Back.

I know that I spent a long time away... Life has a way of making you busy.

But I've been feeling the need to start blogging again. It was either make a new one, or bring this one back to life. I didn't feel it would be right to abandon this one, especially with all the context it has. So here we are again.

We are starting a new life here in Ohio. We moved from California to here in October. My husband is finishing his term with the Navy and we came back home where he is going to school to culinary school, my husband wants to open a restaurant someday. As of right now I'm not working, but going back and forth on the idea. Plus questioning if our family will afford this luxury or not. We are close to family again, and it feels like we're reconnecting. There is one family member missing from the picture though...

On September 29th my dad was killed on the job by a "suspected" drunk driver. My dad had worked this job for over 23 years, knowing the dangers. I got the call around 430 in the morning, and it shattered my world. I haven't seen my dad since my son was 9 months old... now he's just over 3. I hadn't spoken to him in a few days either, which was usual for us because we both would find ourselves busy often. I traveled by plane with both kids to come home for funeral arrangements and to be with my family. The things I witnessed when I got here have me shocked... But there is another time to go into all of that. Now we live on the side of town where my dad lived. Places trigger memories I have of him quite often. It's hard to cope with the loss of someone special and deal with everything else.

Our house is still in the finishing stages of putting together. There is still more organizing to do. Our last home was bigger than this one, and we've had to downsize and clean out on some things. My husband started school. Austin is 3 years old and Peyton is 20 months old, they are growing so quickly.

Anyways. That's where I'm going to leave off for the day.

- Rayne.

The Return .

Obviously I abandoned my blog for quite some time. Unfortunately, life kind of just happens.

We have been done with deployment for a while now. The end total was 270 days.
He was home just before our daughter's first birthday. How great is that?

Life is busy. And we've all adjusted to changes.

It's late right now, and the children are asleep.
I'm thinking maybe I should take the opportunity to rest as well.

I'll need to update this at another date.
For now, goodnight.

Macaroni & Cheerio Artwork (& mail report)

Here is a look at our macaroni and cheerio artwork we did today. AWS found it to be fun for the most part. He liked to squirt the glue onto the cardboard most of all... He'd say "squeeeeeze!". And he nibbled on cheerios during.

 The finished product, proudly displayed on our refrigerator. (:

Also. Received some "fluff mail" today.

2 diapers from Alva: one b&w polka dot print minky fabric, the other a funky blue, yellow, black, & white design, a wet bag in green, and 20 new inserts for doubling & stash - 10 MF/10 Pure 3 layer bamboo ones.

So when the new Sunbaby prints are available in size 2, I will only "have" to buy the covers. (:

And this is our shoe rack I bought for a table top drying rack for diapers - it's expandable too.

I also received my biodegradable/flushable liners, and diaper sprayer today. The diaper sprayer... I had a little problem installing and managed to break the metal piping...... Heh. Hopefully when maintence comes to repair that tomorrow, I can find a way to make the sprayer work with our set up. Otherwise I'll have to send it back to get a different one. 

- Rayne.

Shaving Cream For Play.

I purchased some cans of shaving cream at a dollar store the other day.. Today we decided to bring them out for play. We used one of the storage bins we had around the house... We tried to keep most of the mess contained in it, but that didn't happen the entire time. 

 Even Peyton explored the new substance... and tried to eat it... did eat it.

And then I told AWS he could get into the container if he wanted to... 

It provided entertainment for him for suitable period of time.
Fun was had, as you can tell. 


- Rayne.

Looking Into Our Cabinets: Cleaners.

In efforts to make our home into a "greener" home & environment we've eliminated most unnecessary cleaners and whatnot.


Here is a look at what you will find in our cabinets. 

This is our cabinet (out of the reach of little hands too, OF COURSE!). 

Starting with the bottom shelf you will find: SOS pads for dishes, a couple essential oils, Borax, vinegar&water&EO solution for cleaning, carpet spray (I use that for quick messes by animals), two types of green cleaners, window cleaner I'm using up, a handful of "smell good" sprays, air in a can for electronics, a spray bottle of Clorox, homemade dishwasher detergent behind that, a couple different dish liquids, and the last of some cheapo dishwasher tabs I'm using up.

The top shelf: in the basket there are various items like pads for the Swifter wet jet, the covers for our steam mop, sponges, magic erasers, and more. In the reusable bag there are plastic bags from the grocery store (just downsized from a lot more we did have). And trash bags.

Our laundry cabinet (also out of reach from "littles"), on the bottom shelf you find: a basket filled with fabric softener sheets& a couple detergent and product sample packs, All Free&Clear in bulk for dipes & everyday washes, All with Oxi for everyday washes (we're finishing up), Oxi Clean, and a fabric roller.

The top shelf: laundry bag, washable mesh bags, Clorox bleach (rarely used), Vinegar (I buy in big bottles and use for multiple tasks!), and some liquid starch (bought for making silly putty). 

Edit: I use vinegar for a lot of my cleaning. It works for cleaning different surfaces, windows, floors, carpet solution... so much. The smell is tolerable. And less potent with water. Or I add some essential oils for smell & disinfectant. 


I'm still working on using what I have and downsizing our chemicals and cleaners. 

- Rayne.