Everything to Everyone

I'm sure those of you who are loyal readers have noticed that I've been out of the blog-o-sphere for a while. There are several reasons for that, but time is the biggest reason. I had REALLY made an effort to blog more, but was staying up late to do so or worrying more about taking pictures "for the blog" than actually living in the moment and enjoying my littles while they are little.

I have felt overwhelmed a lot lately and I really needed to step back, look at how I was managing my time and energy and prioritize. I was trying to do too much, trying to be everything to everyone and it's just impossible. So, I decided which things could go (or just get limited attention) and which things were most important to me.

Obviously, Noah, the boys and our home are my #1 priorities. I've been taking steps to play and enjoy more at home with them, but I have also made huge strides in feeding them healthier foods and keeping our home a healthier, more comfortable place to be. (these are their own post!)

Just to fill you in on the last few months, here are a few things that I've been doing that I'm especially proud of:

-I threw a birthday party that was 99% renewable/compostable! (there was 1 piece of trash from the whole thing!)

-I have switched to plant-based, biodegradable laundry and dish detergents as well as a special Eco-friendly, chemical-free, enzyme-free detergent for those cloth diapers that I won't shut up about!

-I clean all surfaces (aside from the bathroom) and mop the floors with vinegar and water. (or orange water for those greasy areas. I made this by boiling orange peels, then straining them out and putting the water in a spray bottle.....works GREAT!)

-I pickled onions from our garden and the 1st big batch of cucumbers were pickled last night!!!

-I'm still feeding my family on about $100/week, but now about 80% is unprocessed, local and organic. (you don't have to cut corners to eat heathy!)

-I went on a dinner date with my husband last weekend! It was MARVELOUS!

-I still LOVE cloth diapering and I'm still baby wearing (at least some) everyday!

-I mowed the lawn Wednesday night for the first time in a year and it felt good!

-I sew something (or at least cut fabric) EVERYDAY! This has become my therapy.

-Ronan walks EVERYWHERE!!!!!

-I love having conversations with Alistair about things like digestion and sound waves! He totally gets it and is just hungry to learn new things!!!

Happy 4th of July, everyone! Be safe and enjoy your families. I sure will!

GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!!







- Posted from my iPad

Magic Moments Monday #4

Brought to you by Patricia's iPhone!

Garden 2011

Here are a few shots from planting the spring crops and constructing the new fence!! Most of them were iPhone snapshots, but, hey, I was pretty busy!!!

Alistair's cup of worms!

Measuring for the 1 post

Wouldya just look at those beds?!

Setting the 1st corner post!

Planting onions!

Ronan's "post"

Our little helpers!

This is just so beautiful to me!
(taken from behind the garden. Looking toward the house)

The opposite angle. From the front side.

What's growing now:

Yellow onions

Red Onions

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Brussel Sprouts

Arugula

Spinach

Lettuce

Radishes

Sugar Snap Peas

Asparagus

Horseradish

Potatoes

{Seedling for the next planting are started, too! YIPPEE}

Now, when I get a few minutes (and maybe some sunshine) I will share more of what it looks like now!

Happy Weekend!!!!

Brain-emptying Hodge-Podge

So, ya....my last good blog post was over a month ago and even that one was half-assed. The truth is, I have let the blog slip to allow time for other things. For one, about 3 weeks ago, I decided I was not going to spend another dollar on disposable diapers. YIKES! I was almost out! So, I sat at my sewing machine (which I just got for Christmas and had barely used) and started making my own fitted cloth diapers by trial and error! The pressure was on to get this kid into cloth bc the sposies were dwindling. Since that day, I have spent every spare moment sewing diapers and covers. I got brave and tried out zippers and I couldn't stop sewing! My FB friends can attest to the shear number of projects I have undertaken recently! Such as:

I still have to make more diapers (and yes, I did order..*gasp*....a half dozen prefolds for good measure) but Ronan is in cloth almost full-time now. He's a very heavy wetter at night, so he wears sposies to bed, but we're still on that same pack that was almost gone 3 weeks ago! In my quest to CD my baby's bottom, my house has suffered. Therefore, my blog has fallen by the wayside while I catch up. I will be back more often now, I think.....until we plant the garden!!! But for now, I am going to empty my brain of all the post ideas that have been slamming into each other up there and allow my brain to function correctly.


-Sometimes I hit the "home" button on my iPad and before I put it to sleep, I stare for a moment at the picture of our family.....together. (and sometimes I tear up a little bit)

-Sometimes I let Alistair stay up late just because I want to snuggle him a little longer!

-You can call it loneliness, nursing appetite or just a lack of self-control, but I purposely avoid the cookie aisle at the grocery store because I know I'll spend a fortune.

-It's a good thing I'm not on a diet because there is no way I could add up all the carbs I have consumed this week.

-I LOVE to wear my baby and he LOVES to be worn! (I could seriously write a book about this!)

(HERE is a link that explains why I bought an ErgoBaby

beside the fact that I have always loved my mei tai)

-I LOVE breastfeeding! I can't even explain it. It's not just giving my boys the BEST nutrition to get them started in life, it's more than that. It's having them close to me, wearing them, tending to their needs quickly to ensure their emotional needs are met, it's the pride I feel that no man or factory is able to produce what my body KNOWS my baby needs or how my ego gets a boost when the doctor smiles and says "good job, Mom!" It is knowing that they are secure, well-adjusted kids! It is SO many things......hmmmm...another book? ;)

Quick FAQ with LLL for those who are curious

-Parenting and Breastfeeding have changed my life! I understand so much more about humans, what we do naturally and what our society has pushed on us as "accepted."

-I often cry as I watch these boys, day in and day out, learn, discover, fall, cry, get up, try again, smile and GROW! I am so SO blessed that I have been able to be with them everyday of their lives!!!

-I am now deeply in LOVE with sewing! (post on this coming soon)

-I love our little "homestead" and am so enlightened as we learn and discover new ways to become more self-sustaining. (Whether we can do it all or not, simply having the knowledge is empowering!)

-I fall deeper in love with my husband everyday. I am so GRATEFUL for him and all that he has sacrificed over the last 7 1/2 years to ensure that we have a comfortable home, reliable vehicles and full bellies! I miss him so so much, but in spite of current circumstances, the love bank is full....we need another account to rollover the excess......my cup runneth over.......ok, enough, now my eyes runneth over!

HAPPY WEEKEND, EVERYONE!!!

Why do I LOVE my SevenSling?

Is it because it's easy to use and VERY comfy?

Is it because he likes to sleep in it?

Is it because it totally matches the decor?

Is it because the gift set came with these super cute coordinating baby legs?

Maybe it's just because it was free?!  Whatever the reason, I sure do love it!

*I am not affiliated with SevenSlings. I did not receive this as a gift for reviewing it. I simply used a promo code, got it, used it, liked it an I am sharing my experience*

Busy Busy Busy

I am aware of the time span between posts and I apologize. I will explain later, but here is a bit of what we've been up to lately. (please excuse the red-eye. I didn't have much time for editing.)

Friday night:
Pumpkin carving party with the Kendall, Kings and families!



















Not a big fan of cleaning the "guts" out:









Saturday night:
Scott and Kim's bday/ Halloween bash!




I threw some of my bellydance stuff together and made it "babywearing friendly!"




Sunday night:
Trick-or-Treating in Golden Beach!
(a bit tired and just wanting to be comfy, I didn't dress up again)










We hope everyone had a fantastic Halloween! We did!

Onto the next holiday......



- Posted from my iPad