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erin

erin

I'm Erin Jo. I'm thinking, writing, dreaming, mothering, loving, living, praising, BLESSED to be Fiona to my Shrek and Mommy to my four amazing kiddos.

dave

dave

Shrek is "like an onion with many layers" but has a heart of gold. He's my husband and my friend, and we just get better all the time.

lily

lily

Lily is my first baby and only girl. She's smart, funny, tall and kind. Keeping up with this girl is a challenge and a joy. She's terrific!

max

max

Max is one part ogre, two parts lover and all boy! Our little man has a temper but gives the best hugs of anyone I know!

colby

colby

Colby is as ornery as he looks. He flirts shamelessly, even with strangers. He's all mouth and curls and the loudest by far.

luke

luke

Luke is the baby of the family, but holds his own. He's happy and adorable. And he's a terrible sleeper. =)

This Side of the Mountain


I have so much to talk about, but I am beat. So instead of posting all the gorgeous photos of holiday visits with family and friends and my best girlfriend’s wedding, I’m going to simply post this one. This is a photo of my four kiddos with the newest kid on the block, Mr. Quinten Henry. The future is bright!

Shrek has deserted us once again for Beer, I mean, Deer Camp. The six of us, in all combinations, traveled in many different directions over the past four days. So my house was a bit trashed, and the kids were tired and fussy like their momma. So today, I happily took my planned vacation day, kept Max home from school and got to it. It was a long day, but the house has recovered and somehow turned from fall to Christmas, or at least the hint of it, along the way. (Shout out to my mom for her perfect timing in whisking away most of my kids for most of the afternoon!)

Bedtime was ugly. As I carefully climbed down the stairs after the last kiss goodnight, I thought about voiding the whole experience from my memory. Within minutes though, I was feeling much better. A better perspective emerged. And I realized that while the climb wasn’t easy, I was happy to say I was on the other side of the mountain.

I’ve been helping my cousin with her early nursing relationship with her new babe, and I’m happy to say everyone is thriving. At her baby shower, my sis and I admired all the new baby items in their adorably modern prints and sleek designs. I looked at her and said, “You know, this is all really nice, but we’re done with it now,” and we shared a ruthless high five. I know they say raising children goes fast. And it does. But sometimes it’s good be be on this side of the mountain.

I guess that is my overwhelming feeling right now. It’s been a busy fall, and I’ve been pressed in all sorts of ways. Now, nearing December Eve and in anticipation of the year’s biggest holiday, I’m ready to slide down, to slow down, to enjoy.

It was a long climb, but I’m on the downhill now, and the walk looks pretty good.

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