“We’ve been hugging each other for over twenty years now,” she said.
“And it never, ever, ever gets old,” he replied.
rich takes a nap
4
Author Archives: Shanda
finding
And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name. 1 Chronicles 29:13
They didn’t know I was taking a picture with my phone.
Dave could not find his shoes and had to wear his Dad’s big white size 13s into the store.
We stopped at Barnes and Noble at about 7:30, on our long-long drive home from Georgia.
Rich and I lined them up on the curb so we could give instructions and information to everyone at once, rather than 6 times (forgetting the seventh, which is typical–SOMEONE gets missed!oops).
The instructions were: 1. Everyone needed to use the bathroom. 2. Everyone may pick out something to read.
The news was: 1. We were driving all the way home without stopping at a hotel to sleep.
We arrived home early this morning at 4:30.
My favorite memory of traveling was at about 2 in the morning when they had taken little naps, gotten over the grumps, and had a second wind of cheer. Singing to the radio, telling funny stories to classical music, watching a video. At 2 a.m.!! Such good little travelers.
Rich singing every hymn he could think of to himself while flying down the highway in the fast lane……me half enjoying it and half plugging my ears so I could concentrate on my new cheap paperback. Hanging on and whispering prayers.
Rich, by the grace of God, is raising up some good young men. This is our Ethan. He loves Jesus, being active, sports. He doesn’t talk much. He can dance some cool moves. He is confident, respectful, honest, and doesn’t take any slack from his younger siblings. My favorite memories of Ethan from vacation are 1. When he pulled himself up over a high wall to retrieve the volleyball we had hit way out of bounds. and 2. When he walked out of McDonalds holding Seth’s hand on one side and Sarah’s on the other. Be still my heart.
My mom loved vacationing with all of her children and grandchildren, but she was itching to get back to her garden.
I’m just like her. My garden is much smaller but the first thing I did today after I woke up at 11am was go outside with my cup of coffee.
I knew where to find some treasures. Some were obvious, like the bright red tomatoes. But others, like the cucumbers and green beans, were hidden and had to be searched out.
For brunch I made a quiche.
chopped bacon fried with a section of minced onion and one green pepper
added to 8 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk
2/3 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup cheddar
1/4 tsp pepper, a few nice healthy grinds of salt from salt-grinder
all leaves from the two beets I harvested (can substitute 3 cups chopped lightly packed fresh spinach)
fresh basil, chopped (about 1/3 cup)
about 1/3 cup tomato
Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes or until set.
I served it with the rest of the garden tomato, mixed with salt, olive oil, onion, and basil.
***
I almost shrieked when Tessa told me school started this Thursday. I thought I had one more solid week with the children. My heart aches because Sarah Joy is going off for her first day of Kindergarten. Mothers understand what I mean….I’m happy for her, I know she’s ready, but as a mom I feel that small sad-like feeling of letting go. Rich read Seth and Sarah letters from their teachers, which were in the mailbox when we got home from vacation. Their little faces were seriously listening to every word. They have homework to do, and a meet and greet on Wednesday. I don’t quite feel ready, but I’m thankful for this journey with my children and that little by little they grow up, not all at once. Thankful for Jesus and for my husband making it easier.
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” Proverbs 8:17
gifts-peace-love-seeking and finding the greatest treasure–HIM
of two days on Jekyll Island
We took all of these photos on Wednesday and Thursday. Tomorrow morning we start heading home.
lunch at the club
Another full day has come and gone. At this very moment, I am sitting on a wooden balcony of the big beautiful Sans Souci Cottage in a rocking chair with my tanned bare feet up on a small white table. The evening sky is a multitude of blues, marbled with gray clouds and one small streak of orange sunset. Amazingly loud cicadas are filling the air with their sounds. Mom and Dad walked by on the paved sidewalk underneath me and we said hello, then Amanda and her family, then Rich and the children. They are all returning from an evening swim at the pool which I was too tired to participate in. As I sit and look at the photos we took today, my heart is filled with gratitude for this State, this Island, the land of our vacation of dreams.
Most importantly, the family–my family–is continuing to grow and bond through loving hearts, words, play, laughter, food, prayers, small gifts, and joy — making memories underneath a big Georgia sky.
greetings from jekyll island
I changed the theme to the blog in order to post vacation photos nice and big!
We had a long drive from Connecticut to Georgia. This picture was taken at one of our many rest stops along the way.
Grace picked me some wild flowers.
I rode up front with Rich but switched seats with Jacob now and then so Seth could be with me. He lost his first tooth!
We ate at a frozen yogurt place.
And then we all made it to the Island. We arrived on Sunday afternoon…my parents, my siblings, and all their families. The pool has been the main attraction so far. It’s so special to see all the cousins together.
Ethan showed his Grandma (my mom) a picture of the girl he likes.
The kids all loved hanging off Uncle Nate.
Yesterday evening we had a fantastic dinner at the restaurant at the pier.
My brother Nate.
My sister Amanda.
We have rooms at the San Souci, a big beautiful old building.
The beach was stunning last night.
My son Ethan.
Me and Sarah
Caleb had his light sabers taken away shortly after this photo because Seth was hit very hard in the mouth with one. Thankfully he was fine and today he just has a slightly swollen upper lip. But it was a bad moment and we left soon afterwards because it was starting to get dark. Seth had taken his jersey off, when I asked him where it was he said he had buried it! After wandering for a while Rich found it.
brother Dave
push ups!
This morning we went to some of the little shops in the historical section of the island.
“the day was quite warm and we walked along leisurely……”
We went through the museum and watched a video about the Island.
They were playing with an old telephone.
Seth, my Dad, my Mom, and Caleb
Seth and Gregory in one of the gift shops.
Caleb with his Grandma
My brother Isaac and brother in law Jason coincidentally wore the same clothes today.
We met a little dog named Lady at the shopping center.
Grace read books in the Jekyll Island lending library.
David was determined to catch one! When he caught it, it was brown, then it turned green in his hand.
We were all hanging out at the pool and I caught this sweet moment when David came back over to join us he went straight to his brother and patted him on the head.
We are currently on the balcony off my sister’s room. Mom french braided Naomi’s hair, and then Makayla’s.
And the little ones played a game with their little toes.
We are talking about what to do for dinner. I had fried shrimp and sweet potato fries for lunch and am not very hungry, but all the boys need some food.
hi
Last night, when I was already in bed, Dave brought in a toad to show me….and it promptly hopped under it.
He returned covered in dust and fuzz.
We cleaned him up and Dave set him free.
This morning my little Caleb went to the hair salon with me.
I asked him if I looked weird and told him to tell the truth…..”yes”……
We went to Moe’s for lunch. I had two steak tacos with pinto beans, grilled mushrooms, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, salsa, cilantro, and chipolte ranch dressing.
I told him he was one of the best boys in the world.
We walked hand in hand to the bookstore. He said, “You should do a blog about this and call it ‘A Fun Day With Mom.'” He mentioned my blog because he was reading it while he waited for my hair to get done.
We went to the bookstore and he asked me for a Darth Vador light saber and I said yes. (did you notice the shirt he was wearing in the “moe’s” picture?)
We stopped to pick up forms from the doctor’s office and then went to the school to drop one off. When we came home I went outside to go for a walk and saw Ethan and Grace walking home with the neighbor girls.
Dave was with me. We had a nice time together looking at all the creatures. He pointed at a honeybee and caught a big grasshopper.
We have a small swampy pond in the bushes next to the garage that Dave wanted to look in, and sure enough he saw several bull frogs.
There was one a pretty chicken,
but his friends were pretty few,
For he thought that there was nothing
in the world but what he knew.
~Marion Douglas
We went back in the house with two fresh eggs and found Jacob just about to leave for the neighbor’s house, to mow the lawn for him.
We are leaving tomorrow to drive to Georgia. We have Michael coming to stay in the house and take care of the animals for us and Emily will be coming over now and then, too.
Things are actually pretty organized in my mind…..on the table is a collapsable cooler (black) that I bought at Costco to hold cold food for the drive down. I made potato salad and will take cheese sticks and fruit. There is a second cooler for drinks. There are granola bars and applesauce pouches in the rubbermaid containers and I bought 24 single serving cups of mandarin oranges. I have a bag of spoons and a bag of forks, hand wipes, a bag of first aid supplies, laundry detergent packets, & another of bathroom supplies. The clothes on the chair are Jacob’s and the ones in the basket are David’s. I need them put into suitcases tonight along with Ethan’s clothes on the table.
Sarah’s suitcase has 8 outfits in it, shoes, and her swim floats.
I wrote names and numbers on each bag so I knew how many outfits I had completed. Each bag has a shirt, a pair of shorts, underpants, and socks. In a couple bags I put an extra long sleeved shirt and a pair of pants in case it gets cooler at nights. I’m only packing 2 pairs of pajamas per person. I am hoping to be able to do some laundry while we are gone. I can’t believe I just wrote that.
I am packing bags of electronics. One bag holds Sarah’s leapster with games and the children’s headphones, another one holds 2 kindles and the charger with another pair of headphones. I also have a bag with the DS’s, games, and charger. Jacob and Ethan will have their iPhones. I spent some time storing audio books on my kindle…Mary Poppins was one of them.
These are the books I am taking for myself. I was worried that I wouldn’t find a book to get lost in during vacation but I started The Night Circus last night and it’s reading really well and interestingly. Very imaginative and creative. I find myself smiling over the author’s fresh word style. I respect her writing and so far am enjoying the book. The top one is my Bible in a Year Bible that has a reading for each day of the year, I love it. There is a portion of OT, NT, Psalms and a few verses of Proverbs every day.
It’s the end of the day now (well, it’s 7pm) and I’m very tired. I hope to put my pj’s on early and go lay on the couch for a while with a big glass of tea, perhaps. I’m feeling very drained but excited to finally get the packing done (I have done most of it all by myself.) There are a few more odds and ends to finish up tomorrow. We have rented a 12 passenger van so please pray for our safety. The van came with a print out warning us all about roll-overs so I’m pretty much convinced we’ll have one. I hate being a worrier, although I am forever thankful for God’s grace in the midst of my messy-beautiful-scary life.
two very important sentences
We are leaving on Friday to go on a nine day vacation.
I am busy organizing, packing 72 complete outfits in 72 large ziplock bags, and preparing food. The house is in an uproar.
Three children had dentist appointments this morning.
Also, Jacob took his driver’s test today.
While I was waiting for him to be done (there were three kids ahead of him) I nervously drove to Goodwill and found……six sage green fiesta teacups…..making me even more excited with life in general!
Naturally when we got home I took a couple of pictures.
Sage is a brand-new fiesta color. Why anyone would want to donate Sage fiestaware is beyond me.
My guess is that they came in boxed place settings and maybe the person decided they would never use them, so they gave the teacups to Goodwill and kept everything else?
Regardless, it will be a pleasure to use them and they look so pretty on the shelf.
And he passed with a perfect score.
we had a situation
It all began on Saturday. Rich and I drove in separate vehicles to the church to pick up a whole bunch of kids and their luggage from a week of camp. After he greeted me and gave me a hug, Jacob told me that he and the older kids were going to get Chinese food with their friend Michael on the way home, so I gave him thirty dollars. Rich left with his group of kids and I left with Seth and Sarah, not really knowing who was riding with Rich or Michael. It was past lunchtime and we were all very hungry. I stopped at McDonald’s with my two kids, but Rich drove straight home with his.
I pulled into the driveway at home, went in the house, and discovered Ethan all distraught. “There wasn’t anything to eat”. I had assumed that he was part of the group going to the Chinese buffet. He loved Chinese food but missed out because somehow he wasn’t told the plan. I made him some elbow noodles and meat sauce but it just wasn’t the same. He missed out on Chinese food and was never going to get over it. “Oh E, I’ll take you to Chinese, just the two of us.” I was willing to say anything to encourage him, but I didn’t mean that I would take him anytime soon. Just that I would take him….eventually.
Soon everyone was fed and Chinese food was forgotten.
Or so I thought.
Yesterday, as typical on summer Mondays, I took Grace, Dave, Caleb, Seth, and Sarah to the movies, leaving Michael and the teenagers at home. I had a lot to do so I left Grace with the little kids at the theater while I shopped at Target. After the movie we stopped at Costco. By the time we arrived home the whole back of my SUV was full of bags and food and I was tired.
I discovered all the teens sleeping on the couches in the living room but I took no pity on them and woke them up so they could unload the groceries.
To my surprise, they happily woke up because they said “We are going to the mall and getting Chinese food for lunch.”
“Oh no, you’re not! I just gave you thirty dollars on Saturday! And I just bought a bunch of food while I was out that you can have for lunch.”
They wouldn’t hear of it. We went back and forth with our debate and meanwhile I was disappointed to come to the realization that my children are spoiled rotten.
Ethan especially wanted the Chinese food. “Mom, you said I could go!” He was still feeling left out from Saturday but the truth is, I never said WHEN he could go and I never said I would foot the bill for anyone else but Ethan. I wasn’t about to give them anymore money.
Jacob put his shoes on and got his wallet. He had money saved that he was supposed to be using for college. “I’m going. I’ll just pay for it with my savings.”
“Oh no, you’re not!”
The other point I made was that next week we would be leaving for family vacation and eating out all the time. So in the meantime we were going to “stay home and be satisfied with common foods like peanut butter sandwiches.”
They hated peanut butter sandwiches. They won’t eat them.
Yet another point was “Jacob, you needed me to take you to college tomorrow, I don’t want you going to go to the city two days in a row. You’re exhausted from camp and need to rest.”
But they still wouldn’t yield.
It was then that I knew I wasn’t dealing with spoiled rotten teens. I was dealing with over-tired, HUNGRY teens who had the stubbornness of both their mother and their father.
So I called Rich at work. We had a parenting situation that needed both Mom and Dad to solve. He promised to call right back when he had a minute to spare.
We were all in the living room: Michael (who was to drive them to the mall and didn’t care either way, but did want to buy sandals), Ethan (lying on his back with his arm dramatically over his forehead), Emily (who was using her Starbucks gift card in the debates) and Jacob (on the verge of tears).
Rich returned my call. I put him on speaker and placed the phone next to me on the arm of the couch. He received an earful as everyone stated their case. Being the wise and sensible man he was, he quickly decided in my favor.
“Your mom is right. I want you children to stay home and rest today. Jacob, if you don’t toughen up I’ll give you something to do to toughen you up. Ethan, I want you to get in the kitchen and find something you DO want to eat, and make enough for everyone.
“Now, I really have to go. I want to finish things up here at work so I can take a break and go eat Chinese food for lunch.”
(evil laughter from Mike and the parents)
Well, well, well. I had “won” the great Chinese food debate against my teenagers. I was feeling victorious but also sort of mean…..I love giving them anything they want….so when I DO have to put my foot down, I feel bad. (yes, I am a feeler, it’s a blessing and a curse). The poor children would have to forgo Chinese food, although we did have chicken patties in the freezer that they could shake soy sauce on. This idea of mine was not met with approval, however.
I took my phone off the arm of the couch and just as I began to get up to put away the groceries Mike said, “The Schwan’s truck is here.” He could see it pull in the driveway through the window.
Instantly, I started to scream because I knew they sold delicious Chinese food meal kits. “Oh my word!!! I cannot believe this!! This is all the Lord’s doing. You better get down on your knees and humble yourselves in gratitude!”
I opened the door to greet the man. He never had such a warm welcome. I turned to make sure the kids were with me to order their beloved Chinese foods from the catalog and saw Ethan kneeling in the kitchen with his arms raised to Jesus in grateful praise.
We had chicken lo mien and shrimp rolls for lunch.
camp week
Rich came home as soon as the last event was over on Friday because he missed me so much. Isn’t that the sweetest thing? He came in our bedroom at about 2:30 in the morning and I laughed. He thought it was the oddest reaction…but I was so happy and tickled that he came home.
We had all Saturday morning to talk. He was full of stories.
One of the workers, Ting, posted a whole bunch of photos on Facebook and she gave me permission to post them.
The first one I posted is of Jacob and Ethan, on a day that they put the same socks on without knowing it. Pink plus capes!
This was a tug of war competition between my family and another family. Jacob is at the end, then Dave, Grace, Ethan and Rich. (they lost)
I love this picture of Ethan S. (friend from church), husband Rich in the red cap, Zak right next to him (he spends a lot of time at our house, we met him at school last year because he was on Rich’s wrestling team). Zach with the red hair and his sister Allie (life long friends) and then my son Ethan in the white shirt, and our neighbor Emily (black shirt). They look so happy.
Rich said kids kept coming to join the picture. Jacob (right next to his Dad), Emily (black shorts, light blue t-shirt) and Tessa (dark blue T-shirt).
This is Rich preaching. I had several people tell me that during one of his talks, he posted a picture of me and had to stop for a minute because he was choked up with emotion. Jacob and Zak told me that it made them start to cry because, as Zak explained, “I had never seen you cry before and I was so confused.” LOL
He loves me, my friends. As I also love him and am proud of him. He had such a good time and of course, as typical, came home with injuries from the sport events. He has a huge scab on his leg and knee, and a broken finger.
Micheal, who is Jacob’s best friend and is currently cleaning my kitchen, was an awesome addition to the camp leaders this year. Rich said he did great and was like the camp bouncer and kept the kids in line, all in good nature and fun. He arm wrestled Andrew and won….consequently they put him up against my husband on another night. As soon as Rich heard the word “go” he slammed Mike’s arm down on the table so hard that Mike walked around with an ice pack the rest of the day.
“My arm was broken in half and remained broken in half for the remainder of the week.” ~Mike
Gary is our Pastor and one of the directors at the camp. He’s amazing.
Just like my husband, he can sleep anytime anywhere, because he’s busy all the time and throws himself into every activity.
Rich took this video of Ethan’s skit. You’ll have to watch it sideways but it’s totally worth it. Ethan is wearing pink shorts, white shirt and BLUE bathing cap. He does the lift at the end.
Best of all is the worship, the moving of the Holy Spirit, Jesus finding lost souls and saving them….please pray that these teens will always remember what they learned and the love they felt.
The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit. John 3:8
no charmed life, but many charmed moments
“Not a day goes by that I don’t still need to remind myself that my life is not just what’s handed to me, nor is it my list of obligations, my accomplishments or failures, or what my family is up to, but rather it is what I choose, day in and day out, to make of it all. When I am able simply to be with things as they are, able to accept the day’s challenges without judging, reaching, or wishing for something else, I feel as if I am receiving the privilege, coming a step closer to being myself. It’s when I get lost in the day’s details, or so caught up in worries about what might be, that I miss the beauty of what is.” Katrina Kenison
Today I decide to walk around with my camera to see what I am most grateful for.
Seth sneaks up behind me to steal a hug and as I turn to put my arm around him I catch our reflection in the mirror. I feel his smooth skin under my hand and see how dark he’s gotten this summer spending so much time outside, just like mine used to when I was small.
Later on, I crop my head out of the photo because I don’t like the way I look, I am ashamed of my double chin and poor posture and can’t bear to leave the photo the way it is.
He sees what I am doing and makes a face. He has football practice later and has to rest for a little while so I leave him cuddling up into my down comforter. Soon he is sound asleep.
My friend Joanna sends me a letter with photographs that she has taken. I love seeing her handwriting on the pages. I am thankful for the last 20 years of writing back and forth with my friend. She sees beauty all around her and I spend time on my bed putting some of her beauty-pictures in a frame.
Earlier in the morning I had opened up my Bible and read from Ezra about the time of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. I read 1 Corinthians and out loud I read from Psalms. Sarah listens, curled up with her head in my lap. She wants Fruit Loops for breakfast.
Later I spend time looking through old catalogues. I am working on a piece of mail to send to my friend. I tear out a couple of pages to send along with a note and an article. As soon as I open the door to mail it I see my neighbor on the porch about to knock, so we sit down and visit for a while together.
Our dogs have a playdate and we laugh at her dog meeting our rabbit. We talk about our children and Caleb talks about Star Wars. She says she will lend him the movies she has and he squeals with joy.
It’s a beautiful day and we keep seeing hummingbirds.
I say goodbye to my neighbor and tuck Sarah into bed for her quiet time. She doesn’t sleep, and I can hear her talking, singing, and making play sounds. I love to hear them. Soon she appears downstairs again and I take the coloring books and crayons out of the cupboard for her to draw with.
I clean my bathroom.
I go outside to see the gardens. I have small gardens but they bring me so much joy. After months of making vines and more vines, morning glory blossoms are starting to open.
My cat Snickers sees me and comes over to rub against my legs. I sit on the grass for a while and pet him. His purrs are loud and there is fur floating around me and sticking to my lap. I tell him he is my good kitty. I pick him up and press my ear to his side to feel and hear him purring.
We get the mail together; but the box is empty today.
I see a peach with an open bruised spot on the side so I pick it. The other side was smooth and clean so I took a bite. I am surprised by the juicy taste of perfect peach and assume that they are ready to eat. I pick three flawless looking peaches but when the children try to bite them they are too hard and I have to throw them away.
I laugh when I see Sherlock. He tries to get my attention. I am thankful to have the time today to stroke his fur and show him I love him.
“…there is no such thing as a charmed life, not for any of us, no matter where we live or how mindfully we attend to the tasks at hand. But there are charmed moments, all the time, in every life and in every day, if we are only awake enough to experience them when they come and wise enough to appreciate them.” Katrina Kenison
As I am blogging, the plumber comes to fix the dishwasher. While he works, I put away my computer and fold the laundry. I finish my cup of coffee and hang up a load of towels to dry on the clothesline. Caleb works on a crossword puzzle and Sarah colors in her book.
The sun is shining but there are clouds, too, and I can’t ignore the anticipation of knowing that my husband and teenagers will be coming home again tomorrow, after being away for a week.
I love these ordinary moments and days the most.
