Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

{Behind the Scenes} A little quiet first

November 19, 2013 by Kristin Leave a Comment

We didn’t leave the house Saturday and it was lovely.

The kids played the Wii and stayed in their pajamas until well into the afternoon. Cate helped me wrap presents. Greg read the kids books. Greg and the kids raked up leaves. I scrapbooked and designed our annual Christmas letter {which may be my favorite yet!}. We ate lunch, watched some football, and cleaned up. Some friends came over for dinner and a couple games of Settlers of Catan that evening.

Y’all. We didn’t the leave the house. And I loved every minute. I even answered the door at one point near noon and my hair still looked like a tornado had blown through.

Saturday was the week before our calendar begins to be packed. First up is  Ben’s birthday weekend with family coming into town and friends come over for a party. Then it’s to Branson for Thanksgiving. Then back home and it’ll already be December. The all that it is Christmas around here begins: Parade. Jesus Birthday Party. Christmas with other attorneys. Huge Taylor Family Christmas Party. Christmas with Greg’s office. Christmas with friends. Christmas in Louisville. Christmas at home with just the four of us. Christmas with Greg’s cousins. A road trip to Dallas to celebrate Christmas some more and meet my new nephew.

And then it’ll be January. And a new year.

I seriously love this time of the year. I like the parties and music and food and gifts and spiritual conversations that happen. But I loved being at home for a whole entire Saturday before the holiday season gets underway around here. God knew I needed that time. Like seasons are good for our soul, so is the mixture of quiet and celebration.

One way I intentionally embrace this season is do the Christmas shopping I love to do in the months leading up to the end of the year. I buy things along the way as I see gifts that remind me of the people I want to give them to. It makes it easier for me to find meaningful gifts and to enjoy the hustle that comes with Christmas parties and events. Remember, we’re a family of extroverts, but, even so, there are only 24 hours in a day.

Speaking of buying gifts, DaySpring has some fabulous items on sale right now. Plus who doesn’t love shopping online, where gifts can be purchased while you’re sitting in PJs and then show up on your door step?!

Then go jump in the piles of leaves at least one more time …

Pretty please? Here’s to hoping you’re able to embrace this holiday season that isn’t too far from being upon us. We all have plenty to celebrate.

________

I’m linking up with Crystal Stine’s Behind the Scenes because these pictures of the kids playing in the leaves are a glimpse into our day spent entirely at home. For the record, it did start raining just as I asked the kids to pose for that last picture. 

Want more stories? Like 152 Insights on Facebook. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’. Subscribe to receive “Insights in Your Inbox.”

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: family, holiday, life

Comments

  1. Beth says

    November 19, 2013 at 11:28 pm

    While this feels like it will be a rough Christmas I know there are still many reasons to celebrate!! I love those all day at home days. That is what I'm doing this week…when not working I'm home and letting Him refresh my weary heart! I'm glad He gave you a full day at home! Blessings.

    Reply
  2. Mel says

    November 20, 2013 at 3:09 am

    Sounds wonderful…yay for a day at home! I try to give us (or at least me and Mae) a pajama day every week, usually Wednesdays. We don't leave the house, and it's wonderful. Sometimes we play outside…and then we have to get dressed, but at least we're home. 🙂

    Reply
  3. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 20, 2013 at 2:12 pm

    That's such a good idea, Mel! It's so freeing to say put sometimes. Hope you all are enjoying that kind of day today!

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    November 20, 2013 at 2:13 pm

    You have such a positive outlook that encourages me. You've been on my mind a lot with your husband's deployment. I was glad when I read this morning that you'd get a couple days together over Thanksgiving before he leaves. You're a blessing, friend!

    Reply

Leave a Reply to Mel Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Love Your Home Once Again
  • Creating Family Unity
  • Books of 2020
  • How to make time for books
  • The Advent of Hope

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

“The Chicken Sisters” by @kjda was a fun, quic “The Chicken Sisters” by @kjda was a fun, quick read this weekend. I added it to my to-read list recently and then saw it as a @bookofthemonth add-on.

I enjoyed the feuding sisters story unfolding while filming a realty show about their family’s feuding chicken restaurants in a small Kansas town. Of course, not everything is quite as it seems, so the reality show helps uncover some reality both sisters were missing.

#amreading #bookstagram #booklover #recommendedreads #thechickensisters #weekending
We needed to get out of the house today — even t We needed to get out of the house today — even though the sun barely peeked through the clouds into the cold air. #countryliving #weekending #choosingJOY #boymom #thirdchild
A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and t A week into Peggy’s recovery at our house, and these two have spent a lot of time together. Rachel encourages her and stays close. Peggy plays games and watches movies with Rachel.

Honestly, this #thirdchild of mine was probably my biggest concern with having Peggy recover from open heart surgery here: I didn’t want Rachel to hug too hard. I didn’t know if she’d understand that her Gran-Gran looks fine on the inside but hurts on the inside. She’s been booted from her room, but she’s been sleeping well on her mattress in the back living room. She’s actually probably not going to know what to do when Peggy moves back home.

For now, we’ll let them make memories together. That’s part of caretaking I hadn’t considered. #bettertogether #weekending #choosingJOY
I’ve been in a reading slump. I returned one lib I’ve been in a reading slump. I returned one library book I couldn’t get into and then couldn’t decide what to read next. So I went with this library book — and I’m glad I did.

“The Unhoneymooners” by @christinalauren is a funny romance novel that helped distract my mind from heavy thoughts. It also made me want to go to Maui. The dialogue is delightful, the story of quirky from the get-go, and I definitely found myself rooting for Ethan and Olive.

I also discovered by reading the acknowledgements (possibly my favorite thing about books!) that @christinalauren is the pen name for a writing duo. What fun to write novels with a friend! 

As always, I’m happy to accept your recommendations on what to read next. I may also be pondering what friend with whom to write my next book. 📚 #amreading #fiction #authorlife #bookstagram #bettertogether #romcombooks
My friend Delana called before she brought us dinn My friend Delana called before she brought us dinner yesterday and asked if we liked chocolate pie. Um, yes. Turns out both Peggy and I love chocolate pie. Delana gave us chocolate chips cookies too, you know, just in case we didn’t like pie.

My friends are loving on us so well this week with dinner & dessert, obviously. Yes, the food is good, but the way they saw a need and met it is even more gracious. (I wrote a book about gathering & nourishing your people!) Having someone provide dinner has freed up some mental space I’m able to use for taking care of Peggy and parenting my kids, some of whom have needed a little extra love and guidance this week. 

Peggy is nine days removed from open heart surgery with quadruple bypass and is doing well. She had a good check up with her primary care provider this morning. We’re thankful for our community of people who continue to pray for us, feed us, and provide help, like today’s impromptu preschool pickup when an appointment ran long. (Thanks, @katie_cunningham85 & @tstanger25!)

#bettertogether #momlife #reallife #morethangroceries #choosingJOY
We are all happy to feel some sunshine today! ☀️#thirdchild #catsofinstagram #winter #choosingJOY
Sweet @ashleelyoung brought us delicious dinner to Sweet @ashleelyoung brought us delicious dinner tonight and the dessert became a craft. I’m so thankful for the way our people love us. 💛 #bettertogether #reallife #choosingJOY
Today is National Milk Day, so Saputo, which has a Today is National Milk Day, so Saputo, which has a dairy plant here in Murray, donated chocolate milk for all the kids at @ncca.lions. This girl has never turned down chocolate milk and basically celebrates milk every day. #momlife #reallife #thirdchild #nationalmilkday #preschool
Honestly, I’ve been in a reading funk. I’ve qu Honestly, I’ve been in a reading funk. I’ve quit one book and started another today, so we’ll see how that goes. 

I did finish this one by @booksbyheather last week and enjoyed it. I loved the Southern setting, charm, and magic. And I loved how the characters untangled assumptions and expectations from their pasts to find where they belong.

What are you reading these days? #amreading #bookstagram #fiction #recommendedreads
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorite Places & Projects

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.