A Few Current Pictures...

My dear friend, Pat, asked that I share some recent pictures of the kids :-)

I am happy to oblige! I'm not sure if I mentioned it here, but my sweet little man, Liam, looks even more so like a little man! The day before Thanksgiving I decided it was time to cut his amazing curly hair. It had gotten very long and unruly...so, a little man cut was needed.

I think he looks quite dashing :-)

(Liam with his newly built cathedral.)

Here is Miss Brenna. My lovely, compassionate and very passionate 8 year old! She is now reading...though she is still uncertain of her skills. Mama is very proud though :-)

And here are my youngest and eldest...Rowan is now 20months and a beautiful, vibrant little girl. She has a limited vocabulary, but she most definitely lets us know if she wants something or if she is not a happy camper ;-)

Fiona will be 11 next month...how can that be!? She is a wonderful helper...loving, friendly and outgoing. I have been able to more and more rely upon her for aide(even Brenna is a big help to me now!) and know that in most things I can trust her to do what I need.

These children are a bright light in my life. I am so grateful that the Lord saw fit to bless us with such dear children. Each day is interesting, and to be true, can be challenging as well. But I wouldn't trade a day with my children for anything. The fact that I have been a Mama for almost 11 years kind of startles me. Can it be so? And can I really be so impatient? Ha! I strive to be a good example to them and know that I fail regularly, but I hope that when I don't fail they are soaking it in. I hope to some day let fly these little arrows, so that they can make their mark to glorify God and shine His Light throughout our world! May each day bring me closer to the mother they need and may each day bring them closer to the man or woman God would have them be!

Lots of love,

Sommer

What's In a Name?

When Dan and I were thinking up names for our daughter, we went straight to our handy baby name books. As you all may have noticed, we've kind of stuck to a theme...we tend to be drawn to Irish, Gaelic names. Can't seem to help ourselves ;-P I've got a smidgen of Irish in me...so that is my excuse...or maybe it is just the way the names sound.

In any case, I was thrilled when Dan agreed to the name Rowan Meara ...I've always loved the name Rowan and now I have my own little sweetie with the name :-)

The meanings for Rowan in the book we used are pretty general: English~"a red-berried tree" or Irish~"little red-headed girl". Meara means "mirthful" in Irish Gaelic according to the book. So far...Rowan is not red-headed...but it could happen :-)

One thing I hadn't done was actually see a Rowan tree. So recently I went on the web and looked up some images and info about them.

Apparently they are best known in Europe for their red berries, but in China there are white varieties...rather interesting.

Here is a link talking about the Rowan tree. On one site I found out that unfortunately this tree is also cherished by the wiccans, but I still like the name and still enjoy the beauty of the tree.

Isn't this one below lovely with all its red berries? Not to mention the rushing water :-)

I hope you enjoyed this little post. When we name our children we always try to find ones with lovely meanings. This isn't always easy, but we try. I especially love the meaning of Meara. I hope my little girl will always be mirthful...full of joy!

Today, Rowan is three weeks old and she is a beauty and a darling little one. She has surely stolen all of our hearts!

Blessings,
Sommer

A Nestful...

Okay, I couldn't keep away long ;-) Right now, my little nest feels a touch empty. A dear friend of mine invited my girls to stay at her house yesterday(she has kids they play with) and they are still there! She'll be bringing them back tonight. It is rather quiet, even with a new baby and a little boy roaming about the house! There is no bickering only silly chatter with my son and snuggle time that I just can't pass up :-) I look forward to my girls coming home and I pray that we will be able to work on the bickering issue and cause more friendship than disagreements to be present here.

Anyhow, I thought I'd share some more pics of the kids marveling at their newest sibling. Above, the girls are enjoying watching Rowan as she sleeps in a little nest made by me. It keeps her close but allows me to do some other things near by. They were quite taken with it...and her...

But then, who wouldn't be when greeted by such sweet, sleepy smiles?! Isn't that precious! I could just gobble her up:-)

Brenna is very much loving her new sister. I think it is especially special to her that Rowan looks a lot like Brenna did when a baby. Fiona and Liam were my blondies, curled and big! Brenna was my dark,straight haired darling...slim and small, and Rowan looks a lot like she did. She will be a good big sister...I can tell already.

And finally, here is Liam holding Rowan's tiny hand. He didn't want to let go ;-) It was so sweet watching him hold her and today he was wanting to hold her hand again. He also kept wanting her to kiss him :-) Of course, I obliged by leaning her into his cheek and she'd give him a wet little peck(okay, she was rooting around...but I'm not telling him that!). He loved that:-)

My nest is full! My husband and I are so pleased to watch our family increase. Each time we've had a new child, I find myself contemplating what my priorities are and what areas I truly need to work in. I have much that needs to change and yet, I see that my children know I love them. I desire to make their childhood as happy and lovely as is possible without skipping the raising up for God, training them to love Him and desiring to be His. It is a huge responsibility we carry but I know the Lord will equip us with what we need and that ultimately He does the work...we are simply their caretakers and trainers! May the Lord give Dan and I wisdom as we take on this great task!

Blessings,
Sommer

One Week of Bliss and Counting...

Well, we are home(as of last Friday afternoon) and getting into the swing of things! Thanks to all of you for your prayers and sweet encouragements! I truly was the least anxious that I have ever been during my c-sections and I know it has been because of all your prayers on my behalf....thank you thank you!!!

We are taking life in slow motion right now..still continuing our little break with school and just doing what must be done. My hubby has been an awesome help and my older kiddos have taken to their little sister quite well:-) I am reminded once again why babies are such a blessing...they bring such sweet joy to our world!

Of course there is plenty of snuggle time going on and kisses and smelling of sweet baby cheeks. Not to mention, lots of mama nursing and diaper changing! But it is bliss!

Rowan, so far, is a mild, quiet little lady. She cries...but infrequently. She lets us know when she is needing me to come for her or when she has a bit of gas, but most time she just gives us sweet smiles or gurgles. She has been taking more time to just take it all in and I love to watch her as she watches us all around her. It looks like I may be blessed with another little love. Of course!

A lot of my pictures are of her sleeping, but I have a few with her just looking about. I love how alert she is sometimes. I wonder what she is thinking of?

And aren't these toes just scrumptious!!!! She has tiny, slim feet but they are just so snugglable!

Here she is in a very alert moment. Makes you just want to kiss her! I find myself gazing at all her little features and finding it hard to believe that all my little ones have at one time or another been this(or close to it)small!

I wasn't sure how Liam would take to his new sister, but I had no reason to worry. He has doted on her in his toddler fashion more than any one. When she cries, he comes and says, "it's okay Rowan. You happy now?" He loves to look at her and sit next to me when I am feeding her. I feel blessed that she has such a good big brother in her life...I think they will be very close through the years:-)

I have some more pictures that I will share soon. Just wanted you all to know that we were home and that I am recovering fairly well. I have an appointment on Tuesday to see how all is going and hopefully I will get a good bill of health.

Have a blessed day!
Sommer

Heading to the Hospital

Today is the big day! In just a couple of hours we will be heading out with the kids to drop them off with my parents for the day and night. They are excited! We are excited!

The long awaited arrival of our newest blessing is almost here :-) We need to arrive at the hospital by 11:00am for checking in and prep work. Hopefully we will start on time (or earlier) at about 1:00pm for the c-section.

I haven't eaten since about 11:30pm and I haven't had anything to drink since before 4:30am this morning..ugh! But it is all worth it.

Thank you so much, dear friends, for all your prayers, loving words and encouragement! They have been a great help as the day has drawn closer. I feel less anxious than normal.

Hopefully, tonight or tomorrow I will have Dan post to let you all know how things are and to introduce you briefly to our sweet baby:-)

Well, off I go to get fully ready! I'll talk to you soon:-)

Blessings,
Sommer

One Last Project to Share and My Boy

Just days away from my little girlie coming now, and I have not gotten any sewing done! I had so hoped to, but with so much to do and carpal tunnel and knitting just being so much more accessible in my large state...well, it hasn't happened:-( Oh well! I guess I have some sewing projects to work on after she comes(and wont that be fun!?). At least then I will know just how big she really is!

Although I didn't get to my sewing(well, except for the burp cloths), I did get three knitting projects completed :-) Of course, you've seen the slippers and bonnet, but I couldn't resist using up some more of the yarn from the bonnet and making some bootees :-) These are from the same book I made the bonnet from and they were very easy. My troubles really were only from the carpal tunnel issues...a true labor of love!

The bootees were suppose to have little pom poms, but I decided I liked them without better and in this very simple state, they will match well with her bonnet:-) They are the smallest size in the pattern, but look like they should fit a bit larger...good thing if she is as big as they say!

With that, I will put away my knitting needles until later and perhaps work a little on the sewing before Tuesday. Tuesday we go in to meet our new babe and I am looking forward to this day. Now if we can all just get over our colds!

Before I go, I had to share some pictures of my dear little man that will soon look like a giant compared to his little sister:-) I love his smile! Pure joy and love:-)

Liam is an absolute doll and one of the sweetest fellas I know. I may be biased, but still I'll say it;-) He has his moments and well, he is two! But he is gentle, loving and oh so funny at times.

And I do believe we have a budding musician! He loves to play on Fiona's harmonica...and really the music sounds lovely to this mamma's ears:-)

Hope you all are having a wonderful day!

Blessings,
Sommer

Some Sweet Gifts

Over the last couple of years, I have been very blessed by the friendships I've made in blog land and email. Such loving women there are out there...and yet we've never met in person!

About two weeks ago, I was very much reminded of such blessings when my sweet friend, Sarah, sent out some lovely homemade gifts for my wee girlie:-) I thought I'd share these sweet things with you all here:-)

As you can see above, there is quite an assortment of gifts here. Firstly, lets just say "aaaah" as we gaze on these adorable little elephant goodies! On the left is a lovely, soft, silky toy elephant...sweet and with no little buttons that baby may, um, eat. And on the right is a wonderful bib. It is a nice sized bib that will be usable when wee girlie is bigger(as well as when wee) and look at that darling elephant in the middle! There is lovely hand stitching done around the elephant and I am sure it will be painful to use it the first time with a little messy baby! Perhaps I should just frame it?!

Next is a beautiful little dress with panties! I just love this dress...the fabric, the trim! Just lovely!

And for me:-) Handmade, washable nursing pads! On the back side is a soft, blue flannel(I think) and on the front Sarah used fabrics from the items she made my wee girlie, with a bit of trim down the center:-) These are great and I look forward to trying them out. Now if I could just figure out how she made them...I'd make some more:-)

This was truly a sweet gift and I am very touched that I received them! Thank you ever so much Sarah!

***

While I'm here, I guess I ought to give a little update:-) I am just a little over a week away from my delivery date(I am having a c-section) and things are falling into place quite nicely. I am doing well and so is my wee girlie. Though, I found out Friday(okay, I already suspected this!) that my wee girlie isn't so very wee. At 37 weeks she is already a whopping 9.5 lbs according to the ultrasound technician! There go any tiny outfits that once fit my small daughters(8lb 12oz and 7lb 12oz..)! Liam was 9lb 11oz when he was born and I do believe his "little" sister is going to out do him here:-o

I am having some carpal tunnel, but otherwise I have felt pretty good. Today the crib got put back together and I organized the diaper table. Now I just need to wash up the clothes and such and pack my bag(whaaaat!) and all the necessaries should be done :-) Yippee!!!

I do hope you all are having a wonderful weekend. May the Lord bless you and have a great Lord's Day!

Blessings,
Sommer

My Little Man Turns Two!

Yesterday was Liam's 2nd birthday...wahhh! The time has steadily sped by and he has changed so much since that first day I held him. There is something so special about having a little man child that just makes you want to cherish all the sweet kisses and requests for hugs. As he holds my face between his sweet chubby hands, I melt...so darling:-)

We actually celebrated his birthday with my parents the same day as Fiona's little party, so this was a more special family day of simple pleasures. We started out with him opening his remaining gifts...a Toby and Thomas train set and James train. He is happily showing me James above there:-)

As you can see he LOVES his trains. He was sitting with(and often in)his track for most of the morning. He also wanted to sleep with Toby in his bed...LOVES Toby the best I think:-) I went ahead and let him sleep with him...how can you resist sweetly twinkling eyes?!

I also made him a train cake. I am no cake expert, but I was pleased with how it turned out. Liam requested one that was red like James...so, here is my version:

James' tender and smoke were made with crushed cookies, the wheels and window with little jimmies and his red "coat" I used pink icing(I did try to make it red..no such luck) and red sugar sprinkles. Knowing my children are happy with my creations makes it totally worth while:-)

And one last thought...a very happy, satisfied birthday boy:-)

Happy Birthday Little Liam!!!!!

Love from your Momma:-)

A Happy Birthday Girl!

Yesterday was my daughter, Fiona's 9th birthday. Whenever I think on this, I pause, amazed at the blessings God has given me! To think, I have a 9 year old and what a blessing she is!

She is a very generous, forgiving and affectionate girl. She will quickly try to fix hurts and make things right(especially for her little brother). Sure there are always "things" that need work, but I couldn't be more pleased with the little lady she is turning out to be:-)

For her birthday she asked for a doll house(made by mom). I made a small one for Brenna a couple of years ago and ever since she has thought on that. I decided that she was at a good age for one and so I went looking. I found a lovely kit, which included all the pieces for the cottage and furniture as well:-)

As you can see from above...she is pretty happy with her house.

Yes, I know...it isn't put together yet...somehow that didn't really bother her. Fiona is looking forward to helping me put it together and I am looking forward to doing it. Instead of the red, we will be using a light blue and white. Fiona and I will make little knitted and sewn cushions and blankets for the furniture. Wont that be fun!?

We still have a little party scheduled for tomorrow at my parents' house(actually for Fiona and Liam, who turns 2 in a week or so). So...the festivities continue!

***

I still find myself reflecting on the age of my children and realizing how swiftly life flits by. God has been so gracious in blessing me with my children, giving them to me for a time. I pray that I raise them up in a way that they will learn well to love God, to follow His law and fight for Him. It is a huge responsibility we have as parents and I pray He gives me all that I need to do it well.

Happy Birthday Fiona...my sweet girl!

Blessings,
Sommer

Dreams of Daygowns and Burp Cloths

I love searching for just the right fabric. It isn't always easy to find the one you want, but oh, how rewarding when you do:-) Last Thursday(as I shared in the button post), I went over to Joann's and had a lovely time searching, touching and finding what I wanted. The selection was challenging to choose from...either things were too expensive or just not the right thing..but I did finally find some I liked!

The fabrics above are some lovelies that I found(on separate occasions actually) for some day gowns. I really love the spray of flowers and light feel of the fabric. I believe they are both simple cotton quilting type fabrics. The blue one is the fabric I was trying to decide on which of the blue buttons to choose from, I think the dark may be best with this one. What do you think?

These next ones(above) are a soft, sweet flannel. I bought them for some burp cloths I will be making. I found this really simple pattern/tutorial here. Yes, I already have burp cloths...but I wanted something special and sweet and somewhat girlie:-) The two fabrics on the left will work even if we end up getting a surprise boy(which I highly doubt..this little one feels just like her sisters!) One has little strollers and the other is a sweet, Nursery Rhyme one...love it! The third one is quite girlie..and I just couldn't resist:-) It is covered with hearts and flowers and says "daddy's little sweetheart". Isn't that cute?! I'll use the green fleece with all of them as the contrasting color on the other side. I might start making these today or tomorrow...because I'm still waiting for my patterns and tatting!

Okay, now these three above here are also fun and pretty. I wanted to make some little bubbles and thought the one on the far left(little fairy stars) would be cute as well as the purple flowery one. She will be born in the spring, so I must have some cool, little bubbles don't you think? The middle fabric, which is a light weight eyelet was another non-resistible purchase. I decided it would be used for a bonnet or two:-) I bought a plain white fabric for lining and hope that it will work well.

This lovely one below is one of my favorites! It is a soft, rose colored fleece with another Nursery Rhyme print...I haven't quite decided what to make with it. I'm think a cozy little nightie for those cool, spring evenings or a little robe or I may make it bigger and use it for the fall and winter. Not sure...any ideas? Whatever I use it for...I will be in love with it:-)

And here we have a recap of the first two fabrics for day gowns and then also two plain fabrics that will also be used for day gowns. I loved this yellow one and thought the little daisy buttons would look nice with it. The white one has little checks in it. I like how subtle it is and I think that it would work with some simple embroidery or at least with the tatting I have purchased.

I'm so excited and rather impatient to get started on making these little things for the baby. I will try to remember to post pics as I finish them. For any that may be interested, I will be using patterns mostly from the Old Fashioned Baby. These are all vintage/heirloom type items..and I love them:-) I have a few little gowns from my MIL that I have used with all but Liam. I think it will be fun to make some of my own for this little wee one.

Sorry, if I'm gushing or rambling on...can you tell I'm excited!?

Blessings,
Sommer

The Pitter Pat of Little Feet

Light and faint, I feel you...just a glimmer of the little life within. I've waited for weeks to feel the little pit pat of tiny feet and hands with in. Now, glorious and glowing I feel you! Precious life within, blessed movement, gracious God...thank you Lord for the little blessing growing with in me.

Yep....He's a Boy!

Having a boy is different than having girls. I didn't really think so. My friends told me this was so and so did my Mom. But I didn't believe it.....

But now I am a believer! My girls never could catch or throw a ball before the age of ....three! But Liam? He already loves(and I do mean loves)to play ball. He can catch it from time to time and he certainly throws them well. Give him a stick, drum stick, card board paper roll, stuffed crayon...it becomes a light saber. He likes to hit his head against the wall, bookshelf, cupboard and then he laughs!

He is most definitely a boy and God most definitely....made them different!

And if the above didn't convince me, then the fact that he began roaring while playing with his little dinosaurs has! To really "feel" these pictures, you need sound, but since I don't have it on video...just insert a rather throaty, manly growl(or have your hubby/son do it) and take a peak at Liam playing dinosaurs(roars, fighting and all):

"Grrrrrrr..rrooarrrr!"

"Grrrrrrrr...rrrooarrr!!!!!!!!"

Now, lest you think Liam is all war and violence....here he is with his lovey. He is a very cuddly, loving and kissy fellow too:-)

Boys and girls..they are different. Don't let anyone tell you other wise:-)

Blessings,

Sommer

Sunday Rest

"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it."

Proverbs 22:6

In light of the birthdays we've celebrated recently, I am thinking on such things as this. I hold to this verse as an encouragement not to give up in training up my children rightly. I pray that Dan and I will be faithful in our duty as parents and that our children will show the fruits of this and the working of God in their hearts when they are grown. This verse also gives me an awareness of the great responsibility that God has given us in raising these dear children. They are ours for a time...but truly they are God's and I hope that we will see them praising God and raising their children up to glorify Him too.

May you hold your children close today and be faithful to the duty the Lord has intrusted you with. Have a lovely Lord's Day!

Blessings,

Sommer

Sisters and Brother

Initially, I planned on sharing a post about a knitting project I'm working on. Well, that didn't happen today:-) Instead, when I sat down to write, I felt compelled to share some pictures I took of my darling children enjoying each others' company.

There are times, when Fiona and Brenna bicker and complain...making rude faces at one another and perhaps acting less than friendly. But most times they are dear friends and you can see it in their actions. Also...these girls adore their little brother. They kiss and hug him and say how much they love him...even when he has grabbed their toys for the tenth time in as many minutes:-) Somehow, he can do no wrong.

So here are just a few of the pics I took....


Brenna and Liam hugging and enjoying a new ball.

Liam "helping" Fiona brush her hair. Doesn't he look like he is up to no good?

And the two sisters. I love catching moments of shared joy...and this was one of them:-)

I really desire that my kids will be close and be good friends even when they are grown. I think they have a good start!

Blessings,

Sommer