having fun

Posted on December 8, 2016 by Shanda

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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).

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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.

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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

seventeen now

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Shanda

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People who know Grace know what makes her special.

(Everyone is special in their own unique way. Everyone.)

And Grace is special because of what is in her heart, her mind, her soul.

Her heart is full of love. Ever since she was a little girl, she wanted a hand to hold and someone to listen. She wanted to encourage, give attention, give hugs.

Her mind is bright. It wants to lead. It thinks of things that no one else does, because God gave her a gift, just as He gives each one of us a gift to use for this world we live in. There is no one like Grace, there is no mind like her mind. She has desire to busily learn and grow. So many interests, hobbies, jobs. Once she sets her mind on something, look out.

Her soul belongs to God. She loves the holy Scriptures, the hymns, the worship. Her spirit always rejoices, and produces the good fruit of love, joy, goodness and peace.

As her mom, that is what I see.

At first I thought, I’m not going to wax eloquent with this post, I’m just going to let the pictures speak their thousand words.

But who am I kidding? I have words! Must.get.them.out.

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It just so happened that when she was born, and after the nurses made sure her airway was clear, they gave Grace to her Dad first……and I love that. (She certainly is a Daddy’s girl.) My husband placed our first little daughter into my arms. And she was an absolute DOLL. A teeny tiny doll baby………..

That was 17 years ago, today.

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Happy Birthday, Grace!

I rarely see this girl of mine these days because she’s a busy busy senior in High School, and very very involved in Drama and Music. When I got home yesterday afternoon, the bus from school had already gone by, and so I chatted with Dave in the kitchen and then made my way through the living room to get to my bedroom…..and there was Grace on the couch, reading a book. Oh I was so excited, I admit I shrieked with glee, I grabbed her and we went outside to do her birthday photo shoot (I like to take good photos of my children on or around their birthdays). Photos that I didn’t think I would have time to take because I rarely see her in the daylight hours. Squeeeeeeeeeee!

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“One can never consent to creep
when one feels an impulse to soar.”
HELEN KELLER

Grace and I have a great relationship….although at times it is better for her to go to her Dad with things, as well. (He and I make an excellent parenting team and often give each other high fives).

She adores her two big brothers, and her younger siblings, as well. In my mind, I can see the relationships she has with each one.

“But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

That’s what mothers do.

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Grace is applying to colleges and in a few weeks I’m taking her to visit one. There is part of me that is already preparing for when she leaves and I’m not going to lie…..it’s going to be hard for our family to see her go. But go she must, because she’s meant to soar.

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(Grace’s cat kept photobombing)

Yesterday while the kids were at school, my mom and I were texting and trying to decide what kind of cake Grace would want me to make for her…..Mom said “vanilla with strawberries” and I guessed “chocolate with vanilla frosting.” Hours later I was able to ask Grace.

She said she wanted a cheesecake, and even specified the temperature of it: partially frozen.

partially frozen cheesecake!!!! Never would have guessed that one.

I haven’t MADE a cheesecake in probably 20 years so this is going to be a fun day.

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(one of my favorite photos, which came about because I said, “KITTYYYYYY!” a bit too frantically, trying to get the cat to look at the camera). ha ha ha ha! They have the same expression on their faces!

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While writing, this song popped into my head:

Forever and ever, you’ll stay in my heart
And I will love you
Forever and ever, we never will part
Oh, how I love you
Together, forever, that’s how it must be
To live without you
Would only mean heartbreak for me.

~Aretha Franklin, “I say a Little Prayer”

I think I’ll play later and make Grace dance in the kitchen with me. ❤

Happy Birthday, sweet 17.

interesting

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Shanda

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Jacob and I went to Brimfield yesterday.

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I brought home fiestaware.

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Not only are my dishes useful but they are also decorative. They add all the color to the otherwise neutral kitchen.

Things not to be used are on the top shelves. Everything else is used daily.

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In the morning I used my claret mug. He made the coffee while I made waffles, scrambled eggs, and sausage for our children. Saturday mornings.

The girls and I were downtown.

We had a picnic across the street from the coffee shop in town.

The flowers are so lovely there.

I met a Kindred Spirit in the thrift store book room.

There were two stacks of Scrapbooks made by her, full of everything I also like: heartfelt articles, poetry, comic strips, news, cards, pictures.

I chose some to bring home (8). I will show you some of the things in them on another day.

They are amazing. The lady’s name was Jean and she made the scrapbooks in the early 1960s. She was a teacher. Someone loved her named Bill. I’m currently typing these words on my bed surrounded by the things she found interesting enough to cut and glue into books……..

It’s sad that they ended up in a thrift store, wasn’t there any family who could have kept them? I left over half of them there on the shelf…..but at least there are some home with me and I will have the coziest time looking through them. I love them.

Gracie in the book room.

Well, lastly we went into the Dollar General. I hated the way my hanging basket looked after a rough season of being watered faithfully and then left to dry out nearly to death, over and over. So I thought of a solution; and Rich remarked, “Nice, Shan! It looks like a wig on a very old lady!”

loving hearts!

Posted on July 27, 2016 by Shanda

(((this was so exciting!)))

Last week, I took Grace along with me to a second hand furniture shop. I was looking for a dresser for Caleb because his had broken and we had to throw it away. All of his clothes were now located in the toy box and/or all over the place and it was driving me crazy.

We traveled the back roads, which was fun, and we even stopped at a little boy’s lemonade stand. Grace hopped out to make the transaction with him and got back in the car after spending 2 dollars on big red cups of warm watery lemonade and brownies that were as square and dry as chocolate hay bales. But we enjoyed every bite because the little boy reminded us of our Seth and he was sitting so still at his stand waiting hopefully for sales.

We arrived at the furniture store and didn’t make out very well as far as dresser shopping goes. It had only taken minutes to admit defeat, and because we hadn’t ever been in this particular town plaza we decided to check out the other shops, too, since we were there anyway. I mean, it would have been a waste of gas not to do more shopping, right? Conveniently, right next door was a upscale consignment shop full of all the things girls like; clothes, bags, more and more clothes, and to a lesser degree, knick knacks and accessories. Grace found a couple of very cute dresses and I found a shirt. (Okay, two shirts.)

We paid for our selections but as we went out the door the security alarm went off. We went back to the counter so the saleswoman could go through our bag to see if there were any sensors left behind in our items. As she worked, I just so happened to look down through the glass counter into the jewelry case and saw that they had some Tiffany jewelry.

Ten years ago, Rich gave me a Tiffany ring for Christmas. I still have the photos that he took of me opening the blue box wrapped in red ribbon, with a sweet yummy baby Caleb sitting on my lap. The ring was my first experience with Tiffany and it was a heavy, gold “Loving Hearts” ring, very lovely.

I had it on my finger the day Grace and I were together.

As I studied the Tiffany pieces the shop had, I noticed they had a SILVER Loving Hearts ring, exactly like mine!

I immediately knew…..that ring was for my dearest friend and daughter, Grace Lillian. I asked if we could see it. The lady handed it to me, and I handed it to Grace. “See if it fits your finger, this one, the same finger I’m wearing mine on!”

She obediently put it on, and it fit! Thanks to that false alarm (there were no sensors on our clothes) we ended up with a sweet surprise, a ring to match her Mama’s, for Grace. And it was from a second hand shop, marked at a very nice price, plus an extra 20 percent off!!

We walked over to our next stop (ice cream!) looking at our hands, all smiles.

Well, the ring was previously owned and admittedly, quite grimy with a few scratches. But no worries, because on Sunday afternoons Rich gets a craving for Pinkberry and the only Pinkberry around is about half an hour away, in a fancy-type mall which includes a Tiffany jewelry store, with guards at the door. So on Sunday, Grace and I nervously went in past the guards and asked if we could have our rings cleaned. The ladies cheerfully directed us to the back where customer service was located and the woman there told us that my ring could be done within minutes, but because Grace’s was silver it had to be left there for 48 hours. We reluctantly left the ring with them. Forty eight hours indeed passed very quickly and yesterday we drove back to pick it up.

It was like new!!!! I couldn’t believe my eyes, the ring was so sparkly and shiny, just as silvery as could be. And, come to find out, jewelry cleaning was a free service that they provide for their customers! We left a dirty ring and were given back a sparkly one in return.

We skipped out the door and naturally took a hand-selfie right there in the mall!

It was all rather like a fairy tale of some sort!

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PS, Caleb ended up with a very nice dresser–from Goodwill! In fact, his siblings are all jealous! Rich is very happy that he married such a bargain hunter.

******

It has 9 drawers and a square cupboard in the middle for his treasures.

raspberry pancakes

Posted on July 5, 2016 by Shanda

Today I saw a strange little bird,
and I said to the strange little bird,

“Would you like some berries?”
and she said yes.

“Where did you find these yummy berries?” she chirped. “I want some more!”
“I know right where they are,” I said, “Can I show you?”

so off we flew.

She flapped her wings and sang a song for me.

But mostly she just picked berries.

little birds love wild berries of all kinds

“I know where some more are, do you want me to show you?”
And she said, “Yes” again.
We walked this time.
We walked up the road together.

Birds like berries.
Cats like birds.
She ate all the berries, lickety split, making a “yum yum” sound.
I saved mine in my shirt.
Do you know how to do that?
You fold up the bottom of your shirt, and it makes a pocket!

Back home we went.

She saw the garden.

“Okay. I’m going to pick some peas now,” said my sweet bird.
(she had blue feathers, with silver stars)

“I’m going to do something that starts with a P, too!” I replied. “I am going to make Pancakes.”

“Raspberry ones!, with the berries we picked.”

I watched the little bird all alone in the garden, picking peas.
I watched her through the window, briefly.
Then I set to work.
“What’s in your shirt, acorns?” her brother asked.
“No, it’s berries.”

I made raspberry pancakes for a snack.

She ate one, her brother ate two.

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They ate them with lots of butter and syrup on top.

I think we might dream of berries and pancakes tonight.

no words are necessary between two loving hearts

Posted on May 21, 2016 by Shanda

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in a blink

Posted on May 19, 2016 by Shanda

Sixteen years later……..

My baby girl and I will go out shopping for sweet little dancing shoes. We will skip up a sunny sidewalk in town to the seamstress shop and pick up her beautiful dress; a long, mint green gown, newly hemmed for her small stature. She will talk of lipstick, jewelry, nail polish, and love.

…….she will be going to Prom.

what family means to me

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Shanda

Once again, never to be taken for granted, Rich and I and all seven of the children were together in our warm and cozy living room — to decorate our Christmas tree, purchased in town at the Fire Department for 30 dollars.

It was delightful chaos. Talking, bossing, laughing, non stop movement to and from the tree to the ornament boxes which were all along the couch.

Seven times we experienced the miracle of birth, births of our own flesh and blood, baby girls and boys from a man and woman whom God joined together as one. As the children grow and develop into their own individual selves, we are all the more thankful for each and every moment with them. They teach us so much, they remind us of what we have forgotten–that life is an adventure from sun up to sun down. Very little worries, seldom any cares, only exciting things to look forward to and absolute trust that Mom and Dad will love and nurture them.

From the oldest to the youngest, we are their Parents until death do us part. To support, guide, enjoy, and yes…even step away (but never too far away) in order to give space for them to make their own decisions in life. They will become stronger and independent, knowing that we are there to cheer them on their journey of living.

Firstborn Jacob’s 19th birthday is the last day of the month.

While the youngest, Sarah, is only five and a half.

Each child is a gift, so unique, so amazingly precious to me and to their Dad.

They have brought so much gladness and light into our lives.

As their Mother, their pains are my pains, their joys are my joys. Their love is my love. One of the most romantic things I have witnessed occurred last night and oh, last week at this time I would have never dreamed that my darling daughter would very soon have a loving, Christian boy humbly ask and receive the blessing of her very protective Dad to get to know her……….and my heart gives grateful praise even as I sneak upstairs to read their text messages after she goes to school. *sigh* soooooo sweet

taking off the hats

discussing the hat with Ethan the 17 year old.

still discussing the hat

I gave the hat back.

MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS

grace wants to show you her dress

Posted on December 6, 2015 by Shanda

She dresses up in this pretty gown for her school singing group.

The Madrigals travel our local towns, singing at Christmas time in centers, malls, clubs, and so on. Today they sang at a beautifully decorated old house, decorated in the Victorian style for Christmastime. Before we left, we crossed the road into the woods for a few portraits.

In my next blog post I will share photos of the house and the performance.

(very inspiring!)

sweet and simple sixteenth birthday at home

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Shanda

My daughters are reading these books: Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery, and Lucy Steps Through the Wardrobe. Good, wholesome, soul-full, beautiful books. There’s nothing like pre-internet literature, in my opinion.

As I mentioned yesterday, dear daughter Grace turned 16.

She’s a confident, takes -her- responsibilities -seriously, friend -to -all type of young woman.

She gets ideas and she follows through.

Last week she came home and told me she taught an elective (one time) class with another teacher and she enjoyed it. The kids who signed up for the class enjoyed it, too.

She might be a teacher one day, and if she is….she’ll be a great one.

She’s working on ASL fluency. She has so many ideas about that, too.

I have this photo of her when she was seven.

Larissa delivered the cakes yesterday and helped get the room ready for a simple family dinner and cake night.

Grace requested shrimp scampi for dinner. Costco sells it frozen, and it’s very easy to prepare. While the noodles are boiling, all you need to do is dump the scampi in another skillet and heat.

We also had fresh fruit (grapes, raspberries, blackberries), a dish of diced tomatoes as a topper to the pasta for those who wished, and broccoli. There was apple cider to drink.

While I was busy getting the last things on the table, I found Caleb giving his sister a hug.

We had an early dinner because Seth and Caleb had football practice. So we ate and then let Grace open her bag of gifts.

There was an uproar about finding the football gear but I finally got out the door with the boys…only to discover once we got to the field that Seth had forgotten his helmet and Caleb didn’t have practice, he had a movie night with the team at the Coach’s house.

On the way back home I listened to the radio.

Rich came home and we had some snuggle time on the couch until he went to pick up the boys.

8pm — delicious cake and ice cream to celebrate our beautiful Grace Lillian.

She was born around 3 a.m. in the morning. She was the first labor and delivery I smiled through, thanks to a first-time epidural.

Our precious baby daughter had arrived, after two boys. Oh how fun it was to dress her up in little girl clothes and to see her brothers fall in love with their tiny sister. She was 5 pounds and 13 ounces when she was born….my smallest baby.

We have had 16 blessed years with our girl and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to raise her and love her.

There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day. ~Alexander Woollcott

To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jacob and Emily weren’t able to join us for cake because they were working.

(individual ice cream cups made serving so much easier)

waving the smoke away

The cake had raspberry filling.

(If you’re reading this an you’re a local friend please stop by for a piece of cake. There is a lot left over.)

Rich and his daughter have a date planned to go and get her set up with her first bow. It’s what she has wanted for a long time now. She will add “archery” to her list of accomplishments very soon.

Be deeply satisfied and ready for more. ~Abraham–Hicks