~my favorite day of the year~

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Can it be?

She’s 33!

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I admit, I still take a childlike pleasure in my own birthday!  It’s just such a fun day to ENJOY life and thank God for all His many blessings.  Today I have my very own birthday-baby in my arms to be thankful for. 

My husband is working from home this morning as a gift to me.  This afternoon, we take Seth out for the first time for his doctor’s appointment and a quick trip to Costco to pick up his birth announcements.

I took a bunch of pictures yesterday because we had such a gorgeous FEBRUARY THAW.  The air was warm, the spring birds were chirping, and the sun was gentle and bright. 

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Davy-do missed the bus yesterday, and it provoked me to tears, but ended up being a blessing because he and Grace had such fun outside together jumping on the trampoline and enjoying the weather.  After a while, and after changing my sandals into boots, I went out for a little walk, and made them join me. 

We headed for the stream right away.  I grew up with a stream to explore, and it was always a magical place for me in the winter with the different echoing sounds, and beautiful icy wonderlands.  The thoughts of white and silver ice fairies and secret fairy castles and caves under the banks of shiny ice-creations always drifted through my mind—and they still do. 

David really liked exploring the stream yesterday, too.

Isn’t it beautiful with the sunshine?

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The ice lays like a blanket over the water, but with enough space for the water to flow underneath without touching the bottom of it.  David had fun throwing down bits of bark, to watch them travel under the ice-bridges.  He actually laughed with glee.

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The sound of the water is music to my ears.

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A classic little boy photo—shoes on the wrong feet, tongue poking out the side of his mouth. . . .cold and pink hands from playing in the water. . . . .

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David even got to go barefoot! 

Dancing a joyful spring-fling. . . . .

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. . .and running over the snow in bare feet!

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(David also had a lot of fun yesterday sprinkling salt on the snow to watch it melt. . . .)

I got to go outside two times, and it felt great.

I was able to get some rest, too, with this little man. . . . .

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Reading Proverbs in bed with a newborn is one of motherhood’s many pleasures. . . . .

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Later on that evening, when Rich came home, I just had to take this picture of him.  A Dad always has a different way with the children, which I think is very normal and healthy.  Although, I did see Seth as a little sack of ‘taters when he was being held like this:

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Grace took the top picture of me with Seth, this morning on my birthday.  After taking a bunch of photos and adjusting baby this way and that, Seth got woozy and promptly spit up all over himself and my shirt.  It gave me an excuse to give him a sponge bath.  After I was done, and Seth was dry and warm, we spent some time rocking.  He was alert and happy.  I think he liked being clean and sweet.

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Daddy took some pictures and then it was his turn to admire the clean baby.

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Last night was the best night I’ve had since Seth was born.  It was the first night that I was was not nervous and slept peacefully secure, knowing God would watch over His little lamb(s).  Seth slept from 10 to 2:30 and then from 3 to 6.  (found this verse yesterday and it was MINE….“When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:  yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.”  Proverbs 3:24)

I hope all of you are enjoying this day!  You are loved

Shanda

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honor.”  Proverbs 21:21

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.”  Pr. 22:1

“By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, honor, and life.”  Pr. 22:4

“Train up a child in the way he should go:  and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Pr. 22:6

“The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice:  and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.  Thy father and thy mother shall be glad, and she that bare thee shall rejoice.  My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways.”  Pr. 23:24-26

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Edit……

Seth weighs 6 lbs and 13 oz and had a great check up!

Also, look what I just discovered….totally exciting!

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I NEED SOME SQUARE FIESTA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

0 thoughts on “~my favorite day of the year~”

  1. Happy, Happy Birthday! I simply LOVED the picture of a dancing barefoot boy in the snow. I’m so glad you let your kiddos do that! My parents always let us go barefoot in the snow. They would say, “When they get cold enough they will come in on their own!” To this day I very seldom get sick or have a cold and I do wonder if it wasn’t because my folks wern’t so picky about sickness and that helped our immune system. ~???~

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  5. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!! Celebrating with you. Love the day you spent yesterday…looks like just the right amount of outing and rest. Beautiful stream pictures with a happy boy! I love seeing you, Rich, and Grace snuggling with Seth. The sack of taters hold is funny, though I remember Nick liked being held that way. LOL Glad the Lord is ministering to you in Proverbs. Good stuff!

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  9. Oh your posts just make me weep lately! lol I love how you are loving these first percious moments with your sweet, sweet Seth. Thank you for documenting a few of those moments for us! Happy, happy birthday. May you enjoy your day, and may God reign down abundant blessings on you this 33rd year. I love all of your photos. You look wonderful! And I so understand that nightime fear that clutches your heart the first few days of bringing home a newborn, but God is so faithful to us, isn’t he?? Have a wonderful day!!

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  11. I loved all the pictures you posted…the one of Rich carrying Seth made me laugh because it’s so true about daddy’s…
     
    Happy Birthday to you Shanda, my dear xanga pal!
     
    ~Jill

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  15. Happy Birthday, Shanda!
    I can so relate to how you feel about your birthday. I still insist that the enitre month of October be set aside as a national holiday in honor of me ha ha! I love celebrating my very own, special day. 🙂 My youngest baby was born five days after my 43rd b’day and I was so thankful he had his very own birthday, rather than having to share with me.
    Your pictures are beautiful! You baby…..gorgeous! I’m so happy for you and Rich and your precious family.
    Blessings to you!
    ((((Hugs))))
    Jana

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  18. The pictures of your property, home, children and hubby prove what a wonderfully, happy and blessed birthday you have been given!!! 🙂 I love the snuggly picture of Seth with his little foot sticking out of the blanket. 🙂 The ice/water pictures are gorgeous!!! Wow. Lucky duck! 🙂

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  19. Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday to you!Happy Birthday, Dear Shanda,Happy Birthday to you!!Love your outdoor pictures — Davey is having such a great time! And I like the picture of Grace holding Seth (what great “Mommy” experience she’s getting) — it looks like Seth’s grown already!Have a wonderful day!!

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  26. I thought of you before I went to bed last night, “Tomorrow is Shanda’s birthday!”  And when I woke up this morning I thought, “Today IS Shanda’s birthday!”  Happy, happy birthday to you my friend.  I hope that your day is wonderful!  It is so nice that Rich stayed home this morning to be with you on your birthday.  Have fun going out to Seth’s appt and to Costco.  I look forward to seeing his birth announcements!  Your trips out into the great outdoors yesterday looked so refreshing.  I smiled with longing at the pictures of you in sandals and Davy-do in his barefeet.  Someday we will see our grass again too, and be able to go barefoot and in sandals.  And most of all I loved the pictures of Seth.  He is so sweet!  Enjoy YOUR day!

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  30. Happy Birthday Shanda!  (I have a little something for you that I’ll get out in the mail next week hopefully.)  I love you so much and am so thankful that God gave me you as a friend, cousin, and sister in Him. 

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  32. Shanda…..you are loved. I think it’s amazing that I have never met you and feel so close to you. Your posts bring tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you and your sweet “little” family. I hope you have a great birthday!

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  34. happy, happy birthday!! :)I got out and took a walk yesterday, too and even let my girls splash in puddles (I got tired of saying “no”). I posted a couple of pics on my site!! I loved seeing your walk, too!!Proverbs is good,(and perfect for you with all of the “My son” verses) but I have been living in the Psalms lately, such encouragement to my soul!!

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  36. Happy Birthday, Shanda!  I hope your day is filled with smiles, laughter, and utter joy!  -Maria  P.S.  So glad to hear of your restful sleep last night.  I know we don’t know each other, but I’m praying for you, sister!

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  37. Joyeux Anniversaire away from France !!! (I said Happy Birthday in french) Oh and your pictures of nature are very pretty. Bravo. –delphine

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  41. 1.  Happy Birthday!2.  I declare ~ I think Seth’s profession will have something to do with “feet” ~ he is always waving them around!  3.  Love that pic of him looking straight at us ~ he is definitely “His little lamb” ~  ;-4.  That verse that is “yours” ~ it is featured on my post of yesterday!  Come see my “deer” and eagle posts ~ your boys will love them ~

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  44. Happy Birthday!!!! What sweet pictures, I love the first one in the woods!!! And the ones to follow of the babe :). I cannot imagine running barefoot in snow, but hey thats a FL girl for you. All the more power to Davy :).Blessings to you as you celebrate the many years the Lord’s blessed you with!! (AND many more to come, Lord willing!)J

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  46. Happy birthday!!!  Loved the pictures of the barefeet in the snow.  My children do that too.  “Your” stream is so beautiful I really enjoy the pictures of this through the seasons. 
    Seth is getting cuter by the day!! (but you already knew that)

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  48. Happy birthday, Shanda!!! It will be such a nice day for you: spending a day with your husband AND new baby! Can’t go wrong, this year!!!Guess what? This is my friend’s birthday, too. She and I have been friends for 48 years! It’s the longest friendship I’ve had with anyone! Your shared b-days makes today special for me and maybe that’s why I like you so much! :p

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  50. Happy Birthday you gorgeous Mama!  I sounds like you’ve had a wonderful birthday and I know the party will continue when the rest of your little ones return!  Seth is such a sweetheart and looks like such a peanut in Rich’s arms!  So, so sweet!  Praise God for your good night’s rest.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

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