182. Start with Hello: Simple Ways to Build Community (with Shannan Martin)
Crystal Paine Show
I loved this week's podcast conversation with Shannan Martin on the topic of building connection in our communities. My favorite quote of the entire episode was, "The only thing you need to practice hospitality is a glass of water." Meaning: opening up your door and offering a glass of water is really all it takes. (Or, meeting on the back porch, or at the park, or at a coffee shop -- as we talk about in this episode.) If you need some inspiration for simple ways you can build deeper relationships or are scared of putting yourself out there and inviting people and then getting rejected or...
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181. What is Kathrynne doing after high school?
Crystal Paine Show
"What is Kathrynne doing after high school?" Jesse and I have been asked this over and over again -- and Kathrynne has been asked this even more! These questions sparked today's conversation -- about how easy it is to put pressure on others unknowingly and to spend so much of our lives thinking about, planning for, looking forward to, and worrying about the future that we miss the beauty of the here and now. We'd love to hear your feedback after you listen to this episode! In This Episode [00:35] – We are talking about after high school today! [03:08] – Our trip to Branson and Silver...
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180. Why You Should Read Aloud with Your Kids (with Jennifer Pepito)
Crystal Paine Show
This week's podcast episode is on a topic that is very close to my heart... because it's something that so deeply impacted me! When I was growing up, my mom read aloud to us almost every single day and I have so many fond memories of the time we spent gathered together -- often working on some type of sewing handwork -- while she read us a few more chapters from the book we were currently reading aloud. To this day, I recall so many stories from those books and often am inspired in my every day life to be more courageous because of them. I share more about that on this episode of The...
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179. An Interview with Jesse
Crystal Paine Show
I thought that it would be fun to sort of turn the tables around a little bit and interview Jesse, who just recently had his forty-second birthday! Jesse has a lot of wisdom to share. He's walked through a lot in his life -- including being born prematurely, his parents divorcing at an early age, losing his mom to cancer when he was young, and two major brain tumor surgeries. And that was all just before he turned 15! In this episode, he shares some of the biggest life lessons he has learned over the course of his life and what lessons he hopes to impart to our children. We talk about...
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178. From Street Kid to Foster Dad (with Peter Mutabazi)
Crystal Paine Show
I loved this conversation with Peter Mutabazi -- a single foster dad who has such a heart for kids. In this episode, he shares a little about his heartbreaking but also inspiring story of being abused by his dad as a boy and finally making the decision to run away -- having no idea where idea where he would go. He ended up living on the streets near a bus station for a few years until one man walked into his life and changed everything. You will want to not only listen to what he shares of his story on this episode, but you'll also want to get a copy of his book, . I left this...
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177. Setting Healthy Boundaries for Your Family (with Rachel Norman)
Crystal Paine Show
Are you tired or feeling overwhelmed as a mom? In this episode, Rachel Norman shares what she has learned about setting healthy boundaries. Rachel is a mom of five and the author of . As Rachel shared about what boundaries are to her, I had some aha moments in my own life as she has a very different perspective on the word “boundaries” than I’ve thought of before. I hope this conversation encourages you to rethink what boundaries would allow you to thrive and be the best version of yourself you can be! In This Episode [00:34] – Welcome to another episode of . [01:36] –...
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176. An adoption update + how to follow through with your goals
Crystal Paine Show
After 17+ months of fostering D, lots of court dates, and much due diligence on the part of DCS to make sure there was no biological family who could take care of him (his mama loves him so much but cannot care for him due to all his ongoing medical needs), the judge granted TPR last week and his case will be officially moving to adoption once the 30-day appeal period is up. We have been busy getting extensive paperwork filled out from all his therapists and specialists and doctors (he’s currently regularly seeing/working with 12 different doctors/therapists). This is something required...
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175. Raising Emotionally Strong Boys (with David Thomas)
Crystal Paine Show
Do you struggle with kids who get easily irritated or have angry outbursts? If so, you don't want to miss this episode of The Crystal Paine Show where I interview David Thomas, therapist, dad of three, and author of . In this episode, he shares some of the biggest struggles boys are dealing with right now and how we can best walk with them through these. He gives so much practical advice and strategies you can start using immediately. I have mulled over this episode again and again after we recorded it and have changed how I approach a number of interactions with my kids as a result. This...
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174. Teaching Your Kids to Set Goals
Crystal Paine Show
Christina wrote in and asked: "I was wondering if your older children set their own goals and if they do, what does that process look like? I have a 9 and 6 year old and I would love to help them define small and large goals for themselves but I'm not sure how to translate my personal and business goal setting process to something that is exciting for younger children." In this week's episode of the podcast, we share some of our thoughts on helping our kids set goals, inspired by Christina's question. We share how we've approached goal-setting with our kids and some...
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173. Our Fitness, Family, & Personal Goals for the Fall
Crystal Paine Show
Since it's the beginning of a new school year for us, Jesse and I sat down and shared some of our new mid-year goals that we each set for our fitness, family, and personal lives. If you need a little inspiration to set some new goals or to get back up on the goal-setting wagon if you've fallen off since January or are just curious what we are prioritizing for the next few months, be sure to listen to this episode. In This Episode [00:34] - Welcome to another episode of . [01:56] - We are very much in back-to-school mode here. [02:39] - My reading update and another five-star book...
info_outlineIn the middle of May, I went in for what I thought was just a routine weekly ultrasound, but there were some significant concerns about the baby’s movements/activity.
Within an hour, they were prepping me for the very real possibility of a c-section that day. (Starting steroid shots, no eating/drinking, admitting me to the hospital, etc.)
I was by myself and it felt very surreal. So many things to process all at once. So many details to try to work out. And so much concern for our sweet baby.
This whole pregnancy has been a real test of faith and endurance for me. There have been many unexpected bumps in the road. Many things I’ve never experienced (so much bleeding and spotting, so much more nausea, low-lying placenta, the possibility of placenta previa, transverse baby, fibroids, etc.).
Over and over again, I’ve had to stop and release my desire for control and my need to have a plan. It’s required me to continually open up my hands and say, “God, help me to trust You and walk by faith — even though there is so much uncertainty for what the future holds.”
By the grace of God (and many answers to prayer!), baby started moving much more normally and after 24 hours of monitoring + a lot more testing, I got to go home from the hospital to keep the baby inside for a few more weeks. (My OB and specialist believe baby was just in a really deep sleep cycle during the initial ultrasound but we are monitoring and testing very closely to make sure baby continues to move/act normally and not in distress).
I don’t know what the future holds for this pregnancy. Our goal is for me to make it to my scheduled induction at 39 weeks (just two more weeks!). But I’m just living one day, one week at a time right now — seeking to make the most of it, continuing to release my desire for control to the One Who knows the end from the beginning.
We never know what a day might hold, but I’m grateful to know the One Who holds the whole world in His hands.
Jesse and I sat down and recorded a podcast about this experience sharing more details, things we learned, blessings in the middle of it, and also what you can expect for the next two months for the podcast. Click on the link above to listen to it.
P.S Thank you to @kathrynnepaine for staying the night at the hospital with me so Jesse could be at home with our littles! And to @isabel.nestor for coming to keep us company!