I wonder. . . .

Posted on February 19, 2008 by Shanda

I was out the door this morning at 7:15. The sun was just starting to shine on the face of my house, through the windows, and it called to me. I asked Jacob to watch Caleb in the house and I meandered down to the woods. As I walked, out of the corner of my eye, I saw something sprinkle gently down from the trees and fall to the ground.

What was it? I made my way around muddy puddles and slick leaves, keeping my eyes to the ground.

I found feathers! Small downy feathers, perfectly dry. I looked up up into the trees and saw nothing. There was no sign of tragedy. So, what was it? Why did feathers fall down from the tree-tops on this chilly but sunny February day in New England?

Maybe one of my bird-loving friends will have a suggestion.

My camera battery died before I could get the golden morning pictures I was looking for. But I was still glad that I went to the woods when I did. The feathers felt so warm in my hand, and I felt like I had a treasure in my pocket when I came home to show the children. I have something new to add to my nature journal.

I saw feathers fall like snow this morning. I love that. God gives us wonder in such interesting ways.

weekend details

Posted on February 18, 2008 by Shanda

Good morning! Breakfast is over and the three older kids are in the basement. They made an office down there. They take down chocolate milk and pretend it’s coffee and I’m not sure what they are actually doing but I do know that they are listening to a Focus on the Family Radio Theatre cd.

I wanted to share a few photos from my weekend. Rich came home on Friday with roses for me and Grace, which was a great start, I thought. There was one for me and one for her of the darkest red. Very dazzling.

On Saturday, we went to the library. The kids checked out about 30 books, LOL, and I found 3 that I thought looked good. I already finished one of them and the link will be attached to this blog entry.

(I just had to get up to help David and Jacob was up getting another drink of milk so I asked them what they are doing downstairs. “Oh, we’re riding bikes. . . but, right now we’re trying to catch a mouse.” (said very casually) “Is there really a mouse down there?” I asked. “Yes! We all saw it!”) OH GREAT.

UPDATED February 3, 2013 (They just told me that they caught five on this day. There was a blind one. They found one in a shoe, & one in a Cheerio box. They said that the dog ran after them, stomped on them and ate them. David played hide and seek with the blind one, but it got away.)

Back to the weekend. Where was I? Oh yes, the library. I didn’t take any pictures of the library stop because there are already pictures here somewhere of the library. Our next stop was Panera. Rich’s idea. It was fun except don’t order their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for your 2 year old. We got that for Caleb and it oozed everywhere. Rich looked so handsome and I thought it was so funny to see our little messy Caleb sitting there next to his dapper Dad. Rich would flinch every time Caleb was about to touch him. And Panera also has those yogurts that you simply suck out of a tube. . . yeah, not so good for a toddler. But, he loved it. David sat next to me and wasn’t as messy. Jacob, Ethan, and Grace sat at their own table and guess what they did while they ate? Read books! I’m so proud of them, they are just like me when it comes to reading.

After lunch we went to the mall. I won’t get into too much description, I’ll just say that it was packed with people but we found some awesome sale prices on the Land’s End clothes for the kids at Sears. I’m so thankful, we bought 3 beautiful, well-made winter coats for E, J, and C for next winter. I bought Grace 3 prs. of pants, a jean skirt, and 3 dresses. I bought Caleb 3 shirts and J and E both got a new shirt. I bought G a pretty pink fleece blanket for her bed, perfect for a small girl to curl up under with a good book. All these things were on clearance, plus another 50 percent off!! After Sears we left the mall, we just didn’t have the desire to walk around with the kids, too hard to keep track of them all and push the stroller. LOL

As soon as we got home, I went for a walk. David was already outside. I guess we were both thinking the same thing, ENOUGH of crowds and shopping, let’s get outside! Everything was still covered in snow and it was icy snow, so hard that I had to be extra careful not to fall down. I could actually walk on top of it! Our house sits on the top of a hill and look what David was doing when I came out to join him. He could go fast!

We made our way down past the ponds, looked at our flooded and rushing stream for a while, and then went into the woods. It was cold outside, but the dappled sunlight gave us moments of warmth. David found a fallen down tree and asked me to take a picture of him:

Just after taking his picture, I turned and saw some birds tucked away in the evergreens, I just love coming upon life in the woods. These birds, I believe, were cedar waxwings. There were about four of them together and they were eating berries. My picture isn’t very good, but you get the idea. I couldn’t get very close to them. It’s one thing to see a wild bird at a feeder, but quite another to see them in the woods, in their own “neighborhood”. This is quite close to the same part of the woods where I saw all that Robin activity a few weeks ago. I think I will call it the bird forest. Not very imaginative, but I’m not Anne of Green Gables. LOL

Okay, this next part is hard to explain. Near our house is what we call “the dam”, and it is a watershed area. These pictures will give you an idea what I mean. Here is David, walking up the big hill. (there is no water, just the stream, which goes through a tunnel under the hill). The dam was built just in case there is a major flood.

It’s probably about a 45 degree angle! This side gets more sun, there was no snow.

I must insert this picture of the dog, who enjoyed nibbling on some grass. It shows how BLUE the sky was.

When I got to the top of the hill, this is what David was doing, sliding fast down the hill! (the cold side was still covered with snow)

Before I knew it, I plopped down and tried it, too!
Like I said, the snow was hard as ice and we were able to “sled” right down the hill on our back-ends. LOL It was so very steep, quite exciting for me, I screamed and squealed all the way down. DAVID WAS VERY IMPRESSED. The only way back up was to dig our toes into the hill. Here I am, about to go back up! I went down a total of 3 times.

David went down and tried out another hill. I could not believe he was going down head first! Oh my!

After our sliding around, we walked over toward the woods again and we found some extremely slick ice. I love finding spots like this, I imagine that there are wood-fairies who enjoy ice skating in the moonlight on their very own lakes of ice. (I do have some “Anne” in me, as geidlbots pointed out, ) It was so so slippery, David fell down about 3 times. I thought we would get the chance to go back with skates, but we didn’t.

We came out of the woods and stood on the road to look at the stream. It was busy and noisy, glittery. ALIVE!

I read somewhere that if you don’t like New England weather, just wait 10 minutes. Isn’t that funny?

Today, outside my windows, I see this:

Bye-bye snow! I’m trying to convince myself that spring is here. Wishful thinking. (read quote about New England weather again.)

Yesterday morning I didn’t make it to church because our power went out. Once it came back on, there was only time for Rich to get his shower and get dressed. He went with Grace and Ethan. While they were gone I MADE HOMEMADE SOUP, SOUP, not SOAP, SOUP. LOL LOL. It was a Taste of Home 1st place recipe. It was a chicken soup with squash, carrots, onion, and kale in it. It made a HUGE pot and I’ll be eating it all week for lunch. We all went to church last night but I didn’t get to visit with any of my friends, except Tammy, because I was working in the toddler room (with Tammy).

I feel great today. I feel happy and content and ready to tackle the day. David doesn’t have speech because it’s a holiday and Rich is coming home in time to take Jacob and Ethan to their music lessons, so I don’t have to go anywhere. (I love not having to go anywhere, LOL)

SORRY THIS IS SO LONG!!!!

Have a wonderful day!

Galatians 5:14-26

Posted on February 17, 2008 by Shanda

“For all the law is fulfilled in one word,
even in this;
Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not
consumed one of another.

This I say then,
Walk in the Spirit,
and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit,
and the Spirit against the flesh:
and these are contrary the one to the other;
so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

But if ye be led of the Spirit,
ye are not under the law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest,
which are these,
adultery,
fornication,
uncleanness,
lasciviousness,
idolatry,
witchcraft,
hatred,
strife,
seditions,
heresies,
envyings,
murders,
drunkeness,
revelings,
and such like:
of which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is
love,
joy,
peace,
long-suffering,
gentleness,
goodness,
faith,
meekness,
temperance:
against such there is no law.

And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh
with the affections and lusts.

If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.

Let us not be desirous of vain-glory,
provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 4:14-26

Hope you all are having a restful and blessed Sunday!

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Shanda

Why you shouldn’t play in a box

of packing peanuts on a dry day:

Yeah, he had a dirty face. . .from eating lots of frozen blueberries. . .one of my little ones’ favorite treats.

((mine))

Posted on February 15, 2008 by Shanda

“God doesn’t do things willy-nilly. Everything
has a purpose and meaning. When God engaged to create
man and woman and to ordain the union of marriage,
He didn’t roll dice or draw straws or flip a coin.
He patterned marriage purposefully after the relationship
between His Son and the church, which He planned
from eternity. And therefore marriage is a mystery;
it contains and conceals a meaning far greater
than what we see on the outside. What God has joined
together in marriage is to be a reflection of the union between
the Son of God and His bride the church.

Those of us who are married need to ponder again and again
how mysterious and wonderful it is that we are granted
by God the privilege to image forth stupendous
divine realities infinitely bigger and greater than ourselves.”

John Piper

Last night Rich came home with a dozen roses and a cheesecake. We had a nice family dinner (Caleb swiped a whole tomato off the counter and ate it like an apple) and after the kids went to bed we stayed up watching TV for a while.

He left for work about an hour ago, with promises that after last night’s cheesecake (at least we shared it with the children), we would be eating healthy this weekend~we are both happy that it is FRIDAY.

Happy weekend to you all!

coffee in the mornings

Posted on February 14, 2008 by Shanda

“I like the color red. . . .but, not in this shape.” ~ Jacob, age 11

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Most mornings, I get right up and make coffee. I take Rich’s cup into our bedroom for him, for him to drink as he’s getting ready for work. He always says a sincere “Thank you” and maybe gives me a kiss. This is just one of the many many little, ordinary things that I love about married life.

What simple, ordinary things do you love about marriage?

or friendship?

or being a parent?

We aren’t guaranteed a tomorrow,

so tell the special people in your life

how much you care.

Better yet, DO something to SHOW them how much you care!

Posted on February 13, 2008 by Shanda

Thanks so very much for all the birthday wishes. I felt so loved!

This is a picture of the shirt I got for myself yesterday at anthropologie, it was on clearance.

Rich and I got to go out alone for the first time in months. My friend Karen watched the kids for us. We went shopping and out to lunch at Panera. It was nice, really nice. I did not take one single picture. I bought the shirt and also some new books, make up, chocolates, bath oil, and candles.

For dinner, we all went out to eat at the Olive Garden. David was so funny, we were getting ready to go and he came down to show me what he looked like. When I told him we were going to the “Olive Garden” he said, “MOM! No, we aren’t going to the Olive GARDEN, we’re going to a restaurant!”

The kids behaved so nicely, I actually had a relaxing dinner. Caleb ate like a little piggy and Jacob ate so much that he felt sick. (he learned a lesson, in other words, on gluttony! LOL). David got his chocolate ice cream all over himself and Rich made me laugh when he said, “Come here, David, let’s put your coat on so no one sees your napkin.” (referring to the dirty shirt)

When we came home, it was in the midst of a heavy snowfall. It snowed in the night and now it’s rainy/sleeting ~ something like that. Homeschool is delayed an hour (or more) because of the weather, LOL.

Okay. I was tagged to give 4 random facts about my self.

1. I love to read. The first books I read on my own were the Little House on the Prairie books.

2. I prefer cats over dogs ANYDAY.

3. I’ve never broken a bone, but I’ve gotten stitches twice.

4. I want to try to make homemade soap someday.

I tag my sister, my sister-in-law, my aunt, my cousin, my other cousin, and my other cousin. You know who you are. LOL

happy birthday to me

Posted on February 12, 2008 by Shanda

Guess-who

is 3-2?

Rich took the day off today.

I’m excited to spend the day on MYSELF.

(yes, the mom in me feels some-what guilty)

BUT I’LL GET OVER IT.

today (so far)

Posted on February 11, 2008 by Shanda

It’s sunny but very cold and windy.

David had speech therapy this morning and I got the giggles. . .again.

Ethan called “pepto bismol”. . .Pepto Dismal. . .

I keep hearing the boys rattle and shoot their guns that they got from my parents this weekend.

David played with blocks by himself upstairs and I could hear him singing, “Bob the Builder” to himself.

The dog stole Caleb’s cheese stick, and Caleb said, “HE. took. my. CHEESE. STICK!!” (why is my baby talking??)

David found his tooth that the tooth fairy accidently left on the washing machine and now it’s right back under his pillow.

My sister called and we are going to start sewing together. (she just got her first sewing machine)

I’m sleepy and I want to take a nap.

The house is a mess.

I just took these pictures:

How’s your day going?

Posted on February 10, 2008 by Shanda

Hello friends! It’s Sunday afternoon, I should be napping, right? Rich and David are out in the livingroom sleeping on the couches. Grace, Jacob, Ethan, and Caleb are all upstairs in their beds. Somehow, I feel cozy and contented enough just sitting at my desk, in a quiet house, knowing my loved ones are all around me– no nap today. I like to look out the windows as I sit here. We had snow fall yesterday, just a few inches, but with today’s sunshine, it is heavy now, and very wet. The roof is dripping water. There isn’t much wind, the trees are still, just the tops are gently swaying back and forth.

On Friday, I had a quick trip to the doctor. My sister and her family live in the same town, so I had Weston’s baby pictures developed and the kids and I took them over to her after my appointment. To our surprise (not a big surprise, though, because I knew they would show up sooner or later) my mom and dad were at her house (they live about 4 hours from us, in another state). It was so fun to drop by and see them there. We sat around the table and I took a couple pictures of Weston and his family. I got to hold him for a little while, he is so small and dear. I called him a little bean. I love that little baby so much, and look forward to watching him grow. I just know he is going to have a lot of fun with my four boys. I wish you could have seen Caleb’s bright eyes as he stood and looked at his new cousin for the first time.

On the way home, I was talking to Caleb about “Aunt Amanda’s new baby, named Weston” when David sighed deeply and said, “I know, I thought they were going to name him David. But they didn’t.” I guess we all know who David’s favorite person is? He is so so precious.

On Saturday, Mom and Dad came to our house. As soon as they arrived, we immedietly opened Christmas gifts. We just couldn’t wait another moment! They gave me a beautiful scarlet fiesta casserole (9 by 13) — I was completely shocked, I hadn’t even held one in my hands before. My mom bought me a scarlet one so I could use it for my Valentine’s parties, isn’t that thoughtful? They also gave me a book and some happy pig knick-knacks. They had a gift for me from Aunt Mary, some of her homemade soaps, and a gift from my brother and his wife–a place setting of “evergreen” fiestaware!

I thought my mom was going to cry when she opened her gift: a signed Tasha Tudor print (of the Secret Garden) and 2 packs of seeds from Tasha’s garden! She was so happy and that was a thrill for me. We gave my dad the PBS documentary of The Civil War, he loves that series and was very happy to have his own copy of it.

Here is a photo of my dad and the boys playing with Jacob’s new army men. They were on 2 teams, shooting rubberbands at the opposite team’s men, to knock them down. All of them laughed a lot.

My favorite part of their visit was being able to play the piano for my parents for the first time in YEARS. Rich gave me a new piano for Christmas and this was the first time my parents heard it. My dad sat on the couch with a hymn book, and I had my own, and he called out hymn numbers for me to play. His favorites are the ones written by Isaac Watts and Charles Wesley. His all-time favorite is the William Cowper hymn, “God Moves in a Mysterious Way”. I probably played about 10-15 hymns for him. We also played “Heart and Soul” together, “just like the olden days”.

For dinner I made a new recipe. It turned out quite tasty, and the kids liked it, so here is the recipe:

Pork Chops in Bean Sauce (made in the crock pot)

6 pork chops
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 tsp. garlic powder
1/8 tsp pepper
28 oz can baked beans
1/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce
13 1/2 oz. can crushed pineapple, drained
1/3 cup chili sauce

1. Brown pork chops on each side. Place in slow cooker.
2. Saute onion in skillet in meat juices, spread over pork.
3. Sprinkle w/salt, garlic, and pepper
4. Combine beans and hot sauce, pour over chops.
5. Combine pineapple and chili sauce, spread over beans.
6. Cover. Cook low 7-8 hours, high 3-4 hours.

For a side dish, my mom and I chunked up some veggies–red pototoes, a red onion, carrots, and a squash, tossed them in olive oil, salt and pepper, and roasted them in a 400 degree oven on cookie sheets. They were so good! We also had a nice tossed salad.

After dinner we ate chocolates. I bought a box of Russell Stover and a box of Whitman’s. We did a taste testing of them and we all (except Ethan and David) thought that Russell Stover was the best.

Mom and Dad had to leave at 7pm and as usual, we were all sad to see them go. It was a wonderful time together. I love my parents SO much and it feels so good to have them visit, enjoying my family and my home.

This morning we went to church, Rich and me, with our five children. . .finally all together again after several Sundays of sickness in the family. I love sitting by my husband and holding his hand during the sermons. Every once in a while I’ll look at the children next to me and we’ll smile at each other. Today Jacob was by my side, then E, and then Grace. The service was wonderful, the hymns we sang were so edifying and Pastor’s sermon was all about how God chooses and uses ordinary people–he preached from Luke’s account of Jesus calling H
is 12 disciples.

I hope all of you are having a wonderful weekend! I’m attaching the link to the book I am reading, it is so good!

“Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace be with all them that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen” Ephesians 6:23, 24