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About Shanda

wife, mom of seven, friend, child of God

TRIP BACK HOME

Let me just begin by saying that I did not take as many pictures as I would have liked.  I missed a lot of photo opportunities because the purpose of my visit was to be there for my grieving family; my mom and her sisters and the rest of the family, after the death of my Uncle Chris.  There are pictures in my mind, however, and moments not soon to be forgotten.  Thank you for all your prayers and well-wishes on our behalf.  It was a bittersweet time~  bitter because of loss, sweet because of family, friends and the love that we share.
And now, the pictures I did take.  Enjoy!

The picture above is of my 5 children, my Aunt Colleen’s 4 daughters, and my sisters 2 daughters.  And so it goes.  Life continuing on.

This picture is special.. My mother and me with my son.  It was taken on Mother’s Day.

My Parent’s house.  This is where I lived from age 10 years on until I left home to get married.  The only place on earth where I can feel relaxed and comfortable.

What’s a family visit without food?  Besides my mom’s homecooked lunch, we also enjoyed cousin Erika’s homemade baked goods.  The brownies were sublime.

Aunt Mary

Here are some of us girls going through some pictures of Uncle Chris.  “Time it was and what a time it was. . . .a time of innocence. . .a time of confidences. . . long ago it must be . . I have a photograph. . . .preserve your memories . . . . . .”

My Grandpa Gohl

My “sweet as sugar” sister, Melissa

One of the most important people in my life, my brother David.  He has the most gorgeous blue eyes.

The happiest newlyweds ever!  My brother Nathan (another very important person in my life) is thrilled with his new wife and now that they have a baby on the way, life just can’t get any better!  I’m so happy for them.

What’s a trip back home without a picture of my dear Dad?  Unfortunately that perfect picture never happened.  We tried.  Oh well, I hope that on our trip to Fort Ticonderoga in 2 weeks I’ll have an opportunity for a Dad Pic.

Love to you all. . . . .

Line from the song that was sung at the funeral:  “God knows your heart when people just see you crying”

 

Some Pictures I took Today. . . . . . .


Grace and Ethan    Yes, I love the color green.  Dad, I know what you would name Ethan if you were talking to him while he was wearing his green pants, “Mr. Greenjeans”, right?  Those of you who know my Ethan know that he can totally pull of the green pants, they are HIM to a “T”. 


Caleb  Oh well, what can I say?  He’s a dream-boat!  As Uncle Jason says, “He has tennis balls in his cheeks”.


Our Thankful Book   This is an idea I came up with just the other day.  I bought this blank book on Friday and it stays out on the counter for anyone to write in. . . just things we’re thankful for.  It’s already fun to read and puts a smile on my face.  The kids can write anything they want, however they think it’s spelled!  (like Grace’s, “hoses”—she meant houses) 

A Moment in Time

~There’s No Place Like Home~

 


Be it ever so humble. . . . .

I ran out to the van to get my Bible and when I turned around to run back in, I paused and looked at my house.  And as I looked, I had a feeling of contentment.  Seeing the glow of the lights in the livingroom, knowing that the people, my family, were buzzing about inside, getting ready for the next day.  Making lunches, doing homework.  Davy-boy in bed, Caleb playing in his playpen, husband helping the kids. . . . . . . .so, I ran back in the house to grab my camera.

“I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart:  and I will glorify thy name for evermore.”  Psalm 86:12

Amanda gets me out of the house. . . . . . .

I’m generally a very happy person, but~
I get stuck in a rut at times.
I hole myself away in my little world until I feel as though the walls are closing in.
Until I feel like “if I clean up one more mess. . . . .”
Until the stress is like a weight.
That’s why, today, I am so thankful for my sister.  We’ve gotten closer in the past 6 months.  Now that she’s married she has that contentness and calmness, like she finally has someone to complete her.  And that has made our relationship better as sisters.  Amanda is an extrovert, I am an introvert.  I cannot believe how much energy and sparkle she has after having N. only a month ago!
She gets me out of the house.
Out of my little cave.
Yesterday she was here and we just sat outside and talked and sat inside and talked.  She comforted me when I thought Caleb was dying from tipping over in his high chair.
Today we went for a walk and to the park.  I took a big quilt and some magazines and my camera and watched my little sister play with my son.
I’m so thankful for my sister!

More about me:

Are you interested in your family history?  Here is some information about my own family.  I left LAST NAMES out, for sake of privacy:

My Maternal Great Grandparents, Anton and Lucy Belle had 15 children!  Esther, Wesley, Richard, Theodore, Harold, Mary (my maternal grandma), Lucy, Lena, Lawrence, Roger, Betty, Ethel, Joann, Joyce, and Rita!

My Maternal Grandparents, Theodore and Mary, had 6 children:  Chris, Cindy (my mom), Carol, Teddy, Mary Ellen, and Colleen.

My Parents, Greg and Cindy, had 5 children.  Shanda (that’s me!), David, Amanda, Nathan, and Isaac.

And I, with my husband, Rich, have 5 children.  Jacob, Ethan, Grace, David, and Caleb.

I’m in a family history mood! 

PS, I’ll have to do my Paternal side later. . . . . .

I smelt the violets in her hand and asked, half in

words, half in signs, a question which meant

“Is love the sweetness of flowers?” ~Helen Keller

I went to a plant nursery today with Karen and Kathy and I bought 2 lilac bushes (one dark purple, one white), a yarrow plant, 2 shasta daisy plants, a black eyed Susan, and a columbine.  I think I have the gardening gene!  My Grandma Gohl had beautiful gardens, as do her daughters: my mom, my Aunt Colleen, my Aunt Carol, and my Aunt Mary Ellen.  I have such a wonderful feeling of family connection when I am out working in my flower beds.  Whenever we’re at each other’s houses in the summer, there is always a tour of the gardens!