Oh hey! Hey, y’all!
I guess that was an another unintentional blog break.
Here’s the thing. The summer is really fun and the summer is really busy. With two wild, precious boys, I do my very best to keep as much time occupied outside of the house or in the yard or going and doing and soaking up every moment of the summer. Not in a super-structured way, but in a “If we spend all day in the house, they’ll be climbing the walls by 5:00” kind of way. And I love it.
But it leaves very little time to blog. And, truthfully? Blogging just isn’t a priority right now.
And one of the things I’ve decided to give myself in this year is grace when it comes to blogging. I don’t have a strategic mind when I blog. I don’t have any thoughts about the “right” or “wrong” ways to blog. I just want to share our story the best way I know how. And right now, during this summer, I am soaking up more of our story and doing less sharing. (And still not really remembering to take pictures at the pool or the zoo or the backyard.)
But! I blog for two reasons. To keep a record of our memories and to connect with other moms. It’s very rare that I’m able to share something new or innovative. You will rarely read anything here that you haven’t seen before somewhere else. And that’s okay. This little space is for connection and memory-keeping, and it’s easier to give myself grace on the quiet blog days when I remember that I don’t really have goals with this.
Anyhoodle! With all that said, I do have some fun updates. Some big and some not-so-big.
1. My mom updated her blog last night. KK started a blog back in 2010 when she was diagnosed with Melanoma. It’s a horrible, horrible disease and one that she has successfully fought by changing her lifestyle and letting her immune system fight it. No drugs, no poison, no chemotherapy or radiation. Just the daily decision to make healthy choices. But her Melanoma did come back and in the other leg. I know that probably for the rest of her life, we will always be praying that melanoma will stay far away and not keep resurfacing.
But, go ahead and read my mom’s update and dig into her archives to soak up some of her wisdom. She is so faithful and so strong, and our main prayer has always been that God would be glorified in her situation.
2. I just returned late last night from Shreveport. I flew out of Columbia late on Monday night to Shreveport to celebrate the life and attend the memorial service for my best friend’s dad. Catherine and I met at Louisiana Tech in our first graphic design class, and we were both Alpha Chis. She became one of my dearest friends, and I am so thankful for her. She and her family spent the last 13 months caring for her amazing, larger than life, father as he battled pancreatic cancer. Sadly, he lost that battle, and many of Catherine’s closest friends came to Shreveport to be with her for the services.
I’m so thankful to still be so close to so many college friends, and friends I’ve made through Catherine. And even though the past 24 hours in Shreveport were short, they were full of love and I’m so glad that we could all be there to celebrate her dad’s life.
Catherine is one of the strongest girls I know and I’m a lucky girl to have a friend like her.
3. While in Shreveport, I got to stay with Jennifer and Alison, and finally got to hang out with Jennifer’s daughter, Elise. I met Elise when she was about a week old, and I was 30 weeks pregnant with Hayes. Time flies.
And no trip to Shreveport is complete without splitting a piece of Strawn’s Strawberry Pie. Yum!
4. This week is VBS at our church. Hudson and Hayes are absolutely loving it, and it makes me so happy that they love it so much. I am teaching the 4 year olds (rising Kindergarteners) and it has been wonderful so far. I missed teaching on Tuesday because I was in Shreveport, but the kids have been really great. They’re so eager to learn about Jesus, they’re so well-behaved, and it’s just a good time for me, too.
Hudson and his best friend, John, wore the same shirt in different colors on Monday, and they were so excited to be spending the week together in their classroom!
5. Some of Todd’s extended family came in town last week to visit, and on Friday, they came to the pool with Hudson, Hayes, and me. I have been taking the boys swimming as often as I can this summer because it does us well to be outside and be active. So either in the morning before naps or in the afternoon after naps we’ll go to the pool and spend a few hours.
Hudson has been doing so well swimming without any kind of floatie or anything. We still have to remind him to kick or make sure his has his face down so he can move faster. But he has done really well! Hayes still wears a Puddlejumper because it’s about all I can do to watch Hudson all the time. Hayes will get himself out of the pool and just jump in and over and over again and swim to me. He has come such a long way! Three weeks ago he screamed every time he got in the pool. I’m so glad that he loves it now!
6. And just a story about how small the world is… I was walking to my gate last night in the Atlanta airport around 9:00 p.m., and I passed an adorable girl who looked exactly like Darci from The Good Life blog, who I just LOVE. Darci is so creative and so relatable. I just love everything she posts. And y’all, I could not stop staring at this girl. Was it Darci? Was it just a look-alike? Would it be weird if I just said, “Hey, Darci!” And if it wasn’t her, maybe she just wouldn’t say anything.
But I chickened out and I walked away a little bit. I knew that Darci had been on vacation, but I wanted to check her Instagram feed to see if she might have been traveling that day. (Stalker, right??) And I realized that she WAS traveling that day. I turned around as fast as I could and she was walking toward me and said, “Erin?” Ha! It was absolutely Darci!
We hugged and laughed and introduced ourselves and couldn’t get over how random it was to run into someone you “know” but had never actually met just in passing at one of the biggest airports in the United States!
And of course we took a picture in the middle of Five Guys to commemorate the occasion. So here we are in all of our traveling, tired glory! (But, seriously, Darci is TOO CUTE.)
Needless to say, it’s been a whirlwind few weeks for us and I’ll be really happy when things settle down into a slow crawl.
I’ve missed you all!
I love that you’re giving yourself grace. Good for you! As moms, we should always allow ourselves some grace. Happy summer!
I was so jealous of that strawberry pie picture on instagram, and I couldn’t believe it when the comments told me it was in Shreveport! We just moved here, so we’ll have to check out Strawn’s
I had been following Catherine’s blog posts about her dad and thought to myself recently that she hadn’t updated in a while. I am so very sorry to hear that he passed away. I will keep her in my prayers, and if you could, please tell her that I am thinking about her!
Keep enjoying your summer! The blog will keep for a rainy day. 🙂
I, too, sometimes step away for a few days to treasure those moments- which is why, a lot of time I wind up blogging late… but I figure life is better experienced first!
and how fun that you met Darci!!!
Oh my word, is that like cheesecake on the top of that strawberry pie? That looks amazing!
Missed your blog but totally understand. Life gets busy and sometimes I just cannot fit one more thing into my life. I just connected that I met Courtney from Lil Light of Mine and emailed her about it – stalker mom -that’s me. I always wonder if I am seeing celebs and not even noticing because I am not as observant as I used to be. That pie looks divine. Swimming is the best way to get the kids tired out for naps- LOVE that about summer.
You and those sweet boys are just so cute! I’m glad you’re doing well and enjoying the summer with your special people! I am sorry for the circumstances, but so glad you to spend some time with dear friends. And “meet” a new friend, how fun! I will be praying with you for your mom. Xox!
Good for you for knowing what’s important to you and being true to yourself and to your family! That’s why your followers love you so much! Have a wonderful summer!!!
So jealous of that strawberry pie! Looks like your boys are having a fun summer 🙂
You absolutely should spend as much time as possible with those two little boys….this blog will still be here whenever…..my children are grown and trust me, it’s true, time goes by so fast……so soak this up and never feel guilty about it!!!
we missed you, but it’s nice to see you giving yourself grace. it make me feel better about giving myself some. praying for your mom and for catherine and her family. had a weird experience trying to check in on your blog a day or so ago – the site was compromised?!!? anyway, glad to see you back AND that you’re enjoying your summer.
Love hearing your updates – and I’ve found that even without kids, I’ve been a little too busy “living and loving” life this summer to blog regularly. Grace is a great, great thing! Here’s to a great rest of the summer!
I’m going to have to try that pie next time I’m in S-port! Also, I am praying for your mom, I read her post the other day. She is such a strong woman.
Good for you for giving yourself some grace (and some time) with regards to blogging. I’ve felt led to do the same as here lately I’ve been really trying to do a better job of blogging daily ….. which turns into me stressing over it and feeling rushed to find time for everything. When truly, we just need to enjoy these sweet angels in front of us….. everything else is unimportant when compared to that! The rest can wait! Love that you shared that and it’s clear that’s why everyone loves reading your blog!
And I’ve told you a thousand times, but I’m so glad I got to hug your neck and meet in person! I can’t get over what perfect timing that was — definitely meant to be for one reason or another!!
And prayers continue for your sweet friend and her family……. so wonderful that all of you girls made it there to show her some love and support!
Lastly, tell Hayes to come to Texas and swim with his buddy Jackson! They have matching Puddle Jumpers and would be so dang cute together!! Hope y’all are having a good week!
Erin, we’ve missed you! Glad that you’re having a wonderful summer & while I’m glad your mom posted an update, I wish it was with better news! I’ve been reading your blog for a while now (I think I’ve told you I went to high school with your hubby) & I started reading your mom’s blog with intrigue…I’m an almost 5 year melanoma (Stage 2B) survivor. It broke my heart when I read about her (knowing exactly what she was going through with the surgery, SNB, etc.), but I’ve been inspired by her decisions medically & her unwaivering faith. I’ll continue to read both of your updates & keep your family in my prayers! Also, if you haven’t already, I’d recommend the book “Pale Girl Speaks” by Hillary Fogelson. It’s a quick read that (while laced with some choice words) is an honest & candid look at a melanoma patient (and survivor). 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your Mom’s journey! I am a fairly new reader of your blog and am 33 years old and also a fellow melanoma survivor! I was diagnosed at 24 after only a few weeks of being engaged. However, God is good and I am proud to share my testimony! Again, thank you for sharing and God Bless!
Blonde Moments – easterdaylife.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for sharing your Mom’s journey! I am a fairly new reader of your blog and am 33 years old and also a fellow melanoma survivor! I was diagnosed at 24 after only a few weeks of being engaged. However, God is good and I am proud to share my testimony! Again, thank you for sharing and God Bless!
Blonde Moments – easterdaylife.blogspot.com
wow, great update!! my twin sister went to Tech and studied graphic design! I wanted to say thanks for the post about beach pics!! Just had a great session with Sarah Lyn thanks to reading your blog and seeing her on your post! We were in Pensacola and she drove over with very short notice to try to capture my crazy family!! Will check out your mom’s blog! My little sister was diagnosed with melanoma this year but they think they caught it very early and just had it surgically removed. Will be praying for her! Love you blog and enjoy those precious boys!! Happy Summer!