Lent

I'm going to do it. I'm giving up my computer for lent. I think this will be really good. My whole household won't be offline so there will still be ways to get in touch via Josh, but I'm basically replacing my personal computer/email/facebook/blog time with things like reading and sewing and such.

I just got two new books in the mail so between those, my bible, and a stack of other books I've been meaning to dig into, I should find myself with plenty to do to pass the time while kids sleep. And we will hopefully be spending much more time outside when they are awake.

After Easter I will come back here and reflect on this time. It's only 40 days. See you then!

UNPLUG?

Lately, I've been feeling the need to UNPLUG.  The driving force is how much my toddler has been whining for computer access lately - and she's only TWO!  It's impossible to do anything computer related with her around the house.  It doesn't matter where she is in the house or how well she is imagining or playing to pretending on her own - as soon as I open the computer "to just check something" (like a recipe or anything) she's right beside me begging to "watch sheep" (Shaun the Sheep) or "watch horses" (a beautiful 15 minute segment of horses galloping around in the movie Black Beauty).

We don't have a TV - mostly because I know it would beckon us and I would waste so much time negotiating it (with myself, with my husband, and with our kids).  But we have computers.  And iphones (no data plan, thankfully).  And an new ipod touch (for facetime with out of state family).  And they all beckon; especially in the winter and especially when we are home sick.

::

I'm thinking about giving up my computer for Lent.   There.  I said it.  Completely?  I'm not sure.  Not check email?  I'm not sure.  Not look up recipes?   I'm not sure.  Not be tuned into the MOMS club googlegroup?  I'm not sure.  But I'm thinking about it.

Anything truly important could be talked about over the phone or text I suppose.  It sure would be freeing.  I think I would hate it like it.  I think other people might hate it on my behalf be supportive.  But I think I would mostly like it LOVE IT.

Is it selfish?  Would I grow in faith and trust in Jesus?  Could I do it?  What if I did?  Pondering.

He knows where his toys are!

I posted this on my other blog and on Facebook so if this is the 2nd or 3rd time you've seen it posted simply watch it again skip this post (or watch it again).  I just can't get over how mobile he is.  I had no idea babies could move like this at 5 months old.  I mean, other moms had said so, so I know it's not that unique, but since cg didn't do anything even close to forward motion until she was almost 8 months old it just didn't really register in my mind as a real possibility.  I am also so proud of both of them for being on their own very different time lines!

Nourishing Traditions

I just ordered Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon and am very excited about.  Apparently it challenges western hype about food and encourages a real food diet. 

I've been told that it includes kombucha recipes/instructions (which I've now been home brewing for about a month) as well as a recipe for infant "formula" centered around raw milk - something I'd never even heard of until I linked from a friend's FB status to this blog post.  Not long after seeing this post the book was mentioned by another friend and thought it would be a good book to order.  As I was placing my order, I also looked up the raw milk formula recipe online and found the recipe + a brief explanation of benefits here for anyone interested in knowing more without having to buy the book just yet. 

Anyway, I'm looking forward to reading this book and posting about it as inspiration hits. 
Have any of you ever read it?

When my mom comes to town :)

Kombucha workshop from 9-10am; solo
Return home to feed jml
11am lunch at home with everyone
12-2:30 out & about with josh: woodland wine merchant, green wagon, Old made good, friend stop
2:30: home to feed jml & help put cg down for a nap
4-5:30: cookie party drop in + dinner date at pharmacy: w: josh; w/o kiddos
5:30: feed jml and put to nap, cg awake and move her toward dinner, etc.
6-8 green wagon treats + drinks, artist reception at art & invention gallery
8- home put cg to bed & feed jml & put back to bed
10 - bed myself
3:30a - up with jml (first tooth!) & writing posts
3:45 - jml back to sleep
Prediction for 4:15am - back asleep myself :)

New tooth :)

Around 3:35am & up with John Martin, I noticed a bottom tooth pushing through The surface! I didn't even know he was "teething"!

Sweet boy, lover of sleep, I thank you for being so happy & full of laughter & smiles! I know you need me much & you sometimes wake in the night, but you are always so quick to fall back asleep. You wake and nurse, burp and cuddle, get a diaper change & then are ready to be laid back in your own bed (next to ours) on your wool topper (which you love).

You are such a bright part of all our lives & I am excited to see what excites you and beings you joy in the years to come.

We all enjoy you so much & love you deeply! But especially me - I think you are simply so fine & extraordinary.

Mama

Pouring Practice

Cg loves to pour! Today I got these two ceramic spouted cream cups at goodwill for cg's lentil pouring practice. She also likes to spoon the lentils and stir them and serve us coffee.

Making Cloth Wipes

::Cut rectangles out of old receiving blankets. One blanket usually makes 20-24 wipes.

Low Key Week

Last week we played outside every day.  It was awesome.  Sunny Days with highs in the 50s & 60s in February and a bit of nap rebellion to boot.

Sadly, it ended with an ear ache and a fever in the girl which has lingered and has kept us cooped up a bit this week.  We've watched a few videos, read books, made candles, baked brownies, taken long baths, made homemade chest and foot rub, colored, folded laundry, made messes, cleaned up, taken naps, and even had our own "dance parties".

But I'm ready to get out of the house and back to Denali Shelby Bottoms.  February is typically a month of pining for me; longing for travel and adventure.  I often get urges to hop on a plane to a tropical and amazing destination with nothing more than our passports, bathing suits, and two ergo baby carriers (with two babes in them).

Reasonably, I don't really dream about leaving without the kids.  We had plenty of time to indulge in shoestring non-baby travel before our kids were born.  We went to places like: South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Swaziland, Mozambique, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Thailand, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Barbados, etc... the list is kind of long.  Each place unique and full of amazing peaks, valleys, shores, you name it.  We did things like shark dive, bungee jump, sky dive, horse back ride for days, zip line, deta swamp canoe, herd sheep on steep passes, amazon river boat, snake charm, elephant ride, scuba dive, fly in teeny tiny planes, etc.  That list is also kind of long.

Now,  I just want the simplicity of a beach and some fancy drinks and our kids playing in the sand.  If I could choose it, I'd pick a laid back country where the US dollar still stretches a bit, but is relatively stable and safe.   Or somewhere in the US I could drive to in less than a day.

Yes, one day, when our children are older, I'd like to do a year long tour of the US (&maybe some of Canada and/or Mexico) and  I'd also love to do a different year (or more) long tour of Europe+.  But for now, I'd just like some sand and sunshine, some tasty beverage choices, and a view of the ocean at sunset.

Dirt Park