The children have been swimming in the pond almost every day.
I like to take my pretty quilt and go sit down at the pond and watch them.
On Friday, Sarah slept under the trees in the shade while the others swam.
Ethan gave his chicken a ride on the swing. But I really took this picture because of Seth and his daring climb. Seth has no fear, I have to feel it all for him…….can’t take my eyes off him for a moment!
Friday evening:
The sky that evening was so beautiful….
we ended up having to get out of the pond because a storm came in.
I took some pictures of Sarah Joy in her fancy dress before she grew out of it……it was a gift from one of my xanga friends. The dress and bow are darling, she’s so cute in it. Grace and I think she looks like a baby ballerina.
Rich got home Friday night shortly after 9. I want to say thanks to all who prayed for him. His flight was almost delayed on Friday……but all ended up just fine and we spent a very happy Saturday and Sunday together again. We kissed a lot. 
On Saturday Grace and David were invited to a pool party. After I took a chicken to the vet (she had a sore on her foot), I dropped them off. Then, I came home and Rich and I put Seth down for a nap and left Jacob & Ethan to babysit Caleb (and Seth, who was napping). We went out for lunch and then went to pick out a new dryer. We drove on back roads instead of the highway and we discovered a great meat market on the way home. We picked up some hamburgers, steaks, hot dogs, and ribs to grill. When we got home, we all walked the 1 and a half miles to go get Grace and Davy back from their friend’s house. I love walking with the family, we talked and laughed and got too hot. We ended up going out for ice creams when we got back home. The only bad thing was that during our walk I was holding Sarah in the Ergo. Because I couldn’t carry it around my neck as usual, I put my camera in the back of the stroller, not knowing that Seth’s sippy cup with water in it was leaking…my camera got drenched and is slowly drying out. So far it is not working, but I have hope! Live, camera, live! Come back to me!
On Sunday we went to church. Rich taught Sunday School and the Lord orchestrated it so that his lesson and Pastor’s sermon went hand in hand. Its always a thrill when that happens. People had questions during S.S. that Pastor was able to clear up w/out even knowing about our class. After church we stopped by the grocery store. Rich and I went in and got stuff for a sandwich lunch which I made and we ate, on the way home. We also went through the McDonald’s drive through…I love their iced mochas, yum!
Today my friend Kathy (and her five children) are coming over to play with us. My new dryer will be delivered and then this afternoon Jacob has an orthodontist appointment. It’s going to be a busy (but fun) day, and that’s why I wanted to hop online earlier ….. to say hello …. Happy Monday!!
Good to be Home 
A new dryer! Yeah! It’s great to have things that work! I hope your day is very pleasant!
Putting wet cell phones in a bucket of rice helps them to dry out so they work again maybe it will work with your camera too. Sounds like you had a great weekend with your family! Have a wonderful day! Love you, Melissa
I’m so happy for you that Kathy is coming for a visit. What a delightful time you’ll have with her! And a new *DRYER* (!!!!!!!) I hope you picked one of the largest capacities! As you know, I get a new w/d set last September – ALL very large (super sized!) and it’s made doing laundry more pleasant! Praying for you as always, cher’
Such fun. The property where your house is looks so peaceful and lovely – space to raise a large family. I just got a new dryer myself. I’ve heard about using rice also – to dry out items. Hope that works.
You are such a busy mamma these days! As if it weren’t enough having seven children, well, a newborn PLUS such an adventurous little tot on your hands! It has always intrigued me how cautious Lee is; in fact, although I have never blocked our (very steep, narrow) staircase from him, he has never fallen down it! I wonder if my second son will end up being the polar opposite of his big brother…Sarah is so beautiful in that outfit; I love the bright pink! I love the picture of her being cradled in her daddy’s arms. So glad Rich is back home with you, and that you all had a wonderful weekend together!
P.S. Oh I hope your camera will be okay! Please keep us posted…
Shanda, Another series of beautiful pictures of the children. Yes Sarah does look like a beautiful little ballerina
I’m so glad Rich got home and you had a wonderful wknd. I love wonderful wknds
You are so blessed!~Cinnamon
My prayer today is for that camera. It would be such a loss to all of us if it doesn’t come back to life. Blessings on this Monday.
I always like when you post pictures of your family enjoying life. A pond sounds like the place to be on a hot day! Little Seth has been learning a lot while watching, so now he is trying everything! David was like that too. Having older brothers, he just figured he could do everything they did. He used to climb to the top of big trees as a toddler, found him on the playhouse roof one day. I will pray for Seth to stay safe. Cute seeing your Davey being the big big brother. Sarah makes a darling ballerina. I especially like the 1st shot kicking. Sweet picture with Rich. So glad his trip went well and he is home now. Keep cool. It was around 99-100 all weekend up where our Home School conference was held, so thankful for air conditioning! I am sleepy and tired today and have some books to look through!!
baby ballerina for sure! so, so pretty!
Hoping that camera dries out well!!
Happy Monday to you too! Glad your hubby made it home safe and sound and that you are enjoying life!
Shanda, your posts are always an encouragment to my soul! Days by the pond sound lovely, Sarah the ballerina is adorable, and I’m super happy that you and Rich were able to have some togetherness time – just the two of you. 🙂 My hopes are high in regard to your camera! One time my husband noticed that his digital voice recorder was missing. We were looking all over the house for it. My ears were gradually drawn to a faint thump in the dryer. Yes, it went through the washing machine and through the dryer. (gasp). Tony let it dry out for a few days, put it back together and it worked just fine. So there is hope!!
Also wanted to let you know that I purchased “The Gentle Arts of Domesticity” this weekend. I remembered that you suggested it a while back and was so excited to see it marked down to $10. 🙂
Your weekend sounds wonderful! So thankful that Rich made it home. I enjoy reading and seeing pictures of your chickens, and your kids interacting with your chickens. The picture of your house with the majestic clouds behind it is breath-taking! Enjoy your new dryer- how exciting! Have a fun visit with Kathy and her kids. Love ya! Oh, and Sarah in that outfit, SO CUTE!!
Come back, camera! ~ so many pictures to take and enjoy! Love Sarah’s bow ~
A few months ago when we were doing some renovating in our home, the head carpenter had gotten his cell phone wet. He put it in the freezer and that worked magic. Perhaps you could try freeze-drying your camera? We NEED our cameras!!!
I LOVE that bow!!! Oh my goodness, she is sooooo adorable all dressed up like a big pink puff!!!
Def. try the rice, it’s “healed” a lot of cell phones! Happy Monday to y’all too!!!
That first photo made me LOL! Little Seth lost his britches! What a kick!!! I really love that cute outfit that your friend bought for Sarah. It is just the cutest thing I have ever seen. The photos of her are too cute. I could not live without my camera so I am praying it will be ok… We can pray for cameras, can’t we?? 🙂
I love your pictures! I hope that your camera is working ok.
She is so cute in that dress 🙂
Nice pics!
I was just web surfing and came across this fun tutorial http://www.dana-made-it.com/2008/08/tutorial-freezer-paper-stencil-makenna.html It made me think of you and how you enjoy making special things for you children. I thought of how the kids might even enjoy making their own stencil sometime.
totally know about those drowned cameras! my canon xti got drowned about 6 months ago b/c I accidentally left it out in the rain while I was babysitting, and it stayed out there through the sprinkler as well. Eventually through some prayer everything dried out and you’d never know it lived through a flood 🙂 Keep hoping!
sounds like a beautiful weekend Shanda. and such a blessing that Rich was able to make it home on time, and spend some good time with all of you whom he loves 😉
AWWW—>yay, I gathered the family around to see the picture of Sarah wearing the outfit we sent with so much love to your little love! It is so cool to see something picked out here aaaaall the way out in New England!! She is precious…I hope your camera comes back–>i would feel so lost without my camera for even a day! That BBQ sounds fabulous, ribs! YUM! I love the first shot of Sarah on the blanket under the tree:) How is the chicken?
I love the pictures of Sarah Joy in her pretty pink dress! Hoping the camera dries out. I would try the rice method. It just might work……and prayer.
I so enjoy your picture posts… hope that your camera heals quickly!! 🙂
Love Sarah’s clothes. I am saving the dresses that you handed down from Grace to Sophie. Cameron is quite impressed with Seth . . .
i love your pictures and your weekend looked happy and blessed
saying a prayer for the camera right now!
Oh Shan! Sarah is beautiful! LOVE her outfit!!!
Hi Shan, I LOVE this dress Sarah is wearing! It’s adorable. I’ve picture our baby, if it’s a girl, wearing one of those cool headbands in a photo shoot . . . I can’t beleive how big she is getting. I hope you have a great weekend with your family and friends! Love, Lish