Cloth Diapering

Parenting in the High Country has always been a thrill. Everyone seems to have a different way to do pretty much everything. I have met moms who make their own laundry detergent, coupon to the extreme (by saving 80% or more on their grocery bills), homeschool, raise their own chickens (even in residential areas), take the bus, don't use microwaves and, of course, use cloth diapers.

Since I am now a HighCountryMommie(s), I feel like I have now embraced a few of the "crunchy" lifestyle changes other mommies have led me to. One of those changes (among others) is cloth diapering.

If you've never done it before or you're thinking, "eeeeww", I have news for you: it's not that hard and it's not that gross.

Getting set up for cloth diapering has never been easier. There are so many blogs dedicated to the how-to's of cloth diapering (CD) and many many websites that sell a huge variety of CDs and accessories.

The benefits of CDing are that you are helping the environment by not throwing yet another disposable diaper in a landfill, you're not exposing your child to the toxic chemicals in disposables, and it will save you upwards of $2000 a year, depending on the disposable diaper you use. Here's a link that provides facts about cloth diapering benefits. Here's a calculator that you can use to quickly add up how much you'll save by using cloth.

It's true that the initial setup fees for cloth are high, but it's a real investment. If you will check out that calculator, you'll see that disposables actually cost more in the long-run. Also, the resale value of CDs are very high. You'll see it on websites like diaperswappers.com or even your localmommiesnetwork site (buy/sell/trade).

If you ever want to find out about cloth, ask a mommy you know who uses cloth - I've never met one who wasn't open and willing to share about every aspect. Be careful though, we can be pretty passionate about CDing and take over the conversation!

Over the next few weeks, I'll be discussing cloth and the benefits, as well as systems for washing and caring for cloth. Please leave a comment if you have any questions and I'll try to address those.

I only began using cloth when my first son was 18 months-old. It's never too late! Stay tuned for more posts on the how-tos of cloth.

Sam

In light of the post before the last one, I feel I need to share something. Something big. Something so huge that it has changed our lives forever.

Before I do that, I'll review. I pray for my children. I pray for them to receive Christ. I pray for them to grow into godly men and a godly woman. I pray for them to change other people's lives throughout their own. I know they already have - each of them.

So, here goes. You can choose not to believe it. You can choose to say it's too early. But only time will tell. And in the two weeks since it's happened, we have seen proof. As much as you can in a four and a half year old.

If you ask me, I'll share more details privately. But for now, I find it important to just share this: Sam is a believer.

My goofball.

Oddly Silent

I suppose adding the third child to our family has been what is keeping me away from posting on the blog. Figuring out a balance has been the biggest hurdle to overcome, but I believe I am just about there. Unfortunately, the blog falls at the lowest priority, with other blogs that I write for coming even before my own.

Mothers and wives ask me all the time for my schedule - they just want to know how I manage making meals, cleaning, homeschooling (Sam), and living life in general. I can't say that I have any secret that other mothers don't have, but I will say that God weaved into me a personality trait that comes in handy with all these responsibilities. Organization.

I make a plan and generally stick to it (flexibility is the key though). Everything has a box or a basket it goes in, every day has a purpose, and I have a list of five things that I need to get done daily in order to know I have been productive.

Do I get overwhelmed? Absolutely. Do things NOT get done sometimes? Yep. Do I become so tunnel-visioned (is that a word?) that I ignore the more important things to fulfill the task at-hand? You betcha. I think all of those are just part of life with kids or without kids.

Still, I have a lot of room for improvement. While I hone my skills at balancing Christian, wife, mother of three, children's minister, friend, daughter, sister, and all the other responsibilities I have, I can enjoy the little things. At least, they're little for now.

Priorities

When we had our first child, I realized all my priorities were going to have to change, and fast. We could still be very flexible with the trips we took and people we visited, but life somehow revolved around naps and mealtimes.

Then we had our second child and life changed a little more. Both children were on the same napping schedule, so everything seriously revolved around naps and mealtimes.

Now we have our third child. I am officially chained to the house every day for the same hours. I shouldn't say "chained" - it's actually a very refreshing time, a time to get a little rest before the action begins again.

But my priorities have shifted, yet again. I have been homeschooling Sam, and that requires a good amount of planning and preparation (not too much, as he is still pre-K). Between taking care of the children, teaching the children, cleaning the house, a (limited) social life and various other activities, we are busy busy busy.

This is the best kind of busy I could ever ask for. Ever. I love going over school stuff with Sam. I thrive on the reaction Carolina makes when she recognizes she's learning something new. And I cherish the moments in between where I can snuggle up to my cozy littlest one, nurse him and know that I am providing everything he needs to grow strong and healthy. And my favorite time is when I'm praying for each of the children individually. I woke up about five times last night with one of them on my heart. I prayed that God would call them into His Kingdom. I prayed for their health. I prayed for our parenting to be pleasing to Him. I prayed and prayed and prayed. And then I fell asleep, content in knowing my prayers will be answered.

Train up a child in the way he should go,

even when he is old he will not depart from it.

Proverbs 22:6