Cloth Diapering

Who knew it could be so easy!! It really is a non-issue!! I have considered it in the past with other babies, but all I could think about was the "hassle"!! After trying it . . . to my chagrin, it is SOO easy!! I am very happy I gave it a try!!

I have a good supply of diapers now and I only have to wash every 2-3 days. With all the laundry I do anyway, I hardly notice the extra load!!

I also use cloth wipes. I never thought it would be so easy to keep those on hand!!!

HERE IS MY SYSTEM: (I'm a beginner for sure!!)
I have a wetbag that hangs from the changing table and I sprinkle some baking soda in it to help with the odors. NOTE: The changing table is in my bedroom and there are NO odors that come from the bag at all!! So I use Flip diapers for the most part.

I keep the inserts and covers folded on the table as well as the wipes warmer with cloth wipes. When I change a pee-pee diaper, I put the insert in the bag and use a new insert. When I change a poopy diaper, I plop the poo and swish in the toilet a few times and then I sprinkle the insert with baking soda and drop it in the bag along with any wipes I use. I have a diaper sprayer that attaches to the toilet, a MUST HAVE, according to a friend!! BUT the Hubby is having a difficult time getting it attached properly and so we have not yet used it!! I have heard that it makes poo-poo clean up much less hassle, but at this point, I wouldn't know!! When I do swish poo in the toilet, I wear dish gloves. Call me a wuss . . . but I just can't bring myself to do it without them!! I always wash my hands good with the gloves ON and then put them in a safe spot wear they aren't going to get used for anything else!!!


TO WASH: I take the bag and dump all content into the washing machine including bag and put it on the "soak" setting in cold water along with a little more baking soda. After it has soaked for some time (a few hours to over night) I wash the load with a chemical free detergent and a little oxy clean. I wash using HOT water and use the 2nd rinse cycle to be certain that all detergent it out of the diapers. I hang the bag and diaper covers to dry and add the inserts to the next load to dry or if large enough, they all go in the dryer alone and dry completely. Some days I can put them on the portable clothes drying rack outside in the sun and save some money on using the dryer!!


ANY QUESTIONS??? How about ADVICE???




I am sure I will change my system over the next year or more while cloth diapering Caydence and the NEW baby. I am looking forward to the challenge!!

Wood-burning Kit Brings Dad Back

My Hubby's parents recently moved and as my MIL was cleaning out the basement she found an old wood-burning kit that belonged to Hubby. He was probably about 12-14 when he used this to entertain himself "WAYYYY back in the old days," the kids would say!!

Well, the kids begged him to get it our yesterday so he did!! They had a blast . . . he had a "blast from the past!!" When he opened the box, there were pieces he had made as a kid that were still in the box. The kids were fascinated and Hubby was too!!

As they painted and burned their pieces of wood they kept saying, "MMMM, I love the smell of the burning wood!!" Should that concern me??? At any rate they had a great time and they all made "Keep Out" signs for their rooms!!!

I Love You Well, My Little Brother

I found this poem in Camden's Language Arts book. He is supposed to memorize it!! I like that idea!! I am making his brother memorize it too!! I think we shall walk around reciting this one all the time!! I know they love each other, but there are days . . . when love lies deep under the surface!! Maybe the poem will be a fun reminder of how we ought to treat each other!!!

I Love You Well, My Little Brother
Mother Goose Rhyme

I love you well, my little brother,
And you are fond of me;
Let us be kind to one another,
As brothers ought to be.

You shall learn to play with me.
And learn to use my toys;
And then I think that we shall be
Two happy little boys.

Our Souvenir from VA

Well, we have a sweet souvenir from our time in VA. We didn't plan this, but I know we will be blessed to bring another life into our family. We found out we were pregnant on our anniversary, Jan 3rd. It was unexpected and took some time to used to the idea, but we are thrilled. The other children and VERY thrilled. We were especially excited to find out that baby #5 is a BOY!! We have had so many suggestions on CA- names since all the other children have followed that pattern but we think we may break the mold . . . yes, it's true!! BUT he will still have a C- name.

We like the name CREED JOSEPH HOGAN. I know that most people won't like it at first and you won't find it in a baby naming book, but we feel like the Lord has brought us to such an amazing place in our lives. We have been through so much in the past 18+ months. It was always about trusting, obeying, serving, and doing what was right. But the anxiety of the thought of bringing another life into the world was a little overwhelming (especially when I just did it a few months ago!!). Now it was time to walk the walk. Did we really BELIEVE what we say we BELIEVE???? We took 14 weeks until we decided to tell anyone . . . but we realized that YES . . . beyond a shadow of a doubt . . . we BELIEVE!!! A synonym for Creed is Faith or Belief. These words have come to mean so much to us. Without our FAITH, we are nothing!! Our faith in the Great Creator is what has sustained us in the difficult times.

The name Joseph is also taken from the Bible. What a character he was. He went through so much. He was a cocky kid when the story of his life starts out, but he stands for what is right and he is mistreated and even feels forgotten . . . but God has not forgotten!! In the end he is placed in a place he NEVER thought possible. He was given more than he could EVER imagine. His life mattered from the beginning all the way to the very end!! He was a character of great integrity and faith.

So we are pleased with the name we have come to fall in love with. He will be loved and he will always have someone to play with!! Blessings!!!

Christy's ONE year Anniversary

This past week we celebrated a huge milestone in our family. Christy's anerism was one year ago. Here is her story:

Christy's Story

21 Rules of this House

I found this on the internet and I am going to post it in every room of this house!!! I love being a mommy and I love my munchkins . . . but they are still learning and growing!! I hope they can get this in them! Maybe it will make life a little less hectic around here!


The 21 Rules Of This House
by Gregg Harris

1. We obey God.
2. We love, honor and pray for one another.
3. We tell the truth.
4. We consider one another's interests ahead of our own.
5. We speak quietly and respectfully with one another.
6. We do not hurt one another with unkind words or deeds.
7. When someone needs correction, we correct him in love.
8. When someone is sorry, we forgive him.
9. When someone is sad, we comfort him.
10. When someone is happy, we rejoice with him.
11. When we have something nice to share, we share it.
12. When we have work to do, we do it without complaining.
13. We take good care of everything that God has given us.
14. We do not create unnecessary work for others.
15. When we open something, we close it.
16. When we take something out, we put it away.
17. When we turn something on, we turn it off.
18. When we make a mess, we clean it up.
19. When we do not know what to do, we ask.
20. When we go out, we act just as if we were in this house.
21. When we disobey or forget any of the 21 Rules of This House, we accept
the discipline and instruction of the Lord.