Courtship is like buying a boat...

Today, Chris was talking about boats and the boys were right in there with him. (Nothing new there, I know!) It is so precious to me how they adore their dad through mimicing his every hobby. Fishing? They're ready with their poles. Hunting? Sure Daddy, they can sit quietly for hours in the woods! (NOT!)

Anyways, today Chris told us he's going to buy a small boat he can keep here and go out on more easily. I was surprised (read: "You're going to buy another boat?") but not really. The conversation that followed was so cute I had to document:

"It's kind of like courtship, Mom" Ben quipped.

Me, incredulously, "What are you talking about, Ben?"

"You know, first you think about it... then you talk about it with your family... then you start looking seriously and you buy that boat!"

Well, now that we have that settled... LOL I don't know why I was worried about how we'll walk through that season of life! Sounds like we've got it down pat! (Let's all just pray that he doesn't tell his beloved one day that it's just like buying a boat!)

How to be a Lady

Lauren and I started a new "Mother-Daughter" study today. She finished Proverbs 31 before Christmas and now we're reading, "How to be a Lady."

Today, the book referenced the error of thinking too much or too little of yourself. Before I elaborated on the concept of thinking too little of yourself, Lauren surprised me with this explanation.

"If you're foolish while you're little, your heart gets set on doing foolish things and when you get old, like 16, you make bad decisions and it's harder to learn to do the right thing."

Praise the Lord for His faithfulness in my strong little girl's life! He is shaping her even now. May His mercies continue in Lauren's life all of her days.

Happy Birthday, Lauren

It's true. My baby girl just turned SEVEN! It seems like just a moment ago that I wandered in amazement at her perfectly formed little fingers and toes... and now I am wandering at the evidences of God's grace I see in her life.

Chris reminded me that a couple of years ago I didn't know if she'd live to see her 6th Birthday (5 was a hard age! Whew!). At her party, I watched Lauren serve her friends, include her little brother at lunchtime, and play with friends from 4 to 11 without discrimination. These do not come naturally to seven-year-olds (or their 28 year old Moms!) nor are they entirely taught.

Today, I'm documenting the way the Lord is growing you into a godly woman, Lauren. You are a blessing to Mommy and I'm thankful you are a model for sweet little Georgia Anne to watch and learn from. I love you. Happy Birthday.

The Notorious Gingerbread Nativity

Since this Christmas project has drawn so much attention, I thought I'd keep ya'll up to date on our progress. I initially blogged about this as a favorite Christmas tradition on our church's blog: http://www.acupofgracegcc.blogspot.com/ (You'll have to look in the "Categories" section on the R & click on "Christmas Traditions" and then scroll down till you see the gingerbread nativity. My disclaimer is: It's a family project that the children primarily do, so don't expect a Southern Living display. :) Enjoy!)

Anyways, today we did the baking. Did I mention that I have a love-hate relationship with this unit study? I love to hate it! I love the idea of baking with all the children surrounding me in their cute little aprons. Everyone working together to measure, mix, roll and cut the cookies. Well, we did at least get the aprons on and the cookies baked!! This is much further than I got last year, as Chris had to rescue me and bake it with the kiddos for me last year!

So the inevitable bad thing this year? I broke my crystal teapot! :( Diane gave it to me years ago and I have loved it all along... well, I bumped it the wrong way with a hot cookie sheet and it's a goner. I also forgot about my bread, which was rising, and it mushroomed. The good news is I didn't burn the cookies this year, we had enough dough to make all the parts AND there was enough left for Ben to make us gingerbread to eat! And I salvaged the bread dough and turned out 2 yummy loaves after all! Yippee!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Over the (St. John's) river and through the (Osceola National Forest) woods to grandmother's house we go!! Actually, it was Uncle Kenny's house in Tallahasee- and what a wonderful visit!! :) I don't know if I'll have a chance to post more pix or not, but here is a family photo- we're missing Joe, Elizabeth & Judah, Kenny & Mason, and Aunt Tina & Bob... hopefully they'll be there as well next year!

GeGe and Mom put together songbooks for us to sing out of after dinner... it was an altogether lovely day. Thank you, Lord, for a family who loves You. I pray that the next generation will rise up to praise You as well- knowing You more than we do and loving You all the more for it. Amen

Out of the Mouths of Babes

Yesterday, Lauren surprised me with the following interchange:

"Mom, look! Georgia is like a cheerleader!"

"How's that, Lauren?" I replied, not knowing whether to be happy or worried that my 2 month old looks like a cheerleader.

"She doesn't have a shirt on!" giggled Lauren.

I queried, "Cheerleaders don't wear shirts?"

"I saw some that were almost naked at the Jaguars game." And with that explanation, which was sufficient in Lauren's mind, she walked away.

So I guess I should be worried that Georgia Anne looked like a cheerleader! And I pray modesty is always that cut and dry to Lauren- either you're respectfully clothed or not... and what the Jags cheerleaders wear, in my 6 year old's mind, is "not". And I'm ok with that.

Goooo (buy clothing for your cheerleaders) JAGS!

Cloth Diapering

So I've stirred up the hornet's nest in regards to cloth diapers. :) I'll try to post a quick summary of how & why on cloth diapering- you can always research them in more detail. OR come over for a hands-on experience! It's so easy- or I wouldn't be adding this to my life with 5 children!

Who: We bought the bulk of our current supply when pregnant with Lauren. We bought used and have since used them for Lauren, Timbo, Andrew and now Georgia. I also shared them with a friend between kids. That's a lot of use! (read: they're durable!)

What: Over the years, we've used many different kinds. Now, we're mainly using prefolds (aka Chinese Prefolds) which we fasten with a Snappi, not pins, ($2.50 each www.snappibaby.com), OR MotherEase OneSize and Sandies (www.mother-ease.com) OR FuzziBunz (www.fuzzibunz.com).

When & Where: You can use cloth anywhere! When you go out, just put the wet ones in a waterproof bag (like this one: http://www.softclothbunz.com/Bummis-Tote-Bags_p_0-10.html) & keep on rollin! Or you can use 'sposies when you're out if your baby's hiney is ok with that.

Why: They're cheaper- thousands of dollars cheaper, in fact! We figure we've saved between $7,000 & $9,000 by using cloth on Lauren, Timothy, Andrew & Georgia (and potty training early). They're healthier for baby's tender skin. I won't go into a lecture, but if you Google cloth diapers, you'll get more than an eyefull on that subject. They're "greener"- I am not a tree hugger, but I do believe in stewardship. Cloth reduces waste.

HOW: This is what everyone wants to know! Ok- wet ones go straight into a diaper pail. You can use a small trash can without a lid until your baby starts to eat solids (around 6-8 months). Breastfed baby poop doesn't smell that bad till you add food to the mix. :) We're currently using a trashcan w/a lid that flips up when you step on the pedal b/c we cloth diaper Andrew as well. Newborn dirty dipes can go straight into the pail until baby has solid poop. At that point, you just shake the solids into the potty & (you guessed it!) toss the diaper into the pail. Did you know you're supposed to do the same with disposable diapers (flush solids)? Read the pkg!

When the diaper pail is full, you simply dump it into your washer (not quite as easy w/a front loader... But ah-well, such is life!) and then do a soak & rinse cycle, hot wash cycle, and then a 2nd rinse (w/vinegar if they start to smell- depends on your water). You can fold them and stack in a pretty diaper stacker or you can toss them into a neat little basket and just use them from the basket w/o ever folding, depending on your personal neatness preference. I fold. :)

Sound too simple? I know! It really is easy-that's why we do it! Minimal hands-on time and lots of $ saved. It's a win-win situation!