Erin Akin Carroll

31 Days, Day 2: RC's birthday is beater-lickin' good

Filed Under: 31 days

Oct22012

I have to say, that I’m already finding so much freedom in the 31 Days project, and we’re only on day 2!

This morning, while Hudson was at school, Hayes and I went to Bible study at our church. It’s a great point in the week for me to be able to see so many of my friends in one place, and talk about our struggles and triumphs as moms. And learn about God’s plan for us as mothers. It’s such a blessing to me.

Hayes was supposed to have speech therapy this morning, but our therapist had to cancel at the last minute, so we were happy to get to go to Bible study.

The boys both took great naps today, and when they got up, I made Paula Deen’s banana pudding for RC’s birthday. RC and PC are what we call Todd’s parents instead of grandpa and grandma.

I let both boys each lick a beater after I finished making the pudding. I am cracking up looking at these pictures because Hayes’s “cheese” face is so extreme!

He has started saying “eeeeese” when he sees the camera. I love that he’s trying to say “cheese.” But he smiles so big that his little face just scrunches up.

It’s just so funny. He kind of looks like he might cry, but he’s really just smiling as big as he can.

RC, PC, and Nana came over tonight to celebrate RC’s birthday. We had pizza, birthday cake, and banana pudding. It was simple and so much fun. Any time we’re all just sitting around laughing at these little boys is a fun time.

Paula Deen’s banana pudding used to be my go-to dessert, but I hadn’t made it in a while. I remember why I love it so much. If you’ve never made it, you absolutely need to!

RC, PC, and Nana stayed while we bathed the boys and then they put them to bed. RC said that was all he wanted to do on his birthday. We are so incredibly blessed to have such loving family who really enjoy being with our boys.

The feeling is mutual. It was a great day.

*This post is Day 2 in my 31 Days of Back to Basics Blogging.

31 days of back to basics blogging: Day 1

Filed Under: 31 days

Oct12012

It has been evident so far in this school year that to Hudson, one of the tell-tale signs of being a “big boy” is being able to bring your lunch to school.

His school gets out at noon, but kids are able to stay after school for various activities. And sometimes kids just stay after school for thirty minutes to eat lunch. Hudson stays after school on Mondays for J.A.M. (Jump and Move) and he brings his lunch on Mondays.

Every Monday morning, I pack his lunch box. He typically gets carrots, grapes, strawberries, Goldfish crackers, and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And every Monday, Hudson is so excited about his lunch box.

We got a bit of an early start this morning. We don’t usually leave the house until 8:45, but we were ready to go at 8:20. Hudson sat by the door with his lunchbox until it was time to leave.

Today was a day that Hayes also goes to school. His early interventionist was going to be meeting him at school today to work with him in his classroom. I was really happy to hear that they had a good time, and I love getting the written reports from her on his progress with speech therapy, and getting the “assignments” for what I can be doing to work with him.

When the boys were at school this morning, my friend Amber came over with her twin two-year-old boys so she and I could brainstorm some things for our church’s Christmas production. Her boys are so sweet and were just so funny! I had forgotten how cute two-year-olds are!

On the way to pick the boys up from school I had a long overdue phone conversation with Catherine, one of my very best friends from college. And when we said goodbye and got off the phone, I found myself in tears. I sent her a text telling her that apparently now I can’t even say goodbye on the phone without crying. I hate goodbyes.

Hudson loves his little friends at school, and frequently refers to them by their first and last names. His little buddy Dolan is just the cutest thing.

We’re having a relaxing night at home. I cooked supper, and we let the boys stay up a little later than usual for a dance party. I’m so excited that fall TV is back. We watched Homeland and Revenge last night, and I’m glued to Dancing With the Stars tonight. I’m rooting for Shawn or Emmitt to win it!

I hope you all had a great first day of October!

*Click here to see more of my 31 Days of Back to Basics Blogging.

31 days of back to basics blogging

Filed Under: 31 days

Sep302012

Over the past few months, off and on, I get overwhelmed with the thought of blogging. I see a lot of posts urging bloggers to come up with profound, thought-provoking posts. There’s the pressure for each post to make some statement and get readers talking.

Back when I started blogging, it was purely for me. And, for the most part, things are still that way. But I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t blog for all of you, too.

But in order to get back to a place where I love it, I need to get back to basics.

What are the basics? For me, it’s just sharing about my day and my heart. I want to take more pictures and just document the every day and journal my way through it.

No gimmicks. No agenda. Just getting back to why I started this in the first place.

I’m linking up with The Nester this month for her 31 Days series. And I’m doing 31 Days of Back to Basics Blogging.

It’s a simple topic, and my goal is to just write every day in October about a few things that we did that day or what we learned. I want to share pictures, share thoughts, and just let go of the expectations and pressure.

When I started thinking a couple of months ago about what I would write about it, the thought of writing “how to” posts or giving a whole bunch of advice for 31 days just didn’t seem natural. And, frankly, it overwhelmed me.

The basics of blogging are what I miss.

I hope this will be a freeing experience for me and I’m excited to take the time to remember to pull out my camera. And remember to just write down the little things. Maybe they’re things that only I care about, but that’s why I started this little online space in the first place.

Please join me this month, and if you blog, consider linking up with The Nester this month!

I’ll be listing all of the posts for the month on this post as I add new posts.

*a big huge thank you to my dearest friend, Nina, for creating my banner!

ketchup… catsup… catch up

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Sep272012

1. I’m absolutely loving my new Bible study. It’s hard work and it’s wonderful. This is probably one of the reasons I’m not putting very thoughtful blog posts together right now. But that is okay with me, because I am completely loving this study in Proverbs and the women I’m getting to know.

2. My new addiction is Pretty Little Liars on Netflix Instant. Rachel and I have such similar taste in TV shows, so when she said she was enjoying it, I knew I had to watch it. So while I’ve been ironing, folding laundry, and prepping dinner, I’ve also been sneaking in episodes of Pretty Little Liars. It can be slightly cheesy, but I like the characters and the suspense. It’s a fun show!

3. Speaking of Bible study, I hope I can put together a couple of posts soon so I can share with all of you some of the things I’ve learned.

4. We started speech therapy for Hayes this week. Once a week he will meet with an early interventionist for an hour and then for another hour each week he’ll meet with his speech therapist. I really like both of these women and I’m excited about what they can teach me to help Hayes get his little words out. I can see the wheels turning in his head, and we know he can hear us. We just have to help him form his words.

5. In a few weeks, I’m heading to Indiana for the Influence Conference. I’m excited to see my parents and Nina and get to meet lots of new friends who are excited about sharing the Good News on their blogs.

6. A few minutes ago, Todd sent me a text that he was listening to an old Trisha Yearwood song on our classic country radio station. We’ve both been loving the classic country station lately. He reminded me of a story I told him about when I was in the 3rd grade, and I called in to our local country station to request Trisha Yearwood’s “She’s In Love With The Boy.” I loved that song so much! And I listened to the radio all day waiting to hear my request.

7. I love that my husband remembers this story.

8. Sometimes it’s really weird to think that I lived most of my life without knowing him at all. Isn’t that incredible? It’s just a reminder to me to pray for my boys and their future spouses every single day. And the parents who are raising them.

9. Sorry to get derailed and emotional.

10. My 30th birthday is in less than two months!

11. I’ve developed a lactose intolerance in my old age. This is very sad. I have been eating dairy without worrying too much about it, but I always feel awful afterward. I have to stop doing that. I’m really going to miss ice cream. And cheese. It’s a good thing I like almond milk.

12. Today I said to Hudson, “I’m impressed!” And he said, “No, you’re Erin.”

13. Yes, he calls me Erin almost as much as he calls me Mommy. (Now I’m singing Call Me Maybe.)

«Previous Page