Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

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Happy birthday, Ben!

November 23, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

I don’t know at what point kids’ ages stop sounding all grown up, but it’s not 14 years old. My boy Ben turns 14 today – yes on Thanksgiving! – and it sounds impossible and sudden to me. Even so, I love having big kids and am happy to celebrate him! 

November has been an incredibly hard month for my boy. It’s a story I’ll probably share publicly at some point. For now, I’m giving thanks for Ben’s life and our community of people who love him well. We started celebrating on Sunday with eight of his friends and our dear friends the Gachokas who are like family. We had a delicious meal at Texas Roadhouse and then spent a couple of hours at Top Golf. The ride to and from Nashville was loud — with singing, middle school humor, and spicy hot takes.

The bigger picture: it’s not just these friends who love our boy, and I’m grateful to know so many have encouraged and supported him through the years. We’ve seen this real-life community in this hard season he’s facing, and we are so thankful to be surrounded by so much goodness. I’m praying my boy continues to soak in that truth.

Meanwhile, he loves making music playlists, watching videos from Mark Rober and Dude Perfect and How Ridiculous, building and taking apart pretty much anything, eating double bacon cheeseburgers, drinking Glacier Freeze Gatorade, collecting key chains and crazy socks, and playing soccer. He likes to anticipate what’s next, is a good friend to people, and would rather not be at school. 

I’m proud of his bravery to work through hard things and look forward to seeing what God continues to do in his life. 

*****

Ben, 

You’re brave and bold. I’m thankful to call you my son and watch you be a friend to so many people. I pray you know you’re loved by God, your family, and your friends. Walking through this world can be hard and dark, but there’s so much goodness in the light.

Keep being you and following where God leads. I love being on this journey with you! Happy birthday, son! 

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 available for FREE through Nov. 26 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. 13 years old.

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Favorite Christmas Gift Ideas

November 17, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Accessories

Bombas socks – I know, they’re kind of expensive. But I love how the ankle socks feel on my feet and in my shoes. 

Braided band for my Apple Watch – I asked my 16-year-old daughter to find me a watch band that was comfortable and dried easily. This is what she came up with, and I love it. In fact, I recently ordered a second one. 

Crossbody bag – I have loved this Lululemon one for a while, but I found an even better and cheaper one on Amazon. Truly, hooray for liking the off-brand one better!

Madewell bag with flower strap – My friend Ashlee carries this Madewell bag and I loved it so much I bought it too. I didn’t love the thin strap on it. I probably put too much stuff in my “medium tote.” But I bought a wide, pretty strap on Amazon and it makes the bag nearly perfect. 

Pura Vida bracelets – I have loved these for a while for myself and others, but I found this Daybreak one that matches my new book. There are so many options and colors – and they make great gifts!

Household

Blink outdoor security cameras – I’ve shared about these before, but they’re easy to set up and use. I can see movement on my porches, which I especially like at night or if the kids are home alone. We recently added the doorbell to our system. 

Line-a-day journal – I’ve gifted so many of these. It’s a journal that gives you space to write a sentence or two for each day for five years. I’m on my second journal, and I’m going to keep giving them away like candy. Documenting my day briefly each night before bed as become over the past five-plus years one of my very favorite habits. 

Pellet ice maker – This is our second counter ice maker and I love it! It’s bigger than our previous one and makes the soft, crunchy Sonic ice. (PLUS it’s currently on sale!) 

Pioneer Woman stuff – Pretty much of any of these kitchen & household accessories would make great gifts. I have plastic plates and bowls, mixing bowls, various utensils, cookware, and an Instant Pot in her lovely designs. I’ve gifted items in the past and will likely again in the very near future. 

Technology

AirPods – My eldest has AirPods on her wish list. She has some she’s used for years, but she lost one. I saw Walmart and Amazon had them on sale right now. 

Echo Show – We have this Alexa in our kitchen, and it’s so convenient! We set timers, ask her questions, find recipes and ingredient substitutions, and add items to our grocery list. It’s a great helper in the hub of our household. (And you can save 62% right now!) 

Kindle Oasis – Like a Paperwhite, but this Kindle has page-turning buttons. Y’all, it’s waterproof and there’s no glare. It’s the best for hauling around a ton of books on a device that’s about the size of a mass market paperback, although it’s much thinner than that. 

Toys & Games

I don’t love giving toys as gifts, but if I’m going to I lean toward activity and building toys like Legos or Magna Tiles. Amazon has lots of options on sale right now. So many of these are things my kids – especially the second-grade girl and teenage boy – would love. 

I do love giving family games as gifts. We have so many favorites! Several are included in this sale, such as Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, Mancala, Phase 10, Rummikub, and Blokus. (Here are other favorite family games!)

Handheld video games – We don’t allow much playing on phones for my 8-year-old girl and 13-year-old boy, but I don’t mind these handheld games. They are great for car trips or waiting rooms. They also think I’m kind of cool because I know how to play Mario Bros. 

Services

Audible – If you know someone who likes to listen to books as they drive around or do chores at home, consider gifting a subscription like this. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it. 

Book of the Month – Way better than Jelly of the Month, this gives the gift each time your loved once received a blue box with an early or new release they’ve chosen. Again, as a reader myself, what a great gift! 

Crunch Labs – Ben gets excited each month when these boxes show up on our porch. It’s a great subscription box for my teenager who loves to build things. Plus the whole family likes Mark Rober’s videos that go along with the projects. 

Walmart delivery – I am a paying member of Walmart+ and don’t regret it. When my groceries and household items show up on my porch while I’m working, I feel like I’m multi-tasking in the best ways! Plus you get other perks, like free, quick shipping on items not available in the local store. (Save $20 if you sign up through this link!)

YouTube TV – We ditched cable a while ago and love this streaming option. The channel selection is good and it’s cheaper than cable. (Save $15 if you subscribe through this link!)

Online shopping tip!

‘Tis the season! Here we are shopping online, so who doesn’t want some extra money to come their way?! That’s what Rakuten does! I have the extension installed on my Chrome browser on my MacBook and the app on my phone. Just look up the store from which you’re going to shop or use the Rakuten website and earn cash back from so many places. 

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How to teach kids to take care of home

November 17, 2023 by Kristin Leave a Comment

My kids know I want things – all the things – to be put away in their home. Everything has a home. The dirty laundry goes in a basket. The dirty dishes go to the sink. The trash goes to the trash can. Yet, I find myself repeating these things often! 

While I understand the value of keeping an orderly household by cleaning, decluttering, and just general organization, it’s not really like that for most kids. Mine are currently 16, almost 14, and 8. They know, but they don’t know, you know? Most kids need to have this instilled into them, learn it, and grasp it in order for it to truly happen. Just like teaching them how to take care of themselves.

But chances are, you probably know that getting your kids to understand the importance of taking care of the house can not only lighten your load but also instill valuable life skills in them. So, how can we do this? I probably shouldn’t actually be offering advice because I’m still teaching this, but here we go:

Lead by example

One thing you need to keep in mind is the fact that children are keen observers. Believe it or not, they learn a great deal from watching their parents. So, you’re going to have to demonstrate good habits by consistently taking care of your own belongings and participating in household chores. Your actions serve as a powerful model for your kids, showcasing the importance of responsibility and teamwork.

That’s right, I clean up after myself generally in hopes they will do – and because I function better with less clutter and messes. 

Establish routines

For every part of the house, both inside and out, there needs to be a routine, and sometimes, this is going to vary based on the season. So, just keep in mind that consistency is key when instilling habits. When children know what to expect, it becomes a natural part of their routine, reducing resistance and making the process more seamless. 

We have seasonal routines around here with tending to our pool and yard. These chemicals go in the pool each week and the yard needs to be mowed every week or so. My kids have learned these routines because they’re just part of our summer lives. 

It doesn’t always have to be about them doing the chores, but it’s also about getting them to understand the importance of taking care of the home. So even if you’re planning on hiring professionals, such as for pressure washing service, then you can still explain to them why it matters and why it needs to be done. Or you can teach your teenage son to pressure wash, which is one thing we’ve done recently. 

Explain why

Kids are usually more likely to cooperate when they understand the purpose behind their actions or what needs to be done in general. So, you just need to explain to them that taking care of the house is a shared responsibility since everyone in the house lives there. You’ll need to, of course, explain it in a way that gets them to understand that it’s not punishment, but rather it’s help. And then I kindly ask my second-grader to unload the dishwasher. 

Teamwork

We talk about our family being a team often – and our home is definitely our practice field. If we can work together here, we can work together anywhere. Try to discuss how everyone in the family plays a role in maintaining a clean and comfortable living space. This honestly can help create a strong family dynamic. 

How do your kids help you care for your home?

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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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Recent Posts

  • Happy birthday, Ben!
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DAY 8: ONE BIG DREAM FOR 2024 for Anchored Women's DAY 8: ONE BIG DREAM FOR 2024 for Anchored Women's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

My dream for 2024 is relief from the things that were challenges this year. I hope my family and I have learned in ways that lead us to seek after God more intimately and consistently. I don’t know what that looks like, but I trust God will continue this work He began.

#faith #faithblogger #faithful #faithlife #momlife #reallife #documentlife #newyear
DAY 7: ONE THING YOU’RE SAYING NO TO IN 2024 for DAY 7: ONE THING YOU’RE SAYING NO TO IN 2024 for @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

I told someone in the comments of yesterday’s post: The nos are easier when the yeses are clear. 

Several years ago, my counselor encouraged me to list every little and big thing I spend time doing and then let go of some things. I’m not at that same place in life right now, but what I learned from that experience has stuck with me. When my priorities are clear – and they are with family, church, and closest friends, in that order – then I’m able to let go when something isn’t a good fit right now. 

I don’t know what specific things will fall in the “no” category in the new year, but I’m confident God will lead me as He has done faithfully this year, which was full of plenty of interruptions, readjustments, and shifts. 

#realllife #newyear #reflectandrefresh #livingfaithfully #countryliving #faith #faithblogger #faithful #faithlife
I finished this @rebeccayarros book last night whi I finished this @rebeccayarros book last night while my family was watching "Home Alone 2" and I immediately downloaded the rest of the five-book Flight & Glory series, thanks to Kindle Unlimited. Yes, I liked it that much. I loved the characters, the real ways grief was portrayed, and the hockey and military storylines. 

P.S. I could have done with fewer sex scenes, but beggars can't be choosers. 

FULL MEASURES: amzn.to/47K1R2x

KINDLE UNLIMITED: amzn.to/3TxkFy3

#KHTreads #bookstagram #bookshelf #bookstack #books #bookreview #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookblogger #KindleUnlimited #KindleOasis #kindlebooks
DAY 6: ONE THING YOU’RE SAYING YES TO IN 2024 fo DAY 6: ONE THING YOU’RE SAYING YES TO IN 2024 for @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

As I think about transitioning into the new year, I am committing to saying yes to God, my family, my church, and my closest friends. Everything else is up for debate. Saying yes to the nearest and dearest is most important to me. When I say yes to my kids’ schedules and needs, that means saying no to other things, but I’ve learned these priorities are what keep me present in this season, right now, with a husband of more than two decades, a 16-year-old who drives herself places, a 14-year-old boy, and an 8-year-old girl. The seasons change quickly, so I want to say yes to this one, right here where God has me. 

#newyear #livingfaithfully #wifelife #momlife #reallife #seasons #motherhood
DAY 5: SOMETHING THAT WAS A CHALLENGE for @anchore DAY 5: SOMETHING THAT WAS A CHALLENGE for @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

(Yes, I know, I went quiet there for a few days. I'm back!) 

I love having older kids, but our family encountered a challenge this year for one child as adoption trauma, genetics, hormones, school stress, and medicine side effects collided for a perfect storm of mental health challenges. We’re still sorting through it all, waiting for an appointment that we hope brings direction for the next steps, and taking it one day at a time. 

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#bettertogether #friends #friendship #momlife #reallife #adoptionislove #adoption #teenagers #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #faithlife
We had the best time cheering for our varsity girl We had the best time cheering for our varsity girls at the KCAA Holiday Classic in Independence, KY, on Friday and Saturday. And our girls brought home the first place trophy after an exciting, intense 53-51 overtime win against Oak Ridge Christian Academy last night. 

Cate was named to the all-tournament team and had her most-ever 19 points (and two chipped teeth!) in the championship game. I’m so proud of her and her friends. And to think she hadn’t played organized basketball until four years ago. In fact, @ncca.lions girls played in its first game four years ago yesterday. Look how far they’ve come!

Here’s to such a fun 4-0 start to the Lions fifth season of girls basketball. Go Cate! And go Lions! 💛

#basketballseason #highschool #momlife #weekending #documentlife #thisis16
DAY 4: SOMETHING THAT WENT REALLY WELL for @anchor DAY 4: SOMETHING THAT WENT REALLY WELL for @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

Spring Break 2023 was the first time we vacationed with friends. We all boarded Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas for a week of sunshine and fun. It was such a great time – so much so we hope to do another cruise with the same friends sooner rather than later.

#reflectandrefresh2023 #newyear #reflections #bettertogether #favoritethings
DAY 3: ONE BOOK THAT IMPACTED YOUR YEAR for @ancho DAY 3: ONE BOOK THAT IMPACTED YOUR YEAR for @anchoredwomen's Reflect and Refresh Challenge

“The Power of Place: Choosing Stability in a Restless Age” by @mrdanielgrothe . I posted about this book before, but I read it on a whim after hearing someone reference its theme on a podcast. And I loved it so much. It echoed so much of what God has been teaching me in my small-town life. The tenth chapter — Stability in Friendship — is basically a summary of my book, “Created for Communion.”

I don’t read a ton of non-fiction, but when I do the messages tend to matter in my life, and this book is no exception. “The Power of Place” is one that will encourage me for many days to come. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #bookshelf #bookstack #books #bookreview #bookstagrammer #booklover #bookblogger #socialmediachallenge #CreatedForCommunion #holyfriendships #bettertogether
DAY 2: BEST NEW DISCOVERY as part of @anchoredwome DAY 2: BEST NEW DISCOVERY as part of @anchoredwomen's Reflect & Refresh Challenge

I love to haul around a sort of big bag (aka purse) so I can have all the things with me in the car, but I don’t want to haul that bag into stores or short errands. I had a Lululemon crossbody bag that was about the size of a fanny bag that I really loved, but it was pale pink and always looked dirty. This year I discovered an off-brand crossbody bag on Amazon that is even better than the Lululemon AND IT’S $20. And it’s so easy to just throw in my big bad when I don’t have it slung over my shoulder.

https://amzn.to/3sSWwHa

You’re welcome!

🎁 If you're looking for other gift ideas, I put together a list of some of my favorite things, including this handy bag! bit.ly/KHTgiftideas

#reflectandrefresh #socialmediachallenge #favoritethings #reflectandrefresh2023 #giftideas #bestbag #linkinbio
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