Can We Really Start Over?

When I started this post, I really started it with a different track in mind. Yet, with the start of the new year, my mind is elsewhere and in a place this is probably more prominent in many people's minds. 

How much of the "New year, new me" mantra is really true after the 2020 dumpster fire of a year?

I guess it could be to a point. There is always room to grow and develop as a person and the time marker of a new year is a very traditional way to start. 

However, until we (as a country) choose to make some changes in the way we treat people, nothing will really change. 

Last night when I was doing my Bible reading I read through 1Kings 8. Within that chapter Solomon prays over the newly built temple, house, and other buildings that have just been completed. He dedicated everything to the LORD and then continues to pray for the Israelites. There are some interesting highlights within that prayer that I fully believe we (as a nation) need to do for our country to move forward. 

"30And list to the plea of your servant and of your people, Israel, when they pray toward this place. And listen in heaven your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive.

"31If a man sins against his neighbor and his made to take an oath and comes and swears his oath before your alter in this house, 32then hear in heaven and act and judge your servants, condemning the guilty by bringing his conduct on his own head, and vindicating the righteous by rewarding him according to his righteousness." ~ 1Kings 8: 30-32

The first thing we need to do as a nation is pray. Not just pray for what we want but pray for forgiveness. Christians (myself included) have a bad habit of putting things on God when in reality it is our measure and we are not fully following what God has laid out before us. 

Don't believe me? Take a look at those who like to post on social media. How many people actually pray for someone or a situation when they say they will? Often times people post their emoji ( and in times of a great tragedy a candle) along with the repetitive term "praying" and then do nothing except scroll to the next post. This is considered an abomination to the LORD. Don't believe me? Look at Proverbs 6:16-19. 

"16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers." 

He hates those who lie so much that it is mentioned twice. When we say we are going to do something and then we don't, we have lied. We are told that if we promise something, then we need to hold to it. 

"2If a man vows a vow to the Lord, or swears an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth."                 ~ Numbers 30:2

We all have trespassed against others and God. We need his forgiveness. We need to start this year with prayers for forgiveness. We need to start this year with humility and not humiliation towards others. We need to remember that we are very short when it comes to God's measure and we need his redemption. 

"14if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

As for the rest of 1 Kings 8, Solomon lays out many things that we have seen happen in our country already: 

• Drought (v. 35)
• Famine (v. 37)
• Pestilence (v. 37)
• Plague (v. 37)
• Sickness (v. 37)
• Enemies gaining rule (v. 46)
• Becoming captive (v. 46)

There is one solution that the wisest man in history gives, pray. Pray for repentance (v. 48-52). He even asks that God hear the prayers of non-believers that turn to him for forgiveness and repentance (v. 42-43). 

 A final thought that I feel compelled to point out as a reminder: We need to stop using the New Testament as a "Get Out of Jail Free" card. The New Testament does not wipe out the Old Testament. 

"17Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them." ~ Matthew 5:17

While we are washed as white as snow and made new with our faith, we are nowhere near perfect. We are more cognizant of God's law and how often we fail to follow his standards for us. Christ is our salvation, not our bail money. 

Cloth Diapers? Why?

High, my name is Sara and I'm addicted to cloth diapers. 

10 years ago, when my son was first born, we had a major issue. He was (and still is) allergic to soy. As he's gotten older his allergy has become more mild and it is more for when he ingests soy, but it is still there. So what does soy have to do with cloth diapers? Well one of the many things children with a severe soy allergy struggle with as babies is a reaction to the chemicals in disposable diapers that wick away the moisture from our babies' bums.

This means that my son had sores that were almost 2 cm deep on his tooshie where the diaper touched. It took us about a month and an allergy test to figure out what was going on. That lead us to make the switch to cloth diapers. That was when the addiction started. 

Now 10 years later we have a new baby and a stash of diapers that we don't have to pay for. Yet, is it worth the switch or should we just sell them off and switch to disposables? 

Now when I say cloth diapers that we use, I'm speaking about something extremely specific. All-in-One cloth diapers (AIO) These diapers come with an outside liner made from (usually) 

I'm not going to lie, we do use disposables too. Mostly at night since they allow her to stay dry longer. During the day we use cloth. After all, why not? When we do the cost break down a 76 pack of diapers is $24.99 at Target. Granted there are some that cost more and some that cost less, but the brand we prefer is $24.99. I have 35 diapers (6 more on the way from Amazon). I wash them twice a week. The cost of the water, soap, and my time is about $1.00 a week give or take based on her habits each day. That is worth the cost. 

What about convenience? Considering I work full-time, cloth diapers are not very convenient. However the money we save makes the inconvenience worth it. We are working hard this year to build up a second savings account for home repairs. We have to live below our means and this is just another way. It is also inconvenient to carry around a dirty diaper when we're out-and-about, but I'm okay with it. I use the plastic grocery bags to hold them in my diaper bag and then just take care of them when we get home. It's not that bad. 

There are some other perks that many don't think about. Whenever I say we use cloth diapers most Mama's make a stink face because all they can think of is poop. I'm thinking 1. I never run out of diapers. 2. My daughter enjoys how they feel more. 3. No chemicals on my baby's skin. 4. Easier to potty train. 

Some point out that it is better for the environment, but I don't look at it that way since we are still using energy to wash and dry the diapers and inserts. (I line dry the covers and put the inserts in my dryer.)

The biggest warning I can give for buying cloth diapers over disposables is that they are so cute you will become addicted to buying them. I have my newest batch coming this Friday. I am more excited than I should be. The addiction is real.

The Great Grunter

I am not a new mom, but it sure does feel like it a lot of times. My son is now 10, soon to be 11, years-old. I also have an 8-month-old (at the time of this posting.) 

This time my little one has discovered a new sound that my husband and I just can't handle. GRUNTING! I don't mean grunting like she's pooping and it stops as soon as she's done. No, I mean grunting because no one is holding her. Grunting because it's bed time and she is fighting sleep. Grunting because it's Tuesday so why not. She grunts all. the. time! I'm losing my mind over this grunting. This is why my husband has now dubbed her "The Great Grunter". (She is currently sitting behind me playing with a reusable grocery bag and grunting about it.)

I don't know what to do about it at this point. It honestly sounds like she is trying to push her colon through to China! (Now that's a push.) When I do a search for it everything says that it starts with pooping when she's first born, but then turns into her form of communication for when she's frustrated, bored, or when wants something. 

Does anyone else's child do this? It's driving us up the wall! We're looking forward to when that part will stop.

Making a Comeback

It has been many years since I wrote on my blog. So many that my original was actually deleted by Google. I can honestly say that I do miss my old blog. I miss many of my old posts, espeically those about my issues with nursing. Yet I can honesly say I'm not the same person I was then. It has been about 9 years. In that time I've had many fertility issues, miscarrages, and, finally, my rainbow baby this past September. (You'll be hearing a lot about her. She's a hoot.) I've also had several different jobs teaching in inner city schools, worked with certain companies that claim they will allow you to make some extra cash on the side (all work on commission and I'm not that good of a sales person) and, more recently, I learned that my oldest is on the Autism spectrum. In the matter of 9 years, a lot has happened. Some of it worth discussing as a form of growth and some of it...well let's just say they were dark times. I'm glad to be back and I hope to write more often since I really do enjoy it so much. Now if only I can re-create some of those connections that I once had.