Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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1, 2, 3 … Happy birthday, Rachel!

September 19, 2018 by Kristin 18 Comments

Dear Rachel,

I want to bottle your joy and hold it close forever. You’re the friendliest kid I know, although a few weeks ago I did wish I was close enough to stop you from hugging the stranger who was smoking at the park. You’re a lover — of people, of animals, of whatever Benny and Cate are doing, and of life in general.

While we were in Guatemala in June, Grandmom took you to YaYa’s Island to play and you still talk about how it was really fun and you want to do it again. When I pick you up from school, you usually say, “I not go home yet!” and then ask, “I do it again?” Lately, when we’ve driven by the movie theater you say, “Movies really fun. I like it popcorn.”

I adore how you love life and make everything more fun.

You like to run up to Daddy when he gets home from work and say, “Tag!” and then run off so he will chase you. You’ve gotten to be a good hide-and-seek player. You swim like a fish and jump like a frog. You love the trampoline, watching “Paw Patrol” and anything with Mickey Mouse, and chewing gum.

You’ve been using new adjectives appropriately, which makes your word-lovin’ momma happy. Plus hearing you describe all the things you encounter as silly, cool, and beautiful is really sweet. You call the colors of a sunset a rainbow, which also sounds like hair bow. You use “cute” in place of “small.” And you think a declaration of liking something is reason enough to make more dessert, another piece of gum, or a drink of my Diet Dr Pepper permissible.

As cliche as it is, I can’t believe you’re three.

Your birth mom will forever be on the sweet surprises God gave me. Your life is a testament to God’s faithfulness. Your joy is balm to my soul that can too easily become jaded by this world. You, my girl, are exactly who our family didn’t know we needed.

You, my girl, are worth celebrating. In only three years, God has already used you. I have no doubt there is so much more joy, surprises, and adventures to come for you.

I love you,
Momma

*****

Feel free to look back on Rachel’s little life: One month. Two months. Three months. Four months. Five months. Six months. Seven months. Eight months. Nine months. Ten months. Eleven months. One year. Fifteen months. Eighteen months. Two years. Of course, I share more of her story, which is part of my story, in my book, “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family.”

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
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Filed Under: Porch Stories, Rachel Tagged With: life, motherhood

Comments

  1. Michele Morin says

    September 19, 2018 at 6:26 am

    Oh, what a sweet letter, Kristin, and it’s going to bless the heart of that little sweetie when she’s old enough to read it. Three is one of my favorite ages. My tiny grandboy is going to turn 4 this month, and I’m just a little sad about that.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 19, 2018 at 7:32 am

      This age is really fun … and slightly exhausting, but I’m certainly happy to be here with her! I’m glad you’re here, Michele!

      Reply
  2. Joanne Viola says

    September 19, 2018 at 7:46 am

    Happy Birthday, Rachel!!!

    And this letter is so sweet, it moved me to tears. Kristin, you hit on an important truth – God places children (and people) in our lives that we didn’t even know we needed. May we give thanks to God for those around us. And may I say, I am grateful He crossed our paths!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 19, 2018 at 8:05 am

      You’re the kindest, Joanne. Thank you for this comment and your friendship. xo

      Reply
  3. Barbara Harper says

    September 19, 2018 at 8:08 am

    Happy birthday to sweet Rachel! This will be one of her treasures when she’s grown.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 19, 2018 at 8:12 am

      I sure hope so! Thanks for your encouragement, Barbara!

      Reply
  4. Boma says

    September 19, 2018 at 9:32 am

    Happy birthday, Rachael. Blessings to you.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 19, 2018 at 4:25 pm

      Thank you! And thank you for being here.

      Reply
  5. Susan Shipe says

    September 19, 2018 at 12:12 pm

    Rachel’s antics and sheer joy have brought many smiles and laughter. I am so very blessed how you share her life with us.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 19, 2018 at 4:25 pm

      I’m glad you enjoy the peeks into her joy. I’m so glad God gave us her. My big kids would agree. 🙂 Thanks for being here, Susan! xo

      Reply
  6. Tara says

    September 19, 2018 at 2:24 pm

    Happy 3rd Birthday Rachel! I love the joy she seems to exude too. May we all have that kind of zest for life.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 19, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      She sure teaches me a lot! Thanks for being here, Tara! xo

      Reply
  7. Rebecca Jones says

    September 19, 2018 at 3:00 pm

    Happy Birthday Rachel, glad she is such a joy!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 19, 2018 at 4:24 pm

      Thank you, Rebecca!

      Reply
  8. Lauren Sparks says

    September 20, 2018 at 11:26 am

    Such a sweet baby! Happy birthday to Rachel. laurensparks.net

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      September 20, 2018 at 7:50 pm

      Thank you! xo

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. New Life and a Punchy Red Flower - Words, Photos and Art says:
    September 19, 2018 at 12:11 pm

    […] I’m linking up with: #InspireMeMonday, #LMMLinkup, #TrekkingThru, #TeaAndWord, #Let’sHaveCoffee, #porchstories […]

    Reply
  2. Stories from the Porch in September says:
    September 26, 2018 at 4:02 am

    […] decided to show up on the day of Rachel’s birthday party, which was going to be a swim party had the weather cooperated better. Even so, we’ve had a […]

    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 high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

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To live in communion with one another, means to sh To live in communion with one another, means to share meals, space, advice, and prayers. It also means sharing hope, disappointment, dreams, and forgiveness. 

We explore what this looks like in “Created for Communion,” along with other biblical foundations for friendships and community.

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So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictu So many of my Facebook friends shared lovely pictures of their daughters yesterday for the completely made-up National Daughters Day. Regardless, today I'm all in my feelings about my daughters. 

They're 16 and 8 right now. Both of their classes have been studying ancient Egypt and had a joint feast today. Sweet, huh? 

BUT THEN TIMEHOP GOT ME! Apparently, NINE years ago today, when Cate was a second-grader, her class had an Egyptian feast. I think about a particular picture of Cate and her friend Kilee from that day AND THEN IT CAME UP IN MY TIMEHOP TODAY. Facebook also told me that same day nine years ago, Monica and I became Facebook friends. We probably were at the Egyptian feast and decided we'd be friends because our girls were friends. Y'all, God has been so good to me through my friendship with Monica. Our families click in a special way with our three sets of same-aged kids, most of whom have been adopted. 

Anyway, my daughters. They're lovely, funny, and smart. I love that Cate helped Rachel with her Egyptian eye makeup this morning and made her a Nutella and banana sandwich. I love that they got to have a party today at school together. I love that even though they're eight years apart, they're sisters. 

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You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to You’re a light wherever you go! And you like to go! You’re always making friends, asking about our next adventure, wanting to know what’s next, and talking if you’re not singing. You’re the joy our family needed in 2015 and you continue to be the one who makes us laugh and love better than we did before we knew you. 

... You ask a million questions, know the words to thousands of songs, have so many ideas, and still try to sneak into my bed at night. You say I’m the best snuggler in this family. I’ll take it – and your hugs and love, although the middle of the night will never be my favorite time. 

Happy birthday to the girl who loves loudly! 

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