opening presents

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Shanda

Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day, on Christmas Day;
Then let us all rejoice again,
On Christmas Day in the morning.

Sentimentality hit hard on Christmas Eve, after we placed the gifts under the tree and stuffed the stockings we sat in our rockers in front of the fire thinking about the children and how fast they were growing. Thinking about our grandparents and how they are all gone now. Thinking about each other, how happy and content we are in our love and wanting time to slow down and last forever, but knowing it won’t, it can’t.

In these moments, we always come back to the same truth: to determine to savor the NOW and enjoy the days as they happen, as gifts from God, which is what they truly are.

I got up at 6 to find … Jacob, Ethan, Grace, and Seth all awake and waiting for the rest of the family. I was laughing from the first, with the discovery that the older siblings were just as excited as the rest of the children. Caleb and David woke up at 6:30 and we all called, “Sarah!” to wake up the littlest one. She stepped carefully down the stairs to us, with sleepy eyes and crazy morning hair. Still little enough to be a tad confused about all the fuss.

After working on wrapping each and every gift, I was bound and determined not to miss a single child’s face when they opened it. David passed out the presents and we all watched as that person opened it. At first they were a little shy about all the attention (16 eyes upon them) but they quickly warmed up and forgot about being self-conscious.

The faces.

Those darling eyes revealing wonder and expectation.

Sweet joy filling the room, in the giving and receiving.

And then, the beautiful mess.

The children fled to the new addition to put together lego sets and play with dolls, leaving the cat alone amongst all the wrappings, and a mama upstairs, camera aimed down with full heart, thankful for the day, CHRISTmas day, and a family to love with everything within me.

carols and cookies; love and magic

Posted on December 23, 2013 by Shanda

“Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:2, 3

This morning I awoke to discover that the snow is completely gone. It was in the 60’s yesterday, unheard of for December in New England. I wore sandals to church, just to be able to say that I did (on December 22!) This morning it is raining. The ponds are melting and have a layer of slush over the tops of them instead of the hard ice of last week.

Rich is home today!

On Saturday, we joined our friends at church for a caroling party in town. We walked down the street to the library and set up a sound system. Dave and Mike played guitar and some of us sang while others of us passed out little gift bags containing some treats and an invitation to our Christmas Eve service.

(daughter Grace in brown jacket)

I asked Micheal to watch over Seth so he could give out some bags. I was told later on that it didn’t last long. As soon as Seth saw the other kids playing in the snow behind us, he left the bags so he could play, too.

The kids were thrilled to be playing in the snow on such a warm day….I know my own children were soaked by the time we left.

Tony held Sarah

Wally passed out pocket calendars in the street (made me nervous the entire time). This road has non stop traffic.

Rich took a turn at the mic to preach a short invitation.

Joanne and Sara enjoyed a song from Sarah Joy (her rendition of “Silent Night” is adorable).

We all left happy and full of the joy of fellowshipping and singing Jesus’ praises together.

***********

THEN, later on that night Rich gave me the gift of TIME (which is what he is doing now, too, so I can write here) by taking Seth and Sarah out shopping. Grace and I took advantage of the quiet to bake Christmas cookies together.

I enjoy this daughter of mine so very much. I put her in charge of the buckeyes and she did a great job with them.

(She is currently trying to teach herself sign language using youtube videos).

Her shirt said “love and magic” on it, two of our very favorite words.

I can recommend the Costco brand of chocolate chips; they melted wonderfully and hardened up perfectly on the candies. They have a nice, dense texture and rich chocolate flavor. (It’s hard for us to stay away from the buckeyes. We keep them in the freezer and we all sneak into the pantry for “just one more”).

I made cherry snowballs and then the ever-popular candy cane cookies, made with a butter dough and flavored with mint.

Jacob and Ethan arrived home from watching the latest “Hobbit” movie to a flurry of activity in the kitchen.

Caleb and David amused themselves by stuffing blankets down Dave’s pajama shorts.

This is a tip from me to you (mama to mama or grandma): If your children complain of boredom have them try this activity. It is sure to bring hours of entertainment, just be sure to have them wear their most stretchy shorts!

Grace got creative with the last tray of the buckeyes; she painted chocolate initials on them (one for each member of the family) and also did a heart:

Spirits were high (on sugar) as the evening progressed.

Grace did a basic sugar cookie next, and tinted them green. My candy canes were also green. You see, all of the red food coloring was used up by Jacob this summer. He used it to dye water red and fill up containers with it to shoot with his bb gun (realistic blood?)………

These cookies ended up tasting really weird but we are hoping the boys eat them regardless.

The kitchen was a disaster but, Mom, I did clean it before I went to bed.

David amused himself by making an origami candle. I tell you, my children are talented.

Talented!

“glad and golden hours”

Posted on December 19, 2013 by Shanda

“And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at His birth.” Luke 1:14

Every morning I dread getting my winter things on to walk through the frozen snow to the chicken coop.

But each day I’m glad that I went.

The fresh air is restorative, and I see things.

Recently, I was walking from the coop to the stream to get water and I startled an entire flock of mourning doves out of a tall pine tree next to the pond, they make sounds when they fly off with a flapping of wings and incessant coos of alarm. I was sorry I disturbed them, the sun was shining into that pine tree and I think they were cozy on the branches together, in it.

(I just looked out the window and saw a scarlet cardinal sitting in a leafless bush.)

Another day, I was trudging back to the house and stopped in my tracks to watch honking geese fly overhead. There were four in front, then the typical v-formation, followed by some stragglers. They flew beautifully low over the house. Oh how I wished I had my camera.

Yesterday morning, the sky caught my attention.

It was baby blue, a baby baby blue.

I went back to the house with a frozen egg, and a good egg, put them away, and took my camera outside for a small walk in the 19 degree morning; the children all had a two hour delay and I had already made *a blueberry pancake and bacon* breakfast.

(The pond is hidden under the snow.)

(The sun was just about to come up, making a beautiful sky.)

(snow covered road that always makes me think of donuts; my pj’s and boots)

(red berries)

“Nobody was awake so early and I had all the great hill to myself, and it was so beautiful that I could have thrown myself down and kissed the earth itself. Oh, sweet and good and loving Mother Nature! I choose you for my own. I will be your little lady-love. I will hunt you out whenever you hide, and you shall comfort me when I am sad, and laugh with me when I’m merry, and take me by the hand and lead me onward and upward till the image of the heavenly forceth out that of the earthly from my whole heart and soul. Oh how I prayed for a holy heart on that hillside and how sure I am that I shall grow better! And what companionable thoughts I’ve had all day for that blessed walk!”

The Life and Letters of Elizabeth Prentiss

(winter stream)

I’m always thankful that our house faces directly toward the morning sun.

(Sherlock enjoying the morning sun.)

Cornbags are a simple comfort and a joy during these freezing cold days. I went to Agway to get more dried corn, and when Grace said, “I need a corn bag!” I was able to jump up and say “Let’s go make one!” They only take a few minutes to make and become an important warming device for cold toes. I sat down and made one, then Grace made one all on her own (so proud). We used thick, warm flannel that I bought last year when Hannah was visiting.

I did a post a few years back on how to make one, if you’re interested click HERE

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker.” Psalm 95:6

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.” Luke 2:14

“And ye, beneath life’s crushing load,
Whose forms are bending low,
Who toil along the climbing way
With painful steps, and slow,
Look now! For glad and golden hours
Come swiftly on the wing:
O rest beside the weary road
And hear the angels sing.”

Edmund H. Sears, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear

family gift wrapping: practical tips

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Shanda

Wrapping gifts can be draining, so I thought I would share how I make the process as simple and enjoyable as possible.

1. Use only one extra big roll of wrapping paper at a time. Keep using this one roll until it runs out.

2. You also need a nice fresh roll (or two) of good tape, a pair of sharp paper scissors, and a black sharpie marker.

3. When wrapping the gift, unroll the paper, place gift upon paper to measure, and always cut straight across, leaving a nice edge on the roll for the next gift.

DO NOT DO THIS:

4. If the gift is small and you need to cut away any extra paper, do so. Keep any trims in a “trim pile” to use for more small gifts.

5. Don’t be stingy with the tape.

6. No need for labels, simply write the name of your child ON the package.

7. No need for gift boxes. If you have clothes to wrap, just fold the item neatly and wrap it.

8. If you must embellish, buy a big bag of bows and add them to the gifts on Christmas Eve.

9. You might think that pretty gift bags with tissue paper will simplify the process, but I have found that whenever I use gift bags I can’t help getting pathological about saving them. It’s much easier to throw away paper on a Christmas morning.

10. Keep a running list on your iphone of the gifts you have wrapped. This will be important later on, when husband gets worried that a child might not have as many gifts as their sibling. (avoid last minute shopping at the gas station!).

11. After wrapping the gifts, pile them up in boxes or big bags to store away until Christmas.

12. Keep inner peace while wrapping by listening to music, keeping your cat with you, painting nails deep red a few hours before hand, eating some of the extra stocking candy, and making your husband stay out of the room so he can keep the children out of mischief.

{this moment}

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A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by soulemama