The Queen Anne’s lace is exceptionally tall this year.
wild flowers
5
Tag Archives: Grace
{this moment}
{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo – capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.
lemon cupcakes
We used the spray-on sunscreen. I used it on David and I laughed hysterically yesterday when Rich showed me this picture he took of Dave’s back yesterday at the track:
I honestly thought I had covered him entirely!
On the fourth of July Rich took the kids to the playground so he could go running. I made macaroni salad (amish recipe) and looked forward to grilling for dinner.
I love our old-fashioned looking flag bunting for the porch and my dark blue hanging baskets.
After they came home the boys wouldn’t let Seth on the trampoline and he was sad. I was fine with it though because three boys on the trampoline is an accident waiting to happen.
He was still pouting. Some of us did manage to wear red/white/and blue. 🙂
A good mama.
When it was time to start the grill Rich said “oh shoot, I’m out of charcoal” and I almost threw away the meat. He went to the store and eventually we did eat our grilled beef kabobs, baked beans, macaroni salad, cantaloupe, and spice cake.
At our church those who are taking communion file up to the front to take the bread and then the cup, then going back to their seats to partake. Those who don’t take it are left in the pew to try to work their positions in order to be the one sitting next to MOM when she returns……the boys were silent but determined and my communion cup was jostled so that most of it dumped on my chest and lap. I just had to laugh because I know God understands how hard it is for me to stay focused in church these days, and He wants me to cherish the moments. I was in constant thoughts with God, and knew He was enjoying my situation just as much as I was. Rich took the picture after we had gotten back home.
Abbie spend the weekend with Grace. She is my sister’s oldest and the girls are one year apart, both born in November. Cousins and best friends.
On Sunday I had such fun taking them out to Starbucks.
And then shopping.
We spent most of our time in Sephora…..
They had a free mini makeover service and learned about conturing.
I let them each pick one item as a gift from me to them. Abbie chose purple mascara. “Do you think my Mom will let me wear it?” “Well, if not you could at least wear it at home!” And Grace picked out a new eye-liner pencil. I treated myself to a new lipstick.
Later that night they made lemon cupcakes and served me in bed while I was reading my latest book, Cold Mountain. Rich had one as well, as he read a book by Bill Piper (John Piper’s dad).
To be honest, I made Rich go out to the kitchen to get me a second one. They were so good!
2/3 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
3 eggs
1 2/3 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup milk
1 Tablespoon grated lemon peel
In a large bowl, cream shortening and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Stir in lemon peel.
Bake in muffin cups at 350 for 20-24 minutes, and frost.
Rich woke me up at 2 in the morning yelling at the teenagers to go to bed. The girls were running up and down the stairs and the boys were playing video games. After which we had insomnia for over an hour. We tossed and turned. Ugh.
He’s at work now and I’m showered and dressed. I’m leaving here in about an hour to take the kids to the one dollar movie at the mall.
I don’t want to end this post without sharing a sweet compliment that my husband gave me. We were snuggling close in bed when he said, “Shan, I don’t ever remember a time in all the years we’ve been married that you’ve smelled bad.”
grace’s new hair style
I’m sure you might feel the same as I do about Grace’s hair.
I loved it long, it was so beautiful. She got several compliments on it from random strangers in the days leading up to her appointment.
But, she’s had long hair for years and she was feeling a desire for a change. Also, her hair is fairly thin and to me it wasn’t looking as healthy as it used to.
She asked us if she could cut it and after thinking about it for at least a month or more, we agreed that it was time for her to chose a hair style and sit herself down in a hair salon.
Here is a “before” picture::
(the determined look)
The sweetest part of this story is that her Dad took her to the spa to get it done. She had to go twice, once for the cut and the second time for the color (done today) and he took her both times. He also made her an appointment to get her nails painted, too.
(He makes most of my hair appointments for me, as well, and loves it when I pamper myself. It’s one of the ways that he enjoys showing his love for his wife and daughters.)
He spent lots of money on her and then she came home and got upset about FISH! But it’s Rich’s fault entirely. You don’t buy 80 live silver shiners and then release them into the pond to get EATEN ALIVE by bass and catfish right in front of your tender hearted daughters and expect them to be happy about it.
We had to wait until after lunch cheered her up again before we could do our little photo shoot.
The cut looks so cute on her and I love the subtle ombre. She came up with this style on her own and it looks adorable. She’s 15 and this is just the right time to say “yes” to harmless changes!
singing we go along life’s road
I took Sarah to the doctors this morning and she has exactly what Seth and David had. It’s this weird cold that fills their heads up with mucus, I know that sounds gross but honestly….when I gave David mucus relief pills it would run out his eyes and nose! Sarah has pink eye from it. They are swimming in fluid, it’s so odd. It’s like the cold from “the bad place”…Evil Cold. LOL Sarah had fluid in her ears, one was infected, her left lung had bronchitis, she coughs like a bad muffler (?), pink eye, and sinus infection..her nose does not run, it goes right down the back of her throat.
I went to Target to get her meds and cans and cans of chicken soup and Ramen noodles. I never buy those ramen noodles anymore because they are basically empty calories but you would have thought I bought home shrimp and steak the way six of my kids immediately made themselves a pot of noodles after school. Makes me kinda wonder why I slave in the kitchen…….(not really)…I want my kids to eat healthy, and we do…but Dr. said lots of chicken noodle soup so that’s what they’re getting. Along with decongestant, antibiotics (for those that need them), saline spray up the nose (each with their own labelled bottle). Lysol, etc, bleach, fumigator.
When we got home she fell asleep in my bed. I had to wake her up an hour later to go get Jacob and Ethan. Seth had a “thing” at school today at 2. I wrote a note telling the teacher I couldn’t go but when Seth realized it he said with big troubled eyes, “You have to go!” So I ripped up the note and I got Jacob from school early (his last class didn’t matter) so he could watch Sick Sister Sarah. Ethan is sick so I picked him up early along with Jacob.
I’m so glad I didn’t miss Seth’s event. The parents had to wait by the main entrance and their child came to them with flowers saying, “thank you for coming”. So Seth did that, it melted my heart, he was so proud and wasn’t sure if he should hold my hand or not. He wanted to, I know, but was a little shy about holding Mom’s hand in front of his friends. He sat me down at a placemat that he made himself and we filled out our food requests for a snack. Did we want fruit? yes. Did we want cheese? yes. Did we want pretzels? yes. Did we want Summer Juice? “What’s summer juice? I asked….”it’s lemonade”. Yes.
The children were all called forward to receive a Kindergarten Certificate and their memory books. Then, the children served their parent(s) the snacks. After we ate, the kids sang us a song.
I had the great joy to sit with a friend who is going through the same thing as I am: a child graduating from 12th grade, and a child ending Kindergarten in the same year. In fact, this woman’s daughter was Jacob’s prom date last year. She’s so friendly and kind, too bad I found out today that she is moving away. But it was fun to chat with her. It was all special and I felt sad to think I almost missed out and caused Seth such a let-down, can you imagine him with no one? thank you Lord. And thank you to the boys for watching Sarah.
I was back home after an hour. Sarah was in my bed again, sleeping. She’s still sleeping as I type. Seth is outside the window riding his scooter, Grace is still at school, Jacob and Ethan are sleeping, and I don’t know what Caleb and David are doing but I have to take them to the fields soon for Little League games. (Dave has been on antibiotics for a week so he’s perking up).
Anyway, Grace and I sang a duet last week at our piano and we recorded it for our FB friends, I thought I would post it here, too, so my bloggy friends can watch, and my parents, too.
“It is easier to sing your worries away than to reason them away. Why not sing in the morning? Think of the birds–they are the first to sing each day, and they have fewer worries than anything else in creation. And don’t forget to sing in the evening, which is what the robins do when they have finished their daily work. Once they have flown their last flight of the day and gathered the last bit of food, they find a treetop from which to sing a song of praise!”
“Oh that we might sing morning and evening, offering up song after song of continual praise throughout our day!”
(quote from page 182 of Streams)
PS, Grace just got home from school and is making herself Ramen noodles.
baseball, chicks, Tarzan, garden, toads
Guess what I am listening to right now? You’ll never guess so I will tell you.
a hundred, give or take, TOADS.
You see, every spring, toads hop to our property to mate in our two ponds. Part of this mating ritual is the continuous singing and calling sounds that they make to gather each other from hither and yon area lands. The sound is a long sustained high note that falls a half step. Sounds kind of scary, sort of sci-fi. In fact, it makes me tense. I’m trying to enjoy it, though, because it is another sign that spring has in fact arrived.
I’m sitting on my bed with Billy cat grooming himself next to me. My windows are open and gusts of wind blow through, making the wind chimes rattle on the porch. I hung clothes outside on the line for the first time this year.
This weekend was nuts. This was our agenda for Saturday:
1. Take Ethan to SAT’s half an hour away.
2. Target for much needed supplies
3. Doctor’s appointment for Seth, where we learned he had double ear infections and bronchitis.
4. Little League Opening Day for David and Caleb
5. Baseball game for Ethan
6. Pick up prescription at Pharmacy
7. Grace to be at the H.S. at 4
8. Mom and Dad coming from out of town.
9. Go to H.S. for Grace’s play: Tarzan.
And this was just Saturday. Rich and I had to work separately, so he took Ethan to the SAT’s while I did numbers 2, 3, 4, and 7 by myself. No one went to E’s game. Rich was also preparing to preach on Sunday. I went to half of the opening day, and when Rich arrived I left in order to be home to greet Mom and Dad.
David in the parade. (the only player looking at me is my Dave).
And Caleb. It was fun, the weather was great, and thankfully Jacob was home to watch Sarah. I only had to keep track of Seth…who is a special challenge these days because he can hardly hear, what with the ear infections. They aren’t slowing him down any though.
Dad and Mom with my two youngest. I love it. Mom brought me a bunch of perennials from her garden for which I was extremely thankful. Dad played some whiffle ball with the kids outside.
Mom and I
Jacob with his Grandma, who was laughing over the height difference. 🙂
Mom and Dad at the High School.
Sweet Emily and Jacob.
The drama kids performed Tarzan this year. Grace was a gorilla, a spider, and a plant. She also performed sign language for one of the songs. Here is a video of it, but it is important to note that she is not doing the SINGING, only the SIGNING.
I wish it were taped better but this at least gives an idea of the beauty of the song and signing.
They did so well, it was wonderful, I was so proud of them all.
Mom hugging Grace after the show.
Dad and Mom with Grace the Gorilla.
Yesterday was the final performance of Tarzan and I attended it with my brother Isaac and his wife Cassandra.
Meanwhile, I have baby chicks. The post office called on Friday morning at 5:15 am and I went down to get them.
There are 30. And they are so very cute right now. We like to go in the garage and just sit in front of the cage and watch them.
Do you see in the very back of the cage, there is a dangling piece of cardboard paper…little chicks take turns trying to get it off. It’s so cute.
This is what I have:
FIVE each of Barred Plymouth Rock, Rhode Island Red, Brown Leghorn, and Easter Egger. Then, I have NINE Cuckoo Maran, and I am most excited about these because they lay a darker shade of brown than any I’ve owned previously.
Discovered in the woods as I picked up trash this morning.
wildflowers
As I was walking by the edge of the pond I scared a toad (not this one) into the water where a fish promptly grabbed it by the legs and went down deep with it. I gasped as I watched it happen… the poor toad was held by both his back legs, which were half inside the fish’s mouth. It’s little front arms were straight out to the sides with stiff fingers, it was the picture of terror as it was carried away. I watched for a while and it appeared once again with two fish in hot pursuit. I don’t know the ending to the story. I sat by the edge of the pond for a while and also saw a turtle. But the horrors continued when I put my hand in the grass to stand back up. I narrowly missed putting it down on two disemboweled toads! It’s truly a life and death world out there……..
Last but not least, Mom, as I promised I did plant all the plants on Sunday.
This is a little garden Rich made for me a few weeks ago. It was empty and I ordered the animals and flag from amazon. I bought 2 perennials but all the rest were from Mom.
The armadillo makes me laugh.
Happy Monday!
greeny green dress
When you have Jesus in your life, in your heart, you cannot help being beautiful.
Never underestimate or take for granted the Holy Spirit….what is the Holy Spirit doing inside of us and around us, for surely the Spirit of God is always at work? Giving life, producing sweet fruit, guiding, helping us to pray, helping us be our real selves. Without saying a word the people around us can sense His love.
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.” St. Francis of Assisi
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. Job 33:4
So do not struggle in your soul, do not strive, do not burden yourself in change….rest your spirit in Christ, but yes, work your body and mind in living the life He gave you to live, your own personal little spot in the world is a light for God just because you are you, wrapped up in the righteousness of Jesus.
In this way, God gets the glory for everything.
Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16
It’s not the greeny green dress that Grace wears that makes her beautiful.
It’s not what you wear that makes you beautiful.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness…….. Galatians 5:22 (in salvation by the mighty power of God, these fruits WILL appear, you can’t stop them, praise God!)
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38 (a believer WILL refresh others! You can’t help yourself! And it will happen when you are not even aware of it. You will probably never know what a huge BLESSING you are!!)
And now for a word from the boys.
I love you.
New England Music Festival (with Grace)
The music for this post is a rendition of the song “The Road Home”, which was one of the pieces sang this weekend at the New England Music Festival. Unfortunately, I do not have video of the actual performance, but this is one from youtube, which gives an idea of the caliber of singing we enjoyed from Grace and her peers. (they sounded just as good if not better)…….
Grace and Her Weekend of Singing
My daughter Grace is 15 years old now and in the 10th grade. Recently, she tried out for the New England Music Festival and made it, so she has been extra busy with preparations for this important event.
We have three teenagers involved in High School extracurricular events and I feel as though I miss seeing Grace the most. Her older brothers are involved in sports which means during the competitive months I see them performing on a constant basis. But Grace is in music and drama both of which do not have as many performances, but a rather lot of practicing— so I don’t see her until about 6:30 or later every school night. I do miss her very much at times, but Grace is the type of individual who thrives on being busy. She is very much like her Dad in that way, but she seems like more of an extrovert. Although she does like reading and writing, she comes alive around her people, especially her role models (teachers and older students and friends).
I watched her get on the bus Thursday morning at 6:30 for school, with Jacob carrying her suitcase for her, and I felt a little anxiety knowing I wouldn’t see her again until Saturday. Thursday was the day she and the other students travelled to Keene, New Hampshire, for the music festival. She doesn’t have a cell phone so she would only be giving us brief updates using a friend’s phone.
It is amazing to me how much the dynamic of our family changes with just one person away! Each one of our children is a perfect fit into our family, we love them so much and thank God continually for this stage of life when all seven are still under our roof.
I prayed continually, asking the Lord that she would do well and that her cough (left over from a resent bout with the flu) wouldn’t be a problem. He answered those prayers and more; the girls stayed with a host family and one of the girls there was a believer. Rich received a text message from Grace that told us that she and her new friend talked about the Bible and sang together with two other girls. They tried naming the 12 tribes of Judah, sang camp and Sunday School songs, went through all the contemporary Christian songs and artists that they knew, and generally had a wonderful impromptu Bible study during one of their free evenings. Oh it just thrilled my heart to hear all about it later on. There is another girl from our town that Grace loves, her name is Isabella, and she is a believer also, and was on this same trip staying in the same home as Grace. God is so good in these small but oh-so-important ways!
Despite the fact that Grace is busy, she is faithful to attend the boy’s sporting events whenever she can. I thought it was only fair that with all the support the boys get from their parents and siblings with their sports, we should ALL go and support our dear sister/daughter in this special concert that she auditioned for, so I wrote a check for 96 dollars in order to purchase 8 tickets for Rich, myself, Jacob, Ethan, David, Caleb, Seth, and Sarah. We all eagerly awaited the day when we would take our little trip to New Hampshire, and Grace was happy and secure in knowing that her family would be there, enjoying the program.
Rich got a new watch that keeps track of his exercising and also gives him his text messages– and it came in the mail on Friday, which was a huge annoyance because he spent all Saturday morning not getting excited about the day trip, but silently in the corner trying to get his dang new watch all set up! It was a much needed lesson of patience for the rest of the family. Finally he got himself dressed and we got the children ready to go, too. We left the house at about noon and stopped for lunch on the way, at Crackerbarrel. My Facebook friends already saw the picture Jacob took of Rich and I together at the table. While we were sitting there at the table Rich asked me to text him…so I did…and his watch never received it…(can you believe it? after all that!) he was so annoyed. Thankfully, at the time of this writing it is working better, although still not quite right. (technology saves times and wastes time).
In any case, at the Crackerbarrel, four of us ordered breakfast and four of us ordered lunch. I had a chef salad and coffee. Caleb bought himself a new stuffed cat from the gift shop and named it “SeaCat” because it’s fur is blue and green like the sea. It’s one of those Ty stuffed animals that have HUGE glittering eyes. Those are all the rage in my house lately with Seth, Sarah, and now Caleb. Sarah has about six–all cats–, Seth has two dogs. They play together with them and it’s the cutest thing.
David bought jelly beans because he made a candy dispenser out of legos and wanted to try it out. It’s the neatest little thing. You have to insert a coin to get your bean out.
Jacob got salt water taffy.
Then we were back in the car on our way. The whole trip was only about 2 hours. I thought I had downloaded two new books to my kindle but alas when I went to read, I found that they did not download after all, so I passed the time by my iPhone and/or doing nothing. Rich brought his iPad and had the kids watch an inspirational message given by a military man.
We arrived in Keene with 45 minutes to spare and found a delightful BOOKSTORE of all places! We love bookstores and this one was perfectly charming, independently owned, containing new AND used books. I bought a few charming used children’s books (one of which was titled The Doll’s House, and was illustrated by Tasha Tudor). Then we went to the school to find our Gracie-girl again. I could not wait to get my eyes on her.
We already had our tickets, so we got in line, and I kid you not it was probably a quarter of a mile long. We were behind about 200 or more other people waiting to get into the auditorium for this choral concert. David almost died. But once the line started moving we were in there quickly– in the very back of the auditorium, second to the last row. Rich and I sat with Sarah between us and of course her little feet were in the air because she wasn’t heavy enough to keep the seat down. I had her on one side and Seth on the other and it was all I could do not to get irritated with them BOTH asking me questions DURING the gorgeous songs. I finally got through to them that the could not talk during the performance, bless their hearts, the music wasn’t moving to them, but I had tears on my face throughout all the pieces, it was just so beautiful.
I saw my daughter the moment she came into the room. All of the singers filed in quickly and she was the last in line on the stage bleachers. (there was another set of bleachers on the floor) I thought I had missed her and didn’t know how I could have, I thought my motherly eyes would recognize her even from such a distance away. The room was large and we were in the back, but then I saw her and my eyes teared up. Someone had braided her hair for her and she looked so pretty and energetic. She was wearing her glasses, I had been worried that she didn’t have them with her, but she did, and she looked beautiful, even Rich turned to me and said so. We were proud that she was in such a nice big group of singers from all over New England. We were happy for her in achieving this experience.
The music began, and like I said before, the pieces were beautiful. There were God honoring songs, to glorify Him, and then the last piece, a fun and happy number “Skip to my Lou” that made us laugh. They clapped during that song, I don’t know how the conductor kept the beat with all the rhythms going at once.
Speaking of the conductor, I noticed Seth (he is six) “conducting” in his chair as he watched the performance and it struck me that when I watch, I usually see the concert through the eyes of one of the SINGERS, but my small son would have none of that. HE was THE CONDUCTOR! I love it. I never pretended to be a conductor. The pianist, yes. A singer, yes. Conductor, no.
All too soon the concert was over and so we filed out of the room to wait in the hall with about a thousand other people. Finally I saw Grace heading toward us and the first thing she wanted me to do was take her picture with a set of twin boys. The boys were singers who were homeschooled and Grace loved them (in a friendly sort of way). Then she bid me to follow her back into the auditorium so I could meet the manager of the entire festival, who has a deaf daughter. Grace wants to be a deaf interpreter so she immediately began a friendship with this man and they signed to each other. He wanted to show her a video that his daughter’s deaf camp put together of the song, “Happy”. We all stood around and watched it on his iPad and then it was time to say good bye. He said he would be looking for her next year.
I took a picture of Grace with the conductor, Jerry Blackstone, too. He was a grammy award winning musician and from what I heard was very good with the kids. He certainly got them singing beautifully in only two and a half days of work!
Grace chatted to us all about her experience on the way home. We only stopped twice…once at a gas station to take advantage of New Hampshire gas prices and another time to pick up a pizza closer to home, for dinner.
Pictures
the text Rich received from Grace
Jacob and Parker, on Saturday morning before we left….hanging around waiting for Dad to get off his watch.
Ethan petting Sherlock right before we left for our trip.
New Hampshire mountains
the bookstore we found
just a small section of the audience waiting for the singers to enter and the concert to begin
Caleb, Ethan (with headband) and Jacob, three of Grace’s brothers
the program
The last pose of the last number, “Skip to my Lou”
official portrait-time
Grace and I meet once again.
Grace with the twins
watching “Happy” with the festival manager
Grace and the Choral conductor, Jerry Blackstone
Grace’s pretty braid
proud parents
the ring, billy cat, someone growing, the ring again, and a quote from sarah
I woke right up this morning thinking about the ring. I fell asleep last night thinking about it, too. I’d rather not blog about it. Suffice it to say that I lost my Tiffany ring that Rich gave me for our anniversary a short 5 months ago. I have looked all over the house, cleaning as I go. If you ever want to get Spring Housecleaning done in February might I suggest losing something tiny and valuable in the house? It’s been remarkable how much I’ve found but mostly dirt and dust, about 1,000 marbles and legos, bobby pins, small change, pony tail holders, an earring that I thought was gone forever, a set of keys, crayons, pens, and pencils, but no ring, and oddly nothing belonging to my poor husband. Only crap that belongs to myself and the children.
This morning Sarah and I went to town. I had to go to the Post Office, which I don’t like doing, and I was struck once again by the cheerful attitude of my little girlie who doesn’t mind going out into the cold with Mama on a constant basis. She puts her hand in mine and we go. “Mom, remember. Cars go FAST.” she says as we cross the street. We bought a bag of books for 2 dollars at the thrift store. We went to the grocery store and then home again to read them.
The cats are always inside now that it’s been so cold. Billy amuses us all the time. Today he decided to get a drink from the kitchen sink.
I began taking way too many pictures of Billy drinking water from the faucet.
Then something caught his eye and he forgot all about the water.
What could it be? He stood up on tip toes.
And he pressed his orange head against the screen. His tail was twitching.
Birds. Lots and lots of birds. They were politely taking a seed and flying right by the kitchen window in front of the orange cat. He wanted so badly to go and catch one but I said no.
I poured my coffee and invited him to sit with me for a chat instead.
He had a hard time focusing after all the excitement of water and birds.
“I’d rather have bird.” he says. “Also I would rather scratch you.” he confesses.
Grace is shrinking. Either that or Davy is growing taller. I’m not sure.
She is 15 and he is 12. It’s an odd thing to see the little brother catch up in height. His feet are already bigger.
This was my napping buddy yesterday. The children had no school because it was (NOT A SNOW DAY –I know hard to believe!) President’s Day. I read Seth a chapter of Henry and Ribsy, by Beverly Cleary. And then we fell asleep back to back in the big bed. He’s the apple of my eye. Rich and I took him to his wrestling tournament (states!) on Sunday and he placed 5th.
Back to the Ring Saga:
Last night, Rich pulled the washer and dryer out to check for the ring. The boys were right there watching the entire time.
At dinner Rich prayed and thanked the Lord for the food. Before he forgot, I interjected, “And please, dear Lord, help me find my ring,” prompting Grace to groan aloud, “PLEASE!” “Amen” said Rich, and when we opened our eyes Jacob expected the ring to fall from the sky onto my plate. If only!
David read this in his book last night:
This picture does a good job at illustrating what’s been going on in my house. I’m the one in the long striped skirt.
******
In other news……..
Sarah watched “Finding Nemo” for the first time yesterday. When I tucked her into bed she asked, “Mom, can I watch ‘My Me Me Mo’ again tomorrow?”
portraits of Grace, macaroni and cheese recipe, and what we’ve been up to
Tread in solitude your pathway,
Quiet heart and undismayed.
You will know things strange, mysterious,
Which to you no voice has said.
While the crowd of petty hustlers
Grasps at vain and meager things,
You will see a great world rising
Where soft sacred music rings.
Leave the dusty road to others,
Spotless keep your soul and bright,
As the radiant ocean’s surface
When the sun is taking flight.
from the German of V.Schofffel, read in a recent Streams in the Desert devotional by L.B.Cowman
Hello, friends.
How are you?
My family is passing around the stomach flu.
Seth began it last Thursday, a week ago now. On Friday he was well but we kept him home. Rich had his team from work here for an off site meeting on Friday.
I woke up that night sick to my stomach and was sick all day Saturday. And by sick I had thoughts of death being a pleasant alternative, it was awful.
Rich had Jacob, Ethan, Grace, and Sarah at a wrestling tournament. Coach D. had David, Seth, and Caleb at another one.
On Sunday Rich took the children to church and I was still recovering. While they were gone I opened all the windows, turned off the heat, and aired out this sick house.
On Monday, the children had the day off from school and I had to take Jacob, Grace, and Ethan to the school early for another wresting event, and then David (along with Seth, Caleb, and Sarah) to the orthodontist. Also on Monday, I took Seth, who was coughing nonstop, to the doctor’s office. He had an ear infection. So we also stopped at the pharmacy.
On Tuesday, Caleb was sick with the stomach bug and I fell down on the ice and hurt my knee. Thankfully, it was only badly bruised but my fiesta bowl smashed.
Wednesday, Caleb was still sick. I called Paula to tell her I had to miss CBS. Ethan stayed home from school because it is mid-term exam week and he didn’t have any testing. Jacob called me at 9 to ask for a ride home because he didn’t have tests either, and his girlfriend Emily did not go to school because she was sick. Sarah and I picked him up and we went to the library for a little while before coming home. At 3, I had to go pick up Dave from the middle school because he stayed after for math help. When I got home Rich and I met with the guys who will be replacing the floor and shower in our bathroom. Rich left with the boys at 4. They had a wresting meet which their team won. Rich came home briefly to get Dave for practice and then left again for the High School. I read a really long version of Hansel and Gretel to Seth in his bed and he played with my hair while he listened, and then had an hour of quiet (watched Hinterland) before going to bed myself, and falling into a deep sleep.
That is, in a nutty nutshell, what I’ve been up to since the last time I blogged.
Today is THURSDAY, (I think) and David was supposed to get his braces put on….. but when I got up this morning at 6:15, David was on the couch……..the next victim of the stomach bug.
Caleb is no longer throwing up but he is weak and weepy so he is home today as well.
Jacob, Ethan, and Grace are at school for mid-terms and I did 5 papers with Seth last night, trying to get him caught up on his Kindergarten work. He is at school today.
As for myself, I must say, it has been one thing after another as usual, but with sick kids at home I have not been anywhere all week except for the daily running back and forth from the schools and that nice little break at the library yesterday. It has been overwhelming to say the least but every day there are things to be thankful for, (like a hot bath) and I write them down in my journal. I am exhausted and last night I was yelling about tuna fish, but I think today will be a quiet day….currently, David is asleep and Caleb is playing a game on the iPad.
I did manage to read a book on the kindle….Etched in Sand, by Regina Calcattera.
I took these pictures of Grace on Sunday, in the misty rain, after she came home from church.
I love this daughter of mine.
*********
Macaroni and cheese comfort food, recipe here.
It went nicely with one of those marinated pork tenderloins that you can buy and just roast in the oven for half an hour, and a salad.
There has been a great deal of coloring happening. And a lot of playing with mama’s salad spinner (better than any toy). They spin their little animals in it, and marbles.
Sarah Joy colored this one. I love it.
This girl has been a bright and happy ray of sunshine during this crazy week. She’s happy and talkative, so cute, I’m so thankful for her (for all of them!!)
paper hearts
Good to be Home 