UUGHHH

I accidentally deleted stuff....lots of stuff apparently. My poor blog. I can't get the missing photos and things back, which makes me very sad. :(

I Love This Video!

Mean - Taylor Swift - Taylor Swift Videos

We Walked for My Mom

My kiddos and I joined a few other families from my Girl Scout Troop and took part in today's MS Walk. We couldn't have asked for a better day. The sun was shining. The high was 80 today. I did a double take earlier in the week when I checked today's forecast. Last weekend it was bitter cold and snowed, so to be able to walk in shorts today was incredible.

The walk was fun. The kids did a great job. We walked a mile today for MS.

It's Time To Party

Hi everybody. I am so glad to have you visiting. My name is Erica and you may know me as the trusty assistant over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

I sure do love those girls. I have been so blessed to have had the joy of working with them.

So, I have three little ones...you can see them over there on my sidebar, although those pictures are a little old. Audrey is 7, Isaiah is 4 (5 in July) and Christian is 3. So yes, my days are always fun.

We thought we'd do a little dancing for you, because how can you party without shaking your groove thing?

Also while you are here, please indulge in some Lindt Truffles. I also have Sweet Tea and Pepsi in my fridge. I have a bit of a sweet tooth.

A little about me...let's see....when I am not busy working away, I can be found doing lots of homework. I am a Senior at Ashford University online getting a BA in Public Relations/Marketing. I am ALMOST done. I can't wait to get my degree.

I also like to make quilts and try to learn how to play my guitar. I also lead my daughter's Girl Scout Troop. Can I tell you that I am so happy that we are DONE with cookie sales?!?!?!

I love books by Nicholas Sparks and Torey Hayden. I love Beth Moore Bible studies. Oh and I love to sing.

How about you? What things do you like to do when you find yourself with some free time?

Thanks again for visiting. I am so glad that you stopped by. Leave a comment so that I can come visit your humble abode. Have a blessed day!

Cars Birthday Party

I was so happy to watch him enjoy his special afternoon. Here are some photos from Christian's Cars party.

The kids painted wooden cars

They also made traffic light loot bags

They had an obstacle course complete with tires

Go Christian, Go

PRESENTS!!!!

Toy Story cars - Soooo cute

He wasn't sure whether he liked Rex, or was scared of Rex

All smiles during the birthday song

Make a wish

Pull string pinata

In the tires

Happy Birthday!

Imagination Celebration

Tucked away in the nearby mall is the neatest little place, Imagination Celebration. This fun, educational gem provides classes, performances and outreach programs to the community. They also provide a store, themed art displays and much much more. I have been with the kids one other time, but it was a spontaneous and rushed visit. Today our trip to Imagination Celebration was planned, with plenty of time to spare, and FUN! We also enjoyed our time with our good friends over at The Faery Inn.

I have to say that the name, Imagination Celebration, couldn't be anymore perfect for what this organization offers. My kids spent a good two hours crafting, running, climbing, reading, building, exploring and dressing up. We went for one of their free spring break programs, and oh my goodness was it fun.

Here are some pictures from today's activities

Me and Audrey decorating a quilt block

Christian making a kite, which he later got to fly throughout the building

These two guys are the cutest little buddies. They both gave the whale kisses.

You know that ring stacking toy? This was a giant one that you could climb on and also take the rings on and off. Super fun!

Of course the boys spent time building with blocks

Audrey read books while lounging

 While the kids did so much during today's visit, there was still so much left to explore. Sounds like the perfect excuse to head on over again soon.

AMEN!

It's Tough Being Three

He turned THREE today! My baby boy is not a baby anymore. He had a surprise McQueen balloon waiting for him this morning and then daddy came by at 10:00 A.M., on his way to work, so that we could all have birthday cupcakes together.

Christian was all smiles until we started singing the birthday song to him. That was something he just did NOT like.

It's tough being 3, didn't you know?

His Cars party will be on Saturday, so I'll be sure to post more pictures later Saturday night. :D

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHRISTIAN!

Building Castles in the Sand

He pretended he was at the beach.

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 9

Day 9 - Who has gotten me through the most?

There have been many people who have been in my life at various times, helping me through life's hurdles. There are so many different people that I could post a picture of. But today, there are two people who immediately came to mind, for all that they have done for me over the past several years.

These two lovely ladies have been by my side through many things.....the good, the bad and the ugly.

 

 

My Tiffany

My Andrea

You can read more about these two amazing ladies HERE!

Dancin'

The kids and I do this probably about 3 - 4 times a week. :D

30 Day Photo Challenge - Day 8

A picture that makes me laugh

"Someday you'll look back on this and laugh."

This picture captures a moment that did NOT make me happy at the time. She got into a large rectangular piece of Styrofoam. She broke it into a bagillion tiny pieces, and was so proud to show me how she made it snow in her room.

Yes, this picture makes me laugh.

Waste Wisely

"To awaken each morning with a smile brightening my face; to greet the day with reverence for the opportunities it contains; to approach my work with a clean mind; to hold ever before me, even in the doing of little things, the ultimate purpose toward which I am working; to meet men and women with laughter on my lips and love in my heart; to be gentle, kind, and courteous through all the hours; to approach the night with weariness that ever woos sleep and the joy that comes from work well done - this is how I desire to waste wisely my days."

- Thomas Dekker

Well....

I am behind.....and this is why...

I do have posts to share and pictures of the kiddos to post (for you family members). Just be patient a little while longer, please. :D

THANKS! :D

Eucharisteo

It's bright pink, one of my favorite colors. An etched dove graces the front cover. How perfect, since a dove symbolizes peace. It is my new Eucharisteo Journal, where I will begin to list my gifts throughout the day. Each little thing and moment to be thankful for will find its place within the pages of my journal.

All excerpts below are taken from One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp.

Eucharisteo

"And he took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them...."(Luke 22:19 NIV)

Gave Thanks = Eucharisteo.

The root word of Eucharisteo is Charis, meaning grace.
Eucharisteo also holds the derivative Greek word Chara, meaning joy.

Charis - Grace
Chara - Joy
Eucharisteo - Thanksgiving

"On the night when he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and gave thanks to God for it."
(1 Corinthians 11:23-24) Jesus offered thanksgiving for that which would break him, wound him, crush him and yield a bounty of joy (Chara).

We need to learn how to live a life of eucharisteo - always giving thanks, no matter the circumstances.

"I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little." (Philippians 4:11-12)

I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks. Something always comes to fill the empty places. And when I give thanks for the seemingly microscopic, I make a place for God to grow within me. This, this makes me full, and I magnify Him with thanksgiving (Psalm 69:30), and God enters the world. What will a life magnify? The world's stress cracks, the grubbiness of a day, all that is wholly wrong and terribly busted? Or God?

I say thanks and I swell with Him, and I swell the world and He stirs me, joy all afoot.

***

So yes, in my bright and cheery journal, I have begun my list....my eucharisteo. Letting His joy engulf me, as I take time to notice His offerings throughout the day. They are all His gifts to me, so I may as well take a hold of them, relish in them, remember them and give thanks for them.

I will soon notice that all of the daily stressful moments that seem to be crushing me, will be taken over by the rays of sunshine that peek through minute by minute.

Eucharisteo.