tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73348489540047812972024-03-18T11:46:44.504-07:00wee little miraclesErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-14277283009738177392017-06-03T09:08:00.002-07:002017-06-03T09:11:24.218-07:00An Announcement: My American Girl Accessories Etsy Shop!Just popping in to share some exciting news-- I opened an Etsy shop! It all started with a trip to the library a couple of years ago. My daughter Megan came across some American Girl stories about a girl named Felicity, which we borrowed. She instantly fell in love with the stories of this Revolutionary-Era redhead and her horse.
Once we finished reading those we Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com63tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-85729228309474313902015-02-19T05:51:00.001-08:002015-02-19T06:00:23.242-08:00A Few Thoughts as Lent Begins...
For the past few weeks I'd been thinking about what to "do" for Lent this year, wanting whatever I chose to be meaningful and fruitful. As that was mulling around in my brain, I came across some readings in a couple of my prayer books on the subject of discipline. Discipline is a difficult area for me sometimes (hello not wanting to exercise, get to bed on time or use free timeErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com124tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-73640879987536243592015-02-17T05:21:00.000-08:002015-02-17T05:28:00.663-08:00How to Find Stillness in a Culture that Tells you to Do More
Awhile back I read an article from the New Yorker called No Time by Elizabeth Kolbert. The article takes an in-depth look at how Americans use their time, suggesting a growing addiction to busyness. Americans, it seems, feel the need to use up every single minute of their time, without allowing much space in the day for rest. And, worse than that, people tend to brag about how busyErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-11738749521497444042015-02-07T09:37:00.002-08:002015-02-07T09:50:05.508-08:00Things that are Saving my Life Right Now
Winter has always been my least-favorite season. It's long. Its cold. (Did I mention that it's long?!) Somewhere around February I yearn for green and living things, in the midst of all of the white and grey swirling around. I recently read a blog post about making a list of things that are saving your life right now, in the midst of dreary winter. I loved Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-8130706206173485502015-01-19T07:23:00.005-08:002015-01-19T07:23:52.775-08:0012 in 2014 {a photo re-cap}One of the things I've always loved to do at the beginning of each new year is take a look back on the previous year's photos. It always tells such a story. 2014 was a year of difficulties and loss, but also packed full of blessings and joy. It was a turbulent year...a real emotional hum-dinger. (I know I'm aging myself by using the term "hum-dinger!" Does anyone even say that Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com40tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-51509732146274590282015-01-16T12:52:00.002-08:002015-01-16T12:53:47.677-08:00Peace Like a River
With the arrival of the new year, many of us take stock of our lives--where we're at, where we're headed, what we wish to accomplish in the year to come. While I've never been a huge "resolution" person, in more recent years I've become more intentional about the progress I wish to make in the coming year. By being around goal-oriented friends and reading books on the subject, Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com466tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-35641537602967584752014-12-15T08:30:00.000-08:002014-12-15T08:31:49.523-08:00Advent Update and O Antiphons {Free printable!}
Enjoying "Holiday on Main Street" despite the frigid temperature!
As Advent flies by (doesn't it always?!), I haven't had much time for blogging, but I wanted to squeeze in a quick post! I've been trying to fit as much fun as we can into this short Advent season, while being careful to maintain balance and avoid over-commitment (always a challenge, that one little word--balance).&Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com89tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-14981078148555438342014-11-14T07:52:00.000-08:002014-11-20T04:52:30.432-08:00Why Beauty MattersLately I've been thinking about the importance of beauty. How beauty is a gift from God-- one that we so desperately need in our lives. How beauty has the ability to uplift, to elevate, to draw us closer to our creator. Beauty is the lens through which we see the extraordinary, a touch of the divine.
I have this friend who has bare walls in her house, because she'sErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-189884952286215392014-11-11T06:54:00.002-08:002014-11-11T06:55:25.128-08:00Happy Martinmas!
Happy St. Martin of Tours...a.k.a. Martinmas! Last year my family had a lot of fun sitting around the fire pit in the backyard, grilling hotdogs and making s'mores to celebrate. We also decorated these printable lanterns , and displayed them in the yard. This year we plan to do it all over again! I just wanted to share the printable lantern again with you, in Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-7447596113507923222014-10-21T10:28:00.002-07:002014-10-21T10:42:53.517-07:00October Daybook
It's been FOREVER since I last posted and so many wonderful things have been happening! I've had such a fun-filled summer of beach days, nature walks, reading (always reading!) and just finding much-needed peace and renewal, after a difficult Spring. And this Fall has been filled with so many new and wonderful experiences! I figured it was high time for a bloggy update! Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-12663036062583725262014-04-07T05:04:00.001-07:002014-04-07T05:10:27.215-07:00Even There...
Even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. --Psalm 139:10
It's 1am and I awake to the pain of contractions.
No, I think. Not again.
I am 18 weeks pregnant and yesterday there was spotting. Immediately I know I am losing this baby. Experience tells me this, for 3 years ago, I had a similar loss.
I don't want to leave the warm comfort of my Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-75293824427814414112014-02-19T05:13:00.001-08:002014-11-20T05:03:24.611-08:00Ten Tips on Prayer...
Lately, I've been taking stock of my prayer life. As is typical of a life with God, I have many peaks and valleys. Lately I seem to be dipping into the latter, so I figured I should turn some attention to ways I can grow in this area. A book I started reading awhile back but never finished popped into my head: Spiritual Direction by Robert F. Morneau (if you've been reading Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-85870892188160856862014-01-31T04:57:00.001-08:002014-01-31T05:06:46.650-08:007 Quick TakesIt's been awhile since I linked up with 7 Quick Takes! I've missed it, so here I am today, brain-dumping the completely random, in no particular order.
1. My nails seriously dislike winter. They keep cracking...and then cracking...and then cracking some more. It is not good. They are now down to itty-bitty stumps so I HAD to polish them, in a desperate attempt to Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-4020984573668863112014-01-29T04:57:00.001-08:002014-01-29T05:04:29.342-08:00Random Thoughts on the Happiness Project
I thought January would be a fitting time to read The Happiness Project, since I had heard such great things about it and it seeming very "New Year's Resolutionish". It's a great book! Packed with thought-provoking quotes, fascinating research and personal anecdotes, I highly recommend it, even if you're already blissfully happy and have zero interest in starting a happiness projectErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-59015061681383083612014-01-22T05:35:00.002-08:002014-01-22T05:35:57.363-08:00January Daybook
Things have been quiet here on the blog lately, but that's because I've had lots of ideas floating around in my head! I've been doing a lot of reading lately, and focusing on being present, my one-word goal for 2014.
Outside my window...
A beautiful blanket of fresh white on everything. We had 5 inches of snow yesterday evening and into the night.
Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-45421283949108121422014-01-02T09:43:00.001-08:002014-01-02T09:45:51.490-08:00Capturing Beauty {a picture recap of 2013}As I was looking back on the photos I took in 2013 I was thinking about how much I truly enjoy capturing God's beauty with my camera. It's a way for me to pause in amazement at the wonderment all around, all the time. So, I wanted to bundle together some of that beauty here, in this space, all in one post. Want to have a look with me?
Capturing a bit of Valentine cheerErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-28146482091919622552013-12-30T06:53:00.000-08:002015-01-16T12:54:13.839-08:00Happy {almost} 2014!2013 has been a whirlwind year. A wonderful year of challenges and blessings--new house, new baby, new town. It was a year of embracing the new and letting go of the old. As the frenetic season of Christmas Crazy calms down (Merry Christmas, by-the-way! I sort of stepped out of blogging this past Advent.), I find myself reflecting on life in general. Like many others do, Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-35946369589656236702013-11-11T11:58:00.000-08:002013-11-11T12:18:38.772-08:00Celebrate St. Martin of Tours {Free Martinmas Lantern Printable!}Today is Martinmas (the feast day of St. Martin of Tours)! St. Martin was a Roman soldier (and later became a Bishop) born in 316 A.D. He was forced into the military when he was quite young. He is most well known for the famous story in which he encountered a beggar on a cold wintery day. Filled with compassion for this shivering man, Martin cut his cloak in half, giving part Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com142tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-81997325029331475232013-11-09T08:30:00.002-08:002013-11-09T10:05:53.209-08:00Giving Trees {A Simple Kids Craft for Thanksgiving!}
With Thanksgiving approaching, there are many beautiful crafts and activities to do to show our thanks. But along with giving thanks for all that we have, why not also do an activity about giving to others? "Giving Trees" are a wonderful way for little ones to think of ways to serve others this Fall as as Thanksgiving draws closer. Inspired by the book The Giving Tree by Shel Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-91683766992878496612013-11-06T16:36:00.000-08:002013-11-09T08:43:31.494-08:00The Walking Game {a.k.a. Easy Kid Fun!}
A couple of days ago the kids were feeling a little restless--you know, the dreaded pre-dinner witching hour was beginning to strike. As I often do in times such as these, I decided to read aloud (one of our favorite pastimes). I grabbed the latest issue of Spider magazine (another favorite!) and got to it. One of the stories was called "The Walking Game" by Linfred Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-80537202561394333952013-10-04T16:37:00.001-07:002013-10-04T16:47:17.172-07:00October Daybook...Outside my window...
The leaves are beginning to change colors and pumpkins & mums are appearing on neighbors' doorsteps. Aaaaah... Fall is here!
I am thinking...
About all of the upcoming holidays! I LOVE everything about the next few months--Halloween, All Saints, Thanksgiving...and dare I mention the "C" word yet?? Ok, I'll just say Advent and spare you Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-18979067401328932252013-09-11T15:27:00.004-07:002013-09-11T15:28:31.748-07:00Lessons Learned from the Poolside
Over the summer my kids took swimming lessons. One hour a day the littles tested their courage kicking and splashing, daring themselves to try harder each time, be a tad bolder, go a bit deeper. And as they splashed and stretched and grappled and learned, I did some stretching and learning of my own, too.
We were a rag-tag bunch of moms, crowding around picnic tables watching our Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-52796101385679259982013-06-05T11:12:00.001-07:002013-06-05T11:20:17.170-07:00Slow and Steady Wins the Race It was a Monday morning (Mondays. I know.) and I was feeling particularly unsteady, dashing around trying to catch up on things that had fallen behind. Megan had wet her bed. There were party trays to put away two weeks after the party. Mount laundry towered high yet again, despite my efforts to keep up. Several reminders later, Adam continued forgetting his manners at theErinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-33658145177752728772013-05-30T08:11:00.001-07:002013-05-30T12:41:38.352-07:00The Space BetweenI wake up, throat burning, eyes bleary from shedding big fat tears of mom-worry. Today is the day my sweet little boy, just 3 months old with the mouth like mine and the eyes like his, is getting cut open. He has a hernia which needs repairing. I feel helpless, aware of how little control we have over what life brings. The big life and death moments, these are the things Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7334848954004781297.post-21768087347041968142013-05-24T13:00:00.000-07:002013-05-24T13:28:10.415-07:00Five Minute Friday: ViewIt's been ages since I last participated in Five Minute Friday. It's where we write for 5 minutes flat on a given subject. No editing, no worrying. It is so much fun! This week the prompt is: view.
Here goes:
Right here the view looks pretty. Serene. Scenery falling into place, the road ahead looking bright.
But I've driven darker roads. The Erinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03741391046734508703noreply@blogger.com8