An Announcement or Two...

Though many of readers like the idea of naming the children after the authors, as do I, but it also sounds like readers like to keep things simple.  I think we'll go with M, age 5, as Big Sis; E, age 3, as Brother, and our 3 month baby will Little Sis.  They will be known by those names here and at a new site...

I am just thrilled to share with you that I have created a new blog...This Simple Home.

Why would I want to write for another blog?  This Simple Home will be more focused than Live, Learn, Love.  Here, I talk about anything and everything, don't you think?  This Simple Home will focus on homemaking, parenting, and other important things in life like...books, food, faith, and children's activities...while keeping life simple.

I love to discuss home and family with my friends, both in person and through the blogging world.  During my teen years I lived with my bachelor dad, so I did not learn to cook, clean, and organize the way that other young women did.  It still shows today.  I have learned a lot over the years, but I am mostly "self-taught."  Because of this, I love to share what I have learned with others and blogging enables me to do this.

Would you come visit This Simple Home and maybe even consider following or subscribing?  

I will still post here at LLL occasionally this winter, but now my focus will be over at This Simple Home.  I hope you'll join me in this journey!

(I was really going to wait until the header was in place before officially launching This Simple Home...but I am too eager with anticipation to just keep it to myself.)

Baby's Arrival

It's a GIRL!

Esther arrived this morning! 

Happy Independence Day

Guess where our family went this weekend!

(Up close and personal)

( A different view near our relative's home)

Today we are home.  To make Independence Day a bit of a celebration, yet still low-key, we made lemonade, enjoyed the sprinkler, and intend catch fireflies and enjoy the fireworks from our backyard tonight.

May your day be full of appreciation for our independence and a great country!

Cleaning!

Today is the last day for the Shepherding a Child's Heart or Instructing a Child's Heart GIVEAWAY!   I highly recommend these books!

After a weekend away to visit family and purchase a van for our growing family, my mother-in-law is keeping the children for an extra visit.  This will be our first time alone, at home, without the children.  (We have gone away overnight each year since M was born though for some time to ourselves.)

My husband is taking some time off from work.  No, we won't be having a romantic getaway.  We will be cleaning our basement!  From the time we moved in three years ago, our basement has been nothing but a catch-all.  We have gotten several shelves to organize, but all of these have been to organize Derek's tools and home maintenance-type stuff.  The rest of the stuff, mostly baby items, toys, and outgrown clothes are all around.  This will be quite the project.  I'm hoping to get rid of lots of stuff, too, and not just move it around.  We'll see.  

(Gee, imagine how much easier it could be if we would only find out the sex of our baby AND if we knew this would be our last child.) 

Now...hopefully while you read this we are being really productive!

Summer Plans

Last summer got away from us.  This summer won't.  We actually have our family plans on the calendar already!  Below is what we are hoping to do this summer.  Boldfaced items are plans that we already completed.

Our Family Plans:
Backyard Campfire
Strawberry picking
Dutch Wonderland (amusement park)
NYC
beach
family camp in the Poconos

To Make and Eat with the Children:
Rice Krispy Treats
Chex mix
Fruit pizza (with cookie crust)
monkey bread
Butterfly cupcakes or here (made the cake!)
Instant pudding
Ladybugs

Other Ideas:
Zoo Day at the chip factory
Hershey's free tour
VBS and/or Backyard Bible Clubs
Blueberry picking
A week in northeastern PA with family
Train Ride (just visit, no ride)
Hands-On Museum (M did with friend, but we didn't go as family)

We will do some crafts and play with friends, too.  I suspect our library trips will be more frequent, too.  Our kiddie pool and water table are still put away, but will be used soon. We're looking forward to a good summer!

(If you have any other non-stovetop ideas for creating food with kids, please share!  We already bake some together, but I'm trying to figure out some new things to make that are very hands-on, while appropriate for a 2 and 4 year old.)

Writing Names in Children's Books

We have lots of children's books.  Some of the books are from my childhood or my years of teaching.  Others have been given to us or picked up second-hand.  We've been blessed to get plenty for review purposes, too.

My question is this.  Do you write your child's name-or the family's last name in their books?  What about books you give as gifts?

I've noticed a pattern...I love when people write in books they give as a gift, but I rarely do it...and I try to give books for baby showers and Christmas gifts and such.  I rarely write in books for my own kids or for others.

What's your opinion on writing names in children's books?

(If I loan out a copy of one of my own books, I typically put an address label in it in hopes of its safe return to me.)

The photo below is completely unrelated.  For three summers we had hay and corn in the field behind our home (since we moved in 2008).  Our neighbors have changed it to a pasture for their small herd of cows this year.  So now we have this beautiful view!  (The corn and hay was rather nice, too, and especially enjoyable to watch them work the horses in the fields.)  The cows are very friendly and all lined up to see us when we went to get a close look. 

 Of course with a great view like this, there is a minor drawback.  We now have a bit more of the "farm smell."  I'm hoping it doesn't draw too many flies to our home.

Give Thanks...

I am so grateful to God for so many things.  First and foremost, His love for me (and you!) that He demonstrated through giving Jesus so that I can be in heaven some day.

I'm thankful for my husband who loves my children and me.  He is a hard worker, but always makes time for the family and working around the house.  I'm also thankful that he keeps predictable working hours!  That may sound weird, but it makes life a lot less stressful when I know when to expect him. He clears his dishes each night and doesn't complain when the house is untidy.  He makes us laugh like no one else can-not with jokes, but with just being himself!

My children are an incredible blessing.  Each day I am amazed at what they are capable of...and what they have overcome in their short lives.  To God be the glory!

Our families may be far away, but many of them visit often.  This year my mom and stepdad were able to visit overnight for the first time in five years.   Not only do our parents visit, but Derek's grandparents visit as often as possible, too.  We are thankful for a spare bedroom (and bed!) that we can offer.  We may not have the chance to visit with our extended family too often, but it's still a blessing to be in touch!

Though we're far from family, we love our home and living in Amish country.  We're exactly where God wants us...and very content in it.

This year I have made real friends.  For too long I was friendly with people, but hadn't taken the relationships to the next level to real friendship.  This year I can say I have developed real relationships with real friends!  I was convicted about the fact that not every friend is going to keep up with us through our blog.

I also am thankful for the internet as a way to communicate and get information.  Staying in touch with family over the many miles is much easier with daily emails to my mother-in-law and blogging about what our family is up to.  More importantly, the friendships I've made through blogging.  Thank you, friends for all of your encouragement!

Not only do I like the friendships that blogging has given me, but I'm motivated to create-on my own and with my children.  Blogging is a bit of a motivator for me!  Not only that, but I get to work with several publishing companies to review books!  I get books for free and all I have to do is give my honest opinion...what a blessing!!   I also appreciate that there are other opportunities, like with CSN stores who offer giveaways and reviews for me!  They have everything from a barstool to a cozy electric blanket that I need.  Blogging is such a great way to get connected with others of a like mind!

Our church is not in the same town (or state) that we live, but it has solid, biblical teaching that we have learned from for the past seven years.  I am thankful for the pastoral staff and all the leaders who help make it possible.  Not having grown up in the church (by this I mean any church), I have grown much in my walk with Jesus since coming to our church seven years ago.

There's more to this list, but I have to stop and give thanks.

Happy Thanksgiving, readers and friends!

What are you giving thanks for today, friend?

Hospitality...

We recently had a really cool experience where a blogging friend became a real-life friend!  ( In the summer of 2009, our daughter M participated in a summer swap with Sissy.  Sissy is the daughter of Jenny from Academy at Thousand Oaks and Vegan and So Forth.)


M and Sissy definitely felt that they were best buddies though they had never met.  Over the past year, Jenny and I have been getting to know one another.  Well, Sunday night we got to meet!  Jenny brought her family to our home in PA all the way from Arkansas.  They stayed two nights with us before moving on to Philadelphia and NYC.


(Another blogging friend and I met and became real friends, too, but she was "local"-just an hour away...to meet Jenny, I invited her to stay with us.  Risky?  Possibly, but we were both comfortable with it since we had already established a relationship.  We hadn't even talked on the telephone until 2 hours before their arrival!)


I have to say that our visit couldn't have turned out any better!  Jenny was just as great as I expected her to be!   It was wonderful!  Jenny and her family are really quite sweet.  And my daughter mostly shared, which was a huge concern for us.


This was the first time in many years hosting a friend overnight though we have many overnight family visits throughout the year.  It made me really think about what I needed to do to be a better hostess.


First things first (for me)...FOOD.  I have my favorite meals and desserts that I like to make for company.  With any company a hostess needs to consider dietary considerations.  Jenny is a vegan!  (Her family eats mostly vegan, too.)  I knew I needed to seriously consider this and not take it lightly.  It's important to them, so it needed to be important to me.  With any special dietary requests, whether by choice or medically necessary, I think it's just important to ask lots of questions.  I was so excited to learn that most pasta is egg free.  I emailed Jenny so many questions asking about foods.


We kept things simple with only having to serve one dinner.  (They stayed two nights, and arrived after dinner the first night.)   I decided on spaghetti so everyone could have something familiar!  Jenny suggested a can of black beans be added to my spaghetti sauce for additional protein.  My family had meatballs.  This was served with a salad.  Easy!


For our lunches we just had peanut butter and jelly.  This may not be what most serve their company, but it works for me, and it worked for them.  Paired with some apple slices and carrot sticks...lunch!  Knowing most breads wouldn't be ideal for them, I made white bread that had no butter or milk in it.  It was my only dairy-free recipe, so I went ahead and made it.  Oatmeal was served for breakfast.  Easy!   I decided on a seriously easy vegan peanut butter fudge that was really tasty.  It was the easiest fudge I have ever made, and I will likely make it again, though I hope to try it with butter at some point.


We have a small dining room and an even smaller table in it. (Our cat used the table for about a year while E was learning to not eat kitty food.) The big kids (not E) ate in the dining room while the grown ups and E ate in the kitchen.


I asked Jenny what would be good to have on hand and made sure I had soy milk for them and margarine.  I loaded up on fruits and bought some extra salad toppings.  My biggest suggestion for anyone hosting guests with special diets is to ask lots of questions!


Of course there is more to hospitality than just the food.  Our spare bedroom is no guest room!  Yes, there is a bed in it.  But there is also an elliptical machine and two large desks.  Yes, it a very tight space.  The spare room is also our catch all.  The week before they arrived, I gathered up all the random papers and just stuffed them in a box and closed the lid.  I didn't have time to sort through them, so I didn't.  It was so liberating to just get it put away!  The spare room also had a spare computer monitor, broken printer, and speakers.  We were finally motivated to recycle them!


Our girls shared a bedroom and E moved in to our bedroom for the visit so the boys wouldn't be awakened by him in the middle of the night.


Since they like to travel and visit lots of places, we went to a Maryland lighthouse that was close by.  It was a lovely hike.  Later that day we went to a store we like called Good's Store (maybe a PA Dutch department store).  Along the way we stopped at a covered bridge, and just enjoyed the farm scenery.  The next day we took the free Herr's Snack Factory tour, which was really awesome.  We just didn't have enough time to get to Lancaster for some additional fun there, but they saw a few of buggies around.

Turkey Point Lighthouse

While they were here I learned that I really can keep my island clean for longer than from the time I go to bed until the time I wake up in the morning.  It just takes some extra work! 


Thanks, Christy for introducing us!!  Look what happened by having the Super Summer Swap!

Welcome "Sign"

You might remember a few months ago I had a giveaway for Uppercase Living.  They offer high quality vinyl decor for your home-indoors and out.

When I offered the giveaway I didn't actually  have the opportunity to review any products, but eventually I did purchase two expressions myself, and I wanted to follow up on the original post.  In my kitchen it says "Bless This Home."  I chose a burgundy color that looks nice with my black appliances and dark countertops.

Where I live is very windy.  Without a front porch to lesson the wind, I'm not really comfortable hanging much on the front door, so I was really excited to get my "Welcome" expression to add a personal touch.


















You can't really read it from the road though, but that's okay.  (I didn't want to order the next larger size.)  Maybe our neighbors just think the children drew on the door.














Because they did.  Well, a certain little girl did.  She saw it and promptly asked what it said.  Then she ran to get her chalk to add to the pretty door.  How can I blame her?  It's white on black!  I'm happy to say she wiped off the chalk very easily when asked to.

I purchased my Uppercase Living products and was not paid for sharing my thoughts on this product that I like.

Tag...I'm It

Christy from Superheros and Princesses has some questions for me to answer.  And I actually did it!

What is your favorite fictional book? To Kill a Mockingbird is probably my all-time favorite.  (Click to read what I said about it last month.)

What was your college major?  If you did not go to college, what would your major be today if you had to pick one?  My major was Elementary Education with an art concentration.  Looking back, I wish I had a reading or special education concentration.

If you could visit one place in the world, where would  you go?  I really want to see the Sequoia National Park some day.

What is your biggest challenge as a mom?  Discipline.  No doubt about it.

What did you eat for breakfast today?  Cornflakes and orange juice.    

What kind of music do you listen to most often?  Honestly, I tend to listen to audio CD's in my car and kitchen, so the music I listen to most often is children's music.  Yep.  But if you are wondering what music I prefer to listen to it's probably oldies on the radio or Christian music CD's.

What is your least favorite chore?  Just one?  Scrubbing bathtubs might top even ironing.

Pretend that money is no object and you need a new outfit; where would you go to buy it?  JC Penney's petite department?  I don't really know how to shop except at stores like Boscov's, Kohl's and JC Penney, but Penney's is probably my favorite.  


Now I get to ask my friends some questions!   However, instead of "tagging" several blogs, I'll just let you decide to do it if you want.  It was fun!  You could even just leave a comment if you'd like.


If you had to spend (not put in savings) $500, how would you spend it?  (I would get an upright freezer!)
What is your favorite adult fictional book?
What is your favorite children's book?
What is your biggest challenge as a mom?
What do you enjoy most about where you live?
If you could visit one place in the world, where would you go?
What is your favorite meal to make?

Serving Others

About six months or so ago, I knew I wanted to serve more and differently in our church.  Previously, I have worked in the church nursery, but then I realized there was more of a need for teachers in the toddler church.

When I was struggling with being in the same classroom as M, I talked to the children's director about the stress, and seeing if I might be able to serve somewhere else as a teacher, without the weekly commitment of being a Sunday school teacher.  In our church, often couples serve together to teach, but I would need to team up with someone other than my husband, which isn't always easy.  Well, as it turns out, I am now teaching with a young woman in our children's church time.  So far, it is working out great, and it is so good to work with and get to know someone new!

I continued to think about other ways I could serve, in addition to teaching.  Then an idea presented itself, but at a bad time.  (Back in November or so when M had just started school and we were concerned about E's health and getting used to anti-seizure medicine and wondering how bad it would all be.)  The opportunity to serve was to order and process books for the children in the church library!  What fun, but, as I said, it was not a good time for me to commit to something.  I let my desire to help be known, but also said I could not at that time.  Well, as it turns out, no one else stepped forward (and had not in years, so the children's books were definitely in need of some new books).  

It took a long time to make it happen, but earlier this summer I was able to figure out what books our library already had, which ones we needed (that were part of a series or requested), and which ones I wanted to pick for the library.  

The books have arrived, as seen above in the boxes.  This past week I spent several hours learning how to process the books.  That means putting them into the computer, finding the ISBN, filling in all sorts of information, creating labels, protecting the books, and I don't know what else!  I still have to get started!  It will be a huge job, but I think very rewarding, too.  Thankfully, there is no hurry to process these books since in November they will get stored away as our church prepares to expand.  I've been told that right now the goal is to process them, and when the addition is complete, then they will go on the shelves.  It's a big task, but I think I'm up for it, especially since there's no hurry.  

I love being able to serve connecting with two things I am passionate about: children and books!

Have you been able to find a way to serve in your church or community that you really enjoy?  I'd love to hear about it!

Practical Hair

Our daughter has always had long hair.  We have always loved long hair.  (And I had hair to my bottom until kindergarten when I bent over at my desk and gave myself bangs!!)

Well, M's hair has started to get in the way of using the bathroom.  Despite loving it long we decided to cut it.  We cut about five inches from it.  

Before M had very long hair, especially for a three year old.

Ta-da!

Here are both E and M.

You'll have to trust me that the sweet kiss doesn't represent most moments on our home, but I was glad to capture it on camera!

Because I refuse to give M bangs (at least for now) it still is best if we use something to pull it back and out of her face.  I really love the new length and so does she!

I'm Back...

Yea! I'll be back to regular posts next week! I am planning a summer giveaway soon, too!

Camp was awesome. Following camp, Derek and I took an overnight trip to State College, Pennsylvania. Derek is a Penn Stater, and I lived there for two of the years that we dated.

This is Derek and me at the top of Mt. Nittany. Hot and sweaty. Check out the cool tree behind us.

A Little Break

Just a little note to let you know I am going to take a little blogging break.  Last week we were at family camp.  Now I'm recovering with many loads of laundry and lots of photos to enjoy.  However, Derek and I are heading out of town tomorrow for our own getaway while the kids stay home with their grandma.

We'll only be gone two nights, but I want to give myself plenty of time to recover before trying to blog again.  (Yes, I did schedule out last week.)

In case you are wondering, we are off to State College, PA.  (It's the location of Penn State University, Derek's alma mater, and where I lived for two years before we were married.)

Answers...and a Birthday

Well, it's my birthday today!  As a child I always enjoyed having a birthday so close to the Independence Day weekend.  Also, I have a really cool birth date.  7-6-76.  You can do the math.  :)


Late last week, I wondered if there were any questions readers might have for me.  There were a few...


Ticia said-Hmmmm....... what to ask you......... Favorite book or type of book to read?
I love to read, as you know!  My all-time favorite book is probably To Kill a Mockingbird.  In high school (for me that means 7th-12th grades) my homeroom was in an English teacher's classroom.  Mrs. Batch had lots of copies of it, and I'm pretty sure that every year I read it to pass time when my homework was complete.  After college I was in a bookstore, and saw a copy.  Immediately, I missed my annual reading, and bought the copy.  I've only read it a few times since then, but I always enjoy it.  


My favorite type of book to read is either clean suspense or children's books (chapter books).  I can't get enough of either, and if anyone has recommendations, I love to read new authors!


Favorite movie? And July is a WONDERFUL month to be born in.  I agree!
My favorite movie is likely Return to Me.  Another favorite is While You Were Sleeping.  Yes, they are both romantic comedies.  There's nothing wrong with older movies, but it wouldn't hurt me to see some newer movies, too, so if you have some recommendations, please tell!  I also like suspense (not horror) movies quite a bit.  (And yes, I do like the movie version of To Kill a Mockingbird with Gregory Peck.


Carrie said-Oh! I LOVE birthdays. =D 
Let's see...

If you haven't shared this information already around these parts - when did you become a Christian?
I didn't grow up in a Christian home, but in high school I went to youth group with a friend.  I saved my money (from babysitting) and sent myself to the Christian camp that some teens from the youth group were going to attend.  I became a Christian there, but it was probably my last year of college and the summer after college that I really started growing in my faith and letting God be the Lord of my life, though I am still learning so much!

And what is your absolute, hands-down favorite aspect of parenting?
I love the giggles and especially when my two children are making each other giggle or when my husband makes them laugh hysterically.  After seeing my children at such tender ages in the ICU (separate issues), I know that every day is a blessing, but I love the laughs that happen when we have fun together!  The quieter cuddling moments are awfully special, too!

And why do you like Monk? ;) 
Carrie is referring to the television show, Monk.  We, unashamedly, own every season of it on DVD.  


For those of you who don't know, Monk is a tv show that aired on USA for eight seasons.  Adrian Monk is a former San Fransisco police detective.  After his wife died, his obsessive compulsive behavior stopped him from doing his job, so he is now a consultant with the police force.  


Monk is fun and quirky.  Some might find it annoying, but we are totally amused by all of his OCD behaviors.  Every episode is a mystery with some comic relief thrown in.  Tony Shalhoub plays the part perfectly.  Probably the biggest reason I like it is because I can appreciate his OCD tendencies (though I am not a perfectionist) while laughing at them.  (Remember him from Wings?  We enjoy that show too!)  So it's the combination of suspense, quirkiness, comedy, and it's a show that Derek and I watch together.  And for a detective show, it leaves the blood and gore to the other shows.


If you have never watched Monk you can watch full episodes here for free.  Amazon is offering most seasons at a good price, too, if you are interested.  (I do not recommend the books though.  I started one on audio, and had to force myself to finish it.) 

♥♥♥♥

So there you have it!  A bit more about me!  

Ask Me!!

Next week is my birthday!  In honor of my birthday, or really, because it seems like a good excuse, I would love for you to leave me a comment (or contact me through an email, see above) with a question for me.

Your question can be just about anything; it does not need to be related to this blog (which really is about everything anyway)!  I really enjoy getting to know those who read this blog through comments and emails...and now you feel free to ask away!

I will post the answers on my birthday-July 6th...and hopefully I don't bore you!  How does that sound?

Thanks, Crystal, for the idea!

Seven Years...

Today is my wedding anniversary!  Derek and I were married seven years ago today.




Philipians 2:1-5
¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

 ⁵Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:

That was the Scripture we chose for our wedding ceremony...and our marriage. Verses three and four are really tough for me...if you think of it, pray for me with that in mind today!

Buying Local- 3/50 Project

Have you heard of the 3/50 Project? (Click for additional details and here for FAQs.) It provides a great idea for YOU to help your local economy and businesses. You pick 3 locally owned and operated (not chain or franchise) businesses you want to support. Spend $50 a month total between the three businesses (not $150 total). The result is that you are supporting the brick and mortar businesses of your town.

I live in a small town. Granted it is a MUCH larger town than where I grew up, but it's still a small town. Small towns like mine don't offer a lot for shopping. I'm thankful I have two grocery stores to choose from and lots of other stores.

We have a hardware store, feed and lumber store, two grocery stores, several (chain) pharmacies, and a discount store. Around town there are several other specialty stores, too, including a used book store that profits the library. Oh, and we have several pizza shops! Pizza shops make me happy! Most of the stores I referred to are part of a larger chain, but not all of them.

Is it convenient to always shop downtown? No. Is it possible? Um, not if I want to be dressed on a daily basis, but our family does support several businesses downtown.

Do I sometimes shop on-line? Yes. Actually I just placed an order through Amazon for Father's Day. We'll also do a little shopping in town before the big day. Buying on-line definitely does not support the brick and mortar stores of America. However, several bloggers, like myself, are Amazon associates. So when you click through their links (on my sidebar or in a post) and put any item in your cart and purchase it within a timely manner, a small percentage comes back to me.

Of course, my own purchases cannot benefit me. What's a blogger to do? Go to a friend's blog and click through their links so it can benefit someone other than Amazon. Is it the same as buying local? No. But it works. I figure if I need to buy from Amazon, it should benefit someone.  Just to clarify, you can buy ANY item, not just the "featured" item, and it will benefit the Amazon associate as long as you start out in a link from that blogger.

Another great way to shop on-line is by shopping for handmade specialty items. Etsy.com is a great resource and offers a lot of neat things. Some are quite affordable, while others are quite pricey. It's worth checking out!

If you are looking to check out some handmade items, visit our giveaway!  Even if you are not expecting a little one in your life, someone you know will surely have a baby in the next year or so!  

Sick Kids

I know I haven't been posting this week.  Both of my children have been sick with fever/colds.  E's cold developed into an ear infection, so we've had two nights with very limited sleep.  The children have been a bit needier during the day, and I haven't had the energy to do much for posting.  (I did finish a great book over the weekend...Not a Sparrow Falls.  I'll write about it soon, I hope.


I have learned the joy of juice boxes.  I'm typically too frugal to drink juice boxes at home (and only out for special occasions), but this week I have been encouraging the children to drink lots, and especially water and juice.  M did go to school today for the first time all week after the doctor's office said she could.  She still has an awful cough when she laughs, cries, or gets physically active, but overall, she is doing much better.


I'm hoping tonight means some sleep for E and me.  


(Oh, neither of my children have distinct symptoms for ear infection.  Neither ever tugged at the ear!  It makes the guessing game of Is My Child Really Sick Enough to Go to the Doctor fun.) 

More About Me

If you are interested in knowing a bit more about me, then head over to Adori Graphics.  Today I am featured in her Blogger Uncovered.

I answered questions that her readers asked about me.  This was a lot of fun for me.  Take a moment to check  it out!  FYI, Louise (AKA Adori Graphics) is the designer of the background and header of this blog.