On the top bunk
Yesterday’s blog was so FUN that it’s hard to blog today. I guess I will post more photos that we took yesterday.
Today was good. As I type, I can hear the pounding of 10 feet. (5×2=10) I’m not sure what the children are playing, but it sure is exciting, whatever it is. It’s hard to be an energetic kid who can’t exercise as much during the winter. I should have made them go outside but it’s colder out today and somehow I just don’t want to deal with boots that are still wet from falling in the stream yesterday and missing mittens.
Personally, I am feeling much (shall we say) BRIGHTER today and was “mean mommy” during school. Meaning,
“we did every single thing we were supposed to do and then some” for our school day. I floundered during the last few weeks, I’m amazed that we even got through the work while I was sick, but we did. Today felt normal. I felt like my normal self. Yes,–thanks to many of you prayer warriors here on xanga–and my other friends and family who were praying for me.
I was encouraged today because I got some tea in the mail (!!!) as a gift from my friend Christie. “Stash” is the brand name, and she sent a boxed variety and also a box of the creme caramel–which I tried this afternoon–and, it was very good. I loved it, actually. Tea has become Very Important in my life. 
Good to unwind with.
On the Bottom Bunk
Jacob was very upset today and confessed to me a sin that he committed. Oh my, well, I had to put my head down on the couch so he couldn’t see my face. I read somewhere that a mother shouldn’t laugh at something that her child is upset about. He was absolutely sick about this sin. Apparently, this summer, he had a pair of scissors and he went down to the pond and cut the tails off of two tadpoles. He is now feeling much remorse. Yes, it is sad if you think about it, the poor things were put back in the pond tail-less and probably did not grow properly. We all do dumb things as children, though, right AUNT COLLEEN? Don’t you dare tell everyone what I did to small amphibians when I was Jacob’s age! I told Jacob that everything was going to be okay and asked him to please not be cruel to God’s little creatures anymore. I suggested that he write a letter of apology to the tadpoles. He thought that was “sort of. . foolish.” I was just thinking it would be a good creative writing assignment. He is now out in the living room, humming away, as light hearted as he should be, now that he’s gotten that confession of his chest. He’s so sensitive, wonder where he got THAT from!?!?
Rich should be home soon. I didn’t see him much yesterday, he went straight to church from work and then had a deacon’s meeting and didn’t get home until 11:30 (the middle of the night, IMO). He’s been going off to work in the morning wearing a suit and tie. . . oh, so handsome. . . I just love seeing my husband dressed nice. He’s had to do presentations every day this week in front of about 200 people. I’ve been trying to be extra encouraging to him, partly out of guilt from being so sick and drained after Christmas. Girls, we have to take care of our men if we want them to last! He never said a word but I’m sure my evening “when are you coming home” calls on the phone were getting a little old!
In the Bathtub
I showed him the photos from yesterday and he loved them. He even had me email some of them to him so he could show people at work. . . .
I spent an hour and a half on the couch this afternoon. It was very hard to settle down but I finally did, and read a book that I’m giving Colleen for Christmas! LOL Don’t tell! She’ll understand when she sees it.
In other news, Grace has been training Parker just like he’s a horse. She even rides him when I’m not looking. They run in circles around the living room, with Grace holding his “bridle”. She’s having a wonderful time, although I do wonder what the dog is thinking.
Today Ethan was teaching himself how to play the piano using an old piano book of mine. He was also making up magic rhymes that do things when you say them. Like this one that sends you away at night: “Wolves that howl at the light, you’ll be sent on this scary night.” and, if you want a golden dove, “Doves which perch upon the rail turn into gold all avail” He has a whole list of them. We are all impressed.
Caleb got on the counter where there was an opened can of peaches (Jacob opened it) and ate them all. Also, when he gets into trouble with me, he wants to hug in a desperate sort of way. . .and his hugs are so great! He’s learned to squeeze with those little arms and make it a real hug! I just love it.
David asked me yesterday if I was married. Also, he combined sunscreen, bubble bath, and toothpaste on his race-car track in his room today. I also caught him scooping handfuls of sugar out of the canister and filling a bowl with it. There are hazards to letting your children in the kitchen while you bake. They get inspired.
I don’t have any of that stuff on my eyes today.
That’s about all, folks!
On the dresser
Good to be Home 
This was a lovely post Shanda! I am glad you are feeling better too! The pics are great.
Cute pictures! I love them! I love to see the smiling faces of your sweet family, it makes me smile. I’m glad to hear you are feeling better.
Jake has such a tender heart I hope that it never hardens! Shanda I am the third to comment that is HUGE for me, I am almost the first one, I am feeling very very good about myself, b/c I am usually so bad at keeping in touch with xanga!
Is there a way to video tape Gee riding the dog like he was a horse? I bet the scene is hilarious!
Did you get outside today?
I loved how you took the pictures! I would of never of thought of sitting in the tub or on top of the dresser! They look great! I am so glad you have lifted spirits! 😉
Oh, thank you for sharing more pictures! It is always such a wonderful blessing to see your beautiful family and hear about your day (yes, even when you are discouraged )
Love the one in the tub! LOL! And the tadpole confession ~ oh my ~ that got me grinning! Have a lovely evening, Shanda.
My fav is the tub pic. How do you get them all to grin so sweetly, all at the same/right moment, for so many poses????? glad you’re feeling *brighter*
Aw man. I’m glad you got some tea, but I’m bummed, too, because I’d gotten you a canister to try. LOL Oh well, I can still give it to you, if you’d like. I love these pictures, too cute. 🙂 I hope you guys have a good night. Love, Trish
Aw. That is so cute how your lil one decided to try and bake too. I love your pictures from yesterday. Sounds like you have a VERY busy day today. I hope your family has a good weekend.
Comment back,
Veronica
RYC: Well, the only issue there might be is that it’s loose tea…do you have a diffuser or a tea ball? Hopefully you do, because if you don’t, we’ll have to hook you up with one. 🙂 See you tomorrow night. 🙂
I like tea too, and I think I need to switch to tea in the afternoons. You know me and coffee… Love the pictures! I always enjoy hearing about what David is doing and/or getting into.
Thank you for the comment. Just keep me in your prayers that he would draw me close to him.
Comment back,
Veronica
What FUN pictures and stories, they all made me smile, even the confession.
This whole post made me smile. Poor Jacob, he must have been stewing about that for a long time. I love that tender heart. But I can see why you had to bury your face.See you tomorrow. 🙂
Who would have thought that we’d find you in all those places. Fun! I am impressed with Jacob’s sensitive spirit. One of my brothers who was more like that than the rest of us is now a pastor. We always thought he might be. You look good in green.
those pictures are soo cute…love all their little white shirts~ =)
love all the pics of you surrounded by your kiddos. too fun. 🙂 and you look fab. in green!
Your hubby must so love coming home to all of you…and all those hugs. You all look wonderful…but esp. you in green…..glad the top bunk held! And I love to hear about you all.
I meant to tell you about green tea when you asked. The heath diet I am on has me drinking it every day. I didn’t think it tasted as good as reg. tea at first …but if you get one mixed with berries or Jasmine,or something then it tastes good. Anyway, in one study they drank 2 cups per day and the group drinking the green tea became ill 50% less than the control group. So try some! Oh, and brewing for only 5 min. is best.
Bless Jacob for that confession….so good to see that tender heart and learn to give things over to God now while so young.
You are a blessed mommy. I think 2 of 3 of my boys asked me to marry them when in the little adoring age. So precious. Jenny
Glad to see you’re feeling better — your family is so good looking!
Just discovered your site to day from Mary’s Place. Throughly enjoyed the pictures of your happy smilling family and the tadpole confession. We can learn so from the mouth of babes! 🙂
I pray that Jacob feels the freedom and release of confession and repentance, that he isn’t still stressed over it.
Tea is abolutely wonderful!
Your pictures are darling! I agree with a previous comment that you look great in green. We homeschool also and a light bulb just went off in my head when I read your picture captions. They are perfect for learning about prepositional phrases! 🙂 Can you tell what is on my mind? You could make a little book out of them. I just might have to do the same. Have a great day!~ amy
I am glad you are back to your perky self Shan…. love ya
The last few examples of mischief your children have gotten into have really made me feel good. I’ve often wondered how can I make my kids behave better, like Shanda’s and now I see they DO act like yours. The concoction on the tracks is SO familiar! Thanks for sharing.
I so needed this laugh today! I also think I need a break after reading all that your creative kids have been up to! I feel all worn out just reading it! :o) I too love tea and as I was reading was sitting here holding my very own cup of tea trying to relax and not think (to hard about the up coming week). It is great to unwind! Also fighting a nasty head cold! Ugh! I am so glad that you are feeling back to yourself! and I do know how that goes with “mean mommy!” Haha!! Sometimes I think the kids like it when we aren’t feeling real well…they get by with much more! Your story about your sons sin! Oh, my, word! I was laughing so hard!!! I had a very similar thing take place yesterday with one of my sons! Confessed something. He told me He had been talking to Jesus and Jesus told him to come and tell me! It was a bit hard not to laugh, but what a blessing to see their sensitivity to God!!! So, now I am sure we all want to know what you did to the poor little amphibians when you were little!! Do tell!! hahaha!Ok, I better be done with my relaxing time and get back to some work. I have 2 kids home due to school having a 2hr delay this morning. Have a wonderful day!!! and THANK YOU once again for the laugh!!!
RYC — Thank you for praying. No, my daughter looks just like her aunt on my husband’s side. All three of my children look like his side! They were all blonds as young children (my husband was a redhead). The only thing that resembles my side is that my boys hair turned dark like mine as they grew older.
Fun picks, and you look pretty with stuff on your eyes and with them just like they are. Re: my NYC trip. . .it was fab and I thought of you since I remembered you’d just been. The AG store was amazing, but since (alas) I have no daughters, I just pretended I was nine again and thoroughly enjoyed myself. I’ll HAVE to take my granddaughter there someday. When I told my boys I went in a store that was all dolls, three stories of it, and they even had a hair salon for the DOLLS, they seriously could not believe it. They honestly thought I was making it all up. But then I showed them the pictures of all the awesome, cool LEGOS in FAO Schwartz and they were completely impressed! Glad you had a nice Saturday. . .ours was great because we got snow!! I’ll hopefully blog about it tomorrow—