Rich was home yesterday with a terrible headache. I spent the whole day “showing off”. 
He was lazily reclining on the couch, too much in pain to do anything but lay there. I cleaned the kitchen, made a double batch of jam thumbprints and a batch of pineapple cookies while keeping track of the children and teaching school. I was in my element! Every once in a while we would make eye contact and smile.
It was great having him home and it was a nice change to have him depleted of energy. That sounds bad, but it is really hard for him to just “hang out and be at home”. . . .he’s the type that always has to be doing something. Yesterday he had only one battery when he normally has ten! And he never takes a day from work! Of course I am thankful that he’s not seriously sick, and he did go to work this morning, reluctantly.
These pictures were taken on Saturday:
From “You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown”
HAPPINESS IS FINDING A PENCIL.
PIZZA WITH SAUSAGE
TELLING THE TIME.
HAPPINESS IS LEARNING TO WHISTLE.
TYING YOUR SHOE FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.
HAPPINESS IS PLAYING THE DRUM IN YOUR OWN SCHOOL BAND.
AND HAPPINESS IS WALKING HAND IN HAND.
HAPPINESS IS TWO KINDS OF ICE CREAM.
KNOWING A SECRET.
CLIMBING A TREE.
HAPPINESS IS FIVE DIFFERENT CRAYONS.
CATCHING A FIREFLY.
SETTING HIM FREE.
HAPPINESS IS BEING ALONE EVERY NOW AND THEN.
AND HAPPINESS IS COMING HOME AGAIN.
HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,
DAY TIME AND NIGHT TIME TOO.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT’S LOVED BY YOU.
HAPPINESS IS HAVING A SISTER.
SHARING A SANDWICH.
GETTING ALONG.
HAPPINESS IS SINGING TOGETHER WHEN DAY IS THROUGH,
AND HAPPINESS IS THOSE WHO SING WITH YOU.
HAPPINESS IS MORNING AND EVENING,
DAYTIME AND NIGHTTIME TOO.
FOR HAPPINESS IS ANYONE AND ANYTHING AT ALL
THAT’S LOVED BY YOU.
I thought the words were sweet. . . it reminds me of families. . .and reminds me that I can find pleasure in just about every little thing that happens during the day. The kids are awake now, time to start the day.
happiness is. . . . . being together
Good to be Home 
I loooove your pictures! I just sat here for a few minutes going through your site and looking at your beautiful children and pictures! I wish to have a talent like that, love it!
I understand your feelings about just hanging around the house with your husband. My husband is the same way… always has to be doing.Love the pictures. I know how much fun you had with everyone skating on the pond.
I WISH my dh was always busy…we have way too many days where he just sits in the recliner, it isn’t as fun for me, but I’m glad you enjoyed it
My husband is also a workaholic ~ I love it when he DOES unwind. When we go on vacation, it takes about 2-3 days before he can really stop thinking about work. And those lazy days at home are so precious. But aren’t we thankful they enjoy working? I think it would be really difficult to always be wishing they would do something!
You have such a beautiful place to live. Everyone looks like they were having fun. Blessings on your day.
Your siite looks great.
I hope your husband feels better.
Have a great day =]
I think you have one of the most amazing blogs online. I love your photos, and you always have the nicest way of wording things as you describe life at your house. Looks like the snow & ice are just perfect – and I love pineapple cookies.
You did do some showing off. 🙂 Although, I am sure you to Rich, you are always doing a fantastic job. Hope he feels better today. What a fun time to be ice skating with your family. What a simple pleasure. Have a wonderful day.
When my dh is home, I get the lazies and not much gets done. Sigh. Since he has been gone, I’ve done more in 5 days than in 2 weeks with him here. I think it will be different when he is working during the days and home at night though. Sounds like you had a wonderful content day.
I read your comments on a few blogs this morning and wanted to stop and say “Hi!” Your site is lovely as is your family.
Blessings!~Margie
Glad Rich is feeling better today. I loved the fun pictures from Sunday, thanks for sharing.
awww….glad he was able to relax for a change 🙂
great pics!!!!! And I love the last one!
Enjoyed your post and the great pictures! What a pretty place to live.
Hey There…
I saw you on “mumto2’s” profile..Ur smile caught my eye..You seem like a sweet gal..I enjoyed ur profile..Hoepfully we can get to know each other a lil more..I just recently got married & I’m trying to do what God called me to do (keeper at home)..However thats just not “the norm” anymore..so theres not much encouragement in that department..Alright..well I’m just babbiling..so I will run along..Thanks for being an blessing to me today..God Bless!
~Karrie
ps..ur pictures are very lovely!
RYC: Your didn’t mess up!!! I didn’t mean MADE UP words. 🙂 I love the words you posted!!!
Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your photography. I would love to get into photography, but I can’t afford a better camera. (sigh)
Anyways, my kids just signed up for a photography contest with our states museum of history. 😀 I think they have potential winning photos!
Thanks for you lively comments and great interaction all the time!!
-Casandra
YOU GO GIRL!! Sounds like you need a break now! 🙂 I think that is sweet that you would work all the harder while your hubby is resting (even if it is because he is not feeling up to par:))
Oh, and your pictures are adorable (as always) 😀
Hey Again!
The same to you..Lookin forward to getting to know each other better!..Have a wonderful day!..God Bless
~Karrie
LOL, I’ve got a husband just like yours. It took me the longest time when we were first married to realize I didn’t have to keep up with him! I’m so glad to see the life you have in the country, I thought that kind of simple pleasure was gone with my youth. Btw~How do you know the ice is thick enough to skate on?
Great pics! You are beautiful, as are your children : ) Thanks for stopping by and please keep in touch. I will sub to you! Have a blessed week!!
I really like the top black and whit pic of the family…so neat! I like all of the pics actually!
That little writing on happiness is so perfect…True contentment isn’t it? The writer definately shares my views on things! LOL Your dh sounds very much like mine! It seems so hard for them to just sit and unwind! Thumbprint cookies are sooo good, now you have me wanting to make some! LOL
You are so sweet, and have such a lovely mother’s heart and that encourages me. : ) Thank your for the comment, I am glad the Lord can use anything of me to encourage and inspire others in a walk with the Lord and in raising our children and making our home Peaceful places where the Holy Spirit can abound…
Hugs to you my precious Friend, ~Amelia
Hope Rich is feeling better today! Dan gets headaches quite often too – I hate to see my honey in pain. I’m glad you guys enjoyed some down-time together. Those times are often when sweet, simple memories are made. (There we are with sweet and simple again!) 🙂
I love the pictures – the last one is too cute!! Little piggy cursor is so cute too! I will have to check them out. (BTW, sometimes you just gotta show off!) 😉
RYC: I’m so glad you enjoy my posts, as I do so enjoy yours! It has truly been a blessing to meet so many wonderful Christian wives and mothers; and I feel kindred souls in you and Cathi. I do hope we get to meet one day! 🙂 Much love, Heather
I hope Rich feels better. Glad you had a nice family day yesterday. Take care.
I saw you stopped by my site. Pineapple cookies sound good, I love to bake, but I’ve never seen a recipe for Pineapple cookies.
Wonderful pictures!! Someone looks cold 🙂
I came by to say hi! I love the pictures on your blog, your house and surrounding property looks beautiful.
Shandra, as I read over this post and past ones, I see such a wonderful spirit and heart. I love your attitude and your sensitivity regarding life. I love your enthusiam and your passion for God, your children and your husband. I enjoy your sense of humor. You seem like the kind of person who, when you are around makes everyone want to be better. Blessings!
Sorry Rich wasn’t feeling well. Hope he is back up to par today. Beautiful pics, they make me feel like I am there having fun with you guys. I agree with the quote from Charlie Brown. I really enjoy coming to visit your blog. BlessingsMelody
Hi! I love this post. I love the background colors, the picture of no people but shoes and winter necessities. LOVE IT! And the Charlie Brown song – I haven’t heard it in years. Made me smile, now I am humming it, and maybe it will get me through an 8 hour drive today just me and the kiddos. Should be fun – Thank the Lord for MOVIES. 🙂
I go to your blog every time you post, and read all the news and stare at the pictures but rarely get to type a comment. I do enjoy everything you write about though.
Have a good week. Hoping to blog lots while in SC.
How blessed you are to be able to find happiness in the everyday things. Some people never learn to do that.
Your house looks like fun! Can I come stay??? 🙂
I love your new layout I also love your pictures too, that looks like sooo much fun! I love the one above of your little one too, he is just adoreable!
I love these pictures! you capture the essence of family so beautifully! 🙂 Caleb is a doll!!!!!! LOL (love the socks on his hands – my mom used to do that)
Please, in your “spare” (LOL) time, post the recipe for pineapple cookies!! Also, your pig cursor is SO cute. And this one went wee, wee, wee, all the way home!!