davy’s birthday is today

Posted on September 27, 2014 by Shanda

Last night we had a house full of people for dinner and Bible study, so we decided to have David’s BIRTHDAY cake a day early.

Yes, 12 years ago today Rich and I welcomed our little David into our arms and lives.

Rich was gone this afternoon, watching Jacob and Ethan’s football game, so David and I went for a walk just the two of us.

A few weeks ago, he thoughtfully made me a detailed list for his birthday gifts. Everything was on amazon.com, and he even gave me the monetary total of all requested items.

The Spiderman mask was one of his gifts. He also received an instant-appearing magic wand, magic balls, invisible thread, and a trick pen.

He said to me on our walk that he is gaining a reputation at school because of his magic tricks.

He says that soon he will be able to make about five dollars by performing them.

He’s currently playing with the Spiderman lego set that his best friend Ryan gave him.

After I took this picture we sat down and read books up on the mountain.

Happy 12th birthday, David!

NINE on the NINTH

Posted on July 9, 2014 by Shanda

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Sarah’s 4th Birthday

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Shanda

The baby of our family just turned four years old. My friend Heather and I were trying to get together and that morning (of Sarah’s birthday) was the time that worked best for us both, so I turned the visit into a little playdate for Sarah and some of her (my) friends. We had 8 little ones amongst us four mamas and only two of the children were girls. Sarah was thankful to have one little girlfriend attend, but with five brothers of her own she felt quite comfortable with the boys, too.

We played for a couple of hours outside, and then we had lunch together which consisted of pasta with butter, cut up hot dogs, applesauce cups, and juice boxes.

The mamas had turkey burgers.

What a gift it was to have little babies in the house. I so love to watch a woman with her baby, it’s a beautiful thing to see and brings back so many wonderful memories of those days, for me. This friend of mine loves her babies passionately (she & her husband have four sons)…..

And this friend thoughtfully bounced her baby’s seat with her foot as she ate. So darling.

Grace calls this baby boy HER baby, because I took her with me to see him in the hospital when he was born. We both got to hold him when he was just a day or so old. I met his mama at Community Bible Study, she lives the next town over, we are the same age and have become friends. (so thankful!)

So yeah, this was a crazy attempt at a group picture. I laugh every time I look at it.

This was the best we did…..I think a few of us were shrieking to get them to look forward. They were all so good that day, and I loved watching them explore the ponds, see the chickens, chase cats, jump on the trampoline, blow bubbles, and dig in the sand. So busy, so energetic, such a zest for all of life, and no one got hurt!

After our group photo we had cupcakes and ice cream. (I only wish I had planned ahead to order the cupcakes from Nicole, our town’s lovely c.cake baker!)

As soon as we began singing, Sarah looked at her brother with the most thrilled expression. She was waiting and waiting for this birthday and it was really and truly here!

Such a good mama…..she delights in her new son. I thought it was cute that they sort of dressed alike.

After Heather and Michal left, Alysha and I sat down by the stream to chat and let the children play some more…..isn’t she so adorable? We met last February when she skidded her van into our stream and we rescued her and the boys. True story. (God does things so interestingly). I was telling her son (not the baby) as he got wet, “You’ve been IN this stream before!” ‘Cause we can laugh about it, now that it’s been over a year.

*****

(hours later)

There are times now when the whole family cannot gather around to watch the birthday child open gifts and blow out the candles. For Sarah’s birthday this year we were all home except Ethan. We missed him. He was at a baseball game.

She opened her gifts with Caleb on one side and Seth on the other.

Grace wrapped the gifts in blue paper tape because of course we didn’t find the regular tape until the next day.

It was so nice of Caleb to immediately offer to hold Sarah’s money, wasn’t it? Such a good big brother. With her money, Sarah has been trying to bribe Seth into playing what SHE wants to play. I hear her saying, “I’ll GIVE YOU A DOLLLLAAAR” in a sing-song voice. (but I do not allow bribing, although I am known to give a dollar to the child who finds me the remote to the TV). I don’t know how I get on these topics.

I just love the way Caleb and Seth were so happy for Sarah to receive this princess dress. “rejoice with those who rejoice”

Opening the tea set *that face*

I think she was telling him that don’t worry, she would let him use it with her. He can’t wait.

Then, oh joy, it was strawberry cake time. I let Sarah place the jelly beans on it herself. It was a new, buttery, fussy, for-real a recipe from a legitimate bake shop down south….the flavor was great but I didn’t let it bake long enough so it was gummy. (so disappointed=take it from me, in life’s perfection there is much more to go wrong, so say these little words with me, “OH WELL”–and learn the art of letting go.) What matters is the love, my friends. It’s the thought that counts most of all.

I am determined to try again with the recipe!

Smiling through another (the second, what a lucky little girl) rendition of the birthday song. My darling blond baby who is now “big”, it’s true.

she was born on a sunday morning

for my brother Nathan

Posted on June 2, 2014 by Shanda

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{this moment} with the birthday girl

Posted on May 30, 2014 by Shanda

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo – no words – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember. inspired by soulemama

she’s four today.

Ethan’s 16th birthday

Posted on March 6, 2014 by Shanda

It was my son Ethan’s sixteenth birthday yesterday and the day dawned bright and cold, after little sleep for yours truly. I awoke with a headache and a bewildered feeling, “what a wild night”. Rich didn’t sleep well either, and after I got up I discovered that Jacob had also been up in the night. He didn’t go to school yesterday because he was sick.

Wednesdays are a very busy day for us because I have my Bible Study, of which I am a core group leader (facilitator) for a room full of wonderful sisters in Christ. The day is typically nonstop and yesterday was even busier because I had a birthday to prepare.

Funny things Seth and Sarah said as we were going Bible study:

Seth: rambling on and on about his night.
Sarah (not to be outdone): “I had a dream last night, TOO!”
Me: “He wasn’t talking about a dream, he was talking about reality.”
Sarah (not to be outdone) “I HAD REALITY, TOO!”

***

And then, as we were going in the church:

Sarah: (cheerfully) “I have to go to the bathroooooom!”
ME: groaning because I really have to get to opening prayer, “really? okay, let’s go.”
Sarah (on potty): nothing is happening
ME: (impatient) “I don’t think you really need to go.”
Sarah: (loudly) “I DO!” (and then, whispers) “And YOU ARE GOING TO STAY WITH ME.” (big blue eyes leaning into mine)

Then, she called perfume, “my fume” which is the best way to say it, really.

I was at study from 9-1:30 and then we headed to Target.

I had to return a 29 dollar garbage can that I bought on Monday and brought home, only to discover that it was broken. Then, I got a big gift bag and found a bunch of little things to give to Ethan for his birthday. He ordered some fancy sneakers last week but they won’t be in until April and we all agreed that he needed something to open on his special day. I got the ingredients for his requested dinner, too.

When I arrived back home I discovered that my sick boy had cleaned the living room, kitchen, and new addition spotlessly. He even rearranged the kitchen things a little to make it all fresh and nice. Oh I was so encouraged by that!

I found Jacob and the birthday boy in front of a nice fire that they made, playing computer games. I hugged them and chatted with them and then set right to work making Ethan’s birthday pies.

I used purchased pie dough and filled each with a can of cherry pie filling, three apples, a sprinkling of sugar, a dusting of cinnamon, and a tablespoon of flour. (They were not as high as Bob would make his pies.)

When the pies were baking, and the little brothers were home from school, Ethan was looking in the cupboards for a snack so I knew it was time for him to look in his birthday bag.

My vision was blocked by the excited siblings. His bag contained a new nerf gun, 75 bullets, and a bunch of snack stuff (which he promptly opened).

Ethan’s pies

I made honey baked chicken for dinner. I trimmed chicken breasts into smaller pieces and poured over the top: One cup of unsalted butter whisked together with one cup of honey, one cup of mustard, and 3 T of curry powder.

I was supposed to let it marinade for at least 4 hours but alas, I had no time to spare so I let it sit out (with foil on top) for about 1/2 an hour before I put it in the oven.

As it baked, I had to go to school to pick up Grace (the galloping music of life plays on).

Zachary and Michael came to help celebrate the evening with Ethan.

With the chicken, we had egg noodles, broccoli, and corn.

Rich entertained us all with his stories.

I think the part of the night that I want to remember the most is all the story telling. Everyone talked and talked. The family needed this night, a night to sit around the table and be together full of happiness because it was another birthday to celebrate.

In fact, I had to finally ask for silence, because after Jacob lit the candles the talking continued until I was afraid the pies would fill with melted wax.

He took a deep breath and blew out 16 candles at once. We clapped and he smiled.

We all told our favorite stories of “E”.

Aunt Mildred called to wish him a Happy Birthday.

Rich and I served out the pie and ice cream on paper plates as the talking continued.

Grace had my camera and took some close ups.

Zachary

Seth

And the birthday boy!

It came to pass, during our conversations, that the source of Jacob’s illness was revealed as pure gluttony. He made himself sick by buying himself an energy drink and drinking it down with some Mountain Dew (while at youth group). To make things worse, he then came home he made himself a bedtime snack of bacon and sausage, of which he ate a great deal more than he should have. We all agreed that it was a good thing he threw it up.

*****

This morning the sun is once again shining but it is only about 10 degrees. Let us hope the temperature climbs up forty degrees today, but even if it doesn’t, God is in control, He is holy and pure, His ways are perfect, nothing surprises Him, and he has abundant love for His own.

*****

“What a mercy, of more value than a thousand worlds, to walk in the fear of the Lord all the day long; to be enabled to live above the smiles or frowns of this world, and to find the love of Christ all-satisfying to our souls; to feel all creature-love swallowed up in Christ, and to know that he loves us better than we love ourselves. Have felt these few days very comfortable, stayed upon the Lord; and today, sweet peace and joy, arising from a believing view of the ever-blessed gospel of the Son of God. As soon as I take my eye from Jesus, and look for anything like comfort from this world, or look within for something to rest upon, I begin to be in trouble, and have again to run into the name of the Lord, which is a strong tower to my soul at all times.” Mary Winslow’s diary, January 21, 1829

38 candles

Posted on February 13, 2014 by Shanda

I had a birthday yesterday and for the first time probably EVER I wasn’t all worked up about it. I usually get so excited and expectant and I know there were times when I was a teenager or a young adult when I came crashing down with tears when my loved ones didn’t care about my birthday as much as I thought they would, (SO selfish, *sigh*).

I knew for a fact that I would be busy half the day because CBS is on Wednesdays and after missing three weeks I had absolutely no choice in the matter, I had to be there. So I told Rich from the get-go that he didn’t need to make any plans. We could do something on Valentine’s day for a special treat.

BUT MY HUSBAND, this is so touching to me, had it in his head to spoil me the whole day long, beginning with breakfast in bed. Wednesday mornings are typically very hectic for me, getting five kids out the door and then getting Seth and Sarah ready to go to Bible Study. Yesterday my darling did everything and I left at 8 feeling calm and prepared (what a difference!).

He gave me a bouquet of small roses and I took them with me in a white fiesta vase!

Birthdays are a great day to pray “thank you” to God all day long and that is just what I did. As I was with the ladies (“my” ladies) for four hours yesterday I was thanking God for them and the blessing of meeting so many beautiful women (Debbie W.!) who are family to me because we share the same born-again experience, in Christ. We had our studies, then a special brunch, and a wonderful message from Annie. Then, leadership met afterwards for more fellowship and study, laughter, joy in simply being together.

I left with a full-heart but actually needing a nap and arrived back home to HIM, who was ready to whisk us back out the door for birthday spoiling. We picked up our little boys at school and headed downtown to my favorite little shop, where my Alaskan friend Hannah had arranged to have a gift ready for me to pick up.

Thank you, Hannah, for being so thoughtful and fun. Your gift was a highlight of the day. I adore the locket and the journal. love you.

coffeeshop

I had a bagel with cream cheese and sliced tomato.

The boys had soda. Sarah had an apple juice.

Not much elbow room but I love snuggling in the corners with my family.

Face of love. Face that I love. This man is attractive, generous, tender, kind, strong, and means the world to me.

The chess game developed into bickering, teasing, loud laughing, until I cautioned, “My birthday’s getting worse and worse!” I regret those words and wish I could take them back because I broke Caleb’s heart. He stopped playing, looked at me, and began to cry in sorrow. I held him in my arms and kissed him and told him I was so sorry……. and, because I knew it would cheer him up…..I told Rich the next stop was Barnes and Nobles bookstore. Off we went, where Caleb poured over books (he is an amazing reader for 8 years old) and came away with four new ones. 🙂

I also ran into Marshalls to buy hair products because my winter hair is driving me CRAZY.

My birthday gifts from the bookstore. My mom has the same cookbook (another highlight of the day was talking to her and Dad on the phone, as they called to wish me a Happy Birthday) xo

When we left the bookstore, we drove straight to the High School for Grace, Jacob, and Ethan. Grace showed me this picture of herself on the wall, she is part of the “Singin in the Rain” production this spring and this is one of her costumes. I think she’s beautiful. And happy.

Jacob and Ethan had a wrestling meet.

I think it’s so cute to see the guys all dive into the middle of the mat after warm ups.

Ethan won his, and Jacob lost his. It was fun to be there as a family cheering them on. I got to chat with my friend Nicole, too. She crochets. 🙂

My cake! I can’t get over that it says “MOM” on it, this is a first for me. I LOVE IT. Rich took David and Caleb with him on Tuesday night and the three of them carefully ordered my cake. It was carrot, with cream cheese frosting and probably weighed four pounds.

The kids ate the entire pizza we brought home while Rich inserted my “80 candles” (so he said) into my cake.

I had cake and ice cream for supper!

same smile

a happy birthday

38 candles

I closed my eyes to listen to my beloved family sing.

I look like I have fangs.

taking a deep breath

the smoke gets worse each year

With the love of my life.

VIDEO:

****

This morning it is snowing and and the children have a snow day. Because I had 2 pieces of cake for dinner last night, I have resolved to eat only fruits and vegetables today. I had 2 apples for breakfast with my coffee. We are watching Aristocats on TV, which is Sarah Joy’s new favorite movie. We have watched it four times this week. With all the excitement yesterday, I hope to be more still today, and perhaps even pick up my knitting!

Blessings and much love to all my friends who pass by here today.

“He who trusts in his riches will fall, but the righteous shall flourish as the green leaf.” Proverbs 11:28

“The beloved of the Lord will dwell in safety by him. He covers him all day long. He dwells between his shoulders.” Deuteronomy 33:12

home

Posted on February 4, 2014 by Shanda

Sunday: After a big, gooey pizza, we had birthday cake.

I know, the cake was tiny! I bought it at a bake shop and I knew he would love the football and decide that it would slice into 10 pieces just fine. We each had one piece and then the cake was gone.

Monday: I knew we were about to get some snow so I took Seth and Sarah downtown to get some groceries. There is nothing like that “prepared” feeling.

After I got the groceries in the house Sarah and I ran down to the chicken coop.

We asked them to come out and play but they said they were barefoot.

Parker is always ready for some playtime.

Actually, I think this face is saying, “Do you have an egg in your pocket for me?”

Here is a laundry tip for mothers with a large family: KEEP DOING IT. No matter what, do your laundry every day, even weekends. Go around the house in the morning and pick up any dirty clothes, take sheets off a bed or two, pick up towels in the bathroom and gather up the kitchen laundry, too. Remember to wash coats and jackets every once in a while, too. If I keep up with the laundry I only have to do, at the most, three loads a day, and sometimes only two. I wait until they are all washed and dried and then I stand at the couch and fold everything (or, I have a child do the folding). As soon as they are folded they are put away in the proper place. I’m usually all done with laundry by 1 o’clock every day.

Snowflake photography next to the open door of a snowy day.

Quiet moments during Seth and Sarah’s nap time.

My latest thrift store book: Things to Make and Do, full of doable, cute crafts for little ones. We made puffets!

The living room toy basket.

Our stack of reading by the armchair.

The fire is so delightful.

And since we’ve no place to go,

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow.

More snow pictures from the front porch.

When Seth woke up we played his sock monkey game from Grandma.

Someone hides the monkey while the other one covers their eyes. Then, we read the questions in the game for clues to where it could be. Then, we GO LOOK.

Once, I hid the sock monkey in my plant.

Seth looked and looked.

And looked. Finally, he found it!

He was so happy. Then, it was his turn to hide it.

But when it’s my turn to look he cannot stand the suspense and usually tells me where it is before I can find it.

The boys came home in the snow.

Caleb spent the evening reading his book and finally finished it. The smile.

Tuesday: This was the view this morning from the porch, at about 7:30am. Fog was drifting toward me from over the trees, as the sun rose. And the trees were heavy with snow.

The children had school at the regular time but there are rumors of a snow storm tonight and a possible snow day, tomorrow.

I’m writing this in the bathroom while Seth splashes and sings in the bathtub.

Happy Tuesday!

Oh, I almost forgot to show you the puffets!

(They are really puppets but Seth and Sarah don’t say it right).

seth’s fifth birthday

Posted on February 2, 2014 by Shanda

Groundhog’s day?

Super bowl Sunday?

Seth’s BIRTHDAY!!!!!

What a fun day we are having. Rich took David and Caleb to their first wrestling tournament and I took the other children to church. We got home a little while ago and Mike is here. We have Despicable Me 2 going on the TV and Sarah is taking her nap. Oh was she a handful in church. She was on one side of me and Seth was on the other. I didn’t know she had a communion cup completely IN her mouth until the nice young lady behind us leaned over to take it out. Sarah was highly offended. Seth was on my lap, then Sarah, then Seth….they were hungry, they were thirsty, she was crying, he was feeling my leg (the nylons are SO fascinating), they needed mints, he kicked her, she cried again, etc. The song leader stood up after the sermon and said something like “Don’t you just wish this service could go on and on….” and I was like “NO PLEASE NO!” LOL

It was good to be there and I’m truly glad we went. We did Burger King drive through after church was over and saw a bunch of ducks in the parking lot. Grace took pictures of them through the window.

Most importantly, today is Seth’s birthday. He is five now.

He said he loved the wrapping paper. He had his gifts opened up in approximately 20 seconds flat.

Seth the stealthy ninja

before church

The eyes to melt a mama’s heart.

It’s easy to hold up five fingers.

He had barbecue sauce with his chicken nuggets.

Seth’s friend Naomi gave him a cool gift at church today.

Seth with two of his four brothers. I can’t stand it.

Happy Birthday to the little charmer who keeps me on my toes and lights up my life.

all on a birthday

Posted on November 5, 2013 by Shanda

The morning of Grace’s 14th birthday dawned bright, cold, and clear.

I gave her a gift before school, and made her a breakfast of fried eggs and homemade toasted bread.

We took a few pictures; she’s 14 now.

I gave her this sweatshirt, because she is a big Sherlock Holmes fan.

Grace loves nail polish and keeps her nails painted prettily.

Grace and her best friend, Jenna.

Grace colored with the little ones the other day; and copied out these verses. (( love ))

Scissors and yarn make a good quiet activity for a four year old. This kept him busy for about 15 minutes yesterday morning. He cut little pieces and practiced tying knots.

After seeing the birthday girl, David, and Caleb, off to school, the preschoolers and I got ready to go to a brunch. The brunch was held at Sandi’s house for all the core leaders in Community Bible Study. We each took a dish to share. The decorated table held chicken salad, zucchini muffins, Greek yogurt with berry sauce, pumpkin mousse served with ginger cookies and graham crackers, banana bread with chocolate chips, pumpkin muffins, and a fresh baked quiche. With coffee and tea, it was a delightful meal. We sat in the living room, chatted about the crazy things our kids have done, (which would come back to haunt me) and shared easy recipes. Paula wrote all the recipes down, we have plans to make up our own cookbook of 2-5 ingredient recipes. Seth and Sarah were supplied with toys and they had a great time exploring a place we had never visited before. Seth had the best time with the automatic water and ice on the door of the fridge and he drank a LOT of water. I left with a smile on my face and a bounce in my step, after getting to know the ladies better and sharing a good time.

One mile down the road Seth was absolutely desperate for a bathroom. Thankfully we came across a McDonald’s and we ran in, the three of us together and holding hands; he made it!

Grace requested tacos for her birthday meal and I had to stop at Big Y. By this time Seth needed another bathroom break and I took him down by the deli department to use the restroom.

On the way home from the store, Seth began sneezing and sneezing. Next, his nose began to bleed. It bled all the way home and I asked him, “Did you put something up there, Seth?”

“Only paper.”

“WHEN?”

“A long time ago.”

(I found out later that “a long time ago” only meant “half an hour ago” but at the time I was thinking the worse; infection, mold, etc.)

(but I guess half an hour is a long time to have something up the nose)

I got home and spent some time with a flashlight, peering up my son’s tiny nostril. There was nothing I could do.

I had him lay down and called the pediatrician.

To make a long story short (and, I might add, I was exhausted at this point=headache) I was advised to just go to the ER (we live near a small, quiet hospital that doesn’t get much action). Caroline came over to help me with the other children. Seth and I left for the ER where he was put right into a room. The doctors were so nice to him but Seth hated the HurriCaine (the name!) numbing spray that they put up his nose and accidently sprayed in his eye and face. We had to hold him down (he didn’t scream at all, just wriggled) as the doctor “went retrieving”.

Eventually, out came: a deli ticket from the grocery store.

It was the doctor’s idea to take pictures. He even told me to get in the picture while Seth tried on the cool flashlight helmet. You see my strained smile. He gave me the deli ticket to put in my scrapbook. (HOW did he know?LOL) Seth was given an orange popsicle, and a dancing Snoopy. Really, he was treated so kindly that I’m afraid he will want to go back soon.

After that two hour adventure, I got home in time to start dinner, say goodbye to Caroline and then load the kids back up to go get Grace from school.