A Give Away

My dear, sweet friend Gina is having a little Cottage Give Away over at her blog! I do so hope you will hop on over there and say hello and perhaps enter her little give away.

You can go HERE to visit :-)

Blessings,

Sommer

Butterfly Love

We love butterflies :-) In our household, if one is seen you can guarantee several children will squeal with delight and go running outside. In our own backyard, we have some lovelies that frequent us...painted ladies, cabbage whites, and some yellow one that resembles a monarch. Such amazing beauty contained in such a small being.

For science this year, Brenna has been using Apologia's Zoology 1, which focuses on flying creatures. The last lesson of the year is on order Lepodoptera (butterflies, moths, and skippers-also referred to as Leps). So for this lesson we bought a little butterfly home and ordered some Painted Lady caterpillars to raise and watch change.

What fun! The metamorphosis that Leps go through is such an amazing example of God's perfect design in creation. Truly awesome! We enjoyed watching our caterpillars eat and quadruple in size and then change to their chrysalises. The most difficult thing to actually catch in action was the butterflies coming out of their chrysalises. They do it so quickly!

(Liam looking at one of our painted ladies)

After enjoying and studying our little friends for a few days, we decided to free them. We had six butterflies(all survived, though one had fallen while in the middle of its final change to chrysalis) and so we enjoyed each one leaving in its own time. Four flew out within a few minutes of us opening our house, but two took their time. Both of these stayed in our yard for most of the afternoon and both allowed us to hold them :-) Now that was awesome!

(Brenna and Liam holding a butterfly)

The only one that didn't hold our friends was Rowan...I'm thinking she might have been a bit too enthusiastic in her affections ;-) So she watched everyone else hold them and was tickled to see them flutter above her head as they left. There is nothing like watching a two year old's wonder :-)

(Rowan in awe watching Fiona hold a butterfly)

(Brenna's patience paid off, such a happy little student!)

(Resting spot for our little Lep friend~the pomegranate tree)

I have a feeling that this little project may have bred a love of studying butterflies, moths, and skippers. Could there be a future Lepidopterist in our family? Who knows :-) But I will encourage their love of these beautiful creatures. Truly amazing to watch them start from a caterpillar and become something that looks completely different! I highly recommend doing this little project (homeschooler or not). Your kids(and you!) will love it :-)

I look forward to doing this again in the future!

May you have a blessed day and feel the wonder of God's magnificent creation!

Blessings,

Sommer

Happy Independence Day!

Happy Fourth of July dear friends! And what a lovely day it is :-)

I am so glad to be able to live in a country that is free. There are times when I stress and worry the direction in which our country is headed, but I realize, no matter what, it is in God's hands!

Today, most of all, I think of the men and women that have gone before us to make our country free. I think of what they fought for, what they wanted for this country. Many lost their homes and lives. And today, we stand free because of it. May we be so courageous as our fore fathers!

And here is a thought from one of those from so long ago:

‎"The day will be the most memorable in America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival...it ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade...bonfires and illuminations (fireworks) from one end of this continent to the other, from this day forward, forevermore."
~John Adams

So, with that suggestion, my family tonight will be setting of some illuminations ;-) It will be a first for us because we've not lived in a county that allows fireworks before. But this year...we do :-) Last night, we enjoyed watching our neighbors set some off. We will also be enjoying some time with my parents at their home before hand.

Have a wonderful day my friends!

Lots of love,

Sommer

P.S.: as you can see, I've got my computer and pics back thanks to a great local fellow. I'm thrilled :-)

Did you know?

Did you know it is June? It seems I haven't been able to get out of the blogging funk I'm in. Without access to pictures, I feel like my posts are not as "alive". I don't feel as motivated to post when I can't show you the goings on of our home.

That being said, we are alive and well! I think the warmer weather has come to stay finally..though the first week of June had a bit of rain. I'm really more of a cool weather person, but it is nice too to see the sunshine and feel its warmth. There is such a stark difference between this time last year and now. Last year we were still in a tiny apartment with no real freedom of movement for anyone, especially 4 healthy, active children. This year...there is little crowding. The children are frequently outside, running and pretending. It is wonderful. I smile as I watch them full of joy outside. As soon as I can I will share some pics of them in the yard...which is mostly foxtails, but still better than no yard!

My little garden is thriving and I am excited to see that. Being anything but a green thumb...it pleases me much :-)

I should probably give an update on my Mom. She has gotten to feeling much better, but will be restarting her chemo this coming Wednesday. Though they have not found any new cancer, they still want to complete her chemo. So now that she is physically(and mentally) healthy again, they are ready. Please pray for her if you feel led.

Well, I hope you are having a wonderful spring/summer where ever you are! I hope to be able to post with more pics again soon. Thank you for bearing with me :-)

Lots of love,

Sommer

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day!

I pray all of you have a most wonderful day!

Blessings,

Sommer