Erin Akin Carroll

Be Quiet & Say Something {Giveaway!}

Aug232012

A few weeks ago, I talked to you all about a very special eBook and the impact it had on me. The impact on me and on this little space of mine on the internet.

That eBook is called Be Quiet & Say Something and was written by the darling Jessi Connolly of Naptime Diaries. Jessi writes an incredibly heart felt blog where she shares her story every week. She also runs a print shop business out of her home, also called Naptime Diaries, where she beautifully works to get scripture in the home.

Jessi is a wife, a mother, a Believer, a business owner, and has such a beautiful gift with words.

Jessi wrote Be Quiet & Say Something to talk to women about how we have this incredible opportunity to share our stories and, in the process, share Jesus with people. We are often speaking very, very loudly and making a whole lot of noise about ourselves or we are just very, very quiet and missing huge opportunities to show Jesus to those who are listening.

In Be Quiet & Say Something, Jessi tells her story, and will encourage you through your own personal journey.

This eBook is so relatable and I would love for every single one of you to read it and see how it applies to your situation, your life, and your story.

Jessi was so generous to offer to give away 2 copies of Be Quiet & Say Something to Blue-Eyed Bride readers.

To enter, just leave a comment on this post. The winners will be announced this weekend.

*I also wanted to mention that Jessi is co-hosting the Influence Conference with Hayley Morgan from The Tiny Twig. I’m so excited to be able to attend this conference this fall, and I hope some of you will be able to attend, too!

Happy birthday, Poppie!

Filed Under: Every Day, Faith

Aug222012

Today’s post is dedicated to my wonderful daddy on his birthday.

My dad is the funniest guy I know.

He never meets a stranger.

He loves the Lord and still spends time drawing nearer and nearer to God each day, wanting to learn more.

He is a great mix of silly and serious.

He is my son’s namesake.

He loves his family, and especially loves his grandsons.

He still loves his work.

He makes everyone feel comfortable and welcome.

He adores and cherishes my mom.

He carved Ernie and Bert pumpkins for my brother and me when we were kids, and maybe he’ll even do that for Hudson and Hayes someday.

He loves making the most of each day. He’s an early riser and likes to get out and see and do.

He also enjoys a good nap.

My mom, brother, Todd, Hudson, Hayes, and I are all so lucky to have my dad in our lives. We’re so thankful for him.

Happy birthday, Poppie! We love you!

photos by Sarah Lyn Photography

my grace year

Filed Under: Faith

Aug212012

The start of a new school year is a new beginning. It’s a time to open up my calendar and look at the football schedule, the preschool calendar, the church calendar, the Junior League calendar, and Todd’s work calendar and start planning out our fall. Everyone gives us a jam-packed calendar and before we know it, we’ve filled in our calendars all the way to Christmas.

A few of these calendars come with opportunities to sign up to volunteer. Bake sales, t-shirt sales, concerts, class parties, room mom, organizing a class party, bringing dinner, decorating for an event… The need for help follows us around. And my usual tendency has been to look at all of these opportunities and sign myself right up.

Why do I do this?

1. I like to help make things easier for people. If someone tells me they need my help, then I want to help them. Which leads me to number two.

2. I want people to like me. Will they still like me if I say no? Probably. Most definitely. Right? Maybe not. Maybe someone will be disappointed and maybe someone will *gasp* talk about me behind my back. (I need to re-read So Long Insecurity.)

3. In many cases, I actually do better with a full schedule. I’m more productive when I’m running around like a chicken with my head cut off. I was this way in my job and I’m this way when I’m at home.

But not this year. Not. This. Year.

I’m giving myself a grace year. I’m saying no.

I’m still going to do the Holiday Market decorations because I love it. And we’ll still be really involved with our Sunday school class. And I’ll still participate in our Christmas music at church.

But the extra stuff isn’t for me. Not right now. Any extra time is reserved for my family and my friends and relationships. I don’t want to tell anyone this year that I can’t get together for dinner because of an obligation.

I don’t want to miss putting my babies to bed because I’m setting up for an event.

I don’t want to miss opportunities for girls’ nights and I don’t want my laundry to pile up all because I’ve over-extended myself.

Here’s what I need to remember.

1. If I’m disappointing someone, it’s not going to be my family members. No, sir. Not this year.

2. I can’t do it all, and I shouldn’t want to do it all.

3. My value and worth is not determined by the amount of projects I attempt to tackle. My worth is find in Christ Jesus alone. His grace is enough for me. And I don’t need to search for approval from others or create a full calendar to find that worth. He loves me. Unconditionally. What else do I need to know? What else could I possibly need to fill me up?

I want to serve. I want to help people. I want to pull my weight and contribute where there is a need. But my kids are only little once. I have a lifetime ahead of me to do all of these things.

And I know that I can make even more of a difference if I take that previously “booked” time and devote it to the relationships in my life.

photo by Sarah Lyn Photography in Destin, Florida

2 Corinthians 12:9

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. ” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

a Monday brain dump

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Aug202012

Every once in a while I just need to have a pointless, useless, unintentional post and get a good brain dump out there.

1. Hudson has his first dentist appointment today. It was scheduled for a few weeks ago, but we had to reschedule because I couldn’t get a babysitter for Hayes, and I really didn’t want to bring Hayes along to Hudson’s first appointment. So we’re going today. Wish us luck!

2. This brings up a reminder that it has been shamefully long since my last regular dental check-up. I know, Mom, I just need to do it. I’m not nervous for the actual appointment. I’m just worried that the hygienist will shame me for letting a year go by without an appointment.

3. After four years of marriage, I think Todd would tell you that the things about me that drive him the craziest are 1) I leave drawers slightly cracked open instead of closing them all the way. I have absolutely no idea why I do this. 2) I take off my shoes and just leave them where I took them off.

4. The things that drive me craziest about Todd are 1) His old school BlackBerry and the fact that the keys are so loud when they click. And that trackball! So loud. and 2) He loves going to sleep with the TV on, and likes for it to be loud enough so that he can hear and make out what is being said. I don’t even want the TV on at all.

5. I love those little quirks.

6. We had to bring food to two parties at church this weekend and I brought this cinnamon roll casserole and these crack potatoes. You all need to try both of these…. stat.

7. There was a major closet clean out this weekend. I only kept things if 1) they fit and 2) I love them. I did, however, hang on to all the clothes I wore for our wedding weekend. I just couldn’t get rid of them. I donated 90% of the stuff I purged, but I may have a Facebook sale for the rest. Please notice all the dry-cleaning bags that were hanging in my closet. And notice the orange and purple Jam bag from 2001? Oh, the treasures that you find in a closet clean out.

8. Preschool starts next week. I know Hudson is so excited. I’m just not quite ready for our summer to be over.

9. With the start of school also comes the start of all of my TV shows. Homeland will be back soon!

10. Hudson does a wild amount of screaming at his brother. Really, their favorite activity is to just chase each other through the house. Our little house that we’re quickly outgrowing has become an indoor track. Hudson chases Hayes, Boudreaux chases Hudson, and Fiona chases Boudreaux. And mommy needs a nap.

11. That’s about it for today. Toodles, poodles!

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