Weekend snapshots

Posted on October 9, 2006 by Shanda

I Got Tired. But it was Worth it.

We had our nieces, Abbie and Naomi with us this weekend. We had a household of 9!

Here’s Naomi!

I’m smiling, Aunt Shanda!

The 2 babies

Naomi Isabella

It was very difficult to take a group picture. I hope someone gets a chuckle out of these 2 examples of my attempts. There were about 5 others that weren’t even worth publicizing.

I love you

It’s so much easier to photograph one!

What Caleb is thinking: “I’m gonna take this pumpkin and I’m gonna chuck it in the pond! Enough already!” Then he did.

Real Life

Here I am, talking on the phone to MOM with a baby in front of me and a baby on my lap. The laundry closet is gaping open as it was in constant (and I do mean CONSTANT) use all weekend long. (Why bother shutting the doors?) Rich was a trooper ~ although I did hear him mumble something like, “How did this happen to me. .’mumble mumble’ . . .seven kids.” I even got to go out alone for an adventure which is what I was talking to Mom about. . . .my fiestaware adventure. Oh well, the weekend is over and the week is off to a roaring start. I’m gonna take time to count my blessings now and I’ll share the first 8:

My Husband
Jacob
Ethan
Grace
David
Caleb
Abigail

and
Naomi!

We survived and even had fun!

Lord’s Day “Mediation on Heaven”

Posted on October 8, 2006 by Shanda

Quotes from Richard Baxter’s “The Saints’ Everlasting Rest”.

This meditation is upon your everlasting rest. I would not have you cast off your other meditations; but surely, as Heaven has preeminence in perfection, it should have it also in our meditation. . . .This is a walk to Mount Sion: from the kingdoms of this world to the kingdom of saints; from earth to heaven; from time to eternity. It is walking upon sun, moon, and stars, in the garden and paradise of God.

Give this heavenly contemplation a stated time. . . .Let it be frequent as well. . .to prevent a shyness between God and your soul. Frequent association breeds familiarity, and familiarity increases love and delight.

All things are beautiful and excellent in their season. . .I have always found that the fittest time to meditate for myself is the evening, from sunset to twilight. . .The Lord’s Day is exceedingly seasonable for this exercise. When should we more seasonably contemplate our rest, than on that day of rest which typifies it to us?

What fitter time to converse with our Lord than on the Lord’s day? What fitter time to ascend to heaven than on that on which He arose from earth and fully triumphed over death and hell? The fittest temper for a true Christian, is like John, to “be in the Spirit on Lord’s day.”

Written by Puritan Theologian and Pastor, Richard Baxter, 1615-1691

Lord's Day "Mediation on Heaven"

Posted on October 8, 2006 by Shanda

Quotes from Richard Baxter’s “The Saints’ Everlasting Rest”.

Written by Puritan Theologian and Pastor, Richard Baxter, 1615-1691

Walk with Friends

Posted on October 6, 2006 by Shanda

Making Memories. . . . .

Kathy and Karen came over yesterday and we went for a walk. Between the 3 of us, we had 10 beautiful children along. It was a wonderful day full of sunshine, bright fall color, the laughter of children, and the fellowship of friends.

” To have a friend is to have one of the sweetest gifts that life can bring: to be a friend is to have a solemn and tender education of soul from day to day” Chinese proverb

“A friend is someone who sees through you and still enjoys the view” Wilma Askinas

She was picking flowers wherever she went.

Kathy’s daughter, Emily, was born premature weighing in at just a little over a pound. So many were praying for her and today she is a healthy almost-3-year-old.

hold me, Momma

When I look at this picture of Caleb and me, I am filled with gratitude to God for these years in which I have a baby in my arms. I’m thankful to Him for allowing me to be a Mother.

Friends Forever

“Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Karen told us that her mother used to make her hot chocolate on winter days after school, and read aloud from Heidi. She said that she was only 6 years old, but she will always remember.

Friends. American flag. Bare feet. Little boys. Hold my hand. That was fun, wasn’t it?

“Are we not two volumes of one book?” M. Valmore

Thank you, God
for friends
and for beautiful days

Posted on October 4, 2006 by Shanda

A Picture

is worth

A thousand words

“He who has put all things in their places
has put me in this place,
and here will I glorify Him.”
(I Cor. 12:20)
Thomas Manton, 1620-1677

Peanut Butter Squares

Posted on October 3, 2006 by Shanda

Because I am a member of the blog ring “Making it Home”, I do try to post a recipe now and then to actually prove that I am making things! The recipe here is for those peanut butter squares that David and I made together yesterday. They ended up being VERY GOOD and I hope that you like them as much as we did.

Peanut Butter Squares

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/3 cup peanut butter
1 egg
1 cup flour
1 cup regular oats
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
Peanut Butter frosting
3 T. cocoa
1 T. milk

Heat oven to 350. Mix sugars, butter, peanut butter and egg. Stir in flour, oats, baking soda and salt. Spread in greased rectangular pan, 13 by 9 inches. Bake until golden brown, 17 to 22 minutes; cool.

Prepare Peanut Butter frosting; reserve 1/3 cup. Stir in cocoa and milk into remaining frosting until smooth. If necessary, stir in additional milk until of spreading consistency. Frost with cocoa frosting. Drop Peanut Butter Frosting by teaspoonfuls onto cocoa frosting; swirl for marbled effect.

Peanut Butter Frosting: Mix 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup peanut butter and 2 T. milk. Stir in additional milk, 1/2 tsp. at a time, until of spreading consistency.

Yum

Posted on October 3, 2006 by Shanda

I am burdened for that Amish community that suffered from such hatred yesterday. God is in control. Let’s pray today that He will be glorified through this. The world will have an opportunity to see how a Christian community reacts to such violence. I already saw on the news this morning that the Amish are prepared to forgive. Isn’t that what true Christianity is all about? Pray today for our country!

“Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him: God is a refuge for us.” Ps. 62:8

Posted on October 2, 2006 by Shanda

Today I took my kids to Elissa’s house (their former school-teacher from our now closed Christian school). I dropped them off at 9:30 and she’s bringing them home. It’s after 4 and they still aren’t here!

This has been a great day. Not because my kids are gone, I love them dearly, but well.

Yes, it’s because they’re gone!!

I needed some help! I needed a little less noise and activity and Elissa agreed to help. I’m so thankful for my friends.

David and Caleb just woke up from long naps and now I’m going to make peanut butter brownies w/David.

Update: At like 6:00 Ethan called me and I said, “Hi Ethan, where are you?” and he said, “We’re still at Miss Irmler’s. She wants us to spend the night! Can we? Please Please Please!??!?!” Of COURSE I said “Yes”.

Wow, I am so encouraged! Rich and I have been able to spend some much needed time with the two littlest ones. It’s been such a nice evening together. Rich is upstairs reading to them now.

“You needed some quiet
and I needed some noise”
~what Elissa said to me today

Show a Little bit of Love and Kindness

Posted on October 1, 2006 by Shanda

I hope you all have a blessed Lord’s day. Remember, as we go to church today, that we should be not only worshipping God, but encouraging the saints. We have enough to battle in our daily lives, let us be extra-loving to each other in the house of God. And be genuine and sincere!

I like the words to this old praise song:

Sing a song, spread some cheer
there are sad and lonely people everywhere.
Be a friend, show some love
It will lift them from the dungeons of despair.

Show a little bit of love and kindness
never go along with hatred’s blindness,
Take a little time to reach for JOY
and wear a happy face!
Sing a little bit when the days are dreary,
Give a little help to a friend who’s weary
That’s the way to make the world a happy place!

Offer help, bring some hope
To the fainting and discouraged on life’s road.
See a need, lend a hand
There are many who are crushed beneath their load.

Be a LIGHT, show the way
Be a light within the night for those astray.
Speak a word, LOVING WORD
That will bring them back to walk the narrow way!

Show a little bit of love and kindness
NEVER go along with hatred’s blindness,
Take a little time to reach for JOY
and wear a HAPPY FACE!
Sing a little bit when the days are dreary,
Give a little HELP to a friend who’s weary
That’s the way to make the world a happy place!

Jesus says, “I give you a new commandment: that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you should also love one another.” John 13:34