Yes, I used the word “crazy”. One mainstream in-law called me “crazy” and a friend stood up for me and said, “she’s not crazy…just crunchy crazy”. My uncle agreed wholeheartedly. The term has stuck. I’m known for doing things differently. A cousin once called me a Christian Hippie…but I’m pretty conservative for a Hippie…and Crunchy Christian is the name of another blog

I’m that headcovering, skirted, homebirthing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping, cloth loving, anti-vaccinating, anti-circumcision, homeschooling, avacado eating mama. I’d own a horse and wagon if I could (and around here that would not really stick out), however I’m happy with my goats, barn cats, and 101 children (okay, well not 101 and not the Duggars, but we do have a rather large sized family).

I came from a very authoritarian home and later I was introduced to the Ezzos while working as a nanny for one family. I followed the rules, but much did not set right with me and I did what I could, without breaking the rules, to give extra love and attention to my charges. I was NOT going to push a child onto their bum just so working mommy could see their first steps…that was a clue to me that this was going further than just scheduling, but rather controlling for the parents’ convenience and emotional comfort rather than the child’s physical and emotional health.

When I had my first child, even having been “Ezzo’d”, I took to carrying my child everywhere, breastfeeding on demand (ever have a blocked duct? Yeah, you’d nurse on demand, too!), co-sleeping, and using cloth diapers. I had no clue I was AP, I was just doing what my mothering instincts told me were best for my baby. I did receive raised eyebrows at when and where and how long I nursed, nursery workers that said “ew” and would refuse to change my son, and a mother who insisted that it was okay to feed my 3mos old ice cream (my son now has a milk allergy). Later we were re-introduced to the Ezzo’s, this time through their GKGW program. May I say, this is anything BUT “God’s Way”. But during the time that we attended the program, my children became bitter and angry. Things didn’t change until I ditched the program and changed myself. My children are happy children, that love being part of a large family where everyone is included, and where they are permitted to think and discuss what is on their mind.

Other things caused us to look into areas of natural living as well…nearly losing a child to a vaccination, a son’s botched circ, and simply wanting our lives to be healthier and simpler.

Please note that this is just the front page to my blog. Regular updates will happen on the other pages…particularly in Daily Living.