Don't Measure it...just Bloom

With water in hand, shaking from head to toe, I sat down exhausted to write.

I have just finished a drenching workout that required me testing my physical strength that isn't quite there yet. Thinking to myself, "I need to develop these muscles again, but how?" My upper body just isn't as strong as it once was, but I completed a one minute plank with mountain climbers to keep my mind distracted.

My kids did plenty of that too. Distracting. At times my frustration level with them caused me to break a sweat worse than the workout. Biting my tongue to avoid expanding my kids' vocabulary on words that are not pure. I sang a song. A praise song. For the love...I hate times of testing. Or tests. Or things that leave me feeling like I've somehow missed it. Or wanting. It's amazing what can happen when we lay down the tape of comparison and draw on the immeasurable goodness of Jesus.

So many times I've faced that question, "I need to...but how?" Filling in the blank with measurable things that often leave me frustrated. Doing other things to keep my mind distracted. But the result? is often the opposite of Joy. Discouraged. Regretting what I have. Looking over at greener pastures.

I was recently selected to be a part of a book launch team for author Jen Hatmaker's new book, "For the Love..." I've spoken those words thousands of times and was elated to find a sister who shared the "love" and soul-deep honesty that we long for. Her book comes out in August of this year, and her message is SO VERY timely. You're gonna love it...and no, I'm not paid to say that. Promise. They resound with what I am learning right now in the season I'm in with Littles.

Today as I was working out, I heard these words through the instructor: "Don't measure it...just be thankful for it."

Freedom. Palpable freedom.

"Don't measure it..." Sounds similar to some other simple, yet power-filled words from Scripture..."My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." 2 Cor. 12:9. Praise You, Lord, that You are not a God who measures, but You are One who is sufficient in every circumstance! Enough. Filling the glass to just the right level.

I'm choosing thankfulness. And Joy. And Yoga Pants. Definitely Yoga Pants. Maybe some coffee too.

If you needed these words today, here's a hug from me. I'll be your biggest cheerleader, but look to Him for your strength. He will not fail you. He is enough for You. Me. And you and me again, each and every time we need Him.

As spring is coming on full force, my Tulips are doing their 'thang breaking ground. The other flowers are doing theirs. Be like the flowers, sweet friend. Don't measure or compare fellow sojourner...just bloom right where YOU are planted. And wear your yoga pants. You have permission. (*Just make sure to cover your hinderlands. That's a must...for all of us.)

The Barn-yard is busy...

Every where I looked today, there was life. It was as if Spring had finally rolled itself out of bed, sat up and gave a good stretch. I loved it.

Cade is wrapping up his fourth grade year. He has done a remarkable job with new concepts and meeting new friends this year. We have watched him grow and move independently, which is a new season for us.

Libbi is two now. We are knee deep in potty training... forgive the faint scent of urine wafting through my house. No, the Scentsy wax hasn't turned. She is using new words and her latest and greatest is..."ummm.....NO." It came as a huge surprise to us as well. =)

Aaron is doing great. He had another mole removed two weeks ago and it was benign. I know I left a cliff hanger for some readers, but Aaron was given the ok to proceed without further surgeries or treatments. All margins came back clear for his initial Melanoma and this one was negative. We are thankful. So.VERY.Thankful.

I'm not ignoring you, I promise. I had planned to catch up over Christmas and then there was New Years. Ha! I was actually notified by Google that for some reason, I had been locked out of my account. Go figure. I had to google my way out of it (pun intended)-literally to get things back on track. Apparently things are back and running and at this point as long as it IS running--I'm not complaining.


The retreats? AMAZING!!! Those who follow me on Facebook saw the fun pictures and beautiful ladies that bless my heart.

This girl needs to hit the hay. I'm realizing that I had so much more energy when we potty trained Cade (8 years ago). I'm also in the process of writing again, this time a 6 week bible study through Habakkuk for my church. We are starting in April. Prayers are much appreciated!

Earlier today as my two friends and I were walking, this huge flock of Canadian Geese flew overhead. I love to hear the "honk, honk" as they soar. It reminds me of the strength that comes and is renewed when we wait on the Lord. I wasn't sure what sort of life lesson could come from the goose that pooped on my friend, but we kept going.

Grace and peace.

Erin

Aaron...

Tonight I am finally getting a chance to sit down. It's been one of those days. One of those weeks, really.

Cade is gearing up for his first Piano recital. The same day as the recital, is our second anniversary celebration at the church.
Libbi is doing well. We put potty training on "hold" for right now. She just wasn't ready to take quite the leap her little brother was at her age. I'm good with that!

The two retreats are coming up fast. I've been squeezing in any writing/studying time I get during the early morning hours, and the late evening. That being said, I'll keep this short. =)

Fall is here, and with it much cooler weather! Yeah!!!

And speaking of cool...Check out the Kansas City Royals!!! Going to the World Series after a LONG, LONG, time. Good for them! They deserve it! A team with all heart, scratching out every play, sacrificing whatever it takes for a win.

I would like to ask you, faithful readers, for prayer. Aaron goes in tomorrow to see his Oncologist. Yeah, you read that correctly. He has Melanoma. They don't know stages, or if its metastasized yet. Tests will be forthcoming. They are hopeful, based on the first biopsy that it is early and "surface." They have to do a full body scan, as they don't know if this is the primary or not.

I hate cancer. Big or small. The waiting. The fear. The waiting. The constant interruptions. The waiting. But one thing I know...God is ALWAYS with us. Through it all. His presence is irreplaceable.

I'll keep in touch.

-Erin

Repurposing...

         We keep rolling around here. Through busyness, colds, potty training, school, grades, all of it. And that's good. I like it that way. Knowing that we have a sort of "routine" is comforting. Just like my tattered quilt I use daily. It brings comfort. It's been spilled on, puked on (sorry), rolled up, rolled out, used as a tent, a fort and just a plain old snuggle blanket. Its blue and in its day--it was beautiful. It was once meant for a bed, but now is being repurposed for more personal use.

         As I mentioned before, I am prepping for two retreats this fall. They are closing in on me, and I'm getting excited. Giddy. I LOVE this kind of thing. One of them is titled "Repurposed." I find myself smack dab in the middle of that word all the time. Searching for purpose and wondering if I'm living it. Who doesn't? Our "usefulness" changes. The varying seasons of our lives are always "changing."

         Recently, I reconnected with a friend here in town. Her name is Connie. I'm not actually sure just how we met, but I'm assuming sometime 10 years ago when I transplanted to our little town. Her husband Dale has a salon, here in town, that I've been going to for some time now. Anywho...

         Connie started a little side business that is growing. And growing. Ironically? It's called
"The MUSTARD Seed." Just like our faith. Just like the scripture teaches. Her amazingly fun job is taking "old" furniture and décor, and making it "new." I'm all about that kind of thing. It ads richness. Value. Character and class. Want to take a peak? Lets do....

 

 

How darling is that? Plus...she's ramping up for the Holidays!

New stuff gets added daily. Locals: GO.CHECK.OUT.HER.STORE.

 

415 N. Pennsylvania 

 

Her displays, centerpieces, frames, all of it are a PERFECT reminder of how dreams, with mustard seed-like faith can grow. The changes? For the good. Repurposing.

 

 Sometimes it takes just the right person to see the good in something, and have just the right touch to bring it out. Or encourage a person to live it out.

Much like us. Our fragile hearts. Our souls. And every now and then, we get to see our faith grow. And when tended to, cared for, and repurposed, by The One who can call out the good in us--we get to see mountains move.

 

Thanks for chatting with me today.

-Erin

Vacation...

It's day three into our vacation and I am finally winding down. I mean, REALLY, finally relaxing.  Pajama's until noon nine, pool time, late night movies, reading, rocking-chair mornings on the front porch, no makeup, lost phones and tons of hilarious moments.

I love family time.

I will post pictures soon. We are literally in the sticks. The WiFi around here is virtually non-existent. The heat probably contributes. Needless to say it makes doing any kind of business difficult.

102+ every day. Even my clean clothes feel wet. It's a great excuse for the pj's and A\C. Excellent!!!

Tomorrow is out on the boat for the day. Hopefully Libs will hold up. Here in the mountains things are much different. (Much.) Refreshing in a lot of ways. There aren't many young families here where we are, which means Cade and Libbi are getting spoiled rotten by multiple sets of grandparents. Cade was given water skiing lessons (on land) by a woman from Chicago. Tonight in the pool, a sweet lady from St. Louis played with Libbi. They've had such a great time. I think we will be permanently wrinkled from all the water time we have had. Pools, indoor and out, and the beach.

Cade is developing his sense of humor and just getting too big, too fast. It has amazed me at the fun we have as he joins in and sees the humor in the life around him. I LOVE the fact that he loves to laugh-just like his mama. His sister isn't far behind...

Libbi is getting so big. Her personality shows through in so many ways. Tonight we decided to venture into no-mans-land to find a Dairy Queen we thought we had seen on our drive in. With it being later in the evening, close to her bedtime, we decided the drive through would do. As Aaron begins to place our order, she lets off with the loudest jabber\talk we have heard from her yet. With no interpretation, we can only assume she was excited for ice cream. With our melting treats in hand, we were headed back to the resort just as Cade had a spill. While he is busy cleaning with one hand, his other is holding his ice cream dangerously  close to the "center line" between his sister and himself. I hear her sweet voice say, "oh, wow...yes!" As I turn around and look, she takes only the fingertips of her right hand, carefully dips into Cade's ice cream and proceeds to lick off each one. She ends with looking at Cade with a huge smile and saying, "Boom!"
He has met his equal.

I mentioned earlier about the lady in the pool, playing with Libbi. Her and her husband have traveled and seen the world. They are fellow believers and we had a great time visiting with them. We got the impression that they were needing encouragement and as it turned out they blessed us the same. We learned that they are very mission oriented. Their son wrote a homeschool curriculum, and we also learned that they are friends of Kyle Idleman's parents. They even knew of the town I grew up in! (That rarely-if ever-happens).

These fun times remind me of where I am at in life and beg me to ask, "Where do I want to go?" I know that I want to be like the people we met: fun loving and blessing others. After hearing their stories, I realize they didn't get there overnight. I don't want to rush past the spilled ice cream mess and the "accidents" on the floor that were meant for the potty. I want to enjoy midlife-driving a minivan-and use it to make me into the girl that The Lord wants me to be. The girl that I want to be.

I'm thankful for the time here. The mountains. The weather. The laughs. To see the new sights and to take the time to relax. I find myself grateful. Worshiping. Giving thanks to the One who made it all.

Wishing you all a blessed night. Truly.

-Erin

Hello...again!

 

 

I decided to get up and get my workout done early so I could

get on here and share my heart with you.

It was costly.

5:00 am...but worth it. 

 

I "snuck" downstairs for my secluded 40 min.

It is my "sacred place."

 

Don't be jealous, now.

Libbi refused to stay in her play yard, so I opened it up and climbed in.

I included some of my toys as well.

 

(*a note to my photographer friends...the lighting? On purpose. It hid the dust and cobwebs. Feel free to share my idea. If you're kind, I might even let you ride on that slick little roller coaster to the right. I'm not really to a place where I'd feel comfortable with a photo sessions giveaway, so the coaster ride will have to do. I'll even throw in the "box fan breeze" for an added treat.) *smile*

 

 

These kids mess me up in the best way possible.

For real.

Every day is a challenge (a good one). A call. Not a "call out" but a "call up." To be a better mom. Wife. Friend. Sister. Daughter. Pastors wife.

I'm not going to lie. It isn't easy.

But it's worth it. Just. Look. At. Those. Faces.

 



 

These papers are priceless to me.

The first? 14 weeks with my trainer. Blood, sweat and tears. Reminding me of where I've come from, and where I'm going. Stronger. Leaner. Everyday.

 

Below that is my "love" note from Libbi. I have a Bible cover now to match.

Priceless. Just like her sweet self.

 

 

(Wow these IPhone uploads are #blurry)

 

As I mentioned earlier, we have a big girl in the house now...

 

 

Her brother is growing just as fast!

He is learning so much this year. Character. Perseverance. Patience. Forgiveness.

Though I hate to see him hurt, I watch from the front row

as this man-child grows and begins to apply everything we've tried to instill.

It truly is a gift. #Hiswordneverfails

 

 

As our school year was quickly approaching, I decided on a last minute curriculum change.

Not knowing what to expect, I dove in head first through countless reviews, phone calls, and finally decided to do a placement test. It covered the five core subjects. He passed...right through to 4th grade.

I was stunned. And so proud. He loves to learn and it is paying off.

 

As I mentioned before, these guys have my heart. Most of it anyway. Aaron's in there too! *smile*

 

May this day find you blessed.

Breathe deep.

Push the incline up just one more %. Do one more rep.

Spend just 60 seconds more, mentioning every name you can think of before the One who can pull the plug on the worry that keeps you awake and weighs you down.

He could stop time if He wanted to. And better yet, who is already in tomorrow.

You got this...when you've got Him.

Stay the course, friend.

 

And until we chat again, here is my "Hello"...again!

 

 

 

 

 

 

HELLO!

I'm back.
I'm ready to write after a long (and much needed) hiatus. I've missed this. Just to type this feels just, well, exciting!

I took the summer off to regroup and digest the summer: slow and steady. I realized that I needed that time to continue staying flush with plumb line.

I cannot write another minute until I tell you about the most precious little nephew that arrived today!!! Wesley Coy impressed us all with his adorable cute self. I can hardly stand it that I live so far away! His sweet little face just melts his aunt Erin's heart. I'm pretty sure that he will love me more than Alison (my sister), but lets keep that between us. He is perfect. We are absolutely in love and I could not be happier for my brother Eric and his sweet bride, Kerri. Great job, mom and dad! Thanks for letting us dote on your sweet little boy!

Speaking of sweet kiddos, Cade is getting ready to begin school. I remember post-partum hormones; tears; and memories of dreading his first day of school. Now he is in the 3rd grade. How does that happen?

Libbi? She is using the big girl potty. I know. This house will not know what to do without its trail of diapers and wipes. I may break into song and dance. Repeatedly.

Aaron is doing such a great job at the church, his job, and being a great dad and spouse! He is constantly striving for excellence and goodwill towards men. He's a stud...and ladies, he is taken.

I am doing well. Health is doing great. I had a bit of a scare as my liver enzymes came back elevated. I have a new oncologist and he ran additional tests, all coming back normal. I'm thankful. So incredibly thankful. I am now on a six month check up schedule. I cannot tell you how good that feels. Finagling childcare and appointments gets old--quickly.
I'm writing again. Bits and pieces here and there. Contemplating another book. Preparing for two retreats this fall, back to back. I would appreciate your prayers as I assemble each session.

We are looking forward to taking some much needed vacations this fall/winter. Hoping to see some of your beautiful faces this year as we make our rounds. So few words can describe how thankful we are for friends like you. Your love, support, and a verbal spanking now and then to keep us on track.

That is pretty much a glimpse into our lives as we catch up. I would love to stay longer, but this girl needs to turn in. Worship practice comes early on Sundays, but I wanted to stop by and say Hello!

Blessings, Erin