Evan's 10

Last month Evan turned 10. He requested brownies for his birthday. 

 He had two friends over for his birthday dinner and dessert.

 He can't get enough of LEGO and Minecraft!

May 2018

With May's arrival I can finally say it feels like spring. However, May 3 and 4 are supposed to be about 90 and humid. Oi. (Edited: I wrote that more than a month ago. May was a cool, wet month.)

Here are May's blessings.

1. Wearing less layers of clothing.
2. Reaching 20,000 words in my latest writing project.
3. Making these biscuits. Do you see the layers...even if they are a bit uneven.

4. Meghan gave me a hug goodnight and realized I had a fever. (It was only low-grade.) Thankfully I woke up feeling more myself.
5. Having a cuddly cat.
6. Beautiful temperatures with low humidity.
7. The same publisher that made me an offer on a book 25 months ago was finally able to give me a contract for the same book. (We'd been waiting on rights and permissions.)
8. An easier week of baseball. I love watching them play, but it's exhausting to have dinner ready at 4:30 (and can't be late!) four nights in a row...let alone the late nights for all of us.
9. Visiting Esther's class to read one of my books to them and talk about how insects and flowers help each other.
10. Chaperoning part of Meghan's big field trip at Ashland Nature Center.
11. Memories of Nature's Classroom while at Ashland.
12. Seeing Meghan work through some friend issues and have fun with #10.

13. Meghan giving me a spontaneous kiss as I helped serve dinner at #10. That hasn't been allowed in public for a long time!

 14. Meghan appreciating me during the field trip and letting me know I'd be missed. (For the microscope use, hats had to be backwards.)

15. Knowing Meghan's favorite teacher would give her extra love after I would leave to sleep at home.
16. Watching Evan's great hit...even if it was caught.
17. Evan asking if I saw his big hit. He was proud even if it was caught and he was out.
18. Hearing Esther sing a song she made up. "Shaking my booty all day long..."
19. Feeling appreciated on Mother's Day. Esther wanted to give me dinner in bed since I didn't get breakfast in bed. (Maybe I shouldn't have declined.) Derek even made chocolate chip cookies. It was good to be loved.
20. Watching birds at my new bird feeders.
21. Knowing the whole family is already enjoying my Mother's Day gift of the bird feeders.
22. Helping Evan complete his roller coaster project. It was his first big research project with a tri-fold display.
23. Hearing Evan tell about his group working together on roller coasters at school...and winning the big competition.
24. Evan telling me how a girl (Kate) said anyone on Evan's roller coaster team would likely win the roller coaster competition.
25. Kate was right. Evan's team took first place.
26. Esther wanting to walk to the bus stop in the rain. We only did it once before. The first time was really windy with a heavy rain. I didn't really try to talk her out of it though we did get a bit wet under the umbrella. This time she said it'd be okay because it wasn't windy. She was right.
27. This detailed drawing Meghan made of me makes me chuckle every time I see it. She made it in 2014. When I showed it to her she said it was "cringy" because I don't have yellow skin, big lips, or apple cheeks. Oh, and the ugly glasses. She didn't mention the Christmas snake eyes being a concern...

28. Hearing Evan exclaim, "That's where all my stuff is!!" He was looking in his duffel bag. His last overnight trip may have been in March during spring break.
29. Morning walks after the bus stop for exercise. I get bored so I typically only do a mile...but occasionally it's more.
30. Working in the flowerbed with Derek.
31. Meghan making snickerdoodle blondies since I was busy in the flowerbed. They were a big hit at Bible study.
32. Making good progress on my writing project...and getting excited about it.

April's Blessings

I'm getting a late start at writing these, so I have to rely on my faulty memory for the first 17 days of April. Eek. (Ah...I will check Facebook to see what I've been sharing there to help my memory.)

1. Celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ!
2. And spending Easter Sunday with friends. Read more here.

3. The start of Little League for Evan and Esther...even if practices are few due to rain and snow.

4. Receiving a newspaper clipping and special card from my former English teacher, Sally Foote. You can read the article at The Daily Review.

5. Later receiving a package with the entire newspaper. The article was on page 3...but it had a little photo on the front page. How cool is that? 

6. Esther and I enjoying the bus stop...including wiggly worms.

7. My talented sister, Amy, sent me this card. It hangs above my desk.

8. And inside was this encouraging quote. 

9. Meghan and Evan arrived home from school and told me that a neighbor had garbage all over their yard. They asked if they could clean it up! That morning had been particularly difficult, so this was a real blessing!

10. Meeting a friend at the local coffee shop and eating a fresh doughnut. 

11. Returning to the coffee shop the next morning with Derek for another fresh doughnut. (I love Wholly Grounds! It's probably a good thing I don't drink coffee.)

12. The weather for the Little League parade and Evan's first game was beautiful. It may have been the first time winter coats weren't needed for the parade! I even wore flip-flops to his game. It was close to 80. (I took a great picture of the Giants team, but it was a different division than Evan! This is Esther's team.)

13. Esther home sick but feeling well enough to be herself. We read a lot together. She even played outside on day #2.

14. Watching Evan and Esther play ball. 

15. Finding this picture of Meghan on the camera.

16. Loving the stuffed pretzels from the Oxford Farmer's Market...and making my own that the family actually enjoyed.

 17. Having a great program at a local library about pioneer life. The branch manager called me the same week and had great things to say.

18. Surviving the busy weeks of having two children playing baseball and Derek coaching. It's also great to be able to give Meghan a break and let her stay home occasionally.

19. The barter system. I bought Meghan yarn. I got this. (She wants to sell them!)

20. Seeing the Newsboys in concert as a family. I think I saw them about 25 years ago, too...

21. Esther falling asleep on me during the intermission...and then awakening when the music began again.

22. Meghan saying it was probably her second best night of her life. 

23. Derek and I getting our passport photos taken and knowing my photo was pretty bad. Meghan reinforced this by asking if it was a mug shot. Really.

24. Talking to a friend after church...for a really long time and missing Sunday school. 

And I better get to work on May's blessings since it's already here!

January's Blessings Part 2

See part 1 here.

34. How writing friends and I help each other
35. Delighting Esther's teacher with the giant tiger
36. An invitation to visit a great school in our county
37. Evan feeling better after tummy issues
38. Evan's excitement about his replacement drone when his Christmas gift didn't work
39. Janice's patience as I called her multiple times while making Derek's birthday cake.
40. A new appreciation for cookies (see #39)
41. Derek's birthday
42. Meghan making chocolate chip cookies for her final 4-H sewing meeting
43. A great sewing teacher and being able to help the club
44. A long weekend for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
45. A last-minute breakfast date with a friend and good conversation
46. Good progress on my current writing assignment (very short Bible stories)
47. Another good Instant Pot meal with a sirloin tip roast
48. A pretty morning of snow (even if school is cancelled...again)
49. Returning to Bible study and being reminded that we can trust God even when He throws us a curve ball
50. A short government shutdown
51. Wrapping up author visits with Meghan's class. (It was a 3-part visit with several rescheduled dates due to illness, assemblies, and such. The photo below says "Get Organized.")

52. Eating roasted sweet potatoes for lunch when I'm home alone...almost daily
53. Planning to see a friend later this week
54. Esther and I feeling better after a little illness over the weekend
55. Sunshine after the rain (and, boy, was it raining!)
56. Meeting two writing deadlines this month...one was a couple weeks early!

January's Blessings Part 1

During the first week of January I realized what a good start I was having to 2018. So...

1. Sewing with the children

2. Watching The Princess Bride as a family 

3. Satisfaction with newest manuscript
4. Lunch with a friend before she returned to college
5. Having another paid project to start on right away
6. Finding my lost wrist warmer
7. Chatting with Derek's cousin Kim to get a recipe for my book and learning more about Nestor's family
8. Esther playing with my new Little House wooden dolls while I read aloud to her from Little House in the Big Woods
9. Meghan emailing Nestor because she has so many questions about his family
10. Telling Evan to repeatedly backspace while sewing and Meghan correcting me
11. Two days of school followed by a four-day weekend thanks to two snow days (and Derek off on the snow day Friday)
12. Enjoying Derek's two-hour delay with him
13. Seeing Mookie and Lucy (our cats) napping within inches of each other
14. The children happily helping take down Christmas decorations
15. Hearing the children sing songs from The Sound of Music after watching it
16. Esther dusting the living room
17. Derek grocery shopping every week
18. Meghan made butter slime for herself and then made a second batch for her siblings!

19. Trying new recipes with my Instant Pot
20. And liking the first three recipes (potatoes, pork roast, and sticky rice)
21. Andre's Pizza. It had been way too long.
22. The children excited to play in their first basketball games.
23. The children finishing their three sewing projects. They are all so proud and with reason.
24. Critique partners who make me a better writer
25. Writing friends who send me job possibilities
27. Submitting manuscript with days to spare (even if not the usual week+)
28. Buying a giant stuffed tiger to give to Esther's Zoo Room classroom
29. Snuggling with anyone who wants to snuggle
30. A cat who loves laps...especially when the laptop is on the lap

31. My editor's appreciation for the recent manuscripts

32. The children back at school after a four day weekend...even with the early dismissal on Monday and delayed opening on Tuesday

33. Esther cleaning the bathroom floor before school...for fun?

I hope to keep this up. It's good to count my blessings!

Merry Christmas 2017

Dear Friends and Family,

We gave Lucy a chance at the Christmas letter, but she declined. Our first kitty is 12 years old now and spends her days quietly sleeping. Mookie doesn’t torment her quite like he did when he was a kitten (last year), but he still tries to pick a fight occasionally. He is always up for stretching out on our chests. Mookie wasn’t interested in writing either. He was too busy with his afternoon nap. He needs his energy to nibble on us later today. So, the letter is up to me. (Sorry if you’re disappointed.)

We took a family trip to Washington, DC this year. The children wanted to plan our next visit before we were even unpacked. We also spent our annual week at Pinebrook Bible Conference for family camp in July. We visited family in northeastern PA a few times during the year and took a trip to Darien Lake theme park. We had a lot of fun-even if I forgot my bathing suit.

Derek’s been a civilian for the Army for fifteen years now. He still exercises regularly. He often finds a project around the house to complete when he’s not coaching the kids’ sports teams.

I continue to write part-time. This August two more of my books were released. Two more are set for a fall 2018. I really enjoy the challenge of researching and writing. I’ve also visited a few schools to share about writing and science with students. It’s fun to interact with the students and teach about things I enjoy.

Meghan (age 11) enjoys projects like crafts and cooking. Last year she got involved with the local 4-H sewing club. She sewed two projects during the year: a pretty pillowcase for herself and a blanket to donate. Each of those projects won a Grand Champion ribbon in the county competition! Now she’s working on a quilt. She played basketball last winter and is ready for another season this year. Meghan is quite the bookworm and loves our trips to the library. She is an excellent student, though early mornings aren’t her favorite. Who can blame her?

Evan (age 9) enjoys playing a variety of sports. This year he played machine-pitch baseball, flag football, and basketball. As much as he likes to roughhouse with his sisters and friends, he also plays quietly with LEGOs for hours on end. Evan’s an early riser and often spends those early hours of the morning reading some of his favorite books and magazines. Evan has been off his anti-seizure medication for a full year without any problems! Praise God!

Esther (age 6) began kindergarten this year! She enjoys school and has really blossomed as a reader. Esther played t-ball and flag football earlier this year and is ready for her first season of basketball. She’s a happy girl and loves to be around others. She also enjoys Barbies, Shopkins, and dollhouses.

The three children get along best when the television is on or when they’re wrestling—until someone gets hurt. Someday they’ll figure out how awesome they all are. In the meantime, we just try to make it through each day.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and blessed 2018.   

Love,        

Derek, Annette, Meghan, Evan, and Esther

Ten Years and Counting!

It was ten years ago that Derek and I committed our lives to one another before God, family, and friends.  It was a really beautiful day.

When we married, Derek had been out of college and working for over a year in Maryland, hours from our family and many of our friends.

Since then, we have made new friends, added family members, and have built a life together.  The loss of loved ones and not being able to help our children in life-threatening situations has probably been the hardest part, yet day-to-day life with three young children is not so easy either.  But life IS good together.

So how did we celebrate this tenth anniversary?  We went out for ice cream with the kids.

We tried out a new-to-us ice cream shop that is right in town.

The ice cream was good and messy.

Tomorrow we'll spend some time by ourselves as a friend babysits the children after tee ball in the morning.  We still don't know what we'll do!

My sister Amy painted this of us from our wedding day.

You can read how we met here.  You can read a bit more about what happened in the next three years before we were married here.

Spring Penn State Football Game

*Please note that this post is written by Annette.  She was not at the game, nor did Derek tell her what to write.  I'm sure he could add to this.

Derek finally took the Big Kids to a Penn State game!  He had been looking forward to this for a long time!  

Each spring the Penn State football team has a Blue and White game.  It is a free game and also has a family friendly carnival, too.

They left at 7:15 in the morning, pretty much right on schedule.  I had loaded them up with snacks and sandwiches.  I think he said the trip took about three hours.

They arrived with plenty of time to enjoy the carnival before the game.

Apparently they don't get motion sickness on roller coasters!

With the stadium only half full, the children could see in front of them easily.  Notice the winter coats below.  The day before they left I had washed all of our winter coats thinking I would put them away for the spring...before I looked at the most recent weather report that predicted State College's temperature of low 40's with a lot of wind.

Plenty of room to play, too.

 The meteorologists failed to predict sleet during the game!

 They didn't watch the entire game.  (Derek did not expect to have the kids sit for the entire game, but it sounds like they did really well.)

Then they had time for more fun.

Before the left campus, they drove (much too far to have them walk on such a full, tiring day) to see the Nittany Lion and have the proper pictures taken.  Of course.

(Meghan's hood has a Nittany Lion on it, in case you are wondering.)

Derek showed Meghan and Evan where he had lived on campus.  He also took them by Nimitz Avenue where I used to live in my basement apartment.  (In case you didn't know us then...I moved to State College while we were dating instead of dating long distance.  I was never a Penn State student...)

The fun didn't stop in State College.  They stopped on the way home  in Strasburg (near Lancaster) for dinner at the ICE CREAM shop we like to visit.  For dinner.  (Just emphasizing, not complaining.)  Yep...memories were made that day!

The kids came home super excited.  They ALL had a lot of fun.  (What a joy to have kids old enough to skip rest time without drastic consequences...at least some of the time!)  It was definitely a successful Daddy Day!

How We Spent Christmas Vacation

On my other blog, This Simple Home, I took Fridays to consider the blessings of the week (usually five).  I am going to start doing here, since it is such a  nice summary of our weeks and focusing on the positive.

I'll back up a bit and consider Christmas vacation.  Here is the good stuff!

1. Safe travels.  Though Esther threw up on the way to NE PA (five hours), we made it there and home again a few days later without any problems.  Part of this was due to us making the choice to leave a day early to beat the storm.

2. Grandma's 90th birthday.  We had a great time with Derek's family celebrating the wonderful woman his grandma is.  All of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were there!!

3. Family.  We were able to see most of my family and all of Derek's family while up.  We left here at 7 a.m. on Saturday and returned Christmas night (Tuesday) at 11 p.m.  In between we had Christmas with my mom, dad, Derek's extended family, and Derek's immediate family.  Plus, we had a birthday party for Grandma!  

4. HOME!!  Then we came home!  From Thursday until the following Wednesday I only left the house to go to the pharmacy and church.  It was wonderful to be home!!  (If you didn't know, I am a homebody and prefer to be right here at home.)

5. Sewing with Meghan.  Meghan learned to sew over Christmas break, at age 6!  It was awesome to spend that time together.  I wrote more about how we did it and included some more pictures at the other blog here.  She really sewed almost every stitch herself!

6. A painted bedroom.  Derek painted our bedroom on his time off.  Neither of us love it, but we are glad it is painted.  Now, maybe after 4.5 years, we will hang something on the bedroom wall??

A Letter for You

Dear Family and Friends,

Merry Christmas!  We hope you are well.  We have not been so good at staying in touch; please forgive us!  We thought we would catch you up with a letter.  It’s difficult to capture a year in a Christmas letter when it is the small moments that often make it so special.

The summer was the busiest that our family has experienced.   In June we traveled to Corolla, North Carolina to spend a week with four generations of Derek’s family at the beach.  It was a wonderful experience with the family.  Great Grandpa rocked Esther to sleep a couple of times.  Evan had a blast with a pool noodle (AKA megaphone) while circling the pool…until he fell into the water.   (Don’t worry, the swimmies and noodle kept him afloat until Daddy saved him.  His hair even remained dry!)   Meghan enjoyed having easy access to swimming in the ocean and pool.  A few weeks later, we headed to Pinebrook in the Poconos for family camp.  The children enjoy late nights and lots of swimming, while Derek and I appreciate the fellowship with others from our church family and good teaching.  (I also enjoy a break from cooking and dishes!)  Before the summer was through, I took the children to northeastern PA to spend a week with our families.

School began for both Meghan and Evan at the end of August.  Meghan attends kindergarten at a charter school.  She really does enjoy it, though the early mornings are difficult for her.   Evan attends a small Christian preschool near our home three mornings a week.  I don’t think he realizes that school is for anything other than play yet.  He really enjoys it, and is learning, too.  I spend my days watching the clock, wondering if it is time to go to preschool or the bus stop. 

The beginning of 2012 seems so long ago!  At that point, Esther was still a difficult baby.  Her screaming was subsiding some to the point where I was able to have her out of my arms for at least a few minutes at a time each day.  Thankfully, she outgrew whatever pain she had and became a normal baby, though on the fast-track for mobility.   She rolled at 11 weeks, (and it was not a fluke).  By 7 months she was cruising along the furniture, and now does everything she can to keep up with her siblings.  By Christmas she will be 14 months.  Esther doesn’t talk a lot, but she does have a few words/word approximations and a handful of signs.   Though Esther is a good eater, she is not a good sleeper.    She rarely sleeps through the night, though in her defense she has had sinus infections and an ear infection, along with colds and several new teeth this fall.  As you might imagine, we’re a bit tired around here.  Our golden-haired little girl finds pleasure in silly games and songs and is often smiling and laughing.

At four, Evan loves dirt and big machines.  This year he learned to zip his coat and dress himself.  He makes jokes that actually make us laugh and definitely has a silly personality.   He has a great imagination that shows in his play.  In the spring, Evan’s neurologist weaned him from his anti-seizure medication.  Evan was seizure-free for three years (and a couple of days), but did have another seizure in early November.  He is back on medication, and we are trusting this will continue keep him seizure free. 

From the day she was born, Meghan’s hair was notable.  In May, she donated eight inches of her hair to make wigs for cancer patients.  Since then she has enjoyed being able to comb and care for her hair more independently.  Meghan has always been eager to learn and is an avid reader.  During the summer she read her first “real” chapter book, and is slowly making her way through the Little House (on the Prairie) series by Laura Ingalls Wilder.  (Meghan actually had a Little House sixth birthday party and was Laura for trick-or-treating this year!)  Right after she turned six, she lost her first and second tooth, both in the same day!

Derek is in his eleventh year working for the Army as a civilian computer scientist (programmer).  His work occasionally takes him out of town, but for the most part, we can be thankful for his predictable hours and the fact that he is home every night for dinner and time with the family.  Derek coached Meghan’s tee ball and football teams this year and played softball with our church for his own enjoyment.  He continues to make our home even nicer with all of his work around the house.  When he is able, he even lets the children help him with his work at home.

I attempt to keep the house and feed the family in between the bus stops, preschool, naps (rarely my own), and the messes of life.   Relaxing does not come as easily these days, but when I can I pick up a book or write about home and family at for my blog.    I am teaching again-but only occasionally at church which is quite satisfying..  Recently I realized the two oldest children make our home a bit like a Disney movie: without any given reason, they break into song!  If only we could harness that sweet energy for the daily squabbles and fights!

As the year began, we were working to just survive each day with a difficult baby.  With the passing of time, so much has changed (even if I’m still sleep-deprived).  Thankfully, we are past the survival mode, though with three young children, we still aim for simplicity and efficiency.  We know our routines and attempt to not deviate from them too much, for the sake of sanity.

We hope that you find joy in this Christmas season that provides us hope through God’s faithfulness!  If you are able, we’d love to hear what changes 2012 brought to you and your family. 

                                                                                                           

Love,

Derek and Annette

Meghan, Evan, and Esther

And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

~ Luke 2:9-10

  

NINE!

It was nine years ago that Derek and I committed our lives to one another.  Strange...it feels that he has always been part of me.  Time has gone by quickly.  We are blessed...and I am blessed to have him.

Tonight the family went to a local restaurant for dinner.  Derek and I have attended a few weddings recently, and Meghan has been very curious, so I brought out the rather grainy VHS video.   It may have been slight torture for Derek.  He endured just fine.

2011: Looking Back

January

We got to play in the snow a lot and Derek turned 31.

I also went away overnight with friends.

February

Derek was away a lot for work, and we had more snow and nice days to play outside.

March

Meghan started reading more and Evan started talking a lot more.

 April

Meghan announced on the blog the news that we were expecting.  

(It wasn't too long before that that we shared with the families.)

 May

Derek completed his master's degree!!  Woo-hoo!

Meghan's preschool year came to an end.

 June

We went to Zoo Day at a local factory.  (Evan still talks about this.)

As a family we also went to Dutch Wonderland.

 We also went to northeastern PA for a visit and bought a van.  Derek and I celebrated our eighth anniversary, too.

July

In early July we went to NYC.  We stayed with family and toured the city a bit.   Then I turned 35.

We also went to family camp at Pinebrook and the beach! 

It was our first trip to the beach other than when Meghan was a baby, despite the short distance.

 

August

Derek was away for two weeks straight during this month, so the children and I went to northeastern PA for a week.  Meghan began her final year of preschool.

 September

The family surprised Derek's mom with a 60th birthday party.  Meghan began playing soccer with an instructional and fun program.

My mom also lost her house to The Flood.

October

Meghan turned 5.  

Four days later, Esther was born.

Three days later, Evan turned three!

Oh, and we had snow in October, too.

November

We tried to adjust to Esther.  We weren't too successful.
The Big Kids had their first movie theater experience with The Muppets.

 December

We started to adjust to life with Esther.  

We also had much of Derek's family for Christmas.