I was too tired to blog yesterday. I had been awake in the night and spent the whole day feeling very S-L-O-W. In fact, Rich even commented on it when he got home, “You seem. . . .kind of. .. slow, Shanda” and he laughed at me. 
We had special meetings at church and he went with the kids and I went to bed EARLY! 
I’m feeling SO much better this morning! 
Ethan is out walking the dog.
Jacob is practicing his violin.
Caleb is in here, playing with his choo-choo’s and humming the “Thomas song”.
David is watching a Thomas video.
Grace is in watching Jacob practice, with Patches on her lap. (poor, poor Patches)
I wanted to share some pictures that make me LAUGH. I took them when Mom and Dad were still here–and Dad was playing tic-tac-toe with Ethan. Dad decided to give me a hard time and goof around during the picture-taking. I think David’s and Ethan’s reaction to Grandpa is especially dear.
(“Is Grandpa okay?”)
(“He’s okay! He’s laughing! Grandpa is so silly!”)
Let’s all gather around Grandpa!
Sweet.
Yesterday, I was in the kitchen with David and Caleb and I gave them each a cheese-stick.
David: “Mom? Are cheese-sticks made of WOOD?”
Me (in confused tone): “No”
David: “Then why are they called cheese-STICKS?”
The pictures of Dad were taken on Friday night. Now, these photos were taken early Sunday morning. Rich had already gotten up and was busy with the dog. I was still asleep in bed when my door opened and I heard my mom saying, “Shanda? Are you awake?” It was so fun! I felt like I was back home and she was getting me up for school. I said, “Come on in” and she got in bed with me and we talked and giggled a little before we got up. She was full of energy so as soon as I was ready, we went outside for a walk. Jacob came with us. It was so nice! We ended up coming home with handfuls of leaves, berries, and other things.
I’m hiding behind mom so my RAMS football sweatshirt doesn’t show. We’re ashamed of them this year.
Lovely refection in the stream of the bright fall colors.
Our shadows—this was so fun! Parker, Me, Jacob, and Mom Shadows:
Our silly shadows:
I finally got a picture of a flock of geese:
Jacob thought it was so funny when I went right through some deep black mud. Apparently the sound of the mud and my “oooph” as I went down was too much for him. He laughed and laughed, “ho, ho, ho” he says.
Some of our collection. The acorns were a dark, shiny brown. So lovely and nutty.
My mom sat at the table and put a wreath together “just like that”, with only some twine. Everything was collected from the woods except some zinnias–they were from my garden.
It’s time to get dressed and ready for a morning of school with the children. Davy-do is doing more and more with us, and I am proud of him. His coloring is getting much better, I am encouraging him to be neat with his work (he’s a natural scribbler). The others are also doing well–I’m especially pleased with their memorization of Bible and Poetry. I’m amazed how quickly they can learn something by heart.
Here is a poem that Grace has memorized:
If I Knew
If I knew a box where the smiles are kcpt,
No matter how large the key
Or strong the bolt, I would try so hard
Twould open, I know, for me;
Then over the land and the sea broadcast,
I’d scatter the smiles to play,
That the children’s faces might hold them fast
For many and many a day.
If I knew a box that was large enough
To hold all the frowns I meet,
I would like to gather them every one,
From nursery, school, and street;
Then folding and holding, I’d pack them in,
And turning the monster key,
I’d hire a giant to drop the box
To the depths of the deep, deep sea. -Maud Wyman
Good to be Home 
Is it okay to be envious of these kinds of memory-making days? You get to have so many!!! 🙂 I love the wreath, and I generally hate wreaths! Very cool and simple. Love it.
What a sweet time you had with your parents. I know your kids enjoyed every minute of it… and you too. :)Glad the kids are doing so well in school.
I just love reading your entries and the pictures….ohhhh the pictures! I think the boys look very much like your dad! I love the reflection of the fall colors – awesome picture and the geese! Another great one! And I love the wreath your mom made – you just can’t buy one like that that is for sure – just beautiful.
We are having another sick day today. With one just getting over the flu, one in the middle of it and now I am starting out with the scratchy throat…just a good day to snuggle under a comfy blanket and read or nap or just doing absolutely nothing! :O)
xoxo Cat
Your parents look so nice! I love the memory you shared of your mom jumping in bed with you. I also love these pictures from your walk – the reflection and shadows are so neat! You are really creative!That wreath is just lovely. Your mom is creative, too. I see where you inherited some of your homemaking gifts.
The fall pics fill up a place in my soul. Yesterday I was thinking about the dull colors here and decided it’s like being colorblind. Or the difference between earth and heavens colors. The wreath is so lovely!
Last year Shannon memorized that poem too. I’m amazed how easily they memorize, my memories of memory work are rather stressful.
Bless you today.
That poem is very pretty. That is great that Grace has it memorized! I love fall, you do such a great job capturing the pictures of everything! Your pictures are very good. That is funny that they ask you about the cheese sticks:)
I’m so glad things are going better! I love the wreath your Mom made — can’t buy those at the store! And, horray for Grace as she memorized that cute poem! Have a great day!
I’m glad your feeling better! Sometimes we all need a little rest. I love all of the pictures ~ what fun you must have had together! Great memories…
I noticed your mom with the camera. Did you get your love of photography from her? I love her wreath. 🙂
Thinking of you today.
I am glad that you are well rested today! 🙂
The pictures are wonderful. I love the shadow ones! How cool is that?
Have a wonderful day!
I simply love your post, pictures and a glimps of your family time. You are blessed and I see you are blessing others.
What a fun morning walk!
Okay, so I haven’t gotten your letter yet. I’m like a little kid everyday when I check the mail! I’m starting to think the post office is holding my letter for ransom!
We finally have fall temps in Oklahoma (actually had a taste of winter on Monday), but we have no where NEAR the fall colors your photos captured.I’m envious of the time you spent with your parents. My biological parents are deceased and my foster parents live near Tahoe in California. Not exactly a hop, skip & a jump!
Loved the pics of dad with the boys it made me laugh… I am glad that mom and dad came out to see us we all had a blast. Jacob looked so big in the picture of him walking behind mom. Love ya -Amanda (if I don’t see you at church tonight I’ll see you in the morning)
Hooray for the flock of geese photo you finally were able to get….and all the other beautiful photos!You continue to inspire me!How beautiful your visit was with your folks. I loved what your mom did!!! I am going to remember that when my gal gets married and I go for a visit. She will love it. You truly are a blessed woman Shanda. God is so good!
What a nice visit you had with your parents. Don’t you love when you and your mom get those quiet and fun moments together? I love snuggling with my mom and laughing. It’s wonderful. glad you are rested now. I’ve been having some of those slow days lately, myself. I’ve just been so busy it seems. I love the picture of your dad laughing so hard, he’s crying. Made me smile. Have a nice night-Tara
Oh, I love that puddle!
ryc: I sometimes cook 10-20 lbs of chicken, and it’s handy to put in the freezer or can for later use~
Your boys do certainly look a lot like your father. The pictures are delightful – as usual! 🙂
I love the wreath. Where will you put it?
What lovely days you and the kids had with your mom and dad!
The wreath isn’t showing up! I want to see it! 🙂 Such cute pics of your little boy…those kinds of faces are so heartbreaking to a mother…you just want to run and cuddle them right up!
What special memories! There is nothing like Grandpa laughing!!! 🙂 My mom and sister are coming this weekend for a visit and I am so excited!! What wonderful times! Thank you for sharing once again…I am constantly refreshed and feel like I just took a big breath of fresh air when I read your blog and see your pictures! Thank you! (I love the music by the way!)