Stories from the Porch in April

I have a lot to tell you about April. It was a full, fun, fast month. Pull up a seat on my porch, and let’s swap our stories before this month ends. Yes, I know we have five more days, but I’m taking some deep breaths and reflecting now while I can.

Highlights

We started the month with Spring Break, which is a great way to begin! I used to get nervous about breaking out of our routine but now that is exactly what I long for. That alone is true testimony to how far God has brought my Type A, perfectionist-striving heart. The kids and I spent a couple days in Louisville, visiting with my mom and some longtime friends.

Spring Break ended with some snow. Yeah, weird, because another day this month was 80. I’m definitely ready for the warm side of life. And, yes, we’re opening our pool soon. Speaking of which, Rachel is in her third month of swim lessons.

And then I got to spend a weekend with some of my best girls (who I happened to meet on the internet). I really do hope you get to have a community in your life serves as a shelter.

Earlier this week, Greg turned 40, so we celebrated that with a big outdoor party on what turned out to be a perfect spring day. Sporty Forty included target shooting, kick ball, go-cart and ATV riding, hot dogs, and ice cream cake.

Favorite things

StrengthsFinders – I love personality tests and profiles. (Hello, Enneagram 1! And, yes, I’m an ESFJ.) But I had never taken the StrengthsFinder. I finally did at the writers’ retreat I’ve already raved about. These are my top five strengths: Communication, discipline, responsibility, strategic, and developer. None of this is surprising. Of course, I always see where everything can improve, so I do kind of wish I had something more meaningful like compassion.

“Dream Small” by Josh Wilson – This song is speaking the truth about God’s great love right into my life. It echoes so many things God has been teaching me.

From the bookshelf

“Picture Perfect” by Jodi Picoult – Although it’s emotional, it didn’t feel like other Jodi Picoult books I read. I enjoyed reading it, but I was worn out when it was over.

“The Great Alone” by Kristin Hannah – This was an emotional story but an excellent book. I think I liked it even better than “The Nightingale,” which I loved. And perhaps I really do like historical fiction.

I had to put a call out for fiction reads that weren’t quite as heavy as those two, which both involved domestic violence. They were good stories with redemption but the heaviness stayed with me for a while so I moved on to some lighter reads. (You can see my recent book recommendations.)

On the screen

“Jane the Virgin” – This fourth season was slow going, in my opinion, but it picked up as the season progressed and ended with a cliffhanger that prompted all kinds of emotions.

“The Resident” – I’m really loving this show so I hope stays around.

“Survivor” – We’re longtime fans, but I’m especially enjoying watching the current 36th season with my oldest girl. I get the feeling she may be going back and watching more on Amazon Prime.

“The Voice” – This may be the 14th season, but it’s the first time I’ve watched. I love it so much. One of the contestants grew up near me and we share some mutual friends, so that’s a fun element. I also really love the coaches’ interactions with each other and the contestants. Plus there are some talented singers.

How was your April? Are you
ready for those May flowers?

{Tweet that.}

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