Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Stories from the Porch in February

February 27, 2019 by Kristin 22 Comments

Well, February, I know you have fewer days than the other months, but, even so, you were so full. And wet. Oh the rain. My friends who live farther north have had snow while we’ve had many, many inches of rain that have come with flood warnings. Meanwhile, time continues to fly around here, even though I keep trying to slow it down!

Highlights

It’s the month of love – both for Hallmark and here for Team Taylor! Greg and I met 21 years ago on Feb. 7, 1998, and then went on our first date a week later. Yep, that would have made it Valentine’s Day. Before kids we called it First-Date Day, now it’s still that plus some more traditional Valentine’s Day sprinkled in because kids certainly make it more fun. {Read more of our story here.}

One of my favorite Valentine’s Day traditions with the kids is to hang up hearts on their bedroom doors that list things I love about them. I even do it on Rachel’s door because one day she’ll be able to read and until then she’s got people who love to read to her.

This month the love continued when we took a few road trips:

I gave the big kids tickets to see TobyMac (along with opening acts Aaron Cole, We Are Messengers, Ryan Stevenson, Jordan Feliz, and Jeremy Camp) as their Christmas present. We finally cashed in that delayed gift with the concert earlier this month. Initially, I was in it for the kids – and the delicious steak dinner we had beforehand. But the concert was so good!

On actual Valentine’s Day, we met some friends for dinner at one of my very favorite restaurants and then watched our beloved Murray State Racers win a close game at Austin Peay in Clarksville, Tennessee.

The after school the next day, we went to Louisville to hang out with my mom, some new friends, friends who used to babysit our kids, and my brother and his family. On that Saturday night, Greg and I detoured for a date with my oldest best friend and her husband before our own date to see Kentucky beat then-No. 1 Tennessee, which drew the third largest crowd ever at Rupp Arena. It was a weekend that filled my soul.

Favorite things

Chrysler Pacifica – After our fun couple weeks of travel to the concert, basketball games, and Louisville, our 2011 Dodge Caravan started making noises. A trip to the dealership service department revealed a transmission issue we weren’t sure we wanted to pay to fix. That decision was confirmed by a mechanic specializing in transmission issues. So we traded that van in toward an upgraded (majorly!) to a 2018 Chrysler Pacifica. Obviously, that’s a big purchase, so we’ll have to factor that into the monthly budget template we’re using. The Pacifica is great and I’m super thankful for the protection and provision God has shown to us during this unexpected situation.

The Couch with Mary Carver – I’ve actually shared about this here before, but I got to be a guest on her podcast, which was so fun! Mary and I talked about our favorite TV marriages, so I’d love to hear about who you would add to our list. {More on the episode here!}

Refined series at Lyli Dunbar’s blog – I got to share a piece of our story about Ben being burned and how community helped us heal as part of Lyli’s blog series. She has an encouraging space on this big ‘ole internet and I was happy to be there.

Crock Pot – I told Greg and I needed a new Crock Pot, so he bought me one for Christmas … and it’s the best! The six-quart appliance has brown/saute, slow cook, bake, and keep warm functions. That means when I made taco soup recently, I could brown the beef and onion first, add the other ingredients, and switch to the slow cook function. One pot. Yes, please. Plus the one pot is stainless steel and way easier to handle and clean than the ceramic pots I’ve always had before.

From the bookshelf

“Since You’ve Been Gone” by Christa Allen – I borrowed this one for free from Amazon on my Kindle and really enjoyed it. It was a quick fiction read about a woman who was uncovering some truths while navigating grief. The characters were relatable and the plot line had enough mystery to keep me intrigued. This author has several other books I added to my list.

“The Secret Orphan” by Glynis Peters – This story is set while World War 2 is raging. I really liked the main character and her story. It was different than other books set in this time period that I’ve read because it focused more on a commoner and how the war infiltrated her life.

“Good As Gone” by Amy Gentry – I read this book in three sittings, but I’m not sure what I thought about it. The story was intriguing, but it also seemed far-fetched. That said, I was surprised more than once and was eager to finish it.

On the screen

We’re glad “Survivor” is back on! I’m a longtime fan of this show, but I’m even more of a fan of watching it with my oldest girl. Meanwhile, I’m sad “Manifest” is over for the season. What cliffhangers!

What are you loving, reading, and watching?

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories

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Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: Ben, books, family, Greg, life, music, podcasts, travel, TV

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    February 27, 2019 at 6:08 am

    I always enjoy the mix of newsy-ness in your month-end posts!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:26 am

      Thanks, Michele, because I enjoy writing them and recapping & documenting life this way. xo

      Reply
  2. Laurie says

    February 27, 2019 at 6:13 am

    Your February sure was filled with fun, family, and friends! Hubby and I recently binge-watched “The Marvelous Mr. Maisel” with my sister and BIL when we visited them in Florida and loved it (the show and the visit)! Unfortunately, it’s on Amazon Prime, which we don’t subscribe to, and the next season isn’t on until November. Hope your March is just a good as your February!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:25 am

      Yes, we really enjoyed The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel too! And I always love time in Florida too. 🙂 Hope your March gets off to a good start too!

      Reply
  3. Barbara Harper says

    February 27, 2019 at 6:52 am

    What a fun month! We enjoy Manifest, too. We recently got an Instant Pot that has many of those same features – I especially love being able to saute something and then run the slow cooker or Instant Pot feature without having to use different pans for each function.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:24 am

      Oooh, I didn’t realize Instant Pots actually had multiple features – how great! We’ll have to wait a while for Manifest to return … boo! 🙂 Glad you’re here, Barbara!

      Reply
  4. Boma says

    February 27, 2019 at 6:57 am

    Your February sounds very full and blessed, Kristin! Thanks for sharing. Blessings to you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:23 am

      Thanks for being here, Boma!

      Reply
  5. Jo Davis says

    February 27, 2019 at 8:23 am

    It sounds like you’ve had a full and fun month! As I think back over the last few weeks, I’ve done a lot of things, too…a mini trip to the coast, visiting with old friends, started blogging again, movies with grandkids and more! I even get to leave February behind with a bang by flying to visit my son for a few days (tomorrow!!) God is so good! It’s easy to get hung up on the challenges we face, but when we take time to remember and be thankful for the good things in life – our blessings – our difficulties seem smaller, don’t they? Thanks for sharing and for this great link up!

    Blessings, Jo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:23 am

      Sounds like a super fun few weeks for you too! I’m glad you’re here and sharing in God’s goodness with me.

      Reply
  6. Melody says

    February 27, 2019 at 8:53 am

    I love seeing what you’re reading! Sounds like a good month for you guys. Our family went to see Toby Mac in concert and it was awesome! So glad ya’ll got to go – great idea as a Christmas gift.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 9:22 am

      I get the feeling if we lived closer our families would really enjoy each other. xo

      Reply
  7. Lesley says

    February 27, 2019 at 10:50 am

    I always enjoy these monthly round-ups. Sounds like you’ve had a good February and the concert sounds like fun!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 11:07 am

      Thanks, Lesley! I hope you had a good month too.

      Reply
  8. Angela Johnson says

    February 27, 2019 at 11:29 am

    Yay!! Go Cats! I am a little jealous that you got to go to the Tennessee game, lol. We had an academic meet and watched it on DVR. I know what you mean about the rain. I am so glad to see the sun here in Pikeville. It is definitely a welcomed visit. Nice to hear from another CATS fan!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 3:58 pm

      Hello from the other side of Kentucky! But I’m always happy to meet another Cats fan. 🙂 Thanks for being here.

      Reply
  9. Lauren Sparks says

    February 27, 2019 at 4:00 pm

    Loving all your updates! laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 27, 2019 at 4:05 pm

      Thanks, Lauren! I hope you’ve had a good month too.

      Reply
  10. Susan Shipe says

    February 28, 2019 at 8:35 am

    I’ve enjoyed Manifest too. I haven’t watched the last show of season yet though.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 28, 2019 at 2:03 pm

      Always glad to see you here, my friend. xo

      Reply
  11. Tara says

    February 28, 2019 at 1:19 pm

    Busy but fun month for you it sounds like! I need to listen to the Couch podcast. I have heard such great things about it.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      February 28, 2019 at 2:02 pm

      It’s a fun podcast! Mary does a good job with it and she’s had good guests too. Glad you’re here, Tara!

      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 eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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My youngest child has a vivid imagination, loves b My youngest child has a vivid imagination, loves books, and somehow already knows how to work all the technology! @vooks is is a collection of virtual books that incorporates so many things my girl already loves. 

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Greg turned 20 not long after we met and started d Greg turned 20 not long after we met and started dating. Now he’s more than twice that. Sometimes I’m not sure how we got here, yet I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

Pardon the weird lighting of the photo, but you know that’s real life. We celebrated his birthday with friends over the weekend and then again last night with just the five of us. He gets to choose dinner out after soccer practices tonight. Through it all, I’m reminded how this guy just wants to be with his people and is always thinking about the next activity. He’s 100% extroverted yet somehow still calms the crazy in this house.

Happy birthday, husband. You’re back in your prime again. #birthdayboy #TeamTaylor #momlife #wifelife #soccermom #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully
He nonchalantly held out his hand with another too He nonchalantly held out his hand with another tooth in it. Apparently he took care of it at school. That’s my boy, handling the loose teeth like a champ. He’s got three more to go from his own mouth and then he’ll continue overseeing his youngest sister and all her teeth drama. I’m 40-0 for handling loose teeth ... WINNING, in other words.

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My friend @lesliemariecates has an inviting blog a My friend @lesliemariecates has an inviting blog about faith, home, and food that always encourages me greatly. She recently shared about hospitality and mentioned my book, "Bringing Home More Than Groceries." 

She shared a blueberry muffin recipe I want to make and offered encouragement with her words. "The goal is never to impress (that’s entertaining), but instead to make them feel welcome, loved and to satisfy their soul.  I want them to experience a moment of the peace of Jesus when they’re around my home even if the kids are running laps!  And if you are anything like me, food is a good way into deeper conversation, because it requires lingering and it can be relaxing. It’s easier to unwind over a meal or get cozy with a delicious drink enjoyed together on the porch!"

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I asked Greg what he wanted to do for his birthday I asked Greg what he wanted to do for his birthday (which is next week) and he said have friends over to play. So that’s what we did yesterday.

The birthday boy turning 43 soon, a few other husbands, and a bunch of kids played kickball and basketball. Us moms mostly talked and enjoyed the fact most of our people were engaged in community and activity. Of course, we ate well too.

It’s had been a long time since we had a party where multiple families mingled together on our porch, in our kitchen, and all around our property. We missed this, so good call on letting us your birthday as an excuse, husband.

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