erica danielle

I joined a group lead by my former college small group leader called "No Gloom June". Instagram has some redeeming qualities-- like connecting people from SO far away! I made some goals for Mind, Body and Soul, and I am really looking forward to this month. May was a complete joy, full of friends, good family time and many fun things. And I know June will be even better. While writing in my gratitude journal this morning I just kept on writing and writing, feeling grateful for ALL the things in my life, even down to the fact that I have CHOICES when it comes to what I want to eat for lunch... When I get really thankful I find less to be unjoyful (is that a word?) about. So, goodbye May, you filled my heart with all kinds of goodness and hello June! I am so glad you're here! I had a free bike tune up from Simple Sports in Menom, so we made an afternoon of it! The new candy store is SO weird and awesome, we were probably in there for 30 + minutes looking at all the candy th...

Current snapshots into our life: 1. Sten took all 3 kids up to Bay Lake this past weekend for an overnight. I was helping execute a huge women's night at Midcurrent, and Sten taking the kids was a huge gift to me. I was gone 90% of Saturday, and to come and go freely knowing that the kids were having a blast at one of their favorite places in the universe made everything way easier!!! Look at this guy!! Sten was building a fire and told Olle he could try out his new spincaster... next thing he knows, Olle's pole is bent in half and Olle is reeling in a big bass! Way to go Olle man! There aren't too many views that beat this! 2. Sten and I went to a Storyhill concert last week in Stillwater! It was so fun to sit and listen to music, I enjoyed it so so much. date night on a Thursday night! 3. Lucy girl had dance pictures and has her recital on Saturday! She's very excited and we all can't wait to cheer her on!! 4. Sigge is the only one in my family who will drink my b...

The blue skies have been so welcome lately. All of these were taken on different days this week which means we’ve had lots of blue skies!!! 🌎🌎🤍🤍 It’s almost summer. The time of year when I become who I wish I was all hear long. 😂  xo. Edc. 

Saturday naptime and my house is completely quiet. I can't think of this being the case... ever. Lucy is at a birthday party, Olle and Sten are at the cabin, and Sigge is napping. I should be napping, but I'd rather just be awake and alone. I love when my house is quiet and my mind can freely think thoughts and sit on them for a while. ponder them without someone asking me a question or needing a snack which instantly takes me out of my own head and into help mode.  I know it's a gift AND I know it hurts to feel every feeling. I love my personality, and I hate it, wishing I could turn on and off the feelings when I want. I have tried to be the best version of me, but often I feel like I'm failing, and just recently have noticed that means I do less , talk less, stay in more. Is this coping? Or is this self-defense? self care? self sabotage? I don't know.  I just know I've been home a lot. It feels safe, like I can't really do a lot of damage here. My kids th...

May is a happy month. Full of outside time, flowers, garden planting, putting docks and boats in water, bike rides and celebrations.  Last weekend we got a taste of summer and the Carlson fam was all over it. We got sunburned and so tired out and it took a few days for us all to recover from later nights and so much fresh air.  What am I excited about right now? Well, Sten and I are going to a Storyhill concert next week! This will be so fun, and I am really really looking forward to it. I am also excited about all the miles I have been putting in lately, and am itching to sign up for a race this fall. I am excited that my kids have only days left of school...19 to be exact. These things are all making me happy!  This weekend will be very low key, with very limited plans. And then we will celebrate MOTHER'S DAY! yahoo!  I'm focusing on whole food, body movement and lots of sunshine this month. xo. edc.

 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.