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!
Good to be Home 
Just looking at your photos made me relax…so I think you had a very relaxing weekend
I echo broncomom – your post made me smile and feel relaxed.
oh, so do I! -Alesha
My favorite picture (one of them) is you in the hammock with the cat who I’m sure was also quite happy 🙂 I love raw cookie dough also, more than the cookies actually..
Shanda, I love the hook that you found for your bird feeder. I love red!! It is adorable.
Yes! Those things all count – wonderfully so .
We have quite a few things in common looking at your random facts list Ecclesiastes is one of my favorite books too.
Have a great week!
Hi Shandra, you have a lovely family and home. These will be the happiest days of your life and I see you are enjoying them with the Lord. It just does not get better than that!!
frank
Really enjoyed your post today. Your flowers are beautiful. That’s what I worked on today- all day!
Have a great week~Laurel
i LOVE the detailed pictures of your “everyday” life! it makes the ordinary days seem extraordinarily special! i believe that you please Jesus with your grateful heart of appreciation for everything around you~ your site is always a feast for my eyes with the beautiful photography. BLESSINGS!
It all counts!
what a delightful, relaxing post…thanks for sharing it. =)
You have the special gift of being able to see the joy in things and to enjoy the moment. Life is to be cherished and enjoyed, and I think everyone who comes to your site sees that happening through the pictures you post and the things you write about.
You have such a blessed life! Your pictures are lovely. Your random thoughts made me smile. I am NOT a morning person- wish I was, but alas, I’m a night owl through and through.
I wish I could join you too ~ I truly think we are kindred spirits. I’m still too busy with guesst to post ~ bye ~
We’re quite alike in those random things. Thank you for reminding me that I have an issue of Country Living hidden from the kids…
WOW, another beautiful blog!! Sounds like you really do know how to enjoy yourself and your family
I was reading through this and thinking “wait what about reading!!” I was happy when I saw you did include that! I did not know you like crates…good to know…:)
Thanks for sharing! That’s a great hummingbird feeder hanger!! Guess I’ll have to go to Cracker Barrell!! I enjoy many of the things in life that you do and most of all we are “sisters in Christ!” My children are all grown now (no grandchildren to spoil yet! We have a granddaughter with the Lord) and those were wonderful days when they were young and we did so many things together. I thoroughly enjoy them now too, but it’s different! We sang “America the Beautiful” in church yesterday and I always have a hard time getting through it as I get “weepy”. Have a great holiday!
You’re such a lovely person!
I felt as if I were sitting on your front porch just chatting. How nice!As one morning person to another, it would have been early in the day. Thanks for letting us in. How lovely!
Hi,
I would like the Thank you for sharing your site . I have it as one of my favorites. I enjoy seeing you photos and reading your stories. You inspire me!!!!!!!
Thanks again,
Patty