Now that spring is officially here, it’s crazy to think I was sad that winter was over.
Spring is my favorite season, and every March I’m reminded why. It makes me feel young again. The grass is turning green, the lattes are now iced, the car windows are down, the birds are singing…there is freshness in the air! Spring is a reminder that barren things come to life again. Things won’t always be dark, cold, bleak. As I say, “After winter, spring always comes.” It’s a beautiful gift of new life that we get to receive year after year. There was so much to love this month, but the weather was definitely one of the main characters.
✿What I Loved This Month
Walking with my husband was the top of my list. Now that all our kids can stay home alone together, our favorite thing is walking around the neighborhood at the end of the day. Sometimes we even walk hand in hand. It’s just the best to have time away from devices, calendars, and the constant pull of everything else.
My other favorite thing is evening walks that include the girls. Our younger girls got these electric scooters from Santa this Christmas, and while they have loved riding up and down the street after school, we’ve started taking them farther. We’ll make a big loop and stop to see friends on the weekend, or scooter/walk to the park and back on a weeknight. It’s been incredible.
I am embarrassed to admit how much TV I consumed in March. Mostly from spring break week, or a few weekend days here and there, where my body was just done, and I finally listened instead of pushing through.
There were a few I really enjoyed:
Ripple on Netflix - this is one that Netflix kept saying “you would love”, and I did. It was a slower show about the “ripple” effects we have on others, and how there’s always so much more going on than we can see with our eyes. I enjoyed it.
The Hunting Party on Netflix (season 1) - ok, this was a little creepy, and I got to the point where I can’t watch it at night - but for some reason I keep watching. I binged season 1 on Netflix, then realized they are in the middle of season 2 on NBC, so I’ve started that. If you are into Law + Order/Criminal Minds, then you’d probably like it.
The Age of Attraction on Netflix - This was mostly a fun spring break watch with my hubby. I am a sucker for dating shows, and this one was a new take on them. “Does age matter?”. I will say the ending was kinda anticlimactic. I loved the first few episodes while they were on the “retreat” in Canada.
Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu - I really don’t want to say this is my “guilty pleasure,” but it is. It’s total trash. I really should stop….
Virgin River on Netflix - I have loved this show for all seven seasons. (I still have a few episodes left of season 7). It’s the slow-burning small-town show that makes you want to live in a small town where everyone knows your name. I also love that they weave in real-life issues with women (postpartum, endometriosis, infertility, adoption, etc.)
✿ What March Taught Me
Starting the day in prayer, worship, and God’s Word is the only way for me. I can feel the difference in my patience, my thoughts, and the way I show up for my family. I’ve been in and out of seasons where this is more of a habit, and I’m so glad I’m back into it. When I miss a day (because of course I do), I just pick it back up. No shame. There are a few tools I’ve found in this season I’d love to share:
The Bible Recap - yes, I’m finally going through the Bible in a Year! I started the year mostly listening to this on the Dwell app: both the scriptures and the recap. But I love reading the scriptures in my She Reads Truth Bible, and then reading the Bible Recap book . If there’s a day I can do both, that’s ideal, but that doesn’t always happen.
This song has been my JAM lately. I’ve listened to it at least once a day. It gets me in the zone and reminds me who I am in Christ.
The Worship Initiative is another really cool resource that I learned about through various friends. Every weekday, they do a short devo/prayer/worship song together. I don’t listen every day, but when I do, I am always blessed. You enter your phone number, and they text you a reminder every day, which I appreciate.
Paying attention to the “little moments” of life brings such gratitude for what we have! I think it’s easy to look at what others have, or what season are friends are in and compare. But there’s something beautiful that happens when we chose to love our own life. The walks, the conversations, the ordinary evenings—these are the things that quietly become the life we love. (more to come)
I read this book over spring break, and I loved it so much. You know how you remember where you were when you read specific books? That’s how this is. I finished it on the porch at the ranch during a rainstorm with tears in my eyes. I don’t know much about soccer, but I am a sister and an eldest daughter, and the themes of these relationships were the focus of the book. I won’t spoil it for you, but the last chapter just brought it all home to what really matters in this life, and I was so happy.
I will read any and every book Jennie publishes, and this one came at just the right time for me. I listened to the preview (3 min) on a walk, and it got me thinking, so I knew I had to listen to the whole thing. I know I’ll go back and listen again, and I really want my teenage daughter to listen to it, too. I’ve brought up so many of the things Jennie talked about in conversation with friends. It brought me back to what my freedom in Christ is truly to me! What I’m freed from, and what I’m free to do and be. Really loved this one.
I don’t rate memoirs, but man, I really devoured this one. I listened to it, which is always my preference when reading a memoir that’s read by the author. I didn’t know anything about Belle Burden before, but you don’t have to. The way she told this really raw story (though really heartbreaking) really inspired me. She was so honest, so real, and unashamed, I would say. It stirred in me an even deeper desire to continue sharing parts of my story that would resonate with others. I recommend!
This book kept me engaged & guessing the entire time. I love a good thriller! I found myself reaching for my Kindle in every spare moment I had over the past 2 days to read!
✿I enjoyed these books, but they weren’t my favorite.
This book.....well I will say it was honestly sort of depressing. It took me a lot longer to read than a typical book. I didn’t want to pick it up, but I was invested in the story enough to want to finish it. I will say the last 2-3 chapters did make me like it more. It was a deeply moving story about family and belonging. Just wasn’t my fave .
This was a “skip the line” audio on Libby, and was a good weekend listen. Honestly, since I listened as I was falling asleep/waking up, I’m sure I missed about 20%…..but it was an interesting story. Somewhat of a mystery in the sense that you didn’t know who did what, but the setting was not really set up for a typical thriller book. It was set around influencers (most likely Mormon). I would give it a 3 star.
This is our book club pick for April, and I’ve learned that I can’t start reading the book more than two weeks in advance, or I will forget what I wanted to say. LOL. So far, most of our book club has not particularly enjoyed this, but only time will tell for me. I’m about to start it….
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I’d love to hear some notes about your month: what did you love? What did you read? What’s on your heart? You can hit reply or leave a comment—I read every one.
Until next time, happy April!
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I love reading your updates. I don't know how else to describe it but it resets my nervous system and my priorities and reminds me what matters most in one post. Thanks for being you and sharing this with the world. It matters and I am grateful!
I love reading your updates. I don't know how else to describe it but it resets my nervous system and my priorities and reminds me what matters most in one post. Thanks for being you and sharing this with the world. It matters and I am grateful!