a cat, Ethan wrestling, Grace’s friend, & my books

Posted on December 22, 2015 by Shanda

We can’t keep kids or cats away from our beautiful Christmas tree! And it makes me smile.

Hello my friends. Rich and I are together today. We went downtown for breakfast and then to the mall to finish up our shopping. We are home now. He has his feet up on the coffee table and my feet are on his lap along with his laptop. And, I have my laptop, too. Parker is next to me licking his leg loudly and Gentleman Gray is curled up on a blanket at the end of the couch. It’s dark and pouring rain outside. Poor Caleb will not get snow for Christmas this year, I’m afraid.

Have I mentioned that Rich is the head coach for our school’s wrestling team? The first tournament was on Saturday and I got right up at the crack of dawn with him and rode with the team on the bus to the location, which was an hour away. Seth and Sarah came, too. Grace came along because she’s the team manager. It’s a family affair.

Here is a picture of Ethan after he won a match. The assistant coach is talking things over with him, his name is Jim. Little brother Seth is hanging around wanting to say “good job” to his big brother. ‘Cause that’s what you do.

Ethan is pretty intense so it’s nice when he cracks a slight smile.

handshake

Later on, Ethan got bloody and lost a match. There’s his Dad in the background, and Coach Jim is about to take his arm and lead him to the trainer to get cleaned up. Oh and there’s Seth again.

Here is a picture of Ethan right after he won another match. All in all, he did very well. He wants to do nothing but win, his heart is in the right place, but this time he lost 2 and won 2. Ethan is a senior this year and we have high hopes that he will continue to do well in wrestling, and then he will move on to baseball. Before we know it he will graduate, and I hate to say this but it looks like he’s heading for the service after graduation. I’m trying not to think about it but stay tuned because by God’s grace that blog post will eventually be written.

THESE TWO ARE SO CUTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Grace and her suitor. I took their picture from clear across the gym because I can’t help myself.

*****

I hope your Christmas plans are all coming together. I have decorated the house. I have bought and wrapped the gifts. I have planned a Christmas Eve brunch. I have made cookies….but they have all been eaten so I plan on making more if I can gather up enough interest…I feel as though I don’t really need to eat anymore cookies. I’ve been reading books instead of baking. One of my favorite authors is Janice Holt Giles, who wrote books in the 1960’s. “Pre internet” fiction is my favorite, it seems less spoiled and more sincere. I read her book, Hannah Fowler years and years ago–many times, and finally got around to reading several more of her books which I picked up at library booksales. I finished Tara’s Healing yesterday and then started Savanna. I would be interested in knowing if there are anymore Giles fans out there!

David’s bus will arrive in half an hour so I have just enough time to read a few more chapters before the late afternoon rush of children/homework/wrestling practice/dinner begins.

You are loved. ~Shanda

If you’re alone, I’ll be your shadow. If you want to cry, I’ll be your shoulder. If you want a hug, I’ll be your pillow. If you need to be happy, I’ll be your smile. But anytime you need a friend, I’ll just be me. ~Author Unknown

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

trust me :: you’re lovely

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Shanda

It was a long weekend and this will be a long post full of photos!

First of all, the colors this weekend were stunning. We had plenty of sunshine, which made them seem even brighter.

We went to Target.

And the next morning Sarah was on a leash….

My Mom and Dad said “you have to watch the Great British Baking show” so I finally turned it on Saturday morning–we ended up watching four episodes throughout the day. It’s included on amazon prime. The first episode was “cake” and my little ones got VERY inspired.

They came up with this on their own after watching it with me.

Seth got points for rolling his up, just like the people did with their swiss rolls on the show. After I took the pictures they got out the whipped cream, too.

They spilled so many bright white sprinkle balls on the floor that the kitten started chasing them around.

Rich and I took four of the children to a corn maze. I think it was the first time that we took 2 boys and 2 girls with us anywhere, an even match-up.

Two girls

There was a playground in a deep bed of feed corn.

two boys

There was a hay bale maze for little ones to run through (or over the top which is what our kids did).

And fun places to take goofy picture of your kids.

We went through the corn maze but didn’t complete it 100% of the way…it got too confusing. I don’t think we stopped laughing though.

There was a “pillow” to bounce on.

Before we left, we each picked out a pumpkin.

After a while he asked someone else to pull the wagon because his “legs were too tired.”

We got to the car and he said that I forgot his jacket so Rich had to go find it. Then, while we were waiting he said he had to go to the bathroom so Grace had to go take him. It’s amazing what you remember when you have to sit still.

On Sunday Rich went to church and I took the little boys to their game. Caleb is number 54. Both teams won. It was a great morning to spend outside. Rich and Grace were able to join me after a while. Ethan dropped them off after church and went on home by himself (he drives now and it was great when I ran out of creamer for my coffee the other day and I could just throw him the car keys).

I could sit and stare at this picture forever:

My man and my girl.

As soon as we got home I didn’t go inside…..I wandered around in the gorgeous outdoors.

I love the faded pinkish red leaves in the background in this picture of glowing yellow.

And how the fall colors blend and mix and stand out. I see the brown and gray of tree bark, plus several different shades of red, orange, yellow, and green.

I call Sam my halloween cat. She followed me around, begging to get her fur stroked.

The Osprey was in our dead tree again and this time it had a fish. I was able to lay down in the grass under the branch it sat upon, which was way up high above me. The bird held the fish in its feet and lowered its head down to twist pieces off it to eat. The twisting action was a quick back and forth motion, similar to a person testing a doorknob to see if the door is locked. It was fascinating to watch this interesting bird.

But Rich wasn’t very pleased with it eating HIS fish from HIS pond.

But luckily, David ran over to look with us, and the two of them used my camera to zoom in on the fish. They decided that it wasn’t from our pond, it was a trout.

(I found Dave’s “life is good” t shirt at the thrift store for 25 cents!)

Kids played football together on Sunday afternoon, until Emily had to go to work.

On Monday, Seth put clips all over his face!

Rich had to work but everyone else had no school or work, so a trip to Salem, MA was planned.

Michael, Jacob, Zak, Grace, and Emily went for the day. This picture was taken before they left to go get Emily.

Ethan stayed home because he wanted to visit with his friend Tessa, also he had soccer practice.

The funniest thing happened while I was taking the picture of Tessa and Ethan. We were at the bottom of the hill and our house sits at the top. Sarah was playing with the pumpkins on the front steps and let one go….all we heard was her little voice “Here comes a pumpkin” and it rolled all the way down, off the dock, into kersplash! into the pond!

Caleb waded into the cold water to get it after it floated close enough to the edge.

Thank you Caleb!

Caleb pointed out these mushrooms to me.

I’m going to dig up this little pink-leaved bush to put in my flower garden. It’s growing at the edge of the woods. I love how the leaves turned dark pink for fall. It’s beautiful!

Last but not least, I took a this photo this morning while Seth read me his assigned 1st grade reading. It was a variation of “Jack and Jill” that made me die of laughter…,,,,

Jacob and Ethan attend the prom

Posted on May 26, 2015 by Shanda

It’s the season for

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

lady slippers, (Joanna sent me a picture)

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

and the P R O M…….

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

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

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

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

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

Jacob

Ethan, wearing his class ring.

Me, with E

Me with Jacob

I love this one of the boys with their Dad.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Here she is with Sarah:

With Caleb:

with Ethan:

with her Mom:

with me:

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

Here is the one with Rich and Grace:

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

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

Emily wasn’t wearing any.

pretty pretty eyes

Grace with the big brother she adores.

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

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

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

{this moment}

Posted on May 22, 2015 by Shanda

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

jacob and emily got engaged again! (not really)

Posted on April 7, 2015 by Shanda

Ah, young love in the springtime, is there anything better?

We were all outside and I was reading my book when Emily ran up to me all excited. Jacob proposed to her! This is his second proposal. The first one took place at the mall with a peach ring candy!

Don’t you agree that this ring is much better than a peach ring (which Emily ate)?

Jacob found it embedded in the mud outside on the lawn! Hard to believe, right?

It’s beautiful silver, heavy and well made, with a gentle rust design. Quite artsy.

I congratulated her over and over.

While Jacob looked on, sheepishly.

Oh no, a sneak attack!

Brothers are so disrespectful when it comes to ultra-romantic moments!

Admiring their ring.

Silly kids.

happy birthday emily

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Shanda

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

Dear Emily,

You have been Jacob’s girlfriend for almost a year and I just wanted to take the opportunity to write you a little note, thanking you for who you are and what you have added to Jacob’s life, with your love. I am thankful for you and that God has brought you into Jacob’s life and consequently our family’s life.

The kids adore you. Well, maybe not Ethan, but you know Ethan is harmless and he does certainly LIKE you, even though you take up too much of Jacob’s time and the two of you talk on the phone at night too much, causing Ethan to sleep on the couch at times. He also would appreciate a little less personal displays of attention when he is in the room, right? But yes, despite all that, I know that deep down inside Ethan is also glad that you are Jacob’s girlfriend. After all, you do a great job of turning the PS3 on and off for him.

Of all the children, Sarah especially loves her Emily. She woke up this morning remembering that it is your birthday, and she searched the house looking for things to give you. One of the things she picked out was a ring out of my jewelry box. I told her to color you a picture instead and she said accusingly, “MOM! That’s not a birthday present!” I’m not sure, I might have to take her out shopping, unless you really DO want one of her stuffed animals? She wants to give you Pepper (her black cat with the buggy eyes). She wants to know when you’re going to get here and if we are making your cake. She says she wishes you could spend the night.

I went through some of my photos from the last few months and picked out some of my favorites.

You are such a special young lady, Emily, and don’t ever forget that!

Parker the dog also wanted me to be sure to tell you that he adores you. He’s hoping you bring him one of those dog cookies soon. (woof)

Dad will be home from his business trip around 7:30 so he won’t miss your party, either.

First Christmas together.

family nap time

Parker the dog.

Jacob playing with Emily’s hair and reading her Edgar Allen Poe. She’s wearing his pajamas and hiding from the camera. They have also read Macbeth, the Bible, and I’m not sure what else. I love that they read together.

When she asked him to the prom, on Jacob’s birthday, December 31. She’s having a great time trying on Prom dresses whenever she can.

One day this winter they decided to paint. And they each painted the other’s EYE. Emily painted Jacob’s and Jacob painted Emily’s. It was the most amusing thing to observe them….they would keep looking into each other’s eyes but only as an art subject. LOL This painting is currently hanging in Jacob and Ethan’s room and it’s labeled “Jacob’s Eye. Emily’s Eye.” It cracks me up.

Wearing his sweatshirt.

After a wrestling match.

Reading to Seth and Sarah.

Making brownies after school, giving Sarah a taste of the batter.

I took this one yesterday. Superman isn’t smiling because Superman doesn’t smile. You can see the love that Sarah has for Emily.

Happy Birthday, Emmeline!

quotes about love with pictures of the kids

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Shanda

“Our days are happier when we give people a piece of our heart instead of a piece of our mind.” anonymous

Sarah is outside. She saw the frost on the grass and asked for boots. I keep looking out the door to check on her, in fact I just sat down after leaning outside and calling her name. “I’m right here,” she answered in her little girl voice. “Okay! What are you doing?” “I’m tasting frozen stuff,” she replied while taking long licks from a bark-less stick. “Tastes like sugar! Wanna taste?”

We are thankful that we don’t have to go anywhere today. On Monday, we took Caleb to his Doctor’s check up. On Tuesday, I took David to an orthodontist appointment. He will be getting braces soon. Yesterday, we went to Community Bible Study for the day. Tomorrow we are serving Rich’s team a lunch here at home and going to the hair salon. But today? Today is gloriously free. I like being busy, but I like having mornings in my pj’s, too, tip tapping on the old keyboard, saying hello to anyone who may stop by here today……..

Veteren’s Day was Tuesday and the children were home from school. In the afternoon, I took my camera outside.

I recently read a wonderful book titled, The Greatest Thing in the World, by Henry Drummond. It was a book from our bookshelf, but it’s also a free book on the kindle. I underlined quite a lot of quotes that I wanted to share with pretty pictures. (pretty pictures that capture moments, not an entire day, we were not without a few ugly moments, too, but all in all the day was a wonderful one…..I love having all the children home).

“Have you ever noticed how much of Christ’s life was spent
in doing kind things–in merely doing kind things? Run over it with
that in view and you will find that He spent a great proportion of His time simply in making
people happy, in doing good turns to people.”

****

“Where Love is, God is. He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth
in God. God is love. Therefore love. Without distinction,
without calculation, without procrastination, love.”

“The most obvious lesson in Christ’s teaching is that
there is not happiness in having and getting anything,
but only in giving.”

“It is better not to live
than not to love.”
(Luke 17:2)

Do not grudge the hand that is moulding the still too shapeless image
within you. It is growing more beautiful though you see it not, and
every touch of temptation may add to its perfection.
Therefore keep in the midst of life.
Do not isolate yourself.
Be among men, and among things, and among troubles,
and difficulties, and obstacles.”

“Talent develops itself in solitude, character in the stream of life.”

“We love Him; we love all men. We cannot help it. Because
He loved us, we love; we love everybody.
Contemplate the love of Christ, and you will love.
Stand before that mirror, reflect Christ’s character,
and you will be changed into the same image from tenderness to tenderness.”

“Now abideth faith, hope, love, but the greatest of these is love.”

“You will give yourselves to many things, give yourselves first to love.”

“You will find as you look back upon your life
that the moments that stand out,
the moments when you have really lived,
are the moments when you have done things
in a spirit of love.”

“The test of religion, the final test of religion,
is not religiousness, but Love….not what I have done,
not what I have believed, not what I have achieved,
but how I have discharged the common charities of life.”
(yes!)

***

It’s taken me hours to write this. Sarah came inside and we read some library books together. Now she is in the bath. I’m sitting cross legged on the closed toilet watching her play. Grace’s rabbit is in the bathroom with us enjoying some time out of her cage. She keeps trying to arrange a towel into a nest with her front paws and teeth.

The sun is shining and soon Sarah’s frost will be melted away.

young love

Posted on October 9, 2014 by Shanda

The Juniors go to Salem every year. Jacob went last year and he enjoyed it so much that when he had the opportunity to go again this year (with the Junior class), he was all for it. His brother Ethan is in the Junior class, and so is his girlfriend, Emily.

I picked them up after school yesterday; Jacob, Emily, Grace, and Ethan, and I immediately got an earful.

I was a tired mama at the wheel, smiling because I love them so much and listening to their chatter lifted my spirits.

“Mom Salem was SO fun”

“I had a caramel macchiato”

“hot or cold?”

“hot”

“I had a bubble tea, do you know what the bubbles are, Mom?”

“Oh is that the tea that has the chewy balls in it? I’m not sure what those are, maybe like a tapioca?”

“I need to look it up, I want to know.”

“Ethan wasn’t in our group. the dog.”

“I was with my own friends”

“Mom, since I won’t be in school next year will you and Dad take Emily and me to Salem? I won’t be able to legally drive her there myself yet.”

“Oh, can I go too?”

“Of course you can Grace, you can go with my brother Nathan.”

“Oh NO. I am NOT going on a date with Nathan. I like Nathan but he will never be my boyfriend.”

“Don’t start inviting everyone. If you do, I won’t go, it won’t be special.”

(long teasing argument about who can go with us, Jacob wants no one Emily wants everyone)

“Do we have to have an argument and discussion about something that’s not even written down yet?”

“I have it written down in MY book.”

“It’s written down in my heart.”

“I love Salem. We should live there,” says Jacob to Emily.

“Ok,” she says.

BE STILL MY HEART. Did I really just hear that?

As soon as we got home, Jacob didn’t take a shower. He didn’t eat. He sat on the couch because he wanted to show me all his pictures.

He took a picture of everything, his coffee, their lunch food (“She ordered a bagel sandwich because she wanted bacon. Ironically my sandwich also had bacon on it.”), them kissing (he flipped through those faster), Emily throwing leaves, Emily smiling, Emily this Emily that.

THEY ARE SO SO stinkin’ CUTE!

I never dreamed seeing my son in love would warm my heart so much.

the bubble tea

“She made me, mom, that’s why I have that expression on my face.”

J plus E

After they got up and left he turned around and took several pictures of the empty table & chairs.

He posted this picture on his Facebook page.

“I love her so much. She’s so cheerful and happy all the time and she’s all my world. Baby girl you’re the best ever.”

NOTE: I asked for and received Jacob’s permission to post these pictures. xo

PS. I was right. “Tapioca balls (boba) are the prevailing chewy tidbits in bubble tea, but a wide range of other options can be used to add similar texture to the drink. Green pearls have a small hint of green tea flavor and are chewier than the traditional tapioca balls.” ~wiki