Darn Skippy!

Good Morning loves!

My little Bella is romping through the kitchen, aided and abetted by our skinny little Amada cat. Apparently, finishing breakfast means you must run around the kitchen making loud banging noises as you hit cupboards and walls and whatever else lies in your path. Aidyn and Ely are doing the opposite, lounging on the couch watching an episode of their beloved Dora. Right now they are learning the importance of tools and helping friends. Aidyn just told me he needs a wrench for a present.

My coffee is hot, my feet are tucked under me, and I'm looking through two windows into the world; the one on the left shows a slightly frosty scene where cars drive by every few minutes as people head out to work, the one in front of me a small pane growing slowly with my own words. To my right lies my newest venture into literature, "Passionate Housewives Desperate for God", which is a biblical celebration of the housewife's role. So far, nothing too radical, nothing I wasn't taught growing up anyway. In my parents' house, God was first, them second, the kids third. My father worked at a job, then came home and worked out in the shed and watched the evening news and wrestled with us; my mother got up early to get some chores done, went to her job at the school where she was always close to us, came home with us, cleaned house and made dinner, helped us with homework, and completed a myriad of other chores. We were given numerous chores that rotated weekly to help out. I learned there was a definite order, everyone has a role, and the household runs smoothly. Further example for me was my grandmother, who to this day still selflessly serves all who enter her door and anyone else she can get to. When I was younger she regaled me with tales of life on the farm, how my grandpa worked in the fields all day while she made meals for the workers, gardened, cleaned house, and raised children. Every day she was up before sunrise and went to bed late, serving her household and family. When we visit Montana and stay with her, we cannot talk her out of making us meals, cleaning up after us, and generally making herself available in every way possible. To her it's not a burden, it's her calling, and she does it with gusto.

I know that many stay at home moms hate being called housewives or homemakers, as though those titles somehow demean them. I've heard women say, "I'm a domestic engineer" or "I'm a stay at home mom". Most even say it apologetically, as if they should feel sorry for not pursuing a loftier position. No matter how you dress it up or put it down, it all comes back to the same. You are the keeper of your home, the wife at home, and yes, a servant to your husband, children, and home. Tell me why one should feel bad for caring for the needs of one's family?

I understand that to some, the thought of dishes and laundry and dirty diapers and meals every day may seem dull and a waste of time. Why do laundry when you can have it sent out, why cook when you can take out, why do dishes when you can buy disposable, and why stay home when day cares abound? My simple answer, of my own heart: because I love my family and want the best for them. I don't want others to bring up my children, I don't want packaged convenience for them, and I don't want to waste a moment I will regret later. I know that other women at different places in their lives don't understand this, and I know that for some, what I just described sounds like a dream (no laundry or dishes?). I know many more may look at me and wonder what kind of satisfaction I can possibly derive from endless housework and thankless children. My answer lies in my first paragraph, which has changed slightly to this.

Ely is now sitting in my lap nursing contentedly. Aidyn is beside me, hand on my leg, answering Dora's questions. Bella and Amada have settled down together in Bella's crate, playfully batting at each other every few minutes but for the most part, content to cuddle. My coffee is almost gone, and in a moment I will need to get up, make some breakfast, and start my day of chores. I could be dressing up and rushing out the door to answer someone else's demands and spend a day at job that would probably be just as thankless, but instead I'm nestled in the comfort of my home, my home, with the loves of my life. In between laundry and closet organizing and letting Bella outside for her little constitutionals, I will chase my kids from room to room, play hide and seek, and collapse in fits of giggles with them on the couch. I will get little licks on my hand from Bella when I reach down to absent-mindedly stroke her head, snuggles from the Bean when I put her down for a nap, and share wicked little moments of humor with Aid. Quite simply, I have no desire to be anywhere but here, serving my family.

I haven't always been at this point, I remember the "desperate housewife" feeling, the oh-my-lord-what-have-I-done-with-my-life thoughts. It makes me sad to think that if I had followed that line of thinking I would be missing all of this. I don't need a higher title, or a large salary, or promotions, because I already have the greatest position anyone can have. A position that has infinite value, at least in the lives of my family. A position that has the best perks, if one includes kisses from raspberry jam coated faces and the sight of a three year old dancing around in his underwear. A position that will never get boring, because there are new games to play and songs to sing everyday. Most of all, a position of which I can be proud: raising my children into strong, intelligent people, supporting and taking care of the husband who works hard to take care of us, and making a beautiful home, filled with love and good food and happy memories, literally "laying down my life" for those that I love.

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:12-13

This, that, and the kitchen sink....

Good frosty morning!

I love the morning after a snowfall, when you look outside and the world is white and glittering. It seems so fresh and quiet. As I shoveled my walk this morning, I savored the few minutes to myself in the darkness, nothing but the sound of my shovel, everything around me still and beautiful. I love this time of year!

I've been spending quite a bit of time on MDC. I ended up making a contribution, which means they gave me some added features, like adding an avatar (I used a photo of Tracy's that I love), improved profile, more inbox space, and the one I like best, a cooler siggy! I've been getting so many good ideas from the women on there, and I've even managed to meet some moms from Spokane! We're planning to get together and meet after the holidays. Fun!

Ely girl is feeling sickly today, she spent most of last night trying to hack up a lung. We were going to go hang out with our friend Becky today, but decided we better skip it, so today will be an indoor, relaxing type of day I think. I have to go brave the post office (I hate the PO during the holidays) and get my oil changed this afternoon. This weekend is full of activites we've committed to, including a graduation party, a night at our friends' house, church (of course), and a birthday party. Whew!

I plan on updating the recipe of the week later today. Yes, I'm well aware that it has been orange rolls for the better part of two months....sue me. I think maybe I'll just rename it the "Recipe of the whenever I feel like changing it".

And So It Is.....

Welcome to my very slow paced day. The chores are done, the kids are napping, and my feet are up (for the moment).

I've been spending time on this HUGE forum that I just joined, Motheringdotcommune. It's a natural parenting site sponsered by Mothering magazine. I've been there before but was too intimidated to join, but yesterday I finally plucked up the courage and signed up, and I've been posting like mad ever since. There is so much information and support, it makes my cloth diapering, extended nursing, attached heart jump for joy! It's nice to find support for my parenting ideas and see that others are benefiting from it as well.

I also have been reading a new cookbook I bought yesterday that I've been perusing. It's called, "Food No Matter What! Stories and Recipes for Perfect Dining in and Imperfect World", and it's hysterical. They have food for any situation, and I mean any. My favorites so far are "Nailing down dinner, menus for the woman who just had a manicure", "Dinner ad nauseum, dinners you can make while nauseated", and "The invasion of Normandy, entertaining cooks better than you". Hilarious!

The only negative part of my day is this small problem that is bothering me. Last year I had a cookie party, and invited Evan's family over to decorate Christmas cookies. It was a lot of fun, and after talking with his sisters, I decided to do it again. I decided to spruce it up this year and went out and bought all sorts of goodies, including door prizes for best cookie and such. At our brunch on Sunday, Evan's mom suddenly says, "Oh, by the way, we're doing cookies next weekend." I was kind of flabbergasted and said, I thought I was doing that, I already bought everything. She says, Oh, just bring it. Now this is not something his family ever did, last year it was my idea and I planned it alone. They just decided to do it this year without even asking me. I know this may seem stupid, but here is why it matters so much to me. Every year we spend Christmas here. I don't even ask to go home, because with snowy roads and Christmas costs, it doesn't make much sense, so we just stay here with his family. And every year, I follow their traditions. Christmas cookies and candies were a big deal in my family, and that was the motiviation behind my party last year...establishing a familiar tradition of my own here. I feel like they just took it away without even asking me, and it's been bothering me for days now.

OK, enough ranting and raving. I'm off to read my funny cookbook!

Granola Thoughts...

So lately I've been doing some research about "going green". My household already does the obvious ones, recycling and cloth diapers and such, but I've been compiling ways to go farther. Replacing all of our current energy hogging bulbs with CFLs, insulating our water heater and pipes, weather proofing the doors and windows, learning how to compost - things that are relatively easy but make such an impact in the long run.

It's ironic how buying earth friendly products, much like buying healthier food at the market, is more expensive than the usual alternatives. However, long term costs far outweigh the initial investment, much like cloth diapers. Our family spent almost one hundred dollars every month on disposable diapers. Our upfront cloth cost was right at five hundred, which means in five months we'd already made up the difference. Between the two kids, we still have at least a year and a half of diapers, which means we will have saved, at a minimum, $1800 dollars. Quite the difference! Most green products put money back in your pocket in the same way; the new light bulbs are about eight bucks apiece. That seems exorbitant next to the box of four that costs two, but when you realize that each bulb cuts down on energy consumption (saving you money on your electric bill) and lasts for 10 years (a big savings considering those cheap ones last only a year or so, and that's if you're lucky), then the savings really do pan out.

I am adding a new label into my posts, "Going green", which will document my family's change into a greener way of living and the products and ways in which we accomplish it. Every generation brings us closer to utterly destroying this planet, and too many have the mind set that it's not their problem. It's small steps that save so much, I read a fact this morning that said if just one household simply recycled their newspapers, we'd save 250,000,000 trees annually. Baby steps toward a giant step for this planet!

Alarm or no Alarm?

I've noticed something peculiar lately.

Since I returned from Uncle Matt's funeral in Montana, I've not been in my routine of getting up before five to do my devotionals and get ready for my day. One would think that two extra hours of sleep would make one's day better, but it seems the opposite is true for me. My days have been completely discombobulated lately, and I really think it's because I'm not giving myself that time in the morning. Yes, I'm technically losing sleep that way, but because I get time all to myself right away to center and prepare mentally for the day, I actually end up feeling more calm and rested. So back to the alarm for me...

I received a rather large order for diapers last night, tentatively forty. A lady adopted five children, three of which are in diapers, and she wants to cloth diaper them all. Good for her! So I'm working with her right now to find the best set up for her needs. It's funny, because I don't even have the diaper line listed yet, so she'll be my first diaper order. I'm considering licensing under an already well developed diaper line, which would free up some time for me. The downside is that would mean that while I would be selling through my company, it technically wouldn't be my diaper line, and would bear their logo. Not a big deal, but if I'm doing the work anyway, I'd rather do it for my own company. We'll see what becomes of it.

Right now I'm off to do more work (it never ends!) to the site, and try to get myself more organized for what's coming up. Don't forget to check out Baby Bean frequently for all of our newest products!

Paper Underwear?

What do you think about when you hear the words cloth diapers? Plastic? Pins? Dunking?

I recently had a lady at the mall give me the rundown and one of those patronizing oh-these-hippy-kids-today looks when she happened across me changing my daughter's diaper in the bathroom. Yes, my kids wear cloth. And yes, I wash them myself. And no, I wouldn't go back to those paper attrocities if you paid me.

What I fail to understand, when I run into these people who turn up their noses at our decision to cloth diaper, is how they can be so close minded to something so healthy and beneficial. I'm not running up waving prefolds under other parent's noses or preaching that the way of disposables is death, so why do I come under scructiny for wanting what I view as the best for my children?

I'm not saying cloth is for everyone, just like not everyone can successfully breastfeed, and not everyone wants to pack around their baby in a sling. Every parent has the right to make the decisions that they feel are best for their family. And it really goes both ways. I've met other cloth diapering mommys that wouldn't assocciate with you if your child's butt had anything but natural fibers on it, and still others who are the preaching sorts and never fail to tell you the error of your ways.

It simply makes me bristle when I'm told that I must be crazy or granola. One has only to look at me to find a complete un-hippy aura about me. It could be the whiff of cleanliness from my daily showers, my shiny and shaven legs, and the lack of braids and flowers. And the ever present Starbucks cup in my hand...or do hippies like coffee, I don't know. I've learned, when these people who feel the need to judge my children's bottoms, offer their unasked for advice and comments, that a simple one liner seems to be the best retort.

Here are some good ones that I found on Diaperjungle.com that I have (or have come close to) using a time or two:

"Yeah, it is a pain to haul them down to the river and beat them against rocks, but it's worth it."

"Well, I save $1500.00 a year so I laugh myself to bank every Friday."

"I don't know it just seems silly to me to wrap $30.00 a week in a plastic garbage bag and throw it away....but maybe that's just me."

"What do you mean you don't have time for that? You don't have time to change your baby?"

"Oh right, washing poo off of cloth diapers is an inconvenience but if we don't then we have to wash poo off clothing, crib sheets, car seats, carpet, couches, etc. because of leaky disposables. I think we picked the easier path."

"Well, diaper duty is never fun but I sleep well at night knowing my choice doesn't involve thousands of pounds of poo wrapped in paper and plastic and stuck in the landfill for hundreds of years to come."

"Would YOU want to wear paper underwear?"

"Well, my child doesn't have diaper rash anymore so I guess their comfort is worth it."

"Oh, we have just chosen a more natural, less chemically produced, lazily dependent upon modern conveniences style of parenting that's all." (my favorite)

"She has a big butt you say? Well, SHE is wearing a cloth diaper underneath her clothing...What is your excuse?"

I'm not saying that cloth diapering is the easiest way to go. Some days I don't feel like the extra load of laundry, but if I'm going to have to change a diaper anyway, it might as well be one that is comfortable and healthy for my children. I refuse to choose my own welfare over my children's, so an extra load of laundry or two? Count me in.

If you want an interesting read, try this link: http://www.diaperjungle.com/Disposable-Diapers-Exposed.html

The Feel of Silk

Well, the last few days have been busy but rewarding ones! On Monday I was up at four powering my way through my devotionals and housework. By nine, I had checked all of the following from my to do list: the house was spotless (like, mopped, dusted, vacuumed, sanitized, and overall glistening), my kids were happily scrubbed, dressed, fed, and playing, all of my paperwork and emails were taken care of, and a fresh pan of muffins was coming out of the oven for our staff meeting. Tuesday decided not to run quite as smoothly, but regardless, I finished the first ever (loud drumroll here) brocade Baby Bean mei tai! I have been wary of using what I consider flimsy material for a product that holds so much in it's fabric clutches, but I got over my hangups, figured out a few safe alternatives to make it a little more durable, and tada! It's pretty darn sweet in my opinion, and of course, I'm claiming the first one for myself. It's a dark green with flowers of burgandy and gold. Gorgeous. Ely and I took it out for a spin last night, she kept running her hands over the material. I like the smaller design, as opposed to my older version. Further news from the Baby Bean front...it seems we may have premises as soon as next year! I was offered a small workshop on the corner of two busy streets, within a mile of my house. We'll have to wait and see how it works out, but things are coming together fast and furious for Baby Bean, which is really exciting for me to see my dreams playing out.

Here it is, in all it's silky glory :)

A detail of the fabric, it's sooo pretty!

Ely and I taking it out for a spin.

Aidyn has started picking up Spanish, from his favorite little cartoon, Dora. Yesterday he walked around singing "Bate, bate, chocolate". He's learning so quickly, he knows all of his numbers up to ten, which he walks around putting in various orders (2, 9, 7, 10 he sings as he plays with his cars), he can identify a lot of letters (his favorite is D), and he knows pretty much every basic color. Ely has learned to say thank you, which is the cutest thing ever. That brings her to a total of 7 words: mama, dada, bye bye, night night, uh oh, hello, and thank you. She's also walking up a storm now, she hardly crawls anywhere anymore!

This morning has been just as pleasant as the last two, I'm finished with my devotionals and emails, and ready to start some housework while I wait for the munchkins to wake up and demand their breakfast. I also need to put together an order to ship out later today, a gorgeous pink mei tai. Happy day all!