I’ve been singing “House of the Rising Sun” all week because it was on my Pandora Halloween play list the other day. Hopefully that explains the title of my post.
Sometimes I have tons of little things I want to blog about, but they’re just short little snip-its of what’s going on. So then I have compile these hodge podge posts. But that’s alright, I guess!
1. First of all, have you downloaded the new Kelly Clarkson album? I just love her and always love her albums. I think it’s good music to just have playing on the computer while I do my work and write posts. Her voice inspires me and the music is just fantastic!
2. Oh! I got a new camera lens! It’s the Canon f/1.8 50mm lens and the price on Amazon was just fantastic! I’m taking this photography class with Brooke Turner right now and we had our fun little photo shoot with a family last night. I just love this lens! I’m really excited to have a new familiarity with my camera and have the knowledge and equipment to get some good pictures of my munchkins.
3. Our Halloween party plans are rolling along. I have a good bit of cooking and baking to do in the next couple of days, but it’s so much fun! I love transforming our house into a fun party environment. Right now, my guest bed is covered in party supplies as I wait until Sunday afternoon to set up. (P.S. Don’t ever buy anything full price at Hobby Lobby. You can always just wait and it will eventually be 40% of 50% off. Especially for seasonal decor!)
4. I have really been focusing on all of our Junior League Holiday Market decorations the past couple of days. On Wednesday, Hayes and I ran to two Hobby Lobby stores and to Carolina Pottery. He had a dirty diaper in the middle of the check out line at Hobby Lobby and started screaming while I waited to check out. I could tell that the employees were getting tired of it and you know poor Hayes just wanted to get out of there! I changed him in the back of the Suburban before loading everything up, but I couldn’t find a trash can. You know you’re a mom when you’re driving to every Hobby Lobby in town with a sleeping baby in the car seat and a stinky diaper on the seat next to you! Fun times.
5. We took the rail off of Hudson’s bed, so now we just have pillows lying on the floor next to his bed just in case he rolls off. So far that hasn’t happened. But the rail was proving to be a bigger hazard as he was scaling it right after we’d put him to bed. There were definitely a few mishaps with that. Adios, bed rail.
6. I think everyone should always keep in mind that blogging is just a glimpse into someone’s life. We don’t share everything. And we’re taking a chance to put things out there for everyone to read. I know it’s hard not to make assumptions about what you see and read, but I try to remember that I am only seeing about 8% of what a blogger’s life is like when I’m reading. I know I need to try not to be so hard on people.
7. We had Hudson’s Halloween party at school yesterday. The little 2-year-olds were so dang cute in their costumes as they ate their snacks. I am so excited about what is going on at Hudson’s school and feel so good about him being there every other day. I got a picture of him on the way to school as we were stopped at a traffic light.
8. Check this out! Do y’all know about Jesus Calling, the daily devotional book? On Monday I wrote about my need to get back into the swing of things with my quiet time. So that night, I finally sat down to do my quiet time and read my daily devotional in Jesus Calling. And this is what it said. Now, y’all, I don’t believe in coincidences. So right then, at that minute, I got up and went to lie down on the couch and just enjoyed the quiet.
9. I’m taking dinner to a new mom tonight and this is what I’m taking her: chicken tetrazzini, spinach and strawberry salad and chocolate chip cookie pie. I linked to the recipes. So “dee-wicious!” I’m excited to meet her sweet baby girl and I promise not to beg to stay for supper! I think bringing meals to new moms is one of the greatest gifts you can give her.
I love trying new “dee-wicious” recipes…thank you for sharing! You’re such a thoughtful friend, too. I’m so jealous that a few of my real life bloggin’ buds (you know, Rachel, D… 😉 ) have met you in real life…one day…one day. 🙂
Hudson couldn’t be any cuter in his costume & Hayes just melts my heart in his pumpkin tee!!
I love that you keep it real, Erin. Have a great Friday!!
I would love to see some pictures taken with your new lens. Please share! Also what have you learned from your photo class that surprised you? Thank you. Love your blog and your sweet boys!
You should check out the book Mamarazzi: Every Mom’s Guide to Photographing Kids. It’s $16 on Amazon, and it’s amazing. I bought the book last week, and I’m already taking excellent pictures on manual mode. It gives all of the information that you need to know about taking pictures of kids, and it’s done in an easy to read format.
That devotional looks amazing. My eyes teared up just thinking about how God wants us to relax in Him, but the world tells us that we’re being lazy if we take the time to be still with God.
Thanks for sharing!!
Thanks for sharing the devotional. After reading your blog the other day about taking time for quiet time and reading this, I realize that I’m one of many moms that needs to take some time to rest. Such a hard thing to do when you’re a mom. I get home from work and go straight into mom/housewife mode. I need to rest. Thank you for sharing 🙂
I can’t remember their name, but there are these great little blue sacks that are no-smell diaper bags (like mini-plastic grocery sacks) for when you can’t get to a trashcan… I always kept some in my diaper bag and in my car so whenever we were changing diapers I could at least tie it up and keep it from smelling up the whole place! I think that Arm & Hammer has some out now…but the brand I used, the bags were blue and there were a TON of bags in one package… and the bags were big enough to hold several diapers if needed! If you haven’t seen or tried them, I like having them…especially for the suprise diaper gifts in public and unexpected places!
Those recipes looked dee-wicious indeed! I can’t wait to hear about your party! I’m sure it is going to be a blast! Have a wonderful weekend friend! xoxo
A 50mm is a great lens to have and it is definitely one of the most affordable! I’ve recommended it to all my friends with a dslr. You will love it!
I just got that lens with my new camera and I love it! Can’t wait to see the pictures you take with it!
Bringing a new mom is the best thing you can do! 🙂 I love the Hobby Lobby story. I think we’ve all been there once a twice. Oh… the joys of motherhood! Ha!
So excited about your lens purchase. It’s just the tip of the iceberg – I have a photography wish list a mile long. What an expensive hobby to have!
Agreed! Bringing a new mom a meal is the best thing you can give! It was a lifesaver for me and my husband. I have even started sending a gift card to a nicer fast good place like Chipotle, Panera, etc. for my girlfriends that live out of state. A quick meal those first few weeks is a blessing!
It is definitely a treat to bring a new mom a meal – one less thing to worry about. My mom brought over suppers for almost a week with my first and then stayed at my house and cooked for a week with my second. It is amazing how much that can really help a new mom!
I had to look up that pie, and now I want it!
Hmmm, that book sounds like something I should buy. I looked it up. Which version do you use? I would love to have a little quiet time with Him too 🙂
Love your “random” posts like these, Erin, and I love your blog! You’re one of the most real, down-to-earth bloggers I read, and I love that! I’d like to see some pictures you’ve taken in your class; I bet they’re great! Have a good weekend! 🙂
Hudson’s costume is adorable! Enjoy your Halloween party…can’t wait to see pictures!
Have you ever heard about the Daily Word? My aunt has gotten it for a million years now it seams, but it’s a little magazine that is for each month and it’s a daily reading from the bible that is fitting to the time of year or such. I thought it might be something you would like. http://www.dailyword.com
Wow, that devotional is what MANY of us need. I feel so guilty when I take a rest during the day–thanks for that! Oh, and Happy Halloween to your sweet little boys–they look adorable in their costumes!!!! xo
After a photography workshop about 2 weeks ago, a 50mm lens is also on my wish list! I’m looking out for coupons for Best Buy and will be using reward dollars!
I’m so excited to really know how to use my camera!
number 9 is so true! That was the best thing when I had Carter!! It was so nice, and every meal that someone cooked us was delicious!
My mother in law got me Jesus Calling! It’s soooo wonderful! I love the daily encouragement of Jesus speaking to me! 🙂
I have the 50 mm lens & LOVE it! I think your gonna really like! That picture of Hayes is so adorable! I can’t believe how big our baby’s are getting!
So I saw the recipe you posted for the cookie pie and I knew it was the perfect dessert to make for our first frigid night in Manhattan this year. We are a no nuts fam, so when my husband and I were grocery shopping, we were just gonna put double the chocolate in until we spotted the peanut butter chips! For any other nut free fams (due to medical condition, not allergy otherwise the PB chips obviously wouldn’t work) these were the perfect substitution for the pecans. It was warm and gooey and perfectly complimented with homemade vanilla ice cream. Thanks so much Erin for making our night with this recipe…it is the small things after all, right?
I absolutely love chocolate chip cookie pie. That is always what I make for Thanksgiving for the non-pumpkin lovers.
When I read those bible verses I could really relate. I am always on the go and am told by family and friends to slow down and relax. This was perfect for me to read! And to top it off, the date of that specificpage us my birthday. I definitely believe I was supposed to read it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
I have the same lens..you will love. The price was so great, I agree!! Happy Halloween to you and your darling family!
You’re going to love that lens!!
Also…is the JL Holiday Market worth driving down for? It sounds like fun!
Where did you get the super cute pumpkin onsie from???