Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Stories from the Porch in April

April 25, 2018 by Kristin 15 Comments

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.}

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: books, family, friends, Greg, music, TV

Comments

  1. Joanne Viola says

    April 25, 2018 at 6:15 am

    Sounds like a wonderful month in spite of the prolonged company of winter 🙂 There is something so very special about enjoying your favorite shows with your kids. Survivor is a favorite at our house. May Cate enjoy it!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 25, 2018 at 8:03 am

      I probably shouldn’t talk about prolonged winter to you … 🙂 I hope you’re enjoying a break from the snow! Thanks for your faithfulness on the porch, my friend. xo

      Reply
  2. Michele Morin says

    April 25, 2018 at 6:28 am

    You had a great month! So glad that it involved time with friends.
    I’m curious about Strength Finders, so I need to do some more reading about it!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 25, 2018 at 8:02 am

      I want to read more about Strength Finders. I’m still really into learning about the Enneagram. 🙂 Thanks for being on my porch, Michele!

      Reply
  3. Meghan Weyerbacher says

    April 25, 2018 at 7:51 am

    I am so grateful for warm weather!!!! I have watched a few episodes of The Voice too (I am also a noob). Love reading your updates. Still wish we could see you in May but I totally understand crazy schedules. I pray you have a good week!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 25, 2018 at 8:02 am

      Surely we can figure out another way to meet up because we’re really not very far from each other. I wish I could come in May too, but we have something every weekend and that day includes my son’s soccer game as well as helping our best friends move. Enjoy the spring weather that hopefully stays around! Thanks for being here. xo

      Reply
  4. SUSAN SHIPE says

    April 25, 2018 at 8:06 am

    I like sitting on your porch and catching up. You and your peeps live a full, blessed life. My love to all of you.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 25, 2018 at 3:14 pm

      I’m looking forward to the day you’re on my real porch. Until then, I’m glad to have you here! xo

      Reply
  5. Barbara H. says

    April 25, 2018 at 8:09 am

    Happy birthday to your husband! Our weather has been back and forth as well. I hope spring is fully settled in now. Our highlights in April were the 4th birthday of my grandson and the visit of my oldest son who lives out of state.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 25, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      Sounds like a fun visit and celebration! Hope you’re getting real spring too!

      Reply
  6. Becky Hastings says

    April 25, 2018 at 8:32 am

    Such a fun recap! Hope you found a lighter read 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 25, 2018 at 3:13 pm

      I’m reading Dani Pettrey’s latest, and it’s really good so far!

      Reply
  7. Tara says

    April 25, 2018 at 2:10 pm

    My sister got me hooked on both The Voice and American Idol. They truly are talented individuals. 🙂 Fun post friend! I wish I could gather on your porch with you.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      April 25, 2018 at 3:12 pm

      I wish you could gather on my actual porch too, but I’m glad you’re faithful here. xo

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Earth Day: Caring for our Planet #LMMLinkup - Words, Photos and Art says:
    April 25, 2018 at 12:19 pm

    […] I’m linking up with:  #InspireMeMonday, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory, #CoffeeforYourHeart, #porchstories […]

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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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Before I settle into a school time routine, I want Before I settle into a school time routine, I want to recap summer — my favorite season of the year that, honestly, just didn’t look like I expected & hoped in many ways. Even so, goodness was all around us. 

This was the summer of …
 
Crunch-dipped ice cream Drumsticks 🌼 4/5 of us having strep throat at different times, and Ben having it 3 times 🌼 Six Flags and Kentucky Kingdom 🌼 Venture River season passes 🌼 Plans changing and changing again 🌼 Plan B vacation because Covid is still interrupting plans 🌼 Friends sharing big news — someone’s son was injured, friends moving toward divorce after two decades of marriage, a friend being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer, and a friend’s house flooding in a negligent way. 🌼 Holding onto the good news 🌼 Counting gratefulness 🌼 Celebrating 20 years of marriage 🌼 Reading mostly romance novels because that’s what sounded good 🌼 Traditional summer weekends with some out-of-town friends 🌼 Quiddler, although I can’t seem to win this word game. 🌼 Conversations in our bedroom with our oldest who likes to stay up later than us 🌼 Binge-watching “Yellowstone” 🌼 The easiest, clearest water we’ve had in six summers with a pool despite the leaking liner 🌼 Feelings that reminded me of Social Distancing 2020 🌼 Noticeable growth in my kids, the weeds around my house, and within my own heart.

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📷: Cate, 15

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#88daysofsummer #boymom #reallife #summerbreak #backtoschool #choosingJOY
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Cate has five different prints available as 5x7s or 8x10s and then matted and framed. She has in stock two of each print in each size, but she will order more. 

🖼 5x7s matted in 8x10 frame = $12
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🌵 Cactus
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Let Cate know in the comments what you’d like to order or message me. Local pickup/dropoff only right now. 

You can send PayPal friends & family to kristinhilltaylor@gmail.com, send Venmo to @KristinHillTaylor, or pay cash at pickup.

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