Howdy. I read through all the notes and thoughts on the previous post and I am so glad I aired out what I had been thinking about my blogging. Getting it out of my system, and reading your good thoughts really helped, thank you so much!
I have Jacob and Ethan entertaining my busy little Seth so I can sit and post some pictures that I took on Sunday.
After church, Rich and I came home with the children and later on in the afternoon we went on a walk together. It was so nice…the warm sunny day, the sweet and dry smell of the woods, being together, all of it was a delight. The only downfall was that I was nervous the whole time about getting hit by a stick, with Rich, Jacob, Ethan, David, and Caleb all swinging sticks around, trying to beat down branches or dead trees!
But I made it through unhurt, and even though I was feeling heavy and clumsy (being pregnant), I didn’t fall over, either.
Our property borders state land. There is a trail through the woods because every once in a while there is a group of dirt bikes that race through the woods. We like the trail, and following it, it curves around and makes a nice long walk for us. The little boys, who love to run ahead of us, know where to go and we don’t worry about them getting lost.
We stopped to look around, and listen, and Jacob took a few pictures. Caleb fell down and blamed David for tripping him, yet David was no where near him when it happened. Caleb was howling but we made him say he was sorry and give David a hug. After that they were totally devoted to each other….every time Caleb was worried about getting through a rough patch of the woods, he would call to David to help him, and David would get right to him and take his hand. Caleb was thriving on the “babying” and David was thriving on being a superhero.
Hmmmm, I love getting close to my husband on a nice warm day outside!
Grace stayed by her Dad the entire walk. She’s Daddy’s girl for sure.
When I look at this next picture, I think, “That belly sure doesn’t look as big as it feels!”
I keep reminding myself to stand up tall, to give myself more room to breath…..
Rich says that he is beginning to forget what it’s like for me not to be pregnant.
Only approximately 9 more weeks to go!
We’ve been seeing these tiny blue moths flying about. One of them landed and I took a picture. I think the other side of the wing must be the bluer part….it looks gray in the picture but it’s the prettiest little thing as it flutters about.
We also saw a big fat bumblebee crawl out from under a leaf, but it flew away before I could take a picture. We were trying to find life in the woods and the bee and the moth were the extent of our findings, I am sure we were much too loud, disturbing the peace of the woodland creatures.
When we got home, everyone went their separate ways, and I found David sitting quietly like this on the edge of the pond.
I was clear on the other side, using my zoom lens. When he noticed me he said, “Mom? When your feet are hot and sore it feels good to sit with them in the water. Why do my legs keep going back up to the top?”
He was precious, and he ended up falling over backward off the bench. Oops.
He and Grace both went swimming on Saturday (if you can call it swimming, they jumped off their special jumping rock, over their heads in water, and swam up and right back out).
First swim of the year: April 3.
The window is open beside me and I can feel such a nice cool breeze. We had a little rain this morning and the sun is starting to come back out now. I can hear all the pretty songs of the wild birds, and also the clucking noises from the chickens.
The children are downstairs together, and even though I’m sleepy, I think I’m going to take them on a quick trip to the library. It will be amazing to actually return our bag of books on the very day they are due this time!
Good to be Home 
What a happy springtime walk together. Love those sunny Narcissus. Davy with his legs in the pond is my favorite shot…another one of those wonderful childhood pictures!
Thinking about Grace being “Daddy’s girl.” That is so very special. But I bet she is also quite excited to have a sister, finally!! Yeah for Sarah!
I’m so glad you aren’t giving up blogging! It’s your day to day little details I enjoy most. the way you decribe the clucking of the chickens or the size of your belly or how you managed to stay upright on your walk. Those are the little things that encourage me to savour life today…Maybe we will go on a hike today too…the sun is peaking out in our neck of the woods as well….I wonder how long it will last though…
Ahh, you look so cute, I love your baby belly . I didn’t get a chance to comment on your post yesterday, so I will now. I’m so glad I came upon your blog, you’ve encouraged me in so many ways. Even though we haven’t met, I know that God places people in our lives to help and encourage us along the journey. Thank you my friend!I love Grace’s sweater…very preppy!
What a wonderful time in the woods. Those are my favorite kinds of walks. Hope you find some good books at the library for your next round of reading. 🙂
Is it that same path to the clearing or is that another path? Is the ground all muddy? I just cannot believe it will only be nine more weeks, wow!!!!I bet Rich will miss you pregnant! Go for eight, it is a nice even number! :)So sweet how Gee stayed close to him, sweeter still that Rich encourages it!Glad to have you back and blogging freely again!
David knows his stuff. My favorite part of spring and summer is being able to truely enjoy cool water. =)
Such a blessing to have a nice place to walk so close to your house!! I would love it:). Only NINE more weeks until your due date…WOW. I only know you through your blog, but this time has gone so quickly. You look wonderful!!
cute belly! 🙂
You prompted a memory. We always tried each year to swim earlier than the previous. If I recall correctly the earliest we could stand the chill(in Southern Illinois) was the beginning of April. What a wonderful memory–what wonderful little memories you are creating for your family too.
I really like the color of your top- very bright and cheerful! I know you feel big, but you don’t look big at all to me, you look great! I can’t imagine getting in the water yet- it snowed Easter morning, and again this morning. Didn’t last though, the sun is out now! The kids trudged through the snow to dig their bikes out of the shed yesterday because the street is bare. Can’t wait for ALL this snow to be GONE!!
I’ve been reading your blog for a while but have never commented.I just wanted to say how much I love reading your blog and look forward to each new post!
Your woods are so pretty. Wow, only 9 weeks left, it seems like you just announced to us you were having a baby!
Library books are due back at a certain time? Really? When did they start that? … o;-p One of the side benefits I’m enjoying with our SBC U-Verse account, is being able to ‘rent’ and watch movies and never even having to think about ‘returning’ them. When the time is up, they just tell you you’d have to pay again if you want to watch it again. But instead you decide to skip it, or rent something else. What state do you live in that the kids have dared submerge themselves in the water already?I had six pregancies in six and a half years time. I literally WAS always pregnant!!! We had two, lost two, had two. The funny part is – ALL OF THEM were planned against!!! (well, all but the last one. After two and a half months of celabacy, with another three weeks to go before my husbands surgery would be covered, son # 4 was concieved on a “come here woman, one night won’t matter” ;-p ;-b !!!) We are very literally when we say that they are God’s kids!!! Cheryl B.http://thebzhousethatlovebuilt.blogspot.com
And *this* my dear girl is *why* you blog! LOVELY post!
I really love your blog and all of the encouragement you give me. Your perspective on life is very refreshing even on your down days. p.s. Your baby belly is beautiful and not nearly as large as you feel like it is.Dahris
What wonderful pictures and what a beautiful day and beautiful family! You are truly blessed! 🙂
I had to do a little “catch-up” reading on your blog post! I so understand the dry spells that come with blogging. I wish that my blog could be opened and more expessive about the ups and downs but due to Beloved’s job and Family issues when it comes to the fact that one side of our Family doesn’t support us having children, Beloved in his job, and just me in general, I have to blog on the more quieter side of life. Please, know that all though I don’t come in and comment, I enjoy coming in to your little place and peaking in. Your transparency has blessed so many! I have a “healthy enviousness” that you have blessed so many with your touching words! Your testimony is amazing! Your family is beautiful! … And when you write for yourself, God’s love is all over you! ~ Adore that belly!
Hello Shanda~What a wonderful walk through the woods. I miss the woods of Northern California but am enjoying our prairie life in the Midwest. I love the picture of Seth on Papa’s back. So sweet~ And you two catching of moment of loving~ sweet!Your tiny little belly does not look BIG whatsoever~ You are picture perfect cute being pregnant!I always enjoy my visits here. Thanks for stopping by our blog. Your comments always bring a smile to my face~~Cinnamon
It all sounds (and looks!) so nice!
That looks like a beautiful day.
I love walks in the woods. Where we live now, there are no woods close by. I had to chuckle about your children going swimming by Apr. 3. It reminded me of my sibilings and I many years ago. We lived by a river and would try to go swimming by Apr. 10 each spring. And the water was so-o-o-o-o COLD. When you are young, you can do most anything! Love your post!
hi shanda…….what a beautiful day with the family!!
Now I feel like a stalker! I am always reading your blog, being encouraged, prodded, convicted, enthralled… BUT I hardly ever comment. (mostly because i am lazy) I am so glad you are still posting; thank you for your godly example!!