What I've been up to...

I can't believe it! I'm posting before another month has sped by..yippee!

I've been trying to get my focus and start preparing for Christmas. Yes, I know, Thanksgiving hasn't happened yet. But, I plan on making our gifts for Christmas again this year and I really ought to be moving...don't you think?

So, I've been checking patterns, making lists, gathering materials and slowly starting my projects. Hopefully, I will get my momentum going here and have time for every thing I want to make.

I also have been making up some baby food for Rowan. I could buy it, but it is much more expensive that way and at least this way, I can see what is in my food for her. I've also found that some recipes they have out there include common allergens for our family and so I have to be careful. I'm sure I'll buy some jars here and there, but I am hoping to make most of what she needs and also have her eating what we eat sooner than later(even if all mooshed up;-)

A week or so back I made up some Pear Sauce. At the time I only had a hand mill. I will just say that this is NOT the best way to puree up a large amount of sauce...I'm just saying...

So, I asked my parents for a blender for my birthday ;-) and they delivered!

On Monday, I baked up some Acorn Squash and then pureed it in my new blender...NICE! Today I decided I better get to the Granny Smith apples and cooked them up on the stove. Again, the blender did a bang-up job on the applesauce..lovely, smooth sauce :-)

(The finished product from this weeks baby food making~in the bag:Acorn squash, in the ice cube tray and small tub:applesauce)

I really enjoy making Rowan's food. I hope she enjoys it too. Next up: carrots :-)

On Wednesday we had a special day that we took off from school and work. It was Homeschool Day at the Discovery Kingdom park(what used to be Marine World). What a blast that was! How can you not enjoy being surrounded by a bunch of (mostly) like-minded folks that do not look at you funny for having 4 kids? It was great. We were able to see most of the animals in the park and enjoy some rides too. We saw the Tiger show at Odin's Temple of the Tiger..very cool and Shouka the Killer Whale(very awesome and Fiona got drenched) as well as the bird show..lovely!

The kids, Dan and I all had a great time. I'm glad we could do it. So, I'll leave you with a few pics from our day :-)

Liam soberly waiting for the adventure to begin. Can't you tell he's excited?

The kids really liked seeing the elephants up close. Fiona was our expert...she could tell that there were both Asian AND African elephants there. Mom and Dad said no, we didn't think so...but the trainer validated our little lady :-) The kiddos wanted to ride the elephants, but it was an extra cost...sorry kids!

Here is the male, white Bengal Tiger diving...only 1 year old and already 300 lbs! Oh my goodness..he was beautiful! By the way, while here, I happened to get to meet one of my bloggy friends, Rebecca! So awesome..only wish we could have talked a bit longer.

And last but surely not least, Shouka the Killer Whale or Orca :-) What a beautiful creature! She is amazing. Fiona sat right up in the "Splash Zone" and got very wet. She didn't mind but I'm glad I moved up a few seats or Rowan(who I was wearing at the time) and I would have been drenched.

This was a great trip and a wonderful opportunity to see the variety in God's creation. He is truly an awesome God and His creation is a testament to His power and might for sure!

Blessings,

Sommer

Hello and Gratitude Friday

Yes, I'm still here ;-) Another month gone..wow! Oh well, I hope you all don't mind that I've been a tad absent. It has been a bit hard coming up with things to write about. Easier just to not write some days.

But, I wanted to join my friend Tilly in her Gratitude Friday posts. I like the idea of taking my mind off those negative things that are much easier to focus on and turning my thoughts to those things which I have to be thankful for...which are much more than one might see if only looking at the challenges.

So, I am thankful for...

~A friend that remembers me on my birthday(Thanks Tilly!!!)

~For another year to look forward to in my life.

~For a sweet baby girl with the most kissable cheeks and rosy lips!

~For darling children that work together for a common goal and find pride in work well done.

(and they even made that tower reach to the ceiling!)

~For smiling boys in a creative house. When you don't have a tree house..come up with something else!

The joys of the simple pleasures in life, for creativity without a lot of materials or money, and brother/sisterhood..friends for life..Can't get better than that and I am truely grateful for the blessings the Lord has put in my life!

Blessings,

Sommer

**Oh, and there hasn't been any more news on the home front. We are STILL waiting on the seller's bank to approve things and then the VA inspection must go through. Please pray for me to be patient and that I will be content as I wait on the Lord's perfect timing. Thanks!

October Already?!

Honestly, I don't know how the month of September slipped by me so! One moment it was September(though often feeling like August), floating along so nice and busy like and then the next moment...October! Wow! I am now convinced it is officially Autumn.

We've been busy with school, birthdays and just plain enjoying our time together as a family. We've also been continuing the process of looking for a house. We've had some duds and disappointments. We've had to re-evaluate how much we can really afford and what and where we are willing to look for this house. We have prayed and been frustrated and then...

The Lord has seen fit to have an offer we put out be accepted! Now, we are still in the waiting phase, but this is very hopeful! We actually put the offer in without seeing the house except for pics on the web...a bit of faith stretching. The sellers accepted our offer and now we wait on their bank and the VA's inspections/approval.

Last Wednesday we took a drive out to the house to see if it was really going to be what we wanted. We went with hesitation and excitement all at the same time. When I walked in the door of this two-story, tri-level, 4 bed/3bath home I was so very pleased! It has some carpets that need cleaning and some paint in some rooms with questionable paint tastes, but other wise it is perfect!!! For us anyhow ;-)

Until we are definite..I will wait on posting pics of the house(though I must share that there is a room in there with a built in shelf/desk perfect for my sewing room :-). But let me just leave you with a view of my Little Man as he enjoyed the space and front yard...I think he likes this place :-)

But before I really go....Here are some moments from our last month:

My hubby, Dan, and Rowan enjoying a father/daughter moment. The entire time he was there, she kept her little, chubby hand on his face..very sweet indeed :-)

Here is my girl looking very solemn at me. She enjoys playing on her blanket now...of course she is almost 6 months now...wow!

And here I am with my sweet girl. The camera mesmerizes her ;-) She is a joy to raise and I am so very glad the Lord blessed me with her. And when folks wonder what I was thinking for having another child...I just praise God I was so fortunate as to have His blessing in this area of my life. Even as I struggle from day to day with patience and frustration, with occasional bickering and bad attitudes...the joys that I see and receive each day vastly outweigh such things! Thank you Lord for my children...may I never see them as a burden!

Hopefully I will not be so long in getting back on to write and hopefully there will be good news on the house buying front!

Blessings to my friends!

Sommer

Sunday Rest

"Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name. And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ." ~Acts 5:41-42

I pray to be so bold in the face of mockery and persecution. As an American I do not suffer much for my faith, but there are times when it is good to stand firm...especially in these days. And who knows when a day may come that we are one of the persecuted. I pray not, but I pray too for the Lord's strength and grace if the time comes and also for those times when I am discoursing with someone that does not believe as I do.

Have a lovely Lord's Day!

Blessings,

Sommer

Love this little quote...

“A baby is sunshine and moonbeams and more brightening your world as never before.”

~ Author Unknown