Posted on September 1, 2008 by Shanda

“Find yourself a home, make it the seat of your affections, respect it, cultivate it, appreciate it. For in the spirit of home do you find all that is good and decent in life. Homes build communities, communities make nations, nations of home-loving people make civilization!” ~Sam Campbell, a Christian author of children’s nature and animal stories.

Rich and I, watching a movie with the kids Saturday night, after our company left. Grace snuggled up to us, then David came along, so I asked Jacob to take a quick picture.

Sunday morning, at the breakfast table. I’ve been lighting candles in the morning, when I wake up. They make the kitchen so cozy. . . .

After breakfast, Grace and I walked around the yard and ponds in our bare feet. The grass was chilly and wet with dew. Rich had just mowed the day before so we collected grass clippings on our feet as we walked.

What stood out to me that morning, was the sun shining on the dew, so prettily.

After church on Sunday, Rich and I bought things for a picnic and we took the children to a park by the river to eat.

Fage yogurt is the best I’ve ever tasted. It’s our favorite by far.

I read Ecclesiastes this morning, by the light of the candles on the kitchen table. I was up 45 minutes before the first child joined me. I started a new journal, to write in as the Spirit leads me through my Bible reading, to fill with verses and thoughts pertaining to motherhood and homemaking.

What about Ecclesiastes 3:1-8? (I just wrote down fragments, there is a lot more to the verses)

“A time to be born,
a time to plant,
to heal,
build up,
laugh,
dance,
embrace,
a time to keep,
a time to sew,
to keep silent,
to speak,
a time to love,
a time of peace.”

A mother and homemaker can do and teach all those things, to the glory of God.

I also tinkered with Ecc. 3:13, and 14a, making it more personal for me, “Every woman should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of her labor, it is the gift of God. Whatever God doeth, it shall last forever.”

The Lord establishes our homes, gives a woman to a man in marriage, and gives them children. The homelife is a beautiful gift, and when done to the glory of God, the rewards will last all through time. On earth, our children will be blessed, our children’s children will be blessed, and there is eternal value, as well.

I wrote down one more from Ecclesiates. In chapter 10 verse 18, it says, “By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idelness of hands the house droppeth through.”

How’s that for encouragement to work diligently! When we work hard in our homes, we CAN enjoy the good of our labor. We sure sleep better, too. (Happy Labor Day, by the way, LOL). . . . . .

I had to run quickly through this post, I wasn’t able to enjoy it like I normally do, because just as I sat down Rich came in and said, “Let’s take the children to the beach today.” As I type, my family is buzzing about, getting their things together. I’m looking forward to a day in the sun, watching the kids play, with Rich by my side. Maybe I’ll get some reading in, and journal writing.

I hope you all have a blessed day today with your loved ones. E
njoy it, as the gift of God that it is.

Love, ~Shanda~

thankful for my husband. . . . . .

Posted on August 30, 2008 by Shanda

Three cheers for Saturday! Wow, what a week it’s been, all good things ~ but still, tiring! I’m glad to have my husband home today, to say the least. I feel lighter, and happier, and brighter. It’s wonderful to have someone bigger than me around the house, someone who calls me beautiful and gives me bear hugs and makes me coffee. . . .It was also SO good to get away from the house for a bit this morning, driving around in the truck. . .all crammed in together with music playing and the kids talking to us.

We have company coming this evening and I am looking forward to a good time. I’m making myself simplify and not run around like a mad-woman, cleaning and cooking. Rich is grilling the meats, and our guests are bringing the side dishes. Rich and the children cleaned the house, and if it’s not done “perfectly” so much the better. . .this is a home that is lived in. What matters most is the sweet fellowship we can have, with our friends.

There will be a total of 14 children here, all under the age of 11. And, 8 adults. Thankfully, the sun is out and shining, because earlier it was drizzly. I want to see the children running around the yard, enjoying the ponds, and trampoline, and maybe exploring one, or more, of their forts in the woods.

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Rich and I do so love our little passengers . . . .handsome Jacob sat up front with us, talking my ear off about legos, and the rest of them were all sitting snuggly in the backseat. In about 5 or so months, these trips in the truck won’t be possible, because of our new little one.

Caleb, with his coloring

Grace singing while looking out the window, Ethan (wearing his new hat, is he cute or what? I keep humming Gilligan’s Island whenever I look at him) and Davy-do looking at a new book.

If only everyday could be a Saturday!

PS, I found these adorable shoes today and ordered them:

They’re my happy shoes!

Spurgeon quotes

Posted on August 29, 2008 by Shanda

I’ve been thinking about Jeremiah 31:3 a lot lately. “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.”

Everlasting love. . . .

I thought this morning I would look in Spurgeon’s Morning and Evening devotional book to see if he had anything to write about this verse, and he did, so I thought I would share. I’m hoping it will encourage you, as it has me.

“Ask those of the Lord’s people who have lived the nearest to the gates of heaven, and they will tell you that they have had seasons when the love of Christ towards them has been a fact so clear and sure, that they could no more doubt it than they could question their own existence.

Yes, beloved believer, you and I have had times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord, and then our faith has mounted to the topmost heights of assurance.

We have had confidence to lean our heads upon the bosom of our Lord, and we have no more questioned our Master’s affection to us than John did when in that blessed posture; nay, nor so much: for the dark question, ‘Lord, is it I that shall betray thee?’ has been put far from us.

He has kissed us with the kisses of His mouth, and killed our doubts by the closesness of His embrace.

His love has been sweeter than wine to our souls.” ~C.H. Spurgeon

If I know one thing for sure, it’s that God loves me, I am His and He is mine.

our day, so far

Posted on August 28, 2008 by Shanda

(Well, this first picture is from yesterday.)

David, arriving back home from his first day of school, (he is gone from 8 until 11:45, a nice half day.)

He did fine, absolutely fine. He really didn’t talk my ear off, I had to ask creative questions to get information out of him. A couple of things I found out: He was too shy to participate in gym class. He just sat and watched. And, he did not realize that school was every day. He said to me, as he ate lunch, “I want to go back there again sometime.” Soooooo, I was a little alarmed-like and told him, “David. You’ll be going to school every day, except Saturday, Sunday and holidays like Christmas.” “MOM!!!!” (which meant: “How dare they close school for those days? I want to go every day.”)

This morning, while we waited outside together in the cool morning air, for the bus, I talked to him about being shy. I told him that today his special class would be MUSIC and that he would probably be shy but I wanted him to still participate, and that he would like it. I told him I would pray for him about that. When he got home I asked him how it went and he said, “I did it, Mom, but I never got to be IT.”

My xanga pal Jenny suggested that I take some photos of the older children back to school, too. So, I did that today. Yesterday was a little rough for me, because I was drained, emotionally, from sending David to school. The day went well, but today was MUCH MUCH better. It is so nice and quiet here, with Davy-do busy at school. Caleb is easy to keep quietly busy, and the older three and I had such a nice morning of home-school, and I felt quite productive.

We began the day with a few hymns: “O Magnify the Lord With me” “A Mighty Fortress is our God” and “There is a Redeemer” (they each picked one). I play the piano while they sing. I sing when I can (I still have trouble, playing and singing at the same time).

Here are the pictures of the day:

Cursive writing practice, the top picture is Jacob.

Ethan, happily working at the “Jungle Desk”, upstairs.

Caleb did some coloring~he colors all the time.

We spend most of our time at the kitchen table, Jacob is looking up at the handwriting display paper, on the cupboard.

We spent quite a while with this next book. which I really like. I read aloud, and we learned all about celebrating the Sabbath. We will be celebrating it together as a family, next Saturday.

Grace, later on, reading about Dinosaurs~

Ethan and Jacob were still waiting for their Math books to come from A Beka, so in the meantime, Ethan did a “Math Window”. . . .

. . . .while Caleb and Mama mixed up cookies for Davy-do, who put in a special request.

“Don’t put your hand in there, or the mixer will break it up into pieces”

You should have seen him break the egg, the whole thing went in. Thankfully the shell was in two pieces so I could easily fish it out.

What’s he looking at? ***He was looking at his and David’s picture, in my cupboard:***

David came home just as we were finishing the cookie dough. So, everyone got a scoop of raw dough on a spoon (yes, I’m one of those sorts of mamas) and then we left, to go to eat lunch at McDonald’s.

That is where I got my headache. LOL

It is hard, to take the children to a play place. They are so loud, and make up games like, “Let’s try to stay away from Caleb” which means they run screaming if they see him. I took magazines so that I could relax after we ate, while they played, but I only got through half of one. It was C-R-A-Z-Y.

But, fun, I guess, for
them. Just look at Ethan’s face! He’s having FUN.

I was glad that we had the playplace to ourselves, it would have been even more chaotic if Others were involved.

They knocked heads, coming down the slide, this is real-life, folks! LOL

Oh my!!! they were loud, and so we left. We all had enough. After refilling our drinks (I only buy 2 and we share, it’s great for building up their immune system, just like the raw cookie dough consumption, LOL), we got into the van to take the older children to their Art class at our friend’s house.

I took a picture of the five Art students. They were wild-acting and crazy and as I left, I begged my friend to try to calm them all down. Life is just so exciting when you’re this age, you just MUST laugh, yell, and be silly, now and then. Also, I really don’t think McDonald’s playplace and bright orange drinks are the best things to do right before Art. What was I thinking?

When the little ones and I got home, we found the A Beka order on the porch. Won’t Jacob and Ethan be thrilled? (I already had Grace’s book). I also bought the boys each a penmanship book (Grace has one), and one 6th grade health textbook, to do all together.

So now, I only have about five more hours to get through, before my husband gets home. The only time I shed tears today, was when he told me on the phone that he had a function to go to after work. Another dinner without him. Ugh. We are both looking forward to the long weekend.

Ummm, let’s see. . .oh yes. Someone asked about the pregnancy. I am feeling fine, absolutely normal except for the extreme tiredness. I get sleepy in the afternoons and am usually sleeping by 9 or shortly after, every night.

I had a doctor’s appointment on Monday, which went well. I heard the baby’s heartbeat, and fell in love a little more (it’s so fun, to daydream about newborns). An ultrasound was scheduled, for September 24, which is The Day that I hope we can find out if the baby is a boy or girl. Grace has been doodling, “Lydia May” on scraps of paper. . . . . . .we shall see. . . . . .

I can wear some of my stretchy-type pants and skirts still, which is nice. I’ve gained about 10 pounds but I feel great. (**yawn** except, I’m tired)

The little boys are in bed, and have calmed down, so I’m off to go try to read for a little bit.

Hope all is well with you, friends.

~Shanda~

We see Davy-do off to school. . . . .

Posted on August 27, 2008 by Shanda

Now, it’s time to gather the older children around the table for the first day of home-school.

Western-Style Beef ‘n’ Beans

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Shanda

Not long ago, one of my friends asked me for this recipe. I thought I would post it here, in case anyone else would like to try it. When I make it for people, I always get asked for the recipe, which I clipped from a Taste of Home magazine years ago. (1999!!)

3 pounds ground beef
2 medium onions, chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
2 teaspoons beef bouillon granules
2/3 cup boiling water
2 cans (28 oz each) baked beans with molasses
1 1/2 cups ketchup
1/4 cup prepared mustard
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 pound bacon, cooked and crumbled

In a dutch oven over medium heat, cook beef, onions and celery until meat is no longer pink and vegetables are tender; drain. Dissolve bouillon in water; stir into beef mixture. Add the beans, ketchup, mustard, garlic, salt and pepper; mix well. Cover and bake at 375 for 60-70 minutes or until bubbly; stir. Top with bacon.

Yield: 12 servings

Like everything else, this will taste MUCH better, if served from a beautiful fiesta bowl.

Western-Style Beef 'n' Beans

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Shanda

Yield: 12 servings

Like everything else, this will taste MUCH better, if served from a beautiful fiesta bowl.

season of change

Posted on August 26, 2008 by Shanda

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.

rest on Sunday, weekend memories

Posted on August 24, 2008 by Shanda

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~

Posted on August 21, 2008 by 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