This is a belly pic that I took today; after being pregnant last year I haven’t taken as many this time…..I’m just a few weeks shy of being six months along.
I mixed up some instant coffee mix using the cookbook the kids gave me, this is the “top secret” recipe for international coffee drinks. One is flavored with cinnamon, the other with cocoa, both are made with decaf instant coffee and the kids drink it, too.
We had a mild weather day yesterday and Ethan tried so hard to get a fire going so they could roast hot dogs. Alas, what he made was lots of smoke. Grace was the only one to get her hot dog hot. Caleb happily ate his half raw and the older boys had to resort to modern technology to cook theirs (a microwave).
I was reading the paper yesterday when Sethie dove into my lap and got cozy; Grace took the picture and when I looked at it I realized that Seth is bigger than what I think in my mind….I’m still babying him like crazy~
He has such a sweet, soft baby face.
The chickens were able to scratch up enough dirt to take a dirt bath..they love to roll around and fling dirt up on themselves, it’s a grand ol’ time.
Here is a picture that I took today of the majority of the flock (we have a total of 13). They enjoy scratching and wandering around the yard together, searching for goodies. When they saw me open the door they thought I had a goodie. (We often open the door and fling out bread crusts and such).
Today I went on a wild goose chase to find some dresser handles and wall paper border…I didn’t find either but I did come away with some crafty supplies to make Sarah’s birth announcements.
I love the colors of the glitter. So wonderfully spring like!
I also bought these frames. In the last post, I showed a picture of our boring bathroom…..I bought these to hang side by side over the toilet in the children’s boring bathroom. The plan is to have each child draw/color/paint something to put in each slot. Yes, I know there is not one for Sarah but eventually we will do something else for her handiwork, too.
I also bought this plant to hang in front of the window in the same bathroom.
I had a book order come today, from amazon. I haven’t read them yet, of course, so I can’t recommend these books, but if you are interested I could let you know what I think of them when I’m done. (just message me and I will get back to you).
I’m hoping for many nights of enjoyable reading!
This is how I keep my dinners organized for the week. Rich and I come up with the meal plans together on Sundays and I write it down. This dry erase board is hung up on the inside of my cookbook cupboard in the kitchen. I find the children reading it, to get a heads up on what to expect at dinnertime.
This Friday is a free day because the older three kids have art class (they go to a friend’s house for art) and Rich thought we could do something quick and easy with the little boys, or maybe go out to eat.
Another belly picture.
I mixed up some whole wheat butterscotch chip cookies this evening with Davy and Seth got to have the beater for the very first time…..he loved it. He sat still for a long time. I was so happy watching him enjoy the treat.
I also mixed up some wheat bread (2 loaves, new recipe) and it’s almost ready for me to pop into the oven. We already ate our dinner (Seth hated the corn) and Rich left to take Ethan to guitar lessons. Jacob is wandering around the house searching for a book that he lost, Grace is in her bathing suit, sitting in the tub with Seth, they are having a bubble bath. David and Caleb are doing who knows what in the basement. Caleb has a cough, David has a cold, and Seth is getting over a cold. Other than that, all is well!
Oh and thanks for all the remarks about my house! You girls are too too kind!
Much love~
Shanda
Good to be Home 
To Seth ~ Enjoy your mommy babying you now, your replacement is on the way. The party’s almost over…… =)It’s funny how little the youngest looks, until you bring the new baby home! Then they look HUGE! Cute belly pictures too.
I just love your posts Shanda! I love to look into your sweet life and see the love you have for all those boys {and girl(s)} that the Lord has given you! Blessings to you and your house! BTW – I’m back on Xanga, thanks to a generous xanga friend :o)
I love your pregnant shots.
You have such a beautiful baby belly. I think you are just gorgeous inside and out. Thanks for sharing these glimpses of your life. Seth really is getting so big!!~Tiffanywww.amomentcherished.blogspot.com
You look so awesome!!! Seriously, I looked like I was about to deliver any day when I was 6 months along. You look fantastic!!I really like your dinner organization board. I seemed to have gotten LESS organized as my kids got older. It’s pretty SAD š¦
What a beautiful baby belly!! I LOVE IT!! Your shots are beautiful as usual as well… Sorry for the sickies – Love the ideas for the bathroom too!
Loved the this and that today!
Your belly is so so cute!!!It took me a while to figure out what room you were in because it looks like a trundle bed and is all backwards because of the mirror.Great idea for the bathroom, putting art in the frames!
i would love to hear what you think of the Lincoln’s Melancholy book. i just discovered it yesterday and added it to my book list, and so its soo exciting to see you have it. i’d love to see your review of it at some point. look how big you are getting with little Sarah enjoying being inside you. what a blessing. so excited to see her arrive. those things that you were abel to find to decorate her announcement are absollutely gorgeous. i can’t imagine all the fun you’ll have being creative with all those beautiful things. yay for the picture frames and plant for the bathroom. i was going to suggest a candle…that always livens things up a bit š but then remembered it was the kids bathroom, and not sure if it was for the older or the youngers…so perhaps the introduction of fire in the bathroom might not be a grand idea. so beautiful…all your kids.seriously, your chickens totally crack me up. i think one of my favourite pictures of all time was them in the recycling box. i couldn’t stop giggling to myself. just picturing them trying to take dirt baths and flinging it around makes me giggle as well. what joy the Lord has given us in pets and animals…be blessed my dear.
You are just so stinkin’ adorable!! And Seth is most definitely getting big. Wow! Your bathroom is well on it’s way to looking cozy.
You are so organized with the dinners – I’m impressed!
You look great, Shanda!! š I got a little twist in my stomach looking at how big Seth has gotten. He really looks older. I was just thinking the same thing about my “baby” Zion tonight – he’s hurriedly growing out of that baby stage, and getting big in my arms, but I still feel like he is my baby. š
My goodness, Seth IS really big now!!!! You look fabulous; I don’t know how you do it, the keeping slim part. Oh wait. You ARE a busy mama! I love the picture of all the chickens coming toward the front porch!
You look so cute, I love your pregnant belly! Great idea with your menus.
you look GREAT Shanda!! I have those same Martha glitters, as soon as I saw them at Michael’s I doled out my coupon and snatched them up! LOve the frame idea for the bathroom and I love that Seth is getting hair!!
Your belly looks happy with child:) I was wondering when you’d update:)….so glad you did. Your posts full me with peace,
You are so good to share your babies with us. Seth is so cute and that face is priceless. I am sure when your little Sarah comes along he will look so big. I thought…oh maybe they could do Sarah’s hand or foot for the bathroom in another little hanging. Fun for you all to have a thaw and look forward to Spring. Your chickens are so great. I thought your eggs were beautiful when you showed them in another post. You are so cute with that baby belly, I would have to hug you and pat it if I was there. Love the fun colorful glitter and crafty stuff!
Oh my, Sethie is much bigger then I imagine him to be too! Where has the time gone…and look at your tummy! This was such a fun post, felt like we had just chatted on the phone
Your tummy is adorable! ~~ Great idea for the kid’s bathroom decor! ~~ Seth with that beater! HA! ~~ Maybe you should train the chickens to just come on the porch and lay their egg in a chute that will deliver it right to the kitchen!
You have a beautiful front belly. You are so slim as well. How is this being so much pregnant, I wonder. And having so many kids around…and chickens, hahaBe wellGodeliva
Babies just don’t stay babies long enough….and your new baby bump is bumping out more and more…and as always, I loved your chix pix. It will soon (I hope!) be “washing chicken poop off the patio season” but that is just what chickens do. Have a happy day!
Love the belly pics!!
adorable little belly~ i think you’re small for six months.. and it looks like all baby to me. no other “excess growth!” :)the glitter IS pretty. i always love working with that stuff.. even still. and the photo frames w/ the kids artwork is a good idea.thanks for your sweetness about baby. i think i’m still in shock that he’s still in there!! but so full of gratefulness~<3
you make the cutest little pregnant lady! =)
I love your belly pics. I am so glad I finally got into taking them the last few pregnancies. I do think I won’t be taking them in the future and I look at these wistfully to some degree at the same time content to not be sick in bed right now too š There is a wonderment about being pregnant and carrying a life that is like nothing, nothing in the world. I will always cherish the memories and the pics. precious. I like your posts of the small things in life, that all add up to a grand life so full of love. wonderful. :)lysps. I am eating up the book you sent for the second time. I can’t tell how you much I have loved it.
helllo shanda. i saw u in dream last might. u were traveling im hk with the children . ^^
You look wonderful! Love the menu board. Yes, Seth is getting big, but it is Caleb that has changed so much. Have a blessed day. We are getting more snow.
Oh, you are so cute! Love that belly! God has given you so many gifts! They are all so precious!