Did you know yesterday was the 30th day of Summer? Time is flying by. . . . .
The highlight of my day yesterday was seeing my new little baby in an ultrasound. Eyes, nose, face, arms, legs, heartbeat, everything was a thrill to me. I had my doctor go down the hall to get all my children, and she did (she’s a wonderful doctor and her practice is small and not too busy). . . .and the children all gathered around me as she pressed down on my tummy again with the Ultrasound Thing. They all enjoyed seeing the baby and I enjoyed it all the more, because they were there with me. Our tiny baby has become a part of our family already and as I was drifting off to sleep last night I had to wipe the happy tears from my eyes. I know I’m an emotional mama, but I just still can’t hardly believe I have a new little Someone to love. I know what is happening, I know the love and happy relief I will feel when my baby is finally here. I pray every day that all will go well.
After the doctor’s appointment I made the mistake of going shopping. Shopping with all 5 of the children was TOO MUCH for me yesterday (there are days when I do enjoy it!) and by the time I ushered them to the van, I was saying, “OH I WISH I could drop ALL of you off at someone’s house for a few hours!!!” The kids made me laugh because they all thought that would be THE GREATEST THING and started making suggestions as to where I could leave them! LOL I thought I was insulting them but they thought I had a wonderful idea! “What a nice, fun mama I am!”
We made it back home and the rest of the day was pretty low-key except we did go down to play in the stream and the kids did swim in the pond at the end of the day.
Oh, and I took pictures of the basement. It’s not completely done, there is a filing cabinet and a table that we are moving out of the room, and more to add (like pictures on the walls) but you will get the idea of the space in this photos. Also, the boys have been amusing themselves lately by trapping birds (and a chipmunk) with a homemade trap. I rarely see them all sit still for so long.
The trap consists of a metal can, with a train track propping it up over a pile of bird seed. There is a long piece of yarn with one end tied to the track, and the other end in the basement, clutched in a boy’s hand. They ARE catching things. . . . . .
David, with the other end of the yarn, waiting.
I’m sitting in the corner, behind their big desk, taking this picture. The gray filing cabinet will be moved out. The door leads to Rich’s exercise room (with the treadmill, TV, and weight bench).
The round table will be moved out. From this angle you can see the beds. The three beds are in a row, with a carpet between each one for little bare feet to land on, in the morning. The wall opposite the beds has a built-in bookcase which is big enough to hold 100’s of books.
We still need to varnish/stain the woodwork.
David LOVES to be with his big brothers, but Caleb misses him upstairs at night. He says, “David’s BED isn’t in here!”
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The stream is so low. We need more rain! It was still nice to walk in it and Caleb had a little boat to play with.
This picture makes me laugh. Grace took it. I’m losing my balance, Caleb wants to “go home”, Ethan is rushing around (he and Jacob were playing frisbee across the water) and I’m pat-pat-patting Caleb’s back. Caleb’s feet are covered in mud.
I like the lighting in this one, but am not sure Ethan should be drinking the water!
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The pond is so refreshing after dinner. We still are going down there for a swim just about every evening. I didn’t swim this time but I waded up to my knees and took pictures. I used to go swimming in my Grandparent’s pond in the summers and having our own pond to swim in brings back the memories~ two of which are the smell of pond water (a dirty kind of CLEAN) and ducking under water when the 3-corner flies land on our heads~ horrid things!
Last night the children were playing frisbee in the water, while Caleb was jumping off a rock in his little Thomas underpants. I like how all five are in this picture. Rich wasn’t home yet, but he got home after a while, and come down with me to watch.
I don’t know if you can see the back of Davy-do’s life jacket. He drew a picture of a boy shooting a bow and arrow on it, with WHITE-OUT. I am not sure HOW or WHY he got this idea. It does NOT wash off. It does not wash off FACES very easily, either. Caleb got into the white-ou
t a day or so after David had it, and painted two lovely stripes on his face. I had to sit down with him across my lap and rub hard on his face to wash it off.
Sometimes the kids are too busy to even change their clothes into swim suits. David got in last night with all his clothes still on. Here he is, throwing the frisbee. . . . .
Grace:
Ethan:
This is Jacob, right after I told him he had to sit out for 5 minutes for being a big, bossy firstborn and frustrating Ethan to the point where I had to listen to high-pitched whiney tattle-taling. I just can’t listen to that kind of thing!
Grace, with the lovely brown eyes:
David always takes the time to “practice swimming without his life-jacket on”.
He has no fear and he is like a flopping fish. He’s a diver, too.
And comes up out of the water with rocks in his hands. Look at the water streaming out of his mouth. He’s the only one of the kids that doesn’t plug his nose (or shut his mouth, apparently) when he goes under. He said to me, “I’m an EXPERT”.
After a while, the boys were ordered out of the pond to go walk the dog. . . .Grace went along, too, and I had one of those happy moments, watching them walking and talking together, and I had to take a picture. It’s blurry but I LOVE IT anyway. Ethan is wearing my straw hat! They are such dears.
Jacob came back with this for me:
It’s a big mushroom cap! The size of a paper plate! See the white part? It was the texture of angel food cake, fluffy and spongy and dampish.
I stood at the kitchen counter and tore it all up to bits, enjoying the feel of it (which makes me laugh now, when I think about it. It was fun!) Then, I threw it all away (there were tiny buggies in it). . . . .
I hope you all enjoyed the pictures. I’m looking out the window at an all-white sky. There is no wind at all and I hope these are both signs that it will rain. Jacob, Ethan, and Grace were invited to go swimming at a pool with some friends and they will be picked up at 11:30. I will have a few hours with just the two little boys and that will be nice. Later on this afternoon we will go to music lessons.
I’ll leave you with a recipe for a crock-pot dessert. I made it yesterday and there was just enough for a nice scoop for everyone. And, I didn’t have to use the oven, which is a good thing, since it’s been pretty warm in the house lately.
Peanut Butter and Hot Fudge Pudding Cake
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. baking powder
1/3 cup milk
1 Tbsp. oil
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. cocoa
1 cup boiling water
1. Combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, and baking powder. Add milk, oil, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Stir in peanut butter. Pour into slow cooker. (I sprayed mine with PAM first).
2. Mix together 1/2 cup sugar and cocoa powder. Gradually stir in boiling water. Pour mixture over batter in slow cooker. Do not stir.
3. Cover and cook on high about 1 1/2-2 hours or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. The cake will be on top of a nice hot fudge sauce.
4. Let cool slightly and serve over ice cream.
Have a great day!
Good to be Home 
the water looks refreshing after a humid day! 🙂
I love this post! Well, I guess I always love your posts. How exciting to be able to see you new little baby. Congrats!
The basement looks lovely… so nice and clean and so much new space. I always loved when we would add on to the house; the new rooms were almost magical, and we always spent the majority of our time there until the “newness” wore away.
I just made a fudgy chocolate pudding cake, so that is neat that you posted this recipie
The homemade trap is a riot! I just love lil boys!
Your posts are so fun to read! How close are your children? They seem like they get along for the most part. How fun they must be (most of the time, anyway, right?)
Just wanted to say ‘hi’. Hope it’s ok that I’ve been reading your blog, enjoying it and being blessed & encouraged by it. I grew up with 6 younger brothers and 2 younger sisters so things like the ‘trap’ make me smile and think of my years at home with all of ‘us kids’. May God bless you in your endeavor to be a passionate Godly wife and mother. Heather
Look at all those little fish-children you have! It is sooo neat the way they are growing up in the country, with access to the wonderful outdoors, nature, and pond! They are so cute in the “swimming pictures” – lol about Jacob’s expression!YOU are VERY CUTE, by the way.And thanks for the recipe! That looks like a fun treat to try while my sister and her husband are here, and I have all the ingredients on hand. Like you, I’ve been opting for the stovetop or crockpot whenever possible these days, it has been so hot.
Great water pictures.
Great post! I really like your basement remodel, especially how you have the 3 older boys sharing the same room. Whenever we have an even bigger family, I would like for all the girls to share a room and all the boys to share a room. I think it will create such fun memories for the children.
I’m glad you got to see your tiny pumpkin. I love being able to see the wiggly arms and legs and that swift heartbeat. My kids LOVE it too. “We’re going to look at your baby, mom?” Sam will ask. I remind him that it is his little sister. I love watching my kids love each other. I know you do too. It thrills my heart when I see them truly loving one another…our Father must feel that way too.
awwwwwwwww I was hoping you would show us the first picture of your little blessing. How exciting that the children got to see their new sibling yesterday. I have the same summer memories as you but we always called them horse flies for some reason. I really enjoyed your post today.
I always enjoy reading about (and seeing!) your day. Your sweetness shines through all you do! Even when you are tired and cranky! LOL! How sweet to see the new baby! I am sure that helps especially the younger kids to have an idea about what it’s all about. ~~ If you have any time, stop over and see some pictures of Norway. I have been putting them up a few at a time. We had an awesome time. HUGS!
Idea for your blog….start taking belly pics once a month or so. I am glad everything is going well with the new baby. Hope that you have a great day love ya amanda
A wonderful thing to see the baby inside ~ I am always in awe. in my pregnancies I don’t think that ever leaves me — and I know you know too – it’s just such a special amazing gift – so not to be taken for granted as well ~ thank you for your kind card – came yesterday and my dear husband had it on my desk waiting for me after a long day.Looks like some delightful time outdoors and in the water — that is one of our favorites past times too ~ I can’t wait for renewed strength to get out and about with them again.
The boys’ room looks like such a great space for them. I can see them growing together there. Sharing memories. I like the picture of Caleb jumping of the rock…he’s frozen in time just on top of the water. I’m glad you got to see your baby yesterday and shared it with the others. What a precious time. Enjoy your day!
my son caught a squirrel once in a similar trap….and that pond looks so nice for swimming. The boys stayed with some friends yesterday and swam in their pond, which looked like a mud hole after being all stirred up….=) Had to smile at your rendition of the “oldest son”, yes, I have one of those too sometimes…..
p.s., thanks for your comment on the modesty post…liked the way you put it, “Christian grace and commen sense”
I started my day with peppermint tea, a bible study, ceral with fresh blueberries AND then came to your site and enjoyed looking at every one of your dear pictures…my day is off to a great start!
I love the new “dorm room” in the basement. What a neat idea. Does the basement open up with a glass door??? I couldn’t tell, but it looks like a basement that’s not completely “underground!”It was good to have a post with so many summer pictures and I’m thrilled, along with your children, that they were allowed to see their new sibling in the making!
What a wonderful time you and your children had yesterday! How special it must have been for all of you to see the new little one! Any new names picked out for him/her? Will you find out if it’s a him/her? You must let us all know!
I know we’ve never met and maybe never will….but I feel like we’re long lost friends….I love hearing what’s going on with your family and what mountains you’re climbing. I get much strength from your encouraging words and just knowing I’m not the only momma who struggles with many of the same issues that you and your family struggle with. Thank You for being so transparent with all of us!
I really like the color you chose for down there.
As for that recipe…it sounds absolutely terrible….oh how I wish my crocks were not in storage!!!
Congrats on seeing the little one.
How exciting! Ultrasound days are so fun. I’m sure your kids enjoyed seeing their newest sibling. The space in the basement looks great! So nice that the boys can share a room. I feel bad for my Jake not having a brother. He SO wants to share a room, and I frequently find him in the morning curled up next to his big sister in her bed. The pond pictures are so refreshing. David cracks me up! God bless you today, Shanda!
That recipe sounds divine! PB and chocolate, 2 of my favorite foods. 🙂 The trap is hilarious, and I love the pics of Grace, and of the kids walking the dog. Have a blessed day. 🙂
How sweet that all the kids could see their new brother/sister! I’m so happy for you! I love all the pictures and I am all for cooking things in the crock pot these days. Thank you for the recipe!
Heartwarming. Love the pictures.
That basement room looks wonderful! And the pond is such a great place for the kids to cool off in the summer. I especially like the shot of the 3 walking the dog — nicely focused on them with a blurry background!
Your posts are always just so beautiful and they always make me smile! I enjoy your blog so much and I look forward to each new post.
The basement looks great. And that looks like the only way and the best way to spend a summer!
Such happiness…..beginning with the new baby! The new basement looks great….lots of room to romp, play games, and make memories. A lot goes on during a quiet afternoon….so glad that is all so readily available to you. You look so cute in that red blouse in the forest, love the picture of all 5, Grace’s brown eyes, and Davey showing his rocks. Precious to see them walking and talking together. Last night we talked about childhood memories with my son Nick and his wife Alicia. It was special to remember those times.
My Davy has a cold/flu today…..no fun. He likes to drink tea and is resting. We have a physical checkup scheduled for him today…..he is going to boyscout camp in a couple weeks and needs to have a current check as he is going to hike, bike, swim, snorkle, canoe etc.
Have a great afternoon! Jenny
I’m making that recipe tonight. I can’t wait either, chocolate & peanut butter are 2 of my favorites. What beautiful pictures you took! I love the one of Grace it really shows off her eyes. Hope you have a great day!
I loved and enjoyed all of the pictures and your sayings to go along with each one! :o) and like everyone else always says, they too make me smile! OH, and guess what? I got my fiesta ivory in today!!! I love it! :o) Sitting here drinking tea out of my new ivory java mug right now! :o) Oh, yum!
The pictures and captions made me laugh so much! My kids always came with me to ultrasound appts. I think it was really special to have them “see” their sibling before she was born.
That looks like a fun packed day! Aren’t ultrasounds wonderful! They’ve come a long way since I had my children!
The basement looks great! I know the boys will enjoy being down there. I love the pond pictures. It’s so nice to read and see what all y’all are up to. Suz
the basement looks so cool! It actually gave us some ideas since we only have 2 bedrooms and 3 kids (plus our bedroom). Right now our 2 youngest share a room but they are 6 and 8 and boy/girl so there may come a day when they need their own room or the girls to move in together. Right now, the 2 young ones were having a bit of a hard time getting along, they had some things to work out so…now they are bunk mates 🙂 worked wonders!
I love reading your posts!
Love,
~Amy
I love the pictures of the kids, Grace is so gorgeous, I cannot believe how big she is getting. The boys are getting so tall, it’s crazy. I hope we can come up for a swim soon before summer is over! I want to get to that lake that is just past your house, but I can’t remember the name of it. I’m also happy to hear everything is going well with the new baby…that’s wonderful 🙂 I hope you have a great day, we should be getting some good rain all day tomorrow. Love ya!!
great pictures – such good childhood memories. That basement room is so spacious and just calling for boys to fill it!!
Our daughter-in-law (Kristen) called tonight and asked me to tell you that she tried the Peanut Butter and Hot Fudge Pudding Cake…and it was delicious.
I thought about you tonight when we went shopping. I saw a whole display of Fiesta Ware!
A crockpot desert????? Now I’ll have to try THAT!!!!!!:)
Waht a lovely day you all had!! Wish I could come over with my kiddos and spend a day with you guys!!!!!!!
Loved all the pictures…as much as we swam in that pond as children I dont think I could ever swim in one again! I cant wait to see ultrasound pictures on here!!! Your basement looks nice.
Love you all,
I really loved all your pictures…and it seems like you live a very picturesque life.
I love the imaginations that your children have. And I love the way you take everything in stride!
I remember when sonagrams were just beginning to be used, and the excitement I felt when I saw my baby’s arm and could count her little fingers. It was thrilling!
you lead a charmed life 🙂
That picture of them walking the dog is fantastic! Also the pictures of them at the pond, they have such a rich childhood!
The basement is HUGE! I bet it feels so fresh and new!
Kids are so innocent, sometimes within their innocents they can make our frustration seem no worth getting frustrated.Great Pics on swimming!!
Go summer days!