Week 4: Looking Back on This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching!
I used to do a weekly post with a look at the previous week + lots of links. Many of you missed this, so I’m bringing it back in 2026! I’ll share photos and highlights from the past week + what I’m reading, watching, and listening to. I will share links to posts or other interesting things that I don’t want you to miss.
I’m doing something I haven’t done in ages (I think since I was a kid?) I’m doing watercolors using this Watercolor Workbook from Brighter Day Press that was given to me by my friend, Whitney. It was a lot harder than I expected, but it was so much fun to challenge myself outside of my comfort zone!
This box showed up at our house last week and the kids were so excited to open it – but I was even more excited. Can you guess what was inside?? See the answer here in this fun video!
This is my favorite foundation and I have used it for years! I use it both as a concealer and a foundation!
I started crocheting again this past week and I’ve been surprised at how much I’ve been loving it! I’m almost done with this Kierstyn scarf that I started earlier this past week! I’ll share a photo of the finished scarf with you next week! By the way, if you’ve been wanting to learn how to crochet, be sure to check this out.
Mystery box!!
I went on a mission to try and get eggs before the winter storm and was delighted to find Aldi fully stocked.
At the time, Kroger had so many empty shelves that I had to make a funny video about it!
It’s that time of year when we spend hours in the stands watching Silas play basketball and I love it!!
The snow started falling on Saturday morning and we ended up with around 2 inches and then it turned into sleet and snow.
David was so excited to wake up on a snowy Saturday! He ran to the window and looked at it for a long time!
The roads were too cold to drive on after Saturday morning so we had snow/ice the last three days. Most things are closed and many people here are without power right now. We prepared for ours to come out for at least a few days, but so far, it hasn’t happened.
We have been doing lots of LEGOs, puzzles, games, books, cooking, and watching other games. It was nice to all catch up at home… they just canceled school until Thursday and the temperatures are supposed to continue to be very cold, so we may have a few days at home. We’ll see!
Top Instagram posts of the week
This post sharing a funny (and embarrassing!) story was my most viewed Instagram reel of the week! I hope it makes you laugh!
Books I Finished This Week
Small Tweaks, Happy Life – This is a great read if you need some inspiration and motivation to simplify and streamline your life so you can focus on what’s most important and have smoother, happier days. I especially liked the section on prioritizing happy hours – the time each day to do things that give you life. It’s been really good for me to think about what I do in my day that brings me joy and how I can make more time for that!
What I’m listening to
I just finished listening to a fan recommended audiobook – Under the Magnolias. It was really different than I expected and deeply moving in parts.
My Current Morning Book Stack
Books I read slowly in the morning + My Bible Study: You Read the Truth Acts Lesson, Verse for the Day of the Troubled Soul, New Graces of the Morning, And He Awoke, and Words with God Prayer Book.
What I’m watching
I continue to watch When Calls the Heart during some of my afternoon work that I can easily do while I’m working. I finished season one, two, and three last week (I wasn’t feeling well for a few days so I spent more time in bed than usual!) and just started season 4!
Jesse and I also watched Skyscraper Live. Yes, if you need to have a little adrenaline rush, watch that one!! We didn’t watch it live, which I’m really thankful for as I think it might have been too stressful!!
Q&As of the week
I answered several questions on Instagram this past week and wanted to share two here:
Question: I’m tired in every way, I think… what can you do? – Mother of 3
Answer: I’m sorry you’re feeling down. I will start by making sure that you cry out to Jesus asking him for wisdom and strength to help you carry what he has called you to carry and to let go of what he has called you to put down. Second, what should you do right now – as in, will things really fall apart if you don’t? Eating, sleeping, loving your children and making sure they are fed and clothed… or anything else? Start with the basics and let go of everything else you can for the next few weeks.
Then, prioritize sleep, healing activities, nourishing your body, and time with Jesus. If you can find a little time outside it can do wonders for your body and soul.
I would also recommend doing a time audit to see where you spend your time + consider getting blood work done to see if anything is going wrong. And ask those who know better to provide ideas for other solutions or strategies to help, too.
Q: Have you changed your diet at all since you started lifting weights? Any new snacks?
Answer: Since I’m doing intense strength training four times a week at the moment, I’m tracking my macros and I’m coming from a really healthy place of mind – which I’m happy with and which I find helps me push my body a lot better than when I’m not tracking.
I aim for 130 grams of carbs, 60 grams of fat, 25-30 grams of fiber, and 200+ grams of carbs daily + close to 7 hours of sleep or more. I use a lot of this every day and I love how it gives my body a restorative effect!
I usually have two active recovery days (where I hit at least 10k steps) and one rest day where I try to take it easy.
Right now, this program is working very well and my Oura ring numbers are actually better than before + I feel stronger and more energetic.
I keep the diet simple and many would think it’s boring, but that’s what works for me right now! I will try to share more since so many have asked for food ideas!
