“Joy is very infectious. We will never know just how much good a simple smile can do. Be faithful in little things. Smile at one another. We must live beautifully.” Mother Teresa
“You can pray while you work. Work doesn’t stop prayer and prayer doesn’t stop work. It requires only that small raising of the mind to him: I love you God, I trust you, I believe in you, I need you now. Small things like that. They are wonderful prayers.” Mother Teresa
What’s a Baptist girl doing, reading Mother Teresa?
I say: I love Jesus and have Him in my heart. She loved Jesus, too, and is on to glory. We are sisters.
Isn’t it wonderful when God matures a believer PAST their denomination and on to something much deeper, truer, and real? (That being; Jesus Christ Himself and being united with other believers, IN HIM). **happy sigh**
I love that. And I am very much enjoying my book of Mother Teresa quotes. 
The Buggie
Sarah saw a buggie and it was green.
It was on her dress but she didn’t mind.
Oops! Off it hopped.
God’s creatures are so amazing!
Let’s take a closer look at those long legs and that green color, so nice.
“How many are your works, O Lord! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.” Psalm 104:24
He might give you the creeps when he crawls on you, but don’t hurt him!
He has work to do.
Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy. Psalm 96:11,12
Sometimes I use my photos to make a little book for the children; I’m thinking this might be another good one.
“I feel that we too often focus on the negative aspects of life, on what is bad. If we were more willing to see the good, and the beautiful things that surround us, we would be able to transform our families.”
“We must live life beautifully; we have Jesus with us and he loves us. If we could only remember that God loves us, and that we have an opportunity to love others as he loves us, not in big things, but in small things with great love, then {our country}becomes a nest of love…..a burning light of peace in the world.”
Mother Teresa
Thankful for:
a rainy day
my children
my husband (this is a photo of our date night, on Friday, when I dressed nice and he couldn’t keep his eyes off me.) *wink wink*
coffee
naptime
family
books
givers
people who love beautiful things
homemade food
candle light
and
YOU.
Remember: you are special, very special. and loved. there is no one else like you. if you ever need a friend, you can write me a line or two here through xanga. and, if you really know me in real life, stop on by, or call ANYTIME, and I’ll be here for you. we need each other. no one needs to feel lonely or alone.
((hugs))
Good to be Home 
what a beautiful post and you looked very pretty!!! 🙂
A joy filled happy post. I have enjoyed Mother Teresa’s wisdom since my older boys read a book about her in their early teens. She was a wise Godly woman! Enjoyed the children and bug story!!You look beautiful, so glad you two went out and enjoyed one another!
very classy and beautiful dress!
You are so sweet. =)I like Mother Teresa. She did so much for so many. You look lovely for your date night. I can’t Wait to go on a date with Jeff! We are busy this summer and haven’t had much time, but come fall, we’re going to go on LOTS of dates I told him! =)Adorable pictures. When you said buggy, I was expecting a baby buggy…but Sarah and the green buggy is much cuter.Happy Monday to you. =)
@Elizabethmarie_1 – Yes, my language has changed after 14 years of toddlers in the house. LOL You’re sweet, too. And I’m glad Fashion Girl approved my look! 😉
Love your date night dress!! Also love the baby girl and the buggy. 🙂
Loved, Loved your post! Thanks so much for sharing!Always enjoy anything about Mother Teresa… always loved how she touched so -o-o many little ones lives… Date Nights are Wonderful! Love the children with the “buggy”! 🙂 I enjoy your blogs so much…
Love the pictures — especially Sarah and her brother getting a close-up of the green bug!! Glad you take time out for a date night with your hubby!
What a beautiful post!!!!!! I wish you lived close!!!
Cute pic of you two. 😉 Isn’t it fun to get all dressed up for a date night! And sweet kiddos, too. =)
Your hubby is smitten with you! Great post – haven’t had a lot of exposure to Mother Theresa, but by the quotes alone seems she had it together! We have those buggies here too! In TX they grew 10 times as big (and they bit – ouch)!
Oh, you are so sweet! I sure wish I lived near you because I would definately drop in on you! I love your little green bug story, all that is missing here is his name! LOLBlessings hun
Love your dress and the Mother Theresa quotes!
I too love and respect Mother Theresa. When you read about her, and hear the things she said, there can be no doubt that she loves the same Jesus I do! I like what you said about growing in faith until it transcends our man-made labels! Thank you for being my Xanga friend! Hugs from Denmark!
My kids liked your story. 🙂 We had to read it four times! 🙂
You look beautiful Shanda!I totally agree with you about moving beyond denominational labels. I have friends from surprising backgrounds, and some still involved in a very different church denomination, who truly love Jesus and His Word. That is what really matters, the foundation of the best kind of fellowship!I keep thinking about visiting you! I daydreamed about it the other day, leaving the boys with Terry some weekend and getting away by myself. Hey, it doesn’t hurt to dream!
Love the pictures of the kids enjoying the simple discovery of a bug with such excitement and wonder!
This would make a great little book for them!The dress is so so so cool!
What a great post: Mother Theresa, a green bug, and a husband who can’t keep his eyes off of you.
Thanks for those quotes! They’re such a good remind for me. I have to admit about the second quote….I’ve done that lots-even today- when I’ve got problems while babysitting and I have no idea what to do. God is always faithful though and I’m glad He’s always there to hear me. God is a friend that’s always there and is closer then even a best friend but I agree we all need friends to help us laugh and they have a special place in my heart 🙂 So glad to have you as a friend!
You look amazing!
Shanda you look absolutely stunning!!
I love, love, love your blog. I have followed your blog for a long time.You are such an honest and uplifting person, and such a great Mother. I would love to have a big family one day. I have a 14 month old son, and you honestly inspire me to be a better Mom!I think, “If she can do it with 7, a can surely do it with one!”. God bless you and your family!
Shanda, I always love your blog, but this is one of my favorites! I love the photos and your commentary about the children and the bug, I love the Mother Theresa quotes, and I love what YOU wrote about growing past our denomination … I totally agree with what you are saying. It’s wonderful when we learn to be sisters and brothers in Jesus BEFORE we start splitting hairs (straining at gnats!) about infant baptism or some other point of doctrine. One of the old Puritan preachers used to tell a story something like this (I’ve totally paraphrased here): “A man died and went almost to the gates of Heaven, and stopped and hollered up at St. Peter, ‘Any Baptists up there?’ St. Peter answered, ‘No!” “Any Methodists up there?”St. Peter answered, “No!””Any Catholics up there?”St. Peter answered, “NO!””Well, then, who IS up there?”And St. Peter answered, “Only sinners, saved by the Blood of the Lamb!”Isn’t it such a joy to think that one day, our Lord’s prayer to His Father, “Father, let them be one as We are One” will be answered, and that we’ll all be feasting together at the Lord’s table in Heaven?Much love from your sister in Arkansas who happens to be a Roman Catholic, but is always FIRST a sinner saved by the Blood of the Lamb!Celia
@anniemockingbird – I just want you to know that your comment was such a blessing to me. I read it out loud to Rich, with tears in my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with me here. I totally agree with you and long for that day of rejoicing and feasting!
@Cassie – Cassie, thank you for your note! I’m so glad you popped in to say a friendly hello, it’s so fun to meet new friends here, and I’m so glad you like this blog. I do enjoy writing it for my family and anyone (you!) who cares to follow along….God bless you and your family! Anytime you need a friend, please write to me here! xoxo