Autumn Is In The Air

Even though autumn isn't officially here, according to the calendar, it definitely feels like it.  The temperature has dropped and it's time for us to wear the hoodies, jackets and jeans.  I don't particularly care for the colder weather but I do love this time of year because there is so much to do.  Apple picking, pumpking picking, trick-or-treating, etc.  Also, let's not forget consuming everything pumpkin flavored.  You can imagine my excitement when my husband came home with the traditional pumpkin spice creamer for our morning coffee.

 

I enjoyed every sip.

After putting my son on the bus my daughter and I stayed outside for a little bit looking at the trees and all the leaves that are starting to change colors and fall.  Nature is so beautiful this time of year.  We found this cool red one of the ground.

And now that autumn is just around the corner I'm getting so excited to decorate the inside of the house.  I came up with a creative do-it-yourself decoration and after purchasing some of the supplies at the craft store and then printing out a template I can't wait to begin.  Here's a little hint.

Getting Crafty - Paper Plate Apple

I love any opportunity to get crafty, especially with the kids, although we don't do it nearly enough as I'd like.  I had an idea of a fun project to do with my three year old daughter that would allow her the chance to use (kid's safety) scissors and glue.  Here it is.

First I took a paper plate and cut the edges off so it was only a small circle.  Then I took the scraps from the edges to cut out a leaf shape and a stem shape.

I gave my daughter a piece of red construction paper and the scissors.  I had to constantly show her how to hold the scissors correctly but those little fingers always ended up doing their own thing.

She had a lot of pieces cut before giving up on the step.  Then we moved onto the next step.  Gluing the pieces onto the circle.  I dabbed the glue on each piece and she placed them anywhere on the plate.  We quickly learned that she is not a fan of getting glue on her hands so I ended up having to take over while she went back to the job of cutting pieces.

 

When every area of the circle was covered with red pieces I glued the stem and leaf to the top and, viola, we have an apple.  

Happy Homemaker Monday - 9/15/14

Hello friends!  Another week is upon us.  My family and I had such a busy but fun weekend.  On Saturday we took a drive to a town near Harrisburg and stopped at a bouncy place for the kids.  They both love this place but it was too crowded.  Then we took a trip to Hershey to tour the Chocolate World.  Touring the Chocolate World is free and you get a free chocolate sample at the end ... can't beat that!  Yesterday we went to church and then I spent the remainder of the day cleaning.  I also cleaned a little more this morning.  My house is cleaner than usual and I love it!  My reason for wanting to tidy up this house was because I was expecting company today.  I was told a family was in need of a babysitter and somehow my name came up.  It's funny because I had prayed for an opportunity like this and this one basically fell into my lap.  Amazing, isn't it?  So the family came over today and they all seem very nice.  The kids are 2 and 4 and seem to be very well behaved.  I would only be needed at least once/week, twice at the most ... at least for right now.  I'm hoping it works out but if not ... hey, at least my house is spotless. 

So here we go.  Time for another HHM post.  Joining in with Sandra at Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom.

HAPPY HOMEMAKER MONDAY - 9/15/14

Breakfast time ... what was on the plate this morning:

Coffee and cereal.

Looking around the house:

I'm sitting in a very clean and organized living room.  Toys are neatly piled in the corner, the tables are dusted, the floor is swept and the area rug is vacuumed.  

On today's to do list:

Laundry

Dishes

That's about it as far as housework.  I'm all caught up.  Love it!  

Currently reading:

I'm still just focused on the Bible right now but I would love to head to the library this week to check out a book for myself.  

On the TV today:

So far it's just been Victorious, which is one of my daughter's favorite shows.  Yes, she's only 3 but she loves those teen shows like Victorious, Sam & Cat and iCarly.  

The weather outside:

It's getting cooler, especially in the morning.  Right now it's 66 degrees and sunny.  Summer isn't over yet but the autumn weather already made it's arrival.  

On the menu:

Tonight I am making pork chops and corn on the cob.  At some point this week I'd like to make manicotti.  The rest of the week is to be determined.  

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will:

Browse Pinterest to find some new craft ideas for my daughter and I.  I already came up with some ideas for fall crafting.  

New recipes I tried, or want to try this week:

Yesterday I made Loaded Baked Potato and Chicken Casserole for the first time and it was so delicious.  I didn't use as much hot sauce as it called for because my kids and I do not like hot food.  My husband loves it so he just mixed it into his own serving.  It is definitely something I will be making again.  

One of my simple pleasures:

Mowing the lawn.  I know, you're probably thinking how crazy I am to say that but I am the one who mows and I love it.  I just put on my headphones and listen to the music on my Mp3 player and mow.  It's relaxing and it also gets me out of the house.  My husband watches the kids while I mow.  

Favorite photo from the camera:

A picture from our trip to Hershey's Chocolate World last Saturday.  It's rare we get a family photo when we go places but someone so nicely offered to take one for us.  

Praying for:

My husband

My children

My mom's continued recovery from her stroke 2 years ago.  She has a dr appointment this week to check on the clot that has returned and what can be done for her.  

Bible Verse/Devotional:

Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you" -- Matthew 7:7

Happy Homemaker Monday 9/8/14

Hello!  I decided to take some time and participate in today's HHM.  I will try to get better at posting regularly.  I enjoy doing it and it gives me a reason to update my blog.  I try to update as often as possible. 

Joining with creator Diary Of A Stay At Home Mom

Breakfast Time ... what was on the plate this morning:
Coffee and Honey Nut Cheerios.  It was one of those mornings where I had trouble getting out of bed and then I had to rush to get ready and make sure my son was getting ready for school on time. 

Looking around the house:
It's quiet.  My husband is at work, my son is in school and my daughter is napping.  The only sound is the ticking of the clock that hangs on our wall between the living room and dining room.  The living room is in it's usual state of messiness with toys here and there.  The joys of having young children. 

On today's to do list:
I just loaded the dishwasher and hand washed some of the dishes that can't be washed in the dishwasher.  Going to have to dry and put them away. 
In the middle of getting all of the laundry done.
Make dinner.
Visit the fair with the family. 

Currently reading:
The book of James in the Bible.  We've started a series in James at church so I like to read it on my own as well. 

On the TV tonight:
I'm not sure we'll have a chance to watch tv tonight since we'll be out but once the kids are in bed my husband and I usually browse through the channels until we find something interesting on. 

The weather outside:
Currently in the low 70's and it's supposed to be between the low 70's and high 80's all week.  Hello fall weather! 

On the dinner menu:
Sweet Italian sausage and pasta.  In the beginning of the week I like to make something that will have extra leftovers for my husband to bring to work for lunch. 

If I have a few minutes to myself I will:
Blog ... like right now.  Or I'll browse Pinterest.  Or read. 

One of my simple pleasures:
Putting together jigsaw puzzles, which is actually something I haven't done in awhile ... except for helping the kids put together theirs.  It's always been so relaxing for me.  Some of them I have glued and framed and hung on the walls. 

Favorite photo from the camera:

The kids had so much fun at the beach when we visited Long Island last weekend.  It was windy that evening but that didn't seem to get in the way of their happiness.  

Praying for:
The current state of our country and the rest of the world.  If you've been paying attention then I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  I fear how things will be for my children and the world they'll have to live in as they grow up. 

Bible verse:
"23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does." -- James 1:23-25 (NIV)

Long Island, New York

Last weekend we took a trip to Long Island, New York.  This is where I was born and spent all of my childhood years; well, until I was almost 14.  Whenever I mention Long Island to anyone here in Pennsylvania they seem confused as to what exactly Long Island is.  They automatically assume I'm talking about the city and that I am from the city.  No, no, no.

If you look at a map of New York or the eastern part of the United States Long Island is the land that sticks out from NY.  It's along the edge of the city ... but it's not the city.  

We moved out of Long Island because living there was too expensive for my parents and they were struggling.  My paternal grandparents moved to Pennsylvania and my parents decided to follow.  My siblings are a lot older than me; my brother was divorced with children and in a serious relationship (later married her), my sister was married and my other sister had just graduated from college and had a life on LI she didn't want to leave -- and a boyfriend who is now her husband.  Since I was just a teenager in junior high I had no choice but to go along.  Let's just say I wasn't happy about moving.  It was so hard leaving my family and friends and going to an unfamiliar place.  I had a terrible start here in Pennsylvania but over the years I managed to make friends and a life here.  I was torn between wanting to move back to Long Island and wanting to stay here in PA.  As of now I can see that coming here was just another part of God's plan for me and I'm happy.  It's just a 5 hour drive to Long Island and I can go there whenever I need to.  It's an expensive trip, but we make it happen when we can.

It had actually been three years since my last visit and that was for my niece's wedding.  This time we went for my nephew's wedding.  My nephew is now in his thirties and was ready to settle down and start a family.  He's known to be pretty wild and he met a girl who seems to be great for him.  It was a fun time and I'm glad to have spent some time with family.

Here's the happy couple exchanging vows.

My kids LOVE to dance and they wasted no time hitting the dance floor at the reception.  They had everyone's attention.  It was so cute.

The evening before the wedding we took the kids to the beach.  That's the best part about Long Island in my opinion.  There are beaches everywhere!  Of course, it's an island.  The kids love the beach and they had so much fun.

 

I have to be honest and say as much as I enjoy going back to Long Island I'm happy to be back here to my relaxed, quiet life in south-central Pennsylvania.  I feel more at peace here.  Long Island doesn't even feel like home to me anymore.  

Treat Others With Kindess

 "Do to others as you would like them to do to you" -- Luke 6:31

That was one of my son's memory verses from Vacation Bible School this summer.  He repeats this verse often, especially to his little sister when she's not so nice to him.  Recently after she had smacked him he said, "Treat others as you would want to be treated so that means if you hit me I have to hit you."

Okay, so he may not completely understand what that verse means entirely but we're working on it ... and no he didn't hit his sister back, I made sure of it.

 

I certainly want my children to understand that in order to receive kindness from others, as well as love, honesty and respect, then they have to give it first.  Even if others aren't so kind to them I would love for them to understand the importance of being kind anyway.  This is something that has been laying on my heart a lot recently.  As I thought about what I want to see in my children something hit me hard.  What I'm asking my children to be is something I have failed at many times for myself.  Have I always been kind to others?  No.  Have I always shown others respect?  No.  Have I always been honest?  Certainly not.   So how can I expect my children to be what I haven't been?  What kind of example have I been setting for them?  

I do not believe in the do as I say and not as I do approach to parenting.  I believe that children will become a reflection of how they were raised.  Give a kid junk food all the time and lots of television watching and that's the life they grow accustomed to.  Give them healthy food and make sure they are active and that's how they will grow up to be.  Talk badly about others and show disrespect and that's how they will treat others.  Show them kindness and love throughout everything and they will learn to be the same.  Hillary Clinton once said, "It takes a village to raise a child."  I certainly disagree.  It takes parenting ... proper parenting.  Yes, the people who our children grow up with or spend time with will have a huge influence on their lives but it starts at home and how we handle every situation our children are faced with is what matters the most.  

Last week after getting my son and his neighbor friend off of the school bus I sat on the front step with them and we started talking about different things.  We watched as the new girl in our neighborhood also got off the bus and walked to her house.  I haven't met the parents of this new girl yet but I had already spoken to her.  She's a second grader and the family moved here from another state.  The girl is shy and doesn't say very much, at least not to us.  Our friend had said, "I think she has a problem with herself."  I asked what he meant and he said, "You know, I think she has a problem with herself."  My son was watching and listening so I made sure I used this moment as a great opportunity to teach kindness to the both of them.  I responded by saying, "Well, she just moved here from another state and she's probably scared and lonely and I noticed she's shy.  So the best thing we can do is to be nice to her and let her know she is welcomed into our neighborhood.  Let's be a friend to her."  

Again, he said, "I think she has a problem with herself."  

I couldn't seem to change his point of view but I made sure I handled the situation as best as I could and I wanted my son, especially, to learn that being a friend to someone is the best thing we can do.  Throughout or conversation my son seemed to be listening, understanding and nodding his head.  At least I'm getting through to him.  

As I mentioned I certainly haven't been living up to being the kindest person in the world.  In fact, I am known to be pretty outspoken but in a not-so-friendly kind of way.  I've never been one to keep opinions to myself and unfortunately I am not one to speak so nicely at times.  I'm working on it.  I see who I am and know what I need to be.  I know the changes I need to make for myself and not just for myself but for my children.  They are watching and learning.  Showing kindness and love to others is also the best way we can be as Christians and it's exactly how God wants us to be.

Just yesterday I was watching Joyce Meyer and she talked about the topic of being kind towards others.  It was hard for me to listen since my three year old was playing and being loud but the bits and pieces I caught really spoke to my heart and made so much sense.  She said we always need to show kindness towards others and even when we are correcting them we need to do it nicely.  Recently my niece was talking about something that irritated me but instead of biting my tongue or correcting her gently I was abrupt and rude.  My comments left her and my sister feeling hurt.  I wasn't kind at all and even if I believed my viewpoints were true I should have worded myself better and shown more compassion and kindness.  I've since apologized and am working on making sure I handle each and every situation more kindly and appropriately.  I thank God for always giving me these lessons that help me grow wiser.  I just wish I hadn't hurt anyone in the process.  

"A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare." --Proverbs 15:1

Nature Through The Lens

I decided to add something a little different to my blog.  Posts dedicated to my photography.  Now I will say I'm no photography expert and I do not do it professionally.  Taking pictures is something I enjoy doing for fun and for the idea of capturing memories.  My kids are rarely cooperative or agree to sit still for me to get lots of shots of them so I decided to take my camera out and photograph a little nature around my house.  If anything, it's just good practice.  Last Christmas my husband bought me a new camera.  It's a Nikon 1 J3.  If you're looking for a new camera I highly recommend this one.  It's not as big as a DSLR but the pictures come out as amazing.  My husband also bought me a new zoom lens. 

I never edit or photoshop any pictures I take.  I like keeping photos the way they are.  The only thing I do is add the watermark for the photos I add to my blog.  

I found this cicada hanging out on our deck yesterday.  I thought it was a great opportunity to take my camera out.  I didn't stand very close to him so that's when the zoom lens came in handy.  I love the photos where the subject is in focus and the background is blurry. 

Another one of our little friend.  Aren't these bugs so cool?  We can hear them outside all the time but it's rare we get to see one up close. 

I decided to try practicing with the focus so I took a picture of some random plants and flowers found in my back and front yard.  We've had some unusual cooler temps this summer, especially at night, so it killed our flowers but they seem to be coming alive again.