For You formed my inward parts;
You wove me in my mother’s womb.
I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Wonderful are Your works,
And my soul knows it very well.
My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;
And in Your book were all written
The days that were ordained for me,
When as yet there was not one of them.
How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How vast is the sum of them!
Psalm 139:13-17
Before you were conceived I wanted you
Before you were born I loved you
~Maureen Hawkins
Feeling vulnerable about these pictures. But I’m putting them up to show how baby is growing. We can’t see him yet, he is still hidden away, getting ready to be born this February. But, he’s mine and I already love him with passionate mama-love. There isn’t an hour that goes by when I’m not touching my tummy, or praying for him, or thinking of him. I found and washed all of our little baby boy clothes this past weekend and then put them all back away, in the closet. . .it’s easier to be patient when I can’t see those precious things. Little Seth has quite the wardrobe of hand-me-downs from his four big brothers, besides a few new things that Grace and I picked out for him. I love using the same outfits and blankets, some of them have been used for all five of my babies and the memories hang off them so thickly. . .I see them and remember how my little newborns felt in my hands, in their tiny sleepers and gowns (and most of the time they kicked their little socks of within those gowns, and I had to hunt for them). What a happy surprise to find a itty bitty bare foot, it would make me pause and touch, study, marvel, and kiss it. . . .it’s interesting all the little things that mothers notice and love, and remember.
Yesterday I sat and watched Caleb eating his ravioli for lunch and I was ready with the napkin to wipe off his face as he ate. And I thought about mothers and how everything we do within the home has an air of secrecy about it. Our husbands, most of the time, don’t even know exactly WHAT we’re doing all day. But, it’s those little acts of service, and kindnesses, and love-touches that no one knows about except me and baby (or, babies), that make life so meaningful for us all. The time I took to fix Grace’s hair, share a little dab of my lipstick with her, or help her clean her room. The excitement I conjured up, over the boy’s lego creations. The nutritious lunch placed neatly on a fiesta-plate, the cookie baking. The hugs, the backscratches. The lotion rubbed on after bath, not exactly necessary, but done out of care and love (David gets SUCH dry skin when the air gets colder). Stories read, hours and hours of them, sometimes my eyes will fall shut I get so sleepy. . . .and don’t forget homeschooling and heart-training! Now, that’s another subject all on it’s own. No one knows exactly what I teach my children throughout the day, not even myself, because “more is caught than taught”. Those little eyes are watching all the time, watching how mama reacts to the trials of life (like Math class, for instance). My children get quite the show! *giggle*
God my Father is a part of everything. Part of what I love about being HOME with my children, is that God is here with us in such an obvious way, putting peace in the home-life. (“where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst”) We can sense our Loving Father taking care of us continually. He sees what I’m doing with the role He gave me. “Am I doing okay, Father?”, I ask, as a child, feeling His smile and prefect understanding. We take time to pray, sometimes just before we pull out of the driveway, we bow our heads and ask God’s blessing on our travels. We pray before meals and thank God for our food. We read the Holy Bible out loud and sing hymns from the hymnbooks. What would I do without His mercy each day? I’m constantly breathing prayers in and out, thankful ones, sorrowful ones, repentant ones, desperate ones. There is no glory in my life, to be honest I feel mostly shame when I think over each day’s work, anything good, anything beautiful and fruitful, comes from HIM, the glory all belongs to God.
When I tried looking for “pregnancy quotes” on the internet, I got an awful dose of what the world says/believes about pregnancy. . that it’s just a bother, something to complain about or be stopped. I don’t buy it. God does everything well, and in a special most lovely way. His purposes are true and good and every new life is a gift to be treasured and nurtured.
If you are a mother, thank you for all the little things you do for your kids every single day, because you love them. Some of you are so
creative, you are constantly filling your children’s hearts with new and interesting ideas and past times. Some of you have no special talents, (ha ha ha, just kidding of course) but you are THERE in the home every day, ready to listen, ready to comfort, ready to fill a need and wipe a nose. Thank you for the self-sacrifice that you go through each and every day (because I know you really wanted that last cookie, but you gave it to “Jr.”) and when you get weary, remember that God made you a mother for a reason, think back on the way life used to be and know that you would not change a thing. Thank Him constantly for the opportunity to raise up godly children, because a thankful heart is a happy heart. Be motivated to keep pressing on, looking ahead, working toward your goals for your precious family. It is SO worth it, every stressful moment will be rewarded if only we press on to the glory of God. And don’t forget to LAUGH as much as you can. 
God bless you over and over, happy Christian mama! Keep on! Keep on! Your children are a gift from God Himself.
“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.” James 1:17
Good to be Home 
Thanks for the post! Your pictures are awesome…what a cute belly!
Love you and thank you for being a Christian Momma too.
You’re beautiful! I was just praying for you and your family this morning, as I took care of my little one.
You are beautiful pregnant!! Thanks for the encouragement regarding all the “secret” things we do as moms. It does get discouraging sometimes, but yet it is a wonderful responsibility that God has given me.
Another wonderful post. A think us mothers need to keep each other lifted. God bless
Kelly
What a lovely post Ms Shanda. You are such a wonderful Mamma to your children, and I know that you are a BIG encouragement to other mammas out there. I will have to save your posts like these for when I have little blessing of my own running around my home 🙂
You look beautiful. You will cherish those photographs. I have been away for a week, and it looks like I missed a decision on a name??!!!
The pictures are great. Your baby is blossoming and beautiful. Thank you for your kind words and admonitions. They are so much better and much more edifying than what the world has to offer…ahem…”Are all of them YOURS?” ha ha…I’m getting that now, and I only (almost) have three! “How far apart are they?” and my favorite, “Don’t you guys KNOW how this happens?” They are a blessing, and we are blessed.
I love your pictures you are a beautiful person on the inside and (sticking) out! I love you have a great Day only two more days till Friday! -sissy
ps. The 1st picture is my favorite! Love the shirt!
Oh great. Everybody already said it all! 🙂 So… ditto from me to you!Blessings!
Hi Shanda! We have never met, but I wanted you to know that I get so encouraged from reading your blog! Thank you for your encouragement and “Thank-you’s” to us Moms. As a very new – first time mother it spoke to me so much! What a special gift our children are from God!
You look so great! Time is going by so fast, before you know it that little Seth will be in your arms. You are such a wonderful momma and such an inspiration to other momma’s. Love you
You look so beautiful! I am also pregnant, due in April, and it’s hard to always appreciate the changes pregnancy brings to our body, but know that you are gorgeous! I love reading your blog. It is such an encourgement to me. I wish I could be your friend in real life. 🙂 I have a new blog that I would love for you to check out scatterjoytoday.blogspot.com Thanks for being a light to us stay at home moms!
beautiful pictures,you definitly are one of those moms with so many different talents! you have given me many ideas to help the days go by smoother,things i would have never thought of myself.despite all the crazy days,you manage to pull through with a smile and brush it off….when times get rough for me,i have learned to do the same,your right about all the little things,(some things not so little) that fathers may not have a clue about,like toilet training while trying to do laundry while the phone is ringing and someone is knocking at your door!..LOL(happened to me yesterday,and i survived)it’s things that happen like that,mark has no idea about until it happens to him..have a wonderful day!
You are absolutely gorgeous and your post was such an encouragement to me today. Blessings!
Love the pictures, Shanda ~ you are glowing! What happened to the requirement for a name with 5 letters? The name Seth is just so sweet ~ love it!
Thank you for the encouraging words, just what this Mama needed today. I love the pictures, my favorite is the second one, so sweet. I love passing things down to our newest baby as well. I actually have a patagonia bunting that all 8 of mine wore when there were babes, it brings a smile to my face every time I see it.
You look lovely. I love passing down things to each of my children too =] Such precious memories. Have a wonderful day.
I needed this post today. I had one of those “mama tasks” to do this morning. I will spare your readers and say I did post about it. Thanks for reminding me of Him.
LOVED your pics! Thanks for sharing, and please know we will hold them as precious and private as you do!
I appreciate your feeling vulnerable about posting PG pictures, but I’m glad you chose to do so. You look great. Your baby, SETH, looks darling all curled up waiting to be born.Your a sweetie, Shanda, and an encourager. I know you have rough days and times you feel overwhelmed, but you manage to bring so many refreshing stories and thoughts to Xanga. I always smile when I come here.P.S. Praying daily for your little one inside of you!
P.S. Put “Quiet Beauty” on in the car and thought of you the whole time we drove around. Rissy loves the music and hums tunes from the CD all the time! Thanks again for the recommendation!
This preg. seems to be going so fast! ~I’m sure that is not the case for you tho!~ Here is a tummy pat from me. ~~~~~
You are absolutely glowing with mama love! Great pictures- thanks for sharing them! I love what you had to say about the things we do each day as mamas. You are such an encourager! Have a blessed day, dear Shanda.
you are stunning Shanda! so beautiful. most importantly you possess a gentle and quiet spirit which is beyond lovely.
have a good day!
And thank you sweet dear momma friend for all you do. Your thoughts here today are perfect and the pictures are beautiful. Thanks for being brave and sharing them!
To me there is nothing more beautiful than a bride at one point in time and then a pregnant momma in the next breath. I am so proud of this post. Such memories floated back to me. I think I might write about it later. Thank you precious one. m
That was such a sweet post to read, thank you for sharing. It was very encouraging.
I didn’t get to take “pregnancy” photos of myself because I didn’t get that big before Lilly was born at 26 weeks…..you look beautiful!
My Aunt is making a full size blanket out of some of my favorite clothes that Lilly wore as a baby and up to now. It will be for her to put on her bed when I convert it to the full size stage. I’ve only seen what it looks like in the early stages and that was a while ago. I can’t wait to see the finally!! And it will mean so much to her when she becomes an adult to maybe pass down to her children. : )
Shanda~ I love to read your posts and see the photos. I know God has used you for good to encourage so many moms out there. I am a grandma of 5 now and I know how fast they grow up and those years are gone. You take each day and make the most of it with God’s help. You are doing a good work and God has blessed you. Thanks for blessing so many. Praying for your new little one and for all your little ones.
You look so cute and adorable pregnant. (It always look cuter on someone else, I think.) It’s such an amazing gift to be chosen by God to raise children, to carry a life inside us. I never fail to marvel at that.
What wonderful pictures. And what an encouraging post. We do do a lot don’t we?! All the little things add up even if it doesn’t feel like it sometimes. Sometimes I only see all the BIG things that didn’t get done but there is more to life isn’t there!? Thanks for the reminder!
What a lovely post and lovely pictures! Thank you so much for the encouragement, this sick mama needed that today!
Thanks for being a woman who embraces motherhood and beholds it as a privilege. YOU inspire me and also convict me to be a mom that delights in bringing glory to God through my mothering. God bless your day. Cute pictures.
You are really so adorable. I am glad you posted about your boys doing that in the dark. Whenever mom’s post about their kids doing something a little onery I go okay maybe my kids will be okay if other people’s kids do stuff like that too. THankyou for your honesty I love it.
Can’t wait to see that little baby.
Awww, what a beautiful mommy you are, and it is so wonderful to see the proof that your little guy is growing! Yes, there are aches with pregnancy, and things get awful crowded in the last months…but what a wonder to feel our sweet baby growing and developing. I was just reading a book about child training in preparation to counsel a young mommy (she asked how to handle some things), and the author was talking about how we as moms and dads are helping to develop our child’s spiritual development until they are mature. He likened it to the child physically growing in the womb. He is a child,but not ready for the outside world…yet. What a beautiful thing to be with our children, and an awesome responsibility too. I love how you explain all those wonderful small things that make up a day with our children. Acts of love, care, prayer etc. God has outfitted us to do those things….you are wonderful at showing the beauty in it. Such an encouragement!! Even as an older mommy I still need that encouragement. Some days are just tiring, or my old flesh takes over too much. Again, I will say it is all worth it….I have seen the fruit in my grown ones! Keep on little mommy, you are doing well! love, Jenny
What a wonderful post, I’m crying! You are also a wonderful mom & thank you as well!! What a cute baby bump you have. I hope you have a wonderful day!
Love the red shirt and matching red lipstick! Your baby bump is adorable! I loved reading your thoughts on pregnancy and motherhood…I have always loved being pregnant and was never one of those miserable pregnant ladies. Of course I had my days, but I was always generally happy and thankful to be blessed with a new life growing inside of me.
Blessings to you!
You are such a beautiful pregnant woman! You look so serene. I like how you said “Heart training.” Isn’t that so much of what we do? Mommas are building something into their children’s hearts and lives.
I love the pictures…very cute. You’re definitely blossoming, as they say. Enjoy it. 🙂 I really miss you, talking to you, etc…I hope we can catch up soon. Take care, and have a good Wednesday. Love, Trish
I posted a response but it didn’t go through………
I just wanted to say I loved the photos and the reminder. But of course I used more words and they got lost…..oh well:)
oops I found it…it did go through…..
These are so lovely!
Did you take them yourself??
You are just precious! I can’t believe you are in your third trimester now…isn’t it flying by? Thanks for putting your thoughts out there for us non-mama’s (yet) It makes me yearn even more for husband (only 4 months 9 days to go!) and babies…Have a great day!
Lovely photos. Pregnancy becomes you.
You certainly hit the nail on the head concerning our daily efforts in the home. Unseen, imperfect, but so essential.
Shanda, You look wonderful! I always loved being pregnant. I can’t wait to meet Seth.
I loved this post! I loved your thoughts and your heart felt gratitude. Love you! Elisha
beautiful! I love the one of the teddy bear in the window.Blessings to you and your little one, and the rest of the family, too….=)
Beautiful post. Your children are truly blessed to have such a dedicated mother! Blessings to you, and I’m so glad to hear you are enjoying your pregnancy!!! I loved being pregnant and feeling the life of my children!!
I so badly want to leave a comment but don’t even know what to say. thank you for your words of wisdom and encouragement. I may have to come read this post again and again!!I love the baby gowns, with lost socks and bare feet… it brings back sweet memories!