Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Six Things I Learned in May

May 31, 2017 by Kristin 18 Comments

Well, May, you were good to me. You were fast and fun, but you offered so many good moments that make me want to gather my people close. I feel like we’re in the thick of summer, thanks to a slower pace and less routine, but I want to pause and remember what May taught me.

In no particular order, here are Six Things I Learned in May …

1. Words really are my love language.

Greg gathered letters and cards from various friends (some he hasn’t even met!) for my birthday and put them together on a blessing board, which also included notes from him and big kids. I really loved it – like I loved having friends from all our circles of life at our wedding. That merging of memories and sweet encouragement fills me up so much.

2. Wyler’s Italian Ice popsicles are delicious.

I impulsively bought them at Sam’s last time I was there, and I’m glad I did because I want to eat them two at a time.

3. Having a pool in our yard is wonderful.

I mean, I didn’t need convincing this would be true, but now that we’ve been swimming in it for a few weeks I can say that with confidence. And we’ve still got the majority of summer to go!

4. Getting away for a good cause is worthwhile.

The annual conference Christian Alliance for Orphans hosted in Brentwood, TN earlier this month was good for my momma heart. I asked Greg to go with me and some Hope That Binds friends for my birthday because it was the two days after my birthday just two hours away. So we went, and I came home so encouraged by all the people and organizations who are investing in adoption, orphan care globally, and foster care. I took pages of notes and came home with ideas.

5. May really is my favorite.

Yes, May is crazy with the end-of-school programs and parties, but it’s also my birthday, my oldest’s birthday, Mother’s Day, the beginning of days that feel like summer, days are lighter longer, and when a break in the routine comes. Plus it ends with a holiday weekend.

With that, I also learned it’s okay to delay a birthday party two weeks after the actual birthdate. Cate wanted a pool party, so we waited two weeks after she officially turned 10 because we wanted warmer weather. It worked out well.

And all of that makes me very happy.

6. Porches don’t have to be perfect to welcome people.

The deck renovation project that began in April has continued well into May – and we’ve had a family baby shower, a birthday party, and an adoptive mom lunch. We’ve used a door we don’t usually use. We’ve had construction-related scraps and dirt piles.

And nobody has cared. I was reminded hospitality isn’t determined by the state of our house or porch or outfit but by the intention of our invitations.

{Have you joined my virtual porch community yet?}

Of course, I’ll be glad when the project is finished.

So, how was your May?

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...
  • 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: Porch Stories, Things I Learned Tagged With: community, food, seasons

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    May 31, 2017 at 7:35 am

    My May has been fast and furious like yours. I’m still a little dazed by it all, but we’re beginning June with a wedding, so how can that be bad, right? Boy #2 is marrying the love of his young life, and we’re going to be partying with all the people we love, so I’m thankful down to my toes. And I’m missing the little brown -eyed boy that he was, even though he’s 21 and soooo ready for this next step.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 31, 2017 at 2:51 pm

      What a fun celebration that will be, Michele! I love how weddings bring people together. I’m glad you’re here!

      Reply
  2. Susan Shipe says

    May 31, 2017 at 7:57 am

    Hey fellow list lover! Yours is great – and that addition is going to be glorious. Be patient, my young friend!!! xo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 31, 2017 at 2:55 pm

      List lovers unite! I enjoyed reading your post this morning too. xo

      Reply
  3. Erin says

    May 31, 2017 at 9:35 am

    Love your list and your pictures. Enjoy the rest of summer with a Popsicle by your pool.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 31, 2017 at 2:54 pm

      That sounds perfect. Hope you have a great summer too, Erin!

      Reply
  4. Cathy says

    May 31, 2017 at 11:33 am

    Your porch already looks amazing! And your pool so inviting. Glad you are enjoying them both!

    May has been a busy month with my two daughters birthdays and mothers day as well as other events and my son’s birthday is next week!

    May is my favorite month also. I just love all the blooms coming out and the warm sunshine, finally! : )

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 31, 2017 at 2:53 pm

      Yes, May is just so welcoming for those of us who love the summer sunshine! Sounds like y’all had a busy but good month too. Thanks for being here, Cathy!

      Reply
  5. Becky Hastings says

    May 31, 2017 at 12:16 pm

    It sounds like you’ve had a lovely May! The pool must be wonderful to have right in your own backyard! No schlepping stuff back and forth! Find time for a night swim just for you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 31, 2017 at 2:52 pm

      It’s been amazing and is a huge part of why I’m looking forward to June & July. 🙂 I’ve been enjoying sitting outside while my youngest naps.

      Reply
  6. Tiffany Parry says

    May 31, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    May is a beast, but boy has it flown by. We still have 12 days of school, filled with all the year ends and then our son’s 8th grade promotion. So I see busyness and tears in my future. But all good. Thanks for sharing some of your summer with us, it makes me even more eager to start mine. xo

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 1, 2017 at 7:53 am

      I’m excited to see and read peeks into your summer. I’m sure it’s going to be delightful!

      Reply
  7. Sarah Koontz says

    May 31, 2017 at 5:18 pm

    Since I now know words are your love language….thanks for consistently offering a welcoming spot for other bloggers to visit and share. I appreciate you!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 1, 2017 at 7:52 am

      Thank you, sweet Sarah!

      Reply
  8. Laura Rath says

    May 31, 2017 at 10:23 pm

    Yes! #2-Wyler’s Italian Ice popsicles! We are on our 2nd box, and when I looked for them today at Sam’s, I couldn’t find them anywhere.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 1, 2017 at 7:51 am

      I initially bought them at Sam’s too! They’re on my list when I go back … I hope I can find them again! Thanks for being here, Laura!

      Reply
  9. Mandy says

    June 1, 2017 at 8:48 am

    Words! As a love language, yes!!! I LOVE what your husband did for you. That is truly special. <3

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      June 1, 2017 at 8:53 am

      It was such a sweet surprise! Glad to see your pretty face here today, Mandy! xo

      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

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
The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Frie The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Friend Zone series may have been my favorite in this enjoyable rom-com series that also takes on some serious topics. (See two previous #KHTreads posts for the other two!)

I was reading it on my Kindle, but then I was early to pick up one of my kids … and realized I forgot my Kindle. I swung by the library and read a few chapters in print while I waited. I couldn’t waste reading time! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #reallife #momlife #romcombooks
We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatema We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatemala with our family, but sending her with our @hardinbaptistchurch family still felt like a big deal. I’m so thankful for the influence @cbright2, @j.essicalouis, @maggiehelms, and others get to have on my girl during these important high school years.

Cate and her friends got to help host a block party, serve at a local church, work in community gardens and at a foster home, and see some Chicago sites. Through it all, I’m thankful she could draw nearer to Jesus and experience ministry in a new way. 

#livingfaithfully #momlife #firstborn #churchlife #88daysofsummer #missiontrip
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

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