Quirky

Posted on 4:07 PM - by Erin
In my effort to lighten up a little this week, I've decided to follow Mary Beth's lead and tell you 6 quirky things about me. By the way, Mary Beth, you missed the SIX kids thing, that's a little quirky in itself!

1) I call David "Daddy"...I started this a couple years ago when Lily was going through a short lived phase of calling him David. I started to address him as Daddy for her benefit. It stuck, but I don't think either of us noticed it until a friend mentioned she finds it creepy. (By the way, friends who drink warm water should not throw stones). FYI...he does NOT ever call me Mommy, I would take issue with that. I do however wish I was Spanish-speaking and could pull off calling him papi cause that's kinda cool. I also call my real father Daddy which can lead to confusion when we're all together.

2) I never pick the first item off a shelf or rack unless I have too. I pick from the back, and suddenly feel very ashamed to admit I rarely take the time to fix whatever mess I leave on the shelf or rack by digging through.

3) I call a shopping cart a "buggy" and pants are often "britches" (not so much quirky as southern).

4) Physical quirk: the inside of my left ear is dark bluish-purple. It is a birthmark, not: ink, a tattoo, a hearing aid, a quarter or any other foreign object. Just born that way.

5) I am very afraid of frogs (and toads, I call them all frogs). I have tried to talk myself out of this irrational fear, but my heart rate increases and scalp tenses the second I see one (or think I see one), so I know I'm not just being dramatic, it's a real (however ridiculous) fear. Growing up in Florida was tough, frogs taunted me after every rain. I shiver at the mere thought.

6) I have a thing for names: nicknames, middle names, rhyming names. Most people I hang around have a made up nickname in my head, whether I ever voice it or not. Sometimes it's a rhyming name, sometimes it's their "rapper" name, sometimes it's just first and middle (even if the middle name is one I've made up). Ask me sometime and I'll tell you yours.

Home Sweet Home

Posted on 12:17 PM - by Erin
I have got to lighten up the mood on this blog! I found this list very entertaining. Not everyone will. Non-Floridians will skim the list, and wonder what's so great about Publix. Floridians will nod along with every line. Florida stays in your blood no matter where in the world you settle, and only real Floridians really "get it." Below is a funny (but very accurate) list of Florida-isms, sent to me via email from my friend, and fellow Floridian, Amy. I know it looks a mile long, but this is an easy read.

You know you're a Floridian if....

...socks are only for bowling.

...you never use an umbrella because you know the rain will be over in five minutes.

...a good parking place has nothing to do with distance from the store, and everything to do with shade.

...your winter coat is made of denim.

...you can tell the difference between fire ant bites and mosquito bites.

...you're younger than thirty but some of your friends are over 65.

...anything under 70 is chilly.

...you've driven through Yeehaw Junction.

...you could swim before you could read.

...you have to drive north to get to The South.

...you know that no other grocery store can compare to Publix.

...every other house in your neighborhood had blue roofs in 2004-2005.

...you've gotten out of school early on Halloween to trick or treat before it got dark

...you know that anything under a Category 3 just isn't worth waking up for.

...you dread love bug season.

...you're on a first name basis with the Hurricane list. They aren't Hurricane Charley, Hurricane Frances...but Charley , Frances , Ivan and Jeanne.

...you know what a snowbird is and when they'll leave.

...you think a six-foot alligator is actually pretty average.

...you were twelve before you ever saw snow, or you still haven't.

..."down South" means Key West

...you think New York drivers licenses should only be valid in New York

...flip-flops are everyday wear.

...shoes are for business meetings and church,

...but you HAVE worn flip flops to church before.

...sweet tea can be served at any meal.

...an alligator once walked through your neighborhood.

...you smirk when a game show's 'Grand Prize' is a trip or cruise to Florida

...you measure distance in minutes.

...you have a drawer full of bathing suits, and one sweatshirt.

...you get annoyed at the tourists who feed seagulls.

...a mountain is any hill 100 feet above sea level.

...you think everyone from a bigger city has a northern accent.

...you know the four seasons really are: hurricane season, love bug season, tourist season and summer

...it's not soda, cola, or pop. it's coke, regardless of brand or flavor, 'What kinda coke you want?'

...you've hosted a hurricane party.

...you go to a theme park for an afternoon, and know when to get on the best rides. ( Space Mountain during the Electric Light Parade!)

...you understand the futility of exterminating cockroaches.

...you can pronounce Okeechobee, Kissimmee , Ichnatucknee and Withlacoochee

...you understand why it's better to have a friend with a boat, than have a boat yourself.

...bumper stickers on the pickup in front of you include: various fish, NRA, NASCAR, Go Gators, and a confederate flag.

...you were 5 before you realized they made houses without pools.

...you were 25 when you first met someone who couldn't swim.

...you've worn shorts and used the A/C on Christmas.

...you recognize Miami-Dade as ' Northern Cuba '.

That's good stuff! Hey Florida folk, which is your favorite?

Letting Go

Posted on 2:37 PM - by Erin
Today I let go. Something I wanted badly.

It started out innocently enough. My "wanter" was pretty generic at first, I wanted something, I wanted more. Fill in the blank, I wasn't so sure myself. But then my wanter got specific. I wanted "it." And I knew it. I had a clear picture, I could see it, and I liked what I saw. And the fear was gone, the "what ifs" faded, and I felt a fresh excitment. But feelings can be deceptive and no matter how clear it seems, the picture I have will always be just a miniscule speck of a gazillion piece puzzle that God alone sees.

And He said no. Maybe it's a not now. Maybe it's a not yet. Either way, it's no. And it's tough. And though the God of the universe owes me no explanation, He gave a few good reasons. 3 in fact, and they are enough.

But letting go is never easy. And the ache I have with closing this door feels similar to the ache of leaving home. Letting go of something good because God has called me to great.

And I am stronger than I thought I was, because it takes great strength to let go.

I AM FREE

Posted on 8:08 AM - by Erin
Months ago, God began giving me a particular verse. I don't even remember the first time. Regardless, it began to cross my path over and over and over, almost to the point of ridiculousness. In my devotional book, in my online devotion, in a sermon, in another sermon... It is for freedom that Christ has set us free (Gal. 5:1). I began to chew on it more and more. It is for freedom that Christ has set us free....it is for freedom that Christ has set you free...it is for freedom Christ has set me free. It really began to get under my skin. Freedom. I am free for freedom's sake. If for no other reason than freedom alone, Christ has set me free. My freedom is important to Christ, important enough to die for. Freedom. This is a foundational point in my belief system. I do not struggle with the belief that Christ has set me free. Free from sin, free from death, free from an eternity in hell. I am free, I get it. Or do I?


The next part of the verse says do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Ah, burdened. That word hits home. Burdened. I feel burdened. If nothing else, I am a fine actress, because burden rests on me in this season more so than I have felt in years...like a heavy coat, like a dense fog, like a yoke. And I bet few of you knew that. But that 3 letter word that comes before burden, let, that's what really stings. As in I let myself be burdened, I choose to be burdened. Ouch. I am no theologist and typically when a verse begins to get under my skin, I grab a commentary of my bookshelf and get a little more context. Maybe, as I unpack this more and more, I will. But for some reason, up to this point I have felt hesitant to do so. As if God wants me and His Word to wrestle it out alone.


I could list to you 10 good reasons why this has been a difficult season. From things as seemingly simple as my daughter starting kindergarten to the heavier issues of coming to terms with the end of my stay-at-home mom tenure, and the uncertainty that brings. But really, anytime we are outside of our sweet spot, no matter the reason, life feels harder. Everything feels harder, like swimming upstream. Every relationship takes more effort, every day takes more energy, every light moment feels fleeting. Especially, once you've felt it. Once you taste freedom, the next yoke feels heavier, even if it's a yoke you've worn before. Like fanning yourself on a hot day, it feels even hotter when you stop. Accepting Christ's freedom, living in that sweet spot of His acceptance, His will, His path, makes choosing to wear a yoke feel even heavier, even more burdensome. Choosing to wear a yoke, choosing bondage. How did I let it happen?


Slowly. I began to get too comfortable. I survived the difficult transition of moving to NC, which honestly, though it was very hard, I so tightly clung to Jesus every day, there was no room between us for a self-imposed yoke. Life was hard, but daily I stayed focused on God's activity and never felt this burden. I do not equivocate freedom with "smooth sailing," I have experienced freedom when (pardon my choice of words Mama), life sucks. And I have felt burdened when circumstances give no just cause. Freedom is not circumstantial. When I began to get comfortable and reach for other things, I lessened my grip on the Lord. And though He has shown me time and time again that He's not letting go of me, I slowly took my eyes off Him to survey my surroundings and loosened my grip to pick up other things, one of the things I picked up was a heavy yoke. And I slapped that sucker around my neck and it's been choking the life out of me. I am my own worst enemy. I let that happen, that's what breaks my heart. That's what breaks His heart.


So what does my yoke look like? Oh, she's about 5'4"...dark hair (growing it out a little, thanks for noticing), she's a do-er, a list maker, a never-sit-downer, a fill 5 minutes if she's got 'em kind of gal. That list she writes is never completely checked off so she thinks about her unproductiveness at night, how she'd do the day differently if she could. She loves to read and write but the guilt she feels for taking a moment to herself squelches the joy, so she eliminates those things to make time for list making and list checking and list agonizing. She is gifted, God Himself says so, but she struggles to accept it. She does not see in herself what others do because she looks through a lense of false comparison and undo criticism. In her efforts to be a good wife, a good friend, a good mom, she creates so much tension that she becomes none of the above. And relationships suffer. She worries what you think of her. Because she knows the Truth, she recites to herself on a regular basis, I only care what God thinks of me, because hearing that truth, even before fully believing it, will allow it take root in her heart. Perhaps it already has, and that's why I'm writing this today.


So what now? Well, I've been chewing on this verse for awhile now. It's written in my journal, in my kitchen, and in my heart. Why has the God of the universe put great effort into causing many a collision between me and this particular word? Because it is for freedom that Christ has set me free. And I have chosen to let myself be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. My freedom is that important to Him, in fact, more important to Him than to me. Left alone, I may continue on this path, until the yoke itself feels comfortable. But God loves me too much to allow that and there is work to be done. He has an important kingdom-impacting task for me to accomplish and I'm ultimately ineffective while I stay chained to my expectations, your expectations and my false assumptions about your expectations. There is work for me to do, and I got a word yesterday about what that work should look like...rest. A wise, valued friend and speaker of truth told me, God wants you to find rest in Him. And she wasn't being general. She was talking about me and my God. And God's word (at least one of them) to her for me: Rest. That may seem like a paradox, being a laborer for the Lord and finding rest at the same time. But that is the beautiful mystery of God, as we pour ourselves out, He fills us up. And at the end of the day, if I am pouring myself out and staying empty, I'm doing something wrong. God is on my list rather than the center of my life.


If I chose to put this darn yoke on, I can choose to take it off. That sounds too simplistic but that's what I'm reading God's word to mean. So again, I will speak it until it takes deep root: It is for freedom that Christ has set me free. And my God is a Redeemer, so the weeks and months that feel wasted will ultimately bring good for His purpose. Relationships tested are relationships proven, relationships developed are strong because they've survived the trench, eyes washed with tears are now clearer to see, gifts left dormant for a time are ready to burst. Feeling so heavy brings opportunity to feel so light. Maybe not today, but it's coming.


I am free.

52

Posted on 7:04 PM - by Erin
Friday.I.Got.A.Speeding.Ticket.

52.In.A.40.

52 does not feel like speeding. Not at all. Well, maybe on a dark, winding, dirt road through a neighborhood of blind children, but not on a bright and busy 4 lane road that has direct interstate access. But I'm not bitter. I broke the law, I deserve to be punished. But $170 punished? That's not even the amount of my ticket, that's the fee for the class so that I don't get points on my license and in turn pay for the ticket for years to come through increased insurance rates. And FYI, I do NOT have $170 sitting around waiting to clean up my mistake.

Encouraged by something I heard in a sermon today, I feel the need to confess that I am a speeder. A habitual speeder. There you have it. Not by much, but for some reason doing the exact speed limit feels like torture. If it's a 35, I've got to do 40. A 55, maybe 60, maybe just 58. On interstate, I'm a fan of 75mph. I usually go no more than 5-7 mph over the limit. And I really didn't know it was 40. But Officer Not-S0-Chatty didn't even ask. Let me just say that I love officers of the law. My big brother is a deputy. My handsome hubby was a deputy. I know and love (or at least like) and always respect officers. But I will say, I'm not this guy's biggest fan. He wasn't rude, he did his job very professionally. If I thought he read my blog I'd butter him up a little more in hopes he'd post a ticket-reversal in my comment box. But as he's not reading, I'm not buttering. Give a girl a smile, maybe even a "52 isn't the worst I've seen today," something to help this born rule follower feel a little better about getting caught. I may speed but in the grand scheme of things, I'm about as law-abiding, rule-following as they come. Doesn't that count for something?

In other news (completely unrelated I might add): I am now charging a small fee for reading my blog. The next 100 readers will be charged a small fee of $1.70.

Snow2

Posted on 6:25 PM - by Erin

Since my last post, we're actually on snow #2 for the year! Unfortunately, neither have allowed for primo play time. The first snow was followed by freezing rain; the second snow, which had great potential, started later in the day than forecast and has yet to accumulate enough for man or angel making. Maybe it will continue to build through the night and stick around long enough for some winter fun tomorrow.

Either way, we're still thoroughly enjoying the white stuff, even if for no other reason than the way it makes an ordinary roof top or empty field look so beautiful. I love to listen to the soft noise of the snow hitting the ground, to lift my face to the sky and let the icy flakes sting my nose and eyelids, it's all such a new experience for me, I feel like a big kid! It's cute to watch Lily and Luke stick out their little tongues hoping to catch a flake, amazing how many flakes can fall before the tongue gets a "hit." I'm so glad they're experiencing the best of both worlds in their childhood...snow in the winter, sand in the summer. Please note my "so glad" is relative to the fact that God called us to the Carolinas and not the Dakotas!

Bonus for the day - We have not parked in our two car garage a single time since moving here last June. First it held boxes, then furniture we weren't using, then we "inherited" an air hockey table, then items for the community yardsale, then the swing set pieces...always full of something. I didn't think much of it until winter rolled around...icy windshield, cold leather seats, brrrrr...I must have fussed just enough because today, moments before the rain shifted to snowfall, David cleaned out the garage to make room for the Explorer on one side. What a guy!





The "S" word

Posted on 8:15 PM - by Erin
The weatherman said it today. The "s" word. The four letter "s" word that gives me such a thrill. Not that four letter "s" word...the clean one, pure as the driven...you know, SNOW! I heard it today, just a brief mention, "possible sleet or snow" in Thursday's forecast. For you native northerners (or Oklahomans!) who hardly think a Carolina snow is worth mentioning, I disagree! Twenty-seven Florida winters, no snow. Not a flurry, not a flake. But then it happened, one cold January morning (just one year ago), my no-snow-streak finally ended. My first glimpse of it was through the upstairs window of our apartment, the early morning hours were still dark, the only light shining came from the park style street lamps outside, beautifully covered in white powder...it was lovely, like a movie scene. I didn't feel like I was in a 2 bedroom apartment 600 miles from "home"...I felt like I was exactly where I wanted to be, surrounded by snow.

Because I'd heard NC snow doesn't last long, I woke the kids up right away to see it. When the sun came up it was still snowing and we anxiously headed out to play, dressed in layers of pajamas. I still don't know who was more excited, me or the kids. It didn't last too long... just long enough to build an 12" snowman., just long enough for me to figure out that snow is WET, just long enough to take pictures, call grandparents and make a "first snow" memory that will last a lifetime.



So what else can I say but let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!


Enjoy

Posted on 2:16 PM - by Erin
Digging the John Anderson tune? I attempted to add it yesterday to go along with the below post, but couldn't figure it out and ended up taking the music feature off all together (by accident.) After a consult with my blog tech, I've now mastered the widget...at least until next time.

Enjoy it now, "Swingin" won't stick around too long. If you were not raised around country music and this song is unfamiliar, give it a listen, it's pretty funny (and very southern). But if you know it, and come on, I know you do...turn it up and swing sing along!

Just a swingin' (swingin')

Posted on 3:51 PM - by Erin
Christmas gift.
Twenty-two days.
Many pieces.
Confusing instructions.
Frustrated husband.
Splintered wood.
Stripped screws.
Bloody knuckle.
Cramped hands.
Frustrated husband.

Happy kids.

Thanks Mimi, Papa, Wissy, Poppi, Grandma and Pa!

Show Me the Funny

Posted on 8:43 PM - by Erin
Talk about pressure. I know some of you reading this post at this moment are here because you're actually a reader of Jess' blog and she has just posted about how funny she finds me. You're here for funny, and I am fresh out. Maybe I save it all for Jess because honestly, I don't know anyone else that thinks I'm as funny as she does, I know I don't. In fact the thought has crossed my mind more than once that I used to be funny, I used to have a quick wit, I used to be a little silly. But be it age or stage or just the mild-numbness to life that we mommy's often develop to operate for years without a full night's sleep and to survive catching vomit in our hands...whatever the cause, I just don't have the same sense of humor.

But I will say that being with Jess makes me feel funny. She laughs freely with me and I love her laugh and I love the way she finds everything I say humorous; I find myself loosening up, feeling silly and forgetting that I need to look like my act is together...I just let go of being anyone but me. And I find some funny after all, not too far below the surface.

So, I guess, much like the chicken and egg dilemma...the question is, does my funny make Jess laugh or does her laugh make me funny?

By the way, Holly B, if Max is looking for Spidey's head, I put it on the mantle.

Merry Christmas!

Posted on 2:02 PM - by Erin
The Christmas cards that I never had printed that then turned into New Year's cards that I, again, never had printed were to include this pic of Lily and Luke (also newly added to the side). I took it at Chimney Rock in November and just love how genuinely happy they look. I didn't plan to snap a holiday card photo that day, obviously their clothes were not coordinated nor was Luke's hair apparently even brushed! But the unplanned kind are my favorites anyway.

Today, I accept that there will be no holiday card. Please enjoy the pic and consider yourself wished a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from our family! To those of you who were on top of things this holiday season and sent us a card, thanks so much, really! Last year, my FL cards equalled my NC cards which made us feel equally loved by both. This year I had more NC cards than FL...out of sight, out of mind I could say, but I'll just appreciate how greatly loved we are by our NC "family."

For Jess :)

Posted on 1:27 PM - by Erin


Designer Blogs by M

Posted on 2:48 PM - by Erin
Like the new look? Mindy hooked me up, fortunately she gave me the Friends and Family Discount for her services. I'd mentioned more than once that my blog needed some updating and she came to the rescue. I still have "lists" that need to be updated and a few pics to add, but the general overhaul is done...and I like love it! I really dig the added element of music. I can change the song to fit my mood or a post but for now, sit back, enjoy some Michael Buble and refresh the page over and over to run up my counter! I was hesitant about adding the counter because I hated to start at ZERO 6 months after my blog debut...so if all of you will kindly refresh your page as many times as you think you've visited my blog over the past 6 months I would appreciate it!

Wii Will Rock You

Posted on 1:14 PM - by Erin


If you haven't played Wii yet, you don't know what you're missing! Run, don't walk, to your nearest Wii supplier and nab one up for your family (that is IF you can find any in stock!) Don't have several hundred dollars available for your gaming pleasure? Find a Wii family willing to share, that's what "wii" did! Wii is NOT for you if you have an aversion to looking silly, breaking a sweat or having fun in general. A very skilled Wii master may be able to tuck one hand behind his back in a gesture of "I can beat you one-handed" but we lesser Wii-Miis must use every muscle in dramatic animated gestures to make that tennis serve (or not), steer that rampaging knit-cow or shoot the head-grabbing alien spaceship.

Big thanks to Brad, Mindy, Maci, Andy and especially Aaron for sharing the fun, after all, it did have his name on it under this Christmas tree. I know few 8 year olds capable of such generosity.

Looking forward to next time!

Ghost of Christmas Past

Posted on 2:50 PM - by Erin
I started taking down our Christmas decorations today. I usually have this task completed by January 2nd but this year, I've found myself hesitant to say goodbye to Christmas past. Where did it go? There's the small tree I meant to put up on the plant shelf but never got around to it and the greenery I envisioned hanging along the staircase but didn't buy until January 1st when I found it on clearance. There are friends we didn't celebrate the season with and special little gifts I intended to give but blinked and the opportunity was missed. I am not sure if I spent adequate time praising God for the gift of Jesus and certain I spent too much time unwinding those metal twisty things off well-packaged toys. Big sigh. Maybe next this year...after all Christmas 2008 will be here before I know it.

Do Over

Posted on 12:06 PM - by Erin
Can we start 2008 over? David is sick (he always gets sick this time of year), I fell down the stairs this morning (just a few steps, no injuries) and I just stepped in something wet with my socks on (yuck). All signs point to crawling back in bed and starting 2008 tomorrow!

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