erica danielle

 This sunrise was a small gift to me this morning. Reminding me that it is a blessing to be able to get out of bed, lace up tennis shoes and experience rhythmic pounding.  Other small gifts today: - a running hug from both Olle and Sigge to welcome me home with the most thoughtful words from Olle: “How was your run mom, how many miles did you go?” - a kiss goodbye from Sten as he left for work - seeing friends this morning and watching my boys play with friends without a care in the world.  - meeting my mama downtown for a stroller walk and a treat at Knoke’s - time to clean while Sigge napped - sunshine and bright blue skies  I know if I didn’t take the time to write these things down I would have for sure looked passed them, but what a joy, honor and gift to recognize and record the small things. xo. edc. 

Sten and I looked at each other last night at 5:40pm, after we had already finished dinner and the kids were fighting and crying and slamming doors and stomping upstairs and hanging on my clothes and needing help with homework and talking over each other and we said: what are we doing wrong???  Parenting is so hard.  I wish I could say we woke up this morning and everything was better, but the truth is it was still hard this morning. I don't know what we are doing wrong but I do know that I can be better and I want to be better and I want to be more present.  I made another pot of coffee, left my phone upstairs, and played LEGOs and catch and read books under blankets. Presence seems to help.  I know these kids are special and that time is flying by. So here is to being more present and trying a little harder. xo. edc.  

If ever there was a weekend full of many, many good things it was this weekend. When COVID took my bday away from me, we re-scheduled for 2 months later. A wine tasting with all the couples, a ginormous charcutere board, flourless chocolate cake, and way more than I could have ever asked for.  Lucky to be surrounded by these friends. Saturday we spent allllll day with friends, and had an impromptu fire to round out the 24+ hours we had already been together. Three cool dudes. friends! On Sunday Abby texted that they were going to burn some branches, and even though it was snowing would we want to come over for a bonfire (wear your winter gear)... YES! Turns out we were burning actual trees, and we didn't need winter gear because this was the hottest fire EVER. Hannah, Abby and I opted out of making s'mores because we didn't want to singe our eyebrows off. Lucy said to me: This is the best Sunday night EVER! It was HARDDDDD to get up this morning!!!! but SO SO SO worth it.  ...

#siggenap... it should be a hashtag.  Day date! We were going to try out a different River Falls spot, but swinging bridge called our name.  This picture was taken about a week ago at THE best impromptu hangout at the Arlich house. Today it was snowing. 😫😩🥶 Just trying not to cry over here.  Treadmill runs during naptime is a thing. Especially when my alarm clock goes off and I don’t get up at 5am.  Made this Mongolian Chicken tonight for dinner and it was SOOOO good. Highly recommend. I will be making it again.  I served it with cauliflower rice and homemade naan bread. I decided it was time I actually planned meals. 🥴 This is another sad week for our next door neighbors in Minneapolis. I’ve been praying for peace and for bridges to be built. xo. edc.   

  I feel like the sun hasn't been out in so many days. I try really hard to embrace the gloomy days, but the truth is I am a person who needs sunshine in my life.  When I feel the gloom and doom I think it comes out in the way I treat those I love the most. I hate that. I wish it didn't. I wish I could run away the dreary-ness. Tie it up and ship it away.  The only thing that helps lift my mood sometimes is looking through pictures. I found this one of Sten and I on a less-than-24-hour getaway for our 7th anniversary after Olle was born. We stayed overnight in Chicago, ate lots of good food and walked around the city. I look at this and wonder-- how did I get so lucky. I love Sten and I wish I could transport to back to this table and wake up to a sunny day in the city! xo.edc. 

We had a packed house at Midcurrent on Easter. I love Easter. I had so much fun with the 100 kids that came! We played with peeps, jelly beans, chocolate bunnies and had a massive Easter egg hunt. Above all my prayer was that for 1 hour those kids would know they are loved so much that Jesus died for them!!  Sigge and Jules... crossing my fingers they get married some day. Our massive egg hunt an actual sea of children. After church we went over to my mom and dads and the kids had fun looking for eggs and playing with cousins. Of course I got no pictures! I guess that means we were present, right?!    Before church pic.  Easter at crossroads on Saturday night Sigge loved the Easter bunny! Olle, shirtless on Easter! Nothing better!! We had the BEST weather ever.  I think this day will be burned into my mind forever. xo. edc.

Easter Sunday at Midcurrent was amazing — everything about it. AND Easter Monday at Bay lake was awesome— exactly what we needed! Happy faces!!! It was so fun to be up there when the lake was completely quiet. We didn’t see a single person! Sigge loved all the family time. He even took a nap in the cabin!! All piled in ready for a road trip. We left at 9am, and got home a little after 10pm. It was worth 5 hours in the car for 8 hrs at Bay Lake! Sigge practicing potty training...  This little dragon that Lucy is holding is Norbit. She was pretty sure she left it here all winter and could not wait to get into the cabin to check! Sure enough. Under the bunk bed. She hasn’t let it out of her sight since!  Bonfire and first s’more of the season!!!! It was unbelievably calm.  Love this pic of Olle. Him and Lucy picked up a LOT of sticks.  We can’t wait to go back soon! What a gift that place is to us. xo. edc.