Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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

Play is productive

July 7, 2017 by Kristin 14 Comments

Ben had been asking to make these Power Balls. He would ask when I was changing Rachel’s diaper, in the middle of a phone call, or as we were getting ready to leave. I said no a bunch of times and wouldn’t commit to when making a craft would be a good idea.

(Confession: Y’all, I can be a fun mom, but I don’t really like to have craft time with my kids.)

My mother-in-law – who is the best there possibly could be – watched the kids Wednesday morning while I was volunteering at the local crisis pregnancy center. And she helped Ben and Cate make Power Balls.

That same afternoon they wanted to make more with the powder that remained while I caught up on work – hello, Independence Day weekend that felt like a much-needed vacation – and Rachel napped. I said yes, I mean, I didn’t really have a reason not to because they could do it themselves.

They made 19 bouncy balls – some of which glow in the dark. They took turns, made some for other people, and spent the afternoon playing together.

They asked for more, and I found them for less than $10 on Amazon, so I bought them another box. I’m probably won’t tell them I have them until it’s a rainy afternoon and some sibling unity is needed. I may not win any awards for being a good play-with-your-kids mom, but I will take the sibling teamwork that came with this one specific afternoon of play.

Plus, hey, I got a lot done that afternoon. And perhaps I owe some thanks to whoever bought this craft for one of my kids who knows how long ago as well as my dear mother-in-law.

*****

I’m joining the Five Minute Friday crew with this post. Kate Motaung gives a one-word prompt and writers write for five minutes flat. Join us!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this 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)

Confessions from my real life

January 20, 2017 by Kristin 2 Comments

They say confession is good for your soul, so here we go with some real-life confessions from around here.

1. I {unintentionally} drove around in a minivan with expired registration for NINE MONTHS. And I only realized because Greg went to pay taxes & registration on a company vehicle and couldn’t because our personal vehicle was so overdue. (The registration is paid and I’m thankful I never got pulled over!)

To my defense, the clerk mailed the registration renewal to an address that didn’t exist, so I got that corrected.

2. I used to believe leggings were not to be worn as pants. But then I started wearing them (with long tunics!) and I apologize for my uneducated assumptions.

3. I went to Walmart on Friday and ran into a friend and our conversation got me so excited and distracted that I forgot half of what I’d come to get. So I went to Walmart again Saturday.

4. I love my brown boots that I bought at Zappos outlet store years ago. So I ordered the same brand in black from Zappos.com last week. They cost $115, but I figured if I loved them like my brown ones it would be worth it. I did not love them, so I returned them. And then bought $30 black boots from a local store. I believe I love them. Um, win-win-win.

5. A Facebook friend posted about “Hidden Figures” and mentioned he actually liked this Kevin Costner movie. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’ve been trying to think of a Kevin Costner movie I like and can’t come up with one.

6. I offered to pay $2 to whoever could find our TV remote. It’s the one that allows us to watch Netflix or Amazon Prime. Cate and Ben looked for awhile, and then Ben found it AND SPLIT HIS EARNINGS WITH HIS BIG SISTER. I’d say that’s a parenting win all around.

7. I asked my 9-year-old girl for fashion advice before going to a dinner party recently. Her advice was solid, but a few days later I bought a full-length mirror for our bedroom.

Any confessions from your real life? I’d love to hear them in the comments!

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this 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)

Reflections on Rachel & real life

December 22, 2016 by Kristin 3 Comments

I have a theory about third-born girls being feisty & funny. I can name several third-born girls – my sister, nieces, and daughters of friends quickly come to mind – who are so much fun to be around. They’re the kind of people have a confidence that keeps them from being wallflowers, a joy that lights up a room, and a sense of humor that makes even adults chuckle.

Honestly, I always wanted a third-born girl, even though, as many of you know, the short version of our long story is we weren’t sure we would get to adopt a third time. But we did … a third-born girl who is feisty and funny. She’s proven my theory true in the best ways.

She’s proving the whole idea that rules don’t apply to third-born kids true too … but perhaps that’s because Greg and I are a little more laid back in our parenting this time around. And speaking of birth order, here’s a fun fact: All three of my kids’ birth order is the same in our family as it would have been in their biological families. Only God.

When we found out we were indeed going to bring a third child – a girl! – into our family, I immediately anticipated her bringing joy to our family. She has, even more than I expected! And I’m pretty sure she even knows she’s funny. She makes the best faces. She has a squinty-eyed smile I adore and one our best friends taught her to howl like a wolf. Pure joy, this girl – just as the people who sit behind us in church and get samples of all her faces!

Rachel is 15 months old this week. She weighs 23 pounds and 15 ounces (85th percentile) and is 32 inches long (90th percentile). She is down to one nap, mostly wears 24-month clothes, loves milk & Welch’s fruit snacks, adores her siblings and anyone who will make faces back at her, and is enjoying all the festivities this Christmas season.

*****

And speaking of Christmas, how about some week-before-Christmas mom confessions?

Greg had two meetings Monday night, when the kids and I were deep into embrace-Christmas-break mode. So we watched “Frozen” while eating popcorn, apples, and cookies for dinner. And Rachel sat in the high chair the whole time, chowing down on popcorn and actually watching the movie.

Cate keeps telling people after Ben brought Rachel the stuffed Olaf she got as a gift last weekend, she looked at the screen, saw Olaf, and then kissed her stuffed version. I have no idea if that’s true. I mean, she did kiss it. But she kisses lots of things. I just have no idea if she really recognized the animated character on TV as the same as the stuffed version on her high chair tray.

Ben (7) and Rachel (15 months) had well checkups at the pediatrician this week. Ben’s appointment was on Monday and Rachel’s on Tuesday. By the time I realized Rachel needed an appointment, Monday didn’t have any well openings left and I didn’t want to move Ben’s appointment because he prefers to see a specific doctor. So two days in a row. But I purposefully planned them at 11 a.m. so while we were out and about in town for those we could also eat lunch.

Oh, and lunch! At Ben’s appointment the nurse was going through the list of questions: Does he eat well? Does he like fruits and vegetables? Does he eat fast food once a week or less?

Um, depends on the week.

And by Tuesday afternoon, I had already fed him and his siblings fast food twice. Here’s to this week, and all the real-life moments that highlight our need for the Savior who was born in a lowly manger. God is with us – regardless of how many fast food lunches or popcorn dinners we have.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this 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)
« Previous 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 eighth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear fifth-grade boy, and our joy-filled preschool 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

  • Vooks improves screen time
  • Hospitality in the new life of spring
  • Taking a [spring] break
  • Ways to connect with your partner
  • Hope at home with Dolphin Island

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

My youngest child has a vivid imagination, loves b My youngest child has a vivid imagination, loves books, and somehow already knows how to work all the technology! @vooks is is a collection of virtual books that incorporates so many things my girl already loves. 

Join me #ontheblog to learn more about this kid-friendly collection of virtual books, find out about a 30-day free trial, and enter to win a year-long subscription. #linkinbio 

#VooksMIN #MomentumInfluencerNetwork #vooks #betterscreentime #vookspartner #KHTreads #bookstagram #momlife #thirdchild #favoritethings #giveaway #review
Greg turned 20 not long after we met and started d Greg turned 20 not long after we met and started dating. Now he’s more than twice that. Sometimes I’m not sure how we got here, yet I can’t imagine myself anywhere else.

Pardon the weird lighting of the photo, but you know that’s real life. We celebrated his birthday with friends over the weekend and then again last night with just the five of us. He gets to choose dinner out after soccer practices tonight. Through it all, I’m reminded how this guy just wants to be with his people and is always thinking about the next activity. He’s 100% extroverted yet somehow still calms the crazy in this house.

Happy birthday, husband. You’re back in your prime again. #birthdayboy #TeamTaylor #momlife #wifelife #soccermom #choosingJOY #livingfaithfully
He nonchalantly held out his hand with another too He nonchalantly held out his hand with another tooth in it. Apparently he took care of it at school. That’s my boy, handling the loose teeth like a champ. He’s got three more to go from his own mouth and then he’ll continue overseeing his youngest sister and all her teeth drama. I’m 40-0 for handling loose teeth ... WINNING, in other words.

#momlife #toothfairy #boymom #momconfessions #reallife
My friend @lesliemariecates has an inviting blog a My friend @lesliemariecates has an inviting blog about faith, home, and food that always encourages me greatly. She recently shared about hospitality and mentioned my book, "Bringing Home More Than Groceries." 

She shared a blueberry muffin recipe I want to make and offered encouragement with her words. "The goal is never to impress (that’s entertaining), but instead to make them feel welcome, loved and to satisfy their soul.  I want them to experience a moment of the peace of Jesus when they’re around my home even if the kids are running laps!  And if you are anything like me, food is a good way into deeper conversation, because it requires lingering and it can be relaxing. It’s easier to unwind over a meal or get cozy with a delicious drink enjoyed together on the porch!"

Follow her here on Instagram or at her blog: http://thecozylittlekitchen.blogspot.com. #morethangroceries #hospitalitymatters #authorlife #bloggerlife #bettertogether #recipes #livingfaithfully #PorchStories
I recently read this suspense novel by @sandiejone I recently read this suspense novel by @sandiejones_author and really enjoyed it. I saw where some of the story was going, but there were surprises, of course! 

I’m always glad when a new-to-me author has more books for my never-ending to-read list. Which authors have you discovered lately? 

#KHTreads #recommendedreads #bookstagram #booklover #fiction #suspensebooks
Spring breathes new life right into my soul. I’m Spring breathes new life right into my soul. I’m always thankful when this season comes around, and not solely for the sunshine! In my book “Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Gathering & Nourishing People,” I open the spring section with this quote from author @shannanwrites.

In honor of this new season, I wanted to share another excerpt from my book. Join me on my porch that overlooks trees turning green, grass that needs to be mowed again, and the pool that’s waiting for someone to jump in. 

To read an excerpt about how spring helps me open my heart, home, and life and learn more about free hospitality resources, use the #linkinbio to visit my blog. #ontheblog #hospitalitymatters #morethangroceries #bloggerlife #authorlife #selfpublished #livingfaithfully #countryliving #bookexcerpt #PorchStories
I asked Greg what he wanted to do for his birthday I asked Greg what he wanted to do for his birthday (which is next week) and he said have friends over to play. So that’s what we did yesterday.

The birthday boy turning 43 soon, a few other husbands, and a bunch of kids played kickball and basketball. Us moms mostly talked and enjoyed the fact most of our people were engaged in community and activity. Of course, we ate well too.

It’s had been a long time since we had a party where multiple families mingled together on our porch, in our kitchen, and all around our property. We missed this, so good call on letting us your birthday as an excuse, husband.

#weekending #birthdayboy #choosingJOY #countryliving #bettertogether #morethangroceries #PorchStories
First game of the season in the books. I love this First game of the season in the books. I love this time of the year. ⚽️☀️ #soccermom #girlmom #thirdchild #momlife #choosingJOY
Our Precept group went to @bidwellfamilyfarms this Our Precept group went to @bidwellfamilyfarms this morning. While us mommas discussed Acts 16-17, Scott took the kids on a tour of the farm. Truly, this group of women is a blessing for me and the effects ripple through my whole entire family. I’m so thankful for the way God knits people together.

#precept #preceptministries #biblestudy #bettertogether #momlife #countryliving #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorite Places & Projects

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2021 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.