Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

How to have fun as a family

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Trying to come up with ideas for things to do together as a family can be tough with the different ages, personalities, and preferences. Like all families, the people in this house share some favorite things but also have different interests. As a mom, I have my own preferences, but I really do love making memories together. When my family is enjoying time together, life is less stressful, communication flows more productively, and the household is peaceful. 

Enjoying life together doesn’t have to be extravagant. We’ve been into “Jeopardy” lately. Or maybe you want to watch the God’s Not Dead movies together. We love to travel, go to basketball games, and eat dinner together. 

Get outside

One of the best things about living in the country is the ability to open our doors and go out into some wide-open spaces. Something about the fresh air is always good for my soul – even in the wintertime! We hope to cut down our own Christmas tree soon. That annual tree hunt on our property has become a favorite tradition. 

Maybe even go camping

Alright, I’m suggesting this because so many of my friends enjoy it. Camping is one of the best ways to bond with nature and your loved ones at the same time. Y’all, honestly, I love everything about camping except sleeping outside. I don’t even love sleeping in the close quarters of an RV. Give me the campfire, s’mores, picnic meals, social time, hiking, and chances to take photos. But I’ll always choose my own bed – or at least the beds at my vacation rental at Kentucky Lake! 

Play tourist

I love exploring new places while on trips and setting aside the daily routines of home, but why can’t we do that right where we live? I’m guessing there are some events and destinations right near your home that you could explore. The local Murray State basketball games are our winter social life! Get tickets to whatever your family enjoys doing. Do the kinds of things you’d do if you were visiting a new place. Maybe invite some family friends to join you. Who knows what gems you may find in your hometown!

Board games

Y’all know we are a family who likes board games. Of course, some people like certain games better than others. But if you’re at our house long, we’ll pull you into some kind of game. Here are some of our favorites – some of which I’ve bought as gifts this year! 

How does your family like to spend time together?

Ben is 13!

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We are now a house with two teenagers — and in many ways, I couldn’t love it more. Ben is the boy sandwiched between two girls, many days wishing he had a brother. In the past year, I’ve seen the lives of Cate and Ben overlap more with friends and basketball. Overlapping friends can be hard between siblings, but it can also be a sweet spot. 

Ben loves playing soccer and basketball and talking about those things with his friends. He prefers school assignments with concrete answers. He likes to doodle and read non-fiction books. He has had to work hard to quiet some anxieties, expectations, and realities — especially at school. But I can look at his life and see emotional and spiritual growth, and I’m so thankful to get a glimpse at what God is doing in him and through him. He’s braver than he realizes and funnier than I probably admit to him!

With a Thanksgiving week birthday, he’s adamant about waiting until after that holiday to move on to anything about Christmas. Playing Christmas music on the way home from our Thanksgiving trip was pushing it for him.

We celebrated Ben’s birthday with a trip to Memphis for a Grizzlies game, a hotel stay, and a Bass Pro Shop outing. (And with lunch and brownies at Gran-Gran’s house the weekend before, Texas Roadhouse on our way to Indiana for Thanksgiving, and more brownies with our Thanksgiving meal at my sister’s house!) We brought three of his friends along. I’m thankful for the friends God has given him, even when finding his place is sometimes a challenge. He’s quick to friend people and sees the needs around him. 

We also got in some good cousin time with a couple of fun days at my sister’s house. Ben loves being around her two boys. They got him an Indiana sweatshirt, which was a well-timed gift because we went to an IU basketball game on Friday. We were glad we got to experience a game at Assembly Hall!

*****

Ben,

This definitely seemed like the right year to do something different for your birthday. I’m thankful I came up with an idea you were excited about! What fun memories we made! You’ve often challenged me as a mom and person, but I’m thankful for all we’ve walked through together. The longer we’re at this mom-son thing, the more I see our similarities as people. I see you and love you and am blessed to be your mom. 

Here’s to the teenage years, bedtime conversations, and lots of Haribo Peach Gummies and Sour Patch Kids. 

Love, Mom

*****

I share more of Ben’s story in my book “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family,” which is on sale (!!!) right now on Amazon. Look back on my boy’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. 11 years old. 12 years old.

A welcomed return to Britfield

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Cate, a high school sophomore, was ready for the newest installment in the Britfield series, “Britfield & the Return of the Prince.” The following is her review of the novel that’s geared toward middle and high school students. 

This new addition to the Britfield series does not disappoint as it keeps up the fast-paced, action-packed saga of Tom and Sarah’s quest to find Tom’s parents. With many old and new friends to aid them in their journey, Tom and Sarah inch closer and closer to that goal. 

I love all of the action, and the plot is amazing, however, I would love to see some more depth into the characters’ thoughts and emotions. Aside from that, Britfield is a book that I would recommend. 

Readers can tell that Stewart really knows his European facts due to all of the mini history lessons and architecture in this series – which I love. There are constant chases and close calls, so if you like on-the-edge-of-your-seat tales (but not scary), then this is your kind of book. While a lot of the time it’s hard to relate to the characters, the story leaves a lot of freedom for the readers to interpret, which personally I don’t like but some may. 

Overall, this is a great book and I cannot wait for the next book in this series.

ABOUT THE BOOK

One year later, the Committee struck back with a vengeance, crippling the Resistance now scattered throughout Europe. When Devonbury Academy in Switzerland is attacked, Tom and Sarah’s only hope is to make it to a safe house in northern Italy by relying on their own experience and covert training. Overpowered and outnumbered, they are ruthlessly hunted throughout Italy by the Black Nobility and a team of assassins. 

Henry and Oliver discover a devastating truth, Detective Gowerstone is confronted by a secret from his past, and Inspector Fontaine is pushed to her limits. Will Tom and Sarah ever find the Britfields? Relationships will be challenged, new friendships forged, and an unparalleled finale of sacrifice, romance, revenge, and loss.

This is the third book in a series that’s expected to include a few others. It’s a 592-page paperback book that’s also available as part of Amazon’s Kindle Unlimited. Learn more about The World of Britfield.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Originally from Newport Beach, California, C.R. Stewart has 20 years of experience writing fiction, nonfiction, and movie screenplays. His expertise also includes film and media production, global strategy, and international marketing.

He received a Bachelor of Arts in British Literature and European History from Brown University; did post-graduate work at Harvard University; earned an MBA from Boston College; and is pursuing a Master of Science in Advanced Management and a Ph.D. in Strategy.

Now based in San Diego, Stewart is a strong supporter of education and the arts. He enjoys world travel, reading, riding, swimming, sailing, and tennis, and is passionate about fostering creativity in students of all ages.

*****

You can read her other reviews of the books in this series here:

The author sent us a free copy of this book in exchange for a review, but Cate was genuinely excited when this latest installment in the Britfield series arrived in our mailbox. These opinions belong to Cate. Now her seventh-grade brother is into the series as well.