We have been friends together
In sunshine and in shade.
~Caroline Sheridan Norton

Six years ago, I hosted the very first “Valentine party for friends” at my house. 

Although my desire was to have it every year, we missed four years because of pregnancies and new babies.  Even though our original group is not the same (several ladies have moved away and two have been added ), I felt that the time we spent together was better than ever.  We’ve all grown and changed, but our love and friendship has remained. 

As I made preparations for the party on Saturday, February 11th, I prayed that God would bless our time together. 

I washed up my Great Grandma’s punch bowl and cups in hot soapy water until it sparkled.

I gathered enough fiestaware for us all.  Scarlet, Rose, Cinnabar, and White.

I got little valentine gifts made: Godiva chocolates wrapped in pretty paper and string.

(Grace was very fascinated by this and made one for her bus driver, Tina.)

Rich and I made a special trip to my favorite bakery for some pretty desserts; red velvet cupcakes and a small, heart-shaped chocolate cake.

The gathering began at 5:30pm.  Soon we were all together again, laughing and talking non stop, just like always.

This is our wonderful friend Trish, with my adorable sister Amanda (in her fancy red pants!) We always wear red, white, or pink tops to the party….just for fun…..

 This is my dear friend Caroline. 

I made chicken florentine (Giada’s recipe=yum), rice, and salad. 

Our dear friend Elissa moved back home to Illinois, but I’m wearing the cherry apron she gave me and she was in my thoughts often~ 

 One of my favorite parts of dinner; watching the ladies serve each other. 

Amanda, Alicia, Trish, Cathi, Caroline, Kathy, and Shanda.  Five old friends who have been through thick and thin together, two new ones who don’t know what they’re getting themselves into (ha ha).  God is SO good, to give us the gift of friendship.  It’s our desire to nurture our relationships, encourage one another, and always be on the look out for other kindred spirits/sisters to join us as we fellowship in our area of Connecticut. 

 We gave cards and gifts, and wrote in our little book (pictured above with the red cover). 

 TRULY:

Good conversation is as stimulating as black coffee,
and just as hard to sleep after.
— Anne Morrow Lindbergh

Everyone left by 8:30 and I could not sleep until midnight I was so excited.  It was very special for me to have these women in my home and in my life.  We are planning another gathering, soon.

I love you, sisters!

This adorable (if I do say so….) card came in the mail on Saturday, my thoughtful mom made it herself.  It made me cry, actually.  However, it also made me laugh because the age is wrong, and the reason that it’s wrong is because there was a brief period of time in which there was no doubt in my mind that I was turning 35.  OOPS.  I even told mom, “Please come out for my birthday, it’s a milestone, 35!”  I either sounded very convincing, or she felt sorry for me.  Like a big dope, I told several people I was turning 35.

My friend Kathy eventually cleared it up, as she knows exactly the number of years between us and set me straight.

((happy to be:36))

Consequently, I didn’t fully understand how old I was going to be until just a few days beforehand.  Has this ever happened to anyone else?  I was telling a lady at church the story and she said that when she turned 49, she and her mother both thought it was her 50th!  She got a year back, which is the much better way to forget your age, I think.

So, on my birthday, we went to church, like we always do on Sundays.  Rich taught Sunday school (it was on a parable about prayer), and then we had a sermon from our preacher (about how God knows the very number of hairs on our heads).  Darling son Seth fell asleep and I was able to hold him all through church, which was a gift.  He was so sweet as he slept in my arms.

After church we were hungry, so did our usual thing: take out lunches.  The children had Wendy’s burgers. fries, and nuggets.  Rich and I had BBQ at a new place for us.  It was very good.  I had pulled pork with sauce on the side, coleslaw, and a very yummy black bean cold salad with cilantro in it. 

But, the best part of all……..was when we arrived home and discovered this:

My sister Amanda, her husband, Jason, and their children (Abbie, Naomi, and Weston) came to the house and decorated for a party while we were at church!  They were gone by the time we arrived, and it was so fun to admire everything they did for me.  For all of us, really, because the children were just as excited as I was (Rich was in on the surprise).

I discovered pretty beads, and a “big fun button” to wear.

There were cookies, on a decorated table.  These cookies reminded the children of marshmallows.  In fact, Seth called them, “Lucky Charms.”  hm.

There were notes taped to the window.

“Happy Birthday!!!  36 is very young.  You have a long way to go Aunt Shanda”  (from Abbie)

From Amanda:

From my brother in law (he’s such a wonderful guy!)  He even did up my dishes that were in the sink.

Of course I had to take pictures of everything, and daughter Grace took these for me:

Here I am with my tall son Jacob!

(I wish you could see my feet, I was wearing some darling new silver flats!)

(mercy me, I just noticed Seth, pay no attention to that.) 

Amanda and Jason even brought me a cake, candles, plates, and ice cream.

They thought of everything.  (and what a great thing for the children to see::love between siblings, even grown up ones!)

Poor David was sad because he put the candles in the cake and pushed them too far in.  We didn’t realize how long it would take to light *all those candles* so by the time Rich got to the end, the first ones were melting into the cake (and the big brothers were teasing him about it)….

 After a rousing rendition of the happy birthday song, I took a deep breath and blew out my candles.

I was glad that “Happy………Shanda” remained legible after all that fire and wax.  Very fitting.

The cake and frosting were delicious. We just couldn’t wait to dig in.

Birthdays are a lot of fun, aren’t they?  Especially when you have a loving family to celebrate them with.

Now, if you’ll excuse me….there’s leftover cake out in the kitchen and a good book calling me on my new kindle.

Hope my friends have a wonderful day!

 “Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.” Psalm 156

8:00 on a Sunday morning.

It’s my birthday today.

As I receive my breakfast from my husband,  (egg sandwich)

and gifts from him, (a kindle touch)

smiles from teenage boys,

hugs from little ones,

chatter from my 12 year old daughter,

I remember

just a few months ago

in the darkness of senseless depression

I wanted to give up

however………..

God has been as faithful as ever and led through the dark days

“I shall not die but declare the glory of God”

today I turn 36

and I’m touched again by the brightness of living

my children all around me

the love of my husband who said to me yesterday

“what would I do without you”

the love of friends

(I spent time with 6 of them last night)

life is a good gift

GOD is great.

Thank you for another year.

my absolute favorite hymn:

(written by fanny crosby)

For you see, each day I love you more

~Rosemonde Gerard

Hello, dear friends!  What a beautiful day it is here, at our place.  I had to go get the dog earlier (boy does he pull my arm) and while I was outside I saw a cardinal couple over in the trees by the pond.  The sound of birdsong is in the air as spring approaches, the sun is shining and the sky is the bluest blue.  Chilly; probably in the lower 40’s.  Refreshing.  I said hello to the stream and checked the ponds for ice–a very thin layer. 

I went grocery shopping this morning, we were all out of milk. 

Seth called my necklace a “neck up”.

Grace and Ethan brought home progress reports yesterday, what nice grades they are getting!  So proud.

Rich gets to go on the cooperate jet tomorrow.

I bought him a Valentine card today. 

I wore Jacob’s jacket outside when I got the dog and it smelled like a man (he wears cologne!). 

Why do teenage boys not like to wear coats or jackets? 

Caleb’s tooth was so loose that last night I pinned him to the floor and pulled it out.  David was very uncomfortable and ran downstairs so he didn’t have to watch.  Caleb said, “I can’t believe you did that!”  I laughed and hugged him, “I knew it wouldn’t hurt, that’s why I did it.” I explained.  He carried his tooth around for about an hour and then lost it someplace.

20 month old baby girls are a delight.  I made the dress (now a shirt) for her last year for Valentine’s day.  I took the pictures of her today.  She loves her blankie.  And that finger.

Happy Thursday afternoon!  xoxo

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.  Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart.  Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.  Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so.  One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.  ~Mary Jean Iron

Every once in a while when we’re at home, just doing ordinary things, I’ll be fussing around the house getting things prepared for the next day, or thinking about my “to-do list”, when all of a sudden, God will open my weary and distracted eyes to *the truly wonderful ordinary moments* happening around me. 

Like this one from Friday night; Dinner was over and Rich was reading to the little ones.  Davy and Caleb couldn’t resist joining them so then there were five heads close together on the big big couch.  Grace was quietly folding hundreds of socks because we’re a large family and it’s a chore she reluctantly helps me with. 

With a jolt, I realize again how extraordinary “ordinary life” really is. I see, really see, my very own family, my pretty things, my cozy home, and my heart swells in gratitude as I look for my camera to try to capture the gift of now.  I’m thankful for each day God gives me.