Saturday, January 24, 2009

My house is messy.

The TV is collecting dust while we speak.

The dishwasher is half emptied of the clean dishes that sat for 3 days waiting for soap.

The wash is quickly mounting up.

The floor has Cheerios, eggs, and pretzel crumbs ground into it, mainly in one (Abraham) spot!

The dust is nearing a half inch thick on my jewelry box.

The bathroom counter has scum and toothpaste all over it.

My sock drawer is over-flowing on to the floor in our bedroom.

The grocery shopping, no strike that... the grocery list is not made yet, therefore my family is eating soup and crackers until we have food in the house.

BUT... my boy KNOWS that he is loved! Abraham and I spent an hour at the library looking at books, playing in the train and learning his letters. We caught lunch at Target, got him a new pair of shoes, and the few items on our list. We spent time cuddlled on the couch watching his new movies from the "libary" and then in bed for a few minutes before falling off to sleep... him not me!

T - I - M - E That is how love is spelled to a 3 yr old. That is what he will remember... not the clean house or the food on the table. But that his mommy took the time to love on him. I don't always do this - I often get caught in the "have-to-do's" of mommyhood, wife-hood and student-hood. Let this be my reminder to stop and spend TIME with Abraham... and with Michael too.

Friday, January 23, 2009

This is a GREAT story that was sent to me by a friend and I thought it was BLOG worthy!


Kurtis the Stock Boy and Brenda the Checkout Girl

In a supermarket, Kurtis the stock boy was busily working when a new voice came over the loud speaker asking for a carry-out at register 4. Kurtis was almost finished and wanted to get some fresh air, so he decided to answer the call. As he approached the checkout stand, a distant smile caught his eye ~ the checkout girl was beautiful. She was an older woman(maybe 26, and he was only 22) and he fell in love.

Later that day, after his shift was over, he waited by the punch clock to find out her name. She came into the break room, smiled softly at him,took her card, punched out, and then left. He looked at her card, BRENDA. He walked out only to see her start walking up the road.

Next day, he waited outside as she left the supermarket, and offered her a ride home. He looked harmless enough, and she accepted. When he dropped her off, he asked if maybe he could see her again, outside of work. She simply said it wasn't possible. He pressed and she explained she had two children and she couldn't afford a babysitter, so he offered to pay for the babysitter.

Reluctantly she accepted his offer for a date for the following Saturday. That Saturdaynight, he arrived at her door only to have her tell him that she was unable to go with him. The babysitter had called and canceled. To which Kurtis simply said, "Well, let's take the kids with us." She tried to explain that taking the children was not an option, but again not taking no for an answer, he pressed.

Finally Brenda brought him inside to meet her children. She had an older daughter who was just as cute as a bug, Kurtis thought, and then Brenda brought out her son, in a wheelchair. He was born a paraplegic with Downs Syndrome. Kurtis told Brenda, "I still don't understand why the kids can't come withus." Brenda was amazed. Most men would run away from a woman with two kids, especially if one had disabilities ~ just like her first husband and father of her children had done.

But Kurtis was not ordinary ~ he had a different mindset. That evening Kurtis and Brenda loaded up the kids and went to dinner and the movies. When her son needed anything, Kurtis would take care of him. When he needed to use the restroom, he picked him up out of his wheelchair, took him, and brought him back. The kids loved Kurtis. At the end of the evening, Brenda knew this was the man she was going to marry and spend the rest of her life with.

A year later, they were married and Kurtis adopted both of her children. Since then they have added five more kids. So what happened to Kurtis the stock boy at a grocery store in Cedar Falls, Iowa and Brenda the checkout girl?

Well, Mr. & Mrs. Kurt Warner now live in Arizona where he is currently employed as the quarterback of the National Football League Arizona Cardinals and has his Cardinals in the hunt for a possible appearance in the Super Bowl.

Is this a surprise ending or could you have guessed that he was not an ordinary person. It should be noted that he also quarterbacked the Rams in Super BowlXXXVI...and he has also been the NFL's Most Valuable Player twice and the Super Bowl's Most Valuable Player.

He established the First Things First Foundation in the spring of 2001 with wife Brenda to promote Christian values and bless the lives of those less fortunate with projects such as trips to Disney World for ill children, building recreation centers in children's hospitals, helping single moms achieve the dream of homeownership and teaching Special Olympians the football basics. All projects are centered on Kurt and Brenda's life theme: faith and family come first.

The official website is: http://www.kurtwarner.org/

Bedtime with Abraham and Momma

Every night around 8:00, Abraham and I climb into his bed and start our nightly ritual. First, he picks out 2-3 books for us to read. Normally they are the ones we get from the library. The past few nights we have been reading The Berenstein Bears Go to the Dentist - in preparation for his first dentist appointment next month!!

So we read... then I turn out the lights... and he asks me if I'm gonna lay with him. I say yes and lay back down with him. He usually asks me to tell him a bedtime story - ones I have so (ahem!) creatively made up! We have two - the fishing one and the sunny day one... both revolve around a little boy named ABRAHAM!!

I tell my stories and then we cuddle for a few minutes before I head out the door and he goes to sleep (most nights!)


Tonight I took pictures of our special time together so I can remember. I want to remember the times that he wanted his Momma to lay next to him and read. I want to remember those nights of cuddling and laughing about Momma's stories. I want to remember the nights I fall asleep next to him in that cramped bed. I want to remember because I know that he won't always want his Momma in that way. He'll grow up and things will be different.


But for now, while he is still "my bubba", I will treasure these times and not be in a hurry for the other stuff that I think I have to do. I'm gonna soak it all up people!!


Ready to Read

Hey wait a minute.. aren't we gonna read??


Reading Too Loud Lily


Getting ready for cuddling in the dark :)









"3-year-old-fun"

Not only do we have a monkey in the house...



but we have a rocker in the house too!!!



Lord help us all !!

Thursday, January 22, 2009

March For Babies


Dear Friends,

It is nearly that time of year again -- the March of Dimes March for Babies. Abraham, my sister and I will be walking again this year in March for Babies. We had a great time last year at this event. Some new additions to the walk were cards that were sent to current NICU parents to encourage them on their daily walk as well as a huge poster that you could sign in honor of your preemie(s). Whoever came up with these ideas was a genius! :)

As you all know, this cause is very important to our family as Abraham and Moses were born prematurely, at 28 weeks. It was because of the work of the March of Dimes and the amazing staff in the NICU of GMBC that Michael and I were able to feel comforted and educated about caring for a preemie.

The money we raise helps save premature and sick babies. Premature birth is the #1 cause of newborn death and the biggest threat to babies’ health today, and through WalkAmerica, the March of Dimes is funding important research to find out why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it.

Please consider contributing to this important cause. Last year I was able to raise over $800 from family and friends, thanks to many of your donations to this great organization. It would be wonderful if I could match that this year, if not exceed it.

Contributing to my walk online is fast, easy and secure. You can donate directly from my personal webpage with a credit/debit card or PayPal. If you prefer, I can also accept cash or check. Just click the appropriate box on my webpage.

I’ve joined with millions of compassionate people across the country who support WalkAmerica each year. Won’t you please help me in this worthy cause? Visit my webpage and sponsor me in the walk that saves babies!

With your support, there’s hope.

Thank you for your constant support and love for us.
Michael, Erinn and Abraham

My personal web page address for donations is ...http://www.marchforbabies.org/abesmomma

Would you like to see what March for Babies is and why I'm walking?Click http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P_dFD0J47I to see the video.



Wednesday, January 21, 2009

January 20, 2009




Yesterday I was priviledged to share the historic events happening in our nations capital with my third grade students. Being able to explain to them what was happening and to point out the importance of the day was really a great experience. They actually listened pretty intently and quietly to the swearing in as well as President Obama's speech. I was impressed - granted most of the "big" words went over their heads!


As I watched the inauguaration yesterday I was struck with the incredible traditions and history behind the day. All of the pomp and circumstance and how it all just flowed - it just blew me away. Whether I voted for him or not, I had to admit that it was an exciting and emotional day. I understand that many African Americans were emotional about the day, having our first African American President. But honestly I think that it was more about the fact that as a free country, one that gives its citizens the right and responsibility to vote for our leaders, the people spoke and elected a man that many feel will be a change for our country. I don't think that it should be about the color of a man's skin - but rather the character qualities that he possess to be a great President for our country.


The other thing I was struck with was how GRACIOUS President Bush was in the face of all that was happening. He listened to Obama's speech which indirectly pointed fingers at Bush's administration, he endured being "Boo-ed" (which, by the way was completely unacceptable!), and he left the house and job behind that he had known for 8 years. I loved watching him, smile on his face, not letting the "stuff" of the day get him down. I found myself tearing up as he and Mrs. Bush shook the hands and hugged the Obama's before getting on the helicopter and heading back to Texas. I imagined the emotions they would have been having in that moment. Sigh..


I appreciated the prayer of Pastor Rick Warren (author of The Purpose Driven Life) --


"...Give to our new president, Barack Obama, the wisdom to lead us with humility, the courage to lead us with integrity, the compassion to lead us with generosity. Bless and protect him, his family, Vice President Biden, the Cabinet and every one of our freely elected leaders.

Help us, oh God, to remember that we are Americans, united not by race or religion or blood, but to our commitment to freedom and justice for all. When we focus on ourselves, when we fight each other, when we forget you, forgive us.

When we presume that our greatness and our prosperity is ours alone, forgive us. When we fail to treat our fellow human beings and all the Earth with the respect that they deserve, forgive us.

And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

Help us to share, to serve and to seek the common good of all. May all people of goodwill today join together to work for a more just, a more healthy and a more prosperous nation and a peaceful planet. And may we never forget that one day all nations and all people will stand accountable before you.

Entire transcript found here


Hebrews 13:17 "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give an account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable to you."



Monday, January 19, 2009

River Time

Last weekend we had been inside too much so we ended up at a river close to home. We didn't quite think it was as cold as it was. We lasted about 20 minutes before I got too cold to stand out side anymore. Of course, little man was "fine" as he called it -- yea right! However as soon as we got back to the car, he cried about how cold his hands were! :)


Momma, I'm COLD!!


Hunting rocks with Daddy


Momma and Abraham sporting our MD red!


Daddy and Abraham smiling even though it was FREEZING!!




Friday night trip to Chuck E. Cheese

Friday night at Chuck E. Cheese??? Yes, we really are nuts! It wasn't as bad as it could have been though. Our Chuck E. Cheese recently saw a facelift and looks 100% better than it used to. Abraham loved the games the last time we were there for a birthday party, so we decided to take him back just for the fun of it... and I do mean fun of it! :) Daddy and I liked the games as much as Abraham did!



Abraham and Momma at the water gun game


Hit it baby! :)

That is one happy boy!! :)



Driving Mr. Daisy


Feeding the dog


The Digger that he wouldn't get off of!


Daddy and Momma like the Skeet Ball game... always my favorite at the boardwalk.


Whatcha' looking at Chuck E.??












Monday, January 5, 2009

I'm in love with my...

new Bissell vacuum!! I have never vacuumed so much in my life than I have this past weekend!!

So our old vacuum cleaner we got as a wedding present nearly 8 years ago. About 1 year ago it started getting clogged and blowing dust and it seemed that just about every other time I'd use it, I would have to take it apart to clean it. Well, we got fed up and this past weekend went and bought a new one.



Here comes the gross part -- the part that I'm fairly embarassed to post -- but I will anyhow!! I have been using carpet freshener recently to make the place smell good after vacuuming... however after vacuuming with my NEW BISSELL it was apparent to me that the old one had sucked up NONE of that powdery stuff. Oh my gosh, the amount of powder as well as dust bunnies that accumulated in my bagless vacuum was enough to make me SICK, literally SICK!! The thought of all the dust and stuff that I had been subjecting my family to made me ill.


Here are some pictures of my amazing NEW VACUUM and some of what the "crap" in the carpet looked like! Oh, and Abraham decided that he isn't afraid of the vacuum anymore and wanted to help me! Okay kid, anything you want!! :)
I'm truly in L.O.V.E!!







Abraham helps out -- He likes that it is quieter than the old one!



The white powder (freshener) that caked the inside of the container.


I'm gonna be sick... :{



Before cleaning the filters and container...



After cleaning...




I promised the vacuum that I would take good care of it as long as it takes good care of me. Michael laughed at me as I "talked" to the vacuum as I wiped it down and made it all shiny again! Sorry, but did I mention that I'm in LOVE??!! :}




Friday, January 2, 2009

Reflections

Nearly a year ago, I stumbled onto the blog of this dear family, Nathan and Tricia Lawrenson. I don't know how I found them but I truly believe that it was the hand of the Father. I have been a "groupie" of theirs since last January and I am just struck every time I read their blog by the Faithfulness and Goodness of God. In the middle of a situation that could have turned out much differently for the Lawrensons, the Father just reached His hand down and said "I'm not done with you. I have a bigger plan in store for you." If ever there was a story about miracles, if ever there was a family with faith like a mustard seed, if ever there was 2 people more real about their struggles and victories --- it is this family. I encourage you to check out some of their older posts to see how God has been glorified. I promise that you will leave with your heart and spirit encouraged.

Here are a few of my favorite posts from Nathan:

Hands on a Miracle -- be prepared with tissues!

I cannot sleep and I have some things to say

Our Choice part 1

Our Choice part 2

Few Things I'm Learning

It's a Go! - Tricia receives her new lungs!

I could put hundreds of posts from Nathan on here that spoke to me -- but I won't! Just check it out for yourself!!

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Prayer Requests for 2 families

Please be in prayer with me for a dear friend of mine who lost her father this week. Kathy and her family will be having to make decisions regarding her Daddy this week and I know would covet your prayers. It's never easy to lose a family member, no matter how young or old. Praying God's Grace and Peace for the Roche and Kreyling families.



A second family is in need of our prayers as well. Quite suddenly, Mrs. Jacqueline Haas passed away this past Wednesday. Mrs. Haas was the Superintendent of Harford County Public Schools. I have never met the woman but from all that I hear she was a wonderful woman, who always worked for the best of children. When budget cuts had to be made, rather than taking from the kids, she cut back on food, travel and other extra things for staff. She will be sorely missed in the Harford County public schools. She leaves behind a husband and 2 sons. Please be praying for the Haas family as they make arrangements as well.