happy birthday.

Posted on May 30, 2016 by Shanda

I was focused on the church picnic we were hosting. Rich had hired someone to come and do a pig roast. We had a lot to do to prepare and my parents came, too. In all the preparations and busyness, Sarah’s birthday became of a far lesser importance. So much so that I procrastinated in purchasing her gifts. For the first time in all these years, Rich and I shopped for a birthday the actual day of the birthday. But Sarah understood, she didn’t mind at all.

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She even wrote me a helpful list.

We drove through the rain to buy our little girl some presents. I found myself sitting and thinking about how much she has changed this year. From someone who was quite shy and very attached to mama, to someone who goes to school everyday cheerfully and confidently. From someone who couldn’t read or write, to someone who is giving me helpful lists.

She is my youngest child. One of the little things I miss the most is carrying someone on my hip. Sarah is much to heavy & big to pick up and hold any longer than a minute.

Sometimes I let her sleep with me when Rich is away. The last time she asked I said, “I just don’t want to be kicked all night long, so no.” But she started to get tears in her eyes and I saw how much it meant to her so I quickly said, “Okay, you can.”

As soon as she opened her eyes the next morning she sleepily said, “Did I kick you, mama?” My heart swelled. “All night long I tried to stay away.”

(Please don’t stay away. Come close. Kick me all you want.)

I taught her to eat violets.

Her grandma taught her how to water a garden.

She makes cookies with me.

She no longer cries when I get too far away.

She can sing and write, and color, and make friends and do things by herself.

How I love my little girl.

*****

Now We Are Six

When I was one,
I had just begun.
When I was two,
I was nearly new.
When I was three,
I was hardly me.
When I was four,
I was not much more.
When I was five,
I was just alive.
But now I am six,
I’m as clever as clever.
So I think I’ll be six
now and forever.

A.A.Milne

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May 30, 2016

“I don’t remember who said this, but there really are places in the heart you don’t even know exist until you love a child.” Anne Lamott

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.

special

Posted on March 31, 2016 by Shanda

EVERYONE say HI to RACHEL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Last night at the winter sports awards Dave had my camera and she squealed, “Take my picture so I can be on your Mom’s blog!”

She’s adorable. Grace tells me that Rachel is a devoted reader of this blog and for that I say, “I’m so very glad you enjoy it and yes you may save any photo you want!” xoxo

I had to run over to get in a picture, too, (along with goofy wrestling boys in the background). Gosh, I look tired almost like I had spent half the day saving my flock of hens from a fox. (true story)

Rachel is the fabulous Mary Poppins in our upcoming school play so she’ll make another appearance here soon…..stay tuned!

It was a fun night honoring the winter sports. We had pizza in the cafeteria, awards in the auditorium, and then broke into groups in order to honor individual sports.

Rich was this year’s head coach for wrestling. He presented each of his boys a certificate and told everyone in the room his favorite memory of the season for each of the boys.

Doesn’t Ethan look handsome? As soon as the night was over, Jacob walked up to him and said good naturally but emphatic, “Now get my brand new tie off, E!” I laughed and laughed because Ethan doesn’t ask to wear his brother’s clothes, he simply takes them.

Rich was told by another coach that his wrestlers were the best dressed team of the night. I would have to agree. 🙂

Caleb, Seth, and Sarah Joy wanted to be in a picture, too. I simply must mention that Sarah is amusing us lately by trying to be stylish. She puts thought into her attire and dresses herself in certain outfits every day. Today she carefully chose a dress to wear. Last night it was all purple: pants, shirt, and sparkly headband. She wanted to wear her earrings again after months of refusing to wear them. Personally, I think she’s being influenced by a friend at school to dress up more fancy. IT’S SO SO CUTE!!!

Ethan proudly wearing his brother’s tie.

I had my camera around my neck down low, shooting “blindly”, and this was the shocked expression I got from David when I said, “I’m shooting you, Dave.” (with my camera, of course)

Caleb and Seth were busy fooling around in the hallways. At one point, Seth was hanging upside down behind Caleb as Caleb held his legs.

Grace and Caleb

Me and my handsome, handsome husband who has a BIRTHDAY TODAY!!

Happy Birthday, love. ❤

candid camera

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Shanda

Can you feel the love? This is my favorite picture from Ethan’s 18th birthday party, he’s in a love sandwich between his girlfriend, sister, and cousin. And then there is Emily hugging a cat behind them, and Seth sitting on the couch, amused.

MORE PICS—all from my phone—

This is what Sarah, Seth, and Caleb have been doing all weekend…riding scooters. They are only 27 dollars on amazon and we just ordered a black one for David as well. I love them because it’s a fun activity that they can do outside and we let them ride them in the house, too. It’s the sweetest sound to hear their wheels running along the floor as they enjoy their scooters.

The dining room became a small wrestling gym on the day of Ethan’s party…..

Rich wrestled Jimmy, who actually showed some promise! He goes to our church and isn’t from our town so alas cannot join our team next year.

Getting pinned by Coach

Caleb (green shorts) was the ref.

I took pictures and periodically screamed be careful.

Ethan and Zak

soon everyone wanted to wrestle and I did a cartwheel.

There was loud music going on, too.

later on that night Caleb (G’s boyfriend) and Rich did a sit up contest that went on and on and on…..

They each did over 500 before Caleb cramped up and had to stop, Rich kept going for another 20 or 30 sit ups and then he stopped, too.

I discovered all these goofy selfies disrespectfully left on my phone so yeah…they’re going on the blog….**payback**

We watched movies, ate food, had pie and cheesecake as birthday cake, ice cream, and I went to bed at like 9:00 pm but Rich stayed up with them until 3. When I got up at 6:30 there were kids sleeping all over the place, I walked into each room to check on them with a smile on my face. Ethan woke up and made pancakes for all of us using his Grandma’s recipe. Then came a turn for everyone in the shower and a trip to church where several of them had a hard time staying awake because of their long but fun night.

welcome

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Shanda

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If you are paying attention, then the day is going to be pretty joyful, and a lot of delight will fill it. ~Greg Boyle

*****

This morning when I woke up I looked at my phone and already had a text message from my brother David wishing me a happy birthday and that he couldn’t believe “the 40’s are here.” I thought about it. I began to get the sensation that I was standing in a doorway and would I welcome the 40’s into my heart with joy? Or work myself into a rather bittersweet melancholy about how time is passing by?

“I want to sing like the birds sing,
not worrying about who hears
or what they think.” ― Rumi

The three younger ones filled out the obligatory tiny cards for Valentine’s day.

This morning they wore red (the boys) and pink (in a cheetah pattern).

And went away to school.

Rich took the day off and the two of us, alone, went out for breakfast at the diner. They make the best mushroom and swiss cheese omelets. We played UNO while we waited for our food. The waitress called us “you two”. After we ate we went out shopping. It was about 3 degrees at that time, and this afternoon it felt downright warm at 23.

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I got some books and a pair of Tiffany sunglasses….this beautiful lady helped me with the purchase (my sister).

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We arrived home at noon and oldest son Jacob was awake and had cleaned the kitchen as a birthday surprise. He gave me a big hug. Rich made us coffee in fiesta java mugs and we watched a movie together.

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Look at the stickers my parents put on my birthday card envelope!

(I love chickens and pigs)

Rich asked me why I was sighing. (I heard that sighing makes you live longer, am I right Nicole?) I was looking at raw chickens and wondering how to truss them without the long needle and proper butchering string that Julia Child had in her explanatory cookbook?

They may not be Julia-perfect but I bet she would be proud of my no-sew pattern of cutting small slits in the loose “shoulder” skin, in order to insert the legs. The wings got folded under. There. Two very nice chicken bundles.

When Caleb came home from school he exclaimed, “WHAT SMELLS SO GOOD??” and I said, “It’s chicken in the oven.” “OH MY WORD, IT SMELLS SO GOOD, IT SMELLS BETTER THAN HOMETOWN BUFFET!” When I laughed he assured me he wasn’t kidding, it really did smell better than Hometown Buffet in the house. Then he ran downstairs to where David was playing video games, “Call me up when it’s done!”

Today I am thankful for so much:

many many friends on FB writing words of birthday blessings
my parents and siblings
my husband and the way we are together
my children and how they are growing and the way they pay the ultimate compliments
home
roasting chicken especially the smell
books
the candy hearts Sarah shared with me (the pink one is in my mouth)
and so on.

Everything.

Opening it up and letting it in.

seven years ago

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Shanda

Seven years ago today I was about ready to give birth to baby boy number five.

Today is super exciting because not only is it Seth William’s birthday but it is also our school’s 100 day AND groundhogs day AND Seth is having a friend get off the bus at our house after school to play until wrestling practice.

“Seth, you’re going to be really happy and excited today so try hard not to let yourself get into trouble” were my words of advice as I hugged him goodbye this morning.

Dad said that winter is over, the ground hog didn’t see his shadow. Hurray!

Sarah had to take 100 of something/anything to school and I sent her with a puzzle that was 100 pieces, she wasn’t that thrilled because she doesn’t like pigs. “They are made out of meat and wolves eat them.” she explained.

So far today:

1. Got kids ready for school, took shower, got dressed for a meeting and then remembered it was happening tomorrow.

2. welcomed Kevin into the house to repair Grace’s ceiling.

3. watched an episode of The Good Wife while folding clothes and matching socks.

4. Went out shopping. First stop: Goodwill

what I bought:

Harry Potter book on cd which the kids are going to LOVE
Angelina Ballerina hardcover book for our family library
an old frame with an oval mat
a nature book
and two dresses, one for me and one for G…guess what, April? One is Garnet Hill and one is Boden!

This dress is Grace’s. The sleeves are 3/4 length and gathered at the ends. Both dresses are made from a soft knit and are currently spinning around in the washer with hopes that I have time to dry them outside on the clothesline by the end of the day.

This one is mine. The lengths on each dress fall just below the knee.

5. After Goodwill (I also bought a very much needed bookcase for G’s room) I went to the Tractor Supply for bird seed, chicken feed, and cat food.

6. Costco for Seth’s birthday cake and groceries

7. Starbucks for a coffee and a snack

8. Arrived at home and Michael helped me put everything away.

9. went to coop to gather (1) egg and feed the hens.

10. hung laundry on clothesline for the second time this week (it’s about 45 degrees here and sunny)

11. made homemade spaghetti sauce with a big 6 pound can of tomatoes that I got at Costco today. I blended them smooth and poured them in a big pot over 5 cloves of minced garlic and a chopped onion, added pepper and dried basil. Now it will simmer for a few hours and I will make homemade meatballs. What with Sarah needing to reduce sodium I am noticing salt in many of the food goods I’ve purchased in the past. For many years I’ve obsessed about sugar and now it’s salt I have to be concerned about. Thankfully there is a simple solution…like make everything yourself (spaghetti sauce) instead of buying processed foods. The can of tomatoes I bought had only 1% of the daily allowance of sodium and since I’m putting some salt in the meatballs I am not adding any to the sauce.

12. Put away groceries

13. That’s it.

This is dear sweet Seth opening one of his gifts this morning. He received legos, glow in the dark plastic dinosaurs, and a Snoopy video game. Sarah was happy because she helped me chose a couple of the gift from the hospitals gift shop while we were there a few weeks ago. She was so happy that she told Seth they were legos before he opened them.

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Seven years ago.

seven hours

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Shanda

In the morning the sea is so calm! The sea of my life, that is. After I get the children off to school, I have peace and quiet for seven.whole.hours. The following six hours will be nonstop action and busy, but seven.whole.hours. It’s quite strange, actually. I do all my morning chores with no interruptions! (Jacob is usually home until about 10 but he doesn’t do anything but sleep, take a shower, have a short conversation with me, and then leave.)

The laundry gets done! The rooms get clean enough! I can do anything!

But it’s not as fun without the children around, not as lively! That’s the part that is strange. I’ve almost forgotten how to live quietly. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. There is a time and season for every purpose under heaven. I thank God for this new stage of life, I thank God that Sarah is healthy again, Jacob is settling into college and work, and the rest of the children are all doing well. I love having the extra time to get things done for my family and even having time alone to do things for myself. It’s a privilege that I am very, very grateful for.

Amongst other things, I’ve been taking pictures of my cats.

“What.”

“You folded the laundry but you didn’t put it away. I thank you.”

Sleeping as though dead.

“I’m so pretty.”

“Yawn.”

“You made the bed. I thank you.”

“I thought I heard something.”

“Drinking water on the counter from a turquoise fiesta bowl. I thank you.”

(Sherlock is a very appreciative cat.)

“They say I have the prettiest whiskers”

“Waiting for the bus.”

I realized my nail polish matched my cat.

*********

Today I sewed a couple of potholders.

“Learn to be alone and to like it. There is nothing more freeing and empowering than to learning to like your own company.”

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

rich’s special night

Posted on October 2, 2015 by Shanda

“I hope I shall possess firmness and virtue enough
to maintain what I consider the most enviable of all titles,
the character of an honest man.” –George Washington

On Tuesday, Rich was honored by the people in his office with a special dinner at a local restaurant. Very soon, he will be changing job positions and the people who have been working for him over the last several years wanted to have a chance to say “thank you” to him for all he has done. This was a very rewarding and satisfying night for my husband, who puts his hard work ethic, heart, and soul into his job. Everyone had such kind and respectful things to say.

When he was away on his latest business trip, one of the women called me to invite the children and I to attend the dinner. She requested that it be a complete surprise to Rich. I asked the older children to clear their schedules so that they could come along. Jacob was fine, Grace pushed back a little because she felt obligated to her music event after school that day, but after a discussion and a note written to her teacher, she was all set. Ethan refused to miss his soccer game so “fate” managed to make him cut his toe really bad and he was ~~able~~ forced to miss the game. All set! *whew*

I decided to go shopping and buy the kids all new clothes, which they needed anyway. (they really did!)

I thought it would be fun to dress each of the boys in a blue dress shirt because that is what Rich typically wears. He has always loved searching for the perfect blue dress shirts. I went to Old Navy for the purchases….new shirts for all the boys, plus new corduroys for the three younger boys, and a complete outfit for Sarah. Grace didn’t need anything, as I had taken her shopping the weekend we went to Stockbridge. I washed everything and ironed. I wanted everything perfect, which meant I did everything with just a tad touch of overzealousness. As for myself, I had a basic black dress already in my closet, but I did buy some new black pointed toe flats.

I drove the children to the restaurant and parked in an empty business lot next door so Rich wouldn’t see our car. When Ali texted me the “all clear” we drove over, parked, and walked inside. Ali met us at the hostess table and walked us to the room where everyone was waiting and chatting. Rich had his back turned away from us. Caleb reached him first, and tugged on his arm. Rich stopped his conversation and looked down and saw his son. It was such a special moment. I was beaming as I watched his eyes *bug out* in shock. He was so happy and it was such a surprise to see the two worlds he loves so much collide.

We were the center of attention. None of the people who worked for and with him had seen him surrounded by his all of his family at once. Everyone loved the children.

(Oh I forgot to say …. that morning as he was getting ready for work I was asleep in bed praying that he would choose a blue shirt that day…and he did!! )

As soon as we were there and the initial greetings were over, several people gave speeches in Rich’s honor, thanking him and telling funny stories. Of course Rich, who truly has a tender and sensitive heart, cried, and it was so good for the children and I to come to a better understanding of how much good Rich does for the company, and how much he is loved and appreciated. I was so proud to be standing by his side.

After the speeches there was a sweet slideshow and that was fun, too. The man who put it together gave me a copy to take home (on a flash drive). Rich was given a plaque and the whole family was given a nice wooden bench to put outside by our pond.

Then we ate dinner and socialized. The kids were great. The only embarrassing thing that happened was Seth drank and drank too many shirley temples and in a coughing fit at the table, he threw up a little. That was really embarrassing because I was talking to a nice lady with my back away from Seth and she was the one who alerted me to the problem. Oh and Sarah was kind of shy at first (would not make eye contact or speak) but she warmed up after a good dinner.

PICTURES:

Everyone you see in the pictures were part of the event…….

His picture was on the cake….

Caleb requested the piece with his Dad’s face. And he ate it, too!

Sarah made a connection with one of the ladies. Later one she offered to babysit Sarah if we ever needed one. 🙂

And this nice lady who is talking to Dave in the photo lives in the same town as the college Grace wants to attend in a couple years and offered to help her out at any time, and maybe even let her stay with her. (!!!!!!)

There were about 8 people in front of us, several of whom were taking photos. “Okay, you and your 80 children get ready for a picture” someone teased.

I love you, my husband and friend. I’m so glad the children and I were a part of your special night, as I know we are always a part of your life whether home or away. I’m happy to support you and share this busy but joyful journey of ups and downs with you. Always. Thank you for who you are and the work you do to support our family.