My new favorite thing

Why, oh why did I wait for so long!!?? I finally bought myself a Moby wrap. My midwife told me to, but I didn't listen to her right away. I have 3 other slings, and I used those. (One of which I used to carry 3 other children. Yes, I've had it for a while.) Well, after trying to carry Sophie in one last week, and after my shoulders ached from doing so, I finally broke down and picked one up. I just put it on. Let me just say that this is the most amazingly comfortable baby carrier I've ever used. Sophie loves it. I love it. And it's cute!! I have her in the Hug hold right now. Typing with BOTH hands because I don't need to support her with one even though she's in the carrier. I'll try one of the other positions later and see how she and I like it. I might even try it with Emma. Oh yes, this will definitely be the one I recommend to EVERYONE.

Sorry, no pictures. My camera has decided to completely quit working. Good thing I have a birthday coming up. =)

He said what?

I know my husband. One of the things I know about him is that he doesn't say much. I'll ramble on about almost anything, talk thoughts out as they pop into my head, express my oh-so-many opinions at any time. Not my husband. He talks, but he's more careful about what he says. So I know when he says something that seems to be "out of the blue", it isn't just a thought that just popped into his head. He's been thinking about it. So the other day when he said something, I knew I needed to pay attention. What did he say? He said, "Maybe we should look for land closer to town." He said it two days in a row. I guess that means he's really thinking about it.

Just for kicks and giggles, I thought I'd figure out how much it would cost or save us in gas - closer to work and church, but farther from where Josh goes to school. Enter google maps. Guess what! It is the exact same distance to school as it is from here (think of a triangle). But it's a LOT closer to work and church. Just in gas alone we'd be saving about $300 a month. And that doesn't include oil changes, tires, and other wear and tear on the cars. Of course, property taxes are much higher in that part of our state than in this part of our state, so our savings will probably go to a higher tax bill. But my husband would get about an hour a day back.

We don't feel like God is calling us to move right now. Which is good, because I LOVE our land and our home. But we do think that God is telling us to get things in order, because you never know. So I have some unfinished projects to take care of around here. Just in case I didn't hear God correctly, I looked online at the current listings. There really isn't anything for us right now. And we're not putting our house on the market. We're just exploring options.

You know, it's almost funny. Every time I've felt settled and content, God gives us big changes. Maybe I should try to feel discontented for a while. Then we can stay put. Maybe?

My Schedule Sets Me Free

I fought against having a schedule for years. I'm too spontaneous. I don't want to be tied down. I want freedom. Well, not having a schedule really didn't work very well. I always felt like I was behind. I had to get everything done today. Right now. All of it. So this year, I made schedules for us. A schoolwork schedule, a chores for the kids schedule, an errands schedule (this one really isn't working), and a housework schedule. You know what I've found? More things are getting done, my house is getting cleaned on a regular basis, life is flowing more smoothly. And the unexpected find? I'm free! Once we finish what's on the schedule, we're done for the day! We can play without guilt. I have renewed focus because I know what has to be done today, and what can wait until tomorrow. I'm free to change the schedule or ignore the schedule if I really want to, but it works pretty well, so I try to stick to it. I need to adjust the schoolwork schedule a bit more, but even that helps. When we are interrupted we can pretty easily get back to where we left off. I've found new spontaneity in my discipline. Who would've thought?

Do you use a schedule or are you still trying to convince yourself that you're a free spirit and shouldn't be tied down?

Happy March!

Today is the first day of March. March - you know - in like a lion, out like a lamb? THAT March. I can actually feel my fingers itch to start raking up the leaves that were missed last fall. I'm longing for the smell of fresh mulch to put on my flower beds. I'm dreaming of my children playing outside without carrying in wet slushiness on their boots and gloves and snowpants. I actually have crocuses that are beginning to peek their little green leaves out testing the weather to see if they should continue growing or duck back under cover for another week or two. Spring is in the air. I can smell it. Now I can even see it - even if it's just the pretty picture on my calendar and my yard is still covered with snow, I know it's coming. The crocuses told me so.