erica danielle

Sten was in CO last week filling his “unicorn space”  (<— have you read that book?) with all the things that make him interesting. Music, family and fishing. I was so glad we could let him go. I hope it was a total bucket filler for him and the break he ABSOLUTELY deserved. But boy, did we miss him. The kids were amazing, but not having my companion home was hard for me. We picked him up from the airport on Wednesday and we all excitedly wanted to be the one talking to him and getting his attention. Welcome home Sten. You were missed.  Olle got his haircut and we think he looks like a total stud. As usual  It was sunny.  Sigge and I biked to the park in matching vests and it was the slowest bike ride of my life. We were averaging 20 minute miles. I think I could have crawled faster. I kept telling myself to be patient and to enjoy it and you know what? That worked! I did enjoy it and I loved watching his legs sllllllowwwwwwly pedal.  We then brought a blanket...

 I’ve recently decided I really enjoy writing. I can’t say that this has always been true for me. I started this blog because I wanted to be a food blogger and I thought the Pioneer Woman was cool.  Who knew that exactly 13 years later (happy anniversary blog) I’d still have my little bloggy. I do still cook a lot, but now this documents my life and not my kitchen. and while I still refer to it for some recipes, I mostly look back to see what I was doing in June of 2016 or March of 2021 or when it was we took that one vacation to the the Dells where Lucy was wearing that adorable 2 piece and I should have been wearing self tanner because it was the middle of winter.  I stumbled upon a “writing prompts” list the other day and one said to think about your favorite song lyrics. And that felt crazy to me because I have been thinking about the lyrics to a specific song for a while now.  Here are a few of my favorite lines from the song Start a Band by Steve Moakler. Es...

 I’m happiest when … I’m running hard and my muscles feel fresh. When the sun is hitting my skin and I feel like I’m flying. There’s not a care circling around my brain nor a list of what needs to be done. When I’m running hard, but it feels easy, everything seems to shed off me. I leave all my problems on the road and tell myself I am the fastest runner in the world  I notice for the first time that the days are getting longer. These are the days when we mix up an old fashioned and bring the Lego bin outside and a football and possibly even a book. And sometimes we stay outside too long and I don’t have time to fix dinner and so we throw in a frozen pizza. We are all so stuffed of spring time and fresh air that we are happy, and bedtime is easy and life feels somewhat like I imagine heaven to feel like.  A plan is made to see people I love. Whether it is just our family of 5, extended family, or friends, the idea of a gathering gets me excited. I like to host, and althou...

Not even sure where the week went. But suddenly it’s Saturday. This usually means pancakes for us, but Olle requested homemade waffles and I forgot that those are significantly more work. Phew 😮‍💨  This week: Met my HS friends on Valentine's Day. Linds was in town from TX for a funeral and even tho it was the snowiest night of the year, it felt good to be together. Missing the Bana twins— hopefully a big reunion happens soon. Also— 20 years since graduating high school— WHATTTTT?? I have never felt so seen.  Post library haul. When all 3 are reading, life is good.  Heart shaped pizza. This would have been better on the grill, but it was snowing.  Wowza! We finally got some snow and the kids have been having SO much fun. 🤩 I love watching them play outside in the snow. It makes them look so young and carefree.  Sigge and I spent an hour on these 🤪 It was my birthday gift to him— to sit down and draw without ever getting up to do anything else. Sigges a qualit...

Officially a whole hand for my boy. How can it be? Trying to be happy and thankful that I have a wonderful 5 year old to call my own. And I am, it’s just also a teeny bit sad that this firmly puts him in the “kid” category and very much not in the “toddler/baby” category.  I don’t know…  I just went down memory lane and found some pictures and now I’ll go cry into my pillow and then make cake and eat mac and cheese, because that’s what he requested for dinner. Getting older is HARD. I love you Sigge. Thanks for making our house FULL of more joy than I ever thought possible. Thanks for the reminders about the wonders of the world and about how something as small as a sucker can really turn a day around.  Can’t wait to watch Sigge tackle this year ahead. My creative boy will no doubt do big things.  xo. edc. 

 I was surprised this morning to find out that people don’t necessarily like the month of February. WHAT?!??  I was defending the month with all my might. Then I realized the reasons I love it have everything to do with me.  1. My birthday  2. Sigges birthday 3. A holiday with little expectation: Valentine’s Day  For these reasons + the fact that it is the shortest month (I guess I like unique things) I love February! And we’re nearly halfway through it somehow.  Other things that have surprised me lately: How much I am enjoying reading The Secret Garden to Lucy. It’s often me asking her if she wants to read. Not the other way around  How much a new pair of shoes can really add a little extra pep in your step. I got some new boots last week and every time I wear them I feel so good.  How much fun packages are. We had a few people over for the Super Bowl and someone brought prizes and when I won a bingo and was handed a paper bag stapled shut, I ...

 Haley and I often text each other weekly aims. I don't think I had ever heard that until she texted me one day: What are your aims this week? I love that word. It feels like freedom to me.... like, lets aim for this, but there's not a lot of the shame associated with it if you don't reach it. Often when we check in we give ourselves A LOT of grace and say things like: I drank 20oz of water, even tho my aim was 60oz. --- still a win in my book. It feels nice to have aims. Goals are so cement-y. I want to be an aims person. Gentle is better in my opinion.  I'm heading into Monday with my aim centered around this ballad by Hillsong: Even, when I can't see clearly, somehow, you still make it easy. Your loves uncomplicated, you love me just the way I am. So I stand before you. I'm totally surrendered with open hands and open heart. Jesus, have your way in me.  xo. edc

January recap: The month went by extremely fast... does January usually go fast? Not for me. But 2024 must be different! Sigge and I love our days with Lincoln. It usually ends up as an adventure day. This day we went to Stillwater to see the ice sculpture world competition-- this was the winner. I was blown away. The boys were more into the fact that they had snow brought in and there was a mini sledding hill for hours of fun.  Still sour-doughing. At church today. one of the 60+ crowd told me that sourdough attacks you. and that you can't ever get away from it. I get what she is saying. But so far, I am enjoying the attacking, and the very permanence of being home bound during the baking process.  Thank you SD for grounding me. UNO and frozen yogurt squeezers... 4/5 year olds CRACK me up. Sten gigging. me and the kids eating cheese. the best duo of humans. The muddy-est Willow River Hike I've ever experienced. AND also, watching these boys brains light up through nature made...