This is me

Hi!  I'm Katie.  It is great to meet you!

I am here because I really felt it was time for me to start blogging so I can share all of the things I've learned over the years about faith, birth, marriage, parenting, and living naturally.  I am very passionate about all of the things I listed, so I'll go through each and let you know just a bit about what I've learned about them.

Faith:  First off I must say that the most important thing to me is my relationship with Jesus Christ.  Without Him, I wouldn't be me, and I wouldn't be where I am today.  I give Him all the glory for all of the wonderful things I have experienced in my life and thank Him for the tough times that brought me here.  I am growing daily in Him.

Birth:  My learning journey about birth started when I witnessed the birth of my little sister at the age of 5.  My mom gave birth at a freestanding birth center and brought my baby sister home the same day.  It just seemed so normal.  So when I became pregnant at 22 I knew I wanted something similar.  I had witnessed a couple medically managed births and was certain that I wanted to be far away from machines and doctors.  So, my husband and I chose a freestanding birth center for our first water birth.  A year later we had another blessing at home in the water.  Then a year later a hospital land birth.  Followed by another wonderful home water birth.  We are pregnant again, and are planning a family home water birth in Feb. 2012.  I am an advocate of natural, empowering, mother led birthing and spend a lot of time raving about birthing naturally.

Marriage:  I have been married for almost 9 years to a wonderful man.  He serves our country faithfully in the Marines.  It has been a journey for me to learn how to be the kind of wife that God would want me to be and the kind that my husband needs.  It is a daily process that will never end.  Thankfully there is new mercy every morning from my Savior! 

Parenting:  Well, here is another part of life where we are constantly learning!  Each day brings new and exciting challenges and changes.  The number one thing I know that children need is unconditional love!  I love each of my children for who they are and enjoy the unique joys they bring to our family.

Living Naturally:  In the beginning of my life as a wife and mother the only "crunchy" thing I did, was have a water birth at a birth center.  Other than that I went with the grain.  I listened to the pediatrician faithfully.  We ate processed, boxed foods.  Took whatever drugs the commercials said would help.  And that was fine.  I had 3 babies in less than 3 years and I felt like I was at the pediatrician weekly.  Each time they were getting jabbed with needles.  I started wondering what was in all those shots so I began to research the ingredients of vaccines. I was shocked by what I learned.  This discoveries I made about vaccine ingredients led me to wonder what was in everything I was putting on and in my body.  Shampoos, lotions, make-up, food.  I researched and researched and researched some more.  I am still researching!!  I have learned so many things about living naturally and trusting in God's perfect design of our bodies.  Today we strive to stay healthy by eating clean, medicating only when completely necessary and by being active and happy!! 

In this blog  I will share with you my favorite products, recipes, books and websites that have helped me become Crunchy Katie!

Blessings,

Crunchy Katie