~birthday~

Posted on September 27, 2008 by Shanda

One of my favorite

people in the whole wide world

is turning 6 today!

Happy Birthday, Davy-do!

Of course, you couldn’t wait to open your gifts so we did that first thing this morning. Here is a photo of you opening your presents (that Jacob and Ethan wrapped for you!) with your brothers and sister. You’ve been waiting for this day for about 10 months.

You got a webkinz dog, a gumball machine, a “shot gun” (caps of course), and a lego set.

After opening gifts we all ate pancakes.

It’s going to be a wonderful day!

~things to be thankful for~

Posted on September 26, 2008 by Shanda

“Gather ye rose-buds while ye may,

Old Time is still a flying. . . .. . . . . . . . .”

This Mama’s hope. . . . . .

Warm rocking chair (every mama should have a place to rock)

hot tea, a friendly cat, blankets, magazines, baby-name book

a place to put my feet up

A favorite spot–the kitchen table, and my sweet girl

Something pretty, and bright

in a small Homer Laughlin china pitcher

A guilty pleasure (homemade apple crisp, low-fat pumpkin ice cream)

served on prized Homer Laughlin china

A quiet moment

Food for the soul

Something to roast today

(won’t it smell wonderful?)

A sleepy, slow, rainy day

(wearing a warm, bulky sweater is like wearing a hug)

The dark house and gentle sound of rain makes everyone move just a little slower, so nice!

“The happiness of life, the happiness of the family especially, is made up of minute fractions. The little, soon-forgotten charities of a kiss, a smile, a kind look, a gentle word, a heart-felt compliment,–these, and the thousand other little kindnesses of genial feelings, make a perpetual summer in the household where they prevail.”

“Mid pleasures and palaces tho’ we may roam,
Be it ever so humble, there is no place like home.”

“I have a great respect for a father and mother who have brought up a large family and trained them so that they have come out on the Lord’s side. Sometimes mothers are discouraged and do not think they have so large a sphere to do good in as we have, but a mother who has brought up a large family to Christ need not consider her life a failure. I know one who has brought up ten sons, who are all Christians. Do you think her life has been a failure? Let us teach our children diligently, in season and out of season. . . .let us be encouraged in bringing our children to Christ.” D.L. Moody

(All quotes from the book linked at the end of this blog, one that I highly recommend, it is so encouraging to me:)

picture post

Posted on September 24, 2008 by Shanda

Good morning! I just waved Davy-do down the road, he’s all set and gone for another day of Kindergarten. His teacher called us last night to give us a report on how he is doing at school, and to ask us if we had any questions for her. I got off the phone happy, and was thrilled to tell my husband that David is doing really well and even better than we expected. All of the things I worked with him last year were not done in vain, it seems he has retained most of it–mainly, his numbers and how to write them, and recognizing the letters of the alphabet, which his teacher appreciates, and is such an encouragement to me.

I’ve been taking some family pictures for the last week or so but haven’t had time to post them on my blog so I thought that I would play catch up this morning. Jacob and Ethan are out walking the dog (they need to wear pants and sweatshirts, now that we have these cool fall mornings). Grace is eating her bowl of cereal and Caleb is playing (with Thomas trains, of course!).

Speaking of Caleb, here is a picture of him from Friday. He and I had a great time, putting a scrapbook together of different pictures I have taken of him with his trains. We went through my online photos and squealed whenever we saw a good picture. I printed them out, and he was the happy gluer (it’s quite “exciting” to watch a 3 year old using a glue stick). He loves his new little book.

He has also been coloring a lot, and his technique has improved so much since last month, when all his trains looked like hairy monsters by the time he had colored them. Now he colors neat and clean, and gets upset when he “has an accident” and colors something wrong. He actually dug a hole in one of his pictures this weekend, trying to “erase” a small mistake with his fingernail.

See how nicely he holds his crayons? Things like that mean so much to a homeschooling mama!

As we were out and about this weekend, I noticed again how nice the lighting is inside the van, for taking photos of the kids. I took a picture of Jacob, my oldest boy, who will be 12 in December. His chin and upper lip is still healing from his bike wreck this summer.

Here is Jacob again, being a big help, by peeling apples for me. He peeled a big bowl of them for our apple pie, and then a few days later he peeled some for applesauce. He enjoys trying to make the longest peel that he can. He’s already an expert! I appreciate his help and am only too happy to pass off this job along to him. . . .

. . . . .and to Ethan! Ethan is more of a reckless peeler at this time. I need to teach him to peel around and around and not straight down like you do a carrot. He’s peeling potatoes here, and the two boys were sitting together on the porch, talking nonstop. That’s why I got the camera, even though I was busy in the kitchen. I thought it was wonderful to see them working, and enjoying it. They both had their stuffed dogs with them, Ethan’s was at his feet, and they were making up stories with them as they peeled. What nice boys they are!

This next one is from the day I was trying to get a photo for the first day of Fall. Ethan took this silly one of me, and I love how Caleb managed to get in the picture, too. Caleb loves to pick me flowers and when he brings one to me, he always says, “I picked a flower for you!” in his dear little voice. Then, when I take it, he says, “Are you so happy?” And I say, “Yes, I’m so happy, thank you!” Then I usually tuck it behind my ear, as he watches with bright eyes.

Now, the rest of the pictures are from yesterday evening. I had spent the afternoon with the children at my friend Karen’s house, and then went to Walmart afterwards. I didn’t get home until about 5:30 and we were all so happy that Rich was already back from work. The sun has been going down earlier now, but we had just enough sunshine left to take a nice little walk before dinner. There was Rich and myself, and Grace and Caleb.

This is Grace’s pile of red leaves, along with my little orange leaf that I picked up. I also picked a zinnia from my flower garden and collected a handful of acorns. . . . .the goldenrod is the flower Caleb picked for me on our walk.

I love this next picture of Rich with his little girl. She still looks like wee thing when Daddy has her.

This morning I will be working with the older children on some homeschool things, but I also have an ultrasound appointment at 10. Because my Doctor and I cheated on Monday, and we already know we are having a boy, Rich decided not to go with me this morning. Which totally stinks. LOL I’m tired, and not in the mood to go to my appointment alone, well, with Caleb and Grace. . . .however, this morning as I was thinking about it, I decided I better cheer up and try to make the most of it. This just might be the last ultrasound that I ever have! I do hope and pray that everything is going well with the baby. . . .who, by the way, does not have a name quite yet. It’s a good thing we have some time, because Rich and I are not agreeing on any name we come up with! The children have been calling him Peter.

Dear friends, I do hope you all have a wonderful day. Here in New England the sun is shining and the quality of the autumn sunshine makes the trees and green things almost unreal. . .nature is glowing and so beautiful. Rich and I both noticed the leaves that were still green on the trees last night on our walk–they almost look plastic, they are so bright and shiny and pretty. The glory of God is displayed in such a clear way in His creation, and the world we live in truly is a delight. I hope each of you are able to get outside at some point today. If you look up (and see the clouds), or look down (and see a cool bug), you are sure to see SOMETHING to praise God about!

My Ethan just came in from walking the dog, to give me a “big-front-pocket- from- a- sweatshirt-full of pinecones”. Nine big ones.

Flowers and pinecones, what nice gifts my little ones give to me! They know me so well. . . .

It’s been a pleasure to talk the time to sit and think and write this morning, and now I really must get on with the morning!

Love, ~Shanda~

PS, the link is for a book I’ve been singing to the kids, which made me laugh so hard the other day that I cried. We checked it out from the library.

(((BABY NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)))

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Shanda

This morning, at 9:30, I had what I thought would be just a regular O.B. doctor’s appointment. After I had my check up, my doctor reminded me that I had a scheduled ultrasound on Wednesday and then said, “You guys don’t want to know the sex of the baby, right?”

“Yes we do! We can’t wait to find out!” I replied.

“Oh, you do want to know? Do you want me to check right now? We can cheat a little. . .”

So. . . . . . .I agreed. I only had Caleb and Grace with me, the older boys were at home. My doctor turned on the ultrasound machine and we all excitedly awaited the news. Even my doctor was excited.

After scanning around a bit on my tummy, and talking to the kids about what the screen was showing, she laughed and turned to me, and mouthed,

“It’s another boy!”

“Are you serious?”

“Yes.”

She showed me “the part” on the screen several times. . .so, I’m 99% positive that the baby I am carrying IS A BOY.

I told Grace myself and she was very quiet, but after it sunk in she was A-OK which I knew she would be. She said the part that made her sad was that she really wants to share a room with somebody. So, I told her the baby could be in her room with her for a while and that cheered her up.

I called Rich and told him. He’s so wonderful. . . .he said, “I don’t want you to be sad that it isn’t a girl, this is our baby boy!”

We both are falling in love with the idea of a new son. I kid you not, I have tears in my eyes as I write this, because I’m so happy. And now I’ll be looking forward to actually holding him in my arms and kissing his little face.

Even though he’s our fifth son/sixth child, HE IS ALSO MY FIRST because each baby is special and unique. He is just as special as any of the other children. He’s not a rerun or a “here we go again”. He’s our NEW baby and we are all so happy.

“This is the Lord’s doing, it is marvelous in our eyes.” Psalm 118:23

After my appointment, Grace, Caleb, and I went to the IParty store and bought some helium balloons–one pink, five blue, and one “announcement balloon”. Then, we went to a toy store and bought the baby a stuffed bear. We came home and I said to Jacob and Ethan, “We have some news for you!!!” And they looked at the balloons and said, “It’s a boy???” and they were smiling from ear to ear.

What a day! It’s the first day of fall and the day I found out I was having a boy! I’m so excited that I think I need to go lay down for a while. . . . . . . . .then, we can celebrate some more!

(welcome fall, 2008)

Posted on September 22, 2008 by Shanda

Happy First Day of Fall,

From me and my little pumpkin.

my blog, the memory preserver

Posted on September 20, 2008 by Shanda

I’ve taken a few days to get my thoughts in order about “why I blog”. . . .

I have discovered that I absolutely L O V E blogging, (which certainly is a good reason to do something!) and yet there is a nagging little voice in my mind that whispers things to me that make me hesitate in sharing so much of my life on here. So, after some thinking, I came back again to the real reasons why I blog. . . . .

Why do I blog? The main reason came to me last night, when I was going through old posts and I got up to show my husband some of it. He sat down, and looked at a photo that I took of him and our two youngest sons, almost two years ago. He looked, and then he sighed with tears in his eyes, and said, “It’s too sad to look at that picture, because they aren’t that little anymore!”

“But, honey”, I replied, “Life does go by so fast, that’s why we want to make these beautiful memories.”

And, it’s also why I want to record them, too.

The Jacob, Ethan, Grace, David, and Caleb that I knew last year, are not the same children that I know and have this year. . .time marches on. . .I can see it clearly in my online journal. All the little things in life that I do enjoy and value as a mother—baking, making crafts and homemade play dough, redecorating their bedrooms, the funny things they do and say, writing cute little stories for them, going for all those many many nature walks, apple picking together, the fair, Disney, the beach, first airplane rides, Grace missing her two front teeth, Caleb growing from a baby to a little boy, David starting Kindergarten, my adventures in homeschooling, Rich’s job changes, our move from our old house to this house, the death of my great-grandma, birthdays, adventures with good friends, the books I read, the recipes I love, our new baby on the way. . . . .IT’S ALL HERE. . . . .and those things represent a life that God gave me, a beautiful life that I love and value highly. A life that should (and I pray it does) glorify a generous, loving, heavenly Father, who does all things well, who created a world and pronounced it “good”. Who loves with an abundant love, and provides more than we need to get through this pilgrim journey.

Each day, each moment, counts for something. My children will quickly grow and that’s okay. But, while I have them here, under my roof, I want to devote myself to giving them the best life and upbringing that I possibly can. I get tired and grouchy, and that’s part of it all. . . . .we have good days and bad days. . .but that’s the way it goes and that’s okay.

So the reason why I blog is for myself and my family. I’ve tried writing in journals long hand but I don’t record as much that way. I don’t have time to scrapbook my photos. I tend to blog here almost every day and it is so fun for me to click to “this day last year” and see what my little clan was up to on that day. My blog makes me laugh and cry and sigh and thank God for my life.

The reason why I blog and make it open, for all to read, is because I know for a fact, by all the emails and responses I have received, that “people out there” enjoy reading about a family that loves God. In all the ugliness of the world, it’s nice to find families that have the same Christian values and beliefs, it’s encouraging to get to know other people who want to relish in the life God gave them. Christians have a connection, and we are family, through Christ. We can use our blogs to lift each other up and inspire one another to KEEP ON. Just like I’m so very encouraged by many of the blogs I visit, I also hope and pray that mine, too, is a blessing and refreshment to others. Some people can do those things, better, by “going out and being there”, such as a visit or a phone call. My gifts involve writing, and the limited time I have, as a mother, to “be there” makes it easier to sit at my computer desk, or by writing out a card for the mailbox, during a free half hour, to try to encourage some else. I do so love to open my arms wide, and show God’s love to anyone who seeks it. But, because of the stage of life that I am in, I am a “behind the scenes kind of girl”, so the computer is a perfect place for me to express myself, or encourage someone else.

Because I am a Christian, my soul is filled with Christ, and His beauty. Anything, anything, ANYTHING you see or read here that is beautiful, that causes the tender heart to melt, IS FROM HIM, not me. All good things come from above.

But, of course I still wrestle with my flesh. The bad days just show that we are all still human, “only a sinner, saved by grace”. Even saved ones have struggles, sins, and problems. I yell, I get mad at the kids, I am selfish, I fail as a wife and mother at times, my house is usually quite “lived in” and never ever spotless, I sometimes make unladylike noises that startle my husband, but I love my life and wouldn’t change a thing. I wouldn’t trade the life (my family and my God) for a million dollars!

I’ve seen all kinds of very nice blogs. . but mine is my life’s memory preserver/recorder because I want to remember this day.

“The whole life of man is but a point of time; let us enjoy it. . .” Plutarch

“Now’s the day, and now’s the hour. . .” Robert Burns

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” Maria Edgeworth

“In the morning, I say: ‘What is my exciting thing for today?’. . .Don’t ask me about tomorrow.” Barbara Jordan

“Every man should eat and drink and ENJOY the good of all his labor, it is the GIFT of God.” Ecc. 3:13

Hold tight to the sound of the music of living,
Happy songs from the laughter of children at play;
Hold my hand as we run through the sweet fragrant meadows,
Making memories of what was today.

Tiny voice that I hear is my little girl calling
For Daddy to hear just what she has to say;
My little son running there by the hillside
May never be quite like today.

Tender words, gentle touch, and a good cup of coffee,
And someone that loves me and wants me to stay;
Hold them near while they’re here, and don’t wait for tomorrow,
To look back and wish for today.

Take the sky, and the green of the forest,
And the gold, and the brown of the freshly mown hay,
And the pale shades of spring, and the circus of autumn,
And weave you a lovely today.

We have this moment, to hold in our hands and to touch,
As it slips through our fingers like sand;
Yesterday’s gone, and tomorrow may never come,
But we have this moment, today.

~William Gaither

Rich felt the baby move yesterday morning!

~To all my friends who visit me here, thanks for coming along with me in my journey as a wife and mama, and friend. I thank God for the old friends, and new friends, who keep in touch with me, and encourage me, through my online journal.

Have a lovely, blessed day, oozing with the goodness of God!

~Shanda~

Posted on September 17, 2008 by Shanda

I just sat and read all your notes, wishing Rich and me a Happy Anniversary~thank you! You are all so kind and sweet. We did have a nice day yesterday (only had a couple of minor tiffs, LOL) and thanks to my friend Karen, we even got to go on a date together.

We had a nice country-back roads drive to my favorite antique store, past lakes and beautiful houses, (and trees starting to turn colors). At the antique place, we browsed around and I ended up buying some old issues of Country Living magazine. I will enjoy looking through them over the next few days.

After that, we went out for lunch at a quaint local restaurant. They feature old fashioned, New England food on the menu. The staff treated us with extra kindness, because I told our waitress that it was our anniversary. She was an older lady, and told us that we must have been married in the 8th grade to have been together for 13 years. Made me laugh out loud.

The food was SO good, and it was nice to just sit and talk to each other and enjoy our food. We both had cups of creamy New England clam chowder, and salads. My salad was so good I just had to take a picture of it:

It was an heirloom tomato salad, drizzled with a balsamic vinegarette and surrounded by soft wedges of creamy mozzarella cheese.

For my main lunch plate, I had an open faced turkey sandwich served over a slice of cornbread, sausage cornbread stuffing, and gravy on top. There was a small cup of cranberry sauce on the side, fries AND coleslaw, and it was all very homemade and tasted SO good. I had to bring most of my lunch home so I could save room for dessert. We wanted to go downstairs, to the bake shop, for coffee and dessert, but before we knew it our waitress came out with this sweet treat:

Pretty, isn’t it?

We blew out the candle and each had one bite, then wrapped up the rest to bring home. Because, I’m tellin’ ya, that bake shop is “to die for”. And I had been craving a fig square for the last month or so. We paid our bill and headed down the stairs to the most wonderful little place around. I want to go back again soon, with my sister and girlfriends. (is anyone listening??) I told Rich my goal is to eventually try everything in the case.

We sipped our hot coffees, and shared this cream puff:

With full tummies and all that sugar, we got all happy and laughed a lot, and took a few pictures of each other:

We took two boxes of treats home with us, including cupcakes for the kids, a piece of carrot cake for Karen, and two fig squares to satisfy my craving. I’ve been nibbling on them, opening the fridge to take a bite now and then.

When we got home, I had a nice walk with Karen, through the woods, before she left. I had to try to burn off some of those calories! Plus, it was so nice to yak with a girlfriend, we talked almost nonstop, stopping the conversation once to just soak up the peace and quiet of the woods. We both came back with a handful of bits from the forest–pretty leaves, acorns, and flowers.

After Karen went home, Rich and I just basically hung around home, taking care of the kids. Rich took a little nap in his recliner while I made dinner and looked through one of my new/old magazines.

Before the day was done, I pulled my wedding dress out of the closet to admire it. I still love my dress, even after 13 years. I am so thankful that I was married at 19, I was so worry-free back then, and just full of excitement for my wedding and marriage to Rich. I had no zealous opinions about anything, just happy to go along, making plans. My mom and I shopped together for my dress, and I only remember trying on two dresses before we knew this was the one. . . . . .

(front)

(back)

I haven’t put it on since the day I was married. . . .. But, I did hold it up to myself yesterday. Remembering when I was a bride.

Requested photos from our wedding. . . . .

(In my opinion, this is one of the most romantic verses in the Bible):

“There be three things which are too wonderful for me, yea, four which I know not: The way of an eagle in the air; the way of a serpent upon a rock, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea; and the way of a man with a maid.”

Proverbs 30:18-19

Thanking God for thirteen beautiful years with my beloved.

Have a wonderful day, friends!

~Shanda~

(family adventure)

Posted on September 16, 2008 by Shanda

Yesterday, after school, Rich and I took the children to a local fair. It was a lot of walking around in the sun, but we had a great day. At times it was stressful, keeping track of the kids, but we kept reminding ourselves, “It’s worth it, we’re making memories. . . . .”

Here are some of the pictures I took:

The giant slide was the first thing we did when we got there. Rich took the kids down, while Caleb and I waited below. Rich told me that Ethan almost didn’t go down. . .I think all of a sudden he decided that this huge slide was just not a smart idea. But, he went and was glad he did. His hat blew off half way down and the worker had to retrieve it for him.

At the petting zoo area, Caleb and the other children got to feed goats.

After seeing horses, and pigs, and rabbits and other animals, we made our way to the midway. This was the first time we had taken the kids to a fair and it was somewhat frustrating because of the P R I C E S. When you have five children, it all adds up so quickly. They went on a couple of rides and then we left to do other things.

Caleb’s very first amusement park ride, which he loved.

We walked around some State buildings and the children dressed up in these Police uniforms.

I don’t think these two would show mercy, do you?

After the fair, we came home and Rich had to leave again right away to take Jacob and Ethan to their music lessons. While they were gone, I gave David and Caleb hair cuts.

I may have gone a little too short this time.

They both look so so cute with no hair! I’ve been calling Caleb my little teddy bear this morning. He says he’s not a bear, but he does have teeth.

This is what they were doing the whole time I was trying to get just one decent head shot:

They were both wild after such a fun day. It took a long time before they could settle down to sleep. After being giggly, Caleb crashed and went off in the other direction, crying and having fits in his bed because he wanted a “certain car” to sleep with. I was glad that at that point, Rich was home to deal with him.

This morning I am going to buzz the two older boys. I just find it much easier to keep their hair short.

Also, today is Rich’s and my 13th wedding anniversary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It’s a day of remembering our wedding and all the excitement we felt as we went through the ceremony and reception afterwards. My friend Karen offered to come over to babysit the kids and I am looking forward to spending a good chunk of the day alone with my husband. For breakfast this morning I made us delicious omelets. I’ve been making them every morning for the past 4 days. Mushroom, green pepper, tomato, cheese, and chives. YUM!

Rich is running the dog right now so I better get busy and make myself pretty. I’ll be posting pictures of our day, in honor of our anniversary, at some point (tonight or tomorrow).

Have a great day!

(abundant life in Christ)

Posted on September 15, 2008 by Shanda

(I just thought I would share a few thoughts that are running through my head and heart this morning. . . . .)

Abundance— an ample quantity, profusion, lavish expenditure, extravagance, exceeding the limits of reason or necessity, extremely or excessively elaborate. . . . .

I remember once, hearing a man try to explain God’s generosity as sort of like a “baker’s dozen”, when you ask for 12 but get 13. . . .I wonder how often we all get caught up in this human sort of thinking. We just cannot seem to fathom the abundance of God’s spiritual gifts to us, but the Bible is full of verses that prove God’s lavishishness.

The Holy Spirit has been giving me the desire to learn more about God’s abundance, and so this morning I sat on my porch and looked up verses that contained the word abundant. This is what I have found so far (there are a lot more verses that I didn’t have time to look up). . . .

“For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. For which cause we faint not.” 2 Cor. 4;15,16

“And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.” 1 Tim. 1:14

God doesn’t just give us grace, He gives us ABUNDANT GRACE.

“How excellent is thy lovingkindness O God: therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart.” Ps. 36:7-10

He doesn’t just satisfy our souls, He ABUNDANTLY SATISIFIES

“Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Is. 55:7

He doesn’t just forgive our sins, HE ABUNDANTLY PARDONS THEM.

“I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth his life for his sheep.” John 10:10, 11

He doesn’t just give us a new life in Him, HE GIVES US AN ABUNDANT LIFE.

The more I study these beautiful verses, and meditate on them, the more my heart is warmed and thrilled toward my Savior. He gives us everything we need, in abundance, because He loves us. Sometimes we try to earn His good gifts, but when we do that it takes away the overwhelming humility that we feel, when we realize that “I don’t deserve a single beautiful blessing from God’s hand, but look! He has given me so much, too much!” An attitude like that is lovely and deep. . . . .the kind of spirit which is broken and thankful and causes us to want to give our life to Jesus, and to love Him, and worship Him.

“. . .eat, O friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, O beloved.” Song of Solomon 5:1

“Lord, I crawled across the barreness to You with my empty cup uncertain in asking any small drop of refreshment. If only I had known You better. . . .I’d have come running with a bucket.” Amy Carmicheal

(I don’t think God’s generosity is like a baker’s dozen….I think it’s dozens upon dozens of baker’s dozens!)

all better now. . . .

Posted on September 13, 2008 by Shanda

. . . .because he’s finally home! (after being away since Monday morning). . . . .

I can finally wear my happy shoes!

This is reality for us, with our small ones always about. Caleb is begging for blueberries, he took them from the freezer himself and then found us to get some help. He didn’t say anything, just stood there until we noticed. . .