Happy Friday!

A real life picture of what my livingroom looked like this morning.  Caleb had all the couch cushions off so he could jump on them.  Jacob thought Seth looked really cute in his outfit so he wanted to take a picture….my hair was still wet from my shower….

The maids came this morning and scrubbed and cleaned every room in the house and it looks and smells so clean.  What a blessing!

It’s supposed to get up to 70 today and all the windows are open.

The children are running in and out.  Ethan is busy drawing a mushroom that he found outside.  David is busy practicing with his new yo-yo that he was given as school today.  I can hear Caleb and Jacob talking and laughing outside on the trampoline.  Grace is playing with the dog.  Seth is napping.

In my spiritual life, I have been reading and thinking a lot about Motherhood.  Here are some of my favorite verses:

“Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in the time to come.  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.  She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.  Many daughers have done virtuously, but thou exceedeth them all.  Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.”  Proverbs 31:25-30

(a picture of my afternoon quiet/naptime with Seth)

“Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not, for such is the Kingdom of heaven.”  Matthew 19:14

(I loved how he was sleeping on his little paw)

“Lo, children are a heritage of the Lord; and the fruit of the womb is His reward.”  Psalm 127:3

(He was showing Mama his cute foot)

“And she (Hannah) said, ‘Oh my lord!  As your soul lives, my lord (Eli), I am the woman who stood by you here, praying to the Lord.  For this child I prayed, and the Lord granted me my petition which I asked of Him.  Therefore I have lent him to the Lord; as long as he lives he shall be lent to the Lord.”  1 Samuel 1:26-28

“Let your father and mother be glad, and let her who bore you rejoice.”  Proverbs 23:25

(I took these picture of Seth last night, with his Papa~)

“Whatever parents may do for their children, they should at least make their childhood sunny and tender.  A happy childhood stores away sunshine in the chambers of the heart which brightens the life to its close.”

“To the little child, home is his world—he knows no other.  The father’s love, the mother’s smile, the sister’s embrace, the brother’s welcome, throw about his home a heavenly halo and make it as attractive to him as the home of angels.  Childhood has its sorrows and its grievances, but home is the place where these are soothed and banished by the sweet lullaby of a fond mother’s voice.”

~ Thomas Guthrie

I hope you all have a nice weekend~ Do drop me a line to say hello!

~Shanda

Most of you know that I am a collector of fiestaware. 

Last year I bought a set of mixing bowls in a gorgeous new color, Marigold.

There are three of them in graduating sizes. 

I use the bowls almost every single day.  Just this morning, Ethan and I mixed up waffles in one.

I hope that I can manage to keep them all from cracking or breaking in the years to come.

Because I want (to mix up cookies for) the grandchildren in them!

Hello dear friends!  It’s been a beautiful spring week and I am so busy!  It seems that the weather has given me an abundance of super-energy and I’ve been having fun here at home almost non-stop.  I’ve made bread and pancakes along with the regular meals (I’m a special-order chef!), removed a sliver from the bottom of Caleb’s foot (I’m a nurse!), trimmed some briars back outside by the pond (I’m a gardener!), walked around with the baby outdoors (I’m a stroller!), cleaned (a maid!), taught David how to do headstands (a gym teacher!), turned a few cartwheels for the first time in over a year (a gymnast!), read books (a librarian!), nursed a newborn (a cow! *just kidding*) listened to stories and music (an audience!), taught school (a school teacher!), took pictures of the family around a bonfire (a photographer!) …..and the week is only half over.

The picture is from Saturday morning.  I was walking through the livingroom when the sight of all six of our children caught my eye…so I grabbed the camera to capture the moment.

To be honest, I don’t know what to blog about these days.  Can anyone inspire me with something?  It’s time to shake things up. LOL

I was busy busy this morning.  Getting everyone ready, taking pictures.  I eventually realized that I was getting rushed and made myself S L O W down and enjoy my husband (who did all the ironing!!!!!), my 12 year old boy, 11 year old boy, 9 year old girl, 6 year old boy, 3 year old boy, and 2 month old boy.  Each so special and unique.

Sometimes on holidays, I wonder “What will this day be like next year?”  “I wonder what will happen between now and then?”  And I remember again how each and every day is a precious gift, one to record and remember and enjoy. 

My memories of Easter morning, 2009. . . .

. . .when I dressed the four older boys in khaki pants, white shirt, and matching ties.  Grace and Seth wore all white.

. . .when Ethan’s original outfit consisted of khaki pants that were about 10 inches too short, black socks, and pure white sneakers.  I squealed in horror and made him try again.  “You’ll wear black shoes even if you have to squeeze into them.” 

. . . when I did a photoshoot of the children indoors, because Easter morning was in the 30’s.

. . ..and Caleb dropped his choo-choo when he got out of the vehicle at church and got his pants dirty when he got down to get it.

. . . when I took Caleb to the bathroom to clean the knees of his pants, and realized he had no underwear on.

. . . when our baby Seth was only 2 1/2 months old.  His first Easter.

. . . .when 3 year old Caleb had to sit between Mama and Papa in big church.  I overheard Rich whispering things like this:  “Caleb!  Do you remember what I said to you?  Do you remember what I said to you?”  “Get your hands out of your mouth.”  “Put your foot down.”  “Sit still.  Listen to the Pastor.”  “Fold your hands.”

. . .. and he finally had to march Caleb out.  When they came back in, Caleb sat MUCH more quietly!

. . .when we ate our Easter dinner at Crackerbarrel around a long table.  All eight of us.

. . .when Jacob, Ethan, and David put their heads together while we waited for our food, and quietly looked through a Star Wars toy catalogue.

. . .and David said, with happy eyes, “Isn’t this place GREAT?”

 . . .and Grace helped Caleb with his food.  Cleaned his tie when he dropped macaroni and cheese on it.  Buttered him another corn muffin.

. . .and Sethie slept next to Mama in his carseat, up on a chair so she could look at him. 

. . . .when Davy and Grace each got up and walked over to look at Seth numerous times during the meal.  They love him so.

. . . .when an elderly couple walked up to Rich and the man encouraged Rich and told him he had a beautiful family, a wonderful family. 

. . . .when after our dinner, we had to make a quick trip to Walmart, and I nursed the baby  in the vehicle as we waited for Rich to get the dog food for Parker.

. . .and when we left, our trunk flew open and the stroller, a box, and the dog food all fell out the back, right in the road leading out of Walmart.  A young lady got out of her car and helped Rich pick everything up and wished us a Happy Easter.

. . . and David pulled Grace’s hair on the way home and was made to fold his hands for the rest of the trip. 

. . . .and when we got home, Rich made the older kids clean all the wrappers (from easter candy) out of the vehicle.

. . .and now…….the sun is shining.  My family is all resting.  The house is quiet and peaceful.  I’m not tired, and I’m having fun sitting here recording all these memories.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from the morning:

I hope each of you are having a wonderful day! 

Happy Easter!

Love, Shanda

My brother Isaac came over again today for a couple hours and I was able to take some pictures of him with the boys.  Isaac was only 10 when I had Jacob so they are actually closer in age than Isaac and I.  Everyone says how much my boys look like their Dad (and they do) but I also think they look like my brothers, too.  What do you think?

Since they were already gathered around, I had Isaac take a couple shots with their Mama.

I never dreamed (and I still find it almost hard to believe) that I would end up with five sons!

And they’re all so good looking! 

And here we are again, with sister Grace.  (I can’t wait to dress her up for Easter tomorrow!)

Rich wasn’t able to avoid getting his picture taken, either.

It’s so nice to have him home again.

Well, it’s almost 8:00pm but there is still lots to do… I have a baby to wake up and take care of, five other children need to take baths/showers for church tomorrow, I need to get all their clothes organized and set out for church, bedtime snacks…and so on and so forth!

I hope you all have a lovely Easter.  It’s a day that is so meaningful for believers.  I just love Easter, and meditating on all that Christ has done for me.  I can’t wait to be in church tomorrow, singing those wonderful old hymns, and listening to the preached Word with my husband sitting on one side of me and my children on the other.

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16  God loves you!

Love, Shanda

My brother Isaac came over to visit us today (he’s been staying at our sister’s house).  I have three brothers and one sister…I’m the oldest and Isaac is the youngest in our family.  It’s been years (too long) since we were able to spend time with just each other, so the children and I were extra excited to see him.

We wanted to have fun so we played some games at the kitchen table and then, for a treat, we went downtown to a local diner (which has an “Elvis” theme)  for lunch. 

We had all kinds of good food, plus ice cream for dessert. 

Can you find Davy in this picture?  (And Seth is by me on the floor.)

When we got home we went for a walk in the woods.  It’s nice out today, so I was able to try out my new Ergo infant carrier for Seth.  I LOVE IT.  It’s not uncomfortable to wear at all.  Seth likes it, too, and fell right to sleep, as snug as a bug.  I’m so thankful for a way to include baby in all of our nature walks.

Isaac took this picture for me.  I really wanted one of us outside in the woods.  Our happy gang.

Caleb put his pants on all by himself today.   

 I think some of our best times together are when we’re walking hand in hand. 

Isaac had to leave at 3, but he’s going to come back over again on Saturday.  The time flew by while he was here, and now that he is gone, the next event I am looking forward to is Rich’s return tonight (he’s been gone since Tuesday morning).    

What are you up to today?

Love ~Shanda~

“The out-of-door life takes the child afield and keeps him in the open air, which not only helps him physically and occupies his mind with sane subjects, but keeps him out of mischief.  It is not only during childhood that this is true, for love of nature counts much for sanity in later life.”  ~Anna Comstock

(I’m not convinced about the “keeps him out of mischief” part)

These pictures were taken last Thursday.  It’s early spring here in New England and we are still wearing our winter coats for the most part.  However, we have had several days when the temperatures got up to the upper 50’s, early 60’s.  Thursday was one of those days.  The sun was shining and the children had bare feet and no coats.  I went outside with them for a while that day, with my camera.  Seth was with us, too, bundled up in his infant carseat.  We were all together.

And I should have been suspicious when I saw Davy, streaking around the pond with his life jacket on and no pants.

He must have tested the water and decided to put his pants back on, because the next thing I knew, David *with pants*,  was sitting on the “boat” that he made with his brothers.  It’s the craziest invention yet…they buckled life jackets all over their ride-on toy car.

Here he is, with his “oar”, paddling away.   He is proud and excited.  He imagines that he will soon be sailing all over the pond.  He is certain that his boat is sturdy and water-tight.

But, I lost track of him, and forgot about him as I admired tadpoles that had “sprouted” their back legs.

(By the way, several of you noticed how large the tadpoles are…it’s because they will be bull frogs).

And took pictures of our new friends,  the “sallies” (salamanders).

I forgot about Davy, that is, until I heard gasping sounds.  Then, I looked over and saw him!  He was swimming back to the edge of the pond!  David has the honor of being the first swimmer of the season.  (April 2, 2009)

He was gasping the whole way because the water was ICE COLD.  It took him about 10 seconds to get to the edge and out.  He was gasping and paddling as I was laughing and shooting (pictures).

He got out and said, “I liked it. . .at first.”  (At first?  You mean the first 2 seconds of your 10 second swim??)

Then he said, “I need to go take a hot bath now.”   And away he went.

And that is the story of Davy-do’s dip.  It must be recorded, as I like to keep track of such seasonal events.  When was last years first swim?  It was on April 8, 2008, exactly one year ago. 

(Thanks so much for the friendly hello’s yesterday, and for praying for us.  I am happy to report that Rich arrived safe and sound in Cleveland, OH, late last night.  The children and I had a pleasant night here at home, and I had a nice long stretch of sleep.  It was the first night that I didn’t wake up repeatedly, wondering if my baby was okay.  Seth woke up at 4:30 (after sleeping for 6 1/2 hours) and then we slept together until 6:30 this morning, when we woke up refreshed and ready for the day.)

I just pulled homemade Raisin Bars out of the oven….any takers? 

Love, your friend, ~Shanda

This weekend was full of family fun!  My little niece, Naomi, had her third birthday and I really wanted to see her on her special day so Amanda and I planned on getting our families together on Saturday.  She and Jason came over for breakfast, with their children—my nieces Abbie and Naomi, and my little nephew Weston. 

As an extra special treat, our parents came out for a visit, too.  They arrived here at about 11:30 on Saturday morning. There was a lot going on and I didn’t take many pictures.  However, when the family all decided to go out for a walk, I had to stay home with Seth, so JACOB took the camera and got these pictures:

This is my sister Amanda, her husband Jason, and their one year old son, Weston.

Ethan and my Dad, with Parker the dog.  Dad helped Ethan with his dog quite a bit this weekend, and gave him lots of helpful suggestions about how to train him and take care of him better.  My Dad loves animals.

My beautiful little nieces, Abigail (8 years old) and Naomi (3 years old).  They make me smile.

My dear Dad.

Grace took her rabbit on the walk.  They wore matching fur. 

Other pictures:

I really like all the love in this picture:  Dad with his arm around Mom, Mom’s hand on Caleb’s head, Dad patting Caleb’s back.

It’s no wonder Caleb and Dad ended up falling asleep together on the couch. 

Me and my baby…..

Rich and I played a game of bananagrams this weekend. 

Please pray for us, Rich is gone on a business trip.  He leaves today and will be back on Thursday night.

Last night Seth slept 7 and a half hours!  (from 9:30-5)   He’s growing and I really think he changed this weekend, he seems heavier and his face is fuller.  He smiles all the time, too, which adds such joy to our family.  Jacob is still the sibling who holds him the most….

I think I like the evenings the very best of all, after the other children are in bed.  Rich and I turn off most of the lights in the house, leaving on just a lamp in the livingroom.  We watch TV together while I nurse Seth.  He gets his bath every other night, in the kitchen sink.  Last night was bath night and oh how he loves to soak in that nice warm water.  After his bath, and after he’s all rubbed with lotion and dressed, he is so relaxed.  Rich laughed at how drowsy and limp he was last night, he could hardly keep his eyes open.  There is so much satisfaction in a contented babykins, especially when he’s your very own.

Last weekend Caleb started the family off on the stomach bug.  Grace had it on Friday and half the day on Saturday.  Rich had it Sunday.  Thankfully, right now everyone is feeling fine.  It’s a rainy day (cold and wet).  I think the children will have to play inside today, after their schoolwork is done.

My biggest goal for today?  To catch up on the laundry!

Please take the time to say hello, I truly enjoy hearing from each of you.

Blessings and love,

~Shanda

Conversations about Heaven (amongst the children):

“We will become automatic vegetarians.  Of course, I may be wrong.”

“Did you know we will have a feast in Heaven?  And YOU, (pointing at Jacob), you said you would eat all the meatballs and sausages.”  (so much for being vegetarians)

“How old will we be in Heaven?  I hope when I die I’m this same age.  I like this age.”

“Will there be computers in Heaven?” … “No, there will be no need.  Why have a computer when you can go outside and play?  And, we can go over to Grandma and Grandpa’s mansion anytime we want to.”

“Will we all be the same height?  I hope not, I think it would be rather boring if we were all the same height.”

“I can’t wait to DIE!”

“As soon as I get saved I’m going to kill myself so I can go to heaven.”  (said Davy-do)  Mama was alarmed at that one and had to interject…  “God will take you to heaven when it’s time.  Right now you just enjoy living here on earth.”

“We will be able to do somersaults and cartwheels.  Perfectly.”

“Jacob said he wants to climb to the top of the tallest building and jump off!”

“I can’t wait to fly.  I’ve always wanted to fly, sometimes I dream about flying.”

“You won’t be flying into Heaven.  You’ll walk.  Through the pearly gates.  And on the golden streets.”

“I wonder if there will be dinosaurs in Heaven?” …. “NO!  They will be BONES!”  (answered Davy-do)

Then, there was an argument about who would own what pets.  Grace bothered her brothers, because “she wanted to hog them all.”

~When we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be!~

I read a quote once, from Corrie Ten Boom, who said that Heaven was one area in which we could let our imaginations soar, because it is a place better than any of us could imagine!  Somehow, I think the children’s conversations were a good thing, even if there was nary a word about God Himself.  I know He understands.

Here are the random photos I promised…..

My sister loves this picture, she’s whispering sweet nothings into Sethie’s ear.

The list of things the maids cleaned for me.  I look at this list and think with a thrill, “And I didn’t have to do a single one of these things myself!”

On the weekends, Rich likes to gather the children around the table for quiet working time.  They all have to sit, including Caleb, but when I took this picture there were only three children remaining.

I remember seeing, on another family’s blog, a picture of their homeschooled boy holding their newborn.  I thought it was the sweetest thing ever.  I didn’t imagine at the time that I would be blessed enough to see the same thing in my own home. . . .big brother holding baby brother while working on Math. . . makes me smile. . . .

My sister’s boy Weston is curious about Seth.  Her daughter Naomi adores him.  And David is the protector.

We had a new wood pellet stove installed last week. 

Seth LOVES his swing, which has a mirror and “dangling friends” above it for him to delight in.

We met Amanda at Barnes and Noble on Monday.  Here is Caleb and Weston playing with the choo-choo’s.

Do you remember the little t-shirts I embroidered for Seth before he was even born?

They still fit!  (ha ha, I wish)

As I promised my friend, Joanna, who recently took an evil delight in serving her family octopus, here is a picture of some calamari (similar enough to ocopus IMO, calamari is squid)…..Rich loves it…..we had this as our appetizer on Tuesday when we went out for his birthday.  There were also some fried hot peppers mixed in.  YUM!

See the weeny little squids? 

Yesterday, my dear friend Tammy came over with her two little ones.  She brought a microscope so that she could teach my children a science class.  They had so much fun gathering things to look at.  She carefully showed them the parts of the microscope and had all of the children involved in preparing the slides and handling the equipment.  They listened intently and we looked at so many different things…including a piece of brownie and some milk! 

While I was writing all this the boys brought in 2 salamanders that they caught out of the pond.  This is the first time (first times are exciting, yes?) they caught such things……and it was quite something to see them crawling across my desk.  No, I didn’t take a picture of that, but only ’cause my camera wasn’t ready. 

As I was reminded this week as I read a favorite book, “TODAY IS YOUR LIFE”….so, enjoy the day today…go through it with eyes wide open, or a camera in your hands, ready to capture and record the sweetness God sends your way.  His blessings are many and His love is amazing!  A thankful heart is a happy heart.

Have a wonderful Thursday, all!….love, your pal, ~Shanda