An Important Milestone

Well, maybe not super important, but I have realized that this September marks five years that I have either:

Been pregnant
Nursing
Both at the same time.

Wow...that is quite a lot! If God sees fit to bless me with anymore children anytime soon, that time will be extended even longer.

Wednesday's Walgreens Trip

I am still on a school supplies kick, and of course this is the best time of year to get that kind of stuff. It's way overpriced any other time of year. Here's how it breaks down:

3 10 count Crayola markers, .99 ea. with Wags coupon

2 Elmers glue sticks and 1 Elmers glue .79 ea. with Wags coupon

3 boxes Kraft mac n cheese, .69 ea. with Wags coupon

I also had a $1 RR to use as well

My total cost for this trip was $6.80.

We are pretty much set for school supplies now, which weren't really bad to begin with, since Elijah is only going to be starting preschool. I will really have to work for deals in a few more years, when both kids will be in school!

Saturday Shopping Trip at Walgreens

I got everything in this picture, plus another box of watercolors, for 9.08! It breaks down as follows:

-24 count Crayola crayons $1-$1RR = 0

-10 count Crayola markers .99

-2 Crayola watercolors 2/$3 with Wags coupon

-2 Crayola colored pencils 2/$3 with Wags coupon

-2 Kotex on sale 2/$5- a 1/1.50 catalina stacked with a 2/$2 coupon

Brand Loyaly

I still coupon quite a bit, trying to get the things my family needs either for very cheap or even for free. I have learned that you cannot be brand loyal to save the most money. However, there are a few select items that I will only buy a particular brand, even if it means paying more for them. I still try to stock up if that item is on sale, but won't go with something else even if it is cheaper.

Brands I am loyal to:

Huggies Wipes
I have tried other brands, including generics, none are as thick or as high quality. For generics, I have use more wipes to clean each mess, so I actually come out ahead just buying the Huggies wipes in the first place.

Finish Quantum Dishwasher Tabs
These get the dishes cleaner and shinier than any other detergent or tabs I've tried. They are pricey, but I use coupons and watch the sales to stock up. I will never use anything else in the dishwasher again, even if I have to pay full price. The Quantum tabs have never left behind any food residue or spots, so they are worth it!


Jon Frieda Frizz-Ease Conditioner
I recently bought this only because I had coupons plus there was a great gift card deal for it at Target. Turns out it is great for my hair! I have very thick, coarse, curly hair, and this product does a lot to tame the "frizz halo" that I seem to constantly have.

Stuff I don't care what brand it is:

Paper Products
I use washable towels in the kitchen about 75% of the time. For really gross stuff I will use paper towels, but I use less than one roll a month. So it doesn't really matter what kind, as long as they are cheaper than the rest. Bathroom tissue doesn't matter either, as long as it is two-ply.

Laundry Detergent
If I can get a great deal, it is formulated for HE washers, and I like the scent, it's fine.

Disposable Razors
If I pay less than $1.00 a pack using coupons and sales, those are what I buy.

Body Wash/Soap
If I can get it free or under $1, and it smells OK, it's fine.

Too Traditional or Not Traditional Enough?

I really hate labels, most of the time. One thing I have noticed on the internet is that various adjectives are used to label the type of Catholic someone is. For example: "He is a liberal Catholic, she is a cultural Catholic, I am a traditional Catholic" and on and on. I notice these adjective are most often used in a pejorative sense when refering to someone else, but used in a positve light when refering to one's self.

And amidst all of this I wonder, "Where do I fit in?"

There are various factions on the internet and in real life-although I haven't met any in real life, they obviously exist- that believe that a traditional Catholic does certain things. Traditional Catholics only attend Mass in the Extrordinary Form, receive Communion on the tongue only. The list gets longer if you happen to be a traditional Catholic woman. Traditional Catholic women only ever skirts or dresses, always cover their heads at Mass, never work outside the home, homeschool their children, etc, etc, etc.

Some of these things I already do. Many of these things I aspire to do, but can't because of my life's circumstances. I believe in everything our holy Church teaches and strive every day to follow those teachings to the best of my ability. I try to live the life that Jesus wants me to live. I attend Mass every Sunday, but I go to the Ordinary Form, the nearest EF is nearly an hour away, and only offered once a month at that location. My parish does a good job of presenting what the Church teaches, not just glossing over it, and the Masses are reverent. I receive Communion on the tongue only. I go to Confession once a month, more often if I need it.

I don't say this to brag, but to make a point. In some circles, what I am doing would STILL not be good enough, I would be written off as lost. Why? Well, I don't wear skirts or dresses all the time (to Mass, yes, otherwise no), I don't cover my head at Mass (mostly too self-conscious, I would be the only woman in my parish doing this and it would really stand out). I work outside the home, I have to, we are a working class family. I won't be able to homeschool, and may even have to send my children to public school because of finances. I am also in a mixed marriage.

I also want to clarify that many tradtional Catholics realize that many of these practices, such as skirts only and head covering are personal practices that help them feel closer to God. That's great, personal devotions are very important, and I have nothing but respect for those who practice them and are humble about it. But, there is another segment who let judgement sound out loud and clear that I must not be serious about my faith if I don't follow ALL of the various personal devotions. That because I wear pants or don't cover my head or plan on homeschooling my children or work outside the home I am not really, truly Catholic. It doesn't matter that I truly believe that Jesus is present in the Eucharist, body, blood, soul, and divinity. It doesn't matter that I feel handing my Faith down to my children is of extreme importance to me. It doesn't matter that I reject the secular world's contraceptive mentality and choose to follow what the Church teaches in that regard.

So, I end this post full circle right back where I started it. Where DO I fit in? I don't feel like I would be accepted by those who self-identify as "traditional" nor do I in any way fit in with those who cherry pick what the Church teaches or want it to change. I guess I will do my best to make my own way and keep searching for the Truth.

"You Guys Are Living On the Edge!"

"You're REALLY living on the edge..."

This was the reply I got when I told an individual that we are letting God plan the size of our family and not doing anything to limit the number of children He gives us. For the time being, at least, I believe in trusting God's grace and that He will not give us more than we can handle. In, the future, if our health or financial situation dictates, we will consider NFP for a time.

The very, very few times I have disclosed this to people, they look at me as if I have taken leave of my senses. My statement that we follow the Church's teaching on the use of contraceptives and spacing of births is met with shock or even people being threatened by our stance. Assumptions are then made that we will change our mind, or we will end up having ten children. Well, after almost six years of marriage, we have only two. It will probably be a while before another is on the way, due to the fact that Gabe still nurses ALOT, which surpresses my fertility even more than usual.

I didn't realize I was being so subversive! Children are a blessing, not a liabiltiy.

Happy Father's Day, Honey!

I just want to wish my husband a happy father's day. You are the best dad to our boys, and I love you for it!