A crazy week and then some

Time to play catch thanks to my busy week last week. Colston was sick when we were in Boise but seemed to be better when I came home on Saturday. Then on Sunday Colston went to church with Matt early so I could get a little rest. When I got to church I got there just in time to learn that my son had thrown up in the nursery. Nice. I was so disappointed to have to take him home because Matt was getting licensed officially (meaning now he can marry and bury people.) He gave his testimony and got his license framed and everyone voted yes and I missed it. I know Matt wasn't too disappointed that I couldn't be there but I was sad just to not be there to support him. Although Colston did have diarrhea several times once we got home so I was glad I brought him home.




Colston continued to be sick on Monday which was not fun but Matt was home on Monday so it wasn't so bad. He was all better on Tuesday and it was so great to have the stomach flu out of our house! Then on Wednesday I woke up feeling incredibly nauseous which was no good because I had an appointment with a trainer to work on abs that day. The nausea stayed until Thursday night so after two days of pain and discomfort I called the doctor. I found out when I called that my doctor no longer works there but they were able to get me in the next day with another doctor. The doctor was very nice and very puzzled. Of course I didn't help much since these stomach issues have been bothering me for about 7 years. Pretty much everything she asked me that is not "normal" seemed normal to me. At first she said she would put me on something for heartburn and acid reflux and then take it slow to see if it helped. Then she came back in and said that I have been dealing with this long enough and we will be aggressive with it. She gave me a list of what I need to do for the next two weeks and then I have another appointment with her. She also took blood and was running some tests on it. One of the tests is for celiac disease which means if I have that then I have to go on a gluten free diet. I'm still waiting for a call back with my results. If things aren't better in two weeks with the changes I'm making then I will have a colonoscopy which will hopefully tell us more. I'm praying for answers so that things better and "normal".

On Saturday we had our annual Easter Egg Hunt at church. It was snowing on Saturday but we still had the hunt and had all the games inside. We still had a pretty good turn out despite the weather. Later on Saturday night we had a birthday party to go to. It was for Allee, my friend Sarah's little girl. It was a great party with lots of little kids. I got the honor of getting to make her birthday cake. I was so excited because she wanted a princess castle cake which is one that I have been wanting to make. It was so much fun to make and she loved it!







Sunday morning Colston wanted to play with his eggs and easter bucket so I had to fill the plastic eggs with cereal so that he would eat his breakfast. Ridiculous I know but it made my Sunday morning go smoothly. Easter Sunday was wonderful and I got to wear a dress that I had made in the Philippines last summer and had yet to wear. We went to lunch with friends and finished the day off with family time at home. It was a wonderful holiday. I can't wait until Colston can understand the real reason for Easter and why it's so special. Last week my friends five year old son showed me a rose he had and told me he liked it because it reminded him that Jesus "rose" from the grave. How cute is that? I asked his mom if she taught him that and she said that he taught her that. I thought that was so cute and smart. I can't wait until Colston can say things like that and understand it. It's so amazing how God uses children to teach us spiritual things.

Erin's First Give Away

My first giveaway.

During my spring cleaning last week I came across two of these books. The Homemade Life, I think they were both gifts but I'm only ever going to use one of them. I really enjoyed reading this book and I'd love for someone else to have one too.


I also included a hand appliqued tea towel and two sets of four gocco printed card sets (envelopes included). The little deer one says 'hello.' and the birdcage set says 'hi there.' on the front. Both sets are blank inside and perfect for any occasion.



Here's how to enter:

1) Leave a comment.
2) Be a follower.
3) Post this giveaway on your own blog.

Each thing will get you one entry into the giveaway. Meaning, if you do number 1 and number 2 you get two entries, if you do all three you get three entries. Get it?? Okay...go!

Trips never go as planned

Thursday night Matt, Colston and I left Salt Lake around 5 to head to Boise, Idaho for a couple of nights. We went there to see the Rock and Worship Road Show and spend a couple of nights with my aunt and uncle. As we were heading out of town we grabbed Chic-fil-a for dinner. Mmmm... I gave Colston some fries in a cup and he dumped them on his lap and said in a very sarcastic tone "oh nice". Shouldn't he wait a little longer to be sarcastic? Matt and I had a good laugh about it. Then of course he fell asleep about 40 minutes before we got to my aunt and uncle's. When we got there he woke up and did not feel good and threw up on their driveway. Then he woke up three times during the night to either throw up or dry heave. Needless to say we did not get much sleep.



~Kicking me in the head while I try to sleep~



The next day he seemed to be feeling better but still didn't have much of an appetite. My aunt and uncle took us to a pizzeria called The Flying Pie. It was so delicious! You can buy pizza by the slice and they are huge slices and so hot and yummy! Also their bread sticks are pretty amazing too. We loved it so much that when we were leaving town on Saturday we stopped by and we were the first ones there and got some slices to go. We had to wait about 40 minutes to eat them because they were so hot. Wish they had that place in Utah but it's probably good they don't because I would want to eat there all the time.


~Colston and Clara Bear~

After lunch we went to BSU to check out my uncle's office. He is the associate dean there and showed us around a little bit. The view from his office is so beautiful. I also got to look at some of the books he has written. It's amazing to see his name on these published books. I'm so proud of him. He also showed us a book about Boise that has some of my aunt's paintings in them. Again it so neat to see something she made in a published book. After the college we went to my aunt's studio that is downtown. She showed us some of the paintings she's been working on. She is so talented. Her latest paintings are ones that are from the view of looking out of a car windshield. Her detail is amazing! Some of them were even taken in the rain so she painted the raindrops and streaks left by the wipers. I have no idea how she does it but they are so amazing. Both my aunt and uncle or so talented and two of the sweetest people I know.

Later that day Matt and I headed off to the concert and they watched Colston for us. When we got to the concert we only waited in line about 15 minutes and we were inside. It was only $10 each and we saw The Sidewalk Prophets, Remedy Drive, Fee, Franchesca Betastellli, Family Force Five, David Crowder and Mercy Me. It was an amazing line up. Matt was very excited to see DCB which is his favorite and Fee. They both did amazing. DCB was awesome because everyone knows their songs so everyone was shouting the lyrics and it was just like a huge worship session. I had a blast dancing and head banging to Family Force Five but I am sore today and know that I am too old for that. Also the guitarist threw his water bottle in the crowd and I got it. Don't really know what to do with it now that I have it. I think my favorite band was Fee. The lead singer is so modest and talented. I wish they could have played longer.



~Getting ready for the concert to start~ ~Fee!! My favorite!~





~ David Crowder's here!!~ ~Matt's favorite!~


Mercy Me was last and when they were finishing up Matt and I decided to head out because I just felt like we needed to get back. I called my aunt and she said Colston had been great and was asleep. About thirty seconds before we got back to their house Colston woke up and when I got there I went in and got him and he was burning up. He had a temperature of 103.2, poor guy. Matt and my uncle Shelton went to the store and got him some medicine and pediyalite. I was hoping the medicine would help him sleep through the night but no such luck. He woke up four times crying and screaming. Everytime I had to pick him up and lay him in between us and he would fall asleep and I would put him back. Same thing repeated about every hour or two. Near the end I felt like I was being filmed for a sitcom. The moments that make life interesting.



~So tired after the concert!~

We were hoping to get together with our friends Matt and Andrea for lunch before we left town but due to Colston not feeling wonderful we had to do a raincheck. As we were heading out of town Coslton fell asleep after about ten minutes of driving and slept over half of the trip and so did I. It is so good to be home and have things in the wash and things unpacked. I love taking trips but I love being home more. I am hoping and praying Colston is able to get some sleep tonight and not be sick for church tomorrow. All in all we had a wonderful trip depsite any bumps along the way and we hope to do it again!

Got some answers now for fun

So, I finally heard back from my doctor about my blood tests. They said that my Vitamin D level is too low. Below 32 is when they are concerned and mine is 19.5 so that is explains why I am so tired all the time. I am so happy to finally have some answers of why I feel like I am dragging all the time. I got a prescription for Vitamin D that I take once a week for 8 weeks and then I had to get multi-vitamins to take every day. Hopefully with in a few weeks I will have more energy and start feeling more like myself!

Right now I am procrastinating from packing and cleaning and doing all the last minute things I need to do to get ready for our weekend trip. We are going to Boise tonight and will be there until Saturday. Matt LOVES David Crowder Band and they or any other christian artists never come to SLC, so we are going to Boise to see them play. We are going to what is called the rockin road worship tour that has a bunch of christian bands and Matt is so excited about it. I am excited to get to see my aunt and uncle and we get to see our friends Matt and Andrea as well.

My aunt and uncle are going to be watching Colston on Friday so we can go to the concert and I am a little nervous. I just hope that he is good for them and doesn't freak out about being in a new place. He has been going through this phase lately where every time we take him to church and try to drop him off in the nursery he cries. I know it's normal phase for kids to go through I just don't like it. I'm hoping he will get out of this phase soon.

Well, now I have to get back to cleaning and all that other pre-leaving stuff!

Proud Moment

Yesterday Colston and I went over to my friend Amy's house. Every Monday we go over there so Amy and I can do our Bible study and Colston and Ella can play together. Yesterday, shortly after we got there Colston found a bag of crayons and wanted it. I told him not right now and that we were going downstairs and he FLIPPED out! He started screaming and was so mad at me. So I pulled down his pants and undid half of his daiper to spank him and he started saying "no, no..." and trying to put his hand back to block me. Right before I was about to spank him I asked him if he was done and he said "All done!" I was shocked! I pulled up his pants and asked again "Are you all done?" and he said "All done!" He wiped off his face and smiled and went downstairs. Wow! I was so proud that he had connected that if he stopped throwing a fit that he wouldn't get in trouble. It is so draining when he throws fits or screams but when moments like that happen I am so proud of him.

Yummy desserts and date night!

Today I made yummy peanut butter pie!! It is so delicious and looks delicious too! And just about the easiest pie I've ever made. I also made creamy raspberry dessert but won't get to try that until tomorrow. I'm sure it will be just as delicious and it was easy to make too. I also made chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting. I love desserts!

In just a little bit Matt and I get to go on a double date. I'm so exited to get to go out with some friends- kids free. We are going to Pei Wei which I haven't been to in a long time and we get to get lettuce wraps! Mmm-mmm! They are so yummy!

I really don't have much else to say because I need to get ready for my date!!!!!

Cabbage soup

Today I made some yummy cabbage soup. I made so that can eat for lunch for the next week. It seems like when I'm at home with Colston I either forget to eat or don't want to take the time cook something. But having this soup on hand has been the perfect thing for me to have for lunch and I don't mind eating the same thing every day and when I get tired of I take a break from it and have left overs if we have any. I am going to share my recipe with you and some things to do to make more fun if you prefer.

Cabbage Soup

1 green pepper
4 carrots
6 sticks of celery
1-2 cans of mushrooms or fresh (depends on how much you like mushrooms)
1 can of diced tomatoes or fresh
1 head of cabbage
can or bottle of v8 juice
8 cups of water
2-3 buillon cubes

Chop up everything and add to the pot. Add juice and water last and buillon cubes. Cook for about 2 hours on medium heat. Cooks faster on high but you need to watch it. You need a very big pot for this recipe or I cut the recipe in half and then when I'm out in a week I use the other half of the ingredients. This soup also freezes well if you make the whole recipe and want to save half.

Other options:

You can add lean ground beef (Uncooked and cook it with the soup and it won't leave lots of oil on the top like fatty beef does.)
You can also add asparagus fresh or canned, artichoke hearts, onions, mix rice or pasta, any spices you may like. They also have spicy v8 juice that will give it a bit of a cook. I like this soup because you can really make it your own and add whatever you want or keep out what you don't like.

Enjoy!

So long....

Wow! It has been a LONG time since I have written on my blog. I've thought about writing lots of times and just have not taken the time. So sad. But that's okay I am starting again now. So much has happened in the last 5 months or so but I'm not sure what all to include with out making this way too long of an entry.

Colston is now 21 months old and running around like a wild man. He keeps me so busy and on my toes! Today he counted to five all on his own! I was so proud of him! We actually got it on video too. Which is great because he always does awesome things and then we can never get it on video. One of the frustrating things of a toddler.

On other news, I went to the doctor today because my c-section scar is still bothering and it's been almost two years since I had my little guy. The first time I went to the doctor he said it should go away and I kind of felt like I was getting the brush off. But today I felt like he really listened to me and he told me he thinks it is a nerve that has gotten caught in the scar tissue or something. Which is what my mom has been saying for a while, so as always she was right! That's my mom smarter than doctors! My doctor said on my next c-section he will be able to take care of it. There are some other test results I am waiting on and I am praying all is well. Trying really hard to leave this all in God's hands. It seems the more I try not to worry the more I do. Why is that? Giving up control is so hard and hanging onto is exhausting! Thank goodness for my faith in God or I would probably go even more crazy with "what if's" and "why not's". God keeps me sane when I feel like I'm going crazy that's for sure.

On another note I had written months ago that I was trying to lose weight and I have finally succeeded some. Which I am so happy about. I started off by walking and changing my diet some and then in January joined a gym for the first time in my life. I love going to the gym now just to have some "me" time. Matt has been so great about watching Colston for a while so I can go when he gets home from work. He's such a great daddy! Since September I have lost almost 20 lbs and now I am starting to gain some muscle which is great. Tomorrow I have a work out sessions with one of the trainers at the gym which I am excited for. She has seen me working out some and said for me to come in tomorrow and she'll teach me some stuff. I am a little nervous because she said we are going to work out hard. Hopefully I can hack it! I officially weigh less than I did before I got pregnant so I am hoping to lose about 20 more and get toned! We'll see how it goes for me.

Matt is now leading the music at church and doing a wonderful job! He is still the youth pastor and now the worship leader as well. We had our spring fling a couple of weeks ago and Matt and I are both too old to stay up all night. But we did have a great time and I think we had the best behaved teens there! Of course I'm biased but I don't care. They were awesome the whole night and we never had to get on to them. The next Sunday one of the teens we had been praying for since camp got saved and it was amazing. His mom has been praying for him for a long time and during church that Sunday he wrote on his bulletin "I want to get saved." I almost cried when Matt told me. I can only imagine the emotions his mom felt when she read that. What an answer to prayer! God is so amazing!

On December 31st I was doing my devotions before the new year and came across John 13:7 which is when Jesus is talking to Peter about washing his feet and he tells him "You don't understand what I'm doing now but one day you will." That was the perfect verse for me to find right before the new year started. It has been such a blessing to me and has helped me to take all the circumstances I don't understand lightly. It's amazing how much comfort God's word can bring you if you just let it.