Fiestaware came in the mail today from a friend…..made me feel happy (I squealed) and loved.
I HAD to get outside, couldn’t breathe in the house anymore.
The sun shined for me now and then.
Saw tracks in the snow, heard the water in the stream, ran my hand along the bark of the trees.
The birds sounded happy today; it wasn’t as cold.
When I went back in the house I vacuumed every nook and cranny of the livingroom. Seth hates the vacuum.
I had Ethan, Jacob, and Grace each write what they wanted me to bake on a piece of paper and then I drew one paper out of a box. It was Ethan’s. He wanted BROWNIES. I thanked the Lord that I did not get Grace’s. Then I would have had to make an apple pie. Jacob wanted “chewy chocolate chip cookies.” He was feeling descriptive today.
I made the brownie recipe out of the Apples for Jam cookbook. It called for three sticks of butter and was almost as time consuming as putting together a pie. They were very good though, dense, chocolatey, and eggy.
Caleb posed for pictures. He thinks he is funny.
Then it was Seth’s turn.
Grace was on the couch reading me Charlie Brown cartoon strips as I took these.
Later, Caleb said to me, “I know a good name for a baby! Charlie!”
I had to get up in the night and give Seth a bottle. It took me a loooooong time to get back to sleep.
I took a nap today. It was luxurious.
Seth still has no teeth.
His first birthday is in 2 1/2 weeks.
He can dance now. And he is always walking, no more crawling for him.
I noticed Davy playing with sister’s hair and putting his arm on E.
They were all looking at pictures of moose and bear on hunting websites.
“I don’t want to see pictures of DEAD THINGS!” ~David
Grace was watching a show about cheetahs yesterday and when I walked into the room she said to me, informatively, about the mother cheetah, “She is tireless. Not like you.”
Grace looked at me last night and said encouragingly, “You’re not tired and frustrated tonight! That’s GOOD! I can tell when you’re tired, you get red all around the eyes. And when you’re frustrated you look sad.”
(Oh. Dear. is what I thought)……….
Seth was playing a game with this ball. He would put it on the table and then watch in delight as it fell off and rolled away. This ball makes squeaky noises as it moves.
Caleb took my picture.
Now the kids are playing a hunting game on TV. Ethan really wants to hunt he says, “I WILL hunt, Dad MUST take me. I’m even saving up for a gun!” Grace says, while glancing at me, “Um, E, I don’t think you should have said that out loud.”
Caleb is being a pickle. Someone is trying to pin him down. I just heard him yell and say, “I don’t like this!”
I have the oven warming up. We are having leftovers for dinner but I am baking some sweet potatoes to go along with them.
I just looked at Seth, he is standing on a wooden chair, he climbed up there himself.
I can’t wait until my husband gets home!
Good to be Home 
Awww 🙂 me likey brownies too! N ur kids are so sweet.
I love the Fiestaware. One of these days I am going to purchase a piece (or two).
Whew, what a day! I can’t believe little Seth will be ONE soon! Oh my goodness.I just have to tell you though, that this post reminded me of what a good, INCREDIBLE Mommy you are. You’re doing such a good job 🙂
This is why blogging is so wonderful. To know that we Mommies are not alone in this crazy journey.Yesterday my girls’ hair was fixed like Grace’s.And your schoolroom floor makes me want to get down and weep at the normalcy.
You are the bestest mommy. Even when not pregnant, mommies just get tired (unless they are cheetahs ;-P ) Your kids are so cute. Seth has supported my husbands claim that a ball is the best present for a 1 year old! It was our eldest son’s fave at 1. My David was astounded at Seth on his tippy toes! Oh my, growing and growing that little guy is. Such pretty Fiesta ware. Whenever we see a dish that looks like it might be Fiesta ware David and I turn it over to look. E is all boy!
I thought it was so cute how Seth was having the ball roll off the table again and again!You will have to let me know how the brownies turn out I have not made it from that recipe book yet.The plate and mug are great, there is nothing like getting something in the mail from a friend, it brightens your whole day! Almost every single day I look out at the front steps just in case, especially if I feel lonely that day and then when there is something I can hardly wait to get inside to open it! I felt that way when your package came and Dawn somehow always knows when I need a little something.Steve does not like Sweet potatoes but I LOVE them, so I will be right over! Christina used to work at a steakhouse here that made the VERY best!!!Your outdoor pictures were lovely, I could almost feel the sun!
The picture of all the children with Grace’s beautiful smile. . .made me smile. Such sweethearts. Loved the outside pictures too. Such a beautiful place where you live. I also collect Fiesta (my Grandma, Mom and 4 of my Aunts do as well). . and I’ve never seen Christmas Fiestaware before!
sweet pics! I know what you mean about having to get out for a while I was like that today too!
your family is adorable, I dont know how you manage everything you do, but you’re absolutely an inspiration. such cute pictures too, that’s a great idea about picking what to bake out of hat.
Oh my, Seth on his tippy-toes with the ball! So precious! Our Joy got her first four teeth between 6-8 months, right on schedule, and then NOTHING else until she was a year old. I thought I was going to go crazy from worry about them! She’s now almost 27 months, and just barely got her final canine in, and we’re still waiting on the second-year molars. My brother-in-law is working toward becoming a dentist, and I tell him he’s crazy, once my girls’ teeth are all in I never want to think about them again, they’ve been so much stress!Love the second pic of all six kids, smiling at you from the floor. What a wonderful bunch of siblings! How blessed your new baby if, being born into such a loving, healthy, happy family!
Good old Lonestar Steakhouse, Jo 🙂 They did have THEE best! Shanda, I am so jealous of your Christmas Fiestaware–>Super cool! You deserve it. Well, now I don’t feel so bad about Emma not having any teeth, she’s almost 8 months and doesn’t have a one!
Oh, what a great surprise. (think this friend would be my friend too…LOL). You will enjoy many special treats on that plate and mug. We too got some sunshine in our day. It helps to boost the spirit.
Oh the fiestaware is so cute! I have never heard of it before. Great pictures!
this post just reminds me of the movie “sarah, plain and tall.” have you seen it? sarah was a mail-order bride….who inherited a step-son and step-daughter. i forget the daughter’s name….but she wrote in journals. and it sounds like your delightful post today. blessings!
Seth is such a cutie!!I like your Fiestaware!
Your snow pics are very pretty!so Seth is on th emove huh?! How fast time goes by….not long ago you were telling us that you were pregnant (with seth) and now he walks!Your children are all beautiful:)
a full, fun day ~
Love that fiesta ware!Your girl is tuned into you. That is good.My Rachel was quietly concerned for me when I was expecting the twinnie boys. Much more than I realized.Rachel’s daughter was the same way when Rachel was so sick. They are very close.It’s a good thing.Nice post, Shanda.Always a fun glimpse into your everyday life.
what a blessing to have a crazy, never know what may happen, but fun day. 🙂
Whew! Every day is a full day at your house! I love the photo of little Seth on his tippy toes! P.S. I’m glad you are not a cheetah!
@chulya – I’ve seen the movies and read the books! They make me cry, they are so sweetly written. The daughter’s name is Anna and her little brother’s name is Caleb….The author recently wrote a new book (not a Sarah book, though) for Christmas and I bought it half off a few weeks ago. It’s about some children at their Grandparent’s house for the holidays.@DanishDoll – You made me laugh out loud.@fourfiftythree – I love what you wrote, “your girl is tuned into you.” So precious. yes, she is.
sweet potatoes are my new favorite thing! love this post… you are one busy lady and i’m sure you wouldn’t trade it for anything!
I love the fifth picture down of your fresh air walk. Of course the kids are adorable too…that goes without saying. You have a great day today and a wonderful weekend.
WOW! Super Mom you are! I enjoyed your interview on Eli’s page. Thanks for sharing!
Ethan’s comment about hunting made me smile. You can tell him (or not) that Bethany has already shot her first moose. Have a good day, my friend!
I enjoyed your interview with Eli! It was fun…meaningful too…to read those things about you.Caleb actually IS funny. 🙂 Great photos, cool dishes, love your words, neat family. And TGIF too!!!