Since my daughter Grace’s birthday was on Election Day this year, we were able to have our friends over (they had no school). Kathy and I are both expecting babies which is so very exciting! Next year at this time we will have 11 children total, instead of “only nine”. . . . .our kids are growing up together, we have made SO many memories and we love each other like family. I was very thankful that Grace was able to have her friends over on her special day. The weather was lovely, a nice mild day. . .so lots of bare footed children running around!
For lunch, Kathy and I made a big plate of sandwiches, and a veggie platter with dip. The kids ate outside at the picnic table. Aren’t they cute?
I took this next picture from the porch, where Kathy and I ate our lunch. The trampoline is a huge hit with the kids, there is always a bunch of them jumping around. The boys are sitting by the pond in the hammock, looking through a Lego magazine.
We also watched the new American Girl movie and when it was over Kathy had to leave with her kids. But, before they left we took a group photo. Can you imagine the two babies joining in the future fun? They can sit in the front row next year next to Caleb.
After Rich got home, we took the kids to a buffet for dinner (so I didn’t have to cook!) We had cake and ice cream when we got back. . . .Grace’s cake was SO GOOD, I made it myself with a recipe she picked out. I will be sharing the recipe maybe tomorrow. If you love chocolate you will love her cake.
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This morning I am thankful because I got my fall bulbs planted (about 40 bulbs total). When Rich and I were at Agway on Saturday I couldn’t resist buying some–they were fifty percent off–.
This next photo is for all of you with the first initial “J”. It’s my gift to you. Your initial spelled with worm. 
You wouldn’t think so after six babies, but I’m continually surprised at how much pregnancy effects my body. I feel like a completely different woman right now. I almost had to laugh as I clumsily planted the bulbs (with an occasional grunt or groan). I had Grace pulling weeds/dead plants for me and noticed she was groaning, too, as she worked. I guess I’m inspiring. LOL Anyway, I’m almost six months along now, half a year. Wow.
After all that work I’m starved and ready for a snack and ready to rest my back. But, I’m very pleased with my accomplishment! I got my hands dirty and it felt SO good.
Hope you all are having a wonderful day!
~Shanda~
PS, I also finished up Christmas shopping this morning (online) for the kids. I just need to get a couple of small things for their stockings. 
Good to be Home 
That sounds like a wonderful way to spend Grace’s birthday. All of the kids are so cute. That will be fun to have 2 more added to the bunch. Her cake looks good. My husband made our daughter a chocolate cake with chocolate icing for her birthday one year & it was very rich, but she liked it so that’s what mattered:)
Happy belated birthday to Grace!! Looks like she was able to have a great day. I’m drooling over the cake, it looks so good. Not drooling over the worm and I’m rather glad my name doesn’t start with a “J”. Maybe you’ll find something less slimey that pictures an “E”. ; ) Have a great day Shanda!
Sounds like such a grea b-day! Congrats on being just about done with Christmas shopping!
What birthday fun! I can’t help but chuckle at all those kids. To think that I can barely handle our two! hahahaha… I’m so envious of you having finished your Christmas shopping! 🙂 Can’t wait to see the result of your hard work planting the bulbs… Kudos to you!
What a nice birthday for her. The cake looks yummy!
You reminded me to start thinking about planting bulbs, if we want any pretty flowers next spring!When I was six months pregnant with my first, I was did house cleaning for a few people. We really needed the money. I couldn’t believe I could bend over bathtubs or clean behind toilets with my belly, although I was relatively “small” until my last 60 days.P.S. Listened to my Quiet Beauty CD yesterday and thought of you the whole time. So glad you suggested it! 🙂
The cake looks yummy. Sounds like a wonderful day =) I’m not quite done shopping for Christmas yet- but almost!
Happy Thursday!
What a fun time they must have had–and you being with Kathy. You have mentioned that she is someone you call all the time and who is so great at encouraging and uplifting. I’m so glad you have her and your kids have her kids as friends. I wish I could say that I was done with shopping but I’m feeling inspired to make some things this year in addition to buying some things. Can’t wait for the recipe. I got your card yesterday! Thank you! Love, Elisha
I hope your beautiful Grace has a wonderful birthday week!It has been a delight to watch her grow up.
Can’t wait to get that cake recipe! I love chocolate cake. You look fantastic while pregnant. I’m at that enormous stage where “grace” doesn’t really apply to my physical movements anymore–I’m more of a godzilla stomping around. 🙂 Christmas…oh yeah, need to think about that…
WOW! A “J” worm! I am sure you will be especially happy you planted all those bulbs (in spite of the grunting and groaning!)when Spring comes and you can enjoy the flowers. Sounds like Grace had a wonderful day, and the cake looks yummy.
You will be glad for that planting come springtime!
Grace looks like she had a wonderful birthday. What fun to have all those friends around! Good job getting all those fall bulbs planted. You’re inspiring, even at 6 months pregnant! I’m 8 weeks now and can barely get the laundry done. 🙂
Wow… already done with Christmas?! That’s great! I haven’t started yet :-/I LOVE the feeling or hard work in the garden, too… all that dirt and sweat it great. It’s such a good feeling.
Can’t wait for that cake recipie!!
Happy Birthday to your BEAUTIFUL Princess.
What a wonderful birthday to have an all-day party with family and friends!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes to Grace! What a fun day with good friends. I love the picnic bench for all to crowd around, and the porch for the mommies Thanks for the “J” worm I love to garden. I put in some bulbs last year…freesia and daffodil…but the blackberry bush is taking over there….maybe I should move them. I love to plant tulips…they are more of a one time thing here….we have to refrigerate them first…then plant. Maybe a few in a pot on the deck! We are planting our winter veggies….broccoli, lettuce, cabbage etc. Hoping and praying the city lets us keep working on the same garden plot come the new year! We have been working with our friend there for almost 2 years. She no longer lives in our city so they are threatening to take her plot away. We are going to try to transfer it to us…but there is a long waiting list.Lord bless your day! Jenny
I am so jealous that you are finished with Christmas shopping! I usually have Christmas well under control by now, but not this year ~ I have barely begun ~ and it depresses me! Not the way I want the season to begin at all! Well, it will come and go whether I am ready or not ~ so I’ll just keep plugging away at it ~
i love worms!
Happy Belated Birthday to Grace! The cake looks delish! Can’t wait to see the recipe. Suz
My name starts with a J and I feel so “honored” that you spelled it with a worm!!!! Looks like Grace had a wonderful birthday and that cakes looks delicious! I’ll be looking for lots of flower pictures in the spring. And, Christmas? — I haven’t even started to think about that yet!
Shanda, you slay me. Christmas shopping ! I’ve got to sit down and just get it done.
Agway. You are definitely on the East Coast.
Sounds like Grace (and all of you) had a wonderful day! The cake looks scrumptious. I will be making a birthday cake for Sarah on Monday, so maybe you could put the recipe up before then (hint, hint, hint!!!). Jacob would be thrilled to see a worm “J”. He can already write a “J”, and loves to do so. Good job on the Christmas shopping! You put me to shame- I haven’t really even started. Hope you are having a lovely evening!
Happy Birthday to your precious daughter Grace. She looks so happy in her pictures…always.
Still going out barefoot!!!! ….OM Gosh…..my girls try that here. But I’m yelling at them to “GET BACK IN AND GET SOME SOCKS AND SHOES ON!!!!”….lol! It’s cold here in Saskatchewan. No snow yet. But its coming……..
I always loved being pregnant with my 8 children. Even through all the backaches. And the tiredness. And almost losing my balance….I still loved being pregnant. But now it’s grandchildren someday that I can spoil……and my children don’t know it yet how spoiled they will be……LOL!!
Take care and have a great evening with your beautiful blessings!! Thank you for being so inspiring to me.
I LOVE to see kids having fun together, like yours are in these pictures! How fun to share all these memories with a friend, too – and pregnant together! That picture of you with the shovel made me SMILE; my first thought was, “Farmer’s Wife!” lol You look sooo cute and pretty too! I am impressed with you, Shanda, getting down in the dirt and 6 months pregnant. Way to go!Oh, and AMAZING, BRAVO on basically finishing your Christmas shopping!
Looks like Grace had a great birthday with her family and friends! Her cake looks so yummy!
I am jealous about the Christmas shopping….I haven’t even started yet!
Glad you all had such a nice time celebrating Grace’s birthday…looks like it was marvelous. I hope you have a great Friday, and hopefully I’ll see you on Sunday? Take care, love you.
I too feel it that I’m weaker/clumsier when preggers:)
I wish I was finished shopping too!!!!
The group photo looks so happy:) I’m sure the kids had a blast!
Bulbs! I need to get mine in the ground!!! Thanks for reminding me!
Happy belated birthday to your precious Grace – that is the perfect name for her, as she always looks so graceful in her photos.
That cake looks delish! And can I just say, that you make almost want to go for baby #5 *almost* however, I’m still reaping the side-effects of many pregnancies (varicose veins, extra weight, crazy chaos of many children, lol)…
I can’t tell you how much of a testimony your blog is…very inspiring.
Blessings,
Nadine
Happy Birthday Grace!
Now I want to see a picture of those bulbs turned to flowers about the time that babies arrive to shine. And I hope I can turn to today and find that cake recipe, BECAUSE I am looking for one to bake tonight for DIL’s birthday dinner tomorrow night. Love you darlin”, your SP. Momma OXOX
That is just so wrong for so many reasons! No I do not want a copy of the “J” thank you but no! LOL!
Do you own the cake book or is it borrowed? Did you make other recipes from it? JUls would love that book and am wondering how good it is.
The party looks like it was a big hit, if you were not pregnant I am sure you would be out there jumping with them!