Ahh, the weekends...we so look forward to them and then they pass by so quickly.
I think Saturday is my favorite because we don't 'have' to be anywhere. I don't have to get up till after 7am. We make a nice leisurely breakfast, I get to sit in the recliner with a cup of coffee and watch my favorite cooking show- 'Jamie at Home' by chef Jamie Oliver on BBC. That's the only show that I am strict about getting to see.
However, though Sundays are bustling early in the mornings, I do like having my spirit refreshed and getting to enjoy a relaxing afternoon with my parents. Life is about to get pretty busy again though.
This week we are making the looooooooonnnnnngggggg trek to Upper Michigan for a week. March 3 is Sarah's birthday, and she is going to have a party this year. I decided to do the Good Friday Feast again on Good Friday, which will be on the 21st of March, then Easter, then our anniversary, my birthday and then Mother's Day :) I was uncertain about doing the feast again, but God revealed a plan that will work for us. It will be easier this time because I know what to expect and we already have the decorations and stuff.
Anyone not familiar with what I'm talking about, go here and here.
So, that's what's on my plate coming up :) Not sure how the week will go-I"m not making any promises that I will have lots to talk about or be around since I've got much to do.
February 10, 2008
February 7, 2008
Let me try this again...
The other video I put up before didn't turn out well-too dark. We'll see if this one works better. Alexa seems to like to be princess of rock and roll and her and Leiah are wearing high heels. Sarah is in her own little world, smelling shoes apparently...
How I diaper the baby
Well, the baby will be two next month, so you can tell how much I want her to grow up :)
I have been cloth diapering off and on for 4 years now. I think I've tried just about everything out there from pockets to fitteds to prefold to flats etc, not to mention wool soakers, plastic pants, wrap covers, fleece covers...
When my older two were 1 and 2 years we bought the Fuzzi Bunz that I ended up giving to Candy. They were great because I was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time and dealing with poo was making me sick.
So, with Sarah, I bought 20 small fuzzi bunz thinking she would stay little for a long time like my other two did. She grew out of those in two months. So, we used disposables till she fit into the larger fuzzi bunz, then she grew out of those.
So, I started gathering more diapers. (above is a sample of our 'stash')I learned about these ones called 'Thirsties' which were really cute and a good price. I bought 6 of those and two covers which I love. Then I bought three all-in-one pocket diapers from Swaddlebees. Basically it's an all in one diaper- cover and soaker part all sewn together, but it has a pocket in it in case you want to add more absorbency. I also liked that it snapped on the sides.
I also have a collection of toddler prefold diapers, which you have to use pins ( I keep my Dritz pins in a bar of soap so they glide easier through the fabric) or a snappi, the pink 'T' shaped thing there, and a waterproof cover. I have two wool covers that are GREAT! I dyed them with kool-aid and they have held up all this time. I also have several flat diapers that I prefold so when I need one I don't have to fold it first. Also pictured is a Polar Bummi wrap made of fleece. I don't like it- though I've been careful it already looks worn, is bulky, stinks after one use, and of course, Sarah takes it off.
So what is my favorite? Honestly, I like pinning prefolds and using a wool cover. Sarah takes off her diapers constantly with the velcro, so I either do a fitted diaper with wool or other pull on cover, or a flat/prefold that is fastened and then the wrap cover. The rascal! Wool is great because it somehow keeps wetness from seeping through, is antibacterial, and doesnt' need to be washed very often. These covers badly need to be washed and re-lanolinized (wool naturally has lanolin, the property that makes them water resistant), but I'm all out of wool wash, so we just keep using them anyways. Wool is breathable and feels warm in winter and cool in summer.
I also have a small collection of hemp and terry cloth doublers. Doublers are just another layer to add more absorbency without a lot of bulk, and hemp is extremely absorbent. Since hemp is a natural fiber, it also has antibacterial properties as well. Unfortunately it tends to stink after awhile, so you have get used to that.
I moved the changing table to my bedroom, which works well because Sarah is too big to change on it now, so I can use the bed.
Notice all the stuff on the floor-our 'stash' of stuff for our upcoming trip...
In the top drawer I put everything I use frequently, or 'easy to use' items.
In the next drawer I put the prefolded flat diapers, the liners/doublers, and the flushable paper liners I have. The bottom drawer has wipes (I don't do cloth wipes though) and odds and ends.
In the little side door I keep folded prefold diapers and extra covers for the changing pad. On the top of that I have our wipes, powder and lotion, and a little basket with pins, snappis and diaper cream. (I've had that tube for over two years!)
In the hallway I have an open trash can that I toss the used diapers into, and wash them every 2 days or so. Generally if we're going to church or going to be out for awhile I just use disposables for ease on everyone else, but if we're just going to the grocery store or something I use the stuffed all-in-one diaper. The booty is a little bulky, but with a dress on you don't notice.
So, that's it. Hope it made sense, I've had just about every interruption you can imagine while trying to make this post :)
I have been cloth diapering off and on for 4 years now. I think I've tried just about everything out there from pockets to fitteds to prefold to flats etc, not to mention wool soakers, plastic pants, wrap covers, fleece covers...
When my older two were 1 and 2 years we bought the Fuzzi Bunz that I ended up giving to Candy. They were great because I was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time and dealing with poo was making me sick.
So, with Sarah, I bought 20 small fuzzi bunz thinking she would stay little for a long time like my other two did. She grew out of those in two months. So, we used disposables till she fit into the larger fuzzi bunz, then she grew out of those.
So, I started gathering more diapers. (above is a sample of our 'stash')I learned about these ones called 'Thirsties' which were really cute and a good price. I bought 6 of those and two covers which I love. Then I bought three all-in-one pocket diapers from Swaddlebees. Basically it's an all in one diaper- cover and soaker part all sewn together, but it has a pocket in it in case you want to add more absorbency. I also liked that it snapped on the sides.
I also have a collection of toddler prefold diapers, which you have to use pins ( I keep my Dritz pins in a bar of soap so they glide easier through the fabric) or a snappi, the pink 'T' shaped thing there, and a waterproof cover. I have two wool covers that are GREAT! I dyed them with kool-aid and they have held up all this time. I also have several flat diapers that I prefold so when I need one I don't have to fold it first. Also pictured is a Polar Bummi wrap made of fleece. I don't like it- though I've been careful it already looks worn, is bulky, stinks after one use, and of course, Sarah takes it off.
So what is my favorite? Honestly, I like pinning prefolds and using a wool cover. Sarah takes off her diapers constantly with the velcro, so I either do a fitted diaper with wool or other pull on cover, or a flat/prefold that is fastened and then the wrap cover. The rascal! Wool is great because it somehow keeps wetness from seeping through, is antibacterial, and doesnt' need to be washed very often. These covers badly need to be washed and re-lanolinized (wool naturally has lanolin, the property that makes them water resistant), but I'm all out of wool wash, so we just keep using them anyways. Wool is breathable and feels warm in winter and cool in summer.
I also have a small collection of hemp and terry cloth doublers. Doublers are just another layer to add more absorbency without a lot of bulk, and hemp is extremely absorbent. Since hemp is a natural fiber, it also has antibacterial properties as well. Unfortunately it tends to stink after awhile, so you have get used to that.
I moved the changing table to my bedroom, which works well because Sarah is too big to change on it now, so I can use the bed.
Notice all the stuff on the floor-our 'stash' of stuff for our upcoming trip...In the top drawer I put everything I use frequently, or 'easy to use' items.
In the next drawer I put the prefolded flat diapers, the liners/doublers, and the flushable paper liners I have. The bottom drawer has wipes (I don't do cloth wipes though) and odds and ends.
In the little side door I keep folded prefold diapers and extra covers for the changing pad. On the top of that I have our wipes, powder and lotion, and a little basket with pins, snappis and diaper cream. (I've had that tube for over two years!)
In the hallway I have an open trash can that I toss the used diapers into, and wash them every 2 days or so. Generally if we're going to church or going to be out for awhile I just use disposables for ease on everyone else, but if we're just going to the grocery store or something I use the stuffed all-in-one diaper. The booty is a little bulky, but with a dress on you don't notice.So, that's it. Hope it made sense, I've had just about every interruption you can imagine while trying to make this post :)
February 6, 2008
Head Injury
Today was our grocery day. I 'sinned' and went to walmart to buy our food, ha,ha. I sure saved a lot of money though!
Anyways, my girls did wonderfully- I almost couldn't believe how well they behaved.
Then we got home. We ate lunch, cleaned up and got on the floor to play with a new toy I bought. (it's a GREAT wooden block set marked down to $5) I was laying on my side, watching Leiah and Alexa, the cat decided to perch on my ribcage when out of nowhere I get knocked in the side of my head with what felt like a brick! I cowered my head to the ground praying that I was ok because it was real close to my temple. As I was trying to recover I got hit again!
My sweet, cute little baby girl, had gotten a large heavy book and threw it at me! The corner of it hit my head. She laughed, then did it again! Finally I got up since it seemed she was gonna keep beating the mess out of my head and I had to forcefully teach her a lesson about throwing things. I had to get an ice pack and finally just take some advil.
I wish I could have seen what that looked like from the outside- I bet it was really funny. I kept thinking, what if she had knocked me out cold? Thank the Lord she hit me and not one of the other girls.
Umm, I think we've hit the 'terrible twos' a bit don't ya think?? I am cracking down on her a lot so that we can bypass most of the terrible twos.
Anyways, I was commenting on someone's website, and instead of a word verification you have to do a simple arithmetic problem. Mine was '9+4= ' and I typed in '12'. Maybe that knock to the head made me forget how to add...Maybe I need to start practicing math in my spare time- me, who made straight A's in calculus and chemistry!!!!!
Anyways, my girls did wonderfully- I almost couldn't believe how well they behaved.
Then we got home. We ate lunch, cleaned up and got on the floor to play with a new toy I bought. (it's a GREAT wooden block set marked down to $5) I was laying on my side, watching Leiah and Alexa, the cat decided to perch on my ribcage when out of nowhere I get knocked in the side of my head with what felt like a brick! I cowered my head to the ground praying that I was ok because it was real close to my temple. As I was trying to recover I got hit again!
My sweet, cute little baby girl, had gotten a large heavy book and threw it at me! The corner of it hit my head. She laughed, then did it again! Finally I got up since it seemed she was gonna keep beating the mess out of my head and I had to forcefully teach her a lesson about throwing things. I had to get an ice pack and finally just take some advil.
I wish I could have seen what that looked like from the outside- I bet it was really funny. I kept thinking, what if she had knocked me out cold? Thank the Lord she hit me and not one of the other girls.
Umm, I think we've hit the 'terrible twos' a bit don't ya think?? I am cracking down on her a lot so that we can bypass most of the terrible twos.
Anyways, I was commenting on someone's website, and instead of a word verification you have to do a simple arithmetic problem. Mine was '9+4= ' and I typed in '12'. Maybe that knock to the head made me forget how to add...Maybe I need to start practicing math in my spare time- me, who made straight A's in calculus and chemistry!!!!!
February 5, 2008
Yokes and Burdens
I got rid of yesterday's post. I find that sometimes in needing 'someone' understanding to talk to, I vent on my blog. While this isn't a bad thing, it's just not what I want to do. I feel that I tend to do that a lot. Part of the problem is I don't have friends.
Wow that was hard to say. My husband is my best friend, then next is my mom. But, to have another friend who is a young woman with a young family staying home and managing it- nope. At least not in the flesh. (well I have met Candy, but that was in the summer and we live too far away to 'see' each other regularly)
What is strange to me is that for almost five years I've been attending MOPS, and in all that time I have yet to meet someone who wants a friend. It seems I am always the one having to initiate getting together with someone or trying really, really hard to create a friendship. And all my friends that are still single are living on another planet right now- their lives are just so very different from mine, it's hard to find common ground.
What's the deal? Is it because I have a bunch of little kids? Do I talk too much, eat weird food, laugh too loud?? Am I too big? What gives? I am a social person, and unfortunately, men think that if we're in the same room we're having quality time, LOL. (dh revealed this to me the other day) So, I have the internet, and of course, the Holy Spirit. But, it's nice to have someone with skin :)
I say all of this in jest, but it's still hard to understand. For most of my life it seems that after awhile I get cast off by my 'best friends' like 'you've served your purpose now I don't need you anymore'. Thank God He won't leave me.
Because of my chosen life, and me realizing the value of such a life, of course the enemy is going to try to confuse me and stress me out. One issue is cleaning- I've been burned about that before, so it's a tender spot and I get all bent out of shape if things aren't up to the right standards, whosever they are. They certainly aren't mine as I've said before, I wasn't a great housekeeper the first few years of marriage.
As I was driving rather sleepily this morning, the Lord spoke to me about it.
"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:30
I am the one that is making this so hard. Whatever unrealistic expectations I am putting on myself is what is bogging me down. I am not superwoman, I am not perfect and can never be perfect. What is so great about completing a ton of tasks each day? It's a mindset I've bought into. Yes it is good to be organized and know what to expect. Children do thrive off routine and more gets accomplished, yet as my husband keeps telling me, do the best you can but if it doesn't all get done, work on it tomorrow.
I want to be a homemaker, not a housekeeper or taskmaster. I want our home to be a haven in the midst of this crazy world for all of us. I don't want my children to be inhibited from being creative because their mom is anal about making messes. Yes they should learn to keep their messes contained and be sure to clean them up, but still, gotta lighten up.
Anyways, I know that I've been talking a lot about all of this stuff, but it's what I'm wrestling with at present. Being a wife, mother and homemaker is like being a one-man band. I have all these different instruments I'm trying to juggle and play a perfect harmony with- every once in awhile I hit some clunker notes!
Wow that was hard to say. My husband is my best friend, then next is my mom. But, to have another friend who is a young woman with a young family staying home and managing it- nope. At least not in the flesh. (well I have met Candy, but that was in the summer and we live too far away to 'see' each other regularly)
What is strange to me is that for almost five years I've been attending MOPS, and in all that time I have yet to meet someone who wants a friend. It seems I am always the one having to initiate getting together with someone or trying really, really hard to create a friendship. And all my friends that are still single are living on another planet right now- their lives are just so very different from mine, it's hard to find common ground.
What's the deal? Is it because I have a bunch of little kids? Do I talk too much, eat weird food, laugh too loud?? Am I too big? What gives? I am a social person, and unfortunately, men think that if we're in the same room we're having quality time, LOL. (dh revealed this to me the other day) So, I have the internet, and of course, the Holy Spirit. But, it's nice to have someone with skin :)
I say all of this in jest, but it's still hard to understand. For most of my life it seems that after awhile I get cast off by my 'best friends' like 'you've served your purpose now I don't need you anymore'. Thank God He won't leave me.
Because of my chosen life, and me realizing the value of such a life, of course the enemy is going to try to confuse me and stress me out. One issue is cleaning- I've been burned about that before, so it's a tender spot and I get all bent out of shape if things aren't up to the right standards, whosever they are. They certainly aren't mine as I've said before, I wasn't a great housekeeper the first few years of marriage.
As I was driving rather sleepily this morning, the Lord spoke to me about it.
"For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matt 11:30
I am the one that is making this so hard. Whatever unrealistic expectations I am putting on myself is what is bogging me down. I am not superwoman, I am not perfect and can never be perfect. What is so great about completing a ton of tasks each day? It's a mindset I've bought into. Yes it is good to be organized and know what to expect. Children do thrive off routine and more gets accomplished, yet as my husband keeps telling me, do the best you can but if it doesn't all get done, work on it tomorrow.
I want to be a homemaker, not a housekeeper or taskmaster. I want our home to be a haven in the midst of this crazy world for all of us. I don't want my children to be inhibited from being creative because their mom is anal about making messes. Yes they should learn to keep their messes contained and be sure to clean them up, but still, gotta lighten up.
Anyways, I know that I've been talking a lot about all of this stuff, but it's what I'm wrestling with at present. Being a wife, mother and homemaker is like being a one-man band. I have all these different instruments I'm trying to juggle and play a perfect harmony with- every once in awhile I hit some clunker notes!
February 3, 2008
Getting ready for the week...
So what have I been up to?
Friday I took Leiah to the Brain Gym lady again and she did wonderful! The lady was soooo excited about her progress and told me she thought we would really begin to see some good changes in Leiah. It takes time though.
Anyways, she also writes curriculum for preschools and elementary grades and had some great ideas for activities. One of which, you won't believe how simple and cheap it is. Take an empty bottle, such as a syrup bottle with a lid that has a big enough hole for a piece of yarn. Make sure it's cleaned and dry, then get about two feet of yarn, knot both ends, and feed it through the hold in the lid of the bottle. After it's all in there, 'squirt' the bottle and the yarn comes shooting out. Part of the game is to get them to practice threading the yarn in the hole. My nephew played with it all afternoon, and he is a high energy kid.
Another thing we did over the weekend was take some plastic bottles, such as those for water or soda, but not liter sized. We filled one with water, added some food coloring, glitter, colored foil bits (I found it in the birthday section of walmart) various small objects (I raided the girls' dress up box and hair accesory boxes) then glued the lid. It's supposed to be a 'calming' toy and it's fun to shake it up and see all the glittering objects. The other we filled with half blue water and half baby oil so the objects 'floated' like boats. I couldn't find any small fish, shells or boats anywhere at walmart though! We keep them up high so curious hands don't get them without us knowing and somehow bust it open :)
We now have less than two weeks before we drive to the UP. (upper Michigan) It is terribly cold there I've heard, and it's in the 70s here! I need to start making packing lists and get that going so there won't be so much to do the day before.
This week I am trying to figure out how to fit everything in that needs to be done while taking Leiah to speech. It's just one day a week for now, but it still takes me an hour one way to get there, so it pretty much takes up half the day, plus any other errands I need to run. I think the only way I will be able to do it all is wake up at 5am!
My FIRM tapes made it in! I have to start this week even though I don't have hand weights or a step stool thingie. If I don't I won't be able to sled or ski much in the snow later.
I'm also looking for a new hairdo. This time last year I cut my very long hair pretty short. I liked it for awhile, then got tired of it, then was stuck with the growing out stage. Now it's considered 'long'-a few inches past my shoulders. I don't consider that long. Anyways, I may try a straight hair style with bangs- do you know I haven't had bangs since the early 90s when we curled them and poofed them out and sprayed hairspray all over? Maybe I should start that trend up again, ha,ha. I couldn't let myself go out in public like that!
Just for kicks, my husband found a free tool on the internet that let me upload my picture and it would put different 'celebrity' hairstyles on my head. You can even change the color and highlight it. Let's just say blond is not me :) We put dh and the kids' faces in there too, silly us!
Busy week ahead! I'm going to try 3 Week Cleaning from Candy's website. (keeping the home)
There is of course the usual cooking, tidying, bed-making, table chores, school, brain gym, sewing, Bible study, blogging, new exercise routine, etc... I also plan to work in a fun Valentine craft in there somewhere, if not this week then for sure next week. Oooh, the brain gym therapist also gave me some GREAT recipes for kids- silly putty, edible playdough, face paint etc. If anyone is interested I can post them.
Gotta go- maybe I can sew a bit on Alexa's dress before bed.
Friday I took Leiah to the Brain Gym lady again and she did wonderful! The lady was soooo excited about her progress and told me she thought we would really begin to see some good changes in Leiah. It takes time though.
Anyways, she also writes curriculum for preschools and elementary grades and had some great ideas for activities. One of which, you won't believe how simple and cheap it is. Take an empty bottle, such as a syrup bottle with a lid that has a big enough hole for a piece of yarn. Make sure it's cleaned and dry, then get about two feet of yarn, knot both ends, and feed it through the hold in the lid of the bottle. After it's all in there, 'squirt' the bottle and the yarn comes shooting out. Part of the game is to get them to practice threading the yarn in the hole. My nephew played with it all afternoon, and he is a high energy kid.
Another thing we did over the weekend was take some plastic bottles, such as those for water or soda, but not liter sized. We filled one with water, added some food coloring, glitter, colored foil bits (I found it in the birthday section of walmart) various small objects (I raided the girls' dress up box and hair accesory boxes) then glued the lid. It's supposed to be a 'calming' toy and it's fun to shake it up and see all the glittering objects. The other we filled with half blue water and half baby oil so the objects 'floated' like boats. I couldn't find any small fish, shells or boats anywhere at walmart though! We keep them up high so curious hands don't get them without us knowing and somehow bust it open :)
We now have less than two weeks before we drive to the UP. (upper Michigan) It is terribly cold there I've heard, and it's in the 70s here! I need to start making packing lists and get that going so there won't be so much to do the day before.
This week I am trying to figure out how to fit everything in that needs to be done while taking Leiah to speech. It's just one day a week for now, but it still takes me an hour one way to get there, so it pretty much takes up half the day, plus any other errands I need to run. I think the only way I will be able to do it all is wake up at 5am!
My FIRM tapes made it in! I have to start this week even though I don't have hand weights or a step stool thingie. If I don't I won't be able to sled or ski much in the snow later.
I'm also looking for a new hairdo. This time last year I cut my very long hair pretty short. I liked it for awhile, then got tired of it, then was stuck with the growing out stage. Now it's considered 'long'-a few inches past my shoulders. I don't consider that long. Anyways, I may try a straight hair style with bangs- do you know I haven't had bangs since the early 90s when we curled them and poofed them out and sprayed hairspray all over? Maybe I should start that trend up again, ha,ha. I couldn't let myself go out in public like that!
Just for kicks, my husband found a free tool on the internet that let me upload my picture and it would put different 'celebrity' hairstyles on my head. You can even change the color and highlight it. Let's just say blond is not me :) We put dh and the kids' faces in there too, silly us!
Busy week ahead! I'm going to try 3 Week Cleaning from Candy's website. (keeping the home)
There is of course the usual cooking, tidying, bed-making, table chores, school, brain gym, sewing, Bible study, blogging, new exercise routine, etc... I also plan to work in a fun Valentine craft in there somewhere, if not this week then for sure next week. Oooh, the brain gym therapist also gave me some GREAT recipes for kids- silly putty, edible playdough, face paint etc. If anyone is interested I can post them.
Gotta go- maybe I can sew a bit on Alexa's dress before bed.
February 1, 2008
Awarded!
I can't believe I got awarded with this one twice, one from Laura and one from Thirdtimemama.
I don't have the time to list everyone I want to award right now, hopefully I can later today.
Thanks so much, I am quite surprised really. Doesn't seem like I say anything all that noteworthy, LOL.
My awards go to:
Candy, at Welcome to Keeping the Home
Pleasantview Schoolhouse
Lady Lydia, at Homeliving Helper
The Sparrow's Nest
Cat, at Welcome Home (used to put out the Making it Home magazine)
And, maybe I can add more later...
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