Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Cheesy, breezy Wisconsin Dells

July 17, 2022 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Like so many things in the past two years, our summer vacation plans changed at the last minute. Truly, it’s hard to believe COVID-19 is still interrupting so many things. 

Ben tested positive for COVID the night before we were supposed to fly to Vancouver, where we planned to board a ship on Monday for an Alaskan cruise. We had to present negative COVID tests on Monday and had planned to test on Saturday morning before we left town. Well, the Friday evening test shook up all that. 

We ended up canceling our flights and cruise. Thankfully, we had travel insurance so we got the cruise money back the following week. I had to file an insurance claim, but, hopefully, we’re going to get our flights refunded too. 

Meanwhile, we talked through lots of other trip options and decided on Wisconsin Dells. That seems random, I know. But we had some criteria: We wanted somewhere we could drive to in 6-8 hours that would greet us with cooler, less humid weather. We also thought it would be fun to go somewhere we’d never been. We had both our moms with us, so I had to find accommodations for our party of seven. 

That’s how we ended up spending four nights at the Wilderness Resort in Wisconsin Dells after Ben quarantined for five days.

I’ll take you through our time there from June 29 to July 3. 

We left Wednesday morning and stopped for lunch at Monical’s in Mahomet, Illinois. When we arrived late that afternoon at the resort, we went to two of the waterparks on the property and ate expensive, mediocre burgers for dinner at the resort.

I decided to fully embrace vacation mode and proclaimed I wasn’t cooking or buying any groceries for this trip, so we started Thursday with a fun, delicious breakfast at Paul Bunyon’s Cook Shanty. Then we learned more about the area on an Original Wisconsin Ducks Tour, which I highly recommend. We spent the afternoon at three of the resort’s water parks. MACS – Macaroni and Cheese Shop – came highly recommended and we all really enjoyed it. We happened upon Kemp’s ice cream and ate it while overlooking the dam. 

We started Friday with another good breakfast at Mr. Pancake. Greg took the big kids bow fishing that morning. Cate was reluctant to go, but we convinced her it would be a worthwhile experience. Sure enough, she made the most of it! She shot a carp right in the mouth with her arrow – something the guide said he’d never seen in his two decades on the job. 

Grandmom, Gran Gran and I took Rachel to the Country Bumpkin Farm Market, which was a great surprise. I expected we’d spend some time there and then maybe find something else to do while Greg, Cate, and Ben fished. But we stayed there for a few hours until it was time to pick up the fishermen. Rachel fed some animals in the petting zoo and then played on all the farm-themed activities and play areas. We all reconvened for lunch at the Riverwalk Pub, which we picked because of its proximity to the river but ended up really enjoying. We walked and shopped around downtown. 

When we bought duck tour tickets, we actually got a dual ticket also good for a jet boat tour. We did that Friday evening – and got very, very wet! There were lots of feelings from certain people about this adventure, but, in the end, it was a fun time on the Upper Dells portion of the Wisconsin River. While I washed and dried some clothes, Greg brought Moose Jaw Pizza back to our condo. 

Our last full day started with breakfast at BJ’s, which was good food for good prices. We did the Take Flight simulator at our resort and enjoyed “Aloha” as if we were flying above it all. We played at three waterparks at the resort. Monks was another dinner recommendation and it was a great meal that started with delicious cheese curds and included amazing burgers. 

Overall, it was a fun time, especially on the heels of having to change our summer vacation plans. Wisconsin Dells is a touristy destination that reminds me of a smaller Gatlinburg or Branson. Our resort definitely got more crowded on Saturday, so I would recommend going on weekdays and leaving town before a holiday weekend. We were happy that’s how our Plan B vacation worked out. 

*****

While in Wisconsin Dells, I shared daily posts and pictures, so take a look at those, if you’d like more peeks into our vacation.

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In open fields of wildflowers

July 31, 2020 by Kristin Leave a Comment

“In open fields of wildflowers
She breathes the air and flies away
She thanks her Jesus for the daisies
And the roses in no simple language
Someday she’ll understand
The meaning of it all”

– From “Love Song for a Savior” by Jars of Clay

We’ve been at home for the vast majority of four-and-a-half months, and I’ve started thinking about what life might look like when schools open and soccer practices start. And, honestly? I think I’ll miss this season. Our #95daysofsummer became #109daysofsummer earlier this week when our school, like so many others in our state, pushed back the in-person start date to the last Wednesday of August, so I’ve still got some time.

Of course, I won’t miss masks and virus stats and controversy. But I’m going to miss slow mornings, wide-open days on the calendar, and the space to create new-to-us meals while we settle deeply into our home. 

I typically make decisions easily and quickly, but these days I can’t look very far in front of me because there are so many variables. As I get older and my kids grow before my eyes, I am becoming more of a home body.

I like home-cooked meals, especially my teenager happily helps prepare them. I like multiple rounds of Skyjo, Trash Pandas, and Code Words at our kitchen table with our oldest right after we’ve all humored the youngest with a couple games of Matching. I like all the wide-open Saturdays we’ve had to do stuff around the house and enjoy the home we’ve created. I weigh our yeses against what I’ve learned when I was forced to slow down and draw a smaller circle. 

At the beginning of the year, I chose a word based on what God was teaching me and what I wanted to learn: BECOMING. In January, I had no idea I would have this bare canvas to create and learn and rest right as spring came and then summer lingered. I also had no idea I’d finish a book about hospitality during a social-distanced season. And I certainly didn’t know we’d become cat owners that morning four weeks ago when Ben heard meowing. I’m still trying to implement some better habits for my physical and mental well-being. I’m finding myself taking more deep breaths.

I’ve watched open fields come to life as new creations blooms. I’ve noticed green and pops of color in new ways because I’ve been still enough to truly see around me. I’ve even see our plants sprout some zucchini and peppers as results of our first gardening adventure.

There have been days where I miss people and what used to be, but there have been far more days of knowing this is where I belong. Here’s to believing I’m still becoming and growing because of God is still providing and rescuing. 

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Back to School

August 10, 2016 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Last week I had to tell my 9-year-old girl her best friend from school wasn’t coming back this year. This summer, they’ve written some letters, gone to camp and VBS together, and looked forward to the new school year as fourth-graders together. And then sometimes life changes unexpectedly, and it hurts.

Cate processes life much like I do so I knew this was going to be a conversation we’d have to have more than once. I knew the news would well up in her heart at random moments. So I pulled her aside while we were on vacation and everyone else was occupied. We talked and cried and sat in silence.

Later that day, cousins were swimming in the pool at the beach house we were calling home for a week. With tears dried for the moment, Cate asked, “Is it really okay to do something happy when I’m sad?”

Y’all. It’s a question I asked when my father-in-law died unexpectedly more than six years ago. It’s a question I wrestled with while processing what God was doing in my heart and life after we returned from Guatemala last summer. It’s a question that rises up when I read headlines.

And it’s a question Jennifer Dukes Lee had me thinking about earlier this summer as I read “The Happiness Dare.” There in Hilton Head, where sand was in places it didn’t belong and my girl’s heart was aching, I got to share what God has taught me.

Yes, it’s okay to do something happy even when we’re sad. {Tweet that.}

“Pay attention. Savor the life God has given to you. Thank God for the good when life is beautiful. And fight hard to find the happy when life is brutal.”

–Jennifer Dukes Lee in “The Happiness Dare”

This truth that happiness and sadness can co-exist is something I learned, thanks to “Inside Out,” “The Happiness Dare” and plenty of real-life experiences. Do you remember the movie “Inside Out”? It’s such a sweet story of Joy and Sadness realizing they’re best together.

On a slightly lighter note of two extremes coexisting, I’m never really ready for summer to end, but I’m craving routine. We’ve had a wild summer that involved moving, going on three trips, and squeezing in afternoons at the pool.

I will miss summer, but I appreciate the way God created seasons. {Tweet that.}

My fourth-grade girl who devours books has the same teacher as last year, which we are glad about. She has mixed emotions about getting up early and diving back into a routine, especially without her best friend.

My boy is starting first grade and he’s the one who entertains and makes friends easily. I’m never really sure what all he’s learned because he doesn’t like to recite on demand his newfound knowledge. His teacher has worked at the school for awhile and I’m glad one of my kids gets to have her.

I’m thinking about my own schedule that will involve volunteering at our local crisis pregnancy center one morning a week, hopefully settling into our still-new-to-us house, and, you know, chasing baby girl who turns 1 in less than two months and is pretty much into everything.

Summer has been full of adventure and life lessons. There’s been good books and slow mornings. Thanks for hanging with me here, where it’s been quieter. The longer days have gone quickly and we didn’t do everything I had hoped to do. But we enjoyed our break from routine yet are excited for the new routine to begin today.

_____________________

I’m on “The Happiness Dare” launch team, so I got an advanced PDF copy of the book to read. But the way the message has seeped into my everyday life is real. I do recommend this book if you’re needing some encouragement to find the happy. You can read my review here. 

_____________________
 

152 Insights to My Soul

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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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I know traveling is a privilege, but I will always I know traveling is a privilege, but I will always tell you: Take the trip. It may not be easy or convenient, but it’s always worth it. And always take lots of snacks along for the ride! 

HOW & WHY TO TRAVEL WITH KIDS is #ontheblog today. The post includes some of our travel experiences, tips for including the kids, and a tip to make it more affordable. Plus there are links to posts about some of our recent trips. 

#linkinbio #bloggerlife #momlife #travelwithkids #adventurers #getoutside #travel #travellife #travelers #choosingJOY #favoritethings
I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by P I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by Prince Harry. But I also keep hearing different opinions about it. So here’s mine!

I am intrigued by the royal family and I liked watching “Suits,” just so you know my very loose interest. I had also watched the @netflix documentary Harry and Meghan released. 

Short answer: I really enjoyed listening to this book. 

An heir, then a spare. Deep grief as a child when his mom dies that he doesn’t really confront until he’s older. An institution that governs every decision in his life yet doesn’t protect him when he felt like he needed it. That’s some heartbreaking makings of a good story. And I appreciate Prince Harry telling it — even though I’m sure parts were incredibly difficult. I also appreciate why he and Meghan did what they did and are trying to establish new, different roots. 

Ultimately, this book is about death and life and all the moments in between. I’d recommend listening to it because his voice is a good one. 

One minor, silly complaint: There are 232 chapters, although they’re numbered starting with one in each of the three sections. That makes the audiobook not flow quite as well as it would otherwise because most of them are just a few minutes long. 

I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I’d love to hear what you think because, you know, everybody is reading it! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #readersofinstagram #audiobooks #audible #princeharry
We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @ We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @murraystateuniv Spirit Night at the @memgrizz game. We had some pre-game fun with friends, watched the Grizzlies come back from 19 down to win, and witnessed Ja Morant’s triple double.

#memphisgrizzlies #basketballseason #NBA #TeamTaylor #bettertogether #weekending #favoritethings #RacerNation #MurrayState #WeAreRacers
Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most ever Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most everything in life — is more fun with friends! What an awesome atmosphere at the CFSB Center today with a Murray State win, Ja Morant in the arena, and more memories.

#RacerNation #MurrayState #collegebasketball #basketballseason #bettertogether #WeAreRacers
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
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