(Grandma and the gang; my six, and her two girls.)
(Seth and his Grandma, who is spoiling him with lots and lots of lovin’.)
(Yours truly, looking a little more perky?)
Hello my dear lovelies~ It has been a strange experience to be resting so much, but I cannot describe the good it has done for my body, soul, and mind. I highly recommend the REST CURE for any and all frazzled women. What a lesson this has been for me. It’s one thing to know rest is important, it’s quite another thing to be forced to actually do it and see the results!
On Monday, my mother in law took all of the children with her to Jacob, Ethan, and Grace’s music lessons. They left at 3:30 and didn’t get home again until 8:30. They went to music, the grocery store, and to McDonald’s for dinner.
Sethie came home bright eyed, smiling, in Grandma’s arms, with dried ketchup around his mouth. He got to dip his fries for the first time.
My favorite memory of being alone during that time was sitting on my porch, reading, listing to the peepers sing, petting my cat, and enjoying the fresh air.
Tuesday evening she took them all out again, for Ethan’s lesson and a “car party” while they waited for him to get done. A car party involves stopping at the store on the way to buy treats and then eating them up. Crackers, fruit snacks, juice boxes and other such things.
Today she had them running races outside, and she wrote up a scavenger hunt list for tomorrow. She has been reading to them, making the school kids do their work, and she’s done TONS of laundry. She’s made every meal.
I have been doing no housework at all.
No laundry.
No dirty diapers.
Well, I did change one dirty diaper. Just one.
Honestly, I have found myself several times just sitting or just curled up in bed, happily wide awake, doing NOTHING! What an unusual sensation! 
What a blessing that Rich has had safety in traveling. We have talked on the phone several times a day. We are looking forward to this weekend. His mom offered to stay through the weekend so that we could go away together.
We are staying in a lovely, local hotel. Just the two of us.
While we are gone, there are plans here at home for a bonfire (to roast hot dogs and marshmallows) and a slumber party (in the living room).
Of course I have continued reading and have enjoyed the extra time to get through a few books. I’ve been reading Martyn Lloyd Jones (Studies in the Sermon on the Mount), and my forever favorite Corrie Ten Boom (In My Father’s House, and Tramp for the Lord.)
Also, I’ve looked through Mary Jane Butter’s book about the outdoors, and a bunch of magazines.
I had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon. My blood pressure was lower and my doctor was pleased. Then, she told me that she was leaving her practice in May and that I would have to choose another doctor, she gave me some options and I was clear headed enough to make a decision right away. She will see me again next week and the week after, and then I will be going to a male doctor that Rich and I met in the hospital when I had Seth. A week ago, I am sure that this news (that my doctor was leaving) would have really bothered me, but today in my rather calm state of mind I think to myself; God knows what is best and He is in control.
I am 34 weeks pregnant with a little girl, and I just can’t wait to see her. When I think about seeing her for the first time I get teary eyed. I still can’t hardly fathom the gift of a new baby daughter.
Spiritually, the Lord is ever near to my heart, and there are no heavy burdens. There are also no exciting revelations, either. Just a calm, contented flowing stream of life moving at a calm pace for a change.
Thank you for the warm thoughts coming my way. Thank you for the prayers. This week is going so well. The children are enjoying every minute with Grandma, and Grandma has been such a God-send. We are all thanking God for the way He has provided our needs once again. How everlastingly faithful He is.
~Shanda
Good to be Home 
I wish I could meet your mother in law to hug her neck for taking care of my friend Shanda, and just to get to know such an awesome lady!!! I mean, she has really been amazing!God IS so faithful! Rest is profoundly important, and I am so happy to hear how God provided for you in your time of (great!) need. Thanks for the wonderful update and pictures. That first shot of Grandma with all the children is just precious!P.S. Did Grandma make those cream puffs too? WOW!!! Yummy!!!
I’ve been thinking about you on and off all day and decided if I didn’t see a post soon I would write and let you know that I was praying that everything was ok with you — by the sounds of it, it surely is!! What a Grandma!!!
What a blessing to be able to do NOTHING Your post exudes calmness and tranquility. I’m so happy for you~~Hugs~ Cinnamon
So glad to hear you’re doing well! Sounds like you have been blessed with a wonderful helper!
That’s such great news that you are able to rest as you need to, and that you are doing so well!
Those cream puffs look so good! Remind me of my mom. Cream puffs are one of the (many) yummy things she makes. My heart is so happy to see you with such a wonderful helper! What a blessing. Glad you are letting her help, and getting the rest you need. Enjoy your time alone with hubby! Much love to you, my friend.
What a blessing to hear all this good news. The pictures you shared here are nothing but a reflection of how you feel. Love you, Lish
I am so glad to hear you are getting the rest you need….and yes you look well rested! I bet the kids are having a blast too.maybe I’ll do a car party soon,sounds like fun!( before i give the van a spring cleaning,lol).~Take care ~
Good post. Glad you are resting well. Rec’d your very sweet note today. It is going into one of my journals…it’s just too cute!!!Blessings,D xo
Rest is so good for a pregnant mommy. Great pictures.
When your mother in law leaves, please send her this way. 😉 lol. I’m glad you have been resting and that you are feeling better. What a blessing to have a wonderful mother in law! Wow, 34 weeks, pretty soon you’ll have another little girl!!! =) I love the last picture, and the cream puffs look really good!
You’ve been on my heart these past few days. How wonderful to be able to rest and know your precious children are well taken care of! If we don’t hear from you again, have a relaxing weekend with Rich. I have to second, or maybe third, those cream puffs do look yummy!!
Sounds like your MIL is a fun Grandma! So glad you’re feeling better and getting some rest. Take care and God bless!
It makes me so, so happy that you have Rich’s mother there! WHAT a blessing! Hope you have a fabulous weekend with your hunny 🙂
Oh so wonderful to hear the happiness in your quiet resting. It must be so satisfying to see all your children so happy and cared for by your wonderful MIL. She is making so many happy memories for the kids…”remember when Grandma came to stay?” I loved my MIL, Nana, so very much, and she was wonderfully good to me! I am sure ready to be a grandma, I am starting to long for babies Someday,Lord willing. Your MIL sure is creative with the children. How fun for all of them! I am constantly amazed at the things we both like. Tasha Tudor has long been a favorite with her sweet stories and paintings, and now Corrie Ten Boom. I reread “The Hiding Place” every so often to get all the gems in it and perspective on life, but I also love her other writings and how good she is at making a deep point come home.You are looking wonderful. Looking forward to your sweet girl being born and seeing a girl growing up with Grace. Sweet bouquets!! My sweet peas are abundant this year so I have enjoyed lots of little bouquets. Love and hugs, Jenny
How wonderful for you! It sounds blissful and very much needed.
This post just made me SMILE!!
Oh, your mother in law sounds like a lovely person!! (brave and daring too, eh?) What a huge blessing at this time. “Enjoy” your time of resting. The reward of a healthy daughter, and momma too will be so worth it!!
So so glad to hear you are well and everyone is kept happy!!!
I am so happy to hear that Rich’s mom is there! She sounds like a true treasure! I’m glad you are resting and feeling better. How nice that you will have some time to be away with your sweet hubby, too! God always provides!
Praise our wonderful Lord for the good report! It is so wonderful to hear of the blessed relationship you have with your mother-in-law, and how she is blessing you all. God is so good! Praying today is a great day for your household. ~ Deborah
I read this late last night and could not leave a comment because my computer locked up, but I went to bed so so happy. The Lord answered every single prayer I had for you, my heart is so full of joy! And then to read that you are going away with Rich!!!
It sounds like such a delightful week – God truly did bring peace and joy out of fears and worries. What a grand redemptive Savior we have! The pictures are beautiful, they really show just the sense of rest that permeates this entire post. Have a wonderful time away with your husband this weekend!
it was so nice to “hear” from you again!! It looks like you are getting lots of rest!! Don’t you just love helpful MILs!! You are blessed! also very excited to hear that you are getting a night away… enjoy it!!!
I’ve added Rich’s Mom to my prayer list. What a delight to have her there and taking care of things. I bet you didn’t know what to do first, when you were left alone in your house!!!
Oh Praise God! What a joy to read and see this. ( I drank in the daff pics…they are my favorites)You sound sooooooooooooo much better. It really won’t be long until that little bitty girl is sleeping in your arms. Blessings and much love, from the azalea popping South.m
What as awesome woman your MIL is!!
what a blessing to have your mother in law there with you. are those two girls her daughters? I was just confused as to who they were. but what a great gathering of kids and a wonderful woman who is giving them a great time and allowing you to have some good quite time so that you and Sarah can have some quiet together as you prepare for her entering this world and joining your beautiful family. love your pictures that you took. they look so peaceful.
Gee……. How did I know this would be such a great time for you? Because I just had the privilage to do what your MIL is doing for you!! Doesn’t it do your heart good to watch the kids bond with their grandma? Trust me, it is doing more for grandma then for you. The kids will have these special memories for years to come. My grands talk about all we do when we are together and it does my heart good to know that my times with them are special times. I am so happy for all of you and glad you can rest and get some refreshment before little Sarah comes. Praying for your hubby and his safe travels home. Lynn
This makes me smile! God is so good isn’t He? What a precious gift your sweet and helpful MIL is. I am so happy to hear that you got a good report from the doctor and that you are getting to spend a wonderful weekend with your husband. Fabulous, just fabulous. You look rested and much more relaxed. So happy for you and God always meets all our needs. Love you
@mytoesareblue – Hi! Yes, those girls are her daughters from her 2nd marriage. Laura is Jacob’s age and Marissa is Ethan’s age! We were pregnant together twice!!! (Rich, my husband, is her firstborn son.) They are wonderful girls and I’m sure you can imagine that Grace is having such a good time with them. They all get along like brothers and sisters. I looked in on Grace early this morning and she was still sound asleep in bed, with Laura on one side and Marissa on the other! @Lynn – Lynn, you are so special. Thank you for caring and understanding. You are right, that’s what my MIL keeps telling me—that she is loving every minute with the kids, and helping me out! Thanks so much for the prayers. Shanda
Your MIL looks so young! It’s so nice she is there to help you while you need it. I’m glad you are getting rest and have such wonderful help around you.
hi shanda…….i had a lovely time reading through your post. what a wonderful and memorable time for everyone!!
Yeah for rest 🙂 I’ve not a clue what that is this week lol! But I know mine is coming in a few weeks and I’m holding out for that down time ~ beautiful pics!
Sometimes you have hinted at feeling like you are not really ‘doing anything’ of major importance…or that you don’t think what you have to say on your blog is important.I just wanted you to know that I look forward to reading everything you write. You never know what little thing you say might inspire, encourage or touch someone else…and it will probably not be the thing you least expect or don’t even intend to do that will make an impact.I have been depressed, ‘pointless’ and struggling lately. I have had Corrie Ten Boom’s book “Tramp for the Lord” that is compiled with two of her other books, and while I have read “The Hiding Place,” I’ve never read the other two books included with it. So I picked up and started reading, “Tramp for the Lord” yesterday. It was exactly what I needed to read. I cried. I was inspired. My faith was built up. I know it’s what I need to be reading right now. So…thank you. :)There are just certain authors that speak directly to your soul and spirit and Corrie Ten Boom is one of those for me. Why did I wait so long to pick that one up? Maybe it was so that the Lord could use you, specifically, to touch my life and to let you know about it.I also have to say that the impact you are having on your children and supporting your husband right now is a most important thing! …even if you are laid up, your love and emotional support to them is irreplaceable.Praying for you and your family. 🙂
@Kara – Dear Kara, that’s wonderful. Yeah, I know what you mean. Corrie’s books and thoughts are such a blessing. I’ve read The Hiding Place too many times to count. Her other books that aren’t as well known are just as good. I love reading about her life and her adventures. She inspires me, and reminds me to have a childlike faith and trust in Jesus. I’m so thankful that you were prompted to do some reading and that her words are soothing your troubled spirit. Hope you feel better soon, dear. You’ve encouraged my heart today. Love~Shanda