Where were you?

This morning a dear friend and fellow blogger posted this song on Facebook.  Sometimes we wonder where God is when bad things happen.  I know both my husband and I have struggled with the anger of why God took our son.  In some ways, I think I've just come to accept that it is what it is.  I took it as an act of faith.  I think though I recognized with this song that I neglect to actively acknowledge The Cross. 

 

Christ's Cross is not just something we talk about on 

Good Friday and perhaps Easter, but rather it was a real true moment in our salvation history when Christ died on the cross for MY SINS.  The only reason I have any joy or hope in this world or the next is because Jesus endured the worst pain imaginable on that cross for ME.  And you. And the whole world.  Today I will try to really reflect on that.  Yes, we rejoice Easter morning in the Resurrection, but without the cross there is no resurrection.  We cannot leave out that part and only focus on the good.  "You take the good, you take the bad..." Sometimes Catholics are criticized for having a crucifix up on our walls, but today more than ever I understand why we do.  It doesn't mean we won't have Easter joy on Sunday, but we remember why we can have joy...His dying on the cross brings us hope.  So where does this lead me in my sorrow?  To the cross, to the place where my Lord endured and sacrificed so that I may one day be united with my son.  He doesn't wish us pain in this life, but the reality is that while sin still exists there will always be pain.  We can't avoid it, but when we face it we know that our Lord and Savior has "been there, done that."

 

May all of you remember The Cross of all crosses today and know that our joy on Easter morning is only celebrated when first we endure Good Friday's tragedy.

 

 

 

 

Seek Ye First...

This weekend Tom and I went away for the weekend. We hadn't been away since our honeymoon in July, and with all that has transpired over the past 8 months, we knew we really needed to get away. Being the middle of Lent, we also had wanted to do something spiritual during this holy season, so we started our weekend off with the Michigan Catholic Young Adult Conference. We booked a room and headed to Lansing. And although I struggled with some anxiety the first night, I was really looking forward to hearing Steve Ray speak on Saturday. He's a Catholic Convert like me and I love hearing conversion stories. His, of course, was no exception.

As Steve Ray was speaking about his conversion story, however, he quoted a scripture that struck a nerve with me. Matthew 6:33 says, "But seek you first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you." Now don't get me wrong, Steve Ray didn't say anything wrong, he just said something that didn't sit well with me. You see, since losing our son after only 4 days on this earth, and being a devout christian, I really struggled with (and still do) the injustice I feel. (I apologize in advance for the judgmental nature of these next thoughts, but I prefer to be real than act as if I didn't have these thoughts.) You see, in my opinion, Tom and I lived out this verse. Although both flawed, we DID put God first in our lives. We both waited a very long time to get married to the other. We knew from the beginning that after waiting so long, God finally, in His wisdom, brought us together. We tried very hard to court one another in a christian way. We waited until our wedding night to make love for the first time. And again, let me stress, we were in no way perfect through this and struggled at times, but we did try and put God first in our relationship. And so when we found out we were pregnant after only being married a few weeks, we were overjoyed! There wouldn't be the pain in child bearing that was there waiting for our spouse. We were, however, wrong. An insufficient cervix would change that all. We would often sit in the waiting room at the hospital for yet another ultrasound and be the only married couple there. I would look around and get angry thinking, "These women probably don't even know who the dad is of their child and their child will be just fine , yet my child probably won't live." (It's hard to admit thoughts like this, because no child deserves to die and no mother deserves to lose her child, but I couldn't help but to think those thoughts at those moments.) And so when Steve Ray read this scripture and commented on the fact that God had indeed blessed him from that day forward, I got really angry. And so a conversation between God and I went like this:

Erin: "Why? This scripture is a lie." (I told you I was angry.)

God: "Isn't that thinking like the Prosperity Gospel that you so adamantly oppose?"

Erin: "Yes Lord, You are right, just because I am a christian doesn't mean that life is going to be all hunky-dory for me. In fact in the Beatitudes you promised just the opposite. But Lord, I didn't deserve this....we did everything right."

God: "Did those other women deserve it?"

Erin: "No, of course not, no woman deserves to suffer through this pain. "

At this point, although I suppose I knew this in my head, I had to accept this in my heart. There was no sin or action on my part, or anyone else's part that caused this for me or that could've saved me from this pain. Our actions don't cause bad or good things to happen to us. A Jewish rabbi wrote a book "Bad things happen to Good People." I had to accept that. But I questioned God still....with one lingering question....WHY?

At that point I again heard the gentle voice of our Lord whisper to me, "My Mother knows how you feel..." Mary...yes, Mary knows. Certainly Mary, who as a Catholic, I believe was conceived without sin, couldn't have deserved to lose her Son. In fact, she was the perfect disciple to The Lord, much better than myself, but she lost her Son. Mary knew what it was like to watch your son struggle to live and not be able to do anything to help Him. In fact, Mary was the person I prayed to when my Son was struggling. I would ask her to hold him when I couldn't be there and I ask her still to watch over my son until I one day am reunited with him in heaven. And although I ran to Mary in my time of struggle, I never thought about the fact that Mary knew exactly what I am going through. Mary felt my pain.

This morning, when I was having a difficult time escaping the depression, I walked upstairs and on the way I passed a picture of The Pieta that I keep on a table at the bottom of the stairs. I looked at Mary holding Jesus and the memory of me holding my dying son flashed before my eyes. I had come to accept by this point that I will probably never fully understand why Jackson was taken from us, but I knew I could draw peace and consolation from understanding Our Lady's pain of losing her only begotten Son. I pulled out 2 of my favorite books on the life of Mary. "The Life of Mary: As Seen by the Mystics" by Raphael Brown and "Mystery of Mary: Mary, Model of the Growth of Christian Life" by Fr. Marie-Dominique Phillippe, O.P. I began to read about The Passion of Christ, through the eyes of His Mother. And although I didn't get more of an answer to my "why?" I was reminded of the great intercessor, friend, and mother I had in Mary. Many people on this earth cannot fathom what losing a child is like (thank God for that...) but I have someone I can always turn to.

And so as Holy Week begins and we will once again walk with Christ to Calvary, I imagine it will be a little different for me this year. As I am carrying a very heavy cross myself this year, I will walk beside my friend and mother and allow her to encourage me. She knew she would one day be with her Son in heaven just as I will one day be there with mine. What a sweet, sweet day that will be...

7 Quick Takes: Take 5 1/2

TGIF!!! We've made it through another week, but we have survived! If you read my previous blog this week "In this Corner.." you know it's been a week of personal change and humility for me, so making it to Friday is a triumph!!

***1***

I have to admit something to you all. I have an obsession. I am a bit embarrassed and many of my friends can relate, but I can't get enough of Candy Crush! I can't believe it! I am not a gamer, never owned a video game in my life, but I cannot get enough of this silly game! My husband says I need to go to CCA, "Candy Crush Anonymous." It's bad! Oh well, I guess it could be worse, and right now I am stuck on a ridiculously hard level. It may push me over the edge.

***2***

I love our new Pope. He really cracks me up! Tom and I share nightly what the Pope did today to shake up the world and his security detail that day. It's great! I don't know if the Vatican was ready for Francis, but I think they are quickly learning. He's fabulous!! Rise up church, it's time for change, just not the change all the media expected!

***3***

I really need to give a shout out to a few select girlfriends of mine. I always knew I had the greatest friends, but this week I am keenly aware of just how wonderful they really are. Again, I shared earlier this week that I am going through some dark and difficult times in my life, but second to my husband, my girlfriends have been my rocks this week. The calls, texts, posts, shopping trips...they are there for me. I am so glad to have them. I can't imagine surviving life without them. I love you girls! (You know who you are!!)

***4***

My husband bought me a fancy bluetooth keyboard to use with my iPad. I love it! I can blog from here and don't have to get out my laptop. It's interesting to me that even getting out a laptop these days is slightly inconvenient. I fear we have become a fully Apple family. I am not sure if that's really cool or not. We will see..

***5***

This week I have been working on getting my prayer life back in order. It's a challenge for me, but so, so necessary. Thankfully, my friend and spiritual advisor gave me a great and simple game plan to get started. Back to baby steps...but back at it. I am falling in love with our Lord all over again. It's nice to be in His presence once again.

***6***

My friend, Jen, has a serious fear that I will one day become the cat lady. Weekly she reminds me that I better not start dressing my cat or adopting others by the cart load, but truth be told, I really love our cat. She cracks me up, makes me smile, and in some ways is my closest confidant these days. I know, that sounds really crazy, and maybe some of her concerns are valid, but my cat makes me smile. She's sassy, cuddly, and funny! All great qualities.

***7***

This weekend Tom and I get to attend a conference for Young Adults (yes, we are slowly aging out of this bracket, but we are squeezing in one more time..) I cannot wait to see some great friends, grow in our faith, and get away from it all for a few days! It's just what the doctor ordered! Pray for us that we both will be touched this weekend and will grow closer to God and to each other.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend, folks!! Maybe next week I can write about how Spring actually is coming and we are enjoying the warm breezes and sweet sunshine...one can dream, right?

"In this Corner..."

When we first lost our son, Jackson, 3 months ago I bought some books on how to deal with losing a child. I went on blogs and joined support groups both online and in person. I was arming myself with every tool out there to not only survive this, but beat it! That's the kind of girl I am. I am strong and I am a fighter. And fight I did! Yes, I cried, yes, I was sad, mad, and even angry with God. (All of these very "healthy emotions" that you must feel...or so I have been told.) I was doing all the right things. I couldn't understand why all these people talked about how 3 or 4 months down the road, that's the hard part. I thought those women were not tough like me, or that they refused to move on, or that they didn't have the faith I have to get through this.

I thought wrong...

This past Sunday was the 3 month mark of my son's birth. We are just under one month away from his due date, April 15. And very suddenly, "my ass has fallen out from under me." I won't go into all the dirty details of the past week, but you can imagine lots of tears, fights, and exhaustion. And sadness...deep, deep sadness. I remember saying to a dear friend and confidant, "I shouldn't have to be stressing over getting pregnant, I should be stressing over getting ready to bring my son home." Oh and my poor, poor husband. I would look at him sometimes in the middle of a rage or breakdown and see in his eyes a woman he didn't know how to help or what to do with.

The fighter was losing the match...


Sunday morning I found that I wasn't pregnant, and much to my disbelief I was surprisingly relieved. My husband and I survived a busy and pleasant Sunday and went to bed. Monday morning, I woke up, got Tom off to work, and decided it was time to throw in the towel. You see grief isn't a match you win. Grief is grief, and it doesn't work on your timeline and it isn't a 12 step program. Sometimes grief deals the cards. Yes, I have choices. I still choose to get up every day and shower. I still choose to see friends and go shopping. I still choose to love God, despite the fact that He called my son home too early from me. But grief is going to happen and you can fight it or take it, but you will eventually deal with it. And friends, I was way too tired to fight anymore. So I made 3 calls. One to a priest friend of mine for confession and spiritual direction and the second one was to my doctor. Yesterday I saw both. I received help from both. The third call was to a social worker friend of mine who gave me the name of a counselor who helps women who have lost a child as I have. The last 2 days I have slept for almost 3 hours during the day. I realize I am literally exhausted from fighting for 3 months. My doctor and my priest both gave me good advice to slowly get back on my feet. I am working on routines. And yes, I am taking medication too. I need it. Probably not forever, but definitely for now. I am focusing on getting healthy again. I have gained about 20 lbs since I lost my son from comforting myself with food instead of dealing with this the right way. That too needs to change for me and for my future children.

Sick of faking...

It's only day 2, and even though the medication will take awhile to kick in, I feel better. I feel better because I finally decided to give myself a break. It's ok if I am still sad. It's ok if I am not ready to be pregnant yet. It's ok if my house isn't perfect...or even close to it. So many days I would run around for the 30 minutes to an hour before my husband got home from work so he wouldn't know I just sat around for most of the day. When people ask me how I am doing and I say fine, or better, or ok (because really that's what they want to hear) I guess I feel like I don't have to anymore.

This doesn't mean I have chosen to walk around moping now that I had this revelation. In fact, most probably won't notice a difference. But I will know. My husband surely will notice. And I imagine soon the fighter in me will resurface. For now, I am learning about asking for the help you need. It doesn't make you a coward or make you weak. In some ways it makes you brave, I suppose. It's not easy to ask for help. But "I get by with a little help from my friends..."

7 Quick Takes: The Saturday Morning Edition

Yeah Friday's Quick Takes didn't happen....and I have about 20 minutes today before I really must shower and a very busy day takes shape.  But I am giving myself a little break and getting a few things out before I do so.

**1**

I belong to a Women's Fellowship group that meets twice a month on Saturday mornings.  I think it is always the highlight of the week for me.  I enjoy so much getting together with women who share my faith and know what it's like to be a wife and a mother.  I think girlfriends are so important.  I get to go this morning.  I need it.

**2**

Yesterday, my sister-in-law and I had a little outing.  First, we started off with breakfast with another good friend and then we headed down to Hamtramck to pick up some Polish goodies.  We are having a Polish food party here tonight (poor planning the weekend of St. Patrick's Day, but alas, we are doing it up Polish style this year!) I was a little nervous heading to Hamtramck, not the best neighborhood, but found a great little bakery and store.  Marrying a Polish man I need to brush up on my Polish cuisine!  I am hoping we pulled it off!  I can't wait to head back to Hamtramck for some goodies for Easter!  What a diamond in the rough!  It was very nice to spend time with my sister-in-law too!  We don't do that nearly as much as we should!

**3**

I hate March still.  The snow this morning is not sitting well with me.  Go away snow!

**4**

Speaking of getting away from the snow..my hubby surprised me this week with a ticket south!  I get to go see my parents for my birthday.  I really miss them! It's been a trying year for us all and I can't wait to spend sometime with them...well them and the sun and the pool.  My husband knew what I needed.

**5**

I am ALWAYS affected (or is it effected?) by the Fall time change, but springing forward never seems to bother me.  Well this year is not the norm.  I have been a mess this week.  Yesterday, I slept for 3 hours!  I could not keep my eyes open.  It's amazing that one hour change can throw your whole life off!  Ugh, hoping to return to myself here soon.

**6**

I have always loved coffee, but lately I have become a junkie.  I find myself making pots in the middle of the day on top of my morning pot and nighttime cup or two!  I crave it!  Luckily, I have been trying to cut out the caffeine so I have been making more decaf than the real stuff, but man oh man!  I can't get enough!  Luckily, I am a plain coffee kind of girl, not Starbucks or foo-foo coffee drinks, cause that could get expensive quick.

**7**

I could use your prayers.  As Jackson's due date approaches I find myself struggling with grief.  It kind of comes back and bites you in the butt...hard.  Pray for my husband, too.  I know it's not easy being my husband some days and despite my effort to keep it together the truth is that this week I have failed that task. 

We have an incredibly busy weekend, so I better get off, but I pray all of you find some joy in those you love most!  Happy Saturday!

7 Quick Takes: Take 4 Babysitting Edition

 

It's Friday at 9am and I am sitting down to write my 7 quick takes.  It's been a long week.  I have watched in total 6 children this week and the only day I was without children was Monday, so needless to say this "mom in training" is tired!  I decided to do a little change up with my 7 takes today.  These 7 Quick Takes are really titled 7 things I learned about motherhood this week!

**1**

Being a mom is hard work and you are BUSY!  This week I recognized quickly how your "being connected" goes down the tubes.  Normally, I can pick up my phone, open up my computer, make a call to my mom or friend, and play a game on my iPad whenever I choose.  Yes, I do do other things, but I am pretty "connected."  (Maybe too connected...)  Kids change that.  I have checked my Facebook A LOT less this week, made fewer calls, and have forgotten to get back to people.  I guess I should be less annoyed when my friends with kids don't answer the phone or are short winded.  I understand when you are making headbands or rocking a fussy baby, nothing else is as important.

**2**

Kids are messy!  I have never claimed to be the housekeeper of the year, but I have really been trying to do a better job at it!  With kids around it's like the perfect storm.  Man, they can rip apart a house in no time!  Oh and the crumbs!!  I have swept a million times this week!  I understand why moms cringe when the kids want to play with Play Doh now.  I understand why eating needs to be done in the dining room only and definitely not in rooms with carpet or upholstery. 

**3**

Kids are funny...downright hilarious, in fact!  My niece, who is 3, was cracking me up all week!  She mirrors me, but for some reason it sounds so funny coming out of the mouth of a 3 year old.  My other niece, is in 4th grade, and she has recently figured out her sense of humor and she not only understands sarcasm and jokes, but she makes them well too!  She was laughing so hard last night when the 2 of us were driving that it was making me laugh.  All of the kids I had this week made me laugh, like really laugh, at some point this week. 

**4**

Kids waste food A LOT!  I have to learn to give smaller portions and listen to what kids really like, because if not, they tend to waste food.  And it makes me crazy!  Don't they know how much food costs these days??  I think this is a learning curve for me.  A good lesson to learn.

((Baby wakes up...too early....enter blogging interlude here....)

**5**

When you are a mom you hear everything.  Last night, Tom and I got in bed and we were snuggling a bit before falling asleep and suddenly we heard the slightest noise downstairs and we both stopped breathing so we could hear better?  Luckily, it was just the cat, but I was amazed how astute my hearing became.  Especially with having a bungalow, I always worry if I am going to be able to hear our children sleeping downstairs, but I think my "mom hearing" is already coming in.

**6**

Speaking of my husband, my favorite person to talk about, I am convinced (if I wasn't already) that he is going to be a WONDERFUL father.  This morning we had to tag team.  I had to take my niece and nephew to school and our 5.5 month "niece" had to stay with Uncle Tom.  He assured me that he "had this" and I pulled out of the driveway a little nervous.  When I got back she was half asleep in Uncle Tom's arms, while he was singing "You are My Sunshine" to her.  My heart gushed and my eyes teared up a bit.  It was the sweetest moment I had ever seen.   This was after last night I got a little peek into our future when he gave our nephew a practice spelling test while I took my niece to dance, and when I returned they were battling each other in some game on their handhelds.  (We will ignore the fact that it was after bedtime for now...)  Anyways, I KNOW that he is going to be a great dad!  I am blessed!

**7**

Nap times are like gold.  And anyone who wakes a sleeping baby will suffer the consequences.  I love looking in on a sleeping babe.  There is nothing more peaceful than that.  (Plus it allows you to write blogs, instead of cleaning house....)  :)

Well folks, that's all for now!  It's been a tiring week, but a good week!  Tom and I have been given the all clear to start trying for another baby and hope that God will bless us sooner than later with our own tribe to love and care for.  For now, it's good to practice!!  Happy Friday to you all!!

Closing thoughts I read on Facebook this week:

 

Good moms breastfeed.
Good moms formula feed.
Good moms vaccinate their kids.

Good moms don't vaccinate their kids.
Good moms co-sleep. Good moms use cribs.
Good moms have hospital births.
Good moms have home births.
Good moms adopt.
Good moms have natural births.
Good moms have epidurals.
Good moms have c-sections.
Good moms have 10 kids.
Good moms have 1 kid .
Good moms use cloth diapers.
Good moms use disposable diapers. 

 I always see moms putting each other down over these things all the time. I've even participated in it. But I've realized that an intelligent, loving mother can consider the same facts as you and still come to a different conclusion. I know we're all only human, but let's learn to respect each other.

The Liebster Award!

Wow, I have been nominated!  I am not sure if it's a prestigious award, but it's fun nonetheless and a great excuse to waste some time talking about myself.  I mean who doesn't like to talk about themselves?  Mary, who writes an excellent blog that I enjoy reading immensely sent this to me.  So I decided, What the heck?  So here goes nothing...more information about me that you probably never wanted to know.  ;)

11 Fun Facts about me

1. I was born in Michigan and I have lived in Michigan my entire life.  I am totally OK with that.  I didn't go away to school and after 15 years I am back in my home town.  I am OK with that too.  I am a homebody.  I like to travel, but I love to come back home.  I think Michigan will probably always be my home and it will definitely always have my heart.

2.  I have broken my arm 3 times.  In fact, I broke my right arm twice in the same spot so if I ever break it again they will have to put a metal rod in there to help support it.  I broke my arm once falling off a bunk bed, next I broke my arm trying to ride a ten speed after my mom told me not to, and finally I broke my arm roller skating at the Rollerdome.  (Oh the memories!)  Yes, I am a klutz.  Somehow though I have managed to escape stitches in my lifetime....so far.

3.  After being a teacher for 10.5 year I quit last summer.  I always told myself that once I didn't love teaching anymore I would quit and so I did.  Everyone asks me if I miss it and always expects me to say no.  But truth be told...I don't miss it.  At all.  Well, I miss the kids from time to time and the community aspect, but I don't miss the rest.  Not one bit.  I love being a stay at home wife and one day mom.  It really works well for my husband and I.  I am blessed and I know it!

4.  I have traveled to Europe 3 times in my life so far.  When I was in high school I went to Paris for 3 weeks!  It was an adventure and I was definitely homesick at times.  It was, however, a wonderful trip and when my love for Europe began!  My senior year of college my best friend and I went to Ireland for a week.  We loved it!  We stayed in Dublin and took day trips.  I would do that differently next time.  The bed and breakfast tour is more my style.  Dublin got old...quick.  And finally, 2 years ago I was able to go to Assisi, Rome, and Madrid over 2.5 weeks!  It was so awesome to see Rome finally and the headquarters of the Catholic church.  I got to see the Pope several times on this trip which was great!

5.  My husband and I didn't meet until we were in our mid thirties (he is 3.5 years older than I) BUT our paths have been crossing for years.  We grew up in the same city, worked in the same area, went to the same college, he attended the church I taught at, and so on....it's like it was meant to be...we just kept missing each other!

6.  I love to read!  Being a stay at home wife I have been able to pick it up once again and I am so thankful for that!  My favorite stories to read are christian suspense novels.  My favorite authors are Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, and Francine Rivers.  In fact, if you haven't read "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers, you really must.  It is FANTASTIC!!

7.  I converted to the Catholic faith in 2004.  It took awhile for God to get my attention, ( I will have to blog my conversion story one of these days...) but I have never felt so at home as I do in the Catholic Church.  Our church is so rich and full of beautiful Traditions.

8. If given a choice between vanilla or chocolate I usually choose vanilla.  Caramel or chocolate sauce...caramel. I have never been a big chocolate eater, but do like a good dark chocolate piece every now and then!  Most of my friends think I am weird....

9.  I love musicals!! I have ever since I was little!  Sound of Music and Annie will always be special to me.  They are what grabbed my attention and led me to the theater!  I have acted in many since then and hope that one day I will return.

10.  I prefer cats over dogs.  Dogs are a lot more work than cats.  I like low maintenance.

11.  I hate doing the dishes.  I would rather clean a toilet than wash the dishes.  Finally in marriage I have gotten a dishwasher...that helps, but I still hate them.\


Answer to 11 questions from Mary....




1. Happiest memory?

I have so many happy memories, but I would have to say the first memory that popped into my head was the night my now husband asked me on our first date. I had just left the Easter Vigil Mass after waiting around forever to say hi to Tom.  I finally left and when I got halfway down the street my phone suddenly rang.  Tom said, "I wanted to wish you a Happy Easter, where'd you go?"  My heart leapt!  We met for pie a few moments later and the rest is history....


2. Most difficult life experience that you are now on the other side of?

The most difficult life experience I have ever experienced is of course losing my son.  I guess you could say I am on the other side of it now, but in reality I don't know that I will ever be on the other side of it.  A piece of my heart will always be missing.  I do, however, have some peace these days and talk of trying to get pregnant again has even started.  I have learned so much about myself and my husband through this all. 

3. Why did you start blogging?

I started blogging because I was talking to my good friends Rakhi and Tim saying that my life's dream really is to be a speaker at a conference.  I love talking to groups of people, telling my story, and encouraging others.  I really, really wanted to get involved speaking, but didn't know how to get into to it.  They encouraged me to start blogging as a way of getting out there! I did and here I am a few years later.  I love blogging and hearing people's feedback and giving a piece of myself to my readers.


4. What is your favorite blog?

To be honest, I like reading the blogs of my friends who share my thoughts and are real.  Mary, Rakhi, Patty...I don't really follow tons of blogs, but I did once love watching this blog that for a whole year she made a new dress or outfit out of something she found at a thrift store! I was super impressed.  I also loved the movie "Julie and Julia" and would love to follow blogs like that!

5. Who is a person that you KNOW (in real life) that you currently admire most?

I would have to say that the person I currently admire the most in my life is a woman I met at my support group for losing a child.  This mom of 2, with one on the way, had had 12 pregnancies total.  I was amazed by her strength and faith in God, which was evident by the smile on her face and loving support she gave the group.  The pain of losing one child has been devastating for Tom and I, I just don't know if I would have the courage and perseverance that she has.  She was a true testament of faith in God and perseverance in faith.


6. What is your favorite EASY dish to make?

My favorite easy dish to make is kielbasa with sauerkraut.  I take a can of sauerkraut (rinsed), add a drained can of sliced or diced potatoes, cut up one apple, and cut up one ring of kielbasa.  I mix all of it together in a big pot and cook it through until the apples are soft and the kielbasa is warm.  My Polish husband loves it too!


7. Favorite song (you have to choose just one)?

Oh gosh..this is hard because I LOVE music! I would have to say though my top favorite song is probably "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."  I love to sing that song.  It always makes me happy and hopeful.  There are a lot of close seconds though....

8. Best place you have ever visited?

This is a hard one too.  I have been to a lot of wonderful places.  I have been to a lot of beautiful places.  One of the best places I have been to though is actually in the great state of Michigan.  Tom and I went to Traverse City for our honeymoon and one day we explored the Leelenau Peninsula.  It was breath taking!  We enjoyed driving and seeing the sites.  We loved the beautiful scenery and the great little towns along the way.  Assisi, Italy is definitely a close second for all the same reasons.
9. 1 of your life goals

One of my life goals right now is to get out of debt.  We don't have a lot of credit card debt, but we have some.  I would like to really work at paying that off in the next year or two.  There is such a freedom to being financially free and it is important to both Tom and I.

10. What is your favorite thing to do with children?

One of my favorite things to do with my nieces and nephews is to take them to Greenfield Village and The Henry Ford museum.  It is such a great treasure we have in this area and I love to go walk around with them and watch them learn and take it all in.  We have a seasonal pass just for this reason alone!

11. When have you felt closest to God? How did that come about?

I feel closest to God when I am praising Him during a rocking good praise and worship session.  There is something about praising God with music, lifting my hands, closing my eyes that just brings me to the very presence of Christ. Someone wise once said, "Singing is praying twice.'  That rings so true with me.   When I am singing a good song I feel the Lord.

7 Quick Takes: Take 3

 

It's Friday morning and I am whipped!  It's been a busy week for this chick!  (And my house is proof of just how much cleaning didn't get done because of it....thank God we have nothing going on this weekend!)  Here we go!

***1***

It's March 1!  March seems to be keeping true to it's name by coming in like a lion.  It's cold and dreary and the sun seems like it's going to stay hidden today.  Blah!  I hate March.  March is a tease...soon we will have this really nice day and think, "Finally, Spring is here!" and then BOOM another snow storm will hit.  I like April.  April is a much better month (really cool people were born in April.)

***2***

Speaking of Lions, last night I went to the Detroit Opera House to see The Lion King live on stage!  It was spectacular!  The story is the same as the cartoon Disney version, almost verbatim, but the costuming and production is phenomenal!  Absolutely breath taking!  Whoever came up with the costumes and ideas of how to make these animals come alive was a genius!  Pure genius!

***3***

This week I have gotten a taste of motherhood as I have been helping out my sister-in-law by watching her kids while their grammy is out of town.  Up early...lunches...backpacks...naps!  I have gotten most theme songs to the popular toddler shows down pat.  I have cleaned up crayon on the table, made Kraft Mac N Cheese, and buckled a car seat more times than I care to count.  Phew!  I gotta give it to all you moms out there.  This mom stuff is hard work!  Next week is gonna follow suit.  Except Thursday and Friday we are throwing an overnighter into the mix for my other niece and nephew while mom and dad take off for a few days!  Tom and I are being trained and gearing up for a few little Bauers.  (Secretly though...I've loved it!  It's great being an aunt!)

***4***

I need to give a shout out to my husband!  He works really hard at his job and has been taking on more hours and responsibility at his job these past few weeks!  Last night I came home at 11pm from the Lion King and he was downstairs working.  He was so excited about what he was doing and was telling me all about it! (If you read #3 you'll know that I was really trying to listen and take it all in even though I was totally exhausted!!  Poor guy...he just wanted someone to listen to him and I tried...I really, really tried....) I love that he loves what he does for a living!  He is such a great provider for our family and going to work is truly a joy for him most days! He makes me proud.  :)

***5***

Back to March...one reason I actually like March is because of St. Patty's Day!  My friend walked in yesterday and exclaimed how it appeared as if St. Patrick himself threw up in my house.  (She has a tendency to over exaggerate...)  I love my little shamrocks and "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" signs!  My name is Erin for goodness sakes! It's in my genes!  Erin Go Braugh!

***6***

For the first year in a LONG time I don't know if I am going to make it to Florida to see my parents!  This makes me sad for many reasons...I hate Michigan this time of year (in case you haven't figured that out yet) and I really miss my parents.  It's one of the things that stinks about having snow birds for parents.  Luckily, they will be staying in Dearborn this summer so I will get to spend lots of quality time with them. Hopefully, it will be an early spring here in Michigan.

***7***

It's Friday! We have no plans for this weekend!  Just how fabulous is that??  Tha..tha...that's all folks! :)