Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

How to create memories

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I’m in a season of wanting to create memories and remember these days of having kids who are on the verge of really growing up. They’re 16, 13, and 7 right now — and these days won’t last for long. I’m hoping creating and documenting memories helps me appreciate the season we are in and what’s still to come. 

These shared experiences not only strengthen the bond between parents and children, but they also contribute to their emotional and even cognitive development. With that in mind, here are some of the best ways to do it. 

Have traditions 

Traditions are a great way to make some important memories, and they work so well because they are repeated time and time again, enabling everyone to get to know them well and remember them much better. 

Your traditions could be a weekly movie night, a yearly weekend trip, a special Christmas celebration, or perhaps you hire a family photographer every year for a special portrait. These traditions offer you and your children an opportunity to really connect. As they get older, their role can change, so they start to take ownership and then continue those traditions with their own families. 

We have traditions that involve extended relatives and friends who are like family. Of course, the traditions with the five of us are special – and change with the season!

Game nights 

Game nights are an enjoyable and interactive way to create memories while strengthening family bonds at the same time. Gather a selection of age-appropriate board games or card games and set aside dedicated time to play them together. (Here are some of our favorites!)

When you are having friendly little competitions like this, you can really enjoy being together and having fun, and the memories you all make during this time will definitely last. Laughter is a good catalyst for sweet memories. Game nights can also be the ideal opportunity to teach your child new skills — and give them a break from screens. 

Creative play

Children have unlimited imaginations, and creative play is an amazing way to tap into this incredible resource. Make sure you encourage your children to express themselves through play, art, music, or perhaps storytelling in their own way. Give them a dedicated space to do this in the home, and in this way, they can really explore their passions. 

Being free to do the things they want to do in this way will help to cement these good feelings as memories, and if you were to join in with them, they would remember them even more. Whether it’s painting, building forts, putting on a puppet show, or singing some songs together, you’ll create lasting memories and do wonders for your child’s development at the same time. 

It’s not as creative, but I’m finding myself loving the times in the passenger seat teaching my oldest to drive. It’s a necessary step, but it’s allowed sole sweet memories to happen between us. 

Serve together

Engaging in acts of kindness and giving back to the community can create some wonderful memories for children and adults alike. If you are doing some volunteering, involve your children as much as you can, as long as what they are doing is age-appropriate and safe. We like to include our kids in service projects we do with our church and school friends. 

By experiencing the impact of their actions firsthand, children will develop empathy and a sense of responsibility toward others, but more than this, these experiences can be some of their fondest memories because they got to do something good and spend time with you. 

How do you like to spend time with your kids or other youngsters in your life? 

How to take care of yourself

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I’ve lived in landlocked Kentucky all my (almost) 44 years. I love it here, but sometimes I feel trapped. Going to the shoreline, even of Kentucky Lake, helps me take a deep breath and regroup. I actually did that in the middle of the week because anxiety and overwhelm were swirling around in my head. I needed to tend to some things at my vacation rental, but I really needed a deep breath of fresh air. 

I’m notorious for going and going and going and doing and doing and doing until I am forced to take a break. I thought I had taken a healthy, long break on Spring Break, but I dived right back into life with decisions and feelings. I needed to regroup, again – and it was only Wednesday.  

Our world loves to talk about self-care. And, honestly, I’m not really into that phrase, but I am into squeezing in some moments of caring for myself as I go about this crazy life. 

In general, when we don’t take time out for ourselves and our regular duties, we can become tired and stressed. Those feelings can build on one another and leave us overwhelmed. This isn’t good for ourselves or anyone around us. Just ask my husband! 

Regrouping to focus on our physical, mental, and spiritual health is necessary. You may not be able to take a whole self-care day, but we can all find some time to tend to our own hearts and souls before we move on to the next thing. 

Delegate duties

I have to remind myself it’s okay to ask for help. My husband and kids live here too. My friends are willing to help. Groceries can be delivered. Chores can wait. Hire a house cleaner. I have to remind myself not everything had to get done in one day.

I love to cook, but sometimes caring for myself involves not preparing a meal so I can use that time for something else. After soccer practice, you’re liking to find us eating some chicken strips or visiting the local steakhouse. On these nights, not only do I not cook, but I also don’t have to do the dishes!

Declutter

Clutter impacts my mental state, so cleaning the house – even quickly – helps restore order and peace. I especially love donating the pile of clothes that don’t fit the kids anymore and taking out the trash. 

Change the scenery 

Sometimes stepping away from chores and work is the best thing. Restoring peace also means I’ll be more productive later. So take that walk – even just down your driveway, around the block, or through the woods. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy, just get in some steps and clear your head. I like to talk with a friend, listen to music or a podcast, or pray while I walk. Sometimes even nature sounds alone help soothe my soul.

I also have to change my mental scenery sometimes. When I am anxious or overwhelmed, I tend to believe lies and have to fight for the truth to come back to the forefront of my mind. Often I do this by talking with someone I trust, praying and meditating, slowing down, and listening to a playlist I put together called “Things That Are True.” (Listen on Spotify or Apple Music.)

Do what you enjoy

Free time shouldn’t always be spent catching up on a household or work project. Rather, take time to do something you enjoy. I’m likely to read a book, watch a TV show, plan a trip, catch up with a friend, or take photos. 

Be grateful

Don’t let the busyness of life drown out the gifts. When I get overwhelmed, I love to turn on a playlist that prompts me to thank God for all the goodness in my life. When I start writing or reciting in my head all the gifts, the overwhelm and stress subsides. Writing a gratitude list helps me appreciate real-life gifts, people, and places when life feels stressful and overwhelming. Gratitude helps me reframe situations: Chores become ways to bless people and trials become ways to see the truth.

Call it self-care or whatever else, but we all need to care of our minds and hearts. I know firsthand what happens if we don’t and nobody we love needs that version of us. 

How do you take care of yourself in the midst of everyday life?

How to enjoy winter days at home

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God has made each season beautiful and appropriate in its own time. - Kristin Hill Taylor, Bringing Home More Than Groceries #morethangroceries

Y’all know I’m a summer girl, but cozy, slow mornings or evenings at home are one of the perks of winter. Yes, days are short and temperatures colder than I’d prefer, but let’s look on the bright side of these colder times of the year. Even though I’m not sure about the single-digit weather coming our way later this week, I’ll have to take advantage of my warm house and some cozy activities!

Pajama mornings

I just told someone today I’m craving a slow morning in my pajamas. We have some plans during Christmas Break, but I purposefully didn’t make any early morning appointments. To wake up without an alarm and be able to stay in comfy clothes for a few hours will be a treat for us all in my house. My son will make hot chocolate, my oldest daughter will sleep in the longest, and my youngest will sneak into my bed to snuggle with me. I love making pancakes (especially this Cracker Barrel copycat recipe) or French toast on our griddle. 

Game nights

Game nights are our favorite winter social activities! Inviting people over in the summer comes more naturally with our pool and porch, but there are fun winter opportunities too. We have friends over to watch our favorite Murray State Racers basketball team or play board games. There are many new board games out there, and I even bought my kids some for Christmas! (Here are some of our other favorites!) 

Prepare meals

I like to cook more in the winter too. Warm casseroles and soups hit the spot and provide good meals. Sometimes it’s just as easy to cook for more people, so we will invite friends over to share Taco Soup with us. I have a couple of meat lovers in my house, so maybe I need to learn new ways to make the best tomahawk steak at Jerkyholic.com or embrace baking a little more! I do love baked goods, but I’d rather cook the main courses. 

Get outside 

Of course, I’m tempted not to leave my house in the winter, but getting outside – even in the cold – is always good for my soul. Thankfully, we live where we have lots of wide-open spaces to roam, so walking through our woods, down the logging road, or even down the street is always a welcome break from the indoors. My kids like when it snows – and then they’re most definitely interested in getting outside! Yes, and then Ben will make more hot chocolate to warm himself right up! 

How do you like to spend your winter days?

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Hospitality matters in every season, and I share some ways to connect with others even in winter in the free printable that goes with my book, “Bringing Home More Than Groceries: Stories About Gathering & Nourishing People.”