the babies

Posted on February 25, 2019 by Shanda

There’s a small hole in the kitchen, right in the corner where the dishwasher meets the cupboards. Our cat Sam hates the other cats in the house and has taken to squeezing herself into that hole, ending up in the cupboard for hours a day. The hole is too small for the other cats to follow her, so she feels safe. Seth is home sick, getting over the flu, but wanted a cat so much that he went to pull Sam out of the cupboard, knocking over a bottle of sesame seed oil. The cap broke on the floorm the bottle spilled, and so…. guess what…………I’ve already cleaned up half a cup of seseme oil off the floor!!! Not a pleasant smell, either. Seth was sent back to the couch without the cat. In order to clean up sesame seed oil you need: paper towels, Dawn dish soap, hot water, more paper towels, and cleaning spray that smells stronger than the oil. (I used Mrs. Meyer’s Lilac)

I have to leave in an hour for a doctor’s appointment but am determined to post these photos.

My brother Nate and his family came out to Connecticut this weekend to visit my brother Isaac and his family, and the baby girl cousins were together!

We had a wonderful time sitting around the livingroom visiting each other and admiring the girls.

fullsizeoutput_611d

As soon as I walked in the house and saw them in their matching outfits I laughed. They were impossibly cute!!!!!

fullsizeoutput_6126

Isaac took all the photos. Thank you Isaac!

fullsizeoutput_6129

Isn’t it a joy to have a cousin to grow up with? Cousins are the best.

fullsizeoutput_612d

Seth named this photo “milk and cookies”. He said Elena was thinking of milk, and Morgan was thinking of cookies. He asked me which baby I thought was cuter and I said it was impossible to choose and then I asked him which one HE thought was cuter and he thought about it and couldn’t choose, either.

fullsizeoutput_6133

They’re even cute when they cry.

***********

This morning we were pleasantly surprised by a beautiful snow.

fullsizeoutput_6136

fullsizeoutput_6137

fullsizeoutput_6138

Happy Monday, friends.

You are loved.

tiny music maker

Posted on February 7, 2019 by Shanda

Lately I’ve been feeling blessed by family in so many ways.

Look who came to visit Aunt Shanda today!

The three of us sisters sat and visited over tea.

And then I took the baby to the piano and showed her the keys and what they did.

She figured it out easily.

It was a beautiful moment, to see these tiny baby hands making baby music.

fullsizeoutput_6094

She absolutely loved it, and so did we, as we watched her delight.

We played a few hymns, including Jesus Loves Me.

Then we took her out to the livingroom and ate cookies (she couldn’t eat one so she had some milk) and then she fell into a sound and happy asleep. She had an exciting morning.

57125106086__01A93F7C-F915-4ED0-9CCD-561B08C0DC4D

milk-drunk

fullsizeoutput_6096

We also put her hair in a pony tail.

Ah it’s such fun to play with real live baby dolls!

Thanks Amanda and Cassandra and Elena for visiting me today!

isaac and elena

Posted on November 8, 2018 by Shanda

Rich and David have been in Jamaica since Saturday night and won’t be back until this Saturday night and I’m starting to feel withdrawals. I was in the bathroom this morning after the kids left for school and actually cried about 5 tears down my face when I decided to text Isaac to see what he and Cassandra were doing today. I ended up going to their house for four hours! It was warm and cozy. We visited. Isaac and I went to Chipotle to get food for lunch and he drove and paid. We took the food home and ate in the livingroom with sunshine pouring through the windows and the Great British Baking show on in the background. I held the baby all through her nap. It was the most relaxed I’ve felt in a long time. I’m still half asleep, typing this.

fullsizeoutput_5c3e

fullsizeoutput_5c3d

so blessed.

new baby//old baby

Posted on September 27, 2018 by Shanda

fullsizeoutput_5a91

On Sunday afternoon Rich and I finally got to meet our new niece, Morgan! She is my brother Nathan and sister-in-law, Melissa’s, third child. At the same time, we were able to watch their son Greg play a game of football (he’s a star athlete already!)

Sarah held a baby for the very first time in her life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was such a joyful moment.

fullsizeoutput_5a9a

Caleb held the baby, too! I love this photo so much!

fullsizeoutput_5aab

Me, Melissa, and Morgan. What a gift to be able to hold her and to visit with Melissa. I love you, sister!

And we got to see Makayla Lynn, their oldest daughter, & our beautiful niece. Sarah adores her cousin and they had a nice time playing during the game. Sarah wishes she could visit her cousins every weekend!

David and Seth were the only ones who didn’t want to hold the baby, (why?!?!) but here is Ethan with his little cousin. She looks so tiny in his arms.

fullsizeoutput_5a9d

And here’s Uncle Dave with Morgan!! This was his first time holding her, as well. He’s so good to all his nieces and nephews. We are so blessed to have Morgan in our family and thankful for her safe and happy arrival. I already posted photos of our other new baby, Elena, yep…..two of my brothers had baby girls within just a week and three days! My parents were thrilled! I cannot wait to have them both in the same room and take their photo together like twins!

fullsizeoutput_5a9c

Greg, as usual, scored a gazillion touchdowns. Between a new baby and an exciting game for Greg, our family was having a great day!

I’m proud of my brother Nate, the way he coaches football, and most of all the way he loves and takes care of his family. We love you, Nathan!

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

I’ve spent the morning preparing for our OLD baby’s birthday. Yes, our dear baby David Lloyd turns 16 years old TODAY. He is a bright and wonderful part of our family.

Here he is with his brother Ethan. David on the left, Ethan on the right.

He requested chicken and dumplings for dinner and either a cheesecake or ice cream cake for dessert. I went out this morning to get the ingredients for dinner, plus a cheesecake AND a small vanilla cake AND a small apple tart. Can you believe it, I forgot the vanilla ice cream but I DID remember the candles! I just got done wrapping his gifts. He’ll be home at 2:30 and then the party can begin.

PS, sorry for the excessive use of exclamation points! At times it cannot be avoided.

a very special September 16th

Posted on September 17, 2018 by Shanda

fullsizeoutput_5a4c

new mama

fullsizeoutput_5a4e

first baby!!

fullsizeoutput_5a51

My brother Isaac and his wife Cassandra had their baby!!! and invited us over yesterday to meet her. Rich and I left David in charge of Caleb, Seth, and Sarah at home, and spent about an hour and a half visiting our new little niece.

fullsizeoutput_5a71

fullsizeoutput_5a6e

fullsizeoutput_5a5d

It was wonderful to hold this beautiful baby girl. She’s perfect.

Rich had a turn holding her, too. I think he was surprised that I would share.

Isaac with his baby girl.

fullsizeoutput_5a61

fullsizeoutput_5a65

I took these portraits after she took a little nap and was relaxed, calm, and content in her Daddy’s arms. Rich remarked to me after we left how sweet it was to see her obviously know and love her parents.

fullsizeoutput_5a69

fullsizeoutput_5a6b

fullsizeoutput_5a3a

Welcome to the word, sweet Elena! You are loved beyond words.

*****

When it was time to leave, we went in the backyard and had Isaac take some photos of us, as it was our 23rd wedding anniversary.

It was a very special September 16th, and one we will always remember because it was the day we met baby Elena.

Praise the LORD!
Oh give thanks to the LORD,
for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 106:1

great

Posted on May 30, 2018 by Shanda

fullsizeoutput_5654

1. Sarah Joy is our youngest child and was born on this date, 8 years ago. She was named after her Great-Grandmother and the joy in our hearts when we knew she was coming into our family.

fullsizeoutput_565a

2. The last photo I took before having Sarah was of the beautiful blooming peonies in my flower beds. This morning Sarah stood next to them, but spring was late coming this year and they are still only buds. A hope and a promise.

fullsizeoutput_565c

3. Sarah is in 2nd grade and has very nice handwriting (her teacher said so). She loves to read. The last book she read was titled Waiting for the Magic and she liked it very much. “The dogs talk.”

fullsizeoutput_5662