“Dear Father, help me to face the work for this day
with a singing heart–
the dishes to wash, the beds to make,
the clothes to launder, and the picking up
which sometimes seems as futile as
sweeping a forest floor in time of falling leaves.
I thank Thee: That I am needed,
that my job in these busy years
is to create a home that will be a
place of warmth and comfort and love.
Help me to see each task, not as a dull chore,
but as a strand woven into a pattern of living.
Grant, I pray, that it may be a pattern to remember,
a pattern of order, and beauty, and through
it always may there gleam the golden thread
of Christ’s spirit. Amen”
-Author Unknown
Good morning! My house is quiet, my coffee is hot, the dog has been walked, my husband has already left for work. The pond, which I can see through my window, is steaming in the cool fall air. The early morning sun is just starting to light up the tops of the trees. I am content as I sit here at my desk and looking forward to another fulfilling day here at home.
Yesterday morning was filled with teaching Jacob and Ethan their school, taking care of David and Caleb, and baking. Grace was sick and snuggled down in the covers on my bed. It was a busy morning, but after lunch the childen all went to bed to read and sleep. I was able to go out and sit in a rocking chair on the porch and let the sun make me toasty warm. I looked at a Country Living magazine and even painted my nails!
The time has arrived here at my place, in which the 9 by 13 pan of brownies is gone in half a day. I made some yesterday, along with a batch of frosted pumpkin cookies.
For dinner we had beef and noodles. As I was preparing the last of the recipe, I was distracted by the beauty of the view out my front door. The boys were busy jumping on the trampoline and I made my way down to the pond to take a couple of pictures.
On the way back up to the house, I decided that it was a beautiful evening for a picnic.
The boys were so energetic from all the jumping and proceeded to make the meal a lively one.
At one point, Ethan noticed he had a sticker on the bottom of his foot. “Oh! I didn’t know I was for sale!” he said, “I’m for sale! I’m for sale!” Jacob thought he was so funny!
Speaking of Jacob, he is almost 11 years old and does not appreciate getting his picture taken!
After dinner, he wanted to go back to the trampoline, but I said, “Not until you let me take a good picture of you!”
Rich came home later and the little boys were playing on the driveway.
As I walked over to greet my husband, he was busy drawing around one small boy with a piece of chalk. David was stretched right out on the driveway, as happy as can be. I just thought it was so precious–after a long day at work I am sure Rich was looking forward to getting out of his shirt and tie and eating a good dinner. Instead, he took the time to fulfill his little boy’s request.
David did the decorating all by himself.
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I think most of you know by now how much I enjoy a good quote. Here are some on gratitude:
For each new morning with its light,
For rest and shelter of the night,
For health and food, for love and friends,
For everything Thy goodness sends.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder
Thou hast given so much to me,
Give one thing more, – a grateful heart;
Not thankful when it pleaseth me,
As if Thy blessings had spare days,
But such a heart whose pulse may be Thy praise.
~George Herbert
The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart exalts, and with my song I shall thank Him. Psalm 28:7
What are you thankful for today?
Good to be Home 
I love that prayer. I am grateful for my girls, and for my husband whose job allows me to stay with them, and for all of our good health, and for the beautiful weather we are having, and for the love of Christ, without which all of this would be nothing.
What a great post. Ethan being for sale made me laugh. The pictures of the pond are beautiful, so relaxing. I got to paint my nails yesterday too, isn’t nice to have a few minutes to yourself just to do those little things when life is so hectic. I am thankful for my family, both my husband and my daughter bring me the greatest happiness.
Great post! Love the “many faces of Jacob” =] too funny about the sticker. I hope you have a great day and Grace is feeling better.
I am thankful for the faithfulness of God. I am thankful for His nearness and tenderness. I am thankful to have a Father who never raises His voice to scold but who gently prods and pulls me into His arms. May I continue to grow in His likeness!!!
Too funny about being for sale!
such a sweet post! i love reading your blog shanda!
mmm…noodles…my mom and I are planning on making homemade noodles on Friday together. Thanks for the reminder at the top about house work, etc. Sometimes I ’bout despair with the endless jobs you do over and over, and over and over….but then I need to stop and be thankful for the little blessings that make this possible….=)
You make me smile. This whole post makes me smile. I can just about hear the laughter that permeates your family and your home. : )
Oh, and today I am thankful for…. children to teach, a sunny day, and books to read (it’s library day!).
Your blog is always so refreshing! Thank you.
I LOVE the pond pictures but the ones of the boys eating and giggling really made me smile. I am interested in purchasing Ethan, how much is he? LOL
Lovely post. Lovely pictures! Lovely thoughts from a lovely lady!
Ah, such a relaxing way to spend time ~ reading and smiling through your post. I think this is the first time I could see the size of your pond ~ somehow, I had imagined it larger ~ isn’t it interesting what our imaginations do? I am thankful for many of the same things as stated above in your post and in the comments, but I am also thankful to have seen that first photo of yours ~ it makes me happy, somehow. And I am thankful to call you “friend”.
A beautiful post and pics.
Shanda, I love the poem and the pictures too. 🙂 Your day yesterday sounds wonderful. (How is Grace feeling today?) I am thankful for so much: the warm sunshine on my skin as I watch my children play, their beautiful smiles and sounds of their laughter, the song of birds in the trees, an enveloping hug from my husband and our times together, dear sisters in Christ (like you!) and the Lord’s unfailing grace and mercies! I could go on and on… 🙂 Blessings to you today!
What a lovely post. How is sweet Gracie today???I am thankful for my husband and girls. I’m thankful for Josh’s job which supplies us the means so I can stay home. I am thankful my dear, sweet friends who encourage me in the Lord. I am thankful for my church and that God still allows me to use my talents for him there.
I loved the pictures of the boys they were so funny. My favorite was the one of David on the driveway how sweet…
I have been having a hard time latley being incredibly thankful because the baby we lost in Feb. was due this past week and I found it extremely hard longing after the thoughts of what I never saw or held:(
But last night my dear friend gave my a gift to hold and have to remind me of that baby and how sweet it is that someday I will see it again in Heaven. So I am thankful that life does not end after death. I am also thankful for the two girls God has blessed me with and for the baby on the way. Also my husband, family and friends and our Home and everything God has given and taken away.
I am thankful for a Loving Savior, and all the many many many many blessings He has given me!
My family, my husband’s job which allows me to stay home, and wonderful friends who encourage me!
Lovely post, thank you!!!
Oh, what fun you had! I would have loved to sit on the porch with you, reading magazines and painting nails. Your picnic was a great idea. I wish it would cool off here. It’s still close to 90 during the day!
What a lovely, completely enjoyable post! I am thankful for my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! I am also thankful for my beautiful family and my wonderful friends! I love your pictures!
I’m thankful for single-serving containers of caramel dip for my “gala” apple today! Nothing says “autumn” to me like apples and caramel!
Alesha
That is a great post! The pictures are so good. Your dinner sounds wonderful!! That is to funny about your son. That is very nice that your husband did that for your son. I know alot of times my husband rushes in to change & I have to say hey stop a minute to let the kids talk:)
Your post reminded me how thankful I am that I had a Dad that would take the time after a busy work day to “find” me in our game of hide and seek in the house. I know now that Mom always pointed to where my brother and I were, but the sheer joy of playing with Dad was priceless. Thank you!
If yours was the only blog I could read, I’d still be here on Xanga. I’m printing the prayer you have posted and I will read it each day. So easily I forget that the things I do are intertwined in the memories of many.
Shanda,
Thank you for sharing such lovely pictures. Your scenery and family are simply beautiful. 🙂
RYC, I’ve been feeling “anxious” for about a month now. I have been feeling much better the last few days though. I think being able to spend more time outside and soaking in the sun is doing wonders. Have a blessed day! ~ Gina
Thanks for such an uplifting post. I will always treasure the days I had at home raising my two girls. They are grown and as time has passed I’ve come to realize how special time is. I USED TO worry about my house being clean and consequently I missed out on alot of special times with my children because I was so stressed that everything needed to be perfect. So, the dust will be there and so will the dishes…..enjoy your babies, they will be gone before you know it.
Oh how thankful I too am to be at home enjoying my family and yes, to be able to do the mundane things around the home. Just to be able. Thank you Jesus.
Thank you for your sweet and understanding comments, it’s always so nice to meet another sister in the Lord that has a sensitive spirit too. : ) That would be nice to visit sometimes, we would all have such fun talking and sharing! *happy sigh*
Hope you have a very blessed day! Love, ~Amelia
Oh, and thank you so much for the beautiful quotes on your previous entry, I emailed it to myself! : ) Thank you and hugs!
Shanda…When I see your photos of the family..I have tinges of wishing for those times again…with my own kids.It is good to see a mother so much in the moment. You will have no regrets.Hope your Gracie-girl is feeling chipper again.
I’m thankful for the package you sent me! Thank you so much! I loved it! That picture of Jacob–the nice one–reminds me SO much of the pictures of Grandpa when he was young! WOW! I’m so thankful for our family! Love, Elisha
Yeah, I’d agree… IT IS ABOUT TIME I COMMENTED!!! My apologies!! I do read your site everyday though. It’s like healing. Kind of hard to explain, but it puts my life into perspective… a Godly perspective. I’m thankful for you and your faithfulness!!How is Grace doing? Aw, having a sick little one is NO FUN! I love the pictures of your children… they’re all so precious. Their smiles are so heart-warming!!!”I am content as I sit here at my desk and looking forward to another fulfilling day here at home.” I absolutely love this!!Have a wonderful night!!!
Hi! 🙂 RYC: I think you would have been a great dental hygenist, but I know you are an even better mother! Your sweet and nuturing spirit is an encouraging blessing to me. Have a wonderful day friend.
Loved this post! The first photo of the flower is so pretty. It looked like a perfect day for a picnic.
I could feel the crisp of the air. I can’t wait for autumn to come here. Such sighs remembering autumns past and children’s laughter and spontaneous picnics. How I miss it! Now I am hungry for beef and noodles. Blessings darling girl, M in SC