Roller Coaster Ride

Up.  Down.  Laughing with glee.  Bracing with terror.  Twisting 'round and 'round.  Waiting for sure ground.

This well describes my past few weeks.

Mark was gone for the last 2 weeks on a trip to Australia with his dad - lucky bum.  He's had a rough year, work-wise (who hasn't?), needed the break, and who could pass up a fully paid trip of a lifetime?!  I was glad for him to be able to take a respite.

I was not glad for me to be alone for two weeks....with our new daughter....at Christmas time. Thus the beginning of my 'roller coaster ride'.  It started off with some intense family issues right before I had planned to run away and stay with them while Mark was gone.  After much prayer and shedding of my pride, I decided to go anyway and, praise the Lord, found healing when I thought it wasn't possible.

After a few days, Vienne and I returned to our lonely home back out here at the beach.  I appreciate my alone time, though I do not like to be alone at night.  Sheepishly, I admit...I am afraid of the dark.  It is a fear, I discovered through all this, that grips me tightly.  I started to notice strange things happening around my home with my lights.  My fears manifesting?  My imagination?  I dunno.  Lights were turning on after I had intentionally turned them off.  One light, in particular, really freaked me out.  I leave the hallway light on during the nights so that I can see when I go to feed Vienne.  At midnight it was on.  At 3am it was not.  The bulb had not burned out.  It was turned off.  Freaky.  Don't ya think?

The next night, I covered our home with prayers and pleaded God's angels to stand guard at our four corners.  I slept well.  A rise on the roller coaster ride.

The next morning, the ride took a deep dip down.  A loud bang erupted at my front door at 9:30 on Sunday morning, as I was getting ready for church.  V was asleep.  As I walked to the door, a man stepped in front of my living room window and peered in.  Foolishly, I opened the door anyway.  He said that he was from Charter cable and tried to make a sales pitch to me. No work order.  No badge.  No appointment.  Telling me I could pay $5 more a month to get more channels.  !!!??!!!  His eyes were constantly on me.  I sensed something strange and managed to turn him away quickly and shut the door.  He had told me that my TV would be off for the next half hour as he worked on things.  Right.  I immediately heard an engine rev up and ran to the window just in time to glimpse a dingy white truck speed out of our neighborhood.  I just knew it was a scam.  9:30 on a Sunday morning??!!  I started to worry.  I called Charter to report it.  They didn't have much info to give me since they couldn't contact my local office. I reported it to the police, as well.  Of course, now I was worried about staying in my home alone.  Was he casing the place?  Would he come back?  How did he know I was alone?  Had he followed me home from my walk earlier that morning?  Why my house and no other?  Why didn't he force himself in?  All questions that could not get answered.  A new dear friend of mine insisted that I come and stay with them until Mark returned home.  I obliged.  

Amidst the flurry of my emotions and fear, the first snow began to fall that day.  Vienne and I managed to make it to Betsy and Mike's before the storm really took over.  The ride of my roller coaster began to take a turn as I realized the blessing I had in the people around me. In a small town like this, word gets around fast.  Soon enough, I was receiving phone calls to check in on me and let me know that all were watching out for this mysterious white truck in town.  Friends dropped by my house, while I was gone, to check on the door and window locks.  And, I found joy and peace in the realization that I was caught in a snow storm with a friend.  I was thankful that the Lord took my fear and a potentially scary situation and wrapped His arms around me and my baby with the love of friends that I have in this town.  

My Mark returned home yesterday afternoon.  A new wave of emotions has pummeled through my core.  Excitement and relief at his return.  The comfort of safety and peace in his presence.  An odd numbness from the long days of doing it all by myself and trying to keep it together for my daughter.  Interest and joy for the stories he had to share.  Anger for leaving me alone to endure the mess that transpired in his leave.  Disappointment in my attitude and selfishness.  Frustration at my inner turmoil.  Up.  Down.  Smiling. Withdrawing. Twisting 'round and 'round.  Praying for sure ground.

I am still in the midst of my storm.  My tumultuous ride.  We leave in just a few short days for Christmas in Boston.  I dread the long flight with a baby, the time change on her little system, and her tendency to not sleep in a new place.  I just want to stay home and start fresh without any new changes.  But, the Lord seems to want to take me on this ride.  And, I realize He won't bring me down until I lean on Him no matter what...until I trust in Him and not myself.

While I learn this lesson (for the 179th time in my life!), I take comfort in this verse, always:

"But now, this is what the Lord says -

He who created you, O Jenny,

He who formed you, dear daughter:

'Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name;

you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.

For I am the Lord, your God,

the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

...Since you are precious and honored in my sight,

and because I love you.' "

~Isaiah 43: 1-4a

Projects and Stuff

I am proud to say that I have just started to meet some of my recent goals - learning to crochet and collecting glass food containers for my pantry.After a few weeks of frustration, procrastination, and a tangle of yarn, my girlfriend finally intervened and guided my hook and hand in the right direction.  Now, I have completed two wonderful winter hats, for myself and for V.  My next goal is to make a few hats for Christmas gifts.  

I have also ordered the 'Happy Hooker' crochet book and am hoping that it 

will inspire and guide me to some new projects!

Last weekend, when I was in Portland I went on a shopping spree at Goodwill

 and came out with a few great bargains!  I found this beautiful old wooden rocking horse for Vienne for only $7.99!!  This is going to be our Christmas gift for her.

What a steal!  I found the glass storage containers for about $1.99 each.  And, I even

 found some cute Christmas decor for $.99 each. I love bargains!

My husband, Mark, just left yesterday for an 11 day trip to Australia with his dad.  This will be my first time really alone with Vienne.  Last night was the first and it was very difficult.  I am still peeling my lids back from my eyes to work on the computer.  Poor girl is teething and I think that's what may have caused her to wake so often.  I am praying for a better night.

Before my beloved left, he bought me a Christmas tree so that I may be cheered by Christmas festivities in my little home, while he is away. The lights, the fire, the stockings, and Christmas music are really helping.  My Love is so sweet and hid gifts around the house

that I am to open each day he is gone.  My first gift was a Harry Connick Jr. Christmas CD.  If you don't know my husband - he is an uber creative romantic.  

Meeting goals.  Working on Christmas projects. Singing carols.  Baking cookies.  And, remembering to rely on Jesus in my lonely moments.  This is where I'm at.

Simply Thankful

Thankful for my Lord.  For my incredible husband.  For my most beautiful daughter.  For a warm, lovely home.  For nourishing food to eat.  For so many things.

And for this crazy family of mine...

My mother's lovely table, ready for the feast

Love.

Vienne's pretty Thanksgiving outfit

hhhmmm...my husband

Jeremy.  He's special.

If I wasn't in the kitchen, this is where I was.

My sister and her handsome fiance.

Bob.

Grandpa's glasses don't taste so good.

Have you noticed a theme with this guy?

Vienne and Grandpa.

The beautiful couple.

Oh, there's a pretty smile!

Mom and Jak.

Vienne and Aunt Katy. 

Me and my Mama.

My family. Yup.

Our sweet trio.

 

Happy 'Ducken' Day

Herb roasted duck.  Cinnamon and spice roasted chicken. Mashed fingerling potatoes with creme fraische and chives. Roasted beet salad.  "Ducken" gravy (duck and chicken - for those who have not caught onto our lame sense of humor). Pomegranate Cranberry sauce.  Pumpkin Gingersnap Tiramisu. Wine, home brewed beer, home brewed kombucha. Happiness. Love.  Fun.  Frustrating cooking moments.  Laughing. Snorting. Geeky boys and their pipes.  'Nourishing' obsessed girls in the kitchen.  A True "Piscibert-Holbelli" (another reference to our geeky humor) Family Event.

  

We celebrated a Pre-Thanksgiving Feast with our good friends, the Holberts, this past weekend.  They are family to us.  Lacey and I share the same passions in the kitchen (and for the home) and so we attempted to create a gourmet feast, 'Nourishing-Style' - but mainly focused on fresh, organic, local and seasonal foods.

Here's some of the stuff we did:

I tried to prepare some fermented gingered carrots, as instructed in Nourishing Traditions...unfortunately, we found that the carrots were just not ready for our 

meal on Saturday night so we will enjoy (hopefully) them another time.  Supposedly, this recipe is one of the best for introducing fermented foods into your diet.  Check out this site to learn more about implementing fermented foods into your diet.  I'm assuming these turn out like a carrot sauerkraut.  It was super easy to make....here's the recipe:

4 cps.  grated carrots, tightly packed

1 TB fresh grated ginger root

1 TB sea salt

4 TB whey (if not available, use an additional 1 TB salt)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and pound with a wooden pounder or meat hammer to release the juices.  Place in a quart-sized jar and press down firmly until juices cover the carrots. The top of the carrots should be at least 1" below the top of the jar.  Cover tightly and leave at room temp. about 3 days before transferring to cold storage.

For the chicken, I used this recipe.

The roasted beet salad was my favorite dish.  Here's what we did:

About 6 small red beets

2 crushed garlic cloves

Dash of olive oil, S&P

Bunch of rainbow chard - enough to fill your salad bowl

About a cup+ of candied walnuts or pecans

About a cup of goat cheese

Dressing:

3 TB olive oil

1 TB honey

S&P

Mix dressing ingredients together. Scrub and peel the beets.   

Slice them thin.  Toss them in the olive oil, garlic, and S&P. Lay them out on a baking sheet and roast at 400 degrees for 20-30 minutes, checking to see that they are getting soft.  When you can pierce a fork through, remove them and let cool for a few minutes.  Toss the rest of the ingredients together in salad bowl, along with the dressing and top off w/the beets.

I found the Pomegranate Cranberry Sauce in 'Food & Wine' magazine.

1 1/2 lbs. fresh or frozen cranberries

2 cups sugar (I used Rapadura)

1 cup pomegranate juice

2 cups fresh pomegranate seeds

In a medium saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, and juice.  Bring to a simmer and cook over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until most of the cranberries have burst (10 min). Scrape the sauce into a bowl and let cool.  Fold in pomegranate seeds and serve.

And, finally, for dessert!  Pumpkin Gingersnap Tiramisu.  For the gingersnaps, I made my secret family recipe...so I cannot share that part! ;)  We replaced the sugar with Rapadura and topped it with eggnog whipped cream. This was a creative alternative to pumpkin pie.

We had a grand time and enjoyed every morsel.  Now for the real Thanksgiving....just a few short days away!

Through the Window

I was forwarded this cute story~

A young couple moved into a new neighborhood. 

The next morning while they were eating breakfast, the young woman saw her

neighbor hanging the wash outside.

"That laundry is not very clean," she said.

"She doesn't know how to wash correctly.

Perhaps she needs better laundry soap."

Her husband looked on, but remained silent.

Every time her neighbor would hang her wash out to dry,

the young woman would make the same comments.

About one month later, the woman was surprised to see a 

nice clean wash on the line and said to her husband:

" Look, she has learned to wash correctly.

I wonder who taught her this?"

Husband:  "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows."

*******************

And so it is with life.  What we see when watching others 

depends on the purity of the window through which we look.

Aha!  What a great lesson.

Kick That Cold To The Curb

So, I woke up yesterday 'wid a code' .... deep racking sneezes and constant dripping sniffles. Miserable. I hate taking over-the-counter medicines that just temporarily cover up the misery and fill your body with junk. I wanted to kick this thing naturally and quick... avoiding, at all cost, spreading it to my family. So, I pulled out some home remedies that were given to me from my naturopath and researched a few other things to try. I woke this morning, breathing clearly through my nose again, ready to go! Weeeeee!

Thought I'd share what I did:

-Garlic Soup. I got this recipe here, from one of my favorite blogs. I'll post it here:

8 cps. chicken broth

25 cloves of garlic (peeled)

1 TB ginger

1 TB paprika

pinch of red pepper or cayenne

1/2 cp. lemon juice

Place all in a pot and cook until the garlic is soft and then eat it all.

**(I only drank half of this and saved the other half for the next day...8 cps was a bit too much for me! Wooheee, stand back: Dragon breath!)

-Ginger Bath: I filled the tub w/hot water and dumped in a few tablespoons of ginger powder...the more the better. (not sure how much I used, but it was a lot cuz I have a huge soaking tub)

**These are the only two things that I did last night that made a huge difference, but I will also post a few other home remedies that have also helped in the past when the cold/flu is truly nasty.

-Hot and Cold Hydrotherapy: After the hot ginger bath...or just a hot bath, immediately wrap your torso with a towel, that is wet with cold water (rung out). Yes....bbbrrrrrrr!! Then bundle bundle bundle with a big warm blanket. Stay wrapped and bundled for at least 30 minutes. The wet towel should be warm by the time you are done...if it isn't, keep it on until you have warmed the wet towel w/your body. The purpose is to get your body to respond to it, warming itself up. This can be done for your children and babies, as well. I tried this on Vienne at 3 months old and she responded much better than I expected. She actually fell right to sleep once she was bundled. She woke much better in the morning.

-Wet Socks: This ones weird too, but does make a huge difference. First, warm your feet in some warm water (I sit on the bathroom counter, with my feet in the sink). Then cover your feet with cotton socks, that are wet and rung out with cold water. Cover the wet cotton socks with dry wool socks and go to bed. When you wake in the morning the socks should both be dry...which is a good sign, what you want! Once you wrap the wet ones with the dry socks and go to sleep, you don't notice the wet socks at all. It sounds worse than it is. This could be done right at the onset of the cold/flu and it should help to boost your immune system and prevent the cold from getting worse. You can also do this one on your children and it really helps.

-Tiger Balm: I keep Tiger Balm in the medicine cabinet for different purposes. Spread this on your chest before bed...for deep chest colds and difficulty breathing. If you are doing this for your child or baby, smear the balm on an old t-shirt or onesie because the Tiger Balm is pretty strong but is totally safe to be used for them, also.

Here are a few other sources for home remedies: (and, please note that I am just sharing information that I have stumbled across, that has been shared with me, or that I've had success with. I am, in no way, a health professional. Please do research for yourself when you are trying at-home remedies!)

www.bulkherbstore.com - They have a page just for sharing home remedies.

www.holisticonline.com - Great information on alternative medicine. You can find info on hydrotherapy here.

www.westonaprice.org - Read more about broths and how good they are for your health.

Learn more and get well soon! Throw out that Nyquil and try some healthy at-home cheap remedies that may just kick that cold to the curb way quicker than you ever thought!

Catching Up

I haven't written in awhile. Not sure why. Lack of creativity, I suppose.
What have I really done this past week?

Spent a night in Portland while my husband learned how to scuba dive. Tried to teach myself how to crochet...with much frustration. Celebrated a new birth. Celebrated two new pregnancies. Bottled some pomegranate kombucha. Baked up a strange batch of banana chocolate chip cookies. Watched an adorable movie (Son of Rambow...you should see it...so cute). Started reading a book on vaccinations...a MUST read for all new parents!! Tried to feed my baby some stewed apples...to no avail, still. Went to my ladies' Bible Study and developed some kindred spirits. Took a long luxurious bubble bath. Planned my sister's wedding invitations. Enjoyed the Stormy Weather Arts Festival with my little family. Took a morning walk with a friend. Dried some autumn leaves for decoration. Baked some crackers. Made some cozy chicken and brown rice soup. Took a LONG walk in the pouring rain. Laughed at my husband. Giggled with my daughter. Lit candles. Switched on the fire. Turned up Ella Fitzgerald. Cozied on the couch. And marveled at our dark stormy weather.

It's been a good simple week.

Incredible Video

Have you seen this? Or heard of it? I hadn't until this morning. You MUST watch this video! Especially if you are a parent. This made me cry with fear and wonder. Wow.



Go to www.infantswim.com to find more information on this.  I wanna sign Vienne up!

precious to me

Oh, I can't get over how much I love these two.  I just had to share how cute they are.

Inspired

I've been inspired this week. And not just by one thing. What a rare treasure it is to find inspiration...and to find it in more places than one, I am feeling uber blessed.

Inspiration # 1: Finding Joy in Trials -
As noted in my previous post...the other day was a rough one. BUT in the end I found that, for the first time in a long time, the Lord led me to handle it with grace. In my new Bible Study I am doing with other moms, we just started studying James. The first few verses of the book talk about finding joy through trials. I have always struggled over that idea. 'But, Lord, how do I find joy from a colicky baby??...or an angry friend...or ??' It's hard. And all I can say is that I can finally see how the Lord has answered some prayer (things have been dry lately). To ask for trials in order to be sharpened and refined is a difficult request, to say the least. But, I can confidently attest to the rewards. I cannot promise that I will always respond to trials with grace...but oh what a beautiful testimony it is to see the potential I have in Christ. I am inspired.

Inspiration #2: Finding Joy in the Kitchen -
I finally feel like I am coming into my own. This week was my first week of fully diving into the art of true homemaking...at least in the kitchen. As encouraged by my dear friend, Lacey, I have determined to start making everything that we eat from scratch. Reading blogs of other homemakers has strongly contributed to my ambition for this. I have made it a goal to stop buying all/most packaged/processed foods and make them myself. I figure that if I am allowed to stay home with our baby, then I should be doing all that I can to provide the best 'home' for my loved ones. I am not contributing financially anymore and this is one small way that I can lovingly help my husband by saving grocery costs (no more $4 bottles of kombucha, Jenny!). And, on top of all this, I am providing the absolute best health for my family by cooking everything...knowing every ingredient that goes into it all and making it with love and care. So, for now, I have started to make crackers, tortilla chips, granola, cookies, muffins, kombucha...and bread is next (I will soon be posting recipes). And...it's been a blast for me!! I am loving it! I have stopped watching TV during the days or just piddly-dinkin' around on the internet. I am playing my favorite fall tunes from Nat King Cole or Billy Holiday and dancing around my kitchen creating wonderful snacks for my husband and myself! What better way is there to spend a blustery fall day?! I have been inspired.

Inspiration #3: Finding Joy as a Homemaker -
I was recently discussing the art of 'homemaking' with aforementioned dear friend of mine and we were talking about the well-sought after Proverbs 31 woman. Oh, how all of us ladies long to be a wife and mother like that. 'Amen?' I used to read about her and shrug my shoulders and say "well that was then and this is now....and good luck with that!". But, hey, why not find modern ways to incorporate her way of homemaking into our present-day lives? I feel called to this and want to strive to make it a personal mission. God put her in the Bible to serve as an example for us. He knows what I am capable of...what you are capable of...when I put my heart and mind to it. She is my new inspiration.

"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. 

Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. 

She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

Wow. Let's be inspired.

Officially a Bad Day

It's 1:39 pm and it's officially a bad day already.

First off, I fed some 3 minute cooked egg yolk to Vienne this morning....as advised in 'Nourishing Traditions' and from other sources.  I was very hopeful with this venture.  But, it quickly turned sour as V broke out with an allergic rash all over her face...wherever the yolk touched!!  Freaked me out!  I made Mark come home from work...we just sat and stared at her, watching her breathe making sure nothing else reacted.  I just wish that NT would advise that eggs are among the top 8 allergens for babies!!  Of course, I didn't know this until afterwards when I was frantically searching the net for what to do and info on it.  Thank the Lord Jesus is was only superficial.  The rash soon faded and she was acting completely normal within an hour.  But nonetheless....

So, this is just a 'heads up' for all you moms who haven't gotten to solids with your baby yet. I would WAIT to try egg yolk!

Well, thennn...I was in the midst of preparing some raspberry muffins to bake...yum.  I had soaked the flour overnight, last night, and whipped up the rest of the ingredients 

and slipped them into the oven...so excited to try them for the first time.  While they were baking, Vienne reminded me that it was her nap time and time to eat.  Of course the timer went off while I was preparing her, so I brought her with me to the kitchen to remove the muffins before soothing her to sleep.  Let's just say - crying baby in one arm, oven mitt on the other, trying to remove a full muffin tin from a hot oven is NOT a good combination.  The entire baking tin fell out of my hands, flopped upside down, and exploded raspberry muffins all over the oven door, the cabinets, and the floor.  Of course, I had to put my immediate angers aside so that I could calmly soothe my baby to sleep before picking up that horrific mess.  Grrrrrr....

Lastly, I found out some scary news about an acquaintance of ours.  She had her 2nd baby this past Sunday.  This morning she was taken back  into the hospital for an emergency procedure because spinal fluid was leaking into her system!  As it turns out, this is from her epidural injection.  Very scary there for a moment, but I hear she is doing fine now.  

But, this just confirms, to me, why it is best to not be drugged during labor.  I had always read about other side effects of epidurals, like:

-babies come out a bit groggy and especially fussy because they, too, have been drugged.  The epidural hits your baby's system as well as yours.

-Some are linking epidurals to autism.

And now I hear this news...that it can possibly cause spinal leakage!  Hello?!!  I strongly urge all mothers-to-be to FULLY research EVERYthing that is related to having a baby.  Not just listening to what your doctor says (I, personally, do not trust doctors).  But it is important to ask questions and look at both sides!  How did using an epidural come about?  What are the side affects?  Why would you compromise you and your baby with any of those side affects? What is pitocin? What does it actually do to your body?  

Read up!  You will be grateful that you did!

Well, anyway, let me end this post on a good note.  Even though this is somewhat of a rough day, I do know that this, too, is a day that the Lord has made.

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers {and sisters}, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 

because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.  

Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete 

not lacking anything."  

~James 1:2

For the Love of Cloth Diapers!

Hey!  Did you know that:

Over 27 billion disposable diapers are sold and then put into landfills in the US?

or that

Disposable diapers contain traces of dioxin, listed by the EPA as the most toxic of all cancer-linked chemicals?!  In small quantities, dioxin causes birth defects, immune system suppression, skin and liver diseases, and genetic damage in lab animals.  It is banned in most countries...but not the US.

or

Americans spend about 7 billion dollars on disposable diapers every year.  If every one of those families switched to simple home-laundered cloth diapers, they would save more than $6 billion, enough to feed about 2.5 million American children for an entire year.

or that

In 1955, before modern disposable diapers were sold and consumed, it was estimated that 7% of babies and toddlers had diaper rash.  In 1991, long after plastic disposable diapers dominated the market, the number jumped to 78%.

or

Disposable diapers contain Tributyl-tin (TBT) a toxic pollutant known to cause hormonal problems in humans and animals.

or that

Disposable diapers also contain Sodium Polyacrylate, a type of super absorbent polymer (SAP), which becomes a gel-like substance when wet.  This chemical can cause kin irritations and severe allergic reactions including vomiting, staph infections, and fever.

or

Disposable diapers generate sixty times more solid waste than cloth.

or that

Disposable diapers use 20 times more raw materials, like crude oil and wood pulp.

or 

Disposable diapers are the third largest single consumer item in landfills, and represent about 4% of solid waste.  In a house with a child in diapers, disposables make up 50% of household waste.

or that

If you purchase disposable diapers, you can easily spend over $65 a month.  You will have spent more than $1,600 by the time you baby turns two (this doesn't include the cost of disposable wipes).  

But

If you use simple pre-fold cloth diapers and covers, you will only need a few dozen diapers (in various sizes), which you can use over and over throughout your baby's diapering years.  The cost of cloth diapering can vary considerably from as low as $300 for a basic set-up to $1000 or more for organic cotton fitted diapers.

-Info collected from a pamphlet for

www.DiaperShops.com

 

Gives you a nice guilt trip, huh?  Wellll....that, of course, is NOT my intention at all!  But, I just purchased a few more Fuzzi Bunz cloth dipes for my daughter and received this pamphlet with them, in the mail.  I had to share the info....it was so astounding to me.  I mean, of course I knew a lot of this beforehand, which lead us to make the decision for cloth...but the stats are still shocking!

And, let me tell you - we are so very happy with our decision for cloth!  Yes, when I first thought about using them I was initially grossed out - thinking what you probably think: "eewwww, I don't want cloth diapers soaking in my toilet and then have to wash them...nor do I want all that work!"  Those were the old days...back when we were diapered.  But, now they have everything for our modern day needs...we are so spoiled!  Vienne has a collection of the cutest cloth diapers in all colors.  They are soft against her skin and oh so easy to use! With velcro or snap tabs, they are all one piece.  You put them on like a disposable diaper and then just toss them into the diaper pail after use.  I have about 23, now, and I think we do laundry every 2-3 days.  We are not running to the store every week to replenish her diaper stash....not only saving diaper money, but also saving gas!  We also use cloth wipes which are so handy.  I keep them w/water in a wipes warmer...nice, soft, and warm against her tush.  Everything is tossed together into the pail and ready to be washed.  I just dump it all into the washing machine (don't have to touch anything!), soak it in cold water for 30 minutes or so and then wash in hot water.  Dry as usual or out in the sun to get out any lingering stains.  

For our diapers, we chose to use bumgenius (primarily) and fuzzi bunz.  The bumgenius dipes are one-size-fits-all...which means that they snap down to fit her while she is tiny and unsnap to stretch out for a potty training babe!  So this means that I have saved from having to buy many different sizes....meaning more money saved.  And, if we take good care of them (which we are), then I intend to use them for the next babe (or, you can resell them if they are in good shape)....saving even more!  I mean, it all just makes sooo much sense.

Anyway, if you have questions please feel free to ask....or just hit the links that I have included in this post and learn more!

Dedicated Unto the Lord

Vienne Juliet ~ 'alive and full of life'

(with our pastor at church)

"I pray that from His glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with 

inner strength through His Spirit.  Then Christ will make His home in your 

heart as you trust in Him.  Your roots will grow down into God's love 

and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, 

as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep 

His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great 

to understand fully.  Then you will be made complete with all 

the fullness of life and power that comes from God!" 

~Ephesians 3:16-19

Yesterday was Vienne's dedication at church.  This is the scripture passage that we chose for her when she was born - a prayer over her life and a reference to the meaning of her name. 'Full of life' - that my daughter surely is!

It is our prayer that we raise her to wholly love the Lord and to choose Him above all else. And, in this prayer and hope, I am reminded to ask myself if I do the same thing that I wish for my daughter?  I do wholly love the Lord.  But, do I choose Him above all else?  How dedicated have I been unto Him?  Do I fully understand 'how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love truly is'??  A good question to ask every now and then.