Christmas magic, "Good-by, Sweet Day"

Posted on December 27, 2007 by Shanda

To a child, there is nothing quite like the night before Christmas. My oldest son, Jacob, said emphatically to me on Christmas Eve, “I am NOT going to be able to sleep tonight.” I remember feeling that same way when I was a child.

So, was Christmas as magical for me this year? I must admit, I was not feeling very well. I’m getting over a cold that “wiped” me right out. However, as Rich and I finally finished up the Christmas preparations on Christmas Eve, and started gently and carefully placing the gifts “just so” under the tree, I found myself smiling and getting excited. I put pretty shiny bows on everything and after we were done, the tree, with all the gifts around and under it, looked so beautiful. One of the things I love about my husband is the way he enjoys making Christmas special for the children. He is very generous, and wants them all to be thrilled when they get up on Christmas morning. Spending time with him in our living room, preparing for the next day, made me so happy, and I did actually have a hard time getting to sleep that night! I couldn’t wait to see Jacob’s face when he opened his castle, or Ethan opening his guitar, or Grace with her new cash register. And, who can forget my busy little Davy-do? He would get to open his very own tool box, complete with tools, and a pile of wood, just for him. Little Caleb only needs “choo-choo’s” to make him happy, and there were four for him under the tree.

The next morning, at 5:20, Jacob and Ethan woke us up as they came downstairs. Rich went out and wished them a “Merry Christmas” and sent them right back to bed for just one more hour. An “eternity” to two excited little boys. Eventually the time came for us, the parents, to get out of bed and call down our wide-awake little ones. Grace, Jacob, and Ethan came downstairs and sat on the couch to talk to each other about what they could see, and held their stockings in their laps. Rich and I made some coffee and sipped it from red and green fiesta mugs.

At 6:45, Rich went upstairs to wake up David and Caleb. We couldn’t believe that they “slept in” on the most exciting morning of the year! David came out of his room half asleep and scowling, but soon the scowl turned to a smile when he realized that Christmas was finally here!

It was so fun to watch them open their gifts, to see their eyes light up and hear the excitement in their voices. Caleb took all of his gifts to his Daddy to open, and he just loved all his new trains. I just kept taking pictures and thinking, “Enjoy it. Enjoy it. Christmas won’t be like this forever.” Like my header says, “These Truly are the Wonder Years”. . .yes, they are, and it’s the wonder of seeing the world, and the moments we have together, through the eyes of a child. One of the best parts of parenting, is getting to experience the early years all over again, watching our children enjoy their childhood, and remembering our own.

This Christmas, the children played non stop all day long. They loved the castle most of all. We bought it for Jacob, but told him that it was for them all to play with. David loved his tools and I laughed so much to see him wearing the big safety goggles as he hammered away. You have already seen the photos of lil’ Woody and lil’ Buzz. How cute they were in their costumes! Rich would say, “Hi, Woody!!” and Caleb would say, “NO! I CAY-YUB!” in his little voice. . .so dear and sweet.

Rich started picking up the wrapping paper just as soon as it was all over but I begged him to leave it as it was for a while. Once the papers and bows are gathered up to throw away, the morning would seem so final. I wanted to enjoy the mess for a change.

Rich surprised me with a few more gifts — some Godiva chocolates (my favorite), two pairs of black gloves (he couldn’t decide so he bought both), and a tripod for my camera.

The day was a happy one, I loved this Christmas.

Our house, on Christmas Eve. I went for a walk….the ice on the ponds was so pretty.

Our five, in new jammies, on Christmas Eve. My heart skips a beat when I see this photo. David is getting taller! He’s almost as tall as Grace! How did that happen? Grace has a new nightgown on, and she has her Bitty Baby doll, who has a nightgown just like her “mommy”.

Christmas morning, I like how Rich and I are reflected in the window. (We’re standing in the kitchen.)

Christmas morning coffee

Davy-do’s smile when he sees the tree and all the presents.

Our firstborn, emptying his stocking, and finding a grenade!

Did anyone else run out of wrapping paper? I did, but Caleb was so happy to see the Thomas rug, which was one of his gifts. He loves pushing his trains around on it.

The boys busy getting their toys out of the boxes. It’s not easy. They had me help now and then. Rich is in the background, with Caleb in his lap.

Caleb, dressed up in his Woody costume, looking at his new Thomas book.

Ethan was thrilled with his new guitar and unwrapped the big box so excitedly. It’s one of my favorite moments of the entire day, seeing him tear the paper off and throw it behind him, smiling so big!

The most beautiful mess of all. . .the papers and bows from unwrapped Christmas gifts.

Little David, busy making “an airplane” with his new wood, hammer, and nails.

David joining his little brother for some choo-choo play.

Setting up the castle. I love their bright, happy faces.

In this photo, the children are all opening cards from their Uncle David. Look at Grace’s face. They each got 15 dollars. They acted like it was a million. Well, except for Caleb. He threw his card and slid down to the floor, back to his trains.

Rich is home all this week, taking a much needed vacation. I am still so very tired from this cold. . .in fact, this morning I went back to bed at 9am! I’ve been just sort of hanging around, doing a little here, a little there, trying to avoid all heavy work, LOL. Rich has been doing most of the kitchen work, either that or making the children do it! He even scrubbed the bathroom shower stall this morning! I asked him, teasingly, if he was going to potty train Caleb, too, during his vacation, but he said no. Today we had to go to the grocery store, but other than that we’ve been pretty low-key all week long. I can’t believe that tomorrow is Friday already. Caleb has my sickness now, and is absolutely miserable. Grace says she’s feeling funny, too. We were planning on driving to NY this weekend but all signs say “NO” at this point. . .

And, yes, I’ve been enjoying my new piano so very much. I’m able to play everything that I could play before (it’s been 8 years since I last played) and it’s so so good to do it again.

Thank you all for your kindness to me here, and your friendship. I had a box come from a dear xanga friend in Alaska, with lovely gifts inside, and several Christmas cards from some of you! I just shake my head in wonder, and in awe over the way God has blessed us with such sweet Christian fellowship, in which we can be so close, and even love, our sisters in Christ whom we have never seen face to face! I just love that! We truly have a wonderful heavenly Father. . . . .

Merry Christmas once again to you all! I’ll leave you with a dear little poem I read today.

“Good-by, Sweet Day”

Good-by, sweet day, good-by!
I have so loved thee, but I cannot keep thee.
Departing like a dream, the shadows fold thee;
Slowly thy perfect beauty fades away.
Good-by, sweet day!

Good-by, sweet day, good-by!
Dear were thy golden hours of tranquil splendor;
Sadly thou yieldest to the evening tender,
Who wert so fair from thy first morning ray;
Good-by, sweet day!

Good-by, sweet day, good-by!
Thy glow and charm, thy smiles and tones and glances
Vanish at last, and solemn night advances;
Ah, couldst thou yet a little longer stay!
Good-by, sweet day!

Good-by, sweet day, good-by!
All thy rich gifts my grateful heart remembers,
The while I watch thy sunset’s smoldering embers
Die in the west beneath the twilight gray.
Good-by, sweet day!

~Celia Thaxter

Grace

Posted on December 20, 2007 by Shanda

I bought Grace a Christmas dress (from Costco, only 16 dollars!) and I decided it would be really cool (no pun intended) to get her dressed up in it and go outside to take some Christmas photos. We had lots of fun, she’s such a good sport. Enjoy!

Our hearts grow te
nder 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

my new piano

Posted on December 19, 2007 by Shanda

I have a lot to do this morning but yesterday I had something exciting happen that I need to write about.

When I was in 2nd grade I started piano lessons and took them all the way (on and off, I did skip some years now and then) through to college (1 year as a college student). I have always played for the joy of it–I can lose track of time while sitting at a piano. I never had desires to achieve any sort of level . . . I simply love to play. My parents bought me a piano to practice on as a young girl and when Rich and I got married, I took my piano from my parent’s to our new house.

However, when I was expecting Grace, Rich got a job offer that we could not refuse and so we moved away from our little first home and my first piano! We would be living in apartments for the next few years so we sold the piano with the house. I still have the photo that I took of it when the house sold.

Needless to say, I haven’t felt quite the same without easy access to a piano. This year I had a special request, I asked my husband for a piano for Christmas. . . I’m not a choosy type of person, any piano would do as long as it played okay. Honestly! However my husband likes to spoil me and I did have to talk him out of a baby grand! LOL

I was hoping to avoid the dirty work, but I did submit to his desire to travel an HOUR and a HALF yesterday to the piano showroom. . . . .

Here we are in the driveway, about to leave on our trip. We took all the kids with us but in the picture you can only see three of the boys. . . . .

It really was a beautiful night to go, we traveled into the sunset and David kept yelling, “Take a picture, mom!”

We had to stop at a McDonald’s drivethru. Caleb started singing as we waited in line, “Old McDonald had a farm, E I E I OHHHHHHHHHHHHH”.

We found the piano place. The man (can’t remember his name at all but he had wild curly hair and was a fun guy) showed us the pianos, talked to us about them, played them for us. I couldn’t decide between two and so he would play on one and the we would race over the other other one and he would play that one. Meanwhile, the kids were all over the place touching everything. Ethan disappeared and we found him in the other room with a lady who was giving him a piano lesson! Anyway, we finally decided on this beauty:

The top and front both prop open and the quality of sound is absolutely amazing and rich. It’s still way too much for lil’ ol’ me, I felt so strange and out of place when Rich said I could pick out anything I wanted.

It’s so beautiful and it’s all mine! I’m so grateful. . . . .

The piano mover already called this morning at 7:15am! He is going to deliver the piano this Friday, Lord willing!

Now we just have to figure out the perfect place to put it. I dreamed about pianos last night and I’m so excited to see if years from now, one of my children will be able to play amazingly well. If so, that particular child will have to live with us always, so I can have live music at any time!

I can’t wait to start practicing again! I want to go online at some point to see if I can find some easy piano/violin duets to play with Jacob!

I’m so happy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

December memories, thus far. . . . .

Posted on December 12, 2007 by Shanda

(from the notes I’ve been taking during the day)

-finally finishing the CS lewis biography that I’ve been reading for weeks

-Caleb with his “baby”–Tiger–holding and carrying him around

-Caleb looking at his Thomas book

-walking away from the stress of putting together the gingerbread house, only to discover that they could do it just fine without me

-the dog following me outside, happy, as I decorated the porch and filled the bird freeder.

-the flock of bluebirds I saw on Dec. 6

-kids making tents in the livingroom and kitchen (remember doing that?)

-kids ice skating during the day, and at night with Rich, using the headlights from the truck to see

-all of a sudden being homesick for mom and dad

-the huge mess we made making cookies together

“Blend equal parts of Faith and Hope mixed well with Charity;
Stir in Good Will and Sweet Content and Precious Memory.
Add Kindness, Helpfulness and Joy; of Gratitude don’t spare;
Then drop by drop Love’s Essence sweet, and Praises freely share.
And don’t forget such spices rare as Laughter, Smiles and Fun,
Taste often for the best results, (‘Tis sweet to mince upon).
Now add a
Thankful Heart and then, the recipe’s complete,
Your ‘Merry Christmas’ all will like … so try the season’s treat.”

–Esther Lloyd Dauber (“Special Treat”)

-going Christmas shopping with Ethan, Grace, and Caleb

-Ethan holding the door open for an older lady who stopped in her tracks to praise him

-the funny thing Jacob said after eating a grapefruit, “Wow, Mom! This grapefruit is like sledding! It’s gone faster than it took to get ready for it!”

-standing in the bathroom one night, tired, yet content as I dried Grace’s hair and then braided it so it would be curly in the morning (always thinking of my mom, when she used to do the same for little me)

-reading Christmas books to the kids

-David making “hmmm” noices every time I read something that impresses him. (he doesn’t even know he does it)

-Caleb in his striped footie pj’s

-Rich loving my Christmas cookies (jam thumbprints and raspberry bars, so far)

-quiet lazy mornings

-feeing so sentimental. . .tears come so easily these days

-wrapping gifts (can’t ever keep track of the tape!)

-watching the martha stewart show every day

-making glittery pinecones all by myself, and feeling so content with the children just sitting around me, watching, and talking my ear off. I used to do the same thing to my mom when she was busy in the kitchen–perch on the counter and talk and talk . . . . . .

-drinking homemade hot chocolate

-decorating the trees

-Jacob dangling his army men from hooks to make ornaments

-the wonder on Caleb’s face

-hearing him say “Christmas tree” for the very first time

-the non stop motion

-fleeing the house for a walk one morning, calling behind me to the kids, “behave yourselves and put in a video for David and Caleb”

-completely enjoying my little walk and the beauty of God’s creation

“Let us remember that the Christmas heart is a giving heart, a wide open heart that thinks of others first. The birth of the baby Jesus stands as the most significant event in all history, because it has meant the pouring into a sick world of the healing medicine of love which has transformed all manner of hearts for almost two thousand years… Underneath all the bulging bundles is this beating Christmas heart.” — George Matthew Adams

Posted on June 24, 2007 by Shanda

Grace took this picture of me. It was taken in front of my Grandpa’s barn, the one that held the cows before they went into the milking parlor to be milked. The barn is not in use and my Grandparents are not there anymore–Grandma has passed on–Grandpa is in a nursing home. The farm is for sale and I saw the “for sale” signs up for the first time this weekend. My parents live down the road a little bit from the barns and of course these have been the scenes of many childhood memories–the sights, sounds, smells, memories. Colleen and I made lots of memories here and even milked the cows together for a while. . . . .seems like ages ago. . . .

We used to ride our bikes for hours around and around the “1st driveway”, “2nd driveway”, and when we were a little more daring, the “3rd driveway”!

The driveways have almost all completely grown in with grass!

Mom says her dad and his boys made all the boards to the barn and built the barn together.

Grace and I prowled around and explored the old milking parlor. It had been a very long time since I had been in there, the machinery is gone but the brilliant blue paint remains.

When I first went in the milking parlor I was disappointed, it smelled sort of musty and of mildew.

But as we went out, the wind blew through and I caught a satisfying whiff of it–hard to explain–a combination of cows, milk, rubber tubing, disinfectant, and stainless steel. I was glad to smell it again, who knows if that was the last time I would go in there? “The last time” comes to everything sooner or later!

Colleen, do you remember when we used to pass kittens back and forth through that little door (that the milkman’s hose went through to collect the milk from the tank)? I had completely forgotten until I saw that door again.

I don’t know how to end this post. I feel sad about change and the fact that these buildings are empty and the only sounds that I hear are the creaking of the old boards.

I am glad, though, that I got to visit and take my camera.

Happy Mother's Day!

Posted on May 12, 2007 by Shanda

“Everybody knows that a good mother gives her children a feeling
of trust and stability. She is the one they can count on for the things that matter
most of all. She is their food and their bed and their extra
blanket when it grows cold in the night; she is their
warmth and health and their shelter; she is the one
they want to be near when they cry. She is the only person
in the whole world, or in a whole lifetime, who can be these
things to her children. There is no substitute for her.
Somehow even her clothes feel different to her children’s
hands from anybody else’s clothes. Only to touch her skirt
or her sleeve makes a troubled child feel better.”
Karen Butler Hathaway

How do I find the words to describe the meaning and purpose of my life and how much it means to me? God placed the call of motherhood so strongly on my heart that it has been my main goal in life. The reaction, sadly, of most women when they learn this about me is disbelief and even slight ridicule and teasing.

But it’s true. Ask the 15 year old me what I wanted to be when I grew up? I would have said, “I want to be a stay-at-home mom”.

When I think of how much the Lord has given me the desires of my heart, I want to cry!

He led me to my perfect match and life partner– and we were married young–I was 19 and he was 21. We were married for 1 year and 3 months before we welcomed our firstborn into our hearts.

Jacob was born 2 weeks early. As a first time mom I was not expecting that wave of love that I felt when Rich finally brought tiny Jacob to my hospital room after his first bath. “He’s so beautiful” is what I said and thought so many times.

So beautiful.

Jacob was 14 months old when Ethan arrived. Once again I fell in love with a baby boy. Ethan was and is a happy boy, in a calm, thoughtful way. To see his bright eyes while he laughs is one of the biggest rewards in my life.

I found out I was expecting Grace shortly after Ethan’s first birthday. I was scared, I admit. She was born when Jacob was 2 months shy of his 3rd birthday and Ethan was 21 months old. To have my first daughter was all I needed to carry me through those early days and months with 3 little ones in diapers!

In the few years before our next baby came along, I had so much fun with my 3 preschoolers. Yes, there were difficult days, (but I won’t get into that). I remember FUN and lots of it: trips to McDonald’s play place, little amusement parks, lots of walks to the playground. The sheer delight and enjoyment of simple things–like blowing bubbles and washing matchbox cars.

Jacob was in Kindergarten when David was born, so my “carefree” (doesn’t that word make you snicker?) days of being a Mom to preschoolers were over. When I had David I thought I had never been so in love with a baby before! (Aren’t moms funny?) David was my 4th child, yet I took MORE pictures of him than any of the others thus far! He was and still is a unique, bright part of our family. He makes me smile and chuckle every single day.

Caleb, our fifth baby, was born when David was almost 3. I felt so happy, peaceful, and content when he was a newborn, more than I did for any of the other babies. For instance, I knew that it was okay to hold him (and did hold him) as much as possible! The babies grow too fast. . hold your babies! Too soon they wriggle themselves away to their own adventures, far too soon! An added blessing of Caleb’s birth was the joy of seeing my older children enjoy their baby brother. What a wonderful feeling it is for a mom to observe the love between her children!

Jacob is 10 now.
Ethan is 9.
Grace is 7.
David is 4.
Caleb is almost 2.

As for me, my life is so fulfilled. My dreams are all coming true. God gave me my family and I give all the glory and honor to Him. I lay my family down at His feet.

The tears in my eyes are there from sheer happiness.

Enjoy the photos, which were taken by my husband (whose technique is to start clicking and not stop):

To be a Mom
you need to be very very
very very very very
patient
and
keep smiling

Yesterday Evening: Making Memories

Posted on May 8, 2007 by Shanda

“God wants us to fill our homes with happiness. He made childhood joyous, full of life, bubbling over with laughter, playful, bright and sunny.”

“It is a crime to repress the mirth and the gladness and to try to make children grave and stately. Life’s burdens will come soon enough to lie upon their shoulders.”

“Life will soon enough bring care and anxiety and hardship and a weight of responsibility. We should let them be young and free from care just as long as possible.”

“We should put into their childhood days just as much sunshine and gladness, just as much cheerful pleasure as possible. Human lives will never grow into their best in gloom.”

“Pour the sunshine about them in youth; let them be happy; encourage all innocent joy; provide pleasant games for them; romp and play with them; be a child again among them.”

“Then God’s blessing will come upon your home, and your children will grow up sunny-hearted, gentle, affectionate, joyous themselves and joy-bearers to the world.”

“The young must have amusements. The only question is, What shall be the character of the amusements?”

“If there is clover at the home they will not care to fly abroad.”

“There is no parent of ordinary intelligence who may not make his home-live so bright and sunny that no one will ever care to go outside to see amusement amid the senseless frivolities or the debasing pleasures that the world has to offer.”

“There is no need for argument to prove the influence of the home memories in the formation of character. When one’s childhood home has been true and sweet, its memories never can be effaced.”

“But the memory of the early home lives on like a solitary star, burning in the gloom of night.”

“Will the memory be tender, restraining, refining and inspiring?”

“It would seem worthwhile for every mother to try to weave such memories into the early years of her children’s lives. There is no surer way to bind them with chains of gold to God’s throne. Where is the busy mother who cannot find ti
me enough to spend thus a few moments every night with each child before it falls asleep, in sweet, loving talk and tender, earnest prayer? Far down into the years the memory of such sacred moments will go.”

“So the life of the true home flows on. It shelters us in the day of storm. Its friendships remain true and loyal. It lays holy hands of benediction upon our heads as we go out to meet life’s struggles and duties. It’s sacred influences keep us from many a sin. Its memories are our richest inheritance. Its inspirations are the secret strength of our lives in days of toil and care. Then it teaches us to look toward heaven as the great Home in which all our hearts, hopes, and dreams shall be realized, and where the broken ties of earth shall be reunited.”

All quotes from Home-making, by J.R. Miller

This is why we do what we do. It is so worth it.

just give me one clean, pretty, quiet space

Posted on March 28, 2007 by Shanda

I determined I would have just one clean corner of the house to sit in. Never mind that I don’t have the time for prolonged coffee-drinking and reading right now (maybe later). Here is my newly arranged quiet corner with my Bible and pen, the photo album Joanna gave me, some fiestaware, some old workbasket magazines (that were my Great Grandma’s), and the little bird that Colleen gave me.

(I read a poem once that was “for all the moms” and this is my own version of it):

This is for all the moms who keep getting interrupted by loud little voices.

This is for all the moms who have the inspiration but not the time.

This is for all the moms who find mischief everytime they turn around.

This is for all the moms who are homeschooling today.

This is for all the moms who just want to have a quiet cup of coffee, but find it impossible.

This is for all the moms who have a little boy sneaking frosting in the kitchen.

This is for all the moms who leave their kids for 1 minute outside-just to get the camera-and find a naked 4 year old dancing in the mud when they return.

This is for all the moms who felt a little jealous of the 4 year old.

This is for all the moms who have an ugly toy next to their computer. (from McDonalds)

This is for all the moms who left coffee in their mug and their 19 month old drank the rest– (their breath always gives them away).

This is for all the moms who picked up the playdoh last night after the kids went to bed, just because she couldn’t bear the thought of letting them stay up long enough to clean it themselves.

This is for all the moms who have 3 loads of laundry to fold on the couch. And another load in the dryer.

This is for all the moms who are so tired at the end of the day that they can’t stay awake to read a book.

This is for all the moms who have a front porch that looks more like a giant toybox than a spread in a home decorating magazine.

This is for all those moms who are frustrated because they have a list of things to do a mile long.

This is for all the moms who know it won’t last forever and find the idea a little sad.

This is for all the moms who wouldn’t trade it for the world.

Posted on December 17, 2006 by Shanda

Today my heart is full of gratitude to my Heavenly Father and I want to try to share.

Today we had a man candidate to be the Pastor of our church. He taught Sunday School and preached in the morning service.

The sermon was incredible. He was very much “Preacher”. . . .while he was preaching I could not imagine him as anything else.

He preached on the Marvelous Mercy of God, using Romans 11:33-36 has his text:

For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are His judgements, and His ways past finding out!

For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath given to Him, and it shall be recompensed unto him again?

For of Him, and through HIM, and TO HIM, are all things: to Whom be glory for ever. Amen

sermon quotes:

“The more I know of the awesomeness of God and how BIG HE is, the smaller my problems appear”

“Our God hung the stars in their silvery sockets”

“No one, not even the greatest philosopher, can come near to the knowledge of God: the best we can do is mere baby-talk compared to Him”

“Just the very fact that you have a Bible on your lap right now is an act of God’s mercy“

“Before we were saved we were in total darkness. Then Jesus came and lit our way. He found us and saved us”

“If I rest in my morality it will be a roadblock. Rest in JESUS CHRIST ALONE”

RELISH your redemption

I was in tears by the time the message was over. It was everything I could have desired in a sermon. It had depth, it glorified GOD, it made me really think, it had good quotes and illustrations, he even quoted my father’s favorite hymn by William Cowper. I felt like God was giving me a gift by showing me that yes, He hears our prayers, and yes, He delights in giving His children above and beyond what they can hope or think! The church problems we went through hurt me deeply–way down in the core of me–and greatly effected my life. Therefore I am filled with gratitude to see the awesome way God is working everything all out.

We vote on Wednesday.

**Let me know what you think of the pictures! My Dad took them with his new digital camera. They were taken outside my parent’s home (my childhood home). I have never seen my Dad take a picture, so it’s going to be fun to see the world through his eyes.

Thankful, so thankful,
for God’s mercy

Posted on November 6, 2006 by Shanda

Caleb’s First Hair cut and Other Pictures . . .

I gave the boys each a buzz cut today. I decided I might as well give Caleb one, too. He was so cute–he laughed the entire time because the clippers were tickling him. I saved his hair, it’s only a small little bit, because his hair is so baby-fine. Jacob took the pictures.

my four boys

they look so handsome

It’s gorgeous outside. The sun is bright and the air is clean and cool. The tent is still up from “fun fun friday” and the kids are busy playing. They asked me to start the fire again, but I refused. I am sleepy today and hoping to have a low-key day. When I was outside with them, I couldn’t resist taking a few pictures of David.