About Shanda

wife, mom of seven, friend, child of God

a hodge podge of photos

Posted on January 6, 2008 by Shanda

Well, would you believe I am sick? I don’t even know what I am doing on the computer.

Rich and I both started getting sick yesterday. It’s a cold only worse, because we feel completely exhausted, it’s almost like some kind of weird flu. I didn’t sleep well last night and we’ve been laying around all day. I guess we ARE RESTING . . . . .

Oh well, the kids have been fine all day and I managed to make some homemade chicken noodle soup, so I can’t complain.

I just had fun looking through some photos that I never put on my site. Thought you might like to see them, too.

Enjoy!

This is one that Jacob took of me this summer w/my little digital camera. . .I’m at my parent’s house.

And this one was taken a few months ago, at my parent’s house. Not the greatest photo, but I like it because I have my big camera with me, and my mom’s coat on, and I’m walking on the road I grew up on.

The kids and me, all ready to sing for Christmas at church:

This picture makes me laugh:

Rich reading to Caleb. . .another “foot picture” which I know at least one of you looks for!

Mischief-Maker, I still can’t figure out how he made such a mess with just 1/4 of a cup of flour!

David fishing this summer, with a stick and a piece of red yarn. He really truly believed it would work, that’s why I love the photo so much:

Something’s not right if your baby falls asleep before eating his cookie!

My mom giving Caleb a taste from the bowl:

Just hangin’ around (Caleb waiting for someone to come along and help him)

Me and my Sister in law, Melissa, and our 2 girls:

Rich and the gang, it makes me laugh now, but at the time I wasn’t pleased with how it turned out. Ethan looks like he’s seconds away from falling, but don’t worry, he didn’t fall. . . . .Jacob looks so NOT thrilled.

I’M SICCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK, tired, and cold.

so, good night! Time for warm pj’s and a trip back to the couch.

Posted on January 5, 2008 by Shanda

“My friend, if you think of your Christian

life in any shape or form with a

sense of grudge, or as a wearisome task or duty,

I tell you to go back to the beginning of your life,

retrace your steps to the wicket gate through which you passed.

Look at the world in its evil and sin,

look at the hell in which it was leading you,

and then look forward and realize that you are set

in the midst of the most glorious campaign

into which a man could ever enter,

and that you are on the most noblest road

that the world has ever known.”

~D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

*****************

I came across the quote this morning (as I sat on the bathroom floor, reading, while Caleb had a bath) and it was like a breath of fresh air to me! I hope that you are blessed by it as well. I was saved when I was 6 years old, and I would love to read your testimony, it’s so encouraging to read how God works in lives. . . . . .

Today is Saturday, and like I mentioned last week, my goal for Saturday is to PREPARE the house and family for a God-glorifying Sunday. Some of you said you would pray for me in this endeavor and I do covet those prayers today! Thank you friends!

Much love, Shanda

getting excited about the little things

Posted on January 4, 2008 by Shanda

Jacob had a powerful hunger yesterday.

I took pity on him, and

so we made some cake and cookies.

I kept bumping into children every which way I turned.

It was fun.

David helped crack an egg into a bowl and when he finally got it open,

(“Put your two thumbs in, and open it like a door!” I always say)

He said in his dramatic way, “YUCK!!! This one’s covered in egg juice!”

Jacob and I laughed and laughed.

As we mixed up the cake, I had the dishwasher running.

Soon, millions of soap suds started oozing onto the floor.

Someone ran to get a towel.

Jacob dropped down on the floor to play “fight the soapsuds”.

All in a day’s work, right?

I had Jacob beside me, and David standing on a big heavy kitchen chair,

and Caleb in his high chair. Grace and Ethan came and went.

We were all busy in the kitchen and it did not take long to mix up that cake!

Caleb got to lick and beater and boy, did he enjoy it!

I found myself standing and watching him,

with a smile on my face.

So, I had to run get the camera. As I took his pictures,

I realized I was enjoying it just as much as he was.

“Get excited about the little things. The big things don’t come along that often. Enjoy the beauty of the day, the perfectness of God’s creation. Take pleasure in each little accomplishment; there are many each day. A letter well written, a clean, shining room, a beautiful casserole, a lesson well taught, a sale completed. There is a wall motto that says, ‘Take time to smell the flowers.’ I guess that is what I am trying to say.”

~ quote from a little booklet Colleen gave me called “Claire’s Corner” by Claire Killman, April 1979

today’s the day I got my first flat tire

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Shanda

All I wanted to do was get out of the house and go to Kmart. It is very very cold here so I went out to start the van at like 8:40am . . . . .scraped ice off the windshield with the broom handle, and got the kids in the van. I noticed that my light was on in the van telling me I was on “empty”. . already I’m nervous, I HATE having that little light on. Then, when I put the van in drive this alarming buzzing sound went off. It was happening because the automatic side door wasn’t exactly shut. . .so I pushed “open. . shut” “open. . .shut” over and over, got out, pushed on the door, it wouldn’t really budge, it was frozen I think. . .finally, the buzzing stopped. At this point I’m wondering why I’m going to all the effort. Then, I couldn’t drive out of the driveway because of the icy snow under the tires. . for a split second I “peeled a little rubber” spinning the tires on ice. . I finally got the van turned around inch by inch and then backed out. A feeling of dread was upon me, but I kept going. . praying my way to the gas station with my gloves gripping the steering wheel tightly. I got there and then the little gas door would not open. Another heart palpitation. . .finally I grabbed the keys from the van and propped it open with them. . .pumped my gas (over fifty dollars worth!!) and got on my way.

Just miles down the road, over the sound of the kids’ music tape singing loudly about “why I love my mommy”, I start hearing this incredible noise. . .at first I’m thinking, “hmmm, van must be cold and upset from sitting in the driveway for days. . .” The noise didn’t stop and I started really getting alarmed so I pulled off the road and up into a driveway to a *cemetery* (of all places!), got out and realized I had a

FLAT TIRE

which has never happened to me before in my life. I had to call my friend Caroline to come rescue me, which she did, graciously, and still in her pajamas. It was such an surreal moment to be driving right on through the cemetery with her at like 9:30 in the morning.

We got back home, safe and sound. Aren’t you glad I didn’t get the flat tire while I was on the highway? I am! Caroline came in for coffee and we had a nice chat while our kids played, anyway.

I took a picture of the flat tire with my cell phone:

Rich called and had the van taken to a garage for new tires.

On a side note, guess who just came in my room and got in my lap? Guess whose soft, cool little cheek I just kissed 6 times in a row? Guess who has Percy the train in his little paw? Yes, it’s my small son Caleb, just awake from his nap, still with yawns and sleepy eyes. Caleb did something so dear today. When Caroline came to the *cemetery* to pick me up, I got out and started loading the kids in her van. When it was Caleb’s turn he got a little weepy and said to me, “I want. YOU” “I want. You” Oh, he was so precious, and I told him, “Mommy’s not leaving you! I’m coming, too.” He didn’t quite believe it until I got in and the doors were all shut. Then he smiled.

It’s nice to be needed. But, even nicer to be WANTED.

(after I typed all this we took a picture)

PS, I just did “spell check” and do you know, that “hmmm” is spelled wrong? And, at the top of the list for suggestions, is “MOM”? Interesting.

today's the day I got my first flat tire

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Shanda

FLAT TIRE

We got back home, safe and sound. Aren’t you glad I didn’t get the flat tire while I was on the highway? I am! Caroline came in for coffee and we had a nice chat while our kids played, anyway.

I took a picture of the flat tire with my cell phone:

Rich called and had the van taken to a garage for new tires.

It’s nice to be needed. But, even nicer to be WANTED.

(after I typed all this we took a picture)

PS, I just did “spell check” and do you know, that “hmmm” is spelled wrong? And, at the top of the list for suggestions, is “MOM”? Interesting.

sledding

Posted on January 2, 2008 by Shanda

outside for hours

a cold wind, they don’t even notice

non stop smiles

will their faces hurt from the chilly air or all the grinning?

lost the sled

my heart warms with pride as I watch them together, a perfect threesome

off to their other “sled run”

they begged me to come, but I had to get back inside to the littles

one last look back

this is what a I love about my life

I get to be a recorder of memories

Home Peace

Posted on January 2, 2008 by Shanda

The following list is something I read recently and found convicting.

Cultivating Home Peace

Begin each day by taking note of, and appreciating, the blessings that are currently in your life. (I love this idea, and at times I do write in my journal “things I am thankful for”)

Be the guardian of your words. Words are powerful and can destroy in seconds what may have taken years to cultivate. (ouch! very convicting! and, very true!)

Make it a habit to look for and praise positive behavior and attitudes of your family members. By recognizing and building up the positive traits, they become stronger, leaving less room (and little time) for negative qualities to take root. (I love this idea! So often I nit-pick my husband or my kids)

When your partner and /or children are speaking to you, look up from what you are doing and offer your full attention to their words. (I practiced this as I typed, David brought me something that he found and I looked right at him while he told me all about it. He didn’t seem too startled, LOL)

Make every effort to master a quick temper. Seek to consciously check anger and impatience in yourself, as these are the streams from which negative words flow. (Amen!)

Keep in mind that bad moods are contagious. Try to differentiate between a sour mood and a true dilemma (your own as well as others’).

Never underestimate the power of an apology. Be prepared to look at yourself with complete honesty and admit and apologize when you have snapped unnecessarily. (I try to make sure I do this w/the children during the day, too)

Pride and stubbornness are inhibitors to happiness and will negatively influence your life. Always accept a sincere apology, avoiding the habit of unforgiveness. (ooooh, ouch! thank you Lord, for showing me why it’s hard to accept apology at times. . .because of my own pride and stubbornness!!)

The human family is a precious thing. In is within the family circle that we conduct our apprenticeship to life and make our first social contact. Each of us is alive for a purpose. It is our responsibility to find the gifts that were bestowed upon us. Once found, it is our joy–as well as our obligation–to cultivate and make use of them. (so so true)

~Tracey McBride, in Frugal Luxuries by the Seasons

(Spot was in a box this morning, playing, so I took his picture. Cats make me feel peaceful)

“God the Father is called the ‘God of peace’ (Hebrews 13:20).
God the Son, the ‘Prince of peace’ (Isaiah 9:6).
God the Holy Ghost the ‘Spirit. . .of peace’ (Ephesians 4:30)”
Thomas Watson

“. . . .seek peace, and pursue it.” Psalm 34:14

Thoughts on New Years Day. . . .

Posted on January 1, 2008 by Shanda

Happy New Year! I looked up some verses on being “new” and thought I would share some. As Christians, we have the glorious privilege of becoming NEW when God saves us. It’s a great day to remember that, don’t you think? (If you don’t know if you are a Christian, please message me and I will help you the best I can, but reading the gospel of John, particularly the 3rd chapter, would be a good place to start).

This is just a small sampling of the many verses I copied down in my journal this morning.

Revelation 21:5 (this one brought tears to my eyes)

“And He (Jesus) who sat upon the throne said,

Behold, I make all things new.

And He said unto me,

Write, for these words are true and faithful.”

New~ Different from one of the same

which existed before; made fresh.

11 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore if any man be in Christ,

he is a new creature:

old things are passed away;

behold all things are become new.”

Galatians 6:15

“For in Christ neither circumcision

availeth anything; nor uncircumcision,

but a new creature.”

(“It is easy to get caught up in the externals. Beware of those who emphasize actions we should or should not do, with no concern for the inward condition of the heart. Living a “good” life without an inward change leads to a spiritual life that is shallow and empty, What matters to God is that we be completely changed from the inside out.” ~Life Application Study Bible)

********

We had such a fun time last night. Amanda and Jason came over with the girls and stayed until about 9. We had dinner and then Rich and Jason took the kids out to go sledding in the dark (using the headlights of the 4-wheeler to see). They had to walk on a trail through the woods to get to the hill, and I stood on the porch, smiling as I listened to them laugh and talk as they walked along with a flashlight. When they came back the kids watched part of a movie (The Incredible Journey) while the adults sat at the table and talked. Then, we had cake and ice cream to celebrate Jacob’s birthday. After Jason and Amanda left, Rich stayed up with Jacob and Ethan to “watch the ball drop.” I had absolutely no desire to join them, so I went to bed to curl up in the covers and read a book. Rich told me this morning that Ethan gave up at 11 and went to bed but that Jacob would have stayed up all night if he let him.

It’s become a tradition for Rich to take Jacob, Ethan, and Grace to his office on New Year’s Day. So, that is where they are now. The kids love to go, no one else will be there, and Rich likes to rearrange his office, clean, and organize for the New Year.

Caleb is napping and David is impatiently waiting for his turn at the computer. And I am in the midst of doing a mountain of laundry. . but, going to go eat lunch now before I continue with that project.

And, by the way, it’s snowing! I look out the windows and feel like I’m in a giant snow globe!

Have a great day, friends, and a very Blessed and Happy New Year. . . .

birthday snow

Posted on December 31, 2007 by Shanda

Look who has a birthday today!

Oops, sorry, wrong one. . .

I meant this young man:

Our firstborn, Jacob Richard

It just doesn’t seem. . . possible. . .that I could be a mom of an eleven year old. . . .it’s just crazy, that’s what!

*************************

We woke up to some beautiful birthday snow.

*********************************

It’s become, in the last few years, a tradition for me and Jacob to have our picture taken like this. We are documenting growth (on his part) and the aging process (on my part).

Last year:

This year:

We gave him his gifts. He got a big “Peanuts” book, a new watch, and a whole bunch

of office supplies. He’s at the table now, playing office. He has

a stapler, a label maker, pens, pencils, ruler, white out,

tape, a rubber band ball, paper clips, a white board,

envelopes, a pencil sharpener. . . . . .and 4 candy bars.

*********

I told Rich teasingly when I bought the candy, “Now, let’s see if he shares any

of this. . . .” We gave him one first thing this morning and he gave

most of it away, made us all take some to try it, not knowing that he

he had three more to come. . .it just about made me cry.

He’s such a good boy. A great big brother.

*********

We’re also going to look at pictures from when he was a little baby,

and look at his baby book.

“My first baby. I was so satisfied with you, so happy and so grateful.”
~something I wrote in Jacob’s babybook when he was born

Rest on Sunday

Posted on December 30, 2007 by Shanda

Being a Mom of five children (ages “almost 11” to 2), my life is filled and busy. I am constantly performing household duties. . trying my best to do God’s will in my home by providing the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of my little ones. By God’s grace, this duty, along with being a helper to my dear husband, is my high calling and my number one priority. In this busy season of life, I need to take every opportunity to allow God to refresh my soul and fill my cup to overflowing. . . . . . . .

Lately, the Lord has pressed upon my heart the importance of resting on Sunday. I must confess, my typical Sunday is usually much much busier than even the weekdays! I’ve been thinking lately, that this should not be the case. My heart and soul yearns for a deeper relationship with God, and I hope that by working harder on Saturday, by preparing and organizing the house, that I can truly rest on Sundays and focus on God even more.

This morning, I got up at 6:30, set the table for breakfast, got the children to the table to eat, ironed 2 dress shirts, 2 pairs of pants, made one dirty boy take a bath, cleaned up the kitchen, got David and Caleb dressed, checked emails, took a shower, got dressed, put on my make up, and got in the van to go to church. Once at church, we spent about 3 hours under the teaching and preaching of God’s word, and catching up with our dear brothers and sisters in Christ. On the way home, we stopped at the local grocery store to buy app. 100 dollars worth of groceries. I made the kids sandwiches, which we ate on the way home. Caleb fell asleep in his carseat. We arrived at home and I put the groceries away, and put the kids to bed. I checked emails while drinking a cup of coffee.

Then, I went to bed for about three hours. I read my book and slept.

Boy, did that feel good! After naps, Rich came in with his book, then here came Caleb. . . then Ethan came in to visit, then David came in, too. . . .we stayed right in bed, in one spot, and the kids liked it. . it was cozy.

We didn’t go to church tonight because the kids are getting over their colds. However, our typical routine on Sunday evenings involves 4:30 choir practice, in which I have to drive myself (church is a half hour drive). . .and then Rich joins me at church with the kids at 6 for the sermon. After Christmas was over, Rich and I prayerfully came to the decision that choir needed to be put on the back burner for a little while. We are hoping that this will help us slow down on Sundays. It’s a small sacrifice, but I hope that the extra hour will be used for God’s glory.

All this to say, one of my New Years Resolutions is to SLOW DOWN ON SUNDAYS in order to focus my mind on God. . . . . .

I found this quote on an internet site:

“Part of the Sabbath command reads, “Six days you shall labor and do all your work…” God tells us to take care of our ordinary work and concerns on the other six days, leaving our time and our minds free to properly worship and obey Him by observing the Sabbath. When we are free to focus our minds and thoughts on God’s way and purpose, the Sabbath truly becomes the blessing and delight God intends it to be (Isaiah 58:13, 14).”

Has Sunday been a blessing and a delight to me? Hmmmmmmmmmm

I’m not saying that I need to go off in the other extreme and form all kinds of new rules for myself. . .I’m just saying that some rest on Sundays will do my heart, soul, and mind a world of good. A lot of those things I mentioned that I did this morning could have been done yesterday.

Also, I plan to study my Bible for more information on the Sabbath. . . . . .I’m sure it will be a great study for my quiet times.

Will you pray for me in this area, please? I need God’s help and grace so much!

PS. The kids are eating the gingerbread house today.