erica danielle

 Only picture I got this weekend, and, my favorite memory. On Friday my sister hosted our cousins Isaac and Caleb and Caleb’s wife Ellen and baby Levi for Fiesta Friday. And it was a DELIGHT. Little Levi was the cutest thing ever and Sigge and I were in love with him. We had the best time following him around and catching up with family. I need someone in my life to have a baby and then want that baby to spend a lot of time with me :) OR maybe I need to just start volunteering in the nursery.  I'm done working for the week! I woke up this morning to a fresh blanket of snow. We've got no plans today, and I told Sten last night that I couldn't wait to not have to get ready today. I'm thinking about finishing a puzzle, hitting up the library for some new books, getting my sweet potatoes prepped for tomo and snuggling in with the kids as much as possible.  Tomorrow is my favorite holiday and I am going to soak it up! xo. edc

I texted my mom today and asked if she could knit me this. I just assume she can do anything crafty bc she can. She told me she needs a pattern. What?? I want this sweater knit by my mom. And it looks like maybe it isn’t going to happen. 😢 I am grateful for every cozy thing right now.  A candle burning on a clean counter A made bed with clean sheets pulled tight  Chili for dinner with sweet potatoes in it Coffee in the morning while reading with a soft blanket  Scarves, fuzzy mittens and warm hats.  Sweaters! All the sweaters in all the colors.  I am not a winter person but winter fashion is a welcomed season when you get to start wearing  clothes you haven’t worn in months :) xo. edc. 

See that girl behind the microphone in front of all her peers and hundreds of people? That’s Lucy introducing their first song at the choir concert last night. No need for notes, as she memorized it, spoke it clearly, didn’t rush through it and made proper eye contact with the audience. Then she proceeded to sing her heart out with a smile on her face the whole time.  I love watching her sing so much.  Olle had basketball practice coached by Sten, so me and the grandparents took Lucy and Sigge to Culver’s, where we ran into 2 of Lucy’s MS friends and the interactions were funny and also fun.  I love this stage of life.  Thankful for Choir. And Lucy.  xo. edc.   

Forever thankful for lakes. Really any body of water but I seem to get my fair share of lakes to admire.  Also for dirt roads. Easy on the body.  And tall pines. Is there really anything better?? xo. edc.   

 I am so grateful for life experiences. My travels don’t hold a candle to some of the people I’ve met. But, the things I have seen make me grateful that I know the world is a big place.  I was thinking about my childhood memories of random places my parents took us. They felt so special, unique, mysterious. I always wanted to do the same with my kids. It felt important to me that they would witness the same awe and wonder. And now that I have kids, I realize what a true gift it was to my sister and me that we got to visit so many places. Travel is expensive and time consuming and exhausting with kids… When we went to Tybee Island this summer and saw dolphins swimming and jumping in the open water I cried! I felt so happy that my kids got to witness something big and hopefully memory making.  Thankful for the world and all the wonder it holds.  xo. edc. 

When u get to pull through a parking spot and don’t have to back up.  When there’s an open shower at the Y after swimming.  The first sip of coffee  Waking up next to someone you love.  A car that starts The sunrise  Comfortable silence with someone.  Playing with playdoh.  Using up food in the fridge.  4 day work weeks.  Crawling into a bed with fresh sheets.  When you step outside thinking it’s going to be uncomfortable, and instead it’s pleasant.  Peoples face lighting up when they talk about their kids (no matter the age) Text threads. xo edc. 

Thankful for a Friday coffee date before school with Lucy. It was cozy in Caribou, and they made me an extra herbal tea, so I had double the throat coat all Friday morning! Friday night was one of my favorite nights in recent history. Kids were home, we were all happy that it was Friday, we made dinner, we opened a bottle of wine, we all snuggled on the couch to watch survivor and then we were all in bed by 8:15. It was the BEST. It felt like a really long week, and that was exactly what I needed to recharge! Thankful for a Saturday run with friends. The miles fly by and never once have I returned home and regretted my choice to get miles in at 5 in the morning.  On Saturday night Ashley and I headed to Minneapolis to celebrate Ang's new apartment and 40th birthday. I loved catching up with Ashley on the drive and I loved watching everyone celebrate Angie. I met all her friends that she picked up from all the different stages of life and it was such a treat. What a testament to who...

I was waiting for this book for months and it finally became available and I downloaded it even tho I haven't listened to a book in FOREVER. Then, crazy enough, my sissy said to me the other day-- I'm reading a great book (which is a super normal thing for her to say to me because she is always reading so many books) and it was THE SAME book! I started it today, and I forgot how much I love audiobooks and how grateful I am to get completely lost in another world. I love the way that listening to a book makes everything better-- cleaning the kitchen: better folding laundry: better changing sheets: better scrubbing toilets: better! So far, so good with this book. Thank you Libby App and the library for free entertainment! xo. edc

I’m thankful for Willow River because each time I’m there I feel a little closer to God. A little more calm. A little more like myself. This morning was no different. Grateful for a group of friends to run with. A state park in my backyard and legs to run.  xo. edc.   

How do I even express how grateful I am for good friends… we got to celebrate Jenny last night and it filled me up. I love all the time I get to spend with these ladies. They’re amazing, they build me up, they’re encouraging, they support me, they have convictions and love Jesus, they want to grow and learn and they’re fun. Grateful for friends.  xo. edc   

 Thankful for our fireplace. There is nothing better than a cozy sit in the morning. Yesterday I folded laundry while Sigge did Legos and I actually can’t think of a better way to start a day.  And I know this is a silly one, but I am thankful that the Vikes won yesterday. More because of how happy it makes Olle. And when someone you love is happy , it’s hard to be anything but happy too.  Monday today. Got in the pool at 5:30a this morning and guess what? It wasn’t bad!!! It was enjoyable. Do my arms feel like they may fall off? Yes. But that’s 👍!  xo. edc 

  Thankful for Saturdays and the rest and “check things off the list” they provide. We packed a lot in. And ended the night with homemade pizza and Amazing Race.  Weekend run club continues with Olle. He’s the best.  Lucy got this chair for her birthday and Sten got it set up yesterday morning. She did not leave this chair all day. I love it for her so much.  How wonderful to live in a world full of Saturdays.  xo. edc. 

It’s my favorite month. I love everything November  And I love a good calendar flip.  I’m focusing on gratitude this month, and getting on my bike in the basement, getting a swim in the pool and trying to find a way to incorporate more strength training in my life. I also ate 400 pieces of Halloween candy yesterday, so I’m giving up sweets for a while. I’m going to be a whole new person when December hits. 😂  It’s been a while since I’ve updated, so here are some things I’m grateful for recently: 1. Lucy, sigge and I hit up Willow River last Sunday. The weather was perfect and a short walk in the woods is ALWAYS good for the soul.  2. We got invited to the T-wolves home opener! And they won! It was a blast 3. The sunrises have been stunning. I’m grateful that Lucy notices them too on her bus ride to school. If I can pass down to my kids seeing the beauty in creation, then I’ll feel great about my parenting haha 4. MC YOUTH. I am so thankful to be a part of Wednesday...