Little things like . . . .
. . .Caleb galloping to me, across the wooden porch floor, in excitement, to ask me if I want to blow a bubble. He had a wand but no soap. As I looked at him, he put the wand up to his lips, and with laughing eyes, blew just as hard as he could, all juicy-like. “You wan’a blow bubble?” he said to me, and held it up so I could. Because I felt privileged to be included, I said, “Yes, thank you Caleb!” And then I blew, all juicy-like.
. . . .David coming to me to show me the sandwich he made. It had 3 pieces of bread and was carefully constructed with peanut butter AND butter. He sat right by me in Daddy’s big chair to eat it. I continued to read my book but was quickly interrupted by him saying thoughtfully, “The knife helped me. He helped me make my sandwich.” “The knife helped, Davy?” I said, admiring his imagination, “Yeah, my hands put the bread together, and he spread the peanut butter.” I gave him a squeeze. He gave me a bite of his sandwich.
. . . . watching Grace and Ethan paddle around the pond in their “boats.” Grace’s was a kiddie pool (with a leak), and Ethan’s was a wagon (The Amphibian, is what they call it).
. . . .noticing all the changes in my gardens, in the trees, during the last few days. Thinking of Robert Frost’s poem, “Nature’s First Green is Gold.”
. . . .the little nap I took on Monday, in Grace’s pretty room, bright with sunshine, with Patches curled up at my feet.
. . . .how dirty David gets, when he plays hard outside (wasting not a thought about clothes! I love that!)
. . . .when Jacob, Ethan, and I all whistled “How Great Thou Art”, with lots of giggles, as we folded the laundry yesterday morning.
. . . .the way Rich mourns the loss of the kid’s chalk drawings on the driveway, when it rains.
. . . .the way Rich takes over, when I am so tired at the end of the day.
. . . .when I noticed that Grace, dressed all in baby girl pink, sitting at the warm kitchen table, matched my baby girl pink carnations that were arranged in a stoneware jug.
. . . .when Jacob interrupted me, just a minute ago, to tell me that “This man, who wrote this book, is a lot like Dr. Seuss” and read me a section of it. (He is reading “Just so Stories” by Rudyard Kipling). I truly enjoyed the quote that he shared.
. . . .Ethan’s laugh. (I always notice it, it’s true and sweet, and makes me smile)
. . . .my sister coming over for just an hour, to teach the children art.
. . . .making cookies. The joy of it brought tears to my eyes yesterday. I refused to let anyone else crack the eggs this time. I wanted to do it, all by myself! But I did share the beater, and the bowl.
As I made the cookies, the older kids were in the basement playing a computer game, coming up now and then to grab a warm cookie. (They disappeared almost as fast as I could bake them!) But Caleb was upstairs with me. He pushed a chair to the sink, and I grabbed my camera to watch him play with water and a plastic cup.
“Is it HOT?? or, COLD?” he said. (I had never heard him connect two ideas with the word “or”.)
waiting
oh no, it’s hot!
it’s cold.
The genuine joy of life, that I get to see as I watch little Caleb, and my other children, constantly brings my own heart joy. During these crazy busy days of caring for my little gang of children, I pray that God will make me aware, constantly, of the joy of motherhood. I get so tired, I get restless and frustrated when I cannot do thing things I dream of doing (like sewing, or working outside, or making things other than cookies) but I know that these days will pass all too quickly. . . . .God, help me to love my life and fill my heart with contentment!
And please, dear Lord, give my husband wisdom and strength as he deals with me and our young brood! LOL
Good to be Home 
what a lovely post. Thank you for reminding me to look at the small things as I go about my day! I love the book in your reading section! my husband made me the simple bench that is featured in there as a suprise last summer. I love it! Arent the pictures wonderful? I think I will have to sit in the sun and read bits of it today! Be blessed today Shanda! =)
Thank you for this, Shanda. I was having a day yesterday when I was so frustrated with the state of our house. Sometimes it’s hard for me to sit down and enjoy the girls when I feel like there’s so much more to do. Cherish the moments… they won’t last forever.
I can only imagine how busy and crazy things must get for you some days. Just the LAUNDRY could be overwhelming! But, I love it that you take time to play with your children and to notice, enjoy and even record some of what they say and do. You are making such wonderful memories! Trust me, when they are grown and gone, those memories will keep you warm, and will keep them coming back to that place of love, joy and acceptance.
Good morning, Shanda. I love this post! Oh, you are so right… So many precious little things to cherish with our families. I’m going to ponder some of mine today. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Thank you for reminding me to cherish the little things! My oldest is now a married woman and a mother of two. My middle child will graduate from high school this spring and in August, is planning to go to school in Texas, which is very far from here but just as close to God. My youngest will be in grade 10 next year. Every day truly counts. God has blessed us exceedingly!
thank you so much for this post today–you have no idea how much I needed to be reminded of this!
Such sweet thoughts and what yummy looking cookies!!
Very nice thoughts. Glad to start my day with them! By the way, I started a letter to you a few weeks ago when I was interrupted ( a funny story too), and it is still sitting waiting for me to finish it. Perhaps today! I know I’ve been a letter slacker!!!! Sorry!!!
Shanda, thanks so much for this post. I always love hearing about your observations of your brood. The boys make me laugh with their shenanigans, especially Caleb. I love the gentle and loving way that you observe your children and encourage them, and love them. I am so inspired, that I’m going to do my OWN grateful to God for…
love that quote! it’s so easy to miss all the things that really matter by getting caught up in things that aren’t important.thanks for the reminder.
I hope you are also writing these lovely thoughts in a journal. You will cherish it when your children are much older.You are a great Mom, and one that I admire! I wish you could package some of your gentle, tenderness up and send it to me!
So easy to forget to what really matters. The little things are so important…Thanks for the reminder..
Very sweet…it’s the little things that mean the most.
This was such a great reminder! Thank you so much!!! I loved reading all of the little things!!! ;o) I so want to make cookies today! I may need to sneak off of the couch to make some at some point today! I have been having a few complications since my surgery last week that I have been banished to the couch! or my bed! Hmmm…chocolate chip cookies may be a good excuse though! ;o)
I love your little sign — how true, how true!! I love that picture of little Caleb with his hands folded tight at the kitchen sing — he looks so huggable!!
I am having a harder day with the kids today and this has really helped me to refocus (once again) on what is truly important. I have so many “house ideas” but I just cannot find the time. I need to remember that one day I will and I will miss by crazy busy days. I think I just figured out why things weren’t working out as well this morning, I just figured out that Isaac has a fever, so all the whining and crying is because he is sick. Lauren is laying down right now because she doesn’t feel good. I think we will have some good rest this afternoon. I am thankful that I am able to be home with them when they are not feeling well.
Children make us realize what is important in life. And when our hubby takes over, it takes a weight off our shoulders…
what a beautiful post. And the music in the backgroud really “took me there” for a few minutes….my kids are away from me more than I would like these days as I still can not be alone with them until the doctor rules that the brain seizures will not suddenly come back (hopefully tomorrow when we go to the Univ. of Mich. hospital). I really do treasure the time with them more than ever and fully believe the Lord will restore everything the enemy has tried to take from us including precious time…
Blessings to you and your family today!
~Amy
Beautiful post, Shan! Thank you for the reminder to slow down and cherish the small moments with my children. Hope you are enjoying the book!
Good Morning….er I mean Good Afternoon…..Wow!! Thank you for the post Shanda. For the reminder!! This was great! I work alot and I know I have to stop and enjoy and cherish my children. Leslie my 10 year old daughter used to say “Leslie wants a cookie” or “Leslie says what?”. Michelle would happen to go past me in the kitchen and she would come up behind me and put her arms around my waist and say “I love you mom” and keep going to where she was going. I will have to do a post like that too soon. For myself to remind me and for others to read. Thank you Shanda….
God Bless You!!
P.S. I love the pic of the clouds. It took my breath away…really!
Shanda, You MUST read this post from another homeschool mom and subscribe to her site, you have so much in common!http://www.xanga.com/resolved2worship/652483440/—-.html?nextdate=lastAnd now after reading your post…I’m off to tell her about you!
Mmmm what kind of cookies are those? That reminds me, I still need to try the oatmeal cake recipe. 🙂
Awww, your little things bring tears to my eyes….those sweet precious days go way too fast. So glad you are enjoying and recording them. I am so thankful for the days I have had with my children and the days I still have with my David. We had tea for lunch today. It was fun, sweet, and funny. Jenny
What a sweet post — these posts will be wonderful memories in the years to come!
How sweet Shan! I loved this! Your children are so great! I love each one of them and they all brought smiles to my face. I’m so thankful they weren’t shy with me and just made me part of the family.
Okay tomorrow I will notice the little things!
@ElishaDecker – The kids are NEVER shy, I can’t get over that. . I was so shy as a little girl that at times people didn’t know if I could talk! LOL They love everyone. Yesterday I noticed Grace down by the dam trail talking the ears of a man and his daughter. . .she’s so friendly!
@naturalmomma1 – the cookies were called “Amish” cookies in a 1976 cookbook that Rich’s grandma gave me. They were plain, but soft like cake, and flavored with vanilla and maple. They were yum! And the recipe made a lot.
@brezomayo – You have that book, too? My xanga penpal, AlaskaHannah, lent it to me and I LOVE IT. The pictures are gorgeous and I love reading it. I feel so inspired! So cool that you have it,too!
Those sound yummy! Please post the recipe sometime!
Yesterday I was feeling so down I made myself fill a journal page full of the things I was thankful for and really did turn my mind. Your post reminds me of that.
I understand about the cookies!
Shan you are full of the joy of life that is one of my most favorite things about you!!!!
Went to cook dinner….came back and I just noticed your Meyer’s clean day on the sink back splash! I love the geranium scent. I try and use their products for many cleaning jobs. The aromatherapy just does something for me!
“The genuine joy of life, that I get to see as I watch little Caleb, and my other children, constantly brings my own heart joy. During these crazy busy days of caring for my little gang of children, I pray that God will make me aware, constantly, of the joy of motherhood. I get so tired, I get restless and frustrated when I cannot do thing things I dream of doing (like sewing, or working outside, or making things other than cookies) but I know that these days will pass all too quickly. . . . .God, help me to love my life and fill my heart with contentment!
And please, dear Lord, give my husband wisdom and strength as he deals with me and our young brood! ”
Thanks shanda! I fall into a rut….doing the same things day in and day out….i just needed to hear that today! Now I’m off to carry on right here….in this place…..where God has by his grace planted me!!!!