Week 6: Looking Back on This Past Week + What I’m Reading, Listening to, and Watching!

Welcome to my weekly post where I share some photos and highlights from the past week + what I’m reading, watching, and listening to. I also share links to posts or other interesting things that I don’t want you to miss.

What a special weekend visiting my parents in Kansas and helping out with their annual Valentine’s Day Party that they put on for their community!

My older sister from SC also came in to help, and we joked that maybe it was the last time we were together with my parents 42 years ago before my younger brother was born. (When he heard us say something about this he reminded us that although we might be the first 4, when he arrived we were the best five. 🤣🤣)

There were 50 couples at the party and it went well! More photos below!

I finished two books on the plane!

I tried to get a picture of a beautiful sunset and this did not do this justice at all!

Thursday night Feast Preparation — cutting menus and wrapping and stuffing questions for couples to review.

On Friday morning, a few of us gathered at the church to prepare all the food and decorations.

We sent my mother to the grocery store to pick up some kale to decorate the fruit plates. He said people were showing him a lot when he was leaving the store!

Here is the menu.

I was in charge of all servers — I provide instructions and tasks here.

Each couple received a photo taken upon entry and these were printed during the event to take home at the end!

Fruit plates are ready to serve!

Vegetable soup – heart-shaped carrots!

Salad and rolls (we also have gluten-free, dairy-free rolls for those with food allergies).

Brisket, green beans, and sliced ​​baked potatoes.

Cheesecake for dessert (we also had gluten-free, dairy-free for those with food allergies).

The evening consisted of dinner, games, a message of encouragement from my father, and time for each couple to separate and explore some questions my parents were asking together.

Then each couple leaves with their own framed photo!

On Saturday, we visited Babamkhulu at the old people’s home where he lives.

I flew back on Sunday and the kids were SO happy to see me!

Books I Finished This Week

Blessed are the wicked – As much as I loved Unoffendable, I wanted to read this book, too. I’ll be honest, I didn’t connect with it much. However, I think it would be an important read if you struggle with believing in Jesus, have doubts, or just feel like you don’t fit in or relate to what others feel when they talk about their faith.

Verse of the Day for the Troubled Soul — This is an excellent book for anyone who is often anxious or very anxious. It is full of inspiring offerings that will remind you of the truth of God’s Word and His faithfulness.

What I’m watching

The Olympics, of course! If you’re new here, you might not know that I’m a huge Olympics fan! I love that Peacock offers every single game and every single tournament. That way, you don’t miss anything. I have a lot of fun with figure skating since Kaitlynn is a figure skater, but I also love watching almost every other sport! Do you watch the Olympics? If so, which is your favorite?

Psst! If you haven’t seen it, you can watch the Olympics for free by signing up for a Walmart+ free trial!

In Case You Missed It – This Week’s Post

How to Save Money on Your Electric Bill – Are you looking for effective ways to lower your monthly electricity bill? From energy-saving upgrades to everyday habits, this guide will help you lower your monthly electricity costs. It’s easier than you might think!

Easy Chili Recipe ($10 Family Dinner Idea) — This quick and easy chili recipe is a comforting winter dish and a budget-friendly way to warm up. Perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prep, or game day, it’s hearty, comforting, and always a crowd pleaser.

Brigette’s $69 Grocery Shopping Trip and Weekly Menu Plan for 4! — Look what my sister bought at the store and what she feeds her family!

Affordable Valentine Ideas — Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be expensive to be meaningful. These affordable Valentine ideas show easy, thoughtful ways to celebrate love without spending a lot of money.

This week’s Podcast episode

A few years ago, Lindsey Maestas and I went for coffee and she challenged me to see Jesse as just another job on my endless list but as a person too – a moment that stuck with me. In this season of raising a large family and wearing many different hats, I realized how easily my marriage had slipped. So in this episode, I invited Lindsey to talk about what it really looks like to choose your marriage when life is busy or you’re tired, hurting, or feeling like life is hard.

Using his book Don’t Burn Your House Down as a basis for our conversation, Lindsey and I talk about quiet constructive disappointments like when a gift feels impersonal or you feel completely unrecognized and why those moments often point to deeper needs, not deal-breakers. Lindsey shares why love “doesn’t just happen,” how unspoken expectations create distance, and what to do when your partner perceives your requests as criticism or failure. We uncover the worry-avoidance cycle, the danger of keeping emotional receipts, and why fighting fire with fire burns the house down so fast.

One of my favorite parts of this episode is honestly when we move away from difficult conversations and talk about rebuilding friendships. Laughter, play, small acts of service, even silly moments can soften hearts in a way that words sometimes can’t, and Lindsay explains the power of what she calls “little charms” – small everyday decisions that quietly say, “I see you.” We also talk about why trying to change your spouse is almost impossible and how real change starts when you look at yourself honestly.

This interview is for anyone who feels lonely in their marriage, overwhelmed by life, or just wants to build a strong marriage. It’s not about pretending things are right but choosing hope, humility, and connection again, even when it feels easy to give up.

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