Never in my wildest imaginations did I expect to so quickly realize that I LOVE running since I started training for a 10k. It is crazy to be discovering that something I had told myself I couldn’t do for years is the very thing I’m just absolutely coming to adore??!!
I did three runs on the treadmill and two runs outdoors + Jesse and I took a short hike on my rest day!
My treadmill runs were all around 2 1/2 to 3 miles long. I was only planning to run a 5K for my long outdoor run on Sunday, but I was feeling so good, that I decided to just keep going and ended up running 4 miles without stopping at a 10:40 average pace — SAY WHAT??? And it felt so good!
I downloaded the Strava app this past week and love it! My hope this next week is to hit 5 miles on my long run. We will see!
I met with my dietitian this week to go over how to fuel my body well for runs and she’s challenging me to eat a simple carb 30 mins before my runs the next week. That scares me as I think I might get sick or have stomach pain, but I’m going to do it anyway. If you have great pre-run or post-run snack suggestions, send ‘em my way! I have a whole new appetite these days — and I can’t even imagine what it will be like when I hit 7+ mile runs!
I met with my dietitian earlier this week to go over how to best fuel my body for running – especially as I’m planning to start running 5+ mile stretches.
She gave me such good advice and encouragement and also said I must start eating some simple carbs 30 mins before my run. I’m so scared to eat before running (I’m afraid I’ll get cramps/upset stomach but I also know there’s no way I can do the longer runs well without fueling my body properly!)
Any runners out there have great suggestions for what you like to eat as a pre-run snack??
My dietitian ended the call going, “Crystal! I can’t believe how far you’ve come since we started working together!!”
And it’s so true! From a girl who was so afraid of eating enough calories and spent so much time worried about a number on the scale, to a strong woman who is loving running and weight training and fueling her body well and eating at least 500-600+ more calories a day and feeling GREAT!!
I don’t say it lightly – my dietitian has changed my life! And I still can’t believe I’ve paid $0 out of pocket!!
Click here to read my story and see if your insurance covers this program, too!
Kierstyn, Micah, David, and I went to the library on Monday — one of their favorite places to go! They discovered a new tub of free books and I wish you could have seen how excited they were. In fact, Kierstyn went around and told other people in the library about it because she didn’t want anyone to miss out!
Parenting tip: don’t stress over the small stuff like what your kids wear. If they want to wear a PJ top and a completely clashing pair of pants to the library, roll with it. If they pick out their clothes and it’s not inappropriate, go with it!
Also: never judge another mom by the outfit her child is wearing.
I shared this on Instagram and thought it might encourage some of you:
Time with life-giving friends is so important and so soul-filling.…but it’s rarely going to fall into your lap
If you’re lonely or longing for community, don’t wait for someone else to reach out first.
Ask yourself:Who do I want to get to know just a little better? Then do the tiny brave thing and reach out.
Try:• “I’d love to grab coffee sometime!”• “We’re headed to the park tomorrow; want to join us?”• “I made extra soup tonight. Do you have dinner plans?”• “Want to walk with me one morning this week?”
If someone doesn’t respond or isn’t interested… don’t take it personally. Just keep reaching out until you find your people… the ones who say yes.
And when they share? Listen. Ask good questions. Care about their life.
Check in. Remember important dates. Pray for them. Send a voice memo of encouragement. These tiny deposits build real friendship.
Don’t wait for community to magically drop into your lap. Show up. Initiate. Be the kind of friend you’re hoping to find. 
Who is one person you could reach out to this week?
The rhythm of Friday Sabbath has been SO good for us! In fact, I’ve started extending it from not just being the 9 am to 12 pm time with Jesse in the morning but also taking a much slower afternoon, too.
Since our weekends are often full (and with 6 kids!) and I work at least 5-6 hours most Saturdays, this has been such a helpful thing to have one day a week that is more focused on fun and relaxing and life-giving things. (Sunday is usually just church and hanging out with family and friends, but with six kids and sometimes their friends here, it’s not really what I’d call “restful”! :))
Jesse and I went to Sam’s Club and I price compared a bunch of items and took pics for an upcoming post on the best things to buy there. And we found yeast – finally!!
This was less than $7 for 2 pounds!! Just store it in the freezer.
This is just in time because I got wheat and am pulling out my mill and I’m excited to get back to grinding my own fresh flour again!!
Watching my man pour into David makes me fall in love with him all over again. 
David loves me but he adores Jesse obsessively.
Watching how much David loves his earthly Daddy and how safe and secure he feels with him is such a picture to me of what our relationship with our Heavenly Father should have. No worry, no stress, just peace in His arms knowing I’m loved and safe and secure.
I have some exciting news to share!!! I finished my 6th book and it comes out in September!!!
Want to know what it’s called???
The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women: How to Stop Stressing, Begin Where You Are, and Build the Future You Want.
This book is something I wrote for each and every woman. It’s for the woman in college, the married woman, the single woman, the mom with lots of kids, the woman doesn’t have kids, the empty nester, and anything and everything in between.
It is part memoir (sharing so many stories of my upbringing and how my parents and grandparents influenced me when it comes to money + lots of stories from our early years of marriage) and it is part practical handbook.
It is packed with my best time-tested advice on how to change your financial future — one step at a time — written in a very realistic, down-to-earth, encouraging style.
Whether you are struggling and stressed or feel like you are in a good place financially and would just like to fine tune things, The 7 Habits of Financially Healthy Women is for you.
A Special Invite For You if You Pre-Order This Weekend!
We have a lot of fun pre-order bonuses coming, but I’ve got something special for anyone who pre-orders this weekend!
If you pre-order this weekend, you’ll get an exclusive invite to a live Q&A call with me! We’ll hang out and chat and you can ask me anything + some of my family will be joining us for a bit to answer questions, too!
To pre-order and get your ticket to this exclusive live call with me, just go here and fill out this form! (Once you sign up, you’ll have an opportunity to submit questions you’d love for me to answer on the live call!)
Books I Finished This Past Week
I finished The Nightingale! And yes, I cried multiple times – especially the part where she says goodbye to the boy that had become like her son (if you’ve read it, you know!)
I was reliving so many of the emotions I felt of when we said goodbye to C – putting him in his car seat and telling him how, how much I loved him, and sobbing wondering if I’d ever see him again. Knowing it was best for him to reunify with his mama but also not knowing if I could stand the hole in my heart with him not in our home anymore. It was a beautifully moving book with many heart-wrenching but also redeeming parts.
What I’m Watching
I’m continuing to watch When Calls the Heart. I finished Season 11 this week and started Season 12. Will I finish Season 12 and 13 this week? We’ll see!
And Jesse and I are hoping to start a new show to watch together. We have some ideas, but we’ll see what we land on! Feel free to send your suggestions our way!
What I’m Listening To
Lots of worship music while running! I know some people love to listen to podcasts or audiobooks while running, but I am just loving worship music! The kids have also been begging to listen to Holy Forever on repeat when we are driving recently and then belting out the words.
Podcast Episode This Week: Five Exciting Updates at Our House
Listen in this week as Jesse and I share five exciting updates from the Paine house on this week’s episode of the podcast! Some of our updates are more practical, some are deeply personal, and a few honestly caught me completely off guard… and Jesse comes into the conversation without knowing what I’m going to share, which makes it even more fun as we walk through what’s been happening behind-the-scenes in our world!
I start off with something that might sound minor but honestly felt pretty significant to me — a recent dentist visit that went surprisingly well after years of being told something was wrong with my teeth. After working with a functional medicine doctor and trying oil pulling (something that I was very skeptical about), I had a completely different experience at my last appointment. It made me think more about the connection between oral health and overall health and whether some of the small habits that I have added might actually be making a difference.
From there, we share an update about our son David as he prepares to start kindergarten this fall. If you have been following our story, then you know how remarkable that moment feels for our family. David’s team has been working closely with us to create a plan that supports his unique needs, and hearing the goals that they have set for him is both exciting and emotional. David continues to surprise everyone with his determination and personality, and we talk about some of the ways that he’s already showing just how capable he is!
Another unexpected development is that I agreed to run a 10K with our daughter. That decision has launched me into a whole new world of running, training, and learning far more about shoes and socks than I ever expected.
I also share how an unexpected invitation is taking me to Guatemala this summer, something that’s been on my heart since we adopted David, and finally, the biggest update of all: I finished writing my next book! I reveal the title, share the story behind how it came together, and explain why this project feels especially meaningful to me.
Listen to this episode here.
In Case You Missed It – Links From This Week
The Smartest Ways to Save at Starbucks — If you love Starbucks but not the prices, check out this post and discover the best ways to save right now.
Walgreens 101 — Walgreens is one of those stores that can become a gold mine for savings once you know what to look for. This in-depth guide will help you walk into Walgreens with a plan and walk out knowing you got a great deal.
Spaghetti Pizza ($10 Dinner Idea) — This recipe combines two classic favorites into one dish, so you can’t go wrong! The spaghetti serves as the crust and it has typical pizza toppings, and your family is sure to love it!
My First Time Shopping at Costco and What I Bought for $67 — I finally made it to Costco for the first time ever and walked away with some great finds for under $70 total! Read this post to see what I bought and what we thought — and don’t miss the comments section, filled with helpful tips from readers.
Spaghetti Pizza ($10 Dinner Idea) — This recipe combines two classic favorites into one dish, so you can’t go wrong! The spaghetti serves as the crust and it has typical pizza toppings, and your family is sure to love it!
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