The Great Cloth Diaper Experiment Part 2 (First Impressions)

You know you must order to much stuff online when the mailman drives up to the house rings the doorbell and says "well hello again."  My Cloth diapers finally arrived after being lost in transit between here and Wyoming for over a week.  They came all wrapped in pretty bows just like Christmas.  I purchased 17 cloth pocket diapers, 22 microfiber liners, and 17 snap in liners all for use on my one year old and two year old (hopefully to be potty trained soon).  It was recommended that I use one microfiber and one snap in liner with each diaper during the day and three microfiber liners with a snap in liner at night.
My first impression was that they are so cute.  My second, third and fourth thought was what have I gotten myself into, I hope I can do this, I don't want to waste our money.  I spent my afternoon trying to figure out how to wash and dry these beautiful diapers.  If you do it wrong they will no longer absorb and then we have a mess...ewww.  It is not hard, there is just way to much information out there and so many opinions on how to handle all the different fabrics.  Luckily I had purchased Charlie's Soap, a recommended detergent for cloth diapers.  But the question was do I wash the different fabrics together or separate, in hot or cold water?  I finally got an e-mail back from the , manufacturer  who gave pre-washing recommendations.

Diaper Sprayer

So from all of my research from other mom's blogs and the advice from the manufacturer, these are my regular washing plans:
*Dirty diapers will be rinsed with my new diaper sprayer that Monte installed for me (thank you honey).  Don't worry the children have been strictly forbidden to touch it...can you imagine the fun they might have in the bathroom!
*Soiled diapers will be stored in a dry lidded plastic tub until washed (within 36-48 hours).
 *Diapers and liners will then go through a cold pre-rinse cycle (so stains are not set in), then through a warm wash cycle (using 1-2tsp Charlie's Soap and occasionally 1/2 cup vinegar), and then sent through a second rinse cycle (surprisingly much of cloth diapers stink actually comes from the detergent not getting rinsed out).
*Diapers will be hang dried, preferable out in the sun which is excellent for bleaching out stains as well as getting the stink out.  Drying them in our dryer is not an option.  First of all the heat ruins the elastic second the residue from dryer sheets used in our other loads will cause the diapers to no longer absorb.

My one year old wore his first cloth diaper this afternoon.  For his first diaper change he graced us with dirty pants.  Luckily it was an easy one to clean up.  We were absolutely amazed at how dry the fabric against his skin was and how soaked the microfiber liner inside was after three hours.  I was brave and put him in a diaper with three liners for night.  We will see how he does.  So far I am impressed and it seems more do-able than I originally thought.  Change is never easy but I think once I get a routine for diaper changes and washing established it will quickly get easier.

God isn't finished

Today we signed that paper work that officially closes our foster home.  By our request we were given the paperwork months ago but just couldn't bring ourselves to actually sign it.  In October our license expires and classes and time would be required to renew.  We have adopted children through the foster system, which was our original intent but our hearts still ache for those little ones still there and for those families, mostly living in poverty, still hurting each day.  Unfortunately we cannot fix all of the hurt, only God is capable of that.
Through the journey of foster care and later adoption, our support system has been incredible.  First of all our family who has loved our little people right along with us and listened to our frustration and tears as we agonized along with our children through the process.  We have also been blessed by a wonderful team of social workers and staff at Youthville who were at our side through every bump in the road.  We felt cared for and valued.  During this time, God really laid on our hearts that He is in control and that we need to trust our family, whatever that looks like, to Him.
For now God has given us five wonderful blessings (two through adoption) and they need our time and attention to heal and to continue growing into a family. We are still open to God's plan for our family and if we feel called back to foster care we will go.   Today is bittersweet but we know that this isn't the end...it is just the beginning.  God isn't finished with us yet.

"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 29:11

Smackerdoodles

Monte's grandmother loves my Snickerdoodle Cookies (Payton calls them smackerdoodles).  She says every time she sees me she thinks of those cookies.  I don't know that they are that good but it is sweet for her to say so.  Today we took her cookies.  I was reminded of what a strong woman she is.  She has overcome so much in her life and carries with her much wisdom.  Her influences runs deep through her family.  Monte has never forgotten when as a child his grandfather died and grandma picked herself up and ran the farm.  He remembers what a strong hard working woman she was and how she never gave up.
I am thankful to grandma because she showed Monte what hard work was and has influenced him in so many wonderful ways.  Monte often helped grandma on her farm and still carries with him a very strong work ethic.  His character requires that he is doing something all the time.   You will never find him relaxing in the recliner until children are in bed, the kitchen is cleaned up and I am ready to sit down with him.  He is always willing to help a friend or even a stranger.  Much like grandma if there are things that need to be done he does them.  Thank you grandma for sharing your strength and your wisdom.  I will bring you snickerdoodles anytime...it is the very least I can do.

Smackerdoodles (Snickerdoodles)
1 1/2 Cups Sugar
1/2 Cup Stick Margarine
1/2 Cup shortening
2 Eggs
2 3/4 Cups Flour
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
Topping:
1/4 cup sugar
2tsp cinnamon

Cream together sugar, margarine, shortening, and eggs. Stir in remaining ingredients.  Refrigerate for 2 hours.  Shape the dough into 1 1/4 inch balls and roll in sugar/cinnamon mixture.  Bake at 400 degrees 10-12 minutes on greased cookie sheet.  Take to your grandma and enjoy!

²³ Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, ²⁴ since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
Colossians 3:23-24

A week of Insanity

Insane moments or weeks are bound to happen in a household with five children or any household with children for that matter.  Appointments and life have taken over our week.  We have been coming and going and no two days have looked alike.  Once the week started filling up, I decided just to pack the appointments in and not drag it out for weeks of disrupted school time.  Homeschooling has definitely been more creative and we have marched in and out of appointments with our clipboards in hand. So this is what we learned...

*We learned all about teeth from our hygienist Phil.  How many we have and what cavities look like on an x-ray :(.  In a few weeks we get to learn more about how braces work x2 kiddos and what sort of payment plans they offer (yikes)!
*We learned about fire science and had a huge discussion about fire safety as we watched our neighbors home burn and the firefighters work to put it out.  Our character study included empathy and compassion.

*Some were reminded that Grandma definitely has better snacks at her house and is much more generous than mommy when it comes to food.  We love you (and your snacks) grandma!
*The babies learned about check-ups and shots :(.
*We have also found that professionals love to share about their profession. So often the kids asking a few questions leads to an impromptu lesson about something
*Vaeh learned that it is actually fun to talk when the speech pathologist is here instead of being silent and that using words opens up a whole new world.  Being our little one with a flair for drama, she many times refuses to speak unless it is into her play microphone which amplifies her voice because that is just so much more fun.
*Bentley learned about responsibility as she started her first part time little baby sitting job at our home.
*We learned about pulling together meals with what you have in the house because there is no time to get to the store.

*We learned about eyes from the Optometrist and how they become tired from lots of computer work and reading and can cause headaches.  We also learned about cute pink and purple reading glasses and that the lady who helps you pick out the glasses loves her job.
 *In between we learned about the state of Maine and some of its wildlife.  We did a little addition, multiplication, and history.
*And while we were at all of those appointments and doing a lot of waiting we READ lots!
*Oh and we also learned from daddy that just because the Yukon speedometer says it can go 120 it really can't because it has a governor on it.  But wouldn't it have been fun if we could have traveled to our appointments at 120 mph (maybe we would have had time to get our grocery shopping done).

It's not the stuff that matters

I watched my neighbor's house catch on fire and burn yesterday.  All I could do was offer a lawn chair and a glass of water to our neighbor as she sat and watched as the fire fighters fought to save her home and those around it.  She clung to the cordless phone rendered useless by the fire recalling how it wouldn't work when she tried to call 911.  It was an awful helpless feeling.  As I watched time seemed to stop.  Flames shot high into the air and we could feel the heat from our porch as the dry trees above her home burst into flames.   I couldn't help but think about all those memories that were burning along with the house.  After over an hour and a half the firemen had the fire under control but water from their hoses was pouring out of the rafters and the upstairs.  What wasn't burned was surly flooded.  This dear woman retold the story over and over as friends arrived.  One thing in particular that she said really caught my attention.  "You know how you always wonder what you could grab if you could only take a handful of things with you?"  "I didn't take anything...not even my shoes."  She went on to say that they would be fine they had family nearby and many church friends and as the fire raged on she was confident that she would be cared for.

Later as I reflected on the horror of the day I thought about how it is not the stuff that matters.  It could all be gone in an instant.  It could be taken while we are still on this earth and if not, we most definitely don't get to take it with us to eternity.  So why is our stuff so important?  In this fallen world our stuff is what defines us.  In eternity we stand alone without our stuff in front of our Heavenly Father and we answer for what we have done and what relationships we have nurtured or ignored here on this earth.  It is not about what we have...it is about who we loved.   Thank you dear neighbor for reminding me what is important even in the midst of your tragedy.  I pray God blesses you.

So, what would I take with me if I only had a moment...

¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.   Mathew 6:19-21

First Day of School

We school year round so have already been homeschooling since July but today was the first day for public school.  We decided to take the day and celebrate our choice to home school.  We went to the zoo today because we can, anytime we want.  And that's something to celebrate. 

We met up with cousins which  made the day even more special.

We got up close and personal with the animals.  Vaeh was thrilled and had no fear.  She tried petting them through the glass.

 We are so thankful to be able to homeschool.  I am loving being home and learning each day alongside my children and they are loving learning at home!  We are looking forward to a great year!!

The Great Cloth Diaper Experiment

They even come in colors to match Gracen's favorite Pacifier!

Shortly before the birth of our first child eleven years ago, a friend spoke of trying cloth diapers.  I thought that they were crazy.  Why in the world would you want to deal with the "ick" factor and all of the extra work that cloth diapers would create.  At the time, I was a working mom and really did not care about the money that it would possibly save.  It was just not feasible to expect those who cared for my children to deal with their poo in this way.  Anyway, we were a bit frivolous with our spending and we could be at the time, though we regret that now.

Fast forward eleven years.  We have now been blessed with five beautiful children, two of whom are still in diapers.  We have somehow been given the opportunity by God's grace for me to stay home with my children and be mother and teacher to them.  We can't really explain it but at the end of the month the children are fed and cared for and the bills are paid.  Over and over God provides for us in crazy ways and we are grateful.  But we still hold on to many unnecessary conveniences.  Our Mennonite upbringing naturally breeds frugalness but our selfish sense of entitlement says we deserve the best because we are good people you know.

A few days ago, as Monte and I were looking over our finances and paying bills, I noticed that our Walmart receipts had been creeping up again.  We are working hard to pay off that frivolous spending from the days when we thought that we could afford it.  Kind of ironic we are working on paying off bills from the days of two incomes with only one income but that's another blog post.  Groceries and hygiene items are one area that seems like a constant struggle to keep a handle on.  A few unnecessary items here and there don't seem like a big deal until you take it times seven.  I am always looking for ways to cut back.  Monte on the other hand is very satisfied with my frugal shopping abilities and says "good grief for seven people I don't think we can do better than that."  Even as a child, my mother has always complimented me on my ability to scrimp and save to accomplish what I wanted.  So when I heard those words "I don't think we can do better than that," it became a challenge.  You bet we can.  And so was born The Great Cloth Diaper Experiment...Dun Dun DUUUU (sorry felt the need for some dramatic music).

So here's the way I figure it.  Cloth diapers are an investment (they are not cheap) and they are tricky and hard to deal with right?  Well not any more (sorry not trying to sound like an infomercial but hear me out).  The cloth diaper market has become super innovative and competitive partially due to families trying to be more green and other families trying to save more green :).  The trend is going back to cloth diapers.  From my extensive research, the easiest cloth diapers out there are all-in-ones or pocket diapers but, they are much pricier than the cheaper, more difficult pre-folded diapers and covers, or so I thought.  I found a mom out of Wyoming who has a cloth diaper business and sells pocket diapers for very reasonable, actually cheaper than prefolds and covers.  She says she is doing it more as a service to single income families and making a bit on the side for herself.  For $180 I got adjustable size cloth pocket diapers and inserts that will work for two little people ($100 per child).  It will take 2 1/2 months to break even on the deal and then diapers will be FREE!  So I promised Monte to do cloth diapers for at least 2 1/2 months until they are paid for with the intention of using them long term.

I am not naive.  I have done my research and thought this through.  I will have to wash diapers every other day.  I do so much laundry now that another few loads a week is really no big deal.  There is also a special way to wash and dry cloth diapers so that they will still absorb those wonderful bodily fluids.  Monte has agreed to hook up a special diaper sprayer to the toilet water line so that I can rinse diapers without sticking my hand in the toilet and possibly loosing my lunch. And I know it may be a bit messy and leaky until I get the hang of it and remember to change those little bottoms more often.  I also know that there will be times when disposables are just more convenient and appropriate for the outing and I am going to be realistic and not feel guilty about that.  But I am going to try it out and maybe even like it. 
*My full shipment of diapers is scheduled to arrive shortly.  In the near future, I will update on how it is going and include links to where I purchased my diapers.

Little Helpers

In the last two years our family has gone from a family of four to a family of seven.  In what seemed like an instant life changed drastically for all of us.  God has overwhelmingly blessed us with the birth of another child and adoption of two more and we are thankful.  A family of seven requires life to become more intentional and we needed to be more intentional.  A family of seven means that we can no longer be in control of everything all the time and we have to rely on everyone to pull their share of the load to make life happen.
Back when we were a family of four, the adults used to basically do everything around the house.  Very little was required of our children and we were for the most part all ok with that.  For the kids, food just appeared on the table, the house magically was cleaned, laundry just did itself, the yard work just happened, and food and needed stuff just appeared from the store without any effort (on their part). With five children a life like this is no longer possible and that is a blessing.  We didn't realize how little we were teaching our children.  They had never experienced hard work or even the concept of working together to accomplish needed tasks around our home.  We had failed as parents because it was easier to do what needed to be done than to teach them.
Once our family size increased it became impossible for us to do it all.  We needed them and we were forced to teach them.  Teach them the things we should have been teaching them anyway.  I never would have guessed that I had such willing helpers right in front of me all along.  I am proud to say that they have all stepped up and understand that they are all needed to make our large family work.  There are even many days when a child asks me how they can help (which still catches me off guard).  Now don't get me wrong there are days when they don't want to help but I have some of those days myself.  For the most part everyone works together and gets the job done without complaint.  More often than not, they enjoy our time working together.  Sometimes we even try to make it fun with little games or races.  In the past few years our children have learned to help care for the little people, fold laundry, help in the kitchen, help with dusting and vacuuming, help clean bathrooms, do yard work, and much more.

When we first started requiring our children to help their was a steep learning curve.  I had to teach them everything and it was difficult.  As they learned and perfected each task it became easier and easier.  I am still learning who's skills and talents work best for each job.  Also some tasks are more enjoyable for one child than another.  Payton, our nine year old loves to vacuum and is very meticulous about matching up the lines side by side so that he covers every inch of carpet.  Who knew?  This is my kid who is definitely not detail oriented.  Bentley, eleven, loves helping with the younger children, even if that means folding baby clothes and cleaning up their messes.  She adores them and would do anything for them.  Conner, six, loves dusting and wiping down walls and takes a lot of pride in wiping away little finger prints and other icky things that don't belong on walls.
There are times when I have to work hard to let go of my ideas of perfection.  I can require their best work but no more.  I have heard the phrase "mom I'm just a kid" more than once. I have to step back and decide if my expectations are realistic, often they are not.  If a child is unable to do a task to an acceptable standard then I give them time to work on it and if it is still unacceptable we re-arrange responsibilities until we find the best kid for the job or we give that responsibility back to an adult and will try again later.
Some may feel sorry for our children or maybe even for us because large families are a lot of work.  Please don't.  The blessings of a large family far outweigh the few disadvantages.  "A little hard work never hurt anyone" in fact it is making us all better people.  We all feel needed and most of all loved.  I really don't miss those days when I worked by myself.  I still work hard, maybe even harder, but it doesn't feel like it because I am no longer doing it alone.  We are working side by side making memories out of the mundane.
"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  Colossians 3:23-24

The Truth

One thing that I love about blogging is that it helps me focus on the positive things happening in our home.  It allows me to reflect and learn.    I don't want to dwell on the negative but instead focus on the positive and where I strive to be.  But, for those of you who know me, you know I am a "tell it like it is" kind of a girl. I want you to know that our life is not as perfect as it sometimes appears.  I, like all moms, struggle.  So in order to be honest, here's THE TRUTH:

My kids ate leftover Peach Cobbler for breakfast this morning.  It is basically biscuit dough on the top right?  Fruit and biscuits that's not so bad.  Don't worry I haven't completely lost it, they did NOT get ice cream on top!

If you came to my house today, or any day, this is what you would see in my laundry room.  Somehow I am able to keep the laundry clean but rarely put away.   Before our remodel, the laundry room was on the main floor right inside the back door and it was always a big embarrassment to me (and that was when we only had 2 kids).  When we added the basement I insisted that a main floor laundry room was not in my best interest so we moved the laundry to the basement behind closed doors.  I started to implement a family closet for the children so that I could put their laundry away without ever leaving the laundry room.  This has helped immensely but a larger more organized family closet is on my list (Monte is cringing as he reads about my next re-organizing project).  I will blog about it after WE get it done.

Sometimes Often times, especially during the day, my kitchen looks like this.  I love to bake and cook for my family and this is the result.  Monte enjoys my cooking as much as anyone and many times lovingly cleans up my mess in exchange for yummy food.  I am so blessed to have such a wonderful husband!

Things like this grow in the way back of my fridge where food gets forgotten.  They just do...I try but all I have to say for myself is eeeewwww!

My last and biggest truth (literally) is that I have struggled with my weight for many years.  I am proud to say that I am down 37 pounds since the birth of Gracen, our youngest.  I still have another 30+ pounds to go but I am doing something about it for the first time in many years.  I will share in detail about my weight loss journey in the near future.

So there it is...the truth.  Sorry mom hope I didn't embarrass you too much :)!  I guess my point is things aren't perfect around here and I am not trying to pretend like they are.  This season of life is not about perfection. It is about living intentionally with our children,  doing our best everyday, learning from our mistakes, and moving on.  Being present in this moment and not worrying about the shoulda, woulda, couldas because honestly that gets us no where.  So that's my truth in a nutshell.  There's more I am sure but for now this is enough truth for one day.

Ephesians 2:8-9
^"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast."