Catching up....

Yes, it has been awhile. Told you all I am not too good at this kind of stuff, but I will attempt an update! :)

My first semester back to school has been going great!! I only took two classes because I am trying to ease back in with the best grades possible. I am enjoying being around adults again, and have managed keep an A in both classes despite one of them being a Finite Math class that is SO not my thing!!!

A little over a month ago, we had a messy sewage backup in our basement!! YUCK!!! We ended up in a hotel for 9 days and are still getting things back in order. It has been quite the experience.

The kids all three came down with THE flu a few weeks ago as well. That was no fun, but they have all recovered pretty well. Praise the Lord!

I missed a couple of classes due to all of this, which makes me even happier about my grades.

Anyway, just thought an update was in order......<3 you all!

WOW!! It's been a MONTH since my last post????? I am not so good at this, huh?? Anyhoo, I just thought I would jump on and update.....

The Tiny Bubbles detergent ROCKS!!! No stinkies whatsoever. My diapers come out of the laundry smelling like the did before we ever used them. Love it!!

Hunter and Holden started back to school last week and are loving their new teachers and enjoying seeing other kids their ages again. I am truly appreciating the lack of bickering now that they have a bit of time apart!! They both seem to be doing pretty well so far. Holden is liking being in the high ability class and feels a bit more challenged this year already. Hunter is not seeming as stressed this year either and his tics are still not too noticeable. Usually, they are terrible at the start of a new school year---dare I hope he is starting to outgrow them?

Lucy is growing, growing, growing!!! AND oh, so mobile now! She never mastered any crawl but the "army crawl", but went quickly to pulling up to stand (to get the remote!!!) and is now "cruising" using anything she can find to hold onto. She is 11 months old today and every bit the little princess we thought she would be! She demonstrated this the other day, by barking "MINE!" at Jovi, the 2 year old I babysit! Of course, she learned the word from Jovi, but it was funny regardless! 4 teeth now--in weird order!--she has 3 on the bottom and one top tooth, only it is not a front tooth, but the one beside it! She looks like a little vampire baby! She is mastering using a cup, loves brushing her teeth, and "Dad" is her favorite word of the moment. She is very much a daddy's girl.

I begin classes next Tuesday after a 15 year break, and am a bit nervous, but praying that all will go well. Man, books are expensive! God is good though, and things have slowly fallen into place so that I could buy them. Hoping for great grades so that I can maybe get a scholarship next year.

Other than school, I am babysitting (love that girl!), trying to get my Close to My Heart biz back up and running, reading (just started Colleen Coble's Lonestar Sanctuary--she's great!), and getting ready to start working on a gajilllion Thank You notes for a dear friend who is getting married. Oh, and trying very hard to get a new mindset for healthy eating--hoping that the PCOS med and diet will help me drop this weight!! Life is busy, but good.

Jessie is working hard, as usual, but is also enjoying an extended softball season since he is playing Fall league as well this year. It is good to see him get to enjoy something that is just for him.

I think that's enough for today. Hope you all have a pleasant and Blessed day!

Cleaning Diapers.....

Last night, I spent a good amount of time trying to be sure Lucy's diapers were clean and stink free (microfiber can tend to get the stinkies after awhile). I ended up washing all the inserts separate from the covers in SUPER hot water. It worked, but I think I am ready to try another wash routine. I am hoping to eliminate the issue of the stinkies altogether.... I recently heard of a new detergent that I hope might help. It is called Tiny Bubbles and is made by a diaper company, so I am thinking they know what they are doing!!

http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com/tiny-bubbles-p-732.html

I can't wait to try it and say goodbye to the "stinkies"!!!

Am I too old for this?????

SOOO, after a long and wonderful 15 year break, I am going to go back to college!!! I am sure it will be quite the challenge, but I know that I can do it. Am I scared?? Nervous??? Excited??? Yes to all, and I know that this will be a huge adventure! Now to just figure out financing since I was silly and didn't make this decision until well after the FAFSA deadline. Oh, and do lots of research on laptops to make the most of my study time. Lucky I have a live-in techie!!!

Sew Imperfect....

I enjoy sewing. I enjoy creating. I do not like it when things do not turn out perfectly. This is an area I have had to work on since I have begun sewing diapers and other things. I have come to adopt the idea that my work is "sew" imperfect!!! I know there will be errors and things will not be perfect. Does it still bother me??? Yes!!! Sometimes, but I am learning to live with it. The above pics are two items I made last night for a lovely little girl I baby sit sometimes. She just turned 2!!! I made the pillowcase dress with green in it because it's her momma's favorite color. :)

The blankie is made with a wonderfully soft minkee fabric so she can cuddle up in it. I knew I had to do something for her with this fabric when she was petting the diaper I made out of it!!! (It was clean, of course!)

Anyway, my stitching is not totally straight, and it is not boutique quality, but every stitch was made with love! Happy Birthday Jovi!!!

Yes, you have to...

I chose this title for my blog because it seems to be the most common thing out of my mouth these days. With my two boys being 6 and 10, I am constantly questioned about any and all requests I make of them. It is almost guaranteed that any instruction, no matter how large or small, will instantly bring the words "Do I have to....? to their lips. Sometimes I don't even have to start the conversation. Putting green beans on my oldest's plate will start it everytime!

"Do I have to eat them?"

"Yes, you have to eat the grean beans."

"ALL of them???" (whining, even though I only put three on the plate)

"Yes, you have to eat them all."

And they try to make deals!!! If I eat two more bites of mac n cheese, can I NOT eat the green beans.

Uh, no deal. You still need to eat them! Because I said so....

Every day gives me many opportunities to use "Yes, you have to...." SOOO, I decided it would be a good choice.

Now, I must be a good momma and settle down for a movie that I promised to watch with my kiddos. I told them I would so as much as I'd like to stay on here, "yes, I have to..." :)

First diaper post...

I LOVE using cloth diapers on Lucy!! It has become a passion of mine, and I love to make and shop for new diapers. Here is a great new diapering system I saw online and can't wait to try out. It is called GroBaby and should last through a long size range! Also, it is made so that you can just change the liner and reuse the shell!! That is sweet!!

http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com/grobaby%E2...2-ic-11_16.html

Check them out if you CD like me!!

Just getting started.....

I am totally new to this blogging thing, but thought since I am home 24/7 with 3 darlings and little adult interaction, I would give this a shot!! :)

I intend to use this blog to show off my children often, to vent from time to time, and maybe sneak in some photos of my creations. I hope that you all enjoy it and come back often!!!

I love my God, my family, and just living each day as it comes. I try to be a little green and don't want to squander the gifts I've been given. You will read about my family as well as my addictions to papercrafting supplies and cloth diapers.

Oh, gotta run for now! I hope you all have a blessed day!