• More truth from Slugs & Bugs

    ByKristin books
    1 Comment

    When I heard Randall Goodgame, who created Slugs & Bugs family music, had two new children’s books, I knew I needed to have them. Randall’s creative work has influenced our family and, at this point, I want whatever he creates to be in my kids’ hands, minds, and hearts. (I’ve shared about Slugs & Bugs music in many other posts around here.)

    “Who Will Play with Me?” is a story about fun and friendship and “Are We Still Friends?” is a story of forgiveness. Both incorporate biblical lessons, reference beloved Slugs & Bugs’ songs & characters, and use few words and many pictures to tell stories.

    “Are We Still Friends?” is a story that brings to life Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” When Doug the Slug accidentally eats all of Sparky’s flavor-blasted pizza chips, Doug lies to cover it up, and the hilarious search for the chip thief begins! But when Doug admits the truth, he must apologize to Sparky. Come along as the friends learn that friendship is about forgiveness and trust, along with a good dose of shared laughter.

    This book is particularly timely for our family as one of our kids’ has had some trouble with lying, which also happens in the story, and this is a good reminder that relationships can be broken but forgiveness is possible.

    Philippians 2:3 says, “In humility, value others above yourselves.” That’s the message of “Who Will Play With Me?” That book also brings to mind Slugs & Bugs’ The Wagon song. In this book, Doug the Slug is thrilled to discover an awesome red wagon at the playground, but soon he is feeling pouty because he can’t find a friend to pull him while he rides. But when he decides to think about someone other than himself and pull Sparky the Lightning Bug instead, Doug learns that being a good friend is even more fun.

    Now that I’ve given these books to my kids, I’m guessing my 9-year-old boy and 3-year-old girl will read them often in the days to come. Of course, my 12-year-old girl may even pick them up because Slugs & Bugs is certainly part of her childhood too.

    About the books

    Published by B&H Kids, they’re both 64-page hardback children’s books available on the Slugs & Bugs website, Amazon, and other places books are sold. Learn more about the books and music at slugsandbugs.com.

    About the author

    Randall Goodgame is a singer/songwriter and the creative force behind the family music brand, Slugs & Bugs. He has recorded eight solo albums and contributed to numerous others. He has written songs for Veggie Tales, Caedmon’s Call, Andrew Peterson, Jason Gray, Jill Phillips, Eric Peters, and other fine people. He lives with his wife and kids in Nashville.

    *****

    I bought these books with my own money, thanks to a friend of mine who was at a homeschool conference where they were available in late April. I do recommend them to you and your family, but nobody asked me to say that.

  • Don’t give up on doing good

    ByKristin Porch Stories
    22 Comments

    “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” – Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

    I heard this familiar verse recently and it struck me in a new way. These words reminded me that with each conversation, boundary, ride home from school, and correction I’m investing in my kids and the life we’re building together for God’s glory. Parenting has required much mental energy lately as I navigate three different seasons and personalities.

    But as I sat in the grocery store parking lot earlier this week finishing a podcast with newlywed guests, I remembered God’s faithfulness. I’m not a newlywed, but I needed this truth that transcends seasons. I needed to remember parenting intentionally is doing good and in God’s time I’ll get to see a harvest.

    Parenting has involved conversations about cell phones, sleepovers, and vacations; discipline regarding grades and attitudes; and training and establishing habits. I’ve talked with like-minded friends and pow-wowed with my husband, who thankfully lives on the same page with these things. Articles have affirmed why my kids won’t have cell phones anytime soon and why we don’t do sleepovers, but they’ve also reminded me living counter-culturally is hard but not beyond where God has called us.

    “So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” – Galatians 6:9-10 (The Message)

    As I sat in the Kroger parking lot letting Rachel nap a little longer before we took the ever-growing list of food inside, I read Galatians 6:9 again. I remembered God’s faithfulness in my everyday life regardless of the season and recommitted myself to the good of this parenting adventure.

    *****

    RESOURCES!

    READ: I put together a list of some books that have aided in this parenting journey. Included are some devotions my tween girl has used and sex talk books for both boys and girls. {SEE PARENTING PARTNER BOOKS HERE.}

    LISTEN: I also put together a playlist of songs that remind me God’s faithfulness. {LISTEN HERE.}

    *****

    Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories

    #PorchStories Party

  • Nine Things I Learned in October

    ByKristin Things I Learned

    things-in-october-10-31-16

    The other day Rachel got the first dose of her flu shot and I was making an appointment for the booster dose for four weeks later. Well, four weeks from last Thursday is going to be Thanksgiving. And we’re going to be on a Disney cruise, but that’s another story for another time. The point today: HOW ARE WE LESS THAN FOUR WEEKS AWAY FROM THANKSGIVING?! I feel like I say this every month, but, geez, time is F L Y I N G by so quickly.

    So, dear October, you were hotter than usual and faster than usual, but you were good to us. We saw friends during Fall Break at the beginning of the month and then more friends at the end of the month for Murray State’s Homecoming. We closed on our now-old-to-us house, had family pictures taken, and stayed busy with school activities. Before you’re history, October, let’s remember what you taught me.

    1. The bacon maple doughnut our local doughnut place makes is amazing. And, yes, doughnut is the proper spelling. Donut is Dunkin’ Donuts’ fault. I had it twice this past month.

    2. Evan McMullin is getting my vote in the presidential election. I was going to write a whole post about this, but I decided not to. Even so, I’m happy to talk about why I don’t believe voting for a third party is a wasted vote, if you want to talk more about that kind of thing. (Evan McMullin shares about this same philosophy on his website and Facebook page regularly.)

    3. My baby is a toddler. And watching her toddle around makes me so happy. And while I’m not doing monthly posts to document her growth, I’m thankful for the ways social media allows for that.

    (She is currently into walking, attempting to run, turning off lights, laughing at herself on Snapchat, and opening cabinets, if y’all were wondering.)

    4. Carrollton’s album is worth putting on repeat. I heard “Let Love Win” on the radio and looked it up later. While doing so, I listened to other songs and ended up with the whole album. Also, turns out some of the band members are Kentucky boys, so that’s a fun fact!

    5. Seeing one of my kids embrace generosity makes me proud. And by proud I mean relieved that I may be doing something right.

    If you missed the post about the bake sale Cate and two friends organized to raise money for Guatemala, then I encourage you to check it out – and not just because she’s my girl. We’re also packing shoe boxes for other children soon too.

    6. Likewise, when my boy edited his birthday party invitation, my word-loving, mom heart was proud.

    (Turns out there wasn’t an error, but rather an opportunity for a conversation with a first-grader about plural and possessive nouns.)

    7. I always say summer is my favorite (and it is for so many reasons), but I really do love fall. I think I say this every year, but it always falls fresh on me like a new revelation. It’s a busy season, but there are many opportunities for parties and events and that makes us happy. Hello, family of extroverts.

    8. I went to a paint party and enjoyed myself. I just said I liked parties, but I don’t like to paint. But I successfully painted a wooden Kentucky with gray and aqua chevron stripes. It was a fun girls night out with my oldest daughter and some of our friends. Plus the party raised money for our church’s adoption grant fund.

    9. One word can rock my world, in the best and hardest ways. And then when God shows me that one word in a couple places in a way that encourages and convicts simultaneously, I become mush. This time is was AMBASSADOR in my Precept study of the Sermon on the Mount and in “Parenting” by Paul David Tripp. I wrote a whole post about it, and am I’m giving away a copy of “Parenting,” so be sure to go enter to win a copy.

    How did October treat you?