Today is the last day of life as we have known it for the last few years.  Tomorrow begins a new adventure, of packing a back pack, waiting for the bus, all on a set schedule.  The mornings will be a little more hurried, unless of course we get up at 5:30. . . . . . . .

Jacob, Ethan, and Grace all attended a private school for several years.  I began homeschooling them when Jacob was entering 4th, Ethan 3rd, and Grace 2nd.  Now it is time for David to begin Kindergarten, and he is attending the small public school, just 5 minutes from home.

Yesterday Rich and I took the children to meet David’s teacher, and to explore his new classroom, and school building.  They even all got to get on a schoolbus, for the very first time.

This morning I feel sad, because it is the “last day”.  I wonder if we should do something special, like go to a park, or if it would be better to just have an ordinary day at home, the place we love best.

Tomorrow at this time, David will be gone away, experiencing something new.  He’s excited. We are happy for him, and yet I send him off trembling, with my heart praying to God continually, to protect him and watch over him.  It hurts sometimes, to let our children move on to a new stage. . . . .letting go just a little, but always holding on at the same time, as a mama’s heart always does.

It has been a busy weekend, preparing for our guests.  I enjoyed cleaning, and adding pretty touches here and there~lighted candles, flowers~freshly washed bedding~and making small repairs that had been put off too long.  Rich arrived home on Friday evening, earlier than I expected, and we had a nice day on Saturday, spending a quiet morning together and working for a few hours on last minute details, around the house.

I took this picture on Thursday, after I noticed small Caleb had fallen asleep while watching a Thomas video.  I thought he looked so peaceful.

Then, on Friday morning, I had to find my camera to take a picture of my little puppies, all piled up together on the couch.  Ethan is the one who is holding Caleb. . . .

It was late Friday afternoon when I got so sleepy, and curled up on the couch to rest.  I asked Grace to watch Caleb for me, on the porch.  After a while, I went outside to check on them, and found Grace giving Caleb a ride on a bike, and talking to him nonstop.  Caleb looked so precious with his baggy gray underpants, and dangling legs.  Grace was sweet, and I was proud of her for taking good care of her brother.  She’s strong, she pushed him around for a while!

Caleb, having a bath in mommy’s big tub, on Friday night. 

Grace Lillian, photos from Friday evening.  She had a new skirt on, which never fully made it into the pictures, I was so attracted by her eyes, and hair, and smile.

Our pretty, happy girl~

My parents came on Saturday morning.  We visited for a little while, and then Dad took the boys to the grocery store so they could return their soda cans (they’ve been collecting them from the sides of the road, taking long walks together).  Mom and I puttered around in the kitchen.  She cleaned out my baking cupboard, and lined the shelf with pretty scrapbooking paper.  We enjoyed the time together, and made a nice corn chowder for lunch, using fresh corn.  Rich grilled some hamburgers for the guys, while mom and I had fresh cucumber sandwiches with our soup.  The porch was so relaxing, we talked and enjoyed the breeze.

Mom and I went downtown after lunch, with Grace.  We visited two antique stores and I bought a wooden crate, a wooden truck with a lid for Jacob, and a flat wooden storage box with a lid for Ethan.  Ethan’s box was divided into compartments on the inside, and he had such fun finding things from outside to put in each one~ feathers, acorns, pinecones, berries.  And, he saved one compartment for C A N D Y.  

After the antique stores, we went into a little French bakery, where Mom and I split a pastry.  Then, we walked down the road to the ice cream stand.  Grace ordered an ice cream float, Mom and I each ordered a small strawberry sundae.  We walked to a small park and ate our ice creams while sitting on a bench, in the shade.

It was special, spending girl time together.  While we were gone from the house, Rich and my Dad took the boys to a driving range to hit golf balls.  When we got back, we found that they had already returned and were back in the rocking chairs again, talking on the porch.

My parents left at 4 and my friend Christie arrived shortly before 6.  We had such a nice time together, it was good to see her again, and her husband and four children.  The kids quickly ran off together and had all sorts of adventures outside.  Christie and I had a good time talking, sitting on the porch, and walking together in the evening. 

They left this morning around 9 or so, the visit was way too short, but very sweet. 

I met Christie when we lived in PA.  We only lived there, in a small townhouse apartment with three preschoolers, for about 8 months, but I was blessed to make a lifelong friend, in her.  God is good, to give us such friendships.

And so now, our busy weekend is over.  It’s Sunday and I’m thinking about rest.  Caleb has a cold, and David is tired out, so I am home from church with them.  I am tired, but it’s a contented tired, a time when, rather than tears, I have a smile on my face, and memories in my heart of a special, lovely weekend with family and dear friends.  I can’t tell you how happy I am, thinking about the fun times we had.  It’s been a perfect weekend.

It’s time for cuddling small boys on a blanket.  Maybe we will do some reading.  It’s time for this Mama to slow down, and have a lazy afternoon.

My God, I thank Thee, who hast made
The earth so bright,
So full of spendour and of joy,
Beauty and light;
So many glorious things are here,
Noble and right.

I thank Thee, too, that Thou hast made
Joy to abound,
So many gentle thoughts and deeds
Circling us round,
That in the darkest spot of earth
Some love is found.

I thank Thee more, that all our joy
Is touched with pain,
That shadows fall on brightest hours,
That thorns remain;
So that earth’s bliss may be our guide,
And not our chain.

For Thou, who knowest, Lord, how soon
Our week heart clings,
Hast given us joys, tender and true,
Yet all with wings,
So that we see, gleaming on high,
Diviner things.

I thank Thee, Lord, that Thou hast kept
The best in store:
We have enough, but not too much
To long for more–
A yearning for a deeper peace
Not known before.

I thank Thee, Lord, that here our souls,
Though amply blest,
Can never find, although they seek,
A perfect rest,
Nor ever shall, until they lean
On Jesus’ breast.

~Adelaide Anne Procter, 1825-64

I hope and pray that all of you dear ones have a blessed Lord’s day, full of sweet rest and peace.

As Caleb called out, while waving, when our friends left this morning, “Bye!  Come back again later!”

Love,  ~Shanda~

Lots of things going on around here, but all typical family moments. 

Rich left today to go to Atlanta, Georgia (for business) so I’ll be missing him.  He will be back, Lord willing, late tomorrow night. 

The children and I went for a walk today and found one more monarch caterpillar.  This brings the total to 10.  One caterpillar has turned into a chrysalis (it happened overnight) and today there is one beginning to spin it’s web to the top of the jar so he can hang down, too.  The rest are eating a lot.

Today Jacob, Ethan, and Grace went to my friend Carolines’s house (who has two children) for their first Art class of the school year.  Our families are paying a tudor to teach them once a week.  Caroline just called and said it went very very well.  I’m thrilled about this opportunity, my children all love Art and this will be one less thing for me to be responsible for.  While the older ones were busy with that, I took the younger ones to the library.

I ordered some homeschool materials today online. . .I ordered their math books and also a bunch of books that we needed,  from half.com.  I also threw away an entire garbage bag full of last years papers and stuff from our homeschool cupboard.  It looks nice and neat and empty again, waiting for the beginning of another year.   I plan on starting school next week, using David’s public school schedule to keep us all on track.

We have also been. . . . . . .

chasing butterflies

making peach jam

swinging on our tire swing

and, playing in mud

Oh yes, a bubble bath and clean clothes were a must after that episode!

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another quote to encourage us all;

“You demonstrate your love to your child less by presents, than by the mother’s language of love–by caressing words and looks.  Love, in order to appear visibly and undisturbed, should be embodied in nothing but the tender mimicry bestowed by nature itself.  A look, a tone of voice, expresses it immediately; but a gift only by the medium of translation.

“Parents, teach your children how to love, then you will not find it necessary to enforce any ten commandments.  Inculcate love, and your child will have a rich ever-gaining or acquiring life.  Teach how to love now, in this cold world, which is the January of time. . . . teach how to love.”

~Jean Paul Richter

The first thing I thought this morning when I woke up was, “Wow, is it cold!”

At night we have clear skies, full moon, chilly air.  The bright sun in the morning to heat the earth, all reminds me that fall is coming.

The colors outside are more intense.  Several of the children have slight colds.  A couple of trees are showing signs of putting on their fall colors. . . . .

Caleb woke up shivering and I had a contented-mama feeling as I pulled a warm sweatshirt out of his dresser and slipped it on over his head.  And he gives such appreciative big hugs and big kisses. 

The first thing he said to me this morning, “I need to go poo-poo’s”  . . .  made me smile.  ‘Cause I’m a mom.

I also smiled when he said, “I’m thirsty” ~ when I served him his juice, what noise he made!  All the slurps, sighs, smacks, and gulps, nonstop, to the end of the glass.  Then, “uh-oh” when he reached bottom and handed it back.

Also, “I need Thomas” he whispered.  “Go get him then”.  “You carry me.”  “No, I’m not carrying you upstairs, you go get Thomas yourself.”  “Daddy!  Daddy!  Daddy!  Daddy. . . put him on bookcase!!!”  Oh.  He couldn’t reach.  Okay then, up we go to his bedroom.  Smiles, delight.  We have Thomas.

~Just my morning, so far~

I’m wearing my thick warm robe with a pair of Rich’s socks on my feet.  My hot coffee is especially nice on this chilly morning.

The ponds are steaming like big bowls of hot soup, and the sun is bright.  It’s going to be a beautiful day.

(David is up now, bothering Caleb.  Caleb just called my way, in that certain sing-song tattle-tale way, “Mommy!  He’s making me mad!”)

David has such an interest in our new “family members”.  Yes, we have collected, so far, a total of seven monarch caterpillars.  The children found two here at home, and last night in the field by their music building, we found five more in various sizes.  I put them all in a glass jar and it sits on the table.  The jar sits and the children sit to observe.

Yesterday I went out and worked in my itty bitty veggie patch.  There are quite a few weeds and I didn’t even end up planting the whole patch, but my two itty bitty rows of beans actually produced more than I expected.  We munched them raw yesterday and I still have enough for tonight’s dinner.  I know this is laughable to some of you freezers and canners, but it’s something to me!  I think, maybe, my gardens will grow, as my children grow.  Because, then they can help.  Or take it over.  *smile*

Zinnias are so hardy, dependable, solid. . . . .lovable because they aren’t dainty and perishable. . .although those kinds of flowers are special, too. 

Today is Wednesday and I am trying to spread out my housecleaning through to the weekend for our expected houseguests.  My parents are coming on Saturday morning to spend half the day with us, and then my friend Christie is stopping by with her husband and four children, on their way home from Canada.  They plan to spend the night and leave Sunday morning.

The fun never stops!  Neither does the mess.  I content myself with small amounts of beauty in the home, mixed in with the toys, papers, clutter, piles of laundry, dirty kitchen floors, books, and seemingly endless work to do.

A bowl of apples, a few cinnamon sticks, and a candle, all sitting in an evergreen fiesta presentation bowl.  The bowl is sitting on a beige crocheted doily, with bright red trim.

There now, something pretty to look at.

Ethan just woke up and has sleepy eyes.  The first thing he said to me was, “Mom, one of the caterpillars is hanging upside down.”

Rich left for work with love, too, and I stood and waved him down the road.  “I wish you didn’t have to go” said my heart, as I waved with a smile.

All this to say, I love my life, I love my family. . . . .I want to glorify God as I serve them today.  The time spent, meals prepared, cleaning together, laughter shared, hugs, music, tears to dry, prayers offered, candles to light, nature to enjoy, all of it. . . . . . . .the small irritations of the day are nothing compared to these.

This following quote encouraged me this morning, encouraged me to be really sure I am looking into my children’s eyes as they talk to me and share their little stories, encouraged me to take the time to slow down and show them all that mama truly and sincerely cares for them:

“Before you can teach children, you must get the silver key of kindness to unlock their hearts and so secure their attention.  It is of no avail to attempt teaching those who do not love you.  So, try and make them love you, and then they will learn anything from you.”  ~Spurgeon

Love.  The most important ingredient in mothering, and every part of life.