Kathrynne surprised us with a few visits last week and I wish you could hear the squeals from Kierstyn and Micah when they saw her. This is what a 17 year gap looks like. 😍
This week I started a new thread: Can I feed 7 people for $10 for dinner every night?
If you’re struggling to come up with budget-friendly meals that the whole family will love, use this list of 70 dinner ideas under $10! If you’re willing to get creative, there are plenty of dinner ideas that will keep your family (and your wallet) full!
Here’s what I did this past week in this series:
Here are 70 more dinner ideas your family will love – all for under $10.
If your goal as a parent is to raise children who always make the right choices and decisions, you will probably find yourself often frustrated and stressed because your children don’t seem as perfect as you thought.
But if, instead, you see your goal as a parent to point your children to Jesus, then mistakes are opportunities to have great conversations, love your children right where they are, walk with them well, and extend the same grace and patience that God shows us. Parenting is not final in terms of results (because we cannot save or change our children’s hearts); it’s about our honesty.
Jesus came to take the difficult and impossible burden of perfection on our shoulders as mothers. We will never get it all right or do it right (and neither will our children!), but that is the whole reason to be with Jesus! We can look to Him, rest in Him, and put our trust in Him – even on hard days and days when we make mistakes and mess up, again and again. I am so thankful for His grace!
I’ve started using my @crystaliscleaning Instagram too – be sure to follow along so you don’t miss out on what I’ve been cleaning lately! I am working on resetting my whole house one room at a time!
I took the kids to Kroger to check out the deals on Friday. You can see this fun video we made of our shopping trip together.
If you’ve experienced any kind of disappointment or loss or challenges in your life recently – or know someone who has, please watch this interview with @courtneyprayduke!! Trust me, it will be worth your while.
Courtney shares what it was like to lose her husband in a horrific bike accident when she had three young children. How depressed he felt. How he didn’t want to get out of bed and live life.
But God.
He gave her the courage and strength to stand up and continue to choose life – to put one foot in front of the other, to preach the truth of Who He is in the darkest valley, and to allow other people to care for and carry her.
I highly recommend his book, And He Risen: Struck by Loss, Restored by Jesus.
It’s baseball season again! I LOVE the hours and hours we spend outside watching Silas… it’s my spring and summer pastime!
Happy World Down Syndrome Day to the boy who ruined our world in the best ways. We will never be the same because of you, David! 😍
Looking back over the past five years we have had the privilege of loving you and thinking how different I am because of being your mother.
He taught me that there is a lot that we prioritize and rush and emphasize in this life that does not mean anything.
You have helped me slow down and learn to notice and appreciate the many little things that I used to rush past.
You opened my eyes to a whole world of amazing people and families that I never knew all over the world — Now I happily go out to meet anyone who has a disability or has a child or family member with a disability! I had no idea I would be joining such an incredible #theluckyfew club!
You and your mother have changed my perspective on many things and given me a deep well of compassion and advocacy for those who are overlooked or looked down upon.
You taught me that you don’t need words to communicate and show love.
And most of all, he has helped me to discover what great trust in Jesus looks like. I have had so many opportunities to see His faithfulness in amazing ways as we have navigated all kinds of challenges and unexpected emergencies over the past five years. I could literally write a book on the amazing stories of God’s goodness. And it has given me great peace and deep trust because I have seen firsthand how faithful God is… and I believe with all my heart that He will continue to be faithful – no matter what! ❤️
We love our sweet David Mateo Paine!
I’ve been scouring Walmart clothes to see if I can find the perfect Easter dress… and we found 20 options all under $25! You can see a video of some of the dresses here.
In Case You Missed It – This Week’s Post
Best Christian Books and Youth Devotionals — The teenage years can be many, but they are also some of the most spiritually important years a person will ever go through. That’s why I’m so excited to share these book recommendations for encouraging the faith of your youth.
Easter Basket Ideas for Teens – Are you confused about what to put in your child’s Easter basket? I know the feeling! Check out this list of recommendations, complete with ideas for both boys and girls.
Homemade Chipotle Chicken Bowls ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — These customizable rice bowls are a family favorite that come together in minutes — no trip to Chipotle necessary!
Best Devotional Books and Christian Books for Children – I am often asked for recommendations of devotionals that I can do with children and finally put together a post with my top recommendations!
