Time to get down and dirty.

You all know the love I have for cloth diapers. I love them. In fact, on Valentines Day when the hubs and I were out for dinner, we were playing the random question game... and of course the inevitable "what 3 items would you grab if the house was on fire?"question came up... to which I replied, "oh! the cloth diapers of course." ha!

{see my previous posts here and here in case you're getting caught up}

Anyway, I feel like it's also pretty inevitable that there's going to be some things I don't like about them as well. So in my effort to be realistic and honest, we're going to talk about that today.

First and foremost, now that Cohen is eating solid food and not exclusively nursing, using cloth diapers is much more of a chore. It's not as easy as taking the diaper off, removing the insert, and throwing it all in a bag and washing them. Unfortunately now, I have to spray the poopy diaper. And let me just tell you... I hate this diaper sprayer. Hate it. Almost as much as I hate cotton balls. Seriously, I think it might be the worst invention ever. I've gotten a few tips from friends that have helped, but my opinion on this thing will never change. I've sprayed myself in the face multiple times, I've sprayed poopy water everywhere, and the thing I hate the most? Carrying a dripping, soaking wet diaper from the bathroom back into the nursery where the wet bag is. It's just gross.

I know there's the flushable liners I could use {which would catch the poop, then I just throw the liner away}... but at 6cents a piece, it seems to defeat the purpose of using cloth diapers. I'm using them to save money, so it just doesn't make sense to me.

My last complaint. My son is apparently a "heavy wetter" and I cannot figure out how to prevent nighttime leaks, without changing his diaper through the night, which wakes him up and remember my rule: never wake a sleeping baby. I have tried doubling a newborn insert with a regular insert. I've tried a hemp insert with a regular insert. Tonight I may try 2 hemp inserts... I don't know what else to do. But one thing I am sure of... I am tired of washing his sheets every.single.morning.

That's it. See, there's not many things I don't like about them... I'd still recommend them to anyone {and I do!}. I suppose one way to fix one of the problems would be to not give my son any solid food, but that would be mean. And I don't want him to be 5 years old still nursing.... not my cup of tea and I don't think his kindergarten teacher would appreciate that. {i'm joking, by the way.}

If you are a CDing mama and have any advice for me, I am all ears... seriously, I am desperate for some help over here. If you're not a CDing mama, you should be. Just saying. :)

Easter.

There in the ground His body lay

Light of the world by darkness slain

Then bursting forth in glorious Day

Up from the grave He rose again

And as He stands in victory

Sin's curse has lost its grip on me

For I am His and He is mine

Bought with the precious blood of Christ

"In Christ Alone"

I can hardly sing this song in church because it is SO powerful. Most of the time I have to just worship without singing, because if I sing along I start the ugly cry. You know what I'm talking about.

Saturday I heard about an Easter egg hunt at a church here in town that "hid" 20,000 eggs. We took the boys and had a great time.

We had to bribe this child off of the toy equipment in order to pick up some eggs before they were gone... he could have cared less.

He finally listened and picked up about 10 eggs... then back to playing.

Cohen had a blast, obviously... ha!

Our church service yesterday was one of the most powerful I've been to. After church we had a very low-key day {including a nap for mommy!}... it was a great day celebrating the resurrection!

I kept finding myself getting frustrated that my boys would not cooperate and take cute Easter pictures.... then my husband so kindly reminded me that this is our life... a 26 month old and {almost} 6 month old... they are not going to just look at the camera and smile. Guess he's right... so I'm at peace with the not-so-great pictures I got of them together.

This was Cohen's first time sitting/standing in the grass, so he was too busy to look at Mommy.

We met some friends for lunch at On The Border. They also have 2 boys, close to the same ages as ours, so we thought there was a high chance of it being a complete disaster. Luckily it was great and we really enjoyed our lunch with them! All 4 boys were great!

Cohen's basket ... aden & anais blanket and burp cloths/bibs, an outfit, and books & a block.

Jaxon's basket... Thomas bath squirters, Thomas book, "Emily" (a Thomas train), shoes, and a puzzle. We're on a big Thomas kick around here.

The boys looked so cute... it's so fun getting them dressed up for holidays. Thanks again Grandma for the outfits and shoes! <3

I am so thankful for my boys... you know it's so easy to get caught up in things you don't have and in doing so all you're doing is giving the enemy free-reign to tell you lies. We may live in Texas and be way too far from our 'extended' families, but we have each other. We have love, health, and happiness and I couldn't be more thankful.

It was a beautiful Easter day and I hope yours was as well.

I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.

Philippians 3:10-12

Sunday's comin'.

It's Good Friday.

Today has meant more to me than all the Good Friday's before this. Yes, Jesus' crucifixion and death has always made me sad. It has always touched me. But not like it has today.

I spent my quiet time this morning sobbing. Literally as soon as I sat down and started praying, realizing what today was, my heart hurt. My savior, the one who has saved me, redeemed me, healed me... the one who gave it all for me. To think about how He easily could have removed himself from this position. How he was mocked. The pain He went through.... how my sin held Him there. And as he took His last breath, how the veil was torn... He made a way for me to personally know the Father.

I wrote in my journal "thank you isn't enough." I mean, what do you say to the One who made the ultimate sacrifice for you?

I am not sure I will ever find adequate words to thank him for what He did, but I will spend my entire life trying to live for him... to please Him... and looking forward to the day I can tell Him that face to face.

It's Friday... but Sunday's comin.'

Also, if you are familiar at all with Cardboard Testimonies... take a second and check out Meredith's blog and see my cardboard testimony. I was so happy to be apart of it... and I will explain mine in more detail another day. :)

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 53:5

Believing.

If you think about your friends, you can probably rattle off a few different names of people that you're pretty close to. If I was to ask you who your best friend was, that persons name might roll right off your tongue, and some of you may have to pause and think about it for a second.

For me, it's easy. I've had 2 best friends my entire life. One of them was born 3 years after me and is my Sister. The other is not blood relation to me, yet some days feels like it. Her name is Angie, and she is one of the most genuine, compassionate, encouraging, and giving people on this planet. She's absolutely amazing and I'm honored to be apart of her life.

We met in our early teenage years, at a church retreat. As the years went by, we spent many many nights and days together doing what teenage girls do best... crying, fighting, laughing, praying together, and of course, talking about boys. Dreaming of our futures.

Angie's dream came true last summer when she married Brian. She found the person that God created for her. He is an amazing guy who makes her laugh and loves her unconditionally. She waited a long time for this man, and God blessed her for doing so. Not only is Brian a gift to Angie, but she is exactly what he needs as well. You see, years before they event met, Brian was diagnosed with cancer. He has gone through some awful times, as well as times of celebration and rejoicing as different spots have disappeared or gotten much smaller. Angie has stayed by his side since day 1... she went into their marriage knowing he has cancer and that never changed her mind. She knew this was the man God created for her, and never looked back. She is strong for him. God has given her a heart of pure compassion for others, a heart full love and encouragement, and a heart full of passion for this life they have together.

Tears run down my face as I so badly want Angie to be able to experience the gift of motherhood. This love that I have for my boys is only something that can be understood once you become a mom yourself. I want to be 82 and swinging on a front porch swing, as we look out in a big yard full of our grandkids talking about the good 'ole days, with Brian and Tyler laughing at the teenagers and young adults we once were. I want nothing but pure happiness for Angie and Brian, because they deserve it.

I am prompted daily to pray for this beautiful couple. Praying for longevity in their marriage... that this cancer would be gone from Brian's body and that a miracle could take place, right here and right now, in 2011. In just 2 short weeks, Brian will have another PET scan, and on May 10th they will get the results. I believe with all my heart that God is going to heal Brian. That they will live long and happy lives full of laughter and love... and kids and grandkids. That God will continue to use them to minister to others and testify of His wondrous works and miracles that He still performs today.

Will you join me in praying, and believing, for this amazing couple?

If you need help planning that big "HE'S HEALED" party that you're planning on throwing, let me know. I'll be there in a split second.... err, 9 hours. :)

Love you Ang, always!

{if you want to visit her blog and let her know you're praying for her, click here}

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent out his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave. Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind. Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

Psalm 107:19-22

What I wore Wednesday.

Just for you, sister.

bible study & hanging at home today

cardi: ny&co

tank top: gap

jeans: old navy

I scored big time at Gap the other day with their "buy 1 shirt, get 1 free"... shopped the clearance department and got 6 shirts for $50.80... which ended up being only $0.80 cents out of my pocket, thanks to gift cards... thanks mom!

Love deals like that, and hooray for now having a little bit of a summer wardrobe.