The name of this color that I am typing with is called “SPRING”. . . .

Rich thinks I am wonder woman because I got the garage and yard work under control.  It was such a mess out there.  Not only that, but my house is still pretty clean.  I’m not bragging, am I?  Really, you all know me well enough to know I wouldn’t brag!  I’m just so happy. 

Here is my secret.  In order to get everything accomplished in one day YOU MUST KEEP WORKING ALL DAY LONG!  Doesn’t that sound like fun?  But, as we all want to teach our children, there is NOTHING wrong with a good, hard, day’s work! 

I do take a break now and then—I sometimes sit and watch TLC’s “What Not to Wear”.  I do sit and read to David or sit and watch him play.  Other than that, I am constantly busy.  But not in a frantic way (except toward the end of the day when I have all 5 fluttering about me, wanting the dinner that I don’t have done yet, and I’m tired at this point and wanting my husband home but he’s still an hour away, but that’s another story). 

The yard work was done utilizing the strength of my children.  For two days this week we’ve come home from school and raked leaves.  I even went to the hardware store and bought 3 more rakes and 15 leaf bags.  The kids raked and they picked up sticks.  I bought some rugged rubbermaid storage containers for toys in the garage.  And so help me, the toys better stay picked up!  I decided that things can be left out all day long as they play, but before we come in for the night the yard has to be cleaned up and things put away in their proper places.  For those of you that live in Windsor Locks (just me, ha ha ha), the leaves will be picked up on April 11.

And, can you believe it?  I’ve been awake since 4.  Yes, that’s right.  4:00 am.  Caleb woke up and I couldn’t go back to sleep after I nursed him in our bed.  He is all stuffed up and coughs and he was not very relaxing to sleep with.  So I got up at 5:30 and wrapped myself up in a quilt and went outside with my Bible.  I read some of Proverbs and listened to the bird singing.  And the traffic speeding.  And the planes ROARING over me.  And, I dreamed about living in the country again. 

Guess what else?  Today is Rich’s birthday and he has the day off.  There is so much I want to get done but today is his day and he gets to arrange the day.  I just hope I can (maybe) take a . . . . NAP. 

Adventures at Home!

The name of this color that I am typing with is called “SPRING”. . . .

Rich thinks I am wonder woman because I got the garage and yard work under control.  It was such a mess out there.  Not only that, but my house is still pretty clean.  I’m not bragging, am I?  Really, you all know me well enough to know I wouldn’t brag!  I’m just so happy. 

Here is my secret.  In order to get everything accomplished in one day YOU MUST KEEP WORKING ALL DAY LONG!  Doesn’t that sound like fun?  But, as we all want to teach our children, there is NOTHING wrong with a good, hard, day’s work! 

I do take a break now and then—I sometimes sit and watch TLC’s “What Not to Wear”.  I do sit and read to David or sit and watch him play.  Other than that, I am constantly busy.  But not in a frantic way (except toward the end of the day when I have all 5 fluttering about me, wanting the dinner that I don’t have done yet, and I’m tired at this point and wanting my husband home but he’s still an hour away, but that’s another story). 

The yard work was done utilizing the strength of my children.  For two days this week we’ve come home from school and raked leaves.  I even went to the hardware store and bought 3 more rakes and 15 leaf bags.  The kids raked and they picked up sticks.  I bought some rugged rubbermaid storage containers for toys in the garage.  And so help me, the toys better stay picked up!  I decided that things can be left out all day long as they play, but before we come in for the night the yard has to be cleaned up and things put away in their proper places.  For those of you that live in Windsor Locks (just me, ha ha ha), the leaves will be picked up on April 11.

And, can you believe it?  I’ve been awake since 4.  Yes, that’s right.  4:00 am.  Caleb woke up and I couldn’t go back to sleep after I nursed him in our bed.  He is all stuffed up and coughs and he was not very relaxing to sleep with.  So I got up at 5:30 and wrapped myself up in a quilt and went outside with my Bible.  I read some of Proverbs and listened to the bird singing.  And the traffic speeding.  And the planes ROARING over me.  And, I dreamed about living in the country again. 

Guess what else?  Today is Rich’s birthday and he has the day off.  There is so much I want to get done but today is his day and he gets to arrange the day.  I just hope I can (maybe) take a . . . . NAP. 

Adventures at Home!

“I could not pour the ointment on His blessed feet, as Mary did-
but I gave Him my boy.”—Mr. J.O. Fraser’s mother
wrote this of her son’s call to the mission field.

Give of your sons to bear the gospel message glorious;
Give of your wealth to speed them their way;
Pour out your soul for them in prayer victorious;
And all you spend, the Saviour will repay.
From the hymn “O Zion Haste”,  words by Mary Ann Thomson

I’m busy today. . . . I just got done playing “memory” with David for the first time.  It was really funny.  Needless to say, we didn’t finish the game.  He gave up.  I gave up.

I’ve been trying to keep my house clean.  Should I say, VERY clean?  So far it’s been going well and it helps me feel less stressed.  I’ve been keeping up w/the laundry, too.  I figured out (again!) that I just have to keep going w/it until it’s done.  It’s a nice feeling to actually have clean clothes in the dressers and closets and not have to go to the basement to paw through baskets of clean clothes! 

Caleb is growing and changing.  He is always on his feet now.  He hasn’t cut any teeth yet.  He is wearing size 12mo.  He’s such a joy to me.  Even though he did wake up last night at 12, soaked through all his clothes and screaming loudly.

David is completely potty trained, we went out yesterday and he picked out his new underwear.  A package of Thomas and a package of NASCAR.

Jacob is busy w/school, he has a book report due tomorrow.  My mom commented to me last weekend that he was “half-grown” and I did NOT like that thought.  I hope I’m doing a good job with him.  I so much want my children to grow up to glorify God and live godly lives.

Ethan has new walkie-talkies.  He and Jake have been trying them out and it’s very interesting to listen to them try to figure out what to say.  Mostly it’s, “What are you doing right now?” . . . .

Grace is sprouting out of her dresses and so I have to sadly go through her clothes again.  Having one girl is sort of sad because there isn’t any sister to pass the clothes down to.  I keep all the little things that I buy special, but everything else (hand me downs, tag sales, cheap clearance) goes bye-bye.  I did shop online today for her and that cheered me up quite a bit (sorry honey!).  Land’s End has nice, fuss-free dresses for school that are comfortable and never need ironing.  This is the first time I’ve bought from them so we’ll see how it goes. . . . . .

Well, Caleb is starting to wonder where lunch is and David is waiting for me to fix his bagel.  Back to work!  I love it!

Love, Shanda

“Keepers at Home”

My Dad holding newborn baby David
September, 2003

My Dad holding newborn baby David
September, 2003

The word Simplicity is so inspiring to me, and has been for several years now.  I bought a white t-shirt that has the word Simplicity on it, I’ve done a little personal Bible study on it, and I’ve bought a few books on the subject.  Imagine the jolt I got when I picked up a book and my eyes fell on this quote:

“Simplicity is the dream of all
who have too much to do.”

NO!  I don’t believe it!  I love Simplicity for what it is, not because I have too much to do!   Besides, I have a lot to do, but not too much!
Anyway, after I read that, it made me think of another book, Freedom of Simplicity, by Richard J. Foster.  I got it from my bookcase, opened it, and came across this big section that I circled in it — it deals with simplicity and legalism and it really struck a chord in me when I read it months ago. 

“If Simplicity were merely a matter of externals,
things would be quite easy.  We would then need only to formulate the system (no small trick to be sure) that defines the boundaries-Christian faithfulness would allow us to live in this income bracket but not that one, to purchase this house but not that one.  We would have a clearly definable arrangement, even if it would need periodic adjustment to keep abreast of inflation.  It would be clear who is in and who is out, who is faithful and who is not.  Presto, a new pharisaism.  Very fine, thank you.

“Sometimes I genuinely wish it were that way.  And I have no desire to speak disparagingly of the many groups who have developed such systems.  In fact, I envy them at times, because the clarity of that approach has immense power to motivate and change behavior.  But as we all know, its end result is bondage and death.  THE LETTER ALWAYS KILLS;  THE SPIRIT ALONE GIVES LIFE.  Gospel simplicity gives freedom and liberation.

“The outer expression of simplicity must flow from the inner resources.  It is learning to walk in the Spirit that builds the life of purity, unity, and grace.  There is an inwardness that is central to our task;  without it all is lost.  We delude ourselves, however, if we think we can possess the inner reality of simplicity without its having a profound effect upon the way we live;  the tension must be maintained.

“Perhaps you have noted that I have been dealing with the age-old continuum of legalism to license.  We reject legalism because it leads to spiritual suicide, and we reject license because of the same reason.  THERE IS ANOTHER WAY, THE LIFE OF THE SPIRIT.  The Apostle Paul gives the classic formulation of this reality in his Epistle to the Galations.  There he came down about as hard as he possibly could against casuistic legalism and for the glorious freedom that we know in Christ, perceptively adding that we must not allow our freedom to be an apportunity of the flesh.  He concludes, ‘If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:25).  If we possess the inward reality, it must manifest itself in an outward lifestyle.”

So my meditations on Simplicity led to the freedom of realizing clearly the solution to my bondage of living by a set of rules and regulations put on me by men vs. “I can do anything I want”.  Why have I thought all along that there were only 2 choices: LEGALISM or LICENSE?  The only choice in the matter is living by the Spirit of God.  How can I know?  Only by a deep, meaningful relationship with my Heavenly Father.  Keep your eyes on Him and off others.

You all probably had this figured out, but all of our journeys are different, and the Lord led ME to the answer to MY questions.  I share so you know what’s going on in my mind today and as a testiment to the goodness of God.  We all have hearts that yearn to please and glorify Him and I am thankful to all my family and friends who are, each and every one, a blessing and encouragement to me!

Rich even said that it was good for ALL of us that I went away (huh?)!!

I left on Friday, had to stop one time for an hour so I could feed the baby.  I got at my parent’s house at about 6:30.  Mom, Isaac and Brittany (Isaac’s girlfriend) were there to welcome me.  Spent the rest of Friday visiting with them.

My Dad works second shift so I got to see him Saturday morning when he woke up.  We all hung around the house having a nice lazy morning and then got ready and went out to Bainbridge to a couple antique stores.  I FOUND FIESTAWARE, actually. . . my mom helped me find my #1 prize:  a vintage cobalt fiesta ASHTRAY, yep!  An ashtray that I bought for 15 dollars and it’s worth 57!  I also bought 2 rose dinner plates, 3 rose teacups, one rose saucer, a vintage cobalt dinner plate, a homer laughlin plate w/a pretty scene on it, a glass pig for my pig collection, and a few old Little Golden books for THAT collection.  We also went to a maple syrup place and I bought some syrup and maple jelly.  We went home after that and spent more time together as a family.  Nathan and Melissa came (they’re expecting a baby this winter, they just found out last week!) and David came.

On Sunday we woke up to a snowy day, snow on the ground and still falling.  We went to church and it was nice to see my home church family.  Everyone was so friendly and it was nice to see old friends and especially Aunt Colleen and Cousin Elisha!

I had to leave Sunday afternoon.  I drove Isaac back to college in Oneonta, NY.   We had a nice talk and lunch at Brooks BBQ Chicken before saying goodbye.  He’s such a good young man and it’s a pleasure to be his big sister!

The ride home was nice.  I drove my way to sunshine, listening to good music, stopped for Dunkin Donuts. Caleb slept all the way until the Lee Outlets where I shopped at the Eddie Baur outlet and bought a really cute outfit “for Texas” (next month!).

Got home about 8, called Mom and Dad right away (they were beginning to worry), spent time w/Rich, who wasn’t too happy about me coming home to mess up his CLEAN HOUSE, (I got to come home to a clean house!!!!). 

All in all a great weekend.  I highly recommend you ladies getting away from it all now and then, it made me realize that my little world really isn’t this little.  I have a life outside of church and home!  And that’s a good thing, it keeps me a balance woman!

Lea Ann, thanks for calling me, I miss you so much.  Don’t worry, the sun will shine for you very soon!  Take care of yourself and your family, you’ve been doing the work of many for so long, you need to relax a little while you’re waiting to get into your new house next week!

Rich even said that it was good for ALL of us that I went away (huh?)!!

I left on Friday, had to stop one time for an hour so I could feed the baby.  I got at my parent’s house at about 6:30.  Mom, Isaac and Brittany (Isaac’s girlfriend) were there to welcome me.  Spent the rest of Friday visiting with them.

My Dad works second shift so I got to see him Saturday morning when he woke up.  We all hung around the house having a nice lazy morning and then got ready and went out to Bainbridge to a couple antique stores.  I FOUND FIESTAWARE, actually. . . my mom helped me find my #1 prize:  a vintage cobalt fiesta ASHTRAY, yep!  An ashtray that I bought for 15 dollars and it’s worth 57!  I also bought 2 rose dinner plates, 3 rose teacups, one rose saucer, a vintage cobalt dinner plate, a homer laughlin plate w/a pretty scene on it, a glass pig for my pig collection, and a few old Little Golden books for THAT collection.  We also went to a maple syrup place and I bought some syrup and maple jelly.  We went home after that and spent more time together as a family.  Nathan and Melissa came (they’re expecting a baby this winter, they just found out last week!) and David came.

On Sunday we woke up to a snowy day, snow on the ground and still falling.  We went to church and it was nice to see my home church family.  Everyone was so friendly and it was nice to see old friends and especially Aunt Colleen and Cousin Elisha!

I had to leave Sunday afternoon.  I drove Isaac back to college in Oneonta, NY.   We had a nice talk and lunch at Brooks BBQ Chicken before saying goodbye.  He’s such a good young man and it’s a pleasure to be his big sister!

The ride home was nice.  I drove my way to sunshine, listening to good music, stopped for Dunkin Donuts. Caleb slept all the way until the Lee Outlets where I shopped at the Eddie Baur outlet and bought a really cute outfit “for Texas” (next month!).

Got home about 8, called Mom and Dad right away (they were beginning to worry), spent time w/Rich, who wasn’t too happy about me coming home to mess up his CLEAN HOUSE, (I got to come home to a clean house!!!!). 

All in all a great weekend.  I highly recommend you ladies getting away from it all now and then, it made me realize that my little world really isn’t this little.  I have a life outside of church and home!  And that’s a good thing, it keeps me a balance woman!

Lea Ann, thanks for calling me, I miss you so much.  Don’t worry, the sun will shine for you very soon!  Take care of yourself and your family, you’ve been doing the work of many for so long, you need to relax a little while you’re waiting to get into your new house next week!