Cate

A muggle’s review of Harry Potter

August 15, 2018 by Kristin 17 Comments

Well, hello, school. This morning I’ve got a sixth-grader, third-grader, and toddler who is super excited and has no idea what to expect from Mothers’ Day Out that begins tomorrow. She missed the preschool age cut off by about six weeks, but I know she’s ready for some kind of school setting. Meanwhile, the big kids probably could have kept living their best summer lives but surely will be glad to see their friends and settle well back into the school routine.

In honor of this first day back at school, my sixth-grade Cate is here sharing a review of the Harry Potter series. We bought two of the books at a used book sale on Fourth of July. She started a few days later and finished the whole seven-book series in about a month. Y’all, that’s a lot of reading in a month!

The whole series is available on Kindle Unlimited, so that’s how she read the five books we don’t yet own. (Get the whole series in paperback or the Kindle versions here!) But my aunt is graciously mailing her the books she doesn’t have because, yes, she’s already started re-reading it!

*****

To me, the Harry Potter series is exciting and suspenseful. The details create great images but also leave enough to your imagination. Author J.K. Rowling was very creative when making this series.

There are 7 books:

“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone“
“Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets“
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban“
“Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire“
“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix“
“Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince“
“Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows“

My favorite is the fourth one, “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.” I like this one especially because of the Triwizard Tournament. I won’t spoil it in case you decide to read it, but it’s full of danger and adventure. It is also very mysterious, for several different reasons. I don’t really like danger and mystery separate, but together they’re awesome!

After #4, the seventh book is probably my favorite. “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” is definitely the most dangerous and adventurous. It’s very constant danger/adventure so, I stayed up late not wanting to put it down! I really love how J.K. Rowling ended it. If you want me to explain a little about the Deathly Hallows, then I’ll say a little: Harry needed a certain cloak, wand, and stone, and his enemy did not need to get his hands on them!

My least favorite is the fifth one, “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.” It is the slowest story and I didn’t like the ministry, a professor, and the story. The book is very sad.

Overall, I enjoyed this series – so much so I already started rereading the books! If you read them, I hope that you enjoy them, too!

*****

Cate, 11, will re-read books more than anyone I know, comprehends and remembers more details than I knew was possible, and loves horses. She’s excited to have a locker this year at school although she will miss sleeping in most mornings. Her momma is going to miss her help and conversation during school hours.

*****

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Eleven, already.

May 6, 2018 by Kristin 2 Comments

Dear Cate,

You made me a mom ELEVEN YEARS ago today, my sweet Catherine Anna. I know I sometimes forget what I walked into the room to do, but I remember welcoming you into the world like it was yesterday. Your daddy and I had waited to become parents and God took us on a surprise adventure to you. I wouldn’t trade the hard days of infertility, the emotional wait to become a mom, or all the unknowns of the adoption process for anything because that journey gave us you.

You remind me so much of me – which is the best and hardest thing about being your mom. Us first-born girls have so many ideas, want to do all the things, and are confident we always know the best way to accomplish whatever is before us. I understand you in a way that brings me peace and frightens me.

Just the other day, I was listening to that Andrew Peterson song “Be Kind to Yourself.” It always reminds me of you because it’s the same message I preach to myself regularly. (I wrote about that in my book.) I pray you hold on to the truth you know, worry less, always be willing to try new things, give yourself grace, and be the kind of friend you want to have.

“You got all that emotion that’s heaving like an ocean
And you’re drowning in a deep, dark well
I can hear it in your voice that if you only had a choice
You would rather be anyone else

I love you just the way that you are
I love the way He made your precious heart

Be kind to yourself …

I know it’s hard to hear it when that anger in your spirit
Is pointed like an arrow at your chest
When the voices in your mind are anything but kind
And you can’t believe your Father knows best

I love you just the way that you are
I love the way He’s shaping your heart

Be kind to yourself …

How does it end when the war that you’re in
Is just you against you against you
Gotta learn to love, learn to love
Learn to love your enemies too

You can’t expect to be perfect
It’s a fight you’ve got to forfeit
You belong to me whatever you do
So lay down your weapon, darling
Take a deep breath and believe that I love you …”

{Listen here.}

I love the way you look out for Ben and Rachel, look forward to watching “The Voice” and “Survivor” with you, and enjoy playing games with you. You’ve been a champ with the braces on your teeth this year. You read faster than anyone I know and will re-read a book you just finished yesterday. You love horses, crafts of any kind, and writing stories. You’re smart and kind. You pay attention to everything and always have a plan.

I know I say it often when we pray before bed, but I’m so grateful God made me your mom and the five of us a family. I met you in that Indiana hospital room eleven years ago today, and I’m thankful that was only the beginning of your story that is so much my story too.

Happy birthday, my girl.

*****

You can read more about Cate’s story and our family’s story in my book, “Peace in the Process: How Adoption Built My Faith & My Family,” which is on sale through tomorrow, May 7.

And look back on Cate’s life through other birthday posts: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Baptism. Nine. Ten.

A decade of Cate

May 6, 2017 by Kristin 3 Comments

Somehow my first-born child is 10 today! Double digits! And that means a decade of motherhood for me.

What is so crazy to me about Cate turning 10 is the fact I have some very clear memories from being a fourth-grader. I remember things that happened at school in Ms. Carey’s class. That’s also the year I met a best friend who was a constant in my everyday life for the next 13 years.

God made me a mom through adoption and it makes my heart swell with joy knowing He chose to give me a girl who is so much like me. Of course, I see my weaknesses and struggles show up in her life too. Sometimes looking in the reflection is hard, but sometimes it so very beautiful.

Cate is a stereotypical first-born who naturally bosses her siblings and makes plans with her friends. She has more hobbies than anyone I know: playing piano, horseback riding, drawing, crafting, writing, reading, baking, and playing board games. She would like to learn to crochet more.

She’s easy to love and has changed me since that day I first held her in a Bloomington, Indiana hotel room.

*****

Catherine Anna,

I love watching you create things and try new things. You have your routines and preferences, but you’re brave and trust God in ways I wish I did at your age.

You’re a faithful friend to so many, and I love seeing you care for others. You’re such a good big sister and are so great coming alongside us to help with whatever is going on. Of course, I sometimes have to remind you that you aren’t Ben’s mom!

You read books over and over again. Meanwhile, I pray you fall more in love with the Storyteller who has weaved together your story. You ask questions about everything and I pray you always think deeply. You love to go on trip but are excited to come home too, prompting me to pray you always embrace adventure without losing your sense of home.

We’re in this live together because that was God’s plan for us. I’m grateful you are the one God used to make me a mom 10 years ago. Watching you grow up has been one of my greatest experiences, so I’m excited to see what comes next for you and our family.

I love you,
Momma

*****

Read more birthday posts :: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. Baptism. Nine.