becoming a hippy.

I've come to the conclusion that I am becoming a hippy. Yep, a hippy. I'm a cloth diapering, laundry detergent making, going green kinda momma. OK, so maybe these things don't constitute me as a hippy but I realized this morning how much I really am leaning towards this natural (cutting chemicals and processed foods out as much as possible) lifestyle. I'm not a health nut by any means but caring for our sweet boy has made me more cautious of the things I do and use.

This all started when I decided to cloth diaper Aiden, a few months before we even knew he would be Aiden. I have been so pleased with our diapers and am very thankful to have this alternative from buying costly diapers that are just going to be thrown away and then off to a landfill. Not only do I wrap his cute little booty in cloth rather than plastic but I make the detergent to clean them too. It's a very simple, basic solution that seems to do a great job and isn't costly like some name brand detergents. We're even going as far as using cloth wipes more lately. I decided I might as well since I'm washing the diapers anyway. I'm amazed at home many wipes we've gone through in the 16 1/2 weeks of our sweet boy's life.

Here is the recipe for the cloth diaper detergent:
Equal parts of: baking soda, washing soda, and oxiclean
(I did just see a post about adding essential oils to this make it smell good, I'm considering trying this but I also don't really mind that something my babe is gonna poo in doesn't smell like flowers as long as its clean)

This is my routine for diaper laundry: "Express wash" (a setting on my washer) on cold, then a "normal wash" on hot with an extra rinse. I generally do a large load of diapers and in that case I would add one tablespoon to the express wash and then 2 tablespoons to the regular wash. It seems to work well for me. I did have an ammonia problem this weekend but I think I probably got in a rush getting diapers ready for a weekend away messed up on more routine.

I have just been using water for my cloth wipe "solution" but I'm going to be making one tonight. Once I figure out what that will be I'll post it too!


I make our regular laundry detergent as well. I've been using this recipe for about 3 months and I've had no problems with it at all. It smells great and is cheap to make! Click here for the recipe! It really does make a TON! I bought a five gallon bucket to store my excess in from Home Depot which is great to mix it in too. I just made sure the lid was on tightly and rolled the bucket back on forth on the floor because all that detergent weight a lot!


In just two months sweet boy will be ready to start out baby foods and I'll be making that too! I'm soo stinkin' excited for this! My parents gave us a Baby Bullet as a baby shower gift and I can't wait to get started. I'm glad that I'll know exactly what is going in to our boys body and I'm thinking its gonna help me (and hopefully Firefighter Hubby too) eat healthier as well.

At this point, I'm still mostly using the typical household cleaners for my kitchen, bathroom, etc (but really who am I kidding, when do I ever really clean) but I'm starting to look in to more ways to cut those chemicals out and use natural cleaning methods, especially when it's usually cheaper to make them than to buy them. 

Other "natural things" I'm planning to try:
-amber teething jewelry
-homemade facial wipes
-cloth "paper" towels
-wool dryer balls - I can't use dryer sheets with cloth diapers anyway
-cloth menstrual pads - TMI maybe but I'm ok with that.
-dog treats

Have you had any luck with trying new "natural" ways of life? I'd love to hear what you're doing!

Oh Wednesday.

Yesterday was such a wonderful day at home. It was a personal development day for certified staff in the school district so I was at home! I did laundry, dishes, more laundry and made lunch and dinner for my sweet husband. It was cold and rainy day so I was even more happy to just stay home. I think Dakota enjoyed having the day out of her kennel as well. My amazing in-laws bought us a washing machine that we got this weekend so I'm finally catching up on laundry that has needed to be done for quite some time. Its funny how much easier it is to get done when the laundry room is only down the hall way rather than going to a laundromat or friends house. I still have a lot more to do to get our house in order but its coming together. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law are coming for a few days next week so I'm trying to get our house looking a little more like a home! I'm very excited to have company though! My family has been here and Chris's dad has but its all been for over night and not much time to hang out or visit.

I'm excited for the rest of this week too though! I'm going hunting! Yep, not just going with Chris but I'm actually taking a gun! I'll make sure to report back on that!! I'm SO very excited!

I'm thinking Dakota and I need to go out and take some pictures after work today. We're having leftovers for dinner so I'll have some extra time. I'll try to post tomorrow!

Be a blessing!

long weekend.

Woohoo!! I have several reasons to shout with excitement right now!!

• I just completed my final (HUGE) project for my Administration Class! I will present it tomorrow and basically be done with the course! Praise the Lord!
• Tomorrow is our last day for the school week! Bring on Easter break!
• I get to see my fiance tomorrow night. We get to spend basically three days together (minus the time he's at work and class)! Wow! It may be the longest yet! :)
• Future hubby and I are taking engagement pictures with my great friend Danielle on Thursday! Eek! I'm excited, for the pictures and to see my beautiful friend!!
• I'm hoping to see my beautiful cousin Lesley (check out her blog, she's fantastic and inspires me!) and hopefully my good friends Jamie and Jamie! 
• My sister is going to be home when I get back from Springfield! Ah!! Then I'll have a few days with her! And she's bringing home our dear Sarah! YAY!
• Easter! 

 "When the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of James and Salome bought spices, so that they might go and anoint him. And very early on the first day of the week, when the sun had risen, they went to the tomb. And they were saying to one another, “Who will roll away the stone for us from the entrance of the tomb?” And looking up, they saw that the stone had been rolled back—it was very large. And entering the tomb, they saw a young man sitting on the right side, dressed in a white robe, and they were alarmed. And he said to them, “Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He has risen; he is not here. See the place where they laid him. But go, tell his disciples and Peter that he is going before you to Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.” And they went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had seized them, and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid." Mark 16:1-8 ESV

Ok, this a short and simple post jam packed with lots of excitement but I have a lot to do still! I continue to pray for anyone that comes across this simple little blog, I hope it has been a blessing to you and that God continues to bless you in many ways! 


More wedding talk to come soon! You can count on that!

nerdiness.

I often tell Chris that I am lame, its because quite often I am. I enjoy crocheting, going to bed early, playing games on my phone, and reading. When separate, those things may not seem very lame or nerdy but when they're all combined I think it could be true.. :) Another nerdy thing I have been come a bit addicted to is playing angry birds on my phone. Seriously, how can I enjoy one silly little game so much. [Thanks Masha for introducing me to this addicting little game!] When Chris went to Florida a couple weeks ago he brought me back the cutest gift. Yep, a St. Louis Cardinals Angry Bird! He knows how to make me smile! :) 

Seriously, how cute is he!?

So, the cuteness of this and how much I adore this little guy reminded me of my nerdiness and I'm completely ok with it. I think I'll embrace it! :) In the midst of all of this I found these cute little cupcakes. First of all, I love this blog, there are always cute things but these might be a top fav. :)

I am absolutely going to make these!


Have a fantastic weekend embrace your nerdiness, I know I will!!

a new time. a new look.

I'm starting over with this whole blog. I very seldom wrote for my old one because I never had anything important or worthwhile to say. Not that I do now but I enjoy it none the less. I have been home now for going on 5 days and I'm about to go crazy! I started searching a couple different things and came across a couple fun sites. One was suggestions of 50 things to do during your lifetime. I don't want this to be a "50 things to do before I die" list I just want it to be a list of things I want to do in general. Some may be done in a week and some may take years but I want to accomplish them all!

1. Pass on a nugget of information - like how to ride a bike, tie your shoes, or crochet a potholder
2. Scuba dive

3. Become a wife and Mommy

4. Watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade live in NYC

5. Grow closer and closer to my Lord and Savior

6. Be more spontaneous - I love this song...

7. Take photos for the beauty that I see in things not because I want to take a pretty picture

8. Tell those that I love, "I love you" not out of habit but because I do

9. Lay in the grass and find shapes in the clouds

10. Make more meals from scratch

11. Take fresh baked goodies to people, just to say hello

12. Have a paint fight - I like this movie and this scene

13. Be more creative

14. Ride a hot air balloon

15. Go to Disney World

16. Climb a mountain

17. Run a half-marathon

18. Crochet a blanket

19. Own a horse

20. Do my best to serve my husband and children (I'll have to share my philosophy on number of children I want sometime!)

21. Sleep under the stars

22. Know my neighbors, and take them baked goodies too

23. Learn something new

24. Go to a big sporting event like the SuperBowl, World Series, or even the Olympics

25. See a whale like "Free Willy"

26. Keep a clean house

27. Keep a journal, at least a few times a week

28. Be able to do 100 push ups - or maybe just 50

29. Paint on canvas and hang it in my house

30. Lose 10 pounds

31. Build a snow man

32. Read my Bible everyday

33. Take more time to do good for my family. They truly are the best

34. Do something nice for someone how will never find out that it was me

35. Introduce two people that fall in love

36. Be a better listener

37. Keep up with friends and family better.

38. Go for a picnic in a secluded place. - I have an awesome picnic set from my wonderful brother and sister in law.

39. Keep up with a garden for the whole Spring and Summer

40. Visit more places. That includes a cruise!

41. Buy a home, not just a house but a home

42. Grow something and cook with it. i.e. tomatoes, peppers, pumpkin.. oh I dont know.

43. Take dance lessons

44. Photograph an endangered species

45. Make something that will outlast me

46. Plan an elaborate practical joke

47. Keep fresh flowers in my house

48. Be cautious with my words but say how I feel

49. Visit Bethlehem

50. Be Happy.

I'm hoping to keep adding to this, probably will subtract a thing or two as well.

I enjoy making lists, some more than others. I make lists of things to do and things to pack. Lists to help with reasoning. Prayer lists. And I even keep a list of things that are necessary for that certain guy to be. :) Yep, I like lists, they keep me straightened out.

Here's to keeping up with this!! :) I'm SO looking forward to getting out of the house tomorrow! I'll have to report back on the Revolve Tour this weekend! 

 Have a wonderful weekend!