It has been a busy weekend, preparing for our guests. I enjoyed cleaning, and adding pretty touches here and there~lighted candles, flowers~freshly washed bedding~and making small repairs that had been put off too long. Rich arrived home on Friday evening, earlier than I expected, and we had a nice day on Saturday, spending a quiet morning together and working for a few hours on last minute details, around the house.
I took this picture on Thursday, after I noticed small Caleb had fallen asleep while watching a Thomas video. I thought he looked so peaceful.
Then, on Friday morning, I had to find my camera to take a picture of my little puppies, all piled up together on the couch. Ethan is the one who is holding Caleb. . . .
It was late Friday afternoon when I got so sleepy, and curled up on the couch to rest. I asked Grace to watch Caleb for me, on the porch. After a while, I went outside to check on them, and found Grace giving Caleb a ride on a bike, and talking to him nonstop. Caleb looked so precious with his baggy gray underpants, and dangling legs. Grace was sweet, and I was proud of her for taking good care of her brother. She’s strong, she pushed him around for a while!
Caleb, having a bath in mommy’s big tub, on Friday night.
Grace Lillian, photos from Friday evening. She had a new skirt on, which never fully made it into the pictures, I was so attracted by her eyes, and hair, and smile.
Our pretty, happy girl~
My parents came on Saturday morning. We visited for a little while, and then Dad took the boys to the grocery store so they could return their soda cans (they’ve been collecting them from the sides of the road, taking long walks together). Mom and I puttered around in the kitchen. She cleaned out my baking cupboard, and lined the shelf with pretty scrapbooking paper. We enjoyed the time together, and made a nice corn chowder for lunch, using fresh corn. Rich grilled some hamburgers for the guys, while mom and I had fresh cucumber sandwiches with our soup. The porch was so relaxing, we talked and enjoyed the breeze.
Mom and I went downtown after lunch, with Grace. We visited two antique stores and I bought a wooden crate, a wooden truck with a lid for Jacob, and a flat wooden storage box with a lid for Ethan. Ethan’s box was divided into compartments on the inside, and he had such fun finding things from outside to put in each one~ feathers, acorns, pinecones, berries. And, he saved one compartment for C A N D Y.
After the antique stores, we went into a little French bakery, where Mom and I split a pastry. Then, we walked down the road to the ice cream stand. Grace ordered an ice cream float, Mom and I each ordered a small strawberry sundae. We walked to a small park and ate our ice creams while sitting on a bench, in the shade.
It was special, spending girl time together. While we were gone from the house, Rich and my Dad took the boys to a driving range to hit golf balls. When we got back, we found that they had already returned and were back in the rocking chairs again, talking on the porch.
My parents left at 4 and my friend Christie arrived shortly before 6. We had such a nice time together, it was good to see her again, and her husband and four children. The kids quickly ran off together and had all sorts of adventures outside. Christie and I had a good time talking, sitting on the porch, and walking together in the evening.
They left this morning around 9 or so, the visit was way too short, but very sweet.
I met Christie when we lived in PA. We only lived there, in a small townhouse apartment with three preschoolers, for about 8 months, but I was blessed to make a lifelong friend, in her. God is good, to give us such friendships.
And so now, our busy weekend is over. It’s Sunday and I’m thinking about rest. Caleb has a cold, and David is tired out, so I am home from church with them. I am tired, but it’s a contented tired, a time when, rather than tears, I have a smile on my face, and memories in my heart of a special, lovely weekend with family and dear friends. I can’t tell you how happy I am, thinking about the fun times we had. It’s been a perfect weekend.
It’s time for cuddling small boys on a blanket. Maybe we will do some reading. It’s time for this Mama to slow down, and have a lazy afternoon.
My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
The earth so bright,
So full of spendour and of joy,
Beauty and light;
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right.
I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made
Joy to abound,
So many gentle thoughts and deeds
Circling us round,
That in the darkest spot of earth
Some love is found.
I thank Thee more, that all our joy
Is touched with pain,
That shadows fall on brightest hours,
That thorns remain;
So that earth’s bliss may be our guide,
And not our chain.
For Thou, who knowest, Lord, how soon
Our week heart clings,
Hast given us joys, tender and true,
Yet all with wings,
So that we see, gleaming on high,
Diviner things.
I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept
The best in store:
We have enough, but not too much
To long for more–
A yearning for a deeper peace
Not known before.
I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls,
Though amply blest,
Can never find, although they seek,
A perfect rest,
Nor ever shall, until they lean
On Jesus’ breast.
~Adelaide Anne Procter, 1825-64
I hope and pray that all of you dear ones have a blessed Lord’s day, full of sweet rest and peace.
As Caleb called out, while waving, when our friends left this morning, “Bye! Come back again later!”
Love, ~Shanda~
Good to be Home 
Aaah, I am just settling down on the couch myself for a nice, relaxing Sunday afternoon! Hubby is sitting here with me, watching the olympics; we are enjoying our last days together, just the two of us, before we welcome a new little one into the family. What a great weekend you had! The mums on your porch table are so pretty; T and I almost bought some for our patio yesterday, and I was planning to go back and get some later. I’m so glad you had that quality time with your parents and friend. Hope you catch up on your rest today and feel ready for a new week of school! ❤
Sounds like a wonderful time.
Yes indeed it does sound like a wonderful time!
i can hardly wait to see pictures you will take of the baby……blessings and sweet rest.
I’m so glad you had such an incredibly happy and contented week-end. Aren’t those times special???I know you talk about bad days, days you feel frustrated, days when you fall apart and cry, but you have an overlying sense of peace and appreciation for God’s handiwork in all of your writings and in the pictures you post. You make me aware of those same things in my own life and after leaving your blog, I breathe slower and look around me a little closer so I, too, can appreciate the things you’ve pointed out by simply chatting about your life.Thanks dear friend, Shanda!
Sounds like a busy, but wonderful weekend. How great that you were able to see your parents and your friend all in the same weekend! I missed you today. I had wondered where you were, but never got a chance to ask Rich. I am glad you are resting at home and not sick! Have a great week, dear Shanda. Do you plan to start school this week?
I’m glad to hear you had such a nice weekend. I enjoyed the pictures, as always. I hope you get a chance to have a nice restful afternoon, and I’ll see you soon. Love, Trish
You DID have a lovely weekend! It does indeed sound perfect. Busy, but, filled with good time, loving family and friends, and cherished memories. My goodness, your beautiful daughter looks so grown up in those pictures
A wonderful weekend!
Sounds like a wonderful weekend… love the pictures!
Grace just gets more and more beautiful!! She’s simply breathtaking! You are so blessed, Shanda, with your lovely family, friends and home.
What a great weekend! I loved all the photo’s and your words about being a contented mother. Shan, these days I have to admit that I so long for that and yet it seems so far away. Bear in mind that this isn’t a constant feeling for me, some days/weeks seem to be fine but lately I have had a lot of sadness over not being a mom yet. Oh well, I’m getting weepy just typing this so I better stop. I am so happy for you and your family though. It does give me joy that you are content and so blessed. You are so special to me. I love you! Lish
What a lovely weekend you have had! I love the pictures of your porch and of Grace. My inlaws have been here this weekend- leaving in the morning, and my mom flies into Anchorage on Friday. I can’t wait! Much love to you, dear friend!
hope you did get some rest this afternoon ~ does look like a full weekend of sweet memories. when we lived in canada i lived for those visits from mom and dad. it made my heart smile thinking about you and your mom and grace walking around shopping together… such special times. love the shots of grace lillian ~ she is such a mini-me of YOU! 🙂
It sounds like you had a great weekend! I’m with Kathi what a great weekend when you get to visit your parents and a dear friend all in the same weekend! Your pictures are so good. Grace is a beautiful little girl. I loved what you said about being content. Have a great evening!
delightful pics of your pretty girl 🙂
Your pretty girl is your mini me. She looks just like you. You have a beautiful family and a wonderful full life. God Bless
Sweet family times. Memories and love.
the pictures are beautiful! and your family is lovely!!!! Your children are just adorable!!!! and Oh, that porch…it gets me every time! ahhhh!!!!! :o)
I thought of you all weekend knowing that your folks were there, happy for them and you. More magnificent memories to stash away in a memory box with special compartmenst just like Ethans. This one could be titled “perfect weekends filled with love”. Lovely posting Shanda. As always, I do love you. m in sc (HUGS)
sounds like you had a very eventful weekend full of visiting with family, and friends! I’m sure that your kids enjoyed the visit with your friend’s kids! :)Hope you have a nice peaceful week!
great photos. I love weekends that leave a smile on your face 🙂
Caleb looks absolutely soooo tall in those pictures! How fast they grow! I believe my Adam put some weight on while I was in the hospital; I don’t just say that b/c the baby is so small. I literally can’t believe how heavy he is!
photo question? How did you get the light behind Caleb in the bath tub shot?
I remember hearing you talk about her! It seems like so so long ago! It must have been so much fun for her to see all the changes in your growing family!
Gee is precious, both in her sweet face but her heart also.
What fun to see your parents again! I know that meant a lot to you!