Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Ben is ten!

November 23, 2019 by Kristin 2 Comments

Dear Ben,

I can’t believe you’re ten. I know, what a cliché to come from a mom’s mouth. But it’s true. I can recount so many details of this past decade with you. Honestly, I think I’ve grown up with you. I thought I knew things when we welcomed you into our family, but, goodness, I’ve learned and grown so much since then — and much of that is because of you.

Sometimes I get caught up in how different we are. You’re loud and like repetitive noises. You’re a morning person, but at least you still like to cuddle. You’re messy and disorganized. And you’re definitely not into the pictures I always want to take! (I convinced you to pose in front of the 9 3/4 platform sign at Universal’s Hogwarts Express because that was about your age then!)

But then I am reminded when I am my best self, I’m a lot like you. We like adventures and road trips and being with our people. We like roller coasters and eating chicken wings.

This year has been hard for me as a person and that’s certainly spilled over into motherhood. While I’ve been processing grief and trying to improve myself for you and your sisters, you’ve been growing in your own ways. Your pants keep getting shorter, your mind is quicker and more aware, and your emotions are at the forefront. We’ve had some hard conversations, meaningful moments, and fun adventures. I’m thankful you’ve been near this year. And I’m thankful I’ve gotten to be near you as you walk through some emotional, physical, and social changes of your own that haven’t exactly been easy.

We are better people together.

After spending every winter of your little life going to college basketball games, watching Ja Morant get drafted after his sophomore year at Murray State and having a stellar beginning to the Grizzlies season is what it took to make you into a true fan this year. You follow the teams more closely now and want to know scores and stats. We’re celebrating with a basketball-themed party this weekend. You’re getting ready to begin your second year of playing basketball of your own at our sweet, small school. You’re still into running club and soccer too.

Thankfully, you’ve found ways to love your big sister, who definitely loves and feels loved in different ways from you. Your little sister loves to laugh with (and at) you when y’all aren’t wrestling. You’re meant to be sandwiched between them and I love being reminded God built our family in ways I couldn’t have predicted.

You’re loyal and brave. You’re fun and funny. You’re curious and kind. And I’m certainly thankful you’re my son.

Happy birthday, Ben! Here’s to the second decade of your life and all the ways I’m sure you’ll surprise me.

Love,
Momma

*****

Look back on Ben’s life: 1 year old. 2 years old. 3 years old. 4 years old. 5 years old. 6 years old. 7 years old. 8 years old. 9 years old.

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Filed Under: Ben Tagged With: Ben, family, motherhood

Trackbacks

  1. Stories from the Porch in November says:
    November 27, 2019 at 4:00 am

    […] fun basketball birthday party and went out for Mexican food with my whole family. (Yes, of course, I wrote my traditional letter to him.) Then they stayed around for an early Thanksgiving meal my mom and I prepared. I loved having my […]

    Reply
  2. Ben in his prime says:
    November 24, 2020 at 10:08 am

    […] Look back on Ben’s life: 1 year old. 2 years old. 3 years old. 4 years old. 5 years old. 6 years old. 7 years old. 8 years old. 9 years old. 10 years old. […]

    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.

Learn more about my story here.

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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. 

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I do. 💛

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I’m pretty much always thinking about my next tr I’m pretty much always thinking about my next trip! Be it a weekend getaway or a family vacation, I’ve always got ideas of where I want to go next. The rest of my family always has suggestions too. Yes, take the (next) trip!

In the blog post HOW TO TAKE THE TRIP, I share lots of links and suggestions on where to go, who can help you, and what to take with you. 

✨ https://kristinhilltaylor.com/2023/09/how-to-take-the-trip.html

Where do you want to go? What do you always take with you?

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I was thankful for some rest time on the couch on I was thankful for some rest time on the couch on Saturday afternoon — and a chance to finish this suspense book. 

“Between Two Strangers” by @katewhite_author had such an intriguing plot that pulled me right in. I was close to figuring out how it was all intertwined, but I didn’t quite get there through all the twists. Good, quick read!

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Recently, in random snapshots. This is a full life Recently, in random snapshots. This is a full life, but it’s a good life. 💛

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When you subscribe to emails from my porch, you ge When you subscribe to emails from my porch, you get some free goodies! Plus, it's a fun way to chat about life, books, and faith. 

I just updated the free gifts to include a lovely PDF that has links to 27 (!!!) how-to posts about life, home, and parenthood. I'm going to give away more goodies when I meet some subscriber goals, so, if you haven't already, please join me on my virtual porch. 

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Well, don't they look lovely together! ✨ Find Well, don't they look lovely together! 

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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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In this book about biblical friendships, we’ll l In this book about biblical friendships, we’ll learn how God has created us for communion, allowing His people—then and now—to befriend one another in holy ways.

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