Hard to pick a favorite, isn’t it?

Let me know if you would like to hire my fabulous photographer. 

His techique?  Doesn’t say a word, and leaves everything to chance.

“All that that mother was—a refuge in every sorrow, an arbiter in every difficulty, a counselor in every perplexity, a soother in every grief, the center that seemed to unite and endear all the other sweet relations and associations of the domestic circle—God made her. She was but a dim reflection, an imperfect picture, a faint image of himself. All the loveliness, and all the grace, and all the wisdom, and all the sweet affection which she possessed and exemplified, was but an emanation of God.”  ~Octavious Winslow

On this Mother’s Day, my heart is amazed by God’s care, leadership, and example for mothers.  He created motherhood, and it is a role that He wills for me in this life.  I tremble and falter, I am afraid of my many failures, but I know that I can always fall on my knees in prayer, and flee to my Bible for His wise and perfect Word.  He promises the weak will be strong in Him and He will provide my every need.  He is an example for mothers, but also a mother for mothers.  “As a mother comforts her child, so I will comfort you”  (Isaiah 66:13)  In a season of life in which I feel often feel worn and overwhelmed, it is a comfort to know that I am known, and being mothered by, my heavenly Father.

“He……shall gently lead
those that are with young.”  Isaiah 40:11

I don’t know how to be a good mother, but I do know where to learn to be a good mother:  from God Himself.  Oh, how I need His forgiveness and grace each day, and the discipline to tune my heart to Him alone.

Saying a prayer today, for all Christian mothers~
May God bless you and keep you and give you wisdom for the task, dear sisters!  Never doubt His love and care for you as you raise the little ones He has given to you, as precious gifts.

I ended up on the couch most of the day yesterday, so sleepy.  The children were put in charge of our dog’s birthday party. 

I almost gagged when I saw the cake Ethan made for his dog.

The Gag-Inducing Birthday Cake

1 can of juicy dog food
2 raw hot dogs
5 cups of frosting
green sugar sprinkles

To make:  Dump can of dog food onto mother’s fiesta cake platter.  Use 1/4 of a cup of the five cups of frosting to drizzle over cake.  Leave remaining frosting, with dogfood swirls in it, on counter for mother to see later.  Place a raw hot dog on each side of cake.  Sprinkle with green sugar.  Serve.  Yield:  1 serving

At first, Davy and I were the only ones humble enough to serenade the dog…..so I stopped and we started over again after I insisted that they ALL sing, even Jacob, who had said importantly, “I am NOT SINGING Happy Birthday to the dog!”

They sang so nicely, but by that time I had an attack of laughter.

It was the grossest looking cake ever, but Parker seemed to enjoy it more that the raw meat cakes of the past.

He turned three yesterday (in human years). 

The 2009 celebration

The 2008 celebration

I am not a dog-lover, but I love my children and they love their dog. 

So, we celebrate and I sigh a little because right now we are a family of happily busy little ones, but the children are growing and will grow up eventually, and strangely enough, I miss these times.

I think it’s worthwhile to hold to an annual tradition, even if for one year *you are 8 months pregnant and are sick with heartburn and so tired you can barely keep your eyes open*.  It’s worth it to make a happy memory that lasts a lifetime. 

My doctors appointment was really encouraging yesterday.  My blood pressure was pretty much back to normal, which was a big relief.  I convinced my doctor not to make me go in next week, and she made me promise that I would call if I started feeling bad again…..so, it was a little bittersweet because it ended up being my last appointment there with her, since she has decided to leave her practice in that town.  Next time I go, I go to a new office with a new doctor, and we will be in the very last weeks of this pregnancy.  I am so excited.  Eager. 

Jacob and Ethan were a big help to me during my appointment.  I had Ethan watch Caleb, and Jacob watched Seth, here at home.  Grace stayed home, too (I did invite her along, though, but she didn’t want to go with me), so I went out by myself.  I left a detailed list of what I wanted them to do with the little boys while I was away.  I called home several times to make sure they were okay.  After my appointment, I went to the Hallmark store (Mother’s day is coming!) and to a children’s consignment shop for a few things.  (Okay, I admit, I got more clothes for Sarah.  LOL But I also got some needed items for Seth, too!)

Random pictures from yesterday:

This is a picture of the children’s art work that I finally got hung up in their bathroom.  I found these frames a couple months ago and inserted a piece of art from each child, including Seth.  They go in order of age, so in the first frame the top picture is Jacob’s, then the middle is Ethan’s, the bottom is Grace’s.  The second frame on top is Dave’s, then Caleb’s, then Seth’s.  I did his handprints and he painted the one streak down the middle.  Soooooo cute!.

Here’s Seth, wearing a new little t-shirt from the consignment store.  You can’t see, but he’s also wearing the cutest shorts.  I love it when I can see my toddler’s little bare legs and feet.

As I took his picture, he kept lifting his head and bonking it back on the bricks like a silly goose.

I did get some rest yesterday.  When Caleb woke up from his afternoon nap, he snuggled in next to me.  Seth is busy by us, too.

After dinner, Rich and I took the children to the big field by our house.  Rich carried my lawn chair so I could sit and watch them all run around and play.  It was a beautiful evening.  Grace took her kite.

Rich and the boys played with these big rings that they have….you throw them like a frisbee and they go a long way away.  Seth and Caleb ran around, enjoying perfect freedom.

This is Jacob, carrying Seth.  Jacob is devoted to lil’ Seth and is such a good brother.

Rich printed this next picture off last night and took it proudly to work with him this morning.  He said it was time to update the picture that he has hanging in his office, which doesn’t even have Seth in it.  We had to smile about the fact that by next month, when Sarah has arrived, this one will be outdated, too. 

It was actually pretty difficult to get this taken, I had to take several…the kids were all scratchy and itchy from all the rolling around and playing they did in the grass.

And one with Mama;

Today’s big event?  The dog’s birthday party…….stay tuned…….

Yesterday afternoon Jacob and Ethan came to me and said, “We’re going up the road to ask Mr. G if we can help him in his garden.  Dad told us to.”  They had even changed into clean clothes.  They looked healthy, happy, and handsome.  I said, “Okay!” and they went outside, opened up the garage, said, “See you later!” to Caleb, and rode off on their bikes.

They came back a little bit later.  “He told us to come back in half an hour.  He’s eating lunch right now.”

Grace overheard and INSISTED that she was going, too.

Mr. G is our neighbor up the road and he is a tall, lean, spry older man.  (I know that he has great grandchildren but I am not sure how old he really is.  I’m guessing mid to late 60’s).  He and his wife go to Florida all winter long and recently came back.  Every year Mr. G plants a big garden and sells the produce.  Last year my children helped him for the first time and have such good memories.

In due time, the three of them rode off again, and about an hour and a half later, I heard them come back and we all went out on the porch, and leaned over the railing to watch the chickens as they excitedly talked about their time in the garden.

“Mr. G has a planter now, it looks sort of like a bicycle and it plants peas.  We just had to cover them up with dirt.”

“We planted 2 long rows of onions!”

“We saw a toad.  Mr. G said he likes having toads in his garden because they eat the bugs.  We named him Onion.  Mr. G liked that name.”

“Mr. G says Holy Mackerel.  While we were there he said, ‘Holy Mackerel you have all grown so tall!'”

“We told him that you were having another baby and he asked if it would be a girl and we said yes and he was happy.”

“He told us that it would have taken him 3 hours to plant all these onions.  He said the older you get the harder the work is.  In two weeks it will be time to plant A LOT more stuff and he wants us to come back.”

While they were all happily talking and chattering they sipped on ice cold Pepsi that Mr. G had given them after their work.  Jacob told me that at first,  Mr. G had handed him a Bud Light.  Jacob looked at it and said, “Is this a Pepsi?”  Mr. G did a double take and said, “Holy Mackerel!  I would be in a big trouble if I let you have that!”  From what I understand, the cans were similar.  Oh, we laughed and laughed when Jacob told us about it.

They came back with a big bag of nice rhubarb for me and I clapped my hands.  I love rosy red rhubarb in the springtime and using those certain recipes that only get used once a year. 

I dug out a community cookbook (from the Hospital Guild) that Rich’s Grandma gave me years ago and started looking through it.  I found a recipe that I had not tried before:  Easy Rhubarb Pie, and I had all the ingredients for it.  Then I noticed that it was the recipe that Rich’s own Grandma had submitted.  It was fun making something that I knew was a family recipe.

Easy Rhubarb Pie

Crust: 

1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp. baking powder
2 T. butter, chilled
1 egg, beaten
2 T. milk

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 9 inch pie plate.  Sift flour, salt and baking powder together. (I did not sift).  Cut in butter.  Add egg and milk and mix thoroughly.  This makes the crust.  Press onto bottom and sides of the pie plate.

Filling:

4 cups diced rhubarb
1 (3 oz) strawberry jello

Arrange rhubarb in pie shell.  Sprinkle with the Jello.

Crumb topping:

1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup melted butter

Mix together, sprinkle over top of pie.  Bake for 50 minutes or until rhubarb is tender.

I made two pies and we ate one whole pie after dinner last night.  All EIGHT of us liked it and that is unusual!  So, I know it’s a keeper.

Just a couple more pictures:

George, our rooster, makes us laugh.  He stands tall and proud and watches over his flock so attentively.  Yesterday they were digging and taking dustbaths under George’s supervision.  He paced one way.

And then the other way.

And then he moved on behind and got dust in his face.

The children cleaned out the coop yesterday and took the ipod with them.  They said that the chickens loved the music, especially one certain song that they apparently played over and over.

Also, yesterday, I received a lovely gift:

I was sitting on the porch with the children and Ethan came out with chocolate covered strawberries for me that he made himself with melted chocolate chips.  They were finger lickin’ good and I felt loved.

Well, my blogging time is up.  My children are all awake and it’s time for breakfast now, and then a trip to the OB later on…….

Enjoy your day!

Love~Shanda

What a fun boy to have around…he’s all action, energy, running, arguing, fussing, loving (a great hugger when he doesn’t bowl me over!), talking, smiling, laughing, eating, demanding, and bright–just what a four year old little boy should be.  When I watch him sleeping, I am filled with wonder that oh my, he actually DOES slow down…and just look at that sweet face, the crazy hair, and those dirty feet.  He had to have a bath yesterday all because of his two dirty feet.  He plays hard, is afraid of the rooster and getting slivers, and has his Mama and Papa wrapped around his little finger.

We thank God over and over for our son Caleb.

We have these “rules” hanging in the office and thought they applied nicely to marriage:

Always be honest    Proverbs 12:22

Count your blessings    Psalms 34:1-3

Bear each other’s burdens    Galatians 6:2

Forgive and forget    Micah 7:18

Be kind and tender hearted    Ephesians 4:32

Comfort one another    1 Thessalonians 4:16

Keep your promises    Romans 4:21

Be supportive of one another    Acts 20:35

Be true to each other    Revelation 15:3

Look after each other    Deuteronomy 15:11

Treat each other like you would treat your friends    Matthew 7:12

Love one another deeply from the heart    1 Peter 1:22

Our weekend

Rich and I left on Friday at about 6pm and stopped for Italian food on the way to our hotel.  Our room was nice and quiet, we were at the end of the hall and it was so peaceful.  We slept in.  Not really.  I was determined not to care about the clock and didn’t hardly ever know what time it was all weekend…..that first morning I thought for sure that I had slept in, I felt so good and rested….but when Rich had me guess the time on the way to breakfast it was just shortly after 7 am and I had already been awake for a while!

We ate breakfast at the hotel, at a pretty table by the window.  We talked and laughed together.  Those are my favorite times, when we both have things to say and we are having fun together.  It felt wonderful to be alone.

We had all day on Saturday to do whatever we wanted.  Rich has been running a lot for the past year and has really trimmed down and needed some clothes so we headed out shopping.  We found an outdoor shopping plaza that had a Barnes and Nobles and we sat there first, each with a big stack of books to look through.

After we did our shopping we ate a light lunch at Panera and then went back to our hotel to take a nap.  Rich wanted to go running but I begged him to stay with me, “I promise I just need a quick nap and I betcha you will be sleeping before I am!”, and I was right.  We both had a nice little mid-afternoon nap and it felt so good.

We went outside the hotel and found a loveseat, and sat down in the (hot) sunshine to read.  Very soon I had to relocate to the shade, I was way too warm.  I think we had record high temperatures this weekend in our area. 

We had our tank tops on so we could soak up the sun, and I am wore a cute headband that Rich gave me.   We took this picture with my camera’s self timer.

For dinner on Saturday evening we ate at a Seafood place that one of Rich’s coworkers thought we would like.  It’s the type of place that is very low-key and quaint, nice but not pretentious; a place that only the locals would know about.  I had shrimp stuffed with a seafood stuffing, and it was SO good that I barely ate anything else on my plate so that I could enjoy it all.  Yum.  Rich had a plate full of all different things…crab legs, lobster tail, clams and mussels, scallops and shrimp, all in a light broth.  It was a delicious dinner, and we ate early enough that we could walk off some of that full feeling afterwards.

(and we ate ice cream later on for dessert!)

On Sunday after breakfast we had to say goodbye to our lovely room, and after we checked out, we went to the bookstore again, to pick up some little things to give to Rich’s mom for being such a blessing during the week and weekend.  We wanted her to feel appreciated so we found a beautiful card and gave her a bag of goodies like a candle, a new journal, etc.

It was such a beautiful morning that we wanted to be outdoors so we found a nice park that had a lake.  We went for a little walk and then sat at a picnic table in the sun, watched the people, and read our books and magazines.  We were there for about an hour when I started to get grumpy from the heat.

It was nothing that a couple ice cold cups of water and an early lunch couldn’t fix.  We ate again at that Seafood place and I had a lobster roll. 

We were home again by about 4:30 feeling so rested and happy to have spent so much time alone together.  We were happy to see the children, too.  Rich’s Mom and the girls headed back home (after shedding lots of tears saying goodbye) and Rich finally got to go out for his weekend run, with Jacob and Ethan.

I sat on the porch with the little ones….and couldn’t resist taking this one picture of Davy, Grace, and Seth.

This picture makes me smile and smile.

Seth had his 15 month check up this morning and he finally weighs 20 pounds.  He had a great check up but we never ever like to get shots so that was a sad time for the little guy (he remembered and knew what was coming, too, and cried before the needle even got to his leg, poor boy).

I ran (waddled) through the rain into the grocery store on the way home for a few groceries.

It’s good to be home all together again.  Rich doesn’t have to travel again until next week.  (LOL) But thankfully, it is not a “flying far away” trip…..it is a local trip and he only has to be gone for one night.  So, we are looking forward to settling down this month and preparing for the new baby.

I am supposed to be on bed rest, and I do need to rest, but I am feeling better than last week and know that I can handle doing some light chores.  I have the children helping out a lot; at this moment Jacob is making some BBQ sauce to go with chicken.  Grace has watched Seth for me today at times, and helped with laundry.  Ethan was a big help because he came with us to the doctor’s and carried Seth and watched over him when I needed to go in the store.  They have been loading up the dishwasher and emptying the garbage, too.

It’s a rainy day today but after two hot days, it feels so refreshing.  I spent some time out on the porch this morning, drinking my coffee and listening to the rain and the birds.  The leaves are all growing on the trees and look so tender and green.  It’s such a beautiful day.

This is probably going to sound sappy but I am sitting here thinking about the weekend and I am remembering my favorite moment with Rich.  We had gone for a little walk outside our hotel and he left me outside on a bench to go back to our room and grab my purse so we could leave.  He came back out another door, closer to the car, and headed toward it to get in.   When I saw him, I got up to join him (the car was about a small parking lot length away) and he called over to me in such a sweet caring tone, “I’ll come get you!” and when I heard him I turned around and sat back down, and watched with tears in my eyes as my handsome man drove over to pick me up.  I don’t know, for some reason, it just really struck me how much I love him and he loves me and that he cares about me so very much.  I just loved watching him drive over to me, and getting in the car with him like I have for the last 15 years, my husband and friend.

Rich got home safely at about 1:00am last night.  Thankfully, He did get to stay home later in this morning (until about 7:30) so that he could see all of the children when they woke up.  Grace almost missed him, but came out on the porch just as he was getting into his vehicle to leave for work.  He saw her and got right back out, to give her a kiss as she leaned over the porch railing.  So sweet.

I’m feeling more tired than usual today and got grumpy this morning.  I outright yelled at Jacob.  The dog was barking and when I told him to go walk him, he complained, “I already walked him this morning” (meaning, “Ask Ethan, it’s HIS turn”).  Well, I can’t keep track of who does what and I got mad and yelled, “I DON’T CARE JUST DO IT!”  and dear mom in law was cleaning up in the kitchen and heard it.  Oh, I’m laughing about it now, but I was embarrassed at myself when it happened.  I also lost it with Caleb when he shot Grandma in the back with his nerf gun.  I spoke sternly to him, “DO NOT SHOOT PEOPLE ESPECIALLY NOT GRANDMA….OR MAMA!” and took the gun away.

Grandma said, “Are you tired, Shanda?”, gently, and I said, “I’m not feeling well this morning.”  I felt tired, weak, and shaky.

So she left (they already had plans to go out) with the children at 10, to go to the library with them and I stayed home.  It’s about 2 now.  I watched TV and read my book, and took a little nap.

I’m hoping and praying that when Rich gets home I’ll be sweet and calm again because TONIGHT IS WHEN WE LEAVE FOR OUR WEEKEND AWAY.  He called me not long ago, to tell me that he is looking forward to it.  Poor guy, he’s been living out of a suitcase all week but this will be different because I will be with him.

Can I just say, I CANNOT WAIT TO HAVE THIS BABY.  Sometimes I feel so impatient about it.  4-6 weeks seems like forever at the moment.  All women who have had babies know exactly what I am talking about here.  Not only am I tired of being round, I am also not looking forward to the labor and delivery.  at.  all.  I think about all of my other six experiences and just don’t wanna do it.  I feel like a rebel 2 year old that wants to refuse to do what she has to do.  Ha.  Thankfully, I know the Lord will give me grace to be strong when I have to be.  Please Lord, don’t let it hurt. 

I found this picture in my files the other day and it made me laugh.  It’s Seth, last year at this time.  He was placed into sister’s doll carrier.

We have the gift of today, and there’s no sense in fretting about childbirth.  The family just got home so I think I’ll go see what everyone picked out at the library.  I sure missed going this time! 

Then I’m going to pack and I’m going to dress nice and I’m going to be confident and sexy even though I don’t FEEL it at the moment!  Jewelry, perfume, pretty sandels, my nicest maternity clothes, smiles, and even some make-up.  Stay tuned for the report on Monday.  I’ll share everything I tastefully can. 

Have a great weekend!  (hugs)  ~Shanda

(Grandma and the gang; my six, and her two girls.)

(Seth and his Grandma, who is spoiling him with lots and lots of lovin’.)

(Yours truly, looking a little more perky?)

Hello my dear lovelies~  It has been a strange experience to be resting so much, but I cannot describe the good it has done for my body, soul, and mind.  I highly recommend the REST CURE for any and all frazzled women.  What a lesson this has been for me.  It’s one thing to know rest is important, it’s quite another thing to be forced to actually do it and see the results!

On Monday, my mother in law took all of the children with her to Jacob, Ethan, and Grace’s music lessons.  They left at 3:30 and didn’t get home again until 8:30.  They went to music, the grocery store, and to McDonald’s for dinner.

Sethie came home bright eyed, smiling, in Grandma’s arms, with dried ketchup around his mouth.  He got to dip his fries for the first time.

My favorite memory of being alone during that time was sitting on my porch, reading, listing to the peepers sing, petting my cat, and enjoying the fresh air.

Tuesday evening she took them all out again, for Ethan’s lesson and a “car party” while they waited for him to get done.  A car party involves stopping at the store on the way to buy treats and then eating them up.  Crackers, fruit snacks, juice boxes and other such things.

Today she had them running races outside, and she wrote up a scavenger hunt list for tomorrow.  She has been reading to them, making the school kids do their work, and she’s done TONS of laundry.  She’s made every meal. 

I have been doing no housework at all.

No laundry.

No dirty diapers.

Well, I did change one dirty diaper.  Just one.

Honestly, I have found myself several times just sitting or just curled up in bed, happily wide awake, doing NOTHING!  What an unusual sensation! 

What a blessing that Rich has had safety in traveling.  We have talked on the phone several times a day.  We are looking forward to this weekend.  His mom offered to stay through the weekend so that we could go away together. 

We are staying in a lovely, local hotel.  Just the two of us. 

While we are gone, there are plans here at home for a bonfire (to roast hot dogs and marshmallows) and a slumber party (in the living room). 

Of course I have continued reading and have enjoyed the extra time to get through a few books.  I’ve been reading Martyn Lloyd Jones (Studies in the Sermon on the Mount), and my forever favorite Corrie Ten Boom (In My Father’s House, and Tramp for the Lord.)

Also, I’ve looked through Mary Jane Butter’s book about the outdoors, and a bunch of magazines.

I had a doctor’s appointment this afternoon.  My blood pressure was lower and my doctor was pleased.  Then, she told me that she was leaving her practice in May and that I would have to choose another doctor, she gave me some options and I was clear headed enough to make a decision right away.  She will see me again next week and the week after, and then I will be going to a male doctor that Rich and I met in the hospital when I had Seth.   A week ago, I am sure that this news (that my doctor was leaving) would have really bothered me, but today in my rather calm state of mind I think to myself;  God knows what is best and He is in control. 

I am 34 weeks pregnant with a little girl, and I just can’t wait to see her.  When I think about seeing her for the first time I get teary eyed.  I still can’t hardly fathom the gift of a new baby daughter.

Spiritually, the Lord is ever near to my heart, and there are no heavy burdens.  There are also no exciting revelations, either.  Just a calm, contented flowing stream of life moving at a calm pace for a change.

Thank you for the warm thoughts coming my way.  Thank you for the prayers.  This week is going so well.  The children are enjoying every minute with Grandma, and Grandma has been such a God-send.  We are all thanking God for the way He has provided our needs once again.  How everlastingly faithful He is.

~Shanda

Well, my time on the couch is going nicely!  I think I can get used to this.  One thing that surprises me is how utterly exhausted I feel.  I’m resting, shouldn’t I feel even slightly energetic yet?  I actually feel MORE tired than ever.  My nurse says, “No, do not expect energy–not until about 4 months after the baby is born….”  I just had to laugh.  But, really, the bed rest is going well and I’m enjoying it.  I’ve held Seth three times so far and had him fall asleep snuggled up next to me.  I love that.  We’ve all been reading books together, playing little games, watching TV.  That’s about it.  My brain can’t handle much more than that.

These are the books I have right by the couch next to my favorite spot.  The top one is my journal.  I opened it up yesterday and wrote the date.  That was it. 

Grace took this picture earlier today.  I don’t feel well but the pretty necklace helps!  Isn’t Seth adorable?

Seth loves getting his picture taken and then looking at it on my camera.

Here are some older pictures from last week that I didn’t get a chance to post:

I put that chicken waterer from the antique store in my garden.  It works just fine!  I love the look of it out there.

This is a picture from the last walk I went on, with Rich and the children (last week).

I love Grace’s shirt, it’s bright and has cherries on it and it says, “Sunny Days are Here”.

Seth reading a book:

These were taken this morning.  Davy took this one:

So guess what?  Rich was able to take the day off today.  He is going to take the children out soon, to the library.

He still has to go on his business trip next week but guess what?  His mom is coming here to help me all week long.  She was thrilled to be asked to help and is so excited.  She was willing to do anything that we wanted.  So, she’s arriving on Sunday night and will probably stay the whole week.  I’m just so thankful for the way God has worked things out.

That’s my little update.  I’m utterly exhausted so back to bed I go.

Thanks for the prayers and the helpful words on the last post!

~Shanda