girls nite out!

Wish I would've taken pics, but I didn't. I was carefree and spontaneous!!

One of my best girlfriends threw and impromptu gals nite...and we bowled our little hearts out! It was really fun. Apparently, I am not a gifted bowler. For one...I have an abnormally shaped thumb on my bowling hand.So, it was hard to find the right ball to fit my "special" thumb (at least that's what my mom says), that was not a man sized bowling ball. Ones that felt the right weight, my thumb would always stick a bit, resulting in a loud thud of my ball hitting the floor and rolling into the gutter.
I had the lowest score of the 5 of us...ouch. It was really fun because 2 of the gals I have met at our MOM's group at chruch, but don't know well and two of them were 2 really good friends. It was really really nice to make some new pals and just chat...honestly, it's weird that as mommies we're dying to get "out", yet all we talked about were our babies, giving birth, epidurals, breastfeeding, crazy stuff preschoolers do, a tiny bit about our husbands (they are involved in conception, at least). All while having Nachos and sharing a beer at the bowling alley. I'm sure the manly men bowling next to us appreciated our conversations! It was fun.

Here's my special thumb (I think I should get some sort of bowling "handicap")

book worm

Well, I guess you actually have to crack the pages and read to be a book worm, techically. I've been on a book buying binge this week. First, I shopped on Amazon on Tuesday after hanging out with Mere, and got inspired to buy these:



And then, Mere and I talked on the phone some more, and I got back on and ordered this:
We are going to do this study together.

Then...my friend Beth invited me to join www.goodreads.com which is so fun! You can see what your friends are reading/have read and get inspired to read. (so far, I'm only inspired and haven't actually read...but I WANT to. that counts, right?) So, now I want to read these:





THEN...today we had a family book date at Powell's in ptown. I LOVE Powells. I used to spend hours there (now, we spend 20 mins in the kids section and after that...we're in a hurry to get out.) We traded in a bunch of books and got $72 in store credit (YAHOO) and I bought these:
Well, I guess it will only let me post this many pics. For some reason, I can't upload any more! grrr, anyhow I bought 2 Charlie and Lola books We-meaning our fam- love Charlie and Lola stories. It's a funny cartoon on Disney about a boy and his little sister...every book starts out with..."I have this little sister, Lola. She is small and very funny." I just like them alot. These 2 darling little british cartoon kids...
Anyway, they are a favorite.
So we got 2 of those, and a Field Guide book for my camera (yay! Now, I can learn what big words like "Aperture" and "Shutterspeed" actually mean.)

Business Time

Ok, this video is hilarious. My friend Lindsay told me about it, and Julie posted it on her blog, but just in case you missed it, here it is! So funny.

1000 visitors? REally?

well, to be honest, I'm not sure what to think. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or creeped out. I posted "Who are you People?" and got two responses (3 if you count my mom). Several friends have mentioned in person that they've stopped by my blog occasionally...and of course there are those on my blog roll. So that accounts for about...maybe 20? That leaves 980 lurkers...now I know some of you just can't stay away, and check my blog more than once a day...and I'm okay with that.

But I'm seriously thinking about a blog makeover. I'm not sure I want to go "private", but I'm thinking of going more anonymous. not using names, and changing my blog URL so that it doesn't contain my name. I don't really like googling myself and being led right to my blog. That just seems weird. I know some of you have strong feelings about it...so, go ahead. Give me your thoughts...

ps, I ordered online today, and I can't WAIT to get them. I was hanging out with a gal pal today, and she shared one devotional from "Prayers for New Mothers" by Angela Thomas Gaffey about the challenges of Nursing (yes...lactating, not caring for sick people) and we both got teary eyed!

SO, I also ordered another book by her, called "Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul". Also looks awesome! can't beat .01 cent on Amazon!! Love that. We're having Great Ideas Day at our mom's group at church and I think I might share about them, if I get them before then.

okay, just got two more hits before I even posted! and blogger is being weird and posted this twice.

1000 visitors? REally?

well, to be honest, I'm not sure what to think. I'm not sure if I should be flattered or creeped out. I posted "Who are you People?" and got two responses (3 if you count my mom). Several friends have mentioned in person that they've stopped by my blog occasionally...and of course there are those on my blog roll. So that accounts for about...maybe 20? That leaves 980 lurkers...now I know some of you just can't stay away, and check my blog more than once a day...and I'm okay with that.

But I'm seriously thinking about a blog makeover. I'm not sure I want to go "private", but I'm thinking of going more anonymous. not using names, and changing my blog URL so that it doesn't contain my name. I don't really like googling myself and being led right to my blog. That just seems weird. I know some of you have strong feelings about it...so, go ahead. Give me your thoughts...

ps, I ordered online today, and I can't WAIT to get them. I was hanging out with a gal pal today, and she shared one devotional from "Prayers for New Mothers" by Angela Thomas Gaffey about the challenges of Nursing (yes...lactating, not caring for sick people) and we both got teary eyed!

SO, I also ordered another book by her, called "Tender Mercy for a Mother's Soul". Also looks awesome! can't beat .01 cent on Amazon!! Love that. We're having Great Ideas Day at our mom's group at church and I think I might share about them, if I get them before then.

Nate, Tricia and Gwyneth

Hi friends. I just wanted to remind you to keep praying for the Lawrensons. Tricia has been awake some today...though it sounds like it was a frusterating day because she can't talk because of the ventilator. Emotional, draining, frusterating...read Nate's blog for more detail. Pray for them to find a way to communicate, rest for Nate...he's spending the night at Tricia's request. I keep praying for God to use them and their story in amazing and unexpected ways...really, they still need the Lord to carry them through today and the days (and nights)ahead.

8 years ago...

Reading Lee Ann's blog today inspired me...and I realized TODAY is my 8th year proposal anniversary!

8 years ago today, I was tricked! Really...

I was working at the church office, where we were gearing up for the annual high school ministry winter retreat. Dave, my boss, said hey Eryn, I need you to drive to Camp Eagle Fern and look it over. I hear they've made some renovations this year and I want to know what we're up against....
Eryn "WHAT? We go to that camp every year for the past 15 years...really? We know what the cabins are like! But OK.

Eryn"Gee Dave, can I take somebody with me?"

Dave "Sure, I don't care"

Eryn "hey, can I take my boyfriend (who I thought was NEVER going to propose) Matt?"

Dave "sure, I don't care!"

Off we went. A random Monday afternoon. It was POURING down rain. We went to camp eagle fern.

cabins...check.
Cafeteria...check.
kitchen...check.

all the same. Whatever Dave...

Matt "hey, let's go for a walk..."
Eryn "it's pouring down rain...let's just go!"
Matt "come on..."
Eryn "ok."

We walk. Matt's talking about the great memories over the years of being students at this camp...yada yada. Then, he starts telling more specifics about a day in high school at a retreat...during quite time, at this waterfall. We turn and start going up the hill to this waterfall. It was wet. and muddy.

matt "I knew that day, when I found the girl I wanted to marry, I'd bring her here to ask her to marry me"

Eryn (in my head) "maybe someday that'll be me!"

matt reaches in his pocket and pulls out a little black box...

Eryn (in my head) "Oh my goodness! That's what he's doing!!"

I started shaking so much...literally knees knocking together. Matt though I was going to fall down the big muddy hill. So, he held me up and opened the box. He told me he loved me and wanted to spend forever with me.


We drove back home...I kept saying, "I should call _____" he'd say, "oh, just wait a little while"

When we got home to my folks house, it was FULL of people and a surprise engagement party! (I looked GREAT. Rain, mud, smudgy mascara)

It was a day I'll never ever forget! (I'd post pics, but that was in my predigital era)

"

Seriously, Who are you people?

I just posted my visit counter like 2 days ago and it's got almost 300 hits! Who are you lurkers?

(Mom, I know about you!)

In other news...

I've kind of had a hard time posting my other stuff this week. In light of loved ones (including Nathan and Tricia Lawrenson...even though I dont' know them personally) going through such stinking hard times, my stuff is seeming pretty insignificant and trivial.

My friends the Jensens, have little 7 yr Old Luke with AML Leukemia. They are doing well, but none the less...the biggest challenge of all of thier lives.

My good friend Traci, has battled most of her 2nd trimester and now into her 3rd of pregnancy with Ulcerative Colitis. Her life and her baby's have been in serious danger. She had a MAJOR surgery to relieve her UC, but has had some pretty significant struggles with recovery from the surgery. On top of that, her dad lost a 2 year battle with Colon Cancer in December and passed away. As you can imagine, her life has been pretty intense, making it really hard to enjoy her first pregnancy (since she's been in and out of the hospital for most of it). I'm happy to report that she's turned a corner and doing much better, but still. That just sucks.

Our old friend and one of my husband's small group leaders, passed away on New Year's Eve.

Nate and Tricia Lawrenson are battling for the lives of Tricia and baby Gwyneth Rose, with every hour counting as a miracle. It makes me really really grateful for my family's health. I've been trying to pray with/over Jack each night when I'm rocking him before bed (sorry, Julie! Just heard you talking today about how your kiddos just won't do it.). He's such a love bug and I've really been savoring it this week. I have found myself being really grateful for those moments just loving on eachother. He reaches his chubby little hand up and just puts in on my cheek or my chest...just to touch me. I love that. I will always cherish that. I just cant' help but think that I don't know what the future holds for my boys. No matter what, I will enjoy and savor today, these sweet moments and memories that my boys are giving me. I keep finding myself a little teary as I pray over Jack. Promising the Lord that I trust His plan for my family, no matter what. Placing my boys in his hands and begging that he lets me keep them forever.

So...my new Eucalyptus living room color doesn't seem so important. But here it is anyway.

.

On a funny note...here's what i did to myself yesterday.


OOPS. I was trying to bleach stains out of my tub. Went of to start a load of wash, which got me distracted to folding a load of wash (On my new laundry room folding station :))So, I took my freshly folded towels to put away...and water was oozing into my living room! I thought OH CRAP. My toilet overflowed! No, my own stupidity, I forgot about the tub. SO, my freshly folded clean towels I had to use to mop up my mess. THEN...I carried my sopping towels to my laundry room. Where my washing machine was OOZING SUDS everywhere! WHAT THE HECK. I swear I didn't put too much soap in...AGain, in my stupidity, I stopped the machine, waited for the door to unlock (it's a front loader) and opened the door....MORE SUDS OOZING EVERYWHERE. Duh.

As if the Lord was saying..."It's high time you do some mopping, Lady!" Sheesh.
I didn't have time to take pics of the suds flooding my new laundry room.

But here's some pics of Hayden's brownie batter smile. He licked up the spoons from the spinach brownie batter without hesitation! Then he happily did the dishes too! (JK, he did spend about an hour playing in a sinkful of clean water and measuring cups though!) I just can't get enough of this kids eyelashes! They kill me. Oh and one of my peanut fresh out of my clean tub!

My review on Deceptively Delicious!

It's SO great. I started with Peanut Butter Banana Muffins. They were YUMMY. They have carrots in them...Carrots are relatively safe in bread items...husband loves Carrot Cake. He'd have it for his birthday cake if I'd let him (birthday cakes should be chocolate in my opinion)



The little peanut LOVED them and ate most of them (over a few days, mind you)


Then I decided to really go for it and do the Blueberry Oat Bars (with Spinach)
Now you see it...

Now you don't!


Since then, I've made the Brownies...with spinach and carrots. Not Bad! The texture is not quite the same as "real" brownies...it's pretty dense and slightly rubbery, but the taste is good and chocolatey! Not bad for 133 calories per brownie!

My FAVORITE recipe so far is the Cous Cous. My family loves cous cous and I make it weekly. This had carrots and squash, garlic, and a smidge of parmesan cheese and it was SOOOOOO TASTY! What my neat freak husband loved, was that unlike the usual couscous I make...it kind of sticks together, eliminating the tiny cous cous granules from getting all over the table and floor near Hayden. And Hayden loved "Orange Cous Cous". He really just loves saying Cous Cous. Whenever he is trying to be silly, he'll say it. My SIL's baby in her tummy...named Cous Cous. Should I brush my Cous Cous? It's his fill in the blank funny silly word. Seriously...the best cous cous ever!!

Nathan and Tricia's baby is here!

Please please pray for them. Nathan said on his blog that this is the most critical 24 hours of Tricia's life. Baby Gwyneth Rose seems to be doing well in NICU. Read there blog for more info and and amazing slide show of the teeny tiny baby girl.

www.cfhusband.blogspot.com

8 things that drive me crazy

I was tagged by my friend, Julie, to post 8 things that drive me crazy. This was started by my other friend, Shannon (her blog title is eightcrazy).

I'm going to do mine David Letterman style, leaving you in suspense to my #1.

8. Laundry. It's never ever ever ever done. enough said.

7. boogery noses. my little peanut has a crusty one right now, but he FREAKS out when I try to clean it.

6. nasty ears...a huge pet peave. i happened to be blessed with the 2 dirtiest ear-ed kids on the planet. I seriously use 2-4 qtips PER DAY PER KID. sicko.

5. no matching socks (see #8)

4. Not having a cup holder on my stroller. leads to many spilled beverages when I try to balance them in the canopy/cover thing.

3. Finding an amazing sale, and having all the products be sold out! I get so excited to use my coupons, and then have the let down when it's gone. (also finding a great clothing item on clearance, only to find NONE of the size I need.)

2. People I love hurting...physically, emotionally, spiritully. WAY to much of this in life right now.

1. THE NUMBER ONE THING ON MY LIST IS......taking my kids grocery shopping!! Without a doubt the most miserable experience know to man(woman)kind. OK, that's an exaggeration (see #2...much worse). HOwever, it takes twice as long, with 9 trips to the potty, numerous items grabbed from shelves, whining, crying...misery. I had such trip yesterday. H wet his pants...J was fusssy...a non fun time had by all.


I also love what Julie did, and posted some things she's loving right now.

Here's mine:

1. My new bible! The Message/TNIV parallel bible in a cute brown and blue. Makes my quite times more applicable and I just want to read from my cute new bible!

2. Curves cereal/chewy granola bars. Lots of fiber low calories and TASTY.

3. Having my stroller with it's fixed tires! ( they were flat...can you tell I use my stroller alot!)

4. Bought new jeans...a size smaller than I usually do! Yay! It may have been a freak thing that they fit...but, I'll take it!

5. My new living room color! I'm going to post pics soon, but it's called "Eucalyptus" and it's pretty!

6. My kids playing together and making each other laugh(the good belly laughs!)

7. Eating (at least trying) healthy. I feel good about myself when I know I did a good job.

8. My family. My parents, and my brother and SIL (and soon to be baby)...and my cousins. I feel really happy about where things are right now. We're just enjoying eachothers company and I love that.

9. My new laundry room! YAY!!! It's done, and so nice! Going from garage floor to a fancy laudry room is AWESOME.

10. Last but not least, my amazing husband. I like him. ALOT. He's fun, smart, sweet, kind, giving, sensitive, and a stinking hard worker. (LOVE YOU HUSBAND!)

Mom My Ride

Ever since I knew I was preggers with my 2nd little peanut, I starting thinking about "THE MINIVAN". Suddenly, they became more and more appealing to me....those double sliding doors, the plethera of cupholders...seating for 7. This was all to husband's dismay...he had proudly declared for years "We will NEVER have a minivan". I told him, he'd one day have to eat those words...and this summer it came true. It was time to rethink the car situation, and of course we were after the most practical car we could get...and we ended up with a 2003 Chrysler Town and Country. I like it alot, and Mr. H says " I like our van. It's my favorite!" (although, right now he has LOTS of favorites). I got a kick out of this youtube video! It's so true of me...including the golf balls rolling around! Thank you mom.



thanks Jennifer P for the video!

Please Pray for this couple (and baby)

hey all, my friend Julie posted a blog about this couple, Nate and Tricia. Tricia has Cystic Fibrosis and is pregnant. That equals COMPLICATIONS. They are neat Christians, with amazing faith. Please check out Nate's blog and pray for them. They are in a critical time for Tricia and the expected baby girl's life.

Feelin' kinda blue

hi friends. I found out today that an old friend and one of Matt's former small group leaders from high school days, passed away (Jason G.)this week. Some other friends are struggling with a son battling leukemia (Luke)and sickness in the family. Another gal pal of mine is struggling to recover from a major surgery (and she's pregnant, and her dad just passed away).

I'm feeling heavy hearted about the people I love going through some hard times. My mind has been on them all alot today. It's all heavy stuff, and sometimes you just feel kind of helpless in it. When people I love hurt, I want to do something about it...thes are all hard situations to do that. I'm talking alot to the Lord about it. That's it.