Crystal Paine Show

“Home is for learning and not for perfection.” In this week's must-listen-to podcast episode, Nicole Homan -- author of They Call Me Mama -- shares lessons she's learned as the mom of 14 kids.

She tells the story of their unexpected journey to growing their family to 16 (14 kids + parents), what it's really like to have such a full house, how she finds time for quiet, mantras that carry her through, the pain of failed adoption, and how to have the courage to say yes to God's call -- even when it completely scares you.

This episode is so packed with truth and inspiration. I came away from this interview so encouraged and motivcated as a mom. I think every mom should listen to it (and even if you're not a mom, you'll get a lot from her words of wisdom!)

In This Episode

[00:34] - Welcome to another episode of The Crystal Paine Show.

[02:01] - Nicole introduces herself.

[03:39] - When you first got married, were you planning on having kids right away?

[05:50] - Nicole found out she was pregnant right before their first adoption. And their family quickly then grew to 10 -- in unexpected ways.

[09:00] - What advice, what encouragement would you have for someone who, they want to step out but fear is holding them back?

[11:11] - Were there moments when you were thinking, “what did we say yes to”?

[13:13] - What do you do when you feel overwhelmed by the mess and the noise?

[15:08] - How do you cultivate stillness in your heart?

[16:48] - Nicole shares super practical tips for moms to get quiet time when you have lots of littles.

[19:23] - Nicole shares the unexpected story of how they went from 10 children to 14 children.

[23:10] - The pain of a failed adoption.

[25:05] - If you could go back and talk to yourself 20 years ago, what would you say?

Links & Resources

• Books
• They Call Me Mama by Nicole Homan
• Other Links
• Nicole Homan, Planted
• Love-Centered Parenting
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: crystal @ moneysavingmom.com

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code CRYSTALPAINE for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Hero Bread and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: www.hero.co
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: www.ixl.com
* Check out Outdoor Electronics: feathersnapcam.com
* Check out Seed and use my code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

(See more pictures and videos of Champ here.)

A year ago, we were in the middle of our foster care home study and praying for who God would bring into our home for us to love on.

We were at peace about pursuing this path, but we were still apprehensive and wondering what it might mean for our future. There were so many unknowns, so many what if’s, and so many things outside our control.

I look back on this last year and the 5 children we’ve had the privilege to have in our home — 4 for just a very short-term stint and sweet little Champ who has been with us for almost 4 months.

There are still just as many unknowns, what if’s, and things outside our comfort zone. My heart has been broken in a hundred little pieces over the things we’ve seen and witnessed firsthand and the many kids and their stories whom we weren’t able to say yes to. I’ve cried more tears in the last 10 months than I’ve cried in the last 10 years (okay, pregnancy and postpartum probably played a part in that!).

And yet, my heart is fuller and happier than I can ever remember. The opportunity to love, pour into, and nurture has filled me up in the deepest of places. Seeing my husband and kids sacrifice and serve and love so well has been one of the most amazing experiences.

I don’t know what the future holds. I can imagine it will be full of heartbreak and beauty, tears and love, a roller coaster of emotions, and many things I can’t even imagine.

There are many unknowns, but this one thing I know: I don’t regret for one second saying “yes” to foster care. I look at these pictures and think, “We could have missed this.”

In this week's podcast episode, we talk very honestly about our foster care journey, what we are learning, how it's been different than we expected, and what has surprised us. We also give an update on how things are going with Champ and answer some of your specific questions related to his placement with us.

In This Episode:

[00:36] We are back from vacation and excited to be talking with you!

[01:48] Why packing in tubs saved our lives on our road trip.

[04:10] How we used them to create a system for keeping everything organized.

[06:47] Jesse’s Father’s Day present is saving his life.

[10:53] Silas and I are reading The Giver.

[14:23] Jesse is still reading Near Dark by Brad Thor along with several others.

[15:48] Let's talk about our foster care journey and share our answers to some of your questions.

[17:51] What did it take to get our home ready for fostering?

[21:26] How long does the process take?

[23:23] We have no idea how long we will have Champ in our home.

[25:46] Why we are okay with the uncertainty that comes with fostering.

[27:19] Learn how we’ve prepared our hearts to have to say goodbye to Champ at some point.

[28:18] Where do children end up if there is no family to foster them?

[30:36] We have considered adopting a child that we foster but that is not our goal.

[32:07] What has surprised us the most about fostering?

Links and Resources:

• Ridge Wallet
• The Giver by Lois Lowry
• Near Dark by Brad Thor
• Our Journey to Becoming Foster Parents (podcast episode)
• MoneySavingMom.com
• YourBloggingMentor.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code CRYSTALPAINE for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Hero Bread and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: www.hero.co
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: www.ixl.com
* Check out Outdoor Electronics: feathersnapcam.com
* Check out Seed and use my code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

“We can’t win when we go it alone.” -Jessica Honegger

In this week's podcast, I share more of my struggle with friendships. I talk about the truths that have set me free to develop deep relationships and some of my best tips for finding good friends. If you've struggled to develop deep relationships or you know someone who struggles with finding and keeping friends, I hope this episode encourages you.

In this episode, Jesse and I also share what’s saving our lives this week and we are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Jesse just got back from an awesome fishing trip in Louisiana, and due to weather, there were a lot of flight delays. He was so thankful that we invested in TSA Pre-check. And I’m just in love with my leopard print flats. They can be dressed up or dressed down, and they’ve added a fun pop to my wardrobe.

Also, we talk about a book I listened to that Jesse talked about on a previous episode... and let's just say that I had some pretty strong opinions to share about it. :)

In This Episode:

[01:01] Jesse chats about his fishing trip to Louisiana.

[03:19] What’s saving our lives right now? For Jesse, it is TSA Pre-check. For me, it’s my leopard print flats!

[06:24] Listen in to hear what books we are reading/listening to -- and how Jesse has such different tastes in books!

[12:41] I read an email from a listener who’s honesty inspired this episode.

[14:11] The first step to finding good friends: Learn to let go of the lies you believe about yourself and replace those lies with truth.

[16:39] Seek relationship, not approval and stop looking for perfection.

[21:08] Be the initiator when reaching out to new friends.

[23:30] Go first with honesty! It’s worth the risk.

[24:10] Don’t give up too soon!

[25:03] Believe the best in the other person.

[25:27] Keep short accounts.

Links and Resources:

• Leopard Print Flats
• TSA Precheck
• The Terminal List by Jack Carr
• True Believer by Jack Carr
• Helping Our Kids Overcome Shame (with Kristin Maher)
• The Lies We Believed
• Modesty, Legalism, and Grace
• Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon
• CrystalPaine.com
• MoneySavingMom.com
• Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, we may receive a small commission — at no additional cost to you. Thank you so much for your support!

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code CRYSTALPAINE for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Hero Bread and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: www.hero.co
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: www.ixl.com
* Check out Outdoor Electronics: feathersnapcam.com
* Check out Seed and use my code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

We're in the middle of getting back to the swing of things around here now that school has started back. One of the things that has made such a difference for us in jumping back in to getting everyone out the door early in the mornings is the fact that we had a great morning routine throughout the summer.

In this episode, we talk in-depth about our morning routines, what they look like, and why they work so well for us. Whether you love or loathe the idea of morning routines, I think this episode will inspire and encourage you! By the way, need some encouragement and accountability, to create a routine of your own? Check out my 5-Days to a Better Morning Challenge!

We also share details of something exciting Jesse got to do recently, our trip to Table Rock Lake, Jesse's surprising discovery (I can't WAIT for you to hear this one!), books we've recently finished, and the mascara I accidentally fell in love with.

In This Episode:

[02:02] Jesse got to see Jocko Willink at a conference!

[06:27] Hear what’s saving our lives and why Jesse is eating crow... (hint: it involves audio)

[09:34] Want to know what we’re reading/listening to?

[13:16] Learn why having a morning routine leads to success... not a lack of sleep!

[15:07] I share my current morning routine (yes, you can laugh because it's fairly unconventional!)

[19:02] It’s Jesse’s turn! Hear about his morning routine.

[20:55] A morning routine impacts my life for the better because it:

1. Helps me to consistently stick to important habits.
   
2. Provides a solid foundation for my day.
   
3. Sets me up for success.
   

[24:16] What works for me won't necessarily work for you, but I hope this episode inspires you to be intentional with your mornings.

Links and Resources:

• Jocko Willink
• Caboose Junction Resort, Lampo, MO
• Killing Kennedy by Bill O’Reilly
• Libby App
• Killing Reagan by Bill O’Reilly
• Overdrive App
• Killing Patton by Bill O’Reilly
• The Crystal Paine Show Episode 4: How I Got Over My Fear of Hospitality (with Jen Schmidt)
• Lash Love Lengthening Mascara by Mary Kay
• LashBlast Fusion Mascara by CoverGirl
• Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly
• Make Over Your Mornings
• Sarah Haley Squat Challenge
• 5-Days to a Better Morning
• Crystal’s Favorite Things on Amazon
• CrystalPaine.com
• MoneySavingMom.com
• Crystal’s Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or suggestions for future episodes or topics? Send me an email: [email protected]

Our Sponsors:
* Check out BetterHelp and use my code CRYSTALPAINE for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com
* Check out Hero Bread and use my code CRYSTAL for a great deal: www.hero.co
* Check out IXL and use my code TODAY for a great deal: www.ixl.com
* Check out Outdoor Electronics: feathersnapcam.com
* Check out Seed and use my code 25CRYSTAL for a great deal: seed.com
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

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 before the adoption can move forward. We have a few other things to do on our end but hope to have that all wrapped up in the next few weeks. And then it will be just a few more steps before we get a date for his adoption!!

DCS is hoping our adoption will be official by Thanksgiving! We are hopeful, but know that it could be longer and we want to be patient.

There are so many emotions in all of this. We love this boy more than words can express and are so thrilled and humbled we get to be his forever family.

At the same time, our hearts grieve so much for the loss he and his family will forever experience as a result of this adoption. We are grateful we can continue a relationship with his mama and that he will grow up knowing how much he is loved by his birth family. This is a gift and one we are deeply thankful for, but we know there will also always be sadness and loss in this.

Thank you to each of you who have been such huge supporters and encouragers as we’ve walked this unexpected journey toward adoption. We can’t wait to get to introduce you to our sweet boy very soon. I have so many videos of his full face grin and laugh that I’m so excited to share with you! In this episode of The Crystal Paine Show, we share more about this process and our thoughts surrounding it, plus we talk about why goal-setting might not be working for you, REM sleep and sleep-walking, and a documentary and a movie we watched recently.

In This Episode

[00:34] - Welcome to another episode of The Crystal Paine Show.

[00:58] - It was a big week for us with a lot of big feelings.

[09:57] - Jesse and I watched an interesting movie and documentary recently.

[15:50] - We got an email recently regarding an interesting response about REM sleep and sleepwalking.

[18:07] - How do I actually follow through with goal-setting?

[21:44] - I sometimes think we look at what someone else has set as a goal and we think that's the only way that goal setting works.

[22:25] - Start with one simple goal.

[23:52] - Pick a goal that excites you.

[26:56] - It's not enough to just set a goal. Here's what to do next...

[28:52] - Make sure you are celebrating the mile markers.

[31:04] - One good habit can breed into another good one.

• Books
• Jon Acuff
• The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin
• Special Mentions
• Cave Rescue, a movie
• Thirteen Lives, a movie
• The Rescue, documentary
• Pomodor App
• Teaching Your Kids to Set Goals Ep 174
• Other Resources
• 10 Days to Be a Happier Mom
• Sign up for the Hot Deals Email List
• MoneySavingMom.com
• My Instagram account (I’d love for you to follow me there! I usually hop on at least a few times per day and share behind-the-scenes photos and videos, my grocery store hauls, funny stories, or just anything I’m pondering or would like your advice or feedback on!)
• Have feedback on the show or sugges...