Snapshots

Posted on October 30, 2006 by Shanda

Caleb loves books now and begs us to read to him. his favorite is “spot”.

“”“Fire and Ice”

I turned around in my seat and I saw this big BOY, his arms and legs seemed longer, and his hands seemed bigger and I thought, “did he grow overnight or what”. . . .

“Signs of relaxation”, Ponytail Holder: I let my hair out (it’s ALWAYS In a ponytail), Empty Glass: I drank some juice (I tend to NOT DRINK during the day, I’m trying to do better with my basic survival skills), and readING MATERIALS: some magazines, which are all perched on top of a TOYBOX.

This is what happened to me when I got all sentimental and decided to let Caleb stay up past his bedtime so I could snuggle him. He ended up wriggling away and getting his own snack. . .can you see his trail???

Feed my Child’s Soul

Posted on October 30, 2006 by Shanda

Just as we wouldn’t dream of making our children starve their bodies, we also wouldn’t dream of starving their souls. I read this quote last night in my book and thought I would share:

“I have seen the happy effects of dealing plainly and thoroughly with children in the concerns of their souls”

Jonathan Edwards

Feed my Child's Soul

Posted on October 30, 2006 by Shanda

Just as we wouldn’t dream of making our children starve their bodies, we also wouldn’t dream of starving their souls. I read this quote last night in my book and thought I would share:

“I have seen the happy effects of dealing plainly and thoroughly with children in the concerns of their souls”

Jonathan Edwards

Fiesta Finds

Posted on October 28, 2006 by Shanda

I collect dishes, but not just any dishes! FIESTA! I found a lady who lives less that 15 minutes away from me who wanted to sell some. I went to her house to pick it up today. I bought: 1 “radioactive red” plate, a set of light green salt and pepper shakers, a cobalt mixing bowl, a MEDIUM GREEN (the rarest color) teacup and a cobalt large teapot. All are vintage.

Posted on October 27, 2006 by Shanda

She said she usually cried at least once a day
not because she was sad
but because the world was so beautiful
and life was so short.
Brian Andreas

Today, the sun is shining and I have my children around me. As I go around the house I smile at things: when I hear Grace’s laugh–which is a mixture of a squeal and giggles; when I look out the window and see the boys zooming around the driveway on their bikes; when Caleb brings me his favorite book and makes his “please read” noise. I smiled yesterday when my husband came home early and surprised me.

I read this in a book yesterday:

Mr. Boeff never traveled around the world
or even drove a car. He was happy to let
Florence do the driving. He had a good job,
a house with big yard and a sleeping porch.
Sometimes he and Mrs.Boeff would sleep
out there, he says, “look at the moon
and talk ourselves to sleep.” He loved his
wife and his baby boy. He wasn’t lonely.
He wasn’t searching.
Harry Boeff had everything he wanted by the time he was thirty.”

“He had everything he wanted by the time he was thirty.” — That’s how I feel about my life. I told that to Rich and he didn’t like it. He thought I was saying that I was sort of “done”. . .”ready to die”. That’s not what I mean, though. I do look forward to whatever comes, whatever God has planned for me in the future.

But for now, I am simply happy. Content. Fulfilled. I am a firm believer in “cherishing the moment”.

I read this quote last night in something Joanna sent me:

When she was in her eighties,
she told her husband that the
happiest time in her life was spent sitting
at the round kitchen table in their small house
with all her children underfoot. M.Stoddard

I’m in that stage of life right now, when “the children are underfoot.” I’m determined to relish it. When I’m 80 I want to relish that age, too.

Cherish the moment. Be here now. Live today.

I heard a man who was over 100 years old say, “you don’t realize how fast life goes by until you’re up in years”.

Everyone says that “time flies”. And it does.

Today I want to be aware of my baby’s soft breath on my cheek. I want to smell Grace’s hair as I brush it. I want to record Jacob’s laugh and the feel of Ethan’s hug. I took pictures of my kitchen helper today-my David-to help me remember that once upon a time I had a little boy watching and helping his mommy mix cookies.

“MMMMM, this dough is GOOD”, David said, as he helped himself to more.

Jacob makes me laugh

Posted on October 26, 2006 by Shanda

Today during school I was quizzing Jake on his history reading. I asked him what the name of the first American college was and he said, “Hardvaark”. When I starting laughing he quickly corrected himself and said, “Hard-Vard”.

(the answer is Harvard)

Oh, it felt good to laugh.

“Do we have to talk about this?”-Jacob, age 9 years, 10 months

Posted on October 25, 2006 by Shanda

Rich is away tonight and will be back tomorrow. I am a big worry-wart and so I am all nervous about going to church tonight w/out him. I need to go because it’s Elissa’s last night and we’re having a pie fellowship after church. I also need to practice a trio. I just don’t like the stress of traveling and being at church with all the kids, it’s hard for me to keep track of them and to make sure they all behave. I’m going to have to ask for help? We’ll see. In the meantime, I have a few pictures to share:

Caleb caught his reflection during bathtime:

Grace Lillian:

David and his car:

The kids had a great time letting their matchbox cars go from the top of the driveway.

Ready. . . .set. . . . .

GO!

I love how Ethan is “off the ground excited”.

(happy days)

Update: everything WAS FINE at church (O ME of little faith). God loves to take care of us, doesn’t he

Really Late Night for Shan

Posted on October 24, 2006 by Shanda

“And touching *sisterly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another” I Thess.4:9a *word, “sisterly” changed (from brotherly) for emphasis

Elissa

Last night we took our dear friend Elissa out to dinner. She’s moving away on Thursday. I will miss her so much, it won’t be the same without her. Tonight was a little sad, knowing that next time we go out Elissa won’t be with us, but it was also a blessing because we made sweet memories by laughing, talking, sharing,and laughing some more. There were 8 of us who went out but we did miss Cathi S., who couldn’t make it because she just had her dear little baby girl. And of course Lea Ann, who moved away over 6 months ago.

I hope that Elissa knows how much we love her and that we will be praying for her as she continues to follow the Lord’s leading in her life.

“A friend will not say never
’cause the welcome will not end”

Elissa, Kathy, Jen, Me, Karen, Amanda w/Ethan
Tammy, Bridgette, Grace

We can be silly together.

Three of us.

“Just as long as it’s someplace that has chicken”–This is what Elissa said when we asked her where she wanted to go for dinner. We ended up going to The Publick House in Sturbridge, MA.

“It’s not just accidental that our paths have crossed this way. I believe divine appointment has brought us here today. ‘Cause we all need each other and we all need a hand.
Together we can make it, together we will stand. . . . . .

I will be my sister’s keeper . . . . .

If you fall, I’ll lift you up.
While we walk this road together
He will keep us in His love.

Life gets complicated
and faith is lost in fear.
Sisters stick together
through the laughter and the tears.
And when you need a shoulder I will be your friend
To carry you, to pray for you,
Until our journey’s end.

I will be my sister’s keeper
If you fall, I’ll lift you up
While we walk this road together

He will keep us in His love.”

(Song from coolmomofeight’s site)

Sisters in Christ

Mostly David

Posted on October 23, 2006 by Shanda

(I love
David’s eyes
in this picture)

My family loves Saturdays. We can relax and spend time together. We went out for a drive to the grocery store this Saturday to buy clams. Rich and I like to steam them after the kids go to bed. We stand in the kitchen and talk and laugh together. It’s becoming a tradition.

DSCN31510001

I love sitting in the passenger seat of the truck, right next to my wonderful husband, and I usually talk to him the entire time! He looks at me and smiles, like you see in the picture. Rich and I also love to hum, whistle, or sing along to a cd, and talk to the kids, who are crammed together in the backseat.
We laugh a lot.

I took the next pictures yesterday before we went to church. David can fit into Ethan’s old 5T suit and he looked so cute! Aren’t 4 year olds great? They are so funny, curious, quick and lively, and can still get away with talking funny and using poor manners (like burping out loud during a sermon at church, right Davey??)

David has such a zest for life! What a face! I can’t get over that
sparkle in his eyes!

Today he got to go to his friend Leo’s house. As he was running out the door I said, “Bye David, I love you!” and he turned to me and said, “I LOVE YOU TOO, MOM!!!”
Then away he went.

Dark House Hot Coffee

Posted on October 20, 2006 by Shanda

I’m half asleep still. Rich had to get up at 5 and as I was laying in bed I heard David (my 4 year old) upstairs in his room. I sighed and went to check on him. WHY, at 5:30 in the morning did he decide to get up, turn on the light, and get into Caleb’s crib? I went in and there they were, sitting and staring at me. I ushered David downstairs for some quality “Daddy time” and then to the couch. Thankfully the baby fell back to sleep.

I made a pot of coffee.

Are you ready to read what’s in my mind this morning?

I had Kathy over yesterday for a little while. She was sharing with me her devotional life. She’s been reading and meditating on Psalms chapter 1. Here are the words to that Psalm, I am changing it to the feminine, just to make it more personal.

Blessed be the woman that walketh not
in the councel of the ungodly,
nor standeth in the way of sinners,
nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

But her delight is in the law of the Lord,
and in His law doth she meditate
day and night.

And she shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that bringeth forth her fruit in her season;
her leaf also shall not wither;
and whatsoever she doeth shall prosper.

Quotes from my commentary:

“Learn how to follow God by MEDITATING on His Word. Meditating means spending time reading and thinking about what I have read.”

“The “law of the Lord” includes ALL of Scripture.”

“The more I delight in God’s presence, the more fruitful I am. If I want joy, I make friends with those who LOVE God and His Word.

To PROSPER means that the fruit I bear will be good and will recieve God’s approval. As a tree soaks up water and bears luscious fruit, I also am to soak up God’s Word, producing actions and attitudes that honor God.

This is what Jonathan Edwards said about His Bible-time: I love this! I’m going to copy it in the cover of my Bible.

“I had then and at other times, the greatest delight in the holy Scriptures, of any book whatsoever.
Oftentimes in reading it every word seemed to touch my heart.
I felt a harmony between something in my heart, and those sweet and powerful words.
I seemed often to see so much light exhibited by every sentence, and such a refreshing food communicated, that I could not get along in reading; often dwelling long on one sentence to see the wonders contained in it, and yet almost every sentence seemed to be
full of wonders.”

Another quote:

“I have learned how really precious God’s Word is. At times of greatest distress I literally ran to it for comfort and strength. The resources were there and I had the concepts of His love and grace firmly in my mind so that I had a foundation to build upon. When I touched bottom I found it firm and sure. I could rest there until I gathered strength to climb up again.” -From a dying woman’s diary