tallest

Posted on June 17, 2015 by Shanda

“Mom. Guess what. Out of our entire class I have to get my diploma LAST.”

“What? Why?”

“Because they have us organized by height and I’m the tallest!”

baccalaureate service

Posted on June 16, 2015 by Shanda

I am this sentimental about all seven of my babies, mark my words, but as this is the Week of Jacob, he is constantly on my mind.

I spent hours and hours at the end of our first hand-me-down couch with my first born baby. I remember those hours like they were yesterday. Most of the time he had my undivided attention, but sometimes I would watch TV as I held him. Other times I would read a book. There was very often a cat snuggled with us. We were cuddled under a quilt made by my husband’s grandmother and I would put a glass of water up on the top of the couch. All day long, whenever it was time to eat, we were there, no hurries, no worries. In the evenings my husband sat with us, too.

He was born the very last day of 1996 and we had one solitary year together before his beautiful baby brother joined us. Everything our baby did was amazing to us, my husband and I were both so proud. As he said recently, every parent thinks their child is someone extra special and it is the same for us. What a cherished gift children are and worthy to be given everything they need to grow and learn.

My friends and I used to remind each other now and then about how quickly our children would grow and leave us. Those crazy days when we had a bunch of little ones, healthy, busy, impossible to predict, we were exhausted trying to keep up. “Soon they will be gone” was our mantra to get us through those days but we said it with a laugh because it still seemed so far off.

We had plenty of time.

Last night at 5:30, the family–all 10 of us–were dressed up and in the vehicle, driving to the little league field to drop off Caleb for a game, and then heading for the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in town for the Senior Baccalaureate Service of Evening Prayer.

I sat on the end so I could lean over into the aisle…all the better to see our boy. Although their handsome Dad did his best to keep them in their seats, by the last hymn my two youngest were hanging off my back. Sarah’s soft hands holding my arm, Seth twirling my pony tail.

Our Jacob was one of the students selected to read Scripture.

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God.” Philippians 1:9-11

The service had a special meaning for me personally because I have chosen the word “light” as my word of the year and it was the theme of the service. In fact, as we opened with Versicles, the whole room was saying these words together:

Jesus Christ is the light of the world,
The light no darkness can overcome.
Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening,
And the day is almost over.
For with you is the fountain of life,
And in your light we see light.

It touched me to the depths of my soul. Thank you, Jesus.

Do you remember that part in the movie “Anne of Avonlea” when Diana is about to get married and Mrs Barry is carrying on because she’s “losing her firstborn forever”. Aunt Josephine, in her typical bluntly comforting way quickly says, “Don’t get all sentimental, you still have Minnie May”…..that’s what I think of when I see this picture of me and my Minnie-Sarah.

After the service we all went downstairs for refreshments. Seth, the one who is just victoriously finishing up Kindergarten, had two buttered rolls, bypassed the pasta and salad, and then ate four cupcakes. The people of the church were all so kind and thoughtful, and happy to serve the community and class of 2015 in this way.

“You’ve been a blessing from the start,
I love you, my son, with all my heart.”

So thankful for these wonderful, priceless moments!

Jacob, day 1: a special day for a first year

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Shanda

There is something about watering a garden with buckets of water from the pond (because the hose doesn’t work) throughout a dry spring to make a woman deep down grateful to wake up to a fresh morning of drenching rain. If I close my eyes, I can almost see the water trickling down-down-down into the dry earth. I can almost imagine the rate of growth on the next sunny day in our small vegetable patch. How satisfying it is to be a part of all that is happening outside.

Meanwhile, inside the house this morning I have been busy cleaning and thought I would take a break to type up a little blog post. This will start a week of my oldest son Jacob as the main subject of this little corner of the internet.

Yes, this is Jacob’s week, with so many blessings unfolding for him. It really all began on Friday when he went to the store to do this:

Yes indeedy, he gave gifts to his sweetheart to mark their anniversary. One year ago he and Emily started their relationship, and such a sweet couple they make. In fact, they are currently both on the couch watching “International House Hunters” right now. 🙂

Their anniversary was Friday and we planned a beach day for Saturday. Rich was gone last week on business so I was a bit on the *worn to a frazzle* side. He would not have minded making it a family day but I asked him if we could leave six of the children home and just take Jacob and Emily. It was a most brilliant idea…the whole day from start to finish was wonderful.

(I just had to leave and come back from the school. Ethan and Grace are now home after a morning of finals).

We went to Panera for breakfast. Everyone was happy and goofy, including my husband. It was nice to see him relaxed and enjoying a day off from work. After breakfast we continued to the shore. We arrived at about 8:30 in the morning.

That’s Jacob and Emily making a sandcastle together.

I sat in the beach chair for a while reading magazines. It was such a treat to relax and not have to worry about children wandering off or getting pulled into the ocean.

The finished sandcastle.

Rich and I went on a walk down the beach. The water was cold but the weather was lovely, warm with a cool breeze. The sun didn’t start blazing down on us until later on.

They showed us their bucket of sandy crabby creatures when we returned.

We dozed in the sunshine….again, I was so grateful to just melt into the towel, knowing that there was no one that needed to be watched.

We took a foursome selfie before we left the beach for lunch.

So thankful to have kids who enjoy being with us!

Buttery lobster roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Salt potatoes and an ice cold Pepsi (a rare treat)! Wonderful lunch. We were all good and famished and enjoyed every bite.

Then we headed into Madison, CT, just a few miles down the road, to our next stop.

R.J. Julia Booksellers…a wonderful bookstore.

There were signed celebrity photographs all over the walls. I bought a paperback, a magnet for the fridge, and some yummy chocolate.

I stopped to admire these beautifully leafed geraniums.

We drove on home because the kids had to be back by 3:30 for further adventures. But just before our outing was officially over, we stopped at Carvels for some cones. I had the Reeses soft serve. Yum!

Our day, which is a highly recommended itinerary if you get the chance to visit the CT shore. 🙂

(Panera, for breakfast)
Hammonasset Beach State Park
Joe and Lenny’s Fish Tale, for lunch
R.J. Julia Booksellers
(Carvel)

Jacob and Ethan attend the prom

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Shanda

It’s the season for

pinxter bushes in bloom, (Seth and I went for a walk yesterday and brought back some for a vase)

lady slippers, (Joanna sent me a picture)

baltimore orioles, (I saw one this weekend, finally)

and the P R O M…….

Just a few short years ago (October, 2006 to be exact) Jacob and Ethan looked like this::

On Friday……..they looked like this (in the same location- the rock they were sitting on is on the far right of the picture):::

Of course I had to take a ton of pictures of them looking sharp in their tuxes. They looked quite handsome, my mama heart was just bursting with pride.

These two boys are one grade apart at school. Jacob is Senior and Ethan is a Junior. Jacob’s girlfriend is in Ethan’s grade and she invited Jacob to Jr.Prom, which is how the two boys were both attending together.

They are only 14 months apart and very close. They have done everything together, every step of the way, except now Jacob has entered the land of romantic love, leaving Ethan rolling his eyes and getting used to Jacob spending every spare minute with Emily.

Jacob

Ethan, wearing his class ring.

Me, with E

Me with Jacob

I love this one of the boys with their Dad.

Rich took this one with his phone, it’s quite terrible quality, but great because I’m with my boys.

They were using the windows as mirrors. They were feeling mighty good about their looks.

Emily’s beautiful corsage was made by a florist in town.

After I took the pictures in the driveway of our house, Emily’s mom came and picked up Ethan and Jacob. Grace was with Emily and some other girls, helping them to get ready. Emily’s mom picked up the girls, too, while Rich and I drove to the Gazebo to meet them. The Gazebo is the traditional place for the students to take pictures before traveling on to the prom venue.

We found Ethan first, and Grace jumped in for a photo with her dear brother.

They looked so stiff and formal I requested that he put his arm around his sister.

And now I just sit and stare at this picture which is probably one of my all time favorites. Grace is one step down in age from Ethan. They are a little less than 2 years apart but Grace is a Sophomore in High School because she started school when she was 4.

And then we saw Jacob walking toward us with his beautiful date……

Emily was so excited, she wanted a picture with everyone.

Here she is with Sarah:

With Caleb:

with Ethan:

with her Mom:

with me:

I’m not going to post the one with Seth because it ended up too bright. And there is no picture with David because he ran and hid.

Here is the one with Rich and Grace:

I kinda wish I had thought of taking a picture of the entire gazebo, but I did get some nice shots of them inside of it. Ethan did not take a date, but one of the girls from their group was also going along single so they did end up with an even number of friends to eat and dance with all night. Jacob and Emily, Ethan, Bridgette, Marissa and Tom.

I told them I wanted to see their pretty shoes and got quite a surprise….

Emily wasn’t wearing any.

pretty pretty eyes

Grace with the big brother she adores.

Seth hung around watching everyone, and Sarah kept seeing princesses everywhere.

Jacob, Ethan, and Emily walked away to mingle and get ready to go eat. Rich and I left with backward glances with the other children and headed home, happy to know that our dear boys were going to have a most wonderful time. The next morning we heard all about it and Ethan was still in a dancing mood.

The Lord is my strength and shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to Him in song. Psalm 28:7

{this moment}

Posted on May 22, 2015 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.

you are my sonshine

Posted on May 19, 2015 by Shanda

In a month he will be a HS graduate.

He is a born again Believer, a natural leader, calm, easy going, sincere, strong, glad-hearted, friendly.

I remember him getting into trouble as a small thing in Kindergarten or first grade because he would not.stop.humming.songs during class time.

Yesterday I was smiling all over the house as he took a long shower after school, he was singing with such gusto up there in the bathroom.

Always has music in his heart.

He is on my mind a lot lately because he is my firstborn, he is 18, he is at the end of his childhood days and about to begin the rest of his life on his own….be his own man, make his own decisions, and hopefully do his own laundry, cooking, and cleaning, too.

He and Emily are a sweet loving couple. I wonder what the future holds for them? They already speak of marriage. They get along so well, it’s the best thing in the world to watch them together. (He reads books to her!) If I find a love note on his bedside table I read it and wipe away little tears.

He is all set to attend a community college in the fall.

He still loves to talk to me and his Dad all about his experiences. Last Friday was his Senior picnic and he had a grand time all day long….rock climbing, playing football, eating lots of food, all free “I only had to pay 20 dollars!” at a wonderful park in Connecticut.

When he talks to me I see glimpses of his baby face within the man’s.

Oh what it is to be a mother. I never really knew. I dare say I still have no idea how much my heart can take.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

{this moment} J A C O B

Posted on January 30, 2015 by Shanda

{this moment} ~ A Friday ritual. — capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.

Last night was Senior night for wrestling and Jacob was honored.

It’s sort of sad and terrifying to have an 18 year old Senior Son in the house, but he is so ready for life! Yes, he still needs a driver’s license, college education, a good job, but he already has the important things– a good upbringing, good attitude, good looks, and good woman. 🙂

Is there anything cuter than watching the boys dive into the middle of the mat right before a meet? These kids are so fun and good natured. They are a joy to watch.

There was this handsome assistant coach………..

He got to shake the principal’s hand and I was given some beautiful flowers, which I took home and divided up between myself and the sisters.

The other team did not have a guy to wrestle Jacob’s weight class so Rich bumped him up to wrestle the next weight class.

Jacob made the hometown proud with his aggressiveness.

And he came out on top for a pin and a win.

Well done, Jacob! I am so proud of you but I’m also sort of sad to be watching all these “last times.”

friday already!? (this moment)

Posted on January 2, 2015 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.

18th birthday

Posted on December 31, 2014 by Shanda

Today, for his 18th birthday……

….Jacob received more than just a football.

He was asked to the prom by Emily!

*******

Happy Birthday to our firstborn. We love you dearly.

attitude of gratitude

Posted on November 26, 2014 by Shanda

If a person has ugly thoughts, it begins to show on the face. And when that person has ugly thoughts every day, every week, every year, the face gets uglier and uglier until it gets so ugly you can hardly bear to look at it. A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely. ~Roald Dahl

Oh Roald Dahl, you are such an interesting person. I love how you take truth and get it down our throats with a spoonful of good humor.

Here are a few little happenings that I am thankful for:

1. A morning of sunshine

Got no checkbooks, got no banks,
Still I’d like to express my thanks –
I got the sun in the morning and the moon at night.
~Irving Berlin

2. We went to the day spa, Sarah and I.

She was so fascinated by the yellow goo being squirted in my hair that I had to get out the phone and take a picture. She loves watching me get my hair done.

Rich told me to relax at the spa and I said, “Yes, but, how can I relax if I have Sarah with me?” “Oh Shan, she’s adorable! You let her get her nails done. See if they can get her in.”

I did ask, but the ladies were all booked up so I asked Amy (my hairdresser) to take Sarah in the other room to pick out some nail polish. While my hair processed I myself gave Sarah her manicure, including base coat and top coat.

3. Seth had a program at school so I buttoned him up in a handsome dress shirt (over a t-shirt). I fussed quite a bit with the hair, too. (you can sort of tell by the picture that he was ready to be let go again, right?)

Later, when Sarah and I arrived to school for the assembly, in walked Seth with the dress shirt OFF and looking all ordinary.

4. Breakfast at the diner.

5. My two oldest boys; Jacob (in back) and Ethan.

6. Michael and Seth (Sunday)

7. Reading books to silly Sarah.

8. The ice melted on Monday. I sent Seth out on the porch to feel the air, “There IS no air!” was his observation. It was a windless, warmish day. When they came home from school we went outside. Before I could stop them, Dave and Seth had their shoes and socks off in the stream. It really wasn’t warm enough for it, and their little feet turned pink.

9. Dave caught a crayfish which was a joy because every other sign of life in the waters was missing (frogs, turtles, fish).

How many of my friends are in the kitchen this week in preparations for Thanksgiving Day? I’m in the kitchen as I type. My body is sitting on the couch in the living room, but my mind is over there in the kitchen thinking about what I need to do next!

10. Yesterday I made my roll dough using my Grandma’s recipe. After the first rise, I formed the rolls.

I placed them in their pans, wrapped them up, and put them in the freezer. Tomorrow I will take them out, let them rise the second time, and bake them.

11. Yesterday we also did our big grocery trip for everything we needed on this list:

I would rather stay in the kitchen cooking all day than go to the store! So I was very happy to get it done.

12. We had a mini-thanksgivng feast yesterday. Jacob and Ethan had to miss their football thanksgiving dinner because their game was moved up a day. They were disappointed about it so I decided to surprise them. When they got home from school at 2:30 everything was ready. I roasted a butterball turkey breast, made (frozen) mashed potatoes, homemade gravy, corn, and cranberry sauce. I saved out some of my roll dough in order to make a couple little loaves of bread, too.

Not only did my children come home (Dave, Jacob, Grace, and Ethan) but also two extras. I loved watching them fill up their plates and go sit down in the dining room together.