Who Is Erika Anyway?

   Idol might be a strong word but we all have someone we idolize, someone we want to be like someone we love and admire. It might even be multiple people and this person might change as we get older.      When I was little I mimicked my mom and my mom's friend Sarah. When we would do anything I would try to parent my dolls just like they would us kids. I also tried to act like some of the older girls I knew and liked. I also would pretend to be whatever I was into, princesses, Laura Ingells, Nancy Drew, Marcia Brady, Anne of Green Gables and so many others.       Now that I am a little bit older I have others I look up too,  there is a lady in our church who is a beautiful christ loving woman, a fantastic wife and mother, and has a surperb, classy fashion sense who I really look up too. I still look up to my mom, grandmothers, and other important, amazing women that have blessed my life.       The t...

Nothing ever stays the same, that's the only thing that won't  change.  You have to grow up. There are descions you have to make,  and experiences you have to go through. Ever life has seasons of change and lately I have felt them blowing my way. For a while now I have been considering going to running start my junior year (next year)but after some prayer and conversations with wise people. We felt like that door was shutting. So now I am happy to say that I am looking forward to another two years at our co -open and of homeschooling. Another adventure I have been up to is one lots of other teens have done as a well, braces!  I have had them for almost a year now and have another year to go,  but I have hit a point in my treatment were I need to have some oral surgery done to remove some teeth for space.  Thankful for the advances in dentistry and also praying for peace and healing during this wonderful upcoming adventure. Change isn't all bad howeve...

Let's talk music. It is one of the very best things ever. You can sing it, play it or listen to it. There are so many different aspects to music and how it affects me. So here is Erika's break down of music. First you have style whether it's pop, country, folk, classical, rock, techno, jazz, Christian contemporary, hymns or a super sweet eclectic style of all, you like what you like. Then you find groups in this style that you like. Either yur surfing YouTube and find them. You friend tells you to check out this awesome band. Or you just have always liked them we all have our favorites. The bands that we tell everyone about, the ones that are okay once in a while and the secret ones you can't live without. Moving onto songs, you can love a song for it's catchy beat, lyrics that speak to you and are relatable. Or if you are like me you love some songs and you can't even explain why. You have different jams for different occasions too. So now that I have give...

I have been back from break a whole week and it already feels like it has been a month. For the most part everything went smoothly, school, music, dance, homework,  practice time, chores, life. Sunday I looked back on the week and told myself you did it you accomplished it all! Then this morning came, it hit me like a brick, the list of things I had forgotten in my haste to stay on top of my work load.  I had done my ballet and lyrical combos, but I had forgotten tap, I had put away all the Christmas stuff,  but I hadn't written all the thank you notes, I had unpacked from house sitting and a sleepover, but the laundry basket was overflowing in the closet. I had made the bed every day, but the sheets needed to be changed. Oh yeah and I haven't picked a new devotion yet so if anyone knows of one, please share thoughts!  Then I realized tonight as I finally stopped from the marathon of Monday. I was really only focausing on what I hadn't done.  That was making ...

New year, new experiences right? Well, I am doing something new for the second time and it's just as hard as it was the first time. My family has been helping me every day. So this post is dedicated to family. God gave us family to be there for us. They help us through both the tough new experiences like teeth pulling, the first time a friendship ends, the first time a loved one dies, or when a good friend moves.  Their there for the fun new experiences too, like our first time taking a long trip on you own, first pointe shoes, your solos, and all those times you "drew" them when you were 5. They will be there for your first date, first heartbreak, first job, graduation, college, wedding, and all the hard times and great times in between! What do we give our familys in return,  most of the time we are nice and there for them too. But what about the regular days when its just regular life. Are we always kind, are we always helpful and selfless and putting others first...

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!