I am so tired tonight. Rich is gone at a Bible study while the three older children are at youth group. I just got David, Caleb, Seth and Sarah to bed so I have a few minutes to blog before I also go to bed for the night.
I wake up every morning at 5:30am. The older children get up at that time, too. I usually get my coffee made at 6 and sit on the couch with it, talking to my older ones as they get ready for school and make their lunches.
By the time they get on the bus at 6:30 (and Rich leaves for work), Seth is usually up. I wake Caleb and David up at 6:45. I get their breakfasts and get them ready for school; clothes, socks and shoes, lunches and so on.
This morning, Sarah woke up last. I gave her breakfast and waved to David and Caleb as the bus picked them up for school. Always lots of talking going on.
It took me a solid hour to fold and put away 4 loads of clothes.
Run the dishwasher, straighten every room.
Read to the little ones.
One thing that is hard right now, is that I can’t leave Seth with Sarah at all. He ends up hurting her somehow, not sure why. To hear her cry? She was crawling up the stairs today as he was coming down and he kicked her in the cheek, just hard enough to make a mark for about a hour. It’s so sad. However, they did play for little bit, nicely, too. It was so cute to see him try to get her to play ball with him, he was pretty patient about it. “Throw it to me, Sare!” And she would walk to him and hand it to him………
Sarah went back down for a nap at about 9:30. Seth and I went outside to play so he could get some energy out.
He had LOTS and LOTS of energy today. He’s such a wonderful, happy, handsome boy. He tires me out!
We went down to the stream after untangling the dog’s chain for him.
Seth “fished” with a stick. He would hold it in the water and then lift it up and say, “See my fish!” and I would say, “It’s a big one! Want me to get him off the hook for you?” it was all pretend, of course. He asked me too look at his fish about 25 times.
The sun was so pretty as it shown through the trees in the woods, and on the water of the stream. I thought about getting my camera but didn’t…..I ended up making a little table of food for the fairies.
Later on, I ran back down by myself to take a picture;
I remember when I was a child I would go through phases, usually when I was spending a lot of time in the woods, when fairies would become almost real to me. It was fun to think that way again today, although it was hard getting started at first. Every day life gets so busy, it’s hard to find time to imagine things.
Later on, after Ethan, Jacob, and Grace got home, Ethan took the dog for a walk. When he came back, he had this milkweed pod to show me. He thought it looked like a pinecone on the inside.
I feel bad because I did look at it at the time, but it was in the midst of so many other things, and I did take a picture of it but I wonder if Ethan truly felt like I was giving him time……..I’m hope he did. I love my children so much. I try to hug them all, pat them on the back, tell them I love them, smile at them all.
Seth was high-energy today and took a short nap. He locked himself into the bathroom. He runs around, he slams into things, he kicks and plays and talks and yells and doesn’t sit still EVER unless we are reading books or he’s watching his favorite videos; thank goodness for SPOT, BUSY TOWN, & BLUE’S CLUES.
While I was trying to get Seth to rest, Sarah and I did have some alone time together. I played dolls with her. She had a doll that needed her hair fixed and some clothes on. We borrowed her big sister Grace’s doll things. Sarah points at her doll’s face and says, “Baby!” and holds her dolly gently. She’ll be a good mama someday.
When David and Caleb came home from school at 3, Caleb immediately put me to work applying his temporary tattoos that he got from school yesterday. I had told him this morning I would. I think he has five tattoos all about being safe with fire, and how firefighters are heros. He ran around without a shirt, the better to see the tattoos.
The older children did their homework right away, so they could go to youth group. They made a pizza and snacked on it as they worked.
David and Caleb kept getting on each other’s nerves so we had a talk about speaking kindly to one another, and working together to play and do fun things.
I like the children to all get fresh air every afternoon so I went outside with the younger ones. I decided to make an easy craft with Seth and it actually amused him, so I thought I would share it with other moms of preschoolers.
You take a brown paper bag, rip strips of newspaper, and have your child stuff them into the bag. Seth liked that part a lot.
When it’s full, you gather the bag closed and tie it with a rubber band (I used a hair band, they are easier to find in my house.)
Draw a face on the bag, and it ends up being a soft “ball” toy. Seth loved holding the end and throwing it. He liked looking at the face and pointing out the eyes, nose, mouth, etc.
The boys named it “Bob.” LOL
I took advantage of the pretty fall colors to take a few pictures.
David (I helped him with spelling homework tonight.)
Here are several of Seth and his funny smiles. He’s such a happy boy! I noticed that he even talks happy, “Yum! This nice juice is delicious!” was one thing that he said today. 
Sarah Joy;
Sarah is much better today, although still coughing. Thank you so much for praying for my baby!
After we played outside, we all came in so I could make dinner. We had fishsticks, veggies with pasta, and homemade applesauce. While we were eating, Rich called and said he had a terrible day of work. I haven’t even seen him…..he was running late so he just pulled in the driveway and the kids ran out to join him. LOL
Seth was so silly that I buckled him in the high chair this evening for a while, to “color”. (He’s not fond of quiet work) I ended up letting the boys watch Spot AND Blue’s Clues and then I put them to bed. I gave Sarah her bath, put vicks on her chest and feet, and put her to bed, too.
It’s just been one of those very long, tiring days. You know.
A good day, but busy.
Random; I’m loving the “Life is Good” online store and ordered myself several shirts today. Have you looked at their things? They even have a happy radio station you can listen to as you browse!
If you had an extra busy-mama day today (or any kind of busy day), I wish you a very lovely, deep sleep!
xoxo,
Shan
PS, (written wed. morning) I stayed up until Rich came home and we talked for a while, it was nice. I did sleep good, only waking up one time because you guessed it–SETH–came in our room at 2:30. He needed a diaper change. LOL It took me a little bit to get back to sleep, but this morning has been pleasant. Here’s to a good day~
Good to be Home 
I hope you get a good night’s sleep.
Great Pictures, great kiddos, love the music playing. I’m calling it a day too! Sleep well my friend.
Hello Shanda~ Even though I don’t always have a moment to comment I do enjoy reading here. You have such beautiful children. I love all the colors you captured and the very cute Seth I think your Seth and my Granton would get along wonderfully playing with “bob” and running nonstop! I did have a very full day today and am sitting in bed while two children play cards next to me. I’m pooped. But it’s been a good day of preparing for friends to stop by. And as you know, that’s always fun I think I’m going to try that paper bag game soon. What a fun and easy idea. Be looking for “bob” at our home soon a sweet sleep to you too~ Cinnamon
How I loved this post! Sounds exactly like my life…Like every detail you shared!!!! I think we will all sleep soundly tonight!
. . . when the weariness pulls you back like a weight that you cannot dislodge and the tears feel close and the day seems like there was more disappointment than triumph, then dear friend, that is when you can imagine yourself in those arms that will never fail you, and the love that is unconditional and the grace that is enough — and know that tomorrow you will have the courage, the strength and wisdom to do it all again. Beautiful pictures, Shanda, and always remember that you will never be asked by your Heavenly Father to give more than you’ve been given. It will be okay, Sweetie. Seth will learn to be kind, your children will remember a Mama who TOOK time when she was pulled in a thousand different directions, and you will even get a chance to see that husband of yours for more than a fleeting moment. Until then, remember that there is a small army out here praying for you, cheering you on, loving you, believing in you. You really are in the thick of the battle right now, and it is tough. But it won’t always be this physically demanding. We aren’t “home free” until we are HOME, but you won’t always be this tired. Sleep well, dear girlie. The Angels are standing guard.
Dear dear Shan (we have been practicing that name with the aaaa sound ) You are such a wonderful, sweet mommy. Even when tired, you play and love and do so much. May the Lord bless you with deep sleep after a full day. I have thought of happy Sethy and his ways with Sarah, both loving and otherwise, asking the Lord what to do. Pray, as I know you do, about this in particular. Also, have Papa and the boys talk of that care for you, Grace, and Sarah. Rich could say something about loving you and taking care of you, and also encourage Seth in that care for Sarah. Not in great long moments but just little by little, as the moment and the Lord leads. If he doesn’t respond to that, he may need to have consequences, but I think this little guy would respond to the encouragement and teaching more. He is a smart fellow. I am tired too, still on east coast time night,night. Loved the fairy table and pod. I took some pics at a house of some sweet things like that. Yours is sweeter still.
Beautiful portraits of the younger children. I”m envious of your colors! Most of all however, I liked reading about how you spent your day.
@Buckeyegirlie – Oh Mary Ann, such beautiful words come from your fingertips on the keyboard. I do often wonder, “Is something wrong with me? Why am I so tired?” This usually happens at the end of each day. But your words remind me that this is a busy, yet beautiful stage of life that will slow down someday and I will laugh as I remember the circus of our lives we are currently living! I love you, dear older lady. You encourage me so many times, your heart to my heart. You understand.
@ABAHM – Wonderful, beautiful reminders, sweet Jenny. Thank you. JR. Miller, in his book, often writes of the relationships in a family and your thoughts reminded me of his book. I think I will find that book today. I remember reading it when Ethan, Jacob, and Grace were younger and it helped me so much in training them to be loving, helpful siblings. I need to remind myself of those things so that I can train my next bunch, as you say, little by little. Oh yes. And, thanks to you and Bob for praying, especially that prayer at the end of our visit, it was like water to my thirsty soul to hear you both pray. ((hugs)) Shan (“Anne” spelled with an “Sh”) LOL
I hope you had a good, long and deep sleep!Love the picture of the kids with the fall colored background. They are beautiful.Glad Sarah is feeling better. I hate sick babies.You are such a good and thoughtful Mom. You always inspire me!Happy Wednesday. =)
Love this post. Love especially the picture of Sarah at the end. I so relate to the crazy busy and the busy busy busy boy – it’s been that way around here lately, with three boys birthdays to celebrate, too, and croup and sickness and leaving today for a trip…hop hop run speedy zip snore. 😉 Hang in there, friend – sounds to me like you’re doing a great job!! And may the Lord’s grace spread all over your parenting efforts like sticky honey and fill in those gaps that you worry about, and cover them, and bring sweetness to the memories.
What a beautiful fairy table! I was just talking to Joy this morning about unicorns and winged horses – she was insisting she didn’t ever want to ride an ordinary horse, because she was going to ride a unicorn. I was torn between explaining to her that unicorns are only in our imagination so that she won’t be disappointed when the time comes to ride a horse, and letting her keep her beliefs. I believed – or believed I believed – in fairies for much longer than most (don’t tell anyone, but sometimes I think I still do!), and I would love for my children to have that same richness of imagination. The world is a lot sadder when there are no fairies and unicorns of our imagination to people it!
Wow…that sounds like quite the busy day. glad that u were able to get some chatting time in with Rich.
You sound like such a great mum. You have beautiful children and I hope you get a good night’s sleep. I know how tiring it can be! You seem very busy and I think you do such a fantastic job!Well done!
Love the fairy table you were able to create in the midst of a busy day! The photos of the children are beautiful as well. I’m very glad to hear little Sarah is doing okay. Just so you know I’m most impressed by the amount of things you accomplish. You seem like a super mommy to me! I did four loads of laundry today as well, but only because returning from an out of town trip yesterday. I’m just about to fold and put mine away. Thank you for your post; will pray for you tonight!
I want to know if bag-man was named after Jenny’s Bob! He’d like it
@maryhurlbut – I’m not sure if he was named for Bob, but I just laughed so hard. BAG-MAN, LOL