Hey, #PorchStories friends! I’ve missed you. So let’s gather together and catch up. Other friends here, welcome! And I hope you stay awhile.
Oh, March Madness, you’re the best – in the basketball sense and in the seasonal sense as days warm up and the world becomes greener. As winter fades, I’m always grateful to live in a place where we truly have four seasons – sometimes in the same week – and get to remember how nothing stays the same.
Before you’re gone, let’s capture these March days.
Highlights
One of our favorite weekends of the year as a family is going to Evansville, Indiana, to watch our beloved Murray State Racers in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Whoever wins get an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, so we especially loved watching our Racers win two exciting games to clinch the title. (Here’s a post about how being a sports fan helps me be a better mom. It’s true.)
Of course, we’ve loved watching basketball. Our Racers have never made it to the Sweet Sixteen, but we certainly enjoyed their rout of Marquette in the first round behind the amazing performance of Ja Morant, who’s predicted to go early in the NBA Draft as a sophomore.
We spent another weekend at the lake to celebrate my best friend Jaclyn’s birthday. The weather was nicer than we expected and the six kids who are currently 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, and 3 played outside for hours and hours. Us adults played many games of Settlers of Catan while watching basketball. It was such a soul-refreshing weekend and a good time to get our vacation rental at Kentucky Lake ready for the renters coming this spring and summer.
Favorite things
Jockey Being Family backpacks – My kids had the best time unpacking the personalized backpacks our friends at Jockey Being Family sent them and I was glad to learn more about this incredible foundation that supports adoptive families. (Read more about what their backpacks contained and how we befriended these fine folks.)
California Design Den sheets – I randomly was asked if I wanted to review some sheets and the timing was perfect because I put them on my bed right after the time change during a week when my sleep was especially disjointed. Even weeks later, we still love them. (Read more about them.)
QuiFit water bottle – A friend of mine posted about her enormous water bottle a few times and I was totally intrigued because I needed something to encourage me to drink more water. My friend has the 128-ounce bottle, but I didn’t think I’d haul that around with me so I ended up getting the 64-ounce one. It’s still big to take with me, but it has worked well. After a couple of weeks, I’m drinking every ounce each day. I love the time markers down the side and the words of encouragement to keep on drinking water. It really helps me pace myself throughout the day.
From the bookshelf
“When We Were Worthy” by Marybeth Mayhew Whalen – It’s been on my list for a while and I got nervous about the story starting with teenagers in a car wreck because I’m super sensitive to that sort of thing since becoming a mom. But I’m glad it read it. The story is told well from different characters’ points of view. As the characters process what happened, the reader learns more about one night in a town called Worthy. Suspense and compassion are intertwined in this well-written story.
“He Said / She Said” by Erin Kelly – I found myself staying up late last night, reading while blow drying my hair this morning, and wanting to ignore the rest of the world this afternoon to finish this book. Obviously, it’s a good one. The suspenseful story reflects on an incident 15 years earlier and its ripple effects in present day. Going back and forth between the years adds to the suspense and surprises.
“If God Is For Us: The Everlasting Truth of Our Great Salvation” by Trillia Newbell – I’m working through this six-week study on Romans 8 and really loving it. Two decades ago, God first drew me to him through Romans 8:28, so I’m learning so much about the context of that promise through this study. I wrote a longer review of this book and have a giveaway happening (HERE) this week. Go on and enter, my friends!
On the screen
With March Madness games and plenty of exciting basketball, we are a little behind in our usual shows, but “Blacklist” has been especially good lately. I’m also excited to watch “The Village,” a new show awaiting me on my DVR. My oldest girl and I have been into the “The Voice” and “Survivor.”
How was YOUR March? Tell me all about it!
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My copy of Trillia’s book is in the mail, and since Romans 8 is one of my favorite chapters, I’m REALLY looking forward to reading it and entering into a study! It’s so good to be back here and to hear all your good stuff from March.
I’m looking forward to hearing what you think of the study – I’ve been working through it slowly because I’m doing another study at the same time with some friends. It’s so good! Thanks for being here, Michele!
My end-of-month post won’t be up until the weekend, but I shared a post from this week.
My husband and I are Blacklist fans, too. Keeps you on the edge of your seat! I’m also an NCIs fan.
I just finished a different book by Marybeth Whalen. Romans 8:28 was instrumental in bringing me to Christ as well, when my parents were divorced when I was a teenager. I’ll have to look into that study.
I’m glad you entered to win the study! I’m also looking forward to catching up with your posts. I haven’t been online a ton the last couple weeks. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve read of Marybeth Whalen. Thanks for being here, Barbara.
I am just about done with If God Is For Us and it is wonderful. There are so many life and faith infusing thoughts which she brings about God’s faithfulness. March looks like it has been a fun month and may I say, I am LOVE The Village 🙂
Oh good! I’m glad to hear you love The Village and the Bible study. 🙂 Glad to have you here today, my friend. xo
March has been so busy I can’t believe it’s almost over. Thanks for sharing about yours. laurensparks.net
I can’t believe it is either – so fast! Hope you’ve had a good month.
We’re a March Madness family too. 🙂 And our hot Auburn Tigers made it to the Sweet 16 this year as an unusual treat too! I’m not sure how it will go Friday night against North Carolina though. ha. But we’re enjoying the ride anyway.
Your Auburn Tigers are so fun to watch! I hope they beat UNC. 🙂 (This coming from someone who also cheers for Kentucky!) Enjoy it!
Well, I have missed being on your porch. Your life always sounds full and fun.
You seem to have had a fun March too. Always glad to have you here. xo
Sounds like you had a great March. Hubby has been following March Madness, but I am not a basketball fan. All of the books you describe look appealing to me. Thanks for the recommendations. It’s good to be back on the porch!
Thanks for being here, Laurie! Hope your March has been a good one.
I’m so thankful for the warmer temps, sunshine, and birdsongs after a wet and cold winter! Looking forward to hopefully seeing you again this summer, Kristin!
I’m thankful for all of those same things – and the longer days! I sure hope we get to hang out for longer soon!
I enjoyed your review of the month. Sounds like March has been good, and I appreciate your book reviews. All three of them sound great!
Thank you! I’m glad you’re here, Lesley!
I really liked When We Were Worthy. It was a unique telling of a tragic, but hope-filled story.
Right now I’m reading The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck. It was on the Christy Award list and it’s great!
Oh thanks for the recommendation – I don’t know Sarah Hollenbeck, so I’m excited to have something new to add to my list. Thanks for being here too!
Sounds like you’ve had a full but fun month! I love the coming of spring! Blessings to you!
I always say summer is my favorite, and it is in many ways, but I also really love the changing of seasons. Glad you’re here, Gayl.