Since my daughter Grace’s birthday was on Election Day this year, we were able to have our friends over (they had no school).  Kathy and I are both expecting babies which is so very exciting!  Next year at this time we will have 11 children total, instead of “only nine”. . . . .our kids are growing up together, we have made SO many memories and we love each other like family.  I was very thankful that Grace was able to have her friends over on her special day.  The weather was lovely, a nice mild day. . .so lots of bare footed children running around!

For lunch, Kathy and I made a big plate of sandwiches, and a veggie platter with dip.  The kids ate outside at the picnic table.  Aren’t they cute?

I took this next picture from the porch, where Kathy and I ate our lunch.  The trampoline is a huge hit with the kids, there is always a bunch of them jumping around.  The boys are sitting by the pond in the hammock, looking through a Lego magazine.

We also watched the new American Girl movie and when it was over Kathy had to leave with her kids.  But, before they left we took a group photo.  Can you imagine the two babies joining in the future fun?  They can sit in the front row next year next to Caleb.

After Rich got home, we took the kids to a buffet for dinner (so I didn’t have to cook!)  We had cake and ice cream when we got back. . . .Grace’s cake was SO GOOD, I made it myself with a recipe she picked out.  I will be sharing the recipe maybe tomorrow.  If you love chocolate you will love her cake.

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This morning I am thankful because I got my fall bulbs planted (about 40 bulbs total).  When Rich and I were at Agway on Saturday I couldn’t resist buying some–they were fifty percent off–.

This next photo is for all of you with the first initial “J”.  It’s my gift to you.  Your initial spelled with worm.

You wouldn’t think so after six babies, but I’m continually surprised at how much pregnancy effects my body.  I feel like a completely different woman right now.  I almost had to laugh as I clumsily planted the bulbs (with an occasional grunt or groan).  I had Grace pulling weeds/dead plants for me and noticed she was groaning, too, as she worked.  I guess I’m inspiring.  LOL   Anyway, I’m almost six months along now, half a year.  Wow.

After all that work I’m starved and ready for a snack and ready to rest my back.  But, I’m very pleased with my accomplishment!  I got my hands dirty and it felt SO good. 

Hope you all are having a wonderful day!

~Shanda~

PS, I also finished up Christmas shopping this morning (online) for the kids.  I just need to get a couple of small things for their stockings. 

“And the apostles said unto the Lord, increase our faith.”  Luke 17:5

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”  Romans 10:17

I am immersed in this world, but it is not my home, heaven is.  Living here now is unavoidable and the more I get caught up in the things of the world, the more I experience a fogginess/sickness of soul, and begin to focus too much on my self and the issues around me, rather than on what is truly important.  The truth of the Bible and my relationship with Christ are what matter most of all.  The needs of the soul are always more important than any other need, but whatever the need, only Jesus alone can truly and completely satisfy.

I cannot take my eyes off my loving Shepherd and my first love, Christ.  I need Him.   With all that is spinning around me (motherhood, wifely duties, housework, THE NEWS) I need to remember my most important duty–to “get to the mountain tops” daily and hourly to read my Bible, which is the only reliable source of truth, and inject myself with that truth like my life depends on it, because my life does depend on it.  I need to be in silence often, so that I can meditate on Jesus and His commands.  I need to put on beautiful music, to fill the air of my house with loveliness.

I don’t want to go through life with my head in the sand.  It is important to know what is going on in the world around me.  However, the more I watch TV, or spend time on the computer filling my head with man’s thoughts, the more complicated and unhealthy my own mind can become.  What is the remedy for this?  I need the pure, true words of the Bible filling my heart, soul, and mind in order to handle properly the realities of life on earth, whatever they are, including the information coming at me on the news.   

Spending quality one on one time with Jesus is the only way to a peaceful life.  WE NEED HIM.

Lonely?  Go to Jesus.  He is your Friend.
Tired of your daily duties?  Go to Jesus.  He will show you “why”.
Fearful?  Go to Jesus.  He will give you security.
Apprehensive about the future?  Go to Jesus.  He will lead you all the way and show you what really matters.
Feeling unloved?  Go to Jesus.  He loves you.
Hungry?  Thirsty?  Go to Jesus.  He fills, He quenches thirst.
Sick?  Go to Jesus.  He is the greatest Physician of the body and the soul.
Tired of change?  Go to Jesus.  He never changes.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Ghost,
be with you all.  Amen.”  Galations 13:14

Happy Birthday to the apple of my eye!  Grace, I looked through your babybook this morning and there are so many memories spinning around in my head . . . but right now nine year old YOU is sitting at my table in your long nightgown, cutting out paper dolls and waiting for her birthday scrambled eggs.  So I will keep my thoughts in my mind for now and get busy on your breakfast.  (Common sense has overruled being overly sentimental?  Yes, it happens every now and then, LOL) 

In the past nine years of being your Mama, I know I cannot freeze moments like this.  I must simply savor them as they come, and then let them go, always looking ahead for the beautiful moments to come. . . .

I’ll always love you.  You are one of the gifts from God that I am most thankful for. 

Love, Mama

Just some little bits and pieces of my day so far.  How’s your day going?

There is no person I feel safer with than my husband.  That’s the thought I had when I looked at this picture.  It’s funny that my first thought was about safety.  I guess as a woman, the feeling of warmth, protection, and security is a big part of love and marriage.  I thank God for my husband every day.  There are times when we don’t get along, but I go through those times knowing that we will eventually get over it and then we will feel just as close as ever.  I’ve been trying hard to share my honest thoughts with him, and it has been so rewarding because he usually feels the same way about things that I do, or will help me to see things differently in order to help me.  I’m trying not to get in a tizzy if he works late, instead I welcome him home the best I can and let him have some space.  Then, because I’ve been getting so very tired by the end of the day, I usually go right to bed and let him spend time with the kids and put them to bed (**laugh**).  Last night he came home from work and it was still light outside, which meant a lot to me.  He brought pumpkins home for the kids and we all made homemade pizzas together and drank apple cider.  After we put the boys to bed, Rich and I stayed up with Grace and we watched “Miss Potter”, a wonderful movie that Rich said he hated because it was too sad for him.  This morning he got up first, and when I got up a few hours later, he quickly made me a cup of coffee (in a scarlet fiesta mug).  We went out with the kids this morning.  We shopped in a hardware store and bought things for the house and our pets.  We left the kids in the van and it was fun to walk the aisles together alone.  We also went to a candle store and he picked out a candle for me (“woodland pine”) and I picked out one for him (“family gatherings”).  We also went to the library and Rich looked at magazines and kept an eye on the children while I browsed around looking for books to borrow.  Going out for lunch capped off our family outing, and we played tic tac toe together as we waited for our food.  When we got home, I made everyone stand still and smile nice for a family portrait because the other day Rich was missing from the photos.

The older children are out in the woods now, playing.  Caleb is watching a Thomas video.  Rich is sound asleep on the couch and I’m going to go out there soon and look through a few of my books from the library.

Over the last few days, we finally came up with a name for our new baby.  His name will be

Seth William

This is a name that wasn’t even on our list last week.  It might have taken us months, but eventually we found the perfect name for our new son.  Please continue to pray for me during this pregnancy.  I was very afraid last night, because I had quite a few braxton hicks contractions in a short amount of time. Thankfully, the contractions and strange feelings went away.  I wonder if I am doing too much during the day.  I’m determined now to slow down and take good care of myself. 

Happy November 1st to all my friends.  I hope to fill this month up with many grateful thoughts, since this is the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving Day.  We have so much to be thankful for.

Love, ~Shanda~

Halloween, Reformation Day, whatever you name it, as a child what you really want is the CANDY, right?

Personally, I am SO not into “trick or treating”.  There is the whole spiritual aspect of it. . .how can I promote the beautiful and yet submerge my children into an ugly (of varying degrees) atmosphere on the streets downtown?  Yes, this is highly debatable, and I realize it’s not as bad during the daylight hours, but we wouldn’t be able to go unless Rich was with us and he gets home after dark, which is mainly the time when all the creepier costumed ones appear.  Have you noticed any of those masks?  Weird.  Not for my young children’s eyes thank you very much.

Granted, there are innocent ways of dressing up and celebrating with others, but there are no options (that I know of) for my family outside what we come up with ourselves in our own home. 

Then, there is also the why- would- any -pregnant -mother-want -to- buy- or- make -costumes- for -five- children -and -then- walk- around -all -over- the- place- ringing- doorbells -with- them- and-saying -trick-or-treat -and -ending -up -with-five-huge- bags-of- candy- that- she- has -no -intention- of- letting- them- eat reason.  Honestly.  I just do not have the energy (or desire) for it.

Anyway, all that to say that my children DO know what they are missing, and this year I compromised with them by letting them each pick out one small bag of candy from the store.  To make a fun activity for them and for me, we came home and they played with their candy so I could take pictures of it.  I passed around vintage fiesta plates for them to create their candy designs on.  Fiestaware and photography=fun for me.  Playing with and eating lots of candy=fun for the children.

I think it’s important that when my children have a sense of missing out on something that “everyone else is doing”, that I fill them up with something just as good, if not better.  It keeps their hearts happy, and shows them that I care.  I want to show my children that our family life is not drudgery, it’s full and FUN! 

(David’s masterpiece, on vintage yellow)

(Jacob’s skittles on turquoise)

(Ethan’s caramel candy corn, on vintage red)

(Grace’s Jolly Rancher Rainbow, on vintage Rose)

(Caleb’s tower of chocolate, on light green)

How many of you are craving candy now?

Have a wonderful Friday! 

Love ~Shanda~

There’s a ham in the oven, baking, and making the house smell soooooooooo good.  There are sweet potatoes boiling cheerfully on the stovetop, getting nice and soft for a casserole of candied sweet potatoes.  The house is turning dim, it’s getting toward evening and my yummy youngsters are all bundled up in blankets on the couches, watching a movie. . . . . .

Soon Rich will come home from work and this contented feeling will get even more intense.  I love that man!

It has been a relaxing day, with lots of much needed rest for me, but the children did need some fresh air so I went out as well, to keep an eye on everyone David and Caleb.

The outdoors is getting older looking as we move into late fall.  The leaves are almost all gone now, but still, I saw enough color to get my tripod from the house and set up the camera for a group photo.  You will notice all the winter coats.  Seems like just the other day we were looking at pictures of them all swimming. . . . . .

I spend my days with these precious children, so many hours, so much togetherness.  It’s not always easy, but the highs more than make up for the lows! 

This next one is of my two youngest boys with their still-baby faces.  I remember taking photos of Jacob and Ethan like this all the time when they were this age. . . . . .I love love love this picture.  That bush behind them is giving me so much pleasure lately, it’s one of the only things left that is bright and red, most all the other leaves are a dark rust color.

If you lean in and squint, you just might see the snowflakes!  The children were absolutely thrilled to see the first scattering of snow while we were on our little walk.

That’s my boy Ethan with his dog behind us.  When you live in the country you just don’t care if you have a pink hat on.  Or your mother’s boots and father’s big gloves for that matter.  I said these children were yummy and I meant it!

When I came inside, I noticed that we now have mittens on our nature table on the porch next to the front door.

MITTENS!  Where O where did summer~time go?

Have a glorious evening, all!

~Shanda

My brother and his lovely fiance were married on October 10, 2008 in a private ceremony.

I always admire couples that “think outside the box” for their special day, and do something that is creative and reflects their uniqueness.  David and Maria were married outdoors on my parent’s beautiful property, by our local Baptist Preacher, with only my parents and brother Isaac (who took the pictures) in attendance.  It was a special day for them and the weather was gorgeous. 

I am the oldest of five children and David is the sibling closest is age to me.   I’m thrilled to see him so happy and to have a new sister.  Maria is a wonderful addition to our family, we all love her.

Congratulations to the newlyweds!

(reading fine print is unnecessary but may prove entertaining)

I was up at 5 a.m. so I could spend time with my husband before he left for work at 6.
Then, I lit candles and
had Bible, breakfast, and coffee-time.
I did some laundry (lots of that to do today),
emptied and loaded the dishwasher,
set table for cereal, complete with tablecloth, cereal, and lit candles.
The children start appearing and so
I served them breakfast, packed David’s backpack, prompted David to get all ready for school, and then
waited outside with David for bus.
After he left, I sent the older children to walk the dog “to end of road and back”.
I was able to spend some time in the kitchen, mixing up Orange Pumpkin Loaf, a recipe I’ve been wanting to make for quite a while.
Caleb, who has been potty trained for a while now, had an “accident” of the solid variety, so I had to walk away and clean him up, give him bath, dress him, wash my hands real good. . . . .and then I got back to my bread.
After I finished mixing it together, I popped it into the oven.
Grace returned without brothers, told me they lost dog “on the busy road” (where they weren’t even supposed to be).
45 minutes went by, no boys, I started to worry so I got in the van and
I started driving around, with Caleb, looking–no boys anywhere!  I went back home.
Thankfully, even though I was distracted, Grace remembered to take the bread out of the oven when the timer went off.  It was perfect.
The boys still hadn’t appeared so I called Rich, started to get shaky, and went out driving again.
I found Ethan wearing one boot and carrying the other (he had blisters), who told me that Jacob was “just up the road” so
we drove up road about 1 or more miles (!!!) and came across Jacob with the dog.
I drove everyone back home, mad, and sent boys to separate rooms with LOTS of schoolwork (they had gotten the dog back quickly but then walked all the way to a friend’s house instead of coming home)
I folded yet more laundry.
I helped Grace with school work.
After I turned the bread out onto a vintage fiesta platter, I decided not to wait until it cooled.
I cut a slice, buttered it, tasted it, and liked it so much I photographed it so I could share the recipe with you.

Orange Pumpkin Loaf

1/3 cup butter
1 1/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin
1/3 cup water
1 large orange
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. baking powder
3/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. cloves
1/2 cup chopped walnuts (I didn’t have enough so I left them out)
1/2 cup raisins or dates (I used dates)

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease one 9 by 5 by 3 inch loaf pan.

Cream butter and sugar together well.  Add eggs.  Beat lightly.  Add pumpkin and water.  Stir.

Cut and remove seeds from orange.  Put in blender or grinder and grind complete orange including peel.  Stir into batter.

In a separate bowl, combine flour, soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, cloves, nuts and raisins/dates, mixing well.  Stir into batter.  Spoon into prepared loaf pan.

Bake at 350 for about 1 hour or until toothpick comes out clean.  Let stand 10 minutes, remove from pan, cool and wrap.

Grace agreed, “It was great”.

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Also,

I thought you would enjoy a photo of what my living room looks like right now.

Ahhhh, a morning in the life of a busy mama. . . . .I hope you, too, are enjoying this fine Monday.

And try that bread!  It’s SO yummy!