Posted on May 31, 2007 by Shanda

Thanks for the feedback yesterday! It was one of those time when I clicked “submit” and then “chewed my nails” with insecurity the rest of the day. I loved all the encouragement I received and it make me all the more determined to bathe motherhood in prayer–for all mothers! Because of Christ, we can raise godly kids! We can!

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Beatitudes

I am ashamed to say that I usually think of the beatitudes as a “list of how I should act” when I read them in Matthew 5:3-11. I would read it and think, “okay, I am pretty much failing all these things, I have to try harder.”

I had an “aha” moment (which is what I call those moments when the Holy Spirit shows me something fresh and new about my life as a Christian) recently when I read this quote:

“A true Christian must exemplify the Beatitudes, because you do not get grapes from thorns or figs from thistles. A good tree must bring forth good fruit; it cannot help itself, it is bound to. A man who has the divine nature within himself must produce (through Christ alone!) this good fruit.” D. Martin Lloyd -Jones

In other words, as a Christian, I am already living a “beatitude” kind of life and those promises are for me! Not by my own power, but because of Christ in me! A Christian cannot help but be different!

“Blessed are the the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

“Ye are the salt of the earth.”

“Ye are the light of the world.”

There is something different about you. . . . . .

recharge the batteries

Posted on May 30, 2007 by Shanda

“LONG LASTING, POWERFUL, DEPENDABLE – TRUSTED EVERYWHERE” (duracell battery advertisement slogan)

Yesterday was busy. I tried to sit down a few times but then something would happen. I set my Bible and devotional book down outside on the porch and never got back to it all day!

I went for a walk in the evening with the older kids and Ethan took this picture of me and Jacob.

After the kids were in bed I sat at the computer and looked at the picture and thought about him. I want so bad to be a godly mother. I fail so often, I get grouchy and start to talk with that “certain tone”. I neglect their souls. Last night I decided that I needed to “start over” again, which is so natural for us humans! We drift away from our first love, our first calling! (which is why we need God to renew us through His Word each day)

I need to wake up! I don’t want to drift along in this life. I don’t need the latest child-rearing tip, I just need to think and be aware of opportunity. I don’t want to miss the chance to teach a life lesson, to grow their character, to sing, to work, to play, to laugh! And pray, really pray, a lot!

As a Christian, my heavenly Father gives me all the energy and strength that I need to succeed in each task that He gives me! I need to take myself to Him each day to RECHARGE!

“. . .the inward man is renewed day by day.” 11 Corinthians 4:16c

A MOTHER’S PRAYER

Dear Lord, it’s such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life’s been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom–
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week’s mail to read–
So where’s the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one’s face,
That you have blessed me all the while —
And I stoop to kiss that
precious smile.

Author unknown

things i love to do

Posted on May 27, 2007 by Shanda

I think the last time I took a 2 hour nap was when I was pregnant for Jacob (my firstborn). I slept today and it was bliss, BLISS I SAY, I got up at 4 feeling more relaxed that I have in a long time. It felt so good.

I have to smile when I think about some of the comments I get here about making sure I am spending time for myself. I need to hear that now and then.

Does my nap count?

Does swinging in my hammock and petting my cat count?

How about watching the kids swim and have fun? (David swims with nothing on but a life-jacket, all his idea, and it makes me laugh).

Does watching my hummingbirds count? (I love the hooks I found to hang the feeders)

Does drinking coffee count?

How about spending time with my husband?

And what about gardening and making my house pretty? (I do so love to be outside!)

I’ve been reading books and magazines and writing letters this weekend, all for my own pleasure!

We also had a picnic!

I was tagged by someone here to give random facts about myself:

I love to read, I love to clean and organize my house (but it is not clean or organized because of the children), I refuse to dye my hair and am secretly proud/scared of my gray hairs, I hate changes, I love to sing and sang in a trio this morning in church, I am a loyal (you’ll never get rid of me) friend, I am sentimental, I have lots of scrapbooks and journals, I love to encourage others, I am a quiet person. My favorite room in the house is my bedroom, then my kitchen. I eat raw cookie dough, I like to laugh, I love to read my Bible (my fav. book is Ecclesiastes) and get close to God. I love old things; people, friends, cast iron pans, books, hymns, ideas, values, recipes, stories, chairs (especially the peeling painted ones). My favorite magazine is Country Living. I love handmade things. I like thoughtful gifts (this weekend one of my friends gave me a book of Mother Goose rhymes illustrated with the old, vintage illustrations). I like cats better than dogs. I love gymnastics. I would love more babies but “we’ll see”. I try to keep my heart young and happy in the midst of the responsibilities of motherhood and adulthood. I love stickers and stationary. I love wind chimes but not hanging from the porch–I like to hear them in the distance so I hang them in trees away from the house. I like painted toenails in the summertime. I have a weakness for wooden crates (you can see them as planters in my garden pictures). I don’t like walking through fields of tall grass (fear of bees, snake
s, and other creatures). I am a morning person and at night I always read before I turn out the light.

You said random and you got random!

And now is the time of day when the sun is sinking and the greenness of the outdoors is positively GLOWING so I must go and walk in it.

I wish you could join me!

Posted on May 25, 2007 by Shanda

Day at the Beach

Summer breezes

Sea Spray

my favorite Seashore Memories

Walks on the Beach

Collecting Sea Shells

Kathy and I took our kids to the CT shore yesterday
for an afternoon of sun and sand. We had a
total of 9 kids all together; they all did very
well and had a lot of fun together. It was a gorgeous
day and I was happy to make more memories for the children.

As you can see, the little boys got all tired out!

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This is one of my favorite quotes, and the reason why
I think it’s important to do special, out-of-the-ordinary things
with the kids now and then:

“If we make our children happy now, we will make them
happy twenty years hence by their memory of it. Thus
for all their lives do we link ourselves to
those we love.” ~ Maggie B. Stewart

a song for you

Posted on May 24, 2007 by Shanda

When I looked at Grace this morning, still in her nightgown, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Of course every mother thinks that their own child is the “sweetest and the best” (to borrow an expression from an “Anne” book) and I am no exception. I made her go out on the porch with me where the light was better and I took these pictures of her. I love her hair, her brown eyes, and the way she wrinkles her nose when she smiles.

I found the song lyrics on a Disney website. Even though I can’t remember how the tune goes, I still thought the words were fitting for this group of pictures of darling daughter Grace. Enjoy!

“With a Smile and a Song”
from “Snow White”

“With a smile and a song
Life is just a bright sunny day. . . .

Your cares fade away
And your heart is young”

“With a smile and a song
All the world seems to waken anew. . . . .

Rejoicing with you
As the song is sung”

“There’s no use in grumbling
When the raindrops come tumbling. . . . .

Remember, you’re the one
Who can fill the world with sunshine”

“When you smile and you sing
Everything is in tune and it’s spring
And life flows along
With a smile and a song”

little things

Posted on May 22, 2007 by Shanda

We’re done with our school work for today and it’s lovely outside!

Catch of the Day:

They also have a snake, a big water bug of some sort, tadpoles, and other frogs.

These are the days to remember, have fun, smile, explore. . . .

One of their thoughtful spots.

Here I am, holding hands with my son and absorbing the loving expression on his face that I see so often. He’s saying “I love you Mom” with his eyes.

I’ve been busy in my garden. . . .but God’s garden is where I find the most pleasure.

Like when I see the Violets

I can’t stand it I just can’t stand it. . . .they’re getting so big!!!!!!!!!

My Aunt Mary inspired me to put pansies by my side door.

I found this in my mailbox today:

Only a heart full of love would make a person fill a card with encouragement for a little boy (and his family), to console him after his dog died. Thanks, onehappymomma, You made tears come to my eyes today with your thoughtfulness.

Have a Happy Day!

Posted on May 19, 2007 by Shanda

First of all, thanks to each of you for your kind comments about the loss of our poor dog. I cried when I wrote the story and cried harder when I read all your responses to it. What kind hearts you have! The children have been reading each comment and I plan on printing them so they can save them. Thank you over and over!

This afternoon I took my son with me for a little walk. It’s been raining for a few days and he was soaked (and whining) by the time we got home. Here are some pictures that I took as we were out enjoying God’s beautiful creation:

1. I love the colors of this wild rose bush. The dusky purple and greens inspire me.

2. in the field near our house (state land).

3. adjusting his shoe? I think this photo is so sweet.

4. This grass was so thick and healthy that it loudly rasped against my boots as I waded through it.

5. A soaking wet dandelion head looks so exotic! It’s a beautiful new way to see a common plant.

6. It was fun to find a natural trail of water running into the woods, which led us under an apple tree. You may wonder if it’s a stream– it isn’t normally, there just has been extra water lately from the rain. Son is amazed that Mommy is leading him through such a muddy wet pathway.

7. We discovered a small field of tall tall grasses in the edge of the woods.

8. I got really wet trying to get a clear picture of this Jack-in-the-Pulpit.

I hope you enjoyed the pictures from our walk. Whenever I spend time outside I feel refreshed and happy in the Lord. His creation is so beautiful. I see something exciting every day here at our country home. Yesterday we had a crane land near the pond and I also saw a sweet pair of warblers in the bushes. I need to start writing everything down in a journal! I can understand why some people carry journals around with them wherever they go.

And now, here are the words to a favorite hymn with words that are meaningful and unifying. This hymn came to mind as I read the comforting words in yesterday’s comments.

Blest be the tie that binds
Our hearts in Christian love;
The fellowship of kindred minds
Is like to that above.

Before our Father’s throne
We pour our ardent prayers;
Our fears, our hopes, our aims are one,
Our comforts and our cares.

We share our mutual woes,
Our mutual burdens bear;
And often for each other flows
The sympathizing tear.

We we asunder part,
It gives us inward pain;
But we shall still be joined in heart,
And hope to meet again.

John Fawcett

Have a wonderful evening!

My cousins who call me “Aunt”

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Shanda

My cousins who call me "Aunt"

Posted on May 16, 2007 by Shanda

Happy Mother's Day!

Posted on May 12, 2007 by Shanda

“Everybody knows that a good mother gives her children a feeling
of trust and stability. She is the one they can count on for the things that matter
most of all. She is their food and their bed and their extra
blanket when it grows cold in the night; she is their
warmth and health and their shelter; she is the one
they want to be near when they cry. She is the only person
in the whole world, or in a whole lifetime, who can be these
things to her children. There is no substitute for her.
Somehow even her clothes feel different to her children’s
hands from anybody else’s clothes. Only to touch her skirt
or her sleeve makes a troubled child feel better.”
Karen Butler Hathaway

How do I find the words to describe the meaning and purpose of my life and how much it means to me? God placed the call of motherhood so strongly on my heart that it has been my main goal in life. The reaction, sadly, of most women when they learn this about me is disbelief and even slight ridicule and teasing.

But it’s true. Ask the 15 year old me what I wanted to be when I grew up? I would have said, “I want to be a stay-at-home mom”.

When I think of how much the Lord has given me the desires of my heart, I want to cry!

He led me to my perfect match and life partner– and we were married young–I was 19 and he was 21. We were married for 1 year and 3 months before we welcomed our firstborn into our hearts.

Jacob was born 2 weeks early. As a first time mom I was not expecting that wave of love that I felt when Rich finally brought tiny Jacob to my hospital room after his first bath. “He’s so beautiful” is what I said and thought so many times.

So beautiful.

Jacob was 14 months old when Ethan arrived. Once again I fell in love with a baby boy. Ethan was and is a happy boy, in a calm, thoughtful way. To see his bright eyes while he laughs is one of the biggest rewards in my life.

I found out I was expecting Grace shortly after Ethan’s first birthday. I was scared, I admit. She was born when Jacob was 2 months shy of his 3rd birthday and Ethan was 21 months old. To have my first daughter was all I needed to carry me through those early days and months with 3 little ones in diapers!

In the few years before our next baby came along, I had so much fun with my 3 preschoolers. Yes, there were difficult days, (but I won’t get into that). I remember FUN and lots of it: trips to McDonald’s play place, little amusement parks, lots of walks to the playground. The sheer delight and enjoyment of simple things–like blowing bubbles and washing matchbox cars.

Jacob was in Kindergarten when David was born, so my “carefree” (doesn’t that word make you snicker?) days of being a Mom to preschoolers were over. When I had David I thought I had never been so in love with a baby before! (Aren’t moms funny?) David was my 4th child, yet I took MORE pictures of him than any of the others thus far! He was and still is a unique, bright part of our family. He makes me smile and chuckle every single day.

Caleb, our fifth baby, was born when David was almost 3. I felt so happy, peaceful, and content when he was a newborn, more than I did for any of the other babies. For instance, I knew that it was okay to hold him (and did hold him) as much as possible! The babies grow too fast. . hold your babies! Too soon they wriggle themselves away to their own adventures, far too soon! An added blessing of Caleb’s birth was the joy of seeing my older children enjoy their baby brother. What a wonderful feeling it is for a mom to observe the love between her children!

Jacob is 10 now.
Ethan is 9.
Grace is 7.
David is 4.
Caleb is almost 2.

As for me, my life is so fulfilled. My dreams are all coming true. God gave me my family and I give all the glory and honor to Him. I lay my family down at His feet.

The tears in my eyes are there from sheer happiness.

Enjoy the photos, which were taken by my husband (whose technique is to start clicking and not stop):