Erin Akin Carroll

thoughts on Tuesday

May62014

-ONE-

I’ve started watching Grey’s Anatomy again. I was a devoted fan and then I quit a couple of seasons ago when two of my very favorite characters died. I’m still upset about that. But I’ve started watching again so I can see Cristina’s departure.

-TWO-

I miss my coffee. Spark is okay and all, but I’ll be eager to at least have one cup of coffee a day again. I am thinking I may learn to drink it black. Any black coffee drinkers out there?

-THREE-

The weather is Columbia is HOT this week. It’s been up in the 90s. I’m thankful that it’s still a little breezy and the humidity is low. It doesn’t feel like a summer day yet, so that’s good!

-FOUR-

We’re heading to Orange Beach, Alabama in less than a month and I am so excited. We’ll be with my parents and my extended family and I know we’re going to want to stay forever.

-FIVE-

We put Hayes in a big boy bed two nights ago. We thought it might be a bit traumatic for him, but it’s actually been a non-event. He didn’t cry. He just got in his bed and went to sleep. And he’s done that for naps and bedtime for the past two days. We’re shocked! And thrilled!

-SIX-

Our last day of preschool is next Thursday. I can’t believe how quickly this year flew by. We’re so looking forward to slow mornings and days at the pool. Hudson is already talking about what he wants to take his lunchbox to the pool every day. He’s definitely my type-A child.

-SEVEN-

Have y’all been watching Dancing With the Stars? I’m so glad that Erin Andrews is on there, and every one of the “stars” is SO good. I have loved watching it this season.

-EIGHT-

I need to do a post about what I’ve been eating, but so far the 24-day challenge has been going really well. I’m on day 15 and I’m down about five pounds, I think. So far I’m not bored with the eating and I’m drinking ALL the water. Constant water drinking. I have noticed a huge difference in the way my pants fit and I’ve got so much less belly bloating.

-NINE-

I started reading This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Trooper and I’m loving it so far.

We’re heading out after naps for a fun afternoon at the park. Gotta soak up spring while it’s still here!

Hayes is 3!

Filed Under: Every Day, Faith, Family, Hayes, Motherhood, Uncategorized

May52014

Dear Hayes,

We woke you up this morning to sing happy birthday to you, and brought you downstairs to open your presents and have a donut fiesta. You were so excited. It’s like you couldn’t believe that today was actually YOUR birthday. Finally!

We all call you Hayesie. Your classmates, Hudson, and all the teachers, too. So sometimes when we ask you what your name is, you’ll say, “Hayesie.” It’s hilarious, but then sometimes I think we should stop so you don’t grow up thinking your name is Hayesie.

Being your mother is one of the sweetest privileges of my life. You are my sweetheart. You are the little light in this house that is always shining. Always beaming. Always laughing and looking for the party.

When someone is sad, you hug them. When someone is laughing, you tell them how funny they are. You greet everyone you meet with a smile. When we have visitors at the house, you want to take them around and show them your room and your favorite toys. You want everyone to feel as welcome as possible, and I just love that about you.

You’re our little wild card. Sitting still is not your favorite. You love to move and dance and do anything physical. You talk all the time and you don’t have a mean streak in your body. You’re not always obedient, but you are always sweet. I could cry just thinking about the way you hug using your whole body. And the way you grab my face to kiss my cheek. Totally unprompted… just because you’re you and you’re so loving.

If Hudson taught me how to be a mommy, you have taught me how to slow down to enjoy every single day. You’ve reminded me what a gift it is to be a mommy and what a joy it is to be your mommy and Hudson’s mommy. You love to enjoy everything for what it is. We take walks and hold hands. You soak every little thing up.

Even though you’re always running, you’re never actually in a hurry. When we opened your presents this morning, you wanted to stop and savor that first present. You weren’t ready to see what was in the next one. I get all teary thinking about what a good friend you will be and I just know that you’ll be the kid that everyone wants to be around because you treat everyone like they’re special.

I’m so thankful for your sweet little spirit and I’m so thankful for the way you rub off on the rest of us. I look at you and I still see my tiny little baby. Watching you grow up has been tough because I know you’re still really so little, but the time sure does go by quickly.

There aren’t enough words for me to tell you how wonderful you are and how much fun you are. But I will love you, love you, love you for as long as I live, and because of you, I’ll slow down a little bit more every day. You are such a light. Happy birthday, my sweet baby boy!

Love,

Mommy

six years

Filed Under: Uncategorized

May32014

Six years ago.

It would be easy (and fun) to tell you all about that great day six years ago when Todd and I vowed to love, honor, and cherish each other forever. That was a great day.

But that day was just the beginning.

For 2,190 days, Todd and I have been doing life. With two babies, two dogs, three houses (one temporary while building a house), one baby loss, three job changes, parent sickness, and day-to-day responsibilities, we have done this thing!

We have recommitted every single day to loving each other and laughing together and making time for each other despite how difficult this world makes it. Despite how easy it would be to fall apart and drift apart and make time for other people and other things.

Marriage is work, y’all. It is amazing. And it is beautiful. But it is work. Life is crazy and this world will make it harder and harder on us and tempt us to fill our time with commitments that pull us from our families and spouses.

Six years ago, we committed to start. And we committed to finish together.

I am so thankful for my Todd who loves us fiercely. He makes me laugh like no one else can. He’s smarter than anyone else I know. He’s committed and loving and a romantic and deeply concerned with taking care of us. He honors the Lord with his words and actions and he honors his family every day. He’s forgiving and patient and kind and wise.

I am so thankful for that day that he literally walked into my life and stood at my desk to chat. I’m thankful that he is the man that I’m raising my kids with and that he’s the one that’s leading our family. And I’m so thankful that in the hard times and the long days that I know that he and I are both 100% committed to the Father and to each other.

May Goals

Filed Under: Goals

May22014

1. Invite another family over for supper at least once- Hospitality makes me come alive and I love filling this house with people we love!

2. Read three books- This has become a fun habit for me and less of a goal at this point, which just makes me happy. I have fallen in love with reading again!

3. Catch up on my Bible in a year plan- full disclosure here… I am a month behind. A month! And it’s Deuteronomy that is tripping me up. I know that many of us have struggled with Deuteronomy. My New Testament reading is going great. This is all a blog post for another day, but I’ve really really fallen behind in this area.

4. Continue to eat clean, unprocessed foods- For the past 10 days I have eliminated dairy, sugar, and all processed foods from my diet and I feel amazing. I’m hoping that this goal becomes a full habit because the benefits have been incredible.

5. Send three notes in the mail to friends “just because.”- I love doing this and it seriously only takes about five minutes. Every month in my Day Designer, I make a list of 3 people I want to send a note to, and I do it within the first week of the month.

6. Celebrate our anniversary and Hayes’s birthday

7. Get started on Hayes’s big boy room- Hayes is still in a crib, and with his third birthday next week, I know it’s time to start moving him. We’ve got all the elements for his room picked out, but decorating takes time. This month I’d just like to get him in a bed.

May is a big month for our family. We got married on May 3 and Hayes’s birthday is May 5, so we do a lot of celebrating. But I’m trying to make sure those celebrations aren’t totally centered around food and specifically sugary food.

Many of my goals have become habits for me, and that’s exactly what I wanted at the beginning of this year. Each month I want to host another family for dinner, read three books, read my Bible, and send some letters to friends.

This month, I intentionally left off big lofty goals. The truth is, I don’t have any big lofty goals right now. I’m not seeking to write a book or do big things with this blog. Not because I want to be “small,” but because I’m becoming more and more aware of my limits and personal boundaries.

The things that fire me up are being with my people and making sure I have just enough time to myself to recharge.

My friend, Hayley, has a great community-filled link up every month where bloggers can share their goals for the month. And my friend, Lara, reminded us yesterday that May is the new January and it’s like we can get a fresh start in May. I agree. I feel energized and alive, and I’m even looking forward to the end of preschool. I’m excited about a fun-filled summer with my family.

I’d love to hear more about your monthly goals if you have them.

I’m linking up with The Tiny Twig today!

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