Alternative titles for this post:
“Look Out, She’s Gonna Blow!”
“Look Out, She’s Gonna Blow AND go on Strike!”
(or, to put it mildly)
“This Tired Mama is Ready for the Weekend”
I’ve been stressin’ out, ladies! I have the puffiest eyes (and a headache) this morning from crying yesterday afternoon. Having got through that, all I can say is I’m praising the Lord for
my sister
my three year old Caleb
my friend Kathy
and my husband
Amanda, Kathy, and Rich all listened so nicely/understandingly to my crying. . . . .
Amanda assured me that, “no, there is nothing wrong with you, you’re just tired”
Caleb climbed up on the couch, took his little hand, and sadly wiped the tears from my cheeks. I think it’s one of the first times one of my children actually NOTICED me crying, and didn’t flee the room. . . .lol. . . .
Kathy, I don’t know what I would do without her, she’s a friend that I can say ANYTHING to, and know she’ll understand me. So comforting.
And Rich, he came through for me in amazing ways–got home early, took the little boys grocery shopping (what a nice treat, to have someone else grocery shop!!!), and offered the weekend to me, to my needs. “We’ll do whatever you want to do”
I no longer feel as pressed down, and am feeling freedom to take care of myself.
Stay at home moms—hang in there! Sometimes we do need to be a little “selfish” and make sure we get the refreshment we need to RECHARGE. . .oh, it’s so important to get away from it all now and then.
Not that I’m going away by myself (yet) but just knowing I COULD if I really WANTED to, helps a great deal. Instead, we are ALL going away this weekend, to NY, to visit family and pick up our butchered pig. (yes, you read correctly). I can’t wait to see my parents and family and spend some time with Colleen (my aunt) and Elisha (my cousin). Rich and I are going to take the kids to a hotel with a pool and they will have so much fun swimming. I’m getting outa here!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And ladies, I just might (if provoked) throw Rich’s blackberry out the window, if need be. I’ll let you know, on Monday, how that goes. LOL
I haven’t been totally neglecting my camera this week. . . I did grab it now and then. . .so here we go, enjoy!
This first one is a picture of a thoughtful gift from a dear friend. “Happy is the home that welcomes a friend” It’s a Hollie Hobbie mug, which is what I’ve been drinking my coffee out of lately. (I love Hollie Hobbie!)
Jake and E have to walk the dog every morning and on Monday they dressed Caleb do go with them, it was all their idea and they did not ask me or involve me in any way. I thought they were so precious, the way they took care of Caleb, and Caleb was so happy to be included on an early morning walk.
Davy-do, waiting for the bus, with brilliant yellow leaves above.
I have a “thing” for water, these pictures are all the different looks of water in our stream. I always think of Jesus, and how He is refreshing, living water to our souls. . . . .He is very LIFE indeed.
“You should seek above all things to have your souls truly happy in God Himself! Day by day seek to make this the most important business of your life.” ~George Mueller
“For you O Lord, have made me glad by your work: at the work of your hands I sing for joy.” Psalm 92:4
“It is wisdom to take occasional furlough. In the long run, we shall do more by sometimes doing less. On, on, on for ever, without recreation may suit spirits emancipated from this ‘heavy clay’, but, while we are in this tabernacle, we must every now and then cry halt, and serve the Lord by holy inaction and consecrated leisure. Let no tender conscience doubt the lawfulness of going out of the harness for a while.” ~C.H. Spurgeon
Did anyone notice the fiesta in the current Country Living magazine? (November issue, pg 16) These little ramekins are the perfect size for serving up baby food, or ice cream, or cups of soup. I have a set of white ones.
The birds have been busy, busy, busy lately, enjoying the fall bounty of berries and seeds.
The ferns are yellow now, so pretty.
Caleb and I did some exploring the other day and we found a pretty pool of water by the stream.
“I love you”
And I found a thinking spot. I could see the stream right in front of me from this seat, and don’t you love the foot rest? Very convenient.
Davy was inspired by one of our favorite books, “Curious George Rides a Bike”
David screamed and chased Caleb out of the house for stealing a lego. I came running and saw this guilty expression. Is he cute or what? He’s holding The Stolen Lego Horse. He had to give it back.
A peaceful spot of nature; blue sky, white clouds, pretty leaves, a tree that’s almost bare with a robin at the tippety top.
Other than my state of exhaustion, things have been going well. The kids are doing great, we are enjoying home-school. I’ve been doing a bit of ordering online for Grace’s birthday (11/4) and Christmas, which will be here before we know it. Seems like every day a box comes in the mail, very exciting.
We are trying to be outside as much as possible, knowing that colder days will soon keep us inside. The sky has been so blue, and the leaves are almost gone, which is amazing to me. They’ve been coming down in showers with any kind of wind. . . .they sound so pretty, like rain, when they fall. It’s a delight to walk and kick through crinkly, crackly dry leaves, they smell good, too.
I was awake for a while in the night last night, enjoying the feeling of the baby moving inside me. Every day I continually thank God for the blessing of a new little one coming. . . .I’m 23 weeks now, and can hardly wait until February to meet our new little boy blue.
I hope everyone has a great weekend!
Love, Shanda
Good to be Home 
i am home today as i had conferences last night….a 14 hour day is no fun. what beautiful pictures…you capture such moments in time in nature….a very good ‘eye’. i am sorry about your day yesterday. i remember when mine were little and the frustration of doing the regular everyday stuff….as well as reading books, walking, playing, ~ conversations with no one but the children. you have the most important job in the world right now….mine are 24, 18 and 16 and i miss those days so much. the little giggles, the kisses and tears, making playdoh, all the fun the children were. how grateful i am i had that time at home with them. i did not go back to work until my youngest was in 2nd grade and the Lord has provided jobs that allowed me to work while they were at school as well as having the summers off. so i have been home. i will be praying for you today as i have peace and quiet in my home. blessings on the rest of your day and the weekend. melinda
It’s seems such a short time ago we were enjoying pics of your kidos swimming in the pond. Now we are enjoying seeing the gang wrapped up in their parkas. The rich colors of fall remind me so much of your Fiesta Ware. I see why you love it so.Blessings to you on this upcoming week-end with your family. Don’t you just love this kind of “refueling stations”?
What a lovely post. Your description of Caleb whiping your tears, brought tears to my own eyes. Gotta love that boy!
Oh, hang in there Ms. Shanda!! Being a mommy must be so tough sometimes. Thanks for all of the encouragment… I’m not a mommy BUT I have needed a lot of encoragmeng lately; the past few days I have felt about the same as you do, only about nursing school!! Thanks
The pictures are GREAT!! Our leaves have started to change, but, it is so dry down here that lot of the leaves are drying up and falling off before they change. It is still lovely, though, I love fall!!
The pictures of little Caleb with the lego made me smile… we all grew up playing on legos, and had many many momements like that!
Umm, right there with you, sister. I’m about to write a post that I definitely want YOUR feedback on…it has to do with small children and sleeping rules. It’s getting a little crazy here, and I’m getting stressed thinking about a newborn sleep schedule and my children NOT sleeping when they’re supposed to. Have a restful day!!!
Gorgeous pictures!
Oh my. Not to take away from what your feeling- and knowing how exhausting homelife and homeschooling are when you have five children……but I was so emotional and exhausted during my entire pregnancy with Jakey. It was awful. I would cry, cry, cry…..or feel like ripping little childrens heads off!!! (WOW!!! It was bad!)
Then I would feel bad and totally go overboard with “fun homeschooling stuff” or “fieldtrips” to make up for my horrid moodswings! It’s not a great memory. Take it easy. You have a wonderful, wonderful husband that seems very understanding- and non-demanding…..(just what I’ve gathered from reading your blog)….I on the other hand had a PHAROAH demanding all sorts of stuff from me!!! Pregnant and homeschooling didn’t come into the mix with his expectations of me.
Your photographs are beautiful. I would so LOVE to spend an afternoon with you and Mr. Davy-Do and Jakey would be best buddy-pals. I LOVE YOUR HOLLY HOBBIE MUG!!!! LOVE IT! A friend sent me a Holly Hobbie doll for my bday a few years ago, and I LOVE IT. I also have quite a few Raggedy Ann & Andy things from my childhood, which I cherish. 🙂
Oh yes! I can completely identify with you this week. Have a relaxing weekend.
Now you’ve got me wondering where my Country Living Mag is. I changed my address in plenty of time! Waaaa, I want it.
I loved the water pictures. I pray this weekend is as refreshing as that water looks.
As for tiring ourselves out, isn’t it amazing how we never learn the lesson? I know I’ve written lots of posts like that and I know I will write a lot more. We just don’t learn. We just get caught up in everything that needs to be done, what everyone needs…and then we’re goners. Do take care of yourself sweet mother. Your family will thank you for it. (Now…I need some of that medicine myself).
As I was reading your post and listening to the music the song Come To Jesus has really touched me. Have a fun weekend. I am getting away a little bit (only a couple hours) but meeting a girlfriend for dinner on Saturday. I actually can’t remember the last time I have done anything without kids, its been a LONG time. I’m thankful for it!
oh yes! I saw that page!!! I tried to enter to win but that prize item was not up on the website yet….
I’m so glad you’ve got such supportive people around you Shanda, that makes all the difference so many times. I’ll say an extra prayer for you, and hope you enjoy your weekend!
This is such a FUN post Shanda! Thanks for your honesty about the tearfulness – I can definitely relate! lol I agree, sometimes we just need to “get away” from it all; Terry is so good about recognizing things like that too and I am VERY THANKFUL. <3I LOVE the pictures here, especially the water ones. That is such a neat shot of Davy next to the water; the light hits his face just right. (And how creative to make the boat!) And Caleb’s “guilty” expression makes me smile – SO CUTE! I also like your thinking spot. Strange, I saw Robins constantly in the spring and part of the summer, but I can’t remember the last time I saw one now. We have a bird feeder hanging outside our front door, though, and other birds such as sparrows and blue jays (and squirrels! ) visit it every day. Have a fantastic time in NY with your family! How great!
Oh, hooray for the puffy eyes that follow a good cry! Shanda, it only gets worse! At my age, I can’t go anywhere for two days until the swelling goes down! LOL!!!! Last year, when I was sick, I broke down and boo-hoo’ed on the sofa. Rissy, unbeknown to me, grabbed the phone and tried to reach Jesse 3 times and finally called Stephanie (my oldest) and told her to get over here quick! Stephanie did and put me to bed. The other 2 little girls were petrified, as they had never seen me cry before!Not only will Christmas be here before you know it, so will FEBRUARY!!!!!
I greatly ENJOYED this post. I have days like that to relate to!!
I loved the “guilty” picture. How precious! What a nice peek into your life this post was.
I hope you have a wonderful & relaxing weekend! I’m sure you will:) It is so nice that you have such a wonderful support system. Your pictures are so good! I hope you get to throw out the blackberry:)
That was a mighty bad case of the blues, little lady! I am glad you are getting out for the weekend to see new things and rest — and LAUGH. Do lots of that, OK? Sometimes those hormones get to fizzing, and you can feel so overwhelmed! I am glad God put people around you who really understand, and how sweet of Caleb to wipe your tears. I always love your pictures.
Oh yes, we all have those days, especially when pregnant! I’m glad you’re feeling more like yourself today. Have a wonderful weekend! Relax and enjoy seeing all your family!
I hope you enjoy your time away…take care, and get some rest.
Tiredness is my worst enemy!!! When I’m exhausted… it’s hard to be nice… let alone patient!! I pray He restores your soul this weekend!!
my favorite doll growing up was a Hollie Hobbie doll. 🙂 such lovely pics as usual – your thinking spot looks like God put it there for exactly that reason. i hope the weekend is full of sweet REST for you.. not just body, but soul and spirit as well (which seems where us as mama’s get tired out the most). thanks for being honest – we all can relate. love ~ amber
Little boy blue– so cute. I’m sad that you’ve been sad and I hope a visit home will do more than good to you even anticipate. I’m looking forward to seeing you! Love, Lish
I just love the bright red leaf picture. We lack color here, so I enjoy Xanga pictures. Goodness girl, sometimes I don’t know how you do it. A day in the life of Shanda sounds exhausting! Hugs to you, get some rest, let your husband help you and by all means, throw the blackberry out!
Oh I hope you have a refreshing weekend! I know what you mean about wanting to toss the blackberry. lol My husband has one for work too.
Your pictures are always so professional looking. Did you take a photography class?
YOUR PHOTOS BELONG IN THE TOP 10 FOR SURE—-NO LETS GO TO THE TOP 5—-WELL JUST .JUST TAKE THE BLUE RIBBON
everythings will b ok 🙂 god bless u i hope u will hv a nice weekend with ur babes enjoy 🙂
AMEN, stay at home moms need time to recharge!
Beautiful pictures.
Davy-Do by the water with his paper boat…his smile said it all
Okay that look on his face is hilarious!!! Poor thing, that must have been so hard to give back!
That little mug is too precious, you must feel super loved when you sip out of it!
I thought the same thing about our birds I have been filling the feeders and they have them emptied by the afternoon, all in a frenzy to store up for the Winter.