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!
Good to be Home 
You have one of the best places to live ever!!!! I always wan’ted a pond behind my house to catch frogs and fish and other such things I love reading your posts thank you for sharing your wonderfull times with us on xanga…
David
Looks like you’re having a great day with the kids outside! Your place is just perfect!! I really like your sweater- very cute.
This is such a happy post….and then I scrolled down and read the post about your dog…got teary…I’m so sorry guys. It’s heart breaking to lose something so special, but think of all the happy memories you would have missed if that “something special” hadn’t come into your lives…
Great pictures. I love the frog and shovel.
RYC: http://www.transportforchrist.org
Shanda, what a fun day you had with your family. I dream of having a place to live like yours. I was just telling Glenn that we need to start going camping once Cole gets a little older. I love the outdoors, it’s so peaceful to me. Tell Grace, Ethan, and David that they did a great job at taking your picture. You truly look happy and content. Have a wonderful afternoon.-Tara
Totally agree with David’s comment! BTW~ he’s my 13 year old nephew, and is also homeschooled
How wonderful that your children have all of God’s great outdoors to roam! I grew up like that, but our children grew up in the city, and they missed out on catching lightening bugs and frogs and all that other cool stuff! They are real city girls! *** Love that last pic of you, you sweet thing!
Love that frog picture! Did they catch the fish with their bare hands? So much fun!
I used to teach Sarah Orne Jewett to my American Lit. class. She’s quite enjoyable. Have you read, “A White Heron” yet?
It’s so pretty where you live and you have a wonderful way of capturing the beauty with your photos.
What a fabulous day you all had outside! The pictures seem to capture the pure essence of childhood. Makes me smile to see them and how much you all love each other. And I’m glad the card and pictures reached you ok. Have a great day friend!
First off, I always, always, always enjoy your photography…and now I get to enjoy your childrens photography too!!
Secondly, I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your dear doggy. I know that if that were to happen at our home there would be four devastated little hearts and lots and lots of tears! I do hope your children and you are feeling better and that your hearts will recover quickly, but keep the happy memories forever!
-Cass
What a fun day! 🙂 The weather has been wonderful! I was so sorry Shanda to hear about your dog! 😦 I have been through the same thing and I totally understand the pain! I have been praying for you and your little ones as well! I know how much our pets become ONE OF THE FAMILY!!! Thinking of you all! What wonderful pictures you posted the other day! It made me tear up looking at them and thinking of your loss! What a treasure though to have those pictures and all of the happy times you had together. I still have pictures of my sweet cat Africa that I lost (to a car) almost 7 years ago now…I keep them up and have such great memories of her…If you have a chance…don’t feel that you need to do this though…you’ve been offically “tagged” – check out my blog for details.
Looks like you had tons of fun outside – so nice to be out in the sun…loved the last picture…your post today reminds me of the song that goes “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!” ~Colleen~
Gorgeous pics!
What a wonderful day! We are enjoying this lovely weather, too. I can’t believe they caught those with their hands! If I’m ever lost in the woods somewhere, I want one of your kids with me. 🙂
Great catches…flooded my mind of some fond childhood memories. Do they ever search for salamanders and mud puppys? Those were my favorite catches. Happy day to you.
I used to have a terrible case of strep tonsilitis every spring when I was a child. I’d get to spend the days downstairs in my parents’ bed so my mama could tend to me. She often made a little bouquet of violets to pin to my pillow. Thanks for the memories.
You’re so much like me…rejoicing in your children. I hope you manage the later years better than I do. Sometimes I actually mourn for those years, even though I love the people they are as adults. Now they take care of me:)
God bless you and your beautiful family, before I even read the caption under the picture with Ethan, I knew what he was conveying with his eyes and smile….thank you so much for sharing, you really do brighten up my day when I read/see your posts…What a great family of God we all belong to. Someday we will all be together running through the beautiful fields laughing and loving each other with our Saviour Jesus and our Father laughing with us. He smiles at you and your sweet life for how it represents His peace and love. love, evalyne
What a great place to home school. I just snagged a book from our library on being an amature naturalist, I love nature, to me it just shows the faithfulness and loving care of the Father over and over again.
Hey, can you give Xanga photography classes? I try, but mine just don’t like what I want them too!
Hi Shanda…..I love the pictures. I remember my children doing the same thing when we lived out in the country. And I remember doing the same thing to when I was alot younger. I noticed that your children are barefooted in a couple of the pictures. Being barefoot too out like that was one of the things I used to do when I was growing up….in the country. Trekking all over by the creek, the hills in my barefeet…lol! Couldn’t stand wearing shoes all bound up on my feet…:) When my boys were smaller I remember sitting in the living room. We had huge LR windows that went low. Anyways, I was sitting in my armchair that looked out the LR window. My boys came up to the window with a big fat black garter snake. Needless to say I screamed and yelled Get that thing out of here!! They were killing themselves laughing at my expression. I calmed down enough to go out and look though. But they did put that big snake back and the other small garter snakes they had caught…..I will always remember that. Wish I had a good camera back then. Take care and enjoy your day today……
I dream of a pond in my back yard for my children to play in, as your do. I must say again that you take such wonderful pictures. I love the yellow chair with the pansies on it!
Your pictures are better than a thousand words. What a blessing to live so close to nature. (I’m not so sure about that frog and fish though!) Yikes!
Have a blessed day,
Gina
Your children are blessed beyond measure to have such a wonderful, and thoughtful mother.And you can tell in their loving smiles. They are learning the true art of being a kid. It’s good to see children out in God’s creation, not just cooped up by the T.V. What darling kids you have. (loved your daughter’s green dress by the way, very cute!) Have an incredible day!(as I’m sure you are!)
Great pictures. What a fun day to be outside and enjoy God’s creations.How sweet to send a card like that. :)Love the pansies. Is there a story behind it, or just something your Aunt does/did?blessings
Shanda Banda the picture of Gee on the porch could be a post card..it is such an amzing picture with a great country living feel to it!
You look so young and cute in all the pictures the kids took!