Thursday, November 5, 2009

"Help Find Joe Houston"

My friend Amanda posted this blog and my heart was really stirred. Please read and keep this family in your prayers or help out in whatever way you can.

Here is a little of what she said on her blog about Joe Houston.

I have also been praying earnestly for the last week for my friend Jenn and her fiancee Joe. Joe is a Navy pilot based in Corpus Christi, TX, whose plane went missing around the Gulf last Wednesday. The body of his co-pilot was found but there is no sign of Joe. The hope is that his parachute worked and that he is safely awaiting rescue. The official search has now been called off, but other people are continuing to search today. There are many, many people praying for him. Please join us. You can read more about it here.

Here is the website.


Love,
Erin

Friday, October 16, 2009

CaLIFORNIA Video!

And here is a short video Amber made from our trip!

CALIFORNIA!~

Oh California... sweet California...

So I remembered that I haven't blogged about my trip to California yet. As most of you know, back in April I bought tickets to a Dave Matthews Band concert in San Diego. The reason for this purchase was because Switchfoot was opening for them... I know... AMAZING. If I had to name my top 3 bands, it would be DMB, Switchfoot and Hillsong/ Hillsong United - so to see 2 of them together was just incredible. I immediately called Amber and TOLD her she was coming with me. No kids... just us girls. Our friend Amy decided she had to experience this with us so off we went! It was so weird packing JUST for myself. It actually felt quite odd and a lot harder than packing for a family of 4. So off I went - 1 carry-on, 1 purse, and 1 breast pump!

I'm trying to recall every event in which it happened so please excuse my jumbling! First off, this was my first ever trip without my kids. Eden is 2 1/2 and Uriah is almost 11 months. I was a bit sad to leave, but excited for the adventure. It made it a lot easier to leave knowing that they would be there with home with their daddy. So, off I went.

It was so weird being at the airport by myself... sitting at a cafe, eating a hot breakie all by myself... crazy! Then the madness started ** ANY MALE READERS THAT HAVE A HARD TIME WITH NURSING MOTHERS STOP READING ** I was about to explode. Into the bathroom I went to find a stall with an outlet... wait... there were ZERO outlets... not one in 1 of the 20 stalls. Then I saw the only one... right on the middle of the sink counter... so I took out my pump and started pumping. I had many women come in and give me that look... some smiled and said, " Oh, I remember those days honey..." and continued to tell me how back in the day they nursed their kids until age 5...WHOA WHOA WHOA... hold the phone! As soon as my child can spell or say mimi's, milk, mommy, that's where I draw the line! So first pumping session over. I have to admit when I was pouring my milk down the drain, it felt as though I was dumping gold down the sink. For any mother, I think breast milk = gold!

So I made it to my connection - Dallas, TX where I got on the same flight with my sweet friend, Amber! We were so excited that we were on the same flight to San Diego! Woo Hoo for us! There was only 1 problem. It had now been 4-5 hours since my last pumping session. All along I was assuming I would get to Dallas, pump, then be okay until we landed in SD. Well, there wasn't enough time during the connection. Now nursing mom's, you know that feeling... you feel like you are about to explode and it's starting to make you sick... We boarded and I started talking to the sweetest African American stewardess. I asked her if there were any sort of plugs/ outlets on the plane. She told me no and asked why I needed one. I told her my reason and she told me how the same thing happened to her when she went to an airline conference. I asked her what she did and I still can't believe she told me. She told me she did the only thing she could think of... (by the way, she acted out what I'm about to say)... She said she practically milked herself and spit it out... OH MY WORD~ My mouth was to the ground... I was mortified! I don't know why, but the only thing I could think of to say was, "how did you get it in your mouth?"

So I went into the bathroom to give myself some sort of relief. Don't worry. There was no way I was even going to attempt what she said! I tried milking myself and it was aweful. Milk everywhere. All over the mirror, floors... I was squirting myself in the eyes... I was SO embarrassed to walk back out of the lavatory. I felt as though I had been in there for 30 minutes and I knew Amber would be cracking up... Note to self: Do NOT take a girls trip until your children are weaned!

So we made it to sunny California! We hopped into our rental car and drove to meet Amy at the house we were staying at. It was amazing and we were very blessed. We drove to the beach and hung out, watched the sunset, and had an amazing dinner.

Saturday we started driving down the coast to the Venue in Chula Vista, CA. We stopped at a In & Out Burger (where I got food poisoning and was sick the rest of the night... at the concert...) and then stopped at a Trader Joe's to get some snacks for the pre-concert festivities.

So all pre concert, I was sick... puking in a port a potty.... gross! Bad burger... anyways, Switchfoot was AMAZING! I saw a side of Amber that I have never seen before!!! She went up to every security guard she could find and proceeded to tell them why they should let her through to the stage....! It was so awesome! She told them how she flew all the way from Texas to see Switchfoot! It was classic! I love you Ambie!!! I seriously was preparing to watch her just bust through security and run to the front!!

Then Dave started and it was amazing. His latest album is maybe the best yet. Anyway, the first note started and I think the 3 of us were high instantly. I have never smelt weed like that. It was everywhere. The 3 of us were laughing so hard... then I started puking. We had to leave and there we sat on the shoulder of the 805 with me puking my guts out...

All in all the trip was so wonderful. We had so much fun - lots of laughs, good food, and relished in the Lord's beautiful creation.

The second thing we learned was if you are going to travel half way around the country to see a concert, pay the extra $30 for seats instead of the lawn!

I'm sure I'm leaving some funny stuff out, but my brain is fried at the moment!

Oh! I remember one more thing. I was at the SD airport doing one last round of pumping in the bathroom and bless her heart, an employee at the airport came up to me and asked me if anyone could do what I was doing (make milk come out of you...) and I said, "Yes, if you are a woman, have kids..." I was thinking she had a small baby... I asked her how old her child was and she said 8... OH MY WORD! Could you imagine if she went home and was like, come here son...!

Enjoy the pics!

Love,
Erin
In & Out Burger - how I love thee, but you made me SO SICK =(

View from dinner our 1st night

Watching the sunset at dinner

FRESH crab cakes with mango salsa. SO amazing

The Surfliner. I would take the train to work everyday if I lived here!

View from the Pier looking the other way.

We drove down the coast & stopped at the school where Jarrett graduated from.

San Diego. Here we come!


Day at the beach!

Sunday, September 20, 2009

A Halloween Preview

As soon as Eden's costume came in the mail she insisted that she try it on!

Enjoy!

Love,
Erin


Friday, September 18, 2009

What We've Been Up To


My trip to San Diego was AMAZING! I will do a post dedicated solely to my trip in the near future. Right now I will fill you in on some of our summer adventures.

In July & August there were some local carnivals and this was Eden's first time to enjoy all the fun. She had a blast... I think she liked the carousel the most. We were so blessed to have Lexi with us because she helped ease any fears Eden had about the rides!

In September we went to Kansas City, well, Overland Park, KS, to watch our cousins Grace & Sophie. We went to the city market which was the most amazing farmer's market I have ever been to in my life. We also went to Worlds Of Fun and we had TONS of fun. If you haven't been before, they have a place for young kids called CAMP SNOOPY and it was awesome. Eden thought she was in heaven! I will post some pics that are absolutely hilarious, but just for a little intro, I grew up LOVING roller coasters... Jarrett not so much! I was going on all the roller coasters and all the fun rides with the kids & Jarrett got crazy in CAMP SNOOPY! We had lots of good laughs! On our way out of town we drove through Independence, MO and found Jarrett's childhood home, which was SO adorable!

Enjoy the pictures!

Love,
Erin




























Thursday, September 10, 2009

Am I Dreaming...

I cannot believe tomorrow is almost here...

Back in April when I found out that Switchfoot was playing in San Diego AND opening up for Dave Matthews Band I thought I had died and gone to heaven. You have NO idea. If I had to pick my fav 3 groups, they would be DMB, Switchfoot, & Hillsong/ Hillsong United... Seeing 2 of them together is just INSANE!!!!!

So at 5am I will be on my way to O'Hare without child, without husband... just me, my suitcase, and my pump! This is a girls weekend that I have been looking forward to for quite some time now! My sweet friends, Amber & Amy are coming along on this wild and crazy weekend trip to Chula Vista, California! Haha! Yes, we are the wild and crazy bunch, you know!

And this is so fun, but I fly from Chicago to Dallas and then Amber gets on the SAME plane as me and we fly into OC together! FUN!!!!

I will fill you in on our adventures when we return.

Love,
Erin

Friday, July 17, 2009

HELP!


Okay,
So any of you mommies out there with some thoughts and help on our current situation would be wonderful!!!

As most of you know, or maybe don't know, we live back at home with my dad and we are all sleeping in the same room - one big happy family! Eden holds down the right side of the room in her big girl bed, Jar and I in the middle of the room lay motionless so we don't wake up the children, and Uriah hangs out in his crib on the right side of the room waking whenever he sees fit.

Yes. My 8 month old, 22lb. man wakes up WAY TOO MUCH.

And it's not like we can just let him "cry it out..." We have Eden in the same room and my dad right above us.

He eats 3 times a day and lots of it.

To his defense, he has been teething since 4 months. He now has 6 and maybe is on the verge of a couple more... I'm not sure.

He was going to bed at 7 and now it's moved back to 7:45 / 8:00. He usually wakes up an hour or so after I put him down then anytime after that. It's usually around midnight, then 2, then 4... Ahhhh!

I know he probably just wants to nurse, or maybe he's in pain... I just don't know how long this can go on.

Please friends send some words of wisdom!!!

Love,
Erin

Thursday, May 28, 2009

James McDonald

I just finished reading THIS -  Pastor James McDonald's latest blog post and I think it is a must read. 

Enjoy.

Love, 
Erin

Monday, May 11, 2009

Happy Mother's Day!


I hope all you mom's out there had a wonderful Mother's Day. I had a wonderful day beginning with church. I got my first gift when Eden stayed in class the WHOLE service. This is a major first and all those who have struggled with the same issue, know what a rejoicing moment this truly is. It has been 2 1/2 years in the making. We were so delighted that we decided to get Eden a pony!!! (Joke)!

After church we had a nice lunch and Jarrett and the kids blessed me with a wonderful gift. I also received beautiful flowers and some beautiful cards. 

I am so blessed to be a mommy. There is no greater job in the world. 



Love, 
Erin

Thursday, April 30, 2009

Happy Birthday Jules and a Message for Titus

Here's a birthday shout out to the most wonderful mother-in-law in the whole world. 

Jules we love you SO much and hope you have a wonderful day. Wish we could be celebrating with you!

XOXO

Love, 
Jarrett, Erin, Eden, & Uriah


Tuesday, April 21, 2009

EASTER '09

For Easter this year we went to Diamond City, Arkansas where Jarrett's grandparents have a house on Bull Shoals Lake. We  all surprised Grandma B for her 70th birthday. She had no clue we were coming... it was fun! On the way down we stopped in Springfield for lunch and I got to see MARILYN!!! It was great catching up. Love you hunny!

Over the weekend, our cousin Ram, had a baseball game so lots of cousins went to cheer them on. It's always so fun for Eden when we all get together. She LOVES her cousins and gets spoiled non stop. Someone is constantly holding her, feeding her... it's funny! She plays hide and seek like a mad lady and is still asking me to count everyday... She will doesn't realize that even though she is covering her face I can still see her!

On the way home, we stopped in St. Louis for a short stop to pick up a Bumbo seat from Danielle and Dave. Eden got to play with little Mikail and loved her new Easter toy (Aunt Amy... where did you get that thing)? Eden tried to take it home!

Hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend.

Love, 
Erin

Ready for the 9 hour drive :)


Our yummy lunch stop... even after being at SBU for a whole year, I never made it to Braum's. I had a delicious cheeseburger, fries, & a chocolate shake that Mar and I shared!


Marilyn, Eden, & Me


Me & Mar

"Her Sweetness" @ Ram's Baseball Game

Playing under the bleachers

GO Ram!

Ba Ba Break


Side walk chalk with Grace & Emily

Hanging with Gunnar

Leaving the game with Grace & Emily

Cousin Love

Uriah & Great Grandpa B

Who we stopped & saw on the way home! Baby M


Eden COVETING Mikail's new toy!

Mikail & Dave

Yeah Bumbo seat

The Girls minus Danielle who was working :(


Eden trying to take all of Mikail's babies!


Sweet Girl

Mikail, Dave, Uriah, & Jarrett