The window is open, and I can hear the buzzing of night insects. There is a gorgeous, bright white, full moon up in the sky (Caleb said, “Look!! A moon!”).
Rich got home at 7:45 tonight, just in time to help his busy children light a fire, which they were trying so very hard to do by themselves. I walked down too, with Seth smelling sweet and clean, in his pajamas, and in the baby carrier, to find the children skipping about, all excited because, “Daddy got the fire started!” (I couldn’t get it to stay lit earlier today). “I made them all work together. You have to build it right.” was what he said when I asked him how he did it.
Rich had on his black dress pants, black dress shoes, white button up shirt, and a tie. He hadn’t had any dinner yet. And he was doing all that work, trying to help the children get their sticks all ready for marshmallows and hot dogs. After a while, he left to get himself his dinner (lasagna) and change.
He came back out to join us and so, we were all together for a little while tonight, in the cool night air, with a hot bonfire to keep us warm. We actually had to shield our faces with our arms in order to roast our treats. I had one s’more. I kissed Sethie on the lips, just a light little smack, so he could have a *tiny* taste of sugar. Oh, does he ever wriggle. I told him he was like trying to hold and snuggle a fish out of water, flipping and flopping. I took him out of the carrier and let him flop to his heart’s content, as long as he stayed on the big blanket, with me. He kept grabbing me and standing up on his feet, wobbly but strong. He was all smiles and enjoyed being outside in the dark.
The popping of the fire reminded Ethan of guns. All he thinks about lately is hunting.
Jacob and Ethan are going to try sleeping outside tonight. Jacob is nervous, Ethan is all for it. They are out there now, with their sleeping bags and the ipod. I just opened the window to ask what they were listening to. Redwall, one of their favorite books.
It’s been such a busy day. Hard to savor the moments as they happened, but when I sit here and think back I remember these favorite times:
*doing school up in the office, all shut up together, working quietly, having a nice conversation with Grace about Plymouth. They are all enjoying Math for the first time EVER as homeschoolers, thanks to Teaching Textbooks.
*walking with Seth, Jacob, Ethan, Caleb, and the dog, up the road to get some fresh veggies. I let Seth try some of my ‘mater. We all laughed so much. Ethan showed us some berries that we couldn’t identify. We want a berry book. We saw a smashed toad in the road. Caleb fell in the ditch once. We fed the dog sour concord grapes, which he LOVES.
*the picnic I had with Caleb, just the two of us, down by the pond, sitting under the branches. We ate sandwiches and Mama’s special hidden cheese crunchies. We read Go, Dog, Go. I gave Caleb a small reading lesson. How I love that four year old boy of mine.
*conversations on the phone with my friend Kathy, and my Mom
*Listening to the boys beg to go to the mall, so they could buy a little something with their allowance. Finally saying yes, and completely enjoying the time with them. I bought chocolate fiestaware for Lakelyn, Resolved 2 Worship’s new little precious daughter. Chocolate because she has chocolate colored eyes.
*letting a naked Seth splash in the pond again. David caught a frog with a nice green head. I accidently dropped it back in when he handed it to me. We admired the water striders. They move on the top of the water in such an amazing way.
*watching Grace draw on almost every window in the house, with her new special window crayons.
*watching my chicks run around outside in my flower beds, and under the porch.
Yes, it’s been a wonderful, once in a lifetime sort of day. Busy and happy.
And now I’m finally going to go to bed, and do some reading. Rich is enjoying some rest and relaxation, and a football game on TV. I have a jar candle on the table, sitting on a fiesta platter and surrounded by acorns. It’s been my “little bit of pretty” in a house full of “things to do”………
I got two new books in the mail today, and a new magazine and haven’t yet cracked them open, so I am looking forward to looking at those tonight.
I hope your day was beautiful. Thank you for your friendship here. Thank you for all the sweet comments and notes to me, I’m so encouraged by each one of you.
The photos today are from the summer.
My kitchen windowsill;
Seth napping on the front porch, swinging back and forth;
My chicks, the second group to come, 4 “easter egg chicks” and 1 Barred Rock, that the lady said was extra and so Grace and I snatched her up and brought her home;
David and Seth, sitting on my bed in the morning sunshine;
Seth’s baby feet;
Showing Seth something beautiful;
Good night! God loves you~ Shanda
Good to be Home 
Wow, I love those last two pictures! Just look at Seth’s expression of wonder at that flower – PRECIOUS!!!Sometime, I would love to see a picture of your chickens in the garage. I think that would be so funny!I think that Seth and Caleb look so much like each other and Rich, and that Jacob and Ethan look like each other and you, and David falls somewhere in-between (just like his placement among the brothers)! I enjoy seeing Seth’s smooth, creamy skin. Mmmmmmm.
Thanks for the reminder about “something pretty.” I am going to make that a priority for tomorrow.
didn’t have time to read everything.. but loved scrolling through the pictures.Seth sleeping on the porch is just awww – too sweet!
sweet, sweet pictures……Precious!
Sounds like a wonderful day & night. How wonderful that Rich made the fire for the family before going in to eat and change:) Thanks for sharing your day with us.
‘once in a lifetime sort of day’ you said…oh so true! Sometimes it’s good to sit back and reflect upon my day and realize that I will never get any of those moments back, and they really were all good.beautiful post…beautiful children…beautiful lady…blessings!~Rachel
What a lovely post as always. Thanks for sharing your day with us. I can just about taste a s’more!! Yummy. Maybe tomorrow night. God’s blessings to you!!
what a lovely day. so glad you wrote it all down to remember in the months and years to come.
after a busy first week of homeschooling, i’m looking forward to ending school early on friday and savoring the day outside with my boys!
You really did mean ‘chicks’ — I thought, until I saw the picture, that you were referring to your children!! Today sounds wonderful — I hope you have many more ‘once in a lifetime days’ to come!
Your baby is adorable. I’ve heard great things about teaching textbooks. Being a week behind in grading my 5th grader’s saxon math, I’m about ready for something like that. How does it compare, do you know?
your posts always make me feel so warm –Thank you for that…
A wonderful magical day Shanda! I love that you had a picnic with Caleb, and all the rest of the lovely things you all did with bonfires, chicks, Rich getting home, school, reading, toads, and all of it. How fun.We went to a different magical land today…one beneath the sea. It was so special to see the fish and seaweed. Bright orange fish called Garibaldi, that are bright orange, and look something like big goldfish. Small blue fish, see through fish, sea urchins, and tiny silvery fish that all swam ahead of us in a school. A lovely snorkle trip around the reef on David’s 16 Birthday!
I love coming here and reading about your day! I feel like I know you and your children just from your photos and conversation. I appreciate the way you are raising your children — the love and respect and peace in your home — the way you honor your husband and cherish your blessings. Sometimes I think my time on Xanga might be up, but then I think of losing touch with wonderful people like you, and I know I just can’t do that! As long as God gives me something to write about, I will keep writing! YIKES! I wonder if that means I will be on here even when I am 75! LOL!
I love the pictures and reading about your day.
The swing looks so cozy!Did you name these chicks?I was trying to see what the titles are of the books by your bed! :)It was a full wonderful day…one of those you will look back on and always smile!
@mymeanderings – About the books—I’m trying to figure that out now, too…I know the top one is a massive “door stop” (rich’s term) of 1,000ish pages, Kristen Lavransdatter, which I read this summer…and the bottom one is about canning. Oh, and I think one of them is Out of Africa, have you read that? It was good! My younger group of chicks has not been named yet. Joanna is one of Caleb’s favorite ones (of the bigger group) to catch. It’s SOOOOO funny to say, “who do you have?” and hear him say, “Joanna”, in that cute voice of his. Or, to hear Grace say, “You leave Joanna alone!” LOL
You are such a beautiful person!! Love yah!!
Redwall is one of my favorite books, too. The entire series, really. I have been so horribly torn lately–we have a mouse who likes to pop into our kitchen occasionally, and I know I should set a trap for it but … Martin and Matthias and all the rest! Oh, these writers who anthropomorphize animals! (I had to look that up to make sure I had the right word and I spelled it right!)Love the picture of Seth’s little feet. Well, all the pictures, really, but especially that one. Something about those tiny little curled feet just melts my heart, every time!
@Elouise82 – I have to laugh b/c the kids are the same way, now. They found mice this summer in the basement and put them in boxes and named them before I knew what was going on. They were horrified when I said to throw them away outside, “But this is their HOME!” “No, this is MY home!” LOL
@purpleamethyst76 – I think my love of Narnia affects me somewhat, too–I half expect to see the mouse rise up on his hind legs and whip out a little rapier at me if I get too aggressive with it. I’m starting to think that I just need to learn how to co-habit with them–my conscience will give me no peace if I get rid of them!Thank goodness I was never a fan of Charlotte’s Web as a kid, or imagine the spiders I’d have in my house!
Reading your post was refreshing. Lovely days, time with the kids, special moments, soaking in the goodness of the Lord!! The picture of Sethie in his chair is precious. You have a beautiful family.
~Cinnamon
What a special gift to buy for Lakelyn! I bet we will get to see pics of it one day soon ~ 🙂
Awww. What sweet post. You’re so blessed to have THAT many favorite memories in one day!! 🙂
Signs of contentment that there is contentment in the world. What great gain! You have glorious eyes to see through.
Oh, your day sounds lovely. I like how you see the beauty in the “every day occurances”. We are so blessed every day…and often we miss it!! Thanks for the reminder to just revel in the common ordinary blessing. Thanks for your post.
I love how you find time to be with each one of your kids, if just for a few moments. I home, if I’m a mommy I enjoy my kids as much as you do. 🙂
I know about all of the whirlwind activities that encompass your days . . . The chaos you frequently feel . . . You picked some lovely moments to share with us that were sandwiched in between your busyness!
*Sigh* This was nice to read. Sounds like such a peace filled joy filled day, Shan.
Love teaching texts books…this will be our second year using them. Thanks to my dear friend Kitty who turned me on to TTB…She also turned me onto your Beautiful blog….So glad your back. You were truly missed.
{{{{Hugs}}}}
Lisa
Ah, what a wonderful day! I love reading your posts–you must be a very calm person . I like your prayer jar in the first picture. What a neat idea.
I’ve been enjoying your posts for the last several years, though I rarely get a chance to comment. A concern stuck out at me though, so I thought I should mention it. Unfortunately, grapes are a no-no for doggies! I don’t think eating one or two (or even a few) hurt him, but over time, feeding a dog grapes can get him very ill. I know your kids love their dog very much, so I thought I’d give a heads up about the grapes. Also – avocados, macademia nuts, CHOCOLATE, onions, anything salty or sweet- not good for dogs. They do, however, LOVE produce like bananas, broccoli, carrots, and even apples. Just wanted to mention my concern about the grapes. From a dog lover who is owned by two boston terriers and a maltese/mini pin mix and is hoping to add a 4th dog to the family soon!
I am so thankful that I got to see you Sunday and get that hug from you and see cute little Sethy-poo. I’m glad you guys enjoyed these last few unofficial days of summer. Did the boys enjoy their night outside? I have to tell you, I was in Kohl’s the other night, and I’m pondering Fiestaware. Can you believe it? After all these years of resisting you and Lea Ann. Hee. I’m particularly fond of the blue hues. Maybe you can tell me of the right places to look for the best deals. I hope you had a wonderful Labor Day. Love you, Shan. ❤