days, but so far we haven’t been out yet.
We’ve been playing lots of Legos, puzzles, games, books, cooking, and watching a few shows. It’s been fun being all cooped up at home together…school has just been canceled until Thursday and it looks like temperatures are going to stay pretty cold, so we might have a few more days at home. Let’s take a look!
This week’s top Instagram posts
this post Sharing funny (and embarrassing stories!) was the most viewed Instagram Reel this week. I hope it makes you laugh!
Books I finished reading this week
Live a happy life with small adjustments – This book is a great read if you need inspiration and motivation to simplify and streamline your life to focus on what matters most and live smoother, happier days. I especially liked the section about prioritizing happy hours, the time each day when you do the things that give you life. It was really nice to be able to think about what I do in my day that brings me joy and how I can make more time for it.
what i hear
I finished listening to the audiobook recommended by a follower — under the magnolia. It was really different from what I expected, and there were some parts that moved me. I didn’t really know where the story was going and it felt like it was meandering in places, but the author wrapped it up so beautifully in the end that I really liked it. Not only is this a raw, real-life look at mental illness and how it affects people, but it’s also about how genuinely loving people who many consider sociopaths can have such a powerful impact.
my current morning book pile
Books I read slowly in the morning and Bible study: she reads the study of true acts, A daily verse for anxious souls, new morning mercy, and she stood up, and Prayer diary of words with God.
what i see
I’m still watchingWhen your heart callsPart of your afternoon workday allows you to easily do other things while you work. I finished seasons 1, 2, and 3 last week (I was sick for a few days, so I spent more time in bed than usual!) and just started season 4.
Jesse and I also saw Skyscraper Live. So, if you need a little adrenaline rush, watch this!! We didn’t watch it live, but it might have been too stressful for me, so I’m very grateful!!
This week’s Q&A
I answered a few questions on Instagram last week, but I wanted to share two here.
Question: I am exhausted in every way. I think I’m going to burn out…What would you do? -Mother of 3
answer: I’m sorry you look so tired. I want to start by making sure that you are crying out to Jesus and asking Him for the wisdom and strength to help you carry what He has commanded you to carry and let go of what He has commanded you to let go of. Next, what must you do now? If you don’t, will things really fall apart? Eating, sleeping, loving your children, making sure you’re fed and clothed…what else? Start with the basics and let go of everything you can in the coming weeks.
Next, prioritize sleep, life-giving activities, nourishing your body, and time with Jesus. Getting outside for a bit can do wonders for your body and mind.
You may also want to consider doing a time audit to see where you’re spending your time and getting a blood test to see if anything is wrong. Also, ask people who know you well for their opinions on solutions and strategies.
Question: Have you made any changes to your diet since you started lifting weights? Are there any new easy meals?
answer: I’m currently doing some pretty intense strength training four times a week, so I’m recording my macros again from a really healthy mental space. I’m really excited about this and find it helps give my body more energy than when I’m not tracking.
Aim for 130 grams of carbohydrates, 60 grams of fat, 25-30 grams of fiber, and over 200 grams of carbohydrates + almost 7 hours of sleep each day. I usually do most of these every day and love how it affects my body’s recomposition.
After that, I usually have two active recovery days (achieving at least 10,000 steps) and one rest day to really relax.
Now this plan is working really well and my numbers in the Oura ring are basically better than ever and I feel so strong and energized.
I keep my meals really simple, which many people might find boring, but that’s what works for me right now. A lot of people have asked me for meal ideas, so I’d like to share more.
In case you missed it – this week’s post
20+ Best Board Games Under $30 — Whether you’re looking for the best family board games, the best two-player board games, or the best solo board games, this guide has you covered. Our family is big board gamers, and these are some of our favorite games that we’ve played over and over again over the years.
Breakfast Sandwiches ($10 Family Dinner Ideas) — This delicious breakfast sandwich recipe uses simple ingredients that transform into a satisfying, budget-friendly meal that everyone will love.
Brigette’s $79 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4! — See what my sister Bridget bought last week and what she’s feeding her family.
Is Amazon Prime worth it? — Wondering if it’s worth being an Amazon Prime member? In this article, we’ll break down the main benefits of Amazon Prime (from fast and free shipping to easy access to Amazon sales, streaming and storage) to help you decide whether Amazon Prime offers real value for your money.
This week’s podcast episode: One man’s journey from abuse and addiction to forgiveness and redemption with Stephen McWhirter
Trust me, you won’t want to miss this episode’s honest and vulnerable conversation with memoir author Stephen McWhirter.Completely Restored: How Knowing Jesus Heals Our Wounds.
I was really looking forward to sharing this episode because his story is raw, at times disturbing, and deeply hopeful, and it challenged me in ways I never expected. Hear Stephen talk about growing up in a household where faith was preached loudly in public but painfully contradictory in private. We talk about how it affects children when someone who represents God also causes pain, and how that kind of hypocrisy can lead to years of anger, rebellion, and addiction.
Stephen candidly shares his long road to drug abuse, the amazing moment that started to change everything, and how his encounter with Jesus came not in a church pew, but in solitude, surrounded by darkness and drugs, where he found grace.
He explains forgiveness to us in a unique way, talking about abuse, safety, boundaries, and the real cost of forgiving someone who has caused deep hurt, especially when that person is a parent. His story of forgiving his father (not once, but for a lifetime) is one of the best parts of the conversation.
We also spend time speaking directly with parents, friends, and loved ones who feel helpless as they watch their loved ones struggle. Stephen offers hope to those with silent shame, hidden addictions, and unanswered prayers, and reminds us that repentance brings things to light.
If you’re struggling with questions of forgiveness, addiction, trust, or whether God is really good, this episode is definitely for you. And if you are someone who is praying for someone and wondering if it matters, I sincerely hope that this conversation gives you real hope that recovery is possible, sometimes even in ways we could never have predicted or planned for ourselves. Be sure to pick up his book as well!
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
