Week 2: 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.

This week’s big cleaning project was my bathroom drawers and cabinets.

I didn’t think they were that bad… so I decided to pull everything out to see what I was working with, as opposed to going drawer by drawer like I usually do! Let me just say I was really glad I had more time because instead of 30 minutes like I thought it would take, it took me 2 hours!!

But it felt too good to be done! And creating good organizational plans that you will stick to! It’s been a full week since I cleaned it and I’m happy to report that it stays clean and organized!

If you want to see the full process, watch my short video here.

It’s basketball season and Silas has 2-3 games a week. Because the games are so old and most of them are 45 minutes to an hour away, we weren’t able to go to all of them, but we like to go when we can. David LOVES watching Silas play!

Just look at his smile!

I went to Kroger for markdowns twice this week! You can see a video of me buying markdowns here. See everything I bought and paid for on my first trip in this post here.

Slowing down has been one of the strangest—and life-giving—lessons of late.

I’m so used to pushing, producing, and filling every open space that learning to pause felt uncomfortable at first. But with the help of smart professionals and listening to my body a lot, I realize how much I really need limit, rest, and breathing room… and it’s changing my life!

I will share more about this in next week’s podcast episode.

I went to a gastroenterologist this week at the request of my active medicine dr. Because of my chronic anemia and other issues, we scheduled my first colonoscopy and endoscopy in February. If you’ve had it before, we’d love to hear about your experience and any tips you have!

Jesse and I recorded a podcast episode on my 2026 fun list. Check out what’s coming Tuesday wherever you listen to podcasts (just search for the Crystal Paine show!)

He surprised me and came home Thursday night and we got together and went for a mile and a half night run which was so much fun!

Jesse and I worked on this World War II puzzle he got for me last Christmas (and we’re finally doing it!) on our Sabbath Friday morning. It was a lot of fun – even if we only got through the first phase (which involves ciphers and codes and punch cards!)

My pharmacologist helped me start taking this when I first started working with him as I have had many bouts of illness in the past year. I don’t know if it’s because of slowing down, taking better care of myself or taking this, but I’ve been able to stay sick since I started — even though I’ve been exposed to a lot of things. I take two pills every day or four a day if I feel like something is happening (and every time, I don’t end up getting sick!)

I took Kierstyn, David, and Micah to Chipotle for something special on Saturday after we went to the gym and David insisted on sitting in a high chair and wanted to try some other food. He didn’t eat any of it, but we are so happy that his interest in food has grown so much in the past few months!

Jesse and I celebrated our 23rd anniversary this week by going to a cool tea at a local tea room (thanks to my parents for giving us a gift card for my birthday!)

Fun fact: I worked in a tea room when Jesse and I first got married so I’m a huge tea fan.

It was a fun experience!

Do you see Micah??

I was SO HAPPY with my order that took advantage of the $10 off $30 General Mills deal on Amazon! Here is what I have:

Top Instagram posts of the week

I shared thoughts about Kathrynne’s illness last year on Instagram. I copied the text below…

This happened last year. Kathrynne got really sick with Flu A which turned into bronchitis which turned into pneumonia which turned into sepsis. It all happened so fast… looking back, we see more clearly that the Holy Spirit’s encouragement that I was able to move may have saved his life. We had already taken him to the ER two days ago and they told us he had Influenza A and Bronchitis and was really sick and probably going to be really sick for another week. They gave us a prescription and sent us home.

After the ER visit, he gradually seemed to get worse. We had to work really hard to get him out of bed and into the bathroom. He would not really eat or drink. And then his breathing seemed to get worse and he started doing this shallow breathing thing very quickly.

I have since learned that + her high heart rate is a sign of possible sepsis… I didn’t know at the time. I immediately realized that I was feeling in my gut that this was more than Influenza A and Bronchitis.

He didn’t want to move but Jesse and I insisted that he go to the urgent care. They took him and sent him to the hospital immediately. By the time they got to the hospital, he was out of action and says everything felt foggy and disturbing (with sepsis symptoms).

If we had waited a few more hours, things would have been worse. But because he got in when he got in, they caught it and were able to start him on medication and get him off the course very quickly.

We spent the next few weeks helping him slowly recover (he was incredibly weak, he had lost a lot of weight, and his lungs were still recovering). We didn’t know if he would be able to return to college or if he would need to take a semester off.

But, he worked really hard to recover and was well enough to go back to school at the end of January. Despite losing a lot of her hair and other stubborn health issues she’s been working on this past year, she’s fully recovered and we’re so thankful!

I share this as a reminder that even if you are crazy, if you feel in your gut that something is wrong, go get it checked out. God gave us intuition for a reason — let’s use it to speak for ourselves and those around us!

Books I Finished This Week

Only Woman in the Room — I felt that this book had a lot of potential to be really interesting, but it didn’t live up to my expectations. It felt like the author was trying to cram too much history into the book and part of the novel felt thin and lacking depth and fleshing out the story. I also noticed that so many chapters would jump too far forward in the story’s timeline and then kind of backtrack to get the reader up to speed. I would have liked the story to have been written in chronological order instead of having to jump forward and back multiple times.

Breathing as Prayer – I got this as a free download from Libby and it has been really inspiring. If you are trying to slow down, release your burdens to the Lord, or struggle with anxiety or anxious thoughts, I think this book can encourage you.

It’s Never Bad to Do the Right Thing – I was very inspired by the stories in this book of biblical women and women of faith. The author is a great storyteller and brought out parts of the story that I had never thought of before! You can listen to our podcast episode on this book here.

What I’m listening to

I have been listening to worship songs on my way home from the gym every morning. One of my favorites recently has been Shane and Shane’s Jesus Loves Me.

What I’m watching

I also watch When Calls the Heart during my afternoon work time when I can easily do something while working. Maybe I’ll try to watch all 13 seasons this year as I find it a fun and engaging kind of “background game” — the kind you can have in the background while you do something else. I’m almost done with the first season (I’ve never watched the show before… can you believe it?)

In Case You Missed It – This Week’s Post

What Would You Give Up or Do Differently If You Had to Reduce Your Monthly Expenses? (50 ideas!) – Looking for creative ways to lower your monthly expenses? This list can give you inspiration and ideas to try!

15 ways to make money online – If you want to make extra money online from home to increase your income, there are many ways to get started. Over the years, I’ve seen countless students successfully earn extra money online in practical, flexible ways – whether that’s a skill they’ve acquired, selling digital products, managing social media for a small business, or picking up odd jobs from time to time. Check out this list of ideas for more inspiration!

How to Get Free Samples – Stretch your budget and find new favorites by learning how to get free samples in your mailbox – from beauty and homeware to snacks and baby products. This guide shows you the best, legitimate ways to try new products for free without wasting time or money.

This week’s Podcast episode

Episode Title: How Understanding Christ’s Compassion Changes Us with Sherri Hughes-Gragg

To kick off the new year, today I’m joined in studio by Sherri Hughes-Gragg, an author whose writing has truly changed the way I read scripture and experience God. His Advent service stopped me in my tracks this December, along with his new book, Merciful Christfeels like exactly what many of us need as we enter the new year!

Listen as Sherri shares her story of growing up in a deeply legalistic Christian environment where rules were more important than relationships, and doubt was not only unacceptable but dangerous. We talk about what it’s like to maintain your looks while still being secretive and how years of trying to be “good enough” has created a crushing sense of failure, especially in parenting. His thinking is soft, unfiltered, and based on love – not only for himself but also for his children and anyone who has carried spiritual shame longer than they should have.

Hear how transformation occurs when Sherri begins reading the text through the cultural and historical context of the Middle East, including her time spent studying in Israel. He explains how this lens transformed familiar scenes and healed his long-held fears, especially of the crucifixion and the faith that God repents in our darkest times. One moment in particular – Jesus’ words on the cross – reshaped everything he thought he knew about God’s existence and faithfulness.

Listen to the episode here.

Tell me about your week! Something interesting happening? Did you read any good books, watch any good shows, or do any projects?