Erin Akin Carroll

I’m sitting here at my desk, which we have moved to the master bedroom (all 700ish square feet of master bedroom that needs to be filled with something), looking out our little window. I’m catching up from our week away. Filling out paper work, responding to countless emails, and daydreaming.

My stream of consciousness is something like this…

• Holy preschool, Batman! I am so happy that after 2 years on a waiting list, Hudson got accepted to our preschool of choice which also has a great 5K program. But the paperwork? I am pretty sure my college application wasn’t that thick!
• I would pay someone $20 to run to Target, pick up a box of orange push ups for me, and bring them to my house. You could even stay to enjoy one with me!

• But then I remember that we’re doing Dave Ramsey and I can’t give you $20 to do something that I can do myself!
• But Hudson is asleep, so I can’t do it myself right now.
• I need to do my book club posts! I read the book and thought up questions, but I haven’t done my post to answer them.
• I’m having an Oscar party this weekend, but haven’t done any grocery shopping to get everything together. What am I waiting for?
• I kind of want to go look at fabric to do some dining room curtains.
• But I need to clean out the closets in Hudson’s new room and the guest room.
• Can we have a garage sale before the baby is born?
• I’d love to announce his name in big bold lights, but I have a feeling I’ll regret not waiting until he’s born.
• My mind keeps thinking of the dream vacation that I want to take to Napa or Costa Rica after the baby is born. Preferably in the fall.
• That Rockaway burger I had for lunch was delicious.
• And it was even better that I got to enjoy it while sitting outside!
• I had a fantastic doctor’s appointment today and saw some sweet cheeks on our precious baby boy #2. I cannot wait to meet him and kiss those cheeks!
• Hudson has another ear infection, but acts like he’s feeling great. He’s such a funny kid!
• We’re going to see an ENT soon. Tubes are in our future!
• I really want those orange push ups! Don’t they look delicious?

I love to read and I love movies almost as much. And I almost always love it when my favorite books are made into amazing movies. But there is a little bit of pressure associated with that. Will they get the casting right? Will they do the book justice? Will they change the ending? (Ahem– Dear John!)

Some of my most recent favorites from my 2009 and 2010 reading list are about to be released at the theater.

The Help by Kathryn Stockett- one of my favorite books ever. I am so excited to see how the casting works and how the film is received by viewers and critics. It is set in the south and was pretty true to Southern culture in the 60s and I wonder how that will be translated for today’s audience.

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen- another of my favorite books of all time. The trailer for this movie leaves me so excited and I think everything just looks so beautiful and magical. The story is suspenseful and it is set in a very dark time, but I think they got the casting right on this one. I love Reese Witherspoon, but I’m not usually a Robert Pattinson fan. But when I saw him in the trailer, he transformed in my eyes. I’m just so excited!

Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin (in theaters May 6- maybe I can schedule my delivery date for May 7 so I can make sure to see this while it’s in the theater!)

I am a little confused why John Krasinski’s character has a strong presence in this movie when his character really was more present in the second book, Something Blue.

The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks (this one doesn’t come out until 2012, but I’m still excited!)

This Nicholas Sparks book was very suspenseful and that made it one of my favorites of his. And Zac Efron is going to be in the movie, so that’s kind of exciting!

What movies are you looking forward to seeing?

I wanted to share a great discount with all of you from another sponsor, Ashley Brooke Designs.

Ashley Brooke Designs is currently offering 10% off all custom illustrations. You may have been waiting to take the plunge on your ABDesigns order and now may be your opportunity!

This is perfect for girls who are recently engaged and looking to do custom save-the-dates, invitations, or thank you notes.

Ashley is also offering all Blue-Eyed Bride readers an additional 5% off! Just use the discount code ABDhitched_BEB at check out.

Sale ends March 6, 2011 and is not exclusive for wedding stationery. It can be used for all of your “unnecessary necessities.”

Y’all! I could not wait to tell you about this amazing giveaway. Tracy Turpen, one of my fabulous sponsors and an amazing wedding and family photographer, is doing a giveaway for free wedding photography.

If you aren’t familiar with Tracy’s work, visit her website and her blog to familiarize yourself.

This contest is not just for weddings in the Carolinas- Tracy and Tyler are going to go anywhere! They are just looking for the best story and the bride and groom that they feel are most deserving.

Tracy will blog about the finalists on her blog and there will be a public vote via Facebook.

All engaged couples with wedding dates between May 21, 2011 and April 3o, 2012 are eligible.

The flyer announcing the details of the contest is below:

Remember, email Tracy at contest@tracyturpen.com to enter!