Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

Transitions, routines & rhythms

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We are all about transitions around here right now. After two and a half weeks of school, we’re all still finding our footing in routines and rhythms. 

But here we are, figuring it out with a kindergartner, sixth-grader, and high school freshman. I am thankful they’re all on the same campus because that makes my mom taxiing easier. 

Rachel is getting used to all-day school five days in a row. Ben has multiple teachers and classrooms, an email address mostly for Google Classroom, and a locker for the first time. Cate is officially a high schooler and has a schedule that gave her choices for the first time.

We’ve got some new rhythms in our daily life, but I know we are just getting started and more routines will come. We will add soccer practices for two kids and church small groups. 

Before school started, I felt like I made a million decisions as a school board member and a mom. Then, of course, we had some disruptions even getting school started. We closed on our second day so many of our teachers could go to a funeral for a former student at our small school. 

That same day off of school, Ben started feeling poorly and had some symptoms we thought could be COVID. Most of his class was then quarantined. He took multiple rapid and send-off COVID tests over the coming days, but he never tested positive and started feeling better after a few days. I’m guessing an unnamed virus struck. 

Cate still has antibodies from when she had COVID in February, plus she’s fully vaccinated now. Rachel missed a couple of days while we were waiting for Ben’s tests results. 

Now that everybody seems healthy, we’re trying to make the most of this new season. I’m recognizing my availability. I can show up for people while my kids are at school. I can tackle the neverending to-do list, help my husband, and catch up around the house. Honestly, I’m taking life one day, one thing at a time, and praying I’ll see where God wants me to step next.

My favorite part of this new school season has been hearing Cate and Ben talk about shared moments in Upper School, where the middle and high schoolers have a shared house system, some electives, and recess time. They’ve talked about kickball, Knock Out basketball games, and funny things that have happened in their hallways. Cate even helped Ben with some math homework the other night.

As I was making dinner one evening last week, I caught a glimpse of my two oldest sharing a table and I whispered a prayer that their shared experiences in school this year will create a deeper bond. Their youngest sister will certainly be watching them — in the hallways at school where she’s quick to hug and right here at home where we all belong together.

*****

What’s this season look like for you? Of course, we held onto summer this past weekend with some time at the lake, a homemade slip-and-slide with friends, pool time, and sunkissed, bug-bitten skin. But we know we’re also transitioning into whatever God has for us next. 

Deep waters & wastelands

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Responsibilities and decisions were overwhelming me last week. I was simultaneously mourning summer and celebrating the new season upon us. Friends were quarantined. Other friends had trusted me to pray for the hard things they are experiencing. 

Even in the midst of overwhelm, I decided that my kids and I needed a fun day. So we headed to Paducah, about an hour away, to do some shopping, eating, and jumping. 

I didn’t expect to get teary while browsing home decor in Hobby Lobby. I saw Isaiah 43:2 on a sign and needed that encouragement. 

“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. …”

— Isaiah 43:2 (NLT)

Then I wanted to read the context of the verse and remembered I already loved Isaiah 43, which talks about God being our rescuer and redeemer. Verses are 18-19 are especially among my favorites:

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”

—  Isaiah 43:18-19

I had a moment with God —  the One who goes with us into deep waters and does new things all in our wastelands — as I stood in Hobby Lobby, hoping my kids didn’t run too quickly down the nearby aisle of mirrors. I read multiple translations of these verses. I prayed for my friends. I reflected on school board decisions I was part of making as we try to begin another weird school year. I thanked God for being present, even where I wasn’t expecting to be encouraged. 

After Hobby Lobby, we went to Vertical Jump, so the kids could burn some energy on the inside trampolines on a very hot day that included a heat advisory. I revisited our school board group text and then sent some clarifications, confessions, and compliments. I texted two best friends my unfiltered thoughts because I’m an outward processor and they’re good to me. 

Yes, I got teary again while the kids jumped. I wanted to start reading a new fiction book as an escape, but I kept thinking about Isaiah 43. 

Do not fear.

I have redeemed you. 

You are mine. 

I will be with you in deep waters. 

The fires won’t burn. 

I am the Lord your God. 

You are precious. 

Revealed.

Saved. 

Proclaimed.

Your Redeemer.

The Holy One.

Do not dwell on the past. 

I’m doing a new thing.

Way in the wilderness. 

Rivers in the wasteland.

The overwhelm subsided because I filled my head with true, good news. I remembered promises. My perspective shifted. I thanked God for leading me on a fun day with my kids and being present with me in my own mental deep waters. 

Oh, and yes, I bought the Isaiah 43:2 sign that was 50 percent off.

Bringing home an adopted baby

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As I prepare for my youngest baby to go to kindergarten next week, I’ve been reflecting on how we got here. The short history: God made us a family of five through adoption three times. Each time, bringing home those babies was a highlight of my life. 

Now those three babies are 14, 11, and 5. For the first time in my mothering life, all three kids will be in full-time school. But, first, I wanted to share some ways you can prepare yourself for the arrival of your newly adopted child. 

Some of these practical things you’ll want to do are just like you’d do for a biological newborn, but other things are adoption-specific. Of course, as you begin an adoption process you’ll work with an agency and attorney who will also help you prepare.

(Want more adoption resources? I’ve got some for you!)

Update your health insurance

In Kentucky, you can add the baby to your health insurance as soon as you have guardianship, even before the adoption is finalized. Even before that, you can give your insurance company a head’s up so they know you’re in the process of growing your family. In some states, you have to purchase a separate insurance policy. The good news is most companies will allow the addition of an adopted child to your existing plan as long as it does not lapse in coverage before adding them. 

Please, consider updating your health insurance as soon as possible to include the new members and ultimately improve the value of your family. Once the adoption is finalized, that child is exactly like a biological child on paper, but you may have to amend the original policy once the court recognizes the adoption. 

Locate a pediatrician

We are thankful our pediatrician actually has adopted children of his own! Locating a pediatrician can be very important as they will be the medical provider your child sees regularly. You also want to find someone willing and able to work with you if there are any special considerations for your baby’s care, such as therapies like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy.

If you are adopting from out of the country, some additional considerations may affect your decision on who to use for pediatrician care. Larger cities have multi-specialty clinics that regularly work with adoptive families. 

Prepare your house

As part of the adoption process, you’ll work with social workers who make sure your home is ready for a baby — or whatever age child you’re bringing home! As any parent, you’ll need items such as an infant seat, crib, blankets, clothes, diapers, and wipes. Be sure to check out a crib mattress size guide visual to buy a fitting mattress for your baby’s comfort and safety.

Of course, sharp knives and medicines should be safely secured well out of a child’s reach. As a baby grows and starts crawling and walking, you’ll need to babyproof the house even more. 

Name for your child

Naming your baby is such an exciting and essential task. This was one of my favorite parts of preparing to bring babies home. 

We liked to use family members’ names as inspiration when naming our babies. Catherine Anna is named after my mom and Greg’s grandma; Benjamin Lucas shares my grandpa’s middle name; and Rachel Elizabeth has a middle name that has belonged to both my sister and Greg’s great-grandma. 

Spend time around babies

Before becoming a mom, I hadn’t spent much time around babies. When you’re preparing for the arrival of your adopted child, it’s important to have some understanding of what babies are like in general, even before learning about your baby’s personality and temperament. 

Observe how babies and kids play, interact with others and react to different environments or situations. By spending time among children in these early stages, you may gain an even greater appreciation for why you made this decision.

Another way to familiarize yourself with children is to be aware of best first aid practices and consider being trained in CPR. 

Like any new season of life, bringing babies home could have some surprises, but preparing for your family to grow will help the beautiful, life-changing transition. 

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I share much more about our specific adoption processes in my book, “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family.” I have other adoption resources on my website too.