Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Real-life {summer} confessions

June 21, 2017 by Kristin 19 Comments

My calendar says today is the First Day of Summer, you know, officially. My kids, our routine, and our darkened skin say otherwise. We’re about a month into Summer, according to the big kids’ school calendar. But, you know, in honor of the actual calendar and the fact Summer is my favorite, how about some real-life mom confessions? These really are the kind of things we’d talk about if you were on my porch or in my pool.

1. I lose track of how often my kids shower and I don’t care. Hello, pool.

2. I threw away the reading logs that came home from school at the end of the year as soon as I saw them. Ben has actually had his nose in books way more this summer than ever before, and, well, if you know Cate, then you know she’s always reading, often a book she’s already read.

(Reading logs could make my Summer Not-To-Do List …)

3. I don’t have chore charts or bucket lists, but we still do chores and have fun. I do sometimes jot down lists for the big kids, especially Ben, who is more productive when he can focus on thing at a time rather than me blurting out 36 instructions at once.

4. I eat Wyler’s Italian Ice popsicles at least as much as my kids. And I drink grape Crystal Light because it tastes like Kool-Aid.

5. I went to a school board meeting to interview a teaching candidate recently in shorts, a T-shirt, and flip flops. I totally meant to change before I met Greg to eat, hand off the kids, and swap vehicles. I forgot. Legitimately forgot.

6. Sometimes cooking dinner in the summertime involves hot dogs on the George Foreman grill.

7. I wore my shorts-and-tank swimsuit with another tank top on top to pick up Cate from horse camp. In other words, I wear my swimsuit in public sometimes.

What real-life confessions do you have to share?

{Tweet that.}

*****

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)

He makes a way

March 9, 2017 by Kristin 2 Comments

“We will sing to our souls
We won’t bury our hope
Where He leads us to go
There’s a red sea road

When we can’t see the way
He will part the waves
And we’ll never walk alone
Down a red sea road …”

{From “Red Sea Road” by Ellie Holcomb}

I’ve been taking steroids for a couple weeks {um, go away, Poison Ivy} and they’re doing all kinds of things while gradually drying up the rashes on my stomach and arms. Like making me hungry and restless and irritable … and wrecking my blood sugar levels … and making me thirsty. So thirsty.

While running errands before picking up the kids from school Tuesday afternoon, I drank water & Diet Dr Pepper. And then I sat in the pickup line and decided I could wait until I got home {22 minutes later} to use the bathroom.

Except then I couldn’t.

So I stopped at the only gas station directly between school and my house. I hauled all three kids in the gas station, which also is a burger & milkshake restaurant.

When we rapidly approached the single restrooms in the back, I gave Rachel, who wasn’t wearing shoes because she took them off {again} to Cate AND GOT IN LINE. At 3:20 p.m., this rural gas station/restaurant had a line.

Grandpa was waiting for his wife and trying to convince Granddaughter it was okay to use the boys’ bathroom because they were single stalls and she could lock the door. She was having none of that so my son jetted past them for his turn. When he came out, Grandma was still in the girls’ restroom, so I made sure Granddaughter really wanted nothing to do with the boys’ side, and went on in.

And then we ordered two milkshakes to go.

Of course the story doesn’t end here. I first accidentally tried to pay for the milkshakes with my health savings account and debit card pin. Um, no match. I pulled out another card, and inserted it in the chip reader.

I signed the receipt. Each big kid took a milkshake they were going to share with Rachel and me.

And we walked out.

I was wrangling my shoeless toddler into the car seat when another customer graciously brought me the credit card I had left in the chip reader machine.

At least I had all my kids, an afternoon treat, and a relieved bladder. Five minutes later we were home and I drank some chocolate milkshake.

The story continued into Wednesday evening. After a busy afternoon of parent-teacher conferences and hauling supplies and furnishings out to our lake house, where a renovation is almost finished in time for me to host a retreat there this weekend, we needed a quick, convenient dinner. So back to the gas station restaurant we went.

We sat down, enjoyed our dinner, used the correct restrooms, and didn’t order milkshakes this time because the machine was down. Good thing we’d made that pit stop the day before!

*****

This is just a peek into my week. There have been plenty of other moments that would usher you right into my imperfect but blessed life. And those same moments have ushered me right to God, who thankfully sits upon his throne and over my life.

When I looked at my calendar and to-do lists {because, yes, I had more than one …} on Monday, I was overwhelmed. But I just did what I could do. One thing at a time. The next thing when I could. And the overwhelming feeling was replaced with peace.

Then plans changed and I shopped online instead of running even more errands. The delivery guy asked if he could come to the lake house a day and a half early. {Yes, please!} Friends offered grace. My generous mother-in-law offered her usual help.

Spaces on my calendar freed up. My perspective changed so I could see life full of blessings and not a series of emergencies. I knew attempting to do it all couldn’t be an option.

I’ve had to apologize to my husband and my kids because between the steroids {go away, Poison Ivy} and the overwhelmed start to the week I certainly wasn’t the best version of me.

But I am me. And I’m not God.

{Tweet that.}

But God is with me and for me. And you too.

He really does have the whole world in His hands and makes a way for us. So let the fear and worry go. Give up the do-it-all expectations. Let someone help. Say no if you need the space. Say yes if you need the grace.

And turn on Ellie Holcomb’s latest album. Every single song will offer hope and truth. And that’s the kind of soundtrack my life needs this week – and pretty much every other day.

*****

I’d love you to share some of your own real-life confessions in the comments.

  • 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)

I {heart} real-life confessions

February 16, 2017 by Kristin 5 Comments

How about some post-Valentine’s Day real-life confessions from my week? I know it’s not even Friday, but, hey, let’s embrace what actually happens and make the most of it.

1. Ben proclaimed I could stop matching his socks because “they’re just socks and why do they have to match?” Well. Okay. It goes against everything in my Type A self, but I guess it’s good to let go of something.

2. I let my two big kids jump in our new pool in February. I don’t know how cold the water was, but I know it was cold. But, hey, it was 66* outside, which is balmy for a polar plunge.

Honestly, I loved watching them do something crazy and being the mom who said yes. (It certainly doesn’t always happen this way.)

3. I dropped off Cate at a horse riding lesson Saturday and went to brunch with my best friend. I normally stay and watch my girl ride, but I needed that hour date with Jaclyn.

4. My two big kids celebrated Valentine’s Day at school with their friends with store-bought cards, conversation hearts that I bought three times because I kept eating them, and simple “mailboxes.” Most of Ben’s friends went all out creating amazing boxes, and we wrapped a box with red, blue, and green wrapping paper leftover from Christmas and cute a whole. Cate decorated a lunch sack in class.

And everybody had a fabulous day and I once again didn’t regret not having a Pinterest account.

5. I was feeling old, not in pitiful way but in an unbelief way. Greg and I met 19 years ago when I was 18 … so I’ve know him longer than I haven’t at this point. (We met Feb. 7, and then we went on our first date a week later on Valentine’s Day, so, you know, that’s why I was thinking about it!)

But then Tuesday I went to have my aching ear checked out and learned I have an ear infection and swimmer’s ear. Yes, y’all, at the same time. And that makes me feel like a kid again.

Nothing like some perspective and amoxicillin.

6. I have each kid a $1 box of chocolate (well, gummies for Rachel …) for Valentine’s Day and I let the two big kids eat a piece of chocolate before their breakfast before school. That’s love.

7. Greg and I went on a Valentine’s Day dinner date a day late. I took a list of three things I wanted to make sure we talked about and he took a list of some things we needed to pick out at Lowe’s for our lake house renovation. Missions accomplished.

Your turn! What kind of real-life confession do you have this week, friends?

  • 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)
Next Page »

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 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.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • From snow to sand
  • Books of 2022
  • How to enjoy winter days at home
  • How to cook new recipes
  • How to have fun as a family

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let heaven and nature sing” twice this week. I may not be singing Christmas carols anymore, but I still felt the depths of winter this week. The sweatshirt seemed right. 

The sun didn’t shine much this week, although seeing on Friday as we wrap up the work and school week was welcomed. It’s mostly been cold and gray. It’s felt like winter. 

A lingering tension needs resolution and understanding, but honestly the gap between seems so vast. I crave slow time at home and meals around our table. I miss some friends and was reminded of the heartache that can come with community, but I also felt the deep appreciation of friendship and remembered the beauty of sharing this life with others. I was excited for an invitation and easily accepted it. I started a new habit (hopefully) walking with a friend. 

While driving through my days, I remember how uncertainty is what makes me look up. I remember my Creator when I am slapped in the face with the reality I’m not actually in control. I remember (again) to surrender. 

Goodness happens in the gray of winter. Life may look and feel different, but new life is always preparing to break through the cracks of the ground. The gloom that tempts us to look down doesn’t last long when we believe the sun will break through the icy trees and the fog will lift. 

This is hope. Even in winter. Thank God for it all. Let’s let heaven and nature sing. 

#countryliving #latergram #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #reallife #weekending
I heard mixed reactions about this book from two d I heard mixed reactions about this book from two different friends, but I enjoyed it! 

I liked the backward timeline, although I was uncertain about how it would work until the end. Some of the twists and connections were so good! 

I also liked the bigger ideas Gillian McAllister tackles: We miss things when we are living our life at our normal pace. What if we could go back? What would be notice that would change our reality? And, of course, perhaps, there would be unintended consequences. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It did get a little slow in the middle, but the end and beginning are quite good! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindleoasis #readersofinstagram
This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in the middle rebounding and playing hard and little sister photobombing the moment! 

Honestly, parenting has been hard lately. Nothing major. But so constant and always adjusting. 

Even so, I love watching them on the court and in life. There is so much excitement and goodness among the repetition and exhaustion. 

This is real life. And those are our 10-0 Lady Lions out there. 🦁💛

@ncca.lions #momlife #reallife #basketballseason #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #girlmom #firstborn #thirdchild
I finished studying Colossians today with my Prece I finished studying Colossians today with my Precept group. Paul wrote this letter to an established church that was still growing and learning and maturing in the faith — like us all.  I really loved this study because it spoke right into my life with encouragement for knowing Christ, walking in wisdom and truth, praying continually, letting peace rule, and giving grace. Plus Paul deeply loved his people. 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:6-7

Too often I step out of God’s presence for two minutes while are loading up the van in the morning or I’m rushing kids to bed. Too often I don’t surrender my fleshy desires and feelings to the One who holds this whole wide world in His hands. Too often I think my plans are worth holding onto tightly. Too often I think I can bring peace to my household, minivan, or dinner table. 

But real peace passes all my understanding. It rests in God’s wisdom and knowledge alone. How amazing we have access to that, thanks to Jesus. How easily I forget where I’m rooted. 

I want to let peace rule — in my home, in my head, and in my heart. 

Today while I was driving, I noticed how lovely the road, land, and sky looked. But today was really windy, like feel-it-move-my-vehicle and knock-over-trash-cans windy. It almost felt deceptive with the beauty before me, but, really, that’s like life. 

Sometimes it seems I have it together. People know my gifts of organizing information and people. I show up on time and am responsible. But so many thoughts and feelings are swirling in my mind. I replay conversations and fight against the same insecurities from the previous day. 

I feel both lovely and like my swirling mind could knock me over at any moment. And that’s why I needed God, particularly through His words through Paul to the Colossians. 

#livingfaithfully #faithlife #churchlife #reallife #countryliving
This girl has been complaining of a sore throat th This girl has been complaining of a sore throat the last couple of days, but she hasn’t had a fever or any other symptoms so I kept telling her she was fine. Truth be told, she a bit of a hypochondriac and generally happy, so it’s hard to tell if she sick sometimes. 

The folks at Aligned Health took care of her this afternoon and are treating her for strep or whatever bacteria is making her throat look and feel rough. 

I’m thankful for access to medical care and an unexpected night at home.

#momlife #thirdchild #reallife #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #sickday
I really loved this book! “Life is the stuff th I really loved this book!

“Life is the stuff that happens in the cracks between your plans and expectations.” — from “One Night on the Island” by @josiesilverauthor 

The writing is excellent, the setting works well, and the story unfolds in some predictable but sweet ways. I also think it was the right book at the right time for me. 

#KHTreads #romcom #romcombooks #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #readersofinstagram
What a fun night at the Racers’ game! Welcome to What a fun night at the Racers’ game! Welcome to the rafters, @campayne! 💛 

#racernation #basketballseason #momlife #boymom #girlmom #weekending #choosingJOY #MurrayState
We are four years into basketball at New Covenant We are four years into basketball at New Covenant Christian Academy and I’m not sure when games and wins and teamwork are going to stop making me emotional. I’m just so proud of these girls. They’re building something together — yes, it’s a basketball program, but it’s the bigger picture of a school and a community. 

These girls are going first — in the classroom and on the court — so other kids can come behind them and build on what they’re building. In 2012, when I enrolled my oldest child at a school that was just a couple of years old, I had no idea these were the blessings we’d get to experience. 

And having these Lady Lions sitting at 8-0 is just icing on the cake. 

#momlife #basketballseason #girlmom #firstborn #livingfaithfully #classicalschool #privateschool #choosingJOY #teamwork @ncca.lions
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The first book of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 

The first book of the year for me gets all the stars! “Everything Sad is Untrue” by Daniel Nayeri is beautiful and heartbreaking. But it’s a story meant to be heard. (I’m sure it’s lovely to read, but good audiobook for this one!)

My story is so different than Daniel’s, but this is what I took away: Stories are counting memories in the parlor of our minds. I’m thankful he counted his memoirs aloud for me. 

#KHTreads #audiobook #booklover #bookstagram #Audible #memoirs #bookreview
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM