finding

Posted on August 23, 2015 by Shanda

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

They didn’t know I was taking a picture with my phone.

Dave could not find his shoes and had to wear his Dad’s big white size 13s into the store.

We stopped at Barnes and Noble at about 7:30, on our long-long drive home from Georgia.

Rich and I lined them up on the curb so we could give instructions and information to everyone at once, rather than 6 times (forgetting the seventh, which is typical–SOMEONE gets missed!oops).

The instructions were: 1. Everyone needed to use the bathroom. 2. Everyone may pick out something to read.

The news was: 1. We were driving all the way home without stopping at a hotel to sleep.

We arrived home early this morning at 4:30.

My favorite memory of traveling was at about 2 in the morning when they had taken little naps, gotten over the grumps, and had a second wind of cheer. Singing to the radio, telling funny stories to classical music, watching a video. At 2 a.m.!! Such good little travelers.

Rich singing every hymn he could think of to himself while flying down the highway in the fast lane……me half enjoying it and half plugging my ears so I could concentrate on my new cheap paperback. Hanging on and whispering prayers.

Rich, by the grace of God, is raising up some good young men. This is our Ethan. He loves Jesus, being active, sports. He doesn’t talk much. He can dance some cool moves. He is confident, respectful, honest, and doesn’t take any slack from his younger siblings. My favorite memories of Ethan from vacation are 1. When he pulled himself up over a high wall to retrieve the volleyball we had hit way out of bounds. and 2. When he walked out of McDonalds holding Seth’s hand on one side and Sarah’s on the other. Be still my heart.

My mom loved vacationing with all of her children and grandchildren, but she was itching to get back to her garden.

I’m just like her. My garden is much smaller but the first thing I did today after I woke up at 11am was go outside with my cup of coffee.

I knew where to find some treasures. Some were obvious, like the bright red tomatoes. But others, like the cucumbers and green beans, were hidden and had to be searched out.

For brunch I made a quiche.

chopped bacon fried with a section of minced onion and one green pepper

added to 8 beaten eggs, 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 cup milk

2/3 cup mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup cheddar

1/4 tsp pepper, a few nice healthy grinds of salt from salt-grinder

all leaves from the two beets I harvested (can substitute 3 cups chopped lightly packed fresh spinach)

fresh basil, chopped (about 1/3 cup)

about 1/3 cup tomato

Bake in the oven for about 25 minutes or until set.

I served it with the rest of the garden tomato, mixed with salt, olive oil, onion, and basil.

***

I almost shrieked when Tessa told me school started this Thursday. I thought I had one more solid week with the children. My heart aches because Sarah Joy is going off for her first day of Kindergarten. Mothers understand what I mean….I’m happy for her, I know she’s ready, but as a mom I feel that small sad-like feeling of letting go. Rich read Seth and Sarah letters from their teachers, which were in the mailbox when we got home from vacation. Their little faces were seriously listening to every word. They have homework to do, and a meet and greet on Wednesday. I don’t quite feel ready, but I’m thankful for this journey with my children and that little by little they grow up, not all at once. Thankful for Jesus and for my husband making it easier.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27

“I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.” Proverbs 8:17

gifts-peace-love-seeking and finding the greatest treasure–HIM

camp week

Posted on August 10, 2015 by Shanda

Rich came home as soon as the last event was over on Friday because he missed me so much. Isn’t that the sweetest thing? He came in our bedroom at about 2:30 in the morning and I laughed. He thought it was the oddest reaction…but I was so happy and tickled that he came home.

We had all Saturday morning to talk. He was full of stories.

One of the workers, Ting, posted a whole bunch of photos on Facebook and she gave me permission to post them.

The first one I posted is of Jacob and Ethan, on a day that they put the same socks on without knowing it. Pink plus capes!

This was a tug of war competition between my family and another family. Jacob is at the end, then Dave, Grace, Ethan and Rich. (they lost)

I love this picture of Ethan S. (friend from church), husband Rich in the red cap, Zak right next to him (he spends a lot of time at our house, we met him at school last year because he was on Rich’s wrestling team). Zach with the red hair and his sister Allie (life long friends) and then my son Ethan in the white shirt, and our neighbor Emily (black shirt). They look so happy.

Rich said kids kept coming to join the picture. Jacob (right next to his Dad), Emily (black shorts, light blue t-shirt) and Tessa (dark blue T-shirt).

This is Rich preaching. I had several people tell me that during one of his talks, he posted a picture of me and had to stop for a minute because he was choked up with emotion. Jacob and Zak told me that it made them start to cry because, as Zak explained, “I had never seen you cry before and I was so confused.” LOL

He loves me, my friends. As I also love him and am proud of him. He had such a good time and of course, as typical, came home with injuries from the sport events. He has a huge scab on his leg and knee, and a broken finger.

Micheal, who is Jacob’s best friend and is currently cleaning my kitchen, was an awesome addition to the camp leaders this year. Rich said he did great and was like the camp bouncer and kept the kids in line, all in good nature and fun. He arm wrestled Andrew and won….consequently they put him up against my husband on another night. As soon as Rich heard the word “go” he slammed Mike’s arm down on the table so hard that Mike walked around with an ice pack the rest of the day.

“My arm was broken in half and remained broken in half for the remainder of the week.” ~Mike

Gary is our Pastor and one of the directors at the camp. He’s amazing.

Just like my husband, he can sleep anytime anywhere, because he’s busy all the time and throws himself into every activity.

Rich took this video of Ethan’s skit. You’ll have to watch it sideways but it’s totally worth it. Ethan is wearing pink shorts, white shirt and BLUE bathing cap. He does the lift at the end.

Best of all is the worship, the moving of the Holy Spirit, Jesus finding lost souls and saving them….please pray that these teens will always remember what they learned and the love they felt.

The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit. John 3:8

blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside

Posted on July 27, 2015 by Shanda

For the beauty of the earth
for the glory of the skies
for the love that from our birth
over and around us lies
Lord of all to Thee we raise
this our song of grateful praise.

Seth caught two tiny fish, and by tiny I mean approximately one centimeter and as thin as a wire. One for him and one for his sister. Sarah’s face says “oh, it’s so cute!!!” –painfully cute. She loves babies.

Good morning my friends. Today is Monday. It’s sunny outside and I just got home from taking my oldest daughter to her babysitting job.

My babies are six and five years old and are currently watching “The Boxcar Children” on netflix. The rabbit is in the living room in her cage and Parker the dog is staring at the children as they eat breakfast…bread and cheese, blueberries and milk. A breakfast inspired by their favorite story.

We finished reading the book on Saturday.

I took three pages of notes at Bible study on Thursday, given by a dear older woman of faith who recently lost her beloved grown daughter. Her heart spoke and filled my own heart and soul so that the tears flowed…..I read over her words in my journal and find so much truth and so much Jesus in them.

I thank God for her, please pray for His grace to continue to fill her as she grieves.

With her reminder, I kept an open heart and said “yes” to my husband more than usual this weekend.

“I need fruit. Do you want to go to Costco with me?” yes
“Shan. Let’s sneak down to the diner for breakfast together.” yes

Those were two times I would have typically said “no”. Costco is too far for fruit. I’m too tired and just woke up and am not hungry enough for breakfast just yet.

Putting aside the excuses and selfishness meant more fun and closeness with this man of mine.

My 17 year old’s morning hair.

We went to the diner two times this weekend. These are the times I will always remember. When the children are grown and gone and we go to the diner again we will think of them always. The laughter, teasing, spills, eyes too big for the tummies.

The chicks have turned into chickens.

We spent several hours outside on the lawn Saturday afternoon. With blankets, books, and towels we rested in the glorious sun…Rich and I…and whatever children came along.

Samantha-Cat caught a frog. I held it in my hand & it’s little body pressed anxiously into my palm. I checked it all over and there were no mortal wounds — so back into the pond it went.

The pretty-pretty beans are close to producing. I’ve finally found little white flowers in the vines. We’ve been eating peas and watching the watermelon grow bigger every day. Tomatoes are beginning to ripen and sunflowers growing tall.

yesterday……

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Shanda

…..we went to the park
…..Jacob and Ethan spent the day at a friend’s house
…..we took naps
…..we let the new flock of chickens go outside in their fence all day long
…..the kids swam in the pond
…..my kitty caught me a frog
…..I read my book
…..Rich spent the day at the park with work

and when he got home

he and the kids put together a new trampoline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Daddy says life is such a crazy mess
He gotta jump on your chances for some happiness
We all see what daddy means
From way up here on this trampoline

Rich is a quiet, orderly leader and teacher. They had everything out of the boxes and lined up together. The back of the truck had tools and the small pieces. They played music from the truck radio as they worked. It was a calm and pleasant work environment.

Seth was begging me to play with him. We played catch for quite a while. Every time he had to chase the ball I did cartwheels.

At one point Grace was busy with fitting the pipes together and Ethan was busy working on another section. Emily and Jacob had nothing to do so they were fooling around….Grace reprimanded, “Why don’t you guys HELP ETHAN?” There was a short pause before Emily retorted, “Why don’t we help YOU?” Grace thought about it and said, “Point taken.” The answer? They don’t WANT HELP.

The whole process took several hours. At this point I was sitting on the back of the truck reading my book and keeping my eagle eye on them. What a blessing to have a willing work crew.

Almost done!

Emily and Grace were the first to jump. This was about 8pm last night.

Then Caleb had a turn.

This trampoline is a little smaller than our old one. We had to take the old one down because we had it for so long it wasn’t as bouncy as it should be and the net was gone. It was basically, in my humble mama’s opinion, an accident waiting to happen or perhaps even a death trap. I begged Rich to take it down before Jacob’s party and he did…but he and the kids were so sad that he ordered this new one the very same day. It’s rectangle shaped and the net is secure all around the bottom, I can rest easy knowing that my babies are safe as they bounce.

Are you guys patient mamas at the end of the day? I had to walk away after this picture because I was going crazy telling them exactly how to take turns, nagging them not touch the foam on the pipes (knowing if everyone pulls on it, it will eventually tear and rip) or the blue fabric, breaking up petty arguments “Mom Seth said he can jump better than meeeeeeeee.” and so on…I went in the house and said I was too tired to be a referee and Rich agreed that it was best for them to learn to work things out on their own. So then I happily yelled about everything going on it the house, “Who left this bowl of leftover salad on the counter I am not a kitchen maid????” “Someone please take out the garbage and don’t put it on the ground BY the can this time, I had to pick trash up this morning because someone didn’t take the tiny next step to put it in the can!!!!!!!!!!”

I’m just saying, we do have our limits.

The trampoline was a job well done. Caleb just asked me what we were doing today and the answer is: JUMP.

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy Luke 6:23

{this moment}

Posted on April 24, 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. family of wrestlers

happy birthday, Rich

Posted on March 31, 2015 by Shanda

I love blogging on Mondays. I usually take a blogging break Saturday and Sunday and then by Monday I have lots to write about. But yesterday was empty, I had nothing to say, I spent the entire day catching up with laundry from the weekend and matching socks. My mind was as empty as a bucket.

I’m laughing a little because it’s 7 in the morning and here I am typing. I woke up last night at 3:30 full of all the words I missed yesterday….words running through my head, coming out my ears! Keeping me awake. I wrote two “Happy Birthday, Rich” blog posts in my head and considered getting up to type. Then I remembered, “Sarah is sick.”

“I bet God woke me up so I could go check on her.”

Up the stairs I went to my four year old’s bedroom. The light was on in the bathroom so there was plenty to see by. I tiptoed to the edge of her bed and leaned in to look at her face. Her eyes were open and she spoke.

“Hi Mom.” (so polite! my heart melts)
“How are you feeling?” I stroked her hair back to feel for a fever, she was nice and cool.
“Good.” (in that tiny voice)
“How is your tummy?”
“Bad. Can I wake up now?”
“No, it’s 3:30 in the morning.” (not that she can comprehend the hour) “Do you want to go down and sleep on the couch?”
“Yes! And can I have a drink, please?”

She had a drink and I tucked her in on the couch. Her big brother Jacob was asleep on the other end, we have a big family sectional with room for everyone, he was sound asleep, arms and legs everywhere, whistling and snoring like it was his purpose in life. I stood and looked at them for a moment, half expecting Sarah to complain that she couldn’t sleep with so much noise. But she didn’t say a word. She was happy.

It’s this hottie’s birthday today. He is 41 years old. He is currently sound asleep in our comfortable bed and I’m hoping that he sleeps and sleeps and feels 21 when he gets up, because that would make him happier than anything. Exercising is a passion of his, consequently he is always and forever feeling some sort of body ache. Currently it is the hips. Truly, “no pain no gain”, but he decided that at the age of 41 it’s age making him ache, not a sign of pushing the limits, a sign of manly manliness.

Bodily speaking, I think he’s coming into his own and getting better and better looking as each year goes by.

Looks are important but of course they aren’t everything.

Here are just a few of his accomplishments: farmer from birth, mechanic, race car driver (1 season), semi-pro football player (1 season), married at the age of 21, insurance adjuster, preacher, teacher, deacon (6 years), singer of solos (now and then), softball player, wrestling coach, speaker, VP of claim at an insurance company (currently), and he has been working for the same company 17 years. In my opinion his biggest accomplishment was fathering seven children, and being lovingly involved in their growing.

He is a hard worker, excellent lover, good provider for his family, kind, generous, honest, adventurous, church-going, faithful, courageous, godly, strong, disciplined, mature, wise, sensible, gentle, and brave.

It sounds as if he has no faults, but rest assured, he has plenty, just like everyone else on this created earth. Someday I’ll do a blog post all about his bad points. JUST KIDDING. When you love someone you only want to publicize his good side, but rest assured he and I both have plenty of very irritating qualities. However, I can brag that this man of mine has never hurt anyone, never broke any laws besides the speed limit, and doesn’t do drugs or womanize. I mean, he actually is practically perfect.

Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote her book Farmer Boy, all about her husband, which I think is the dearest and sweetest thing. Imagine the conversations through the years as he told her his memories and she stored them away to become a book for children.

I have often thought, that if I ever wrote a book, I would like to do the same thing; write my husband’s stories. He has plenty. He isn’t a big talker (we have, on average, really boring conversations…we tend to communicate in other ways…..) but when he starts talking about his upbringing, random injuries, and other adventures, he comes alive and his listeners, mainly our children, hang on every word. Mind you, he keeps the stories short with very little description and no romance, but there’s a lot to be said for good ol’ prose.

As I sit here tip tapping on the laptop, my heart is filled with gratitude for another year of life for my husband. I trust him with everything and cannot imagine life without him at my side.

rich’s adventure

Posted on January 12, 2015 by Shanda

Last Tuesday night, Rich was at the school coaching. He had ignored some warning signs that something was not quite right in his groin area but as usual, being the man he is, he kept on going strong. He was wrestling with the heavyweights as he’s been taking a ‘hands on’ coaching approach and it happened to be Jacob that he was working with at the time – on the mat with him wrestling with his usual aggression and speed. Unfortunately for him, his groin finally tore with a vengeance and he was left hurt on the mat, stunned, shocked, and thinking only of the pain.

A day later, as he attempted to limp through his work schedule and not go to the doctor’s, he noticed a bulge had appeared. He spoke with the other coaches, the trainer, our doctor, a specialist, and was advised by all to go to the hospital to get it checked out.

After coaching Thursday night’s meet, and watching his son Ethan finally win a match, he drove himself to the hospital. The next morning, I drove through a snowstorm to join him. Six of our children were at school, and I took Sarah with me, believing with all my heart that hernia-repair surgery would only take a short while and I could go home in the evening.

Sarah was a comfort and joy to us that day as we watched her play with her box of animals. The kind Jamaican nurse brought a blanket for her to play on so she didn’t have to sit on the floor. We spent the morning together, just the three of us, and then at noon they wheeled Rich to the operating room.

No one in our family has had to have surgery (other than teeth being pulled). I wondered how he would manage and hoped there would be no surprises. It was a relatively minor injury and surgery compared to what it could have been, so we were at peace and thankful. Sarah and I walked around together and an hour and a half later the nurse called to tell me they were just about ready for surgery. This was a surprise to me because I thought he would have been almost done by then. This showed me how clueless I really was about surgery. Even a minor surgery can be an all day affair.

The view from the 9th floor.

I took Sarah to the cafeteria for lunch. We ate together in waiting room while she watched PBS cartoons on the TV. After lunch we walked to the gift shop where I purchased a paperback mystery and a soft gray wolf for Sarah. She promptly named it Soft Paws and is still carrying it around in her arms even this morning. I don’t like hospitals but I thought it was important to make the experience as pleasant as possible for Sarah.

The doctor eventually called to tell me that the procedure went fine and that Rich did very well. He let me know that the nurses would call me when he was taken back to his room, which would be another hour or two.

I was in his room when they brought him back and Rich was very sleepy as he recovered from the anesthesia. He was talkative. His sentences were slow and his reaction time was very delayed. If I told him I loved him, it took him about 5 seconds for his face to melt into an understanding smile. He only wanted me, the first word I heard was my name, over and over (his eyes were shut). When he understood I was there he needed to know where his Sarah was and how the boys got home from practice that evening. He was thankful for all the attention from the nurses and was never gruff with anyone. Even full of drugs he used impeccable manners and would respond “yes sir” or “yes ma’am”.

When they moved him to his bed he slowly lifted his arm to point to the stretcher. “I……like…..that……BOARD……better,” he explained to us, eyes shut.

I eventually took out a pen and paper to jot down the funny things he said. We had a great time going over it the next day, laughing hysterically with Rich pressing a pillow to his side so it wouldn’t hurt as much.

It soon became clear that he would be staying another night. He told me not to leave him, so I asked Isaac and Cassandra to get Sarah and take her back home.

We spent the night taking a couple of naps as nurses kept coming in the room to check on Rich.

We were glad when it was morning again and knew we would be going home.

Rich’s liquid breakfast was hysterical. It was jello, juice, broth, and coffee. I happily took off for the Au Bon Pain downstairs for a breakfast sandwich and coffee.

He told me that his pain level was a steady “4” because I made him laugh too much. I took that as a compliment. They say laughter is the best medicine, right?

Getting stronger by the minute.

He wore things on his legs to help prevent blood clots. He admitted that he liked the hospital socks and thought they were comfortable. (He is a harsh judge of socks because it is so hard to find nice socks for his big feet).

I stirred up a package of Emergen-C into his water. The nurses and I had to make him drink, he didn’t seem to understand the necessity of so many fluids. It was fun to take care of him.

Nurse Sonia checked his vitals one last time. He truly was in great shape, with perfect blood pressure and an athlete’s slow pulse rate. His only complaints the entire time was his terrible groin injury and then the swelling of the hernia operation. There were no surprises, no complications, and we were so grateful.

I read my very first “Mary Higgins Clark” mystery. It was a nice easy read to keep my mind half-focused on something besides hospitals, illness, injury, and death. Admittedly, it was a murder mystery, but it was entertaining and did a good job of holding my attention.

Rich had to breathe through this blue thing to exercise his lungs after surgery. I called it his peace pipe.

He found a wrestling show on TV and it helped take his mind of his shot.

Dressed and ready to go home in a motivating t-shirt!

Before I forget, I want to take a moment to write how thankful we are for Nicole P. She drove the boys home from practice, and took them to the school Saturday morning for their tournament. She also brought them home again. Brett W. and Mike P. were a huge help in coming to the hospital so that Mike could drive Rich’s truck home. Brett and his wife Jen also had our son David overnight. My friend Caroline K. also helped with getting Grace to school for singing, and she also took care of the little boys until Jacob and Ethan were home. Mike helped with taking care of things at home and kept everyone’s spirits up. We are thankful for our cherished children and their help and encouragement. Our brother in law, Jason, went to the boy’s wrestling tournament to “stand in the parenting gap” and sent us frequent updates and pictures. And, of course we were touched by all of our friends and family who called and prayed. We love all of you so much! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

Today we are all home together. The children have a snow day and Rich is doing what he can to work from home.

Happy Monday, my friends! You are loved.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

{this moment} what a man

Posted on October 10, 2014 by Shanda

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

So my dearest is rarely home, works 12 hour days, goes on business trips….and surprise! he decided to work from home today….I was so happy, he was happy, we were all happy.

Yes, praise the Lord, and wow did he come in handy!

1. First, Jacob forgot his homework. Rich took it to school for him.
2. Then, for the first time in years, the dog busted through his hidden dog fence. twice. Rich went up the road to bring him back.
3. I had to do a huge Costco trip this morning. Rich came with me and did all (all) the loading and lifting.
4. We drove by our elderly neighbor’s house and saw him (80 years young) off his driveway, in the trees, lying helpless on the ground with his garbage cans tipped over next to him and his cane out of reach. Rich made an abrupt stop, parked the truck on the side of the road, ran to the man and helped him get his feet under him again. (he was okay, thankfully, but was so feeble, and had been there for a while trying to scoot to a tree so that he could use it to get up).

All these events occurred before 12:30 this afternoon.

He’s walking around the house like superman now, in my eyes. my hero.

*****

I was sitting on the tailgate of the truck, swinging my legs, watching him unload the cart when I took the picture.

love & best dishes

Posted on September 19, 2014 by Shanda

We have a terrible cold virus going through the whole family. In fact, three of the children have missed school in the last week. We had planned to go to NYC on our anniversary, but with the lack of sleep we decided to stay closer to home.

With a babysitter at home with Sarah, we went out to breakfast at a place about 45 minutes away. It was a first time visit for us and we were not disappointed. We ordered coffee and hot chocolate first, and the waitress brought me my mug with whipped cream sky high, and sprinkles, too. The mug was resting on a yellow fiestaware saucer. I collect fiesta dishes, so this was a thrill.

Then, we each ordered a version of eggs benedict. My eggs were on a split croissant with spinach and mushrooms. Rich’s were on an English muffin with corn beef hash.

And AGAIN, served on Fiestaware! It is not typical to see fiesta in restaurants, so it was a treat to see “my” dishes used in this cafe.

Well, it was time for the mall to open, so we meandered down the road to do a little shopping, happy to be together, alone.

He didn’t have to twist my arm to get me into Tiffany&Co, where he bought me this dainty platinum ring (set with tiny diamonds).

We wandered around the mall and had a snack at Starbucks, where I pointed to my new ring while eating a pumpkin muffin. Later on, I saw a display of candles; I love how our initials come together in the alphabet, Rich and Shanda.

After a while we left the mall and went to Barnes and Noble to sit and read. I worked on my Bible study lesson and Rich continued his “Holiness” study. I picked out a few books for the children and snapped some pictures of books that I thought looked interesting. (Yesterday, I ordered two of them from amazon.)

We began to feel hungry so we left to go eat an early dinner at a pasta place.

AND GUESS WHAT? Yet again our food was served on fiestaware. At least, it was very similar to fiesta and stamped with the HLC mark.

Our waitress stopped by just as I was taking a picture of my food and when she teased me I told her that I collected Fiestaware and that I didn’t have the certain bowl our pasta was served in. She seemed genuinely interested and asked several questions.

The next time she checked on us, she brought two clean bowls just like the ones we were eating from, and told us WE COULD HAVE THEM.

She didn’t even know it was our anniversary! I laughed and exclaimed; it was such a nice surprise and she received a nice tip to match.

The little bread plates were also made by Homer Laughlin China (company that makes fiesta).

I did some research on my bowls and I think they are from HLC’s Bosque line. It is not technically fiesta but very very similar. I love my new bowls and will treasure them, they are only for Rich and I to use (not the children).

It was a great way to celebrate 19 years of marriage.

We are so grateful for each other, our relationship, the family we’ve made together,

and a kitchen well-stocked with the best dishes. 😉

with my collection in 2008

magical kingdom

Posted on September 9, 2014 by Shanda

PERHAPS adventuring gives us a deeper appreciation for the ordinary days.

NO ONE in their right mind would complain about taking their precious children to DISNEYWORLD and I am not about to do so, HOWEVER, I am currently sitting on my own worn out couch, legs under a flannel quilt that I made myself, with a nice cat at my feet, quiet house all around me, a sleeping daughter in her bed upstairs, and the anticipation of children getting home from school soon and I say, isn’t TODAY, the now, the messy beautiful JUST AS precious as a day in the magical kingdom?

Today is NOT an ordinary day, truly, no day is ordinary, it’s a gift. Last night I had a little one sleep with me because my husband was away. At 10 pm I was silently taking pictures of her restful, sleeping face. All night long I was getting kicked and moving sleepily flung arms back to her side of the bed.

Then, just when I was about to sit and blog hours and hours ago, after the children got on the bus at 7:45, I suddenly remembered that GRACIE had a doctor’s appointment and I had to leave in fifteen minutes to go to school, pick her up, and drive to the Doctor’s. It was a yearly check up and I thank God with all my heart for a healthy, beautiful teenage daughter. She gets migraines and sometimes her eyes blank out/she gets dizzy/when she stands up too quick, but she’s talked to the Doctor and has all kinds of encouraging and helpful remedies to cope with those things.

When we got back home, Sarah and I went to the coop to visit the hens. I sat in the grass and read a book while she became motherly with them, filling all the little cups and bowls (just a handful, really) with food, and walking slowly back from the pond with a saucer of water. A hen laid an egg. Sarah sang out, “thank yooooou, chickennnnnnn!” We carried the egg home, she fried it herself with me by her side, she ate it for lunch.

*****

I LOVE blogging about the little things in each day, it’s harder for me to go back in time to blog about something from last month, but it would be a shame not to document our day at Magic Kingdom.

Caleb and Seth are four years apart. Rich and I took them with us on the trip to Disney because we have already taken the older four. We needed some time with just these boys, it was so fun! Rich had to go to Orlando on a business trip, but he took us along and extended his trip for a personal vacation weekend. We were at Magic Kingdom on a Saturday.

I love them. This picture of the three of them makes me stop and gaze. ^^^ those eyes.

Seth was tall enough to ride every ride we wanted to go on, including Thunder Mountain. The lines were long but we managed and the boys were good natured and happy the whole day.

The Country Bear Jamboree is a must-see.

Rich and I are actually sort of sad that we only have Sarah left to take out of all seven children. It’s the most wonderful thing in the world to take your children to Disney on that very first time for them, to see it all fresh through their eyes, knowing and remembering what it was like on your own first visit. “Maybe we can take the grandchildren.” as remarked by myself, was met with a strange look from my husband.

There were amusements to entertain us in the looooong lines…..like this “honey wall” at the Winnie the Pooh ride. The moms thoughtfully took hand sanitizer out of their purses.

Seth had a lollipop. The walkways were wet from an afternoon shower.

“It’s a Small World” ride…..lines (picture taken as we waited).

The boys were dazzled by all the coins in the water. We threw some in, too.

We hugged in the lines.

“Shalom” meant a lot to the boys after a week of Vacation Bible School and the “Shalom Song” they sang every day.

The Swiss Family Robinson treehouse.

really love these words~

Little shoots of water were coming out randomly from a ride and Seth danced around trying to get wet for a few minutes.

So typical.

They are such good boys.

I saw the tower from Tangled.

We were busy all day long walking, riding, waiting, sitting in shows, looking…….fifteen hours, to be exact.

It meant so much to Rich to be able to have this special vacation with the boys and me.

Okay. So. Rich was riding a baby roller coaster with Caleb and Seth and I had to have a break. I went and bought a caramel apple, sat down to eat it and waited for them to return……well…..I had to sneak out my camera and take this picture…..of a mom with her darling daughters…they sat next to me and all three wore pink shoes! The icing on the cake was the baby’s feet! She lost her shoe but her tiny sock was pink, too!

If I remember correctly the fireworks were at about 10pm. We watched them from in back of the park/castle to avoid the masses of people in front.

Just so beautiful.

After the fireworks were over we continued to stay at the park for several more hours. It was nice to walk in the cool of the day and we all got our “second winds”.

We rode the Buzz Lightyear ride twice and the boys got behind bars with Zurg.

We went on more and more rides, the last one being *Space Mountain* which was quite intense, and very odd to be having such thrills at MIDNIGHT. I spent the entire ride worried that Seth (who was behind me) would fly out of his seat. But all was well.