having a lot of fun

Posted on July 24, 2014 by Shanda

We are having a good week…a perfect summertime week. Busy fun mornings, sleepy hot afternoons, good dinners, and evening walks.

On Tuesday morning I wanted to go thrifting and convinced the children to come along to play at the park while I did so. Jacob asked Emily, Ethan asked Zachary, and Grace asked Allie. Thinking back on it, I have this joyful image of my big vehicle driving down the road shaking with so much energy and noise within it. I stopped at Rite Aid to get drinks and 50% off summer toys, cheap plastic games just for a month or so of fun before they break.

When I got back to the park 45 minutes later they had red faces and were ready to go on to the next adventure: dollar sandwiches and 49 cent ice cream cones for anyone who wanted one (we bought 6 and 10).

The cool, quiet library was our next stop, with three of the boys grabbing their bag of soccer balls out of the back and heading over to the school field to practice.

Back at home, we were spent from our morning of activity and ready to play games and watch a movie.

Somehow, being at Steve and Joanna’s recharged me like I was not expecting. I have been “hostess” so much that I forgot the blessings of being a guest. It was a blessing to be waited upon, thought about, provided for, and to be able to sit and OBSERVE a wonderful family and it’s workings. Joanna in the kitchen, children playing, someone else’s baby in my arms……as I drove away on Sunday afternoon I was ready to do homemaker things again, for my own tribe. And yet I was so tired of it all the week before!

This morning, I woke up earlier than the children. Rich had already gone off to work after making me laugh because he said he liked the feel of my new organic tshirt (right). He looked fresh and handsome after a shower and his work clothes; a short sleeved navy dress shirt and dress pants. A kiss and a coffee. I got up, made our bed, puttered around the room, showered and dressed. By that time, Seth and Sarah were awake so I gave them their cheerios, let them watch Shaun the Sheep, and got busy making the real breakfast of hardboiled eggs, bacon, cut up cantaloupe, and pancakes.

Joanna gave me this long tie-around-the-waist apron which I wore for the first time as I did the kitchen dance. It’s the longest one I’ve owned and it proved to be useful. Not only did it give me an extra dose of “Susie Homemaker-ish” feelings, but it was also the perfect length to serve as a potholder and a way for me to open the dishwasher with a dirty hand.

As I popped cubes of melon in my mouth, I praised God for the morning and remembered again the delightful addictive feeling of satisfaction in serving my family.

They liked the breakfast, no one touched the eggs however.

This picture is from about a month ago, when Emily came over (for the first time, I think) and we went for a walk. It’s so funny to see your son become someone he never was before – namely, a boyfriend. He seems pretty good at it so far. Emily is a sweet, fun girl and even went with us on a trip to NY two weeks ago. She’s easygoing and not shy at all, makes me laugh, and has a ready laugh of her own. She’s so good with all of Jacob’s siblings. She and Grace went shopping the other day, she teases Ethan, Caleb, and David, and helps keep Seth and Sarah in line. She’s going to camp with my children (and Rich) on Saturday.

The grass was taller than Sarah’s head in some places; Grace had to help her.

And then carry her. My flowers amongst the flowers.

The boys were getting soaked in the stream and after a while, caught up with us again. Seth got a ride on Ethan’s strong shoulders.

I LOVE TO SEE LOVE LIKE THIS between the children!

See how wet to the skin they are? I bet that water felt good, I remember what a hot and humid day this was.

Seth and Sarah continue to enjoy their new two-wheelers, which have been the best summer entertainment for them of the year. In fact, Seth’s training wheels are off and he’s doing very well on his own bike. I love Sarah’s face in this picture (and the fact that her hair is actually fixed).

This is Joanna’s little girlie who is the same age as Sarah. I showed Tsega a picture of my children and she looked, considered, and pointed to Sarah. “I like her.” she said, like she was choosing a new dress or something.

Do you grow your own herbs? I have parsley and basil in my garden, and a pot of parsley on my kitchen windowsill. Joanna has a garden and took a little basket out to gather herbs for a recipe. We felt organic. (see, gardening is satisfying and addictive, too). I have such a small one that it’s actually FUN to weed it. The other day David panicked and told me to get outside and plant cucumbers because “you forgot, MOM!!!!” “HOW will we make pickles?” Laughing, I told him it was much too late to plant but we would get some at a stand when they are ready.

This morning’s adventure was the mall for a hair cut for Jacob and Seth. Sarah went along, too. We ate at Sonic for lunch. Seth and Sarah both warned me that they did not want chicken fingers. I ordered them Corn Dogs. They both couldn’t believe it when they still got Chicken Fingers. It turned out that “Chicken Fingers” meant “Tater Tots”. So confusing.

We had a downpour last night and the weather is clearer today, not as oppressive. It feels nice to have the windows open and not be sticky. Jacob is busy cleaning the porch and the boys are finishing up a movie. I’m making “Cincinnati chili” over spaghetti for dinner tonight. Tomorrow continues the busyness of getting ready for camp. The children are all packed, tomorrow we will have guests spending the night and they will all leave bright and early Saturday morning for a week of Christian camping in New Hampshire. As for me, I am going back home with the three younger children for a week of VBS at my old church.

***

“A life of peace gives life to the body……” Proverbs 14:30a

“For you created my utmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalm 138:13, 14

“I will lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8

“Be joyful always, pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

stay

Posted on July 22, 2014 by Shanda

“Stay is a charming word in a friend’s vocabulary.” Louisa May Alcott

I drove alone to her house on a Friday morning and stayed until Sunday.

We’ve been friends for 20 years, through Bible college, snail mail letters (fat was good), emails, phone calls, visits few and far between.

There is something special about long distance friendships….the heart comes through so much easier in letters and emails, a closeness is gained when hiding behind a pen.

Oh but the visits are the icing on the cake.

God is so good to give us our people. The ones to share a life with.

Joanna is a beautiful soul. She is creative and her home oozes with her ideas. She and her husband Steve have a relationship of closeness and understanding; he cleared up time for her, by taking on household chores, caring for the children, making meals, so that the two of us could visit.

a few memories::

We played games as a family with so much laughter.

Eti on his pogo stick.

Coco with the shower cap that I gave her from my hotel bathroom.

browsing beautiful shops (we found an old Gladys Taber book)

Dunkin donuts

bic macs

opening gifts

that strange bug

monkey man

Because of Winn Dixie

the bluebird of happiness

herbs from the garden

pinky ring

smell of skunk

a lived in home

recipes

a lost My Little Pony book

race to the bathroom, with a shoulder injury

she let me take her picture

She has a five month old baby boy. He was good natured and sweet.

we did each other’s nails

She did the coolest thing with me on Saturday. Steve came up with the idea that she do a “Tour of Joanna”, inspired by an old Seinfeld episode where Kramer drives a bus around and does his crazy Peterman reality tours.

Jo has lived in the same area her whole life so I got to hear fabulous stories and see places from her whole life.

***

back home again……..

I gave the kids pixie sticks.

We worked on scrapbook pages at the outside table. She let me look through old illustration books to cut and use.

she gave me her drawing and I glued it in my book

selfie in the bird room

church on Sunday

After church we went back to the house for lunch.

Eti (12 years old) made this grenade out of an empty lemon juice bottle.

While waiting for dinner I sat on the couch, looking at one of Jo’s library books, with Tsega at the other end.

After delicious African chicken stew, we played a few rounds of a fun game together before I had to leave for the long drive back home.

It hurt to leave. I had a lovely time with my friend.

Friendship

isn’t about who came first

or who you’ve known the longest.

It’s about who came

and never left.

~anonymous

for Greg and Cindy

Video

My dear Father requested and helped me choose the photos contained within this beautiful slideshow, for the occasion of his 39th wedding anniversary. Yes, on a beautiful summer day long ago, my young parents were married, surrounded by singing birds and all of their loved ones. It was a lovely outdoor wedding, located on the family farmland of upstate New York.

Through the years, the family has grown, and more importantly, so has their love for one another.

Gather moments while you may
Collect the dreams you dream today
Remember, will you remember
The times of your life

Free picture slideshow personalized with Smilebox

another summer day

Posted on July 17, 2014 by Shanda

I’m getting ready to go to Joanna’s for the weekend. I am not taking any of the children with me and I am looking forward to a road trip by myself.

Poor David ended up with the stomach bug after our “Christmas in July” party. He was sick all night long but felt better the next morning, although weak.

The older children have been involved in evening Vacation Bible school and David was craving beef stew so I took the little ones out yesterday and got groceries and a sub for my dinner. And beef stew.

In the evening we all went outside. It seems like all day long I’m telling them to go outside and play, but the evenings are the only time they WANT to be out, as long as I’ll let them, to avoid bedtime. I gathered eggs from the coop and turned a few cartwheels in the freshly mowed grass. Sarah jumped on the trampoline. David and Caleb brought back two cups of wild but beautiful juicy raspberries from up the road and begged me to make muffins.

Caleb made good choices with his birthday money. His box came today (thank goodness) after he asked me all morning if I thought it would arrive soon. I was like, “I sure hope so!”, I smiled big watching him meet the UPS man.

He ordered a NERF battle axe and a cool bow and arrow set that all the boys want to play with, even the big ones.

(Shaun the Sheep was on TV when the box came). Great show, BTW.

All the action at my feet. I tried to get a shot of the toys but Parker the dog came over just in time to block everything.

Our day began with the delivery of Grace’s new bed. We are in the process of redoing her bedroom. Her walls have been painted and her big queen sized bed was taken down, to make room for this twin sized white day bed, with a trundle underneath for sleepovers or stormy nights (when scared Sarah gets to sleep with her sister).

She was in her room today ALL DAY LONG. If we wanted “Grace time” we had to go visit her. She hung out with everyone up there today, but she is gone now with Jacob and Mike at VBS.

On My Bedside Table:

The top book is an old black photo album that I bought at an antique store and filled up with printed phone pictures.

The Magic of Ordinary Days is a sweet, slow book.

The Book of Idle Pleasures is full of thoughtful little essays.

Long long ago, I remember sitting by the side of my Mother as she read Little House on the Prairie out loud to us. My brother David was on the other side. We sat on the couch and listened intently to the stories. Now I am doing the same (again) with Caleb. In the photo you see his legs and my hand, with our book. Little House has become our daily special time together, he and I snuggled on the couch as I read. Today I read one chapter. He slipped away, and I turned over and curled up with a blanket and slept for over an hour. (I yawned all through the reading). Reading out loud is a great way to get extra sleepy.

This was my napping spot. Children ran through the room now and then but I still managed a great nap. Can you tell this was a big deal to me? I rarely relax enough to give way to drifting along into sleepy-land. What a blessing to do so, today.

I try not to over indulge but these muffins were so moist and good, I have had three today. My mom makes the same recipe. HERE.

Laughter is good.

Boys on the porch. I took this picture out the window, the screen is out and the cats and dog jump through the window to get in the house. Sounds terrible but it’s awful convenient.

Jacob’s friend Mike brought over a watermelon that I’m convinced he just didn’t want to deal with. He said he can’t eat it all himself but when I cut it up could I please save him some of it to take with him later?

Another notable occurrence from today was that I vacuumed the floor in the living room, every inch, I even pulled away the couches. There were a lot of little lost things under there, but no money.

I can’t wait til tomorrow!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Come back to the blog tomorrow, I have a beautiful slide show to present.

Happy Thursday, my friends.

we had a small party

Posted on July 15, 2014 by Shanda

“….if ever families needed warmth, advice, nurturing, ideas, and inspiration, it is today.” ~Victorian Family Celebrations, by Sarah Ban Breathnach

I bought a big stack of books from our recent town library book sale and the above mentioned book was one that I discovered. I was already familiar with Breathnach’s work in Simple Abundance, a Daybook of Comfort and Joy, and was eager to learn more of her gentle and wise advise.

Victorian Family Celebrations is “a month to month guide to creating seasonal feasts, traditional crafts, and the little daily rituals that make a house a home.” I turned to the chapter of ideas for the month of July, thinking the author would probably have ideas for a “Christmas in July” type of party for the children. I assumed it would take place on the 25th (the six month mark for the real Christmas) but was surprised to read that July 15th was also an option, as it is the birthday of the poet who wrote “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas.”

Planning a little party was just the thing for Grace and I to do together — we promptly sent the little ones to their rooms for rest time.

We did a little bit of decorating, made a cake, went on a quick trip to the Dollar Store and in just over an hour we had everything ready for the children.

“Observing Christmas in July was the custom of resourceful Victorian mothers who started thinking about Christmas long before Thanksgiving. This is because a century ago we made the majority of our gifts. By the end of the summer, Victorian families were almost done with their holiday gift making……”

~Sarah Ban Breathnach, page 144

Caleb was surprised and delighted with the tree, and the star on top that he said he remembered.

We lit the candles on the cake and turned off the lights.

It was Grace’s idea to sing “Silent Night” and as soon as the song was over, all five of the children helped to blow out the candles.

While we ate our cake and drank our milk, Grace read aloud the poem, “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in honor of the Reverend Clement Clark Moore’s birthday.

The cake was a boxed mix, using melted butter instead of oil, and frosted with a simple thin layer of homemade green icing. I decorated it with red sugar sprinkles and snowflakes (leftover from last Christmas).

While I threw away the napkins and plastic silverware, Caleb and Sarah made snow angels. (note:Dave isn’t feeling well this afternoon).

We passed out the small gifts and watched each other open them.

Sarah got flip flops
Caleb got army men
Seth got a whoopee cushion
Grace got a rabbit figurine
I got a framed Bible verse
and David got a flashlight, all from the dollar store.

It was such fun!

Merry Christmas!

now I see

Posted on July 14, 2014 by Shanda

Amazing Grace how sweet the sound

that saved a wretch like me

I once was lost but now am found

was blind but now I see.

My heart is so full that tears are ever ready today, after a weekend back home in my hometown. I saw old familiar faces, felt their arms of love around me, heard words of encouragement and truth, celebrated young love, sung to favorite songs on the radio played loud, attended church, ate Country Store subs made by someone who knew who I was “back then”, travelled those old roads that lead back home, to the farm land, the parents, the aunts, the cousins, the friends.

Sadly, I was without my Rich, my companion and friend, lover, bed mate, and The One who has put me by his side for the last 21 years. He was here at home with the little ones, but never far from my thoughts as I drove Grace, Sarah, Jacob, and Emily to NY for Cassandra’s bridal shower. I sat behind the wheel and away we went on Saturday morning….driving around three hours to the church for the shower. Emily said, she loved road trips. And when she said that, it reminded me to enjoy it, too!

Once we arrived, Jacob and Emily walked on foot to the pizza place that Rich and I used to go to on dates, for lunch, and to the High School to explore the playground and stream (the school I attended, and Rich, too). So crazy fun to see Jacob doing just the things we used to enjoy. With his girlfriend. (!!)

Grace, Sarah, and I had a wonderful time at the bridal shower, held for my future sister in law, who is marrying my youngest brother, Isaac.

“to love another person is to see the face of God” ~ Les miserables

Isaac and Cassandra are so sweet together!!

After the shower, we picked up J and E and went to my mom and dad’s house for the rest of the day.

Jacob stayed the night with them while I took the girls to the Comfort Inn to sleep.

Sunday morning we checked out of the motel and went to church, meeting Jacob there.

It was so wonderful to sit next to Colleen, Jacob, Emily, Sarah, Grace, and Madeline for the service. Church was a beautiful experience, to be back in my original church family made me remember so many things, and a wave of nostalgia swept over me.

After church we picked up subs and went back to mom and dad’s where we sat on the front porch and ate our food, while the rain poured down. Emily and Sarah jumped in warm puddles in their bare feet.

We stayed until 6pm, and drove back home Sunday night, arriving safe and sound (and with a gorgeous golden sunset) at 10:30pm.

I saw a very cool fly from the blueberry patch at my parent’s house. It was actually holding a tiny green bug in it’s jaws. I’ve come to learn that if an insect stays still, and lets me get close, it’s usually because it doesn’t want to let go of it’s latest catch.

My mom with her little Granddaughter~

We all wore yellow shirts.

Sarah was so precious. When she was tired she simply curled up with someone and slept. Here she is on my lap. Watching your own sleeping little one is one of the many “grace moments” in life.

Dad and Jacob played drums on Sunday afternoon. OH HOW I LOVE MY DAD…….

JACOB NEVER WANTS TO LEAVE GRANDMA’S HOUSE!

We helped mom and dad with the gravel entry to the blueberry patch, in preparation for the wedding reception next month.

We also helped them get their bedroom ready for a remodel, looked through a lot of family photos, and did the things we always love to do; go for walks, talk, listen to music. Oh, and Jacob showed his grandparents all of his card tricks and they were a very satisfying audience.

Thankful for:

a safe trip
a son learning to grow, and be a good example
creativity (he made a new recipe for pancakes by adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to his Grandma’s recipe, and chocolate chips)
my husband coming home early from work and the time we were able to spend together, in quiet, in each other’s arms
the sight of sleeping pets (make the house so cozy)
rain (I went out and walked in it, why are we so afraid to get wet?) the pond was jumping with water drops
it curled my hair
watching Les Mis with Grace, and being awed once again by law and grace (without that taskmaster-law, we would never be overwhelmed with beautiful grace)!! I realized that this life is full of little law/grace pictures….that point to Jesus.
my five year old learning to ride his two wheeler and being so thoughtful in asking me to watch him, a lot
fresh peas in the garden
bachelor buttons beginning to bloom
a little girlie who wakes from her nap and immediately finds her mama
Mike taking Jacob, Grace, and Emily to VBS and saving us the trip
Ethan on vacation with Chris and Caroline and their children (his best friends)

and most of all……

God’s grace and salvation through Jesus Christ, Who miraculously opens blind eyes and turns cold hearts into hearts bursting with adoration for HIM, and this abundant life He gives.

One last picture before we got into the car to head home.

yellow mushroom, white morning glories

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Shanda

“In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit. Not a nasty, dirty, wet hole, filled with the ends of worms and an oozy smell, nor yet a dry, bare, sandy hole with nothing in it to sit down on or to eat: it was a hobbit-hole, and that means comfort.” J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit

Like his brothers and sister before him, David has read The Hobbit. In fact, he just finished it.

He’s a big fan of hobbit-holes.

It’s hard to make your own actual hobbit-fort, but he and Ethan made the next best thing yesterday in our woods by the stream.

It took them all day and then they slept in it last night, just the two of them.

The fort is in a secret location so that their siblings can’t vandalize it (not that they actually WOULD, of course).

With honor, I was ushered to the secret location so that I could admire the finished project.

It really is impressive, and picturesque, too.

I’m not feeling well. I think summertime chaos is getting to my system, I feel tired and shaky. Not sad or depressed, just deep down very tired. Please pray for me, as I have lots going on. Tonight we have a big dinner and Bible study at our house, tomorrow morning I leave bright and early with Jacob, Emily, Grace, and Sarah to drive four hours to NY for Cassandra (my future sister in law)’s bridal shower. We are coming back home Sunday evening and then that week Rich has a business trip. (so on and so forth)

The children are helping me get the house picked up for tonight and I’m going to rest at nap time. I’ve felt like crappity crap since Tuesday…exhausted.

Anyway, after I admired the fort, I went for a short walk, thinking that the beauty of God’s creation would soothe my aching head.

I saw a yellow mushroom.

And, wild morning glories. Seeing them triggered a memory from childhood. Morning glories just like this one used to grow in the bushes by my Grandparents’ large pond. As children, we used to pick them and smell them right onto our noses…..so I did that yesterday, again.

Then, I taught Seth how to do it.

And Caleb.

Continuing with the theme of “if I get away from the house, nature will heal me”, I asked Grace to go outside with me to watch the evening birds.

We saw a lot! I think I will take up a new active interest in birding because with the ponds, the forest, and the stream, we have a lot of birds. We quickly counted up about 10 different ones. My favorites to watch were the hairy woodpeckers. They are so industrious with their hammering, and it was fun to watch the wood chips fly as they pecked away.

Then, I caught a big grasshopper that had hopped over my foot, and held him until we got back up to the house.

I showed him to Seth and Sarah; their faces crack me up.

Isn’t it interesting? It worked it’s mouth around to ooze out some “tobacco juice”.

“The grasshopper has some means of defense as well as of escape; it can give a painful nip with its mandibles; and when seized, it emits copiously from the mouth a brownish liquid which is acrid and ill smelling. This performance interests children who are wont to seize the insect by it’s jumping legs and hold it up, commanding it to ‘chew tobacco’.” ~ Handbook of Nature Study (a handy book to have, indeed)

We let the grasshopper go (with many thanks) and then I walked Grace up the road a little bit to see the berries that were ripening. We quickly picked a couple of handfuls and took them home to give to Dad. Grace was funny and made me laugh a lot (dear, dear girl).

Grace wrote down everything we saw in her tiny book. (which she was given by my Mom)

This morning I was able to get away for a couple of hours to get my hair done. I stopped at the grocery store on the way to get myself some fruit and nuts. Getting my hair done was so relaxing I almost went to sleep in the chair.

When I got home I asked Grace to take my picture, and as she took it Jacob came walking down to show me yet another learned card trick.

Have a great weekend, my friends!

you are loved

NINE on the NINTH

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Shanda

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family beach day

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Shanda

Overheard, just now:

“MOM? My face is hurting.” ~Dave

“Your face is red.” ~Sarah

***

Yesterday was a lovely day to go to the beach. Rich didn’t have to work, so as soon as we got out of bed we began getting ready to go. This year we gave the children each their own bag to carry and it made things much easier. Our youngest child is four years old now and what a difference it makes to do things (we’ve never had a four year old “baby”….another one has always come along by that time). As a mother hen personality *without any babies to care for*, I was almost able to relax yesterday. ALMOST.

We drove about an hour to get to the beach, with one stop to Dunkin Donuts. When we arrived, we parked the vehicle and all walked along the shore to find a place to set up. Rich went to go change, but the rest of us had worn our suits under our clothes and were able to get directly into the water.

Sarah took her life jacket but as she is afraid of getting water in her face, I let her spend some time without it, digging in the sand and sitting in the water on the very edge. She had a great time which was a delight to see. She didn’t rest or stop once all day, except to eat lunch.

Jacob did some walking with Ethan, and spent some time in our tent playing solitaire. Toward the end of the day he played again like I haven’t seen him do in a while….he’s growing up….but I saw him dunking and throwing his little brothers, getting into a sand fight, and building a sand castle.

Seth had to wear his life jacket more often than Sarah did, because he had no fear of the water and wanting to swim and do everything his big brothers did.

We had a small tragedy with Seth. Ethan, David, and had disappeared down the beach and I was nervous so I told Rich I would walk down to locate them. I took little Seth with me and we went all the way down to the rock-formed fishing pier. Caleb was playing on the other side in warm shallow water, but Dave and Ethan had swam out to a small “island” and were sitting on it, resting. I decided to sit and wait for them, and keep an eye on them, since it was far from the shore and I was nervous about them swimming that distance without supervision. Seth climbed down to play with Caleb but just as I sat down he slipped and cut his foot on something. He made his way back up to me and his foot was dripping rapidly with blood. I carried him down to the water’s edge to rinse it off and realized that he had sliced a deep one inch gash on the inside ball of his foot.

My own leg was wet and red with his blood and I had to wash myself off, too. He was so brave and hardly cried, just made some distress noises as I told Caleb to run back to get Dad, so we could carry Seth back to our tent. Thankfully, his foot stopped bleeding, which was a relief…but it was open and sore for the rest of the day. We put him in the tent and he rested with me by his side, and Jacob and Grace were with us, too. Rich went down to make sure Ethan and Dave came back okay. I was upset for a little while (on the inside), shaking and so sad about Seth’s foot. I was upset with E and D for going off like that, but I knew that they were safe and just having an adventure and it was fine. I just hate that vulnerable feeling that my children could get hurt badly at any time, or we could lose one.

I didn’t say anything to the boys when they walked back with their Dad, they were fine and I didn’t want to ruin the joy they had in their experience. But I did tell Ethan later on, when he was about to go off and do it again, to stay around with us.

“I’m sixteen why won’t mom let me swim a quarter of a mile out into the ocean!” (he’s not really saying that but it makes a good caption)

We left Grace and Dave and went to get some lunch at a seafood place. We stopped off at CVS so I could run in and get a bandage for Seth’s foot. My stress dissipated when I was back in the car and realized that I had bought the largest bandages they had, because in my mommy mind Seth’s cut was HUGE and TERRIBLE, and needed a five inch square bandaid. I wish you could have heard the things Jacob was mumbling when I asked him to put it on him. I laughed to tears. In order to use it, he had to put it up around Seth’s toes! It never worked right, by the time we got back and he took his shoes back off the whole bandage came off with it.

Rich and I had a buttery lobster rolls for lunch, and whole red boiled potatoes. Jacob had a mixed basket of fried seafood, and Ethan had crab legs. We took back fried shrimp for Grace and Dave, who were happy and having fun together when we got back.

I like this picture because all seven children are in it. Seth was tired of sitting on a towel so he swam some more, running with a pronounced limp.

Rich went for a nice beach run. He also played catch with the football with Ethan and Seth.

Sarah had sand in every nook and cranny. She found a pink pony tail holder in the water and kept it with so much happiness. She also got to play with a little girl just her size, named Chloe. Grace and I watched them play and they were so cute that Grace remarked that Sarah would have made a good twin.

Big brother Jacob threw sand at David and Caleb.

We left the beach at 5:30, which was a process in itself since we all had to rinse off and get changed into clean underthings. I was in charge of Sarah and honestly, the sand didn’t come off until this morning’s bath.

After we left the ocean, we went to a bookstore. It was an independent bookseller, and I like those shops the best because they are always so unique. The bad part is you pay full price for books, unless you can find something on the clearance table. I love this picture of the children waiting for Dad to finish buying Mom’s books. David’s turning red with sunburn and yawning, Caleb and Ethan are looking at a “where’s waldo” book, and Sarah Joy is itching the sand out of her hair.

We went to a pizza place for dinner, just down the road from the bookstore.

David’s face seemed to get redder and redder. He used to suffer from mild eczema as a child and even now sunburns and rashes bother him more than the other children.

We sat at three tables. The big kids played cards and Sarah dragged her chair over to be by Grace. Rich was showing something to Jacob on his phone. They had a pepperoni and meatball pizza at their table.

David, Seth, and Caleb sat at their own table with a cheese pizza.

Rich and I had clam pizza at our table.

At the end of a fun day. It was about 8pm when Grace took this picture of the tired but happy parents.

We drove home in the rain, listening to Winnie the Pooh.

*******

What We Did:

Hammonasset State Park; Connecticut residents pay 9 dollars a car on the weekdays to get in.

Lenny & Joes Fish Tale for lunch. A casual fish fry place, with a small carousel in the back, and a creamy soft serve ice cream stand.

RJ Julia Booksellers; an independently owned bookstore with great books.

Bradley and Wall Gourmet Foods, for pizza. When we were there last night the place was fully staffed by young college aged kids — they were busy, happy, and energetic. The pizza was delicious, we ordered three large and came home with about half a pizza leftover.

today was the library book sale

Posted on July 5, 2014 by Shanda

a simply wonderful life

(listen as you read)

It’s a beautiful Saturday. The door keeps opening and slamming shut again as the children take turns running in and out for what specific reasons I don’t always know. What I do know is that they’re busy, it’s summer, and these are perfect days to enjoy their childhood. The windows are open and I can hear wind chimes blowing musically in the breeze. When my husband comes in I will ask him to make me a cup of coffee (he likes to). My eyes are sleepy from reading this afternoon, outside in the sun by the pond, with friend/daughter Grace contentedly by my side. Our little boys Seth and Caleb swam for a while and then ate popsicles. It’s good to sit and type, thinking about my family and how thankful I am for these days.

Yesterday was a very rainy fourth of July and we did NOTHING patriotic. (Wait, is grilling hot dogs patriotic?) I was exhausted and filled with determination to reorganize the downstairs boys’ room, and we did it. Ahh, it feels so good. I threw away several bags of garbage and old toys. I also weeded through their bookshelves and added another couple of bags to the pile to donate. The boys now have a lovely clean room.

Ironically, today was the annual library book sale. We all went, in two vehicles because Rich had to take our old broken freezer to the dump. After leaving behind three bags, and taking a new box of books, we went to the diner for lunch, and then I read outside on a blanket with Grace.

NEW BOOKS!! HAPPY DAY!!

My children will have memories of coming home with bags of used books, carefully chosen from the laden tables at our local library.

I was so happy to find another old C.W. Anderson “Blaze” book, the children love them.

I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people

who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~Anna Quindlen

(my personal stack)

(playing a card game) I love seeing the siblings pair off and do things together. They are forming such wonderful bonds for life. Grace and Jacob get along so well, and of course Jacob and Ethan are practically like twins with the way they’ve grown up together. David does well with Ethan, too. Caleb, Seth, and Sarah play together all day long, riding bikes and swimming. This is probably the best part of having lots of children, there’s always someone to spend time with and someone else to spend time with when the first person gets boring. 🙂

(clawing another’s face)

(spying)

(wondering)

(reading) That red book is my journal in which I write the titles and reactions to the books I read, along with dates and sometimes a quote or two.

(sunning)

I was looking down into my flower beds from the porch and spotted Billy sleeping.

He didn’t come. I sent Caleb out with a message for his dad that I would like a cup of coffee please. Two minutes later Rich stomped serenely through the house to get ice and a towel for his hand….”what did you do?!?”……. “oh, I burned my hand on that motor what kind of coffee am I making?”

I love my husband.

*****

glorious summer days

“Then I said softly to myself—-

‘That must have been the Sun!”

Emily Dickenson