Sporadic is better than never (summer catchup part 1)

Every summer it seems that I go on a blogging hiatus.  I still never posted pictures from our family reunion last year. I get so far behind and then it is overwhelming to think of catching up. Yet, I blog for a couple of reasons 1. It is a family history of sorts for my family. I do keep a personal journal, but it tends to be a lot more emotional and personal. I want my kids to remember that there were good times a long the way. 2. I want to encourage, inspire, commiserate, laugh, and share love that I have with other mothers that may be going through some of the same things. 3. To share my testimony of the Lord and especially my testimony in motherhood. We live in a day and age where motherhood is completely marginalized and looked at something that only crazy people do! Well, that last part may be true--we are a little crazy, but that is our kids fault.

So I decided that sporadic is better than never. A post catching up on summer highlights is due. I do post pictures on Instagram if you want to follow me there: teamthomson78.

April

Here are pictures that we have from the end of our Homeschool program we did last year at Harmony. 

Max is here with his teacher Emily Buchanan

 We loved Max's teacher. He stayed in one room with one teacher all day while Turner went from class to class. He also had good teachers but I didn't get to know them as well since he had so many. Emily is the kind of person that makes you feel good inside just being in her presence. When we took this picture we were hoping that we would see her again, but we weren't sure. She had gone on a date with my brother-in-law and we were kinda (I mean REALLY) hoping that something would work out there. A couple of months later they got engaged! I fee like I hit the sister-in-law jackpot! Can't wait for their wedding in November.

Here they are on the first day of school

Here they are on the last! So much bigger, smarter, and more confident! My garden doesn't look as good though :)

Tulips are my favorite! My husband brought them home to me just because! I love this guy!!

 We love to watch the life cycle of butterflies. We order caterpillars around Easter most years. Not only does it count as science, we also learn about how Christ came forth out of the tomb a changed being like the caterpillars. It is always a great day when we let them go! 

We have seen a lot of painted lady butterflies this year in our garden. I like to think that they are the decedents of the ones we raised!