7 Quick Takes

1. Thanks to all who followed and left comments on my "This be I" series of posts this week. It was labor intensive, soul-revealing and even a bit cathartic for me. I appreciate the encouragement and it spurred me on throughout the week as I strove to get it all written down in black and white.

2. These came in an early birthday package from my mom and dad this week. Can you guess what they are?



Mom said she was sending something packed with love. I couldn't have been more thrilled when I shook the packing peanuts off of these bubble-wrapped capsules of homemade goodness.



Mmm...applesauce from the fruits of trees on the family homestead. I can't tell you how sweet it tastes to sample something made by the hands of my parents who are three states away. Happy birthday to me!

3. You know you're a grown up when you buy your first pair of sensible shoes.

It happened to me this week. I broke down and bought new shoes this week -- expensive shoes. As soon as I slipped them on, I knew these Danish clogs would be worth every cent.

I've spent years buying cheap, cute shoes and living in mostly flip-flops. Now, especially with all of the extra weight I'm carrying, I decided a good pair of shoes would be an investment in not only the health of my feet, but also my knees and lower back.

The best part is that because I married a man who sold women's shoes all through high school, my husband didn't gasp when I told him how much they cost.

He simply said: "You can't put a price on good shoes."

I love that man!

4. I've started re-reading my favorite childbirth books to prepare for December. It's amazing how my memory of the pain and overwhelming emotions associated with C's birth have blocked my recollection of the triumphs associated with his delivery.

Reading Dr. Sears, Pam England and Dr. Bradley again is empowering.

These sources reminded me that I have a lot of tools at my disposal that have kept me out of the path of c-sections and epidurals in the past, and if I rely on them again, I'll be able to have another successful crack at natural childbirth.

I'd love to hear what natural childbirth books inspired or empowered you. I've still got a little time left to read up.

5. Cute things my tiny 2-year-old son said to me this week:

While L, C and I colored print-outs of fairies and sharks on the living room floor, C glanced over at my growing mid section and said: "The baby still in your belly, Mama?"



On Wednesday, C and I ducked out of L's dance class for a cookie and cold drinks at a cafe next door to the studio.

He climbed up in a chair across the table from me and we broke the cookie into pieces and we started chatting.

I asked him to tell me about his favorite part of the day.

He said: "Bible study."

My heart swelled. Just two weeks after we both sobbed on our first try at separating for our two-hour weekly Bible study program, he not only tolerates it, but he likes it.

6. Do you wear mineral make-up?

I just submitted my latest order to here now. My long-time friend, K, recommended this company to me a while back with the lure of free samples. They still offer the free samples, which is great when you're trying to figure out which shades look best on your skin.

Plus, this stuff wears great and is cheap, cheap! I ordered foundation, concealer, tinted lip balm and a three-pack blush sample (these will last at least six months for me) with shipping for $27.

7. I'll be scarce around these parts for the next week, while we take a family vacation across the Southwest. We're driving to the Land of Enchantment to catch part of this event, eat our fill of this and to soak up time with N's family. I'm planning on gaining at least three more pounds this week.

Bring on the open road!

Oh, and for more quick takes, visit these folks.