This past week has been full of challenges and unexpected opportunities to trust God, as I’ve been parenting mostly alone while Jesse and Silas went on a father-son ski trip to Utah.
The heartbreaking feelings of the girls who lost their dear friends and gave up everything to meet them in their grief. Seeing them hurt so much breaks my heart to shreds.
A scary episode in the middle of the night where Kirsten couldn’t breathe and her oxygen levels dropped (thankfully we were able to get her oxygen levels back up before going to the ER!).
An emergency visit when Kathryn became seriously ill.
Kirsten’s doctor’s visit. (She was diagnosed with pneumonia and an ear infection. I wasn’t surprised at all by the sounds in her lungs or the way she was breathing.)
David pooped twice in the bathtub and then ripped off all the gauze around the feeding tube port and got blood all over his clothes. While breastfeeding, the feeding tube came off and the powdered milk was scattered all over the place.
One child had the worst seizure of her life so far (at the end she screamed, “You’re the worst mother!!” They later came back and apologized).
I was about to get into an accident on the highway, and as my car was stopped in the middle of the road, the car in front of me slammed on the brakes. (It really felt like we had guardian angels around us. The car behind me had to swerve to the shoulder of the road to avoid hitting me!)
In the midst of all this, the book will be edited. There were many.
Yet, even in the midst of hardship, I have felt God’s mercy, supernatural strength, and peace.
I am so grateful that I don’t have to walk through this life on my own, and that I don’t have to run through it on my own. We can rely on God because He is faithful.
This week’s Q&A
Posted Instagram story question box I received a lot of questions a few days ago. I would like to share some of my answers here…
Question: Do you have any advice on how to handle pre-teen boys? I have an 11-year-old and his behavior has changed a lot.
answer: My best advice is to pray for your son every day and ask God to give you the wisdom to love him well. Let’s get more and more involved in his world.
Pay attention to your son’s interests. Get your son interested in things like sports or video games. Take your son out to lunch or buy him his favorite snack.
Praise him for all the little things he strives for. Save your changes for when it really matters. Be his biggest cheerleader, not his biggest critic. Let him and others speak highly of him. And clearly communicate expectations that are built on a strong foundation of the relationship. And keep him busy. Bored boys are often frustrated and have a lot of energy with no outlet.
Question: What is the bedtime routine for little ones? 7 month old, breastfeeding, struggling to set a routine
answer: Keep it very, very simple. I eat dinner, eat pie, brush my teeth, read a book, pray, and go to bed. or something similar. I try to create a bedtime routine that can be done in 5-15 minutes, depending on my needs.
By the way, some nights my kids fall asleep in their clothes without even changing into their pajamas. Some nights I’m too tired to read. Some nights I end up reading 10 picture books.
My biggest advice is to be careful not to put your kids to bed until they are tired. When children are tired, their bedtime is usually much earlier. Also, we often tell our children audio stories to fall asleep, which is something they look forward to and helps them relax and fall asleep quickly.
Question: If I needed to lose 30 pounds, what would my diet be like? (I’m looking for you.)
answer: First, track what you’re eating to understand the calories you burn and the ratio of carbohydrates, fat, protein, and fiber. Ideally, you should consume at least 90 grams of protein and 25 grams of fiber per day. It also tracks your activities.
Could you add more protein and fiber and take a 5-10 minute walk after every meal? Keep it doable and simple, and don’t try to overhaul your life overnight. Choose one to three small habits and stick with them until they become normal and you can do them without thinking. Next, add another simple habit.
Question: Are you still using Nourish? I finally registered and got an appointment next week.
answer: yes! Contrary to your last question, if you are struggling to lose weight, need to gain weight, want to eat more nutritious foods, need some responsibility to prioritize your health, or just want to know if you are eating right to support your lifestyle, we highly recommend hiring a nutritionist through Nourish. It changed my life!!
And 94% of people are fully covered!!! Check here to see if your insurance covers it.
By the way, JJ left this comment:I am losing weight with the help of a nutritionist. More than that, as someone who has struggled to lose weight for a long time, I often felt shame and guilt around food. No more! When my nutritionist told me I could eat dessert every day, I explained that it was impossible. I have no self-control. She has been by my side (I love being able to text between sessions!) and has guided me to success and learning self-control without being tied down. That’s right, I’m eating the foods I love while losing weight. I’m learning to eat in a truly full, happy, and healthy way instead of fearing food. Thank you so much for posting and sharing!”
Introducing John, our new robot vacuum cleaner. He became one of the hardest working and most beloved members of the family. As he sweeps and mops the floors, he keeps his three young children thoroughly entertained by feeding them dirt from the floors. 
That’s just amazing! 
Needless to say, we’re very impressed with the Yeedi robot vacuum. There are currently four different models on sale, including one for as low as $179 shipped.
Do you have a robot vacuum cleaner? If so, what is his/her name??
you can get theseDream Pair Toddler Girls’ Mary Jane Ballerina Flats, shipping only $12.99Using promo codeERE178At checkout!
These normally cost $33.99, which is a great deal. Choose from several colors.
Kirsten has worn these many times, including when she wore a flower girl dress at her uncle and aunt’s wedding. — and love them!
Books I finished reading this week
human resources skills – I loved this book and found it to be a very useful resource for anyone looking to deepen relationships, build stronger communities, and communicate more kindly and honestly. Each chapter is short and action-packed with follow-up questions and practical action steps. If you would like to know more about the contents of the book, Please check out the Instagram live I did with the author here.. It was very good and convincing.
Self-surgery technology that will change your life — I found this book really helpful and insightful. If you feel stuck, if you feel life is too overwhelming and difficult and you are overwhelmed by disappointments, this would be a great book to read. Blending science and the Bible, the author provides practical encouragement that changing the way you think can change your life.
what i see
Of course, it’s the Olympics, just like last week. 
I also watched quite a few episodes When your heart calls. (Currently in season 9!)
what i hear
I started listening to holy disruptor Last week, at my sister’s suggestion. So far it’s been very different from what I expected. Have you read or heard of it?
In case you missed it – this week’s post
How to make money using the Swagbucks app — Looking for an honest Swagbucks review? Want to know how to make money with Swagbucks? We’ve put together a comprehensive guide on how Swagbucks works, how to earn free gift cards, and top tips for making more money with Swagbucks.swagbucks.
Baked Potato Bars ($10 Family Dinner Ideas) — Baked Potato Bars are such a fun, delicious, and easy meal! Click here for details.
Brigette’s $55 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4! — Check out what Bridget is buying to feed her family on a budget this week.
Me training for the Olympic luge team — I hope this video makes you laugh! And if you need a smile, Watch this short video from David.
How to find the cheapest car insurance + smart ways to save $1 — Auto insurance is actually one of the easiest types of insurance to lower your rates with a little conscious effort. Unlike utilities or rent, you actually have a lot of control over how much you pay. Many families leave hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars on the table simply because they haven’t reviewed their policy in a while.
This week’s podcast episode
i wententhusiasticallyI’ve been looking forward to this episode ever since I got itDr. Lee Warren‘s new book,Self-surgery technology that will change your life. Looking at the title alone, Jesse asked, “Wait… self-brain surgery?” To be honest, I actually had the same thought, but I was completely shocked by what Lee shared in this conversation. He is a brain surgeon who discovered that each of us can apply the same principles he uses in the operating room to literally change our own brains – through our thoughts!
Most of the things that run through our heads every day are false, negative, or repetitive and keep us stuck, but when we consciously practice new ways of thinking, we can rewire our brains in real time and rebuild the rest of our lives.crystal payne showLee and I talk about why our culture often makes us believe we don’t have the power to change, why 80% of our thoughts are wrong, and how the simple act of noticing and choosing our thoughts can literally change our neurochemistry, our bodies, and our perspectives.
From prayer and meditation to quiet reflection, Lee and I dive into practical tools to help filter out the noise and build mental habits that help us become calmer, more resilient, and more intentional. It also explores the very human aspects of change: grief, loss, and crushing impossible days. Lee shares her personal story of losing her son and welcoming her grandson on the same day, and how recognizing that two truths (joy and sadness) can exist at the same time was life-giving and transformative.
Enjoy this week too And see how science and scripture beautifully reinforce each other, and how small consistent actions can reshape your heart, habits, and hopes. If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or helpless in changing your thoughts or your life, this episode will challenge you, encourage you, and give you hope that real change is not just possible. It’s built into the way it’s wired.
Listen to this week’s episode here.
Tell us about your week! Will something interesting happen? Did you read any good books, watch any good shows, or work on any projects?
Source: Money Saving Mom® – moneysavingmom.com
