Life is an ocean
Love is a boat
in troubled waters it keeps us afloat
When we started the voyage
There was just ME and YOU. . . . . . .

Now gathered ’round us,
We have our own crew!

Tomorrow Rich and I celebrate our 11th year of marriage!

“For by Him were all things created, . . . . . .
all things were created by Him, and for Him:
He is before all things, and by Him
all things consist.”  Colossians 1:16a, c, 17

“If you live for your private pleasure at the expense of your spouse, you are living against yourself and destroying your own hightest joy.  But if you devote yourself with all your heart to the holy joy of your spouse, you will also be living for your joy and making marriage after the image of Christ and His church”  John Piper

“A woman was not made out of his head to top him, nor out of his feet to be trampled upon by him; but out of his side, to be equal to him; under his arm to be protected; and near his heart to be loved.”  Matthew Henry

Rich and Shanda                  What God hath joined together. . . . . . .

Caleb found himself some tomaters!  The neighbors gave me these to make a sauce and I found Caleb helping himself. . . . . . .

Then, he decided to get in my way while I was trying to put away the dishes.  I thought it was really funny that he climbed UP and IN the dishwasher.  He looks like he’s about ready to go on the top rack!

Tag Sale Finds:

I found these hangers.  They are each covered in hand-crochet.  I bought 50 for only four dollars.  I personally have a weakness when it comes to handmade things. 

Then, I was happy to buy all these books for less than five dollars:

And here is a picture of me and my friend Elissa.  This picture was taken by Ethan and we’re in the State woods next to my house.

Food Thoughts because everyone loves food:

This morning for breakfast I made fresh biscuits.  It didn’t take long at all.  I used butter instead of shortening. Then I fried each of the kids an organic egg and served it to them in a biscuit.  I am happy to report that the breakfast was a BIG hit with us all.  Next time I have to double the biscuit recipe.  Another interesting change is that I haven’t bought cold cereal in a while.  We eat hot oatmeal almost every morning.  The kids put either real maple syrup on it or brown sugar.  We are using a lot less of that expensive organic milk!  Less waste and more fiber!

I made cookies today!  David was so excited and watched me make them.  We made peanut butter cookies.  While I was rolling them into balls he told me his recipe for his “favorite cookies”.  Here it is:  “Candy, peanut butter, flour, and salt.”

For dinner we had baked “smart” chicken (organic), and organic green beans.  Rich wasn’t home for dinner so I didn’t fuss too much.

I am about to go get my Ben and Jerry’s NY Super Fudge Chunk out of the fridge and eat that.  Yum.

Home School Thoughts:

My experience with home schooling has proved to be MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH better than I expected.  I am so happy I could cry.  The days are smoothing out and each day gets easier.  The classes are neatly divided up into easy to handle lessons.  I am teaching 2nd grade, 3rd grade, and 4th grade, along with being mommy to my almost 4 year old and my baby.  Sounds scary, but it’s really not that bad! I really love not having to drive them back and forth to school, I always felt bad for the little ones.  What a great feeling it is to be home with my children!

Thankful For:

First of all thankful for my salvation and that God cares for me and loves me.
My Bible that I bought at a library book sale that is full of the previous owner’s wonderful notes and highlights.  I hope to meet her someday.
The beautiful weather, trees, sky, birds at my birdfeeder.
Good food
My husband my children my parents my siblings
My friends
I’m thankful for the way God made me. 
That Amanda and Jason are watching all of my kids so that we can go away this weekend. 
Happy snail mail
Music
laughter
I’m really thankful for the super-duper encouraging email I got from my friend Christie today.
genuine people
Godzilla chocolates (actually, “Godiva”, but after my son called them Godzilla chocolates I can’t think of them any other way)
Right now I am very very very very thankful for PEACE AND QUIET. 
Books
Books
Books
Books
Bedtime

Enjoy Work

“God gave man work, not to burden him, but to bless him,
and useful work, willingly, cheerfully, effectively done,
has always been the finest expression of the human spirit.”
Walter R. Courtenay

Starting the day. . . . . . . .

Caleb has a new game.  It’s called “Get Mommy’s Shirts out of her Dresser and Run off with Them”.

 .

Caleb wants yet another shirt.

“Maybe I’ll just put this one on my head”

Caleb put a shirt on his head in the livingroom today and then bounced his mouth off the wall.  Poor crying and bleeding baby!  He’s okay now. 

Home School Pictures

I work better if I am organized.  I have my teacher books/curriculum in little stacks on the top of my dresser.  All of my 4th grade books are on a bookcase.  Their school books, papers, pencil boxes and flashcards are in the armoire in the living room.  Their books are stacked neatly on the front edge of the shelf.  When they are done with a subject, we put the book behind the stack, thus making an “to do” and “done” stack.

David has some tv time.  This is our new computer, where I blog.

My Busy School Children: 

After school today we went to McDonald’s for lunch.  We ordered our food at the drive thru and then went to the park in town.  We ate and then the children played.  There was a friendly young mom there who talked to me quite a bit.  She was quite taken aback by me and my family and I was able to give her a tract, my email and my phone number.  Instead of reading my magazines while the children played, I spent the entire time talking to her.  The sacrifice was worth it.

When we came home I put the kids to bed for reading/nap time and I went to my hammock.  It was so relaxing that I even took a cat nap.  It’s been a week full of excitement!  Thankfully the happy kind!

Is not this the true romantic feeling-
not to desire to escape life,
but to prevent life from escaping you.  T.Wolfe

And all the loveliest things there be
come simply, so it seems to me. ~ E.Millay

The Beautiful

Though we travel
the world over
to find the beautiful,
we must carry it with us
or we find it not.  Ralph waldo emerson

Today I arrived home with a van loaded full of my groceries and my children.  The children were hyper-active and their tongues were, too.  The groceries were melting and I was in charge.  But, I had to stop to take a few pictures of some flowers in my garden.  The air was cool and crisp so I was surprised to see tiny drops of dew in the hearts of the flowers.  These flowers have been blooming in my garden for days.  I’m so thankful that I saw them today.  Really saw them.

He hath made every thing beautiful in His time.
Ecclesiastes 3:11

Things are beautiful if you
LOVE THEM.  J Anouilh

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies,
For the love which from our birth
over and around us lies.
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
this our hymn of grateful praise.

Appreciate the Beautiful

“To Everything there is a season

                       and a time to every purpose under Heaven”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Hi!  I’m back!  I’ve been a little under the weather.  I’ve been been very stressed out, if truth be told.  Nothing terrible has happened, I’m just trying to adjust to my new life.  As most of you know, we moved in July to a new house.  It’s been a dream come true and my family and I love our new place.  But, at the same time, it IS an adjustment.  Also, I am now a HOMESCHOOLING MOM, officially, as of yesterday.  I have been a bundle of nerves over it.  Really, that’s the perfect description!  A BUNDLE OF NERVES!  And when I’m really nervous, I retreat within myself.  I brood.  I don’t speak or communicate like I normally do.  Hence, no blog entries!

Joyfully, I am feeling more like myself today.  School was great and the kids are outside fishing in the pond.  I can see David out the window as I type.  The sun is shining and I can hear the buzzing of insects and the singing of birds.  I am so happy and thankful to be in this place in my life. . . . . . .

This picture is UPSIDE-DOWN for a reason!  I thought the different perspective was beautiful.

 My Jacob is finally a country boy.  I love the rolled up jeans and the 3-cornered hat.  Jacob has a huge interest in the Revolutionary War and we bought him the hat while we were in Sturbridge, MA.  By the way, He ACTUALLY CAUGHT ONE! 

My David.

Once again, Sister is wearing her GREEN dress.  How many times have we all seen that dress in my blog pictures?  It’s funny how we all have our most favorite outfit and Grace is no exception.  I took this picture yesterday on a walk with the kids.  This field is up behind our house in the State woods. 

I hope all of you are having a wonderful day. 

The King of love my Shepherd is, Whose goodness faileth never;  I nothing lack if I am His and He is mine forever.

Where streams of living water flow my ransomed soul He leadeth, and where the verdant pastures grow with food celestial feedeth.

In death’s dark vale I fear no ill with Thee, dear Lord, beside me;  Thy rod and staff my comfort still, Thy cross before to guide me.

And so through all the length of days They goodness faileth never:  Good Shepherd, may I sing Thy praise within Thy house forever.

Written by Henry W. Baker, 1821-1877