What a nice day it’s been so far, so sweet and busy with happy work. We were done with school at about lunch time today and we spent some time out in the nice hot sunshine. I sat on the yard by the pond and wrote a letter while Caleb played around and in the big rubbermaid container that the children keep pond water and pond critters in. After a while he got tired so I put him down for a nap and then went out with my camera.
Grace has been observing a nest of baby robins for a couple of weeks now. She climbs the tree about every other day to see how they have changed and then comes to the house to report what she sees to me, in great detail. She knows that the mother and father robin both take care of the little young birds and she knows what they do when she approaches their property.
(Grace the bird-watcher, a picture from last week):
I thought it would be nice to climb the tree with my camera and take a few snaps for her journal before the little birdies fly away.
It was hard to climb that tree, because the branches are so close together! I did it though, with my camera around my neck, the mother (or father?) robin making a racket above me, and my daughter talking a mile a minute to me (and the robins) below me.
I took my pictures and started my hot struggle back down (not too far, really) when I put my hand on “something”. I immediately sensed a creepy feeling come over me as my eyes focused on a whitish gray blob tucked up in the crook of the tree.
It was a tree frog that I have never seen before. Actually, I’ve never seen a frog in a tree in my life. I knew they were there, I just never thought I would see one with my own eyes. I thought they were tiny but this one was a good healthy sized frog!! I took a few pictures of it, but could not bring myself to carry it back down (because of the creeps) so I called the boys over to see our “new discovery”.
They were thrilled, to say the least, and I was very quickly in the middle of a flurry of activity, “I want to hold it!!! Give it to me! Mom!! I want it!!! Let me hold it! It’s sticky! It’s slippery! Wait, David, wait!” on and on. Finally we got the little guy back in the tree. It was breathing rapidly. I think we all were, LOL. Grace and I looked him up on the computer. . .and discovered that they change color depending on the temperature. If it’s cold outside, he’s dark brown! Neat!
After a while I called everyone in to watch a movie. Caleb was asleep so I wanted to take advantage of the quiet time by letting the older ones watch Black Beauty. Soon, dark clouds starting rolling in and we heard some thunder. Then the rain came down heavily and I went out on the porch to watch it. I pulled my rocking chair right up to the steps so I could see.
The best seat in the house, ready to watch the show:
The porch is at it’s most welcoming during a downpour. The movie was turned off and the kids came out to play on the porch and listen to the rain. We were out there for several hours.
Now and then the rain would stop and the sky would clear, only to start pouring again minutes later.
The older ones were happy to have a chance to set up a train-track while Caleb was asleep upstairs.
When Caleb woke up, it was his turn to be happy, because he got to play with hi
s choo-choos, all set up nicely by big brothers and big sister.
And I’m all relaxed because. . . .well, because my little corner of the universe is freshly washed and the air that blows through my windows is calm and content. The greens I see are bright and vivid. I hear the outdoor sounds that I love so much. . .and can imagine our new friend Mr. Treetoad, tucked away in the pine tree, sharing living quarters with the Robins a few branches up.
My children are all happy and healthy.
My laundry is all caught up, the children are folding it as I type! Now, that’s something to be thankful about! 
Not only that, I also have dinner already made, in the crock-pot. Small girl helped me with the recipe. . . . .we made a mess out of measuring, so our brand new recipe looks like it’s tried and true already! We’ll eat this with left over fruit salad and some sort of vegetable. I hope the ribs taste as good as they smell right now!
In just a few hours Rich will be home and we’ll eat dinner together.
Thank you, God, for these happy years. We are so very busy, and experience plenty of low points, but such golden years they are. Help me to always remember to cherish each moment of each day. Thank you for the sparkle in my children’s eyes, and thank you for my husband working hard for us during the day. I’m grateful, so grateful. Words just are not adequate.
Good to be Home 
I just love coming over here….
thanks for letting me come hang out on your virtual front porch for a while…
What a wonderful day. Whenever we move (hopefully out to the country but probably not for awhile) a requirement is that we have a big porch that is rocker friendly! I would love to sit on the porch and watch the rain. Sounds heavenly. Thank you for your little prayer of thankfulness. I do need to cherish these days.
Oh I do miss the greens of New England and late spring showers!
What a sweet post Shan! I loved it all! Jeremy and I love to watch storms. What a little glimpse of our creator! happy you having a wonderful day. It is really windy at my house and it ask as if it could rain anytime and has acted that way all day but no rain so far! I’ve spent the afternoon outside weeding and planting some plants. Now I’m chilling out. I’m going to have a salad for dinner and maybe head back outside to do more before it rains and gets cold. Tomorrow its back to work! I love you!
I love the bird pics! We’re all into birds over here lately. š I wish I could come sit on your front porch!
Oh, and I made that oatmeal cake you posted awhile back….husband LOVED it, said it was better than chocolate cake, his former favorite! I already have the urge to make it again, it was so good!
Thank you for letting us enjoy some of your wonderful day. Very precious!
I had to crack up – actually laugh out loud – when I heard about the squishy tree frog. You are definitely a “girlie-girl” Shanda Mae!!!!Also, had the thought, don’t you love the fact schooling can be over by noon and the children are still probably learning more than they would in public school with our one on one teaching?Must also tell you, my CD “Whisperings” by David Nevue just arrived and I have enjoyed it as much as I have “Quiet Beauty” by James Todd. Let me know if you have more suggestions. I didn’t care for the folk music sounds as much, when I previewed your suggestions on Amazon.com.You’re a doll and I love you to pieces. BIG SMILE!!! Just thought I’d let you know!
We have tree frogs here, but they are bright GREEN. The ribs sound yummy. Suz
Such a beautiful day….full of so much goodness, laughs, discoveries, refreshment! Bless you! Jenny
That sounds like a wonderful day!! Your pictures are wonderful as usual. I would love to be able to sit on the porch and watch a storm like that. Your dinner sounds good, I can’t wait to hear how it was tomorrow.
So much excitement tucked into one day!! The baby birds are adorable little fuzzy miracles. I’m glad you climbed up there to get a picture. Thanks again for sharing your day with the rest of us. Hope your dinner turns out fabulous! I’m cooking out of a Taste of Home magazine for our dinner too but my magazine is a tried and true one from at least 7 years ago, I’ve used it many many times.
Thank Grace for me for being so very careful with the baby robins ~ what a great little birdwatcher she is becoming!
Oh, to have a front porch! That is something that our house just does not have. I’m sure a porch wouldn’t be used as much down here because in the summertime we all go inside where it is cool! I love it when it rains. I like to open the door if the wind isn’t blowing. Those ribs sound finger-lickin good!
Oh, I enjoyed this post so much! I always smile just clicking onto your page, then as I begin to read and get a glimpse into your days my smile grows and grows! (right now that is a big OUCH with my jaw surgery! But so worth it!!!) I loved this post! It is a challenge to me to have MORE FUN with my kids!!! Thank you as always for opening your days, heart, and life up to us to enjoy as well! That porch picture! I made a comment on my blog the other day about you and your porch!!!! I want to climb through the computer onto your porch and into a rocker right there as well! :o) Enjoy your evening! and that dinner sounded yummy!
I would of loved to pull up a rocker and watched that rain right along side of you. I’m so thankful for my porch and when it rains I do go out for a spell. Looks like the kids were enjoying it as well.Now holding frogs is NOT down my alley!
okay.. I’m sneaking over. hope it’s safe (you know what I mean).anyway – LOVE this post! sounded alot like our day… out enjoying the HOT day by the river and just as we got home the big rainclouds rolled in. kids played in it a bit – but when it really started pouring down, came in. wish i had a big porch like yours to watch it all from – i think porches are one of the best inventions ever! and the recipe makes me laugh – all mine look the same way! they say the best kind of cook is a messy one~
Bless you, Shanin, for sharing another heart touching, eyes watering, post with us. I love the rain, and my rocker on the porch. Although I don’t have the pittar-patter of precious little feet here any longer, or those smudged recipe pages, I do thank God for what I did have when my son was younger. He is grown, happy and healthy … for that I am grateful. You bring such special memories drifting across my mind. Can’t wait for those grandbabies someday! So much to look forward to! You have a blessed Wednesday! ~ Deborah <><
Hello there! I’m just wandering around here on xanga and found your cute page. It is so awesome! I really LOVE your pictures. They seem so professional and seem to express what you want to bring out with the camera. So my question is…what camera are you using to take these pictures? I’d like to buy the same exact one. i been looking around for cameras lately and don’t know which one to buy. Thanks! Diana
And words are just not adequate to express what your blog does for me. Thank you, thank you, thank you for reminding me to STOP and enjoy it all. Such peace. Such beauty. Your children are so blessed!
That is so cool that you climbed the tree! It will be a nice picture to add to her journal.
Love how you had a quiet time during the movie!
What a beautiful post! I love it when I have days like you did yesterday. Children do grow up very quickly, but we’re so blessed by their joy of life.
Blessings!
I love the picture you included of yourself on the porch~ neat to see the Mama along with the children :)! I can almost smell the smells of the rain and grass, etc. on that porch of yours ~ the pictures and writing really describe life there well — yes, with a grateful heart — and the years go fast. We have been blessed to be able to stay home and enjoy these times and years and children GOd has given. Truly, much to praise God for!~ :)have a blessed day there –alyssa
I love the smell before, during and after rain…it is the most calming smell in the world…by the way, the Male robin has the red chest…the female is the not-as-colorful one…so you can figure out which was watching the babies while you snapped pics…
Aaaaaaah, I LOVE days like this – so cozy to be at home with family, and to me the sight, sound, and smell of rain is very refreshing. I am energized by it! And the smell of dinner in the crockpot – PERFECT TOUCH! The pictures of the baby birds and frog – fantastic! These are such great experiences for your kids!!
I thought of you yesterday when I was watching the weather, they mentioned a storm heading right for your town, and I thought “I’d love to sit on Shanda’s porch and watch that storm…” I’m not even kidding. š We got bombarded with rain here, too…Alex isn’t fond of storms, though. I love the birdies, they’re so cute. I hope you guys are having a great day today, also.
Looks like a wonderful day — i love the birds in their nest and the tree-frog in its branch!
this is a perfect post… thanks for sharing such a fantastic day! and the pix are wonderful. i can almost smell the wet grass and hear the rain on the sidewalk. *contented sigh* ahhhhhhh…..
RYC: Thank you for the soup my dear! The rocking chair in the rain looks like perfection. I love rain and porches.
Great post as usual! I love how Grace is watching the robins. Is she journaling it? If I had been in that tree and laid my hand on that frog I probably would have screamed and fallen out of the tree!!!
great pics…great post…..and featured content too!!
I think I’ll try out your recipe in the crock pot for dinner tomorrow. I read your posts mostly everyday and you always make me smile.
Arent the days spent outdoors the most happy ones? There is so much to be thankful for! It is raining here today but yesterday we were in the woods for 4 hours!!!!!!!!! I felt like a new person! Anyhow…your frog experience must have been a shocking sensation whne you put your hand on it:) I’m surprised you didn’t fall out of the tree right then and there:):):