Scarce

I may be scarce around here these next few weeks.

We've got a lot going on this month, and I'm at the point of feeling overwhelmed in pretty much every area of my life. Every so often (maybe monthly? hmmm....) I go through these phases where I just feel like I've got so many things going on- parenting, wife-ing, my job, cleaning the house, etc...and I'm just not doing my best at any of them.

So, at least this month, I feel like the answer is to step back. I really love blogging, and reading blogs, and spending time on twitter and facebook...and www.you name it... :) I am seriously addicted to the internet. When I'm not on it, I'm thinking about the next time I'll be able to check it...and that is ridiculous. When I'm with my family, I need to focus on them instead of thinking about who I'm going to facebook or what I should say in my next blog post.

I know it will be a hard adjustment for me, and I will miss being on here as much, but at least until April, I'm planning to be rather scarce around here. Maybe after I take time to get my priorities in line, I'll have time to parent and have a clean house and blog, we'll see.

I'll still be reading blogs, and doing some facebooking, and interacting through comments, though, because I still long to be encouraging to others in the blogging community, and be encouraged through others' posts. I'm sure I'll think of stuff I just HAVE to blog about...and maybe I'll save some of it in a Word file to share with you when I get back, or just post some one-liners for you. Hope you'll all stick around for my return! And, of course, you can always follow me on Twitter! (if you haven't experienced it, it's like a little mini-blog or like facebook status updates- I love it, and I'm not giving IT up) :)

I'll leave you with a 'funny' from this weekend:

I was wearing little Z (now FIFTEEN whole months old!) on my back in his Patapum at lunch today, and we had a retreat of about 50 teens from assorted youth groups with about 20 youth leaders total. One of the youth leaders came up to me with a quizzical expression on her face, paused to look at Z and said, "Oh, wow, that's a real baby in there. I thought you had a doll on your back!" Which was hilarious. Because, really, why would a grown woman walk around with a doll strapped to her back? Does anyone have an answer to that? :)

I Heart My Ring Sling!

A couple of months ago, I was the winner of a Bloggy Giveaway over at Steph’s place. I was totally surprised, since I usually don’t win anything! I have heard all kinds of comments about how well ring slings work for wearing newborn babies, and how excellent they are for nursing discreetly, so I knew I wanted to buy one when I had another newborn. So when I found out that I had won a ring sling from Kim's Kreations , I was ecstatic!

I knew that ring slings could be used with toddlers, but I didn't really think I would use it with Z very much...I have some back/shoulder pain at times, and figured Z's 25 pounds would be too much weight on my shoulder. Throughout the process of ordering my sling, Kim sent me several emails with information and resources on sizing, different materials, and suggestions about spreading the fabric to spread baby's weight across my back. She was so helpful and patient through the whole process! My sling was sewn and shipped quickly, and arrived days earlier than I expected it!

And it is beautiful. See?



I love this gorgeous fabric, and the sling is very well-sewn.

Surprisingly (to me, at least), I use my ring sling a TON. It is so easy to pop Z into it for a quick vacuuming jaunt through the house (he hates the vacuum & cries unless I wear him while vacuuming). I love the hip carry, having him literally 'attached at the hip' for when I'm sweeping the floors- he loves to 'help' by pushing his mini-broom into the middle of my pile of dirt and flinging it around...which is not always super-helpful. :)

I went to pick Hubby up at the airport last week, and was able to quickly pop Z into the sling, run into the airport, wait for Daddy, pop Z out to hug Daddy, pop him back in for the walk to the car... and it was definitely MUCH faster than adjusting and situating him in a structured carrier like my Patapum.

Our weather this month hasn't really lent itself to very many outdoor walks- lots of snow, cold days, and when it has been warm, we've had ICE- not good for babywearing walks! Yikes! But earlier this month, we were able to take one walk up to camp with Z in the sling, facing me in the tummy-to-tummy carry. It was SO much fun to be able interact with him on our walk!! One day, I also wore him in the sling for a 20-minute walk up and down the house, since we were both getting a little antsy. :) The fabric does spread out across my back, distributing the weight MUCH more evenly than I could've imagined, and I wasn't uncomfortable even after a 25-minute walk!

In short, I love my ring sling! It has become my 'go-to' carrier at home! Check out Kim's website- again, www.kimzkreations.com/ -her slings are custom-made to the length that YOU want, with the fabric & rings that YOU want, and she will even help you figure out what sling might work best for you!!! She does great work! :)

Random Monday Morning

To update those of you who have been praying for my friend Ashley, who I mentioned here...an active miscarriage started last night. *sigh* Her dr. told her that it was something called a 'missed' miscarriage...I guess her baby had died, and her body had missed it somehow...until now. Please continue to pray for healing for her body, and peace and strength for her and her husband. As I mentioned, this is her second miscarriage in about two years.

I don't want to sound like I'm doubting God's faithfulness and love, because I know He is good and loving no matter what circumstances He allows in our lives...but I've spent the morning in tears and in prayer, asking Him to help me understand why He would choose to allow my friend to go through this pain again. Thank you so much for praying...guess I could use some prayer, too. :)

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On this random Monday morning, I am home alone! Hubby took little Z to town, and he is doing our grocery shopping for the week!!! Alone with baby!!! Something I don't even like to do! :) Isn't he a great guy? You should've seen the specific list I made for him...instead of 'canned peaches' it said: '1 can of sliced peaches- no sugar added- store brand'. :) But he does a good job, and I know they will have some great guy bonding time. :)

As for myself, I have been on the internet, spent some (much-needed) time in devotions and prayer (without a chattering toddler trying to grab my Bible), took a nice hot bath, and drank a cup of coffee with a new creamer- White Chocolate Coconut! It is delicious!!! I suppose you would have to like coconut to like it, but I do- it has a great coconut flavor! :)

Now I'm going to make something called 'Fudge Ecstasy Cookies' for our MOPS volunteers for tomorrow! Because after two hours with all of OUR kids...they deserve it - and more!!! :)