thanksgiving

We are keeping a stack of pretty scrapbook paper out on the table so that as we think of the things we are most thankful for, we can write them down, and drop the little folded pieces of paper in our gratitude basket.  It's heart warming to read the little notes, written in all of our handwritings.  There is so much to be thankful for.

Including, today, our first glimpse of a very precious, hidden and growing, little baby;

(lots of pictures)

 I just read a thought-provoking devotional by Oswald Chambers so I'm going to type the entire thing out because it was so helpful to me, maybe it will be a blessing to others, too.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."  1 Cor. 10:31

Beware of allowing yourself to think that the shallow concerns of life are not ordained of God; they are as much of God as the profound.

It is not your devotion to God that makes you refuse to be shallow, but your wish to impress other people with the fact that you are a spiritual prig. 

Be careful of the production of contempt in yourself, it always comes along this line, and causes you to go about as a walking rebuke to other people because they are more shallow than you are.

Beware of posing as a profound person; God became a Baby.

To be shallow is not a sign of being wicked, nor is shallowness a sign that there are no deeps:  the ocean has a shore.  The shallow amenities of life, eating and drinking, walking and talking, are all ordained by God.  These are the things in which Our Lord lived.  He lived in them as the Son of God, and He said that "the disciple is not above his Master."

Our safeguard is in the shallow things.  We have to live the surface common-sense life in a common-sense way; when the deeper things come, God gives them to us apart from the shallow concerns. 

Never show the deeps to anyone but God.

We are so abominably serious, so desperately interested in our own characters, that we refuse to behave like Christians in the shallow concerns of life.

Determinedly take no one seriously but God, and the first person you find your have to leave severely alone as being the greatest fraud you have ever known, is yourself.

~My Utmost for His Highest, "Shallow and Profound",  Oswald Chambers

This was such a blessing to me because I do have some spiritual pride inside of me that whispers that there is *something wrong* if I am not always walking around, meditating on, and learning great spiritual thoughts and truths.  How liberating to confess that, and embrace with open arms and a peaceful spirit the shallowness of life, which is also ordained by God, my loving Father.  Let's face it, the deep spiritual part of life is not something most of us are able to keep up on a constant basis, and if we are trying to force it, than it's not natural.   It's okay to just live life, shallow parts and all, eating and drinking, and whatever we do, glorifies God, amazing!  So, today I am thankful for the deep spiritual life I have, and the shallow.....both are gifts from God.

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Grace is slowly getting better.  I didn't have a chance to blog yesterday because I was so weary.  I actually had to sleep on the couch, for an hour, while the boys watched Seth for me, I just couldn't bear staying awake.  The sleepy day meant that only the necessary parts of life were lived. 

I have been trying to take some pictures in the last few days, because I was missing the feeling that photography gives me, that my life does have portraits of joy and memorable moments, always, even the challenging days.

I'm not sure Seth wanted to go in the box;

How can babies sleep like this?

Ethan came home with this nest for me.  He said it was on the end of a long branch and if he had fallen he would have broken his neck.  He must love me, if he risked his life to collect this nature treasure:

Davy-do had a field trip at a Nature Center yesterday and I bundled him all up so he wouldn't get cold.  He came home and said, "You made a terrible mistake, Mom.  The field trip was INDOORS.  I didn't need all those clothes on."

This morning, all five boys were hanging out together in the livingroom (David was waiting for the bus);

Caleb calls cider, "Apple Sodor"  (because Thomas the tank engine lives there, on the Island of Sodor)

Grace got some extra sleep this morning, I was so relieved (she's not a sleeper);

After Grace woke up, she got back into her favorite spot, on the couch.  She's kept her stuffed dog Sprocket with her all through her sickness, except for last night when he was washed and dried;

Rich, Jacob, and Ethan bought these roses for me last night, when they were on an errand;

I'm wondering if I should have taught Ethan how to light candles;

And that's that!  It's about 10 in the morning and we have no plans except to keep taking care of Grace.  Her stomach has settled down so that's an improvement, but she's still very weak and the fever comes back when the Motrin wears off.

Rich has tomorrow off and I can do whatever I want.  Any suggestions?  Here are some of my ideas:  mall, to shop.  bookstore, for quiet reading.  hair salon, for a little trim before Thanksgiving.  nail salon, for a pedicure.  library, for more quiet reading. 

The only thing is, I need energy for those things so we'll see what happens.

Thanks again for praying for us!  I really appreciate it!

~Shanda

a little update

Grace has the flu.  She has every symptom; sore throat, fever, headache, body aches, vomiting, and a cough.  She is a good patient and rarely complains or makes a peep.  She now believes it would be better to get a flu shot than to have the flu, she says it's miserable and terrible.  She is downstairs on the couch right now, with a washcloth on her forehead, under a sheet (because a blanket makes her too hot), watching a cooking show.  I've been giving her motrin and making her drink as much as she can. 

Thanks for praying for us.  I still had a pounding headache in the night, but by the morning it was gone.  I woke up thanking God for that, and I actually felt like my old self for a little bit this morning!  Of course I took the opportunity to scrub the kitchen and do some laundry. 

I also gave Seth a bath in the sink, after I was done scrubbing it.  I took this picture last week, but this is what he looked like today, too.  I love making my baby clean and sweet again, especially now that he's eating and getting crusties on his face, and crawling around on the floors.

He always enjoys his bath. 

I talked to Rich a little while ago and he should be home around 9:30 or so.  He said that the event went really well, (he was in Dallas, TX).  He sounded good, and told me he missed us.

The boys are all fine and dandy and seem extra loud now that we have someone in the house with a headache!

I spent Seth's afternoon nap with Grace, on the couch.  I must admit, it is sorta kinda nice to have someone snuggling next to me as quiet as a kitten, although I would rather have my girl healthy than sick.

please pray for the sickies, and the traveler

It's dark outside now (and only 5:20pm!) and I'm sitting upstairs in the office.  I left Jacob in charge of feeding Seth some baby food for a moment.  He's my right hand man.

Grace is sick.  She has a fever, a bad headache, and a sore throat.  She said she doesn't remember sleeping at all last night, so you can imagine what she looks like.  Pale and drawn, with dark circles under her eyes.  Poor little love.  She wants to be with us, but it's too noisy.  So, back into bed she is tucked, with some hot chicken broth by her side, to sip, when she can.

The little boys are watching a "Charlie and Lola" dvd. 

As for me, I am wondering if my body is also fighting something.  I, too, have a headache, along with being so very tired and blah.

Rich received word last night that someone works for came down with the flu and could not travel, as planned, to Texas, for a speech at a building dedication.

Guess who they told to go, in her place?  I won't ever understand the cooperate world.  All that money to send my husband (whom I need at home) all the way to TX, for a 20 minute speech?  Couldn't someone else do it?

Yes, my husband is on his way to TX.  Thankfully he will, Lord willing, be back tomorrow night.

Will you pray for us?  Thanks!

~Shanda

I wrote more than I thought I would

Well!  We made it to Friday by the grace of God!

Have I told you that we've had a cold going around and around my family since September?  Yesterday my heart sank when Jacob came to me and reported, "I have a sore throat"....by the time supper came he was in tears it hurt so bad.

I sent him to bed right after dinner with a new book on the ipod, Twenty-One Balloons.  Jacob got in bed and the other children gathered around him and they all listened to it together, and they loved it.  They aren't quite done with it yet.

I crashed on the couch while they were busy listening to their story.  If I wasn't pregnant I would seriously be thinking that I was suffering from disease, because I am so very tired.  Rich arrived home last night at 7 and found me in tears.  After a good night's sleep I felt much better (still tired but happier).  My first prenatal appointment is scheduled for November 25, I still haven't been to the doctor's for this pregnancy.  I can't wait to go, because they will do an ultrasound at the very first appointment.  I just want to know......that everything is okay at this point.

Today is the day the maids came (they come every other week) so we cleaned up all morning (yeah, we clean so the maids can clean!)  and then we left when they got here.  I took the kids through McDonald's drive thru for some lunch and then we went the library, for the first time in about a month.  It felt so good to walk around with my favorite book list, Honey for a Child's Heart, and also Honey for a Woman's Heart, and pick out a big stack of nice books for all of us.

We got home about 2 hours later and the girls were still here, scrubbing away.  It feels so nice to have help with the housework.

Now that the maids are gone, I have the children all resting.  Grace and Ethan will be picked up soon, to go visit their friends and to have Art class.  Jacob usually goes, but I am taking him to the doctor's, along with Caleb and David, so that they can get the H1N1 nasal vaccine.  I wasn't planning on having them vaccinated, but when I took Grace for her check up a few days ago, the pediatrician highly recommended it.  There is a lot of flu going around.  I told myself a few weeks ago, that I would trust my pediatricians.  Seth has had the vaccine, too. 

That's all the news here for the day. 

I do want to take the time to post some pictures from last Saturday.  Grace's 10th birthday was last week and as a special treat, we took her (and "the brothers") to the American Girl Place in Boston.   It was wonderful...the weather was nice so the drive was lovely.  Rich and the boys did great at the store, and we all walked around together, letting Grace look at everything.

Years ago, we had bought her Samantha doll at a tag sale of all places.  And last year we bought her Nellie, since she was being retired.  So Grace took those dolls with her.  Here she is, with all the boys behind her.  David is partially hidden, almost totally hidden, behind Grace.

She decided before we even got there that she wanted the Indian girl, Kaya.  She got the basic doll, along with the food set (it's SO neat, the food looks real, and it came with a basket that the doll can wear) and the bedding set (with realistic furs).  Oh, Grace has been having the most wonderful, imaginative time with her.

Ethan came to me at one point and said quietly, "Mom.  Grace keeps trying to show me things!"  And I said, "Oh, E, let her show you!  Who else is she going to talk to and get excited with?"  So, he went back to her.  Of course, David and Caleb were the least shy about being interested in......dolls......

I think this picture is cute, Grace is talking to David about the doll display and Caleb is looking out the window, down to the parking lot below;

Grace and her Papa, after Mama decided just what we would purchase.  I just love seeing my husband father a daughter!  He grew up with just brothers, you know.  And he's doing such a good job with Gracie.  He loves her so much.

Here is a picture of us, in the elevator.  It's a family photo that makes me smile.  All you can see of Seth is his tiny fingers.  The weird lumpiness coming out of my stomach is mirror distortion, I can assure you.  Look at the faces of those dear children!  So cute, each of them.

I think my girl is as cute as a button.  Especially with those jeans, mary janes, and white socks!  I'm so glad we had this day together.  Who knows if we'll be able to get the boys to go there again?

I had someone ask me about training children.  There have been books written on that topic, but I can tell you a few things that I believe.  First of all,  please, please, LOVE your children.  I would rather see parents concentrate on having a love-relationship with their little ones, than to focus too much on training.  Love comes first, then training IN LOVE.  The first thing you need to teach your child, is that they must obey right away.  No second chances.  They need to obey with a GOOD ATTITUDE.  The heart is what matters most of all.

Why do we train our children in proper behavior?  Because WE LOVE THEM SO MUCH.  They will be secure children, if they are happily obeying their parents.  We don't train them to make ourselves look or feel good.  That's pride....and God resists that. 

Praise your children. 

Enjoy your children.  Don't groan when they get up in the morning, or from their naps.  (I remember God convicting me of that years ago!)  Smile and say something sweet to them, give them a snack.

Listen to your children.  They will want to tell you things, if you are a warm listener.

Read to them and snuggle as you do it.  Some of my happiest moments are when one of my children is listening to me read, and thoughtlessly playing with my hair or ear.     I've read the Beatrix Potter books constantly lately.  We love The Tale of the Flopsy Bunnies.  You know, there are "six leetle rabbits" in that one.  And one of them gets hit by a flying rotten vegetable marrow.  And is quite hurt.  (sorry, I told you I've read it a lot lately!)

Say "Please"  "Thank you" "I love you"  "I'm proud of you" and "I'm sorry" to them.  They are learning manners by YOUR LIFE.

More is caught than taught.  You have to be what you want them to grow up to be.

Look at them when they talk to you.  Think about that nice man, Mr. Rogers (From "Mr. Roger's Neighborhood" on PBS).  Read his biography and soak up some of his views on children and childhood.  Rich's Grandma has that same spirit about her, you just KNOW she loves you and would listen to you even if your story took too long or you were stinky.

Teach them to wait their turn, to not interrupt while you are on the phone, and to clean up after themselves.

Don't let them get in the habit of crying for what they want.  If they cry for something, don't give it to them. 

Make your house a home FOR children...with good books, good art, good music, etc.

Teach them to ask nicely.  When Caleb says, "Give me a drink!"  He does not get it.

Love their Dad.

Teach your children to work.

Understand and study up on the uniqueness of little boys and little girls.  They are different!

Remember, you are the mom so act like it, but at the same time, it's also okay to be their friend.  My children are my little buddies.  Do you know?  SETH MY PRECIOUS BABY MADE MUFFINS WITH ME.  I could cry just thinking about it.  My dearest memories are the little ones sitting on the counter, or standing on chairs, to help me cook.

Here are pictures~

Remember, God GAVE us our children as a gift!  What a wonderful gift-giver He is, to give children as GIFTS.  We are to accept them with a thankful heart, love them, nurture them and ENJOY them.  If you don't enjoy your child there is something wrong.  As I wrote the other day, there are times when I don't enjoy my children because I am having a bad day or don't feel well, but IN GENERAL I would count a day lost if I didn't spend it serving them in a loving way.  We have fun together.  When Rich is gone with them, I start to feel empty after a while.  There is no one to talk to or listen to.

God has taught me so much, by making me a mother.  I'm so thankful for this privilege.