ND GOP Convention

Eric and I were delegates at our state GOP convention, held the last weekend in March of 2012.  This was my first time and it was quite an experience.   I can say that it has inspired me to be even more involved in the politics of our state and that I’d like to serve as a delegate in the future.

A very close friend, and someone both my husband and I admire, ran for the US Congress.  His bid was not successful this year.  He and his wife are pretty amazing, though.  Their perspective is that this is God’s will.  In my opinion, ND voters are missing out on an upstanding man of conscience, moral character, and strong family values who would have represented ND well in Washington.  The field of candidates in this race was strong… many states could only hope for candidates of this quality.

Dash served as a Page during the convention.  The rest of the kids were able to hang out with good friends and relatives.  My parents attended, as well, but there was little time for visiting.  I was surprised at how many people I knew, who attended the convention as delegates. 

I had planned to take more pictures, but this is what will remind us of this bitter-sweet weekend.

Mmmmm…

I’ve thought about doing this for years, but haven’t ever taken the plunge.  But, at the homeschool convention this past week, this speaker and vendor made it seem easy enough to try (ie. commit!).  I talked with the vendor in the morning and picked up her information.  Then, I proceeded to read and discern about ‘it’ for the rest of the convention.  By the end, I’d made a decision and came home with a two bags filled with the following items…

3 dozen cloth toddler diapers

4 bummi waterproof covers

12 doublers for night time use

1 pkg. (includes 2) snappies

 

I’ve always known the economic benefits and environmental benefits, but wasn’t sure I could handle it.  However, I’ve been thinking about this for at least 14 years!!  I’m committed to using 3 cloth diapers each day.  If I do more, that’s great.  If I use less, that’s ok, too.  I was going to try to avoid the ‘poo’ times, but that didn’t happen.  So, I’m now experienced with ‘that’, too.

My husband thinks I’m nuts (the look on his face was pretty much priceless!) and I haven’t shared my adventurous purchase news with anyone else, yet.  Eric was happy to hear that he wouldn’t be held to using them, nor would we be bringing them on trips.

So far, the HE front load washer has done a good job.  One wash left the diapers without smell, which surprised me.  I’d heard that front loads wouldn’t wash the diapers well with only one wash and you’d waste more water, thus cutting your savings.

Louis has ventured into potty training, so I hope that by August, when the new baby arrives, he will have mastered the skill and only need diapering at night.  Cloth diapers also help in training, or so I’ve read and heard.  Based on how this experience goes, I may commit to making a purchase for the new baby.  Only time will tell.

Just Stuff

The ultrasound shows baby is growing well and pretty much confirms the due date I had in mind.  Of course, with me, you can add at least a week!  I pray the summer is mild.  While in Fargo, I also ate lunch with a friend (Mrs. No!) at the Cajun Café and we chatted away the afternoon.  It was indulgent and wonderful – almost felt guilty, it being Lent.

Within the last year, three blogs I read have decided to close up shop.  That certainly does narrow down the reading pool, and I just haven’t found anything to replace their wit, humor and faith.  Sad to see them go, but blogging is a personal choice and we each have our own reasons for ‘putting ourselves out here.’

It is appearing likely that my youngest, Louis, has some pretty serious allergies.  So far, the reactions have been to raw soybeans and tree nuts (even trace amounts).  Thankfully I will be able to get him in to see our physician – who is very difficult to see on short notice because he’s in high demand! – within a week.  I’m not sure how much, at this point, our lives will need to be amended.  I can tell you it makes me thankful we are more isolated from group functions and that we homeschool, but I’m not quite sure how to handle the group functions we do attend.  After the past three weeks, my perception of his reactions/symptoms is heightened and I’ve become much more observant.  I’ve found that it’s certainly easy to ignore my allergies, but not quite so easy to ignore them in my child.

Dash is visiting my parents this week.  He brought schoolwork along, and my mom is a true blessing for volunteering to give us some time apart.  Dash was in Minot on Monday for the State FFA crop judging contest.  My mom attended the awards ceremony  and picked him up afterwards .  He received a bronze ribbon for his efforts.  A good reward for his first state FFA meet.

I was able to attend the ND Homeschool Convention on Friday this past week.  I truly enjoyed the two workshops I attended.  One of my favorite vendors, Miller Pad & Paper, was not present.  Although a bit disappointed, I hope they’ll be at the MN Catholic Convention this summer so I can stock up.  A homeschooling friend from the area and I went to lunch and before we knew it 1.5 hours has flown by!  So much to talk about when we don’t see each other often.  She has five boys and I gleaned some good ideas from her during our chat.

The Next Dirt Bike King?

 

The post title is a joke in our family.  When my brother Doug was about Zeke’s age, my mom taped him talking about his dirt bike.  It’s cute and hilarious.  Doug suggested that we get my mom’s first aid kit she used on all my brothers… thought we might need it.

So, here is Zeke on his motorized bike – his birthday present.  He hugged Eric at least twice and has ridden every day.  Thankfully he can pull start it himself.  It doesn’t go fast, but that’s perfect for our first timer.

Fire south of our home

I’ve been meaning to post these pics since mid-February… guess it’s been a tad busy around here.  Anyway, this grass fire started a couple miles south of our home/farm.  Angelina and I left for dance and when we came back, this is what we saw.  Very thankful the wind was blowing East and not North! 

Wordless Wednesday