rejoicing in the day

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Shanda

This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no ficklenss, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17

My darling Ethan Gregory made his appearance on a beautiful but cold March afternoon, making our little family all the better and giving Rich and I an amazing set of boys to watch grow up together. I can’t even believe that Jacob is 19 now, and Ethan is 18. It has been the joy of our lives to see these two brothers together throughout their childhood. Times, they are a- changin’, and the brothers will be going their separate ways within the next year, and indeed have already begun growing apart slightly as Jacob is in college now and working. They do not share a room anymore for the first time. David shares Ethan’s room and Jacob moved down to the basement with the little boys and sleeps on the couch. Such is the way of life, and it is all very good indeed. Whatever happens or where they go, I know our family will always be close and always be there for each other.

Ethan has plans to go into the service as a SERE specialist (he is in the first steps of making this happen so we can’t say definitely that he is accepted into the program yet) which he considers a dream career. Even if he isn’t accepted into this particular program, he will no doubt do something similar and he will be a great addition to any program or company. As for now, he is finishing up his senior year in High School, active in sports year round, has lots of friends and a sweet girl friend named Tessa, he is involved in church and loves Jesus, likes playing Clash of Clans and Skyrim, trying new recipes in the kitchen (especially pancakes), playing the guitar and singing, and watching Harry Potter movies. Ethan is the strong silent type and does NOT talk much, he enjoys dressing nice, but he does NOT enjoy cleaning his room.. He’s a great guy. Truly. He always has been, always will be. I’m very very proud of him, to say the least, and so is his Dad and the rest of our entire family including aunts and uncles. 🙂

We took some portraits this morning to mark the occasion of 18 years old. These young adults years are going to be great years for Ethan! He has so much adventure ahead of him and it will be fun to see what he does.

Happy Birthday once again to my son, someone I admire and love with all my heart. I rejoice in the day that God gave him to us.

“Excellence is not a skill. It is an attitude”. ~Ralph Marston

welcome

Posted on February 12, 2016 by Shanda

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If you are paying attention, then the day is going to be pretty joyful, and a lot of delight will fill it. ~Greg Boyle

*****

This morning when I woke up I looked at my phone and already had a text message from my brother David wishing me a happy birthday and that he couldn’t believe “the 40’s are here.” I thought about it. I began to get the sensation that I was standing in a doorway and would I welcome the 40’s into my heart with joy? Or work myself into a rather bittersweet melancholy about how time is passing by?

“I want to sing like the birds sing,
not worrying about who hears
or what they think.” ― Rumi

The three younger ones filled out the obligatory tiny cards for Valentine’s day.

This morning they wore red (the boys) and pink (in a cheetah pattern).

And went away to school.

Rich took the day off and the two of us, alone, went out for breakfast at the diner. They make the best mushroom and swiss cheese omelets. We played UNO while we waited for our food. The waitress called us “you two”. After we ate we went out shopping. It was about 3 degrees at that time, and this afternoon it felt downright warm at 23.

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I got some books and a pair of Tiffany sunglasses….this beautiful lady helped me with the purchase (my sister).

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We arrived home at noon and oldest son Jacob was awake and had cleaned the kitchen as a birthday surprise. He gave me a big hug. Rich made us coffee in fiesta java mugs and we watched a movie together.

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Look at the stickers my parents put on my birthday card envelope!

(I love chickens and pigs)

Rich asked me why I was sighing. (I heard that sighing makes you live longer, am I right Nicole?) I was looking at raw chickens and wondering how to truss them without the long needle and proper butchering string that Julia Child had in her explanatory cookbook?

They may not be Julia-perfect but I bet she would be proud of my no-sew pattern of cutting small slits in the loose “shoulder” skin, in order to insert the legs. The wings got folded under. There. Two very nice chicken bundles.

When Caleb came home from school he exclaimed, “WHAT SMELLS SO GOOD??” and I said, “It’s chicken in the oven.” “OH MY WORD, IT SMELLS SO GOOD, IT SMELLS BETTER THAN HOMETOWN BUFFET!” When I laughed he assured me he wasn’t kidding, it really did smell better than Hometown Buffet in the house. Then he ran downstairs to where David was playing video games, “Call me up when it’s done!”

Today I am thankful for so much:

many many friends on FB writing words of birthday blessings
my parents and siblings
my husband and the way we are together
my children and how they are growing and the way they pay the ultimate compliments
home
roasting chicken especially the smell
books
the candy hearts Sarah shared with me (the pink one is in my mouth)
and so on.

Everything.

Opening it up and letting it in.

seven years ago

Posted on February 2, 2016 by Shanda

Seven years ago today I was about ready to give birth to baby boy number five.

Today is super exciting because not only is it Seth William’s birthday but it is also our school’s 100 day AND groundhogs day AND Seth is having a friend get off the bus at our house after school to play until wrestling practice.

“Seth, you’re going to be really happy and excited today so try hard not to let yourself get into trouble” were my words of advice as I hugged him goodbye this morning.

Dad said that winter is over, the ground hog didn’t see his shadow. Hurray!

Sarah had to take 100 of something/anything to school and I sent her with a puzzle that was 100 pieces, she wasn’t that thrilled because she doesn’t like pigs. “They are made out of meat and wolves eat them.” she explained.

So far today:

1. Got kids ready for school, took shower, got dressed for a meeting and then remembered it was happening tomorrow.

2. welcomed Kevin into the house to repair Grace’s ceiling.

3. watched an episode of The Good Wife while folding clothes and matching socks.

4. Went out shopping. First stop: Goodwill

what I bought:

Harry Potter book on cd which the kids are going to LOVE
Angelina Ballerina hardcover book for our family library
an old frame with an oval mat
a nature book
and two dresses, one for me and one for G…guess what, April? One is Garnet Hill and one is Boden!

This dress is Grace’s. The sleeves are 3/4 length and gathered at the ends. Both dresses are made from a soft knit and are currently spinning around in the washer with hopes that I have time to dry them outside on the clothesline by the end of the day.

This one is mine. The lengths on each dress fall just below the knee.

5. After Goodwill (I also bought a very much needed bookcase for G’s room) I went to the Tractor Supply for bird seed, chicken feed, and cat food.

6. Costco for Seth’s birthday cake and groceries

7. Starbucks for a coffee and a snack

8. Arrived at home and Michael helped me put everything away.

9. went to coop to gather (1) egg and feed the hens.

10. hung laundry on clothesline for the second time this week (it’s about 45 degrees here and sunny)

11. made homemade spaghetti sauce with a big 6 pound can of tomatoes that I got at Costco today. I blended them smooth and poured them in a big pot over 5 cloves of minced garlic and a chopped onion, added pepper and dried basil. Now it will simmer for a few hours and I will make homemade meatballs. What with Sarah needing to reduce sodium I am noticing salt in many of the food goods I’ve purchased in the past. For many years I’ve obsessed about sugar and now it’s salt I have to be concerned about. Thankfully there is a simple solution…like make everything yourself (spaghetti sauce) instead of buying processed foods. The can of tomatoes I bought had only 1% of the daily allowance of sodium and since I’m putting some salt in the meatballs I am not adding any to the sauce.

12. Put away groceries

13. That’s it.

This is dear sweet Seth opening one of his gifts this morning. He received legos, glow in the dark plastic dinosaurs, and a Snoopy video game. Sarah was happy because she helped me chose a couple of the gift from the hospitals gift shop while we were there a few weeks ago. She was so happy that she told Seth they were legos before he opened them.

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Seven years ago.

for a 60th

Posted on January 7, 2016 by Shanda

I decided to blog while I’m waiting for Sarah to have her procedure…… in six days. Isn’t it so weird when you have to continue on with life even when things are happening that make you want to *sit and wait it out* instead of proceed with the days as usual? How weird to make dinner while thinking about packing a hospital bag? Or cheer for a wrestling meet while knowing in one week your child will be put to sleep for surgery? I have had this sensation many times (for other reasons) and will no doubt have it many times to come. It’s anticipation in it’s lower form— A not nice “anticipation” for a dreaded event to come and most importantly, GO. But thank goodness for work and keeping busy to take our minds off things!

*****

This morning we allowed dear Ethan to sleep in because he’s been working very hard at keeping in top shape for wrestling but has had a bad cold for several days. I took him to school at 9:30 and then parked the car so I could walk up the hill and back. 2 miles in the cold sunny air. I found myself getting almost chipper as my legs stepped along at a quick pace. I thought about how many times when I was a child I would run off into the woods to cry things out. Without knowing it in so many thoughts or words, my soul knew that I would come to peace out under the trees, curled up in a ball on soft green moss. These thoughts quickly proceeded into thoughts of Heaven and how wonderfully pure and sweet each emotion will be when that time comes, how good food will taste, how comfortable our bodies will move, and how wonderful it will be to spend eternity with Jesus and family……..I spent the whole walk thinking of the ways I thought Heaven might be…..sparing a few thoughts of gratitude for the tissue in my pocket.

Do you know what DNR means? It means “Do Not Resuscitate”.

The main purpose of this post it to show the photos I took this past Saturday at my Dad’s 60th birthday party, at which he received two bracelets from Aunt Carol, who is a nurse (and pictured directly above this paragraph with the baby). The other one that she promptly put on Dad’s opposite arm proclaimed him to be a “fall risk”. So right away we are laughing.

I’ve known my dad for almost 40 years. It’s funny to think of it that way. But we obviously go way back.

I’m just realizing now that I don’t even have a picture of Dad and myself together from the party day.

My sister’s boy, my boy, and my brother’s boy. How can it be?

My brother Nathan and his wife Melissa with some goof-ball.

Abbie

I admired Nate’s facial hair.

Nate, you’re handsome.

Cousin Erika made Dad’s drum cake.

Grace, Abbie, and Maria (my sister in law)

One of the ways Aunt Mary keeps forever young is to spend as much time as possible with the children.

Erika’s baby!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

We all signed our names on a new volleyball for Dad to keep.

Uncle Brian (Aunt Carol’s husband) also gave Dad a suitable gift for old age:

I heard they were made out of York Peppermint Candies, which elicited even more humorous remarks……..

I put together a slideshow of photos for Dad…….

And then it was time for volleyball for those who wanted to play.

We are a talented group. Not to mention all the women are gorgeous.

And children well behaved, creative, and vibrant.

I love the hands in this photo, fussing with the baby.

Time for the song and the cake!

The many names of Dad.

L O V E

and more L O V E

I caught this adorable moment between cousins (only three months apart) Gregory and Seth, showing each other how to tie a shoe.

Emily and Jacob played checkers

Happy Birthday to my loving Dad. It was such fun spending the day with you and the rest of the family………

Here is our group picture!!!!!!!

Click on it to see it bigger!

Thank you to the church for letting us use the gym for the party and for everyone who helped out and made it a happy day.

Family faces are magic mirrors. Looking at people who belong to us, we see the past, present, and future. ~Gail Lumet Buckley

If you’re interested in seeing the slideshow, click here.

the story of a birthday, with recipes

Posted on January 4, 2016 by Shanda

On the morning of December 31, Jacob woke up and smiled. It was his nineteenth birthday and he was looking forward to being home all day long as the center of attention, with lots of family and friends saying Happy Birthday over and over, and generally making merriment in his honor. As the first of seven children, he always felt his very best in a crowd.

His sweet girlfriend was the first to arrive. The day was sunny and pretty.

Emily and Jacob spent time together until she had to go to work.

Meanwhile, in the kitchen, I was very busy making meatballs out of 10 pounds of hamburger.

M E A T B A L L S

I have opinions about meatballs. The ones found in the frozen food section of the grocery store are miles away from being as tasty as homemade. The only ones I have found pre-made that I will pay good money for are a brand that costco sells in the refrigerator section. They are sold in bags of sauce and they are very good. But I haven’t been able to find them lately and also they are a bit more expensive than homemade.

I didn’t like making meatballs until I thought to myself, “I DO like making cookies and they are the same exact concept”. Big bowl, dump in ingredients, mix, and form into balls on cookie sheets. Bake at 350. EASY!

Here is a basic recipe, but the sky is the limit with meatballs. Simple is best.

4 pounds ground beef
2 eggs
4 slices fresh bread, town into bread crumbs
1/2 finely minced onion
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup tomato juice

Mix together, form into balls, bake at 350 for about 30 minutes or until done.

At this point you may cool them and freeze for later, or use them in your favorite recipe.

For Jacob’s party I put them in a crock pot, poured sauce over and turned the dial to “warm”. I prepared buttered noodles and kept them in casserole dishes in the empty oven to store until dinner.

A note about sauce. I do buy prepared sauce and keep it in the pantry but lately I’ve been cutting the saltiness of it by adding a big (28 oz) can of plain whole tomatoes to the pot. To me this has a fresher taste and is more “tomatoey” rather than “processed spaghetti sauce”. A plain, simple, but high quality sauce is nice for simmering meatballs because the meatballs flavor the sauce deliciously.

The house began to fill with teenagers. Jacob is blessed to have great friends in his life and also a birthday that falls on a great party day—New Year’s Eve—and for the last few years the day has turned into an all night celebration for them (not me. I hate staying up late.)

With Ethan and a couple other boys on the wrestling team, we try to have lots of fresh fruit and veggies in the fridge at all times. And it’s good for all of us to eat them.

Caleb’s mom won the “best dip” award (no prize, just the title) by sending along a a couple bags of waffle fries for us to bake and then serve with this dip:

1 tub of sour cream
diced chives (a couple handfuls)
a pack of bacon cooked and diced
a cup of shredded cheddar cheese

Mix together and chill for at least an hour and then top with a little more chives and bacon. Serve with waffle fries.

amazing…so so good

Our old couch is now down in the basement along with a TV and the game systems. So this year it became the kid’s favorite hang out place. I just had to control my curiosity and not go down to see what they were doing constantly.

Just once in a while. And it’s always interesting. Who would have expected seeing Ethan with a tower of dog biscuits on his head?

This is the face of someone whose heart was saying all day long, “How can my darling baby boy be 19 years old?”

Rich is always trying to get kids to do sit ups and push ups with him.

TIME TO EAT! but first a birthday blessing……

directly followed by a little bit of wrestling

not sorry Tessa….you’re beautiful even with your tongue sticking out….

LOVE LOVE LOVE these SMILES!

Emily came back as soon as she was done with work. She couldn’t wait to dive into the meatballs because I had only let her have one of them that morning.

even more wrestling

They were watching a football game together. (Caleb is a huge football fan).

Eventually it was presents and cake time.

This was Seth about to almost put his dog in the flames. *sigh* thank goodness Emily was there to intercept. Blowing out the candles couldn’t happen fast enough, in my opinion. I think Parker the dog was nervous, too. He helps me keep things under control.

Moist Chocolate Cake

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup canola oil
1 cup brewed coffee, room temperature
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Add the oil, coffee and milk; beat at medium speed for 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla; beat 2 minutes longer.

Pour into a greased 9 by 13, or for a layer cake, two greased and floured 9 inch round baking pans. Bake at 325 for 25-30 minus or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely before frosting.

BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1 cup butter, softened
8 cups confectioners sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk

Spread frosting between layers and over top and sides of completely cooled cake (note: this is plenty of frosting to top two 9 by thirteen cakes kept in the pans, which is what I did for the party).

(I doubled this recipe for two 9 by thirteens)

recipe source: taste of home baking classics cookbook

Thank you to Emily and Ethan and his girlfriend Tessa for serving out the cake and ice cream.

Jacob had a wonderful birthday and it was fun to see him enjoy himself. One of my favorite things about him is his ready laugh.

That’s frosting on those pants.

By the next morning, after a night of doing who knows what, the teens were all watching Sesame Street of all things. We ate breakfast prepared by Emily at about 8:30 and then people began to either 1) leave or 2) crash all over the couches to sleep.

Jacob had a lot of changes in the last year and we look forward to seeing him continue growing and learning throughout this next one, too. His last year of being a teenager.

Time flies. And we are having fun.

sweet and simple sixteenth birthday at home

Posted on November 5, 2015 by Shanda

My daughters are reading these books: Emily Climbs by L.M. Montgomery, and Lucy Steps Through the Wardrobe. Good, wholesome, soul-full, beautiful books. There’s nothing like pre-internet literature, in my opinion.

As I mentioned yesterday, dear daughter Grace turned 16.

She’s a confident, takes -her- responsibilities -seriously, friend -to -all type of young woman.

She gets ideas and she follows through.

Last week she came home and told me she taught an elective (one time) class with another teacher and she enjoyed it. The kids who signed up for the class enjoyed it, too.

She might be a teacher one day, and if she is….she’ll be a great one.

She’s working on ASL fluency. She has so many ideas about that, too.

I have this photo of her when she was seven.

Larissa delivered the cakes yesterday and helped get the room ready for a simple family dinner and cake night.

Grace requested shrimp scampi for dinner. Costco sells it frozen, and it’s very easy to prepare. While the noodles are boiling, all you need to do is dump the scampi in another skillet and heat.

We also had fresh fruit (grapes, raspberries, blackberries), a dish of diced tomatoes as a topper to the pasta for those who wished, and broccoli. There was apple cider to drink.

While I was busy getting the last things on the table, I found Caleb giving his sister a hug.

We had an early dinner because Seth and Caleb had football practice. So we ate and then let Grace open her bag of gifts.

There was an uproar about finding the football gear but I finally got out the door with the boys…only to discover once we got to the field that Seth had forgotten his helmet and Caleb didn’t have practice, he had a movie night with the team at the Coach’s house.

On the way back home I listened to the radio.

Rich came home and we had some snuggle time on the couch until he went to pick up the boys.

8pm — delicious cake and ice cream to celebrate our beautiful Grace Lillian.

She was born around 3 a.m. in the morning. She was the first labor and delivery I smiled through, thanks to a first-time epidural.

Our precious baby daughter had arrived, after two boys. Oh how fun it was to dress her up in little girl clothes and to see her brothers fall in love with their tiny sister. She was 5 pounds and 13 ounces when she was born….my smallest baby.

We have had 16 blessed years with our girl and we are forever grateful for the opportunity to raise her and love her.

There is no such thing in anyone’s life as an unimportant day. ~Alexander Woollcott

To finish the moment, to find the journey’s end in every step of the road, to live the greatest number of good hours, is wisdom. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Jacob and Emily weren’t able to join us for cake because they were working.

(individual ice cream cups made serving so much easier)

waving the smoke away

The cake had raspberry filling.

(If you’re reading this an you’re a local friend please stop by for a piece of cake. There is a lot left over.)

Rich and his daughter have a date planned to go and get her set up with her first bow. It’s what she has wanted for a long time now. She will add “archery” to her list of accomplishments very soon.

Be deeply satisfied and ready for more. ~Abraham–Hicks

thirteen

Posted on September 27, 2015 by Shanda

Isn’t it beautiful to celebrate every child, each special, unique life?

To give birth to a son and watch him grow each and every day.

How thankful I am to have my son David in my life. Thirteen years ago, on an early fall, sunshiny day, he was born.

I experienced the miracle of new life…my third baby boy. I savored every minute of those baby days.

This morning I woke up at 7:30 and there was already a party going on. Dave had a friend spend the night and they were chasing each other around the house with toy weapons.

After church we had a big cheese pizza, a salad made with radishes, tomatoes, mushrooms, and Italian dressing, and fried chicken. He played the piano while we cleared the table and turned on the Sunday afternoon football game.

The many sounds of “home”.

Isn’t it a marvel how God makes a family? To put a husband and wife together, giving them children to raise? Each life has a purpose, each life is a gift.

Thirteen is the age of rapid growing, the beginnings of manhood. Long legs and arms, his voice cracking and deepening. But still so much the child remains.

Some of David’s quotable quotes:

“I really don’t like j’s. Why can’t they all just be g’s?”

***

“is it Monet or Monae?”

“It’s Monet.”

“YES!! I love silent t’s.”

***

“I feel like I just had a genius idea. But I forgot what it was.”

***

“I dreamt that I was grown up and I was skydiving……I was probably smiling in my sleep. And then Santa skydived.”

***

“There is not a SINGLE movie where love isn’t involved.”

“Love is a wonderful thing, Dave.”

“NOT when it keeps happening.”

Home is where we wrap the presents, secretly in the other room, at the last minute.

Letting little sister help.

Leaving them in a stack for the birthday boy to find.

Home is an empty couch filled with pillows one minute, full of boys the next.

Home is the sound of guesses, ripping wrapping paper, and surprises.

Shamrock fiesta mugs and nerf guns.

batman and superman

The wonder of a tiny microscope, books, legos, and a 2 dollar bill.

“I don’t think I’ll ever be able to spend this!”

“Why did you put tape?…….oh” … “Did you really put tape over every time it says that in the book? I bet you forgot at least one.”

Home is cherishing every moment.

And eating cheesecake.

It might even be homemade (it’s not).

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID LLOYD, you are a wonderful son. I love you so much.

{this moment}

Posted on July 10, 2015 by Shanda

opened presents
went to Crackerbarrel for breakfast
put together his lego set
looked at his baby book for the first time
had his favorite dinner at home (chicken divan)
this is a football-birthday for our football-loving boy
Caleb turns 10!!!!!!!

thankful

Posted on June 2, 2015 by Shanda

“….but encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today….” Hebrews 3:13

Over the last two days we have had four inches of rain. This is good news considering the lawn was already turning brown and it’s only June 2. It’s been so nice not to have to carry water to my flowers.

I’m sharing miscellaneous photos today, like the one of Grace’s rabbit, who was allowed to explore the outdoors for the first time a few weeks ago, with Grace nearby, keeping a sharp look out.

I’ve been turning over lots of logs as we walk in the woods…we find lots of friendly little woodland creatures, mostly the large beetle many legged kinds, but sometimes we get to say hi to a lizard or two, they have the loveliest earthy homes. So cozy. And then I gently turn the logs back over for them.

All the women in my family love wild lady slippers.

water balloon fight on a very hot day

Rich was on a business trip last week and I was at one of many little league games. I watched the games and kept a casual eye on Seth and Sarah but at one point I couldn’t locate Seth. I walked all over the place trying to find him. I finally asked Dave, who was in the dugout at the time, if he had seen him…..and yes, it turned out he was up in the score box hanging out with the scorekeeper. He’s wearing the bright green neon shirt in the picture.

Much to my dismay, Mr.R, our neighbor whom Jacob works for, gave the boys a HUGE old TV to play with. They took it apart this weekend and it was nice, after all, to see them busily doing a project. There are now baggies of copper wire and what-not in my cupboard, and they very neatly put the pieces they didn’t want into the garbage.

With Rich in my line of vision, and the three youngest in the pond, it was hard to concentrate on my book.

Then the rest of the children marched by, on their way to what they call “the murder scene” far away in the woods…..Jacob, Emily, Grace, Zac, Ethan, and Dave.

The new chickies are growing nicely. They are now in the coop with the seven hens, which makes for a slight difficulty as I am very protective of the chicks and keep them shut in the coop tightly (all sorts of creatures love tender chick meat). I go down in the morning to let the older chickens out to roam around. Therefore, the hens can’t get back in as usual and have no where to lay their eggs and I don’t know what they are doing with them.

Snickers smiling on the front steps.

The late-bloom lilacs are blooming. They smell divine. I have a bouquet of them in the kitchen.

Emily gave Sarah presents for her birthday.

Time for Birthday Cake! Will Parker the dog get some? He looks so sad.

Five candles

We gave Sarah a scooter for her birthday and she loves it.

She loves the little knee and elbow pads, and the little gloves. We bought her a helmet, too, but when we went to put it on her we realized it had a crack in it already so we have to take it back.

She took her scooter to David’s late game on Saturday night. It was great fun watching her go all over the place on it. The wheels light up as they turn, so it was especially exciting for her as it got darker outside.

“Let us fix our eyes

on Jesus,

the author and perfecter of our faith.”

Hebrews 12:2

There is so much to be thankful for, especially the holy Spirit of God within our hearts, turning our dissatisfaction to contentment, our bitterness into love, our “poor me” attitudes into confidence and joy. He gets all the glory forever and ever. He makes all the difference..anything and everything that is beautiful is because of HIM alone.

You are loved.

i have a cheetah for a daughter. today is her birthday.

Posted on May 30, 2015 by Shanda

Sarah has been pretending to be a couple of different animals lately.

First she was a dog named Princess and I was her mother and our dog, Parker, was her father.

(She announces these things to me and then gets irritated when I can’t remember her name.)

Next it was, “Mom, I’m your cheetah and my name is Star.”

This last one has been going on for several days, I’m getting kind of used to her name being Star now.

I love how she naturally includes me in her land of make-believe, always. Always her mother.

We took the kids out to dinner last night and then Rich wanted to go in the Apple store so I went into Gap Kids and came across the perfect shirt for my cheetah daughter named Star.