Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Gather the Memories :: Reflections of a Snow Day

March 6, 2015 by Kristin Leave a Comment


I’m joining the #FiveMinuteFriday community today. Kate Motaung gives a prompt and people write for five minutes. Just five minutes. 

This week :: GATHER 


Somehow we are still excited about the snow. Even after the last snow a few weeks ago hung around for 12 days and closed school for a week, we still were excited when we woke up Thursday morning to nearly a foot of snow.

A foot.

We live in Kentucky, where I’m happy to say winters are usually mild. Even with 95 degrees and all the humidity possible, I’m a summer girl at heart.

But I’ve loved these snow days. I almost feel bad about generally thinking I don’t like snow. I may not love it. And I’m certainly not driving in it. Yet the snow has been beautiful and forced us to slow down.

We gathered. We gathered with each other. We gathered memories.

My girl has gotten some much-needed sleep after some trouble falling asleep in recent nights.

My kids explored outside. They laughed and jumped and went sledding with neighbors and played. Inside, there were LEGOs and Mario Kart.

The kids drank hot chocolate and we lunched on our new favorite pizza quesadillas.

I scrapbooked and watched more “Gilmore Girls.” I tended to some lake house management business. I texted with some friends and talked to my mom.

My husband shoveled our driveway so we could be Nashville bound to watch our Murray State Racers later today. He worked some and played some.

God’s been reminding me he’s the artist, creating the snow-laden views and orchestrating the moments that make up life. He’s encouraging me to choose joy as I gather these memories. {Tweet that.}

________________

After I wrote this post, my TimeHop app showed me a post from last year, on this exact day. It’s the same sentiment. Rather than think about the redundancy, I’m choosing to see how God truly orchestrates time and cares for our souls. 

Other snow-day related posts :: How Snow Days Free Us. Make Memories Now. Family Game Nights for the Win. 

I’m linking up with Kate Motaung and the #FMF crew. When I was laying on the couch last night scrolling through Twitter and saw the “Gather” prompt, I knew I had to write because it’s one of my favorite words. 

Want more insights? “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family” is available on Amazon. Like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, peek into my life on Instagram, follow 152 Insights at Bloglovin’, or 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 a link 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, Five Minute Friday, JOY, weather

Comments

  1. Beth says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:49 pm

    Friend, you are so living out that word JOY of yours this year. It's a beautiful thing to witness. I just adore you!!! xoxo

    Reply
  2. Jennifer says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:52 pm

    So cool that you have snow! Our kids are so jealous of those snow pics! We don't have snow in FL nor will we. We used to have KS snow. They miss that. I don't really. I hate being cold, but the snow fun is fun! I am glad you're enjoying it and having fun inside and out! I love your pics too! 🙂 FMF sister, Jenn

    Reply
  3. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:54 pm

    Thanks, Jenn! It's fun for the short time but I wouldn't want to live somewhere it was like this all winter!

    Reply
  4. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:55 pm

    God's really doing something in my heart. (You told me he would when I chose JOY this year!) Days like this used to stress me out because everything was a mess. Now these days are so fun. Love you, Beth!

    Reply
  5. Helen says

    March 6, 2015 at 1:59 pm

    Love your post….love the way you write about God as artist….thanks for your post {An FMF friend}

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2015 at 2:02 pm

    Thanks, Helen! I appreciate you stopping by!

    Reply
  7. Susan says

    March 6, 2015 at 4:38 pm

    We dodged our big snow and frozen temps by gathering ourselves into our car and going to sunny Florida; however, I remember the blizzard of 93 with almost 3 feet of snow – we were forced to stop and just live every moment. Truly, one of my favorite memories. Enjoy these gatherings Kristin! Over from FMF today.

    Reply
  8. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 6, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    I have a friend that took off to Florida before this storm because she knew school was going to be out for a few days! Thanks for your comment, Susan! Happy weekend!

    Reply
  9. Tara Ulrich says

    March 6, 2015 at 4:45 pm

    Living in ND I've had my fair share of snow days but they really can be good for the soul. It is good to gather those memories isn't it? I just finished gathering my 2014 photos into a year in review ShutterFly book.

    Reply
  10. Ma Backes says

    March 6, 2015 at 7:20 pm

    I can relate. After spending my childhood in the Midwest I am a total summer girl. Never mind that I live in Dallas now and summers can be HOT. I will take it. Oh how I want to hold each of the memories with my girls. Never letting go of the feel of their hands and the smell of their hair. They are promises from God in flesh.

    Reply
  11. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 8, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Thanks for your sweet comment, Tiffany! Glad to see you here.

    Reply
  12. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 8, 2015 at 7:44 pm

    Snow paint … that's a good idea! Thanks for your comment, Laura!

    Reply
  13. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 8, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    I like Dallas! "They are promises from God in flesh." —> YES! I love that!

    Reply
  14. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 8, 2015 at 7:45 pm

    I just finished scrapbooking 2013 – it's so fun to physically gather those memories and then look back on what we did and where we were. I also love Shutterfly books – such a fun way to document life.

    Reply
  15. Mindy Whipple says

    March 9, 2015 at 5:21 pm

    Choosing joy – such a powerful act. You see beauty in the snow. God sees beauty in you.

    Reply
  16. KristinHillTaylor says

    March 9, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Thanks, Mindy, for your sweet comment. Glad to see you here. xoxo

    Reply

Leave a Reply 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 ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten 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

  • Books of 2022 … so far
  • Helping adopted teens belong
  • Laundry talk
  • Brave Ben & his broken heel
  • Fifteen

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

We are having fun — and some forced sibling love We are having fun — and some forced sibling love — at @wildernessresort in Wisconsin Dells. We’ve played at four water parks here since we arrived yesterday afternoon. 💦

#WildernessWI #WeAreFamily #WildernessResort #roadtrip #88daysofsummer #TeamTaylor #reallife #wisconsin #wisconsindells
Nothing like starting a road trip by finishing an Nothing like starting a road trip by finishing an @elinhilderbrand book. I’d held off reading “Winter in Paradise” because the premise that a father’s death exposes his secret life hits way too close to home. But, really, fiction books can be therapeutic. 

I appreciated the raw emotions of a wife, two brothers, and others learning of tragedy and processing the ripples of that moment. Of course, who doesn’t love a story set in the U.S. Virgin Islands? AND it’s this the first in a three-book series, and I’ve got the next two ready to go on my Kindle. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #roadtrip
My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And ki My kids had a yearbook signing party today. And kids today don’t know how to sign yearbooks. Cate, my rising sophomore, says it’s because they have phones to take photos and text each other. She’s probably right. 

But the whole conversation and experience took me down memory lane. So much so, I got these yearbooks from my high school days off my bookshelf and read notes. Admittedly, I can’t remember a few people who proclaimed what a great friend I was and I never called some people who wanted to KIT — that’s Keep In Touch, kids — and left their phone numbers (and pager number in one instance!)! 🤣 

I also proceeded to text the three friends (well, really, five, because two girls married two guy friends of mine) with whom I do actually KIT. I have their numbers saved in my iPhone, thankfully. We have made grown-up memories together. We message and try to see each other. My husband knows their maiden names. 

Truly, how has it been 25 years since I graduated from Oldham County High School? I’m sitting on the porch now, rememebering how faithful God has been and thinking about how high school seems like a lifetime ago but also like yesterday. 💙

HAGS, everybody! 

#memorylane #highschool #livingfaithfully #yearbooks #choosingJOY #reallife
Cat nap! 💕 #catsofinstagram #thirdchild #napt Cat nap! 💕 

#catsofinstagram #thirdchild #naptimeshenanigans #PorchStories #reallife #88daysofsummer #summerisbest
A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domesti A weekend mostly at home meant I read this domestic thriller. I’ve always seen @diane.chamberlain.author’s books, but this was the first one I read. I’ve already downloaded others to my Kindle. 

Living with a secret is all Eve Elliot knows. Her life unravels when she confesses to what she knows and there are ripple effects for her husband and two daughters. I thought I had it all figured out and then there was another surprise right at the end! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #booklover #weekending
Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️ Little fish 🐠 big pool 💦 happy place ☀️

#poolpeople #thirdchild #88daysofsummer #choosingJOY #PorchStories #weekending #momlife
Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honest Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honestly, it’s hard to believe two-plus years later, and COVID is still interrupting all kinds of things. I know it’s a privilege to travel, but there’s still disappointment. Regardless, we can’t board a cruise ship in Canada on Monday to go to Alaska when my boy tested positive for COVID last night. (Yes, twice. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

But the real point of this post: we are regrouping and going to Wisconsin Dells next week. I’m excited to see somewhere new, even if it’s not what I’d been planning. Let’s be honest, the logistics to get to the cruise were already a lot, so maybe this closer-to-home trip is meant to be right now. 

Anyway, who has been to Wisconsin Dells area? We found a condo and have a list of things going, but I’m accepting all entertainment and restaurant recommendations.

#wisconsindells #reallife #covid_19 #covid #momlife #88daysofsummer #summervacation
I don’t really want to get into an abortion deba I don’t really want to get into an abortion debate here, but I will always champion the unborn, advocate for life, and support mothers and families. When I say “choose life,” I mean in and out of the womb. Choosing life begins with not having an abortion, but it continues to advocating for adoption, foster care, support for moms in lots of different situations. 

Western Kentucky is blessed with resources that do this, including @lifehousemurray in Murray and @_hopecenter in Mayfield. Those are great places to send your money and diapers, recommend to moms expecting or raising little ones, and keep in your prayers. 

If you know someone fostering, we have Partners In Care Foster Closet that offers clothes and supplies to western Kentucky foster families. No strings attached. 

I will forever be an open book about adoption, so I’ll be happy to talk about that with anyone who desires to know more. I even wrote a book about our adoption stories: bit.ly/PeaceInTheProcess #linkinbio 

My three kids have life because three women chose it for them. Those decisions changed my life for the better, and that’s only one piece of a much bigger story. 

#prolife #chooselife #adoptionislove #momlife #authorlife #livingfaithfully #PeaceInTheProcess #reallife #unplannedpregnancy #adoption #family #sisters #siblinglove #currentevents #roevwade #lifematters
Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I've read 40 books. That pace is well beyond my usual number for the year. Last year I read 62 total. I don't join challenges, plan what I'm going to read next, or even have a goal. But I still love keeping track. 

Some things to know about my reading habits: I like actual books, but I've been reading often on my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. I introduced audiobooks into my life this year and especially enjoyed some memoirs while I was driving around while the kids were in school. I will quit books if I can't get into them, and I've done that a few times this year. I almost always have a book (or books, hello, Kindle) with me, you know, just in case I happen upon some time to read. Here are some other tips for making time for books and reading more.

Today #ontheblog I'm sharing the list of the 40 books I've read so far this year. #linkinbio What else do I need to read this year?

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #librarybooks #bloggerlife #amreading #favoritethings #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM