Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

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
 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, 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

Leave a Reply to Stories from the Porch in September 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

While the big kids went bow hunting yesterday, Gra While the big kids went bow hunting yesterday, Gran-Gran, Grandmom, and I took Rachel to @countrybumpkinfarm. It was perfect for her. She fed animals, played by herself, made friends, and played some more — for 3 1/2 hours. I found an Adirondack chair and finished my third book of the trip. 

#wisdells #wisconsindells #thirdchild #momlife #choosingJOY #favoritethings #88daysofsummer #summerisbest #wisconsin
These three went bow fishing today. Cate wasn’t These three went bow fishing today. Cate wasn’t even sure she wanted to go and the shot one right in the mouth — something the guide said he’d never seen in his 20 years of bow fishing! 

#momlife #wisconsindells #wisconsin #88daysofsummer #firstborn #boymom #girlmom #bowfishing #wisdells
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 #WildernessResort #roadtrip #88daysofsummer #TeamTaylor #reallife #wisconsin #wisconsindells #wisdells
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
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

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