Erin Thoughts- May 2010 "Disney Edition"

The countdown reads 4 days until my dream Disney adventure... I thought I'd share my Erin brain in honor of that trip.

-My favorite Disney movie is Enchanted. I know it's an odd choice considering it's not a classic, but I can't help it. I can be found DAYS after watching it still singing "That's how you know, that's how you know sheeee's the one."

-I'm always amazed at how much Minnie Mouse can do in heels. I can barely walk down a street.

- When I was 12, I dyed my hair bright red. People called me Ariel for a week. I didn't dye it red again...ever.

-Sometimes I wonder if Alice In Wonderland was the catalyst of my fear of felines. You've got to admit, there's nothing freakier than an insane cat.

-I think Disney really gave stepmothers a bad wrap...if anything, they should have focused more on mother-in-laws.

-I wasn't allowed to watch Darkwing Duck, to this day I'm still confused as to why.

- I don't know why people are so obsessed with Tinkerbell, she was kind of a brat.

-I've always wondered how Cinderella could be okay with trying on a shoe that every girl in the kingdom tried on first, all I can think of is foot fungus.

Why we fight

On the not-so-good days, the scary days, and the frustrated days, I watch this and think about all of the things he CAN do. And I remember that I'm the one that teaches him that.

2 years old and so much fun

Dear Noahboy, today you turn two years old and what an incredible little boy you've turned out to be! Born 4 weeks premature, you were the smallest of my 3 babies but also the most tough. And now, here you are a toddler. You've grown up before my eyes. Here are some of the wonderful things that make you...well...you!

*You are the toughest kid I know. When you get hurt, bruised, giant gash on your forehead, whatever...you come running to me crying and then 30 seconds later you're suddenly healed and back to playing. It's a miracle.

*You have the longest eyelashes I have ever seen on a human being in my life, and you use them to your full advantage, particularily when you want something.

*You're a pro at wrestling. Your brother has taught you everything he knows. And even though he's much faster than you are, and can get away quite easily, you have brute strength on your side and can easily pound him, grab him, and sit on him faster than you can say lickity split.

*You're an eater. You usually eat everything on your plate, and if I'm being totally honest, on your brother's plate too. Our household rule is "If you don't eat it.... Noah will." And since you were so underweight as a baby, we don't mind one bit that you're getting all the nourishment that you need.

*Noah, you are the funny bone of our family. You know how to tell a joke, do a dance, and pretty much do anything to make us laugh. That is a really cool characteristic about you. You LOVE to do it, and it's what sets you apart from the others. Equally you love it when others joke with you. Your infectious giggle leaves us laughing so hard we cry. What a joy you are Noahboy!

*You have a kind heart. You always say you're sorry if you've hurt your brother, or any of us and are quick to give us a hug...and then ofcourse give us a giggle.

*You LOVE to read. You simply cannot get enough books read to you in the day. In fact, most of the books you read yourself, telling us about the characters and what they're doing. You have such a passion for reading, and love a good story. It's surprising to me how someone so small can sit for so long and have such an attention span. But you somehow manage to. And everytime the book ends you say "Eee-na" which means "The End".

*You can be such a gentle ben. You absolutely adore your baby sister- there was never a time when you were jealous of her. You love to run up to her and say "hi baby!" and give her a kiss. You're always concerned about her and want to make sure you know where she is at all times. You ask "Where baby go?" when she isn't in the room and you LOVE to come get her from her crib after her nap.

*You love to communicate. Sitting up, crawling and walking were all challenges for you. Talking has never been. As you turn 2 today, you can actually say whole paragraphs. "Where dada go? I don see him. Dada? Where are you? Oh there you are Dada. Dada what you doin'?" and, ofcourse, our favorite. "Oh no! What are we gonna do? Hmmm.... I KNOW!" .

We are just loving this stage with you and all the cute things you come up with.

*If there is a mess, all trails point to you. You love to get dirty, and mess things up. Sometimes it can drive me crazy. But most times, it's just so funny to see you covered in dirt from head to toe, or to see the crayon marks you've made all over the walls. And you smile as you show off your artwork. How can anyone resist that smile?

*You love your daddy's shoes. You put them on and they look like skis on you. Even so, you can get around pretty well with them on.

I always say that before you were born, there was a Noah shaped hole in my heart. Baby, that is still so true. You have filled a place in my heart that was empty, you brought laughter when there were tears. You are truly a delight Noah. Love, Your Mama.

Mother's Day Reflections:3 years in

Three years ago, I celebrated my first mother's day. I was a new mom, enjoying every little thing about my baby. I couldn't have imagined then just how full my heart would become, how many lessons I would learn, or mistakes I would make. I couldn't have dreamed that 3 years later, I would be taking Mother's Day photos with 3 amazing babies.



The woman I was before my children came along is but a shadow of who I am now. My heart is so much more full. My desire to give my children love and support has allowed me to try things I would never have tried, and accomplish things I couldn't have ever seen myself doing. I have become a hairbow maker, a party planner, a sewing enthusiast, an avid reader, an interior designer, a documantarian, and a graphic designer since they came into my life; all things I could never have dreamed I would be. Being a mother has encouraged me to become a better person, a more well-rounded one.

I've become more relaxed- less of a control freak. My children have taught me that there is no controlling when they play in mud, or get covered in peanutbutter, there is no telling how covered in crayon your walls will become, or when somebody will have a dirty diaper that requires a wardrobe change. These are all things you have to roll with, and I have learned to not take things so seriously, or expect perfection.

So if I could say one thing to that mother 3 not-so-very-long years ago? I would tell her not to worry so much. You can't control things, you can't make them happen the way you want them to. All you can do, is sit back and enjoy the crazy ride and trust that the Lord knows what He's doing. Enjoy every kiss, snuggle, hug and wonderful thought that pops into their head. And find a way to laugh, even at the ridiculous mess your baby just made, everyday!

And sometimes.... the good guys win.

So last Sunday I went to watch The Amazing Race, like I always do on Sunday nights, and the news had said that Osama bin Laden had been killed by U.S. troops. I gotta say, I didn't hold a rally, or rejoice in his death or anything but I was relieved. I couldn't help but think, "What the heck took so long?"

On September 12, 2001 people were so spitting mad, you would have thought there was no safe place for this guy to hide. Then we started a totally different war in a whole other country and priorities shifted.

I know there are a whole lot of Obama haters out there. I've heard all the reasons why. I'm not interested in them. I'm not neccessarily saying he did a whole lot in the last 3 years. But when he was running for office, he promised he would shift our priorities back to this monster and, you have to admit whether you like the guy or not, whether you voted for him or not, or whether you think he's an American citizen or not.... he did what he said he would do.

Somehow Obama turned into Chuck Norris this week. And I have to say.... it made me feel more safe.

A rocker birthday

Tim turned 30 this week. It was a rather eventful week. I planned a big Rocker birthday party for him. It was pretty off the hook. My friend Lauren and I made microphone cake pops. There was a VIP lounge, a portrait studio and a wicked awesome Guitar Hero tournament. But nothing beats a night with some of your closest friends.