It’s been such a nice morning. David had a good long night’s sleep, which he needed, and woke up calm and happy (somewhat unusual). He ate breakfast, got dressed, and then sat with Caleb in the recliner to watch a Christmas video. . . .but what stopped me in my tracks was when I noticed that David has his arm around Caleb! They were cuddling in the chair together like two bugs in a rug. David is not one for open affection with his siblings and it just warmed my heart like you wouldn’t believe, to see them.
And Grace….she came downstairs, still in her long flannel nightgown, with a Bible and sat on the couch engrossed in Genesis!
Caleb’s been awake since about 5:30…but stayed in his room until wake-time, which is 7 sharp every day. Now he’s been fed (pancakes AND cereal) and is dressed in green pants. Very Festive.
Jacob also woke up happy and full of conversation (he actually talks more than any of the children lately). He had a book in his hand and immediately wanted to read me a section of it….silliness from “The Series of Unfortunate Events”.
The first sound I heard when I stumbled sleepily out to the kitchen was sleet. Then we had a little bit of rain. And now, now there are gentle, quiet, random snowflakes falling. “IS IT CHRISTMAS?” Caleb squealed when he saw them….”when it’s Christmas I will open my presents and it will be Rosie…” (Rosie is a train) So, what will I do? I didn’t buy him Rosie!
The living room floor is covered with bits and snippets of thin white paper. Grace and I made some snowflakes and the best ones are getting taped to the window next to our kitchen table.
Ethan has been sitting at the table, carefully drawing a rabbit using a one inch grid.
Christmas music is playing.
And oh yes. The picture at the top? That’s to show you the two garlands that we made. One is my yo-yo garland, which are sewn on a brown ribbon. The other one is made from craft pompoms. The children made it in all of about 10 minutes, it’s soft and pastel and pretty. Neither one is very long, just long enough to lay across the top of my piano. My Aunt Sharon crocheted the Christmas covering for the glass dish, I’ve managed to keep it in one piece all these years and it’s something that gives me pleasure every year.
We also have about five candles lit, one of which is “Sparkling Pine” and smells so yummy.
Yesterday was a crazy day…I was uptight, tired, and thinking too much about things I didn’t need to think about, and I also had a doctor’s appointment to go to and a trip to Costco, with all five children. This morning has been so nice, that I think I just might have it in me to actually relax by the fire with hot chocolate and a good read. A most welcome gift from God…….PEACE in the heart…….mind, and soul.
((LOVE)) ~Shanda
Good to be Home 
I like the pom-pom garland. Had to laugh at all the activity so early in the morning at your home. Each one adds something to the morning as they awaken. This morning the twins were arguing in their cribs…Adria is insisting that Joanna is a boy…she is quite disturbed by it LOL.
Have a glorious, “relaxing” day. (I use the term relaxing loosely…moms of 5 know that that usually doesn’t happen.)
Your last paragraph was my yesterday to a “T.” (Well, minus the doctor’s appointment and Costco trip.) With Tim away, my patience has been lacking a bit more than usual… also, the crabby miser comes out a bit more now too! I love the way you ended it… “PEACE in the heart…….mind, and soul.” May that be true TODAY!!Your garlands are beautiful. I love the two of them mixed together. What pride (the good kind!) you must be instilling in your children for them to see theirs placed so beautifully next to their momma’s!!I will say it once again… your children are precious. I love how you describe each of them. I need to do that more so I can remember every little thing that they do! PEACE to you, Shanda!
Sounds like a lovely morning. I pray your day stays lovely.
I would love to have seen a picture of David and Caleb cuddled up together. I can see it in my mind, though! I hope you can rest a bit today. My poor little neighbor across the hall is expecting her first. She has three weeks to go and is so miserable. She is short and small, and the baby is just taking over her petite little form! The baby is also laying so that her sciatic nerve is giving her fits. I know she is SO ready to have this baby! I took food over the other night. We have talked a bit about deliveries. I can tell she is a bit anxious. I try to sooth her. It seems like so many have been giving her all the negatives!
That sounds like a great morning. Your Christmas decorations are very pretty. mm, the smell of some burning candles. I love to burn candles, especially on days like that:) I hope you continue to have a wonderful day!
I love the garlands…very cute.
I hope you have a very relaxing day. I wish you had been at the cookie bake day…but we are hoping to have another one (maybe for Easter). Love You!
I am loving the yo-yo garland. That is very pretty and festive. Wishing you and your family a Happy Holiday!
I am so glad you are having a relaxing morning! Your yo-yo’s are so pretty I have to learn how!
C is to cute he does LOVE the Thomas trains..aunt Amanda is a firm believer that sometimes you should get just what you want for Christmas 😉
Great Idea about the paper snowflakes I forgot all about making them this year (I guess Abbie can when she gets home from school she loves loves arts and crafts). Miss you -amanda
Yep, Life is grand! Merry snowy day. hugs always and love from Rosieteacup
It’s looks like you, my dear, are finding the contentment you mentioned to me. You better make a quick trip to go get your little sweetie Rosie. Imagine how bright his eyes will be when he opens her up!! Enjoy your cozy day by the fire.
I love snowy, sleety, rainy winter days – and that is what is beginning to happen here. I just noticed a few large snow flakes.
Your garland photo makes me anxious to decorate for Christmas. We only decorate our garage – where our Christmas dinners are held – and a bunch of granddaughters are looking forward to spending a day here doing that, probably early next week.
Staying home is the best!! Enjoy your kids today as you sip your hot chocolate!
Thanks for the peek into your morning. Does David have school today? I love the way you talk about and describe your children. You are such a good mama, and an inspiration to me! The music you have playing here makes me want to sit down and practice. Much love to you, my dear friend!
Sounds so relaxing ~
All I can see is the fiesta ware in the header. LOL Long time ago youposted a pic of all your fiesta ware. As a result I became covetous and now I collect the stuff too. In fact, my daughter is buying me fiesta ware for Christmas. Hows that for effecting someones life. LOL
You paint such sweet pictures with your words…I want to join you in your cozy room with snow and candles, contentment, and everyone. I love seeing your garlands and hearing what everyone is doing. Our dear friend, Charlie, is getting married in January. He is like another son. My two big boys are both in his wedding, he is having two best men! And my dil, Alicia, is also in the wedding. Charlie and Katie are getting fiesta ware, so we bought them a lovely cranberry stoneware cooker from TPC. We think it will go lovely with their dishes, and make yummy chickens and such. It is fun to share in each others lives…when David and I are out shopping we say, “oh that looks like Shanda”! You inspire me in so many ways to see the lovely around me. Have a blessed day, ((love)) Jenny
I love the picture of your happy children waking up and doing quiet things together in the morning! And you sound relaxed this morning too… Perhaps Santa will find another Rosie for Caleb.
I love making paper snowflakes. Every year for the last 5 or so, I’ve made a whole snowstorm and taped them from string dangling all over the ceiling. This year…haven’t had the energy. But maybe I’ll try a few taped to a window now that I’m recovering with baby.
How I enjoyed picturing in my mind the images your words crafted. What a blessed morning
too funny about “Rosie”….both of my boys informed me they can’t wait to open their Bob the Builder tool bench on Christmas morning…and we didn’t get them that! we are still deciding what to do….
See, I’m the kind of Mom this year that would run out and get Rosie LOL I’m so bad like that this year, I’m not sure why we went so overboard. Oy. I love the yo yo’s too…they’re charming. Tomorrow should be a lovely snowy morning, I’m going to try to walk around and get some pictures, if it’s not too messy. Hope you have a great evening. Love, Trish
The top of your piano is so festive — love it!! I love the descriptions of your children — each one is so unique! You are blessed!!
Lucy is sleeping on my arm, and I wish you could see her fat cheeks. Our days are slowly getting easier. Our nights are still a bit rough. Did you have any colicky babies? I want her to go to sleep in her bed, not mine, but it is hard to do that when it’s already midnight, and she’s fussy and awake. Maryn had her colicky time before our bedtime, so it wasn’t a big deal (well, not AS big a deal). I’m a bit puzzled on how to work this out especially since Sam and Maryn get up so early. We’ve got to sleep sometime! 🙂 Advice, please, from a mom with nearly twice the kids I have!!
Aww, what a beautiful morning you had!
I love the garland! It’s so beautiful. And so is reading about your family. As I was reading about Jacob wanting to read from “A Series of Unfortunate Events,” I was reminded of a book I purchased for a nephew as well as Jonathan (for later, he’s only 15 months!) It’s available at Amazon and http://www.rabbitroom.com and it’s by Andrew Peterson (he’s a Christian singer/songwriter.) It’s called “The Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness” and it runs along the lines of Narnia and LOTR, only for kids starting around age 8 or so. There are a ton of other goodies at the Rabbit Room site, and I LOVE “Behold the Lamb of God,” “The Ballad of Matthew’s Begats,” and “Slugs, Bugs and Lullabies” (the BEST kids CD ever that will not annoy you!)
I love Windham hill music, Steve scratches my back to it at night until I fall asleep, so when I hear it I get such a nice cozy feeling, Jim Brickman (sp) is the same story.
Your yo-yos turned out so well, I thought of Dawn when I saw them!