Who Is Erika Anyway?

I had a fantastic Christmas, I don't know about you. I was so blest by gifts, cards, IM, and spending time with family. I always kind of have this let down feeling when it's over, I love Christmas so much that I want it to last forever. But it wouldn't be as special if it was everyday. That got me thinking what makes it special?  Christmas morning brings anticipation, icy air warmed by a fire, krinkling of paper,  laughter and smiles at the conclusion of surprises,  baking of cardomen bread, hot coffee brewing, more aromas arising from the kitchen as the meal starts being made. By the afternoon everyone has gathered together to celebrate with more gifts and laughter, filling your appetite with the luscious meal that has been slaved over. The evening is spent reminiscing and playing with the new gadgets.  Then when you end the day were you started it snug in your bed you might reminisce all the way back to the first Christmas where there was a young girl about my ag...

 December, a time were I go absolutely ballistic!  You just get done being thankful for everything you have and then........ ZAP. It's time to bake, shop, wrap, decorate, attend parties and rehearse. Now you have made it to the second week in December.  Get ready for trying to watch every holiday special known to man, and for goodness sakes if they play Santa Baby one more time    you will scream.  Then you go on pinterest to findnthat holiday tip you pinned back in August. But insteas you find the December devotional and start reading it. Suddenly you remember why we have this holiday in the first place. It's Jesus's birthday,  so instead of that holiday tips you create a poster for the family room that says   Jesus is The Reason For The Season ,  much better settle down and listen tomcarols. Happy holidays everyone!

 Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you had a good holiday with your family because I did. We traveled over to Richfield,  WA to visit with my Dad's family. This year we didn't do a "traditional" meal. We keep it simple,  but still nice.  Now as a girl who is very traditional,  when I first learned of this I was shocked! But as the day progessed I began thinking more about traditions. What do they really mean? How do they get started?   Here is where my thoughts lead me. I started with the traditions my family has and why we have them. Some of them we just do because we enjoy them and over time it became a tradition.  Others are used as a means of keeping family memories alive. All of the reasons are really good, but why do I get thrown for a loop so much when we don't do something the exact same way we have always done it.   What I really decided was, traditions are fun, but who you are chosing and how yoyr chosing to make memories with is wha...

   I am apart of a homeschool band. Where my mom directs a level and my brother and I play in three different bands combined. I play flute in the advanced level and James plays trumpet in intermediate and jazz.  We had our first concert of the year tonight and I think it went really well, some might even say one of our best concerts.   When I got home and sat with my cup of chamomile tea, and ran the delightful evening in my head for the umpteenth time. One thing in particular stood out. We were excited for each other.    I saw it all night, older students encouraging the younger,  younger students eyes popping out of their head at what the older players are doing and making mentle notes on what they want to become. Most of all the support of the parents. Everywhere you look they are photographing and recording the evening so we can replay the memories over and over again.      It just made me relized how all of us in band are s...

Okay, without further a do, here is things I am thanlful for part 2. 51. I am thankful fof organization. 52. I am thankful for Fridays. 53. I am thankful for the curvy road to the mall mom      knows I love. 54. I am thankful for phone calls. 55. I am thankful for the smell of stuff baking in the oven. 56. I am thankful for bubbles. 57. I am thankful for ice skating. 58. I am thankful for the smell of dryer sheets. 59. I am thankful for disney movies. 60. I am thankful for mac n cheese. 61. I am thanlful for my braces. 62. I am thankful for my health. 63. I am thankful for water. 64. I am thankful for soft pretzels. 65. I am thankful for musicals. 66. I am thankful for experiences. 67. I am thankful for worship team. 68. I am thankful for gel pens 69. I am thankful for my flute. 70. I am thankful for old farmhouses. 71. I am thankful for the feeling I get when I receive mail. 72. I am thankful for doctor who. 73. I ...

  As we head into the week of Thanksgiving, I wanted to share some things I am thankful for so the first post it is inspired by my brilliant friend Rachel, who on her blog posted 100 things she was thankful for. So here is the first half. I will post the second have tomorrow. 1. I am thankful I get to live in one of the prettiest places ever. 2. I am thankful for the freedom to homeschool. 3. I am thankful for my faith and how it is such a blessing and comfort all of the time. 4. I am thankful for my family who are all so supportive of anything I try to do and are so loving. 5. I am thankful for every single one of my crazy friends who have my back 24/7. 6. I am thankful for my co-op classes and teachers. 7. I am thankful for the little blessings everyday that remind me that what I am stressed about isn't such a big deal. 8. I am thankful for how happy the holidays make me. 9. I am thankful for books that take me to far away places. 10. I am thankful for coffee. 11. I am...