happy birthday, rich

Posted on March 31, 2014 by Shanda

I love you.

***

You and I have settled down in our relationship, into something that is steady and true. We know each other. I know that you will say and do things that shock me at times; like that time you bought a motorcycle without saying a word to me about it. I found it in the garage one day. And that other time when you traded in the Lexus for a truck. I still really miss that car, but I have to admit the truck is more “you”.

You have stayed in the insurance business for the last 16 years but you have never let go of your dreams….you’ve done it all in your dreams….police officer, football player, race car driver, evangelist, homesteader, farmer, truck driver, there is still so much to do.

I’ll never forget the time you came home from work looking a lot more dazed than usual. You were the first on the scene of a horrible accident and had to pull a trapped man from a burning vehicle; he had already been terribly burned. You stayed with him until help came. The man died but he died in a hospital bed and not in a burning vehicle, because of your bravery.

You cry during sad movies.

You love your children deeply, in ways I am just beginning to understand as I see the genuine heartache and tears at the thought of our oldest boy soon to leave the nest.

You are an excellent father.

You are disciplined and like to see things done right.

You respect the men in your family; grandfather, uncles, father, are so important to you. You try to make them proud and I know that they are so very proud of who you have become.

You love the Lord and are passionate about teaching and preaching the Bible. In the last few years I have seen you grow and develop in ways I never thought I would see; as a missionary in Jamaica, and as a helper at the teen camp this past fall. You teach Bible study and Sunday School. You preach sermons. I’ve never seen you work so hard as when you have a message to say about God. You study all night in order to prepare.

You are teaching Ethan to drive.

You stocked the pond with fish for our boys.

You are building a treehouse with them.

You have learned to fix your little daughters’ hair.

You love to run. (you are downstairs running on the treadmill as I type this, I can hear the pounding rhythm of your feet)

Another favorite memory is from when we were first married and you couldn’t get the coal fire started downstairs as fast as you’d like; so you poured gasoline on it. The boom from upstairs startled me in the kitchen, and the look on your face when you walked into the room! You looked like someone who had a narrow escape from death, and the hair on and around your face was all twisted up and burnt.

More recently was when you blew up the kids’ basketball so hard that as soon as you touched it it exploded and tore your fingernail right backwards. That was another loud sound from your direction.

You’ve gotten your fair share of speeding tickets.

It seems you do things in big ways; big family, big job, big dreams, big home projects……..I LOVE YOU……

I love how you sometimes kiss my feet because you love me so much.

You’re an honest lover.

You hang my pictures on the wall for me.

You are generous with your money and never complain about my shopping trips, and you send me away on adventures with joy. (oh, wait a sec’…LOL)

You are the one who has the heart to heart talks with our older children, because you have the wisdom and words necessary for the task.

You are worthy of my respect and love; and you have it, with all my heart.

We are one.

It was fun to have babies with you and watch you with them as they grew.

You make me laugh.

You are silent most of the time. You take forever to answer a simple question. Sometimes I say “SPEAK!!!” and then you let out a little “woof” just to make me laugh.

I have a carrot cake in the oven for you because that is what you requested.

You leave your hat on the top of the lamp in our room and it used to bother me; but now I just leave it. I have come to love the sight of it there.

You have twice as many pairs of shoes that I do; but you also wear them out faster. You have things to do and places to go and miles to run~

Thank you for letting me have cats and chickens.

Thank you for overlooking my own many faults.

Thank you for being a good man, not a perfect man, but a good one, with strong character and a hard work ethic.

Thank you for being a provider.

Thank you for keeping yourself in good shape.

Thank you for leading.

Thank you for being fun.

Thank you for marrying me.

Thank you for never keeping your hands to yourself and making me laugh.

Thank you for telling me I am beautiful.

Thank you for who you are.

Happy Birthday, husband.

Day 3

Posted on March 27, 2014 by Shanda

After a gorgeous sunrise this morning on Jekyll, we headed out the door and drove to sunny (but chilly) Florida!

We had cups of icy cold orange juice at the welcome center.

Dad and Mom held hands…they didn’t know I was taking this picture from the back seat (I was reading my book).

After arriving in St. Augustine, FL, we had a delicious breakfast. Mom and I had sweet potato waffles with bananas, pecans, and caramel syrup.

Everything around me was so beautiful, and the city was bustling today.

We rode on the trolley tour, and got off for a while to do some walking and shopping.

We enjoyed (part of) a free organ recital at one of the big churches.

(we didn’t stay for the whole thing)

We went on a history tour, which was very interesting. This young lady did a very good job at explaining historical facts of Florida and St. Augustine.

I bought a few little things at this lovely shop. Owl earrings!

We enjoyed the stained glass windows in this old church.

Mom and I toured some very old houses, and of course I took a lot of photos here.

I loved every part of prowling around the old grounds and houses.

Isn’t this old ceiling light gorgeous?

This is some kind of old handiwork. I would love to know more about this craft! Dawn, you could bring it back!

Mama

I love this picture, with the big plant, RED windows, brick, and green chair

pink building, roses

blue wall, yellow, old sofa, painting

“The Oldest House”

Palm tree like fireworks.

After a delicious dinner, we drove back to the island and arrived at about 9-something tonight. Going to read my book now and get some sleep.

News from back home: my son Ethan got his drivers permit!

Thankful for another day. ~

{this moment}

Posted on March 7, 2014 by Shanda

A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week.
A simple, special, extraordinary moment.
A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
inspired by soulemama

with my baby

sisters at the spa

Image

“Sisters function as safety nets in a chaotic world simply by being there for each other.” Carol Saline

“And I felt closer to you. Because you knew me so much better than I’d realized – and still loved me.” Rosamund Lupton

***

Amanda has had a challenging winter season this year. She and her husband have three children and all five of them have been getting sick on and off, together and/or separately for months. They just got over the latest stomach bug and Amanda was feeling very anxious from the stress of it all. She decided to go to the spa but she didn’t want to go alone. Who did she call? Her awesome sister, of course, and her awesome sister said “yes” right away.

We are all pretty awesome so don’t you think it’s time to take a trip to the nearest spa for some TLC?

When you get there, they will give you a cozy robe and some rubber slippers. They will give you a locker, and you can immediately change into your bathing suit and put on your robe. Then, you will sit in a relaxation room and sip water or juice while you wait for your name to be called. When your name is called, you take a quick trip to the bathroom and then follow your lady to the salt treatment room. It’s dark and peaceful in there. You take off your suit and slide between warm towels and the lady rubs your skin with delicious salts. A ceiling shower is moved over you and all the salt is rinsed away under a drenching shower while you think, “I could stay under here for hours……..” You are gently dried and left to rest and then put your robe back on. It feels so good to be pampered and cared for.

Next, you are taken to another dimly lit room, for a one hour massage. And even if you think that a massage is just not your thing, you will enjoy it. The tension is worked out of every muscle as the pretty music plays softly and a waterfall trickles nearby. The lady won’t talk to you, except to give simple instructions. You don’t have to talk, you don’t even have to open your eyes. Most of the time they are covered with a warm towel, anyway. You turn your mind off and rest and breathe.

When the massage is over, you are warm and feel as if every limb is heavy. You look as relaxed as if you just woke up from a 10 hour deep sleep. Your skin is completely moisturized. You forget that your family was sick this winter and that you spent way too much time cleaning up those messes while trying to be a most excellent mama, and wife, and also work full time for the Eye Doctor.

You feel like yourself again.

You have time to eat lunch and read by the pool while you wait for your pedicure. You have fast conversations with your sister in whispers. You close your eyes for a little cat nap.

You go in the whirlpool, and the steam room. You take a hot shower (with multiple heads) and dry off with a warm towel. Oh, it’s bliss.

After your pedicure, you sit and wait for the toes to dry.

While admiring the sunset.

You are relaxed for the first time in a while, and are ready to face your responsibilities again.

Isn’t a day at the spa worth a little time and money?

We think so!

my dear friend’s new baby

Posted on February 17, 2014 by Shanda

When Joanna came to visit me this summer she didn’t tell me that she was having a baby! She had just found out and it was still secret. I love looking back on those photos from the visit, knowing now that a new little someone was growing and planning on making an appearance eight months later, just hours before “Aunt Shanda’s” birthday!

It’s hard to be over four hours away because I would be there in a heartbeat to hold him, little Josiah, a most darling and precious gift from God. He was born last Tuesday. Look at him! I asked Jo if I could share her pictures from Facebook on my blog and she generously agreed. 🙂

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

Please please pray for my friend. Her entire family currently has the flu, so she’s dealing with that while caring for this brand new little life.

38 candles

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Shanda

I had a birthday yesterday and for the first time probably EVER I wasn’t all worked up about it. I usually get so excited and expectant and I know there were times when I was a teenager or a young adult when I came crashing down with tears when my loved ones didn’t care about my birthday as much as I thought they would, (SO selfish, *sigh*).

I knew for a fact that I would be busy half the day because CBS is on Wednesdays and after missing three weeks I had absolutely no choice in the matter, I had to be there. So I told Rich from the get-go that he didn’t need to make any plans. We could do something on Valentine’s day for a special treat.

BUT MY HUSBAND, this is so touching to me, had it in his head to spoil me the whole day long, beginning with breakfast in bed. Wednesday mornings are typically very hectic for me, getting five kids out the door and then getting Seth and Sarah ready to go to Bible Study. Yesterday my darling did everything and I left at 8 feeling calm and prepared (what a difference!).

He gave me a bouquet of small roses and I took them with me in a white fiesta vase!

Birthdays are a great day to pray “thank you” to God all day long and that is just what I did. As I was with the ladies (“my” ladies) for four hours yesterday I was thanking God for them and the blessing of meeting so many beautiful women (Debbie W.!) who are family to me because we share the same born-again experience, in Christ. We had our studies, then a special brunch, and a wonderful message from Annie. Then, leadership met afterwards for more fellowship and study, laughter, joy in simply being together.

I left with a full-heart but actually needing a nap and arrived back home to HIM, who was ready to whisk us back out the door for birthday spoiling. We picked up our little boys at school and headed downtown to my favorite little shop, where my Alaskan friend Hannah had arranged to have a gift ready for me to pick up.

Thank you, Hannah, for being so thoughtful and fun. Your gift was a highlight of the day. I adore the locket and the journal. love you.

coffeeshop

I had a bagel with cream cheese and sliced tomato.

The boys had soda. Sarah had an apple juice.

Not much elbow room but I love snuggling in the corners with my family.

Face of love. Face that I love. This man is attractive, generous, tender, kind, strong, and means the world to me.

The chess game developed into bickering, teasing, loud laughing, until I cautioned, “My birthday’s getting worse and worse!” I regret those words and wish I could take them back because I broke Caleb’s heart. He stopped playing, looked at me, and began to cry in sorrow. I held him in my arms and kissed him and told him I was so sorry……. and, because I knew it would cheer him up…..I told Rich the next stop was Barnes and Nobles bookstore. Off we went, where Caleb poured over books (he is an amazing reader for 8 years old) and came away with four new ones. 🙂

I also ran into Marshalls to buy hair products because my winter hair is driving me CRAZY.

My birthday gifts from the bookstore. My mom has the same cookbook (another highlight of the day was talking to her and Dad on the phone, as they called to wish me a Happy Birthday) xo

When we left the bookstore, we drove straight to the High School for Grace, Jacob, and Ethan. Grace showed me this picture of herself on the wall, she is part of the “Singin in the Rain” production this spring and this is one of her costumes. I think she’s beautiful. And happy.

Jacob and Ethan had a wrestling meet.

I think it’s so cute to see the guys all dive into the middle of the mat after warm ups.

Ethan won his, and Jacob lost his. It was fun to be there as a family cheering them on. I got to chat with my friend Nicole, too. She crochets. 🙂

My cake! I can’t get over that it says “MOM” on it, this is a first for me. I LOVE IT. Rich took David and Caleb with him on Tuesday night and the three of them carefully ordered my cake. It was carrot, with cream cheese frosting and probably weighed four pounds.

The kids ate the entire pizza we brought home while Rich inserted my “80 candles” (so he said) into my cake.

I had cake and ice cream for supper!

same smile

a happy birthday

38 candles

I closed my eyes to listen to my beloved family sing.

I look like I have fangs.

taking a deep breath

the smoke gets worse each year

With the love of my life.

VIDEO:

****

This morning it is snowing and and the children have a snow day. Because I had 2 pieces of cake for dinner last night, I have resolved to eat only fruits and vegetables today. I had 2 apples for breakfast with my coffee. We are watching Aristocats on TV, which is Sarah Joy’s new favorite movie. We have watched it four times this week. With all the excitement yesterday, I hope to be more still today, and perhaps even pick up my knitting!

Blessings and much love to all my friends who pass by here today.

“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28

“The beloved of the Lord will dwell in safety by him. He covers him all day long. He dwells between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12

keeping busy (life of a little boy)

Posted on February 11, 2014 by Shanda

He has places to go and things to do.

***

I would like to take a few minutes to tell some Seth stories. Seth is five years old and as smart as a whip. Unfortunately, his brilliance is not tempered with common sense quite yet, so we have adventures with him on a regular basis. Over the last week, I have had several close calls with him that I want to record.

Tale Number One: Sock Monkey

Last week, I was upstairs giving Sarah a bath and Seth was playing like an angel downstairs (or, so I thought). As Sarah was playing in the water, I came to the realization that I had heard the downstairs bathroom flush. It flushed, and flushed again. After about five or six consecutive flushes I ran down to see what the matter was. I found Seth in there, intent on flushing – with the water in the sink running, too. I looked down into the toilet and realized that he was trying to flush down a stuffed animal.

“Seth! What are you doing?”

“It’s my sock monkey. I don’t like it anymore so I want it to go to the ocean, and drown.” he explained.

“Whaaaaaa? What do you mean you don’t like your sock monkey?” I was astounded. He doesn’t normally flush the things he doesn’t like down the toilet. I turned the water off in the sink but I wasn’t about to put my hand in the toilet.

“Seth, you put it in there, you reach your hand in and get it out!” I demanded.

“Whaaaaaaa?” He complained.

“The water is clean enough, go ahead, pull it out!”

He reached his hand down into the water and pulled out…….just an arm! I quickly realized that the arm was charred!

I screamed. “Seth! Did you burn your monkey? You DID! You tried to BURN YOUR MONKEY!”

As I was exclaiming, he reached down and pulled out the rest of it. I screamed again. His monkey was all burned up and he had tried to flush it down the toilet so I would never know. Apparently he had gotten it in the fire (we don’t know why, I don’t know why, and Seth doesn’t know why either) and when it was in flames, he carried it to the bathroom with the fireplace tongs and threw it in the toilet. We had a talk about fire safety but I could tell that he really wasn’t that bothered by the experience. He was mostly upset because I was upset with him, not because he could have burned himself or the house down.

To make things even more interesting, the entire time I was dealing with him, Sarah was up in the tub calling, “MOM!!! I’M READY TO GET OUT!” over and over………..

*****

Tale Number Two: The non-Emergency Call

This morning I came out of my room and heard Seth upstairs in his bed talking away, having a good old conversation. “Who in the world is Seth talking to?” I asked Sarah. “He has Caleb’s phone.” she answered. Okay. I walked on into the kitchen, believing that he was just having a pretend conversation. Rich had thrilled Caleb’s heart by giving him his old disconnected but still working blackberry. Caleb could play the ringtones and push the buttons. I think he could even play a little game on it.

After a minute or so, Seth came down and said, “Here, he wants to talk to you.”

“Whaaaaaa?” I was thinking.

Guess what? When a blackberry is disconnected you can STILL CALL 911! Yep, all that time Seth was upstairs having an animated heart to heart with an emergency phone service worker. The man asked Seth if he could help him and Seth said “no”. (He didn’t need help, he just needed someone to talk to.) He asked Seth if there was an emergency. “No”. Seth replied. They hung up. Seth wasn’t done, so he called him back. He wanted to tell the nice man (Seth knew he was nice, after all-he had *offered to help*) that he got a new calendar and that he had a birthday and mom’s birthday was tomorrow. He wanted to tell the man some stories. He wanted to know if he could go to his house sometime. At this point, the man asked if he could speak to a grown up.

“Yes, we received several phone calls from this number. I guess your son got a hold of your phone. It’s good that he gave it back to you so we knew there wasn’t an emergency.”

I got off the phone and marched it back to my husband. It’s not going to be a toy anymore.

Seth getting into cookies.

Seth’s self photography

Me and Seth (truly, for all his mischief, he’s the apple of my eye)

If the mother doesn’t keep the little boy busy, he will find something to do.

{this moment}

Posted on February 7, 2014 by Shanda

A Friday ritual. A single photo capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. (inspired by soulemama)

***

Have you heard the quote, “From small beginnings come great things”?

I hope that applies to my knitting. This is my small beginning.

seth’s fifth birthday

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Shanda

Groundhog’s day?

Super bowl Sunday?

Seth’s BIRTHDAY!!!!!

What a fun day we are having. Rich took David and Caleb to their first wrestling tournament and I took the other children to church. We got home a little while ago and Mike is here. We have Despicable Me 2 going on the TV and Sarah is taking her nap. Oh was she a handful in church. She was on one side of me and Seth was on the other. I didn’t know she had a communion cup completely IN her mouth until the nice young lady behind us leaned over to take it out. Sarah was highly offended. Seth was on my lap, then Sarah, then Seth….they were hungry, they were thirsty, she was crying, he was feeling my leg (the nylons are SO fascinating), they needed mints, he kicked her, she cried again, etc. The song leader stood up after the sermon and said something like “Don’t you just wish this service could go on and on….” and I was like “NO PLEASE NO!” LOL

It was good to be there and I’m truly glad we went. We did Burger King drive through after church was over and saw a bunch of ducks in the parking lot. Grace took pictures of them through the window.

Most importantly, today is Seth’s birthday. He is five now.

He said he loved the wrapping paper. He had his gifts opened up in approximately 20 seconds flat.

Seth the stealthy ninja

before church

The eyes to melt a mama’s heart.

It’s easy to hold up five fingers.

He had barbecue sauce with his chicken nuggets.

Seth’s friend Naomi gave him a cool gift at church today.

Seth with two of his four brothers. I can’t stand it.

Happy Birthday to the little charmer who keeps me on my toes and lights up my life.

like father, like daughter (and I hardly ever, ever make molasses cookies)

Posted on January 30, 2014 by Shanda

Last night Mom called me to remind me that American Idol was coming on in five minutes. We used those five minutes to fill each other in on our respective days. She told me that she had bread almost done, had put together a lasagna, and was about to make cookies. My mom is very industrious (she does all her baking when she gets home from work.)

“What kind of cookies are you making?” I asked.

“Molasses,” she replied.

“WHAAAAAT?” I cried, “I made molasses cookies today, too!”

She laughed. “Dad asked me to make them. He wanted them.”

It was such a fun little highlight of my day. For sure, girlfriends, me and my Dad have a connection. (You might say we’re kindred spirits.)

I ate a cookie while I wrote this and I bet he’ll be eating one when he reads it. I love you, Dad!