Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Christmas around here

December 16, 2015 by Kristin 1 Comment

We’re rejoicing there are five stockings hanging from our mantel. And the littlest is official. I would say officially a Taylor but her birth mom named her Rachel Elizabeth Taylor at birth so no name change is necessary.

(I admittedly gave my baby her Christmas present early because the evening it arrived in the mail she wanted to be included while her big brother and sister did their homework. This way she can see be upright taking it all in. And while confessing, I bought myself some initial bracelets from Jane.com the other day because the deal was fabulous. Yes, I’ve already worn them.)

We have a wild, crazy tree again. None of the heavy ornaments are hanging from the branches because I didn’t want them to fall and shatter. (I realize that picture above has no ornaments on the tree, but they’re there now. It took us another day to get them on and I apparently haven’t taken a picture yet!) Speaking of ornaments, we’ve gotten three new ones to celebrate Rachel’s adoption finalization – truly perfect gifts.

And there are some presents under the tree. We’re doing one main present and then stockings with the kids. And remember I told you my husband was hard to buy for? Well, I happened upon some really great items … and I’ve managed to keep the surprises. I’ve got a couple more small things to get for extended family and am waiting on a few things to arrive in the mail, but I’m basically finished.

(See, I don’t give everything early!)

We’ve had my husband’s office party and have upcoming gatherings with our best friends, Greg’s siblings and their families, and my family. We’re hoping to see a few friends when we are traveling. This week there are Christmas parties at school before the much-anticipated break from our routine.

Even though I’m generally not sleeping through the night yet, we’ve managed to keep some of our favorite traditions: We hosted our annual Jesus Birthday Party, picked out items from the Compassion International gift catalog, and sent out our Christmas letter that reviews the past year.

And what a past year it’s been!

I look at these stockings on our mantel – really the only place decorated other than that corner of the living room with the tree, for the record – and emotions well up in my heart. We are so grateful for what God has done in our family.

How are you celebrating Christmas this year?

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152 Insights to My Soul

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I’m joining @kristinhtaylor for #ThreeWordWednesday. Come gather with us! {Tweet that.} 

_____________________

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: holiday, life, motherhood, Three Word Wednesday

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  1. Traditions Build Strong Families: 50 Ways to Celebrate Christmas | Ginger Harrington says:
    December 1, 2016 at 2:47 pm

    […] Linking with these blogging communities: Inspire Me Monday, #RaRaLinkUp, Coffee for Your Heart, and #ThreeWordWednesday. […]

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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.

Learn more about my story here.

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