A Meme...just because :-)

I popped over to Sarah's blog this morning and found this interesting meme, and since I had nothing else ready to write, I thought I'd do it:-) No rules posted...but join in if you want and let me know.

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100 Truth's!

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Last beverage: Steaming cup of hot cocoa...yummy yum yum!
Last phone call: Talked to my Mom for our usual evening chat.
Last instant message: Hmmm...really don't remember.
Last song you listened to: Hark the Herald Angels Sing...played by my daughter on the piano.
Last time you cried: While listening to a rather sad song on the radio just before going into the grocery store...pregnancy hormones, it doesn't take much ;-)
Last text message: I don't do text messaging...don't have a cell phone.

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HAVE YOU EVER:

Dated someone twice? Not sure what that means...gone on a second date?yes, dated someone again after a time?no.
Been cheated on? Unfortunately, yes...but not by my sweet hubby:-)
Kissed someone & regretted it? Yes, eventually. I'd have done some things in my life a little differently.
Lost someone special? Yes, a dear Grandma.

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LIST THREE FAVORITE COLORS: Blue, some yellows and dusty rose.

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IN THE PAST MONTH HAVE YOU:

Fallen out of love? No
Laughed until you cried? Yes, it was something some child did...can't remember it now though.
Met someone who changed your life? Don't think so.
Found out who your true friends were? No
Have you kissed anyone? My hubby and my children and my parents.

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What is your favorite flower? Daffodils and Morning Glorys
How many kids do you want to have? At least four...and that will happen this spring:-)
Do you want to change your name? Not now, but when I was a child I contemplated it...I was teased terribly.
What did you do for your last birthday? Not much.
What time did you wake up today? 7:05am
What were you doing at midnight last night? Heading to bed after sewing.
Name something you CANNOT wait for? Nothing...there is just nothing pressing I'm waiting for...except for my baby, but I HAVE to wait for her:-)
Last time you saw your father? Last month.
What's one thing you wish you could change? That we had enough to move into a bigger place.
Have you ever talked to a person named Tom? Yes.
What's getting on your nerves right now? My sore throat..ick!
What's your real name? If you know me..you already know it:-)
Middle Name? Leanne
Zodiac sign? It is scorpio...but I just don't know why I know that.
Hair color? Medium brown
Long or short? Shoulder length, but I wish it would grow longer..it is at a stand still currently:-/
Height? 5' 2"
Tattoos? No.
Righty or lefty? Righty.

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FIRSTS :

First surgery: c-section with Fiona
First piercing: Ears when I was about 9 or 10. But now I can't wear earrings.
First best friend? Jasmine
First sport you joined? Don't think I ever did this.
First pet? Bilbo our German Shepherd mix.
First vacation? Hmmm, don't know.

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CURRENTLY :

Eating: Just ate snickerdoodles.
Drinking: Hot Chocolate
Waiting: For the timer to go off so we can restart school and be done for two weeks!

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YOUR FUTURE :

Want kids? I have 3 children and my 4th on the way and I have a 5th that went home.
Want to get married? I am to my sweet hubby:-)
Careers in mind? To be a helpmeet to my hubby and mother to my children...perhaps being a seamstress on the side:-)

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WHICH IS BETTER WITH THE OPPOSITE SEX?

Lips or eyes? Eyes.
Hugs or kisses? I like both depending on who it is.
Shorter or taller? Taller, but not too much taller.
Older or Younger? My honey is a few months younger.
Sensitive or loud? I prefer sensitive.
Hookup or relationship? Relationship. Marriage.
Trouble-maker or hesitant? Neither...one who doesn't stir up trouble but isn't afraid to speak his mind in love is what I prefer.

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HAVE YOU EVER :

Kissed a stranger? No
Drank hard liquor? Yes
Lost glasses/contacts? No
Ran away from home? No
Been arrested? No
Turned someone down? Yes
Cried when someone died? Yes. My Grandma and my Aunt.

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DO YOU BELIEVE IN:

Yourself? I believe I can do all things through Christ, but I also believe I am a sinner and am only saved through God's grace.
Love at first sight? I think it depends on the people.
Santa Clause? No
Kiss on the first date? No, I would think that is way too fast.
Angels? Yes, but not like the typical representation of them. They are messengers of God doing His work. They do not have special power of their own but are created beings given abilities by God. I also doubt that they are ever feminine...I've never seen reference to any but in male form in the Bible.

What a fun little meme. Hope you enjoy!

Blessings,
Sommer

Another Fun Meme

My dear friend Tilly has tagged me for a meme! I really love these:-)

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Here are the rules:

1. Copy the questions and then answer them (post it on your blog remember).
2. Tag 4 people and let them know you have tagged them.
3. Let the person [who tagged you] know that you have done a post for the tag.

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What are your nicknames?
Well, this was kind of hard to come up with as I don't have too many. But sometimes my hubby calls me "honey bun" or "Sommer bun". I really don't know why he tacks on the "bun" part...but he does:-) Of course my girls call me "mom" or "mommy" and my sweet little man calls me "mama"...I love that:-)

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What TV game show or reality show would you like to be on?
I really don't watch any and so I'm not sure actually. I always thought Jeopardy would be fun though:-)

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What was the first movie you bought in VHS or DVD?
I think the first movie I bought on VHS was Anne of Green Gables and Anne of Avonlea(can't be certain though) and on DVD it was Top Gun. I really enjoy that movie...there is a song I really like from it too.

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What is your favourite scent?
I really don't "wear" scents much but I am especially fond of Lemon Verbena. My Grandma gave me an itty bitty little bottle when I was a girl and I've loved it ever since. Of course next would be Old Spice(the cologne or aftershave for men)..not for me but my hubby. It has such a lovely old fashioned aroma.

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If you had one million dollars to spend only on yourself, what would you spend it on?
Okay, I really have a hard time only spending money on myself..who thought of this question?! But, since I have to ;-) First I would buy a home(not in CA) that had some land and if there was anything left(which there would be if not in CA) I'd get some chickens, sheep and a horse or two. And then if there was still some left...I'd maybe take a trip to Ireland with my family and then buy fabric..lots!

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What is one place you've visited, can't forget and want to go back to?
Yosemite. It is a place of such beauty and wonder. God's creative handiwork is so obvious! Can't wait to visit again someday...maybe next spring?!

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Do you trust easily?
It takes me a bit to trust folks. I try to give everyone a chance, but I wouldn't let just anyone know all sorts of things about me.

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Do you generally think before your act, or act before you think?
I tend to think...alot...before I do anything. This can drive some folks nuts, but I'd rather take the time to think before I speak or do anything. It is rare that I act spontaneously.

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Is there anything that had made you unhappy these days?
The fact that we can't afford to move to a bigger place yet and the fact that my home still is a cluttered mess in areas...urgh!

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What is your favourite fruit?
Strawberries and Blackberries.

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What websites do you visit daily?
I visit several favorite blogs and the S&S forum on a daily basis.

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What have you been seriously addicted to lately?
Fabric and baby patterns!

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What's the last song that got stuck in you head?
We Are The Champions by Queen..thanks honey.

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What is your favourite thing to wear?
Thick, soft, warm slipper socks...so toasty.

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Do you think Rice Krispies are yummy?
As Rice Krispy treats, definitely:-) There okay as cereal with milk if they don't sit too long.

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What items couldn't you be without during the day?
A book and the bathroom.

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What should you be doing right now?
Not much...I got most things done this afternoon and my back needs a rest. The benefits of being 5 months pregnant:-)

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I'm not tagging this time since I think most everyone I know has been tagged. However, if you haven't been and want to jump in, go ahead and let me know:-)

Blessings,
Sommer...and I really don't know what is up with the underline!

Tagged...Another Random Meme

My sweet friend, Tracylea tagged me with a "random things meme", so although I've done one before, I thought I'd do it again:-) Why not!


Here are the rules:

Rule #1 ~ Link to the person that tagged you.
Rule #2 ~ Post the rules on your Blog.
Rule #3 ~ Write 6 random things about yourself.
Rule #4 ~ Tag 6 people at the end of your post.
Rule #5 ~ Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their Blog.
Rule #6 ~ Let the tagger know your entry is up.


Six more things you may or may not know about me:-)

1. I attended 3 different highschools. Not fun when you are a teen and it wasn't because we were military.

2. I broke my knee 14 years ago while riding my bike. Found myself in the middle of a lane of traffic...scary! Still can't ride a bike without some pain.

3. My wedding cost less than $1000.00 and most of that was the church fellowship hall/flowers and hubby's suit and my hair:-). My Grandma bought my dress for $10, altered for about $50 and my SIL made my veil, my aunt and uncle provided food, the church women set up and served the food, my MIL(to-be at the time) made the cake, my Grandma did the arrangements. It was wonderful!

4. I haven't ridden a horse since my bike accident(see above)...had been heading home from a ranch I worked at and I've just never had the opportunity since:-( I get sad about that sometimes and get all wistful too.

5. One of my favorite things to look upon is Mount Si in Washington state. I'm not even sure I spelled it right. My Grandma's house had a beautiful view of it out her front living room window. It was especially breathtaking when a large cloud of fog enveloped it.

6. I'm stealing this one sort of from Tracylea...I have a smidgen of Choctaw Indian in me as well...but it is really just a smidgen:-)

Since I've done this meme before I think I will skip the tagging part, but if you read this and haven't done it before(or feel like doing it again) jump right in and let me know:-) Hope you've enjoyed a little bit more of randomness from me!

I also hope you all had a very blessed Thanksgiving!

Blessings,
Sommer

A Few Random Things About Me

Shannon tagged me the other day for a post on random things, so I decided to do it :-)

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Here are the rules: Write six random things. Tag some people. Tell the person who tagged you that you've completed your misson. Have fun! I can't promise that at the end of this I'll end up tagging anyone specific, but if you read this and decide you want to join in, consider yourself tagged!

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1. If I could, I'd be like Elizabeth Peter's Amelia Peabody(minus the intrique and murders), and take my entire family with me as I dig in the hot sands of Egypt or some other lovely archaeologically rich location...

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2. I love flying buttresses. They are simply elegant and beautiful.

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3. I have a smidgen(and I do mean a smidgen) of Choctaw Indian in me. They once were one of the Five Civilized Tribes and they also walked the Trail of Tears.

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4. I hope I have another girl(though I would be happy with another boy). I think I will because I've felt the same way as with my pregnancies for Fiona and Brenna...rather sick. I love having my little man...he is so sweet. Kind of just want one of him :-)

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5. I love the state of Washington! I was born there and I've always had a longing to live there again. The mist and green somehow bring me great amounts of joy. My Mom didn't agree...that is why we moved when I was six weeks old.

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6. When I have this wee babe, it will be my fourth c-section. Ever since I had my first they terrify me. Nothing bad has ever happened and there isn't generally any reason to worry, but I am scared none the less. Once it is over, I will be glad. I must remember to give my anxiety to the Lord...otherwise I'll be a basket case on the day of the delivery!

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Well, these are fairly random...but then it is a post of random things. Hopefully you enjoyed the chance of getting to know a little more about me.

No tags today, but if you want to, join in:-)

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Blessings,
Sommer

Oops!

Oh, my! When writing my "Daybook" post I inadvertently put something in it that has caused some of my dear readers to think I am expecting. So sorry Pat and Gina and anyone else that was confused. I am NOT expecting(although I surely would love more children). The baby I was speaking of has already been born and belongs to my dear choir director. She is a little beauty and I desire to make her a little outfit or bonnet:-)

Again, I am so sorry for any confusion. But, if I do become pregnant, I will no doubt let you all know:-D

Oh, and Pat, I am sorry...I didn't put through your comment only because I thought perhaps you were thinking of someone else and I apologize. I am so glad you enjoyed my blog!

Blessings,
Sommer

Random Thoughts

I found this interesting meme on Shannon’s blog. It looked fun and I thought it would be a good way for you all to get to know me better. If you feel like it, join in:-) Do let me know in the comments!

I am: a child of God, wife and mother.

I think: that I have much room to grow in regards to my walk as a child of God.

I know: how to sew, but do not have the time to do it as often as I’d like.

I have: too much stuff in my home.

I wish: that I was more content with the life God has given me.

I hate: conflict, abuse and lies.

I miss: my Grandma Gloria.

I fear: losing my husband and my children.

I feel: a touch overwhelmed and a little down.

I hear: my husband doing his latin lesson.

I smell: my coffee..yum!

I crave: sweets, books(especially the very old ones), yarn and fabric!

I search: for things buried under piles on my table…all the time!

I wonder: what my children will be like when they grow up and will they be children of God.

I regret: the few years after highschool.

I love: my Savior; my wonderful husband; my sweet children; horses and books…and my treadle machine.

I ache: when my children cry…especially when I don’t know how to help them.

I am not: a very good house keeper.

I believe: in my Saviour.

I dance: rarely…although my babies can usually convince me to:-)

I sing: in my church choir….soprano(usually).

I cry: when very sad.

I don't always: finish what I start…I need to change that.

I fight: change.

I write: poetry.

I win: very rarely.

I lose: time.

I never: want my children to doubt my love for them.

I always: have wanted a horse.

I confuse: myself at times.

I listen: to my husband playing piano and my children laughing.

I can usually be found: in the kitchen with my hands in dish water.

I am scared: of spiders.

I need: my husband.

I am happy about: the prospect of moving somewhere larger.

I imagine: stories that I’d like to someday write.

I am wearing: blue jeans, a cream colored blouse and sandals.

I look forward to: getting to sew.

Another Interesting Book Meme

I saw this on Serena’s blog, The Hermit of the Southern March, today and thought it would be fun to do. Apparently, according to the Big Read, the average adult has only read 6 of the books on this list. I don’t know how true this is, but I thought it would be fun to see how many I have read.

1) Look at the list and bold those you have read.
2) Italicize those you intend to read.
3) Underline the books you LOVE. (Like Serena, I’m going to highlight the ones I love in red…just thought it would be more fun.)
4) Reprint this list in your own LJ so we can try and track down these people who've read 6 and force books upon them ;-)
WATCHING MOVIES DOES NOT COUNT!!!

1 Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
2 The Lord of the Rings - JRR Tolkien
3 Jane Eyre - Charlotte Bronte
4 Harry Potter series - JK Rowling
5 To Kill a Mockingbird
6 The Bible
7 Wuthering Heights - Emily Bronte
8 Nineteen Eighty Four - George Orwell
9 His Dark Materials - Philip Pullman
10 Great Expectations - Charles Dickens
11 Little Women - Louisa M Alcott
12 Tess of the D'Urbervilles - Thomas Hardy
13 Catch 22 - Joseph Heller
14 Complete Works of Shakespeare(okay..I’ve read some and intend on reading more:-) )
15 Rebecca - Daphne Du Maurier
16 The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
17 Birdsong - Sebastian Faulks
18 Catcher in the Rye - JD Salinger
19 The Time Traveller's Wife - Audrey Niffenegger
20 Middlemarch - George Eliot
21 Gone With The Wind - Margaret Mitchell
22 The Great Gatsby - F Scott Fitzgerald
23 Bleak House - Charles Dickens
24 War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy
25 The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Douglas Adams
26 Brideshead Revisited - Evelyn Waugh
27 Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
28 Grapes of Wrath - John Steinbeck
29 Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll
30 The Wind in the Willows - Kenneth Graeme
31 Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
32 David Copperfield - Charles Dickens
33 Chronicles of Narnia - CS Lewis
34 Emma - Jane Austen
35 Persuasion - Jane Austen
36 The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe - CS Lewis (isn't that a bit redundant?)
37 The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
38 Captain Corelli's Mandolin - Louis De Bernieres
39 Memoirs of a Geisha - Arthur Golden
40 Winnie the Pooh - AA Milne(I’m working on this with my daughter…so techinically, we aren’t finished yet..you don’t mind do you?)
41 Animal Farm - George Orwell
42 The Da Vinci Code - Dan Brown
43 One Hundred Years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
44 A Prayer for Owen Meaney - John Irving
45 The Woman in White - Wilkie Collins
46 Anne of Green Gables - LM Montgomery
47 Far From The Madding Crowd - Thomas Hardy
48 The Handmaid's Tale - Margaret Atwood
49 Lord of the Flies - William Golding
50 Atonement - Ian McEwan
51 Life of Pi - Yann Martel
52 Dune - Frank Herbert
53 Cold Comfort Farm - Stella Gibbons
54 Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
55 A Suitable Boy - Vikram Seth
56 The Shadow of the Wind - Carlos Ruiz Zafon
57 A Tale Of Two Cities - Charles Dickens
58 Brave New World - Aldous Huxley
59 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time - Mark Haddon
60 Love In The Time Of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
61 Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck
62 Lolita - Vladimir Nabokov
63 The Secret History - Donna Tartt
64 The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
65 Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
66 On The Road - Jack Kerouac
67 Jude the Obscure - Thomas Hardy
68 Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding
69 Midnight's Children - Salman Rushdie
70 Moby Dick - Herman Melville
71 Oliver Twist - Charles Dickens
72 Dracula - Bram Stoker
73 The Secret Garden - Frances Hodgson Burnett
74 Notes From A Small Island - Bill Bryson
75 Ulysses - James Joyce
76 The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
77 Swallows and Amazons - Arthur Ransome
78 Germinal - Emile Zola
79 Vanity Fair - William Makepeace Thackeray
80 Possession - AS Byatt
81 A Christmas Carol - Charles Dickens
82 Cloud Atlas - David Mitchell
83 The Color Purple - Alice Walker
84 The Remains of the Day - Kazuo Ishiguro
85 Madame Bovary - Gustave Flaubert
86 A Fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry
87 Charlotte's Web - EB White
88 The Five People You Meet In Heaven - Mitch Albom
89 Adventures of Sherlock Holmes - Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
90 The Faraway Tree Collection - Enid Blyton
91 Heart of Darkness - Joseph Conrad
92 The Little Prince - Antoine De Saint-Exupery
93 The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks
94 Watership Down - Richard Adams
95 A Confederacy of Dunces - John Kennedy Toole
96 A Town Like Alice - Nevil Shute
97 The Three Musketeers - Alexandre Dumas
98 Hamlet - William Shakespeare
99 Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Roald Dahl
100 Les Miserables - Victor Hugo


So, I’ve apparently read 26 from this list. I’m glad to know that I am not one of the average that have only read 6. I will say, there are definitely a few there that I would have not read if it wouldn’t have affected my grade:-p And there are plenty more that I’ve never heard of or have absolutely no desire to read. And I do love to read. This was fun:-) How many have you read?

Who Are You?

Take the Quiz here!

A Legend Gone

On Saturday, a film legend died. Perhaps not everyone will agree with me that he is a legend, but I feel he was one of the best actors that has ever been. Surely not the only great actor, but definitely one of them. Charleton Heston, died at 84...married to the same woman for 64 years!

The fact that he stayed married to the same woman for 64 years makes him an exception in Hollywood, although it was more common back in the day. But Heston was also able to carry off roles that were amazing...Moses, Judah Ben Hur, El Cid! Awesome!

(His first big role...if memory serves me right)

(El Cid)

The death of Charleton Heston isn't a tragedy...as if he'd died too young or for some sorrowful reason. His life was full and great on screen and off. Maybe I don't agree with everything he stood for off screen, but he stood for more than just wishy washy things. It is what made him stand out. He also took the screen and made it his.

I think this is best seen in Ben Hur. One of my all time favorite movies. I can't imagine any one else playing Judah Ben Hur. I'm glad I was exposed to his movies as a young girl. What a shame it would have been to have missed out on them.

10 Years of Blessings

Today, my husband and I are celebrating 10 years of marriage! It hardly seems possible that we've been married so long, that we have 3 children and we potentially have many more years to come and more children to bare.

I never thought that I would find such a man as Dan is. Surely my choices before me were limited at the time and perhaps I didn't really know what I wanted or really, what I needed. Praise God, He is sovereign! He knew my needs and the true desires of my heart! Today, I can look back and see God working in my life and guiding my path.

Here is a picture of Dan and I on our wedding day...the pictures are a little crooked, sorry:-)



We look so young. So happy. And we still are very happy:-) There have been a few bumps in our road, but they've all been softened by the love we have and even more so by the grace of God. I can't imagine spending these first 10 years with anyone else and I look forward to the next 10, 20, 30....



This was our beautiful wedding cake. It was yummy too:-) Dan's mom made this for us. Actually alot of the things we enjoyed on our wedding day were gifts or heirlooms from friends and family. My wedding dress was one my Grandma found(just had to be let out for my figure), my veil was hand made by my sister in law, the cake from my mother in law and the food was provided by an Aunt and Uncle. I wore a handkerchief that each bride in my Mom's family had wore(even my Grandma I think) on their wedding day. Very special.

Many memories..some are hazy, others will forever be in my heart!

Happy Anniversary Darling!

An Amazing Team

I love all of God's creation. But my favorite of all His creation is the beautiful and majestic horse. I love to see them serene and still. I love to see them in action. This particular video wowed me...take a look!

The connection between Stacy Westfall and her horse must be amazingly close for them to perform like this. The horse is an amazing animal...there are few other animals that have the ability(and especially the willingness)to work and play with humans as they do.

I hope you enjoyed this as much as I did! Now you know a little more about me:-)

Blessings,

Sommer

*The picture above is courtesy of Pony Magazine.

An Exciting Find!

Most of you may not realise this about me, but I LOVE archaeology! And not only that, but I am especially fond of Egyptology. When I was young, I really wanted to become an egyptologist, but my desires changed as I got older and I gave up that plan. And gladly too:-)

But I am still very interested in archaeology and Egyptology. I love to keep informed and educated. My bookshelves attest to this(as will my family). I also keep my eyes on the news and when there are new finds I get very excited:-)

So today, as I was researching field trip info at a site for a local Egyptian museum, I saw a link to a new find! Apparently, in Egypt they have found an intact tomb...the first since King Tutankhamen's in 1922! This is very exciting to egyptologists, but also to me!:-)

For all you fans of Egypt and her treasures...Enjoy!

I wish I had a fireplace...

All week it has been raining...pouring today in fact! Mind you, I'm not complaining...it is just that it is raining...alot! We need it though.

But, I have no where to go...again, I'm not complaining. Who really wants to be running errands and dragging babies around in the rain? Certainly not me:-) I like being in the rain, so long as I don't have anywhere to go and the babies don't need to be carried around.

Here is my problem...along with the rain, it is cold and my apartment is down right freezing at times. With it being so cold, I want to just curl up with a cup of tea or hot cocoa, some snuggly socks and a sweater...in front of a fire...

No, I don't have a fireplace and I so miss it on days like these. This would be a perfect day or night to turn on a family movie, roast some marshmallows and drink something hot. Sigh....

Perhaps someday we will be blessed with a home that has a fireplace, but until then, I will just enjoy looking at this picture and thinking of the toasty drink I'm about to pour:-)

Hope you all are having a splendid day!

Blessings,

Sommer

Full, Yet Thirsty Wednesday(on Thursday)

My dear friend Peggy posted this yesterday, and I thought I'd join in today:-) So, enjoy....

What is your heart's praise and yet, your heart's need today?

My heart's praise today is....

the joy of watching my daughter enjoy learning about bats...such joy!

My heart's need today is....

to just enjoy my children and to be patient, no matter what.

Feel free to join in:-) Just link back to Peggy HERE.

Blessings,

Sommer

Thanksgiving is just around the corner....

I find that many of us(myself included) tend to get so enthralled with the holiday season and preparations for Christmas, that we tend to skip past Thanksgiving as quickly as is proper. I doubt there are many of us that just skip it, but perhaps we don't put the same effort into it as we might otherwise. Now, don't get me wrong...I LOVE Christmas, and begin thinking on it...well...maybe in June! So, I too am already preparing and planning for it. But, this year, I am especially aware of my need to be thankful. To thank my dear Lord for His mighty provision and care.

You see, it has been an especially lean year. There have been job changes, new baby and bills that tend to overwhelm....and yet, He has been beside us this whole time, seeing that we get through. Just as I begin to waver and panic, He reminds me who He is and that I am His! And so, how can I swiftly pass by this day of ultimate thanksgiving? I can not! Many people say "Thanks" on this day, but not to the Mighty Provider. I am hoping to keep my thoughts on Him that day and to teach my children whom they should ultimately give thanks to, in all things.

So, I'm wondering what all my friends are doing this coming Thanksgiving. Are you having a gathering of family or friends...both maybe? Will it be formal or casual? What are some of your traditions?

I plan to post again about what we do or will be doing this week...so do come by again and visit, and please share in the comments your thoughts:-)

Blessings,

Sommer

Eventually...

You know, dearest friends....eventually I will get to writing posts that are more "meaty" or at least more...interesting:-) I have felt rather dry lately, but I do so love sharing about my kids and such:-)

Well, do bear with me as I try to get into a routine here and come up with things to speak on. No doubt I will still speak about those things of most interest in my day...kids, etc! But, I hope I will speak on other things too.

Okay, I think I am rambling:-p

Hoping to chat again soon!

Blessings,

Sommer

Why Do I Do This?

This may seem an odd question...but it really is a good one! Let me explain....

Tonight I attended a homeschool meeting. There was a lovely woman speaking about homeschooling, marriage and children. I thought it would be good to go and see what she had to say. So, I bundled up my little man and left Dan with the girls and headed off. I was not disappointed...so glad I attended:-)

One of the questions she asked and suggested that we ask ourselves, was "why we were doing it"? And by "it", I mean homeschooling, as well as those things that take up our time...such as, children's sports events and other things that consume our time. I really think this is an essential question to think about. When you start out homeschooling, you have alot of ideas of what you are doing and why. There are things you are certain you will do and things you wont do. But as the year goes on, you sometimes get off track and begin to forget what this is all about, why it is you do this day in and day out. Things begin to stress you out or you begin to over commit yourself or your children because you can't see what it is you first believed. So, it takes stepping back and re-evaluating your plans, your commitments and most importantly...reminding yourself why you started in the first place!

So, why do I do it? Well, first and foremost, is that both my husband and I feel convicted that God has called us to this task. It is our duty as the parents of our children to teach them.

"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise." Deut. 7:1

I want to know that in every aspect of my children's lives they are surrounded by God. I want them to know that He isn't just to be taken out on Sundays, but He is in every thing we do. He can not be ignored.

I want to know who they are influenced by, to know that they are surrounded by people that are uplifting. I desire our family to be close and to do things together, I want to know that Dan and I have their hearts.

“The greatest classrooms of this nation or any nation are not in any school or university. They're around the dinner tables in the homes.~ Richard Berendzen

I want to give them a superior education and a varied experience. I want to raise daughters that embrace Godly womanhood, desiring to be wives and mothers some day, but accepting all in God's timing. I want my son to be a strong, Godly man...a man willing to stand fast for God and to marry a Godly woman.

These are just some of the reasons why I homeschool. If I sat long enough I could think of more. If you homeschool, have you thought lately about why you are doing it? I'm glad I was encouraged to think on this. I think I'll keep doing it:-)

Blessings,

Sommer

Procrastination...

This is an area of great difficulty for me. I procrastinate. I always have and I know it. I consider this an area of sin for me. Why? Well, if I just procrastinated once in awhile it wouldn't be an area of concern for me. Everyone procrastinates once in awhile. But when you do it to the point that it effects what you need to get done...well then it is a problem. And, at least for me, I feel that since I know this about myself, I ought to make an effort at changing it. But, I haven't made as much of an effort as I should...hence, I call it a sin. Obviously, it isn't for everyone, but we all struggle with personal temptations or sins. This just happens to be one of mine.

To be honest, it is both challenging and refreshing to air it like this. Challenging, because I really don't want people to know that I procrastinate. I put off my sewing that I know I should do(especially since Fiona is in need of some new dresses), I put off doing the laundry or folding it...because I'd rather just sit and read or blog hop...the list could go on. It is hard to be this honest, but then it is also refreshing because by bringing this here, I find it easier to be motivated to do what needs to be done. In a way, I feel that I have an accountability partner in all of you, my friends. Now you know, perhaps now it will be easier for me to do what needs to be done.

This is some of what was getting me down last week. I feel much better today, I've been feeling like I am motivated to do those things that need to be done. Just so I have an accountability spot, I'll give a small list of things that need to be done. My plan is to come and update what I've been able to accomplish as time goes on. Hopefully, I will be able to cross off my list of "To Do's" soon.

So, here is my list:

Sew two dresses for Fiona

Finish Fiona's nightgown

Create a budget(with help of hubby of course)

Create a menu and stick to it

Find a way to lower our grocery bill

Declutter kitchen table...again!

Most of these things need to be done soon, some not so soon. But all have been put off to much or neglected altogether. I feel especially convicted about the budget and menu/grocery bill. I realize that one of my duties as a helpmeet to my husband is to make good use of his paycheck, to stretch it efficiently. I haven't been doing this and I know I need to. Perhaps it will alleviate some of our financial stress.

Feel free to check up on me:-) And if you feel led, please pray for me as I try to work on this area of my life. I am certainly bringing it to the Lord and I would greatly appreciate any prayers that you may have.

Blessings,

Sommer

A Little About Me

Since I am new to this little spot, I thought I'd tell a little something about myself.
I am a 31 year old, very happily married stay-at-home mom. I have three beautiful children...two girls(7 and 4) and a brand new little man(4 months). I've been homeschooling my dd7 for a year now in a Christian Classical/Charlotte Mason method. It has been so much fun and such an amazing experience. Certainly there have been days of frustration, but I am overwhelmingly thrilled by what we are doing!
I love to sew...albeit, I can find many ways to procrastinate about it :-) However, I'd love to do more sewing for my kids and myself. I also knit, but I am just a beginner. I have a long way to go with it. I love reading and writing(I will undoubtedly share some poetry I have written in the future) and absolutely love horses.
I desire to become a better keeper at home, and I am constantly working on this part of my life. I want to set a good example for my children and know that I have a long way to go. Although I am surely struggling in this area, I hope to be an encouraging and uplifting spirit to those that visit. One of the greatest things I can share with those who come here is my love of God and desire to glorify and enjoy Him forever.
Looking forward to sharing with you all :-)

Blessings,
Sommer

Work in Progress

I've just begun here, so things are a bit incomplete and messy. Bear with me as I rearrange and settle in. I hope you will all enjoy my little peaceful spot as I get settled.

Blessings,
Sommer