boys on stilts

Posted on July 21, 2017 by Shanda

I smashed the screen of my iPhone last night when Rich and I were walking. I had whipped it out from my back pocket to check my steps for the day and it kept flying right out of my hand, landing face down on the road. It still works, but after a day of looking at it covered in hairline fractures it is a relief to be in front of my computer screen. The computer screen is so perfectly NOT broken!

Grace and I went to breakfast this morning after a morning of cleaning the house. Jacob stayed home and watched the rest of the kids. Grace and I took our books, of course. She is reading Mark Twain and I’m reading a biography of Jane Fonda of all things. (I recently read an autobiography by Doris Day, too) I found a new podcast to listen to that appeals to my “memoir” side, the side of me that LOVES learning about other people’s lives no matter how they lived it, which compelled me to pick up Fonda’s book at the library yesterday. The podcast is called “You must remember This” and it’s about first century Hollywood. Like most podcasts, not every episode is worth listening to but the few I have heard gave me a lot to think about in regards to the entertainment culture of that time period. There is nothing new under the sun!

One generation goes its way, the next one arrives,
but nothing changes—it’s business as usual for old
planet earth. Ecclesiastes 1:9

So anyways, we read and ate and then went to Goodwill where she found me a fiesta jumbo mug in cobalt for one dollar. I passed right by it! We shared a hug in the aisles of Goodwill. She found a cute little dress and I bought a few books, too. Then we went to the grocery store to get things for spaghetti because last night Rich came home and was so happy to step through the door into the house……to the smell of spaghetti. His eyes lit right up and he smiled big…….only it was roast pork and corn on the cob. So I promised him spaghetti today.

When we got home I put everything in the crock pot for a good sauce; homemade meatballs and chunks of sausage that David cut up for me, a big chopped onion, spices, and a big can of tomatoes.

Grace had her friends Brittany and Tessa over (who also happen to be Jacob’s girlfriend and Ethan’s girlfriend) to make homemade ice cream and I went for a power walk and was almost bitten by a dog. I was so scared. The owner was a very large man on his riding lawn mower who couldn’t be bothered to get off it and his dog (pit bull?) was not on his leash. The dog was following the man around as he mowed and then when he saw me, he ran full force at me, barking in a very scary way and came so close, I could feel it’s breath and mouth touch me as I clutched myself and stood very still…..I eventually got away while the large man simply yelled at his dog. The dog ran down the road at me a second time, barking. I didn’t know what to do. Should I call animal control and complain? The dog did everything but actually BITE me. When I had to turn around and walk back, I went into the woods to get past his house because I was so nervous. How ridiculous to have to do that!

Safely home now, and blogging from the chair in my bedroom. The house is completely clean; all beds made, bathrooms spotless, because the two maids came today (every Friday), dinner in the crock pot, so it feels extra wonderful to be able to relax. David is watching soccer videos on Youtube and the girls are upstairs now, visiting.

I’m posting photos today that I took last night when Caleb came in to say, “Mom come and see this”. I was tired so I said, as I got up off the couch, “This better be good.”

He was on stilts! Grace got them from Mrs. D at the HS when she helped her clean out the Drama Props Closet.

Thank you Mrs. D!

It was worth it!

David had to try. (you can see a small part of Caleb,too)

And there’s Sarah in her nightie ready for bed.

Big sis and big bro looking on……..

Seth wearing his watch that he got in his Subway kids meal.

Summertime + end of the day playtime outside = the BEST.

Ethan’s turn!

Parker is smiling! with his girl.

Sarah wanted to try getting on the stilts but I said “go put something on under your nightie first.” so she did, happily.

*****

THIS beautiful sunset sky is the reason why everything was pink last night.

Oh, how sweet the light of day,
And how wonderful to live in the sunshine!
Even if you live a long time, don’t take a single day for granted.
Take delight in each light-filled hour…….. Ecclesiastes 11:7 MSG

SaveSave

Caleb, 12 years old today

Posted on July 9, 2017 by Shanda

We have a birthday boy today; Caleb James turned 12 years old.

It goes by so fast.

But it’s all very good. Each year is a gift.

And there is lots to look forward to.

Grace had her graduation party yesterday so her purple decorations served another purpose today. We bought the festive cupcakes at Sam’s Club.

Younger siblings looking on….eating more cake. (we had cake yesterday, too).

They have started to take the frosting off the top and run for the milk.

Enough is enough.

Mine was lemon.

Thank you, Jesus, for this boy of ours!

Caleb is 12 and Seth is 8, they are always together. They play video games, baseball, football, swimming. . . .get along very well with arguments started and ended throughout the day, too. So much learning going on.

comic relief from all Mom’s portraits

Tom Brady, Jr.

action shots:

“Take one of me jumping over Seth!”

****

Happiest birthday to you, Caleb! Mom and Dad love you so very much.

what the boys are up to

Posted on June 6, 2017 by Shanda

Actually only four of the boys were photographed on this day (last weekend). . . .this one is David. 14 years old. Eighth grade.

He does flips all the time–front ones and back ones. Last Friday his class went on a special outing to an amusement park for the day and they had freedom to wander around, go on all the rides, and in David’s case, attract girls by doing flips. He was approached and asked for his Snapchat (nonexistent) and instagram (currently defunct) by the girls. He was proud to tell me the story, however.

David is on the Juniors baseball team and has the highest batting average of the kids there. He is known for his prowess in stealing bases.

David watches The Flash every day, he has seen each episode more than once (or even twice?). I complain but secretly credit the show for his relentless need for speed. They sometimes call him Flash during baseball games and practices.

He will enter High School in the fall. Sometimes he jumps off the upstairs landing on to the couch below…..he’s been wanting to do that since he was 4. He likes music, playing the piano, and playing video games with his big brother Jacob. He is a night owl and typically on a Saturday morning we will forget he’s even home because he sleeps in so long. He is a natural born pessimist and can find something negative about any situation which at this point only makes us laugh as we try to help him see the better part of things. He’s also possessive about his stuff or things he believes belong mainly to him. He only lets his dad hug him because I am “a woman.”

He was straining so hard to flex every muscle he possibly could.

Seth is the youngest boy and still a mama’s boy. He loves it when I’m right by the fence keeping my eyes on him and only him during baseball games. Part of this is because he knows sooner or later I will be gone……over at the other field to give his brother a turn, too. Seth is almost done with 2nd grade and does really well in Math. Reading and writing, not so much, although I have noticed that his actual penmanship is improving. He has reading homework every night so these days I get the bedtime story. He reads to me about presidents, owls, money, sharks, or volcanos. RARELY does he chose a story, it’s usually a educational book about different topics.

He is very light hearted and energetic. I heard his coach reprimand him several times last night for his energy and impatience and goofiness during practice. He is a well rounded athlete and does very well in each sport he joins.

He is easily influenced. If he watches Garfield (one of his favorite shows and book) he has to eat pizza. If he watches a baseball movie, he doesn’t last the first 10 minutes before he’s outside with a ball and glove. As soon as his brothers took their shirts off (out of vanity), his came off as well (out of imitation).

Caleb read the most books in his class this year. He thought he would win a kindle and spent the entire year working toward his goal. He wanted that kindle so much. Imagine his dismay at the final awards assembly and only ONE kindle was given out, and by a raffle no less. The child who won it had only read 2 books all year.

Rich and I bought him a kindle.

Caleb loves burying himself in his pillows and covers when he sleeps and always appears in the morning with amazing bed-head. He’s 11 so I have to remind him to change his clothes—he can’t be bothered—he has stuff to do. Mainly sports—football being his absolute favorite. Yesterday Seth had practice at 6 and Caleb had practice at 7 so with his extra hour he played a pick up game of football with 7 other boys. I like to walk around the park while I wait and I smile as I watch Caleb playing with his friends. He is a good friend.

Caleb can’t forget about things. He worries. For example, if he has a game in two days and the extended forecast is rain—he will constantly check the weather, ask me about the weather, ask his Dad about the weather, wondering if it really will rain. It’s a sign that he cares deeply about his likes and dislikes. He’s sensitive and wants his loved ones to have everything they want. When I make dinner he will always say he loves it, unfortunately I don’t ever know if he is sparing my feelings or telling the truth. He keeps his Christmas toys and legos pristine because he wants us to know he liked them and so we won’t be sad to have them get lost or broken. If his Dad wants to go to Pinkberry and I say “no” Caleb’s heart hurts for his Dad and he feels so sorry for him. Poor Dad. He wanted pink berry and mom said no. And then I feel like a jerk (in this case he only thinks of one person’s feelings–his dad’s).

The other day I was standing at the couch folding clothes when Caleb walked by and remarked, “I’m almost as tall as you are Mom.”

Caleb is in the band and it makes my heart so happy to watch him count the beats. He’s a percussionist.

Ethan is home for the summer and just got his first paycheck yesterday. As I was in a gleeful mood, I got out his baby book and glued it in with much drama. (after it was electronically cashed, of course). I made sure not to put glue on the half that had his signature so that by lifting the end we will always be able to see his name there.

He’s working at the same company as his dad and they ride to work together. (I refrained from adding five exclamation points after that sentence, it just makes me so happy.)

Rich wakes Jacob and Ethan up on M, W, and F mornings so they can go work out together. Yesterday he fell down half the stairs because Seth had left his shoe on the step. He accomplished his goal (of waking Jacob) and thankfully didn’t hurt himself. The three of them have such a good time pushing each other in their workouts and it has really paid off. They are all very buff.

Ethan is staying in shape for college wrestling, Jacob is getting in shape for college football and wrestling. By the way, Jacob isn’t in any of these photos because he wasn’t home at the time. So sad.

Jacob and Ethan are both going to the same college in the fall and will be roommates.

Ethan is at his girlfriend Tessa’s house every chance he gets. He is busy working during the week and doesn’t get home until around 5:30 or 6pm. He is the most quiet of all the boys. He knows what matters, he knows sincerity and good character is important.

All three of the older boys are always making pots of pasta. They get hungry and eat the dinners I make each evening and then make more food around 8pm. The pantry is always stocked with boxes and bags of pasta and jars of sauce.

Showing off.

And being cute.

Rich and I do the best we can with these boys. We make a good team. He tends to focus on their character and goals and I tend to focus on their health, nutrition, and general wellness. I also try to find out all the information I can about their private lives, too. LOL (like, does anyone have a girlfriend that I don’t know about). Caleb told me a girl asked him out yesterday but he said no. Um, you’re only 11.

They make me happy every single day because they end up surprising me to laughter. You can’t be bored as a mom of five sons.

Eventually a normal game of catch wasn’t good enough….we had to throw gloves and make up different ways to catch and throw the ball.

And then they got lost in the woods for a while. After a while, from our chairs on the porch, Rich and I saw them appear again. We watched them walking together and felt so proud of these boys of ours.

We are surrounded by brothers.

SaveSave

{this moment}

Posted on April 28, 2017 by Shanda

18198543_10155028589491343_5774179659663019700_n

waiting for warm ups to begin for the first game of the season

in the fridge

Posted on March 6, 2017 by Shanda

I noticed today that someone’s growing up.

(Seth, age 8)

a boy named seth

Posted on February 2, 2017 by Shanda

dsc_0944-1

Last night after the High School wrestling meet, there was a special youth exhibition. Seth was one of the boys who got to wrestle. He wrestled a boy who was bigger and better than he was (although, actually, Seth would disagree with me on both counts) and was soundly beaten. He was also dropped on his head. The ref stopped the match while Seth recovered flat on the mat, Rich and the coaches by his side, and me on the bleachers with an icy stomach and worried sisters by my side. He got up and finished the match, getting pinned 2 seconds before the buzzer blew to end the match (which he would have lost by 2 points).

It was very disappointing and sad for Rich and me but only because we are his parents. The team did awesome and won the meet. All the boys did so well and we were extremely proud of them.

Seth has only lost two matches this season out of about 14 (I lost count). He is very good and enjoys the sport. When we got home, Rich was concerned about a concussion and slept four inches away from Seth on the couch all night long. I was concerned about my precious sons wrestling in general but Rich said that life is risky and they were just as apt to get head injuries on the playground or climbing trees or wrestling each other when I’m not looking.

Rich decided to have Seth stay home from school today so he could rest and be quiet.

This has worked out nicely for Seth, because

his

birthday.

Seth turns 8 years old today.

He is currently sound asleep on my bed after a whole morning of “quiet”.

But this morning after his bath, I took these portraits of him.

Remember the time when your legs were so short you couldn’t bend your knees over the edge of Mom’s old rocking chair?

Remember that baby face you used to cover in kisses that you can still see glimpses of?

Remember that birthday when you were turning eight and you asked your mom to bake you a chocolate cake with vanilla cream filling and you licked the beater?

dsc_0971-2

Remember the card that your sister made you and she wrote “You’re the best brother ever in the world?” and when you read it you said, “I said that to Ethan once.”

And how on your birthday you think you need to go outside and look for your shadow?

dsc_0975-1

Remember how I love you?

having fun

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Shanda

15259414_10154567736796343_5565317281384619339_o

Rich always gets a craving for Pinkberry on Sunday afternoons…..I am SO over it….but he mentions it, and since I can’t always say “no”, this past Sunday I said, “Okay, lets go but we are taking the children to see Santa Clause.” To this he had less enthusiasm but as he would do just about anything for that tasty frozen yogurt treat, he said, “You know the line is always super long for that.” and I understood it was a “yes” from my husband.

The line was a little long, but not too terribly bad. Our son David, who is now 14, absolutely refused to see Santa, because “it would ruin his dignity”, and went away to wander the mall while Rich and I took our three youngest through a process of getting a special badge, doing a few fun North Pole activities, and then finally visiting with Santa for the all important portrait. Seth was the most reluctant and shy, Sarah was the most excited. Caleb was in the middle (perfect).

15419800_10154583726616343_4591103150632169141_o

There was one part of the event where the children were able to go into a little room of sorts to stand in a beautiful falling artificial snow. I, of course, right away thought to myself, “Perhaps we should avoid that part or they will get covered in it for their photo with Santa.” I thought it was very unwise of the elves to put the messy snow BEFORE Santa, why not AFTER? However, I am super proud to say, I put aside my own controlling tendencies and let them have all the fun they could possibly have. I pretended I didn’t care. Although we brushed it off them, you can see the snow in Sarah’s hair like dandruff and some flakes of it on the boys, too.

There was a dear mom behind us with her two PERFECTLY dressed girls in all their Christmas finery (velvet and hair bows, white tights and black patent leather) and they avoided the flakes of snow like it was the very plague. They stared in wonder at Sarah scooping it up and throwing it sky high, while I heard the mother whispering instructions to her prim and proper daughters to not get any of it on their dresses, and I could tell by their faces that they had no intentions of doing so. And I knew that could have been my mothering technique, as well. I understood perfectly how they all felt because I felt that way a little bit myself.

I don’t really have a point to this story except that it was a close call for Sarah, and a learning experience for me (again). Every day is a lesson on “control” for me….and slowly God is taking it gently from my hands so I can have a little fun, too.

15326396_10154583799396343_668797716017116370_n

You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Ecclesiastes 11:9

day with the college boy

Posted on October 24, 2016 by Shanda

Good afternoon! I took David to the orthodontist this morning which was nice because (does this happen in your family?) as is typical, the car is the best place for my children to open up and talk. We have nice conversations about anything and everything. So I got to hear everything that David wanted to talk about. After his appointment (“What did they do to you Dave?” “They put in a new, thicker wire.”) we scooted into the Goodwill store quickly to look at 1) dishes 2) DVDs and 3) books. Then….Dunkin’ donuts for a snack. He got a mint hot chocolate and a breakfast sandwich on waffles. I got a snack sized breakfast wrap thing and a hot tea.

I dropped Dave off at the middle school (right before he got out he said, “Wouldn’t you rather just take me back home?” and I said, “No, get out.”) and then parked so I could walk and as I walked I talked to my friend Kathy on the phone, and sipped hot tea.

*****

This weekend’s great event was getting up super early in the morning (4), and leaving to drive three hours for a visit to our college boy. Rich and I took the younger children with us, but Jacob had work so he wasn’t able to come along.

We were in terrible moods for half the trip. It was dark and raining and we had to stop at every red light on our way to the highway, which was driving Rich crazy because we were literally the only ones on the road. We also couldn’t figure out how to get the new DVD player in our vehicle to work but eventually David figured it out and the sound of Looney Tunes filled the air. About an hour down the road we all started perking up. We left so early because we wanted to surprise Ethan by getting to him in time to take him to breakfast. He wasn’t even awake yet when we pulled up to his dorm. The dorms are kept locked so I called him on his cell phone to tell him we had arrived. We saw his light turn on behind the blinds in his window as he quickly pulled on his clothes and came out in the chilly rainy weather and into the family car, where we all smiled at him.

We ate breakfast at a very nice, casual place, filled up with nice ordinary people. We felt comfortable and happy and our waitress was capable and pleasant as well. I ordered steak and eggs. We all ate so much food that we were able to completely bypass lunch.

After breakfast we went for a little drive and then stopped at a Norman Rockwell museum. Next up was bowling. We also visited a bookstore in town which was great (used bookstores are my favorite).

We headed back to the college. Grace and I sat and read our books for well over an hour. The college kids had an event going on where you could get an empty Pokemon character and stuff it yourself to make a stuffed animal, it closed with a zipper in the back. It was so cute to see all these big college kids sitting around boxes of stuffing, not unlike sitting around a campfire, talking away as they made toys, of all things. Seth, Sarah, and Caleb managed to each get in on the action, too. The college kids were so nice to them. Grace and I would look over at them and then look at each other and smile little smiles of joy. Rich and Ethan played pool downstairs together, and David joined Grace and I and put his head down on the table to take a nap.

We began to get hungry so we left for an early dinner. (It was so rainy and chilly–39 degrees!) Ethan was craving pizza so we found a well-reviewed pizza place 20 minutes away which ended up being amazing. The place was a very low key, “hole in the wall” sort of place with an awesome view of the town and the train tracks. Very busy. You had to order at the counter and then sit down to wait for your pizza to be done. When it is done they call your name and you go up to get it (no waitresses). There was a lady at the table next to us who talked to me about our large family. We rarely get the comment “are they all yours” any longer. We used to get it all the time when the kids were small, but now that three of them are taller than me we don’t get that question as often. But she loved the kids and it was a friendly little conversation.

The pizza was incredible. Their most popular pizza was made with their garlic knot dough and was simply covered in garlic, I think it took a full 24 hours for my breath to get back to normal. I had two pieces of it, it was topped with tomatoes and cheese. We bought three large pizzas and simply stuffed ourselves until there was only one and a half pieces left and Rich said, “No more, the rest is for E to take to his room with him.”

Then it was time to drop Ethan back off at his dorm. There were tears shed but all in all it was a most pleasant day! Beautiful. You know, there is just nothing like the feeling of being safe and loved in your family.

14713763_10154445819016343_149615453125633277_n

14650153_10154445818696343_6609554969287863446_n

Rich had to take it twice. 🙂 family photo at the breakfast place! Isn’t the decor great? I love rooms that are filled with stuff everywhere you cast your eye. Inside the well-decorated bathroom there was a sign which said, “Girls, PLEASE do not steal the decor!” The word please was underlined three times.

14681704_10154445820916343_2665617812596374122_n

I admit I am a little sad that our oldest son is not in this photo, but aren’t they handsome? Seth is 7, David is 14, Caleb is 11, and Ethan is 18.

14725677_10154445819831343_5314026631491007189_n

*same breakfast, same facial expressions*

I’m laughing as I look at it. Their breakfast was called the “gut buster”

14641943_10154445821416343_8790783146402036868_n

beautiful mountain stream

14716143_10154445821696343_1140786069746236559_n

We went to a Norman Rockwell museum, which was a building full of every cover and/or illustration that he ever did, plus little signs giving more information about his life and pictures. There were NO original works, but we have been to the real museum in Stockbridge so we were okay with seeing the many many prints.

my favorite:

14716209_10154445822146343_1594687480437862257_n

Rich’s favorite:

14670701_10154445822561343_3165612432061149148_n

14671088_10154445823441343_5062864760663519053_n

The pizza was so good. Rich even said it was better than Grandes. (the place we go to “back home” all the time, which we’ve been going to for our whole married life).

*************

So I wanted to tell you guys that I’m finally on instagram if you want to follow me here is my link: SHANDA’S INSTAGRAM .

Happy Monday!

my new garbage disposal

Posted on October 10, 2016 by Shanda

“There is often more wisdom to be found at the edges of life than in its middle. Life-threatening illness may shuffle our values like a deck of cards. Sometimes a card that has been on the bottom of the deck for most of our lives turns out to be the top card, the thing that really matters. Having watched people sort their cards and play their hands in the presence of death for many years, I would say that rarely is the top card perfection, or possessions, or even pride.

“Most often the top card is love.”

My Grandfather’s Blessings, by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D.

dsc_0847-1

Good morning, friends.

When I first woke up this morning, I sat in my bed with a cup of hot coffee and listened to the wind. It was a lovely autumn wind, yellow leaves were flying past the windows. Wind chimes were loud enough to hear and their music was saying, “It’s a windy morning!”

It has died down some, and the rain of yesterday is past, leaving clean fresh air and a brilliant blue sky. It’s hardly 50 degrees and feels invigorating but chilly.

I’m eating lunch as I type; vegetable soup.

The children are home from school for Columbus Day. Sarah Joy had a dentist appointment at 9, which I was not looking forward to after her year of kidney stone adventures. She was so sweet and brave until the last when the tears came…..she was worried that the dentist would pull her loose tooth out right then and there. The dental hygienist was sweet and understanding with Sarah. As a mom, that meant the world to me.

dsc_0815-1

On Saturday we spent the entire day at the football field. Rich, myself, Sarah, Seth, and Caleb.

Rich officiated Seth’s game. Seth made several good plays as a quarter back (at his level, the boys take turns trying different positions). I was able to get this series of photos showing an impressive pass to his teammate, who did a great job at catching the ball.

dsc_0816-1

Seth with the ball……

dsc_0817-2

…..ball in the air……

dsc_0818-1

…..with a catch and first down! Not bad for 6 and 7 year olds!

We had time to leave and eat dinner before Caleb’s game, which they won brilliantly.

It was raining on and off the whole day and we were soooooo ready to be home afterwards.

I love this little girl with all my heart.

And this one, too. Rich took Grace with him to go get a new garbage disposal.

The other day I was tired and grumpy but trying very hard to not say anything. Zak was here and he played a prank on Jacob in the kitchen. Jacob had left his cup of coffee on the counter while he went to the bathroom, and while he was gone, Zak put coins and butter in his coffee. I was in the kitchen, working, saw everything, and became annoyed. Jacob came out and dumped his coffee down the drain, and into the garbage disposal went the coins. I continued to be annoyed and I said to Jacob, “YOU put your hand down there and get the money out.” I assumed he did and the next day when I used the disposal it of course made (along with me) a terrible noise of distress and woe. I instantly knew what had happened and was mad this time. I put my hand down there and retrieved two almost unrecognizable pennies. I got the broom and used the end of the handle to try to get the disposal moving again, but no. I sent Jacob a text saying *no friends this week* (it was last week now) and he was still saying things like “It wasn’t me, it was Zak”…. like I cared WHO it was, which I did not—as long as I was not the one to have to deal with the messes of teenagers. “It was only one penny” they insisted. Rich was alway on a business trip and now my garbage disposal wasn’t working at all. As a homemaker, this was very unsettling. I called the plumber and he fixed several things (like a drippy faucet in the bathroom) but said he would have to get to the disposal in a few weeks. When Rich had time to look at it on Sunday, he discovered a QUARTER stuck so tightly in the disposal that there was nothing to be done but buy a new one. Thankfully, the disposal was old anyway and honestly needed to be replaced or I would still be annoyed at this moment. (I am over it and Can Now Laugh).

Rich and Grace came home with a garbage disposal so quiet I don’t believe it’s even working because I’m used to my old one that was as loud as a chainsaw and dripped gray water into a bowl under the sink each time I used it.

dsc_0843-2

While they were out shopping for the disposal, I had asked Ethan *which would he rather take back to college with him, brownies or cookies* and he picked cookies and said, “Thanks Mom” which completely melted my heart. He kept coming in the kitchen to eat the dough. My kitchen was a mess because the disposal wasn’t working. True! Really! 🙂

I made the best chocolate chip cookies ever and even snuck in some wheat flour. I pressed pumpkin seeds on top of a dozen (kids won’t eat them, of course). Ethan took about a dozen with him to school.

This is an easy snack for the kids….buy a loaf of garlic bread at the store and bake it according to the package directions. Then, open up the loaf and put some sauce, cheese, and dried basil and bake it again until it’s done. Glorified french bread pizza.

I watched David play the piano.

And noticed Gentleman Gray sleeping in an odd place with his leg sticking out. 🙂

dsc_0861-1

We ended up sitting on the floor in the corner together, petting the cat.

Jacob made the trip to Vermont yesterday with his brother. They took Grace and Tessa along, and Zak, too. Although it was sad to have to say goodbye to Ethan again, I heard this morning that they had a very nice time together on their little road trip, listening to music and stopping for coffee and a buffet for dinner.

dsc_0874-1

The view from the porch yesterday evening was stunning.

Love.

“Blessing the life in someone usually requires a deep respect for their uniqueness, an openness to allowing them to uncover who they are rather than shaping them into who we want or need them to be. Innately, blessing life confers a greater freedom on those we bless.” ~Rachel N. Ramen, M.D.

happy birthday to my son

Posted on September 27, 2016 by Shanda

Fourteen years ago I was holding my healthy newborn baby David in my arms and now look at him! He wants to be taken places like Home Depot. So that’s what we did…..armed with a list of things he needed, the two of us did some shopping.

14495232_10154367036026343_2683579202029460092_n

He is endeavoring to make a “Mini Metal Foundry”. His Uncle Dave already mailed him the first item on the list, a “clay graphite crucible”, just big enough to fit a soda can. (He’s been collecting them and has a whole bin ready to melt.)

He says once his operation is set up his “crafting abilities will increase by 30 percent.”

(I’ve been laughing about that one for days)

What are you going to make with the melted metal, I ask.

“Well, I could make metal signs,” he explains…….”and other stuff.”

I felt anxious in the Home Depot with the list. I felt like a fish out of water. I don’t know where anything is. David was kind of amused. However, we were able to find everything we needed except for the five quart big mouthed bucket. Thank you to my husband for answering a few questions (via texting) we had about the drill.

Isn’t he a nice boy?

Happy Birthday, Dave!

We headed to Panera for lunch and guess who met us there?

Big brother Jake. 🙂 He was able to drive over after his class at college.

These two have a great relationship. David does as much stuff with Jacob as he possibly can. If Jacob is going someplace and asks if anyone wants to go along, David will always say yes. I’ve noticed that David has a lot of love and adoration for his three older siblings, but nothing but minimal toleration bordering on annoyance for his three younger ones. Interesting.

Just to show you that he is indeed taller than his Mom. (Panera was in the mall)

He thanked me in the car for his nice birthday things.

He took a selfie wearing his new hat and shirt.

He couldn’t wait to get to work on his project. He is currently outside on the patio mixing up plaster of paris, wearing a dust mask and no shirt. Every once in a while I can hear him singing to himself as he works. He knows what he likes and he does it. He keeps himself busy learning and doing. 06111d7d5720dfdc2c4ff29368131612