We have a whirlwind of a weekend ahead of us, so I am going to try to make this really quick. You know about how well that usually works, right?
1.
A bit of unpleasant housekeeping first. In the past few weeks, something was brought to my attention that brings me some concern about my family's privacy on this blog. I'm sorry to say that I'll be taking down the pictures of the girls. Thanks for understanding that I feel this is the best choice for us for now.
2.
Much lighter (and more exciting) note - Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred is on its way here. I am so terrified! And excited! But mostly terrified . . . in a good way. After Dacey was born, I rode the lose-the-baby-weight-with-breastfeeding train with a mixture of glee and probably not just a little pride. Oh, pride doth goeth before the fall from that train when it lurcheth to a stop. Not only did the post-AJ weight loss stop a long time ago, an unfortunate climb upwards in my weight and waistline has been going on for months now. Enter Jillian. And the fear. And the excitement. Did I mention I am excited?
3.
All day yesterday, Dacey asked if summer was here now. Wow, it sure felt like it was yesterday! Sunshine and temps in the 80s! Gorgeous! We painted our toenails in celebration. While we painted, we counted things in Spanish. Dacey informed me that her favorite number in Spanish is ocho. It occurred to me that I have been negligent in deciding upon my own favorite number in Spanish. After a moment's thought, I said it has to be quince. Quince. (15) I like the way that feels. Say it. (non-speakers, that would be KEEN-say) It's enjoyable and worthy of favoritism, I think.
4.
Several years back, not long after we started cloth diapering, I began using more cloth napkins, towels, and washcloths in the kitchen in lieu of paper towels and napkins. We still keep a roll of paper towels in the kitchen, but mostly we try to use cloth as we find it to be less expensive and more effective. In all of these years of using kitchen cloth, however, I've never found a great way to handle the laundry. I was perusing the Mothering forums yesterday and found the link to this article at Tomato Soup Cake on Cloth In The Kitchen where she explains her kitchen cloth laundry system. Very helpful read!
5.
I enjoy reading Chatting At The Sky (as many do - Emily was nominated for a 2008 Weblog Award for Best Small Blog), and in the comments on her post on stories and bokeh, I followed a link to the lovely Dina and A Worthy Life. I enjoyed reading through several of her recent posts, but the one that infected my thoughts for several days was her essay on "my (stayathome) babe theory." She writes on the "Babe Theory of political movements" and how her choice to be home raising and schooling her children might be a political statement in and of itself. Then, she wonders, if "my own lackadaisical approach to my choice to be home is sabotaging the value of my example." So many great, challenging, thought-provoking ideas on this essay - you must go read it for yourselves. It's made me think quite a bit on the image I present daily - to my daughters, my husbands, my friends, and strangers - and wonder about the impact, or more correctly, the non-impact my choices are making on those around me.
6.
Several of you have emailed in the time since I started my Lent fast from comments and site stats. Nearly every email contained some kind of apology in advance in case emailing somehow caused me to break my Lent fast. Truly, it does not. The purpose of this fast was never to cut off communication between myself and my readers and friends. For me, the fasting from comments is merely a response to the problem that builds in my heart from time to time regarding comments on a post. I get to the point of seeking acceptance and affirmation in the response of readers. A carefully crafted post that receives very little feedback can send me into a funk. Another post that might be deluged with comments (and for me, anything over ten comments is a virtual flood!), and I'll soar with giddiness. I know that for me, this should not be. I am accepted by my Heavenly Father because of who I am in my Beloved, my Savior (see Ephesians 1:6), not because of the number of comments a transitory blog post might receive. I am affirmed in my worth because of the work of the Cross, not because of receiving X number of hits on any given day. Refocusing my thoughts on this truth - this is the path of this fast. If you feel led to email, please do without any guilt. I'd be thrilled to "talk."
7.
Jenn's baby girl is here and she is gorgeous! Glory to God for the gift of new life, and for the power of being open to life.
Enjoy the weekend, friends. Read the Quick Takes of others here today.
