“still it feels brand-new”

Posted on June 9, 2007 by Shanda

I don’t have enough pictures on my blog of my husband. Our relationship is so special and I am so very thankful for him. He’s a godly man, loving husband, and a wonderful Dad to our 5 children. He is #1 in my life (after my relationship with God, of course)

Here are some pictures that were taken today (after the rain stopped):

I love my husband!

As I look at these pictures, I am remembering a song that I heard 11 years ago, when Rich and I were first married. I don’t have the recording anymore and haven’t heard it in about 9-ish years, but the words remain in my heart as “our song”. It is a soft, gently sung song, by Clint Black, he wrote it for his wife, and he played only the guitar as he performed it. I love the words (I just looked them up on the internet and copied and pasted them here):

“It’s Something That We Do”–song lyrics

I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
I still believe the words we said
Forever will ring true
Love is certain, love is kind
Love is yours and love is mine
But it isn’t something that we find
It’s something that we do
It’s holding tight, lettin’ go
It’s flying high and laying low
Let your strongest feelings show
And your weakness, too
It’s a little and a lot to ask
An endless and a welcome task
Love isn’t something that we have
It’s something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can’t tell where I end and where you start
It gives me heart remembering how
We started with a simple vow
There’s so much to look back on now
Still it feels brand-new
We’re on a road that has no end
And each day we begin again
Love’s not just something that we’re in
It’s something that we do
We help to make each other all that we can be
Though we can find our strength and inspiration independently
The way we work together is what sets our love apart
So closely that you can’t tell where I end and where you start
Love is wide, love is long
Love is deep and love is strong
Love is why I love this song
And I hope you love it too
I remember well the day we wed
I can see that picture in my head
Love isn’t just those words we said
It’s something that we do
There’s no request too big or small
We give ourselves, we give our all
Love isn’t someplace that we fall
It’s something that we do

Ethan took the photos of us (the little guy with the hole in his pants and dirty bare feet!) and Jake took the last one. I love my family so much. . . . .

Posted on June 7, 2007 by Shanda

Bees

& Knees

Our lawn is covered (and I mean covered) with clover. When you’re outside you can hear the “buzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz” of hundreds of bees. It was fun to trying to get photos of them, harder than you might think, and just challenging enough to keep me going for a while. It would have been funny to have meanderings or broncomom get a snapshot of me crawling around on the yard with my face down in my camera, pursuing bees! Or, come to think of it, perhaps that is one picture better left to the imagination?

I’m thinking Clover Hill would be a good name for my place, what about you?

prayer

Posted on June 5, 2007 by Shanda

Hello Xanga friends! Not much new here–David is over the stomach-bug and everyone else is still healthy (other than some sniffles). We had a day of rain yesterday but this morning looks lovely and the sun is shining. My only complaint is my back is hurting me, I ask for prayer that it would get better. I hurt it months ago but I am beginning to realize with all the lifting, twisting, carrying that I do it probably doesn’t have a chance to heal. I’ll be taking some pain-killers this morning and am somewhat discouraged about it. Thankfully, I have a God who cares and gives me what I need.

PRAYER

We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties. ~Oswald Chambers

When you pray, rather let your heart be without words than your words without heart. ~John Bunyan

When thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.

Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

After this manner therefore pray ye:

Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

(from Matthew 6)

“Any concern too small to be turned into a prayer is too small to be made into a burden.” ~Corrie ten Boom

Casting all your care on HIM: for HE CARETH FOR YOU. 1 Peter 5:7

Learn Christ

Posted on June 4, 2007 by Shanda

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

When I copied this verse into my journal a few months ago, I was struck by the phrase “learn of me”. It struck me that if we have an opportunity to disciple a brand-new baby Christian, the first thing we need to do is direct that person toward a long and satisfying study of Christ. When I was discipled, I was immediately put to work writing papers on “tithing”, “divorce”, and other topics. Topical studies are fun and beneficial, but I believe that we need to put aside the list of “issues” and first study Christ, the Lover of our souls. As we learn of Him, we learn His ways.

This verse can be applied in so many ways. Not only to discipleship, but to our own personal our daily walk.

What do you think?

Happy Birthday Nate

Posted on June 2, 2007 by Shanda

“To the outside world we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other’s hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs and joys. We live outside the touch of time.” ~Clara Ortega

Today I wanted to write a little something for my younger brother

Nathan

because today is his BIRTHDAY.

Nathan was a great athlete in H.S. and played sports all through school. When he graduated, his art teacher wrote this poem for him and added it to a big collage that he made to honor the seniors. When I read it, I think of Nathan, my little spitfire brother who was NEVER STILL. Oh the things that boy has broken through the years! (remember the ceiling fan, Nate?!?) This poem also refers to Nathan’s favorite football team, the RAMS, who were winning so many games at that time. . . .I can imagine Nathan probably went to school talking about those games to anyone who would listen. . . . . .

The years march on
and with them fall the reasons
why we marvelled at the day,
the feats, the game, the season.

(nate and his wife, melissa)

Accomplishment was theirs, not ours;
yet, the best they could do
could not hold a candle to or
touch the likes of you.

(my brothers and my sons: Jacob, David, Nathan, Caleb, Isaac, David, and Ethan–a whole lot of Bible boy names!)

(rich, me, melissa, nate)

As they were light upon the screen
you were live at hawking guard;
as charged as any I have seen,
you ruled the pace, you ran them hard.

(nathan with his baby girl)

Kurt will gray and so will you
he’ll end up in the hall
But I for one will not forget
when Bales stole the ball.

Nathan was a young boy when I got married so when I think of my memories of him, it transports me back to my childhood days. Now I am jolted back to the present and realizing that Nathan is a married man now, and a father! My wish for Nathan on his birthday is for him to know that his big sister loves him very much and that I hope and pray that he continues to live his life to honor and glorify God with everything that he does. It makes me so happy to see you with your home and family, Nate, and I want you to know that I am proud of you and am here for you always. Family forever!

Posted on May 31, 2007 by Shanda

Thanks for the feedback yesterday! It was one of those time when I clicked “submit” and then “chewed my nails” with insecurity the rest of the day. I loved all the encouragement I received and it make me all the more determined to bathe motherhood in prayer–for all mothers! Because of Christ, we can raise godly kids! We can!

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Beatitudes

I am ashamed to say that I usually think of the beatitudes as a “list of how I should act” when I read them in Matthew 5:3-11. I would read it and think, “okay, I am pretty much failing all these things, I have to try harder.”

I had an “aha” moment (which is what I call those moments when the Holy Spirit shows me something fresh and new about my life as a Christian) recently when I read this quote:

“A true Christian must exemplify the Beatitudes, because you do not get grapes from thorns or figs from thistles. A good tree must bring forth good fruit; it cannot help itself, it is bound to. A man who has the divine nature within himself must produce (through Christ alone!) this good fruit.” D. Martin Lloyd -Jones

In other words, as a Christian, I am already living a “beatitude” kind of life and those promises are for me! Not by my own power, but because of Christ in me! A Christian cannot help but be different!

“Blessed are the the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”

“Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.”

“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.”

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”

“Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.”

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”

“Ye are the salt of the earth.”

“Ye are the light of the world.”

There is something different about you. . . . . .

recharge the batteries

Posted on May 30, 2007 by Shanda

“LONG LASTING, POWERFUL, DEPENDABLE – TRUSTED EVERYWHERE” (duracell battery advertisement slogan)

Yesterday was busy. I tried to sit down a few times but then something would happen. I set my Bible and devotional book down outside on the porch and never got back to it all day!

I went for a walk in the evening with the older kids and Ethan took this picture of me and Jacob.

After the kids were in bed I sat at the computer and looked at the picture and thought about him. I want so bad to be a godly mother. I fail so often, I get grouchy and start to talk with that “certain tone”. I neglect their souls. Last night I decided that I needed to “start over” again, which is so natural for us humans! We drift away from our first love, our first calling! (which is why we need God to renew us through His Word each day)

I need to wake up! I don’t want to drift along in this life. I don’t need the latest child-rearing tip, I just need to think and be aware of opportunity. I don’t want to miss the chance to teach a life lesson, to grow their character, to sing, to work, to play, to laugh! And pray, really pray, a lot!

As a Christian, my heavenly Father gives me all the energy and strength that I need to succeed in each task that He gives me! I need to take myself to Him each day to RECHARGE!

“. . .the inward man is renewed day by day.” 11 Corinthians 4:16c

A MOTHER’S PRAYER

Dear Lord, it’s such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life’s been anything but calm
Since You called me to be a mom–
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with wooden blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week’s mail to read–
So where’s the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your grace,
I see then, in my small one’s face,
That you have blessed me all the while —
And I stoop to kiss that
precious smile.

Author unknown

things i love to do

Posted on May 27, 2007 by Shanda

I think the last time I took a 2 hour nap was when I was pregnant for Jacob (my firstborn). I slept today and it was bliss, BLISS I SAY, I got up at 4 feeling more relaxed that I have in a long time. It felt so good.

I have to smile when I think about some of the comments I get here about making sure I am spending time for myself. I need to hear that now and then.

Does my nap count?

Does swinging in my hammock and petting my cat count?

How about watching the kids swim and have fun? (David swims with nothing on but a life-jacket, all his idea, and it makes me laugh).

Does watching my hummingbirds count? (I love the hooks I found to hang the feeders)

Does drinking coffee count?

How about spending time with my husband?

And what about gardening and making my house pretty? (I do so love to be outside!)

I’ve been reading books and magazines and writing letters this weekend, all for my own pleasure!

We also had a picnic!

I was tagged by someone here to give random facts about myself:

I love to read, I love to clean and organize my house (but it is not clean or organized because of the children), I refuse to dye my hair and am secretly proud/scared of my gray hairs, I hate changes, I love to sing and sang in a trio this morning in church, I am a loyal (you’ll never get rid of me) friend, I am sentimental, I have lots of scrapbooks and journals, I love to encourage others, I am a quiet person. My favorite room in the house is my bedroom, then my kitchen. I eat raw cookie dough, I like to laugh, I love to read my Bible (my fav. book is Ecclesiastes) and get close to God. I love old things; people, friends, cast iron pans, books, hymns, ideas, values, recipes, stories, chairs (especially the peeling painted ones). My favorite magazine is Country Living. I love handmade things. I like thoughtful gifts (this weekend one of my friends gave me a book of Mother Goose rhymes illustrated with the old, vintage illustrations). I like cats better than dogs. I love gymnastics. I would love more babies but “we’ll see”. I try to keep my heart young and happy in the midst of the responsibilities of motherhood and adulthood. I love stickers and stationary. I love wind chimes but not hanging from the porch–I like to hear them in the distance so I hang them in trees away from the house. I like painted toenails in the summertime. I have a weakness for wooden crates (you can see them as planters in my garden pictures). I don’t like walking through fields of tall grass (fear of bees, snake
s, and other creatures). I am a morning person and at night I always read before I turn out the light.

You said random and you got random!

And now is the time of day when the sun is sinking and the greenness of the outdoors is positively GLOWING so I must go and walk in it.

I wish you could join me!

Posted on May 25, 2007 by Shanda

Day at the Beach

Summer breezes

Sea Spray

my favorite Seashore Memories

Walks on the Beach

Collecting Sea Shells

Kathy and I took our kids to the CT shore yesterday
for an afternoon of sun and sand. We had a
total of 9 kids all together; they all did very
well and had a lot of fun together. It was a gorgeous
day and I was happy to make more memories for the children.

As you can see, the little boys got all tired out!

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This is one of my favorite quotes, and the reason why
I think it’s important to do special, out-of-the-ordinary things
with the kids now and then:

“If we make our children happy now, we will make them
happy twenty years hence by their memory of it. Thus
for all their lives do we link ourselves to
those we love.” ~ Maggie B. Stewart

a song for you

Posted on May 24, 2007 by Shanda

When I looked at Grace this morning, still in her nightgown, I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Of course every mother thinks that their own child is the “sweetest and the best” (to borrow an expression from an “Anne” book) and I am no exception. I made her go out on the porch with me where the light was better and I took these pictures of her. I love her hair, her brown eyes, and the way she wrinkles her nose when she smiles.

I found the song lyrics on a Disney website. Even though I can’t remember how the tune goes, I still thought the words were fitting for this group of pictures of darling daughter Grace. Enjoy!

“With a Smile and a Song”
from “Snow White”