January Reading

January 31, 2011 by Aliesha

I made a resolution to read more books in 2011. Some of you are joining me on this journey and have committed to read eleven books in 2011. Each month I’ll post what I read, and you’re welcome to share in the comment section what you’ve been reading lately too!

Here are the books I read in January!

Loving the Little Years: Motherhood in the Trenches by Rachel Jankovic
This is a wonderful book that my mom gave me for Christmas. It’s written by a mom of five children five and under, and it’s a quick read (just 102 pages) filled with lots of wisdom to “chew on.” I was blessed by so many of the chapters in this book, and as I read it (twice this month, actually), I kept underlining like crazy and wishing I could post half the book on my bathroom mirror to read each day! If you read one book on motherhood this year, this should be the book!

Parenting in the Pew by Robbie Castleman
If you’re wondering how you can train your children to be faithful worshippers who love God and His church, you need to read this book! Castleman explains that children need to sit with you in church, observing your example and receiving your instruction in order for them to know how to properly worship God. She offers practical advice throughout the book, as well as the biblical basis for her philosophy on keeping children in the worship service. Tad read this one too, and we both enjoyed it!

Apples of Gold: A Six-Week Nurturing Program for Women by Betty Huizenga
I read this book because my sister-in-law, Stephanie (who needs to start a blog, btw!), is going through the Apples of Gold study at her mom’s church. I wanted to see what this study entailed so that I would know if this is a possibility in our church in the future. In an Apples of Gold study, mentors (older women) train mentees (younger women) to love their husbands and children and to be keepers at home (Titus 2). This is accomplished through a six-week program that teaches women how to cook new recipes for their families and disciples them through lessons and one-on-one mentoring. It’s a great (biblical) concept!

Currently, I am reading (I never read just one book at a time!):

Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (re-read; studying all year in our women’s Bible study; I’m one chapter in)

Don’t Waste Your Life (studying for 10 weeks in our seniors/college students Bible study; I’m two chapters in)

Choosing Gratitude by Nancy Leigh DeMoss (I’m about half-way through this one)

Things We Wish We’d Known (50 Veteran Homeschoolers Share) compiled and edited by Bill & Diana Waring (I’m about a third of the way through this one)

I’ll share about the ones of these that I finish next month!

So, do tell… what book(s) have you had your nose in this month?

Cloth Diapering Full-Time

January 28, 2011 by Aliesha

We did it! We made the transition to cloth diapering full-time! (We were using disposables at night and sometimes when we traveled.)

Here’s our stash (the diapers we use every day):
-1 bumGenius one-size 4.0 with staps
-3 Fuzzibunz (snaps and adjustable/replaceable elastic)
-14 bumGenius one-size 3.0s (with Velcro)
Total: 18 diapers
(We also have about 25 cloth wipes.)

We use our Planet Wise wet bag to store the diapers waiting to be laundered. We do diaper laundry every two days and use bumGenius cloth diaper detergent. After we change Vera’s diaper at bedtime, I put in the load of dirty diapers. I hang the outside pieces to dry on a rack inside, and I dry the inserts in the dryer. (I’m looking forward to doing some drying outside this spring/summer!)

So that’s about it! I was worried at first that cloth diapering would be a TON of work, but it’s become so much a part of our lifestyle now that we hardly notice! The diapers have paid for themselves by now, and we’ll just continue to save money as we use them with Vera and any future babies!

That’s how it works for our family. How does cloth diapering work for you?

First Word

January 27, 2011 by Aliesha

(I almost titled this post, “She’s Communicating!” but decided not to, since only my dad and brothers would get the slightly obscure Brian Regan reference.)

Yesterday Vera started saying “Dada”! She said it yesterday morning when Tad was at work, but later when he was home, she said it again. When I say “Dada,” or “Daddy,” she looks at Tad.

It’s amazing how much babies understand at this age, even when they are not able to communicate verbally. When I change Vera’s diaper, I say, “hold your feet!” (in the same tone of voice each time) and she grabs her toes, which definitely is more fun than when she used to stick her feet in the dirty diaper. When I was telling my mom about this on the phone, Vera grabbed her toes even though I wasn’t changing her diaper at the time. It’s so neat to see how much she understands!

I started teaching Vera the ASL sign for “milk” when she was three months old. I know she knows what it means now, and I’m pretty sure she signed it to me last night at church when she was getting hungry.

We rejoice with each milestone, knowing that Vera, like each one of us, is “fearfully and wonderfully made”!

I will give thanks to You,

for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

Psalm 139:14

January Reading

Cloth Diapering Full-Time

First Word

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