the love list

Since Valentines day is quickly approaching I thought I would make a list of the top ten things that I love.( cheesy, I know, but so is Valentines day!)

1. My wonderful husband, Jason. He is in no way romantic, and most of the time clueless (no offense honey) but he would do anything for me and the kids. He would sacrifice everything he had to provide for us, take care of us and keep us safe. He loves me with all his heart and I know that with out a doubt, not because he says it everyday, which he does, but because he shows me in everything he does. I love him more and more, every day of every year, that we are married. I wish everyone could be as lucky as I am.

2. My beautiful kids, Bennett, Isabel, Evan, Will, and Lillia. You know love is a funny thing. Sometimes it takes years for love to grow between people, for some weeks, or even days, But for me the second I laid eyes on my children, and held them in my arms, I felt as if my heart would burst. My heart was in that moment and every moment since, full of love for them. Every day they do something, say something that makes me smile. They fill my day with sunshine and laughter and I thank my heavenly father for giving them to me.

3.My Mom. She has taught me how to be a woman, a wife, a mother, and a good person. She is by far the best person I know. She has dealt with everything that life has thrown at her with grace, even in her darkest hours. Really, how many women do you know that have seven kids in seven years, and you can't remember a time when she wasn't smiling. Even now as she battles with cancer, she is as cheerful as ever. I am so thankful to have her as an example, a role model, a mother and a friend.

4. My Dad. The big goofball. He has given me my creative side, my love for baking, for Halloween, for a good book or a good movie. He is generous beyond his means, and is always thinking of ways to help others. I love to watch him with his grand kids, each one of them thinks that Grandpa loves them the best! I love to hear him tell a story, he has the best imagination and can capture the interest of even the youngest child in the room. We have had our rough patches from time to time, but he forgives me my flaws and I forgive him his. I will always love my Dad.

5.My Siblings. Liberty, Zac, Robyn, Pip, Mac, and Charlie. Growing up with all of them was never dull. Some of my best memories are with them. It has been fun watching as our relationships have changed, from the big brother who picked on me, or the sister I always fought with, to my very best friends. I cherish each one of them, and their special qualities that they each bring to this family. Some of them have gotten married, and started families of their own, and I love their spouses ( Lope, Candi and Kelli ) as if they were my own brother and sisters, and I love their kids ( Eden, Clara, Jeanette, and Eleanor and Liam and Aidan) as if they were my kids.

6. My In-laws. I hate that word ( I know this is a love list and I shouldn't use the word hate, but I do ) The reason is, I have an amazing extended family. Jason's parents and brothers and sisters, are the coolest. I think of them as my own. Not as the "dreaded in-laws". Not only that, but their families are awesome as well. I love getting together with them, and just sitting back and listening to all the great stories. (especially from Johnny) I just laugh and laugh. I know I have said this before, but I am really lucky to have married into such a great family.

7.My Father in heaven and my savior, Jesus Christ. I don't mean to get all heavy here, but I couldn't have a love list without them in it. They have given me everything I have, my life is filled with blessings from them, and I wouldn't be where I am in life without their love, and without the gospel. I feel their love in my children's eyes, and in the beauty of the world around me. I see it in a strangers kindness, and in my moms embrace, and I know that they want the best for me. I feel it when I read the scriptures and when I say my prayers, and I am very thankful.

8. O.k., on a lighter note. I love to create things. This may sound a little strange, but let me explain. I love to make something from nothing, whether it is sewing baby slings or Halloween costumes, to baking cookies and cheesecake. Art projects with my kids and flowers in my garden.This blog even. It really could be anything, I have a creative streak in me and I like to put it to use.

9. Running. I know a lot of people do not like to run, but I really think it's because they haven't given it a chance. It is hard for me to run if I haven't done it in a while, but once I get the hang of it again, I can't get enough. I love the fact that I can get my aggressions out on the pavement, and as I run, I get a kind of clarity, that I only get when I run. It is almost like I am making peace with everything or everyone that I am mad at, and pretty soon it all seems o.k. I also notice things when I run, things that I don't notice when I'm driving by in a car. I live in such a beautiful area, and when I run I see more of it. I have seen all kinds of wild life on my runs, waterfalls and mountains, to beautiful fields of wheat and corn. It's a time when I can relax and feel peace. I know that probably sounds strange, but it's true. Plus I get in really good shape when I run, and who doesn't love that!

10. Last, but not least, the sun. Is it just me or has anyone else, after a long winter, just felt depressed? After long months of snow and cold, when the sun finally comes out and I feel the warmth of the sun on my face, I can't help but to smile. It is such a simple thing, and yet I love it.

Well that is my list, I know there are many more things that I love and could put down here, but i think I have rambled on long enough.

Basketball

Bennett's last basketball game was on Saturday. He played so much better this year, I think that having his Dad coach made a big difference. At the beginning of the season he couldn't even dribble the ball. As you can see from the video he still has a way to go, but he's getting there! I love watching him play. Sometimes he really gets into it, and is really aggressive, and other times, well you can see in the video. You gotta love how he just stands there with his hands in the air!(at least his hands are up) The kids don't have much of an attention span, which drove Jason crazy all season. He would tell them to do something, and they would say "o.k. coach" and then two seconds later they would forget. Jason did a great job coaching, all the kids improved a ton from the beginning of the season. All in all, they both had fun, and that's the name of the game!

Bennett's Birthday

Holy Cow!!! Bennett is ten years old. It seems like he was just born and now he's ten. Only two more years and he will have the priesthood, six more years he will be driving and dating, and in nine years he will be off on his mission!! O.k. maybe I'm getting a little ahead of myself. I mean look at him, he is still just a kid. A great kid! He had a really fun b-day, After school I picked up him and four of his friends, and took them out for pizza. It is really funny to just sit and listen to the things they say. ( they are holding up three fingers in the picture because they are all in webelos now) After that we came home and he opened presents from his brothers and sisters. Jason, Uncle Liberty, and I took him out later to a movie and ice cream. When we got home he opened his present from Uncle Liberty, it was a star wars game for the wii, and he played it until midnight. I finally told him it was no longer his birthday and he had to go to bed. Then Sunday, after the temple dedication, we had a family dinner and cake and ice cream with all the Erickson crew (at least all that could make it.) It was a really fun weekend, and I think Bennett felt really special.

Lola's new do

I have been trying out hairstyles on Lillia, she doesn't have much hair so there is not a lot I can do. The top of her hair is pretty long and normally lays flat on her head, so I curled it back and put on a head band. I thought she looked so cute. Let me know what you think.

Hoover dam

Jason and I drove to Arizona last weekend to deliver a horse that he had sold. Long story short, we hit an awful snow storm and it took us about five hours longer than we had expected. We left at 4 am and arrived at 11:30 pm. What a long drive!!! Some things were fun about it, Grandma Erickson volunteered to watch the kids, so Jason and I were actually able to talk to each other! That was a big change. We also got to see hoover dam, I hadn't been there since I was a kid. It was really cool to see it again. I know it's silly, but I kept thinking about all the movies that have had the Hoover dam in them. There are really quite a lot if you think about it.( like I said, it was a REALLY long drive!) When we got to Arizona, we stayed at the guys house who bought the horse, in his "bunk house". The place was nicer than our first house! It rained all night and the next day as well. We were pretty bummed, we thought we'd get to enjoy the warm weather while we were there, and Jason was all excited to rope. I cheered him up and took him shopping instead! The next morning we got back into the pick-up and drove the nearly 20 hrs. home. It was a quick trip and mostly spent in the car, but I got to spend time with my hubby so all in all it was a good trip.

She finally lost one!

Yesterday Isabel came home from school so hungry!! I asked if she had eaten her lunch at school, she said "my tooth hurt sooo bad, I couldn't take any bites." After she ate, she came up to me and asked if I would take out her tooth. I was pretty surprised because of the fit she threw when I tried to wiggle it the day before. All I had to do was give it a tiny tug and out it came! She was so excited, She said,"eating hurt more that that did!" It was really funny. The tooth fairy came last night and left money for both her and Evan (the tooth fairy must have been busy the night Evan lost his!) they were very happy this morning. I'm sure Miss Isabel will be losing another tooth soon, she has two more that are loose. Will is a little jealous, all day he was asking me to pull out his tooth! We get such a kick out of that kid!

Visit from the tooth fairy!

Evan lost his first tooth yesterday!! He was so excited, not only to get a visit from the tooth fairy, but also to lose a tooth before his older sister, Isabel! She was not happy about it at all. She has three loose teeth, but wont let me anywhere near them. Evan keeps telling her "it really hurts and bleeds a lot!" She is now thinking she doesn't want to lose a tooth. Evan is so cute. Today while brushing his teeth, he was spitting out the toothpaste through the new gap in his teeth. I'm sure he will be learning all kinds of new tricks!

Pretty Smile

I just thought I would share this picture of Lillia. It is really difficult to get a good picture of her. She will be just as happy as can be, squealing (she still doesn't laugh)and smiling, so I will get the camera. As soon as she sees it, her face goes stone cold. This was actually the first time she sat in her high chair, I guess she liked it. I can't look at this picture without smiling. I hope it has the same effect on you!

Baptised already?

Isabel had her baptism preview tonight. I am in shock that she gets baptised this year! She seems really mature sometimes and I wonder how she can be only seven, but tonight I just wanted to cry. Thinking that my "baby girl" is old enough to make this big step! I thought that I had done a good job teaching her everything she needs to know to get baptised, but tonight made me wonder. I want her to be ready, to be sure that she knows that this is the right thing to do, and not just because Mom and Dad want her to. She got up in front of everyone and sang the baptism song tonight, with all the kids in our stake that are getting baptised this year. I was in tears, not because I'm sad, but because I know it is the right thing for her, the spirit was really strong. We are going to have a family home evening once a month about baptism and what it means, to help her (and me) be ready. Megan, you guys are welcome to join us. I think that Jace is the next one in the family to take the plunge. Maybe I should just relax a little,we still have until October! :)

LILLIA'S CRAWLING!!!!

Lillia started crawling today!!! She is still a little bit wobbly and slow (thank goodness) but she is so excited to be on the move. She gets to where she wants to go and just beams. It is really cute. Will sits in front of her and calls to her like shes a puppy, he even pats his legs and claps, if he could whistle he would! She has also started saying da-da which Jason likes to rub in my face every chance he gets. I can't believe how fast she's growing.

Happy New Year!!

We had a little New Years party with Jason's brothers and their families. It was a lot of fun, we ate a lot of really good food, and played games, and the kids ran wild all night! I don't think that the kids have ever stayed up that late before. I was really surprised that they made it to midnight, well at least the older three did. Will went up to his room and got in bed with out saying anything to anyone! It was pretty funny, when I realized he was gone I went upstairs to find him curled up in a ball on his bed fast asleep. I took him downstairs to get a picture of the kids at midnight. He didn't even wake up. The next morning I told him what had happened and he didn't believe me until he saw the picture, then he just smiled and giggled. What a cutie! As I look back at the past year I realize how blessed we are. I think to often I get wrapped up in my problems that I don't focus on the good things in my life. This year Jason changed jobs, which has been such a blessing, he has been able to spend so much more time at home with me and the kids, it has been wonderful. We had a new addition to the family. Our beautiful Lillia Christine. She is such a sweet spirit and I am so thankful to be her mom. The kids all experienced something new and special and everyday brings more change and more blessings. So that is my New Years resolution, to focus on the good and not the bad, to look for the good that happens everyday, and to be thankful for everything in my life, big or small. I hope you all have a wonderful new year!

Erickson Family

What a beautiful family

Erickson Christmas party

On the 26th we had our Erickson Christmas party. It is always crazy when we all get together. Jason has a huge family, if I counted right there were 43 people all together. We had a big dinner and opened gifts and we worked on making humanitarian kits. It was really cool to see everyone and share this special day. The kids had such a blast! They love to get together with all their cousins. Grandma and Grandpa Erickson have so many grand kids, I sometimes wonder how they keep them all straight! Jason really has an awesome family, I don't think there are to many families this size that can get together and not have at least one fight or disagreement, but this family can. They really do all care and love each other and want the best for each other. I think they are all remarkable, and I am really lucky to have married into such a wonderful family.

Christmas Morning

My kids are pretty good about sleeping in on Christmas. I know it's strange, but they will sleep until seven or longer. It is really nice considering Jason and I are normally up pretty late Christmas eve getting every thing ready. My dad on the other hand is a big kid at heart and can't stand sleeping in longer than five o'clock, so he of coarse woke every one up at the wee hours of the morning! I think Jason and I were the only ones who seemed to mind. The kids were so happy to see that Santa had come. This was the first year that we have been away from home on Christmas, it was a lot of work, but a lot more fun. We were able to open presents with of coarse Grandpa and Grandma, but also Charlie and Candi and their cute Boys, Liam and Aiden and Zac and Liberty. Pip and Ryan were able to be there the night before. It was so much fun to be able to share Christmas with all of them. I wish I had taken a picture of the Christmas tree before we started opening presents, there were so many gifts it was a little crazy. We ran out of room under the tree and started lining the room with packages. My parents always go a little crazy.

Helping Grandma

Evan and Will were so happy to help Grandma make the stuffing for Christmas dinner. My family always puts raw peanuts in our stuffing, (I know it sounds odd, but don't knock it until you try it, it is the best stuffing ever!)the thing is, it takes forever to peel the peanuts. So the boys thought they would help. I thought for sure we would have peanuts and shells every where, but they did really well. Every time I asked Will what he was doing, he would smile and say " Merry Christmas!" What a cutie!!