Ask and you shall receive...

I have a wonderful update for you all! Today my mom and I visited Color Me Mine to paint several pieces I bought earlier this week. While there, the thought kept entering my mind that I should really work there. At first I kept saying it as a joke, but later several other customers made the same comment....that got me thinking. If you know me, then you know that I am not one to sit on things for long, so I starting plotting how I could make this work for our family. First, I realized that I would never be late for work because I live 5 blocks away- plus number one. I then noted that the studio is open until 9, so I would be able to work a few evenings once Sean got home from work- plus number two. The third plus is that I could work the same amount of time that I do at the preschool during the school year, but William would get to stay at home with his daddy while I'm doing it. Lastly, but definitely not least, I love, love, love Color Me Mine and the whole idea of working there this summer. At our date this evening, Sean and I discussed it and he thought it was a good idea as well. So what did I do, you ask? Well, I went home and filled out an application online. Darn, I never thought I was so impulsive before! I suppose it was just the Lord's wonderful timing and provision for our family. So, my friends, I now ask that if it is God's will, you pray for this summer job for me. Thank you, as always, for keeping our family close to your heart. We love you!
-Erin

Would you please keep our family in your heart?

Dear friends, I am coming to you with a prayer concern that has my heart heavy and my stomach in knots. I know that most of you are struggling in some sort of way with your finances these days, and we are no different. My prayer request is in regard to a rather sensitive subject: money.

Since the preschool goes along with the public school schedule, we are out during the summer, thus no paycheck for mama. For the past two summers I have babysat for two different families that each have two children. Those summers were not fun (to say the least), and I would love a different experience this summer. Our family's hopes were to have enough in savings so that I could just enjoy my sweet William and not have to work. Unfortunately, things have come up (new tires were needed, medical bills, etc.) and it looks like I am going to have to find a summer job.

I have been praying for months that God would continue to provide for us and that we would be able to keep afloat this summer. My request is that you would pray the same thing for us. I also ask that if it is God's will for me to have a summer job that I would be at peace with it and that it would be a good fit for our family. I want so badly to be able to stay at home with my baby this summer, but I will always do what's best for my family.

A downfall of mine is to worry about things rather than giving my problem completely to the Lord. I am working on this, but definitely still struggling. Lately I have had a sick feeling about our situation and I am definitely in need of prayer. It's very hard for me to make this prayer concern public, due to it's "hush-hush" nature, but I believe deeply in the power of prayer.

Thank you so much for your time as well as all your prayers. I am so very grateful.

Love to all,

Erin

You belong in a zoo!!!

Today was the most beautiful day that we've had in a long time. I've lived in Tidewater all my life and I still can't get used to the weather here! It amazes me that in a week's time it can go from 30 to 79 degrees! The last time we had such a lovely day, we took our sweet William to the park for the first time. Today we decided to take him to the zoo...we definitely weren't alone with that idea! Thankfully our wait wasn't too bad because we had already planned on buying membership passes and that was the short line.
William was such a good boy on our day trip! He continues to amaze me with his ability to go with the flow while we're out and about. Sean and I thought it was hilarious how he kept looking at the ducks and other common animals that he could see any old day. Oh well, I guess all things are beautiful in a child's eyes.
Take a look at our sweet William in action......

The Hingley Trio

Mommy and William looking at the gifaffes

"Mommy, why can't I climb in with them??"

We stood there for a good ten minutes!

Look at that face :-)

Daddy and William looking at a beautiful elephant

Enjoy this beautiful weekend with the ones you love! Until next time....

Today is a new day...

Abundance is....

Knowing that with each new day God blesses you with a fresh, new page to write on.


Thank you for your prayers...I could feel them and I know that they lead to my positive attitude today. I am so blessed to have so many wonderful people in my life! Have a good night and an even better tomorrow :-)

Love,
Erin

Monday, oh Monday....

Today's been a rough day and I can't even give you a reason why. I hate that. It's as if feeling low and depressed isn't bad enough, but not having a reason for why I feel that way just adds insult to injury. My morning at the preschool was great, then I had a wonderful lunch with Hillary, Emily, Alie, and William. After lunch and a few errands, William and I went home to take a nap and I guess that's where the switch happened. You see, months ago when I was in the worst emotional shape that I have ever been in, William and I came home straight from the preschool and napped until Sean got home. Since going back to school after Christmas break, I am proud to say that William and I actually have lives now! Maybe once a week I will nap with William, but most of the time I try and keep us so busy that I don't have time to nap. Well, this afternoon I gave into my sad and pathetic urge to sleep and I think that got me all out of wack. William and I probably napped for two hours together on the couch and I was just as tired as ever when we woke up at 6:00. Thank goodness I had dinner ready in the crockpot and didn't have to start anything because I was completely useless! Another thing I am feeling guilty about is my low activity level. A couple of weeks ago I hashed out the big bucks to join Jazzercise through May. My intention was to go and workout Monday and Wednesday nights, and Friday mornings. Unfortunately, I've only been to a couple of night classes and one Friday morning class. I feel like if I can get my act together enough to attend class, then that'll boost my energy level and all areas of my life will improve. Friends please pray for me so that I can be the mom I want to be for William and the wife I want to be for Sean. If you see me Monday/Wednesday night or Friday morning, kick my behind for not being at Jazzercise- you have my permission!!! Well, thanks for reading and letting me get all my thoughts out. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day...
Love to all,
Erin

MIA no more.......

I'm sorry it's been so long since my last post, but we have been quite busy! For the first time since my little Wipee was born, the "real" Erin has returned. Our days have been filled with Jazzercise and Gymboree classes, shopping, meeting friends for lunch, and sharing lots and lots of smiles. Though there are still some rough days, as I'm sure you all can relate to, I have learned how to deal with them instead of letting them take over my life.
I have been quite busy planning William's first Birthday party and I don't know who's more excited....me or him?? We just sent out his invitations today and I felt just the slightest twinge of sadness as I dropped each one in the mailbox. Despite my complete excitement to celebrate William's first year of life (and my ability to have gotten through it), I can't help but think about the fact that my baby is only growing older and bigger every day. He'll never be that 7 lb. 20 in. fuzz ball that he was in the hospital. Oh, how I miss that. On the other hand, I'll never have to go through that three month nursing strike again with him! I guess that's how life is though...full of "on the other hand" instances.
I've fallen off the wagon with my "abundance list". I hate that. I was doing so good until we spent a couple of nights away from home...that really threw me off. Even though I don't write down my daily list anymore, I still think of the wonderful blessings that God has given to me daily. I'm hoping to pick it back up during Lent... I think it would be a nice addition to the season. Speaking of Lent, I have decided to give up, well not give up... more like limit, my Facebook usage. Instead of checking Facebook every day (sometimes more than once....orrrr twice....orrrrrr 3 times) I plan on checking it only once on Saturday. Whenever I have a facebook urge (goodness I sound like an addict), I plan on praying, doing a devotional, or spending quality time with Sean or Wip. I'll still be posting to my blog...updating you on my progress and such. Don't worry though...to stay in touch with the outside world, I'll be Facebooking it once a week! :-)
Hope all is well with you and yours...
-Erin, Sean, and my little L.L. Cool Wip.

A day at the park...

Last Saturday we took William to the park for the first time, and he absolutely loved it! We went to the one on Colley, near CHKD, and decided to have a picnic lunch as well. This is the cutest park I've ever seen- since there are absolutely NO hills in Tidewater, they have a man-made one for us city kids. William cracked us up, acting like such a little man. He sat between us on the park bench, eating his turkey sandwhich and drinking out of his "big boy cup", and soaked up every bit of the 7o degree day. We all had such a good time that we vowed to return on the next warm day. Join us next time, won't you?