Never Alone

Do you ever feel lonely? Sometimes I get caught up in the monotony of life, the seemingly endless tasks of motherhood, the hours at home with no adult conversation. Yes, I get caught up in it and convince myself I'm lonely.

But... I will yet praise Him.

How can I be lonely when there is a little friend on my hip while I clean the toilet and peeking over my shoulder while I scrub the tub?

How can I be lonely when, every time I sit down to nurse, another little one joins me with a story book?

How can I be lonely when during naptime a Lego® enthusiast whispers all his building plans to me? (Well, he must be reminded to whisper, but he's never prompted to talk!)

How can I be lonely when my helper-girl follows me around the kitchen asking what she can do? Or when that same girl wraps her arms around my neck during a thunderstorm?

How can I be lonely when I have a faithful companion with whom I spend most every evening? Side by side, we wash the dishes and do the bills and get the children to bed.

And most of all, how can I be lonely while in daily fellowship with my Savior?

I have no need to be lonely. I am greatly blessed!

Kristin

Five

You love sweaters and slippers and fluffy tu-tus,

Ladybugs, caterpillars, and your butterfly shoes.

You love dolls and jump ropes, kittens and monkeys,

Corn-on-the-cob and blueberries and peas!

You love to sew and weave and bake and cook,

Paint and color and look at books,

Swim and swing and grow flowers and play.

We love you, Maddie!

Happy Birthday!

Today I am the featured blogger at Mama Notes. I am humbled. I do what I do-- teach, train, lead, guide, and nurture-- solely by HIS grace. But while I strive to walk in His ways, I am willing to share what He is teaching me.

Click here to read my interview!

May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Kristin

date

kids tucked in bed

house quiet

dessert for two before us

sometimes a movie, sometimes a talk on the couch, perhaps a chapter of the book we are reading together

in love

***

decadent dessert for two
Molten Chocolate Cake

Grease two custard cups. Place on baking sheet. Preheat oven to 425.

Microwave 2 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1/4 cup butter for 30 seconds or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate completely melted. Stir in 1/2 cup powdered sugar until well blended. Whisk in 1 egg and 1 egg yolk. Stir in 3 tablespoons of flour. Divide batter between prepared custard cups.

Bake 14 minutes until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 minute and invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Serve hot!!

How good and pleasant it is...

...when brothers live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Children's Book Monday

Do you think the library ladies are weary of labeling and adding books to our section of the holdshelf? I hope not. Because as we scan the book carts for our last name, running our fingers down the spines until we find the ones set aside for us, and as my children peek under the rubberbanded labels to see what gems await, I am thankful for the book recommendations of friends.

Join Elise at A Path Made Straight as she shares fabulous book picks at her weekly Children's Book Monday. (And maybe go back some other day of the week, too, to learn with her.)And now, may we share with you...

The Mr. Putter and Tabby series
by Cynthia Rylant 
illustrated by Arthur Howard

Cynthia Rylant's books are old friends of ours. My boys are special friends with her quirky Poppleton. And Henry and Mudge strike a cord with my animal-loving girl. But I'm most attracted to old Mr. Putter and his old cat Tabby and their gentle balance of adventure and calm.

Our family has been acquainted with Mr. Putter and Tabby for years, but this summer, we set out to read the entire series in order. (Each book stands well on its own, but this seemed the best way to re-acquaint ourselves with them!) We bring home the next one or two each time we come from the library. We laugh together as Mr. Putter and Tabby run races and pick pears and make soup. We relax together as they watch birds and eat muffins and nap. And when we finish one, we delight that each is short enough to read over and over...and that there is a whole series to devour!

When I read, I rarely take time to study the pictures, but in this case, I cannot imagine the story without the illustrations or the illustrations without the story. They blend together as one. Truly a marvelous partnership.

I don't know the recommended reading level and it really doesn't matter. I look forward to sharing in the next tale as much as my young ones. My two-year-old and my husband chuckle just the same.

A good story is not bound with age-restraints. In fact, even if you have a tiny babe or your children are grown, venture into your library's children's section and treat yourself to a dose of Mr. Putter.   Joyful reading!

Kristin

All Things Small

also titled: It's the Theme of Our Summer... and I Don't Have to Like It!

What do a tall jar, a mesh cage, a glass bowl, a matchbox, and cupped hands have in common?

Why, they have all played home to Maddie's summer menagerie, of course!

I imagine her love of all creepy, crawly creatures stems from a different motivation than a boy's. She has a tenderness in her heart for all things small and wants to care for them. The summer breezes have lured the children outside often in the past weeks and it is a rare day that Maddie does not adopt someone (not something, mind you, as they all have feelings and personalities!). Maddie has played host to a pair of lightning bugs, a beetle, six frogs (friends, she says), a moth...worms, who got out in the house and were found under the window...slugs, who got out in the house and have not been found...a pill bug. She is anxiously waiting for the summer crop of swallowtail caterpillars to arrive on the bushes so she can choose one to raise into butterfly-hood as she did last year.

Alas. Death accompanies life and my compassionate one has experienced many heartaches, the most recent being the sudden death of her beloved pet fish.

Tender hearts are not easily comforted.

Kristin

The Feet of Jesus

I pivoted on my heels, turning to the refrigerator to gather food for bedtime snacks, careful not to upset Benjamin who was camped out at my ankles. The routine was the same as many evenings past, but this night, he whimpered and reached. Brian, watching nearby, knelt down with extended arms, but Benjamin turned from him and continued to gaze up at me. Brian commented, "He would rather sit at your feet than accept a substitute!"

And a picture formed in my mind...

Should not I be as Benjamin? Accepting no substitutes. Waiting at the feet of Jesus, desperate for Him.

Gazing, yearning...

"I seek you with all my heart...my soul is consumed with longing." Psalm 119:10, 20

Kristin

Life Imitating Literature...Again!

excerpted from The House At Pooh Corner
(Oh, we do so love A. A. Milne!)

"Now one day, [the friends] were all playing Poohsticks together. They had dropped their sticks in...and then they had hurried across to the other side of the bridge, and now they were all leaning over the edge, waiting to see whose stick would come out first."

A Weakness

Motherhood has taught me something.

I'm a lousy pretender.

I can read a story, bounce on the trampoline, lead craft projects, sing a lulluby or sing at the top of my lungs, give a push on the swing, do puzzles...

But when I'm asked, "Mama, will you play with me?"...

I'm at a loss. How about you?

Kristin