Having construction workers here during the day has been so good for us. I sit here and laugh, thinking about my children, they are SO friendly and nice to people. When I was their age you couldn’t get me to say BOO to a stranger, but Jacob, Ethan, Grace, and David do not have a shy bone in their body and enjoy talking to the workers, and serving them cold soda, or cookies and milk. Everything in me wants to keep the kids away from the guys, afraid that they will get in the way and bother them, but I forced myself to let go of that temptation to control and as a result, we are actually making friends!
I have found Davy-do, sitting cross legged in the midst of busy men, talking away, oblivious that no one can even hear what he’s saying.
I have found the boys showing their latest catch~a frog, a fish, a turtle~to the men. They confidently assume the guys will want to see, and they do! I’m convinced that there is a lot of little boy left in a grown man.
I have found Grace, swinging in the porch swing, talking and laughing with one of the men as he took a break. She’s a doll. I have also found her riding with Jeff as he worked on the escavator.
I have found Jeff patiently taking a time out to explain to David why he can not run across the wet concrete of the garage floor. “Why’s HE doing it?” was David’s response.
Jeff told Rich, “You have really great kids”. I wonder how many times these men work at homes where the children and mother are gone. . . . .no sign of life. It’s not like that here. There are five children about the place, and a mama who is in and out of the house, constantly keeping an eye on her young ones. Sometimes she yells, sometimes she has a little boy on her shoulders. But, there is love and real life here and I think these guys can sense it. We are a family.
We are learning from them. Sure, they aren’t ALL friendly, but there is Jeff~and his younger co-worker, John, who are as friendly as can be and have been here almost every day. They are real men of the earth, they spend their working hours moving dirt, using big loud heavy equipment, and are as humble as can be. We respect their work, and hope that their honest labor makes a lasting impression on our children.
“The man who stays close to the dirt tends to stay close to reality. There’s something to farming, logging, or ditch digging that keeps his thoughts down to earth. . . . .There are benefits in staying close to the dirt. . . . . . God could have made man out of anything, but for some reason He picked dust. ‘God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.’ (Gen. 2:7). The only difference between a man and dust is the breath of God. The man who sees himself on the same level as dirt, were it not for the breath of God, has a healthy opinion of himself.” ~Bob Schultz, in Created for Work
Good to be Home 
what a great experience for your kids! And I bet they are having such an effect on those guys!
We love Bob Schulz’s books. They are so convicting. He had such a good attitude towards work. We were at the homeschool conference where he had his heart attack.
Your propery is absolutely beautiful. And I LOVE your front porch. It looks so peaceful and pretty!
What nice guys to give your children rides!!!Dontcha just wanna get in that wet cement and make a hand print and date it?!!!!!
How exciting for the kids! I’m glad they are getting to try out the big machines-boys love that especially!
I love the dirt quote at the bottom! I even feel that way:) Being outin nature totally calms me!
Wow. That’s great
You are seeing the good fruit of what you have sowed into their lives…what a blessing..thanks for sharing.
The first photo is cute ~
Thanks for sharing another day in the life of your family. It’s a joy to come over to your site to see what a great mother looks like. God bless you and your family.
I really enjoyed the quote at the end of your post. It was very sweet. My husband had worked with dirt digging equipments for about 16 years. Hope you have great rest of the week. God bless
Kelly
That is so cool that the kids are getting to interract with the men, how exciting for them! 🙂 Those are some nice guys, too…you don’t always meet construction guys that are kind to kids. I hope you guys have a lovely day today!
It’s easy for me to see your kids way down the road remembering this hands on experience with those big earth movers. I just bet one of your boys will end up being a heavy machine operator. I bet “Earthmechanic” with his big rigs would hire one of them! You have a great day.
What sweet men who are willing to teach the kids and give them rides! They must have kids of their own. And I am sure there is a LOT of little boy left in many a man. My in-laws still have my husband’s GI Joe’s and he’s always excited when Ainsley pulls them out to play with them when we visit. He plays with them long after Ainsley’s gone on to doing something else. LOL!I know you’re kids are learning much from this experience.
I think the workmen are enjoying this as much as your children are!
How nice some of the guys are so friendly … I think it’s be interesting to watch a building being built like that.
I don’t know why your post has made me tear up. It is just so GOOD, the photographs so dear.Prise God for the opportunity to home school and all your children are learning each day watching these men build the garageand interact with them
You are just one of the neatest people I “know”. So many might have a bad attitude about the disruption that the costruction would bring or having to keep an eye on the kids in such a situation, but not you. You are cheery and positive and hospitable. I can learn so much from you my friend!
Good Morning Shanda….that is so nice of the workers to let your children sit in the machines with them. All of them seem like they are enjoying it all. Having friendly workers around makes the work being done more enjoyable. I’ve had to have workers in here to fix the water heater and they wouldn’t even give you a hello with a smile or acknowledge the children.
I really love the pond by your house. The pics are just beautiful.
Have a wonderful day!!
Funny how often my sister and I react the same….that first pic just made me tear up…it is so dear. So glad the kids are able to enjoy and learn so much. I once had a plumber say that my son was keeping a very good eye on all he did! Isn’t it great they want to learn? And wonderful to have some guys enjoy your wonderful kids! Jenny
What a wonderful experience for both groups. And you never know when one of the kids will be inspired for their life’s work either.
that is so cool! I too have to fight the urge not to push my children ‘out of the way’ thinking they are bothering someone else. I have realized that can not be good for their self esteem…I am learning to find the balance between respecting others ‘personal space’ and allowing my children to be…themselves.
You are doing great! 🙂
Thanks for sharing the pictures……….what a great learning experience for the kids.
What nice workmen to let the children learn from them — and how great that the children can interact with them in such a good way, learning and ‘helping’ (with sodas and cookies, etc.) and wanting to be part of it all. These photots are picture-book quality, and the story is wonderful too!
What a great experience for your kids! Jake would be so jealous of your boys riding in the excavator! Good for you for “letting go”. I would have the tendancy to try to keep my kids away, too. I bet your kids will always remember this time. Love the pictures!
Hey that’s pretty amazing =)
Shan, that is so neat that the men enjoy the kids and the kids them! I love all the pictures and I’m glad they get to experience it through the eyes of the workers. The boys must think those real life tonka toys are pretty cool!
Again with the Featured Content! Enough, Already! : )
You are the Cook, I am the General!
Ha!
Such a cool experience for them! Usually they do not let kids ride on the so afraid for insurance purposes and so on. That is really great that your boys get to witness it first hand!
I think your boys will have wonderful work ethics because of Rich, Jeff and his crew are just icing on the cake!
Love those pictures. I think every child should have the opportunity to watch construction. I find it amazing that these men and women know exactly how to do the job so skillfully.
what are these kids going to do when the project is finished!?!? You just may have to buy them a digger to sit in :)I remember construction where I nannied at…. the guys were really nice and we would bring them Cokes on a hot day…..it was alot of fun.hope you are doing well.
Very touching.
That looks so neat to have the kids out there on those big things:) Where did the recipe go for peanut butter cookies?
@ilovemykids3 – It’s a long story. . .LOL. . .I had to make that post private because I had a strange comment that I didn’t like (and wanted to be on the safe side). Here’s the recipe:
Soft Peanut Butter Cookies (makes 2 doz. you may need to double it)
1/2 cup butter, softened1/2 cup peanut butter1/2 cup sugar1/2 cup brown sugar1 egg1/2 tsp. vanilla3/4 tsp. baking soda1/4 tsp. salt1 3/4 cups flour
1. Combine butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Blend together very well.
2. Add flour, baking soda, and salt with mixer. Roll into balls by hand.
3. Place on non greased cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 350 degree oven until edges are very slightly browning. Don’t overcook. Store in a rubbermaid container and they will stay soft.
Thanks for this post. This is the kind of business my son-in-law in Alaska has. He is known for his hard work and honesty.
I’m so glad you posted it again, I was going to make them today:) Thanks for posting it again. Sorry to hear about your comment..
I loved the last quote. My grandfather was a heavy construction worker. That is how he died. I always get alittle sentimental at the sight of an earth mover…sounds silly doesn’t it? Yep, this will make an impression on all of those kids for the rest of their lives. And I think on Jeff and John. What a wonderful testimony. Thanks for your constant prayers and friendship darling girl. love in SC, me
enjoyed reading your “love story” over at Ambers a few minutes ago ~ isn’t God a GOOD AND MERCIFUL GOD~ 🙂 such a sweet story of God’s providence and His grace that is shed upon a Christian marriage.blessings this day~alyssa
Wow, that seems like a lot of work and planning. Kudos and I hope nothing goes wrong.
Have a great weekend!
I just wanted to let you know that I find your site to be an inspiration to all moms out here. I come here often because I get lifted up when I do. You are an incredible mom and your family shows us that God is always in control. You are real and genuine and blessed. Keep posting and the photos are always wonderful to see.
i’m sure those guys are seeing a REAL family in action for maybe one of the first times ever – it’s sad, but family as we know it is becoming a rarity these days.thanks for being one that shines w/ the LIFE and LOVE of Jesus to others~and thanks for letting me share your story… I had fuN getting it together.happy Saturday dear~
Every child should experience hard labor or help out with things in life.
This is great. And yes there is always gonna be a little boy inside every man, as my wife points out to me on a regular basis. I’m sure your boys showing the workers their “catch of the day” brings back many fond memories for them.
This is such a great experience for the kids! I remember several houses being built in our neighborhood when my siblings and I were growing up, also construction projects such as this going on around our house…well, two of my brothers took such an avid interest that as a result they went into similar work (one brother is now a civil engineer and oversees major commercial construction projects, such as the building of a hospital right now, and the other brother is in college but makes VERY good money on the side doing various construction jobs for people…). As you say, it is great for the kids to learn to respect and appreciate guys who do this “earthy” work!It’s so neat to see those workers enjoying your kids and family. The pictures of your boys in that earth-moving machine are PRICELESS!
The cable crew came to my house and fell through my ceiling, along with all my blown-in insulation.Then they sent another “crew” to repair it, like six guys, all gawky and unprofessional. I sent them away after they finished spackling and painted the ceiling myself – The entire dining room ceiling and hallway. Progress!!
What nice men to let the kids try out the machines and answer questions and look at their discoveries. My favorite picture is the first one. They are all great. Thank you for sharing your life with us. From one “Camp Cook” to another. Have a blessed week!Melody