Every day may not be good,
but there’s something good in every day. ~Author Unknown
Hello! I’ve been wanting to post pictures all weekend, but never got the chance. As a result, this post will be very long.
I’m just gonna dive right in……….I’ll post the pictures and type any thoughts that come to mind as I look at them.
Caleb knows how to hold Joanna the Chicken so she doesn’t accidently, out of curiosity, peck him;
Davy loves his little man;
Seth on the move . . . . . .
. . . . .to join Caleb on the porch;
I put a Very Dirty Caleb in the tub, and not long after, found David had joined him;
They emptied all my dishsoap into the tub, for bubbles.
David loves to swim, but needs to be watched when he’s not wearing a life-jacket;
I love watching him jump, he has no fear, just zest, for swimming and life!
Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference. ~Winston Churchill
I’ve been cleaning and organizing (this is where we homeschool and go online), the upstairs Office (and kitchen, and bedrooms, and bathrooms, and basement, and, and, and……on and on…..) I sit and type my blogs here. I like this room.
Seth has been taking short naps lately, I think he’s growing…..he finally made up for lost sleep Sunday night, when he slept a solid 13 hours.
My parents came this weekend. It was so nice to see them again.
Dad and Jacob played music together for a little while, out on the porch;
While Mom rocked the baby, wearing her new Anthropology apron (we went shopping together);
I took this picture right before we all piled into our vehicles for church, Sunday Morning;
I love it, love it, love it!
I’ve been working on freezing tomatoes, from our neighbor’s big garden. Jacob, Ethan, and Grace helped plant these tomatoes this spring and they are happy to see the beautiful results of their hard work;
My washing machine broke last week. I was pretty stressed out about it, especially when Rich made some calls and found out it would be a few weeks before it could get fixed. So, (after I lost my temper and said there was no way I could add trips to the laudromat to my “to do” list) he offered to do the laundry for me this weekend at a laundromat. I went along to help (but, really because I didn’t want to be left behind at home). As we were loading up the laundry (about 10 loads) he couldn’t believe how much there was to do. I said, “Welcome to my world!” No one really understands how busy I am as a homemaker, raising six children, and homeschooling, and everything else, except those ladies out there who are also doing the same. And of course, Jesus. I depend on the Lord for everything. I lean on Rich (who doesn’t always understand, but does love me) and lean on Christ (who loves me AND understands everything about me), so heavily these days. “Am I okay?” is a question I often ask. “You’ve got me to help you” is the answer. Although, Rich did try to say other things to me first, that didn’t help. At all. I finally told him what I needed him to say. 
There are so many encouraging Words in the Bible, verses of quiet, of rest, of mercy and strength, of the goodness and support of the Lord. My husband’s love, his strong arms around me, the sound of his heartbeat under my cheek, the sleeping at night, these are all things that revive me, and refresh my spirit, when I am so very tired of it all. . . . . .
Laundry is a constant job for us. It took several hours yesterday, to catch up on it. However, I think the laundromat is a peaceful place. It smells soooooo good, it’s warm, and there is the constant soothing hum of washers and dryers.
As I was helping fold many many articles of clothing, Seth (who was IN a laundry basket, standing up) mercifully got tired, hungry, and fussy. So, I left Rich to finish up and I went and sat in the vehicle to nurse Seth. At first I felt impatient, having to sit still when I wanted to get the laundry done. But, very soon I began to calm down and realize how nice it was, in the warmth, holding my baby who is growing too fast and usually squirms and wriggles now, when I hold him.
He fell sound asleep and it was a treat to just sit and cuddle him, to admire his lips, eyelashes, skin.
His little hands.
Asleep so soundly on my chest.
We also enjoyed the outdoors this weekend. Rich and I went on several walks together. The weather is gorgeous. Fall is arriving here in New England, slowly but surely, the days are getting shorter, the air is so clear and bright, and smells so fresh. We want to be outside as much as possible.
I looked at a grasshopper, up close. Isn’t it pretty? God pays attention to details.
I found these plants growing in the woods by the trail. They are so pretty, a nice coral color, with some pale yellow edges. At some point today, I will look these up to find the name.
Another wild flower;
I had a great time watching a bumble bee collect pollen (as I bent over, Rich took the opportunity to throw pebbles down the back of my pants, until my threats stopped him)…..
The determined bee (the yellow on his back legs is pollen)….
This next picture makes me laugh! The bee is down in the flower, with it’s back legs sticking straight out the top of it! How cute! I love it. Rich and I also saw a different bumble bee this weekend, at our house on the porch. It was AMAZINGLY COVERED all over with orange pollen. I don’t know what in the world happened, but it really neat to see it land, brush some of it off, and then fly away again, as orange as a cheese ball. (Alas, no picture of that one)…..
The boys and the dog went running with Rich. We had to get the boys new sneakers this weekend. From the men’s department. It’s so strange to have “little” boys with men’s sized feet.
Grace is walking away, with Seth, in the background;
Off they go! They run for miles. The 2 boys run together, and Rich goes off ahead, and meets up with them later on. They always come back with some sort of story to tell me. This time it was, “We thought Parker would fall over dead of exhaustion, but he started running so fast, pulling his leash in his mouth and everything! If it wasn’t for him, I would never had made it!”
Miss Grace
I would like to ask you to pray for us this week. I’m feeling very tired and I have a lot to do, a lot to plan and prepare for. Rich and I will be leaving the children (all but Seth) with his mom on Saturday. The two of us (with Seth) are flying out of NY on Sunday, to spend a week together, on vacation and business. This week will be extra busy for me, because I need to organize and pack for myself and all the children. I always feel some worry over leaving the children, and flying…so, I ask that you also pray for safety for us, and peace of mind for me.
Rich and I are celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary next week, and have been looking forward to this trip for almost a year. I haven’t been letting myself think about it too much, but now that it’s just days away I am getting so excited!
Thanks for stopping by my blog today. I hope each one of you has a beautiful day.
Love, Shanda
Good to be Home 
What beautiful pictures! I hope your week goes well and we will be praying for you. Have a great day! ~Love Melissa
Have a wonderful week together!
i’ve been following your blogs for awhile now… and each entry has never fail to inspire me. the life that you have, the family…. even just to the extent that you shared with us…. is so wonderful. it’s like a dream come true… and i know how much work it takes the both of you as well as your kids to get this far. thank you very much for sharing… and congratulations for the wedding anniversary :)) have a safe trip! and im sure the kids left behind would be fine 🙂 they’d miss you lots though!ciao~corry
Loved all the pics~ Happy Tuesday to you ~Amanda
I’m glad you’ll get some time away with Rich. I hope you have a great, stress free, relaxing time! I loved all these pictures. Your posts always give me a smile, Shan. Love you, Elisha
Your posts are always so uplifting and fun. I love how you chronicle your life. I pray you have a safe trip and wonderful time. Also, congrats on your wedding anniversary. Blessings.
What beautiful beautiful pictures Shanda!!! Thank you for sharing your pictures and your family and your memories with us. I will be praying for you to have safe travels and a relaxing, fun, enjoyable, much needed and VERY much deserved vacation!!! ***Hugs*** Jami
Please PLEASE tell me it was not my chicken who pecked Jacob! LOL! It was very nice to finally see mine, and of course she is my favorite because I am vain like that!I also love the picture with all the kids and your parents, how in the world do you get them to always smile so nice, especially Seth..I could just eat him up, where’s a spoon? Speaking of Seth how about his little self all curled up on the bed, there should be laws against being so cute..women every where are probably getting “the itch” just from that picture!!You do sound very busy, I will pray that the trip is amazing and that that you come back super super refreshed!
What a breath of fresh air your post has been to me today! Blessings to you and your beautiful family today, this week and next as you prepare to enjoy your 14th anniversary!P.S. When did Jacob get to be SO tall???P.S.S. I think I’d have to frame that picture of Seth holding the laundry detergent and put it in my laundry room… too cute!!P.S.S.S. I’m so thankful that God does pay attention to details!! Thanks for the amazing reminder!
have a lovely trip!
Beautiful photos! ~REALLY Love the bee/flower one, but they are all beautiful.
Have a very wonderful vacation, Shanda ~ looking forward to hearing about it~
Love the photo of the bees legs!!! hope you have a wonderful time on your trip!!! you and the kids will be refreshed and renewed when you are back together after you get home.
This weekend, we looked at washers and dryers and thought about buying a set. Good thing we didn’t. The oven quit working this morning! I know our husbands don’t understand how much we depend on our household appliances. Maybe after a week of boiled chicken and stove top boiled veggies, my husband will realize we can’t go without an oven for long! I’m praying your week of preparation goes well and you remain calm as you organize everyone’s lives for the time you will be on vacation.
love the pic of your dad holding the baby & his huge smile!!
First of all, I read and LOVED mymeanderings’ comment; she expressed exactly how I feel when I see pictures of Seth! <3What wonderful pictures. My favorites are: Seth snuggled against you, nursing; the legs and feet of the two boys with their dad (and dog), and the second picture of beautiful Grace, who is blossoming into a young lady. The pictures of everyone lounging on the porch as your dad and Jacob played music together, and the picture of the boys running down the road together with the dog, are so similar to scenes from my own childhood and bring back precious memories and feelings. I know you are incredibly busy, and it reminds me to be thankful for my own mother, but oh the wonderful memories you have both provided for your children!Oh, Shanda, the laundromat. I am no stranger to that; our landlord’s machines broke down in the spring and I had to go to the laundromat 1-2 times a week for several months. That was a whole morning or afternoon out of my day, away from home, every single week, so I feel your pain (minus the 5 extra kids!!!). Fortunately, I discovered a fun thrift store just a few paces from our laundromat, where I could shop around while waiting for my laundry (I could keep an eye on the laundromat through the store windows). That became something to look forward to – I didn’t like to stay in the laundromat, with its blaring television.SO SO GLAD you are getting away with Rich and am praying for your mind and spirit to be at rest. Your children will be in God’s hands, and I know they will also look after each other!
Oh, I also meant to say, your mom is such a cutie!!!
I love the way Seth looks when Grandpa is holding him…so CUTEThe bee sticking booty-out of the flower is hilarious…never knew that they would go to that length to get what they want…
A wonderful post Shanda. I love to see all the beauty around you and the Fall season begin. May God refresh you and give you much grace this week as you prepare to get away. I am asking the same as I so often find I get tense at the beginning of the school year as I try to get into the groove of school. I think God purposed that rest time for mommies when the baby is nursing. We need to stop Sethie is sooo cute, too cute for words, and you bless us showing us that little bundle. Love seeing all the kids with your parents. My, those boys are getting big! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to you and Rich. I will be praying for your get away and safety…I understand. love, jenny
The week of preparation will FLY by and you will soon be enjoying a fabulous week of vacation with your husband. Oh Shanda, you are an amazing amazing lady. I know you have hard days and struggles but you let the Lord lead you and you wait to feel His comforting presence when you need it most. And I love that you share the trials as well as the victories.
Sounds like a wonderful weekend!! I hope you have a safe trip. Where are you guys going? I hope you can get everything done, I know before vacation is a very busy time!
God’s grace will be sufficient… He WILL give you strength for each day. Wishing you peace and a wonderful get away.
Shanda~ What sweet pictures of the family. I said a prayer for you today that you will be refreshed and be able to relax with your hubby next week. What a fun time! And that God will give you the peace you need to leave the kids in capable hands. I always feel that way too, no matter who I leave them with. I tend to feel bad for leaving someone with a boat load of kids!
Blessings~ Cinnamon
Awesome, I’m so glad to hear you guys are going away, that’ll be lovely! Where are you guys going? I loved the pictures, as always. I hope you had a good day today, and have a lovely evening. Much love, Trish.
Beautiful pictures! How funny…I spent my Saturday canning tomatoes! It must have been a tomato freezing/canning weekend. I got a great deal–20 lbs for $8. I do love fresh tomatoes!I’m so excited about your upcoming trip. I pray that you have a wonderful time with your hubby!
The pictures are beautiful!! I’m happy for u and Rich that you two will go on a vacation! 🙂 I’ll be praying for you all. Happy early 14th anniversary!! I hope you have a wonderful time with your husband. =)
You have a very nice family. Thank you for sharing your pics with me.
all your dishsoap emptied in the tub…that must have made for quite a clean bath 🙂 I love the grasshopper pic as well as the bumblebee shot! I love nature pictures!May God give you strength for this week with all you have to do! Enjoy your vacation and hope you have a great anniversary!
Great pictures! I love your mom’s new apron!!We just picked a bunch of tomatoes and peppers from our garden, I am thinking I may make up some fresh salsa! You take some beautiful pictures on your walks, I really enjoy looking at them!
Love the pictures. You have such a beautiful family! I hope you have a wonderful trip and Happy Anniversary!! :)hugs,Lanitha
i love posts when your folks come to visit.. reminds me of the days when i lived in Canada and my parents would come!! how i miss.miss.missed them and always counted the days between each trip!! :)i can’t believe Seth is crawling. and Grace looks so pretty and young lady-ish!!so neat about your anniversary trip – – 14 years!! wow.. it will be 13 for Shayne and i coming up this fall. i was asking him if we’re still considered newlyweds since we’re now in the teens of marriage!! ha~ ;)hope you have a wonderful time.
I love pictures of sleeping babies! I am glad he slept for you. So often my little one will eat real quick in the car, then try to explore everything. Praying that the washer can be fixed sooner than thought. And also that you have a great trip. Happy Anniversary if I forget!