Erin Akin Carroll

Happy Father’s Day to the two greatest dads I know.

Dear Todd,

21 months ago you found out that you were going to be a father. If you’re anything like I am, you were shocked. But as soon as our precious baby boy arrived, you wore that Daddy hat like it was the only hat you needed to wear. You have taken care of him, loved him, and loved me over the past year.

Hudson is such a lucky little guy to have you as his Daddy. You are so smart, so funny, and so ready to teach him everything you know. Such a lucky little boy!

I love the way you watch Hudson when he’s doing something new that we haven’t seen before. You are so surprised that such a little person can learn so much so quickly and the love in your eyes when you watch him is evident. Such a lucky little boy!

You’ve been such a great help to me as I have treaded through this first year, too, and I can’t imagine walking this road with anyone else. The look on Hudson’s face and the excitement in his voice when you pull up to the house after work is the sweetest thing to watch. He loves his Daddy so very much and can’t wait to tell you how happy he is to see you. What a great source of positive reinforcement. There’s no mistaking his sweet little feelings for you!

And I hope there’s no mistaking mine.

I love you!

Your Erin

Dear Daddy,

I’m not sure there are even words for me to tell you how much I love you. Just thinking about the man that you are, I get a little lump in my throat. I just wish we lived close enough to each other so I could see you on Father’s Day and look you in the eye. I’d probably cry and then you’d know what I’m thinking, but I guess we just know how to communicate that way.

I may look a lot like mom, but I get a lot of my personality from you. I see the good and the bad and it makes me proud just to know that I am who I am because of you (and mom, of course).

I’m so proud of the husband that you are and the kindness and love that you show to people. I love your tender heart toward animals and that I have gotten that from you. Your silly sense of humor and way of finding a joke in any situation is one of your best qualities.

More recently, I love the father-in-law that you’ve been to Todd and the way you’ve welcomed him into our family. And the Poppie that you are to Hudson has given me a glimpse of the kind of Daddy you were to me when I was baby girl. Hudson is so lucky to have you in his life, loving him and being a good example for him. I only pray that we can raise him up to be as great as the original.

I love you so much!

Erin

Congratulations to Lianna for winning the Nat Kat Designs giveaway! Email me at eeakin11{at}gmail{dot}com to redeem your custom “Celebrate” painting!

It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these, but here goes…

1. It’s been one heck of a week. We were in Dallas, we got home, we’ve had VBS every day and something fun every night. I’m pooped.

2. Since April, every time I’ve flown with Hudson I’ve sworn that it’s the last time I’m doing it by myself until he’s old enough to use the potty. I know I’ll go back on my word again. He’s not a bad flyer, but it is definitely exhausting to fly for three hours with him when he doesn’t sleep.

3. Things with my mom aren’t exactly getting better. I’m trying my hardest to stay strong, stay positive, and not get overwhelmed with worry. I’m trying to adopt her attitude and my dad’s attitude and put all of my trust in the Lord. A friend said to me this morning, “Just remember, Man’s words are words, God’s words are life. He is not defined by statistics.”

4. Remember to check into my mom’s blog for the full story at What’s the Plan?

5. I’m now a sunscreen addict and have to bite my tongue if someone even mentions a tanning bed.

6. Thank you for the great, encouraging comments on my post about trying to find the right balance of satisfying my creative tendencies and being home with Hudson without getting too overwhelmed. My number one priority is that little boy. He is the reason that his daddy and I work so hard every day.

7. I’m losing some weight. I’ve also been pretty stressed lately, but hopefully the weight is coming off in a good way and not because of stress. I heart FitLab.

8. I’ve got a name and a little plan for this party-planning business. Now I just need our life to slow down to a crawl so I can take some time to work on everything.

9. I absolutely adore my family. And I know more than ever how important family is.

10. Vacation Bible School has been so much fun! I love working with the second graders and Hudson has had a great week being in the 1 year old class. I got there just in time to hear him singing “e-yi-e-yi-o” to all of his teachers this afternoon.

11. I’m dreaming of a vacation. Preferably here.

12. And I’m not sure what else to say because, frankly, my mind is running in circles. I’ve got a ton on my heart and a very full MomAgenda. Seriously, every page is full. And it’s not all stuff I want to do. But it’s life. It’s responsibility. We get through it and we go through stuff. But I have some incredible friends and a family that I can’t imagine this world without.

13. I know what else to say. I’m looking forward to curling up on the couch with my book.

Toodles, poodles!

Set-up: Hudson and I have been in Dallas for five days and just spent a day at Vacation Bible School and the pool for a play-date. We’re home and we’re happy to spend some time with TC. Our family is back together after five days apart. I suggest that TC give Hudson a bath. TC remarks on Hudson’s stench, which I didn’t know he had. Maybe it’s from traveling, swimming in Dallas, I don’t know. But apparently there was a definite odor!

Scene: I’m cooking supper for the three of us and suggest that TC go ahead and give Hudson his bath. TC bathes Hudson and they return to the table to eat. And this conversations occurs:

Me: Bring me Hudson’s comb.

TC: {starts combing Hudson’s hair into a crazy high mass of hair.}

Me: Stop. He doesn’t need to look like a televangelist.

TC: Well his hair is a little long.

Me: Do you think we should cut it?

TC: Well…. yeah!

Me: Why?

TC: Because our stinky kid doesn’t also need a mullet!

And…. scene.

Yep, welcome to parenthood.