Yesterday was so GORGEOUS, a mild, yet sunny, windy day. . . .I felt so energized after days and days of muggy humid heat that I was scurrying around like a new woman! I did some weeding in my flower beds, went to the grocery store, and we even invited friends over for a day of swimming and fun.
Needless to say, after all that extra activity, this morning I am yawning, squinty-eyed, and tired.
However, it’s going to be another lovely day. I went out on the porch just a bit ago to yell at the dog and oh! the air is so clean and clear, there is foggy mist rising from the ponds, the greens of the grass and trees are so bright and vibrant. It’s beautiful. . . .
It’s FRIDAY! I cannot wait for Rich to get home, even though it will be late tonight. He is in Dallas, TX right now. Too far away from me.
To torture myself, I will post some pictures that Jacob took last Saturday of us~
This is when I feel like my real self, when Rich is standing next to me. This is REAL, safe. . . .
When it’s just me and the children~I don’t know~ I’m just basically having fun (or, not having fun, depending on what’s going on), and waiting for Rich to get back to us.
This was yesterday afternoon, after our friends had gone back home~
Some houses try to hide the fact
that children shelter there:
Ours boasts of it quite openly,
the signs are everywhere.
For smears are on the windows,
little smudges on the door;
I should apologize I guess
for toys strewn on the floor,
But I sat down with the children
and we played and laughed and read:
and if the doorbell doesn’t shine,
their eyes will shine instead.
So when at times I’m forced to choose
the one job or the other,
it’s good to be a housewife,
but I’d rather be a mother.
~Unknown
After dinner last night, the children wanted to go swimming. That seems to be our regular habit these days and I love it because the lighting at that time of night (around 6:30) is lovely. The birds are singing their evening songs. I sat in my chair and watched the children have fun. . . . .
I lasted 20 minutes before I just had to run back to the house to get my camera.
Davy- do’s invention:
We aren’t always happy around here;
but Davy’s tears never last long~
It’s Caleb’s little foot that gets me~
Grace was showing me how she goes under water, when Caleb ran by. . . .
And the big boys have fun in their own crazy ways~
GUESS WHAT?
Last night I had morning sickness for the first time.
Although I did not like to end the day in such a way (!!), it was an encouraging reminder to me, that a baby is coming!
No one was here to feel sorry for me, so I just went to bed and smiled in the dark, to myself. It’s true, I’m really having another baby!
***********************************
This is the perfect sort of summer morning, because it’s so cool, to turn on the oven and make homemade muffins. Sweet muffins are fast and easy to make, and you don’t have to turn on a mixer. It’s all handwork and very rewarding, especially when the children have so industriously picked the berries. Grace and Ethan went and picked fat juicy red raspberries, free for the taking, by the side of the road. With a scattering of wild blueberries, the muffins I
have baking in the oven will be scrumptious, with a sprinkle of white sugar on top.
I can’t tell you how nice it is to mix the batter up in my new marigold fiesta mixing bowl!
Have a wonderful day!
Good to be Home 
I like Caleb’s little foot too ~ good morning!
I love that time of the night too, inside and outside. Inside I love how the light poors in the windows and makes the house glow with warm colors. Ofcourse it shows all the dust too–perfect time to clean and see if you got everything! I love it outside when the sun shines through trees and cast light on the house. It’s hard to describe but it is truly lovely. I enjoyed all the pictures and especially the ones of you and Rich. Miss you! Love you!
Yesterday WAS lovely! We had fun with friends, too. No better way to spend the day. 🙂 I hope your husband gets home safely and you have a wonderful weekend as one BIG, happy family. 🙂
Good morning! The pictures are adorable…and yes Calebs foot is quite photoworthy!!! (grin)I always got “morning sickness” in the evenings too….your such a great mom….I love the poem you posted!! I’m copying it right now to put on the fridge! :)Have a great day- enjoy the muffins.
Could you give us your muffin recipe? It sounds so yummy, I think I can smell them cooking! I have been reading your blog for awhile and you are such a blessing! I am so excited about your baby and enjoy reading about your whole family! Blessings on you this day!Liz Davis
Sounds like you’re having a good week….I’m jealous of your nice, energizing weather!!! =)
It looks like you had a wonderful summer day. :o) I hope you husband comes home to you real soon. I’m always lost without my husband too. God bless
Kelly
I love that poem, Mike printed that off for me on my birthday a few months ago, it was really special and it made me cry! Such a sweet post, our weather here this morning is raining, thunderstorms and lightening…..but after having 4 beautiful hot and humid days it doesn’t seem so bad. We have been at the city wading pool (the wading pool is free in the mornings) every morning this week and had a picnic after that at their park and played so I’m glad we took advantage of the good weather since today will be more of an indoor day. Have a wonderful day–I got a kick out of you having morning sickness and then smiling about it–you are such a strong woman to be able to look at it from that point of view instead of hating it and complaining! I’m glad your husband is coming home!
Thank you for posting that poem… Sometimes it is so easy to get caught up in wanting your house to be just perfect and I find myself slipping away from things with my own child to clean this house instead of reading him that extra book he requested or playing that extra round of a game or something. Thank you!!!!!
I agree on this change of weather. It is fantastic to be able to breath again and feel like moving about! Hope the morning sickness doesn’t hit too hard.
Love how the kids are having so much fun!
I feel the same way about Dave. Our days are spent waiting for him to return so we can all be together again. I’m glad you had a burst of energy. I’ve had a couple of those, but overall I’m still pretty tired. Maybe today…maybe after coffee (just one cup!) 🙂
Oh! I’m so envious of your weather. There is no such thing as a lovely breeze in Oklahoma – not this time of year. Our breeze is NEVER without humidity and heat! And the mosquitoes come out on schedule around 5 – 6pm. No enjoyment outside after that. Rissy and I react horribly to their bites. A place like your pond would be loaded with mosquitoes back here. It will be late October before we have “glorious days.”I’m not complaining, despite how I sound. I grew up south of San Francisco and the weather was almost the exact same all year round with night and morning fog. No summer clothes, no heavy winter clothes. Just an average 65 – 75 degrees year round with a twice a year heat wave. Boring! I like the changes of seasons, but would also like a break from the heat like you are having!
What a lovely post Ms. Shanda! Thanks for taking the time to write it, even though you are “yawning, squinty-eyed, and tired.”
The last picture of you and your husband is beautiful. You two have such an amazing relationship and are such a godly example, even to young unmarried college girls like me.
Those muffins sound delicious. So does the morning. Unfortunately for us here in Indiana it’s going to be one of those hot muggy days! But I have an egg casserole in the oven that I threw together with veggies from my garden and the farmer’s market….yummm….would go great with your muffins! LOL
I really feel the same way about Deo , regardless of if i am miserable or content, I cannot wait for him to be back by my side.
You’re always such a great encouragement to me. I enjoyed this post very much. Thank you!
I loved this post, Shanda! I’m so glad that Rich will be home tonight- even if it will be really late. You and Rich are so cute together, so “right”. I love the picture of you and the kids in the kitchen all barefoot. Davy’s bow and arrow are very ingenious, and Caleb’s foot is so precious. Your big boys are looking more like young men these days. Your muffins sound delightful! Our berries aren’t ripe yet, but I’m looking forward to picking some when the time comes! Oh, and I really liked the poem, too! Have a great weekend with your hubby HOME!!
Hi Shanda….Love all the expressions on your childrens faces! Beautiful pictures!! Yum! Muffins. I plan to print off that poem and put it in my kitchen. Thank you. Glad your husband will be home to you soon.
We have rain today and its chilly out. But it is a change too. It was so humid yesterday. I had a headache from it last night.
Have a wonderful day!
Oh I just loved spending this day with you here. Yes, I wish I could just pop through the computer and sit and hear the sounds of the children’s laughter as they splash and play. Great photos again. I would say that you are glowing. I loved the poem as well. And yes, I feel the same about when my E is gone. What is it about the other half that we feel so incomplete without? Oh How I wish it would cool off here. The very thought of a turn in the weather sounds delicious. Have a great weekend dear friend. blessings and hugs from the muggy south. m
I know the feeling you’re speaking of, being until your husband is there. Somehow, I feel more alive when he’s around and long for it when he’s not.
I liked Caleb’s little foot too. And the muffins…yummy.
oh, I can relate about the love of your life being away. Mine was to leave this am. But last night our dear friend’s baby died. I’ve been weeping since and my man has cancelled his trip to be with me and to come to the funeral tomorrow. I was sleepless all night and he has allowed me to sleep the day today and taking the children. I am grateful as well for a husband who loves me so dearly.OH, morning sickness! yes, a good sign, but rather icky 🙂 smiling about it is good. :)’lovely outdoors you have. I am making myself get up and out this afternoon – Robert said he knows it will be good for me to have my mind watching my own little ones having joy and not being so weighed down by death this day. please pray for me.
I love the poem AND your pictures. They are beautiful!
You look GREAT!!!! BTW your hubby is pretty close to us (well, we are south of Houston). The blue blouse/top you’re wearing in the first few pics is just adorable and so flattering! Enjoy your family ~ you are a blessed woman!
It sounds like you had a great day yesterday!! Your pictures are so good. I hope today goes by quickly so you can be with Rich again. I know how you feel when my husband is away it’s not the same. He’s gone now & I miss him so much. It’s much more calm when he’s home & I feel so safe. Can you post your muffin recipe? You have mentioned it before & it sounds good! have a great day!
I’m glad you had a lovely day yesterday…the pictures are great, as always. I hope you have a great weekend. 🙂
I’m just stopping by from a suggestion (by someone else TO someone else!) and really enjoyed your post. I’m expecting my second, so being a tad more emotional, your post made me tear up! You have a precious family and I look forward to reading more in the days to come!
I have to tell you that I just love coming to your site! The combination of your music, pictures, realness, and positive attitude always relaxes me. So thank you! I also love to hear about how your sweet family is doing.
What a nice post. What a lovely day and you don’t even have to leave your house to go swimming!
Your website is one of the most beautiful and peace filled ones I have ever seen!!!!!!!!!! You are such an encouragement to me!
The morning sickness is a very good sign. your boys must love having their own pond to swim in.
PS: i posted that very poem on my blog. It’s under the labels “poems” and it’s also on my homestead blog.
How did you put the music on your website?
how fun! awesome pictures!
I never cease to be amused and blessed by your posts.
the light/reflection on the pond is amazing
You and Rich…priceless! So cute. The pond looks absolutely refreshing and full of fun and laughter.
OH, I had missed this post due to all of my appointments…I am so glad I checked! I love those pictures of you and your husband! Adorable! As always! What fun! I just think it is great how you have a pond right there too!!! :o) I hope you have a wonderful week! How are you feeling? Are things going well? Still sleepy?