Jacob, Ethan, and Grace sing in a children’s chorus. They have practice every Monday, except for this week, when they had their practice last night in a different location (stressful for me to drive to, an entirely new place to visit, in a city). The choir is smaller this year so we are combining with another group of children for the December concert. Last night the two groups rehearsed together for the first time, in a huge, old (interesting, beautiful) church. (I must take pictures of the stained glass windows at some point, they are amazing).
I would much prefer to sit and listen to their rehearsals. I’ve sung in many choirs through the years. I love to sing with a group and it makes me so happy to see and hear the children enjoy singing under a talented director, interesting songs with great parts and harmony. They are even learning sign language for one piece.
I can’t just sit and listen though, because I’ve got baby Seth, 4 year old Caleb, and 7 year old David to keep busy. Yesterday we spent some time out on the church lawn, (getting dirty knees and diving into shrubbery) but since I had my camera with me, I decided to make them sit for a minute, and take a few pictures of them.
After the children were all done for the evening, I took one (just one) of the six of them:
I don’t feel well……I’m not sure how much blogging I will be doing, because I have no energy at all. It was hard for me to muster up enough motivation to sit here and post these pictures, but I miss hearing from my xanga friends and I wanted to let you know what’s going on. I’m starting to feel nauseous, but also hungry, and very tired. The being tired is probably the most challenging of pregnancy symptoms, because I’m trying to mother six children. Wow, I do wonder how I will do it, but I know the Lord will give me the strength to continue. Anything that makes me utterly needful and dependant on Christ is a GOOD THING.
“But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” Luke 10:42
I’ve had this verse running through my mind for days, it’s been a favorite of mine for years. Two woman are spoken of in this Bible passage. Martha loved Jesus, and was busy serving Him in the kitchen (“careful and troubled about many things”). Mary loved Jesus, and was sitting at His feet, totally absorbed in His every word. Poor Martha, she was trying so hard, and began to be resentful of Mary, *doing nothing to help*, but Jesus gently spoke to her, helping her to see that the most needful activity is simply resting at His feet, singlemindedly loving Him, resting in His love, and listening. That’s how I want to be. I have so many activities to do each day, and I do them because I love Jesus, but I never want to forget that the most important part of my life is that beautiful personal relationship I have with my Savior and Friend.
Another quote (this one makes me weepy);
O what a Savior is Jesus Christ! He is the chief among ten thousand! Look at His sinless, yet real humanity—without a single taint, yet sympathizing with us in all our various conditions—our afflictions—our temptations—our infirmities—our griefs. Now that He is in glory, He is still cherishing a brother’s heart, bending down His ear to our petitions—ever standing near to catch our sighs—to dry our tears—to provide for our needs—to guide us by His counsel—and afterwards to receive us to glory!
O what a Savior is Jesus Christ! When He is known, all other beings are eclipsed. When His beauty is seen, all other beauty fades. When His love is felt, He becomes supremely enthroned in the affections. To know Him more, becomes the one desire of the renewed mind, and to make Him more known, is the one aim of the Christian life. O what a Savior is Jesus Christ! Octavius Winslow (1808-1878)
(My dad is currently teaching a Sunday School class at his church from a book written by Octavius Winslow, and that is how I first learned about his writings. There are more wonderful quotes here.)
So many thousands upon thousands of blessings are ours because of Christ! How thankful we all must be, as we live such abundant lives, and happy and hopeful for what is to come, a perfect HOME in heaven!
Much love to you all on this day…the sun is just breaking through the clouds here, and we’re looking forward to a warm day. I plan on getting outside for a walk at some point, hopefully that will help me feel better.
Thanks for stopping by my blog today!
Love, Shanda
Good to be Home 
hope you get over the tired/nauseated hump very quickly!!!!
So sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well. I’ve been wondering about you. I remember that all too well and how incredibly hard it is. May God guide you and strengthen you through it. ❤
Beautiful pictures!! I will be praying for you and hope you feel better soon. Thank you for the quotes..they are so beautiful. God Bless.
Beautiful children! Praying that God Himself will shower you with supernatural energy and joy as you go about your day.
Sorry you are feeling bad. I am right there with you. I am 9 weeks today and it has been hard with 4 others to take care of. But I am relying on God more because I need his strength and I know that you will do the same so we will grow more in our dependence on Him which is really good! Hope you feel better soon. Sherry
Hope you get to feeling better soon! cute pictures of everyone! That poem reminds me a lot of the hymn O what a savior.
I remember the being tired part, that is hard.
If my hair was darker and a WHOLE LOT thicker, I’d look like David! You took some sweet pictures the other day and I’m glad to hear your children sing in a choir!I’m sorry to hear the “P G Queasies” have set in! I went through the same type of feelings when undergoing chemo and radiation therapy. Everyone said to keep something small in my stomach at all times, but the idea of eating (to get something down there) was repulsive! I will pray that you have power from God to take care of the other sweet six kiddos until this season passes.
I never remember feeling as tired w. the others as I did in the last pregnancy that I lost.. and it’s still so fresh in my memory that I completely understand what you’re talking about. It’s an exhaustion like no other – seems to go all the way to your core! And of course I didn’t have 6 little ones on top of that to care for.. so my heart goes out to you extra-extra!! :)I came across the “grace verse” recently in 2 Cor. 12 and was reminded once again how much I love the word IS! Not that it was or will be = but IS!! :)”And He said unto me, My grace IS sufficient for you: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”Praying you feel that grace enveloping you today dear girl~the pictures are all wonderful and full of sweetness. Like the one of David eating Seth’s head! ha~ 🙂
I love the first shot of the three little boys — Caleb always looks so mischievous, and Seth so curious! And the last shot is wonderful, too, with all 6 of your precious kiddos! Thanks for sharing these!
Is that facial scratch from “diving into the shrubbery”? Hope you feel the energy return soon. It is hard to keep up with the daily duties of motherhood on a good day let alone with that exhaustion. Hang in there…it won’t last forever.
What was David trying to do ~ eat baby Seth? What great photos! Be still and know He is God – He alone will sustain you! It’s been so long since I was pregnant…I almost don’t remember! I do recall every morning after I ate breakfast I simply HAD to lay down on the couch – even if for just fifteen minutes! You are blessed Momma! Take good care of yourself – rest when you can!
Hi Shanda~ I love the pictures. Your children have the same adorable little smiles. How well I know that desire to just sit and watch my children, but the little ones need to be “occupied” I hope you are feeling better soon. Are you normally sick with pregnancies? I get 2 days of feeling queasy at a couple weeks pregnant. That’s how I know I’m pregnant I’m hoping for a little queasiness soon I wish I could come swoop your kids to the park, sit and visit with a hot cup of tea or bring you a big pot of potato soup….yummy~ It always helps to have a breather, a time to rest in the middle of the day sometimes. “Lord please comfort Shanda with rest, s time of renewal in her body. Help her to have peace and the grace she needs to do all she does with the children and her husband. Give her relief and a cozy blanket to snuggle with with a sleeping baby next to her. Lord help her day to go smoothly and renew her spirit and body. Thank you Lord for this sweet family~ In Jesus name, Amen”Hugs~ Cinnamon
great photos!
You are in my prayers! Early last fall, I was newly pregnant with my baby girl. I had a 1 1/2 year old and a 3 year old. We were also trying to sell our house and packing our things up. I remember feeling so quesy and just wanting to lay down in a dark room and sleep! I wil pray that this part passes quickly and that God will give you the strength to make it through each day. I love the pics especially the one of David “eating” Seth, lol! I also like the blue background, good idea!
Was David hungry or what?!!! LOL!I like the blue BLUE background! I am not tired and I am not pregnant but I keep crying for no reason today, just moping around trying to figure out why I am sad and I can’t find any reason to be sad, but I am all foggy headed and sniffy from crying. What a pair we would make if we were together, you tired and me sad…sigh.When did the tiredness pass for the other pregnancies? Hopefully it will pass soon. I prayed through Psalm 37 today and it was so wonderful, to say David’s words back to God and make them my own.Wish I could hug you, and then tuck you in bed and watch all the little ones for you.Lots of Love, JO
Health and strength to you! All we can do is take one minute at a time. Blessings to you and your family, whether you blog or lurk!
I surely hope your nausea and fatigue won’t last so long. The end result is priceless. You have a wonderful family!
Hope you feel better really soon ~
I love seeing your children smile…that mischievous look on Mr. Caleb’s face is one I know all too well (I used to see it on my little brother’s face when he was that age—he is now 22, and sometimes he still gets that look on his face)I made one of those motivational posters with one of your pictures from one of your nature walks…Determination…
@shondadiane – I love it!!!! It’s the perfect caption for that photo!
Love these wonderful photos…David and all that blue is stunning. Can’t believe little Caleb is such a big boy now! And Seth is too cute for words. He always looks like he just loves being with his brothers and sister. Though he was definitely “putting up” with that kiss.The singing sounds wonderful! My middle guy, Nick, told me he joined the choir at church because he likes to sing!Praying for you in the tiredness and nauseousness…a frequent symptom I get with CFIDS…so I relate and will remember to pray ( pregnancy though is usually even stronger!) I have found peppermint and ginger are both helpful with the nauseousness. Have you tried either one? I keep the peppermint in my purse, and have found a source for the candied ginger. Tea made out of fresh ginger is good too. I so love to see your blogs, so will savor when you do get on here. Hugs, Jenny
Great pictures — hope you feel better soon!
I always enjoy hearing from you when you feel you can post something. Also, it is a good reminder for me to keep you in prayer. I’m sorry you feel so weary. It’s not a nice feeling when you have so many things you want (and need!) to do. I have been having some weird pain in my left (artificial) hip and have been on pain meds that make me feel similar to you! LOL! I would rather be pregnant, but then I would have to change my name to Sara! I don’t hurt so much when I take the pills, but I also don’t seem to care about much of anything, and I don’t like that feeling at all — BLAH. So… I stand the pain as long as I can so I can at least not be all “fogged up!” Blessings to you and your sweet family. Loved the pics of the three youngest. Set looks like he is not so sure he wants all that kissing!
The pictures are so nice! Sorry you are so tired, but these are all good signs that your body is changing! Yesterday we went Apple picking back to Apex Orchard remember we went last yr and Weston was not even walking yet! This yr he was running around and picking apples it was so lovley to watch all three having fun and eating apples and the views were amazing! Love ya ~Sissy
sweet little brother pics ! 🙂 Seth gets lots of loving ~ ~ hoping for extra measures of grace and strength as you carry this precious new little one!
I am so glad you took time to enter another post. I miss you and your family when you are gone too long. Take care.
Oh Shan, I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well. Rest…when you can! -I know that almost sounds like a joke, doesn’t it? I’ll be praying for you. PS I love the pictures of the kids! They make me smile.
I needed to hear this, as you know I have strong “Martha” tendencies. Thank you for the reminder to be STILL AND KNOW He is God. I have always seen you as a “Mary,” that is an area in which you have always been an example and encouragement to me. <3It was fun to hear about the children’s chorus! I have always wanted my children to participate in one and was inspired to hear that you are enjoying your experience. I would love to see the program for their next performance. I think I will look up children’s choruses in our area and try to go see one during the holidays!
ShandaI can-not get anything I have sent to you– not to return–What am I doing wrong? I did hear that you got the CD’s I’m happy about that, but all the comments I have sent I don’t believe any of them got to you–Do you suppose that means that they were not worth reading?