I just got the kids in bed. Every day the older ones read in bed for an hour or two so that I can have some quiet. David basically rolls around in my bed and sometimes sleeps. Right now he is burping. (don’t ask, it’s a “talent” that he has discovered) Caleb is the only one who actually still sleeps every day.
Anyway, I enjoyed reading what was left for me after my last post. So many comforting words, and so many who understand a bluesie sort of day. Thank you. I still feel on edge today, but not as bad as yesterday, thankfully.
This morning I had to get outside. The kids were all watching a morning show on TV so I took my cup of hot (instant again, though–we ran out–) coffee and went outside for a quick walk up the road and back. . was only out for about 10 minutes. . the wind was whipping around the trees, I half expected to see some branches fly off . I noticed some chickadees on the neighbor’s bird-feeder. . a whole group of them. Such cheerful birds.
Guess what else I saw? The kids showed this to me!
A dead fish on the porch! We think Patches caught it. Oh, how I would love to see her do it again! Do you remember the post I did this summer, with pictures of her catching a frog? Never did I dream of a cat leaving a fish on my front porch! How in the world did she do it? Then she had to carry it up to the porch in her mouth! That is one funny cat!
After my little walk, I went inside and made the kids all come out with me. I grabbed my camera, too.
Grace was so sweet, still in her robe, she was so protective of Caleb. . .kept her eye on him the whole time we were outside. By the way, Caleb’s sweater is handmade by my late Great Grandmother. She made it for Jacob and all the boys have worn it. It zips up the back.
Here is Jacob. He and Ethan were busy forming little islands–they made a “Little Bahamas”, a “Little Jamaica” and a “Little Tobago”. (all that geography is paying off!)
Later on, when we were back inside I told Jacob that I loved seeing them make their pretend islands. He immediately said very seriously, “NO, they aren’t pretend, Mom! They’re REAL, they are REAL little islands.”
Grace said, “Isn’t this nice? It’s like being at the beach!”
(ummmmm, it was a stretch for MY imagination, but I thought she was cute)
My little mother’s helper, finding rocks for Caleb to throw. I like how the boys are on the other side of the pond. They are all in the picture.
They saw something in the pond, David makes me laugh in this one:
They waved me over to see, (“MOM!! Come ON MOM!!”). . . . it was “two big catfish”.
Can you see them? Ethan wished he had a fishing pole.
The sky was so lovely
This is the view from my porch. I love watching the sky. Right now, as I type, it is robin’s egg blue, with some fluffy gray clouds. Every once in a while, the sun comes out.
After I took the above photo, I looked at Parker and took one of him, too. He had his eye on me!
Woof, Woof. (Yes, David, I did let him eat that candy apple. 
He made a mess with it. )
The rest of the morning was spent on schoolwork, laundry, cleaning, giving the littles a bath, talking on the phone with Joanna (we usually have a big marathon conversation about once a month to catch up) and then my friend Kathy called me, I ate a piece of cheesecake. . . . . . . .it’s been a nice day.
Happy 7th Birthday to my niece, Abigail! She is my sister’s oldest child and I am so blessed that they live nearby. She is the closest thing Grace has to a sister. Lots of times, when people comment on Grace being the only girl, I mention Abbie. . and I say, “Well, she does have a cousin who is just a year younger than she is!” They are like two peas in a pod.
This picture was taken on Thanksgiving day of Grace and Abbie. Are they sweet or what?
Have a wonderful afternoon, all!
Good to be Home 
You always seem to get the kids out during the day. I aspire to do that, but it just doesn’t happen. I know it is good for them, but….actually butt…is probably the problem. Lol. I can try again tomorrow right? I am glad your day is better.
Your posts are always so great to read!! I enjoy them so much. Your pictures are great, as usual!:) The one of the kids at the pond with the boys in the back is a good one! I hope you have a great day! I don’t know how you drink instant coffee:)
How dare you call those islands pretend! Parker is getting so big! I don’t think I’ve seen a picture of him in awhile. He’s a very pretty dog. And send some of that sun to my house… I don’t think we’ve had any today. 🙂
I love your posts. I love that your kids get such a fun playground. I love that you love it. I am going to write you a letter now!
What a lovely morning! I wish I could have shared it with you ~ what fun we would have had with our cameras and the pond and the clouds and the kids and the “islands” and . . . oh well, it is nice to dream about being there with you someday . . . maybe.
Our sky looked just like yours this morning,I thought of taking a picture, but my computer is FULL…I need to burn more photos to DVD’s and go buy another external hard drive. One day soon you too will have this “problem” The dried flower and shades of warm brown is beautiful
We used to have a cat who brought us mice, moles and chipmunks! How cool that you cat brings you fish! Love the pictures of the kiddos! My Mom used to make us lie down for an hour every afternoon when we were home in the summer. It was only later when we had kids of our own that we understood that was a much for HER as for us! LOL! Glad that mood is lifting.
Never had the cat bring a fish. We’ve had mice, rats, lizards, bats, rabbits, chipmunks, squirles, the neighbor’s trash (no kiddin’), but never a fish.
Maybe we should feed them every once in a while
How rewarding today has been for you after the blahs yesterday. While many women would run from their children to find enjoyment, you invite them to join you. You have a lovely back yard to explore with them……God has been good to you.
In answer to your question, yes, it is on T.V tonight on abc at 8pm. As for the Marshmellow popcorn, I can thank Jolly Time popcorn for that. It’s a guaranteed kid favorite! Have a splendid evening!
Your dog is beautiful! He looks like a lab – I love labs, and hope to have a black one some day.I’m glad you are feeling better and had a nice day with your kids. Cheesecake is always a good thing, too!
awww…they do look like two peas in a pod..sweet
that rock thing in the background of your kiddos looking in the water looks like some kind of eerie sea creature….lol…my daughter commented that it looked like a whale
I appreciate both today’s and yesterday’s posts. So much truth!
What a lovely day spent outside! The weather here was warmer than it has been. It felt good to have the warmth on my face again. Thank you for sharing your pictures.
Have a blessed evening ~ Gina
First of all your puppy has gotten so big!! He’s still adorable. Second the blue sweater is very cute, I’ve never seen one like that. Third, Grace and Abbie could be sisters. Wow, they look so similiar. I’m happy for Grace that she has a cousin like that.
Your day sounds fulfilling. I’m amazed that you can fit it all in. : )
I just love your posts. Sometimes I see your blog in my subscriptions box, but I always wait until I have a quiet moment to actually come to your site to read it. My husband is the only boy out of three sisters. He has a cousin, a year younger, that is the only boy of four sisters. They grew up closer than cousins, closer than best friends, truly like brothers. It is such a unique bond that they share. I hope the same stays true for your little Grace and her Abbie.
I didn’t realize you had neighbors near by. LOVE the pond pictures, the catfish are huge. Grace is so cute, she will make an awesome mommy someday (just like YOU). I put a pic of the tools on my blog, I will try to get some pictures of Isaiah using them tomorrow.
Steve came home and said “why is the phone dead?” LOL!
The fish is hilarious!
Love the shot of Gee walking and the wind is in her hair!
You already know I love the wamr brown..whatever that plant is, one!
Great pictures. I love the islands the boys made. My “little mother” dd6yrs loves to take care of her baby brother also. Must be a girl thing. lol. To funny about the cat getting the fish. How kind of it to share with you. Love the pic of your dog. Do you ever wonder what dogs are thinking??Hope your day is going well. BlessingsMelody
Love to see the kids playing around the pond — and making islands! That brown flower picture (or is it a seed pod?) is really beautiful, too — good depth of field!
An interesting post! I love seeing the activities of your day.
I always love to look at the pictures of your home! What a wonderful place for your kids to grow up!
Have a great day!
RYC: about running – I try to run – although I’m not sure that really enjoy it! haha!! My husband loves running – hes’ done several marathons and tries to run like 4 or 5 times a week! SOme days I think he’s nuts! haha… 🙂
What a beautiful post, Shanda! I love all the pictures and I can relate to the need to get outside too. I took Levi out for a few minutes away yesterday. We just sat in a lawn chair in the yard and soaked up some vitamin D, even though it was cold. It was a nice little, quiet and beautiful reprieve as I nursed him in the sunshine.
The picture of Abbie and Grace is adorable.
Thanks for sharing your beautiful life with us!
Jana
I love all the activity in those shots….and the kids enjoying the outdoors. David was thrilled to have his question answered in your post. He was flapping his hands and giggling. His hands are sooooo long he can flap them and make a clapping sound. Blessings, Jenny
That’s cool that your cat loves you so much she wants to take care of you! My grandparents had wild barn cats that they use to feed. An occassionally, they left an offiering on the doorstep as well. Animals get as attached to us as we do to them.
Have a great day.
Amy
Your kids always have such adventures! Thanks for sharing them with us. 🙂
It does sound like a nice day indeed! 🙂 I love Grace in her robe. She and Abigail are too cute!