Cheese!!

Before I go to bed, I wanted to share Silly Willy's new secret smile with you...

Almost there....

Oh, just look at that grin!

I absolutely love it when he gives me that grin because it's our special thing. You see, I make the silly, scrunched up, snorty face and he automatically makes it back. He does this for me...no one else. Just me. I love this because it feels like we've got our own little inside joke. I now know bliss...

Celebrate good times, Come on!!

After Sean got home from work this evening, we decided to make our way to the mall for a celebratory dinner. Max and Erma's definitely fit the bill and they practically had to roll us out afterwards! William was completely thrilled to devour his first corn dog (on a stick!) and watermelon lemonade (complete with gummy worms!)

…hey, I said we were celebrating!

I think that we’ve found a new favorite in Max and Erma’s and will definitely be returning for our next “way to go, Daddy” dinner. Sean is still laying on the couch moaning that he ate wayyyy to much!

"Mom, this is almost as good as nursing!"

William's first gummy worm

"Rock on, corn dogs!!!"

William got an adorable pair of sandals from StrideRite that we thought would be a good solution to the never-ending Battle de Shoes. Wrong. He loves them, don’t get me wrong, but he loves them so much that he wants to play with the Velcro, chew on the bottoms, etc., etc….

I’ve got Bible Study tomorrow and I am so completely excited to be surrounded by God’s women. Last week was the first session, but considering the circumstances, I stayed home and wallowed in my MRSA. Well, not this week, friends… I am back and more excited than ever!

Oh, life is good once again in the Hingley household. By the way, Sean has another test coming up in October that will provide our family with another raise. I’m already praying for him and his success, but not losing site of today’s victory and how blessed we are. I am so very proud of my sweetie pie and all his hard work. I am also very grateful for everyone’s prayers and well wishes. God is so good, friends (and so are all of you)!

Well, I’m off to take a shower and use my FABULOUS, new and expensive, but totally worth it, hair product. I got ready this morning in 30 minutes- start to finish- and my hair looked better than ever (was that snobby?? I’m sorry, but it did though!). If you have crazy, curly hair (like me) then MoroccanOil is definitely worth your money (even in this economy).

Hope you all have a wonderful evening and an even better tomorrow…



MRSA Update: Going, going, ALMOST GONE!!!!

Thank you, Father!!!

More to come later but, as for now, SEAN PASSED HIS TEST!!!!!!! Praise God for his wonderful blessings!

I'm running out of witty titles (work, brain, work!)

Today was my first day back to work in a week and, boy, am I feeling it!! The kids were great- no major issues to report, but I am just not used to actually doing work these days (remember, I haven't cooked in eons??). I did, however, make dinner tonight and even ran a few errands (sans baby).

William did well today too. He stayed with my friend, Lisa, because my brother was sick at home with some sort of bug. My mom and I decided that I definitely didn't need anything else in my system so we opted to keep William far, far away! He was very well behaved at Lisa's, but he also wasn't feeling well. It seems that he either as allergies or a cold?? I know that doctors say that children don't develop allergies until later in life...I say that's a bunch of bull-hockey!

Please pray that our Sweet William is protected from illness and gets a good night's sleep. Last night he decided that it was necessary for him to hog our bed, so mommy and daddy need a good night's rest as well...


Oh yeah!! That brings me to my next prayer request: Sean's test!

That's right, friends, the day has come! Tomorrow is the big test that he's been studying for for a year now. Please pray that he gets a night full of rest, that he'll have peace, wisdom, and good recall tomorrow, and that he'll do his best...and pass of course!!! His test is at 11:00 and it lasts 2.5 hours, so I'll post as soon as I know something (and then I will go celebrate with my scholar!!!).

Hope you all have a wonderful night and an even better better tomorrow! I'm off to shower and try out my new (ahem) $30 styling product (and I wonder why our savings account is nil!). It's supposed to be amazing and I'm allowed to return it if I don't absolutely loooove it. You bet your boots I hung onto that receipt! I'll letcha (pardon my 8th grade slang) know how it works, and if you're lucky I may even post pictures of curly headed Erin. If you're lucky...

Nighty Night,





**MRSA update: My arm looks fab-u-lous!!

A litle bit of this and a little bit of that...

At this point I’m thinking that the google gods (ok, I know there’s only one God, but I had to use my alliteration skills) are stalking me. I am allowing ads to be posted to my blog, but I am seriously considering reneging on my decision! Why, you ask? Just look at the delicious (ahem) topics they have stuck me with:

Skin boils. Pictures of skin boils. Health insurance to cover abscesses. How to wean your baby. Stye Treatment.

Seriously?! I need to start writing about chocolate, lattes, Kohl’s, and Chick-fil-A if they’re only going to put ads up with topics that I’ve possibly touched on. By the way, google, I did not have an abscess or a boil…thankyouverymuch!

On to the next random topic…

After my doctor’s appointment (I’ll tell you about that in the next paragraph) I decided to celebrate and get my hair done at Changes. Sean was sweet enough to watch/feed/bath/bed William for me. Oh, I love him. Here’s the final product (ignore the no make-up and bad lighting…oh, and don’t expect to see it straight again! This is a one-time deal!):

On to my appointment…

Dr. G went as far to say that my arm was “an early Birthday gift”. It looks AWESOME! He was thrilled with my progress and I don’t have to go back for two more weeks! Secretly I think he’s going to miss seeing me every day…

Thank you so much for your prayers and support. I feel fantastic and am so grateful, friends!

I heart diapers.com and you will too!!

I am always searching for California Baby and Babyganics products at a lower price than retail. Babies R Us carries both brands, but they are oober expensive. The solution? diapers.com

I have had a coupon for diapers.com in my coupon drawer for almost a year now. Last night, with two days left to use it, I pulled it out and wanted to know why I waited so long to redeem it! If you want to receive a deal that's just as good as mine, just enter the discount code HING9046 at checkout and you'll receive $10 off your first order! Also, if you spend over $49, you get free two day shipping (like me!!). Ummm...and it's not like I get a credit or anything if you use my code! haha...

Just check out all the stuff I got for under $50:

Babyganics Floor Cleaner Concentrate,16oz-Lavender BY ONE GET ONE FREE!!

BabyGanics Natural Air Deoderizer

My First Flintstones Vitamins

California Baby Bubble Bath - Chamomile & Herbs

California Baby Everyday Lotion - Calming

California Baby Natural Bug Repellent Spray

Subtotal:
$54.89

Shipping fee:
$0

Credits:
$10.00

Total:
$44.89

Do you know how much I'd have spent for this at Babies R Us?!

Update:

Well he was studying...

I'm going to go crawl up next to my sleepy boy and join him. Night Night.

Oh MRSA, MRSA me!!!

Ok, so here's the deal: I hate MRSA.

I hate that it makes me take drugs that make me feel sick to my stomach.

I hate that it takes me away from my boys because I am so exhausted.

I hate that I have zero energy in the morning and loads at night.

I hate that tomorrow I have to get poked and prodded (again) by Dr. G

Most of all I hate my attitude...

Therefore, I am going to put on my rose colored glasses and try to see the good in this whole situation. Here's the thing I love about MRSA (that's right, you heard me... I said love):

I love that MRSA has taught me patience, gratitude, hope, and that I'm not in charge...not by a long shot. God is in complete control and worrying will not change that for one second. I was never in charge, nor will I ever be. Therefore, I have allowed myself to turn over all my worries, concerns, anxiety to the Lord. God has been so good to us, and even though MRSA sucks (hey, I had to say it), it was definitely a blessing in disguise.

I'm going back to work tomorrow. I could have gone today, but wanted to give my eye an extra day to heal (which it did...yay!). The arm is looking good (well, it still looks like a *GSW) and I pray that Dr. G agrees.

*Gun Shot Wound

Please pray for my continued healing, as well as my appointment tomorrow. If I was a worrier then I would be anxious about having to take a stronger antibiotic (and thus have to wean William). Fortunately I am not worried. I am praying hard that this current medicine will do the trick and I ask that you would do the same. I also ask that you keep Sean in your prayers as he is preparing for his test on Thursday. He is studying as we speak...what a good little student!

Let's hope, make that pray, that I have more energy in the morning....after all, I have sixteen kiddos waiting for me! I am soooo excited to see them again!

Little William had a farm, E-I-E-I-O!!!

While on our trip to Target today, Grammy bought William his own barn for the backyard. William looooves tents and we were so excited to find one this cute. Check out his barnyard shenanigans:

Then he found the window...

...and thought it was a door.

Silly William... no wonder it's for ages 3+

By the way, I'm not going to work tomorrow to allow myself one more day to heal. My stye is 99% better but I wanted to make sure it was completely gone before returning to the preschool. I am returning to the plastic surgeon Tuesday for a check up. I think that my arm is healed significantly, but let's hope the doctor agrees. Pray for continued healing and that I will not have to take a stronger antibiotic. Thank you for all your love and support, dear friends!

My new John Hancock

Just wanted to test out the new signature. Oh isn't she lovely?? The percocet is kicking in and I'm getting giddy...

Sean just got home from his Alumni Rugby Match at VMI. I am officially "off duty". Wait, mom's never get a break...I forgot. Oh well.

PURSEnally Yours

My new e-mail with PURSEnally Yours is erin@pursenallyyoursonline.com

I already have one party in the works for May...let me know if you'd like to host one as well. Hillary and I just hosted one and we earned $100 worth of free purses as well as a free accessory! The hostess perks are always changing and always very cool. Hope to hear from you soon, friends!

MRSA, may I??

MRSA may I... go outside?

No.

MRSA may I... please go outside?

Yes, but you're too vain (oh yeah, I forgot).

MRSA may I... clean my house?

No.

MRSA may I... go back to work right now?

No.

MRSA may I... ever get well?

Yes.


MRSA may I... not cook for the 6th night in a row?

Yes.

MRSA may I... eat Chinese take-out tonight?

Yes.

MRSA may I... continue on the poor man's pills?

Yes.

MRSA may I... go back to work as long as my wound is covered and my eye is healed?

Yes.

MRSA may I... continue to nurse William?

Yes.

MRSA may I... go back to the plastic surgeon on Monday/Tuesday?

Yes.

MRSA may I... live each day as it comes?

Yes... should have all along!

Hope that sums up what point we're at right now. Please excuse my pathetic puns...that and scripture is all I have right now (and I'll leave you with some of the latter as well). Thank you for your continued prayers...let me know if you have any additional questions. I have pictures but thought I would save you a couple gags and grimaces...if you really want to see them, e-mail me.

Erin

For I will restore health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds, saith the Lord.
Jeremiah 30:17

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Isiah 41:10

FFFFFFFriday

It was a gorgeous day in Ghent so clothes were optional in the Hingley household. Since I have only one hand to wrestle Wipee with, it was perfectly fine with me to let him run around sporting just his diaper. After a morning of playing the Tasmanian Devil, William was definitely ready for an afternoon nap. This is what I found when I went in his room to check on my sweet, sleeping babe:

And this is the sleeping babe himself....in the nude.

After a lovely naked nap (not the norm around here...despite any rumors!), William preceded to remove his diaper again and continue his path of destruction.

Oh did this make him happy...

...Really happy.

It wasn't so long ago when this room was immaculate at all times...oh how things change!

Now, before you think I've completely lost my mind, let me fill you in on our Freaky Friday. After being home alone with William for three days, I decided that I was not going to pick up a single toy all day. I was determined to rest. Poor Hubby came home to an apartment that was littered with all things Elmo and discarded diapers. My slackness paid off, however, because my arm is doing well (and so is my eye). I feel like I'm falling apart at a slower rate now....maybe even (gasp) on the mend! The doctor said that my arm isn't much better but it's also not any worse. Keep in mind, MRSA progresses VERY quickly so this is good news. It either means that I don't have MRSA or that if I do, I am responding to the poor man's pills. Either way, this is very exciting. My eye is also healing well on it's own and needed no lancing today. Yay! Thank you for your prayers. During a mild freak-out this morning, a strange (but wonderful) peace came over me. Suddenly I knew that everything was going to be ok. I thank you for sending that peace my way.

My new prayer request is in regard to nursing Sweet Boy. After consulting about 10 medical professionals about the poor man's pills and their affect on breast milk, I got the same exact textbook answer from each. Needless to say, I was in tears from lack of encouragement. I didn't need/want to hear that "there are no studies on babies" and "weaning for 10 days then starting up again would be best". Seriously?! I could not get a straight answer to save my life. It seemed like every medical professional I asked (My surgeon, my pcp, my gyn, William's pediatrician, and two pharmacists) just read the drug manufacturer's statement off a computer screen. No one would tell me if it was dangerous. No one would tell me if it was safe. All I got was "it is in your milk". Well, duhhhh! A glass of wine is in my milk! My Zoloft is in my milk! I'm asking if it's going to hurt my baby! Finally, my dear friend Hillary called a friend who is a pharmacist and found out that it is labeled as an "X-list drug", meaning if the benefit for the mom out weighs the risk for the baby, then take it. The same goes for Zoloft. Seriously, it took me all day to find someone who would just be honest with me. FINALLY! Thank you, Hillary, for providing William and I another day of our precious bonding time. And now for my prayer request: I am supposed to call the doctor tomorrow at 11:00 to see if my lab results are in. If I do have MRSA and we find out that it is resistant to the poor man's pill, I'll have to either take the Millionaire's Meds or something stronger (possibly IV). I can nurse Wip with the Millionaire's Meds, but not with anything stronger. Please pray that I will not require any stronger meds than what I am on. We will certainly pay if it means making me healthy, but I am more concerned about having to abruptly wean William. Neither of us are ready for this.

I hope you enjoyed a peek into our Freaky, Frantic, Fantastically Funky Friday. Keep up your prayers, warriors.

xoxo,

Erin

Smiling through the pain!

Heads up: this post is going to be short. I am currently typing with one hand and one eye. I'm also "watching" Grey's...that is where my full attention is being given. Anyhoo...you probably want to know what happened at the doctor today. I wish I had more information to give, but I really won't know more until tomorrow. The specimen that they sent to the lab wasn't able to be tested so we had to send another. Hopefully tomorrow we'll know if it's MRSA or not. Dr. G is being proactive though and treating me as if it is "the MRSA" (as I fondly call it). That brings me to another another sucky part of my day...the medicine for MRSA. Someone please tell me why on God's green Earth would ANY medicine cost $250 for 10 pills?? Needless to say, I flipped. Luckily my lovely hubby saved the day by getting Dr. G on the phone and having him call in a cheaper prescription. The millionaire's meds would be a sure fire bet and get rid of anything, but the poor man's pills are in the same family and will probably do the trick. Keep in mind before you think I'm compromising my health, we don't even know if I have "the MRSA" yet...

Basically I just had the packing removed from my arm and was given instructions on how to clean it, etc. I was also given this cool sleeve thing so I don't have to use annoying tape anymore. I go back tomorrow to see how my eye is doing. I it's not any better, Dr. G will have to numb my eyeball and drain the stye with a needle. YUCK! Please, please, please pray that this will not have to happen. Pray that the new meds will get rid of the infection and my eye and arm will heal quickly and on their own without further intervention. As we speak, errr as I type, I have a warm compress rigged up to my eye (hot pink headbands come in handy when you need both hands to type, eat popcorn, look through the latest edition of PARENTS, you know...the usual). Anyway, hopefully the heat will draw the nasties out and make me a new woman by morning! If not, at least I'll have baby soft eyelids!

Well, I just heard Sean pull up. He's got the poor man's pills and a vitamin water. Oh, I love him. Did I mention that he's cleaning my wound until I can bare to do it?? Ahhh...my hero.

I hope this post makes sense... I can't reread it with one eye! If not, cut me some slack...I'm lame.

-Erin

What a messy day!!

I meant to write this post yesterday, but there was just too much going on for me to get the time to do it. Not to mention that I would have been typing with only one hand and you probably would have only gotten a paragraph! You’ll have to excuse me if I start rambling on or if I make no sense at all…the Percocet is kicking in and I’ve already backspaced about 20 times since starting this entry.

After waking up yesterday and finding my arm and eye ten times worse, I called the doctor and was referred to a plastic surgeon who would take over my case. I was hoping to get an early morning appointment, I mean it wasn’t like I was going to be taking a shower anyway so why not look like I went to work out or something?! Oh, vanity, you are such a downfall of mine. Unfortunately I didn’t get an appointment until 2:00, but I guess I should consider myself blessed to have even gotten in at all. Despirate for help, William and I went over to my mom’s house…AKA “the sick ward”. You see, my mom has a stress fracture on her foot that has gotten worse and she wasn’t able to put any weight on it. Between the two of us we made one functioning person- she had two good arms and I had two good legs. Oh we were a sight! Thank goodness my friend Lisa was willing to watch William for us while we went to the doctor. The selfish side of me wanted him to come along, but the mommy in me knew he’d have more fun at Lisa’s. Thank goodness I made the latter decision. She said that he was an angel and didn’t shed a single tear the entire time! He ate a whole grilled cheese for her, didn’t fuss while getting dressed (yes, my child went around all day in his jammies), played with Izzy (their Golden Retriever) and Nathan (their 11 year old), and pretty much spent the entire afternoon outside picking flowers and playing basketball. Needless to say, he was in heaven! Thank you, thank you, thank you, Lisa!

At the appointment, they determined that the mass on my arm was in fact caused by some sort of insect/arachnid bite that had gotten infected. I had to have the spot lanced because even though I am on an antibiotic, I would never get rid of the infection as long as there was dead tissue inside me. So after getting numbed (haha, yeah I guess you could call it that), the doctor made a small incision in my arm and what he saw was a complete shock. He had warned me before he procedure that he was going to have to cut out all the dead tissue, but where he thought the tissue was, there was nothing. The bacteria had eaten a hole the size of a dime in my arm. Boy I am glad that I listen to all my friends who told me to go to the doctor! I don’t care if we have to pay $1000 for that appointment…at least I have an arm!!

After finding the hole, Dr. G scraped around a bit and cleaned out the area. Boy oh boy, was that fun or what?! And to think I was going to go alone! Thank goodness my mama asked if she could go with me. I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her. Before leaving, Dr. G packed my wound and bandaged it up. Thanks to the advice of my dear friend, Hillary, I asked for some pain meds for when the numbing wore off. She had told me that getting something packed would hurt like hell and man was she right! Half way home, I felt like someone was taking a blowtorch to my arm. Second to my kidney stone pain, this was the worst. Ladies, labor pain is a cinch compared to kidney issues and having something lanced/packed sans meds. Asked me again about my pain scale after I have our next baby (which I plan on doing naturally), but as of now, labor is third.

When we picked up Sweet William from Lisa’s, he was playing basketball in the driveway and looked like such a big boy! Go figure, but he fell within 5 minutes of me being there and started bawling. Oh, don’t you just love how boys act around their mamas! I read somewhere though that you judge your child’s behavior on how they are when you’re not around. Thankfully he is an angel when I’m not in sight (well, it sucks for me, but you know what I mean).

With the Percocet my pain is manageable, but I have to alternate it with Ibuprofen so that I don’t let any medicine leave my system. I go back to Dr. G this afternoon for him to check my wound and to possibly unpack it. Here are my prayer requests:

-That my wound is healed enough for him to take all the packing out (I just don’t think I have the stomach for removing it myself…which is what I’ll have to do if it’s not ready today)

-Healing for my eye on its own…I really don’t want to have to get it drained.

-A negative test for MRSA…this is probably the most important for several reasons. If I have MRSA, there are two possible medicines for me to take. However, I am allergic to one and the other would require me weaning William. I am not ok with having to wean William now and the thought of it makes me want to cry.

Thank you so much for all your support and prayers. I’m off to put some dry heat on my eye and to take a nap while William does. Have a great day and I’ll post after my appointment if I can.

-Erin

Is that a twinkle in your eye? Nope, it's a stye!

OK, so here's the deal: I went to the doctor today because I've had what seems to be a spider bite on my left arm for the past 4 days. On top of that I've developed a lovely (ahem) stye on my left eye. Needless to say, I feel like God's giving me a HUGEEEE sign to slow down and stop worrying about everything. I am such a nervous wreck that I've gotten a stye for goodness sake! I've worn contacts for 13 years and make-up for almost as long, but I've never, ever gotten a stinkin' stye.

I've decided to stay home tomorrow (you're welcome, parents) for my sake as well as the kiddos in my class. I am on an antibiotic for the arm thing (which the doctor thinks is a poisonous spider bite) and antibiotic eye drops for the unsightly, unwelcome growth thingy. I go back to the doctor Friday to get the extremely painful thing on my arm rechecked. If it has not gone down, or has gotten bigger, I will have to have it lanced. I'm not exactly sure what this entails and to tell you the truth, I'm not exactly sure I want to know. Ahhhh...Ignorance is bliss.

I'm doing better with the worry thing, friends, so thank you for all your prayers. I am so embarrassed about yesterday's post. I was such an emotional wreck, and desperate for your prayers. I have two prayer concerns for today, if you don't mind:

-I am not allowed to take an antibiotic that covers MRSA because I am breastfeeding. Because MRSA is commonly misdiagnosed for spider bites, (I am not worried) I am concerned that I may develop this infection. If so, I am afraid that I will have to stop nursing Sweet Boy. I loveeee nursing William and don't plan on stopping for at least 4 more months...maybe longer.

-Please also pray for my new business venture, friends. I really feel that God has led me to do this in order to spend more time with my family. Therefore, I am proud to announce that I am the newest consultant for PURSEnally Yours. This company is HOT, HOT, HOT! They are relatively new (3 years young) and growing rapidly. To find out more about the company and how you can host a party, feel free to email me at Hingleytrio@gmail.com (a PURSEnally Yours e-mail will soon be posted) or visit their website www.pursenallyyoursonline.com

Thank you for keeping me and my family close to your heart. I'll post again when I have two good eyes!

-Erin

p.s. Still praying for Sweet Stellan...are you?? Of course you are...that's why he's doing so well!!

Down came the rain

Dear Friends, I can barely see the screen from all the tears in my eyes. I am so pathetic today that it's not even funny. I know you're wondering what's wrong...possibly thinking that something bad happened or that maybe someone is sick/injured. Thankfully we are all fine. Well, if you can call the depressed state that I'm in fine, then I guess that's what we are.

I don't understand what's wrong with me, but I'm scared. I'm so confused as to why I'm on such an emotional rollercoaster right now. I mean, my son's a year old! Enough with the postpartum depression already!

I know that I forgot to take my Zoloft on Saturday, thus I was EXTREMELY dizzy and irritable yesterday. I remembered my medicine yesterday and today so why all the drama??

After work William and I hurried home to crawl back into bed for a rainy day nap. I've been in my PJ's since 2:00. Thinking of how pathetic this act is makes me feel guilty for not playing with my son, instead I nursed him to sleep. Feeling guilty makes me sad, being sad makes me cry, and crying makes my eyes/head/sinuses hurt. See the downward spiral?

I'm sure that the endless pile of "to-do's" around our home only adds to my stress level. There are thank-you cards to write, floors to vacuum and mop, a bathroom to clean, laundry to put away, Easter decorations that need to be labeled and stored, curtains that need to be re-hung (they were taken down two weeks ago for replacement windows), closets that need organized, dishes that need to be washed, and a little boy that needs a mommy that has enough energy to play with him and take care of the household work. I am overwhelmed. The sad part is that I realize everyone has the same chores to do, but somehow they get them done. What's wrong with me that makes me unable to de-clutter the pile of papers/decorations/pictures/Easter candy off of William's high-chair. Don't worry, William is getting fed...I'm not that bad off! He eats at a booster at the table. I now use the highchair as an extra surface for me to use as my overflow pile.

I didn't even make supper tonight. Sean warmed up a frozen dinner and I scrambled William an egg and he had that along with some fresh fruit and cereal. I love to cook...normally. Again, what kept me from making dinner? Maybe it's the overwhelming fact that summer is approaching and I have no clue as to what I will be doing. No clue as to how we'll make it. No clue how we're going to pay our car loans this month...let alone have enough to put into savings. If only our insurance would actually pay something, maybe then we wouldn't be paying off our beautiful son's birth for 5 agonizing years! I also have no clue how we expect to sell one of our vehicles in this economy. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell you about that. We've decided to put up both of our cars for sale and sell whichever one gets a bite first (Please be Sean's, please be Sean's). Hopefully this will help our financial situation and you won't hear me complain (as much). I am driving myself crazy over all the unknowns that we have in our lives.

Please, friends, please pray for me. I covet your love and prayers right now. I am yearning to be the wife and mother that God wants me to be. I am so desperate be rid of this relentless depression and to be "normal" again. If you have any suggestions as to what may help me, please feel free to leave a comment. I feel like I am having such a pity party over here, but I definitely needed to get all my emotions out. Thank you for listening, errr reading. Hopefully tomorrow I'll have a more positive, up-beat post for you.

-Erin

p.s. Don't think I've forgotten about Sweet Stellan. I have been praying for him and his family relentlessly all day. Please join me in prayer while he undergoes his heart surgery tomorrow. Live, Stellan, Live!!

Trying to cast my anxiety...

I knew all of this, but it's just reassuring to see it again...especially when I am having "one of those days".

I am anxious, friends. I am also worried. I am trying so hard to hand God my fears about our finances this summer, but I am struggling.

I want to be stronger.

I want to be more faithful.

I want to be whole.

I am desperate for a sign. I wish that it was as simple as God plastering a big billboard or neon sign above His answer for me. If His plan is for me to find a job this summer, then I wish that there was a big bright arrow above the business. If I am supposed to stay home with William, then where is my big fat check in the mail?! Oh, if only it were that easy! Where's the Publishers Clearing House when you need them?? Maybe God is giving me a sign but I am just too blind to see it. That is so frustrating.

Sean has a test on April 30th that will give him a raise (we don't know how much) if he passes. He has been studying for this test for a year and feels prepared, but you know me, I am worried! Please pray for him to do his best and to pass. While you're at it, could you please add me to your list?? You know the request- for peace, provision, and God's grace.

Thank you for your love and support,
Erin


Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (New International Version)

Livin' like a rockstar...

Today was such an exciting day! Sean and I were fortunate enough to go to a meet and greet/mini concert with the Plain White T's. While there we had a yummy lunch, verrry enjoyable concert, signing and photo session. I also won two tickets to the show that night and a CD. I had my joint purse party with Hillary so Sean and my dad went to the concert (I'm guessing they had fun because it's 12:30 and they're still out...). Hope you enjoy a peek at our waaaay out of the dorm day:

William's Onesie

Me with all my goodies!

Seany was supposed to be in this group shot, but he got cut out. Poor, Sean.

Getting William's onesie signed- I think it was the first they've autographed!

Singing "1...2...3...4"

Hope you all had a great day too! I'm off to nurse Sweet Boy and then it's straight to bed! Sleep tight!

-Erin

Good news...

I just wanted to let you all know that I got a call from William's doctor this morning letting me know that his lead levels are normal. I was worried that they would come back high since our apartment was built in the 20's. Praise God for keeping Sweet Boy healthy!! Thanks for all your prayers and love towards our family.

-Erin

A little bit of this...a little bit of that...

Hello, friends! This post is a disheveled recap of the past few days so please bear with me...we have been busy bees! This week I have been on Spring Break and enjoying every moment of it. William and I have slept in, spent precious moments together, and shared many, many hugs. Sweet Boy has been running a low-grade fever because he's cutting his eye teeth (and apparently these are the most difficult to cut) and I have been doing my best to make him comfortable. We've been snuggling in bed and nursing A LOT! I just have to take a moment to brag on my boys. They were so good to me yesterday. Sean came home from work to make me lunch and then made dinner as well! Yes, this is the same Sean who's specialty is grilled cheese and soup! What an awesome Birthday gift...a break from being mama slave. Here are some pictures of our lives since last Thursday:

William's latest "masterpiece"

Poor William had a fever when we colored eggs and felt awful :-(

Mommy, Daddy, and Grampy made William's eggs for him while he was cuddled by Gram

William's goodies from the Easter Bunny!

All ready to go to church

Easter egg hunt at Mamaw and Papaw's

Go, William, Go!!!

Hingley family Easter picture

William loves trips to Busch Gardens!

...and so does Alie!

Can you believe it was 90 degrees on Good Friday?? What a fun Sesame Place!

Splish Splash!!

William wants to work at the new 5 Guys too!!

Visiting Uncle Cole at 5 Guys Grand Opening

I will definitely have more to post tomorrow night...Sean and I are going to a private concert/meet and greet with the Plain White Tees at lunch! They'll be plenty of pictures to share...

Nighty night,

Erin