It seems like my Monday routine is always catching up from the weekend. So, in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a cleaning frenzy I thought I would sit down and write.
Did you all have a nice weekend? I did end up going to the mall on Saturday afternoon with my friend Kathy. We had so much fun–I got a head start on some Christmas gifts for the kids and some clothes for Jacob and Ethan (they needed pants). I think the best part of the afternoon was sitting together and munching on hot buttery pretzels, sipping ice-cold Pepsi and talking non-stop. I came back home so refreshed.
Sunday was a blessing because it was Grace’s birthday and we also got to go to church. Rich preached Sunday night because our Pastor and his family are on vacation. He preached about the account of Joseph and his brothers–but wrapped up the message by putting emphasis on JUDAH instead of Joseph. Did you ever stop to think that we spend a lot of time thinking about Joseph, and yet it was Judah who was in Christ’s family line? Why is that? Did you know that Judah is not even the firstborn son of Jacob? The whole study is almost endless–the heart attitudes of Joseph and his brothers change throughout the story and can really touch the soul. Go ahead and read it . . .you might see the story in a different light. It was neat.
Like I said, I am spending the morning cleaning. I always know when I need a break when I start to get completely stressed out. Then I sit, drink some water and relax for a few minutes. I’ve got a good start on the laundry, the kitchen, and my bedroom. I still want to vacuum. We will do school at some point, too.
Ethan got a cute Thanksgiving craft book out of the library on Friday and so he was working on that.
Jacob made army men out of screws. Yep, that’s right, screws. It was a big production–all his own idea. First, you find a box of screws (thanks to his Dad!) and hammer the pointed end until it is blunt so no one gets hurt. Then, you stand the screw up on it’s head and paint the whole thing (J and E have a set of blue and a set of red). Then you dip the head in another color of paint. Let dry. Now you have a set of army guys! Then, paint a couple soda cans black and now you have “oil towers”. Do you understand now, how Caleb got into paint the other day? 
Jacob was also practicing his violin, which reminded me that I wanted to show you pictures of my DAD and JACOB playing together last Sunday. They played “Ashokan Farewell” quite nicely. I added the song on my site again, so you can hear it (the “professional” version, that is! LOL–) I love the song, it’s so beautiful. Mom and I kept saying, “Again!” as soon as they stopped. I can not get over the fact that my Dad and Jacob can play music together now. How did that happen? Time flies. . . . .
Can anyone read Ethan’s mind? Lest you feel too sorry for him, I will tell you that I spoke to someone about beginning guitar lessons for him in January. He is ready, and thrilled to get started on his music studies.
Please let me know how you all are doing! Hugs to you—-Shanda
Good to be Home 
I love the guitar, what a wonderful picture of Grandpa playing and the boys soaking it in. Happy Birthday to Grace too.
My mouth is watering because I’m now so hungry for hot pretzels, that sounds so good!
I never thought of that b4 w/ Joseph’s story… we just had that in our S.S. class yesterday…would of been a interesting to talk about from that view~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I was justing asking myself..why I clean Sat.? when i almost always have go re-clean Monday…have a good day..CIndy
I’m with my girl above! Guitars have always been an important part of our home. I miss them all sitting around playing and singing together. That will be happening at your house before you know it. I can’t wait for Christmas when that just might happen again at our house! Glad you had a good weekend! blessings and love, m
I am so happy that Ethan will be starting guitar lesson how cool!!! Yes my weekend was good quiet and relaxing because Abbie was gone I got a lot of things done around the house. Rich’s message was very good. (And you shopping with Kathy and not me what???? Weston wants a pretzel) ha ha hope you have a great day. Love Amanda
What a newsy post, it was getting a letter from you!The 1st picture of your dad and Jacob playing together is so cozy,,wish we could hear them too
I’ve always wanted a violin I’m so happy jacob gets to have that violin enjoyment.
David
Pastor P – did a series of sermons about Joseph. There is a lot to learn from him and his family.
It is neat to see Jake playing with your dad…I bought Madelynn a guitar for Chistmas – we will see if I can find someone to give her some lessons (Maybe Mrs. Niles from Churh)
What a great weekend! Sounds like a nice relaxing time! The pictures are so sweet. Pretty soon there will be a trio! 🙂
Have a great monday! Try not to get too stressed out on catching up! 🙂
Good going! All that cleaning. This morning was kind of crazy and I couldn’t believe how fast the time went until lunch time. We kept moving pretty fast. At 12:15 I called my husband to see when he’s coming in for lunch. Woops! I forgot to change the school room clock!!
My weekend went pretty well. Just still trying to get my mind around the fact that in 3 months I will be leaving for Germany…yikes!
Our family is “musical” – trumpet players and singers. I miss those times together. We’re too spread out now to enjoy musical get-togethers!Couldn’t figure out why I was drooling over the picture of the chocolate cake. It’s 11:45am but my STOMACH thinks it’s 12:45pm!!!!! It’s a beautiful cake. Were those blue hearts and blue candles? Did you frost it or pick it up at the bakery? I used to decorate cakes and am always looking for new ideas!
I love knowing what you’re up to. I got a head start on cleaning on Saturday. Today was a park day and mall day. The kids should take long naps today! 🙂 I’m sewing and reading today. I had an emotional day yesterday, but I’m feeling better now. My grandma isn’t doing so well, and I dreamed last night that she died. When my dad’s mom died, I had a dream also 12 hours exactly (to the minute!) before she died. I’m not trying to be superstitious, but it was odd! I called her this morning to check on her and make sure I told her I loved her. She’s a believer, though, so my heart finds great comfort in that. Wow, I’m rambling….I hope you all have a good day. Check your mail…I sent a letter on Friday or Saturday…
Thanks for your comment. I know that this stage will pass all too quickly — and I want to enjoy it despite its difficulties!
Music is such a wonderful gift to have in the family…I come from a musical family and my husband and I are both musical. I can’t wait for the girls to be ready to explore that area too. BS has already said she might like to learn the violin or the piano (like Mommy).
What a joy to listen to the music of your family ~
I wish there were still children in my house practicing the piano, guitar, and flute!! I miss it. I just finished making chicken corn chowder for supper and a batch of chocolate chip cookies — the house smells so yummy!! Glad you had a good time with your friend at the mall — that’s always fun!
Guitar and violin are a lovely combination! These pictures of your dad playing the guitar remind me so much of my own dad, who also plays guitar. It IS neat, isn’t it, when the children have taken years of lessons and finally begin to make music of their own. I grew up in a home constantly filled with the sounds of instruments being practiced and played. Such good memories!
What a great post. Love seeing your boys play violin.
My Mondays are always like that too… busy cleaning the house after the weekend. I love seeing your boys and their grandpa playing music. Before I got to your comment about Ethan, I was thinking that he definitely needed guitar lessons! You can just see it. I am so happy he’s going to get to play an instrument.
We had a pretty relaxed weekend because I got all my cleaning done on Thursday and Friday and we just spent time together talking, watching movies, reading, and ofcourse fellowship with the Lord and His people. That is so neat the Jacob and your dad can play together. That must have been pretty special for your dad too. I can’t wait to hear Jacob play! Love, Lish
Was his sermon taped, it does sound very interesting, I would love to have it mailed to me !
Jacob sounds like he might turn out to be an engineer!
You have the most beautiful family!!! Your home seems so peaceful!
memories……my dad was a very hard worker, but somehow he always found time to play the guitar and sing atleast once every day of his life until he was too sick to do so. your photos brought back memories……my cousin loved to hear my dad sing and play his guitar so she often got out her tape recorder. When he got too sick to sing and play, she took all those tapes to a recording studio and had them digitalized in high quality sound and sent us a set of 8 CD’s! What a treasure. During those last months he enjoyed listening to them with his eyes closed and I know in his mind his fingers strummed every chord and his voice sang every word. Well, now he is walking and leaping and praising God and untill we see him again, we have those wonderful tapes to listen to.
I love those pictures and thinking about the wonderful memories for Jacob. I’d like to see a picture of those “army men.”
Your sons are like my husband. When he was young he would spend hours playing with his soldiers. His mom told me this and her eyes were smiling. 🙂
We are well. Today I am meeting a bloggy friend for the first time ~ we are heading to Panera than out for some window shopping. I’m looking forward to a much-needed time of blessing and refreshment!
This morning I am cleaning the bedrooms and doing laundry. That’s it for today…
I’ll come back tonight to catch up on your previous entries! Give Grace a belated birthday hug! 🙂 Have a good day, my friend.
I was behind on reading my friends blogs…so I just had to get caught up on your life! 🙂
How is your knitting going? I learned how to knit last year, and really, really loved it. Now, my girls are knitting all the time, making bracelets, scarfs, little knitted baby dolls….it’s great fun!
Your little guy that got into the paint…..he is adorable- especially laughing at himself!! (lol!)
I always enjoy your pictures and thoughts.
-Casandra
I know I spend the week getting ready for the weekend so I don’t have to do any cleaning or anything, then I find myself on Monday running around playing catch up. It sounds like you had a great weekend!! Your pictures are always so nice to look at!
YOU make me smile til it hurts!!!
What a wonderful picture of your big guys and your Dad. What sweet memories they will have of playing together. I bet Ethan will love taking guitar. :)Mondays are catchup days for me too. BlessingsMelody
Ben took guitar for awhile.. until his teacher said she’d taught him all she could. 😦 we haven’t found anyone else yet – he takes piano. both the kids do actually, and at times the idea of adding another instrument makes me nuts w/ the thought… one instrument is demanding enough!your monday sounds like my monday!! 🙂
My oldest son is learning to play the guitar, and since I play we are starting to play together. I’m hoping for at least one simple Christmas carol duet! We worked a bit on The Little Drummer Boy tonight, until my fingers couldn’t take it anymore. I read your other post about Grace’s b’day as well. . .very sweet. My oldest just turned nine, and I just had to blog about it a couple of weeks back. I haven’t read or written lately on Xanga with lots of company in town and me going out of town last weekend, so I was getting caught up. Roseteacup tagged me, so I did respond to her this evening, and that has gotten the ball rolling again. . .:)