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.

Not Asleep and Blessed

I've been struggling lately with not sleeping. I want to sleep. I crave sleep. I just don't get very much. My little ones seem to have agreed some time ago that they would tag team. Makes for interesting nights. Sophie wakes to nurse, then Emma wakes to nurse. Then Sophie, then Emma, then Sophie, then Emma. You get the pattern. Sometimes they decide it would be really fun if they both wake at the same time. Yep. It's a blast. Emma pretty much sleeps with us these days. If I even try to put her in her crib, even if she's fast asleep, she wakes up crying immediately. So it's just easier to put her in our bed. That's where she sleeps.

Sophie still sleeps in her bassinet, although she's quickly outgrowing it. She starts out in the bassinet but usually at her second waking, and sometimes her first, I'm too lazy tired to put her back, so she ends up sleeping with us too.

This morning they were both in bed with us. And both asleep. At the same time. But I wasn't. I was blessed with being awake. Emma and Sophie were snuggled up together. It was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. I would have taken a picture, but I was afraid the flash would wake them.

Then I came out to the living room. I found Zach and Maddie sound asleep. They couldn't sleep last night because of the wind, so we told them they could sleep downstairs. I thought one would be on the sofa and the other on the loveseat. I was wrong. The folded laundry was on the sofa. Zach and Maddie were snuggled up together on the loveseat. It was hard to tell where one ended and the other began. I would have taken a picture, but I was afraid the flash would wake them.

And I was blessed with being awake. So I could see my babies snuggle. Thank you Jesus for moments of bliss.

Do The Next Thing

I read this some time ago on Elisabeth Elliot's newsletter. It's such a help. When it seems like there is too many things and not enough time. When I'm tempted to worry about the future. When I wonder what God's will is. When I don't feel like doing anything at all.

As far as I know, the author is unknown. This is a slightly modernized version.

From an old English parsonage down by the sea
There came in the twilight a message to me;
Its quaint Saxon legend, deeply engraven,
Hath, it seems to me, teaching from Heaven.
And on through the doors the quiet words ring
Like a low inspiration: “DO THE NEXT THING.”

Many a questioning, many a fear,
Many a doubt, hath its quieting here.
Moment by moment, let down from Heaven,
Time, opportunity, and guidance are given.
Fear not tomorrows, child of the King,
Trust them with Jesus, do the next thing

Do it immediately, do it with prayer;
Do it reliantly, casting all care;
Do it with reverence, tracing His hand
Who placed it before thee with earnest command.
Stayed on Omnipotence, safe ‘neath His wing,
Leave all results, do the next thing

Looking for Jesus, ever serener,
Working or suffering, be thy demeanor;
In His dear presence, the rest of His calm,
The light of His countenance be thy psalm,
Strong in His faithfulness, praise and sing.
Then, as He beckons thee, do the next thing.

National CHD Awareness Week

Today is the last day of National Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week. According to the American Heart Association - Out of 1,000 births, nine babies will have some form of congenital heart disorder. Nearly twice as many children die from congenital heart disease in the United States each year as die from all forms of childhood cancers combined, yet funding for CHD research is five times less than for pediatric cancer. Little Warriors fight against CHD every day. Little Angels have left many who will continue to fight in their memories.

Fight on Allie! You are so strong and brave.

There's a New Man in My Life

There's a new man in my life. (No, we didn't get another dog.) He's pretty interesting. He has gorgeous blue eyes. A smile that lights up his face. He loves my children. And my dog. (OK, maybe that's pushing it a little.) And my chickens. (OK, that's pushing it a lot.) He works full time, but he loves to build things. He's a pretty talented woodworker. Sound a lot like my husband? That's because it is! My husband, the Builder, is taking a class in blacksmithing. So maybe he isn't a "new" man. But he's a different man. He has something new to talk to me about. A new interest to research, learn and share. So in that way, he's different.

I think any time we find ourselves stuck in a rut, whether it's a job-rut, marriage-rut (don't worry, our marriage is just fine), a financial-rut, or any kind of stuck-in-the-same-place-and-don't-know-how-to-change-it rut, we need to shake things up a bit. Take a new class. Shop at a different store, drive to work/school/church on a different road. SOMETHING. My husband is taking a class. He needs it. Now instead of beating his head against the wall in frustration, he's "beating the snot out of metal". His words. He's happier. So am I.

Can't We All Just Get Along?

I was running the vacuum earlier, it was just about lunchtime, and lunch was ready before I finished. I called Zach and Maddie to get ready for lunch, and finished vacuuming. When I finished in the living room, I went into the kitchen and found that Maddie had put Emma into her highchair and was feeding her lunch. I thanked her for her kindness and thoughtfulness, and a conversation I had recently came to mind.

A woman observed my youngest four children playing, and the oldest 2 were watching the youngest 2. (I was having my teeth cleaned.) She said her children would never care for each other like mine, and how nice it was to see children get along so well. How sad! I wonder now how much sibling rivalry is caused by the parents. How many times have you heard parents comparing their children to each other? How many times do you see parents drop their children off at daycare so they can "get away from them" for a few hours, then wonder why their children grow into teens who don't want to spend time with their parents? How often do you hear a parent yelling at a child for doing something the parent often does. Our children learn by example, and we are the ones providing the example - good or bad.

I don't have it all figured out, and my children are not perfect. But I'd be willing to bet that one of the biggest reasons why my children truly get along so well and like each other so much is because WE like them so much. Yes, we have bad days, and I hear things come out of my mouth that I regret only a moment later, but my family is my treasure on earth. Maybe if more parents start to look at their children that way instead of viewing them as burdens we'll see more children truly loving each other.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake

My Aunt sent me this recipe at just the time I was craving something sweet and chocolate. What great timing. I made it for us to enjoy while we watched a movie. Now, when you're making a 5 minute single serving cake recipe for 6 people to enjoy, it takes a little more than 5 minutes, but it was worth it. I will make it again, but we will DEFINITELY share - one mug per person was way too much!

Make sure you use a large size coffee mug, not a little cup.

5 Minute Chocolate Mug Cake
4 tablespoons flour
4 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons cocoa
1 egg
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons oil
3 tablespoons chocolate chips (optional)
A small splash of vanilla extract 1 large coffee mug (MicroSafe)

Add dry ingredients to mug, and mix well. Add the egg and mix thoroughly.
Pour in the milk and oil and mix well..
Add the chocolate chips (if using) and vanilla extract, and mix again.
Put your mug in the microwave and cook for 3 minutes at 1000 watts.
The cake will rise over the top of the mug, but don't be alarmed!
Allow to cool a little, and tip out onto a plate if desired.
EAT !


EDIT: I haven't tried it, but I've read that adding 1/2 - 1 teaspoon of baking powder with the flour gives you a lighter cake, BUT it might spill over, so put the mug on a plate. ALSO, you might be able to cook it for less time, maybe 1 1/2 minutes on medium heat, the check it for consistency and cook in 30 second increments.  I like to put a spoon of peanut butter on top when it comes out of the microwave but is still hot to melt the peanut butter. But that's just me.

Our World Turned Upside Down. And We Love Her

How do you catch up on 3 months of absence from blogging when your world has changed? I guess you really don't.

My oldest daughter, Kate, and her husband welcomed a beautiful little girl into the world on November 12, 2009. Little Aliyah Marie changed my world. I'm a mama of 6. I've been a mama for 21 years. But I've never been a Grandma before. I really didn't know what to expect. I thought I knew how I'd feel, but I was so wrong. Aliyah captured my heart more than I ever thought possible. Even before I saw a picture of her. She was mine just as much as my children are mine. She just belongs to others as well. I would do anything for her.

This beautiful baby girl was a fighter from day one. She was born a month early, and had some problems breathing. We thought that was normal, she was born a month early after all. After spending 5 days in the hospital, she was finally ready to go home, and a nurse was doing a pre-discharge assessment and heard an unusual sounding heart murmur. They followed up with an inconclusive x-ray, which lead to an ECHO of her heart. I was so convinced that this would turn out fine that I went about my day as usual, knowing my daughter would call me with the news that Allie had a little heart murmur, but it was nothing to worry about, and they were on their way home. I was shopping when Kate called me, and I'll never forget the moment. She cried out that Allie needed a heart transplant. I fell to my knees. I don't remember leaving the store, but I know I asked my son to drive home. At the time, we didn't know her prognosis, and didn't even know if she'd live for a week. My husband and I booked a flight out to see her leaving the very next morning. My baby was hurting, and my baby's baby was hurting and we had to be there.

Allie was born with HLHS - Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome. Basically the entire left part of her heart, from a functional standpoint, did not exist. My daughter and son-in-law chose a heart transplant for Allie, and we began the wait.

Our wait ended this past week, when Allie received her new heart. We will forever be grateful to the family who, in their grief and devastation chose to give life to Allie and others. Allie is currently recovering from her transplant surgery. She still has lots of milestones to pass, but she's a true warrior.

We continue to pray for her every moment of every day. I am speechless when I think about the number of people who are praying for this precious babe. She is loved by so many. Follow her journey here.

It started with an Onion

I'm almost at the Mother Hubbard state. You know,

Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
To give the poor dog a bone:
When she came there,
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.

Yep. My cupboards are getting pretty bare. I have food in the freezer for dinners, but breakfast and lunch fixin's are a little sparse. I did find a can of Campbell's Chicken and Rice soup. So I thought I'd make it for lunch. When I opened the can, Zach thought he saw an onion, so we had to look at the ingredient list to see if onions are in the soup. (They are by the way, and Zach is the biggest onion hater I've ever seen.) While reading the ingredients, we came across one item that will keep me from ever buying canned soup again. I mean it. No, it wasn't MSG, although that's in there. It was mechanically separated chicken. Do you know what mechanically separated chicken is? Just look it up. Personally, I prefer to know that the meat I'm eating and serving is really only meat. No spinal cords for my family thank you!

So, thank you to Zach and his war on onions. Now that I know what's in the purchased soup, I'll be cooking and freezing a bunch of homemade. In my spare time.

Breastfeeding Beyond Babyhood

Since the birth of Sophie, I've been surprised at how many people are shocked that I'm still nursing Emma. She's not quite 18 months old, and if Sophie hadn't been born, I never would have considered weaning her yet. Not unless she was ready, and she's not. I admit that on several occasions I've wished she wasn't still nursing, but for the most part I don't mind. Unless Sophie needs to be fed, and Emma's screaming (only happens in the middle of the night). Then I mind. A lot.

I've spoken with quite a few moms lately who weaned their children at about 9 months old. I don't in any way think they made the wrong decision to wean, but its not the right decision for me. Not at this time. And I wonder how many of them would have continued to nurse if our society was more accepting of women nursing their babies well into toddlerhood. So when I came across this post this morning, it was very timely. How I wish our country was more accepting, and even more proud, of women who choose to breastfeed. I guess our country first needs to be more accepting of children though. And we've got a long way to go in that area.

One Month

Its been just over one month since my last post. Its amazing what can happen in a month. For example, this:

Our precious little one was born on Thursday, September 17th at 5:46 pm. Weighing 8 pounds, and measuring 20 1/4 inches long. We named her Sophia Rose. She is priceless.

Things You Should Never Say to a Pregnant Woman

Over 6 pregnancies, I've definitely heard my share of comments about children, childbirth and pregnancy in general. For those of you who haven't experienced the "joy" of tactless comments, I'll share some with you here.

Comment: "Haven't you had that baby yet?"
In my head: "Why, yes, actually. I gave birth just the other day, but I decided that I loved looking like this, so I left the baby at home and stuffed a watermelon down my shirt."

Comment: "When are you going to have the baby?"
My reply: "Don't know, but I'm due on xx date."
Follow Up: "What do you mean you don't know? Isn't this your sixth? You should KNOW something by now!"
In my head: "This may be MY 6th birth, but it is THIS baby's first. And baby's not sharing any information at this time."

Comment: "Wow! You're really getting big!"
In my head: "I'm 9 months pregnant. What's your excuse?"

Comment: "Six children?! Don't you know how that happens?"
In my head: "Yes, and obviously we enjoy it."

Comment: "How many times have you been married?"
In my head: "Eight, but all the kids belong to the 5th one."

Comment: "Well, by now you probably don't even feel anything when they're born."
In my head: "Let me kick you in the gut 5 times, then you let me know if you feel it the 6th time."

Comment: "Was it an accident?" (This is always asked by a total stranger.)
In my head: "Were you?"

Comment: (upon learning that we have homebirths) "Oh, do you have a lot of people come watch?"
In my head: "Yes, and we'll all be there for your next prostate exam." (It amazes me how many men make this comment.)

Comment: "Aren't you getting too old for that?"
In my head: "Obviously not. But since you're senile I won't comment on your rudeness."

Comment: "Hasn't anyone taught you about birth control?"
In my head: "Yes. Its a shame it didn't work for your parents."

Yes, I have really heard all those comments and more, though lately the replies don't seem to stay in my head anymore. Must be a pregnancy thing. =)