By the end of the day yesterday I felt out of sorts, blah, disjointed, etc. Rich came home from work and there was still some remaining rays of sun, so out the door I went with my camera, hoping to “find myself” somewhere outside. I just needed the air to be cleared in my head. . . . .take deep breaths, stretch my legs. Get away.
The boys were supposed to be walking the dog and I hadn’t gotten too far when he (the dog) tore up behind me. Jacob and Ethan soon caught up and I eventually started feeling better as I took picture after picture of them having fun in the goldenrod.
It was such a lovely half hour. The sun was going down, we were on the edge of a big open field. The boys were having fun and I was soaking in God’s beautiful creation.
Seeing gold all around me . . . .enjoying my boys.
Psalm 96:11-12
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice;
Let the sea roar, and all it contains;
Let the field exult, and all that is in it.
Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy before the Lord, for He is coming,
For He is coming to judge the earth.
He will judge the earth in righteousness
And the peoples in His faithfulness.”
(“He is coming”. . . .oh, I just can’t wait!!!!)
I asked Rich to take the children out for ice cream last night so I could have some quiet time alone at home, but the boys said pleadingly, “Mom, you’re coming with us to get ice cream, aren’t you?”
“It wouldn’t be as fun without you!”
I had to smile. It felt so nice to be wanted. So I went. I’m sure I did not need that small peanut butter cup ice cream cone but it sure was nice to sit around the picnic table at the ice cream place in town with my husband and five happy youngsters.
(we took this picture right before we left to go)
Speaking of GOLD. . .congratulations to American gymnast Nastia Lukin for winning the gold medal in the women’s’ all around competition last night. Those of you on the east coast also deserve gold if you stayed up to watch the whole thing live. I believe it was over at about 1:00 am. I fell asleep on the couch at 9:30, hours before the competition began. Thankfully, Rich taped it on our computer, so at 6:15 this morning I woke him up by turning it on to see what happened. He said I was like a little kid on Christmas morning. I was absolutely thrilled with Nastia’s performance and so proud of her! All of her routines were breathtaking. She is coached by her Dad, who was also a gold medal winner in gymnastics so I think their story is extra special. They both had happy tears in their eyes when they realized she had won. It was incredible.
Happy Friday! It looks to be a beautiful day.
Good to be Home 
Praise God for a husband who understands that you need to go out and just breath for a bit!
That goldenrod is stunning! You have so much of it, the boys will remember you with them out there in the field, as well as going along for ice cream! Often God will lift our spirits in ways that are a little different than what we thought we needed.
I think to myself how amazing it is that time and time again God shows that He knows me and what I need better than I know myself.
Rich Gets points for taking you all out!!! LOL!
I like that first poetic picture in this post, I fall into it!
Love, JO
I’m glad you had a good evening. It is so great of God to give us such beauty on earth. How did he tape it on the computer! I’ve wanted so bad to watch gymnastics but all I’ve been doing is goin to youtube!
Loved the photos….it is amazing how some time alone in the beauty of creation can really lift our spirits.
Golden for sure!
Love the picture of the family and the one of the boys walking through the goldenrod. I know what you mean by how nice it feels to be wanted. Great isn’t it!! :o)
Kelly
Beautiful, Shanda!
what a sweet family picture!
I fell asleep watching the olympics, and didnt find out who won, thanks for sharing that….=)
I understand the feeling of needing to just GET OUT. (grin) And sometimes to just be alone is good too. 🙂 Lovely, lovely pictures!
FYI: In Abeka’s 5th grade science book there is a whole unit of Golden Rod. Did you know there is beetle that ONLY lives on the goldenrod plant? Goldenrod is the perfect example of a mini-eco-sytem. 🙂 It was very fascinating! I can’t walk by a patch of goldenrod know without thinking how perfect and wonderful God’s design is!! When my kiddos and I went out to inspect the goldenrod we were stunned at how many creatures actually call the plant home!
Must have been the weather…..I felt that way too last night. I felt like I could just run and run (I am not a runner…..LOL).
Thanks for the pictures. Goldenrod looks stunning.
Very cute pictures…I’m allergic to Goldenrod, but they’re pretty nonetheless. 🙂 Glad you had a nice evening.
Beautiful photos and what a lovely family picture of you all!
Goldenrod looks lovely – I do not think we have that here ~ I haven’t had a chance to watch the gym. yet – but so glad to hear she won!!!Good for you w/ a walk – that always helps me after a long day — I love those evening hours.blessings on your day there!
I never knew Goldenrod could be so pretty.
How wonderful of Rich to take care of the children while you can get out for some of your own time. It’s nice that you can get out for such a nice walk like you took. Your pictures are good. Ice Cream sounds so good to! I hope you have a great day! I was up off & on to watch the Olympics. It was so amazing to watch that!
Being loved-oh yes. Who cares about tired anymore?
So glad you were able to “find yourself”. What a lovely evening, and how special that the children wanted you to come since “it wouldn’t be as fun without you”! Your pictures are so nice. Did you use a tripod and your timer to take the picture of all of you?
Your walks and scenery are always so refreshing…that field was exaulting the Lord! I always love the happy faces too. Jenny
Ok, so I stayed up that entire time and watched the Olympics. Boy am I tired. So, I guess I deserve a gold medal, too. :)I love the pictures. The one of the boys and the dog is my favorite.My thumb is not broken, just hurts still. I may be getting early arthritis in it from all the sports I played in my “past” life. WHAT???? I’m not even 30 yet!
What gorgeous photos!! I LOVE the golden air in that last hour before dust, and the captured it so beautifully, especially with all of the golden flowers!
Lovely pictures. My favorite is the family picture. I love the olympics here too. Try to watch when I can. Glad you had a good evening. So nice for your husband to let you get away for a bit. I know I feel refreshed when I get some alone time.
Hope you enjoyed your ice cream. You deserved it. The pics are greatBig hugsMelody
Wow, dear girl, here you have provided us with another outstanding gift of pictures and writing! YOU ARE SO BLESSED! SO GIFTED! I believe you have some of Heaven there. I love to read of how you feel and how that when you are a bit low, you go out your door and see God’s beauty. Then you come back in and wahlah! YOU are God’s beauty because He touched you again with His comfort and strength. cyber hugs from me
Stopped by to see what loveliness you had posted recently. Beautiful and inspiring, as usual. Thanks for helping me to always see life from the right perspective. Praise God for his goodness to us!
Shan, beautiful pics, God’s creation is breathtaking.. yes, we have been watching the Olympics too and we have so been enjoying it. Oh, by the way, Jewels is back to blogging again. You can check out my blog for her site address. Be blessed and hope you are feeling well.
I live on the east coast, and these Olympics are wearing me out!!Love all the pictures- they are beautiful wrapped in gold
Sometimes I do that in the evenings… It’s a great meditation.That is an awesome family portrait!! Love it
glad you went for ice cream… something sweet always helps! 😉 such a lovely family shot too.. love the spotanaity!the stream & goldenrod are beautiful. God is an amazing artist!
opps – i guess there’s no stream in this post. i must have still had the pics from the post above in my mind! it’s ALL beautiful~ 🙂