Hibernating While Trying to Keep the Peace

Not much going on here on the home front. It has been super cold this winter and barely have been able to get outside to play. We have tons of snow and can't even enjoy it. So, we've been hibernating. This kids and I literally only leave the house twice a week; Friday nights we go to Bible study and then we have church on Sundays, that's it. We do our grocery shopping on Fridays before our small group meets to save a trip into town. We live only twenty minutes from town, but it is starting to feel longer and longer.

Since we can't go outside we try to stay busy inside, but I have to admit it hasn't been easy. We have been getting on each others nerves; the long winter is having its affect. Josie found her boots for next year in the closet and has been wearing them constantly in the house. This is how she plays these days. 

Wyatt lost yet another tooth! I noticed Saturday it was barely hanging in there, but he refused to let me wiggle or tug at it. He wanted it to come out all on its own. And it did! We had a dentist appointment yesterday and he got a good report. He enjoyed telling the hygienist all about losing it.

Wyatt got a hold of my camera and took a few "selfies." This is one of them. "Arrrrr you looking at my missing teeth?"

Wyatt and Josie don't typically play well together. Sharing is always an issue. But I have been able to catch a few moments when there was peace between them. 

The new "thing" has been playing in the beanbag. We have all their stuffed animals inside to help conserve space in our small house, and it seems to be a lot of fun to climb inside. Wyatt keeps asking Nick and I to get in with them... Not going to happen!  {Notice Josie's foot?}

Spring is only a couple weeks away, and we are waiting patiently, sort of, in anticipation. We want to get outside! We are almost there, we'll keep hanging in there.

Sposato Family Christmas

This years Christmas started off super busy. During the month of December we had several outreach opportunities at church which where so much fun! We had the ladies annual Christmas Tea which was called the Cozy Cottage Christmas Tea. I shared my testimony and helped with the decorating. I hadn't had that much fun in a long time. Much needed adult time for me!

We then went caroling around Comins the Wednesday before Christmas. That too was super fun. Wyatt pulled the wagon full of "goodies" that we gave to each house. Surprisingly he lasted the whole way with no complaints! Then we had the DHS gift pick up the next day where I helped prepare/prep the food we served. Both days were busy and exhausting, but I enjoyed it immensely!

The morning of Christmas Eve Wyatt woke up first and went out to plug the lights in on the tree. We heard him inhale sharply followed by squeals of joy. He had noticed two small packages under the tree. He danced around singing, "I love Christmas, I love Christmas! It's Jesus' birthday, it's Jesus' birthday! I love giving, giving, giving!" He was thrilled over two little presents under the tree. It made me think. Children don't need a ton of gifts to be happy. His first guess of what it was? A blanket. He would have been happy with a blanket! Sure puts things in perspective. 

We went to Christmas Eve service that night in Comins. It didn't take too long and we were all at the back of the church enjoying what we could between shushing the kids. We had company which made it less painful. I wish I could say I really enjoyed myself, but honestly I am not sure I actually heard much of the messages in between singing carols. Someday our children will be older and capable of sitting still and quietly... Hopefully.

We  came home after service and had the kids open their small gifts {jammies} before they went to bed. Unfortunately it did not go how I envisioned it. Wyatt of course was stoked. Josie screamed from the time she was awakened getting out of her car seat, through me opening her gift of jammies and putting them on, until I laid her down in her crib. Yeah, that went well!

Nick and I then finished re-picking up the house, since everything I did the day before so I wouldn't have to Christmas Eve was undid. Then, we put the gifts under the tree and went to bed.

We were waken just a little after 7am to Wyatt and Josie up and ready to go. Christmas Day had officially begun!

We had gotten Josie a shopping cart, but couldn't wrap it. So, of course that was the first thing she saw. She started pushing it all around the house and was loving it. She was loving it so much, she didn't want to stop to open anything else. When we tried giving her a present to open she would push it away. She didn't want to stop pushing her cart! Finally little by little she started coming around to the idea of opening presents. She really wasn't that into it.

Wyatt got a nice plush Batman robe! 

 Josie liked her new slippers. Hopefully the dog will leave these ones alone...

After we were done opening gifts, I made breakfast. Cinnamon Bun Pancakes! Yum! They were so delicious!

After breakfast we started to call family that we wouldn't be seeing. Then my family came to celebrate the rest of the day about 10:30 am. We had a great time. Wyatt and Josephine played all sorts of games. We had lasagna  for a late lunch. And of course we had to play a game of Monopoly,which Wayland won. Again.

By the end of the day Josie finally got the whole gift opening process. {Yes, we still have a pumpkin...}

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What a fun day celebrating Jesus' birthday! It was really great!

Love and hugs!

Homemade Cloth Diaper Laundry Detergent

We have been using cloth diapers for nearly a year now and happy to say it is going quite well. We have been making our own liquid laundry detergent for a while, but found that we wouldn't be able to use in on our cloth diapers. The soap in the liquid detergent will build up residue and keep the diapers from absorbing well over time. So I had to find a recipe that would be compatible with cloth diapers. After searching online I found a number of recipes. Finding that they were all different in their own way I adapted them to create my own.

I have been using this recipe for as long as we have been cloth diapering. I have found it has been working very well. I will save my laundry process cloth diapers for another post, but for now I will share the recipe that I have been using.

All you need are three ingredients:

• 2 cups Borax
• 2 cups Washing Soda
• 2 cups Oxi Clean

Mix well and store. I saved back an empty coffee can and gave it a fresh look to store my detergent in and use a scoop from a baby formula jug. When I begin my wash cycle I just add one scoop for a small load and two for a large load. All three ingredients can be found in the laundry soap aisle at your local grocery store.

Hope this works for you like it does for me. Enjoy!

Our New Favorite Toy

 We had some soft balls from a little blow up toy our son had that had gotten a hole and wanted to find a way to use them. We went to Toys R Us the other day and bought a 36 inch kiddie pool. We only have 50 little balls which you wouldn't think would be fun enough, but it has been the best thing ever for both my 5 year old and 1 year old.

Josie has been getting in and out, in and out, in and out. She kicks and churns the balls making a loud but entertaining noise. Wyatt gets out his pillow and blanket and lays in it, even watched a movie last night in it.

Who would have thought it would be such a hit? I think we need to get some more balls!

Good Times!

Wyatt and I have got to spend some one on one time together, which has been nice, because we don't get to do that much. The first "date" we went to Tim Hortons for donuts and hot chocolate. We had a great morning! {I won't tell you about our afternoon and ruin the mood....I will just give you a hint: bad behavior.}

Today, we went to Aspen Park for Wyatt to ride on the bike trails. He was so excited. Poor guy doesn't really get to ride his bike at home because of the poor terrain.

We got to see the elk. Wasn't sure if we would catch them there or not, but we did!

It was SO hot and muggy, but fun all the same. It was good to set aside time for us to reconnect and recharge our relationship. We definitely need to make a better effort to do it more often.

Josie is 10 months old!

Josie is now 10 months old! Our little girl is growing leaps and bounds! She has had her third tooth just break through her gums up top. A week ago she stood up all by herself with out holding on to anything! A few days ago we got out Wyatt's push cart that he had before he walked, and Josie has started to use it!

Her favorite room she seems to be drawn to, mostly because it is forbidden, is the bathroom. We now have to keep the door closed. She is sensitive and easily frustrated. If she falls down or slips on something she immediately starts crying. Wyatt can make her cry at a drop of a hat, but that is only because he can't leave her alone.

There is nothing anymore that is safe from her. She is into everything! So unlike her big brother. She is a squirmy worm. She can't hold still. My biceps are well toned due to her constant squirms in Sunday school and in church.

We got her hair up in her first pony tail last night! It hard to believe how long her hair is for only being 10 months old.

We are finally getting into some sort of a nap routine. She is a tough one to get down. She has had a couple nights this week she slept all night. That was fantastic! I wish more nights were like that. It is sad they are so rare. She is still up three to four times a night. And she will not go back down with out nursing her back to sleep. Don't worry, I have tried everything else to no avail. 

We have introduced the sippy cup. She will chew on it and drink from it occasionally. I plan to breast feed up to a year so we are working on transitioning now. I think I am ready. The more teeth she gets the more reason to wean! Bites hurt!

Can't believe it, only two more months and she will be a year old! Yikes! 

It Came!

Our curriculum came! Wyatt was SO excited! Looking through the material so far I am impressed. Everything is laid out simply and even tells you what to say! Can't get much easier than that! We'll wait until fall to begin, but I have to say I am looking forward to it!

I will keep everyone posted on how things are going once we get started. Hopefully, it will go smoothly!

Let the Homeschooling Begin!

It's official! We have bought our first complete set of home school material! Wyatt will be starting his first year of school {Kindergarten} this fall! We went with A Beka's complete K5 curriculum after hours of research and reading reviews. The hardest part was decided which curriculum to go with. The is an OCEAN of options. Very overwhelming. What helped was knowing two other families who used the curriculum and loved it. I am both anxious and excited about the idea of homeschooling and even a little afraid and uncertain of my own abilities. However, "I can do all things through Him {Christ} who strengthens me!" Philippians 4:13

I have flip flopped so many times with the decision to home school.  It is a big decision and one we don't take lightly. There are several reasons that we came to this decision and reflects only what we feel is best for OUR family. Certainly I would encourage everyone to consider it, because I do think it is best, but that is for everyone to decide for themselves. And if you don't home school you will get no judgement here.

At some point we will send our kids to public school. But, before we do we want to give them a solid foundation based on our values and principles. That way when they do go to public school they will not waiver on their beliefs. Deuteronomy 6:6-7 These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up."

We believe it is important that they do go to public school at some point for a couple reasons. We should be salt and light. We shouldn't hide it, but affect others in a way that may bring others to Him. Matthew 5:13 You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown away and trampled by men." We should show others what it is like to live for Christ. We are to be a "light of the world" Matthew 5:14. Matthew 5:16 says, "Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven." Public schools are nearly empty of God. We can change that. We also know they will need to learn how to live a godly life in a fallen world. They will need to learn how to handle temptations and prepare themselves for what the world will throw them.

The benefits of homeschooling are numerous:

Flexibility in schedule
Set our own pace
More family time
More time for creative play
Save money on gas from drop off and pick-ups from school
Focus more on individual needs
Get to enjoy your kids at their best times
Can work on behavior more effectively
More time to focus on eliminating bad habits 
Family's get more sleep 
Don't loose valuable time because of travel to and from school
Instill your family values and principles
Know exactly what your children are being taught because your are their teacher

I still have doubts whether or not I am equipped to teach our kids. It is a huge responsibility. I have had incredible support from family and friends which has been an enormous help, and I know God will lead us through and guide us. I have also ordered our curriculum early enough to allow myself time to go over everything and prepare myself. By the time fall gets here, we'll be all set to go. Let the homeschooling begin!

The Mini Van

We've always said, my husband and I, "No mini van...EVER." We are too cool for mini vans. Period. Enough said. Right? No. Not quite.

As much as I hate to say it, I am no longer too cool. This week, we crossed the point of no return, we bought...a mini van.

My husband still resists even though it has already been bought and paid for. Maybe it's denial. If he doesn't acknowledge it exists then, in his mind it must not. Me on the other hand, I have to admit, I am embracing it with open arms. That's right, I LOVE it! It was long over due, and I am not looking back!

The room! I just can't get over the feeling I have when I get in it. Let me explain where I am coming from. Two words: Volkswagen Jetta. Yep, we have been squeezing four of us in that small thing for almost a year now! Once we had our little Josie things got crazy!  I can't believe we managed all that time after all the real estate available in this van!

The front passenger seat was pretty much all the way forward with the seat back straight up to be able to accommodate the rear facing convertible car seat. We had Wyatt with his booster behind the driver seat. Leaving only 8 inches in the middle between them. Not family friendly my any means. So we began our search for a mini van.

It wasn't easy getting to this point though. If I don't see Craigslist again for the rest of my life it will be too soon. I know more about every kind of van than anyone should. And I hope and pray this will last us at least another six years before we have to do any vehicle searching again.

Even though it is 9 years old it is still 7 years newer than car we are replacing. We still paid too much for it. Thank you Cash for Clunkers for making it so much easier to find an affordable used car, said no one ever!

And don't worry the Jetta isn't going anywhere. When you get a vehicle that gets 46 mpg you don't get rid of it. My husband is too happy to have it for his new fishing car.

Needless to say, we are now officially mini van owners. While my husband still refuses to drive it. I am happy. You know the saying right?  "Happy Wife = Happy Life"

Family Prayer Board

I have been wanting to create a way to post prayer requests that our family receives in a way that is visible for us to see daily and to help remind us who we need to pray for everyday. It had to be something that is easy to change and update.

I have been seeing message/ menu boards made with just a regular frame with scrapbook paper placed behind the glass. Dry erase markers are used to write on the glass. The more I thought about it the more I liked the idea for a Family Prayer Board!

The 8 x 10 frame I chose was $10 on sale at Hobby Lobby and I already had the scrapbook paper. Viola! Not too shabby!

A kind of neat side note I would like to share is the scavenger hunt I went on to find my new-in-package magnets that I wanted to put on the back so I could put it on the refrigerator. I looked long and hard for them without turning up anything. Finally, I sat down and said a little prayer asking God to help me find my magnets. {I know, seems so insignificant.}

Well, I said my prayer, I got back up and went downstairs to look one more time. After looking in a couple spots I decided I would look in a regular cardboard box that I had long forgotten what was even in it. Guess what I found! My magnets!!! See, no prayer is too small! I was ecstatic!

The down side: The magnets are not strong enough to keep the frame on the refrigerator. Oh, well. You can't have it all!