I've gone crunchy

I am not quite granola, but I may just get there. We cloth diaper, and love it. We prefer organic food (but locally don't have a great selection), also to try and make more food homemade rather than rely on the boxes alternatives. I don't buy sandwich bread. I make our sandwich bread, bagels and challah (it's the perfect breakfast bread!), granola, and even about 25% of our yogurt. It would be more but I just need to get a larger maker, the 4 jars don't carry is far. Lol.

Sometimes it can get overwhelming and we cave and have fast food or a can of ravioli but not often. But this is something I absolutely love doing for my family. Making meals, hanging in the kitchen with the girls and friends is just where I love to be. I feel like I thrive there.

Cloth diapering is an addiction. It's just it like it used to be! Once you get a good wash routine it really is a breeze!

We are also a baby wearing family! I have a carrier that we love! Tristyn has spent more time being carried (or spoiled according to some) than sitting in a stroller! I also love that my big tough Marine often volunteers to wear the baby!

The main reason we made these switches is because we didn't like what was being put into our food. Chemicals, preservatives and dyes that are banned in other countries. Artificial sweeteners, corn by products that perpetuate the over use, and over grow of corn.

This is the year we work harder to really get all that crap out of our house!

Right now I would say I am as crunchy as lightly miked cornflakes lol. Maybe one day we will be a bit more granola :)

We have a visitor!

Welcome Kelly to our home once again. She really is a life saver! An extra set of hands and someone to have a silly conversation with :) Just what this mommy needs!

It has been a wild few days! I drove all over the desert attempting to pick her up from the airport! I finally got her at 6pm, about 8 hours after her original flight was supposed to arrive! We had a play date with some friends in which my daughters bed broke. Then a diaper swap, which was a blast. Met some new ladies and tristy got to hang out with other babies :) Maybe they will slow her down!

The past couple of days we have just been running errands and hanging around the house. It's great to not have to loa up the kids to go to the commissary, especially with the flu running wild!

I have also had the chance to try my hand at making Challah! It was so delicious! Today I am trying a chocolate cinnamon raisin challah to make French toast with for dinner. yum!

We also attempted a date night this week. We went to go see "This is 40" at the drive in, but the reels broke and they refunded everyone our money and closes for the night :( well at least we tried!

Most of all I want to thank all of the wonderful volunteers at the Ontario airport USO! They were so helpful and sweet! I have no idea how we would have survived our day out without them. That is one wonderful thing about being a military spouse! There is always help and support everywhere! Thank you again!

<3

6 month update

My littlest princess is 6 months old today! Where in the world had time gone? She eats purée foods and dabbles in some table food. We are doing a combo of baby led weaning and purees. She loves it all! She is crawling! It's more of a crazy bear crawl but she gets around quick! And she sits pretty well too!

She is a mamas girl, well at least until daddy walks in the door. Then she is all over him until she is ready to nurse!

She is my first baby to make it to 6 months with no formula! This is big milestone for me and I am very happy to have accomplished this goal! She does baby push ups and has the cutest laugh. She is my grunter. The noisiest breather. But I wouldn't have here any other way! Her little snores are the sweetest and I can't imagine life without them.

She loves attention from her big sisters and kisses all over them. When they run off to go play she always cries for them to come back! Boy are they in for it when she learns to navigate the stairs!

We are also entering the world of seperation anxiety! The older girls didn't go through this as young so it's a whole new world for hubs and I. It's had been especially bad since hubs has been working until 10 most night, so now she clings to me even more. Making dinner is an adventure!

I can't wait to see what the next six months holds!

<3

Attending a birth

I myself have 3 beautiful girls. All average about 2 years apart. They were all also born via c section. I have never witnessed a vaginal birth, and a part of me hurts that I wasn't given the chance to try on my own. But this post isnt about me today.

Close to the end of my pregnancy my friend announced she was pregnant. Her and her husband have been married for 10 years and trying to conceive for 7.

I can not imagine the amount of patience this couple had to have to endure this part of their life. Mayra and her husband came to a point in their life that they decided to stop smoking and to pursue help with conceiving. After being told by a doctor that "she was fine since she was having regular periods" and feeling heartbreak that he wasn't interested in helping her she spontaneously conceived. Mayra attributes the timing to their decision to quit smoking (Boo tobacco!!). During her pregnancy I grew very close to mayra. I had known her previously for a couple of years but we hadn't taken the opportunity to hang out and really become friends. She would come over and babysit and help me out after my baby was born, and keep me company's while the guys were away on field ops. We would watch silly tv marathons, eat dinner and discuss birth. Mayra wanted to do an all natural birth. She was bound and determined to not have an epidural but was willing to consider an Iv med.

When she told me she wanted me to be there for support I was thrilled! One because she thought highly of me to want me to share this experience with her and her husband, and two I have never witnessed a vaginal birth. She also gave me the job of making sure she didn't cave for the epidural and take her birth pictures! I took both jobs very seriously! I wanted to there to support her, and help her.

Yesterday morning I received a phone call at 6:45. It was Mayra saying she was in the hospital and her water had broken! I called my husband and had him bring me the car and lined up a sitter for the girls. I also checked my text messages to see she has also texted me at 4:20 saying her water had broken! Oops! This mama must have been passed out!

I made it up to the hospital around 10 and started snapping pictures with the baby strapped into her beco gemini and nursing away. This woman looked beautiful in labor! They started to push pitocin on her, but all times she gracefully turned them down. Asking them to wait just a little longer and to check her progress.

At 3:22pm Mayra delivered a BEAUTIFUL baby girl, she was 6lbs 2oz and 18 1/2 inches long. She did it with no pain medication, no induction drugs and all the strength and power this mother had in her body and her husband by her side. She is my birth hero!

This was an event I will NEVER forget! Thank you, and congratulations!

Am I Mom enough?

After seeing all the controversy about this Time Magazine cover months ago it really got me thinking. I was not in the least bit offended by the mom who was nursing her child rather than a baby or toddler. Her kid her business. I was slightly discouraged at the title "Are you mom enough?" What exactly was their intention? Am I mom enough for what?

Then you know I came to the realization I am mom enough.

I am mom enough to handle labs every three months on my 4 year old.
I am mom enough to vaccinate, on schedule.
I am mom enough to openly question my children's doctor when something just doesn't seem right.
I am mom enough to breast feed my oldest until it wasn't helping her grow, the move her to formula so her little body didn't have to fight so hard.
I am mom enough to breast feed my 2nd until SHE decided to quit at 11 1/2  months.
I am mom enough cloth diaper.
I am mom enough to take care of my 3 girls, while my husband serves our country overseas.
I am mom enough to not want to feed my children processed foods.
I am mom enough to say no to Halloween candy.
I am mom enough to say no to petroleum based food dyes.
I am mom enough to be called a progressive hippie and embrace the name.
I am mom enough to homeschool.
I am mom enough to not settle for just any doctor and drive 3 hours to a specialist for my oldest.
I am mom enough to seek support and ask for help when I need it.

Most of all:

I am mom enough to not judge moms who do things differently. I will stand by my fellow moms who formula feed, who use disposable diapers, who don't vaccinate, who let their kids eat candy, and fast food regularly. I am mom enough to stand by my fellow moms and women and support their choices on how they choose to raise their children!

I wish the media, would quit trying to tell us how to raise our children. Every day there is a new study out saying why we should feed them this, or carry them this way, or buy this new toy. I wonder what mom's did before the news. Before all the "research" that was being done. I guess they just swung in the dark, and hoped for the best.  I also think if we strived harder to be the people we want our kids to be, and focus less on who we wanted them to be, or what the media (friends, family, strangers) say they should be, the next generation would have a better shot at a successful, compassionate, constructive life.

So, when you ask this breastfeeding, vaccinating, cloth diapering, limited processed foods, progressive hippie mom if she is mom enough. My answer will be Yes, and so are YOU!

<3

Our new home Church

A few months ago my dear husband and I decided to finally venture out of our home and try to find a church that would work for our family. A church that would make us feel like family and draw us closer to God. In our heads we had it set that NO church would compare to back home. And no church ever will. There will never be another pastor like dad. There will be no other family like the Feagins to take us in, influence us and guide us the way that they did while we are teenagers and young adults. But still we had to find a new church home. After asking around, checking websites we decided to follow the advice of our friends the Ginn's and join them at New Creation Church. I immediately fell in love. It was small, and filled with love. Not just God's love but love for each other. Hubs on the other hand was a little skeptical. He wasn't into the contemporary music (I mean come one he is a good 'ole southern boy), but he loved the messaged and really enjoyed listening to the pastor preach. I told him, I was open to trying a new church, but I guess something called onto him and he said he wanted to give it another shot. It took him a few weeks to get into the music, and experiencing a new way of worship but he has come to love it. I love watching him hold our baby girl and listen to him sing along and even clap a bit. It makes my heart melt every week. I am proud of my relationship with God, and my husband and now I am so glad we have this to share together. Well one week ran into another and here we sit a few months later, and we are at church every Sunday that we can be.

A few weeks ago our pastor started a series called "Marks of a Servant". So far he has covered 3 topics that have really spoken to me. The first one that really called my attention was about Transparency. Being a transparent person as in, no faking it. Just be who you are. Honestly this is something I have always struggled with. I am awkward, and I have lots of chaos in my life. Sometimes people around me become offended when I shut them out. I don't do it to intentionally hurt them, I do it to protect myself and deal with issues I have going on. But many times I feel like I have to "fake it" and put on the smile and keep going so I don't disappoint others. I know in reality I can't make everyone happy, but there is this big unrealistic side of me that continues to want to. I know I need to be transparent. I need to be the same person with everyone. I hope with prayer and change of attitude I can be that person.

The next 2 parts that really spoke to me actually go together. Forgiveness and forgetting. I feel like I am always willing for forgive is asked to do so. But our pastor went deeper with this message. He went into letting those who have offended you know they have done so, then also forgiving them. I don't like conflict. I don't like making people feel like they are on the defensive. I would rather just deal with it and let it go in my own time. But that usually takes forever, it eats at me, it really drives me mad at times. If you ask my husband he would say I have no issue doing this. I am quick to let him know when he offends me. I guess because in the end I know he will still love me. With friends though, I am not so sure they will stick around. I guess this goes back to being transparent. I need to suck it up, and let them know when they have offended me, I just need to be me. Own my feelings, so I can move past the little things and life and enjoy the bigger things.

The next part is the hard part. Forgetting. Ask my husband, I never forget anything. I want to forget. I want to move past the things that happened to me. I want to let go of the hurt from people around me. I know it will take a lot of prayer. I just have to remind myself that I and everyone is just a work in progress. We all have faults, no one is perfect.

I can only hope that moving forward I will have friends by my side that will love me for who I am, and not expect me to be what I'm not.

<3

Almond panckes and sewing adventures!

I have no idea what has gotten into me but I have recently developed an obsession with almond! I LOVE IT. Yesterday I tried a pinterest recipe for almond poppyseed muffins, flavor and smell was great, texture was BAD. Definitely need to do some tweeking! But tonight for dinner I made almond pancakes. They came out beautiful, light, fluffy and had the perfect aroma and flavor of almond. I bet they would be even better with poppyseeds! But for this evening we topped them with strawberry glaze and whipped cream. The kids couldn't get enough (and neither could I).

I have also managed to get into sewing. I have made 20+ cloth wipes for my fluffy butt, and now I have started a new project. My older 2 girls are obsessed with baby dolls, as any 4 and 2 year old should be. And of course they want diapers for their baby dolls. For quite a while we had left over newborn diapers but after coming off the dolls and going back on a few times, they start to fall apart and of course they need a new one. Well now we are out. Which makes for some very sad and occasionally mischevious girls. Well I was playing on pinterest, looking at some diapers for the baby and discovered cloth diapers for baby dolls. Who would have thought. Makes perfect sense right?! Well, I get the bright idea "I can make those". Hahahaha. Yeah well. I tried. I would have succeeded had the sewing machine not failed me.

Onward I went to google, and found the free pattern and instructions. I get the pattern printed, fabric cut, and begin sewing. Well my machine has always been a little on the special side and will not back stitch with the switch. So, in order to back stitch I have to turn the fabric around and sew back over the initial stitching, then of course flip it around  again to keep going. Its a pain but it works, and keeps the machine from jamming (most of the time). I get the first step done, which was sew the layers together right side together. It looked decent. Far from perfect but decent. Turned it inside out and did the top stitch to make it look pretty and seal off the opening. At this point I am feeling optimistic. I grab the cabbage patch, try  it on for size, check it out on the American girl doll, and it fits! Now I just need to do the final step. Add the velcro. I measure it out, cut it to fit and stick it on (it was the kind with the stick back, which I thought would be great to hold it in place with out annoying pins!). I make sure the sewing machine is threaded and ready to go. Put the fabric in and start sewing. I get the long top end done and BAM. It jams. Sucked the fabric through the bottom plate. I cut all the threads and wrestle the beast for my beautiful project. Finally it come free. The top side looks great, then I flip it over. The thread is a mess. Tangled, loose and knotted. I sit at my desk thinking, how in the world did this happen. (This is also the moment all 3 kids decide to get up from nap). I grab the kids some lara bars, and a cup of water, I grab my trusty seam ripper and the disaster diaper. As the big kids ate, I nursed the little one and carefully ripped away. I was determined. THIS WOULD WORK! Or so I thought. Once the kids went off to play and the baby back down to sleep I went to set up the machine. Threaded it, set the bobbin. Dropped the needle to catch the bobbin thread, and it wont catch. Try again, still won't catch. Try, and try, and try, and try again and the blasted thing still WON'T catch!! I eventually give up, walk away and go to play with the girls. But I stare at the machine and make a promise, I will be back!

So today at nap time, I grab disaster diaper, seam ripper and again face the beast. I unthread and rethread the machine. dust all parts. Check for loose threads. Set up the bobbin and again, attempt to catch the bobbin. No luck. I swear it was created by the daleks and is laughing at me. Now when I attempt to try and get the needle thread to catch the bobbin it locks up, wheel won't turn, and machine just wont go. I think its done for. The worst part about this, the girls were looking forward to their doll fluff. My oldest had even picked out some fabric for liners to lay inside. :-(

At least the yummy pancakes took their mind off the diaper for a minute.

Almond Pancakes

Makes about 12 4inch pancakes

2 eggs
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup butter melted
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract

1) Mix eggs, almond, extract, butter and milk together. If the butter is hot mix it with the cold milk before adding to the eggs so you don't cook them! 

2) Mix dry ingrediants together

3) Slowly mix in the dry ingredient to the wet, until just mixed. Its okay if its a bit lumpy.

 

4) Cook on a griddle or pan heated to medium heat. Flip when bubbles appear and begin to pop on surface.

I hope you enjoy these pancakes! They were delicious. They also freeze well, so feel free to double and make a big batch to last through the week.

<3

A lot of catching up (looking back on 2012)

I do have to say 2012 brought me a lot of blessings. This year we were able to find a church that made us feel like home. I grew closer to friends, and of course I got to welcome the newest member of our family. Sweet little Tristyn.

This past year Emma managed to escape with no ER visits, no emergency injections, but lots if stress dosing. Her little body has fought a good round and I can't wait to see her grow an learn more.

This is also another year we didn't spend home with our family, but c'est la vie. Especially the life of a Marine family. I just hope they understand how much we miss them and want to be there celebrating.

This year I also started my 101 in 1001. I haven't done a very good job keeping it updated, and I have only put in a half attempt at working on it, so this year I hope I am able to make better use of my time and work harder at it.

My husband and I have had our ups and downs, what couple doesn't. But I am so proud to have this man stand next to me to raise our children and watch them grow.

Another huge blessing of this year is finding a diagnosis for Abiageal. Her vomiting had me wry concerned, and thanks to a particular show ( I know how awful that sounds) I did a little digging and discovered we are dealing with Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. Man my kids sure love to throw up. *sigh* Unfortunately for Abiageal, her doctor doesn't want I pursue an official diagnosis until she is older or starts to loose weight. Also there is no real treatment plan for her. All we can do is try and stop the vomiting after it starts, and go to the ER if she starts to dehydrate :/ My kids have managed to get some weird genes. CVS is linked to a family history of migraines (my side), and is sometimes referred to as abdominal migraines. I pray that she doesn't have the neurological migraines that I do. I pray that she grown out of this. The worst thing on the world is watching your child suffer :(

Rededicating my life to Christ and the church had been a wonderful experience. The church we ha found fits our family well. I love the music (took a while to win hubs over on the contemporary style), I love the people, and I love the way it has drawn me back in to a relationship with God. It was the biggest thing in my life I needed to fix and I am so blessed to have God step into my life and place this path at my feet. My girls Emma and Abiageal have also started to grown and learn about Christ. They love Sunday school, and learning about Jesus. Nothing makes my heart smile more! I also joined the Christian Women's Fellowship this year. Another great learning experience for myself. I have met some wonderful ladies, and enjoy a bible study.

What will 2013 bring me?

It will continue to bless me through my children. Emma will be 5, Abiageal will turn 3, and Tristyn will be 1! As a family I hope we grow closer together. I also hope 2013 brings us a new home in a place better suited for Emma's needs. I hope through our relationship with Christ my husband and I can grown closer together and continue learning about each other. That we will be more patient with each other and our children. I also hope we will be able to make that long journey home, to see our beautiful niece and nephew (hubs had never met them) and spend time with those we miss dearly. So in short, no resolutions from this girl. Just hopes and dreams.

<3