Good morning!  I am tired.  Rich left yesterday morning for a short business trip.  He will be back late tonight.  Somehow yesterday seemed very very long…..and then I didn’t sleep very well at all last night.  Caleb woke me up at 1, yelling and crying.  Then, at 4 Seth woke up hungry.  After feeding him I spent about an hour in my bed, worrying about Rich, because I had a bad dream about him.  After a while I realized what I was doing so I made myself think about something else.  I can’t remember now what it was but it put me to sleep….just in time for Caleb to come in my room at 6.  **sigh**  I wish that boy would sleep an extra hour in the mornings!

I called Rich right away and he said I was silly and talked to me until I felt better.  He said I should have called him at 4:30 when I was worrying. 

So….back to yesterday.  It rained all day long.  I spent half the day reading, which felt so wonderful.  It’s been  a long time since I ignored the housework and let the children do whatever they wanted, so I could get lost in a book.  I’m a fast reader and my book ended all too soon.

I had a little reading buddy.

Has anyone else read The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio?  I’ve read it two times now and enjoyed it so much.  It’s on my list of “Favorite Books to read about Large Families”, along with Cheaper by the Dozen, Belles on Their Toes, the Duggar’s new book, Anne of Ingleside & Rainbow Valley, the “All of a Kind Family” books, Spencer’s Mountain, and The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies.  All are highly recommended by Yours Truly.

So the afternoon drifted by in a haze of what I will call “Reader’s Brain”…that drowsy feeling I get after reading “too much” for “too long”…

I did find a gift that I was supposed to give to Grace for Christmas but forgot about (to be honest, I actually forgot WHERE I put it!).  Jacob found it yesterday in the basement.  It was fun to give it to her.  It is a little laundry set so that she can wash her doll clothes.  She had so much fun and thanked me several times.  She has a real washboard, a small wicker laundry basket, a clothesline, and small clothespins.

And because this is a random post, here is a thought for large families.  You smart ones probably already do this, and I do not know why I didn’t think of it before.

It’s much less expensive to buy our ice cream in these 4 quart plastic tubs.  Now our ice cream should last the whole week, instead of just a days or two.  And Jacob can use the empty tubs for his army men. 

Today my friend Karen is supposed to come over.  We plan on baking together.  Doesn’t that sound cozy?  I plan on baking a big batch of my Grandma’s wonderful molasses cookies.  We are also making homemade bread and soup.

I just looked out the window.  My cat is looking in at me, wanting to come in.  The sky is filled with rolling clouds, and the grass has gotten so much greener after our day of rain. 

Enjoy your day!  I look forward to hearing from my friends….yes, that means you! 

Love ~Shanda~

My dear friend Kathy had her baby (and my boy Seth’s new little friend) this morning!

It’s a girl!  Her name is Bethany Grace, and she is a precious gift added to a family of loving parents, three big sisters and one big brother.

She weighs 7 lbs, 4 oz and is 18 1/2 inches long.

I took the pictures of Kathy when she was here last week, visiting me. 

I’m just so thankful to God for another addition to our happy little gang of children (11 of them now!).   I am all teared up and everything…just so relieved and glad that everything has gone well for my friend.

Good morning!  Did you all have a nice weekend?  Ours was busy but fun. 

On Friday afternoon, I went to the grocery store with all six children.  It was the first time I did a major grocery trip with them all.  I pushed one cart with Caleb & Seth in it, and Jacob pushed the food cart.  Two children riding, four children walking on their own two feet.  It went well, and it was nice to have a fresh food supply for the weekend.  We  bought a coconut for the first time, and when my friend Caroline came over to get the three older children (for a play date), she found us all sitting on the driveway.  I was hammering a screwdriver into the coconut as the children all surrounded me in fascination.  We shook out the liquid inside it so they could taste it (David said it tasted like “bad lemonade”) and then Ethan broke in into chunks so they could try the fresh coconut meat. 

On Saturday, after a breakfast of bagel sandwiches, Rich and I got the children dressed and ready to go out.  We went to our favorite local furniture/household decor/outdoor furniture place to pick out a swing set for the children.  It was a warm morning and it was a delight to be outside doing such a fun family activity.  Rich and I (with the help of the children) picked out a perfect swing set for the family.  It is wooden, with 2 trapezes, 2 swings, and an infant swing.  It also has a rope/rock climb wall and a slide.  I took my camera along but for some reason, didn’t take any pictures (it was rather distracting to keep the children in sight!).  It will be delivered at the end of May and we are looking forward to it.  I’ll take pictures then!

After the swingset purchase, Rich had to get his hair cut so he dropped us off at the library so we could wait for him there.  It was a library we had not visited before so it was an extra special treat.  David found a Disney short story book and I read a Buzz Lightyear story to him 2 times.  I also read “Corduroy Gets a Pocket” and a Thomas the Tank Engine book.  I had to nurse Seth in the library, and change his diaper.  There was a train table so Caleb enjoyed that, along with pulling down all the Thomas videos off the shelf.

The older children engrossed themselves in books:

And David also managed to amuse himself in Other Ways

When we got home, we all sat at the table for a nice lunch of sandwiches, chips, pickles (we eat lots of pickles!), fruit, and salad.  We have noticed that Seth is rarely happy unless he is sitting at the table with us.  It’s such a nice feeling to be all together at meal times.  Rich and I pass Seth back and forth and we all talk and eat together.

In the afternoon, we all went outside to enjoy the spring weather.  Rich did some yard work while I snapped some pictures of the children having fun.

The trampoline gets used every single (nice weather) day.

I also admired Girl’s freckles.  As soon as she spends time in the sun they brighten up.  She has a lovely sprinkling of them across her face. . . . .

We amused ourselves by taking pictures of each other jumping off a large rock, which is located by one of our ponds:

We also went on a walk together.  The walk only lasted about 20 minutes, unfortunately, because the wind started picking up and we were afraid that Seth would get chilled.

This is Grace and Jacob:

Caleb:

Whole Entire Family, including the dog, who would NOT face the camera!  As you can see, Rich wore Seth this time.  It was so sweet.

Yesterday, (Sunday), I did some pruning outside.  We have briars that like to try to overtake the edges of the property, so I busied myself clearing some of them away.  I was cutting down this particular shrub and noticed that the inside was bright yellow, and so pretty.  It’s amazing where you can find inspiration.  I don’t know what this plant is, but I want to figure it out…it even stained my fingernails yellow when I peeled away the barky outside.  It is covered in sharp prickles, and in the fall it has a bright red tear-shaped berry.

I brought this small piece inside the house to put on my kitchen windowsill.

David has this entire week off from school so we feel very free and happy this morning.  I woke up with my usual spurt of energy and I have already given the boys each a buzz cut (four boys!  Jacob and I sang as I cut his, Ethan talked to me during his, Caleb was worried that I would cut his ears the whole time, and David was impatiently saying, “You said it wouldn’t take a long time!” during his)…..we also read Psalm 1 during a breakfast of cold cereal.  I did some laundry and started the dishwasher.  We have all taken a shower or bath this morning and I made the children make their beds.  We are slowly getting ready to go out and visit the library (again!) and buy some seeds for our vegetable garden.  Speaking of vegetable gardens, as we prepared the soil for planting yesterday, Grace dug up a carrot from last fall..it was still fresh and crispy!  It was a fun surprise.

The boys also made a cake this morning:

Ethan was in charge and I thought it was so sweet when he gave the beater to little brother Caleb and the bowl to little brother David.  What a nice boy.

Well, Ethan just came in with Seth, and put him on my bed.  He is fussing because he is ready for his third breakfast.  Ethan also has his guitar out this morning and is sitting by me in the rocking chair, playing “The Secrets of Larado”.

I hope you enjoyed our weekend re-cap!

Much love (I must rush away to help my baby!)

~Shanda

Happy Friday!

A real life picture of what my livingroom looked like this morning.  Caleb had all the couch cushions off so he could jump on them.  Jacob thought Seth looked really cute in his outfit so he wanted to take a picture….my hair was still wet from my shower….

The maids came this morning and scrubbed and cleaned every room in the house and it looks and smells so clean.  What a blessing!

It’s supposed to get up to 70 today and all the windows are open.

The children are running in and out.  Ethan is busy drawing a mushroom that he found outside.  David is busy practicing with his new yo-yo that he was given as school today.  I can hear Caleb and Jacob talking and laughing outside on the trampoline.  Grace is playing with the dog.  Seth is napping.

In my spiritual life, I have been reading and thinking a lot about Motherhood.  Here are some of my favorite verses:

“Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in the time to come.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughers have done virtuously, but thou exceedeth them all.  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”  Proverbs 31:25-30

(a picture of my afternoon quiet/naptime with Seth)

“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:14

(I loved how he was sleeping on his little paw)

“Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”  Psalm 127:3

(He was showing Mama his cute foot)

“And she (Hannah) said, ‘Oh my lord!  As your soul lives, my lord (Eli), I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord.  For this child I prayed, and the Lord granted me my petition which I asked of Him.  Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.”  1 Samuel 1:26-28

“Let your father and mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.”  Proverbs 23:25

(I took these picture of Seth last night, with his Papa~)

“Whatever parents may do for their children, they should at least make their childhood sunny and tender.  A happy childhood stores away sunshine in the chambers of the heart which brightens the life to its close.”

“To the little child, home is his world—he knows no other.  The father’s love, the mother’s smile, the sister’s embrace, the brother’s welcome, throw about his home a heavenly halo and make it as attractive to him as the home of angels.  Childhood has its sorrows and its grievances, but home is the place where these are soothed and banished by the sweet lullaby of a fond mother’s voice.”

~ Thomas Guthrie

I hope you all have a nice weekend~ Do drop me a line to say hello!

~Shanda

Most of you know that I am a collector of fiestaware. 

Last year I bought a set of mixing bowls in a gorgeous new color, Marigold.

There are three of them in graduating sizes. 

I use the bowls almost every single day.  Just this morning, Ethan and I mixed up waffles in one.

I hope that I can manage to keep them all from cracking or breaking in the years to come.

Because I want (to mix up cookies for) the grandchildren in them!

Hello dear friends!  It’s been a beautiful spring week and I am so busy!  It seems that the weather has given me an abundance of super-energy and I’ve been having fun here at home almost non-stop.  I’ve made bread and pancakes along with the regular meals (I’m a special-order chef!), removed a sliver from the bottom of Caleb’s foot (I’m a nurse!), trimmed some briars back outside by the pond (I’m a gardener!), walked around with the baby outdoors (I’m a stroller!), cleaned (a maid!), taught David how to do headstands (a gym teacher!), turned a few cartwheels for the first time in over a year (a gymnast!), read books (a librarian!), nursed a newborn (a cow! *just kidding*) listened to stories and music (an audience!), taught school (a school teacher!), took pictures of the family around a bonfire (a photographer!) …..and the week is only half over.

The picture is from Saturday morning.  I was walking through the livingroom when the sight of all six of our children caught my eye…so I grabbed the camera to capture the moment.

To be honest, I don’t know what to blog about these days.  Can anyone inspire me with something?  It’s time to shake things up. LOL

I was busy busy this morning.  Getting everyone ready, taking pictures.  I eventually realized that I was getting rushed and made myself S L O W down and enjoy my husband (who did all the ironing!!!!!), my 12 year old boy, 11 year old boy, 9 year old girl, 6 year old boy, 3 year old boy, and 2 month old boy.  Each so special and unique.

Sometimes on holidays, I wonder “What will this day be like next year?”  “I wonder what will happen between now and then?”  And I remember again how each and every day is a precious gift, one to record and remember and enjoy. 

My memories of Easter morning, 2009. . . .

. . .when I dressed the four older boys in khaki pants, white shirt, and matching ties.  Grace and Seth wore all white.

. . .when Ethan’s original outfit consisted of khaki pants that were about 10 inches too short, black socks, and pure white sneakers.  I squealed in horror and made him try again.  “You’ll wear black shoes even if you have to squeeze into them.” 

. . . when I did a photoshoot of the children indoors, because Easter morning was in the 30’s.

. . ..and Caleb dropped his choo-choo when he got out of the vehicle at church and got his pants dirty when he got down to get it.

. . . when I took Caleb to the bathroom to clean the knees of his pants, and realized he had no underwear on.

. . . when our baby Seth was only 2 1/2 months old.  His first Easter.

. . . .when 3 year old Caleb had to sit between Mama and Papa in big church.  I overheard Rich whispering things like this:  “Caleb!  Do you remember what I said to you?  Do you remember what I said to you?”  “Get your hands out of your mouth.”  “Put your foot down.”  “Sit still.  Listen to the Pastor.”  “Fold your hands.”

. . .. and he finally had to march Caleb out.  When they came back in, Caleb sat MUCH more quietly!

. . .when we ate our Easter dinner at Crackerbarrel around a long table.  All eight of us.

. . .when Jacob, Ethan, and David put their heads together while we waited for our food, and quietly looked through a Star Wars toy catalogue.

. . .and David said, with happy eyes, “Isn’t this place GREAT?”

 . . .and Grace helped Caleb with his food.  Cleaned his tie when he dropped macaroni and cheese on it.  Buttered him another corn muffin.

. . .and Sethie slept next to Mama in his carseat, up on a chair so she could look at him. 

. . . .when Davy and Grace each got up and walked over to look at Seth numerous times during the meal.  They love him so.

. . . .when an elderly couple walked up to Rich and the man encouraged Rich and told him he had a beautiful family, a wonderful family. 

. . . .when after our dinner, we had to make a quick trip to Walmart, and I nursed the baby  in the vehicle as we waited for Rich to get the dog food for Parker.

. . .and when we left, our trunk flew open and the stroller, a box, and the dog food all fell out the back, right in the road leading out of Walmart.  A young lady got out of her car and helped Rich pick everything up and wished us a Happy Easter.

. . . and David pulled Grace’s hair on the way home and was made to fold his hands for the rest of the trip. 

. . . .and when we got home, Rich made the older kids clean all the wrappers (from easter candy) out of the vehicle.

. . .and now…….the sun is shining.  My family is all resting.  The house is quiet and peaceful.  I’m not tired, and I’m having fun sitting here recording all these memories.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the morning:

I hope each of you are having a wonderful day! 

Happy Easter!

Love, Shanda

My brother Isaac came over again today for a couple hours and I was able to take some pictures of him with the boys.  Isaac was only 10 when I had Jacob so they are actually closer in age than Isaac and I.  Everyone says how much my boys look like their Dad (and they do) but I also think they look like my brothers, too.  What do you think?

Since they were already gathered around, I had Isaac take a couple shots with their Mama.

I never dreamed (and I still find it almost hard to believe) that I would end up with five sons!

And they’re all so good looking! 

And here we are again, with sister Grace.  (I can’t wait to dress her up for Easter tomorrow!)

Rich wasn’t able to avoid getting his picture taken, either.

It’s so nice to have him home again.

Well, it’s almost 8:00pm but there is still lots to do… I have a baby to wake up and take care of, five other children need to take baths/showers for church tomorrow, I need to get all their clothes organized and set out for church, bedtime snacks…and so on and so forth!

I hope you all have a lovely Easter.  It’s a day that is so meaningful for believers.  I just love Easter, and meditating on all that Christ has done for me.  I can’t wait to be in church tomorrow, singing those wonderful old hymns, and listening to the preached Word with my husband sitting on one side of me and my children on the other.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16  God loves you!

Love, Shanda

My brother Isaac came over to visit us today (he’s been staying at our sister’s house).  I have three brothers and one sister…I’m the oldest and Isaac is the youngest in our family.  It’s been years (too long) since we were able to spend time with just each other, so the children and I were extra excited to see him.

We wanted to have fun so we played some games at the kitchen table and then, for a treat, we went downtown to a local diner (which has an “Elvis” theme)  for lunch. 

We had all kinds of good food, plus ice cream for dessert. 

Can you find Davy in this picture?  (And Seth is by me on the floor.)

When we got home we went for a walk in the woods.  It’s nice out today, so I was able to try out my new Ergo infant carrier for Seth.  I LOVE IT.  It’s not uncomfortable to wear at all.  Seth likes it, too, and fell right to sleep, as snug as a bug.  I’m so thankful for a way to include baby in all of our nature walks.

Isaac took this picture for me.  I really wanted one of us outside in the woods.  Our happy gang.

Caleb put his pants on all by himself today.   

 I think some of our best times together are when we’re walking hand in hand. 

Isaac had to leave at 3, but he’s going to come back over again on Saturday.  The time flew by while he was here, and now that he is gone, the next event I am looking forward to is Rich’s return tonight (he’s been gone since Tuesday morning).    

What are you up to today?

Love ~Shanda~

“The out-of-door life takes the child afield and keeps him in the open air, which not only helps him physically and occupies his mind with sane subjects, but keeps him out of mischief.  It is not only during childhood that this is true, for love of nature counts much for sanity in later life.”  ~Anna Comstock

(I’m not convinced about the “keeps him out of mischief” part)

These pictures were taken last Thursday.  It’s early spring here in New England and we are still wearing our winter coats for the most part.  However, we have had several days when the temperatures got up to the upper 50’s, early 60’s.  Thursday was one of those days.  The sun was shining and the children had bare feet and no coats.  I went outside with them for a while that day, with my camera.  Seth was with us, too, bundled up in his infant carseat.  We were all together.

And I should have been suspicious when I saw Davy, streaking around the pond with his life jacket on and no pants.

He must have tested the water and decided to put his pants back on, because the next thing I knew, David *with pants*,  was sitting on the “boat” that he made with his brothers.  It’s the craziest invention yet…they buckled life jackets all over their ride-on toy car.

Here he is, with his “oar”, paddling away.   He is proud and excited.  He imagines that he will soon be sailing all over the pond.  He is certain that his boat is sturdy and water-tight.

But, I lost track of him, and forgot about him as I admired tadpoles that had “sprouted” their back legs.

(By the way, several of you noticed how large the tadpoles are…it’s because they will be bull frogs).

And took pictures of our new friends,  the “sallies” (salamanders).

I forgot about Davy, that is, until I heard gasping sounds.  Then, I looked over and saw him!  He was swimming back to the edge of the pond!  David has the honor of being the first swimmer of the season.  (April 2, 2009)

He was gasping the whole way because the water was ICE COLD.  It took him about 10 seconds to get to the edge and out.  He was gasping and paddling as I was laughing and shooting (pictures).

He got out and said, “I liked it. . .at first.”  (At first?  You mean the first 2 seconds of your 10 second swim??)

Then he said, “I need to go take a hot bath now.”   And away he went.

And that is the story of Davy-do’s dip.  It must be recorded, as I like to keep track of such seasonal events.  When was last years first swim?  It was on April 8, 2008, exactly one year ago. 

(Thanks so much for the friendly hello’s yesterday, and for praying for us.  I am happy to report that Rich arrived safe and sound in Cleveland, OH, late last night.  The children and I had a pleasant night here at home, and I had a nice long stretch of sleep.  It was the first night that I didn’t wake up repeatedly, wondering if my baby was okay.  Seth woke up at 4:30 (after sleeping for 6 1/2 hours) and then we slept together until 6:30 this morning, when we woke up refreshed and ready for the day.)

I just pulled homemade Raisin Bars out of the oven….any takers? 

Love, your friend, ~Shanda