(from the notes I’ve been taking during the day)
-finally finishing the CS lewis biography that I’ve been reading for weeks
-Caleb with his “baby”–Tiger–holding and carrying him around
-Caleb looking at his Thomas book
-walking away from the stress of putting together the gingerbread house, only to discover that they could do it just fine without me
-the dog following me outside, happy, as I decorated the porch and filled the bird freeder.
-the flock of bluebirds I saw on Dec. 6
-kids making tents in the livingroom and kitchen (remember doing that?)
-kids ice skating during the day, and at night with Rich, using the headlights from the truck to see
-all of a sudden being homesick for mom and dad
-the huge mess we made making cookies together
“Blend equal parts of Faith and Hope mixed well with Charity;
Stir in Good Will and Sweet Content and Precious Memory.
Add Kindness, Helpfulness and Joy; of Gratitude don’t spare;
Then drop by drop Love’s Essence sweet, and Praises freely share.
And don’t forget such spices rare as Laughter, Smiles and Fun,
Taste often for the best results, (‘Tis sweet to mince upon).
Now add a
Thankful Heart and then, the recipe’s complete,
Your ‘Merry Christmas’ all will like … so try the season’s treat.”
–Esther Lloyd Dauber (“Special Treat”)
-going Christmas shopping with Ethan, Grace, and Caleb
-Ethan holding the door open for an older lady who stopped in her tracks to praise him
-the funny thing Jacob said after eating a grapefruit, “Wow, Mom! This grapefruit is like sledding! It’s gone faster than it took to get ready for it!”
-standing in the bathroom one night, tired, yet content as I dried Grace’s hair and then braided it so it would be curly in the morning (always thinking of my mom, when she used to do the same for little me)
-reading Christmas books to the kids
-David making “hmmm” noices every time I read something that impresses him. (he doesn’t even know he does it)
-Caleb in his striped footie pj’s
-Rich loving my Christmas cookies (jam thumbprints and raspberry bars, so far)
-quiet lazy mornings
-feeing so sentimental. . .tears come so easily these days
-wrapping gifts (can’t ever keep track of the tape!)
-watching the martha stewart show every day
-making glittery pinecones all by myself, and feeling so content with the children just sitting around me, watching, and talking my ear off. I used to do the same thing to my mom when she was busy in the kitchen–perch on the counter and talk and talk . . . . . .
-drinking homemade hot chocolate
-decorating the trees
-Jacob dangling his army men from hooks to make ornaments
-the wonder on Caleb’s face
-hearing him say “Christmas tree” for the very first time
-the non stop motion
-fleeing the house for a walk one morning, calling behind me to the kids, “behave yourselves and put in a video for David and Caleb”
-completely enjoying my little walk and the beauty of God’s creation
“Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years… Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.” — George Matthew Adams
Good to be Home 
That post was one of the most beautiful one’s I’ve read. You expressed in so few words and pictures beautiful memories you are making this Christmas.
Blessings, Jill
We love it all,don’t we? Even when it’s crazy and we have to have a little fresh air!
So wonderful to see your Christmas celebrations together….and so much home and coziness and baking! I was just looking at Peter Spier’s book “Christmas!” . It is all the celebration without words ….just pictures. I have always loved it as it shows a family going through the celebration and has so many of our memories and traditions wrapped up in it. Thank you for sharing! My David is getting the lights on the tree for me so we can decorate it…..he whistles while he works blessings, Jenny
Beautiful memories you are making! Lovely post, Shan.
Great pictures, and great memories. Enjoy this holiday season!
Suz
I just love your pictures, Shanda. You manage to capture those little moments so many of us miss.
(Total aside, is your hair shorter? I love it, it’s just darling!)
Merry Christmas!
This was so nice… a look at all the fun you’ve been having. I’m sure it can be stressful doing it all with five kids, but they’re going to remember the fun they had, not that they frazzled their mom while doing it. :)I know you’ll hate me for saying it, but Jacob and Ethan look SOOOO grown up in that skating picture.
Gorgeous post. I have missed you.
Oh how I love you Shanda dear! Your photos fill my heart with Christmas cheer!!!
Thanks for including us in your holiday celebrations! You are making wonderful memories.
Oh thanks for stopping in to share some photos and smiles. Love that one of you sitting on the table ~ that’s a classic. Tell me more about the bluebirds ~ how many were there and how long did they stay? What a rare privilege!
what a neat post this time of year…busy, happy, and full of memory making. Glad you got the card, and yes, I too couldn’t resist, so I just posted again today, too. I decided that if you could go back on your word, so could I…lol….=)
I remember making tents with my next door neighbor – still a good memory all these many years later.
I just love all of this Shanda. Really, truly this is all beautiful…every little bit of it. The ice skating, the floury handprints on your son’s bum, the sweetness in it all. I like the one of you sitting on the table. You’ll love that one too when your kids are grown and gone and you can look at it and say “I remember those days”. Your pinecones are beautiful and the kids’ cookies are creative!!
Thanks for the concern over my last few posts. I’m doing ok. As long as I remember who is in control and to give it all to Him. I don’t know where it will lead and what will happen, I just need to trust.
What wonderful pictures.
Thanks for sharing.
Rebecca
Oh, what fun you all are having!!! Thanks for sharing! I’m especially enjoying the pics of the winter weather up north. It’s still in the mid-80’s here! UGH! So, the snow and ice look so inviting to me. I’m sure if I were there, though, I’d be headed inside pretty soon to warm up by a fire!
Happy Christmas, Shanda!
Alesha
What a long post but I loved it! I almost wished it didnt’ stop. Whoever doesn’t like winter, which causes such fun things to do inside and outside, is strange to me. I’m glad you had time to reflect on creation, be crafty, and enjoy your family. Lots of Love, Lish
What a way to end my day, thank you for sharing your December thus far.
That was a beautiful “Christmas Card” post. Keep enjoying your season!
WoW! I am worn out just looking at the pictures! What a busy house…but I am also smiling! 🙂 What fun times and memories! I so love the picture of you sitting on the table!!! 🙂 Very cute! (did you get a haircut? It is cute! and I soooo love overalls!) You have some great ideas! I love the pine cone decorations! I might need to try that one!!! My kids have been begging for a gingerbread house…even my husband! Argh! I would be walking away stressed out too! Haha! I am not sure mine could do it on their own though…hmmmm…Jason could though! I might need to do that this weekend to cheer them all up!Thanks for the fun post! (oh, and I so miss ice skating…what memories those pictures brought back for me!) Merry Christmas!!!
I figured out what I love so much about your blog, but I am not sure I can say it in words…it is the hearth and homieness of it all, the messes and the love and the beauty of simple things and of course the Lords creation, which always inspires awe in me. Your blogs are almost like a devotional, thank you for doing them so beautifully!
^I agree with the post above mine. The word that best describes your blog is CONTENTMENT. I love it. 🙂
What wonderful memories you guys are making this season. Its good for mom to have some quiet time to walk and drink up the stillness of God’s creation. Thank you for sharing the joys, the chaos, and the quiet of your lives with us. Merry Christmas
LOVE.this.post.!!!!You bring back sweet memories to this old mama…
Thank you, thank you so much for sharing the wonderful pictures. The one with you on the table and the laundry in the background would make a great picture for a happy wife, Mother and homemaker….You don’t seem unhappy even with everything going on. I totally love your site because of everything you share, your children will be lightbearers in the future for all to see the love of Christ in them…God bless, love, evalyne
You are so creative! Those pictures and your words inspire me ( I know…I sound corney) Those are treasured memories you are making and sharing. Your family is so beautiful. Thanks for sharing!Courtney
REEEALLY enjoyed this post! The picture of you sitting on the kitchen table is absolutely adorable! I think your new haircut is chic.I love seeing the pictures of the kids making cookies, ice skating, etc. The one of them making tents in the livingroom definitely brought back memories of my siblings and I doing the same thing when we were younger. The best fun and the best things in life really are the simple ones, aren’t they? Love, Angie
what a fun post. love that shot of you on the table w/ broom in hand. a scene all too familiar around here too. and i’m loving those green shoes!! ;)enjoy your day sweet friend~
I’ve missed you. It was fun to see all your pics!!!
You just couldn’t stay away!! I’m glad you didn’t because I love this post — Thank you —
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Oh I just echo every sentiment here. I love your short hair, the pic of you on the table with your broom and laundry behind you, and Shanda, I must say that as a Mom the same age as your own momma, I’m sure that she gets “homesick” for you just as often if not more than you do for her. Tears come easily for me this time of year as well…thank you soooo soooo much for sharing your happy life in photos.
Awesome post! I am always pleased when I see you have added something new – and this is a few days old! Can you tell that I have been so busy – mailing newsletters for our staff – that I’ve been almost too tired to do my own entries lately.
I love the shot of you with your broom on the table. Such a great picture of a mom!
Oh, what beautiful memories you are making with your family. Merry Christmas!! Being with family, enjoying the small child-like things are so much fun. We plan on making a gingerbread house this Thursday. thanks for sharing. Your kids look so happy, as do you. 🙂
I love all these pictures…
You make my heart smile!