Great Family Fun Idea!

Yesterday, I popped over to a fast-growing-to-be-one-of-my-favorite blogs and found myself once again encouraged to try something new with my family. I highly recommend reading soulemama's post .

I'm not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, but I wish I could draw better. This Family Draw idea is great....and I'm sure the kids would enjoy it :-) And who knows, I just might improve my skills if I take the time and effort!

Hope you enjoy! And let me know if you have any other ideas for "family fun"!

Blessings,
Sommer

Homeschoolers Coming Together

Last week I posted about the current legal situation in California that could very well make homeschooling illegal here. If you missed that post, I encourage you to read it and if you feel led and haven't done so yet, please sign the petition.

So, far the situation is still up in the air and we await the results of several legal avenues being taken to keep homeschooling legal here. Please keep praying and consider some options for making known how you stand, listed here.

Crystal and her husband Jesse have taken up the banner in encouraging homeschoolers all across our country to stand for parent's rights and what they believe is their right and duty as Christians. Please join in doing what you can. I believe prayer is the strongest weapon we have...what can man do? May God work in this situation and cause the foolishness of the judges to be seen and cause the men and women working to keep our freedoms to have wisdom and right words! If you can do more and are willing, please do! Thank you to all those joining in this fight.

Blessings,
Sommer

Found this good to think about...

I went visiting around blog land today, and stopped at Tiffany's blog. She had a great post regarding a Christian's need to analyze movies and being careful about what we watch. Really the post was a review of a book...but I thought the meat of it really was important in her thoughts on reviewing movies.

Anyone with kids probably struggles or at least finds it important to consider what your children are watching(I do)...but do we think about what we ourselves are watching? I don't worry as much what we are taking in(although we are still careful), but this really made me think.

I encourage you to read this post at A High Calling, and consider what she says. What have you been watching lately?

Blessings,
Sommer

Setting A Goal

The other day I realized that things need to change!

As we prepared to leave for Fiona's knitting lesson, she stated to me that she was glad that it wasn't being held at our home. Of course, I asked her why....because it is "horribly messy" she tells me! My daughter is ashamed...of our home!

I know why. I am a horrible keeper of my home! It is a mess, and I do not do what I should. I've never been very good at keeping my home orderly and now that we have been in a very small apartment, it is even more aparent. The clutter and stuff is overwhelming! I could use the excuse(and I have even been encouraged to do so)that I just had a baby....well, I haven't always "just had a baby" or "been pregnant"! So, perhaps that excuse works the first little while...but why is it I've still let it go?

Well, as I said in an earlier post, I can be quite lazy. Now, I am trying hard to work beyond that and I actually can accomplish alot. But the fact is, I am so overwhelmed, that I have not known where to start and even if I did...I'm afraid it would just happen again.

But today, I am desiring to change this and take the bull by the horns, face the challenge head on! I believe that if I get things thouroughly in order and then get myself on a good maintenance schedule, chores(for me and the girls) that occur regularly...I may be able to get over this hump and become the hearth keeper I desire to be. I keep praying the Lord will give me wisdom and motivation to do it. I believe He is working:-)

So, I am posting a picture today...that truthfully is embarrassing to me. Actually two pictures that show two places in my home that need major help. These places are only a portion of the problem, but one of the worst.

This is (I think it is there) my kitchen table:

As you can see, it is basically a catch-all. At the moment, my hubby has removed anything questionable for me and has given me free reign over what is left.

Here is my desk and sewing area(again, a catch-all):

So, here is my goal....by next Wednesday, I will have my table clear and usable. I will post pictures when done:-) By Saturday of next week, I will have my desk re-organized. I hope by doing this I will be motivated and able to keep to my goals.

I plan to work on other areas as well, because we have invited friends for Thanksgiving dinner and I have been very embarrassed to have company and be hospitable...I don't want to feel this way anymore! I don't want my daughters to feel ashamed and I want to be a good example to them, so that their homes wont get this bad.

Blessings,

Sommer

New Favorites...

Dear Friends~

I pray that you have all had a blessed Lord's Day, full of peace and fruitful moments:-)

I just wanted to let you all know that I've added two new links on my "A Favorite" spot over on the sidebar. If you scroll down, you will find these additions. Both have lovely art work that are free printables(although they do sell some things too, but most is free). If you have children, I think that you will find these to be simple, whimsical fun and a wonderful addition to there imaginary play.

Enjoy!
Sommer

Praying For Your Children

I was just over visiting Amy's blog and she had a great post about praying for our children. If you have the time, pop on over and see what she has to say, here.

Praying for my children is something I am trying to do daily. Like Amy says, it is better to go first to the Lord for help. I know that when we are struggling with attitudes of different sorts at home, I always feel better for having brought the issue to God. Of course, I also will talk to a friend or my Mom sometimes...but, my first stop is on my knees to the Lord.

Just after Liam was born, we found ourselves struggling with Brenna and attitude and temper problems. I spent a lot of time talking to the Lord about it(not to mention my hubby, Mom and a good friend) and recently, I've been able to see a change. She still has attitude sometimes and has a heck of a temper...but the outbursts are fewer now.

So, when you are struggling with a trying child or even just uncertain of how to deal with a sadness, etc., remember to first get on your knees and bring all your woes, worries, tears, etc... to Him that has all wisdom. Surely, He is a faithful Lord and friend!

Blessings,

Sommer

Children As Assets and The Simple Life

I was just over visiting Amy's blog and read a really good post about how children are not hindrances to a simple life, but assets. I think it is great and I hope you will go over and visit. Click on this link and enjoy the read. I hope to be back on later with a post of my own:-)

Blessings,
Sommer

Baby Wrap Instructions

Over at The Hermit of the Southern March's blog is an awesome post about making your own Wrap Carrier for your baby! I'm so excited, as it is the best instructions I've found. I plan on doing one for my new little man :-) Please check out the post...it is great!

Blessings,
Sommer