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Hello from Nebraska! The sun is shining, the wind is blowing, and the last time I blogged a life update was the summer of last year. Much has happened since then, so let’s catch up – shall we?
The Children
Hadassah (turning 4 in August) and Noah (turning 2 in June) are loving the barefoot weather. We just had a picnic outside for lunch yesterday in the sunshine and it was the best thing ever. Much dead grass was accidentally ingested thanks to overturned plates of food.
We never quite know what to wear when we go outside these days. Overall I’d say the winter here was pretty mild compared to Cleveland, OH, where we lived for three years prior to moving to Nebraska, but spring comes and goes. That’s nothing new from Ohio (must be a Midwest thing…btw, how are both OH and NE considered Midwest when they’re 12 hours apart??), but the WIND here is a different story and made us start out the day in winter coats.
I love seeing Hadassah and Noah interacting on a “friends” level more and more. Since the weather has been nice I’ve been sending them out into our fenced-in backyard morning and afternoon to cultivate their independent play skills, and I am happy to report that my strategy is indeed working. The first few days I heard a constant barrage of
“Mom! Mom! Mom!”
with the patio door sliding open every 30 seconds to pleas for swing rides,
but after several days of firmness and repeated explanations that “I will come outside with you after I’m done cleaning up the kitchen,” they are doing a much better job of entertaining themselves and being excited to do so.
Nothing makes my heart happier than seeing little people in bare feet going off on a big explore in the “woods” behind our house, finding treasures, and getting big thrills out of throwing a little red ball in the air.
Personal Projects
I’ve been spending a fair amount of time sewing. I was never much of a seamstress, preferring to train horses or blog or even cook a few meals in exchange for getting my mom to sew for me. Never one to waste time, I rarely unpicked stitches and preferred instead to cultivate a spirit of contentment with things as they are and resolve never to make the same mistake again.
“But have you ever noticed one encouraging thing about me, Marilla? I never make the same mistake twice.”
“I don’t know as that’s much benefit when you’re always making new ones.”
L.M. Montgomery – Anne of Green Gables
But now that I don’t have much time for sewing, I actually enjoy it. Since moving to Nebraska I’ve spent a good deal of time using up my extensive scrap collection piecing quilts, sewing dresses for myself and Hadassah, and catching up on some mending projects (above).
I’ve also been making a concentrated effort to catch up on all the photobooks I’ve wanted to make ever since we got married. Ryan and I met in 2017, so I have a fair amount of catching up to do. Baby books for the children are high on the priority list.
I despise the clunkiness of most photo companies’ photobook design software, so I’ve been using Canva for the design process and will try to find a way to export those pages and print the actual books through a company like Shutterfly when they’re running a good deal. I like that I’ll also be able to download a PDF copy of my design for future digital storage and reference.
This photo reminds me of John Greenleaf Whittier’s “The Barefoot Boy.” I memorized the first ten lines at some point in elementary school and they are still vivid in my memory. Read it here.
Potty Training
I wasn’t planning to try to potty train Noah quite yet, but for awhile I’ve been setting him on the toilet before baths, or when he’s drunk a lot and I’m pretty sure he needs to go. I did this with Hadassah from an early age (9 months) as well, and I liked that she had the concept of what the toilet was for before potty training.
Whaddya know, a few weeks ago he really started talking a lot more – and also started telling me sometimes when he had to go potty, or when he had gone in his diaper. Not wanting to waste this golden window of opportunity and let him get desensitized to what he is obviously feeling, I bit the bullet and officially started potty training two weeks ago.
Noah has been doing so well! It’s a huge help that he will reliably go whenever I set him on the toilet; there was no need to teach him that release since he already had it down. He’s only had one poop accident (the first day), and even that was only a partial accident. We had quite a few wet pants, but those are getting few and far between.
Getting over the potty training hurdle so easily felt like such an unexpected blessing, especially due to what’s coming up in our lives in the next few months. I shall explain more further down…
my little prairie girl
Funny Stuff
Hadassah was describing a bird sitting in a tree.
Me: What color is he?
Hadassah: He’s a daddy bird. He’s Earl Grey.
The opposite of a little bit? A big bit, obviously.
Hadassah, after we passed a shirtless man walking a dog: “Why is people wearing tummies?”
“Laura and Mary, and their Pa and Ma, and their big sisters, and 7 aunts, and 42 cousins hopped along the road to Jericho.”
(bonus points to whomever can guess which three stories Hadassah was effortlessly combining)
Hadassah came to me with a Bandaid across her stomach. “I put it on there so it doesn’t make noises.”
Reading
- 2 Kings
- the Betsy-Tacy series by Maud Hart Lovelace (thanks, Missy)
- The Frugal Gourmet Keeps the Feast (thanks, Gayle Ann)
Frankly not reading as much as I’d like to or should be right now. I’m consuming most of my books via audio. Should those go in “reading” or “listening to”?
Highly recommend some historical novels-that-aren’t-really-novels by Jennifer Chiaverini, namely Resistance Women and Canary Women. If you enjoy history but get tired of gummed-up romantic fiction, these are for you. They stay very true to fact and include just enough fiction to create a believable storyline.
Listening To
- all the Cadfael Chronicles my library has available in audiobook form. I love a good murder mystery featuring a medieval Welsh Benedictine monk detective.
- The Light in Hidden Places – Sharon Cameron
- “You’ll Never Walk Alone/Climb Every Mountain” by the Ringmasters
- “Solveig’s Song” by Sissel
“Have you heard the news? I’m going to be a big brother!”
Baby News
Baby Burkholder #3 will be joining us in a few weeks, Lord willing! We are getting very excited for the sweet newborn stage again! It’s a lot of fun that Hadassah is old enough to understand what’s going on and look forward to it. Noah, the little snuggle bug that he is, will likely have some adjustments to make. Hadassah assures me that she will hold the baby so I can hold Noah.
This pregnancy has absolutely flown by. Having two other active littles will do that…haha. I definitely felt bigger and more cumbersome more quickly the third time around, and my energy is just not what it usually is – hence the long blog silence as I have been using naptime for napping. I have no regrets.
If this time around is anything like my pregnancy with Noah, I will instantly have more energy postpartum with a newborn than I’ve had throughout nine months of pregnancy. I definitely can’t complain that I have hard pregnancies, but I so look forward to being able to bend over again, and get off the floor without creaking, and wear my normal wardrobe. 😀
Three children puts me squarely in the middle-aged category, I think. Which is odd because I still feel like a teenager in so many ways. This stage of life is taxing, no doubt about it, but I am fulfilled in it. To all of you who replied to my recent email update telling me, “There’s no need to apologize for putting your family first!” please take note that there are no apologies to be found here. 😀 There actually weren’t any in the email either. I’m doing what I love and have been called to do. It took me awhile to reconcile the whole blog career/motherhood thing, but I’m here now – fully ensconced. Do I still enjoy testing recipes and taking pictures and occasionally putting my thoughts into writing? Yes! Does it consume me? Nope.
Calls of “Mommy! Mommy!”…
wiping bottoms…
walks in the sunshine…
and post nap snuggles do that.
“Cheese!” he says.
Moving Again
There really have been a lot of developments in our lives lately. Last summer we moved to Nebraska for a one year advanced fellowship in gastroenterology knowing that this was our very last stop on the road of 15 years of post-high-school medical training…and not knowing what would follow.
Now it looks like we will probably be moving again this summer – and moving continents this time. Nothing is set in stone so I’m not going into any details, but we’ll probably be going somewhere in Africa for Ryan to volunteer at a mission hospital for at least a year. After that, we still don’t know. God truly is leading us one step at a time.
In the last year I have often wished that I could see a little farther ahead. After all, we’ve been married for 6 years and I still have no idea if or when we’ll ever “settle down.” That may sound like an adventure to some of you, or like completely normal life, but it isn’t really the Mennonite thing to do – and it certainly wasn’t the Thomas thing to do! I grew up in the same small town for practically my entire life. Same house, same church, same mountains.
But I’m grateful for this life. I have been pulled and stretched into a different person – a better person. I’ve learned something and gotten to know wonderful people in every state we’ve lived. I have fond memories of sticky evenings and the sulphureous smell of the Red River and brilliant sunsets in Bossier City, Louisiana. I still miss and talk to some of our kindly retired neighbors from Garfield Heights, Ohio, and remember how they all piled onto our deck for Noah’s first birthday party (with threat of rain) two days before we drove to Nebraska. I’ll take memories from Nebraska too, and Africa, and someday maybe there’s a little farmette with our name on it where we can have a garden and two horses (because you can’t have just one) and chickens and two dogs with leashes (Hadassah’s request) and Violet’s tuberoses perfuming the air. And if not, that’s fine too.
Side note:
And now you know why getting Noah potty trained felt like such a big deal. =D Not only will we have another child in diapers very soon, but if and when we move to Africa we will likely be using cloth diapers, and I would much rather wash underwear than diapers.
(If you have any tried and true cloth diapering solutions, please comment below! I tried Bumgenius pocket diapers with Noah for awhile but ours were purchased used and the elastics were stretched out and I did not love the leakage or the bulk. Has anyone had success with the old fashioned pinned diapers covered by rubber pants?)
freezer meal aftermath
Food
I’ve been trying to cook some extra food so I have meals to stick in the freezer for after the baby comes. Some of those will hopefully be coming in another post. The above picture is my kitchen after a particularly ambitious day….
Another post I need to write is where I’m at with THM. Maybe that’s part of what has subconsciously been holding me back from posting more. I started the plan back in 2013. I’ve never been super strict with it, preferring to follow the general principles and ingredients while staying relaxed about eating what I’m served when I’m not at home + not stressing a treat here and there.
Since getting pregnant with Hadassah, following THM has become less and less important to me. I didn’t worry at all about separating fuels while pregnant and nursing, which has been pretty much nonstop since the end of 2019. So far nursing has taken off the baby weight for me pretty quickly; I’m well aware that that could change the older I get!
In this stage of life I focus on the following:
- Is it quick and easy?
- Will my children eat it? (Don’t worry – we make them try everything and I still make things that I know they won’t like. Otherwise we would never have soup thanks to Hadassah…haha. They have pretty diverse palates for their age, I think. But I do try to keep nutritious things on hand that I know they will eat without a fuss because I’m not going to turn food into a constant battle.)
- Is it budget friendly?
- Is it fairly healthy and unprocessed?
We do a lot of basic fruits and vegetables. My children will usually eat salad before digging into everything else, and they gobble red and yellow bell peppers like they’re going out of style. I make my own stevia-sweetened yogurt, and sugar free granola, and sourdough bread. If I use flour it’s usually soured in some way, and I still cook mostly sugar free for us. That being said, I made a batch of regular ol’ chocolate chip cookies the other week to put in the freezer, and I’m often making regular baked goods for social events or to give away. I enjoy getting to eat a serving or two and then get it out of my house so I don’t overindulge.
I use potatoes (golden or red) fairly often. Sometimes I make white rice instead of brown for a treat. I am certainly not above enjoying a Chik-fil-A chicken sandwich and fries!
I try to use moderation in my overall diet and teach my children good habits about portion control and focusing on healthy whole foods. Afternoon snacks are often yogurt and berries, or cheese sticks, or oranges/apples/bananas, or a rice cake with some peanut butter and a few chocolate chips, or this week – sourdough banana muffins. If we have regular cookies, we often just have a half, or I make them on the small side. We have oatmeal every morning for breakfast to keep things simple, and they eat it up no problem. I sweeten it with stevia and then add some sliced banana and peanut butter. The children like a few chocolate chips in theirs and I often add a drizzle of maple syrup to mine.
So while I still make plenty of recipes that fit perfectly into the THM lifestyle, I’m not separating fuel types right now, and often there’s an ingredient or two that isn’t totally THM friendly. I created a sourdough banana muffin recipe that we really like, but there’s some unfermented white whole wheat flour in it and it’s a crossover. I’m trying to figure out the best way to share those recipes without confusing people who know my blog as a safe place to find Trim Healthy Mama friendly recipes.
Don’t be surprised if you see this info reiterated in another post. As I try to figure out what direction this blog should go in future, I plan to make a post dedicated to this subject for easy access.
With all that being said, here was a fun meal I made last week. Ryan and I LOVE Indian food. I got the bright idea to make veggie burgers, but like the inside of a samosa. I threw together a bunch of stuff and baked them as patties in the oven, and the leftover mix I put into low carb wraps like “enchiladas” and put them in the freezer to bake later as a freezer meal.
I can’t remember what all went into these, but the base was boiled yellow potato bound with egg and chickpea flour. Also carrots, peas, green peppers, diced onion, and spices.
Served with a side of roasted asparagus (olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and topped with some shredded parmesan) – THM S
I have a delicious Asparagus Fries recipe here if you’re interested in something with a cracker coating!
For protein I made some lentils cooked in very gelatinous homemade chicken broth with tomato and assorted spices and such.
Pregnancy Cravings
- boiled potatoes
- white rice with soy sauce
- mustard on all the things
- sardines in mustard sauce on Wasa crackers
- pickled banana peppers
- granola with peanut butter
- cold oranges/grapefruits/Pink Lady apples
- anything icy/sweet/sour
- Sweet Tarts or anything similar
- any good fast food burgers + fries (and real Heinz ketchup)
- CFA chicken sandwiches with pickles and mayo
The bowl above was a “sushi bowl” with white rice, imitation crab, cucumber, avocado, yum yum sauce, and EBTB seasoning. Not THM, but very delicious to this pregnant lady.
So how’s it going with you?
Leave a comment and tell me something fun – recent food obsession, what you’re reading, something funny from the mouth of a child – or all of the above!
And would you be interested in family friendly recipes that aren’t strictly THM but still trying to be healthy?
Anna Kiko says
Congratulations on baby #3! That sounds terribly exciting and exhausting! Lol
My guesses as to the combined stories would be Little House, Ping (I can’t remember the exact title), and a Bible story.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Yep – you got it!
Linda says
Hi Brianna,
It’s so much fun to see how you have changed/adapted to life as a mum..and still try to eat healthy. I enjoy and appreciate your posts as I’m sure you don’t have much time. I just wanted to comment on a question you asked regarding nappies/diapers. My children are all having children of their own now, but as a young mum living in New Zealand, where disposable nappies warn’t even really a thing, we used cloth nappied, these fluffy over pants and then also plastic pants..like plastic knickers. It did make the babies bottom look big lol, but it’s super cheap and I didn’t find it time consuming at all. I had a huge white bucket with a secure lid in my laundry and it was half full with Napi San, which was a whitening/steralising sort of nappy soak solution. I would just change baby, if it was just widdles it went straight in the bucket, if it was the other, I rinsed that bit down the toilet, scrubbed at the stain a bit with laundry soap and then it went into the bucket. Like I said, it was easy, and inexpensive and nothing was going into the land fill 🙂 Blessings to you, I pray your next birth goes well ~ Linda x
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Thanks for that, Linda! Sounds like you had a good system in place!
Donna Almanza says
Briana, you are such a joy to read. I am a 79 year old woman who lived in Chicago Il for 68 years of my life and then my husband dragged me to San Antonio Tx (his hometown). I have 5 children, 4 girls and 1 boy, they range in age from 48-55. I have 9 grandchildren and they range in age of 13-33. My three oldest grandchildren have 4 children which makes me a great-grandmother. However, my family live all over so I might only get to see them once a year and I miss then so much. My middle daughter, Alicia, passed away 10 years ago after battling a rare form of cancer for 22 years. She has an amazing daughter, Courtney, who was a school teacher but five years ago had a son and decided to stay home and raise hime and has since had a daughter. She is and amazing wife and mother. She FaceTimes with me several times a week so I can see the children and I think they really know who I am. Please continue to post as I so enjoy watching your family grow. You are an amazing Mother and wonderful wife. As long as you post I will keep reading. Actually, it seems like I am receiving a letter from a dear friend. God Bless and always know that He has amazing plans for us.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
So good to hear from you, Donna! That’s pretty amazing – pulling up roots after 68 years!
Jessica says
I loved The Light in Hidden Places. I read it last January and then my husband and I listened to the Audiobook a few months later. It was so good and it just hits you. This isn’t a made up story. Most of this happened. And she was a teenager. I’m in my mid 30s and I couldn’t pull off what she did!
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
I was wondering about that! I hadn’t taken the time yet to research whether or not it was based on someone’s real life. Incredible.
Leslie Bucher says
PS I guess “the road to Jericho” might actually be referring to to the good Samaritan story instead. And I loved that they “hopped”!😁
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Thank you for that, Leslie! Loved reading your comment and experience! You must enjoy such a neat, varied life with such a spread of ages! That will be a fun stage too, when I get there. 🙂 You’re spot on with the books. I’m not sure exactly which Bible story she was referring to, but she’s familiar with both that you mentioned.
Leslie Bucher says
Hi Briana!!!!
So sweet to hear from you and all your lovely news. Congratulations on baby #3! And when did your Noah get so big??!! And loved, loved Hadassah’s funny comments. ….wearing tummies 🤣 indeed!! I recognized the stories she mixed together right away. Laura Ingalls’ stories, The Story about Ping (Thanks, 5-in-a-Row curriculum), and ,of course, the story of Jericho from the book of Joshua.
As for cloth diapers, I found flats that I folded myself ( fun and interesting to try) with a good cover
(Thirsties with the snaps were our favorites -one size ! except for newborn) You can use pins or the nifty 3 pronged closures with claws instead. The flats wash up so easily and dry quickly, ‘cuz they are, well, flat! Ha Also flats may just be the least expensive. Even brand new.
Bless you in allllll your seasons. In all the changes and growth and challenges and so many simple ,peaceful, slow things with little ones. I miss those days. Our youngest will be 5 in June. And our oldest will be 28 in May. With 8 others between them. And 8 little grands so far too! Our life is very full, not slow and just at home anymore. May peace be multiplied to you.
Oh and THM is great! I am weight training now as I was losing muscle mass and did not realize it. So glad I know about protein. Muscle really brings the metabolism back up. Almost all crossovers for me now too. With a big family it can be a challenge to cook from scratch with always perfect ingredients and be simple and quick at the same time. I do sometimes just make regular pasta and a cheesy sauce with a meal ,for example. Or just buy a bag of buns for a picnic lunch instead of making sour doh buns. But mostly, we all choose healthy and homemade. THM food is just real food after all. Stewarding the kitchen ,and thus our bodies and families’ health, is a challenge that is worth it to the glory of God!
Bless you all.
Rebekah Byler says
Thank you for the update, and congratulations on baby number three!
I’ve done stricter seasons of THM, but currently we eat a lot the way you do, so we’d love any type of recipes you care to share.
I enjoyed cloth diapers for my first four children. Loved the Dappy nylon rubber panties when using prefolds (which also work amazing for potty training over cloth training panties). For babies three and four I did find some all in ones with inserts I really liked. With baby five we were moving, so no cloth diapers. When her identical twin sisters arrived a shy 20 months later my husband told me I wasn’t allowed to consider cloth diapering. 🙂 So we had three in disposable diapers until about a month ago, when my two and a half year-old is officially catching onto potty training for real (she was sooo close before the twins came!! But I couldn’t quite keep up :). Writing all this out temps me to go pull some cloth diapers out of my tote, lol.
Something that worked really well for me, was to simply rinse the diapers in cold water after changing the baby, and throw them in a dry pail until wash time. No soaking, or smelly pails that way.
I’ll also mention that before marriage, I helped a missionary family in Africa for a while, and she said diapers were one thing she decided not to try to save money on over there, with all the other inconveniences of life on the mission field. (We did all the laundry by hand.)
I’ll pray you have wisdom, and grace with all the adjustments. God will go before you, and He will be with you. Life is a beautiful adventure if we choose to view it that way. 90% attitude, and 10% circumstance!
God bless you!!
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Thanks for that, Rebekah! Wow, bless your husband. I think three in cloth diapers while navigating the whole twins thing would be a bit much. 😀 I like the idea of cloth diapers from a standpoint of not being so wasteful of resources, and the biggest issue with Africa is that I’m just not sure what availability of disposables is going to be like where we’re at. I don’t want to go unprepared!
Michelle W says
Yes, we would definitely be interested in family recipes that aren’t THM. Maybe you could simply put them in a separate section that is labeled that way (ie: non-THM family recipes)?
My DH and I have been married 39 years (have only lived in 3 homes – an apartment and then 30 years in our first home and now 7 in our current home) and I can definitely tell you that I couldn’t have moved so much. But I know the Lord is directing you and so He will give you the strength and grace to do this.
Excited for your newest little one and pray that all will go smoothly with the transition to being a family of 5!
Jenna says
Congratulations on your baby. Praying for a smooth delivery for you.
Old fashioned flats and covers work great. You can even wash them in a bucket if you need to. I’ve mostly used those and PUL diaper covers, but if you sew, you can recycle wool sweaters into diaper covers (it works because the wool repels moisture back into the diaper and absorbs a tiny bit too). There’s a company called Green Mountain Diapers that has a lot of good information (they also sell diapers and covers). They have a good Facebook group and also a Buy/Sell/Trade group.
I’m not really doing THM any more, but I always enjoy your recipes and meal ideas.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Thanks for the info! I’ve heard of Green Mountain Diapers…will need to check them out!
Sarah Burkholder says
Your sushi bowl actually looks like it could be good 😁 (to me, not the rest of my family)
It seems ages ago since I was pregnant with my third-now the 3 oldest are 13, 11, and 9. But that was one of the most intense stages with children so far…so interesting reading your blog. And I look forward to hearing what part of Africa you’ll be moving to. I’m reading a book right now of someone that volunteered in Mali. It sounds like quite an adventure!
Michelle says
https://mimiandco.com.au/
The dream nappy (diaper)!
I wish these had been available when my children were in diapers.
Siobhian Bierschenk says
Hello,
I used cloth diapers with plastic pants. My youngest child is 21 so it wasn’t recently. I tried some kind of diaper covers with my oldest daughter. (I have 6 children.) However, the waterproof aspect of them wore off, and it was too expensive to keep buying them. I hesitated about plastic pants and pins because I was afraid to stick the baby, but I don’t think I ever did. I did stick myself multiple times. Can you still buy plastic pants and diaper pins? I miss the diaper pins. Those were some great pins to have on hand, and I remember fondly hanging diapers out to dry. I started using cloth diapers in 1989, and it was a popular ecological thing to try. I probably stuck with it better than most moms, but finances were such that it was a good choice for us. Good luck with what you decide and find to use. On plastic pants, I remember having a strong preference for either nylon or vinyl, but I don’t remember which. You have a beautiful family, and I enjoy your blogs. God bless with your delivery and future move.
Nora Nevers says
would be interested in all healthy receipes
Erin says
I left THM behind and have found so much freedom in intuitive eating. I still use some THM recipes, but I have found it so much easier to have a healthy diet with intuitive eating. THM led me to having too much worry and anxiety and stress over food. I’m glad you’re finding a path forward that works for you in this season.
Maria says
Exciting times! Re cloth diapering… checks lit Green Mountain Diapers. Flats and covers will be your best friend! The company is an amazing small business owned by a sweet Christian lady.
Also three kids is amazing. We have a four year old girl, 2 year old boy, and 3 month old baby and it’s incredible.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Sounds like we’re in a very similar stage of life…I’m so glad to hear the vote of positivity!
Jean Baumann says
Whip up a batch of Baobab bars with EXTRA lemon 🍋 juice!! Perfect for sweet/sour cravings!!!
I keep some in my freezer at all times😺
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Mmm…great idea! I experimented with some strawberry baobab protein bars awhile back that I need to revisit and blog!
Matney says
Yes!! I definitely would be interested in tasty, healthy, family friendly go-to recipes, even if they aren’t perfectly THM!
Hurst Carolyn says
So enjoyed your post. We too lived in Nebraska for a few months. I agree about the wind. During winter we would get home around 3pm because it got so cold in afternoon. Blessing on your new adventures
Marla Berry says
Thank you for the update. It’s great to hear your doing well and growing and enjoying your family. Blessing to you with the new addition. I love reading your updates.
Sharon says
Love reading how your life has evolved! I prayed so much for you the first year of marriage because I was afraid you might get homesick! (I did!) Here’s a website I love, she has so many good recipes for veggie patties and I have tried some but still working on trying them all.
https://www.pookspantry.com/veggie-cakes/
Hugs,
Sharon
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Thank you so much, Sharon! <3
Averil Hudson says
Hi Briana!
Averil from NZ here & i have been following you for years 🙂 Many congratulations on your wonderful news! I am a community midwife, so a huge sucker for babies & wee ones.
I would be very keen to see more family recipes that are healthy but not strictly THM please 🙂 love some inspiration to try something new.
My kids are teens now, & are currently making me smile when they call me “bruh mum”, lol.
My favourite book of all time is The Red Tent – have you read it? And anything by Juliet Marillier as well.
Looking forward to reading about your adventures in Africa x Averil
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
That’s wonderful that you’re a midwife! I went the traditional OB route for my first two pregnancies but am working with a wonderful midwife this time around. Love her hands on approach!
And thank you for the book/author recommendation! Both just went on my “to read” list!
Melody Morris says
How exciting for you! We live in Nairobi, Kenya! If you come this direction, let us know!😀
I know there are a few mission hospitals not too far from us!
You CAN get disposable diapers here, in case you do move here and want to use them!
Blessings on you and your family!
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
That’s great! Togo is a strong possibility at this point. I need to brush up on my African geography. 😀
Lynette says
Congratulations once again! Enjoyed reading your updates. Safe travels and God Bless!
Shannon Talbot says
I just made your chocolate overnight oats recipe on Sunday for the week. I cut it back to 1/3 cup oats and adjust the rest because I love it with a fresh mango. We just bought a case from an Asian store so I’m loving it! It’s my favourite breakfast.
Congratulations on the new little one and all your doing as a mom and wife.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Mmm…mango sounds like a wonderful addition!
Tammy Farson says
Your kids are adorable!! Best wishes on your new little one and prayers for your next move, and what happens next! I love your dress in the one picture ~springy!! It sounds like you are doing wonderful, and you kinda warned us about THM and the blogging! It’s lovely to hear from you though! 🙂
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
That dress used to be a sheet from the thrift store. I thought it was pretty so I bought it for a quilt back or to use for a dress. The dress won out because I was growing out of all my maternity clothes…haha. So comfy!
E.Snyder says
Cloth diapers: for itty bitties, I use prefolds with a snappi instead of tradition pins. As they get older, I switch to tri-folded flats. Then you can just pick covers. My oldest (13) I used pocket-style…bum genius. Prefolds/flats with covers are much easier. I made the switch with my second (11) and have stuck with them for my 3rd and 4th (19 months and 4.5 months).
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
That’s great to hear! The Bumgenius weren’t doing it for me and I was sure there had to be an easier option. I’m looking forward to trying the prefolds and covers!
Terry Minor says
I used the cloth diapers with the rubber pants. Yes there were some accidents but if you stay on top of things they work pretty good. My oldest had very sensitive skin so the rubber would leave a light mark. I did this with all 5 children. My Mom would bring me 2 packs of disposables which I was grateful for but just used them when we went some where. Much more convenient then the cloth. One time out about I didn’t have anything for a diaper so we used my husband’s t-shirt that was under his regular shirt. Don’t stay away from home any longer then what you have prepared for.
Carol says
Hi Ryan+Briana, Great newsy email to all of us! Thanks! 🙏for an uncomplicated labor,delivery,+recovery for you and baby #3; also for the upcoming move for overseas mission.
Take care and God bless all of your immediate+extended family. Amen. Dr John&Carol Lukaszewicz
Kamryn says
I loved reading this update! Congratulations on your third baby. I would love more recipes from you even if they’re not THM. Thank you for sharing! 💗
Jane Raymond says
Hi, 6 of my 7 children wore cloth diapers. I liked the prefolded ones. When they were really wetting alot or were older, I would add extra diapers just in the crotch area. I did use rubber pants. I washed them in a washer, but air dried them- they lasted longer that way. I think it is really important to have enough diapers. I think I had about 8 dozen for one child and when 2 were in diapers about 12 dozen.
I am so happy for you- there is nothing like having a newborn in the house. God bless you
Marian Alvarado says
I loved reading this update! Your kids have grown so much, and I loved the funny things Hadassah said!
We used to move every two years, or sometimes sooner. We moved a total of 18 times, in about 14 years, it got old, and I was pregnant during many of those moves. One time we had just moved into our house and in the middle of the night my third baby arrived. But that was many years ago, and we’ve stayed in our house for almost 28 years now!
May God continue to bless your family wherever He takes you.
Julianne says
Congratulations on baby #3! Your kiddos are so cute. I have an almost 10 month old and am inspired by your early potty training success!
My recent food obsession is overnight oats. I hate taking much time to cook at breakfast so it helps me get E meals in with little prep. Also Lily’s peanut butter chips! And I’m listening to The Fellowship of the Ring audiobook narrated by Andy Serkis. Highly recommend his version!
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
When I was pregnant with Hadassah I reread the whole LotR series. I need to find the Andy Serkis audiobook version! I bet he’s amazing!
Dorene Martin says
Hi Briana! I really enjoyed reading your post! Your way of ‘doing THM’ sounds much the same as I do in this season of motherhood. Mom of 7 here. 🙂 I would definitely be interested in healthy recipes. I also enjoy the THM inspiration, so however you feel led! Blessings to you and your family as you navigate the big upcoming changes!
Dola says
Thanks for the update! My guest for the three books is 1. Little House on the Prairie 2. Winnie the Pooh 3. The Bible.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
All correct except for #2 – it’s from The Story of Ping (by Marjorie Flack). 🙂
Rach says
Such a wonderful update Briana!! ❤️ Very happy to see the plans He has unfolding, happy you’re enjoying all the moments!
Laura Kuckuck says
Blueberry diaper covers were my favorite and also Nicki’s diaper covers were good as well, but it’s been at least four years since I used cloth diapers but I absolutely loved it!
Leanna says
I seldom comment on posts but I will talk about cloth diapers that I used. I tried fancy ones and got annoyed. My favorite combo was pre folds, with snappi ( instead of pins) and thirsties diaper covers. Laundry was much simpler that way instead of having to ” baby” the fancy cloth diapers.
Crystal says
I loved cloth diapering…
My favorite was unbleached prefolds (order good ones, not the junky ones they sell at the big box stores), use a snappy to hold them (better than pins) and the bumgenuis (or other quality brand) covers. Also, charcoal bamboo inserts are wonderful.
Debbie Woodard says
I used the Alva baby cloth diapers with microfiber and/or bamboo inserts. I found them on Amazon. Very inexpensive and worked well for me. I loved reading your update! We’ve moved a lot too! The Lord truly does lead us one step at a time. It’s been hard in some ways to move so much, but being willing to follow the Lord has brought so many unexpected blessings and memories. I wouldn’t change a single second. I’ll pray your latest transition goes smoothly.
Llynn says
I’ve missed bearing from you and I’m always happy when you send an update. I’ve been filling you for years,and have,all your cookbooks.
Deborah Carter says
I used cloth diapers with diaper pins and plastic pants with my youngest (33 years old). No problem as long as you have at least two dozen. Doubled for nights.
Best wishes and prayers for your adventures.
Dorothy Pointer says
I am pretty consistently at goal weight and I do crossovers. I would love to see some of your new culinary adventures
Edith Mullet says
Hi Briana. I really enjoyed the update and congratulations on your coming little one. I think it’s so exciting that you’re planning to spend time in Africa. It’s a very good experience and your children will adapt very well. I’m doing well and trying to stay busy.
Kelsey Weber says
Thanks for your life update! I always find them interesting. I’m a few years behind you in the adventure that is motherhood and wifehood! 😉 I would be very interested in your recent recipes. The way you described how you eat sounds about exactly like us in this stage of life! Most of the recipes my friends share aren’t healthy enough to pass my sniff test, but a lot of true THM recipes are too strict, expensive and complicated for our growing family in this stage of life. I’ll be keeping my ears open! But of course, no pressure, and if God calls you to totally put blogging on the shelf for now, I hope you can freely go with that! 🙂 May God bless you and your family! <3
Linn Morales says
Thank you for your update. I have not been completely on THM either. It has become too expensive for me and our budget. I also don’t enjoy the mass GLP-1 posts either. So thank you again! This newsletter was like a sweet encouragement from the Lord, it was perfect timing! I am looking forward to some of your newer posts.!
Kathy Ip says
I’m thoroughly enjoying these little excerpts from your life, right now. Young motherhood may feel like being in the trenches, but good things are happening all. the. time. to not only form the wee-people, but also the amazing parents! Parenthood is indeed a sacred calling, and I appreciate you referring to it as such! Good job, Mama!😊
Those samosa enchiladas sound A-MAZ-ING!
One quote that still makes me chuckle~ Our then-4 yr old ‘baby’ (now 21 yr old!), was not the least bit happy about taking a nap. “I hate Nappyland! It’s not even real, and I hate it!” 😂 All our kidlets napped/had quiet time until they were five, soooo….🤷🏼♀️
Congratulations on cutie Baby Burkholder #3 and alllll the hard-won changes coming for you in 2024!
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Haha…love that quote. Sounds like a pretty bright child. I’m so thankful Hadassah still takes naps! Definitely plan to implement a quiet time for everyone – even when they’re out of the napping stage!
Lisa says
Hey! Yes I totally will be interested in Healthy recipes that aren’t THM Friendly. I did THM a few years ago and lost 50lbs. I am now raising some of my Nieces and Nephews and the stress of all that stuff and ( plain and simply wanting to feed them comfort food) I have gained most of it back. I have made my own Maple Nut Granola sweetened with maple syrup and honey, and homemade Yoghurt. I still practice a lot of fuel separating but mainly try to feed us all Healthy without stress. I just found your Blog a few months ago in a desperate search for someone trying to do what I am seeking for Guidance in. I’m not Mennonite but I am a serious Christian where Family Comes First always, and I love it this way.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Bless you, Lisa, for serving your family! <3
Beverly J says
Recently got some sourdough starter from a friend at Church
I look forward to your Banana Muffin recipe 😀
Karen McNeff says
I used cloth and pins for diapers with my babies. They are now 48 and 46. That was about the time that disposable diapers came out but they were not as effective as cloth and rubber pants were. Every time my oldest would have a messy diaper the disposable would leak it out so I had to change his clothes too. (A local grocery store gave a free box of disposable diapers free when a new baby was born) I used them as I thought it would help with laundry while getting used to having a baby but since they leaked, it didn’t help with the laundry.) I also used disposable diapers when we went to my parents so I didn’t have to transport dirty diapers home. (I needed some more disposable diapers so I went to a grocery store and they were in the process of rearranging things and the diaper department was one of the places. I couldn’t find the brand I usually get and there was a gentleman there and he was helping and he kept trying to get me to buy the Pampers brand and I told him they leaked with messy diapers. He told me he was the representative with Pampers and he was sorry that I didn’t like them. They did make improvements on them so maybe I helped them realize that there was a problem.
Kristine says
I used pre-fold diapers with a plastic type cover. They were quite affordable and worked well. A bit later I also had fun folding big cloth diapers with different folds and also used lots of old receiving blankets folded as diapers and pinned. Wool covers are also a good option and work well. I used disposable with my first 3 babies and only cloth for my 4th. I was a bit hesitant, but it really was not a big deal and I wish I would have started from the start. You can do it!
Rena says
Thank you so much Briana, for the update and the sharing of your lives. I have and am enjoying and appreciating following your life adventures for however long you are able to give them. Yes, I am very interested in family friendly recipes. I started THM in 2015 (I believe) but soon found out that it became too much of a focus, so taking the basics of what I learned have moved on to a different direction and am happy to eat as healthy as possible yet not let food or diet take the form of an idol. It’s soooo easy to do that with just about anything but food has always been an issue for me.
My daughter is grown now, but when she was about 4 – 5 ish I walked into her room (she’d been awful quiet) to find her seriously concentrating on the “haircut” she was giving her cute stuffed lion. I knew it was one of her favorite stuffed animals and I was completely shocked at how, well, butchered his mane now looked. “What are you doing??” Her reply, “I’m giving lion a haircut!” She said, with a huge smile of accomplishment. When she saw my face she added quickly, ” Don’t worry Mom(!), it’ll grow back like my hair does when you cut it!!”
God bless you, Briana, and your sweet family in the way that only He can and knows will indeed bless you~
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Aw, bless her heart! Quiet is usually concerning in our household…haha. And Hadassah finally gave herSELF bangs yesterday. I knew it would come at some point, and frankly I’m surprised it wasn’t sooner. The damage could’ve been much worse.
Susan says
I found a pattern for diapers with PUL covering. You can use Velcro or, better, snaps to close. Snaps are better since babies figure out how to rip open the Velcro with diasterous results 🥴. I found this pattern years ago, printed it out and stuck it in my preparedness file for ‘just in case ‘. Now I need to find it again because at age 76 I will have my first grandchild, a girl. The reason I brought up the PUL (which I bought some back then at JoAnn ‘s) is that they said it was more breathable than rubber pants. Hope this helps and I pray you have an easy labor and delivery!!❤️
Lora Lupkes says
Sounds like you are a busy Mama! I happy that you are finding ways to eat that suit your family and are not consumed with THM. Sometimes it gets overwhelming for me, and I don’t have small children! I would be interested in healthy family meals even if they are not strictly THM. May the Lord bless you as you serve Him in your home, wherever that may be! Thank you for all you do!
Nancy says
I enjoyed your update on your life and journey as a mom. And it’s a yes to answer your last question.
Laura Ryan says
I used cloth diapers with plastic pants to cover them. This was before the diaper covers were thought of. I used, over the years, three different types and I think the easiest to wash and use were the thick ones that you fold the sides in. I did use disposable diapers for newborns as they are so tiny! Blessings on you and your family! How wonderful to have a new one to love. 💕
Been says
My favorite cloth diapers were the “old fashion” ones! Green mountain has different sizes and they worked great. They have new “pins” that are 3 pointed rubber snaps that work great. I used all kinds of covers.
Tammie Werring says
So glad to hear from you & get an update on your family life. I have both of your cookbooks and hope you will consider a bread one soon, as I’ve been dabbling in sourdoughs and cultured foods. I found great things at cultured food life.com after taking Coach Mama Foxes gut healing class. I’m currently taking her inflammation class. You are someone who has been an inspiration to me and I wish you the very best on whatever God has planned for you and your family. Please keep blogging. God bless.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
You might want to check out the Around the Family Table cookbook! Lots of THM friendly sourdough stuff.
Kimberly says
I used cloth diapers with pins and rubber pants for my first two babies, (40 and 38 years ago). Then I used dispoables for my third. When I had my fourth and fifth, (23 and 19 years ago), I found some lovely terry cloth fitted diapers and covers from a Canadian company, I think, that my oldest daughter has been using for her babies. I tried a few all-in-one diapers with the cover made with the diaper but didn’t care for them as well. If you can swing it financially and get some fitted diapers verses the pinned kind, I highly recommend them. I even preferred using them to disposables.
Jennifer says
I used plain old cloth diapers with pins and rubber pants for all 5 of my children and loved it. I used the simple rectangular ones. Same as my mom used for her children. I had more blowouts with disposable diapers when on the road than I ever had with cloth.
Connie says
I used traditional cloth diapers with our son. Used the lidded diaper pail to soak the dirty ones and laundered every few days. I did rinse the poopy diapers in the toilet before adding to the pail. Worked great for us. Traditional plastic pants over the top. We saved loads and continues to use disposable diapers when we traveled.
Melody Wooldridge says
I so enjoy hearing from you when you have opportunities to post! ….Wow, moving to Africa… that’s quite an undertaking… but as we know … where He leads …He will provide!
I used the cloth diapers and rubber pants and the rubber pants back then did not always hold all inside. We survived it but never knew when there could be an unexpected “blow out”…Yes, I would appreciate recipes that may not be THM .
…..I am pretty much staying with THM guidelines but am not opposed to “off plan” now and then and no longer feel guilty for doing so. Blessings to you and your family and update us as time permits!
Natalie says
Congratulation on your expected blessing! I have 3 little ones and have had good success using Green Mountain Diaper prefolds and Flip Diaper covers. The covers seem harder to find then they were 6 years ago; I also recommend Thirsties Duo Wrap covers (a two-size system). I used Snappis (diaper pin alternative) to attach the yellow edge, small size prefolds; and then when they outgrew that, I just folded the prefolds and laid them in the cover. That system got us through 12-15months, at which point I switch to the brown-edge, large size with the same covers until potty training. My stash was 3 dozen small prefolds, 2 dozen large prefolds and 12 one-size covers. That system lasted all three children (and even 2 in diapers sometimes). I bought them new and on sale because I wanted them to last longer. Hope some of that info is helpful 🙂
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Very helpful, Natalie! Thank you so much!
Sally says
Hi Briana, it was fun to read your update. My THM journey has morphed much like yours. I continue to use your cookbooks for many of the “meal” recipes more so than desserts. You asked about diapers….I have two sets of children (we adopted two infants after launching two biological children and a third nearly ready to launch) I did cloth diapers with both sets. The first were the old fashioned cloth with plastic (rubber ….not really) pants. Very doable. Pins for closures were not my favorite and the rubber pants seemed to make them sweatyish and stinkyish (do you like my made up words?). Along came my second set and diapering had changed it at least had more options. I read and researched. I found a set of great used Bumgenius and purchased them. I did not regret it. They eliminated the pins, were easy to put on, seemed comfortable, and got rid of the sweaty and trapped in plastic smell. I hope my experience helps. I know over time the Velcro got less sticky but these diaper covers put in a lot of hard work!
Blessings on your move. My daughter. Her husband . And grandson will be moving to Kenya in August….he is an ophthalmologist and will be working with a Samaritan’s purse hospital there. I wonder if your paths will cross.
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Thank you for the diaper tips! That’s so neat about your daughter and her family! We’ll likely be traveling via Samaritan’s Purse as well, although the actual hospital we will likely be at is not run by them. They just help with staffing and logistics.
D. Gehman says
I used Natural Baby hybrid diapers for both my children. They hold up to repeated washings, aren’t bulky, and come in LOTS of fun patterns. http://www.thenaturalbabyco.com
Barb says
Diapers. Three Rivers Homestead (utube and IG) has wonderful content about cloth diapers. She has used the same with 8 children. Very good results. I’d love any family recipes not necessarily THM, that try to be somewhat healthy. Love your blogs and the children are precious, can’t wait for the newest member of your beautiful family. Will keep your family in my prayers. Thank you for sharing with us.
Annette Haschke says
Congratulations on baby number 3!
It’s exciting that you might be going to Africa. My dear friends Dr. Steve and Bethany Chmil and their 5 children are serving at Hospital of Hope in Mango, Togo.
I’ve read 3 missionary stories in the past month who all served in Togo.
May the Lord bless your future plans and your family
Briana Thomas Burkholder says
Well that’s neat because that’s exactly where we might be going. 😉 Ryan has volunteered at HoH twice and while nothing is set in stone, that’s probably at the top of our list!