A quick catch up

Hey! How are ya? 

Ya, you!

I hope you are having a blessed and inspired day. 

 I'm just dropping in to say hello. And I'm sorry I've been MIA.

 My little babies are growing up too quickly and I don't want to miss a thing. 

But I plan to be around more.

 Check back soon. :) 

Cloth Diapers

I use cloth diapers. They are not the old, flat cloth that you have to fold/wrap and pin, then cover with a stiff piece of plastic. These are cute, comfortable, easy-to-use diapers. For about 6 months, I had three little ones in diapers. There are many reasons I am thankful I had switched to cloth at this point.

I first learned about these "new" cloth diapers, after I had Boy-O, when I visited a local boutique  that sells cloth diapers and much more. I was sure I wanted to try these, but not sure on the cost. Cloth diapering can have a little larger up front cost when compared to disposable diapers. I looked at one diaper and thought, " I can buy a whole package of diapers for that price." 

Fresh fluff came in the mail

The idea of cloth diapers stayed in my head, when I had SisterBear, I still wanted to cloth diaper. I looked into used. I liked the idea of trying them, without spending the money for new.

SisterBear being my little diva in a prefold and cover

I tried prefolds and covers. This is the close to the "old-school" cloth diapering system. It was alright, but just not for me.

 I bought my first few pocket diapers from a swap and sell site. I got 11 diapers for $35. They were not great diapers, but I knew I could justify trying them for that price. They were not in great condition either. But you get what you pay for, almost always. And, now, I have used the diapers I purchased for Boy-O on MonkeyMan. So my cost to diaper MonkeyMan has been minimal. (I have purchased a few diapers just for him, because I loved the print.)

MonkeyMan in a newborn pocket diaper

Since then, I have found I LOVE cloth diapering. I have purchased many different brands, and many different types. I am a "pocket" diaper person. This means you have an outer shell, that has  a pocket you can put an "insert" in that absorbs the liquid.  I am currently trying out my first fitted. It is a diaper the is completely absorbent. It is usable alone or with a cover over it.


I have quite a stash of cloth diapers now. And I am always watching for cute prints, I cannot live without. I can match diapers to outfits. It is so much fun. It is like an extra accessory.   

A weekend away mean my cloth diapers get a suitcase to themselves.

There is also the knowledge that it takes over 500 years for ONE disposable diaper to decompose in a landfill. I am helping to take care of God's creation. 

The average cost of diapering just one baby to potty trained is $1500 in disposable diapers. The average cost of cloth diapering one baby to potty trained is $300. 


There are many more facts about disposables and cloth diapers here.


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Microwave Free

What?! No Microwave?!

For about a year (maybe more) our microwave has been falling apart. Yep, falling apart. I have heard of microwaves no longer working, but never actually falling apart.

First, the handle broke. The plastic stud that attached it to the door broke off. It was still completely functional,  just had to be careful when opening it.

Then, the door cracked along the bottom. Still, we used it, had no reason not to use it. I even managed to use packing tape and "fix" it, so it was barely noticeable. 

Next, the vent cover popped off the top. 

Then, the handle broke off completely. We were still able to open the microwave, just not very easily.

Finally, the last straw. The glass fell out of the front and a piece of the door came out. We have no idea where it goes. So the microwave is left looking like this:

So for a couple months now we have not had a microwave. And to be honest, I have not missed it. I don't know that I want a new one. (A friend graciously gave us one, but it did not work for us.)  I have gotten used to it taking a little longer to prepare things. But I LOVE knowing our food has not had any nutrients "zapped" out of it. And I am sure there are health benefits to not having one in the home. (Here is where a quick Google search led me)

I was raised without a microwave, so it is not that big a stretch for me to be without one. My parents got a microwave only a year before I moved out. My husband and I, have always had one, however. 

Some things I like about not having a microwave in my house(besides the health benefits):

• I have to think ahead about meals. I can no longer zap something quickly and throw it on the table. My meals are prepared with thoughtfulness. I am making my husband lunch more often, because it takes a little more time. This makes me conscious of the fact that I need to be home around his lunch time more often. That is giving us more time together. It also gives him time to sit and enjoy his lunch, because I usually have it ready when he arrives(or close to then.)

• I think I have become a better at organizing my time. I pay more attention to what time it is, and how long I have to accomplish a task, or how much longer I can be lazy before I need to get up and moving. ;)

• I think food tastes better when it is reheated, or even cooked, in the oven or on the stove top. I do not have the problem of tough chicken, for example.

We will likely get another microwave in the future. (We still use our current one as a vent and over the range light.) But I will not be using it, except in rare instances.  

So yes, I like not having a microwave! :)

Do you have a microwave? Do you think you could live without it?

I am Thankful

I am Thankful for:

*Laundry- it means my family has clothes to wear

*Dishes- it means my family has food to eat.

*Dust and Dirt-it means we have a house to live in, otherwise it wouldn't need cleaning

*Rising Gas Prices-it means I am paying attention, because I have a car to drive

*Medical Bills- it means my family has been cared for by professionals and experts 

*Late nights- I am able to stay up with my children when they do not want to sleep, because I am able to stay home with them.

I am so blessed, and yet, I find myself complaining about the 

Responsibilities that come with the Blessings.

I am going to start looking at things differently, through eyes

 of Gratefulness!

How about you?

Lazy Days

I had such high hopes for today.

 I was going to get all the laundry under control.

 I was going to get the living room arranged back to normal from Christmas. 

I was going to get some more of the kids clothes organized and packed away. 

Do you know what I am doing instead?

 Taking care of not feeling so well, needing something every minute, can't get along, toddlers. 

Oh well, there will be days like this. 

And there will be those productive days. (Secretly, I enjoy these days. I get a great excuse to be lazy. My babies need me to snuggle them and nurture them. )

I'll try again tomorrow.

Here are some old pictures, but they convey the attitude, around here today, very well.

Ignore my messy closet in the background. 

I wish Daddy was around to snuggle babies today.

What are you doing today?

A New Year. . . Different but the Same

It's 2013. Wow. Where did the time go? I cannot believe I have been out of school for ten years, been married 5 1/2 years, and have 3 wonderful children. It blows me away, when I think about how blessed I am. 

Christmas 2012

Fall fun in the leaves

Daddy and the boys

My silly-billys

My crazy lil ones

The first photo of all three together at home.

My day to day is the same, wake up, kids up, breakfast, play, lunch, nap, laundry, dinner, bedtime, start all over. Nothing changed just because it's a new year. But, I feel like, I get a new start. I can make 2013 better than 2012 was. I can accomplish more of my goals.

I can be a better wife. I can be a better mom. I can DO better!

This year I plan to:

•  Keep my house a little cleaner
•  Get rid of lots of extra stuff I have around here. (I plan to do 40 bags in 40 days with Ann Marie)
• Be more of a "Yes" mom.  (A lesson I learned recently from Rachel Barkey )

• Do a daily devotion and bible reading.
• Finish my "to do" list around the house. (I have lots of planned projects still on the list from 2012)



Just before Monkey Man was born.




• Post more on the blog. It is a really relaxing thing to do. 

What are you planning to do this year? Have any New Year's Resolutions?

Family Vacation Fun

We had our annual family trip to Holiday World and Splashin' Safari yesterday. 

Holiday World Website

2009(Boy-O is about to make his appearance)

(I am not sure where the 2010 family picture is: But I'll add it when I find it. )

I have been at least once every year since I was 2. It is a family tradition to all wear the same color on trips. We no longer do this, except at Holiday World. If a "non-family" member manages to "pass the test" and accompany us, they too, must wear the same color. The color-matching in itself has rules. (we are a funny family) If there is a new family member, the color must be yellow. 

2011

:) This year we had LOTS of new members. One from me, three from my brother. We stop at the first rest stop in Indiana to take a picture every year. 

Quite the group. :) 2012

As usual, we had a blast and were worn out from the day. Here are some snapshots of our visit, courtesy of my sisters and their cameras. (Thank you, ladies!)

Boy-O on the Mother Goose train with aunts and cousin.

Nathan and SisterBear

Boy-O Sliding in HoliDog Park

SisterBear and Uncle

Boy-O Playing Peek-A-Boo

SisterBear and Auntie

SisterBear on Mother Goose Train with Auntie and family friend

Boy-O and cousin

Boy-O and me on Jeeps

Rest Stop with Boy-O

MonkeyMan and Auntie