Miracles of Spring

Abundant Rain

"I will send rain on the land." I Kings 18:1

Witnessing Birth and New Life

"The whole earth is full of his glory." Isaiah 6:3

Kristin

Explain This One To Me...

Why is it that Owen must be coaxed to nibble anything new, can barely choke down his vegetables, and fully rejects meat...but finds delight in licking a handful of sand from the sandbox?

Kristin

Choices

Everything is a choice. Do I grumble about the clutter by the door or revel in the comfort of everyone being at home? In these busy spring days of Brian's lawn care business, days when he is absent more than we like, days when tears are too frequent as everyone longs for his key in the door, I choose to enjoy this visual sign that all is well. For I will yet praise Him...

Kristin

The Daily Grind

I load the four children into the van and thread through a detour and then one-lane traffic to the downtown library. We park and as I lift Benjamin from his carseat, I detect the sweet, buttery scent of baby poop. It has migrated up his back and I have forgotten to pack an extra outfit for him. I spend the next chunk of minutes in the front seat wiping him down as best I can and reasoning that no one will see his stained clothing because he will be tucked inside the sling. I walk to the passenger side of the van to let the other children out and ask, "Where is the library bag?" as the realization that it is still at home by the door hits me! Without our returns and a place to hold the books we will inevitably find to take home, it is pointless to go on. We re-buckle with the promise that we will drive home, grab the bag, and come right back. As we pull out of the parking lot, a young voice in the backseat says, "Daddy would never forget the library bag, would he?"...for I will yet praise Him.

Kristin

Rejoice With Those Who Rejoice

UPDATE: EllyBean (Commenter #21) is our winner!

My friend, Michelle, is celebrating the 1 year anniversary of her work-from-home internet business! We rejoice with her as she is fulfilling her call to be at home to care for her two young children while helping provide for her family.

Michelle's store, RG Natural Babies, offers various cloth diaper supplies, essential oils, organic bath accesories, and even organic baby toys. My Benjamin owns one of the Under the Nile stuffed carrots from her store and it is a favorite (with him and the older children's stuffed rabbits!).

To help us join in the fun, Michelle is offering one of my readers a $25 gift certificate from her store.

• Earn one entry by replying to this post.
  
• Earn a second entry by blogging about this contest! (Feel free to use my button in the right sidebar to link back to me. And don't forget to leave a second comment with the link to your post.)
  

The contest runs from now through Friday, April 24 (the actual anniversary day!)at 12 noon.

Michelle is offering other anniversary specials on her website so be sure to stop in for a browse!

Kristin

Psalm 42:5

A storm of grumps and grumbles darkens the children's evening. Sharp words are tossed while frowns blow from face to face. Why this upheaval, Lord? In a brief break from discord's ripples, I see my own image reflected in the puddle of discontentment.

In my search to find the source of their anger I need look no further than myself. How naive to imagine that in their passion to imitate me, they can choose only my noble qualities. So to change them, I must change me. Minute by minute, situation by situation, I must abandon my tendency to complain. Abandon my needless fussing. Will my praise encourage theirs?


Benjamin wakes up at 5 o'clock to nurse and doesn't resettle for sleep until the alarm signals the end of my night and my chance of extra rest...for I will yet praise Him.

Owen and Gavin shriek with little boy abandon and re-wake Benjamin. I dress and start breakfast with a cranky infant on my hip...for I will yet praise Him.

Oh it is a constant effort to work against my flesh.

I trip over board books and step on a stray Lego...for I will yet praise Him.

Owen needs his diaper changed and Gavin needs his math work checked and Maddie needs a drink of water...for I will yet praise Him.

Naptime is noisier and less restful than I planned...for I will yet praise Him.

Benjamin jostles around in my arms as I pound the chicken in frustration. I pause to sweep some crumbs and the dust pan skitters across the floor in my clumsy attempt. Maddie asks me to dress her doll and I snap, "Can't you see I'm busy?" bringing us both to tears. Grace through my setback...for I will yet praise Him.

Brian calls to say he will be working late...for I will yet praise Him.



It is evening again. The sun still shines. There is joy through our exhaustion, peace in our chaos. And we praise Him together!

Kristin

Half a Year

That's how old Benjamin is today!

We are celebrating and thanking God for six months with our precious, happy gift from Him!

Kristin

A Mother's Perspective

For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son...

Would I send one of my sons away to live with those who hated him? Let him be insulted and belittled while I watched? And then allow him to be killed for the sake of his tormentors?

My mother-heart cries no!
But HE did that for ME!

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now I'm found,
Was blind but now I see.

Kristin

Rejoice!

The season of winter coats is complete! Errands can be run with the kids "un-bundled"!

Is anyone as ecstatic about this as I am?!

Kristin