today’s the day I got my first flat tire

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Shanda

All I wanted to do was get out of the house and go to Kmart. It is very very cold here so I went out to start the van at like 8:40am . . . . .scraped ice off the windshield with the broom handle, and got the kids in the van. I noticed that my light was on in the van telling me I was on “empty”. . already I’m nervous, I HATE having that little light on. Then, when I put the van in drive this alarming buzzing sound went off. It was happening because the automatic side door wasn’t exactly shut. . .so I pushed “open. . shut” “open. . .shut” over and over, got out, pushed on the door, it wouldn’t really budge, it was frozen I think. . .finally, the buzzing stopped. At this point I’m wondering why I’m going to all the effort. Then, I couldn’t drive out of the driveway because of the icy snow under the tires. . for a split second I “peeled a little rubber” spinning the tires on ice. . I finally got the van turned around inch by inch and then backed out. A feeling of dread was upon me, but I kept going. . praying my way to the gas station with my gloves gripping the steering wheel tightly. I got there and then the little gas door would not open. Another heart palpitation. . .finally I grabbed the keys from the van and propped it open with them. . .pumped my gas (over fifty dollars worth!!) and got on my way.

Just miles down the road, over the sound of the kids’ music tape singing loudly about “why I love my mommy”, I start hearing this incredible noise. . .at first I’m thinking, “hmmm, van must be cold and upset from sitting in the driveway for days. . .” The noise didn’t stop and I started really getting alarmed so I pulled off the road and up into a driveway to a *cemetery* (of all places!), got out and realized I had a

FLAT TIRE

which has never happened to me before in my life. I had to call my friend Caroline to come rescue me, which she did, graciously, and still in her pajamas. It was such an surreal moment to be driving right on through the cemetery with her at like 9:30 in the morning.

We got back home, safe and sound. Aren’t you glad I didn’t get the flat tire while I was on the highway? I am! Caroline came in for coffee and we had a nice chat while our kids played, anyway.

I took a picture of the flat tire with my cell phone:

Rich called and had the van taken to a garage for new tires.

On a side note, guess who just came in my room and got in my lap? Guess whose soft, cool little cheek I just kissed 6 times in a row? Guess who has Percy the train in his little paw? Yes, it’s my small son Caleb, just awake from his nap, still with yawns and sleepy eyes. Caleb did something so dear today. When Caroline came to the *cemetery* to pick me up, I got out and started loading the kids in her van. When it was Caleb’s turn he got a little weepy and said to me, “I want. YOU” “I want. You” Oh, he was so precious, and I told him, “Mommy’s not leaving you! I’m coming, too.” He didn’t quite believe it until I got in and the doors were all shut. Then he smiled.

It’s nice to be needed. But, even nicer to be WANTED.

(after I typed all this we took a picture)

PS, I just did “spell check” and do you know, that “hmmm” is spelled wrong? And, at the top of the list for suggestions, is “MOM”? Interesting.

today's the day I got my first flat tire

Posted on January 3, 2008 by Shanda

FLAT TIRE

We got back home, safe and sound. Aren’t you glad I didn’t get the flat tire while I was on the highway? I am! Caroline came in for coffee and we had a nice chat while our kids played, anyway.

I took a picture of the flat tire with my cell phone:

Rich called and had the van taken to a garage for new tires.

It’s nice to be needed. But, even nicer to be WANTED.

(after I typed all this we took a picture)

PS, I just did “spell check” and do you know, that “hmmm” is spelled wrong? And, at the top of the list for suggestions, is “MOM”? Interesting.

trip to the library

Posted on December 29, 2007 by Shanda

Caleb is feeling better, I’m finally getting spunky again, it’s just Grace who is sick-ish now. But not too sick for a trip to the library! Rich and I took the kids there this morning and I took my camera along, just for the fun of it. It’s chilly out, but the sun is shining. It takes us about 10 minutes to drive to the library and I like it because it’s outside of town, it’s a nice little library. I usually take the kids myself during the week so it was a treat to have Rich come along this time. There weren’t too many people there today. Jacob, Ethan, and Grace each have their own special library bag. They have their own library cards, too, but no one could find them. But they did find and take along their stuffed animals!

I had to return a video that our VCR “ate”, I was wondering if I would have to buy it but I didn’t, thankfully. I’m so grateful that we have free public libraries, but Rich says that I ruin it for our family by paying a fine every time I go! Today I had to pay 4 dollars. Yikes!

Caleb always runs as fast as he can to his favorite spot, the train table!

Here’s Grace with her stuffed kitten, picking out books. She’s been reading all kinds of animal books lately.

Here is handsome E, choosing a book for himself, with his brother Jacob looking on in the background.

I found this handsome guy (my husband) . . . . .Rich ended up choosing and taking home two huge computer books.

David was thrilled when his Daddy agreed to play a game of checkers with him.

This is the only “staged” photo, of myself. My friend Hannah (thank you Hannah!!!) sent me some books to read, so today I only checked out cookbooks. (besides, I was hungry)

Then I found little Caleb on his tummy, looking at a Thomas book with faithful Percy by his side.

Jacob and Ethan got right down on the floor to look at a comic book. Are they cute, or what? I told them they looked like they were siamese twins. Hard to believe that Jacob will be 11 on Monday. . . . . . .

I didn’t think David would look at a book without me telling him to, but he did! He looked at the same Thomas book that Caleb had found.

I just finished the most excellent book yesterday, I’ll attach the link below so you may order a copy. It’s written by John G Paton, who was a missionary in the mid 1800’s to cannibals. It’s 500 pages long but so good I wished that it was even longer than that. I tell you I laughed and cried through the whole thing, and my heart was so warmed by his amazing testimony. The book is crammed packed with glory to God. . . .very stirring words indeed. Please read it for yourself, you won’t be sorry.

The rest of my reading list:

The Twenty-fourth Of June, by Grace S. Richmond. This is a book that Hannah lent to me.

Safely Home, by Randy Alcorn. Another book from Hannah. (By the way, Hannah, I already read Stepping Heavenward, that’s why it’s not listed here.)

When People are Big, and God is Small, by Edward T. Welch. I have read most of this now, Joanna recently read it and recommended it.

T
he Puritan Family, by Edmund S. Morgan. From my Dad’s collection of books.

What about you? Do you like to read? What’s on your reading list these days?

bean town

Posted on September 14, 2007 by Shanda

On September 8, Rich and I spent the day in Boston, MA.

But first, on the way there, we stopped at a mall and I took pictures of this fiestaware display at Macy’s. (I love fiestaware!) Do you see the Sunflower 2 quart serving bowl on the chair? That was what I bought, along with some Fiesta placemats in the same color.

Isn’t it lovely?

Boston Pics:

My husband, Rich

I like the pic w/him sitting on the stairs in front of the State building because he actually testified there not long ago. (insurance)

Rich liked the refection in this one:

Boston Public Library:

Wow.

(notice the bare feet?)

another wow.

“Top of the Hub” restaurant –52nd floor of the Prudential Building. This is the view we had right next to our table!

I had clam chowder and a salad.

Rich had lobster bisque and a salad.

It was a hot, humid day–in the 90’s–and we walked almost non-stop all day. As I sat here posting the pictures, I laughed to myself. Rich asked me what was so funny and I said, “Well, I’m just trying to figure out if I should tell everybody that I was in tears by the time we left Boston.” “No, don’t tell them that”, he said, “let them think you’re tough.”

I AM tough!

Sending a smile to all of my xanga friends. . . . .

Posted on May 25, 2007 by Shanda

Day at the Beach

Summer breezes

Sea Spray

my favorite Seashore Memories

Walks on the Beach

Collecting Sea Shells

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

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

*************************

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

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

Posted on April 29, 2007 by Shanda

Vacation Photos

Shadow picture of Mommy and Daughter

“Natural Plum” blossom, they smelled divine!

The boys “sat on the park bench like bookends”

It’s going to take a long time for me to forget this fantastic dinner from the resort restaurant. It was one of the best meals I ever had.

Sunset at the beach and. . . .

sunrise from our balcony.

A kind lady offered to take a family photo for us.

But I took this one:

Just for fun

What is it about pigtails, you just have to twirl ’em?

Our vacation was wonderful. We’re thanking God for a safe and happy trip.

We arrived home this afternoon and fell in love with home all over again–things are finally turning GREEN outside! Also, I went grocery shopping and did a lot of laundry and housework. The manicure and pedicure I got done (at the spa!) on Thursday won’t last long now! But, it is good to be home all together again.

4 1/2 hours in NYC

Posted on November 13, 2006 by Shanda

This is the story of my trip to NYC. It all began early Saturday morning. I got up at 5:30, showered and dressed, and drove to my sister’s house to pick her up. Then, after a quick trip to Starbucks and the ATM, we went to Kathy’s house. In all, there were 4 of us–Jen, Kathy, Amanda, and me.

Jen drove us right into the city. We were all amazed at her ability to adapt to NYC driving. Kathy and Amanda felt waves of nausea but thankfully, I do not get carsick. We arrived safe and sound at the parking garage around 10:00 am.

The first thing I noticed about this, my 2nd trip to The City, was that the smell was not as bad. The first time I went was with Jen and Kathy in August, the day of the blackout, in 2003but that’s another story.

Anyways, like I was saying, the smell was not as bad.

We were thankful for beautiful weather.

It was hard to keep up with Jenny-poo’s quick pace and soon we were all perspiring as we walked the busy streets.

(waiting to cross the street)

We shopped at American Girl Place. Wow, that place was nuts! I will never take Grace there, unless we go during the week on a school day.

Then, we watched a bit of the Veteran’s day parade.

Then, we ate at Bubba Gump Shrimp.

Then, Poor Amanda got really sick and we had to go home.

The End.

PS, Amanda is starting to feel better.

More Pictures:

(this last one is for Grace!) “Grace Plaza”

Adventures

Next Year I’m Takin’ the Older Kids!

Posted on April 13, 2006 by Shanda

Hi Everyone! I’m back from my trip to San Antonio, TX!!

Saturday was spent traveling. We got to our gorgeous hotel, “La Mansion”, late that night.

Sunday Rich had golf. I went out in the morning and stayed outside, walking along the beautiful riverwalk.

San Antonio Riverwalk

When Rich got back, we went out walking again. We had dinner outside that night.

Monday was spent in basically the same way. Rich had a meeting all morning, so I went out with Caleb, who stopped traffic everywhere we went with his cuteness. I’m not being an overly-proud mother, either, ~ he got more attention than I have ever experienced. One lady went on and on about how cute he was, and when I said, “Thank you!”, she said, “Thank YOU!” Made me feel so good. . . . Anyways, Monday was a little rough toward the end because I completely wore myself out. We were outside walking all day. I did get to see beautiful gardens and water was everywhere, it was such a treat to see such beauty. We saw the Alamo, too. The boys were thrilled with the little gifts I bought them from the giftshop.

Tuesday was spent saying goodbye to San Antonio and hello to Dallas. We drove all morning and arrived at the Garfias home at 2:00. (For those of you who don’t know–the Garfias’ are from our church and just moved to TX in March. Lea Ann and I are close friends) Lea Ann was waiting for us and rushed out the door into my arms as soon as I got out of the vehicle. I don’t get that kind of warm welcome very often! Our visit was sweet and too short. Her house is beautiful, open and bright. Lots of space. She’s done an amazing job arranging each room and decorating. I took pictures of the kitchen, my favorite room in her house, you all know why: FIESTA!

Rich and I had to leave at 10pm. By the time we drove into downtown Dallas and into our hotel it was close to midnight. Our flight was early in the morning and so we were up at 5am. Caleb was an absolute perfect baby, believe it or not, no problems whatsoever with traveling. Thank you to those who prayed for that specifically! Unfortunately, Caleb is sick now, with a fever. And I am going to the doctors today for a sore throat that I have been ignoring for too long.

Things I learned from my Trip: Even though I wanted to see and do as much as I could in a day, I neglected to take care of myself and rest. I was a big grouch for half a day because I didn’t relax until it was too late!
Also, I want to take more of my kids next year when Rich has his next yearly convention. It will be in Naples, FL. I get upset because I am spending a lot of time alone and I start feeling lonely. If I had some of the older kids, they could experience travel and it would be more of a family time. There would be less pressure on Rich to free up his schedule for his lonely wife.
Travelling with a baby isn’t that bad. Don’t forget to take a stroller, like I did. But, if you do take one, take a light umbrella-type stroller. It’s much easier to handle. I had to carry Caleb in it up and down stairs, which I never would’ve been able to do with our regular one.
Visiting a long-distance friend is such a special thing to do. Meaningful memories are made and relationships are strengthened. Get ready, Joanna!

Thanks for reading my rough report of my trip! Forgive my lack of development, I have lots to do today but don’t worry, I’ll take some time to rest at some point!

P.S. More Advice: Don’t ignore a sore throat for 2 weeks. I just got back from the doctor’s and he wasn’t very happy with me. I have a sinus infection. . . . .

Next Year I'm Takin' the Older Kids!