erica danielle

 Thankful for books that Lucy loves to read and random places I find her reading.  xo. edc. 

 Happy anniversary to us! 🎉 We opened up one of our Napa wines last night and made the most delicious dinner from a Marshall Fields cookbook we got for a wedding gift 12 years ago!  We had so much fun cooking and talking and then eating our delicious meal. This may have been one of my favorite anniversaries yet!  4,383 days together! Wouldn’t trade a single one.  xo. edc. 

 In so many ways this year seemed to be mentally defined by my 20, 20 mile runs. I know this isn’t a huge thing to a lot of athletes, but it felt like a monster goal to me and I was jazzed about it. I loved checking the first few off my list envisioning all the races I’d be running in 2020 and how these 20 milers would make me mentally and physically tough enough to get through them.... then when COVID hit in March I thought for sure I’d still be running my JUNE race, and being on safer-at-home only gave me more time to run. I was running 60 mile weeks and feeling great. I still remember vividly the day I got the email about Grandma’s being canceled. I cried. I was devastated. I ran my fastest 1/2 marathon that day. I ran out all my sadness and came home with a fresh perspective. 2020 was going to be about enjoying every run and remembering that each time I lace up my sneakers I GET to go out and do something I love.  There were SO many good runs this year. Lots of solo miles....

We got out last weekend for a little trek to the waterfalls at Willow River. It was so good for the body and soul. Love seeing the falls at each season. This place holds a lot of happy family memories for us.  Thankful for 3 kids who are healthy. Thankful for 3 kids with differing personalities and perspectives on life. Thankful for boys who run and play with sticks and love to tackle Thankful for a girl who thinks I'm the coolest person to be around. Thankful for moments like these where we are distraction free. Thankful for Sten and the leader he is to our kids.  Thankful for warm-enough fall days to be outside. AND for so many people giving us such nice winter gear, so our kids are warm! So much to be thankful for. I have been awful at documenting this month. But I've never been more thankful for us! xo. edc.

Sten preached at Renew in Eau Claire on Sunday and Olle was his little buddy that day. I got this picture of the two of them stopping for lunch ❤️ Thankful for a husband who takes the time to invest in our kids. He is the BEST dad.   Also thankful for a day at home to make deep dish pizza!  This month is flying by. I’m loving these sunny days and embracing the early darkness. Trying my best to get outside each day even when it’s super cold.  xo. edc. 

This morning Sigge boy was up early again and instead of being annoyed that he stole my quiet time I completely embraced playing and enjoying him and all the things he’s learning. Grateful for an attitude shift, and extra long mornings with my baby.   Yesterday I subbed all day at Olle’s school and I was grateful to come home and open a bottle of wine with Sten.  Halfway through November already! Yikes! xo. edc. 

I really need to focus on gratitude. Especially when things feel so unknown. Things I do know:  I’m thankful for a chilly sunrise run.  I’m thankful that a friend made a pan of lasagna for us for dinner tonight. I’m thankful for a husband who will sit in the kitchen and have chats with me as long as I want.  I’m thankful for job(s) where I get to hang out with the coolest kids in town.  I’m thankful for this little slice of the internet which is mine to document the good. I’m thankful for Sigge hugs, words from Lucy, and encouragement from Olle.  xo  edc. 

 Thankful for this family of mine.  Sten: for his constant champion-ing of the Carlson clan Lucy: for her creative mind and ability to make everything more fun Olle: for his thoughtfulness and making people feel so known and loved.  Sigge: for the ways he has taught us all that we really are not in control How lucky am I?? xo. edc. 

 Thankful for these shorts and these socks which are bright and summery and make me SOOOO happy. These shorts came from a gift certificate my sister got me from athleta and these bombas socks are from Emily. When you feel good in what you’re running in you can’t have a bad run! 😂  Thankful for 6.2 miles of feeling good today. ❤️ xo. edc. 

 I seriously think God gave us this week of pure sunshine and warm weather to get us through. So today I’m thankful for a God that gives us exactly what we need.  xo. edc

 Today I’m thankful that parks are open and we have friends to share them with. We spent all morning at the park with Scout and Jules and by the end most of the kids had their shirts off. It was 70 degrees and pure sun and exactly what we needed. Also thankful for Hannah. Who is a mom I look up to as she raises her girls, a loyal friend to our family, a cheerleader and motivator on our fitness journeys and voice of reason when I need it most.  Don’t leave us 😎 ☀️ sunny days!  xo. edc. 

Thankful today that we got some cute pictures of our kids on Halloween!  xo. edc. 

 Thankful today for: OLIVE! Who turned 7 yesterday and we celebrated with homemade chick-fil-a sandwiches and presents!  Pancakes for the kids this morning bc we were out of all quick breakfast foods. But luckily had an egg, Milk, flour and baking powder!  Ready for a new week. ♥️ xo. edc  

 November is a good month. Lots to be thankful for.  This morning was day light savings, and although Sigge was up excruciatingly early, I chose to be grateful that I had some quiet time in the dark with him, and then put him down for a nap (at 6am) and got some things done around the house. Also thankful that not only is today a NEW month, but it started on a NEW week-- the best combo for this goal setting gal!  This month I will: - say NO to more things - drink 64 oz of water /day - eat no sweets until thanksgiving - journal/reflect/pray every day - my apple watch goal is 63 mins of exercise/ day, and I'm positive I can hit that as well. It's going to be a great month.  xo. edc.