Life of a Barefoot MomLady

I Don't Usually Do This...

2009-12-16T11:21:00.004-05:00

I don't usually blog about giveaways, but for a chance to win a laptop? Yeah, I'm blogging about it.

MomSpark is holding a giveaway for an HP Pavilion dm3 laptop. Can you say "Merry Christmas!"?

What would happen if I defied the odds and actually won it? Oh my...

I'd be able to put some real time into this blog.

I'd be able to visit and comment on other blogs.

I could connect more with other moms.

I could find a sense of community, and my place in it.

I could stop feeling so completely cut-off and alone living way out here in the boonies.

I could help my husband turn our dreams of a home-based business into a reality.

And I could do it all from the comfort of my living room floor, in my pajamas, while I'm playing with the little ones. ;)

So if you want to crush my dreams, go ahead and enter to win it yourself. And then come back here, look my children in the eyes and you explain why Mommy's crying her eyes out.

Every Single Day

2009-12-13T08:00:00.002-05:00

When people find out that I've given birth at home, they usually all say the same thing. "Wow, you're a brave woman!"

Here's a secret: I'm not brave.

The truth is, I have a list of fears that could stretch for a mile. Things like:

Fear of harm coming to my children
Fear of losing my husband
Fear of not being able to pay our bills
Fear of public speaking
Fear of rejection
Fear of being a bad mom
Fear of failing at anything I've never done before

But did you know that God's Word says "Do not fear" 365 different times? One time for every day of the year.

Every. Single. Day.

Obviously, God knew that I'd need a daily reminder.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." -John 14:27

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Christmas with Toddlers

2009-12-08T23:14:00.003-05:00

Christmas with toddlers means....

...you only decorate the TOP half of the tree.

For more WW, go here and here.

It's Nowhere Near Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

2009-12-07T09:23:00.004-05:00

I've lost count of the number of friends I have on Twitter that have exclaimed with glee that they're getting snow. I'm jealous, people. Seriously jealous.

I ask you, how am I supposed to get into the Christmas spirit when my front yard still looks like this??

I grew up in Kansas, where winter could start as early as October 15th some years. My big girls were just old enough to remember sledding and playing in the snow on our last Christmas there before we moved, and it has been mentioned repeatedly every year since. "Remember the Christmas when it snowed..."

So here's my Christmas wish: snow. Just a little snow for Christmas. It doesn't have to be a blizzard or anything, it doesn't even have to stick around for longer than one day. Just enough to cover the mud and turn my yard into a winter wonderland.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

I Thought About It

2009-12-03T17:20:00.000-05:00

My husband is home, enjoying a rare day off, which means I get a semi-day off. With the four oldest children (so hard to think of a 2-year old and a 4-year old as being part of the "oldest"!) working outside with Daddy, and Mary amusing herself beside me, I have an unknown amount of time, more or less, to myself.

What on earth should I do?!?

Well, I thought about it. Hmmmm...

I thought about how I could take Mary into the living room with me and get some laundry folded.

Booooriiiing.

I thought about getting busy organizing our newly-designated office (formerly the Big Girls' bedroom).

Ummm, no.

I thought about ignoring the mess, sitting down at my desk and trying to come up with a new post for my blog.

And I actually started to, but then I thought about it.

I thought about what a beautiful day it was outside. Surely there won't be too many more of these to take advantage of, even if we do live in the South.

I thought about the fun I could be having with my family, instead of holing up inside being a computer geek.

I thought about which I'd rather have, "me" time or "us" time.

And I thought about the fact that, though I see my children every day, how often do I get a chance to actually watch them?

Because, let's face it, they don't stay little for long.

I Saw Jesus in my Dinner Rolls

2009-12-01T09:25:00.000-05:00

Last week I got the notion in my head that I wanted to make more of our Thanksgiving dinner from scratch than I usually do. I've been baking my own pies for years now, I'm back in the swing of making mashed potatoes, and I've got a killer sweet potato casserole that I whip up every year. This year, something was compelling me to try my hand at dinner rolls.

I've baked bread before, plenty of times, but I've never attempted dinner rolls, so I searched around online for some ideas. I couldn't believe my luck when I found a video of a professional chef giving step-by-step instructions for an easy recipe. (Perfect for a visual learner like me!) I watched it several times, carefully making notes, until I was sure I knew what I was going to do. (And I left the window with the video open on my computer...just in case.)

I assembled my ingredients and utensils, just like a good little chef, and got down to measuring and mixing. After twenty minutes, and several trips back to the computer, I ended up with a seriously sticky, completely unworkable lump of muck. With a lot of misgiving, I added more flour, got a semblance of dough, and tried to knead it and let it rise.

After an hour, I still had a seriously sticky, completely unworkable lump of muck.

On the verge of total discouragement, I threw out the mess, cleaned up, sat back down at my computer and tweeted the following: "First attempt at dinner rolls was an unmitigated disaster. If my 2nd attempt doesn't turn out, I'm going with store-bought."

It didn't take long for two of my favorite twitter friends to answer my cry of distress. First, Heather replied with an encouraging "Don't give up, you can do it!" And then Marye, the most expert chef I'll ever know, offered to walk me through it with whatever advice she could share.

So, I tried again. And, with a lot of anxiety on my part, the dinner rolls turned out beautifully. So beautifully, in fact, that they were the biggest hit of my entire dinner.

And that's when I saw Jesus in my dinner rolls.

I was compelled to try something I've never done before.
God calls us to step out of our comfort zone in service for Him.

Despite my preparation and effort, my first attempt failed.
Through trials and failings, God teaches us perseverance.

I shared my troubles with others and received help and encouragement.
We are called to be one body. No one can go it alone.

The hardest thing brought the most joy and the greatest reward.
Jesus gave his life for all. His sacrifice redeemed us, that we may all have life eternal with him.

And I can't think of anything I could be more thankful for than that.

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - The Next Food Network Star

2009-11-25T11:17:00.004-05:00

Or at the very least, I've got a kitchen helper for Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Enjoy your blessings!

For more WW, go here and here.

Happy Birthday Little Man!

2009-11-19T10:35:00.001-05:00

Four years ago today, I gave birth to my one and only son.

Benjamin was my first homebirth. I couldn't have hoped for a smoother labor and delivery, and I can't imagine a more beautiful way for a child to enter the world than the way Ben did, surrounded by his loving family.

Such a happy baby...

...that quickly grew...

...into a happy little toddler.

Eager to explore the world...

...thoughtful, kind and sweet...

...he's always ready with a hug...

...and a smile.

Happy birthday to the happiest, sweetest four year old I know!

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Peekaboo

2009-11-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

Mary has reached that stage of holding herself up on her arms and peeking over the edge of the bassinet.

"Peekaboo, Sis, I see you!"

For more Wordless Wednesday, check out 5 Minutes for Mom.
For more Wordful Wednesday, stop by Seven Clown Circus.

Thankfulness, Day 5 - God Has Plans

2009-11-05T23:45:00.004-05:00

Today has been an especially difficult day. Not for myself so much as it was for my husband.

When he finally got home tonight, after yet another 12-hour long day, he felt so defeated, so downcast...it nearly broke my heart.

My eternal optimist. My can-do guy. The one who never gives up, who never quits.

He was almost ready to throw in the towel.

I can't pretend to know why everything in our lives has been so hard lately. I don't know when or how it's ever going to get any better.

But God does.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." -Jeremiah 29:11

And I'm so, so thankful for that.

WW - The Men In Her Life

2009-11-03T21:10:00.000-05:00

To remind myself of all the good things in my life, I'm posting something I'm thankful for every day this month.

Today, I'm thankful for the men in Mary's life.

I'm thankful that she has a father who loves his family as much as my husband does. He works long hours and often goes without a day off. But for as hard as he works to support us, he's never too tired to help me around the house or spend quality time with his children. I love the example he's setting for our children of what a husband and father should be.

I'm thankful that she has a big brother like Benjamin. He loves to hold her, and always remembers her (and the rest of his sisters) in his prayers. I have no doubt that he'll be a strong, protective, and supportive presence for her through the years.

Who are you thankful for today?

(For more WW, visit here and here!)

30 Days of Thanks - Day 2

2009-11-02T23:36:00.002-05:00

Seeing as I'm writing this with less than half an hour before the day is officially over, I'll keep it short and sweet.

I'm thankful for the end of Daylight Savings Time.

Now that the clocks have (finally!!) gone back an hour, my sweet little Mary went to sleep before midnight.

Hallelujah.

30 Days of Thanks - Day 1

2009-11-01T21:57:00.002-05:00

Jen at One Moms World tweeted that she's challenging herself to post something she's thankful for every day this month. I love this idea, so I'm ~~stealing~~ borrowing it for myself because 1) I need to remind myself more of all that I have to be thankful for, and 2) I'd like to get back to regular posting and this would be a great way to do it.

So, here we go. Day 1.

Today I'm thankful that October is over.

Wait, let me put a more positive spin on that.

I'm thankful for the beginning of another month. Truthfully, October was a rough month for us in the Barefoot household. Broken appliances, car repairs, unexpected expenses, and minor injuries all added up to even more stress on top the stress we've already been living under. But today, the first of November, gives me a new chance.

A new chance for things to turn around.

A new chance to take a deep breath and try again.

A new chance to hope.

What new chances are you thankful for today?

Wordless/Wordful Wednesday - Sisters

2009-10-24T10:30:00.009-04:00

When Mary was born, her older siblings couldn't wait to meet her. Except for Sarah. Whether it was jealousy or just the ambivalence of a two year old, I'll never know. As far as Sarah was concerned, Mary simply did not exist.

In the past few weeks, though, I've noticed Sarah acknowledging Mary as part of her family. At first it was a random, occasional kiss on the head. A few days later, she reached over to pat her little sister on the back while I was burping her. The other night, she laid down to start playing with her.

Someday, hopefully, they will be the best of friends. They'll share each other's joys and heartaches, and be there for each other with support, encouragement, laughter and hugs. (And probably chocolate and coffee. They are my daughters after all.)

Right now, they're just beginning to learn that they are sisters.

For more WW, go here and here.

Not So Bad

2009-10-23T15:35:00.003-04:00

Warning: The following was written by a sleep-, caffeine-, chocolate-, romance-deprived woman. It could get ugly.

I've wracked my brain trying to come up with a light, whimsical way to write about the past two weeks, but let's face it...I'm no Jane Austen. (And did Jane Austen ever write while overcoming post-partum depression? No, I don't think so.)

So, the past two weeks have been one disaster after another. The list of things broken, replaced, or repaired include a television, an ice maker, my husband's toe, the toilet, the van, the heating system in the house...and oh yeah, the van again. (Can you hear the Hee Haw Quartet singing, "If it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all..."?)

Our meager-but-valiantly-trying-to-grow savings account has officially been wiped out.

And there's an entire bag of dark chocolate Dove in my cabinet, taunting me. But since Mary still gets tummyaches at my least little ingestion of chocolate, I'm not having any. It's hard, I tell you. So very hard.

Is it too inappropriate for a forty-year old woman to throw herself down, beat her hands and feet against the floor and cry, "It's not fair!!!" ? Yeah, I thought so too.

But I know I have a lot to be thankful for, even when I want to scream from the frustration of it all. (Not that it would help, because then I'd still have to deal with everything AND I'd have a sore throat.)

Because looking at these faces? Life's not so bad after all.

Wordless (Wordful) Wednesday - Like a Bug in a Rug

2009-10-06T22:56:00.003-04:00

For now, Mary's favorite part about bathtime seems to be getting dried off.

For more WW, go here and here.

Top Ten Tuesday - Things I'll Do Someday

2009-10-06T12:02:00.003-04:00

Someday, when my little ones are older, there are some things I'd like to do (or get back to doing).

1. Go to bed before midnight. (Unless, of course, I just really want to stay up late...though I can't imagine why.)

2. Exercise regularly. (Granted, I run up and down the stairs about 20 times a day now, but I'm thinking it might take a little more than that to get myself down to the size I want to be.)

3. Have one glass of water all to myself. (There must be some magnetic quality about the drinking water around here that attracts children under the age of five. Seriously, the minute I pour myself a glass they come swarming.)

4. Eat dark chocolate. (Can't have any while I'm nursing Mary. Don't you feel sorry for me?)

5. Have a glass of wine with my husband after a romantic dinner. (See #4.) (And when would we ever get a chance to have a romantic dinner now anyway??)

6. Go camping. (Until I'm sure that none of my children would wake up in the middle of the night and wander off, it ain't happenin'.

7. Start crocheting again. (I used to crochet lovely little doilies, but when are my hands empty enough? Not to mention, my two year old likes to run off with my balls of yarn.)

8. Play the piano again. (Another "See #4" subject. Have you ever tried to play "Claire de Lune" while twenty other fingers are banging away on your keyboard? It doesn't work. Trust me.)

9. Learn to knit. (See #7.)

10. Update/Redesign my blog. (I love the way my blog looks, but I really need a new header at the very least. Seriously, do I think I'm ever going to be pregnant again? No. No. No.)

(Want to see more Top Tens? Check out Oh Amanda!)

How about you? Are there things you'd like to do that you're putting off until your babies get bigger?

(And are you as obsessed with parantheses as I am?)

Wordless (and Wordful) Wednesday - Swingin' on a Sunday Afternoon

2009-09-30T00:15:00.001-04:00

September is...

Sisters sitting on a swing...

...sharing smiles on a Sunday afternoon.

For more WW, click here and here.

Cuteness Overload

2009-09-28T09:48:00.003-04:00

Caution: The following video contains an overwhelming abundance of cuteness. Viewer discretion is advised.

You were warned.

It Never Fails

2009-09-24T20:46:00.004-04:00

How is it that when I finally think of something to write about, I have no time to do it? And when I finally get the time, I can't remember any of it?

Well, you know what they say...the more you have to blog about, the less time you have to do it.

(I'll probably think of plenty to write about later...oh, say around three in the morning.)

(Sigh.)

Wordless (Wordful) Wednesday - Laid Back Chillin'

2009-09-23T07:30:00.001-04:00

My 15 year old genuinely enjoys hanging out with her baby sister...

...and I love seeing the bond between them grow.

(For more WW click here and here.)

Bumps and Bruises

2009-09-22T18:05:00.003-04:00

As I was enjoying a tiny bit of peace and quiet this morning while I nursed Mary, my mind started wandering around (as it's prone to do when given the chance) and I found myself thinking how incredibly lucky I've been that my children don't seem to injure themselves as much as I did when I was young.

I remember one time, I couldn't have been more than four years old, when I was playing "Ballerina Gymnast" on my front porch. I decided to perform what should've been an amazing and graceful combination leap/pirouette from the porch to the lawn. Of course, it didn't come off quite the way I pictured it, and I somehow ended up with a cut on my forehead. The thing I remember most was lying in bed that night with a bandage on my forehead and thinking that if I took the bandage off you could probably see my brain and how nasty it would be if my brain got dirty. The mind of a four year old, huh?

I haven't really had to much use for Band-Aids in the Barefoot household yet (knock on wood). I have a feeling that will change as my son gets older and bolder, though.

I wonder, though, if my big girls have missed out on something by not getting those childhood bumps and bruises. Have I overprotectively shielded them too much? Is there a crucial piece of character development that comes from coping with the pain of minor accidents?

On the other hand, if this is the sort of thing I think up in the wee small hours of the morning, maybe it's a good thing I don't let my mind wander around too much.

Fifteen Years, Infinite Smiles

2009-09-21T12:50:00.004-04:00

We're celebrating my daughter's fifteenth birthday today. Fifteen years of laughter, love, and silliness.

Happy birthday, my darling girl. Keep smiling.

Wordless Wednesday - We're An American Band

2009-09-16T13:29:00.003-04:00

Music is a very important part of the Barefoot household.

As If My Life Wasn't Crazy Enough...

2009-09-14T10:41:00.002-04:00

My life of late is pretty crazy. Consider the following:

My baby is six weeks old today.
My husband is ecstatic that the baby is six weeks old. (Think about it.)
Now that my "maternity leave" is over, I need to start up homeschool again with my 14 year-old and 12 year-old daughters.
My 14 year-old turns 15 in one week. 'Nuff said.
My 3 year-old son will be 4 in November. He knows his numbers, colors and some letters. I should start schooling him, too.

Sound like I've got enough going on? Any sane person would think so, but not me. Oh no, I've decided that now, amidst all the rest of this, is the time to start potty-training my 2 year-old daughter. At this very moment, she's prancing about the living room enjoying her temporary freedom from clothing.

Go ahead, tell me I'm insane. I do.