Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Seven Things About This Season Called Summer

June 12, 2015 by Kristin Leave a Comment

God’s been teaching me about seasons. I’ve been thinking about the natural ones, the ones associated with weather, and I’m learning to embrace them all. Summer’s still my favorite. But without winter, I may not love summer as much. I also love the anticipation of the new season coming – admitting that is coming along way from avoiding change like I’ve been known to do.

And there are life’s seasons – the ones when the kids grow up before my eyes, the ones with friends, the ones in marriage, the ones with my hobbies and dreams, the ones for which we prepare, and the ones that surprise us.

I wanted to document a little bit about this season in our lives – the one happening as we settle into summer and the one that involves having an 8-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy.

1. This is my ninth summer as a mom – and the first one during which nobody naps and nobody needs a Puddle Jumper at the pool. I’m still getting used to both.

2. This is my sixth summer with two kids. For the first time, they’re on completely different schedules. Ben still goes to bed in the 7 o’clock hour most nights and is up around 6 a.m. (And, yes, even if he stays up later, he’s still usually up at 6 a.m. I don’t understand.) Meanwhile, Cate has been staying up later and sleeping later – like 10 p.m. to 8:30 a.m.

3. My kids aren’t doing all the fun and good camps offered around here – Robotics Camp, Basketball Camp, Young Authors Camp. It started out as a scheduling thing, and then our schedule changed. But I was still glad we weren’t committed to much like that. Cate is taking horse riding lessons – like one every three weeks – and will go to a two-night, three-day church camp later this month.

4. We haven’t gone yet, but I know our upcoming mission trip to Guatemala will mark this summer. I don’t know what God is going to do there, but I know I will want to remember it.

5. We have much going on in our personal lives. I’m building a relationship with our baby’s birth mom. We closed (yesterday!) on a new-to-use lake house. Kentucky Lake quiets my soul and we love spending time there with our friends. Greg’s been busy at work, which has been a blessing for our family but also kept his calendar filled.

6. I’ve shared our adoption story and that part of my faith journey with two groups already this month. Neither speaking opportunity looked like I expected, but I know God showed up at both the women’s conference and the Methodist women’s group. (Some of those sweet ladies even gifted me my first-ever money as a speaker.)

7. The pool is our happy place. My kids are like fish. I like seeing them play games with each other, make new friends, connect with friends we may not see other places, embrace adventure, and not ask to watch or play any kind of screen – all of which happens at the pool.

I may say I’m taking them to the pool, but it’s for me too. I grew up swimming nearly every summer day as a kid and was a lifeguard the summer I was 16. I like talking with my friends, reading fiction books, and getting in the water with my kids – all of which happens around the pool too.

What’s your season of summer look like?

_____________________

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.”

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Filed Under: adoption, Ben, Cate, Greg, life, motherhood, seasons, summer

Comments

  1. Beth says

    June 12, 2015 at 2:38 pm

    You know how much I love the way you document life for you and your family. Your blog here will be something you all treasure for years to come. Love it! Wishing you all a joy-filled summer. You've got some exciting things happening. Love you much. xoxo

    Reply
  2. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 12, 2015 at 2:40 pm

    And I love the way you encourage me in life – regardless of what's happening. I'm so grateful to be connected to you. Love you back!

    Reply
  3. Amanda Conquers says

    June 12, 2015 at 6:55 pm

    I love this post and I am excited for all that summer will bring you. Guatemala! So looking forward to hearing about your adventure there and what God does in you and thru you all… and this season of this new baby growing in your heart.

    Reply
  4. Shelley Street Byrne says

    June 12, 2015 at 7:00 pm

    It sounds like a lovely summer. This seems to be the summer where Drew is becoming more independent and where Drew and I are doing more on our own without Paul, since he now works afternoons/evenings as a CNA at a nursing home. In other summers Drew stayed by my or Paul's side, whatever we were doing. Now he and Herbie (dog) go out to play in the yard, and I look out the windows from time to time (or he runs in to show me a bug, a flower he picked, etc.) but I don't have to be standing right beside him. He just finished a week of Vacation Bible School, and he LOVED it. Paul volunteered in the cafeteria and some in the classroom so he could be right there if Drew wanted him, but Drew made friends on his own. He's never had speech that was understandable enough to strangers for him to do that before. Paul's new schedule means he can take Drew to participate in morning activities, too, which he has never been able to do before. He is taking him to swimming lessons for the next two weeks, and Drew also got to have a day at space camp because it fit Paul's schedule. Paul won't have any vacation time at all until he has been with the company a full 365 days, so we put our vacation savings into building a patio this year, and I'm finding myself enjoying more time outdoors, watching birds, tending my little herb garden and watching Drew and Herbie in their little plastic pool. With Paul only having every third weekend off, we guard that family time jealously and appreciate it that much more. Thanks for sharing about your family and your summer plans!

    Reply
  5. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 12, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Sounds lovely, Shelley! I loved the summer my kids could first play outside by themselves. There is so much freedom in the independence – both for mom AND for the kids. I'm glad Drew is enjoying life right now. Happy summer! 🙂

    Reply
  6. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 12, 2015 at 8:31 pm

    Thanks, Amanda! Exciting times, for sure!

    Reply
  7. Laura says

    June 13, 2015 at 12:25 am

    Thank you for giving me a little glimpse into your life, Kristin. You have a beautiful family. I am really looking forward to hearing about your trip to Guatemala…I hope you will share about your time there when you return! 🙂 Enjoy this season!

    Reply
  8. Ginger Harrington says

    June 13, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    So many things I love about summer! Days at the beach when we're on vacation tops my list.

    Reply
  9. Mindy Whipple says

    June 14, 2015 at 9:40 pm

    So true how each season has purpose in our lives. Hope your summer is a great one.

    Reply
  10. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 15, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Thank you, Laura! I certainly will share – I'm sure I'll come home with many stories to tell.

    Reply
  11. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 15, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    I love the beach too! Hope you have a great summer, Ginger!

    Reply
  12. KristinHillTaylor says

    June 15, 2015 at 3:06 pm

    Yours too, Mindy!

    Reply

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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.

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I drive the same routes over and over. I know wher I drive the same routes over and over. I know where I am likely to see deer — even if I have to look closely. God sure did camouflage these creatures for this time of the year when trees are bare. 

I think about how everyone is going through some things. We are journey through lives, our paths crossing as we navigate circumstances and feelings people can’t always see. But we should know they’re there. 

Maybe we are waiting to fall in love or have a baby or get a new job. Maybe we are in the midst of grief from a friendship falling apart or a business decision providing in ways we never expected. Maybe decisions are haunting us or stumping us. Maybe we are anxious about the future or facing our past. Maybe we aren’t sure what’s next. 

There’s a million little and big things we face that not everyone we meet can see. The situations and emotions are camouflaged while we survive daily tasks, caring for our people, and figuring out how to adjust once again to whatever life throws our way. 

I don’t know what you’re facing, but I am certain you’re not alone. Your story won’t be camouflaged forever. The seasons change. New life comes. The deer usually travel together through the woods along my routes, and I’m convinced our lives are best when we journey together too. 

#countryliving #bettertogether #livingfaithfully #PorchStories #lessonsfromnature
Romantic comedies have fit my mood lately. I reall Romantic comedies have fit my mood lately. I really enjoyed this story and the characters’ history being woven into their current circumstances. I did have to skim some sex scenes that didn’t add much to the story for me. #amreading #romcombooks #bookstagram
I’ve loved Cate’s school experience at @ncca.l I’ve loved Cate’s school experience at @ncca.lions, a small but growing classical, Christian school. I knew there were both advantages and sacrifices of keeping her in a small class for middle school and agonized over possibly moving her to a bigger school. I only considered moving her because I wasn’t sure what her classmates, some of who are freshman this year, were going to do for high school. But they stayed, and we stayed. Now she’s an eighth grader in a class of nine. 

A couple years ago, I prayed for more girls. God gave her class two. Sometimes people move on, and sometimes people move in. But this sweet class of eighth and ninth graders has been faithful — to each other, to our school, to an unknown future. They’re paving a way for the students behind them, including my other two kids. 

God has been kind to my momma heart and given me some assurances she is where she’s supposed to be. One of these provisions is a basketball team that has become competitive with the other teams we’ve gotten to play. It’s more than just some games, though. I’ve watched my 13-year-old daughter become more confident on the court and in life. I’m grateful for her friends and their shared love of this game. I’m thankful for where God has us. 

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At a basketball game Thursday night, Ben told me h At a basketball game Thursday night, Ben told me he had a loose tooth and was going to go to the bathroom to maybe pull it. He pulled it. That’s #14, and he’s dealt with every single one, just as his older sister did with all 20 of hers.

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I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it I was overdue for some TLC to my hair, so I got it trimmed and colored this week. You know it’s time when the stylist takes before and after pictures. My friend @whitneyrscott at @blushsalon always does a good job. 

In addition to the much-needed TLC, I also got bangs. After a few days, I can say I love them. The resident teenager at my home doesn’t like this — and she tells me daily. I tell her I don’t care whether she likes them because I do and it’s my hair. She also didn’t like the tennis shoes I bought a few weeks ago. Again, I do, so who cares. 

Anyway, it’s Friday! So let’s do some #fridayintroductions around here. Tell me three things you’re loving these days. I’ve already mostly told you mine: 

1️⃣ My bangs. I’ve included a picture of the fun waves that Whitney gave me at the salon and the more likely normal styling — by that I mean blow drying and some minor straightening to train the bangs. 
2️⃣ New tennis shoes, which are gray & purple Brooks Launch 7, if you’re curious. My nail color accidentally matches them. 
3️⃣ The teenager in my house. I’ve been giving her grief about her dislike of my fashion choices, but I really love being around her. Honestly, she’s the easiest kid in my house right now. 

✨ Bonus current love: Who can tell me what TV character inspired my hairdo? If you know, then that’s also the TV show I recently binged and am eagerly awaiting new episodes. 

So, what are you loving — even if nobody else in your life does? #momconfessions #reallife #reallifeconfessions #momlife #choosingJOY
It’s been a night of basketball! First, my girl’s middle school game. Now, our favorite college team. Turns out they’re both navy & gold so that’s good for wardrobe choices. 💛 #girlmom #momlife #RacerNation #WeAreRacers #MurrayState
“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.

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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
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