I realize that we are in a new place and chapter in our lives. Moving to Houston is a drastic change. Especially for two small town, country folk, like ourselves! Oh, how I miss the simple, country life. Long for it, desire it. I am thankful that both our parents still live in the country. We have a haven to retreat to when things get a little hectic. The fresh air, green grass, slow pace, front porch swings and horse watching! Everything makes sense when you are in your element. A Baker doesn't belong at a Butcher Block. But like most of the human race, he will adapt to his surroundings. He may not have what it takes to bake a cake, but he does have different tools and machines to use to create a different masterpiece. He may not have the mental capability to work with "meat", but when you are around it day in and day out, you learn things not in your area of expertise.

I am that Baker. I have been taken out of my element into a totally different place. A place I never thought I would live, much less survive. But like the Baker, I have learned to adapt to the city life. I don't like it. I am still country at heart, but I have learned a few different things here. Spiritual things.

Like the Israelites, even in the desert they were given Quail and Manna to "survive." I am beginning to understand what my Quail and Manna might be. But I do realize that the Quail and Manna were only suppose to be a temporary satisfaction. It was not the ultimate fulfillment of their life. God didn't take them out of bondage just to have Quail and Manna. He took them out of bondage for the Land of Milk and Honey. Quail and Manna were just the "pit stop" of fulfillment. I am in the pit stop of life. After wondering around, I have discovered my temporary satisfaction here. It took a year, but I found it. I guess a year is better than 40!

But this also means the Promise Land must be around the bend. Whether it be next year or 10 years! I must not make this season of quail and manna the ultimate stopping ground. In other words, what I am learning now is not the last level God wants me to go to. There is a Promise Land of levels to reach.

Cloth Diapers!

Well, I took the plunge!!! After a considerable amount of reading and talking to friends about the benefits of cloth diapers, I decided to give them a try. I know I would be investing some money in this, so I didn't want to jump in it not knowing what I was doing! We just started them yesterday. I haven't done too many, because I'm still getting use to them. I do like the patterns, very cute. Plus, once I get the hang of it, I know I will like them. They are practical and so much better for baby.

So things I have read about disposable diapers put me into a state of shock. I had no idea how HARMFUL these things were. Yes, that's right, I said harmful! First off, they are full of toxins, perfumes and chemicals to help absorb more liquid. But because it is really absorbant, the toxins mix with the ammonium in the urine and can cause liver and kidney disease, cancer, suffocation and so much more. They have found that the same chemical in tampons that cause Toxic Shock Syndrome is the same chemical in Diapers. Crazy huh? And that's just the beginning! But the main reason I am doing cloth diapers is because it is better financially. I can use these same diapers on the next babies that come along. It does help potty train fast because the child does not want to sit in a wet cloth for long periods of time like they would a regular diaper.

I really hope it works out. So far so good. I have to tell what happened with the first cloth diaper I tried. I was a little nervous about changing a poopy cloth diaper. Just so happens the first diaper I had to change was a poopy one! Yay for me! Corban was a little unsure about the cloth diapers so he's fussing the whole time. I don't know where to lay the wipes once I'm done wipping! Finally got another diaper on him and he's still crying in one arm with the diaper and wipes in the other! Go to the trash can to throw away the wipes and Corban's pacifier almost falls in the trash. I caught it with the diaper hand. Gross. Thank God nothing touched it. Took Corban, the diaper and pacifier to the bathroom where I atempted to throw the poop away. It goes...PLOP, right on the toilet seat. I put Corban down, go back to the toilet and with paper, push it in the bowl. Flush it away, sanitize the seat, pick Corban up and all is well. What a great first experience.