January Notes

a few January things—slow days, good books, and settling back in

January felt like both the longest month ever and the one I didn’t want to end. That might not be a popular opinion, but I have learned to love this winter month after the holidays. I love wearing my sweats, cozy socks, and crewnecks nonstop. I love snuggling up with my heated blanket and a good book (and a kid or two). I love sitting by the fire, getting in bed early, and breathing in that cold (Texas) air. January is a good reset from the chaos of the holidays and a pause before the back-to-back-to-back birthdays for our three big kids. It’s an exhale.

This is my first “catch-up” post for 2026, and it will look a little different from last year. I’m excited about some changes, though! Welcome!

A Few Life Notes

When I look back at photos from the month (I do this every month as part of my monthly rhythm - I make a monthbook on Chatbooks), I sense a theme. There were a lot of playdates with friends, meals prepped and made, school done at Starbucks, time chatting on the Tin Can, basketball games, family birthday parties, reading, organizing and decluttering, home projects, and an overnight getaway.

It was a really sweet, solid month. We also had the flu, which was no fun, but along with sickness comes rest and respite. I have one million photos of all the “before” and “during” of our home refresh project that will have to be a whole other post. (!!!!) The photo of my 8-year-old and her bestie at Dillards is a nostalgic image if I’ve ever seen one. I swear that store hasn’t changed since I was buying shoes and dresses there with my mom when I was their age. I am just really grateful for this season with my family.

I’ll tell you more about our getaway later this week, when I publish my next installment of the Family Binder: vision, planning, and prayer.

What I Loved This Month

I saw Melanie share this Old Navy sweater on her Fashion Friday, and when I was in the store to make some returns, I had to have it. When I get something new that I really love, I wear it all the time, and this outfit has become my “uniform”.

I am loving the “scheduled text” feature on my iPhone. Sometimes there are texts I need to send or things to get off my mental list, but I’m not ready in that moment to engage in a convo. Let’s say it’s 9:30 pm and I’m in the bath, and I want to ask a friend for help with a design decision (real life), but I know she’s asleep and I’m about to go to bed. I will write it and schedule it for the next morning, after my girls are in school, when I know I’ll have a little more margin. It’s been my new best friend.

I’m loving my new Ember mug that I got for Christmas. Honestly, every year my husband gives me some sort of “tech” gift that I’ve admired for years but never even thought to ask for. He knows me so well. As a homeschool mom, I’m always reheating my coffee and taking it from room to room. I underestimated how much I’d appreciate a hot cup of coffee I don’t have to reheat would bless my soul.

Speaking of gifts, I also got the Omnilux red light mask. Again, I’ve admired it but never even dreamed of asking for one. It’s become such a relaxing part of my evening wind-down, especially because my eyes are so sensitive. I really can’t do anything but lie down and close my eyes for 10 minutes. Who knows if it’s working yet (??), but it feels good.

While I lay down to do my skincare, I’ve been listening to the Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble on the Dwell app. For YEARS I’ve wanted to commit to reading the Bible in a year, but I’ve never had the guts to try it. But after texting with a bestie over the break, we both decided to go for it. Being able to listen on the app and have it go straight into the commentary is such an easy button!

Another bright spot in my days has been my almost daily morning Marco Polo with my good friend Wendy. We have very similar communication styles, and having a little touch point with a friend is something I

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Books You Should Read!

In order of my favorites 🤍

I read 11 books this month, and they were not all created equal. I read a good bit that I LOVED, a few that were eh, and, of course, some that I enjoyed but didn’t give 4/5 stars. I thought I’d start with the books I think you’d like to read!

Heart the Lover by Lily King- ★★★★★

This was our book club pick for January, and I. LOVED. IT. It was a little more literary It was a little more literary than I’m used to, and to be honest, it took me about 30% of the book to really get into it. Well, not to get into it, but to understand what it was about. It was a little over my head at first, but I’m so glad I was part of the story. It honestly felt like being part of it, not just reading it. I was sucked into the relationships, the history, the friendships. It made for a great discussion at book club.

Writers and Lovers by Lily King - ★★★★½

Before I read Heart the Lover, Before I read Heart the Lover, I read her earlier novel, Writers and Lovers, about the same characters. Half of our book club read this one first, and half didn’t, which led to some confusion as we discussed the MC’s timeline. This book was similar in that it was very literary, went over my head at first, and then I really enjoyed the story. Some people read Heart the Lover first, but I enjoyed reading Writers and Lovers first. They can also be stand-alone books, but I just love learning about more of Casey’s story.

Long Bright River by Liz Moore - ★★★★

Our book club LOVED God of the Woods, by the same author, so I wanted to give this one a try. It was very well written about a tough subject. I both read it on my Kindle and listened to a lot of it on one of the days I was home with the flu. I hate to say it, but it will always remind me of when I had the flu; it was a tough book, but it did have redemption. An intriguing look into a world that I don’t know much about.

• Don’t Let Him In by Lisa Jewell - ★★★★

• Midnight in Park City ★★★★

I love love loved this Christmas series!!! This was book 4, and it didn’t come out until the day after Christmas - or I would have read it in 2025. By that time, I was already knee deep in the “Winter Street” series by Elin Hilderbrand, and didn’t want to confuse myself. These two authors have put out two back-to-back, family-friendly/Hallmark-like Christmas series, and I am here for it!

• A Killing Cold by Kate Alice Marshall ★★★★

This one was not really my normal vibe per se, but I was intrigued and also love reading for the season (winter). It did keep me on my toes and kept me guessing. I listened to most of it on our trek back from Colorado, and it kept me company while I unpacked and put all our winter vaca things away. (Isn’t it funny how I remember where I was/what I was doing when I read?) (Do you do this too?)

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I enjoyed these books, but they weren’t my favorite.

• The Ghostwriter by Julie Clark ★★★½

This was a really interesting one (and I obviously love reading about writers lol) but I think I took stars off because I’ve come to expect more of a thriller from Julie Clark, and this was a slower burn. It kept me engaged, but didn’t keep me up late reading if you know what I mean.

• The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Volume 1 ★★★

Have you heard people talk about this period drama series? I got Volume 1 on Libby audio, and enjoyed it fine but wasn’t head over heels. I really want to give this series a solid try, so I will move onto Volume 2!

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There are always a few books I read that I don’t know if I want to tell you about them lol.

• Woman Down by Colleen Hoover ★★★

I’m a long-time CoHo fan (it’s what got me back into fiction), and I wasn’t sure about this one. I started it “just to see” and then honestly didn’t want to keep reading, but I did. The writing was gripping, but I just hated the subject matter (infidelity). It was also a lot spicier than I prefer.

• Good Time Girl by Heather Gay

I love a good memoir, and I loved Heather's first memoir (Bad Mormon), but I’m not sure she needed a second one so soon. It made me a little uncomfortable to read some of it. I got it free on Libby and listened to the audio.

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Here’s to slow months, good books, and noticing what’s right in front of us. January, you were kind.

One of my favorite parts of these monthly posts is remembering that we’re doing life together—reading alongside one another, loving similar things, noticing small joys in very different homes.

So tell me: what are you reading right now? What are you loving? What’s quietly changing your days this month?

I love hearing, always.

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