images of 2009, one for each month

As a lover of Christ, my heart, mind, and soul are filled with hope and expectation for the New Year ahead.  I know that God will lead, and take care of me, my family, and my friends, every step of the way. 

Happy 2010!  May each you grow abundantly in love and grace through Christ.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, HE IS A NEW CREATURE:  OLD THINGS ARE PASSED AWAY; BEHOLD ALL THINGS BECOME NEW.  11 Corinthians 5:17

who's a teenager?

Why can't my children just stay children until they are grown up enough to leave home?  Maybe they do, in some ways.  That would be nice.  I really don't mind having older children, they are my friends in ways that a toddler just can't be.  But.  There's just something different about being or having a TEENAGER.  It's exciting and .....different somehow.  A new stage of growth.

Where did the time go?  How many times do mothers ask themselves that question?

I have so many memories and thoughts running through my mind, I have for days.  Little stories of my firstborn....how much I wanted to be a MOM, how it felt to be pregnant for the first time, my first labor and delivery and hospital stay, getting to know my son, being so proud, being surprised at the love I had in my heart for another person.  Thirteen years worth of memories of my Jacob.  I've always been so happy and proud of him, of all my children.

And now I am the mother of someone who is 13.  Today is a milestone day for me.  I'm a mother of a teenager.  And not just any teenager, either.....perhaps the nicest and bestest teenager in the whole wide world. 

Happy Birthday, Jacob!

visit from family

Today we had the pleasure of welcoming Rich's Mom and Stepdad here to our home, along with their two daughters....Rich's little sisters, Laura and Marissa.

They arrived at lunch time and we had a sandwich platter ready, and a shrimp platter, along with chips and brownies.  The food was good, but it was even better having the opportunity to talk and visit with our family.  We don't get to see them as often as we would like.

They gave us an air hockey game table for Christmas.  Len and Rich had it put together in no time and the children have already had a lot of fun with it.  It's downstairs in the boy's "dorm" room.

David had a great time playing a game with his Dad......Len is sitting and watching them.  Len has a heart of gold, he is a loving and special man and the children adore him (we all do).  He is steady and kind, with just the right amount of humor in him, to keep us all smiling. 

Marissa and Grace are just about the same age (born in the same year)...and I think they could pass as sisters.  They spent all day together, and Grace cried when they had to leave.

Don't you think they look alike? 

I think Jacob is Laura's favorite pal.  They are also the same age, born just a few months apart.  I have many pictures of them through the years, standing side by side.  Laura taught Jacob how to ride a big four-wheeler.

Both Laura and Marissa have horses, and spend a lot of their time taking care of them, and showing them.

Laura and Jacob get along like brother and sister.  I love to see them talk and laugh together.

Rich's Mom, Esther, is one of the hardest workers I know.  We had a great time talking together today, about all sorts of things.  She can't wait to have the children go visit her when I have the baby in June. 

She told me about the hundreds of cans of vegetables, fruits, and meats that she preserved this fall.  I made her give me a high five.  She has the energy of three of me, I think.  She's raised four sons already, and now she has the girls still at home, along with their niece, Audrey, who they adopted years ago, and is now a teenager.  She is a cake decorator, is involved in the horses with her girls and is currently planning to have a horse arena built on their property.  She has also been an EMT, and probably still goes on calls.  She's worked at a diner in the past, and Grace has fond memories of hanging out with Grandma, helping her at the diner.  She's also very involved in her church.  She always has plans and goals.  I could go on and on.......she's a very interesting and accomplished woman, to say the least, and she is making the most out of LIFE.  That's what I learn whenever I get a chance to spend some time with her.  Her example makes me remember that life is fun, full, and interesting, and there is lots to do and work for, if I just get going and do it.

When she was talking to me about her canning this summer, she said that she was given boxes and boxes of pears....little pears off someone's tree in the backyard.  She spent 7 and a half hours peeling all those pears, and when she wanted to give up she thought, "No, God would not want me to waste these pears".  She peeled and canned THEM ALL......it was hard work, but she said she was proud when she was done.  I thought that was a great story to remember, and tell the children again later, about not giving up----finishing a hard task, and the wholesome pride that comes in a job well done.

The kids love to go to her house, and they all cry at the end of their times together.  We leave the children with her, and Rich and I usually get lots of emails updating us about what the children are eating each day.  And they always go to Chuck E Cheese.  Lately Caleb has been asking me two questions over and over...one of which is, "When can we go to Grandma's house again?"

She's an amazing lady.

They came for the day and left at about 5:30.  It was a nice time, and we're so glad they drove all this way to spend time with us.

Well, David and Caleb are going nuts as I sit here and type this.  Caleb is sobbing because he just fell all the way down the stairs (he's not crying because he's hurt, I just checked, he's sitting right by me).  It's been a very busy day and we are all ready to crash in front of the TV.  A new Veggietales video came from Netflix today so I think we will put that on and relax (?).....I hope. 

Merry Christmas 2009

"'Every Christmas is better than the Christmas before,' Laura thought.  'I guess it must be because I'm growing up.'"  Laura Ingalls Wilder, By the Shores of Silver Lake

We began opening gifts at about 6:30.  Rich and I sat on the couch and the children passed around the presents.  It started out relaxing and got more and more happy and rowdy as we went along.

We loved hearing the childrens' excited exclamations as they opened gifts that they wanted, or hadn't even dreamed of, that became their very own.

Little by little the living room filled with empty wrappings and all too soon, the gifts were opened.

We ate lots of early morning chocolate.

In the midst of the craziness, I looked up from opening my own gifts, and saw my baby with his back turned away from the activity, spending time.....in quiet reflection?

My brother David sent each of the children their very own Hallmark Christmas card, with money inside.  The cards came days ago...and I promptly put them in the tree for Christmas morning.  The children were all just as excited for their cards as they were for their presents.

I got a picture of Caleb's face, as he opened his card and found his money.

This is what our living room looked like after we opened all our presents;

Caleb got a doctor kit and gave Seth a check up.  See the bandage on Seth's ankle?

Rich and I were engaged on Christmas Eve, when I was eighteen years old.  Sometimes it's hard to remember the two of us as a couple, now that we are parents of six children.  But, days like today help us to think back on the journey of our married life, and enjoy all the past memories; the year we were engaged, the first Christmases, and all the ones after.  And, thanks be to God, the years keep getting better.

The four older boys all got Star Wars Light Sabers.  Caleb got to try his out with his Papa.  I took this picture as I was still sitting by Rich's side, by the fireplace;

I honestly do not mind in the least, getting kitchen equipment for Christmas.  I would actually rather receive those things as gifts, because I get very uptight when I spend money on major purchases, for myself.  Rich went to Williams Sonoma and got help picking me out a set of beautiful pots and pans.  The two of us sat indian style on the kitchen floor and opened every single box together.  The lids were as shiny as mirrors, the pots are heavy and beautiful.  I NEEDED these pots, so very much, with all the cooking I do each day. 

I'm especially happy with my pasta pot, I've always wanted one that has the colander inserted right in it.  Now, when the pasta is done all I have to do is lift it up out of the water.

I also received my very first set of deadly kitchen knives.  Today I chopped up a lemon in no time, and I wasn't even rushing!  I also sliced a loaf of bread, easily, without crushing it.  And, chopping my onion for the spanish rice I made for lunch, was a breeze!

When my mom was here for Thanksgiving, doing most of the cooking, she told Rich to get me pots and pans, and good knives, and he did.  He did a Really Good Job.  I'll be using these nice things, with pleasure, every day.

Davy got a pogo stick;

Grace got a new horse, and saddle.  The toy sort, of course.

Sethie got all these toys , he's been such a bright spot of joy in our day today, on his very first Christmas.

He loves the knob that he's holding on to in the picture, most of all.  He eats it.

I don't know why I didn't get Seth a new stuffed dog, everyone else got one;

Jake and Ethan got a set of swords, to inspire them to be knightly.

It's been a very special sort of day.  Jacob said he can't believe how fast Christmas is going by.

Caleb asked me, right after he opened all his gifts, "How many more days until the next Christmas?"

I enjoyed watching Grace quietly curled up on the couch, reading her new book.

And Ethan & Jacob, busy at the table for hours, putting together lego sets.

Ethan announcing, just a bit ago, "I SO love my presents!"

Jacob getting annoyed at the song Seth's new schoolbus plays.  Rich saying that someday we would miss those sounds....of annoying plastic children's toys, at Christmas.

Making my spanish rice for lunch, in my new pretty pot.  After I spent time, deciding which one to use.

Hearing David practicing his pogo stick, in the basement.  Having him come near, and hug me, without saying a word, but I understood, it was a happy "thank you".

Seth, everything about him, even the bath I had to give him, because he got into the peanut butter jar.

Laughing with my husband, and feeling cozy and loved and together.

Talking with Dad, and with Mom, and with my brother, on the phone.  Thinking about Christmases past as a child, with my own parents and siblings, and remembering those magical feelings that children know, and understand.

My nap, with my head resting cozily on my new tempurpedic pillow (another thoughtful gift from Rich).

And, sipping my Godiva hot chocolate, with melty marshmallows.  In a shamrock green fiesta mug, of course!

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another."  I John 4:9-11

Remembering God's gift of his Son to us, so many years ago, beginning as a baby in a manger, I send each of you love and happy thoughts on this Christmas day.  I love you, because God first loved me......I am thankful for the ways my friends here have loved me back, and touched my life with such sweet words, thoughts, and prayers.

Jesus came to earth the first time, as a baby, and won't it be beyond wonderful when God sends Jesus back to earth, again?  "Even so, COME, Lord Jesus."  Not as a baby this time, but as a conquering KING.  "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him:  and all kindreds of earth shall wail because of him.  Even so, Amen."  Revelation 1:7

Thanking our God for the past, enjoying the present, and looking forward to the future He has in store for us, Merry Christmas!

Love, Shanda

sweetness

This is the third year in a row that Grace has put on her Christmas dress for some pictures outside in the snow.  She looks forward to it, I think mostly because she gets to wear my makeup and jewelry. 

For me, it's a time to enjoy my daughter, her youth and beauty, and think about how fast she's growing up.  She's a sweet and precious part of our family.

My Merry Christmas girl!

(Grace's 2008 pictures)

(Grace's 2007 pictures)