6 Books I Finished Recently + 3 Shows We've Been Watching!

And lots of recent family pictures! Hi, Friend! Well, I had every intention to send out a personal enewsletter every week over this summer. But as you may have noticed, that hasn't been happening. So much life has been happening here, but I've been fully living it and haven't had many quiet moments to stop and share about it! But I determined I was going to get something sent this weekend -- even if it was an abbreviated enewsletter! So enjoy some little peeks into our home and life + some random thoughts and encouragement and links I've been saving to share with you -- and an update on the books I've read recently plus what I'm reading right now! = Books I Finished Recently [Habits for a Sacred Home]( -- I was really challenged by some of the encouragement in this book! Especially the parts on order and consistency. I've honestly not done as great of a job with our younger ones with order and consistency as I did with our older three. So I'm working on establishing better routines and consistent chore times with the younger kids as a result of reading this book! We have an upcoming podcast recording planned! Stay tuned! [The House That Jesus Built]() -- This book was a good read, especially if you've experienced church hurt or frustration or are in church leadership. I really appreciated the section where she talks about how to address/help our kids when they might feel bothered by things in church. I interviewed the author for an upcoming podcast -- it will drop the first week of September! [Nothing is Wasted](=) -- I got to have the author, Davey Blackburn, at our house for a podcast interview this past week and it was SO good. His story of hope and healing and forgiveness for his wife's murderers is so moving. You do not want to miss this episode where he shares more! (Note: I felt like the book could have been edited down some. It was a little on the long side and skipped around in a few parts, but it was good overall!) [Slow Growth Equals Strong Roots]() -- This book is really beautiful and I wasn't sure whether I would really connect with the author as we're very, very different. But some of the sections deep resonated with me. Other sections I didn't really relate to, but if you struggle with perfectionism, this book might really encourage you. [Saving My Assassin](=) -- I'm not sure what I think on this book. It's a compelling story, but I had heard so much about it that it didn't live up to my expectations. I was confused in sections and it wasn't until I read the Q&A with the author at the back that things cleared up for me. I think it's worth reading, I just felt like the story would have been better had the author maybe worked with co-writer since it's a really compelling story! Also: we finished Farmer Boy! Our goal is to finish two more books in the Little House series before the end of the year. We're really enjoying them as read alouds! Books I'm Reading and Hoping to Finish Soon Car Line Mom It Wasn't Roaring, It Was Weeping Still Standing Modern Miss Mason Adrift Liturgy of the Ordinary The Biggest Story Bible (reading aloud to the kids) I usually read to the kids during lunch or before bed. We try to read half a chapter or a full chapter at least 4-5 times a week! = = If you’re a Prime member and you’ve never tried Audible before, you can currently get your [first 3 months for FREE](=)!! (Just go [HERE](=) and click on the blue banner up top that mentions the 3 free months!) Note: Only new customers eligible for a new trial of Audible can take advantage of this deal. I got to go to Kansas with Kierstyn last weekend. It was special to be with my parents (that's my mom in the picture!) and four of my siblings and their families! Follower question: What do you do when you feel completely exhausted and burned out? My answer: My goal is to pace my week so that I have rhythms of rest. I start my day with a walk outside, time in God's Word, reading, and working out, and a high protein breakfast. These are pretty much non-negotiables for me. I also work with Jesse to have time each day where there is some quiet and I can have focused work time. This is also super important - especially since I'm working full-time. And I take Saturdays pretty slow, usually have one to two slow nights throughout the week, and take Sundays off from house and business work. These rhythms make a huge difference in keeping me from living in a space of burnout. That said, there are weeks when multiple kids are sick, or a toddler or teen is going through something and it's extra physically and emotionally exhausting. I'm okay with allowing extra screen time or asking for help if I'm starting to feel really worn down. I also try to go to bed early (around 8:30 pm - when the younger three go to bed) and pare down my to do list the the very basic of essentials for a day or two and then make room for fun, take the kids out on a walk or a drive, listen to music, watch a show or movie or read a book, be okay with the house being messier... just take a beat to refresh my soul so that I can jump back into life again with energy. I also have times/days when I don't have space to refuel because three kids are sick, I'm sick, there's a business emergency, and a teen is struggling — you get the picture. I cry out to Jesus for grace and strength and enabling, cut back to the basics, and ask Him to carry me through. And He's always faithful!! Psst! Have a question you'd love for me to answer in an upcoming newsletter? Hit reply and ask it! Right now, Prime members can sign up to get a [FREE 3-month subscription]() to Kindle Unlimited! Since Kindle Unlimited is usually priced at $11.99 per month, this is a fantastic deal and a savings of $35+! And it’s just in time for summer so you can read some books completely for FREE! Note — this is only for new Kindle Unlimited members (current and past members are not eligible). Jesse took this picture on our trip to MS recently. I debated sharing it… but I want to take a moment to celebrate that I have become the mom who willingly puts on a swimsuit and gets in a rather dirty hotel pool at 8 pm at night to be with her daughter. I didn’t used to be that woman. I used to hang out in the hotel room and work anytime we traveled while Jesse took the kids to swim. And work was almost always in the forefront of my mind no matter where we were or what we were doing. I always felt like there was so much work to be done and was usually incessantly checking email on my phone — even when we were supposed to be enjoying family time. My attitude each day was dependent upon whether the stats were up. If they were down, I’d feel stressed and like I needed to scramble to make something happen to get them back up again. I didn’t realize it then, but I now know that work was my coping mechanism. It was a drug, of sorts. It’s where I got my dopamine hits from. It was where my worth and value came from. And I missed many memories and moments because of that. If I could turn back time, I’d tell the uptight, anxious, always-trying-to-pack-in-as-much-achievement-in-a-day woman I was that there is a world out there just waiting for her if she would close the computer, shut down her email, stop checking stats, and LIVE. I missed so much of my older kids’ childhood because my nose was in my phone and my laptop. And I will forever regret that. Because of some hard lessons and heart transformation, I chose to completely change the way I approach business with our younger three so that I can be much more present. I’m doing a whole lot less of the things the world might view as “achievements” but I don’t care because I’m living life. And I know that all the numbers and accolades and opportunities cannot hold a candle to the opportunity to truly showing up in my real-life and find my worth in who I am in Christ. Note: I’m not here to tear down the girl I was once. She was doing the best she knew how. But I’m celebrating what I’ve learned and the woman I’m becoming — and sharing openly in hopes my story might help someone else who needs to hear. = Want some fresh and fun ideas for things to do this summer with your kids?! (And, all on a budget?!) Download our brand new [FREE Summer Bucket List]() that has 100 ideas of free & cheap things to do! With this list of activities in-hand, you’ll be able to have a memorable, fun-filled summer as a family without spending tons of money! When you [sign up](=), you’ll get TWO versions of the bucket list: - [Checklist Version](=) — Display it in a common area and check activities off as you go! (This is a fun way to keep track of what you’ve done AND see what to look forward to!) - [Print & Cut Version]() — Trim into strips and place in a jar where your kids can draw a surprise idea each day! (And, with this version, you can pick and choose which ones you want to put in the jar!) Take the stress (and expense) out of making summer special and use these ideas to create fun memories your kids will love! [Click here to get your FREE Summer Bucket List of 100+ Fun Activities!](=) Links You Should Check Out: - Recent Podcast Episodes: [Our Top 20+ Favorite Audiobooks](, [Why We Encourage Our Kids to Wait to Date](=), [3 Shows We've Watched Recently.](=) - This [Easy Shepherd’s Pie Recipe]() is a great [frugal weeknight dinner idea]()! It’s also versatile and is a great way to clean out your fridge, use up your leftovers, and fill up your family without breaking the bank! - Through July 18th, Walmart is offering a[one-year Walmart Plus Subscription for only $49]() (regularly $98)! That’s 50% off which is an amazing deal. This has been SUPER popular with our audience this week! _______________ Have a wonderful week! -Crystal P.S. Love deals? Check out [the Top 10 Deals from This Past Week]( (that are still available!) [Unsubscribe]( Money Saving Mom, LLC 2020 Fieldstone Parkway, Ste. 900 #313 Franklin, Tennessee 37069 United States