A Cloth Diaper Review - itti bitti

Awhile ago I was sent a itti bitti diaper to review. The one I got was the Bitti D'lish AIO medium sized. I liked it but I should have requested a larger size for my *big* little guy. : )

This diaper took a bit longer to dry but was a quick and easy diaper to put on and use. It washed wonderfully and fit perfectly on my baby. I was surprised that such a tiny diaper worked so well without any leaks and it never was too tight (legs, tummy, etc.).

I liked how it has so many snaps on the front to be able to make the diaper fit specifically for your baby.

I'm all for organic diapers so I would have been a bit happier it all the interior fabrics were organic on this diapers as it was just the outer fabrics of the soaker pad only that were organic.

This was the first cloth diaper I have ever reviewed and actually tried that was already made. I've always made my own cloth diapers. In comparison to my own diapers I really liked the size of this diaper better, though my baby outgrew it much too fast. What I guess I really liked about it was the shape and of course the convenience of an all in one. At this time I make my own cloth diapers out of all organic fabrics (besides the PUL) and really think it is best for my baby that way.

Overall I think this was a great AIO diaper, easy to use, wash, dry and made mainly from natural materials. You can purchase your own itti bitti diapers at a bunch of online diaper companies from the list here.

*Disclaimer: I was sent the above product from the manufacture for review purposes only. All opinions expressed here are my own. Thank you itti bitti!

If I Perish - Book Review

If I Perish
By Esther Ahn Kim

Ahn E. Sook stood alone among thousands of kneeling people. Her bold defiance of the tyrannical demand to bow to pagan Japanese shrines condemned her to a living death in the filth and degradation of a Japanese prison. This brave woman remained faithful to Christ in the face of brutality, oppression, and ruthlessness of her captors. The story of how she won many of her fellow prisoners to Christ in the most deplorable conditions is an inspiration to all.

ISBN: 978-0-8024-3079-3
Publish date: October, 2001
Page Count: 350
Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.5
Format: Paperback
Weight: .91 LBS

You can read the first chapter here.

*** This book outlines and is a great example of long suffering and faithfulness to the Lord. I enjoyed reading it though I wouldn't recommend it for young children as it does have some explanations of the torture the Christians endured that would be too much for young minds.

It's a wonderful story about hope and trust. Ahn was a Korean Christian school teacher who wouldn't bow to the pagan Japanese shrines. She was on the run for many months before being caught and imprisoned. Ahn E. Sook was imprisoned for her faith and taken to many different horrible prisons during her stay. They fed her spoiled scrapes of food they often called it 'chicken feed'.

She had a wonderful ministry through it all and a determination to never give up on her God and to spread God's sustaining power to as many as possible. Preaching the word of God to her fellow inmates and leading many to the Lord was her goal her entire imprisonment. After her imprisonment she traveled the United States and Europe to share the gospel there with her new husband.

The Lord gave her so many wonderful experiences while in prison. Children adored her and many of the jailers were kind to her (though there were still mean ones). She had the privilege to bring several of her jail mates to the Lord.

It's a hard book but one that will leave a good impression. I look forward to sharing pieces of this wonderful book with others. I pray that what I've learned through this book will build up my relationship with my Lord and the ones I know. A steadfast and faithful heart...

* Disclaimer - I received this book free from Moody Publishers as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Homemade Echinacea Tincture!

I'm started making some Homemade Echinacea Tincture. I'm using the recipe in the FREE eBook you get when you subscribe to Savvy Teas and Herbs (sorry for no link this time - their site is down for maintenance). It's pretty easy and I'm looking forward to the outcome and saving money making my own. After I make this one and if it turns out there are so many others I'd love to make.

I decided to go with an alcohol based tincture as it lasts indefinitely and it extracts the properties out of the herbs the best. Since you use so little and mix it in with juice/water or something I wasn't worried about it either. : )

• I filled a glass quart jar about 1/2 way with the dry herbs. Instructions say to not pack in the herbs.

• Then I filled the jar to within 2 inches of the top with alcohol (I used Vodka)and sealed it.

• Instruction say to store for 3 weeks in a dry, cool place and shake daily.

• After 3 weeks, strain and discard herbs, bottle in a glass container (I bought some amber bottles to put it in) and be sure and label. Keep out of reach of children.

I'll update you all again once it's done and will let you know how it worked! : )

Have you ever made your own tinctures? If so, what herbs did you use, did you like it and did it save you much money? : )

Winner of the SKOY cloths giveaway!

Hi Everyone!

I'm so sorry for not posting this for so long. Our winner for the SKOY Cloths is comment #12

:: Jennifer ::

Congratulations!

Winner has already been notified and confirmed that she received her SKOY cloth!

P.S. I hope to be back to more 'normal' posting soon. Lots have been happening and I've been keeping pretty busy. :)

Comfort from the Scriptures

Last night I was up for a few hours with my little guy teething. I was discouraged and tired - honestly I didn't want to do it, I wanted to go back to sleep until morning. :) For awhile I didn't do anything except rock him and give him some teething homeopathic remedy to help relieve his pain. I then got my phone out and started reading the Bible on it. First I read Proverbs 31, then Philippians, & then the first 4 chapters of Ephesians. No reason for the order just sort of did it. He was resting well by the forth chapter of Ephesians so we both went back in bed. :)

During the time I spent reading several different verses stood out to me and comforted me as I rocked my baby. He wasn't crying though, just awake. He's never cried much with teething.

I found comfort during my discouragement and tiredness in the middle of the night from these scriptures:

She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:27

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God;
Philippians 4:4-6

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Philippians 4:13

But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:4-7

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height -- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Ephesians 3:14-21

I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1-3

Among many others. :)

What scriptures encourage you when your discouraged and tired?

Homemade Natural Stick Deodorant

Do you remember me sharing about my experience making deodorant in March?

Well, it turned out great like I said and I liked it but during the summer months it got way too soft and not convenient at all to use. It made such a mess and spilled all over.

A little while back I was looking for a new recipe and ran across this one. I tried it and it was such a success!

I'm so happy - it's perfect! My husband can use it and has no bad reactions to it and it doesn't melt in the warm whether either.

Yay!

Homemade Natural Stick Deodorant
makes 1 stick worth and a bit more

6 Tbsp coconut oil
3 Tbsp beeswax
3 Tbsp pure shea butter (or cocoa or any firm butter)
3 Tbsp corn starch (non gmo)
3 Tbsp baking soda (make sure to use aluminum free)
2 Tbsp Aloe Powder (I couldn't find this anywhere locally so I left it out and put an extra 1Tbsp of each corn starch & baking soda)
Essential oils as desired (I used 6 drops of Tea Tree essential oil and it could have used more)

1. Melt the beeswax in a double boiler over medium-high heat.
2. Once almost melted, add the coconut oil and cocoa butter and stir frequently until melted.
3. Remove from heat and stir whisk (carefully) in the powders, one at a time until well mixed.
4. Add the essential oils and stir to mix well and promote cooling.
5. Pour into stick container and set in the refrigerator for a few minutes until firm.
6. Move to bathroom counter to let firming process finish. It should be ready within 2 hours or so.

Let me know if you try this and how you like it.

P.S. - Sorry for the break in my posting. We went on vacation for 2 weeks and I thought I'd be able to post while on it but it didn't happen... Now I'm home and getting everything back on schedule...trying to keep my priorities on track. : ) Hope I didn't loose my readers! : )