candid camera

Posted on March 7, 2016 by Shanda

Can you feel the love? This is my favorite picture from Ethan’s 18th birthday party, he’s in a love sandwich between his girlfriend, sister, and cousin. And then there is Emily hugging a cat behind them, and Seth sitting on the couch, amused.

MORE PICS—all from my phone—

This is what Sarah, Seth, and Caleb have been doing all weekend…riding scooters. They are only 27 dollars on amazon and we just ordered a black one for David as well. I love them because it’s a fun activity that they can do outside and we let them ride them in the house, too. It’s the sweetest sound to hear their wheels running along the floor as they enjoy their scooters.

The dining room became a small wrestling gym on the day of Ethan’s party…..

Rich wrestled Jimmy, who actually showed some promise! He goes to our church and isn’t from our town so alas cannot join our team next year.

Getting pinned by Coach

Caleb (green shorts) was the ref.

I took pictures and periodically screamed be careful.

Ethan and Zak

soon everyone wanted to wrestle and I did a cartwheel.

There was loud music going on, too.

later on that night Caleb (G’s boyfriend) and Rich did a sit up contest that went on and on and on…..

They each did over 500 before Caleb cramped up and had to stop, Rich kept going for another 20 or 30 sit ups and then he stopped, too.

I discovered all these goofy selfies disrespectfully left on my phone so yeah…they’re going on the blog….**payback**

We watched movies, ate food, had pie and cheesecake as birthday cake, ice cream, and I went to bed at like 9:00 pm but Rich stayed up with them until 3. When I got up at 6:30 there were kids sleeping all over the place, I walked into each room to check on them with a smile on my face. Ethan woke up and made pancakes for all of us using his Grandma’s recipe. Then came a turn for everyone in the shower and a trip to church where several of them had a hard time staying awake because of their long but fun night.

what’s the special occasion? “life”

Posted on February 16, 2016 by Shanda

“The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all the details of daily life.”

*****

“And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious name.” 1 Chronicles 29:13

We spent the weekend in literal freezing temperatures. Saturday there was a wrestling tournament. My brother Isaac and his wife Cassandra came and watched it with us. Ethan came in fourth in his weight class.

On Sunday, my sister came and dropped off Abigail and picked up Sarah. It was Valentine’s Day. Rich took Seth to compete at States for wrestling and Seth won.

While they were away doing that, I took Ethan and Tessa to Texas Roadhouse and dropped them off. Abbie, Grace, and I went shopping at our favorite store, Sephora. Also, as a nice Valentine’s gift for Rich and I, I went to Pottery Barn and bought a beautiful dark gray linen duvet cover for our bed. When we came home, I found flowers in a vase on the counter from Jacob. He gave me a rose, and he gave each of his sisters a red carnation. Later on that evening, Caleb came by to take Grace out to dinner for Valentine’s Day.

On Monday, I had a dentist appointment. I had to have a filling in one of my very back molars. It was not fun for a variety of reasons. And then my face was numb for several hours. After the appointment, I picked up Zak and brought him home to spend time with Jacob and Ethan. I dropped him off at the house and picked up the kids and we went to see the movie Kung Fu Panda 3 with my sister, and we exchanged back our girls. When I came home, I found that my new TOMS had arrived. I LOVE THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

8:30 last night we were all visiting and chatting in the kitchen….David showed everyone a youtube video. Aren’t these smiling faces wonderful? (Oops I forgot to crop out dinner, which was meatloaf and everyone picked on it saying it looked like something else all together.)

This morning I had my yearly check up. I took Grace and Sarah along so we could go shopping together after the appointment. We went to Costco and then Target. We picked up Grace’s boyfriend on the way home. When we arrived, I had all the kids help bring in the food and clean up the kitchen a little. I was so very happy that all my favorite kids were here and so I took a portrait of them to hang on my blog and on my wall. I love these people so so so so much.

from left to right: Caleb, Grace, David, Zak, Ethan, Tessa, Sarah, Emily, Jacob, Michael, Caleb (sitting on floor), and Seth.

I have to show you a picture of the shoes Sarah picked out today. We were in Payless. She didn’t hesitate at all. She said, “I am going to get these because I have NO high heels.”

She twisted her legs so I could be sure to take a picture of the heels so Aunt Amanda could see them. Grace was unamused at Payless, “She’s FIVE, Mom.” But then as we watched Sarah take her first wobbly steps she changed her mind, “Well, if you get them for her now by the time she’s my age walking in them will be a piece of cake.”

Since we came home she’s been wearing them nonstop and I have to say, walking in them is already a piece of cake for this girly girl of mine.

When we paid for them, the lady asked if they were for a special occasion. Sarah said “yes”, and when she then asked what the occasion was I said, “life”.

‘Tis true, ’tis true.

*****

you are loved

a super super bowl gathering

Posted on February 8, 2016 by Shanda

God granted us some much needed encouragement this morning. On Thursday, I had to pick Sarah up from school because she had a fever. I took her to the pediatrician and the preliminary test they did showed yet another UTI. A never-ending UTI was what alerted us to her kidney stones. My heart sank as we went to fill a prescription for antibiotics and all weekend, even though we had fun, in the back of my mind I was starting to obsess again about UTI, kidney stones, water intake, low sodium diet, and citrus fruits.

Fast forward to just an hour ago. The doctor’s office called with the final lab results which were NEGATIVE for a UTI. Soooooooooo grateful!

She’s getting over the fever and a bad cough but otherwise she is fine, and by the way she doesn’t really wear glasses. The ones in the picture are just for fun from Claires so she could be “just like Grace”. Her dad read her a Narnia story book on Sunday morning and we spent the rest of the day getting ready for a super Super Bowl gathering of friends and relations.

MENU:

Pizza ordered out (three party sized) meat, mushroom, and plain cheese
Tossed Salad brought by Isaac and Cassandra
Cocktail meatballs made and brought by Louis, one of the wrestling boys
Homemade cupcakes brought by Dom which were made by his Mom
Caroline’s Taco Dip
Caroline’s chocolate chip Blondies
Homemade chicken wings using this recipe
Barefoot Contessa’s outrageous brownies (sure to give anyone a chocolate coma)
chips and dip and salsa
crackers and cheese
fruit tray
veggie tray

They were watching a youtube video….Caleb and Grace (young love)…Dave, Caleb, and Sarah

Rich and Zak greeted one another with a handshake

Zach, Michael, Ethan, Jacob, and Dom

The basement full of kids

Portrait of all of us—25

Me and my brother Isaac

Me and my mate

Emily wasn’t in the group photo because she was at work (young love pic #2)

Ethan and Tessa (young love #3)

Ethan wasn’t mad, I think this is his “I’m tough and cool” face.

Parker the dog snuggled with the company as much as possible.

*****

The children had a snow day on Friday and guess what? They are home again today for another one. The snow just started and the flakes are numerous but small. The sky is solid white and each time I look out the window the snow is blowing in a different direction (usually straight down or to the right). It’s a cold, dry snow and supposed to last all day. Ethan made a fire in the fireplace, Grace and Sarah are having sister time, Caleb and Seth have been playing but just turned on a show “If you give a Mouse a Cookie”. Jacob went and got Emily before the snow started and they just made eggs for breakfast. Rich went to work but we’ve been texting each other.

*****

It is thus, in little days — that our years come to us. We have but the one small fragment to fill and beautify at a time.

The year is a book, and for each day — one fair white page is opened before us.

And we are artists, whose duty it is to put something beautiful on the page.

Or we are poets, and are to write some lovely thought, some radiant sentence, on each leaf as it lies open before us.

“That we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 1 Timothy 2:2

~JR Miller

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.

b184595536

Seven years ago.

good to be home

Posted on January 25, 2016 by Shanda

“O fill me with Thy fullness, Lord

Until my very heart o’er-flow

In kind-ling thought and glowing word

Thy love to tell

Thy praise to show.”
Frances Havergal (hymn writer 1836-1879)

In direct opposition to all the local hype regarding this weekend’s winter storm, the snow fell gently and calmly over our town. I couldn’t help but wish that I hadn’t heard the numerous warnings that “The Snow Is Coming!”, why couldn’t it just fall without so much fanfare like it did when I was a child and, with no thoughts of snow, I would awaken in the morning to a surprising world of white and joy?

That’s how it was for dear Sarah who saw the snow and had to get outside in it to walk and play and taste. What a gift childhood is.

I am thankful for……. lovely snow days that bring cancelled events so we can stay snug in the rooms of our home, bring in friends, and have a day of slowness. The calm descends over me (rather like the snow) even as I busy myself making cookies, homemade meatballs, spaghetti, and listen to all the conversations at once.

Home is a place of contentment, prayers, music, naps, laughter, running up and down stairs, small arguments and resolutions, puzzles and games, freshly baked cookies, a delightful crackling fire in the fireplace, trips outside to breathe in the icy fresh air, marvelous books to read, blankets, throwing yet another log on, video games, movies….

yes, home is a place for beautiful messy L I F E and living, one thousand unspoken blessings each day, sharing, loving, enjoying……but mostly it is a place for the very best togetherness of friends and family. Here we are loved beyond measure.

“Wherever the heart wanders it carries the thought of home with it.”

sweet family christmas

Posted on December 29, 2015 by Shanda

02 Away in a Manger

07 Joy to the World (feat. Jay Ungar)

The morning of Christmas Eve, I woke up at 5 and was unable to fall back to sleep. I slipped out of bed, put on my robe, and tiptoed out of the room to spend some quiet time in the house before the family woke up. I imagined a nice cup of coffee to be drunk in leisure while gazing at the Christmas tree all aglow.

However, when I opened the door I discovered a sleeping teenage boy on the couch, along with my six year old son Seth who was wide awake and watching Garfield on TV.

And he was full of energy. Nothing I tried would get him to stop moving from one activity to the next. I wondered if he had perhaps eaten sugar or candies for breakfast.

Therefore, it was quite surprising that the next day -Christmas Day- Seth was the last child to wake up!

We sat as the dark morning turned into light and waited for the youngest sleepy head brother to appear. And he finally did at 7:30 am.

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. Roy Smith

The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other. ~Burton Hillis

I wonder if I’ll ever be as happy as I am right now with my own children to please with gifts, while they are all still mine, at home. They are a joy to watch as they open their presents. The smiles, the exclamations, the gratitude, all make the busy days leading up to Christmas worth every moment.

Jacob opened the much wanted PS4.

Jacob and Ethan don’t spend as much time together as they did when they were little boys, so it was a sweet sight to see them side by side, sharing another Christmas day.

Watching Seth’s face as he opened a gift. And Caleb as he read through the titles of some new books.

Grace sat in a nest in the corner of the couch and opened her new iPod.

This was the first year that we had a child buy presents for his family members out of his own paycheck! Jacob was very excited to shop, wrap, and give out gifts.

This was his face as he watched his Dad open new sneakers that he bought for him.

He gave David a Ninja star, with very sharp points.

He gave Grace throwing knives and she was thrilled and touched by his thoughtfulness.

He gave Ethan a pair of “sick” sneakers. (same kind that he and Emily wear).

Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen. ~Author unknown

Parker received a new toy and several bones.

“One of the most glorious messes in the world

is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day.

Don’t clean it up too quickly.” Andy Rooney

Once the gifts were opened, the playing began.

Lego sets

big cats

Our hearts grow tender with childhood memories and love of kindred, and we are better throughout the year for having, in spirit, become a child again at Christmas-time.

~Laura Ingalls Wilder

little cats

books/new robe

new clothes

fire in the fire place

headphones and iTunes giftcard

He bought this album.

(by the way I loved the cone shaped tree things that I found from Target for Christmas decorating…they are covered in cherries! (I collect cherry things.) )

The rabbit hopped around in the wrapping paper and nibbled on cardboard and the Christmas tree.

Gentleman Gray got wrestled by Seth.

And he was pinned!!

We put our “old” TV downstairs in the basement and set the kids up with their own entertainment area with the old sectional couch. The PS3 and PS4 are hooked up. For many years I resisted video games for the kids but over the last year (our first) the boys have enjoyed themselves so much with the games. They have friends over often and it will be nice to have the living room cleared up for our own use now.

(In fact, Michael and Jacob are currently at Savers trying to find a coffee table).

Seth got a real bow and arrow set and he couldn’t get over it. He was in awe. He came to me and wondered who had picked it out. “It was I”, I said. “Thank you, Mom” he replied, and my heart melted because it was probably his most sincere thank you in all his six years of living.

His Dad took him outdoors for his first lesson in bow shooting.

Sarah told me I should not have gotten it for him because it was real and “not a toy”. (you should only get toys for christmas, she thinks) But Seth wants it anyway.

My handsome firstborn son, Jacob, who is turning 19 in two days. Emily gave him a new jacket for Christmas and her Dad gave him the hat which is a very lightweight hat so he keeps having people hold it to admire how light it is.

Grace came out of the woods after throwing her new knives and shooting her bow.

We passed by each other as I was on my way to find David.

He was busy practicing with his new tomahawk in a world of browns and greens.

He made the target himself.

Isn’t it beautiful in the woods? He has already spent hours in this spot.

He’s amazing.

I stood and watched him for a while, and he took my picture.

This was as cozy as I could be for the day. I was sick with a cold…..so a long warm skirt was just the thing to wear (sort of blanket-like) and a new sweatshirt from my husband. Hair pulled back, bangs bobby pinned back out of my face. No make up. Cozy, cozy, cozy. I was even wearing my slippers. LOL (not pictured)

The last pictures I took on Christmas day were of the chickens enjoying their christmas gift from dear Emily….which was MEALWORMS. Yum, yum. They love mealworms.

And, so, Christmas comes to bless us!
Comes to teach us how to find
The joy of giving happiness
And the joy of being kind.
~Gertrude Tooley Buckingham

on the eve of Christmas day

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Shanda

Ah, sweet Christmas.

I will allow nothing to discourage me about the reality of saving grace in Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation for those who love Him. Condemnation happens when we or someone we hold in high esteem convince us that we are unworthy to be called a child of God because “we don’t dress right” “we don’t go to church often enough” “we drink a glass of wine now and then” “we listen to the wrong kinds of music”…..things that are NONE OF ANYONE’S BUSINESS…you see, as a lover of Christ I AM FREE. I am free to be the unique individual He made me to be. Salvation changes a hard, stone cold heart into a tender heart. Salvation means that Christ has made my soul properly clean before God, because of Him, I have a secure hope that when the time comes for Heaven, He will stand with me and advocate for my standing as a beloved daughter, a person chosen and precious before God. I am welcomed into everlasting life. Therefore I have new life, I have hope as I live my days here as a wife and mother, as a friend and a sister. By the amazing grace of God.

So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. Romans 8

I AM NOT FREE TO be habitually judgmental, jealous, bitter, mean, unkind, fake, cold, abusive, unforgiving, prideful, angry or selfish. People who call themselves christians and still continue year after year in these behaviors are scary. I will run away from them……..I’ve had experience with “christians” who are like this and I myself was somewhat legalistic years ago for a time because of the leaders in a former church’s example and teachings…..(I have a story—I understand if you have one, too) but God is ever faithful and grew me away from those behaviors which caused so many problems in my life. I still struggle at times because of that experience. So flee from any legalist people in your life. Don’t allow yourself to be tainted by their judgmental ways. Keep yourself childlike, trusting, open, loving, and gracious. Reading the Bible (God’s love letter to you) is the medicine our soul needs so that our hearts stay open and loving. “His law is love, and his gospel is peace.”

The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Romans 13:12

I will still make mistakes. AND IT’S OKAY BECAUSE I AM HUMAN, a beautiful humanly human. We all are. I love myself the way God made me, and the way he made my friends just the way they are, I don’t focus on their “faults”, I understand them and appreciate them. My friends love me the way I am. Are we perfect? No. But we are perfect for each other. (Good Will Hunting)

This is what I’m thinking about this Christmas season. …. Jesus Christ came from Heaven to earth to save sinners. AND HE DID IT, HE DOES IT. He ushered in an age of Amazing Grace. He swept away the doctrines of the Pharisee which held to an impossible standard of perfection and looked down on everyone else, and gathered up for his own the outcasts, the lowly, the lost causes, and turned them into children of God. He loves us so much. He always has, he always will.

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. James 1:17

******

We made the Christmas cookies. Every year there are two kinds that we simply must have: Russian teacakes and gingerbread men. My children helped me and they were very cute. (both the cookies and the kids)

Our neighbors came for a quick visit the morning of Christmas Eve and gave David a present (and the rest of us, too). One of the things I am most thankful for this last year is getting to know them better. We can visit and share laughs…and later on today we are going to see the new Star Wars movie together.

In the afternoon my sister and her family came. We had planned on a brunch but then found out that Jason had to work half day and Rich had to coach a wrestling practice. But we still had breakfast food….which we ate at lunch time.

We had pancakes, cinnamon rolls, hash brown casserole, cherry topping, whipped cream and maple syrup for the pancakes, mimosas, bacon, and sausage.

wonderfully active, silly boys

Michael came for brunch before he had to leave for work. This young man is like family to us, he is Jacob’s best friend and we all love him.

Naomi is my little niece and one of Sarah’s favorite friends. These two girls spent the day together playing.

They played with Naomi’s bitty baby, Grace’s old bitty baby, and Sarah’s bitty baby. 🙂

I thought it was so great that Naomi wore her Christmas dress to my house. She looked like a princess all day long.

Grace’s boyfriend Caleb was able to spend time with us as well.

In large family gatherings you just never know what will happen. David decided it was a good time to roller blade throughout the house.

We watched a movie (ELF).

And exchanged gifts…..so fun. I love my family…my one and only sister, her husband who is like a brother to me and Rich, their children. We are so thankful for each other.

Caleb videoed Grace opening one of her presents so his mom could watch it later on.

Determination and belief that there is room for him.

We played Pictionary. Amanda and I were a team, Jason and Rich were another team. At first they were winning……(we had to use make-shift game pieces)

But then we pulled ahead and won.

The losers didn’t want to be seen. 🙂

My beautiful niece Abigail with her cousin Ethan.

Then Jacob’s girlfriend Emily showed up bearing gifts.

She had a gift for everyone, even the chickens.

Jacob gave her a Willowtree figurine which she loved so much that she….

gave him a smooch.

aren’t they so cute???????

Jacob works at the shoe department in Dick’s sporting goods so she also got two pairs of sneakers.

And that was that. Everyone went home, we put the children to bed, and it was just Rich and I doing what we always do on Christmas Eve. Finish wrapping presents and arrange them all under the tree. I was getting sick with a terrible head cold that has lasted for days but we got the job done with a feeling of anticipation for the morning to come.

ink everywhere

Posted on December 18, 2015 by Shanda

I came out of my room this morning, wrapping myself up in my soft red robe. It was 6:20 and the schoolbus would be arriving within the next 15 minutes or so. I found Grace on the couch, finishing up her homework with her Madrigal dress next to her ready to take to school for a performance. “Did you eat anything yet?” I asked. “No.” I handed her an apple. Ethan needed me to write a check for a school skiing trip and I gave David a kiss on the cheek as he ate the rest of his breakfast. Very soon this peaceful moment would be over.

David recently found the TV series, “Top Shot” on Netflix and has been watching it every chance he gets. It has inspired him. In case you haven’t seen it, it’s a competition type show with a group of people trying to be “top shot”…they spend all their time shooting guns and arrows at targets. In every episode, someone has to leave the show so that eventually there is only ONE winner…..the TOP SHOT.

David won’t be watching it today.

David will be having a talk with Mom and Dad.

The upstairs was out of toilet paper. Sarah needed some. The bus still hadn’t arrived for the teenagers. After helping Sarah I went back downstairs just in time to find THICK, DARK BLUE, BALL POINT PEN INK shoot out of David’s hand. It could have been much much worse. He can thank his lucky stars that it miraculously DID NOT go on the leather couch or the rug. Instead, it was dribbled all over the floor and the kitchen island.

Acting quickly, while screeching, I grabbed paper towels. Those of you with experience will know that ink isn’t the most pleasant of liquids to clean up. Raw egg is bad…..ink is far worse. At first wipe, the ink drop will turn into a horrifying ink smear. Turning the paper towel to a white side and wiping yet again, it will then turn it into a lighter blue smear. And thus the action is repeated, to be finished up with a shake of BAR KEEPERS FRIEND, and a prayer offered up in gratitude that THAT ink drop came off the wooden floor/island. Then, off to clean up the next one.

My finger tips are still currently stained a pale, deathly blue.

“All that pen wanted was to be turned into a book.” said Grace, looking on from the door.

“If only David felt the same way.” I replied.

So, how did this happen? After many confusing moments and much questioning, I finally figured it out.

He’s been modifying pens.

To do this, he must take a perfectly good ball point pen and take it all apart, causing it to never more be useful as a pen. But wait! It will soon be even BETTER than a pen! For then, he wraps a rubber band with duck tape around the pen. It is now a shooting device.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm, What to shoot? THE INK CARTRIDGE that used to be inside the pen, of course! After all, it is thin and has a sharp point on the end, just like an ARROW!!!! Genius.

What David learned today was that the ink cartridge MAY explode as you shoot it!

“I’ll have to put glue on the end next time” I heard him say to himself as he helped clean up the ink.

“David I do not want you ruining any more of our pens!”

The bus came. The bus went. Goodbye E, Goodbye Grace, Goodbye David. Deep breath. Now it was time to get the elementary kids ready for THEIR bus.

I went downstairs to wake up the boys, amazed that they slept though the excitement. Seth did say he had heard me say something. “What did I say?” I asked expectantly. “You said, ‘I’m so sorry I did that.'” “THAT. is NOT what I said,” I replied. (and David didn’t say it, either) He must have been dreaming.

The “TOP SHOT” story isn’t over yet….because guess what I discovered downstairs? Uh oh.

Not wanting to jump to rash conclusions, I ran to my phone to text Ethan. “Ask David if he took a ceiling tile and turned it into a target.”

(after a minute or two)

“Yes. He did.”

“I don’t think we should let him watch Top Shot anymore.”

I also found the workings of a modified Nerf gun in progress on his dresser. The baggie to the left of the gun is filled with parts that used to be INSIDE the gun.

This is what the inside of our kitchen trash currently looks like.

My child is a creative, busy, bright, single minded, scientist-type and I’m forever being impressed, delighted, and amused over his endless projects and interests.

But he still has to learn his limits.

what family means to me

Posted on December 16, 2015 by Shanda

Once again, never to be taken for granted, Rich and I and all seven of the children were together in our warm and cozy living room — to decorate our Christmas tree, purchased in town at the Fire Department for 30 dollars.

It was delightful chaos. Talking, bossing, laughing, non stop movement to and from the tree to the ornament boxes which were all along the couch.

Seven times we experienced the miracle of birth, births of our own flesh and blood, baby girls and boys from a man and woman whom God joined together as one. As the children grow and develop into their own individual selves, we are all the more thankful for each and every moment with them. They teach us so much, they remind us of what we have forgotten–that life is an adventure from sun up to sun down. Very little worries, seldom any cares, only exciting things to look forward to and absolute trust that Mom and Dad will love and nurture them.

From the oldest to the youngest, we are their Parents until death do us part. To support, guide, enjoy, and yes…even step away (but never too far away) in order to give space for them to make their own decisions in life. They will become stronger and independent, knowing that we are there to cheer them on their journey of living.

Firstborn Jacob’s 19th birthday is the last day of the month.

While the youngest, Sarah, is only five and a half.

Each child is a gift, so unique, so amazingly precious to me and to their Dad.

They have brought so much gladness and light into our lives.

As their Mother, their pains are my pains, their joys are my joys. Their love is my love. One of the most romantic things I have witnessed occurred last night and oh, last week at this time I would have never dreamed that my darling daughter would very soon have a loving, Christian boy humbly ask and receive the blessing of her very protective Dad to get to know her……….and my heart gives grateful praise even as I sneak upstairs to read their text messages after she goes to school. *sigh* soooooo sweet

taking off the hats

discussing the hat with Ethan the 17 year old.

still discussing the hat

I gave the hat back.

MERRY MERRY MERRY CHRISTMAS

awesome recipe (macaroni and cheese with tomatoes)

Posted on November 19, 2015 by Shanda

(setting the table)

Last night’s dinner was exceptionally miraculous so I thought I better share. I use the word miraculous because even though the dish had tomatoes in it, all seven children still ate it with vigor and healthy appetites. They had nothing but good things to say.

Homemade macaroni and cheese is rather like a circus performance. You have the macaroni that needs to be boiled in salted water for exactly 6 minutes, then you need to find your colander and drain it, all the while stirring the butter, flour, and milk base for the cheese sauce so it doesn’t burn to the bottom of the pan. Cheese must be found in the fridge and grated, six cups. Canned diced tomatoes from the pantry, a can opener, whisk, rubber spatula, wooden spoons, measuring cups and so on…. it’s non stop action until the oven door slams shut, your arms go up in victory, and the baking begins.

IT WAS UTTERLY WORTH IT.

(This is Shanda’s blog so do I have to mention all seven kids running back and forth throughout the kitchen during the juggling act? Every time Dave came near me to tell me something I said, “stir the sauce!”, he was honestly offended by it.)

YUM YUM YUM

I made peas and broccoli as side dishes and the kids gobbled up their veggies, too!

My first of three helpings.

It’s truly satisfying to see your loved ones diving into a good plate of food that you made yourself.

Jacob and Ethan talked nonstop, it was so good to see and hear them together since Jacob has been so busy with college and work and girlfriend.

Caleb and Seth both gave me a thumbs up!

(I don’t have photos of David or Grace. Dave was grumpy because he had his braces tightened yesterday and his teeth were sore, and Grace was grumpy I think because she was exhausted and had a lot of homework to get done. However, this was the perfect comfort meal for both of them, I must say.)