The Train To Crazy

The ongoing saga of stuff

As I have been unpacking my kitchen stuff, I've realized I have so many things that have gradually crept onto my shelves. Some things very useful, some things useful when we have company, and some things only useful a couple times a year. It is hard to get rid of things though. Sure, it's easy to get rid of the duplicates and things you never use or have something else that could serve the same purpose, but it is hard to get rid of everything else. 

Considering my current kitchen is half the size (storage wise) as my old kitchen, I think I've done rather well. Not only have I managed to cut down on stuff and get it all in the kitchen, but I've got room for my food! I used to have a walk in pantry. No more. I had considered putting food on a nearby bookshelf but am thankful that isn't necessary. 

I am sure I could have gotten rid of much, much more. We don't use our ice cream maker or our serving dishes very often but we do sometimes. Necessary? Absolutely not. But for now I'm keeping them.

Drowning in stuff

Where did it all come from? Seriously? I want to send it back. Ugg. I'm unpacking now and it isn't fun. I can't wait to get it all put away!! Moving always get you thinking about "stuff" and why we have so much of it. I don't really collect a whole lot (other than mounds of fabric and books) but that doesn't stop me from collecting tons of stuff. We don't need most of what we have.

If you are offended by swearing and questionable comedy, don't watch this video. It is George Carlin so, well, it's George Carlin. But it is brilliant, most of it. 

Anyway, I think I'll start packing stuff back up because I don't need it, don't want it. I thought I got rid of a lot before our move but I guess it wasn't enough.

And if George Carlin didn't convince you about stuff, try this.

Fluff

We use cloth diapers almost exclusively these days. 

I have 6 different different brands. All but one are pocket diapers. Here they are in my order of preference:

Snap E-Z: Love the trim fit, the snaps, the top stitching to prevent the inner lining from rolling out. Also love that it is a small business, employing work at home moms.

Sposo EZ: This is an all-in-one diaper. Great fit, holds a lot.

Green Acres Design (GAD): Great trim fit. Snaps. No top stitching so that's a bummer.

SwaddleBees: Great trim design. Snaps but no top stitching. Very similar to GAD diapers.

DryBees: These have a fleece outer layer, which I find wicks quite a bit. They have top stitching, which is great.

Happy Heiny's: These are my least favorite. Bulky fit, no top stitching, velcro closure.

Do you use cloth? What is in your stash?

Linked to Fluff Talk Thursdays at Happily Domestic

Deja vu

We are moving again this week. This time for good. Well, for at least a year, which is how long our lease is for. I've been packing, though we don't have much to pack. Most of our "stuff" is in storage. I have to say though, even though we've been living with just a fraction of our stuff, it is still a lot. I'm not convinced we need anything else. Except my kitchen stuff, of course. And having our own furniture will be wonderful. The bed we've been sleeping on for the last 5 months is the hardest, lumpiest, most uncomfortable bed ever. I wake up with a back ache every morning. I can't wait to be back in our comfy bed! I mean that. I am practically giddy just thinking about it.

Wednesday is the big day. That's the day our stuff arrives that we haven't seen forever. Thursday is the day stuff gets moved from our current apartment to the new one. Oh, I can almost feel that bed now! And my dutch oven! Yes, you've been missed! 

I have been up to very important things, of course. Like organizing my closet before packing the clothes. Don't you do ridiculous things when you are overwhelmed by how much you have to do? This is about as organized as it has been since we've been here. Without further ado, here are all my clothes.

OK, I have to admit that I organized them by color after taking this photo. When I did that I realized that I really do own a lot of black or bright colors. 

Oh, and here are the rest of my clothes. They don't all fit. The top row are work out clothes that sit lonely and some sentimental clothes I should get rid of but can't. The middle row are the sweaters and the too small pants. Bottom row: too big, just right. Coming in our Wednesday shipment, a big tote of way too small clothes. I think I'll keep them. You know, just in case.

OK, so I don't really have that much. In comparison, Arthur has about 4 or 5 times as much. Really. In his defense, a third of his clothes are suits and ties and shirts, of which I have no need, until they get stained.

Taking photos of my clothes is evidence of more procrastination. Enjoy.

Teaching an 18 month to 3 year old

**Let me preface this post by saying my intention for posting this is not to cause your heart to beat faster or wonder if you are doing "enough" or think your kid is abnormal because he can't do these things. Children learn at different paces. These are just things you can work on teaching, don't expect them to be able to do everything.**

Teaching preschoolers at home is a lot less complicated than many people think. In fact, these are things you should work on whether you are skipping preschool or not. There are some basic concepts that are building blocks for further learning. This isn't formal learning. These are things you can teach with play, while reading stories, or out for a walk at the park.

Put a name on nouns (and verbs for that matter). Body parts, animals, objects in their every day life. Give them a vocabulary by talking to them, reading, pointing out all the different objects you see. When you read don't just read the words on the page but help them discover what is in the pictures. If they are interested in airplanes teach them the words for the different types of airplanes or the different parts of the plane. Great teaching tools: children's fiction.

Upper and lowercase letters. Say the A,B, C's and recognize the letters.  I don't push phonics at this age. Teaching tools: letter puzzles, letter magnets, books.

Numbers. Beyond just counting. Teach them to touch each object as they say the number. Sing counting songs.  Point out the written number when you see it and say the number so they can put the word and symbol together. Once they can count to 20 or 30 (or higher) you can begin counting backwards from 10. Remember, not all children can do all of these tasks by 3 years! It's O.K. if yours can't. Teaching tools: counting books, blocks/balls/cars or anything you have 5 or 10 of.

Shapes and colors. Use books, shape sorters or found objects in a room. Go on a color hunt. Find all the green things you can find in the house, etc. It helps if they can touch and see things to learn the concept so touching a rectangular block and a DVD case to notice that they are both rectangles will help put the concept together. Fortunately our world is full of shapes and colors so this one is easy. Teaching tools: puzzles, books, blocks.

Senses. Put words to the five senses let them explore. Let them feel different textures, smell different smells, see, hear,and taste! 

Position relations. in, over, above, next to, between, under, you get the point. Perfect activity while playing with blocks or cars or stacking rings (or about anything). Make a fort and get "under" it, then come out and sit "next to" it or tear it down and jump "on" it. Teaching tools: blocks, stacking rings, everyday objects.

Rhyming. Kids love to rhyme. It can be a difficult concept for some children so don't get distressed if they aren't getting it right away. Read books with rhymes (think Dr. Seuss, Giles Andreae, Sandra Boynton, etc.), sing rhyming songs and make up your own rhymes. We rhyme all the time. "It's time for bed, red, fred, said..." Teaching tools: books, songs.

Comparative words. fast-slow, big-little, etc. Demonstrate these things and point them out while you are doing them. Make it fun. Play "run fast", then practice going slow. Exaggerate so they'll get the idea. 

Right and left. I've read that you should always say "correct" instead of "right" when telling a child they did something correct (I don't do this). Also, say the rights and lefts while getting them dressed.

Small motor skills. Beading, pouring, scooping, beginning lacing etc. Teaching tools: measuring cups of different sizes and small bowls to pour into, pipe cleaners with small beads, shoe lace and round pasta, puzzles, blocks, making cookies, etc.

Large motor skills. running, jumping, throwing, kicking, climbing, balancing. Go outside, get to a playground. Hold his hand while he walks along a curb balancing. Jump over cracks in the sidewalk, kick a ball around the house. This stuff is easy. Teaching tools: balls, tricycle, playground.

Teaching how things work. When she asks "why", do your best to explain it. Talk about why the toys in the tub float or sink. Why things grow, turn on, etc. She might not understand yet but that is OK. Try to simplify your answers so she'll understand at least part. Teaching tools: children's fiction, google :)

Sorting and matching. Use anything you have on hand. Sort different shape blocks, match the socks while you are folding laundry or match the blue blocks with the blue blocks and the red blocks with the red blocks, etc. Of course there are special toys and educational resources for all of this but if you are creative you probably have something on hand. Free paint chips from Home Depot work well too for matching! Sorting small objects (supervised) is a great way to work on small motor skills. Teaching tools: assorted mixed dry beans and an empty egg carton for sorting, puzzles for matching size and picture, Memory game (homemade or not), colored blocks, etc.

I'm sure I left something out but this pretty much sums up a lot of the "tasks" this age group is capable of learning. Teaching your children is fun. Look for the little moments and opportunities. Don't just read through a story book but spend time looking at the pictures and talking about what is going on. Count the objects on the page or talk about the different colors. Don't just stack blocks but talk about putting blocks on top of or between or sort them by color and shape. Sign songs, listen to music, make up stories, make believe. You get the point, just have fun. 

Have toys on hand that encourage creativity and imagination. Toys that are "one trick ponies" aren't the best. Think blocks, baby dolls, play kitchen or play food, dress up clothes, instruments, crayons and paint, etc. Simple Mom has a great list of basic toys that are worth the investment and a list of cheap or free toys that will get you thinking. If you already have a lot of toys, think about putting half of them up somewhere and rotating them. We are moving next week and that is my plan because we have way more toys than we know what to do with (and we've already given a ton away). 

Overwhelmed? Assured? Was this post even necessary? I have a post about teaching 3 to 4 year olds in the hopper but I'll trash it if nobody is interested! Do you think about a child's play as learning? How do you teach your child the basics?

A time to give: Organizing meals for others

If you've ever had a baby, you know how great it is to have someone else make you a meal. Even if it is just bringing lunch when they stop by! I love it when individuals (friends, family, neighbors) take the initiative on their own to drop a meal by. It is especially nice when someone takes the initiative to organize meals. This doesn't stop with new moms and dads. This is probably even more important when someone is dealing with severe illness or has a child in the hospital. What about if a mom breaks her arm! How hard is it for her to cook- even breakfast or sandwiches for lunch.

Many people want to help but don't know when you want a meal or what you like to eat. How can you help? Organize! 

1. Ask the recipient if they would like meals. Almost always you'll hear a yes. 

2. Find out if there are any allergies or food preferences in the house. If they don't eat pork or are vegan it's important to find out!

3. Find out when they'd like meals, and what time a day they'd like them delivered.

4. Compile a list of their friends/family that may possibly like to help.

5. Organize your information. Be specific about location, drop-off time, and food preferences and restrictions. It is also a good idea to remind people that they are just dropping off a meal at the door. New parents and people who are too busy to make a meal for themselves would love to chat but just not at this time. I've also heard it mentioned that you should let people know not to expect a thank you note in return since the new mom is busy!

6. Sign people up! You can do this a few ways. The phone is always great but if you have a long list you may want to skip to email. A mass email will work, but you might end up with a lot of people responding asking to bring a meal on the same day. Thankfully there are a couple different free online tools you can use now. MealBaby or Care Calendar should help you with organizing so there is less work for you.

This simple task can bless someone in a very real way. Have you enjoyed meals from people before? Any advice for meal organizers?

For more ideas about how to give check out A Time to Give at Saving and Giving.

Skipping preschool

Do you feel the pressure to put your kids in preschool? I feel it. People are usually surprised when they ask, "which preschool is she in?" and I tell them "she isn't in preschool." The truth is, they don't need it, so we are skipping preschool.

I think everyone sends their kids to preschool for different reasons but there are some common themes.

1. I want my child to get social interaction and learn how to interact with others.

2. I want a break during the day.

3. I want my child to be ready for kindergarten when the day comes.

These are all great reasons. I can relate to all of them. The issue for me is, preschool isn't the only way to achieve these things. Though, it may take a bit more work to accomplish them. And, let's be honest, it is the best way to achieve number 2 unless you get a nanny. But, sending your child to preschool is way more socially acceptable than getting a nanny when you aren't working. But I digress.

Here are the reasons we are skipping preschool.

1. We get lots of social interaction. We have built in social interaction plus we see their friends frequently and they attend church and a class during my mom's group. Plus dance class. That's a lot. 

2. I enjoy teaching my children. Teaching them the basics is fun. I loved teaching Naomi to read (OK, I didn't always love it, but I love that she can read). I love reading about different learning theories and I love watching their minds tick. I love teaching a new concept or watching the lightbulb turn on when they figure out a math problem. I get excited when they say, let's do a lesson! I love watching them try to teach Maggie these same things. I really should record that.

3. I like having them around. I like them being together rather than split up in different classes at preschool. They'll have the rest of their lives to be split apart so we want to enjoy the together time while we can.

4. It is expensive. Really expensive. 

That's basically it. Do you "do" preschool? How did you make your decision to put them in preschool or not? Did you feel pressure one way or the other? 

Proof

I know some of you, or maybe most of you are skeptics. Maybe you aren't. Maybe you went to church as a child and are disappointed in people and the brokenness of the church. Well friends, I'm here to show you a story. I love to link to other blogs but since you are less likely to read what I link I decided to post the whole story. This, my friends, is Katie's story.

It is my 16th Birthday and I am eating sushi at my favorite restaurant with my parents when I tell them that I would like to explore the possibility of taking a year in between high school and college to do mission work. This is unheard of in my family and they say they are not sure and will think about it. I am nervous, but somehow I know it is right. He changes their hearts.

I have just turned 18 and find an orphanage online. I beg my parents to let me visit over break, just three weeks. A month later I am on a plane. I am so excited. I am so scared of being, but I know He is going with me. I fall in love.

I graduate high school having made the commitment to teach Kindergarten for a year at a school in The Middle of Nowhere, Uganda. In August I get on the plane. I’m apprehensive and I cry most of the way because I miss my Mommy and my boyfriend. I am eager, but so uncertain. I trust Him. I teach 138 children how to speak English and to love Jesus.

It is October and I am just not sure I can do it anymore. I live in the smallest room I have ever seen in the back of a pastor’s house. I am more uncomfortable than I had bargained for. No one understands, not people here, not people at home. I am tired. But I am prideful and I am not going to quit. I don’t like this. But I know He has a plan. I learn, I grow, He is there.

It is December and God has spoken very clearly about opening a ministry that sponsors 40 of the orphaned children in the village where I am working. This involves moving into a different house, ALONE. It is big and I cannot imagine how God will fill it up. I am lonely and I am anxious. But I am still trusting. He fills the house, and we now have 400 children sponsored.

It is January and I am looking at a little girl, crushed under a brick wall with no one to care for her or her younger siblings. I offer to take the three home with me until we find them a better placement. I am not really sure what to do with them, but I know they are God’s children. They stay.

It is three days later and the littlest looks at me and calls me mommy. My heart might break in two. Something clicks. I am even more scared than I was the day I stepped on that plane, but I KNOW. Today I have 13.

I have to deliver a baby, give a boy stitches, pull a tooth, give and injection. I am petrified. But no one will do it if I do not. He is present, He holds my hand, they are all fine.

It is August and I must get on a plane back to America to go to college, as I have promised my father. I do not remember how to be a teenager or what it is to be normal Brentwood, Tennessee. I will have to leave my babies. I will have to make new friends. I am sad and I am terrified. He wraps His arms around me. He puts just the right people in just the right places, and they help me and they make me feel at home.

First semester is over and He speaks clearly to me that I cannot serve two masters. “Go HOME,” He says, “and stay.” I am uncertain, but I want to be obedient. He squeezes tighter. I am thankful.

I have to look at my loving parents who have given me everything and tell them that I will not go to college right now, because I feel God wants me to be in Uganda. I know how disappointed and how angry they will be. I am more scared than I was when I got on the plane and more scared than I was when I took my first children. But I know that this IS the Plan. They love me anyway.

It is February and my daughter’s biological father comes to take her away. My heart breaks in half, and I am not sure I will ever be able to get out of my bed again, let alone foster another child. I am more than devastated, but I want what is best for her, what He wants for her. She comes back and her biological father learns about Jesus.

It is March and a lame little girl is brought to my gate. She is undoubtedly mine, but I am still anxious. What if I can’t do it? I don’t know what to do with a special needs child, especially as my 13th child. I am criticized and ridiculed. I wonder. I trust and praise God for her sweet little life. She starts to walk.

I find myself in a village full of starving people that for some reason seem to want to kill me. God says to serve them anyway. I am not sure how it is going to work, or if it is safe. I can’t figure it out, but I know He can. 1,200 Karamajongs, the poorest of Uganda’s poor, are now served hot meals daily.

We keep taking in more children until there are 400 in our program. There is no way we will raise enough funds, but by now I have stopped worrying. He has always provided. Blessings rain from the sky, and all 400 children go to school.

I am 20 years old and have 13 children and 400 more who all depend on me for their care. Who are all learning to love Jesus and be responsible adults and looking up to me. The reality of it all can be a bit overwhelming at times. However, it is always pure joy. There is a common misconception that I am courageous. I will be the first to tell you that this is not actually true. Most of the time, I am not brave. I just believe in a God who will use me even though I am not. Most mornings, before I even get out of bed I am overwhelmed with His goodness, with His plan for my life; I stand in awe of the fact that He could entrust me with so much. Most days, I don’t have much of a plan. I don’t always know where this is going. I can’t see the end of the road, but here is the great part: Courage is not about knowing the path. It is about taking the first step. It is about Peter, getting out of the boat. I do not know my five year plan; even tomorrow will probably not go as I have planned. I am thrilled and I am terrified, in a good way. So some call it courage, some call it foolish, I call it Faith. I choose to get out of the boat. To take the next step. Sometimes I walk straight into His arms. More often, I get scared and look down and stumble. Sometimes I almost completely drown. And through it all, He never lets go of my hand.

Bakfiets on the brain

I've wanted one of these for a couple years now. You can put THREE children in there! There are very few options for these in the states. Clever Cycles in Portland sells one.  Here is a bakfiet in action. Nice, right? What a great way to get around without a car! Of course, this is more practical in San Diego... BUT, if someone were to give one to me i wouldn't complain! Seriously! And I'd ride it around with your logo on it every day! Of course, if we are talking practical we really should get one like this one below. Haul the kids AND the groceries!

Now, for looks, you must get a Madsen bike, though I think they only have belts for 2 kiddos I just discovered they sell additional seats so you can put up to 4 kids in there!!

Would you ride one of these? I mean, after you recovered from sticker shock? Also, are these legal everywhere? 

Photos from Clever Cycles, Mark Stosberg, The Dutch Bicycle Co., Madsen Cycles

 

A time to give: As easy as shopping online

I am really excited about this new weekly carnival at Saving and Giving. That blog is new to me but I love her purpose

"Part of the reason we live frugally is to be able to give generously"

Who can argue with that?! She asks that you share ways to be generous and then link up to her weekly post. I know a lot of you are interested in that so be sure to jump on board!

I have had posts in the past about ways that we have tried to teach our children to be generous. We had our 25 Days of Giving during Advent, which I plan to do again this year. And I frequently link to different campaigns and projects you can give money to but this time I want to point out a way you can not spend any more money than you were planning to spend in the first place and still contribute to World Vision's Sudan Food and Care Fund. Too easy to be true? Thanks to the Amazon affiliates program, Life At The Circus is giving away 100% of the profits she makes to World Vision. All you have to do is click here, add things to your amazon cart, buy it, and the rewards she earns will be donated. You have to go through that link in order for Life At The Circus to get the credit. For all the details, check out her information page on her blog. Then go shopping! 

Now... I need to start planning for Advent. Can you believe we are halfway through August?? 

The best snack: Frozen peas

Frozen peas, straight from the freezer are her favorite snack. She could eat them all day. Not only is this healthy but it is EASY!

This post is linked to Works For Me Wednesday

Teething

As easy as saving a life

This morning I woke up (too early) and fed the baby. Then I watched my other two girls eat their breakfasts and argue over what they wanted to eat. There are many choices in our house. Then I made myself some toast and thought about unloading the dishwasher and loading it back up again. We eat a lot, there are a lot of dishes. Today I am grateful for being able to feed my children. Today I am thankful I do not have to watch my children starve to death, powerless to help.

I am thankful that I AM NOT POWERLESS TO HELP! God provided me with the resources to be able to help. I am always inspired by Katie, a 20 year old American girl who moved to Uganda two years ago and is now feeding hundreds of kids daily and is the mother to 13 (yes, 13) Ugandan children. I am inspired by Brandi, who works tirelessly to encourage people to sponsor starving children in Uganda, and other countries through Children's Hope Chest. In fact, you can help right now. There are children who WILL NOT DIE if people step up and sponsor them, providing meals for their survival. You can read more about how you can help.

So, today, I am thankful for what I have. But, even though I am thankful, I am wondering if there is something God is saying that I'm not hearing. How is it that he asks one American girl to go like Katie, and not another? A friend commented to me last week that maybe she missed something, maybe she didn't hear God telling her to go. All we have is today, so today I'll ask God what I am supposed to do. Do you hear God asking you to do something? 

What are you grateful for?

Investing in the "classics"

Want to own some great kid's books but hate shelling out the money? There are some great compilation books out there.  The HarperCollins Treasury of Picture Book Classics is one of my favorites. You can view it in its entirety on google books to decide if you want to buy it. It really is a wonderful book. You get your money's worth if you buy it new, but you can get some nearly perfect copies used as well at the Amazon Marketplace. You won't be sorry!

This post is linked to Frugal Fridays.

Band practice

The other night we had band practice. The children ran a-muck. It was awesome. EDITED: Clearly, this was Rock Band on the PS3! Just in case you didn't pick that up.

Here is our new album cover

Clearly we're confused. 

Make your own album cover by following these instructions 

1. Go to wikipedia. Hit "random article". This is your band's name. 

2. Go to Random Quotations. The last for or five words of the very last quote of the page is the title of your first album.

3. Go to Flickr/Explore/Last 7 Days. The Third picture, no matter what it is, will be your first album cover.

4. Use a photo editor (I use picnik) to put it together.

Handmade giveaway

I saw this Erin's blog and thought it was a great idea. 5 lucky (or brave) people will be getting something made by me, for you. Intriguing? You think I'm going to sew something, right? You just never know! I might. I might not! I will not make chicken and send it to you. I promise. Or any other meat product. Or really any meal like creation.

The first five people to leave a comment on this post will get something handmade from me. But in return, you have to do the same thing on your blog and make something for five other people. The details are as follows, and if you want to play, copy the following onto your blog and leave me a post:

1. I make no guarantees that you will like what I make. What you get is what you get. 
2. What I create will be just for you, with love.
3. It’ll be done this year (2009).
4. I will not give you any clue what it’s going to be. It will be something made in the real world and not something cyber. It may be weird or beautiful. Or it may be monstrous and annoying. 
5. I reserve the right to do something strange.
6. In return, all you need to do is post this text on your blog and make 5 things for the first 5 to respond to your blog post.
7. Send your mailing address – after I contact you.

Are you in? You know you want to...

The first time she ran away