Five Professions I'd Like to Try {My Life in Lists}

I just came across a new link-up called My Life in Lists hosted by If These Walls Could Speak.  It's awesome.  I get a prompt for a list each week.  And if you know me, then you know that I love my lists!  

This week's prompt is: 5 Professions You'd Like to Try

1. Youth Pastor - I'd love to make an impact on kids and young adults.  Fellowships like Young Life made such a positive impact on my life, and I'd just love to give that to other young people.  

2. Makeup Artist on the Bachelorette - Now that I'm married, obviously I can't be the Bachelorette (not that I'd want to be), but I totally want to travel to all of the exotic locations where they film, so makeup artist sounds fun.  :)  Of course, I'll be bringing along Hubby and Baby Prez.

3. First Grade Teacher - A friend once told me that first grade is the best grade to teach because the children know how to tie their shoes, but don't have an attitude yet.  And it would be refreshing to teach children instead of college kids!

4. Broadway star - This was my dream when I was a little girl.  It would be so much fun to get up and act and sing.  Not fun enough though to live in a closet in New York.  I'd much rather visit NYC and watch Broadway shows.  My favorites are Aida and The Lion King.  (Wicked comes in a close third.)

5. Book Editor - I love reading.  Once I thought I might want to be a writer because I love to read, but then I realized that I don't actually have lots of ideas for stories, so I wanted to be the person who reads other people's stories.  I still think this would be an awesome job.  And I've been blessed to be a part of an author's launch team, which gives me the chance to read her novels in advance and review them online.  Most recently, I reviewed Echoes of Mercy, and I highly recommend it!  But seriously, would there be a better way to spend a day than reading novels all day and getting paid for it?  Nope.

Have a great weekend!

Photo Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Finally Spring! {Five on Friday}

This week I am so thankful that spring is finally here!  And I'm excited to share some of the things I'm looking forward to this spring!


1. Easter Outfits for Baby Prez

I've been thinking about Baby President's Easter outfit for awhile now and drooling over this adorable little outfit from Target. 

Need I say more?

Source: Target.com

2. Dyeing Easter Eggs

I need to pick up some egg dyeing kits this week so that we can dye some Easter eggs for Baby President's first Easter!  As he gets older, I want to incorporate more activities focused on Jesus's death and resurrection, but this year I'm focused on sensory activities.  Brightly colored Easter eggs should do the trick!  But there are so many options for Easter egg dyeing kits these days.  Of course, I'll go with Paas.  Because duh.

When I was growing up, we had the basic dye colors and if we wanted to do something fancy we drew on the eggs with crayons before dyeing them or used two different colors to make some cool colors like orange or purple!  Now in addition to the classic egg dye kit, we've got pre-made dye cups (cheating if you ask me), sparkling glitter kits (the little girl inside me loves this), tie dye kits (groovy!), sporty egg kits (Go Pokes!), 3-D explosion eggs (what?!), monster egg kits (I think an egg would make a great Mike Wazowski), volcanic eggsplosions, marble egg kits (this might be my favorite), neon Easter eggs, and even color snaps (which look easy and complicated all at the same time).

3. Walks with Baby President

Last summer, we were able to take Baby President to the Farmer's Market a few times!  It was fun to pick out produce there for his baby food.  When Baby Prez was 12 weeks old, we took him for the first time and bought acorn squash for his homemade baby food that week.  

Baby President's 1st Farmers' Market - 2013

Isn't he just adorbs?  

This year, we live close to two great parks!  Baby Prez has lots of swinging at the playground in his future!

4. Moscato

Specifically, Barefoot Moscato.  It's cheap, but so yummy!  Does moscato say spring to anyone else?

Source: Influencer.com

5. My Clothesline

Yes, that's right.  My clothesline.  When we moved into this house last fall, one of the things I didn't even think about was the clothesline in the backyard.  But then, our dryer plug didn't fit the outlet, so until we got the adapter, I used the clothesline.  In fact, I even line dried our clothes after we adapted the dryer!  And it's perfect for sunning Baby President's cloth diapers.  

And now, it's getting warm enough to head out to the backyard and pin our clothes up on the line!

Source: Wikipedia

What are you looking forward to this spring?

This post may contain affiliate links.

Free Dave Ramsey eBook

The husband and I are just getting started reading some of Dave Ramsey's stuff, and it's great so far!  We are excited to get started with his Total Money Makeover next month.  And here's another one of his books for FREE!

Download a free eBook copy of Dave Ramsey's Complete Guide to Money HERE.  

Note: While the book is free, you are encouraged to give a "tip".  All tips go to the Young Life organization, which is a fantastic organization for high school students.  

Air Travel Tips for Pumping Moms: Part 1

As I mentioned in Baby President's 8-9 month update, we experienced our first time (x 4) traveling on a plane with an infant.  That also meant that my pump was coming along for the trip.  I wanted to be thoroughly prepared, so I did quite a lot of research online for travel info, TSA requirements, tips, tricks, everything!

This is the beginning of a 3 part series on air travel tips for pumping moms.

My research uncovered some shocking incidents and some comforting news as well.  I was a bit worried that I would be harassed by TSA agents after reading about a pumping mom who wasn't allowed to take her breast pump through security because the milk bottles were empty.  What?!?  So that she could take it with her, she was then forced to pump in a public restroom.  Not in a restroom stall, but by a counter were the only outlet was.

But honestly, I had absolutely no trouble with security.  None at all.  The TSA agents at both the Omaha airport and the Philadelphia airport were very polite and respectful.

---

Air Travel Tips for Pumping Moms

Part 1: Carrying Breast Milk on the Airplane

---

1. Breast Milk Storage

Breast milk is an exception to TSA's 3-1-1 rule.  In other words, you can take breastmilk on the plane in the normal 5 ounce pumping bottles OR your baby's bottle if baby is traveling with you.  I carried full pumping bottles, full baby bottles, and empty pumping bottles in the pump bag for convenience.

Check out the TSA's policy on breast milk HERE.  (Note: You can also carry-on formula in containers larger than 3 ounces.)


2. Breast Milk Screening 

At the security area, you will need to declare the breast milk to an agent.  The agent will ask you to remove any containers with breast milk.  You can either allow the milk to go through the x-ray machine like your shoes, laptop, and carry-on

OR

You can request an alternative screening that does not submit the milk to radiation.  I chose the alternative screening process, which was pretty painless, but took an extra minute or two.

One thing to note about the screening: the TSA agents can swab the outside of the full bottles and/or use a different machine (not an x-ray) to check the bottles, but they cannot, let me repeat, they cannot ask you to open the bottles filled with milk or open the bottles themselves.  

3. The Breast Pump

When you take the breast pump through security at the airport, you may be asked to remove it from a suitcase or other carry-on if needed.  (I removed it at one airport and left it in the carry-on suitcase at the other airport.)  It can be sent through the x-ray machine with the rest of your carry-on and personal items.  Breast milk is the only thing that I would be concerned with avoiding the x-ray machine; there's no need to expose the milk to the waves of radiation.  

In some online forums, moms suggested that a breast pump can be carried on as a medical device or medical equipment separate from other carry-on items.  This means that you could carry on your personal bag (purse), your carry-on (suitcase or duffle), AND a breast pump.  I could not find anything on the airlines' or TSA websites to confirm this, so you would want to contact your airline to confirm their policy.


4. One More Thing

I would highly recommend printing the TSA policy on breast milk and taking it with you, just in case.  I took printouts of the breast milk policy as well as all of the policies related to babies and children; I never had to reference them or show them to TSA agents, but I felt more comfortable knowing that I could produce them if necessary.


For more tips and a fantastic checklist for traveling with a breast pump, check out this article at Lactation Matters.

Check out the rest of this series on Air Travel Tips for Pumping Moms.

Part 1: Carrying on your Breast Pump and Breast Milk

Part 2: When and Where to Pump while Traveling

Part 3: Gadgets to Make Pumping while Traveling Easier

This post may contain affiliate links.

Baby Prez: 8- 9 Months

Dear Baby Prez,

This is your update for months 8 and 9!  And what a couple of months it was!  You are growing and developing like a superstar!  In the past few months, you have reached some milestones like learning to sit and crawl, experienced several firsts like flying on an airplane, and grown into quite the big boy.

Baby mohawk!

Milestones

Just a few weeks after you hit 7 months, you began sitting up on your own (for more than a few seconds).  Mommy was a little worried because all the books say that 7 months is the upper end for learning to sit up.  Sitting up was one of your coolest developments to date.  It completely changed how you interacted with objects and played.

But then...

Only a week or so later, you mastered the art of crawling!  Mommy definitely thought that she would have more of a gap in between sitting up and mobility!!!!  And she was a little scared of you crawling.  Not scared in the "Oh my goodness, I hope he doesn't get hurt" way, but more of the, "Oh no!  I have to watch him every single solitary second so he doesn't get into anything bad, gross, dangerous, dirty, etc." way.  So Mommy was quite surprised when crawling wasn't so bad at all.  In fact, close some doors and add a gate to block the kitchen, and crawling was great.  Instead of just crying or falling over trying to get a new toy, you could just crawl over and start playing with it!

But then...

Only a few days later, you began using the furniture to pull yourself into a standing position.  And Mommy, said, "Oh No!" because now you really do have to be watched every second.  And even though you figured out how to stand, and were quite proud of yourself, it took you awhile to figure out how to get down from standing without just falling over.

And then...

Well actually, around the same time as crawling, you got your very first tooth!  And your second tooth!  It was about three weeks of new developments and accomplishments every time we turned around.  The first few days while that first tooth was cutting through your gum and growing in were pretty tough, but you made it!

And then...

You learned to wave!  You wave at everything and everyone from the puppies to the ceiling fan, from Mommy & Daddy to your toys.  It's pretty much the most adorable thing ever.  

Your "Firsts"

Beyond your developmental firsts of first time sitting up, first time crawling, first time standing, and first tooth you also experienced more firsts!

In about a week's time, you had your first illnesses - the flu bug, a cold, and an ear infection.  One right after the other in January.  First it was the flu bug.  Mommy got sick, so Daddy took over while Mommy felt miserable, but then the next day, Daddy started feeling sick.  So we called Mimi.  You went to Mimi's house for a few days, and Mommy and Daddy hoped that you wouldn't get sick.  But no.  Instead, not only did you get sick, but we also passed the bug to everyone at Mimi's house.  About three days after Mommy got sick, Mommy and Daddy also went to Mimi's house to take care of you and everyone else that was sick.  It was not the best week of your life...for anyone involved.  This earned you the affectionate nickname: plague rat.  And you are my favorite little plague rat.  Right after you got over the flu bug, you caught a cold.  Poor baby.  And right after that, an ear infection.  Thank goodness for the pink medicine (i.e. antibiotics).

You also experienced your very first airplane rides.  We were all very sad because your Daddy's aunt passed away, so we traveled to Pennsylvania for the memorial service.  And yes, we traveled by plane.  Before the trip, Mommy did lots of research about flying with babies, and the research paid off.  You were a very good boy through security, all of the flights, and even while we were delayed on the tarmac.  In fact, you slept through the majority of our four flights.  Mommy and Daddy sure are blessed with an amazing baby -- You!

You also got to meet many of your cousins on Daddy's side of the family.  Your Mimi has five siblings, so there were lots and lots of cousins through their kids and their kids' kids.  You were the baby though, and that meant that you were in high demand.  You got passed around and cuddled and tickled and cooed at and loved on.  Baby Prez, always remember that there is no measure for the love of family and that family is always a priority (right after God and your wifey).

During the same trip, we stayed in a hotel with you for the very first time.  I think you missed home, but you also got sick the second night we were there, which meant that you cried.  All.  Night.  Long.  You had been sleeping through the night pretty well since December (6 1/2 months), so not sleeping through the night was unusual.  And not sleeping at all was crazy.  Mommy got about two hours of sleep that night, and Daddy got zero sleep that night.  By about 3 or 4AM (and a hour and a half before we needed to leave for the airport), your forehead felt too hot.  Oh no!  A fever!  Luckily, your Daddy is a hero.  Despite getting no sleep, he ventured out in the middle of the night to find you some baby advil.

So, in one trip, you had your first plane ride, first hotel room, and first fever, and you met many new people.


Another new experience for you is daycare.  In January, you started to go to daycare twice a week, right next door.  It has been so nice to be able to walk you from door to door in about a minute.  Mommy was a little nervous about doing daycare, but Mommy and Daddy knew that Mommy needed some extra time to work on her dissertation and other schoolwork.  And aren't all mom a little worried on that first morning of daycare?  But daycare has been great.  You have so much fun with Lisa and the kids.  You even have a best friend, Henry.  Henry is not quite a year older than you, but still the closest in age to you.  Since he can walk, when you are playing in the walker, Henry will bring you toys and play with the walker toys with you.  You also play patty-cake with him!  And Nora, who is about a year older than you, has a little crush on you.  She will give you hugs and bring you toys.

Right before you turned nine months, we started on table foods.  And at nine months you still weren't very interested.  We tried bananas, macaroni noodles, grape halves, etc.  But you thought they were just for playing.  (A sneak preview of your next update is that you're starting to like table foods!)

More 8-9 Month Highlights

In January, Mommy and Baby Prez traveled to Oklahoma to visit Gramma, Grandpa, and Aunt Kiley.  You were spoiled while Mommy worked like a crazy woman to catch up on schoolwork.  You even got to watch your first basketball game.  Even better, you got to meet Pistol Pete!

Go Cowgirls!

And in February, you got to attend a birthday party for the first time.  Along with a the party, you got to go to a roller skating rink (no, you didn't get to skate) and see a balloon for the first time.  Went to a birthday party for the first time at the skating rink for cousin Chanel

At your 9 month checkup, your were:

20 pounds 9 ounces 

and 

29 inches tall.

Learning physics with Daddy

Snow!

Good night

Mommy and Daddy can't wait to see all of your new accomplishments in the next few months and beyond!  You are a very special little man, Baby President.


Love,


Mommy

Echoes of Mercy: Book Review

Being a part of an author's launch team is an incredible blessing for someone who loves to read!  My last review was back in September of What Once Was Lost.  And then there was the short fiction, Just As I Am, which bridges between What Once Was Lost and my newest book, Echoes of Mercy.  So, I was excited to find Kim Vogel Sawyer's newest historical Christian romance novel in my mailbox.  And the only thing I like more than a historical Christian romance novel, is a historical Christian romance novel with a hint of suspense.  And Echoes of Mercy certainly delivers!

Buy it on Amazon HERE.

Echoes of Mercy follows the adventure of Caroline Lang, a young woman driven to uncover the ills and misfortunes of child labor.  I think I am a woman who is passionate about God and that God has called my heart beyond just compassion for the children of the world who lack for love and comfort.  So Echoes of Mercy really spoke to me and pulled on my heart strings.  

I don't often review books here at Harvey Ever After and there are a couple of reasons for that.  The first one is that I simply enjoy reading, and so I like almost all books I read.  But the second reason is that if I were reading a review, I'd like to come up with some objective criteria through which I can compare books.  So, with this review I'm starting a scoring system along with some "vital statistics".  Like anyone trying to find an answer, I googled book review criteria, and there are all kinds of systems out there, but honestly, none of them really worked for me.  My inspirations, however, were from JeriWB, Mother, Daugher & Son Book Reviews (yes, one for children's books), and BookLook Bloggers.  My new book criteria are: organization, voice, word choice, character development, plot, and the faith factor.  (And a short summary!  I almost forgot that.  Oops!)

Vitals Stats 

Title: Echoes of Mercy

Author: Kim Vogel Sawyer

Genre: Historical Christian Fiction/Romance

Setting: Kansas, 1904

Summary

After a suspicious death at the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory, Caroline Lang takes on an undercover assignment as a factory employee to investigate the working conditions for children as well as the death itself.  Caroline is especially suited for the work through her background, passion, faith, and compassion, and fervently believes that children should be able to go to school instead of working in factories.  

The heir to the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory, Oliver, is also undercover at the factory.  He pretends to be a common laborer and takes a janitor job.  His goal is to fully understand the business before he takes over from is father.  Oliver and Carry hit it off immediately, but their bond is strained because each is trying to keep their identity a secret from the other.  They are brought together to help a destitute family, but discover that they have very different views on a key issue - child labor.  Will their differences keep them apart?  Or will God lead them down a path together?

Organization

Echoes of Mercy flows well throughout the story.  The voices are outlined clearly so that the reader always understands whose perspective we are seeing the world through.  The chapter beginnings and endings work well to move the story along.  And the appearance of the book cover, interior, chapter headings, etc. are pleasing to the eye.  

Voice 

I've noticed that in many of Kim Vogel Sawyer's books, the point-of-view, or voice, changes throughout the story among the primary characters.  The same is true for Echoes of Mercy.  I thoroughly enjoy this type of writing because I enjoy learning about the way each of the characters think.  There is a balance, however, in that the number of viewpoints is limited to two or three, which allows the reader to switch back-and-forth with ease.   

Word Choice 

The language used in the book is appropriate, especially given the historical nature of the book.  It is clear to me that the author has done extensive research and also understands the characters fully so as to maintain an obvious distinction throughout the story.  In Echoes of Mercy, I particularly like that the accents and speech tendencies are pointed out, and that they are consistent from beginning to end.

Character Development 

Caroline Lang - our heroine, who investigates child labor issues through undercover work at the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory

Oliver Dinsmore - heir to the Dinsmore Chocolate Factory, who is doing his own version of undercover work

Letta - a destitute teenager, who is desperately seeking work to support her brothers and father

Kesia - a sassy cafe owner with the biggest heart 

Gordon Hightower - factory manager, who has worked for the Dinsmore Chocolate Factor since he was a child

Noble & Annemarie - Caroline's boss and mentors who display incredible faith

Like so many of Kim Vogel Sawyers books, the characters in Echoes of Mercy are easy to like (and easy to dislike in some cases).  I could easily identify with the main character, Carrie Lang, in that we both are passionate about less fortunate children, though admittedly, our backgrounds are worlds apart.  Nevertheless, I found myself living out an adventure and a love story through Caroline's eyes.  Likewise,the male lead, Oliver, has a character that is endearing and admirable.  And the minor characters in this story are just fantastic - a sassy, compassionate cook/entrepreneur and three penniless, deprived siblings with the most adorable spunk, and determined, loving, and vigorous adoptive parents.  

Plot

As I mentioned above, the plot of this story drew me in at the start and didn't let up until the end.  I'm one of those people are so curious about the characters' lives after the story ends that I make up my own continuations of the story.  The plot builds up slowly enough so that the reader gets to know the characters before jumping into the action, and then the action is suspenseful with just the right climax.  In addition, the plot line and even the romance timeline are believable and probable.  So often characters are just thrown together and fall in love after meet a handful of times, but not here.  Not in Echoes of Mercy. 

Can loved ones keep secrets and still end up together?  In this tale, you will find yourself nervous and anxious for the characters.  Angry at others.  And still in awe at some of the incredible acts of faith and heroism.  Beyond that you'll wonder how the Caroline and Oliver can carry the burden of their secrets and how on earth they'll ever be able to come clean, especially to each other!  

Faith Factor

Since Kim Vogel Sawyer's books are Christian stories of hope and inspiration, the last criteria is the "faith factor".  I have read books in the past that claim to be stories of faith, but that seemed to pull a few verses in here and there all willy nilly at the last minute, almost as if the story wasn't written as a Christian novel, but that the author thought they'd have a better chance at getting published if they went that route.  I've never experienced that with a Kim Vogel Sawyer book.  And Echoes of Mercy was no different.  The faith of the characters and the stories of redemption and conversion were interwoven into the story as an integral thread.  Love it.  

Echoes of Mercy is truly an inspirational tale of love, adventure, redemption, trust and faith.  It now sits on with the books that I've read dozens of times because I plan to read Echoes of Mercy dozens of times.  The historical setting was believable and fascinating.  The characters were lovable and hateable.  The plot line kept me intrigued throughout the book.  I couldn't wait to get to the ending and yet I dreaded that the ending would be the end of the story.  And what an amazing message of God's mercy and grace.  Loved it!

You should also check out some of my other Kim Vogel Sawyer favorites - My Heart Remembers, Sweet Sanctuary, and A Promise for Spring!

Going forward, I'd like to start some sort of point system for each criterion above and an overall score.  Something like stars, but related to books.  What do you think?  Do have any ideas?  I'm thinking chapters, apples, fan mail . . .   

*I received this book from the author/publisher for my honest review, which is above. This post may contain affiliate links.

Calling All Parents!

Dear Parent,

• 
  

  You are invited to participate in an important research study about advertising to children.

  The purpose of this study is to explore how parents understand the concept of family and perceive family portrayals in child-targeted advertising. As the appearance of family continues to change, it is important to understand how parents choose to expose or not expose their children to diversity in families. The results of this study will help us understand how you, as parents, view different types of families in children's advertising.

  If you agree to participate, you will answer questions about general diversity (ex: racial or sexual diversity), different family compositions (ex: single parented families), your opinions about different types of families and how your child(ren) are exposed to them.

  The survey will take about 20 minutes.

  Your identity and survey answers will be kept completely confidential. Your responses will be grouped with those of others, and no identifying information will be kept. The data from all respondents will be published in a class project and may later be published in a different format such as a journal article. Follow this link to the Survey: https://unlcba.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_3rzuJ2jjMVxHWSx

  Thank you in advance for your participation.

  Sincerely,

  Elise Johansen Harvey PhD Student University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Blog Break

It has been over a month since my last blog post.  Wow!  How time flies!

You may have wondered where I've been for the last month and how Baby Prez is doing.  Well, the last month has been both a blessing and a struggle.  I was incredibly blessed to spend time with family over Christmas.  And what a Christmas it was!

The struggle has been with the work side of my life.  While having a baby was one of the greatest gifts in my life, it has also resulted in falling behind in my PhD program.  I have really struggled to keep up with things, and the truth is that I've failed to keep up.  And because I fell behind, my department has decided to take action if I don't catch up soon.  What does "take action" mean?  Well, for the most part, that remains to be seen, but let's hope it doesn't come to that.  (I think it is completely fair for people to be asking why on earth I'm still so behind, so my department is being totally fair and supportive.  They are just pushing me to get caught up.)

With that said, I am hoping to get back to Harvey Ever After in March!  Yes, in two days!  (Well, maybe a few more than that, but...soon.)

In the meantime, my lovely readers, I will be posting a request to recruit parents to take a survey for one of my research projects, and hopefully to become part of a parent panel I am putting together.  Please let me know if you'd be interested in helping me out!