summer

Stories from the Porch in May

May 29, 2019 by Kristin 21 Comments

May days are my favorite but these May days were especially crazy days. That’s about all the introduction necessary, so I’m going to dive right into the recap.

Highlights

I love my birthday and entering this new decade (hello, 40s!) hasn’t bothered me. We had a great weekend at the lake with four of my dearest friends. (Want to see pictures?) A group of school mom friends celebrated another morning with breakfast. I was really filled up with love, which ended up being exactly what I’d need to carry me through the coming weeks.

Four days after my actual birthday, my dad went into cardiac arrest and never recovered. He passed away two days later. I had a complicated relationship with him, but this past weekend my mom, my siblings, his brother and sister, and I remembered the good parts – how he was innovative and creative as an educator and created an environment at the schools he led so teachers and students thrived.

Between my birthday and dad’s death, Cate turned 12 and we celebrated the second weekend of the month with a Harry Potter birthday party. (Stay tuned because I plan to blog about that!) Plus there was Mother’s Day, which is when Greg snapped the picture I shared above.

The third week of May meant the end of school! There was a day trip to the Nashville Zoo with Ben’s class one day. Then we picked up the big kids from school on that Friday and headed up Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Jockey Being Family is a foundation of Jockey International (yep, the underwear company!) that supports adoptive families. We connected with JBF when we were in Washington, D.C., for the Angels in Adoption event and were glad to get to know more about how they connect and support families like ours. We were one of five families honored at JBF’s annual fundraising gala and golf tournament. I’m going to blog more about this soon too, but it was a wonderful weekend of being cared for just when I needed a vacation. (And here are some pictures!)

Favorite things

Water Wow coloring books – Rachel is really into these Water Wow books and they keep her busy! Using just water, the pages can be “painted” and then when they dry they can be painted again. And again. And again. She’s been coloring in fairytale and animal books, but I just ordered some others, including one about letters and numbers.

Slugs & Bugs books – Slugs & Bugs music has been my kids’ childhood soundtrack. When creator Randall Goodgame expanded the gospel-centered fun messages from songs to books, I knew I needed them. I shared more about them in a review post.

Pan fried fish at home – When we were at Kentucky Lake with my friends for my birthday, the guys – both the grownups and the kids – caught enough fish to feed us lunch before we all went our separate ways. It was delicious and so fun! Then Greg and Ben went fishing with a friend on Memorial Day, and they caught enough catfish and crappie to feed our family for more than one meal. I pan fried it for dinner on our porch – talk about holiday perfection!

From the bookshelf

“After Anna” by Lisa Scottoline – I picked up one afternoon when my kids and I had a few extra minutes and decided to spend them in the library. Over the next two days, I read it in parking lots when I arrived early, during my son’s soccer practice, while I was waiting for the kids to get ready for bed, and before I fell asleep those nights. Obviously, I was gripped by the story and characters. Told in a before-and-after back-and-forth sequence, the way the story unfolded was well done and kept me completely invested. There was a twist I totally didn’t see coming, which propelled me through the ending.

“What I’ve Done” and “Secrets Never Die” by Melinda Leigh – I’ve mentioned this Morgan Dane series before and was happy to dive back into the fourth and fifth installments. I love the characters’ continuing storylines and like the quick-read mysteries that are told from the perspective of a private investigator and defense attorney.

“The Middle Matters” by Lisa-Jo Baker – I was really excited to be on this launch team and read an advanced copy of this book. I absolutely loved Lisa-Jo’s last book, “Never Unfriended.” I enjoyed this one too. Having just turned 40, I related to so many chapters. This book officially releases July 23, but you can preorder it now and there will be goodies to come. Stay tuned because a full review is coming.

“The Orphan Daughter” by Cari Noga – I really enjoyed this one about a 45-year-old woman who is named the guardian of her 11-year-old niece she doesn’t know well. While several of the storylines involve loss, the book is a good reminder of how people’s stories intertwine to heal. And even better, this is a free read for Amazon Prime members.

“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens – Cate gave this to me for my 40th birthday and I’m glad I had to get into it. The writing is lovely, the setting is inviting, and the main character is captivating. I’m not quite finished with it, but I’m really enjoying it.

On the screen

“The Village” – I binged this after it had already been on for several weeks, and I really loved it. The show centers on a group of neighbors from an apartment complex whose stories intersect and overlap. I cried in more than one episode, but I really am looking forward to a full season of this show.

Tell me about your May days.

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Being a summertime girl in the winter

January 23, 2019 by Kristin 12 Comments

You probably know I’m a summer girl. I like the longer days, the sunshine, and freedom to let routine go. I love being on my porch and in my pool.

But the reality is summer is a season. It comes and goes and comes again. I’ve been reminding myself of this as the temperatures are cool, the daylight is short, and the skies gray. Plus we had a snow day on Sunday! (And I thank God for every random 65 degree and sunshiny day we’ve gotten this month!)

I turn 40 this year and I’ve spent a good portion of the year before this learning to appreciate seasons. I can long for summer while still enjoying winter. I can look back with fondness on summer while I take joyfully what spring and fall have to offer.

I’m no expert and am still learning the value and relief of seasons, but here are some ways I live faithfully in the winter as a summer person:

1. Read fiction books set on the beach or in lake towns. Often reading fiction is like a miniature vacation for me, so why not choose a setting I love?

2. Live with the mentality that the to-do list doesn’t have to be finished by noon Monday. Naturally, I am a work-before-play girl, but for some reason I’m easier going in the summer. I’m trying to bring that mentality into all the other seasons.

3. Have social plans that bring people in. The porch isn’t always suitable for these short, cold days, but we can still have friends over to play board games or watch basketball. We can meet friends for dinner and carpool to watch our alma mater’s basketball team. Even when it’s not the holidays, establish traditions that bring joy to a season that may not otherwise be your favorite.

4. Remember summer is coming. I can enjoy the present season, reminisce about past seasons, and look to the ones to come with a grateful heart. Likewise, I can remember God’s faithfulness through them all.

So here’s the winter, at least temporarily, because I don’t want to miss what God has for me in each season on the calendar and in life.

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I’ve got a new installment of Hospitality Matters coming out to my email friends next week. Be sure you’re signed up so you can be included with this seasonal series. Plus all subscribers get a FREE guide to serving your community with your family.

And while you’re clicking around, make sure you enter to win a copy of the beautiful, encouraging (in)courage Devotional Bible.

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#PorchStories Party

Stories from the Porch in August

August 29, 2018 by Kristin 16 Comments

Oh, August, you were fun and full – like most of this year has been! You felt like summer with a splash of fall before hot, humid days returned. You brought routine back to our lives but let us keep on swimming.

Highlights

We spent our anniversary weekend at the beginning of the month with friends in St. Louis. It was a fun time that included a delicious Italian meal at Charlie Gitto’s on the Hill, a day riding roller coasters (and other rides) at Six Flags, and lunch and soda from Fitz’s.

Before school started, we spent an afternoon at Venture River Water Park and hosted long-time friends from southern Indiana who we hadn’t seen in too long.

My big kids went back to the school we love as a sixth-grader and third-grader and Rachel started Mother’s Day Out a couple days a week. She loves school so much she doesn’t want to leave when I get there to pick her up!

Lastly, Cate wiggled out her last baby tooth during an orthodontist appointment last week and I successfully dealt with NONE OF HER BABY TEETH. I felt like we reached a milestone! One of my mom goals is to let the children handle their own wiggly teeth. So that’s 20 teeth from one kid and another 8 from the middle boy down and out … and only 32 more to go.

Favorite things

Hospitality Matters series – I’ve loved working on this email series to encourage you to open your heart, your home, and your life – regardless of what season you’re in. Expect two emails each calendar season with devotionals and practical tips. (So be sure you subscribe, if you don’t already!)

Teva sandals – I’d been debating getting some Chacos and tried them on a couple of times in stores. But then I found these and haven’t regretted it. I bought them at the very end of July and have worn them almost every day since.

From the bookshelf

After a season of not reading many non-fiction books, there are several I’ve been looking forward to that I’ve been reading.

“The Eternal Current: How a Practice-Based Faith Can Save Us From Drowning” by Aaron Niequist – I really liked much of this book. It’s a practical guide to living out your faith and finding freedom in experiencing God is different ways. There were a few theological red flags that distracted me and the way the analogy of a river almost replaced God himself became repetitive. Sections of this book struck me deeply and encouraged me in what is happening in my own life and community.

“The Ministry of Ordinary Places: Waking Up to God’s Goodness Around You” by Shannan Martin – I’ve been excited for Shannan’s next book since I finished her first, “Falling Free: Rescued from the Life I Always Wanted.” And then she went and wrote on a favorite topic of mine. I’m grateful to be on the launch team for this one. I’ll be sharing a full review soon, but this book spoke so much truth into my life and encouraged me exactly where I am.

“It’s All Under Control: A Journey of Letting Go, Hanging On, and Finding a Peace You Almost Forgot Was Possible” by Jennifer Dukes Lee – This other favorite author of mine has this new book coming out next month. I joined her launch team as soon as I heard about it because this is a message God is always teaching me. Her words are what I need to hear deep in my soul.

“White Picket Fences: Turning toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege” by Amy Julia Becker – I loved her “Small Talk: Learning From My Children About What Matters Most,” so I’m also excited to be on this launch team. I’m just beginning this book, which releases Oct. 2, but I have no doubt it’s going to make me think.

“Fearless Faith: 100 Devotions for Girls” by Melanie Shankle – This book is for girls about 8-16 years old. It’s lovely – inside and out. My sixth-grade girl is currently reading through it and I’m excited to hear more about what she thinks of it, see what she journals, and talk to her about fearless faith. Plus Melanie Shankle created a fun playlist we’ve been listening to around here.

Speaking of my oldest, Cate also read the whole Harry Potter series in July and August. She shared a review about her new favorite series on the blog earlier this month. Ben also reviewed a joke book, if you’re looking for some new joke fodder like we always are!

On the screen

I’m ready for some fall TV to start! I’m especially looking forward to watching more “The Voice” and “Survivor” with my oldest.

For now, it’s still been “Hawaii Five-0” and “Suits.” I recently started the fifth season of “Suit” after a particularly entertaining fourth season.

How’s your August been? Tell me a story from your month.

{Tweet that.}

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