Ben

Ben in his prime

November 23, 2020 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Happy birthday, Ben!

Something about 11 seems older. You learned about prime numbers not too long ago, and now here you are, PRIME. I’m sure you just rolled your eyes at me, but I know deep down you like my cheesy jokes. Regardless, my bad jokes are better than the ones you made up for years. I’m glad to be out of that season with you!

You love to make people laugh. I know sometimes I get annoyed because your timing is off (hello, bedtime), but I do see your humor and love of people as a gift you give. You always want to know what we’re doing next, not wanting to miss out on anything. When I pick you up in the afternoon, you’re always the first to ask about my day and what we’re having for dinner. Of course, then you prep yourself to eat enough dinner that you usually don’t care about so you can get ice cream afterward.

I can’t figure out how you usually win Skyjo, Trash Pandas, and Exploding Kittens – all card games that involve some strategy and a lot of luck. It’s true, though, you’re the lucky one. Of course, I’m the lucky one too because even if you beat me in card games, I get to be your mom.

You’ve always liked to be on the move, now that happens on the soccer field, basketball court, hover board, or four-wheeler. You can spend hours searching for treasures around our pond, in the creek, or I the woods. You’re quick to invite someone to join you, wrestle your little sister, and want to watch a science experiment video.

You’ve challenged me more than the girls, but I’ve learned so much about myself and the world through you. I’m my best when I’m carefree and spontaneous like you. I enjoy the world more when I’m not afraid to take things apart, make my own way, and ask questions like you. I’m thankful you’ll still snuggle me, eventually tell me what you’re feeling, and want to live with me forever.

We celebrated your birthday with a few school friends yesterday and homemade breakfast tacos this morning. While making s’mores yesterday, you roasted one so much it caught on fire and we sang “Happy Birthday” to you while you blew it out. Truly, that fit you perfectly. The celebrations are continuing. You chose tonight’s dinner: chicken fajitas and baked potatoes. Plus we are taking a Dairy Queen ice cream cake to Thanksgiving with one side of the family and having another small party next weekend with the other side of the family. We’re spreading out the birthday love because 2020 is a weird year, but everybody still wants to celebrate you, my boy.

I love you, Momma.

Look back on Ben’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.

reading & schooling at home

April 29, 2020 by Kristin Leave a Comment

Ben had to write a book review for his fourth-grade language arts class, which, you know, he’s doing from our kitchen countertop during these social-distancing days. He just finished reading “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” so that’s what he decided to review. I bribed him to let me share his review here. There are some story spoilers ahead.

*****

In this book, the main character is Harry Potter. His parents were wizards. Voldemort killed his parents. Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts. Hogwarts is a school for wizards. He meets Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, the other main characters.

He is trying to become a wizard. Then he hears about Voldemort and he is trying to get the sorcerer’s stone. Harry thought Snape was working with Voldemort, but he isn’t. It is actually Professor Quirrell and Voldemort’s face is the back of Quirrell’s head.

The book ends when the school year ends. At the end of each school year, there is a house cup. Whoever has the most points wins.

I liked the book because there are magical creatures like a centaur and a three-headed dog. I liked it because it had a little mystery in it.

*****

Ben isn’t the first Harry Potter fan around here. Cate was quite obsessed with the series for a long time and has read all the books multiple times. Perhaps her brother will join her fan club. Of course, she previously wrote a review too. I haven’t read or watched any Harry Potter story, but I was super impressed with the wizardry world at Universal Studios. Find other books my kids have loved here.

Stories from the Porch in November

November 27, 2019 by Kristin 8 Comments

I know we have another month in this year, but my mind has been reflecting on 2019 and looking into 2020. I’m sure I’ll have more to say about all this, but this has been a good month in a hard year.

My counselor told me at an appointment earlier this month I was doing a good job taking care of myself. Honestly, it’s taken a lot of effort because, for me in this season, taking care of me meant pulling back from commitments on my calendar even when they involved people I enjoy being around. I had to let go of a regular commitment and say no to some invitations. I had to realize that my time at home didn’t always have to be filled with productivity.

My friends are my favorites, but this season of grieving and healing has been a time of drawing inward first and then going outward. Becoming a better me has meant I haven’t initiated as many plans with friends, which has meant I haven’t seen some friends as much because I’m usually the initiator. That brought a little more grief yet also has led to more healing. Life can be tricky.

I’m barely an extrovert, enough that I like making new friends and want to hold onto them all forever. But everything in life has seasons, which is a hard but refreshing reality. I’m thankful for my friends — the ones who knew to check on me, the ones who I can pick up with when we do cross paths, the ones who have kids for my kids to befriend, and the ones I miss.

So here’s to a month of gratitude and grace.

Highlights

We hosted a churchwide bonfire with soups and s’mores. It was a cold night, so people were in and out of our house. My favorite moments were singing some worship songs around the fire.

The same weekend, we had our 11th annual Friendsgiving with three other families. Through the years, it’s looked different and involved different families, but it’s a tradition we all love. I know some friends are for certain seasons of life, but I’m thankful despite circumstantial and logistical changes, Friendsgiving has remained. Here’s to traditions in a world full of changes and faithful friendships.

And then we had a Snow Day! On Nov. 12! It’s the earliest I remember that happening here in Kentucky. We enjoyed the day, of course, especially because it was also the day Disney+ started streaming, so we had so many movie-watching options.

My boy turned 10 last weekend! We had a fun basketball birthday party and went out for Mexican food with my whole family. (Yes, of course, I wrote my traditional letter to him.) Then they stayed around for an early Thanksgiving meal my mom and I prepared. I loved having my brother, his wife, their two kids, my sister, her husband, their three kids, and my mom here. We tied up some things with my dad’s estate and booked a house for a summer vacation in Michigan.

We are heading to Branson to celebrate Thanksgiving with Greg’s family, so I’m sure that will make this month’s highlights too!

Favorite things

Misfits Market – This fruit and vegetable delivery service is so fun! (Here’s a peek at my first box!) For as much as I like order and predictability, I like the surprise of discovering what’s inside the box and the challenge of using what is there. I decided this was the time to try out this delivery service because I needed some inspiration for preparing and eating healthy meals. You can save 25% with my referral link.

College basketball – Hooray for my favorite season that doesn’t involve in the pool! We plan our winter social life around the Murray State Racers’ schedule and love being fans of our alma mater. We keep up with the University of Kentucky and end up watching plenty of other games too.

#Gratitude30 challenge – It wasn’t really a challenge for me, but I loved the intentionality to share people, places and things from my life for which I’m thankful. There are a few more posts coming, so be sure to follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

From the shelves

I didn’t read much this month, but I’m in the middle of three books, which is actually pretty unusual for me. Usually I’m a one-book-at-a-time girl.

“The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” by John Mark Comer – I’ve listened to several podcasts with John Mark Comer, but “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry” is his first book I’ve read and it’s a good one!

“Anger: Calming Your Heart (31 Devotionals for Life)” by Robert D. Jones – I know this book is only thirty-one devotionals, but I’ve been digesting it slowly. It’s been really important, convicting truth for my soul.

“Evvie Drake Starts Over” by Linda Holmes – I was ready to have a fiction read going. I started this one when I was early to school pickup and I’m looking forward to another pocket of time to read more. It’s classified as a romantic comedy, and so far I’m really enjoying the characters.

On the screen

I enjoyed watching “Dancing with the Stars” and made fans out of my kids too. Greg and I also have been into “Blacklist” and “Madam Secretary” too. Of course, we’re all looking forward to watching “Frozen 2” this week.

How was your November? I hope it’s been full of gratitude and grace for you too.

*****