Picture Day

Original Post: Tuesday, October 07, 2008

On Sunday we had our family pictures taken by wonderful, amazing Kasey. It was...interesting...to try to get both of our near-2-year-olds to hold still, let alone look like the world wouldn't come to an end if they were captured on film. Thankfully, Kasey has talents galore and magicked out some amazing shots. Here's a preview. I haven't even seen the rest, but I am so excited!!! To see more of our fam or Kasey's beautiful photos go to www.xanga.com/POSH_photography or http://www.poshphotographyonline.com/ .

And with that, my friends, I am officially caught up in my endeavor to copy all of my Xanga posts onto this blog. Hallelujah! Except now Sarah's telling me that I can't slurp it up. Bummer. Hopefully it will be fixed soon.

~erika

New Hampshire

Original Post: Tuesday, September 16, 2008

We are back from New Hampshire and, I have to say, it is so good to be home. If I ever again think it is a good idea to drive 17 hours to somewhere, only to spend 2 days there and then turn around and drive 17 hours back, somebody please knock me out and tie me up until said lunacy is over. At least the 2 days there were pleasant. Saturday we went to Adam's cousin Hannah's wedding and had a nice time. Weddings are always fun. Below are some pics. Then Sunday we took a drive (I know, right? More driving? For recreation?) up towards the mountains and Lake Winnipesaukee, hitting Alton Bay and Gilford and Laconia. Adam used to live in Gilford when he was really small, so the Lynds family took a little trip down memory lane.

It was actually really interesting to watch. I, of course, have none of the memories that Adam and his family do. So, for me, it was just more driving and some pretty views. But for Adam's family, especially Adam and his sister Aubury, these places conjured up images and memories and emotions long forgotten. We stopped at the cottage in Alton Bay that they vacationed at every summer as kids and I got to watch as their eyes lit up just like they probably did when they were 4 and 7. They pulled me around pointing out the boulders and trees and trees they used to climb and the beach they used to romp around on. We also drove by their old house and school in Gilford and ate across the street from the shop Buzz, Adam's dad, used to own in Laconia.

The only spoiler to the day was that I was miserably car sick. New England roads are definately NOT Michigan roads and I think I would take flat and pot-holey to winding and rolling and heaving any day. Other than that it was a nice weekend away. Although I think we're all exhausted and don't want to see another rest stop for the rest of our lives, it was fun to spend time with each other and see a place that is so near to my husband's heart. Here are a few pics...

Adam and his cousins Josh (left) and Jordan (middle), ready for their boy band album cover

Aub and MeMaggie (doing a jig) and Buzz
Abbie and Matthew (Adam's cousins, adopted a year or two ago from Africa. Matthew let us have his bed for the weekend. Thanks Matthew!)
The hubby and me

At a restaurant in Laconia. I got scallops fresh from the ocean. Yum!
A view from a scenic lookout...I think in Vermont?
A view of Alton Bay, Lake Winnipesaukee, from the old cottage
Adam and Aubury at the old resort

So that's that. Like I said, I am ecstatic to be home and getting back into the swing of every day life. I missed my kiddos terribly and being back with them makes even the exhaustion from the trip seem small. Hope you all had a great weekend, too!

~erika

And We're Away...

Original Post: Saturday, September 13, 2008

Hey ya'll. I'm in New Hampshire for the weekend. We were in the car from 5:15 am to 11:00 pm. It was rough, to say the least.
I'll update with some pics when we get back. Pray that my babies do OK at my mom's for 4 days without us. Yikes! I miss them already.

~erika

Heaven, anyone?

Original Post: Saturday, September 06, 2008

I'm sick of political arguments. I hate them. I hate how up in arms I find myself when I'm talking about it. I hate that there are only two choices, neither of which are great and I have to choose the lesser evil. I hate slanderous commercials. I hate people speaking to me like I'm a halfwit because I love the Lord and my faith affects the way I think politically. I hate reading about candidates and hurting my brain trying to decipher truth and facts from incorrect innuendos and outright lies. I hate that there are so many angry men on AM radio who yell all day about what they think is right and wrong.

It's in days like these that my heart becomes very, very homesick. I long for heaven and closeness with my Jesus with every fiber of my being. I long for my home where there are no games and no hidden agendas. Where there is no one crouching around like a lion looking for whom he may destroy. Where there is no wool to be pulled over anyone's eyes and, instead, there is revelation and enlightenment and fulfillment.

I keep picturing the Little Engine That Could, huffing and puffing and straining and plugging away up that steep, daunting hill. "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can..." That is me right now, huffing and puffing and struggling through this life that almost always feels like an uphill battle to keep moving. Just another inch. And just like that little train I keep going. Not because it's fun or easy. But because I know what lies on the other side. In that valley there is hope and promise and reward. And there is Jesus. For that, I will keep on. And when I get there, and I am walking hand in hand with my Lord, I will remember the little blue train and echo her words. "I thought I could, I thought I could, I thought I could."

My greatest hope is that when I think those words, my Savior will lean over and whisper, "I knew you could, I knew you would, and you did."

~erika

Birthday Treat

Original Post: Monday, August 25, 2008

I have literally no time, but I wanted to pop on and update quickly about my life.

Tomorrow is my birthday and I had a great weekend celebrating. I will write a post later that does the fun of my weekend and the generosity of my friends and family justice. But I did want to proclaim that my husband is amazing and abundantly generous and thoughtful and sweet and wonderful. I've been praying for a laptop forever and that's what he got me for my birthday!!! He's amazing. My answer to prayers in ways so much more important and grand than being the bearer of my laptop.

So cheers to Adam, my gracious companion.

More later...

~erika

Helpful Hints for Hubbies

Original Post: Wednesday, August 13, 2008

I got this e-mail today and it made me giggle, so I thought I'd re-post it here. I'd love to say that none of the following sayings have ever come out of my mouth with the intentions described. But if I said that I'd be a big fat liar, so I won't. Hope you enjoy a little giggle. I know I did.

9 WORDS WOMEN USE – A Quick Reference Guide

(1)Fine: This is the word women use to end an argument, when they are right and you need to shut up.

(2)Five Minutes: If she is getting dressed, this means a half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given five more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

(3)Nothing: This is the calm before the storm. This means something, and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with Nothing usually end in Fine.

(4)Go Ahead: This is a dare, not permission. Don't Do It !

(5)Loud Sigh: This is actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A loud sigh means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you about nothing. (Refer back to #3 for the meaning of nothing.)

(6)That's Okay: This is one of the most dangerous statements a women can make to a man. That's okay means she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

(7)Thanks: A woman is thanking you. Do not question, or faint. Just say you're welcome. (I want to add - This is true, unless she says 'Thanks a lot' - then it is PURE sarcasm and she is not thanking you at all. DO NOT say 'you're welcome' ... that will bring on a 'whatever').

(8) Whatever: Is a women's way of saying Screw You.

(9)Don't worry about it, I got it: Another dangerous statement, meaning this is something that a woman has told a man to do several times, but is now doing it herself. This will later result in a man asking 'What's wrong?' For the woman's response refer to #3.

Tee-hee. Hope your week is well.

~erika

My Little Babushkas

Original Post: Tuesday, July 29, 2008

This post is really just going to be a barrage of photographs. I've finally gotten myself somewhat disciplined about not only bringing my camera with me when I take the kids out, but also actually taking pictures. I know it's sad that it took me a year and a half. But those of you with young kids can relate to me, I'm sure. Taking pictures while also trying to manage deathwatch is a tricky thing. But we've had a busy week or so and I got a few pics of all our events. So here goes...

I thought I would update you on Asher's progress in his big boy bed. He finally fell asleep in the actual bed after a few nights. Proof:

However, I went in 2 hours later and...

I returned him to bed and went to check on him a little later. He looked much more comfy, like he's taking a snooze in a hammock...

Lately, there's been a lot of this...

So we nixed the pillow for a while.

Saturday was my niece Ava's birthday party at Hager Park. They had fun running around with their cousins. And they actually wore birthday hats for a minute. It was uncanny. I was impressed.

Landon, Coltin, Ava, Donovan, Addison, Asher, and Egan

Sunday we went back to my parents' and their cousins and Laney came over to play.

Uncle Day-day (my brother Daniel) and Asher

Addison and Laney

Addison got a hula skirt the day before at Ava's birthday party. I made her wear it all day.

Last week I brought the kids to my mom's and we played on the neighbor's trampoline.



And with rocks.


Then yesterday, we went over to Coltin's to play with him and his water table. I don't think my kids really got it.


And finally, today we went to the Splash Pad at Lamar Park. They weren't so all about it. I think the water was a little cold for them. But they had fun making my mom and me chase them around.


Eating Lunch


So there you have it. A photo journal of our last few, very busy days. It's been so great for the kids to be outside so much. They don't get to go out too much during the week because I find it utterly impossible to take them out by myself. They're too fast and our yard it too treacherous for little feet that are not too sure of themselves. It's been wonderful to see their little grins and hear their heart swelling giggles as they've torn around terrorizing nature.
Hope you're all having a wonderful week!

~erika

Voices In My Head

Original Post: Saturday, July 19, 2008

I'm bone weary. Do you ever have weeks like that? Where your body is all but shutting down by Saturday night and your eyes hurt like you've just sobbed for hours but you haven't shed a tear and you start panicking because tomorrow's Sunday already and you haven't even touched the laundry and Monday is screaming up your tailpipe like an angry trucker? Such has been my week. Kasey put it best when she described what I'm feeling as paralyzed. Like all I can do is follow my kids around from room and room in an attempt to thwart them from the danger that would be imminent should they be left alone.

I don't mean to complain because, really, I have it pretty good. I have a home that is cozy and safe. I have a husband that loves me and is an amazing dad. I have two of the most precious children ever and they are healthy and sleeping soundly in their beds. And most importantly, I have a faithful and unmoveable Lord who loves and cherishes me deeply.

But sometimes, despite the number of times I repeat this little list of blessings, my entire being disregards it and politely asks, Please quit with the lists and feed me something that has been deep fried. And perhaps also dipped in chocolate, if that's possible. And if you could manage to do something completely mindless, like sit on the couch and watch hours of television, that would be swell of you. I like that voice. Ok, maybe I don't like it because, if we're honest, that voice makes me lazy and cellulitic. But I'm comfortable with that voice, so I listen to it and pretend I do so because I like it. Like that voice and I are buddies and I really should be accommodating to such a great friend.

But then there's this other little voice. More like an itch in the back of my brain. It says something like, Really? With the fried foods and the chocolate and the sloth impersonations again? Really?! Maybe you should do something else. Like make your brain process something other than Sesame Street or Wipeout. Like attempt to be creative or intelligent or at least coherent. That voice and I tend to bicker. Did you ever have anyone tell you that itches are entirely in your head and if you force yourself to not think of them then they'll go away? I don't really believe that, but I try it anyway with that little back of my brain itch. It doesn't seem to be working. But then again it never worked on real itches either.

So I heed that stupid and annoyingly healthy voice. Hence, here I sit, typing away and blithering on about weary bones and fatty foods and brain itches. And you're probably reading this and thinking, Good heavens. This girl does need a fry sundae. And you're probably right. But as I journey on with God, I'm learning that a lot of times that little voice that I like to ignore and bicker with isn't just me. It's Him. Calling me to something else, something bigger, something that demands things from me that I only possess because God put them there on purpose. And while there is probably no real kingdom changing waves rushing out of my little blog to save the world there are heart changing waves that rush back at me when I do something that utilizes a gift from the Lord. Am I saying that God told me to start a blog? No. Definitely not. But He did call me to live in the fullness of who He made me. And for me that sometimes looks like writing what I'm thinking and stretching my creative muscles. And I figure that while I'm about it, I might as well share it with some people because, who knows, maybe someone can relate. Or at least get a good chuckle out of my silly little world.

Hope your weekend is full of blessings and lots and lots of chuckles.

~erika