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

The Sun is Out

So spring has arrived. Every where I look, new life is popping up. Trees have unfurled new leaves, flowers have bloomed in the fields, birds are chirping and flitting about..eggs hidden in little nests yet to be seen.

In some areas, there has been snow still recently seen. Here we have had cool temperatures and winds that blast my tree's new leaves about. But, it is still spring!

I planted my first ever garden at the beginning of April and already we have begun to see green life shoot up. How exciting it has been for us. Watching creation is a beautiful reminder of God and His glory. I can't possibly look out on my yard or at the birds flying about and not understand that God has put all of this into motion. My skill as a gardener has nothing to do with it, the bird relies upon the instincts God has given him...and we see His glory!

"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" ~Romans 1:20 (KJV)

So much new has happened in our lives since last summer and yet, life is much the same. The thing that changes is how I respond to it. There is more space and an opportunity to give more to our children now, but yet, I can still miss this if my attitude is the same as it was in our little apartment. I struggle with properly using the blessings God has given me. I know what needs changing, now it is time to do it.

Thank you to those that have prayed for my Mom. She is doing a bit better. She has gained back some of the weight she lost after her first chemo treatment and hopefully she will be able to start treatment again soon. I'm not sure whether that is the best thing, but they want to keep at it. So I will be praying that she will not respond so badly the next time. She is still struggling with some other issues but again, she is better. Please keep her in your prayers if you feel so led. She still needs them.

I have been spending one afternoon a week with her while my Dad goes and runs errands or just gets some time to himself. Some days, I'm not really in the mood to do this. It is the only full day my husband has off and I miss spending that time with him and the kids. Some times my attitude(usually kept inside) stinks. Sometimes I feel very selfish and cranky. But on reflection afterward, I am so thankful that I take this time for my parents. It has blessed me greatly to help. And so, each Wednesday afternoon I set my heart on the right things and try to be a servant to my parents. When I do this, I feel at peace and I am able to come home refreshed knowing I lifted a little of my parents' burden.

Life is full. God is Awesome.

Blessings to you all my friends!

Sommer

Quick Hello and Update

Hello my dear friends! I'm woefully over due for an update and I do apologize. Life has been a bit busy and stressful as of late.

I believe I mentioned in my last post that my Mom was going in for surgery to discover what the mass was that they had found in an ultrasound they'd done. She went in early in January and had a total hysterectomy and they found that the mass was cancer. They were fairly certain that they removed all of the cancer but they chose to go ahead with chemo as well. To state the obvious...we were all upset by this news and it has been emotional and stressful for all of us.

Mom started her chemo a month ago and has been unwell since. She has a lot of allergies(food) and seems to be even more sensitive since beginning chemo. We are praying that she feels better soon and that her next round of chemo will go more comfortably.

On top of this, they are moving up here! Today! Of course this is good news but also a stresser for everyone as we try to make it smooth and free of problems. I can praise God that we have help here in the form of new friends and that because I live here, I was able to take care of some things for them ahead of time. I love this little town and feel blessed to know such loving, godly and generous folks :-)

All these things have been hard to deal with in some ways. But it was made harder by some of our own personal difficulties. Life is never just as we expect and if you expect that things are going to be rosie all of a sudden...well, you might get a bit disappointed ;-) We are well, but financial issues certainly plague us and we are trying to find ways to cut back and make ends meet. I trust the Lord for His provision(which we have already seen in different ways), but some days I just feel despair.

If you feel led please say a prayer for us...for any or all of these new trials. Please keep my dear Mom and Dad in your prayers too...it has been and still is a scary time for us all.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." ~John 14:27

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;" ~Psalm 46:1-2

But before I leave you with only sorrows and worry...we have had some good moments :-) My eldest daughter had her 11th birthday and my son turned 4! The time has zipped by and it makes me long for things to slow down. They are both such wonderful kids.

For Fiona's birthday we bought her a guinea pig. She had been saving for some time for one and we thought that she showed a lot of responsibility and decided to buy the guinea pig for her. She is a sweet little thing named Rosetta. I would share pictures, but my computer is not functioning and I am using Dan's laptop...hence, no pics :-(

We also added one other member to our family...a wonderful dog named Duke :-) He is a saluki and we love him to bits. No doubt if you are my friend on facebook...you've seen him :-) It is such a treat to have a dog! Dan and I have wanted one for a very long time.

Well, there still may be long breaks between posts here, but I will try to get on here more if I can. I hope all my dear friends are well!

Lots of love,

Sommer

A New Year Begins

So it is January 1st 2011. 2010 seems to have sped by so quickly, I really can't believe it! When I was a child and in school, the year would move sluggishly along(summer vacation/Christmas was ever so far away!)...but as an adult, I find that the years move increasingly quicker and my children grow so fast. Some days, I wish time would slow down just a bit for me so that I can truly savor each day.

Each year brings its own joys, blessings, and difficulties. 2010 was really no different. We have had joyous birthday celebrations, my brother has been sober for more than 6 months and has called Christ his savior, and we've bought and moved into our very first house...swiftly becoming a home :-) There have been challenges too...in May my dear Rowan had to be taken to the emergency because she was choking and then had a procedure to remove the object(a blade of grass lodged in her larynx). Praise God for His mercy and protection of her. And always there are financial challenges that seem to dog us regularly.

Despite the challenges...2010 has been a most blessed year! I am thankful for a God that is sovereign and sitting on His throne. Life without Him would be bleak indeed.

No doubt 2011 will come with its own challenges...but mixed, thankfully, with its own blessings. This month already has its concerns placed before us. In about 2 weeks my Mom will be going in for surgery to remove a suspicious mass. We do not know yet whether it is cancer or not, but there is that possibility. My Mom and I have been "bossom friends" since I was but 8 and my heart aches as we wait.

But with that, I know there will be days full of joy and blessings. My husband and children provide me with that frequently :-)

We will continue to eek by and be thankful, joyful, and prayerful. I really don't like to make official resolutions or goals..though perhaps I should. I do have some personal(and this may also include my family) goals/desires that I've been thinking on though. I'd like to share them, so that perhaps I can look back to remind myself where my heart was on the first day of 2011:

My prayers for 2011

~That I will glorify God in all I do...at home and outside of the home.

~That I will be a more loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend.

~I would like to be more consistent and diligent in my time with the Lord and in prayer.

~I want to find ways to be a better steward of the money/tools God has provided us through my husband's work and other means.

~I would like to be more consistent and diligent in my homekeeping, so as to glorify God in what I do and to be a better example to my children.

~I plan for us to get into a better chore schedule.

~I want to snuggle and laugh more with my kids.

~I want to have more special time with my hubby..my best friend :-)

~I want to make more time for my hobbies(sewing, knitting and learning more).

Perhaps one will call this a list of resolutions...and maybe they really are. My main goal here is to remind myself of the important things and the things that I realize need changing. May the Lord bless me with the desire, diligence, and love that all this will require!

Happy New Year dear friends! May God bless you greatly in 2011!!!!