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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. =)

Growing Pains

Our four little people, enjoying Hexbugs and one another.

We’re getting a bit tight in this house. But, compared to some, we’re doing just fine. Alas, it was time to switch up some bedrooms, and possibly buy some more time in this house in the process. Miss Lil now has a room of her own. And the three boys are together in the bigger bedroom. It’s been exhausting to pull this off, and we’re not completely done yet, but almost!

These four are growing like weeds. Our baby was eighteen months old yesterday. We are quickly leaving that baby stage behind, forever, and I have to say, it’s okay! Momma feels more like an individual these days. More like a wife. And these kiddos are happy, healthy and hilarious. We’re at a good place.

I don’t have to remind myself often that we’re living the dream. We don’t have too much money, but we have enough. We have one television with about six channels, and that is enough too. We have kids that like each other, kids that say please and thank you. Our Luke brightens up every mundane trip to the store by gaily calling out hellos and goodbyes to every stranger we meet.

We aren’t yet slaves to our children’s schedules. We aren’t yet facing tuition bills that keep us awake at night. We don’t have wariness about our kids’ friends or love interests. It’s just us, and just this home, that I hope is a childhood home for the kiddos. The one that got away, maybe, where all those early memories took place and their characters took shape.

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again. I’ve been warned by enough parents of much older children to know: I’m going to miss this. These are the days. Children grow up too fast. I won’t come this way again.

And I know it’s true. Because of the warnings, maybe, but also because my gut tells me… These days are precious.

So we’ll take the growing pains. And the trials and tribulations of trying to get that three-year-old completely potty-trained. (With one more to go after that!) And the manageable financial woes. We will make ends meet in all ways, and we will give thanks for all of it.

This everyday paradise, with its occasional rainy days, is our life. And life is good.

5 Responses

  1. Kim McCutcheon says:

    Oh Erin, how this one touched home again!! So familiar, even though we did get to build our home, and money is very tight because of it, we too are struggling with the issue of running out of space for the kiddos. A three bedroom house is not quite big enough for us all!!! Oh how I yearn for the day to have my bedroom to just the two of us again, but yet again, dread the day there will be no more babes in bassinets or in that baby bed that has went though all 5 of my babies. I cherish each and every moment, because I too know just how fast that time goes…my first little baby will be a freshman in highschool this coming fall. 🙁

    • Kari Elliott says:

      I am with you on this one too. And with Kim also. We are in that transition of older kids too. The time is precious and we can’t get it back. We don’t need big homes and lots of money to have the love of our family and friends. Thats what matters in our lives. Hugs to you.

  2. Karen Rutter says:

    Love the blog and love the picture! So, so cute. All of them are going to be heart-breakers when they grow up, but that Luke may set some records. 🙂

  3. Patti Miller says:

    Great blog and a great attitude! You have to get creative sometimes to make it all work and it sounds like you are. Lily is going to love her new ‘big” girl room and her own space away from all those boys. I’m excited for her. They do grow up too fast and I wish I had had someone telling me over and over how fast it would go. It’s unbelievable. I know you are making the best of everyday with the kids and hanging on to all that life brings your way. And in the process making memories tha will last a life time for you and the kids. They will look back and say they had it all!

  4. Finally got to read this Weeks blog. You are correct. These are the best of times. But alas, take it from me. There are many “best” of times to come. I think that as we grow we learn that This Moment is the best of times. There are so many wonderful moments yet to come. I agree that you have about outgrown your house! But you are making the best of it. Patience will pay off and some day you may get to find that bigger country house.

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