• Twenty-four years & one week

    ByKristin Greg, marriage

    Twenty-four years ago, Greg and I said, “I do.” Thankfully, we both keep saying, “I do.” These days we say it more with our actions, like him helping me unload the dishwasher or clean out the pool skimmers. But we also keep doing this life together, even when it’s filled with speed bumps, jump-scare obstacles, and new adventures.

    Our anniversary was actually a week ago, but I haven’t gotten this post from my brain & Notes app on my phone to my website. Such is life right now. And I went back to our Alaska vacation earlier this summer to find a picture. We took one together the other night when we went to dinner and Tractor Supply, you know, as date nights are, but Rachel was also in it because we didn’t actually have a date night but rather a teenager-less night.

    After two dozen years of marriage, I thought Iโ€™d share 24 things Iโ€™ve learned from my marriage to Greg. I recognize marriages are different, but this is a glimpse into us and what God, in all his goodness and faithfulness, has taught us.

    1. The wedding is only the beginning.ย 
    2. I like my marriage more now than I did before. Iโ€™d say it gets better each year.ย 
    3. I understand why marriages fall apart when kids are teenagers, but Iโ€™m grateful ours has become more rooted.
    4. Heโ€™s always going to be the fun parent, and thatโ€™s okay!ย 
    5. Teamwork really does make the dream work.ย 
    6. Having wide-open spaces in the country has helped us both as people, but I wouldnโ€™t have chosen our property without him.ย 
    7. Take the trip โ€” with the kids & without the kids.ย 
    8. Make traditions that work for your family.ย 
    9. And be willing to change them.ย 
    10. Itโ€™s okay to sleep under two separate blankets.ย 
    11. Say yes to his hobbies.ย 
    12. Have your own hobbies.ย 
    13. Have hobbies together.ย 
    14. Use a shared Google Calendar.
    15. Communicate about more than logistics.ย 
    16. Go to church.ย 
    17. Invest in people.
    18. Know how that looks changes with whatever season of life youโ€™re in.ย 
    19. Host the kidsโ€™ friends.ย 
    20. Have family friends.ย 
    21. Itโ€™s okay to say you donโ€™t know โ€” to yourself, to each other, to your kids โ€” because youโ€™re a team and your spouse holds some of the mental info.ย 
    22. Separating laundry by color is overrated.ย 
    23. Eat dinner together most every night.ย 
    24. Put your phones to sleep before bedtime.ย 


    *****

    Look back with us:ย Five years.ย Six years.ย Seven years.ย Nine years.ย Ten years.ย Eleven years.ย Twelve years. Thirteen years. Fourteen years. Fifteen years. Sixteen years. Seventeen years. Twenty years.

    God authors the stories on our porches โ€“ in every season, wherever we are. If you havenโ€™t already, please subscribe to ย #PorchStories emails to receive them about every other week.

  • Why I quit TimeHop

    ByKristin faith, life
    Remembering is good, but I had to take a break from TimeHop.

    For 3,087 consecutive days, I opened and scrolled through TimeHop, often before I even got out of bed.

    I’d scroll through old photos, smile at forgotten memories, and text friends screenshots of moments we’d shared. I love creating side-by-side, then-and-now comparisons. I’m deeply grateful for where God has brought me, my marriage, and my family. I love seeing my now-grown kids with their baby faces and remembering friendships that have stretched across so many years.

    Remembering is a gift.

    But somewhere along the way, TimeHop also became a habit that quietly made me sad.

    Honestly, I’m not entirely sure why. Maybe it’s because it’s difficult to live contentedly in the present when looking backward becomes a daily priority.

    The past three years have been the hardest of my life. I keep hoping, and praying, that we’ve turned a corner. Maybe we have. Maybe we’re closer than I realize. But when you’re walking through a valley, it’s not always easy to tell.

    What I do know is this: I want to remember how Iโ€™ve seen God at work here. Those moments havenโ€™t really been fair game for social media yet, but theyโ€™re the story the Author and Perfector of our faith is writing. I want to notice His faithfulness in today’s ordinary moments, not just remember how He worked yesterday.

    That’s much harder to do when I’m constantly flipping through pictures of what feel like the “good old days,โ€ the days that seemed easier. The days before one friend moved away, before another quietly wrote me out of her life, before parenting felt less like fighting for my son’s actual life.

    Looking backward isn’t wrong. Scripture is full of reminders to remember what God has done. But remembering is meant to strengthen our faith for today, not pull our hearts away from today.

    So I quit the streak. But Iโ€™m not forgetting.

    I’m not saying I’ll never open TimeHop again. I probably will someday, because I genuinely love remembering. But that’s not what my heart needs right now.

    Today, I need to be fully present in the valley God has me walking through. I need to watch for His mercies this morning instead of reliving yesterday’s memories. I need to believe that one day, these difficult days may become reminders of His faithfulness too.

    *****

    God authors the stories on our porches โ€“ in every season, wherever we are. If you havenโ€™t already, please subscribe to ย #PorchStories emails to receive them about every other week.

  • Reading this year

    ByKristin books

    I love a book list, so I’m going to assume you do too. I’ve kept a running list of books I’ve read and where/how I got them. As much as I love a hardback book, I find myself reading more on my Kindle these days out of convenience. So far this year, I’ve read more romance (16 of the 36 total), and that is followed by thrillers (11). Non-fiction has been almost non-existent for me this year.

    Without further ado, here are the books of 2026, so far …

    Romance

    1. โ€œMerry Little Lettersโ€ by Sarah Wright Reed โ€” This book was a joy to read. I related to Maddie as Iโ€™ve been known to be too โ€œgrippyโ€ sometimes and found freedom in letting go. The way Ben overcomes ADHD (aka the way his brain works) and the lies his dad has fed him encourages me with my real-life son, Ben. The way letter writing is therapeutic, the patience to grow flowers in Colorado hothouse, the chapter titles like Carol lyrics, and the holiday sparkles throughout are beautiful. โ€œMerry Little Lettersโ€ is a perfect blend of Hallmark meets actual life. (Kindle Unlimited)ย 
    2. โ€œBluebird Goldโ€ by Devney Perry โ€“ I really enjoyed Cosi and Ilsa in this book that is both mystery and romance. I liked the small-town Montana setting. But I didnโ€™t like the use of the F word and a couple of open-door romance scenes, especially on Audible. I guess when I read a book, I mentally skipped over curse words, but hearing them made them harder to handle. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    3. โ€œFalling into Placeโ€ by Allison Ashley โ€“ Another Kindle Unlimited find that hit the spot for me. I really liked the main characters, especially Brooks, and the family dynamic with Brooksโ€™ sisters. This was a romance with plenty of character growth as they processed hard seasons from their past. I also am a sucker for reality TV and media references, which were key plot elements of this story. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    4. โ€œHow to Write a Love Storyโ€ by Catherine Walsh โ€“ I liked the writer & editor characters coming together to work on a much-anticipated book. They both realized real life influences fiction, even in the fantasy genre! I also liked the Irish setting for this story. (Book of the Month)ย 
    5. โ€œFirst-Time Callerโ€ by B.K. Borison โ€” This book was fine. I really liked the radio setting of the meet cute, and I got Sleepless in Seattle vibes, which is never bad. But I donโ€™t know why this was a Book of the Month Book of the Year (2025) Finalist. Thatโ€™s what I kept thinking โ€ฆ until I got to the last three chapters and epilogue. They were definitely the best part. I also could have done without the sex, which seemed very much just thrown in. (Book of the Month)ย 
    6. โ€œThe Night We Metโ€ by Abby Jimenez โ€“ This author is a master at crafting emotionally complicated characters who navigate realistic hardships while also offering clever, fun banter. Iโ€™ve loved most of her books, which seem to get better each time she publishes. This one has storylines involving grief, alcoholism, difficult family dynamics, and broken friendships, but also showcases how love has many different languages when itโ€™s shared through so much more than just physical touch. (New release hardcover)
    7. โ€œChange of Plansโ€ by Sarah Dessen โ€“ I liked the post-graduation summer setting of this book and the character development that accompanied the unexpected plans and connections. One minor note: There were a few gender-neutral names that kept driving me nuts because I couldnโ€™t remember if the minor characters were girls or boys. Iโ€™ve enjoyed several of this authorโ€™s books in the past and like her writing, even if she writes books geared toward young adults. (Kindle)
    8. โ€œOur Perfect Stormโ€ by Carley Fortune โ€“ This wasnโ€™t my favorite book by her, but I did enjoy it. I certainly found myself rooting for George and Frankie. I wanted the storm title to carry through more of the book. I loved how the story includes flashbacks to the early decades of their friendship and how that complicates current feelings and possibilities. Also, there were lots of โ€œLittle Womenโ€ references, although Iโ€™m certain I didnโ€™t catch them all. (Book of the Month)ย 
    9. โ€œThe Epicenter of Foreverโ€ by Mara Williams โ€“ A well-written story of grief turning into goodness really resonates with me because thatโ€™s something we all navigate regularly. I loved the earthquake analogy woven through this tale, which includes family secrets, surprises in a settled life, and decisions of grace that make room for redemption. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    10. โ€œThe Truth is in the Detoursโ€ by Mara Williams โ€“ Yes, thatโ€™s two in a row by the same author. I liked this one too! The characters were relatable, and the road trip plot worked well for their development and growth. I also enjoyed the faithful friendship that sustained so many different seasons despite their own personal journeys. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    11. โ€œThe Shippersโ€ by Katherine Center โ€“ And I remembered why sheโ€™s my favorite! Her characters are funny, quirky, and real. The way she writes acknowledges life’s hardships but leaves plenty of room for hope and love. The title refers to both the cruise ship scene and the matchmaking that occurs both as part of The Plan and unexpectedly. Iโ€™d give this one all the stars! (Book of the Month)ย 
    12. โ€œNever Overโ€ by Clare Gilmore โ€“ If I find myself jotting down quotes from a fiction novel or thinking, โ€œOh, yes, thatโ€™s how I felt when โ€ฆโ€ then thatโ€™s five stars for me. I loved the songwriting and baseball details. The then-and-now timeline worked well for the relationship growing and breaking and growing again. Plus, the references to rom-com tropes were funny! And I appreciated the ode to sisterhood woven throughout. Overall, Iโ€™m left remembering how we truly affect people as we go through life โ€” sometimes on purpose, sometimes accidentally, and sometimes completely by surprise. (Book of the Month)
    13. โ€œThe Four Engagement Rings of Sybil Rainโ€ by Hannah Brown โ€“ This was a cute rom-com book with good symmetry of past and present, three different relationships, and one main character who was struggling to find her way. I liked the Hawaiian setting. Some of the book was silly, but overall I enjoyed this one. (Kindle)
    14. โ€œYou, With a Viewโ€ by Jessica Joyce โ€” I loved the banter between former high school nemeses now that theyโ€™re grown-ups figuring out what matters. I loved Noelle uncovering her grandmaโ€™s first love as she grieves her death. The storytelling from that is beautiful. And I love a road trip, especially one that symbolizes the journey the characters are on individually and together. I did not love the cursing or heavy intimate scenes. I read this one on our long travel day at the beginning of vacation. (Kindle)
    15. โ€œLove Letters for Other Peopleโ€ by Shaylin Gandhi โ€” I loved this story of first love, lots of life, and the second love that mirrors the first. The beginning was a little slow, but the second half of the book was really good. I could have done without all the F words. But I appreciated the new kid who loves words and his first friend & everything who loves numbers.ย  (Kindle Unlimited)
    16. โ€œThe Other Side of Starting Overโ€ by Mara Williams โ€“ Iโ€™m a sucker for a book that handles grief, both the kind from the death of a loved one and unmet expectations, well. I loved the main character, sympathized with how secrets complicate grief, and appreciated the fact that hope came anyway. This one comes out in November, but I got to enjoy it early, thanks to NetGalley. (Will be available on Kindle Unlimited)

    Thriller

    1. โ€œHappy Wifeโ€ by Meredith Lavender and Kendell Shores โ€“ This was an intriguing thriller where the wife was the suspect in her husbandโ€™s disappearance. But wasnโ€™t she the happy wife? I thought I had the guilty party figured out, but the ending surprised me somewhat. I was a good audiobook listen. (Audible)
    2. โ€œThe First Gentlemanโ€ by Bill Clinton and James Patterson โ€“ I love a legal and political thriller. Add in a love story and author life, and this was a good choice for me! Itโ€™s been a long time since I read a James Patterson book, but this author combo made for a fast-paced, intriguing mystery complete with White House drama and a murder trial. (Audible)
    3. โ€œMy Husband Next Doorโ€ by K.L. Slater โ€“ I liked this domestic thriller in which many characters could have been guilty. I didnโ€™t figure out the twist, which makes for a fun ending. I also really liked the British narrator on Audible. (Kindle Unlimited)
    4. โ€œWhat She Sawโ€ by Mary Burton โ€“ Thrillers are working for me right now, and I liked this one with a dual timeline and a writer trying to weave together details of a past crime. The story got a little slow and dragged on too much, but there were some good reveals and character development. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    5. โ€œItโ€™s Not Herโ€ by Mary Kubica โ€“ This was an intense thriller where everybody seemed like they may have been guilty. Then, when it all gets sorted out at the end, thereโ€™s a twist that wasnโ€™t even on my radar! I liked the vacation lake setting, how the story wasnโ€™t bogged down with unnecessary details, and the page-turner tempo. (Book of the Month audio)
    6. โ€œI Came Back for Youโ€ by Kate White โ€“ This was a fine thriller. I thought the dynamic between the ex-spouses was odd and could have been portrayed better. I also just donโ€™t care for surprise same-sex relationships later in a book. But the mystery was intriguing and kept me turning the page. (Amazon Prime First Reads)ย 
    7. โ€œHer First Mistakeโ€ (Noelle Marshall #1) by Kendra Elliot โ€“ Once again, I happened upon this one on Kindle Unlimited and really enjoyed the fast-paced thriller. I liked the main character, which is good because thereโ€™s a second one in the series! (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    8. โ€œNo One Knewโ€ (Noelle Marshall #2) by Kendra Elliot โ€“ I realize reading (and listening to) the second in the series on the heels of the first surprises no one! This had some romance, a backstory intertwined with the present, family drama, and domestic terrorism. Plus, I really enjoy Noelle Marshall herself.ย  (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    9. โ€œThis Story Might Save Your Lifeโ€ by Tiffany Crum โ€“ I loved this romantic thriller or thrilling romance. Benny and Joy were the kind of people I wanted to be friends with, which must have been how others felt, because their survival podcast quickly exploded and literally changed their lives. They know their history as best friends, but now theyโ€™re unsure who to trust and who is truly helping them. Plot lines include missing people, odd neighbors, grief, friendship, and broken relationships. Itโ€™s all revealed in a non-linear storyline that really worked well for this one. I was so into this on Audible that when I wasnโ€™t able to listen, I had to get it on my Kindle so I could be consuming this story at all times possible. (Audible/Kindle)
    10. โ€œAs Far As She Knewโ€ by Diana Awad โ€“ Iโ€™m always drawn to family dramas, and this one delivered many twists. I liked the Muslim culture intertwined throughout the story, which was filled with lies and uncertainties, eventually unwoven to reveal the truth. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    11. โ€œUnknown Callerโ€ by Gillian McAllister โ€“ What a thriller! When the kidnapping storyline was somewhat resolved, I realized I wasnโ€™t even quite halfway through! So much still happened, and I was totally caught off guard by a big twist toward the end. Looking back, there were hints to it, but I didnโ€™t catch it. (Kindle)

    Contemporary Fiction

    1. โ€œGood Days Bad Daysโ€ by Emily Bleeker โ€“ We all have them, right? Good days. Bad days. This book does an excellent job of telling about Charlie coming to terms with her childhood, realizing her renovation TV show echoes some themes from her actual life, and navigating her relationships with her aging parents. Charlieโ€™s story is told with a dual timeline of her present and her parentsโ€™ past. I love when a fiction book tackles hard, real-life topics, and this one does that beautifully. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    2. โ€œIn Another Lifeโ€ by Imogen Clark โ€“ I found this one on Kindle Unlimited. Yโ€™all know I like a family drama with some mystery, and thatโ€™s just what this was. The dual timeline worked well for the mysterious unfolding of why two sisters werenโ€™t in one anotherโ€™s lives. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    3. โ€œLife as Plannedโ€ by Amanda Prowse โ€“ This was a character development heavy book that took me a bit to get into, but once I did, I was invested in the twin girl main characters. When theyโ€™re 10 years old, they make some decisions that truly alter the course of their entire lives. The chapters are each decade of their lives, and the way their stories are woven together from the past to the present is beautiful. The whole story made me think about how small decisions do change the trajectory of life, and secrets always come to light. (Kindle Unlimited/Audible)
    4. โ€œGood Joy, Bad Joyโ€ by Mikki Brammer โ€“ This cover is beautiful and fits the character-driven story well. As Joy navigates grief and life changes, she wonders if following all the rules really was the best way to live. I tend to like novels with more action, but I enjoyed this one. (Book of the Month)
    5. โ€œThe Unraveling of Juliaโ€ by Lisa Scottoline โ€“ I liked this one! Iโ€™ve read many Lisa Scottoline books, and this was different but included her trademark thriller twists. I liked that it was more than โ€œjust a thrillerโ€ with plots involving history, astrology, family drama, adoption, and some romance. I wouldnโ€™t normally care for the astrology & ghost references, but it fit with the Italian Renaissance details. (Kindle Unlimited)

    Memoirs

    1. โ€œTwice Delivered: A Story of Two Families, Two Worlds, and One Redeeming Loveโ€ by Isaac Melber โ€“ This book is the story of a boy orphaned in Ethiopia and adopted by a Kentucky family, who came to faith. He presents adoption as a beautiful picture of Jesusโ€™ redeeming love. (Paperback)

    Bible Studies

    1. โ€œExalting Jesus in Joshuaโ€ (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary) โ€“ This is one of my two favorite commentaries for whatever Iโ€™m studying.ย 
    2. Joshua by Precept Ministries โ€“ This is what my regular Bible study group did in the spring semester. I wasnโ€™t sure how practical a history book about allotments of land would be, but, of course, God faithfully encouraged me in ways I didnโ€™t expect.ย 
    3. โ€œRevelation: Eternal King, Everlasting Kingdomโ€ by Jen Wilkin โ€“ I was hesitant to study Revelation, especially in the summer, but this study was so insightful into Godโ€™s faithfulness and promises. I watched the videos and discussed the study with my friends.ย 

    *****


    God authors the stories on our porches โ€“ in every season, wherever we are. If you havenโ€™t already, please subscribe toย #PorchStories emails to receive them about every other week.