Preparing for school planning

As I pull up my August calendar on my phone I see that nearly every day has plans.  Normally this would make me very nervous.  Our family does not do well being that busy.  We need "home" days.  Instead this sight makes me smile.  I smile because (for the most part) those days are set apart.  They are set apart for talking with the kids and planning out our school year.  They are set apart for easing back into school.

In the mean time I'm reading this great book a friend of mine suggested.  Teaching from Rest; A Homeschoolers Guide to Unshakable Peace by Sarah Mackenzie.  Just reading the Forward and Preface gave me peace and encouragement.  I'm replenishing my soul through His word, praying over our coming year, and working on casting my cares upon Him.  Homeschooling our children can be a heavy burden if we don't cast those cares on the Lord.  I'd encourage you, mama, to take this time to look to Him and find rest so that you may joyfully care for and teach your  His children that He has placed in your care.


"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken." Psalm 55:22

"...casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7



***I'm an Amazon Associate.  I'd be posting about this book anyways though.  If you click on my link and shop through it I'll make a itty-bitty-bit of $$ which I'll end up spending on my kids.***  

Taking care of mom- Stitch Fix has sent me my favorites!

This past week we had some special plans, all made by my husband.  For my birthday.  As I was figuring out what I wanted to wear for these dates I realized that each outfit I was picking had at least one element from Stitch Fix, if not the whole outfit.  Wow!  I knew I was liking it, but not until then did I realize how very happy I was with their picks.  I thought I'd share.

This blue and white stripe top was perfect for our dinner date.  The cut of the top hides my mama belly, the style and color where ones I'd asked for, and it is easy to care for.  I love that it works for me now, but it's cut is a flexible one.

I think this is my favorite top right now.  It came in a fix right before I had my baby.  I can't remember if it was a maternity top or not.  I had asked for tops that would be great for the transition time after baby; that's exactly what this is!  I love the fit, it drapes nicely and is easy to nurse in.  I love how easy it is to just throw on with jeans or dress up a bit with a skirt.  I feel pretty in it, but it does not show spots easily and is easy to care for.  It's a perfect "mom" top. :) 

This grey top and printed skirt are from two different "fixes."  I love that they know what I've kept from past fixes and are able to make pairing suggestions based on that.  I'd have eventually figured these out on my own, but it sure is nice for my mama brain to have that right out of the box!  Both pieces are very forgiving.  They work well with my ever changing mama body. :)  I loved wearing them for a casual afternoon out with my husband (and the baby).

This top obviously does not fit well right now, I can just barely wiggle into it.  It is from a pre-pregnancy fix.  It is still one of my favorites and I'm looking forward to it fitting again....sometime.  I'm sharing for a couple of reasons 1) my stitch fix stylist checks my pinterest page and blog to see what styles I like 2)to be real...it can be frustrating to have your weight fluctuate regularly, not fit into your favorite clothes or not feel as good about your body as you once did.  Remember that you've given the gift of life to your little one(s).  Often our extra weight is needed to support our little one while we are nursing.  Just look at those chubby cheeks, and dimpled arms (on the baby!) she is growing strong and healthy.  If I was slimmer my baby would not be chunking up so nicely.  I know because I have lost weight too quickly in the past and my baby has then struggled with weight gain.  If we're eating well, exercising and resting in the Lord it's a bit easier to accept where we are at physically....even when that baby is not such a baby anymore. ;)  Being real and sharing our struggles in an encouraging way can be a big blessing to others, I know I've been encouraged greatly by others in this way.

***I'm sharing this because it has been a blessing and encouragement to me to use this service.  It is not a "budget" service, but one that is a treat my husband has encouraged me to use.  The opinions are my own.  I'm not compensated by Stitch Fix.  However, if you sign up through my links AND receive a fix I do get credit toward my next fix.  That credit has been such a blessing to me.  A big "THANK YOU!" to those of you who have signed up through me.

Preventing those diaper blow outs...

***Even if you have NO interest in cloth diapering you'll want to know about this little trick***

One of the biggest surprises when I had my first babies was all of the diaper blow outs.  Sometimes huge messes.  All over everything.  Often when we were out and about.  It was nasty and often outfits ended up ruined.

I love cloth diapering, but sometimes life takes over and we need to use disposables.  Years ago when we switched to cloth diapers I was surprised to find that we were no longer experiencing those diaper blowouts that were so frustrating.  

I started putting the cloth diaper covers over disposables when we needed to use them.  They contained messes!  The stronger elastic at the backs and legs were enough to catch any overflow.  Any mess was contained to that cover.  I've been using this trick for almost 9 years now and realized maybe I should pass it on.

I think any good cover with elastic at the back and legs would work well.  I use the Flip diaper covers because they are made by one of my favorite cloth diaper companies.  They are good quality and I've used them through several children.  I purchase them at cottonbabies.com  They are about $15 and well worth the cost considering all of the trouble and clothing they save.   

*I'm not being compensated for this review/suggestion.  I'm just a mom sharing what I've found to work well. ;)