Fishing season has begun at our family ponds. Ethan bought himself a pole with his birthday money and has been fishing every day. Rich and I had quite a few heartwarming moments this weekend, watching the children fish together, standing quietly, watching and waiting for the fish to bite.
Ethan wore gloves to remove the hooks at first. Now he just does it bare-handed. Even if big Jake catches one, Ethan is called upon to remove the hook. No one else is willing to touch the fish, which always get thrown back.
We admire the colorings of the fish, so pretty, don’t you think?
My Dad and Mom drove out to see us on Friday and stayed until Saturday morning. We enjoyed the time together, visiting and talking. My mom helped me organize my sewing things, and she also ran a stuffed animal “clinic”….every time she comes here the children get her to repair their stuffed animals. Dad played air hockey with the boys. Mom and I made homemade meatballs together, for a big spaghetti dinner. On Saturday morning, I served them some of my chicken eggs for the first time and when they left, I sent them home with 2 dozen.
We went for a walk in the woods, so that the children could show Grandma and Grandpa their fort.
Ethan was perched up on a fallen tree, watching Grandpa throw pinecones at Jacob, who was hitting them away with his *play* sword.
Grace took this picture. I’m wearing a maternity shirt that I found on the Target clearance rack, which I absolutely LOVE. I’m in the last trimester, so it takes a shirt like this to make me feel even remotely cute. It’s stretchy, slimming on the top and roomy on the bottom and the shirt is snug around the hips rather than ballooning out like a skirt. I also found the perfect maternity tank top to wear under it. It actually feels supportive around my belly.
Random comment: Seth runs up to me and wants me to pick him up all the time, but before I do, he looks up and notices my tummy under my shirt….which makes him grab my shirt and look under it! It’s the cutest thing. He likes to poke my tummy, and the children say, “I don’t want him to hurt baby Sarah!”
I took this next picture on Saturday morning, before they left. The sun was already very bright. We have had such beautiful weather this weekend.
Jacob is as tall as my Dad now, and taller than my Mom.
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I feel like my blog is not very interesting lately…bear with me as I get through a blogging slump. I feel like I’ve written everything and said everything I could possibly want to say. I also feel like I am losing my uniqueness, I read a variety of other blogs and because I do, it makes it hard for me to stay true and passionate to my own personal thoughts and interests. And a lot of my personal interests have already been blogged about a bazzillion times here!
I blog for myself, yet I know that a lot of friends read, which makes me feel like I need to blog for others, and then I get confused because I start to try pleasing my blog visitors, rather than just simply blog with no thought of quality or content, by simply reflecting what’s in my heart lately. I’m starting, also, to judge my blog entries based on the number of comments I get, which is so stupid, but very tempting, and if I get a lot of comments I feel happy like I did a good job, but if I don’t, I wonder if I should stop blogging because maybe people are not interested in yet another and another and another blog post about my life….then, I hit myself because “oh yeah, I’m not supposed to ‘care’ because I’m blogging for myself/journaling my life for my family and the number of comments should never matter.”
Then, I think, is blogging really a healthy thing for me to be doing in the first place? You see these *other* blogs, the “popular” ones, and you know that the person is basically working part-time at BLOGGING. What is the benefit to the woman’s heart and soul who is DOING THE BLOGGING? There are a lot of blessings in blog-land, but it can also lead to pride, which is something I want to flee from……and it can also lead to unhealthy comparisons. For instance, I read some blogs and then feel insecure because they seem “better” than me spiritually, as a mother, as a wife, etc…..and THIS IS VERY WRONG because God gave us each unique lives that NO ONE ELSE CAN POSSIBLY IMITATE.
So I wonder, is it right to share the more intimate thoughts and feelings? Should I just simply post the outward facts and save the intimate stuff for my book journals?
And when we read and write blogs, where are we? In a room in front of a computer! Do I really want to BE HERE? LOL
To my regular readers: I honestly do think of you all as REAL FRIENDS, real and true, even though most of us have never met each other. I have shared so many things here from my heart and you have always accepted me, with love, for who I am. I honestly do value your sincere notes and comments, very much….because I love my friends and not because I am trying to get a certain number of comments. Thank you thank you thank you for taking even the remotest interest in what is going on in my life, because if I really stop to think about it, it’s quite amazing really. I’m just a very ordinary woman….wife and mother….just living life and having fun blogging about it (having fun, that is, until I start questioning myself!)
Good to be Home 
Shanda, I know that you are not looking for mere compliments, but some encouragement wouldn’t be that bad, would it ? I love you, you have such a tender heart and your days are so full that alone is unique: that you find a moment to sit down and “blog”your diary. I go through the same thoughts and emotions like you describe here and then when I feel like it takes up too much time and …I get inspired again and find it is so much fun to do often enough. To you is may seem all days news, to the reader it is not. That we connect is because you inspire us.You have a very young mother, haven’t you, but then: you are a very young mother yourself. I love to see them once again. Lieve groetenGodeliva van Ariadone
You have to know this……. I had to go and take care of 3 little grandkids for about 3 weeks all by myself. I was about to pull my hair out at times but the Lord brought you to mind and how He gives you the strength to care for so many more. I must say that you are a blessing in my life!! You perk me up when you blog no matter what the content may be. I have another sister in Christ that I will one day meet in Heaven. How awesome is that? Thanks so much for being you. Being real and being the person God called you to be. By the way, you also have another person who prays for you and your family too!
I don’t really know what to say because it’s already been said so well by so many others who have commented. I too love your blog because of how real and down to earth it is. Sometimes when my life feels overwhelming, I don’t read other blogs because they make me feel intimidated. You encourage by just being you! You are an amazing wife and mother! No, you are not perfect. NO ONE is but God. However, you are very inspiring! I find it encouraging that even though you do have many children to care for that you still take time to do things that are creative and fun (sewing, photography, blogging, baking). I have learned so much from you just being you. My new favorite wheat bread recipe is the one that you posted, and I am very eager to try and sew the little shoes and smock that you recently made. You also encourage me to go on walks with my kids more often and to let them bake with me. As you see, i could go on and on so please do not stop blogging maybe just take sometime to refocus.
Shanda, your posts are so inspirational and real. I don’t comment on blogs much, but want you to know yours is certainly a blessing to me as well as others I am sure. I love reading about your family life and all your recipes, and even about your chickens! I am often encouraged by the scriptures you post, and lots of times it is just what I needed to hear!
I have never once thought a blog of yours was boring or repetitive. Never! To you, it may be the same ol’ same ol’ but others enjoy your pictures and the stories about your life. You are one of the main sources I come to, to learn about a new CD or book! You have great recipes posted. Are those for you or for us? I’d say both. I don’t consider those things to be shallow or boring. Those things make up MY life, too.You add piercing quotes that are so spiritually accurate.Giving God the glory is difficult to see when “all you are” is a stay at home, homeschooling, mom. But, if we do it all unto Him, we *ARE* bringing God every bit of glory. Your pictures of nature bring glory to GodYour love for Rich brings glory to God.Your tender moments and pictures about your children brings glory to God.Recently I asked if anyone was out there reading *my* blog, because the comment numbers were so low. I was amazed at the response of people who said they read every day! I’m sure the support you are receiving to this blog entry will amaze you, too!And . . . besides all that . . . if you didn’t blog, I would have never met such a sweet friend.You’re “a keeper”, Shanda! Love you so much, cap
Shanda dear,If I looked at the number of comments at my place, I would never blog.Granted…I do not say very much..and that I have done purposely. I know I would have never been able to continue this long if I had to do long posts. I leave that to the gifted ones who do it so well.You have 55 comments so far and now 56…WOW.The only time I have that many is if I do a giveaway!!!!!:PJust be you.It is what brings people back day after day.Happy Tuesday, 4:53 xo
I just want to say that I really enjoy reading your site but often I don’t leave a comment because you get SO many other comments that I figure you are about “commented out.” I can totally relate to feeling like you did a “good job” posting if you get lots of comments, and then when you don’t get many, feeling like maybe what you had to write/say is not interesting. I went through this a little while ago and then pretty much came to a place where I was like “I’ll keep blogging anyway and try not to worry about how many comments I get” even though I always really enjoy reading them. You are a person I admire because of how you just enjoy the little moments of life. Keep up the good work! Your blog posts are great!
Shanda,I know what you mean. People have said to me, “You never update your blog.” And I’ve thought, “Oh, I better go put something up there.” Then, I have time to digest that thought and tell myself, “I’ll blog when I have a memory that I want documented, or a fun story or simply sharing what God has taught me.” Some days, those thoughts just aren’t there. Blogging is a hobby. No one ever says to me, “You never knit any more.” And even if they did say that to me, I wouldn’t quickly go knit a scarf. :o) You have a wonderful blog that has documented your memories, heart and feelings as a mother. I think it will be most precious to your children some day, but along the way, you have encouraged many others! You have communicated so clearly what life is like. Some days are good. Some days are a struggle, but through it all, we need God! Thank you for communicating your heart. I think you are so good at that. “God raiseth up the humble.” Love you!
To my blogging friend Shanda, – first of all – Hi – secondly, we all question ourselves – about most every aspect of life. It just seems to be human nature. Sometimes, it is a very good thing to do. It keeps us self accountable, as well as our self making sure we are staying with in the guide lines God has set down for us. But other times, well, we can over analize a thing to death. Excuse me. Just cuz I have a ‘light’ tendancy (please do not question my husband as to how ‘light’ that tendancy is or isn’t o;-p) to over analize things, does not mean that you do as well. …. my sincere apologizes. – thirdly, now true, in comparison to ‘some’ blogs (which I shall leave un-named) your numbers are low for commentors. HOWEVER, and yes – this is a HUGE however, comparied to the mass majority of blogs out there, your numbers are actually really good girl!!!- fourthly, You enjoy recording your life. And while there are many people whom blog only to get craft ideas, or recipes, or some other such thing, there are many whom do it for companionship and encouragement in every day life. Sometimes, just hearing about how somebody elses fridge doesn’t stay clean either, or how how the youngest waits until you leave for a short amount of time to totally over fill his diaper, etc., is encouraging to others because they then know that they are not the only ones whom try with all their might, but somehow seem to keep missing steps or something. Believe it or not Shanda, God is using this trivial little blogging (as you might be tempted to word it) for His glory. Well done!Here is a smile for your day today I, for one, feel honored that you think of me as a friend and that you actually enjoy all of my rambling comments. Thank-You!!!Cheryl B.http://thebzhousethatlovebuilt.blogspot.com
Shanda, your blog is part of my life! I feel like I know you and Rich and your children, that y’all are my neighbors down the road. Thank you for sharing your family life with all of us, and your faith – and for not being afraid to share your fears and worries and struggles, as well as your joys. You are a gifted writer and photographer, but more than that, you are a sincere seeker, a woman who is walking hand-in-hand with our Jesus. Be encouraged, my sister! You are an encouragement to me on so many days. I check your blog almost every night before I go to sleep, to see how my Northern friends are doing! God bless you, every one!Love from Celia in Arkansas
I love your blog too,Shanda. It’s comforting to know I can come to your little spot here and feel refreshed. Soooo I guess I’m a little selfish 🙂 Oh and that top looks lovely on you!
I LOVE your blogging! It inspires me to be more perceptive of my life and take the time to enjoy the little things. You blog for YOU – don’t worry about others! Keep on keeping on!