Good morning! I just waved Davy-do down the road, he’s all set and gone for another day of Kindergarten. His teacher called us last night to give us a report on how he is doing at school, and to ask us if we had any questions for her. I got off the phone happy, and was thrilled to tell my husband that David is doing really well and even better than we expected. All of the things I worked with him last year were not done in vain, it seems he has retained most of it–mainly, his numbers and how to write them, and recognizing the letters of the alphabet, which his teacher appreciates, and is such an encouragement to me.
I’ve been taking some family pictures for the last week or so but haven’t had time to post them on my blog so I thought that I would play catch up this morning. Jacob and Ethan are out walking the dog (they need to wear pants and sweatshirts, now that we have these cool fall mornings). Grace is eating her bowl of cereal and Caleb is playing (with Thomas trains, of course!).
Speaking of Caleb, here is a picture of him from Friday. He and I had a great time, putting a scrapbook together of different pictures I have taken of him with his trains. We went through my online photos and squealed whenever we saw a good picture. I printed them out, and he was the happy gluer (it’s quite “exciting” to watch a 3 year old using a glue stick). He loves his new little book.
He has also been coloring a lot, and his technique has improved so much since last month, when all his trains looked like hairy monsters by the time he had colored them. Now he colors neat and clean, and gets upset when he “has an accident” and colors something wrong. He actually dug a hole in one of his pictures this weekend, trying to “erase” a small mistake with his fingernail.
See how nicely he holds his crayons? Things like that mean so much to a homeschooling mama!
As we were out and about this weekend, I noticed again how nice the lighting is inside the van, for taking photos of the kids. I took a picture of Jacob, my oldest boy, who will be 12 in December. His chin and upper lip is still healing from his bike wreck this summer.
Here is Jacob again, being a big help, by peeling apples for me. He peeled a big bowl of them for our apple pie, and then a few days later he peeled some for applesauce. He enjoys trying to make the longest peel that he can. He’s already an expert! I appreciate his help and am only too happy to pass off this job along to him. . . .
. . . . .and to Ethan! Ethan is more of a reckless peeler at this time. I need to teach him to peel around and around and not straight down like you do a carrot. He’s peeling potatoes here, and the two boys were sitting together on the porch, talking nonstop. That’s why I got the camera, even though I was busy in the kitchen. I thought it was wonderful to see them working, and enjoying it. They both had their stuffed dogs with them, Ethan’s was at his feet, and they were making up stories with them as they peeled. What nice boys they are!
This next one is from the day I was trying to get a photo for the first day of Fall. Ethan took this silly one of me, and I love how Caleb managed to get in the picture, too. Caleb loves to pick me flowers and when he brings one to me, he always says, “I picked a flower for you!” in his dear little voice. Then, when I take it, he says, “Are you so happy?” And I say, “Yes, I’m so happy, thank you!” Then I usually tuck it behind my ear, as he watches with bright eyes.
Now, the rest of the pictures are from yesterday evening. I had spent the afternoon with the children at my friend Karen’s house, and then went to Walmart afterwards. I didn’t get home until about 5:30 and we were all so happy that Rich was already back from work. The sun has been going down earlier now, but we had just enough sunshine left to take a nice little walk before dinner. There was Rich and myself, and Grace and Caleb.
This is Grace’s pile of red leaves, along with my little orange leaf that I picked up. I also picked a zinnia from my flower garden and collected a handful of acorns. . . . .the goldenrod is the flower Caleb picked for me on our walk.
I love this next picture of Rich with his little girl. She still looks like wee thing when Daddy has her.
This morning I will be working with the older children on some homeschool things, but I also have an ultrasound appointment at 10. Because my Doctor and I cheated on Monday, and we already know we are having a boy, Rich decided not to go with me this morning. Which totally stinks. LOL I’m tired, and not in the mood to go to my appointment alone, well, with Caleb and Grace. . . .however, this morning as I was thinking about it, I decided I better cheer up and try to make the most of it. This just might be the last ultrasound that I ever have! I do hope and pray that everything is going well with the baby. . . .who, by the way, does not have a name quite yet. It’s a good thing we have some time, because Rich and I are not agreeing on any name we come up with! The children have been calling him Peter.
Dear friends, I do hope you all have a wonderful day. Here in New England the sun is shining and the quality of the autumn sunshine makes the trees and green things almost unreal. . .nature is glowing and so beautiful. Rich and I both noticed the leaves that were still green on the trees last night on our walk–they almost look plastic, they are so bright and shiny and pretty. The glory of God is displayed in such a clear way in His creation, and the world we live in truly is a delight. I hope each of you are able to get outside at some point today. If you look up (and see the clouds), or look down (and see a cool bug), you are sure to see SOMETHING to praise God about!
My Ethan just came in from walking the dog, to give me a “big-front-pocket- from- a- sweatshirt-full of pinecones”. Nine big ones.
Flowers and pinecones, what nice gifts my little ones give to me! They know me so well. . . .
It’s been a pleasure to talk the time to sit and think and write this morning, and now I really must get on with the morning!
Love, ~Shanda~
PS, the link is for a book I’ve been singing to the kids, which made me laugh so hard the other day that I cried. We checked it out from the library.
Good to be Home 
I just requested the book from the library! My kids love song-storybooks. Enjoy your ultrasound! I loved having them. It’s so fun to see the baby. Lucy is moving quite a bit, and my doctor told me how she was positioned, so I think I may be figuring out what she’s punching/kicking me with. š Well, I hope your day is full. I’m going to make mine relaxing. Yesterday was a doozy, and I just want to chill. Hugs to you!!!
Such a lovely post – as always.
Lovely, lovely pictures! I always enjoy reading about your thoughts and your activities!
I really like all the outdoor pictures, it really does look beautiful. Here in WI we have been having summer weather…..it got up to 80 degrees yesterday–crazy. But the leaves are just starting to change and I think we will go to a really neat park in the next few days that is full of trees to get some good pictures. Hope you have a good day.
enjoyed your fall pictures this morning! Hope things go well for you at your appointment.
hint…when your little peelers get too big for the job, get you one of those handy, dandy, apple peelers…they’re great…. =)
Great pictures, Shan. I love your orange sweater- so bright and “fallish”! Enjoy your ultrasound- it is always so amazing to see the baby! Your pie looks very yummy.
i love the one which is daddy holding caleb’s little foot .feel so special.:) whenever i read ur blog, it always like that peace .full of love n happiness , bless you my dear š
b happy everyday
n congratulations ,:) for ur new baby boy ! š that is the most beautiful thing to hear u got a new baby š -tg
I enjoyed reading your post this morning and looking at your pictures, as always:) You do such a great job! That apple pie looks so good. It’s been nice cool mornings here to. I like it:) Good luck at the ultrasound:)
Regarding Baby Names: My youngest (foster) brother told me his name was Richard. That was it. No middle name. All the other siblings sat around the table confirming that by the time he (the youngest) came along, Mom and Dad had run out of names.Imagine my horror when his wedding invitation arrived announcing my sister-in-law (to be) was marrying Richard David T!!!!! I felt so embarrassed for her not knowing he didn’t have a middle name. I never mentioned a word and just let the mistake pass.Years later, I told my (foster) mother and asked if she had caught that error on their invitation as well. She broke out laughing – actually cackling and holding her sides. Seems he DOES have a middle name and I didn’t know it until I was well into my 30’s! Joke was on me. Aw, such lovely siblings, I have!
What a nice post? I love reading about your day and adventures. I like the pictures too. Have a lovely day.
I’m eager to get the fall foliage change here soon. Only a few red leaves here and there. I love the when the sun shines through the colorful leaves and they glow.
I’m impressed with your little one’s coloring. My oldest daughter didn’t like to color at all (still doesn’t), but my four year old does well too. Isn’t it great to watch them really concentrate to get it right. And the digging to erase, LOL, do they all do that? Mine did too. I would get so frustrated. The “erase” looked ten times worse than the little line that was not where it was supposed to be.
Cherish the moment.
I hope the ultrasound went well. Little Caleb is quite the master colorer (I think I just made up that word.) I love it when they go from just scribbling to actually trying to color something. Looks like he’s getting the hang of it. And yay for David! I’m sure that made you one proud mommy. Did your heart skip a beat when you heard it was his teacher on the phone?! I would have been scared that he had been bad and you were already getting a call home. :)I think Peter is nice. I know your sister is not fond of it. š I’m not sure what else you could come up with in your parameters. Moses is still out there, of course. LOL!
What a lovely loook at your week. So glad Davey-do is doing well at school. Caleb’s coloring is amazing at his young age. I love that look of concentration…and his little book…what a great idea. Yummy apple pie and handsome peelers you have. I need to make a pie this week and was just seeing it as an extra thing to do. I make treats for our youth Bible study for whoever has a birthday. Last week Andrew said he wanted pie instead of cake….and an apple one. Thanks for the inspiration
Love you outdoor shots and evening walk. You look cute with Rich as well as Grace! David and I are getting out today. We have been sooo busy trying to get all the work done for school, as well as soccer practices etc. that we just are inside too much. So today an outing to the Library and the beach. My camara broke ;-( so we will just have to remember it in our minds. Don’t know when I will be able to afford one…will have to see.
Lord bless you and yours, Jenny
Little Man is crying for a nurse, but I just wanted to quickly comment that I love these pictures – especially the one of you in your orange sweater and Grace with her daddy. Have a great day!
The picture of you and your Rich is SSSSOOOOOOOO good! Actually, they are ALL good, but you know how it is when something “hits” you? Thanks for sharing your family again and beautifying my day! Love, Gail
I remember that song ~ Go tell Aunt Rhody the old gray goose is dead ~ memories. My grandma used to sit in the evenings when we went to visit and peel apples, round and round, in one long spiral curl ~ then she would slice the apples and pass them round the room till we all had our fill ~ munching on popcorn at the same time ~ more memories.
Peter isn’t a bad idea…hmmm…another 5 letter name from the Bible…. hmmmmm……Aaron—“light bringer” or “brightness”Isaac—“laughter” or “he shall laugh”well..I do still like Peter too…
It looks so beautiful where you live! It’s still hot here and the leaves are just kind of dying out, so I really miss my Northern autumns (my family lives in Wisconsin). Your family looks so close and happy. It makes me want to have a big family š Do you homeschool all of your kids?
I’m so bummed Shan. I thought for sure I’d get your letter today in teh mail but no it wasn’t there. I double checked with Jeremy, “Have you seen a letter from Shan lately?” Nope. But I did enjoy emensly the photo’s of you and your family. I especially love the pictures with Rich in them–the one where him and Caleb are on the ground and the feild is behind them, AW! I love you , Elisha
Enjoyed your post as always…your children are too precious! I really like the one of Rich and your little girl…she looks so small in his arms! Have a great weekend…oh yeah I went on a walk two days ago and found colored leaves on the first day of fall no less!!! In Alabama!!! Yeah I am so happy!!
Beautiful pictures, as always….keep ’em coming! I love fall pictures!!
What a sweet post!You have encouraged my heart this morning! Thank you…Wishing you a wonderful and blessed day!
Thank you for sharing!I love the pics!You are so blessed with such a beautiful family and helpers!~hugs~Lanitha
OH MY GOODNESS! that spirited violin/cello “come thou fount of every blessing” just lifted my spirits several notches higher! BEAUTIFUL!
me again. i looked up soundforth music. i would love to get an entire CD of violin/cello music like that song. do you know, or could you recommend one?
@chulya – try this link http://www.oldchristianmusic.com/mproductpages/tracy-ann-collins–ever-in-joyful-song.html
You can listen to clips of the songs, this is one that my family enjoys, the violin/piano is very uplifting. It’s not exactly like the song you like here, but it’s the only cd that came to mind just now. If I think of others I’ll get back to you! Love, Shanda
@chulya – Me again! I just found another cd that I don’t have but I will definately order it, all of Steve Pettit’s Evangelistic team’s music is EXCELLANT, here is a cd I just found of only instrumentals. Again, you can listen to clips of the songs to see if it’s what you’re looking for: https://www.spea.org/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=157&category_id=1&manufacturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=4
@purpleamethyst76 – THANKS SO MUCH!
on another subject? i believe you collect things with “cherries”, right? are you familiar with mary engelbreit? (she is kind of famous for cherries).
I missed this post somehow and am thoroughly enjoying the pictures — my oldest son is looking on and he says, “Wow, where is that!” and then he said, “We would have fun with all those boys, kind of like our family…” :)blessings~lys