Between the cooking and the comforting, the nurturing and the nursing, the loving and the leading, I also dabble in writing!

Click here to join me at Internet Cafe Devotions where today I am the Guest Barista.

(Does anyone else find this moniker ironic considering I don't even like coffee?)

Kristin

Count Your Many Blessing

Autumn has dawned and our hearts swell with thanks to our Father! Gratitude flows from our lips as we share our thanks around the dinner table each evening.

We thank Him for marking our days...and this day in particular...with memories.

We thank Him for cool breezes (and sister) propelling the swing.

We thank Him for the precious walk with fellow believers-- whether it be a crisp walk through the corn maze (below) or the more general walk of life...

...and for being a constant guide on this path.

We thank Him for sweaters and soccer and pizza and giggles... and all the joys that accompanied our day.

We thank Him for loving us when we were unlovable and sending His spirit to dwell in us!

Won't you join us in offering thanks for this and all our days?

Kristin

Charlotte Mason would approve...

...but we did it by accident!


As part of our picture study (one element of a Charlotte Mason education), we have been studying (contemplating, discussing...) Vincent Van Gogh's Sunflowers.

In early summer, Gavin and I attempted to plant sunflowers with no success. (Mama's very un-green thumb, to blame, perhaps?) Before throwing out the remaining seeds, I tossed a few in a large planter in the backyard.

Delight of delights-- one of these towering summer beauties began to take root and spring up just in time to welcome the autumn season!

A wonderful example of multiple elements of life coming together to foster true natural learning!

Kristin

Quiet Time

Our monarch and swallowtails have been raised and released, but one species yet remains:

... bookworm.

Kristin

Behold...

...I make all things new.
(Revelation 21:5)

To see this fascinating journey from the beginning, click here.

Duet

Read yourself...

The Autobiography of George Muller by George Muller

...and read aloud.

 

George Muller : Faith to Feed Ten Thousand by Renee Taft Meloche

For other Duet suggestions, click here!

Joy in Our Journey

The flurry of dressing and diaper changes and breakfast is over and we all settle in for the school day. As more than four weeks of school are behind us, the routine continues to etch deep grooves in the path of our days.

The tension is gone from my behind my eyes and has left wonder in its place. This season has been full of His loving surprises!

Where I expected confusion and chaos, He has given peace.

Where I expected being pulled in all directions, He has provided continuity.

Where I expected just getting through the day's requirements, He has cultivated a joy for learning in all of us!

While always a determined homeschooler, this is the first year I can profess a love for it. And I can only thank Him for the transformation. I thank Him for teaching me that short lessons on the floor surrounded by board books and teddy bears is equally as effective as spending hours at the table or a desk. I thank Him for His creation that is providing more stimulating science lessons than we could ever find in a book! I thank Him for a husband who reminds me that gaining knowledge comes second to raising children with character and, most importantly, with a love for our Savior.

So while my heart is still pounding, it is no longer the pulse of fear, but the exhilaration of running this race with Him!

Kristin

Labor Not in Vain

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat--

for he grants sleep to those he loves.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from him.

Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.

They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.

A Word Picture

We knead the dough, my Owen and I. He with his hair wispy from a nap and I with Baby on my hip.

Our talk is sprinkled with retellings of his favorite books and quotes from his favorite movies. His conversation has matured greatly in the past weeks.

"Mama, I'll get the cheese and you get the sauce." And so I do. "Ants Go Marching" accompanies our work.

We swirl the sauce in patterns and heap on more than enough cheese.


"Mama, this pizza is going to taste so good." I kiss his soft head, savoring its smell.

He picks morsels of cheese off the table and licks his plump fingers, still dimpled with baby creases. "Mama, this pizza is going to taste so good," he says again.

I ponder these things in my heart. I musn't forget.

Kristin

For more Wordful Wednesday, visit Angie at 7 Clown Circus!

Three's Company

Our annual caterpillar raising is upon us. While I generally think "science experiment" is a nasty word combination, we have good luck in the creepy-crawly department.

This go-round we have two swallowtail caterpillars named Roz and Mike (in honor of a favorite movie). While they start out as tiny as grains of rice, we acquired ours in the "big and fat" stage, almost ready to enter their chrysalises, we think.

We daily clean out their containers, making sure they have wet sponges and fresh leaves. Several times, we have jostled the caterpillars and seen them stick out their orange "horns" in defense.

Yesterday, a dear friend brought by a companion for our duo, a monarch caterpillar! (His name is Sully.) We are excited to observe this new variety of critter, with vivid black, yellow, and white stripes. This morning we were rewarded (if that is the proper term) to see our new caterpillar poop a lovely green. My friend reports that only the last monarchs of the season migrate to Mexico so we may be raising missionaries!

How beautiful is God's creation! We are eagerly awaiting the transformation of these crawling wonders into graceful fluttering beauties!

Kristin