eggs in my pocket

Posted on January 8, 2010 by Shanda

I went outside into the cold midmorning air with Grace and Seth yesterday, to take care of our flock of chickens. We first brought them home about six months ago, in late summer, and we are continuing to enjoy them very much.

Grace put on her boots and coat, I strapped Seth into the Ergo on my chest and zipped us both up together in Rich’s warm winter coat and away we went.

As we approached the coop, we could hear the girls talking to each other. They could sense us coming.

For a treat, we took half a container of cottage cheese(it wasn’t spoiled but had been sitting in the fridge long enough for us humans not to want it anymore). The chickens LOVED it. We scooped some into each food container and then Grace scraped the rest out and offered it to them from the rubber spatula. She was surrounded by chickens, pretty as a picture in her red boots and current favorite dress, that she picked out herself.

We filled up their water jugs, as they curiously pecked at our boots, gave them their feed, and watched them enjoy their breakfast.

Then, as Grace took care of her rabbit, who lives in another part of the coop, Seth and I opened up the chicken door and went outside to watch them come out.

Only a couple of black chickens spend prolonged time out in the cold. They wander around the house, come to the door to ask for treats, and seem to enjoy the day outside, scratching and hunting for things to nibble on. The rest of them step out of their coop door only to eat snow and then go back in, where it’s warm. It was funny to watch them gobble up the white stuff and then help each other clean their beaks off.

Juliet attracts the eye; she is our fanciest looking girl. She has naturally blond hair, but we don’t envy her, we just admire.

On our little walk back to the house, I showed Seth our prize; four golden brown eggs. He wanted to eat one, right away. I put them in my pocket and smiled. We looked around at the frozen pond, the snow covered ground, and breathed deep. We could hear the wind chimes playing their music for us in the wind. Grace caught up with us and we laughed and talked our way back to the warm house.

Posted on January 6, 2010 by Shanda

Sun of my soul,

Thou Savior dear,

It is not night if Thou be near;

O may no earth-born cloud arise

To hide Thee from Thy servant’s eyes. ~John Keble, “Sun of My Soul” (a hymn)

Walking in Sunlight, all of my journey, Over the mountains, through the deep vale;

Jesus has said, “I’ll never forsake thee,” Promise divine that never can fail.

Heavenly sunlight, Heavenly sunlight, flooding my soul with glory divine;

Hallelujah! I am rejoicing, singing His praises, Jesus is mine.

~H.J.Zelley, “Heavenly Sunlight” (another hymn)

Some creatures delight to warm themselves in the sun, but oh, what a pleasure it is to sun ones self in the presence of Christ. Never mind how little I am, how nothing I am, how vile I am, how foul I am; all I am he has taken to himself, and all he has belongs to me. I sin, but he has taken all my sin: he is righteous and all his righteousness is mine. I am feeble, he is mighty; his mightiness is mine, I wrap myself in his omnipotence. Christ is all and Christ is mine. Why, I utterly fail when trying to talk about such things as these; talking is but stuttering on such a theme. Faith must enjoy rather than express her delight. Come, plunge ye all into this sea of sweetness, dive deep into this abyss of happiness—Christ Jesus is yours for ever and for ever. The sun is very great but it is all for me, and Christ is very bright and glorious, but he is all my own.

~Charles Spurgeon

It is winter-time cold outside, the ground is snow-covered, the air is crisp. I went outside yesterday for a power-walk with my Ethan, and by the end, my lungs were hurting from breathing in the cold.

To survive the winter blues, I’ve been trying to focus on the SUN. It shines through the windows of my home, and lifts my spirits.

I am fine, but tired, and so busy that my patience wears thin.

I want to be loving. I want my home to be peaceful.

All of the thousands upon thousands, of motherly little acts (wiping noses, correcting misbehavior, baking and cooking, cleaning, running errands, encouraging cranky children, fixing hair, doctoring almost broken toes, finding homework, pacifiers, socks, and missing library books, spoon feeding the baby, etc) that we as mothers do each day, those things are bodily and spiritually exhausting and sacrificial……..leaving me so weak that all I can do, is admit in tears, I can’t be a mom, I just can’t be anything really, without the power and strength of Christ. He is my sufficiency. My all in all. I need Him, I need His mercy and grace……and that’s where joy comes in. Because in admittance and begging for His help, He freely gives, abundantly. Thank you. Gratitude. Smiles.

To survive, with gladness in my heart, these busy days of motherhood, I’m also trying my best to stay focused on the SON. His life-giving warmth is soul-deep.

random pictures from the past week & Saving Dinner Information

Posted on January 2, 2010 by Shanda

Rich has had this past week off from work. I told him yesterday, “It’s too bad we’re finally settling down and getting along perfectly when there’s just a few days left!”……yeah, it’s kinda sad….we’re so used to being apart all day every day that when we’re thrown together it take days to adjust. LOL Of course it doesn’t help much that there is constant activity around here, and that Seth has been miserable with a cold and hasn’t been sleeping well, and wakes up multiple times. Rich slept with him on the couch the other night. Thankfully last night was better but we’re still missing sleep.

This morning there is lots of beautiful snow coming down. We’re in a snow globe that someone just shook vigorously. I got up at 4:15 this morning, so hungry….I ate breakfast, drank hot chocolate, did some laundry, and went back to bed upstairs so I didn’t disturb Seth, who was sleeping in our bed with Rich. Everyone is up now, and we had our breakfast (Davy fried himself an egg, Grace scrambled hers)…..

I’m sipping hot hazelnut coffee from a shamrock fiesta mug.

Thought I would post some pictures from this past week.

This first one is a picture of the children waiting for popsicles to freeze. I had bought a Real Simple magazine (Christmas issue) and there was an advertizement for a popsicle maker that freezes them in less than 10 minutes. I bought it for the family and it’s been a big hit. It makes three at a time, and a total of nine before you have to put the base back in the deep freeze for next time. You can add bits of fruit to your pops, and that’s how Rich and I make ours, with yogurt smoothies as the popsicle part. The kids have juice….apple, lemonade, and grape so far.

I also got a belgium waffle maker. Ethan got the very first stack but as he sat down, he realized that Rich was looking and offered his Dad (who was holding Seth) the first bite. Rich let him have them. We enjoyed watching our sweet E enjoy his huge stack of waffles. Too bad I had forgotten to put the sugar in the recipe and didn’t realize it until he had eaten his. The maple syrup helped disguise my mistake.

I always buy the children new books for Christmas and Ethan enjoyed his so much that he read parts out loud to his siblings. (It was Summer of the Monkeys.) They were ALL LAUGHING and Rich and I thought it was so sweet to see them listening to the story together.

This is the book I’ve been reading. (for the first time) and I am greatly enjoying it. Reading all those descriptions of journeying through woods makes me want to go out and tromp. Love it.

Here’s a small passage I liked, “There they sat for some while, looking through the window at the bright stars above the steep-climbing woods, and talking softly. They spoke no more of the small news of the Shire far away, nor of the dark shadows and perils that encompassed them, but of the fair things they had seen in the world together, of the Elves, of the stars, of trees, and the gentle fall of the bright year in the woods.” pg. 232

My favorite chapter so far has been “A Short Cut to Mushrooms.” LOVE IT!

I was reading my book one day, with Seth, and before I knew it all my children joined me. I had Jacob take the picture and David had fallen off the bed and didn’t get back in it in time.

I noticed Davy sitting in some soft sunshine. He has a Star Wars figure in his hands.

I went for a walk with Jacob, Ethan, David, and Caleb one afternoon. It was cold out, but it felt so nice to be outside breathing the fresh air. The trail through the woods had circles in the snow, from snow falling off the branches above us. There were bits of tear-drop shaped ice in the pine trees and I picked a piece and nibbled the ice off it….pine flavored! The boys were crazy with their swords and sticks.

Caleb lingered behind us once, and when I went back to get him he was just finishing up writing his name in the snow with a stick and was saying to himself, “There, that says CALEB.” It was so precious.

We visited the stream and Davy ate some ice.

I got my feet wet on the way home. We came across my chickens, scratching in the snow in the yard.

One last picture as I was about to go into the house. Caleb’s tasting snow. Do you still taste snow?

Now let me write about food for a while. When I had Seth, my church friends gave us frozen meals to use as I was recovering. One of my friends (a mother of 8) brought me an entire BOX of frozen main dishes that she had put together for me. Every meal was put in a freezer bag and labeled nicely, with the directions for cooking included on a print-off. I was so impressed by those recipes. Each one was delicious, fresh, and healthy tasting. I found out that she got the meal plans from a website called SavingDinner. She recently gave me a folder at church with some of the recipes and the children and I had a wonderful time putting together nine main dishes in one afternoon.

I’ve enjoyed it so much that I had to pass along the information to my xanga friends. The recipe packs are bundled as “Five for the Freezer” and are $2.95 (for five meal plans). That includes detailed directions AND A SHOPPING LIST and serving suggestions.

It was so fun doing all the work with Jacob, Ethan, and Grace. Jacob had to prepare 8 green peppers and Ethan got to use my little food processor to mince 14 garlic cloves. They got to slice lemons and mince herbs. We did it all after a big trip to Costco and our local grocery store. Next time will be even easier, now that I have my nice knives.

These are the meals we made:

Crock Smothered Steak (made with green peppers, onions, and mushrooms)…I had enough meat to do 2 of these.

Crock Lemon Pork Tenderloin (we made 2)

Halibut in Wine Sauce (We’re having this tonight with carrots and rice)

Crock Pot Split Pea Soup

Chicken Satay

Country Fried Chicken and Peppers

Way Easy Chicken Stir Fry

Broiled Parmesan White Fish

We put the prepared recipes in freezer bags and labeled everything with a Sharpie marker and it’s such a great feeling to know that I have food prepared for those days when I don’t have much time, or am not in the mood to deal with kitchen mess. The best part of all is that it saves me a lot of THINK work, because the planning is done for me. I can just grab the shopping list and go, and not even think. What a treat.

Have a great day!

images of 2009, one for each month

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Shanda

As a lover of Christ, my heart, mind, and soul are filled with hope and expectation for the New Year ahead. I know that God will lead, and take care of me, my family, and my friends, every step of the way.

Happy 2010! May each you grow abundantly in love and grace through Christ.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, HE IS A NEW CREATURE: OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD ALL THINGS BECOME NEW. 11 Corinthians 5:17

who’s a teenager?

Posted on December 31, 2009 by Shanda

Why can’t my children just stay children until they are grown up enough to leave home? Maybe they do, in some ways. That would be nice. I really don’t mind having older children, they are my friends in ways that a toddler just can’t be. But. There’s just something different about being or having a TEENAGER. It’s exciting and …..different somehow. A new stage of growth.

Where did the time go? How many times do mothers ask themselves that question?

I have so many memories and thoughts running through my mind, I have for days. Little stories of my firstborn….how much I wanted to be a MOM, how it felt to be pregnant for the first time, my first labor and delivery and hospital stay, getting to know my son, being so proud, being surprised at the love I had in my heart for another person. Thirteen years worth of memories of my Jacob. I’ve always been so happy and proud of him, of all my children.

And now I am the mother of someone who is 13. Today is a milestone day for me. I’m a mother of a teenager. And not just any teenager, either…..perhaps the nicest and bestest teenager in the whole wide world.

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

visit from family

Posted on December 30, 2009 by Shanda

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming Rich’s Mom and Stepdad here to our home, along with their two daughters….Rich’s little sisters, Laura and Marissa.

They arrived at lunch time and we had a sandwich platter ready, and a shrimp platter, along with chips and brownies. The food was good, but it was even better having the opportunity to talk and visit with our family. We don’t get to see them as often as we would like.

They gave us an air hockey game table for Christmas. Len and Rich had it put together in no time and the children have already had a lot of fun with it. It’s downstairs in the boy’s “dorm” room.

David had a great time playing a game with his Dad……Len is sitting and watching them. Len has a heart of gold, he is a loving and special man and the children adore him (we all do). He is steady and kind, with just the right amount of humor in him, to keep us all smiling.

Marissa and Grace are just about the same age (born in the same year)…and I think they could pass as sisters. They spent all day together, and Grace cried when they had to leave.

Don’t you think they look alike?

I think Jacob is Laura’s favorite pal. They are also the same age, born just a few months apart. I have many pictures of them through the years, standing side by side. Laura taught Jacob how to ride a big four-wheeler.

Both Laura and Marissa have horses, and spend a lot of their time taking care of them, and showing them.

Laura and Jacob get along like brother and sister. I love to see them talk and laugh together.

Rich’s Mom, Esther, is one of the hardest workers I know. We had a great time talking together today, about all sorts of things. She can’t wait to have the children go visit her when I have the baby in June.

She told me about the hundreds of cans of vegetables, fruits, and meats that she preserved this fall. I made her give me a high five. She has the energy of three of me, I think. She’s raised four sons already, and now she has the girls still at home, along with their niece, Audrey, who they adopted years ago, and is now a teenager. She is a cake decorator, is involved in the horses with her girls and is currently planning to have a horse arena built on their property. She has also been an EMT, and probably still goes on calls. She’s worked at a diner in the past, and Grace has fond memories of hanging out with Grandma, helping her at the diner. She’s also very involved in her church. She always has plans and goals. I could go on and on…….she’s a very interesting and accomplished woman, to say the least, and she is making the most out of LIFE. That’s what I learn whenever I get a chance to spend some time with her. Her example makes me remember that life is fun, full, and interesting, and there is lots to do and work for, if I just get going and do it.

When she was talking to me about her canning this summer, she said that she was given boxes and boxes of pears….little pears off someone’s tree in the backyard. She spent 7 and a half hours peeling all those pears, and when she wanted to give up she thought, “No, God would not want me to waste these pears”. She peeled and canned THEM ALL……it was hard work, but she said she was proud when she was done. I thought that was a great story to remember, and tell the children again later, about not giving up—-finishing a hard task, and the wholesome pride that comes in a job well done.

The kids love to go to her house, and they all cry at the end of their times together. We leave the children with her, and Rich and I usually get lots of emails updating us about what the children are eating each day. And they always go to Chuck E Cheese. Lately Caleb has been asking me two questions over and over…one of which is, “When can we go to Grandma’s house again?”

She’s an amazing lady.

They came for the day and left at about 5:30. It was a nice time, and we’re so glad they drove all this way to spend time with us.

Well, David and Caleb are going nuts as I sit here and type this. Caleb is sobbing because he just fell all the way down the stairs (he’s not crying because he’s hurt, I just checked, he’s sitting right by me). It’s been a very busy day and we are all ready to crash in front of the TV. A new Veggietales video came from Netflix today so I think we will put that on and relax (?)…..I hope.

Merry Christmas 2009

Posted on December 25, 2009 by Shanda

“‘Every Christmas is better than the Christmas before,’ Laura thought. ‘I guess it must be because I’m growing up.'” Laura Ingalls Wilder, By the Shores of Silver Lake

We began opening gifts at about 6:30. Rich and I sat on the couch and the children passed around the presents. It started out relaxing and got more and more happy and rowdy as we went along.

We loved hearing the childrens’ excited exclamations as they opened gifts that they wanted, or hadn’t even dreamed of, that became their very own.

Little by little the living room filled with empty wrappings and all too soon, the gifts were opened.

We ate lots of early morning chocolate.

In the midst of the craziness, I looked up from opening my own gifts, and saw my baby with his back turned away from the activity, spending time…..in quiet reflection?

My brother David sent each of the children their very own Hallmark Christmas card, with money inside. The cards came days ago…and I promptly put them in the tree for Christmas morning. The children were all just as excited for their cards as they were for their presents.

I got a picture of Caleb’s face, as he opened his card and found his money.

This is what our living room looked like after we opened all our presents;

Caleb got a doctor kit and gave Seth a check up. See the bandage on Seth’s ankle?

Rich and I were engaged on Christmas Eve, when I was eighteen years old. Sometimes it’s hard to remember the two of us as a couple, now that we are parents of six children. But, days like today help us to think back on the journey of our married life, and enjoy all the past memories; the year we were engaged, the first Christmases, and all the ones after. And, thanks be to God, the years keep getting better.

The four older boys all got Star Wars Light Sabers. Caleb got to try his out with his Papa. I took this picture as I was still sitting by Rich’s side, by the fireplace;

I honestly do not mind in the least, getting kitchen equipment for Christmas. I would actually rather receive those things as gifts, because I get very uptight when I spend money on major purchases, for myself. Rich went to Williams Sonoma and got help picking me out a set of beautiful pots and pans. The two of us sat indian style on the kitchen floor and opened every single box together. The lids were as shiny as mirrors, the pots are heavy and beautiful. I NEEDED these pots, so very much, with all the cooking I do each day.

I’m especially happy with my pasta pot, I’ve always wanted one that has the colander inserted right in it. Now, when the pasta is done all I have to do is lift it up out of the water.

I also received my very first set of deadly kitchen knives. Today I chopped up a lemon in no time, and I wasn’t even rushing! I also sliced a loaf of bread, easily, without crushing it. And, chopping my onion for the spanish rice I made for lunch, was a breeze!

When my mom was here for Thanksgiving, doing most of the cooking, she told Rich to get me pots and pans, and good knives, and he did. He did a Really Good Job. I’ll be using these nice things, with pleasure, every day.

Davy got a pogo stick;

Grace got a new horse, and saddle. The toy sort, of course.

Sethie got all these toys , he’s been such a bright spot of joy in our day today, on his very first Christmas.

He loves the knob that he’s holding on to in the picture, most of all. He eats it.

I don’t know why I didn’t get Seth a new stuffed dog, everyone else got one;

Jake and Ethan got a set of swords, to inspire them to be knightly.

It’s been a very special sort of day. Jacob said he can’t believe how fast Christmas is going by.

Caleb asked me, right after he opened all his gifts, “How many more days until the next Christmas?”

I enjoyed watching Grace quietly curled up on the couch, reading her new book.

And Ethan & Jacob, busy at the table for hours, putting together lego sets.

Ethan announcing, just a bit ago, “I SO love my presents!”

Jacob getting annoyed at the song Seth’s new schoolbus plays. Rich saying that someday we would miss those sounds….of annoying plastic children’s toys, at Christmas.

Making my spanish rice for lunch, in my new pretty pot. After I spent time, deciding which one to use.

Hearing David practicing his pogo stick, in the basement. Having him come near, and hug me, without saying a word, but I understood, it was a happy “thank you”.

Seth, everything about him, even the bath I had to give him, because he got into the peanut butter jar.

Laughing with my husband, and feeling cozy and loved and together.

Talking with Dad, and with Mom, and with my brother, on the phone. Thinking about Christmases past as a child, with my own parents and siblings, and remembering those magical feelings that children know, and understand.

My nap, with my head resting cozily on my new tempurpedic pillow (another thoughtful gift from Rich).

And, sipping my Godiva hot chocolate, with melty marshmallows. In a shamrock green fiesta mug, of course!

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” I John 4:9-11

Remembering God’s gift of his Son to us, so many years ago, beginning as a baby in a manger, I send each of you love and happy thoughts on this Christmas day. I love you, because God first loved me……I am thankful for the ways my friends here have loved me back, and touched my life with such sweet words, thoughts, and prayers.

Jesus came to earth the first time, as a baby, and won’t it be beyond wonderful when God sends Jesus back to earth, again? “Even so, COME, Lord Jesus.” Not as a baby this time, but as a conquering KING. “Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.” Revelation 1:7

Thanking our God for the past, enjoying the present, and looking forward to the future He has in store for us, Merry Christmas!

Love, Shanda

sweetness

Posted on December 23, 2009 by Shanda

This is the third year in a row that Grace has put on her Christmas dress for some pictures outside in the snow. She looks forward to it, I think mostly because she gets to wear my makeup and jewelry.

For me, it’s a time to enjoy my daughter, her youth and beauty, and think about how fast she’s growing up. She’s a sweet and precious part of our family.

My Merry Christmas girl!

(Grace’s 2008 pictures)

(Grace’s 2007 pictures)

mama to the rescue

Posted on December 22, 2009 by Shanda

Someone small and silly got in the tree….again….

and couldn’t get out!

some breathing space

Posted on December 21, 2009 by Shanda

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,

But I have promises to keep,

And miles to go before I sleep,

And miles to go before I sleep.

~Robert Frost

(I can totally relate and claim as my own, this last stanza of Frost’s lovely poem (although I’m not walking more miles in the WOODS today, alas, I’m cleaning like a mad woman and making plans to run errands)….I’ve already done so much this morning and there is still so much to do. I hope you enjoy this post….some breathing space….maybe you can smell the cold air and feel the snowflakes on your cheeks….and hear the blessed quiet of the country woods?)

If you had a cold, snowy day to do whatever you wanted, (and your house was already clean and you had no responsibilities)….what would you do? What would be your idea of a perfect winter day?

Here’s my list:

wear comfy warm clothes, thick socks, and slippers

keep the fire going all day

curl up on the couch with a clean blanket, a Bible, a good book, a stack of good magazines, a good pen, and a journal

nap & pray, pray & nap

sip hot beverages, slowly

have no one else around, except my comfortable husband, and I would make him relax for a change

no overhead lights…just lamps and candles

eat simple food

Your turn!