Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Stories from the Porch in January

January 30, 2018 by Kristin 8 Comments

Well, here we are the end of the first month of the new year (yes, already, somehow …) and I want to introduce you to my new monthly wrap-up posts that are the Things I Learned series that I compiled for FOUR AND A HALF YEARS. I wanted to change up my end-of-the-month posts, so I thought I’d go another listy route with highlights, favorite things, books, and TV shows. I can’t promise those categories will remain exactly the same, but it’s where I’m starting.

So, here are Stories from the Porch in January.

Highlights

The kids and I didn’t leave the house for EIGHT DAYS in the middle of the month because we had many inches of snow and ice. Y’all, this is Kentucky, and we just don’t know what to do with all of that. We (mostly) enjoyed the unexpected time off and together.

I blogged about it a couple times: A Christmas Do-Over and Being Intentional on Snow Day No. 8.

Meanwhile, I chose a focus for the year based on what God was already doing. I’m learning about living rescued and there have been lots of real-life moments on the snowy, rainy, and sunny days to hold onto this perspective. I’ve also read a couple good quotes about that:

“God, tell me the truth of who I am. I’m listening. I want to be free from all the lies – do that for me. Rescue me. Bring truth like a waterfall.” – Annie Downs in “100 Days to Brave”

“God didn’t come, die on a cross so I could cope. He died on a cross so I could be free.” – Carlos Whittaker on “A Greater Story” podcast

Favorite things

  • Wallpics – I’m really excited about these 8-by-8 photos I ordered to come in. Apparently I’ll just peel off something on the back and stick them on the wall. And if I don’t like where I put them, I can move them. Ordering them was super easy through the Wallpics app and there was (and still is at the moment) a 40% off sale happening. Get an additional 10% off with this code: a14ef383af.
  • Kroger’s ClickList – I like to grocery shop, so I wasn’t sure I would care about the online-order-pick-up service. But I do care. Greatly, actually. It’s been so practical to plan meals in my kitchen as I order the groceries I need. Then I pull into a parking place, tell the store I’m there, and my groceries are loaded into my trunk.
  • Andrew Osenga’s “The Pivot” podcast – I listened for the first time because my friend (and singer/songwriter) Randall Goodgame was on an episode. But I liked the host and the premise that God uses all the pivots we make in life, so I kept listening. Perhaps this podcast resonates with me because I’m quick to make decisions but slow to accept the realities that often come with changes.
  • “One Line a Day: A Five-Year Memory Book” – This is a journal that has space for one sentence a day for five years. It’s become my nighttime habit this month to write down a sentence (or maybe two short ones!) from my day. I already know I’m going to love looking back on this.

From the bookshelf

  • “100 Days to Brave” by Annie Downs – This is what I’m reading in the mornings, along with Love God Greatly’s James study. It’s really good, and more than once I’ve sent a scripture or quote from this devotional to friends.
  • “Hillbilly Elegy” by J.D. Vance – Greg recommended this book to me, but I’ve heard many other friends have read it too. Memoirs are my favorite, so it’s really interesting to read about a culture that includes parts of my state and reminds me of some of what I’ve encountered through my volunteer work with the pregnancy resource center and the adoption support group I host.
  • “If You Only Knew” by Jamie Ivey – I’ve already written a review on this book, but it comes out TODAY officially, so I wanted to remind you that you want to read it.
  • “In Bloom” by Kayla Aimee – This memoir comes out next week, but it’s another one you’ll want to read. I have a review coming, but in short: Kayla Aimee really is a gifted storyteller. In this book, she addresses so many heavy topics like shame, purity, expectations, purpose, community, and relationships with fun and meaningful stories that bring freedom and confidence.
  • “The Perfect Stranger” by Megan Miranda – Written by a new-to-me author, this psychological suspense novel kept me guessing and wondering and wanting to figure out what was going on.
  • “Every Last Lie” by Mary Kubica – Again with a psychological thriller, I was intrigued. Honestly, I didn’t love the ending. It’s a totally different plot that Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl,” but I was left without the resolution I wanted. Even so, it’s worth reading.

I’m keeping a list of favorite books on Amazon, in case you need recommendations.

On the screen

  • “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” – During the first episode, I wasn’t sure what to think about this show. But it’s by the creators of “Gilmore Girls,” so I wanted to give it a chance. By the second episode, I considered myself a fan and promptly watched the brief short season on Amazon Prime. (Did you know you can try Amazon Prime FREE for 30 days?)
  • “The Resident” – Yes, it seems a little (a lot?) like “Grey’s Anatomy,” but it’s got a great cast, including Matt Czuchry (hello, “Gilmore Girls,” again, and “The Good Wife,” which I miss) and Emily VanCamp (“Revenge” was a really great show to binge watch).
  • “911” – I wanted to like this show. The cast is excellent. But the pilot episode stressed me out so much I couldn’t finish it.

Tell me about your January. What are you loving?

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Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: books, podcasts, rescued, TV

Comments

  1. Lauren Sparks says

    January 31, 2018 at 7:10 am

    I loved this recap. Perfect read with great suggestions!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 31, 2018 at 7:47 am

      Thanks, Lauren! I love reading and writing recap posts!

      Reply
  2. SUSAN SHIPE says

    January 31, 2018 at 11:22 am

    You haven’t been caught by the “THIS IS US” bug? I’m surprised! I am desperate for a good series to watch at night. I like old series that I can binge on. Any suggestions? xo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 31, 2018 at 11:30 am

      Oh, yes, I love This Is Us. It just wasn’t new this month, although I could have shared my counselor and I discussed one of the scenes from a recent episode because it was so so relevant to my life. Have you watched The West Wing? Or Blue Bloods? Those are two of my favorites.

      Reply
  3. leah says

    January 31, 2018 at 12:48 pm

    this is such a wonderful way to celebrate, archive, and remember a month! I especially love the line-a-day {and all your favorite things}. Right now I’m assembling a short January recap.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 31, 2018 at 4:15 pm

      I’m looking forward to reading your recap, Leah! Thanks for being here.

      Reply
  4. Melissa | The Cork Board Blog says

    January 31, 2018 at 3:18 pm

    I obsessing with the Enneagram! (Thank you, Annie F. Downs)

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      January 31, 2018 at 4:14 pm

      ME TOO! And I’ve had some really wonderful insights about marriage and parenting from it.

      Reply

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About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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Old friends and live music are two of my favorite Old friends and live music are two of my favorite things, so having them together is the best. My friend Aaron and I went to multiple Dave Matthews Band shows together during our college years, so now two decades later it’s fun to do it again as grown ups with our spouses for a band that speaks truth into our lives. 

@needtobreathe put on the loudest acoustic tour I’ve ever seen, but it sure was good! And its encore of completely unplugged songs was especially sweet. 

#NTBlive #needtobreathe #bettertogether #choosingJOY #favoritethings #livingfaithfully #weekending
Happiness is … … a slow morning that gave me Happiness is …

… a slow morning that gave me a chance to finish reading a good book right after I fixed my favorite cinnamon toast. 

… some shade to invite me to pick some more weeds around the house. But why doesn’t my Apple Watch count this as exercise? It felt like exercise to me! 

… an appointment with my oldest girl for us both to get our nails done this morning. 

… my youngest girl’s last soccer game of the season, even though the heat made her a little grumpy. 

… pool time, another good book to read, my mom visiting for the second weekend in a row, a little more weeding, and a night at home with no specific plans. 

Happiness is everyday, normal life with my people, especially when it comes with a slower pace after a hectic week. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #soccermom #KHTreads #momlife #weekending #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #poolpeople #PorchStories
I regretted having to go to sleep last night befor I regretted having to go to sleep last night before I finished this book, so I picked it up at breakfast and didn’t do anything else until I finished it. 

I loved the Alaskan cruise setting, the quick love and understanding between Greta and Ben, and the realistic ways grief changes people. Well done, @jenniferesmith! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #booklover #kindlepaperwhite #reallife #weekending #recommendedreads #poolpeople #amreading
Happy Friday! 🎉 We’ve got four more days of s Happy Friday! 🎉 We’ve got four more days of school next week and then it’s #88daysofsummer! Obviously, we’re ready. ☀️ 

Here’s to a refreshing weekend with much anticipation of what’s to come! #weekending #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully #thirdchild #momlife #summerisbest #poolpeople #PorchStories #maydays
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I’ve already bou ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve already bought three copies of “Glad You’re Here: Two Unlikely Friends Breaking Bread and Fences” by @walkerhayes and @craigallencooper to gift to specific friends. I’ve referenced this story in conversations this week and will likely recommended it for years to come. 

This story is about two seemingly different guys befriending each other because their kids were on the same baseball team and their wives became friends. They kept showing for each other, encouraged each other, and changed each other for the better. In fact, their friendship was the catalyst for Walker deciding to follow Christ. 

Give me Applebee’s on a date night, a real-life story of how we are eternally better together, and an audiobook that makes me want to drive and I’m a happy girl. I’m fancy like that. 

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I’m majorly behind on laundry, dishes, emails, a I’m majorly behind on laundry, dishes, emails, and to-do lists. Birthdays, a field trip, end-of-school things, squeezing in some friend dates, and just general life with three kids have occupied much of my time. But my friend @whitneyrscott at @blushsalon did tend to their shaggy hairs. So check! 

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What I’m wearing … I don’t wear in jewelry, What I’m wearing …

I don’t wear in jewelry, but I love having bracelets that mean things to me. 

Today my friend Monica and I talked to our oldest daughters’ high school health class about adoption. My other friend @megandelaneythomas invited us because she recently taught about the reproductive system and wanted the class to hear about adoption as an option. We talked about adoption as a process, redemption to broken circumstances, and picture of God grafting us into his family. We shared resources and advice on counseling for abortion, befriending people who have made different relationships choices, and parenting regardless of how God builds a family. 

I left that high school health class thankful for @ncca.lions and the opportunities my kids have had to learn about real things in the context of the gospel. I’m also grateful for this adoption bond Monica and I share with our kids who are the same ages. I’ve always said, adoption is relational to its core, far beyond just bringing a baby home. That circle widened a little today, and I’m glad to welcome others into pieces of our story. 

Also, how fun are these bracelets @katie_cunningham85 gave me last week for my birthday? Today seemed like the perfect time to wear them along with my Romans 8:28 reminder — “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Things working together for the good in Christ doesn’t mean easy or convenient. But it does mean all the details and relationships matter. I’m forever grateful for how God built my faith and my family through adoption. Wearing these sweet reminders is good for my soul. 

#OneDayMay #maydays #adoptionislove #adoption #PeaceInTheProcess #authorlife #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #momlife #firstborn #girlmom #boymom #reallife @scott_monica_bidwell
Another new book from a popular author that was ex Another new book from a popular author that was excellent! @harlancoben is a great suspense writer, and this is among his best in my opinion. It picked up with an old character and references another character from another book. But this story is well done even without those details. 

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I’ve read many @lisascottoline books, and this o I’ve read many @lisascottoline books, and this one is definitely at the top of my list. I didn’t know much about it going in, but I especially loved the WITSEC portion of the storyline and the suspense that unfolded about what happened to the Bennetts. 

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