Rachel

Stories from the Porch in October

October 31, 2019 by Kristin 2 Comments

I’m starting with all the clichés: I intended to publish this post on Wednesday, but my real, everyday life is sucking all my energy. I’ve been making white space on my calendar intentionally, but people (especially the youngest ones of this household) still require brainpower and emotions. Meanwhile, how is October over? That’s five-sixths of the year done and gone. I know the holidays are coming. I know the daylight is disappearing. I know the truth the calendar tells me. But my heart is having a hard time believing it.

Y’all, I’m basically just living in that tension of heart and head matters. I know, I was just talking about time and now I’ve turned to a more serious corner. But, it’s true. I may be 40 years old, but I’ve been learning about and processing feelings in a new way. It’s been hard to get here, even surrounded by a blessed life, good friends, and truth. But I’m glad I’m here, finally.

Being content in a tension where opposite feelings co-exist is hard for me. Navigating deeply rooted assumptions and expectations feel unnatural for me. Naming and recognizing and processing feelings is work for me because it’s time-consuming. But knowing emotional seasons change like the leaves on the trees is freeing for me. It’s a little scary too. And that’s okay.

And that’s where I am, here at October’s end. (And I wrote a little more about that on Instagram.)

Highlights

Well, of course, Disney World and Universal Studios were the highlights. What a fun trip – even with the rain and the crowds. See? Both of those things can be true: fun and rainy; fun and crowded. That’s just a hard place for me to land for some reason, or probably lots of reasons. But I did write recaps of both the Disney part and the Universal part. And I’m always happy to talk about Disney and amusement parks, if you’ve got questions or want opinions.

Then the weekend after our Fall Break trip, some friends came to visit for Murray State’s Homecoming. There were seven extra people in our house – and it left me so satisfied. I wrote about that on Instagram, of course.

And can I admit I’m a little sad soccer season is over for Ben and Rachel? For the sake of our free time, I’m happy not to be at the soccer fields usually three days a week. But as a mom, I truly like watching them play and make friends. And if they were going to excel in a sport, I’d choose soccer.

This was the first time Rachel had played, and I wondered if I’d regret starting her before she officially turned four. But I didn’t. She did well grasping the concept of scoring in whatever goal her team was going toward and enjoyed being with her new friends. Plus, she looked awfully cute in her tall, rainbow socks and pink cleats.

Oh, and yes, we swam on Oct. 2 and today my kids are wearing winter coats for the first time this season. I’m telling you, October had all the tension, went by too fast, and managed to surprise me some.

Favorite things

Slugs & Bugs Show – Randall Goodgame has written so many songs that have incorporated themselves into our lives. They’re sometimes silly and always filled with truth. Now there’s a wonderful show (13 episodes!) that incorporate those songs and the characters we’ve come to love through them. He teaches scripture and valuable lessons while singing and playing his songs with his friends. (More on that.)

Jason Gray’s devotional – I’ve told you before about how I really love Jason Gray’s new music that has been speaking so much truth about transformation into this season I’m in, making it more bearable and understandable. Then I saw online he had a free five-day devotional that went along with those songs and it’s truly fabulous. His words resonated with my soul and pointed me to the only One who can truly bring order to the chaos of this world. (Get the devotional here.)

New insulin pump – Last week I started using a new insulin pump, and I really love it. I’m excited for the advanced technology that helps me manage type 1 diabetes. I was diagnosed in January 2004 and then started using a pump instead of needles in September 2011. I don’t talk a ton about diabetes online, but I’m always happy to discuss this, if anyone wants to know more.

From the bookshelf

“Everyone is Beautiful” and “Things You Save in a Fire” by Katherine Center – I took these two actual library books on our Disney World trip. I know, it’s easier to take my slender Kindle, but it’s been easier on my soul lately to look away from the screen. I finished “Everybody is Beautiful” on the plane ride down. Then I read bits of “Things You Save in a Fire” each night in our hotel and then finished it on the way home today. Katherine Center creates characters who remind me why our stories matter. Maybe we tell our spouse something he’s never heard or share a hard time with a friend. Our stories shape who we are and can change the people around us too. Plot wise, I liked “Things You Save in a Fire” better, but they both were enjoyable reads.

And here’s a quote from Katherine Center in “Things You Save in a Fire”:“Telling the story changed the story for me. Not what happened — that, I could never change — but how I responded to it. It was like I’d been averting my eyes from that memory for ten solid years, but I’d finally forced myself to look again. And what I saw, at twenty-six, was so different from what I remembered from when I was sixteen. Even though nothing about the story had changed, I had changed.”

“Becoming Us: Using the Enneagram to Create a Thriving Gospel-Centered Marriage” by Beth & Jeff McCord – I’m in the middle of this right now. The Enneagram has been good for me to understand myself and people around me, and this book takes a deeper dive into what that could do for a marriage. I’m also excited about these type-specific journals Beth McCord put together. I’ve already preordered mine and one of a gift.

“Strong, Brave, Loved: Empowering Reminders of Who You Really Are” by Holley Gerth – As a writer, Holley Gerth’s encouragement has been a gift. She wrote a beautiful endorsement for my book and has cheered for me. As a person, Holley’s words have truly been life-giving. They’ve spoken to me in various seasons of growing and living. They’ve been important to share with others. And they’ve gently offered truth and hope in a bossy, noisy world. I’m grateful for Holley’s newest devotional “Strong, Brave, Loved.” I can’t wait to dive in. The pages are beautiful inside and I know I will hear Holley’s sweet voice echoing everlasting truths God wants me to remember.

On the screen

We’ve been glad to catch up with President Elizabeth McCord and her crew on “Madam Secretary” and Raymond Reddington on “Blacklist,” which started this season with a bang!

How’s your October been?

*****

A muggle goes to Universal

October 24, 2019 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I’m all muggle when it comes to Harry Potter, but I sure was impressed with the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure in Orlando. I still don’t think I’ll read the books or watch the movies, but pass the butterbeer and bring on the Forbidden Journey ride.

We spent two days at Universal’s two parks in Orlando when we were staying at Disney World – and I’m so glad we did. If you’re thinking about going, I’d say the two-day, two-park ticket is the way to go. We did everything we wanted to do in those two days – well, except ride Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure, but it wasn’t open part of the time and the line was really long when it was.

We prearranged private transportation from our Disney resort to Universal and that worked out well. It was easy to navigate when the driver dropped us off. Like at Disney, we took in snacks in my backpack with no problem.

Other than being impressed with the details of the wizarding world Universal has created, here’s what else I loved about Universal:

It wasn’t as crowded as Disney. Well, maybe Diagon Alley was, but it was still manageable and enjoyable. (It did rain for hours one of the days, and I could have done without that, but there are many indoor rides.)
The child swap is EXCELLENT. Rachel couldn’t ride some rides (although she could ride a lot!) so we used the child swap system: We all would wait in line and then Greg would sit out with Rachel in a family room near the exit of the ride. The themes of the rides were incorporated into these rooms. They’d watch the movie playing or have a snack from my backpack and then when I got off the ride, Greg and the rest of our entire party (two big kids, two grandmas) would ride while I sat with Rachel. They only had to wait a few minutes at the exit. Rachel felt part of (most) the experiences and most of our group to ride it twice after waiting once.
The food we ate was delicious. We ate breakfast and dinner at Disney because we’d already paid for the dining plan there, but we had two great lunches at Universal: Three Broomsticks at Hogsmeade in Islands of Adventure was delicious Harry Potter-inspired food and atmosphere. Richter’s Burger was an earthquake-themed restaurant in Universal Studios that had excellent burgers and milkshakes. Universal knows how to do simulation rides! We rode most everything and each ride was so well done and on theme. There were fog, heat, and water effects when appropriate. Movie stories and characters were incorporated so well. (Of course, now I need to show my kids the movie “ET” so they’ll have more appreciation for that ride.)
The Dr. Seuss-themed area for little kids was so fun! I hung out here with Rachel while the rest of our group rode the Hulk roller coaster and I didn’t mind. (Plus, that’s where we got really large, fresh cotton candy.)
Rachel loves Poppy and Branch from Trolls, so seeing her star-struck when she got to meet them was sweet. We also met the Penguin of Madagascar, which was a nice surprise. I’m sure we could have met more characters, but the trolls were the only ones we sought out.

Here are some mom confessions for y’all: I truly was only incorporating Universal into our trip because of my eldest child’s love of Harry Potter. I didn’t expect to want to go back. But I totally do. When it comes to amusement in Orlando, what I really want to do next time is spend a couple of days at Universal and then board a Disney Cruise ship.

Have you been to Universal? What did you think?

*****

I shared an earlier post about the Disney portion of our trip, so be sure to check out that post if you haven’t already. If you’re thinking about going to Universal, my planner Jennifer Hart can help you with reservations there just like she can at Disney.

Stories from the Porch in September

October 1, 2019 by Kristin 14 Comments

I meant to post this earlier, but, you know, September has sort of been that way – sneaking up on me with its passing and feeling more like August than it maybe should. Consider that a confession of sorts, this summertime girl is ready for some fall weather. I just read it’s been our town’s hottest September ever – and it’s barely rained! This month also has been packed with soccer practices and games for two kids, so many lessons in growing and becoming who God wants me to be, and trying to take a deep breath in this summer air that still lingering.

Highlights

My mother-in-law treated all us girls – my sisters-in-law and all our seven girls – to a fun day in Nashville, where we ate at The Aquarium, shopped a little, met Anna & Elsa, and then enjoyed Disney on Ice. It was a great pre-game event before we head to DISNEY WORLD THIS WEEKEND!

My baby girl turned four! We had so much fun celebrating – among a normal, busy day during the week and then again on a Sunday afternoon with family and friends. We had a rainbow unicorn party and soaked up sun around our pool.

Favorite things

Soccer season – I have two kids playing soccer for the first time in several years, but I sure do love it. Watching Rachel play for the first time has been as entertaining as it sounds – and she’s pretty good! She’s scored in each of her games so far and she’s enjoyed trying to stop the other team from scoring. Plus she’s fast!

Ben is the youngest in his league, but he’s enjoying playing with some friends on the soccer field. He plays various positions based on what’s needed and does well on both offense and defense. I captured the photo above during one of Ben’s practices after the brief rain.

Lauren Alaina’s new song – Y’all, “Getting Good” is so good. Go listen. Or buy it. (And it’ll be on the playlist I’m making for this season of life.)

Scrapbooking – I caught up on some Project Life pages on the app on my phone AND I started putting together an album of our Disney Cruise a year ago with actual printed photos and paper. It’s still sitting out on the table in my back living – and I don’t even mind the mess because I was so happy to get that project going.

From the bookshelf

“Someone Knows” by Lisa Scottoline – I’m a long-time fan of Lisa Scottoline, although I’ve only ever read her stand-alone novels and not her legal series. I liked the alternating points of view, the suspenseful storyline, and the deeper sides of the characters revealed.

“November 9” by Colleen Hoover – I loved the concept of this one! Two people meet one night and meet up again each year on the same date. Meanwhile, one of those characters is writing a romantic book based on their “relationship” that has one spanned hours at a time once a year. I was totally intrigued and found myself rooting for the characters despite life circumstances and timing that complicated matters.

“All the Little Lights” by Jamie McGuire – I love when I find good books with Prime Reading (hello, free!). I liked the story and main characters of this one. Some of it was a little predictable, but I also was surprised a couple of times.

“Never Have I Ever” by Joshilyn Jackson – I happened upon this one at the library after hearing good things about Joshilyn Jackson branching out into more of a suspense genre. I loved some of her early books and then couldn’t get into a couple of her other ones, but I really wanted to read this one. I loved it and was surprised multiple times. The storylines involve betrayal, love, deception, and friendship. It’s dark, funny, and suspenseful, so I just kept turning the pages and read most of it in one day.

“The Hammer of Hope” by Katie Jo Hook – I got to endorse this children’s book and loved sharing a review on my blog earlier this month. It’s such a lovely book, and I didn’t want you to miss it. {Read my review here.}

On the screen

Hooray for new TV shows on my DVR! I’m most excited for “Blue Bloods,” “The Resident,” “New Amsterdam,” “Survivor,” and “Madam Secretary.”

I’ve also traded “The Voice” for “Dancing with the Stars” because I wanted to watch Lauren Alaina, James Van Der Beek, and Hannah Brown dance. They’re doing so well and I like how it’s only one night a week compared to two for “The Voice.”

How was your September?

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