About Shanda

wife, mom of seven, friend, child of God

Happy Birthday

Posted on March 5, 2008 by Shanda

10 years ago I gave birth to my 2nd son

Yep! Ethan is 10 years old today.

I’m having a hard time processing that number.

I have two children in double digits now.

Ethan’s personality is pure sweetness. He’s so sweet I worry about him. LOL

This morning, I gave him a long hug and his hands pat pat patted my back the whole time.

We gave him a huge “lego police station” set and he’s been at work putting it together for several hours.

I did drag him away for a few photos, however.

Ethan was born at 6:48pm

He was 6 pounds and 7 oz, 19 inches long

His first 10 years went by so fast. I suppose his next 10 years will, too.

I’m just along for the ride, and I like it. I enjoy watching Ethan grow.

Ethan’s Special Mashed Potatoes

5 pounds pototoes, peeled and cubed
1 cup sour cream
2 pkgs (3 oz each) cream cheese, softened
3 T. butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp onion salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Boil potatoes 20-25 minutes, until very tender, drain.
In large mixing bowl, mash potatoes. Add sour cream, cream cheese,
butter, salt, onion salt, and pepper; beat until fluffy.

Transfer to a greased 2 quart baking dish. Dot with butter.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until heated through.
Yield: 8 servings

Edit (more pictures)

Well, I took E to the store to pick out junk food. Then, we came home and invited friends over. It was quite a fun day. We even all went outside. It’s almost 8pm now, and I just put the kids to bed full of cookies, candy, soda, chips, ice cream, and cake. Oh yeah, they had dinner, too. Rich wasn’t here for the candles, which is so sad, but he was here for breakfast. He has a meeting tonight after church and will be home later. He wants Ethan to wait up for him so they can spend time together. So, after I get done here, I will be going to the livingroom to hang out with my new 10 year old.

If you go back to last year’s post you will see the same group of kids. Fun to see how much they grow in a year. Grace is WILD here, and Caleb is pant-less.

Without my husband at cake time, I had to delegate jobs to the kids. Jacob was in charge of candles.

When I looked at the pictures after we were all done with cake, I noticed that Ethan ended up with 11 candles instead of 10. The perfectionist in me feels uncomfortable with that. LOL

11 candles!

Time for pj’s and tv with Ethan. Good night all!

snacktime

Posted on March 3, 2008 by Shanda

Once upon a time, last Friday afternoon, Mama bear’s tummy started to growl. She was hungry for a snack. In fact, to be perfectly honest, she was having a craving for chocolate.

She wanted chocolate cake with creamy frosting. But when she checked the cupboards, she found none.

(none)

She thought about making her own cake but she had no energy.

(none at all)

Then she decided to have some Ben and Jerry’s New York Super Fudge Chunk ice cream. But when she checked the freezer, she found none.

(none)

Then she dreamed of Godiva chocolates. But that was only a dream.

(a day dream)

She looked and she looked and finally she found something that might possibly satisfy her craving. It was Nutella. Every good Mama bear buys her cubs animal crackers, so she got those out, too. Then she got a knife.

Her five bear cubs of various sizes were busy in the other room, playing games, so Mama bear sat cross legged on the couch, turned on the news, and ate animal cracker after animal cracker, all spread thick with creamy, chocolaty Nutella.

Soon Mama bear was beginning to feel full. But she recklessly kept on eating anyway. Then, along came her baby bear cub. He wanted his Mama to share and so she did, happily. She started making baby bear his own crackers w/Nutella. Baby bear had some organizational skills and so he lined them all up like this:

Mama bear decided to eat one of Baby bear’s crackers. But this made Baby bear very mad.

Not only did he take it back, he also made himself a new one.

Mama bear was starting to feel very silly from all that sugar. So she decided to do some decorating.

She decided to start with Baby bear’s itty bitty nose.

And then, she decorated Baby bear’s favorite choo-choo, the dirty ink-faced James.

Mama bear’s tummy was round and full when she finally got up and brushed the crumbs off her shirt. She twirled the tops back on the cookie jar and the Nutella and looked at the clock.

Hopefully her chocolate fix and silly mood would last through the next few hours, until Big Papa bear came home. Although she was a bear, she tried hard not to act like one. It was very difficult to keep herself from growling at times.

Chocolate seemed to help with attitude and endurance problems and so Mama bear got back to work, feeling much better after her snack. She was a Very Busy Mama, but no mama should ever too busy for chocolate.

The End

compliments to the chef (?)

Posted on March 2, 2008 by Shanda

I’ve been chuckling over this since dinner time. I made steak and the kids do NOT like any redness in their steak. I cooked it “well-done” just for them. After I served them all, I sat down in the livingroom w/Rich and a little while later we overheard these dramatic words from Ethan:

“Oh this steak!!! I’ve been chewing it for hours! Just one piece! It’s gum!! Everlasting gum!”

If that’s not insulting I don’t know what is! LOL

happiness

Posted on March 2, 2008 by Shanda

“Often we set our minds on some one thing we think will make us happy–a husband, children, a particular job, or even a ‘ministry’–and refuse to open our eyes to God’s better way. In fact, some believe so strongly that only ‘this thing’ can bring happiness, that they reject the Lord Jesus Himself. Happiness is not found in marriage; or work; or ministry; or children. Happiness is only found by being secure in Jesus.”

~Corrie Ten Boom

“My heart trusted in Him. . .and with my song will I praise Him.” Psalm 28:7

free to be

Posted on March 1, 2008 by Shanda

Take

time

from

doing

enjoy

being

yup, this is what we woke up to this morning.

I ate my breakfast while walking through the woods. My bran muffin tasted great with snowflakes on it.

Posted on February 29, 2008 by Shanda

What inspires me at home:

the color yellow

the color green

the color red

clothelines

cool knobs

fiesta ware

hammocks

beautiful beds

baskets

tins

crystals (the ones that dangle from chandeliers)

flowers dropping over, half wilted, in a vase

old canning jars

wooden floors, no matter how beat up

rustic benches

quilts

small outside buildings

tire swings

big trees

peonies

sandbox for the kids

open cupboard doors

hooks down low for the kids

lotsa books

blankets

wooden rocking chairs

big comfy chairs

chipped paint

old tin cans used as a vase

bowls of fruit or nuts

wooden crates

hat boxes

my porch

mismatched chairs around the kitchen table….all painted a different color

a tablecloth on the picnic table

braided rugs

cats/kittens

a piano

robin’s egg blue

collections

baby girl’s small baby dresses, hanging up on the wall

rustic wreaths

mirror

colorful throw pillows

a yellow front door

glass storage containers

old suitcases (look cool and are great for storage, I don’t even care if they smell old)

framed photographs

my kids toys in every room

Weston came for a visit

Posted on February 29, 2008 by Shanda

To all you moms out there. . .remember that “my baby is one month old and I’m in an under-water haze of exhaustion” feeling?

That’s how my sister Amanda woke up yesterday. . .after a month of little sleep. . .a newborn to take care of, a not-quite 2 year old, and an 8 year old. Her husband Jason was home for a few weeks but now she’s adjusting to him being back to work. It’s so hard to have a newborn! Yet, so delightful as well!

Anyway, she did the right thing yesterday and came to big sister’s house for the day. I was shocked when I was in taking a shower and David ran in yelling, “Aunt Amanda’s here!!!” and then ran right back out.

The kids and I were so happy to see her (and the 1 dozen dunkin donuts that she brought) and we all enjoyed holding Weston and spending time with Naomi. After we visited for a little bit, I sent Amanda to bed for a nap and I sat at the table with the new baby in my arms, 4 kids around the table, and 2 playing on the floor. Naomi made me smile a lot because she kept calling me “MOM”. Much easier than “Aunt Shanda”, I suppose.

Of course I took advantage of the day and took some more photos of the baby.

David was so quiet when he held Weston. He only used a whisper to talk and was very annoyed with Caleb and Naomi, who were as noisy as ever.

Grace was absolutely smitten.

Those arms just get me. The fists. The elbows. So darling.

Aunt Shanda made him have “tummy time” and isn’t he cute, this is as far up he could get his head. I love it! He was bobbing up and down and making those funny noises.

Grace took these:

He’s smiling in my arms. He thinks Aunt Shanda is funny.

He weighs over 7 pounds now!

hope

Posted on February 28, 2008 by Shanda

I woke right up thinking about God this morning. My heart and soul long for the day when I finally get to see Jesus and be in heaven with all other believers. “Oh that will be glory for me!” as the hymn says. I know if I died today I would have precious family members there to meet me, “but I long to see my Saviour first of all.”

Have you ever just closed your eyes and imagined what it would be like to see Jesus for the first time? I am convinced that his eyes will be full of love, compassion, and understanding. He knows me, “he remembereth that I am dust”, He is merciful. He has perfect love toward His own.

This morning I was thinking about Jesus’ last words on earth. After 30+ years of earthly ministry, He was leaving! But what did He say? “. . .lo, I am with you alway, even until the end of the world.” He last words on earth were full of comfort.

He is with me always! Always!

I’ve also been thinking a lot about my Bible. What a precious treasure it is! I just finished a book about 5 men who were shipwrecked on a deserted island. They had a Bible with them and my heart was pierced when I read that when they were on the verge of collapse from discouragement, they read the Bible to one another until they were comforted.

Do you remember when Corrie Ten Boom and her sister were taken to a concentration camp for hiding Jews in their home during the war against Hitler? All their earthly possessions boiled down to one thing.. . .the one item that they wanted, NEEDED more than any other.. . .was their Bible. The story is beautiful. Corrie was able to enter the camp (despite being strip-searched!) with her Bible, through a miracle of God.

“And so it was that when we were herded into that room ten minutes later; we were not poor, but rich–rich in the care of Him who was God even of Ravensbruck.” (the concentration camp)

“So Betsie and I came to our barracks at Ravensbruck. Before long we were holding clandestine Bible study groups for an ever-growing group of believers, and Barracks 28 became known throughout the camp as ‘the crazy place, where they hope.’” ~Corrie Ten Boom

Our Bible gives us hope! Hope in any circumstance!

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.” Romans 15:4

I have two Bibles! Two! I feel rich. And ashamed, because so many times I wonder where my hope is, when I haven’t even read my Bible in days. . . . . . .

“I have a wonderful treasure!
A gift of God without measure.
And so we travel together,
my Bible and I.”

(just because)

Posted on February 26, 2008 by Shanda

Rich got home from work last night at 9:30pm. He was supposed to do the same tonight.

But he surprised me by coming home 4 hours before I thought he would!

I was on the couch under a blanket, very tired, in sweats, flipping aimlessly through tv stations. The kids already had their dinner and were all playing a computer game. It had been a very long day (including a trip to the dentist and the grocery store).

He walked in and said he had been watching me through the door and that I looked so sad, like a wounded rabbit on the side of a road. (not exactly like June Cleaver, huh?)

I was feeling so yuck and Rich sat down to talk to me looking so nice, that I got my camera out to take his picture.

I feel so protected and safe when Rich is home with us.

He said he came home early because he knew I would need help tonight. . .and I said “God must have told you”. . .I was so grateful! The kids were, too.

Caleb has been very lovey lately. Giving lots of hugs and kisses.

homemaking journal

Posted on February 25, 2008 by Shanda

“This home is the backdrop to simplify life, slow us all down, and teach our children about stewardship and the traditions that define our family.”

“All beautiful things work well together.”

“Every place I turn here, there is something that makes me smile.”

(quotes from Country Living magazine)

Before I get started on my day, I wanted to share another journal with you. I started this one about 6 years ago as a way to have all my homemaking inspiration in one spot. I use old magazines and photos to fill it with quotes, articles, lists, my own thoughts, and ideas. I add to it every once in a while, when I’m in the mood. I sit down with a glue stick, a pair of scissors, a pen, a stack of old magazines, and catalogues. Then I clip, glue, and scribble away! There are no rules! It’s all for me!

If you looked in it you would see the things that inspire me to make my house a home. The front cover is dark green and on it I glued this quote:

If walls could talk, we’ve often thought, what stories they would tell.
But if we’re slow to grasp the message of an open front door,
a clean-scrubbed floor, or a handmade object comfortable
with its age and imperfections, perhaps we’re just not
listening well. The language of a house is visual.
The soul of a house is memory. And it speaks to the heart.

(Here’s a peek inside:)

This is an article about the importance of raising kids to love nature.

The photo is of my Dad giving small Ethan and small Jacob a tractor ride.

“What feels like home?”

“As children, we were not busy making money, keeping appointments,
and meeting deadlines. Memories of our youth may bring to mind places
where we could enjoy simply being.
Bringing these memories to the creative process of design
may help make your house feel like a home—
the place your heart holds dear.”

Creativity and fiestaware!

Windchimes (because our homes extend to the outdoors!)

“Make time for you”

I loved the basket idea. . .put a bunch of things in it that appeal to you–journal and pen, stationary, flowers, a book, pretty napkin, etc, and have them ready in a basket, to carry to your special quiet place.

Aprons! “Every apron tells a story”

Cherry things!

My friends Lea Ann and Joanna know about this journal and they send me articles sometimes. I love it when they jot little notes on the pages. . .I glue them in my book and a part of them is now included. It always surprises me how much they know me. Lea Ann made me laugh when she sent a clipping from a magazine about chicken coops! Joanna even had this journal at her house for a few months, to look at and add to. My homemaking journal is something I enjoy and it has helped me fall in love with feathering my nest. Don’t you think that a beautiful home pleases God? Homemaking is not a waste of time!

I encourage you to enjoy your HOME today– the smell of a burning candle, the warmth of the sun shining through your windows, the peaceful feeling of a quiet spot (even if you only have one like me, LOL). Make your home a feast for your senses——

taste (like an inviting bowl of candy), touch (a clean soft blanket draped on the back of the couch), see (photos everywhere), hear (beautiful music and the sound of your loved one’s voices), smell (coffee and bacon). . . . . .