lunch at the club

Posted on August 19, 2015 by Shanda

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

Posted on August 17, 2015 by Shanda

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

Posted on August 13, 2015 by Shanda

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.

another summer day

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Shanda

Currently, Caleb and Seth are playing with the dog. Sarah is pretending to be “an angel wolf named Angel but she doesn’t have any wings.” Grace is getting ready for the dentist.

I woke up this morning at 6:30 and couldn’t sleep anymore. I quietly opened the door to our bedroom and saw that there were no teenage boys sleeping on the couch. How nice it was to be the first one up. (Rich had already left for work). I got out the thick yellow “Life is Good” mug and made a cup of coffee, ignoring the very messy kitchen.

I went outside with my cup. One of the things I love to do is walk around looking at my gardens.

This summer has been such a joy. I think I’ve mentioned this before, but with Sarah now five, my body has been free from the demands of pregnancy and nursing for 3 1/2 years now. I feel better than I have in almost 20 years! I loved being a mom of preschoolers so much and God’s grace has always been abundantly enough for that stage of life, but I’m still honestly thrilled to be moving out of those years….enjoying the seven children I have….and having a little extra time these days to enjoy other things, as well.

Nothing important, really, just quiet simple living. Gardening, reading to myself and the kids, spending time with friends and family, learning more and more about Jesus and His life-freeing ways, stumbling along daily in need of His grace….free from guilt and condemnation. Yes, it’s been a wonderful summer.

My friend Alyssa is so good about joining her children in their activities and fun. I thought of her when I went swimming in the pond yesterday. Why don’t I jump in more often? It’s not that I don’t like ponds….it’s just that I guess as MOM I feel like I’m better off on the sidelines as Watcher of the Children. Of course, I’m not really the athletic type, either. I’m just not. I don’t like running or spending time deliberately exercising. The only sport I ever really loved was gymnastics. So I do continue to turn those cartwheels. But I really do admire my running friends! (and husband)

The water was like bathwater on top. I swam along the top of the water, noticing the little water bugs skimming along on their magic legs, smelling that pond smell that will always remind me of my childhood.

*A Little Walk*

It was an Evening of Toads….during our walk we saw about 10 of them, all in various sizes. The spring away quickly, making us laugh, but we always catch them and say hello.

all those bare feet

********

Pictures I Took This Morning While Drinking my Coffee

I love this spot in my flower beds, especially the morning glories which are now in bloom just underneath the sunflowers.

I’ve never grown a watermelon before. It gets bigger every day, we (the whole family) love to look at it. Pat it like a baby. It’s going to be strange to eat it later on this summer.

ANOTHER!

basil

Seth woke up. And then I had a friend to walk with.

Together, we thought about how the older kids were going to camp soon, and the funny ways of our dear departed Billy-Cat, and then we saw our cat Sam. We thought about church and I told him why I love to go. (because I love to be around people who love Jesus just like I do) He doesn’t like church because it’s too long. We watered some of my plants together, made up silly songs, and he let me join him on the swing. We saw a spider and watched it work on it’s web. I thought of knitting needles and zip lining but the spider is an expert.

Baby boy was holding a cat. He said he’s not a baby. But I said he was my baby. “I’m not your baby anymore.” Suddenly I felt like writing a sad country song. I’m sure it would be a big hit.

******

“Don’t wish me happiness. I don’t expect to be happy all the time……it’s gotten beyond that somehow. Wish me courage and strength and a sense of humor. I will need them all.” Anne Morrow Lindbergh

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Shanda

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

Seth caught two tiny fish, and by tiny I mean approximately one centimeter and as thin as a wire. One for him and one for his sister. Sarah’s face says “oh, it’s so cute!!!” –painfully cute. She loves babies.

Good morning my friends. Today is Monday. It’s sunny outside and I just got home from taking my oldest daughter to her babysitting job.

My babies are six and five years old and are currently watching “The Boxcar Children” on netflix. The rabbit is in the living room in her cage and Parker the dog is staring at the children as they eat breakfast…bread and cheese, blueberries and milk. A breakfast inspired by their favorite story.

We finished reading the book on Saturday.

I took three pages of notes at Bible study on Thursday, given by a dear older woman of faith who recently lost her beloved grown daughter. Her heart spoke and filled my own heart and soul so that the tears flowed…..I read over her words in my journal and find so much truth and so much Jesus in them.

I thank God for her, please pray for His grace to continue to fill her as she grieves.

With her reminder, I kept an open heart and said “yes” to my husband more than usual this weekend.

“I need fruit. Do you want to go to Costco with me?” yes
“Shan. Let’s sneak down to the diner for breakfast together.” yes

Those were two times I would have typically said “no”. Costco is too far for fruit. I’m too tired and just woke up and am not hungry enough for breakfast just yet.

Putting aside the excuses and selfishness meant more fun and closeness with this man of mine.

My 17 year old’s morning hair.

We went to the diner two times this weekend. These are the times I will always remember. When the children are grown and gone and we go to the diner again we will think of them always. The laughter, teasing, spills, eyes too big for the tummies.

The chicks have turned into chickens.

We spent several hours outside on the lawn Saturday afternoon. With blankets, books, and towels we rested in the glorious sun…Rich and I…and whatever children came along.

Samantha-Cat caught a frog. I held it in my hand & it’s little body pressed anxiously into my palm. I checked it all over and there were no mortal wounds — so back into the pond it went.

The pretty-pretty beans are close to producing. I’ve finally found little white flowers in the vines. We’ve been eating peas and watching the watermelon grow bigger every day. Tomatoes are beginning to ripen and sunflowers growing tall.

short but sweet

Posted on July 22, 2015 by Shanda

This is why Colleen and I are at home at each other’s houses. Because we have a touch of the crazy in us, and so do our husbands and children. Crazy good times happen.

Colleen is my Aunt and we grew up together as next door neighbors on a quiet farm road in New York. We went to the same school and the same church. Like all good family, she is a lifelong gift from God. She and her husband have four girls who are about the same ages as my children and what a fun time it is when we can get together.

The kids really want to be with us most of the time, but once in a while we can convince them to run off to swim or jump on the trampoline or what-have-you.

Rich and I live four hours from our families and honestly, I was feeling quite lonesome and homesick for “my people” the other day. I am very content being here in Connecticut but there comes a time when a woman just needs to be with her mom….or, an aunt. To sit and visit, talk about all the memories, relax, forget the housework, and be together again.

Colleen’s visit this week came at just the right time. Uncle Roger was on a business trip so she came to see us.

She and the girls arrived yesterday and we sat and talked on the porch, made dinner together, sang hymns, and watched a little TV. Today we talked on the porch, went downtown to the coffee shop and thrift store, had lunch, visited some more, and then she and the girls left for home again. It was a short but very sweet visit.

(We missed her daughter, Madelynn. She was busy doing her summer missionary work with children. My Jacob isn’t in the pictures, either, because he was sick.)

Molly’s shirt says, “Bacon: just another reason why I know Jesus loves me.”

They brought their little chihuahua dog, Reese, with them. Seth, Sarah, and David could not leave the dog alone, they fell right in love with him. He was such a good and patient dog.

(day one)

(day two)

Dave was a good boy, talking to Aunt Colleen all about turtles and the fact that on September 27 he has a birthday and wants his parents to get him a tortoise. “Once you see a tortoise eating a strawberry, you’ll want one, too” he assured us. He came to the porch with a female garter snake. He has Aunt Colleen convinced he will be working in a zoo one day.

Dave was trying hard to get Reese to love him so he put peanut butter on the bottom of a glass.

My aunt brought me some homemade blueberry jam made from Candy L’s berries, and some bread n butter pickles, too.

She gave me this pretty painting that she did of “my peaceful place”. I told her that Rich would be finding me in front of it very often.

The flowers looked so pretty in the early morning sun as I left to take Grace to her babysitting job this morning at 7 a.m. On the way home I picked up 2 dozen donuts to go with breakfast. Okay, I admit they WERE breakfast.

The children played in the warm earthy pond together just like Colleen and I used to swim in our old pond, too.

We took Molly downtown with us and bought iced teas and an entire bag of books. (2 dollars for the books!)

forever friends

Meg showed us Reese’s tricks. He sat, he shook his paw, he rolled, he practiced playing dead. He did a great job.

Marissa, Dave, and Meghan

Today I am extra thankful for all my crazy family!

They are my best friends.

“Should I live a long life, bless me with my true friend to take the journey with me.”

these days

Posted on July 14, 2015 by Shanda

phone dump post ahead!

dedicated to the ones I love…….

This was about a month ago at a little league game. Rich brought one chair and eventually we realized we had both decided on the ground so we could sit really close together.

Seth was in the garage and dropped something (he said it was a hammer-thing) on his pinky toe. He came in the house to show me his painful swollen and bloody toe. “I saw my toenail fly off. I couldn’t find it.” For some reason this struck me as hilarious…the thought of my six year old ignoring the pain and taking the time to search for his toenail, like maybe he thought it could be reattached. This is a picture I took of it about a week later, when the nail started growing again.

Mitch and Ethan stylin’ at Jacob’s graduation.

The cake I made my Mama for her birthday.

Singing Happy Birthday to Grandma on June 19th.

At the end of the day…Jacob’s graduation party.

Caleb’s last little league game and his 4th place trophy.

Sarah and Seth with their new backpacks FOR SCHOOL!

A few weeks ago Rich and I snuck away for a night at a hotel together. Alone. This was part of the view from our room. We had such a good time knowing that nobody was around who needed us….we could lock the door and never mind the world.

This is the summer of working toward driver’s licenses for the boys.

I am not very proud to say that I am scared to death in the passenger seat. I feel that this is an indication of a control-problem on my part. I eventually realized that going on my phone or reading a book helps to distract me from panic attack and/or from distracting the driver.

Teenagers arguing over who has to sit in the backseat. Ethan: “I was here first” Zac: “I’m getting dropped off first. Emily: “I don’t want to sit in the back, it’s harder to get out and I want to jump right out when we get there.” Jacob: “I’m the firstborn.”

(they stayed put and rode just the way they were….squished)

Jacob and Emily at the coffee shop. I thought it was so cute that they held hands like that.

The day I took these kids to the movies and Target.

A week later…another movie morning.

Grace and her book at the movies…..

This cat was sound asleep in/off my favorite chair on the porch.

Boys playing video games….Emily painting.

In the coop!

Seth microwaving!

Sarah learned a trick.

Our cat Samantha.

Pretty braid.

At church.

I’ve been making jars and jars of my Mama’s Raspberry Jelly!!!!

From berries on the side of the road!

The very first jar. 2 cups

picking more berries a few days later

I held up one of the briars and it was covered! These treasures like to hide and it truly is a feeling of treasure seeking and finding as I pick. I just love it. Some of the kids find it boring! I don’t understand!

The next two jars! 3 cups

Yesterday’s batch! 4 cups! I kept some of the seeds in this time…I’m going to use a jar for raspberry bars today and perhaps jam thumbprints soon, too. soooooo happy

This is heavenly! Plain greek yogurt with a spoon of homemade jelly— nothing but pure berries and sugar. The recipe is so easy and quick…instant gratification.

Seth does slow down at times. And when he does I stand and stare at him.

R.C. —Jacob and Seth playing with their cars.

Grace laughing over Alyssa’s son’s instagram.

Boys wrestling party at our place this weekend!

I love it when I go in my room and shut the door for a little peace and quiet and this man of mine comes without knocking in to lean over the bed to tell me random things. I LOVE HIM SO MUCH.

Sherlock helping me watch my chickens….we lost 5 last week to a raccoon so I’ve been keeping them locked up unless I am right there.

The list I left for the kids on Saturday morning when Rich and I left to get stuff for the wrestling party.

Sarah pretending she is a cat named “Hawaii”

Sarah swimming. Now is the time to get those Land’s End suits on sale for next year! This one is size 6, a little big on her…but so so cute.

Jacob and Emily napping on the couch.

Seth and I had to wait for Jacob at the college last week….

He was hitting mushrooms like they were golf balls. Using a stick as a club.

We had a coffee/pastry treat as we waited, at a wonderful Italian bakery.

I made Caleb’s birthday cake myself…David in the red shirt took one bite of it and yelled “YES!” As I jumped in my seat next to him he continued, “This cake is moist! I love it when the cake is moist.” LOL!!

Everyone was full of it.

sooooooo happy with these people of mine!

Micheal and his watermelon. Parker was watching his Dad through the window. One of my sunflowers got broken so I put it in a pitcher by the piano.

Yesterday Caleb got the last football cards I will ever buy him! The complete set purchased with his birthday money and a loan from Mom. “Mom, can I borrow 13 dollars? It would make me really happy.” Okay then.

We went to the movies and Subway for lunch.

I got my ears pierced! (2nd hole)

We went to the library last night for a magic show and then Seth got his first library card! I die.

SOOOOOO cute

“Why does it say Seth W on it?” “That’s your middle initial” “Oh, I remember! William!”

I wrote this post with Parker at my feet.

Happy Summertime, my friends!

the comfort of God

Posted on July 8, 2015 by Shanda

“A pond without dragonflies darting above it or without the exquisitely iridescent damsel flies clinging to the leaves of its border would be a lonely place indeed.” (this and all following nature quotes are by Anna Comstock)

Dragonflies are common at our place as we have two ponds and a stream. It is always a pleasure to stand on the road and lean over the guardrail to peer into the water of the stream and watch the bright green bodied damsel flies, or to walk along the edge of the lawn where the tall grasses grow and observe the various dragonflies fluttering. And it is always a feeling of accomplishment if I can get close enough to one with my camera and snap a clear photo.

“The grasshopper has some means of defense as well as of escape; it can give a painful nip with its mandibles; and when seized, it emits copiously from the mouth a brownish liquid which is acrid and ill smelling. This performance interests children who are won’t to seize the insect by its jumping legs and hold it up, commanding it to ‘chew tobacco'”.

What delightful and beautiful insects grasshoppers are! Watching them jump is highly amusing, their back legs are like springs.

When I look at this photo of a grasshopper, I am struck by an urge to try to draw it.

This was an exciting surprise. I was hunting the trees along the edge of the field for birds and my only thought was determination to take a pretty BIRD photo in the evening light. And what do I see? A tiny, chubby chipmunk way up high, frozen in fear as I photographed it. Look at those tiny ears.

“The lay of the bullfrog, which like the song of some noted opera singers, is more wonderful than musical; the boom of the bullfrog makes the earth fairly quake.”

Even the bullfrog is lovely with it’s green and brown skin and gorgeous round & golden eyes shinier and prettier than any marble. You can see the sky reflected within it’s black iris. The round circle to the right of the eye is the ear. My sons love to catch bullfrogs and consider them friends of the pond.

Notice anything special about this chicken?

The hydrangeas are continuing to dazzle.

Another surprise! Just one week after seeing a baby chipmunk in a tree, I was sitting on the porch talking to my husband when my eyes landed on this one, way up high in the bush by our porch.

“While the chipmunk is a good runner and jumper, it is not so able a climber as is the red squirrel, and it naturally stays nearer the ground……a second glance showed me that it was a chipmunk lying close to the branch, hanging on for ‘dear life’ and with an attitude of extreme caution…”

So what was this chipmunk doing up in a bush? I believe the answer was this:

Kitty on the porch probably chased it up there. And after giving up on the chipmunk ever coming down, went back to his cozy seat on the porch to take a bath.

A chipmunk observer.

The children played a game of catch over by the chicken coop.

*******

I had many real and imagined worries about the children and their future and by the end of the day yesterday I gathered my journal and my Bible to me like a lifeline…knowing that I needed most of all to saturate my mind with the truth of God, that He is in control of all things and that I can trust Him with my (His) children whom I love so much that I never want to let go of them or these days.

How Does God Comfort us?

Through His very nature, He is faithful. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

Through His Word. “I delight in your word every day.”

Through Prayer. “Morning, noon and night I complain to you, Lord, and you always listen to me. I rise before dawn and cry for help.”

Through His Holy Spirit. “If we live by the Spirit, let us walk by the Spirit.”

Through others. “Let us stir up each other to love and to good works.”

“I believe, Lord, that as I seek you I find you. You will always show me the way that is good for my life, You will lead me along the right way and I know that you always love me. You pour your love into my heart so that I praise you because of your faithfulness; my innermost being says ‘thank you.’ Through the cross of Christ I have been brought back to you: how I praise you! Through the cross my life is transformed. For Jesus Christ’s resurrection and for my new life I praise you.”

From a little booklet published in 1985 by Gospel Light Publications, “Enjoying God who Comforts”

lemon cupcakes

Posted on July 6, 2015 by Shanda

We used the spray-on sunscreen. I used it on David and I laughed hysterically yesterday when Rich showed me this picture he took of Dave’s back yesterday at the track:

I honestly thought I had covered him entirely!

On the fourth of July Rich took the kids to the playground so he could go running. I made macaroni salad (amish recipe) and looked forward to grilling for dinner.

I love our old-fashioned looking flag bunting for the porch and my dark blue hanging baskets.

After they came home the boys wouldn’t let Seth on the trampoline and he was sad. I was fine with it though because three boys on the trampoline is an accident waiting to happen.

He was still pouting. Some of us did manage to wear red/white/and blue. 🙂

A good mama.

When it was time to start the grill Rich said “oh shoot, I’m out of charcoal” and I almost threw away the meat. He went to the store and eventually we did eat our grilled beef kabobs, baked beans, macaroni salad, cantaloupe, and spice cake.

At our church those who are taking communion file up to the front to take the bread and then the cup, then going back to their seats to partake. Those who don’t take it are left in the pew to try to work their positions in order to be the one sitting next to MOM when she returns……the boys were silent but determined and my communion cup was jostled so that most of it dumped on my chest and lap. I just had to laugh because I know God understands how hard it is for me to stay focused in church these days, and He wants me to cherish the moments. I was in constant thoughts with God, and knew He was enjoying my situation just as much as I was. Rich took the picture after we had gotten back home.

Abbie spend the weekend with Grace. She is my sister’s oldest and the girls are one year apart, both born in November. Cousins and best friends.

On Sunday I had such fun taking them out to Starbucks.

And then shopping.

We spent most of our time in Sephora…..

They had a free mini makeover service and learned about conturing.

I let them each pick one item as a gift from me to them. Abbie chose purple mascara. “Do you think my Mom will let me wear it?” “Well, if not you could at least wear it at home!” And Grace picked out a new eye-liner pencil. I treated myself to a new lipstick.

Later that night they made lemon cupcakes and served me in bed while I was reading my latest book, Cold Mountain. Rich had one as well, as he read a book by Bill Piper (John Piper’s dad).

To be honest, I made Rich go out to the kitchen to get me a second one. They were so good!

2/3 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 2/3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
1 Tablespoon grated lemon peel

In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon peel.

Bake in muffin cups at 350 for 20-24 minutes, and frost.

Rich woke me up at 2 in the morning yelling at the teenagers to go to bed. The girls were running up and down the stairs and the boys were playing video games. After which we had insomnia for over an hour. We tossed and turned. Ugh.

He’s at work now and I’m showered and dressed. I’m leaving here in about an hour to take the kids to the one dollar movie at the mall.

I don’t want to end this post without sharing a sweet compliment that my husband gave me. We were snuggling close in bed when he said, “Shan, I don’t ever remember a time in all the years we’ve been married that you’ve smelled bad.”

yesterday……

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Shanda

…..we went to the park
…..Jacob and Ethan spent the day at a friend’s house
…..we took naps
…..we let the new flock of chickens go outside in their fence all day long
…..the kids swam in the pond
…..my kitty caught me a frog
…..I read my book
…..Rich spent the day at the park with work

and when he got home

he and the kids put together a new trampoline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daddy says life is such a crazy mess
He gotta jump on your chances for some happiness
We all see what daddy means
From way up here on this trampoline

Rich is a quiet, orderly leader and teacher. They had everything out of the boxes and lined up together. The back of the truck had tools and the small pieces. They played music from the truck radio as they worked. It was a calm and pleasant work environment.

Seth was begging me to play with him. We played catch for quite a while. Every time he had to chase the ball I did cartwheels.

At one point Grace was busy with fitting the pipes together and Ethan was busy working on another section. Emily and Jacob had nothing to do so they were fooling around….Grace reprimanded, “Why don’t you guys HELP ETHAN?” There was a short pause before Emily retorted, “Why don’t we help YOU?” Grace thought about it and said, “Point taken.” The answer? They don’t WANT HELP.

The whole process took several hours. At this point I was sitting on the back of the truck reading my book and keeping my eagle eye on them. What a blessing to have a willing work crew.

Almost done!

Emily and Grace were the first to jump. This was about 8pm last night.

Then Caleb had a turn.

This trampoline is a little smaller than our old one. We had to take the old one down because we had it for so long it wasn’t as bouncy as it should be and the net was gone. It was basically, in my humble mama’s opinion, an accident waiting to happen or perhaps even a death trap. I begged Rich to take it down before Jacob’s party and he did…but he and the kids were so sad that he ordered this new one the very same day. It’s rectangle shaped and the net is secure all around the bottom, I can rest easy knowing that my babies are safe as they bounce.

Are you guys patient mamas at the end of the day? I had to walk away after this picture because I was going crazy telling them exactly how to take turns, nagging them not touch the foam on the pipes (knowing if everyone pulls on it, it will eventually tear and rip) or the blue fabric, breaking up petty arguments “Mom Seth said he can jump better than meeeeeeeee.” and so on…I went in the house and said I was too tired to be a referee and Rich agreed that it was best for them to learn to work things out on their own. So then I happily yelled about everything going on it the house, “Who left this bowl of leftover salad on the counter I am not a kitchen maid????” “Someone please take out the garbage and don’t put it on the ground BY the can this time, I had to pick trash up this morning because someone didn’t take the tiny next step to put it in the can!!!!!!!!!!”

I’m just saying, we do have our limits.