Lynette Kraft at Dancing Barefoot on Weathered Ground is hosting a delightful blog party, called Thoughts of Spring! I decided to be social and join in (not to mention there's some pretty cool gift incentives for participants! But that wasn't my main motivation, I promise!) Lynette created a list of "get to know you" questions for partiers to answer... so... get to know me! Oh, and just to keep with the theme, I'll throw in some random pictures of the signs of spring that we've seen lately, here in the lovely warm South!
First off, a brief introduction! I am Erin. I am 31 years old and have been married to my awesome husband Michael for 12 years (yes, do the math, we were youngins when we got married!) and have 6 incredible children - Isaac, age 10, Ezra, age 8, Joel, age 6, Nathan, age 4, Judah, age (almost 2), and (finally!) a little girl, Rachel, who is a month old! We homeschool and live in the (usually warm) state of Georgia, although I'm technically a Yankee, being raised most of my life in New England. I am in love with Jesus and have been completely transformed by His grace in my life - I am so thankful to be a New Creation in Him!
Now with the formalities over, I'll dive on in!
Our first daffodil this year!
First off, a brief introduction! I am Erin. I am 31 years old and have been married to my awesome husband Michael for 12 years (yes, do the math, we were youngins when we got married!) and have 6 incredible children - Isaac, age 10, Ezra, age 8, Joel, age 6, Nathan, age 4, Judah, age (almost 2), and (finally!) a little girl, Rachel, who is a month old! We homeschool and live in the (usually warm) state of Georgia, although I'm technically a Yankee, being raised most of my life in New England. I am in love with Jesus and have been completely transformed by His grace in my life - I am so thankful to be a New Creation in Him!
Now with the formalities over, I'll dive on in!
Our first daffodil this year! How would people describe your personality? (If they could only use ONE word.)
Gosh, what a question to start with! I have no idea how other people would describe my personality! I'd HOPE they'd describe it as "joyful" or "upbeat", or even "funny" or "kind", but for all I know people might also describe me as "weird", "uptight", or "annoying"! How do I know how people would describe me?
Are they right?
Probably yes, to any of the above, depending on the day.
What celebrity/celebrities would create a “Star-Struck” feeling if you saw them in real life?
Honestly, none. I don't idolize celebrities. They're just people like you and me! They just happen to have a talent that puts them in front of other people more frequently. Which I don't envy at all!
Who is your favorite blogger? Why?
This is a really hard question! I love Brenda at The Family Revised because she's so down-to-earth, funny, and just plain REAL. But there are tons of blogs that I love (see my two sidebars as proof!), so I'm always scouring lots of blogs.
What is your comfort food/drink?
Dark chocolate. And nice, hot food that I didn't have to make myself. Italian is especially good, but I also like regular "down home" cooking! Yum! I love food!
Be brave – tell us something very random and weird about yourself.
Well, I covered a few down below in the "strange talent" and "strange phobia" questions. I guess it would be that I AM random and weird! At least, at times ;-) As proof, here's a random and weird picture - our dog, on our picnic table, with snow boots, a potted plant and some dirty washcloths. Why I took this picture, I have no idea!
Do you have a strong desire to do something you’ve never done? What is it?
Yes!! My biggest desire is to adopt! Yes, more children! I have a huge burden for orphans and I think that adoption is one of the biggest "pro-life" statements that can be made.
Movies: Action, Drama, Romantic Comedy, Documentary, Comedy? What are your favorite genres?
I'm not a huge movie person, and it's hard for me to narrow down my favorite "type". If it's a good movie, it will keep my attention, no matter what the style. The only kind I don't watch at all are horror movies.
Books: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Romance, Biographies, True Stories, Self-Help, Devotional/Study? What are your favorite types of reading material?
I mostly enjoy devotional/study type reading, as well as non-fiction, and true stories. Even as a child I preferred non-fiction - I like learning!
Music: Funk, Rock, Country, Jazz, Classical, Film Score, Blues, Classic Rock, Crooner, Alternative, Heavy Metal, Techno? What are your favorite types?
I used to like Country music a lot, but the lyrics have been going downhill and I don't enjoy it much anymore. So I listen to Christian music 99% of the time, all kinds (popular, hymns, anything except the heavier stuff). I really enjoy Bluegrass style music, as well.
If you inherited a million dollars, what is the first thing you would do with your money?
I know this sounds so goody-goody, but the first thing I would do is give a bunch of it away! I find great joy in giving.
Name one weakness of yours (confession is good for the soul).
Perfectionism keeps me bound in guilt and feeling overwhelmed a lot. It's a horrible burden, and I know the Lord is slowly but surely helping me overcome, but it is still a struggle!
If you could live anywhere at all (and take all your loved ones with you), where would you go?
I love living in the South! I'm quite happy here in Georgia. I used to think perhaps Tennessee or Virginia would be nice. Lately, I've been thinking BEACH! So, Florida? The gulf coast! But then there are hurricanes to contend with. Hmmm... hurricanes vs. chilly winters... which are worse? I'll have to think on that...
Strange Talent? Can you juggle basketballs, put your legs behind your head or perform some other strange feat?
OK, this could be embarrassing, but... I do have a strange talent... I can fit my entire fist into my mouth, up to my wrist. Yes, apparently, I have a large mouth and a flexible jaw. Kind of like a snake. But not exactly. Oh, and if you know me in real life, please don't ask me to demonstrate. It's not pretty! It involves strange facial contortions and slobber.
What’s something you consider yourself to be good at? (Don’t worry, it’s not bragging, it’s acknowledging a God given gift).
Yikes! I had to think about this one. Organizing time, maybe? Not that I'm the best user of my time, but I can organize it pretty well. And I'm good with numbers, so, financial stuff like budgeting. I wish my skills were more creative, like sewing or baking yummy things, but I'll be thankful for what I've been given. My skills do come in handy for homeschooling a large family, so God knew what I'd need!
What is one of your favorite things to catch a whiff of?
Hyacinth! Aaahhhh... the perfect smell of spring! That and honeysuckle.
(not in our yard, but I hope to plant some for next year!)When you leave a social gathering, do you wish: You would have talked more or You would have talked less?
Usually that I would have talked less.
If money wasn’t a factor, what stores would you shop in?
I would grocery shop at Whole Foods or some other natural food place. For non-groceries like clothing or household supplies, I'd still shop wherever they're cheapest. Just because you've got the money doesn't mean you should spend $100 for a pair of jeans, you know?! To me, that's absurd. No offense to people who are more style conscious than me!
What is your greatest fear or strange phobia?
I hate swimming where I know there are large fish. Small fish I can handle, but fish that actually weigh pounds?! Nope, won't get in the water. That's not my greatest fear, but I suppose it's a rather strange phobia. I also get super nervous in social situations. Even talking to the cashier at the store! I fake it pretty well, but really, I can be painfully shy.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
Hmmm.... giving birth to 6 amazing children! And second to that, making it through each day with all six of them ;-)
What are your favorite animals?
Horses. I was the epitome of a horse-crazy girl growing up! Here's some random pictures of me and some of my favorite horses, back in the day:
Turtles are pretty cute, too, but I don't have any pictures of me and turtles!
Are you a hopeless romantic?
Nope, I'm a pretty down-to-earth realist.
What movie or book character can you most relate to?
Just a pretty tree!
Happy beginning-of-Spring! Thanks for coming by!
Happy beginning-of-Spring! Thanks for coming by!
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10 comments:
It's so nice to meet you!!! Love your blog!
I really enjoyed reading your birth story. :) The water is amazing isn't it!? I was the same with my first homebirth, not being sure if I would like birthing in the water. But once I got in, I did NOT want to get out. I still tease my midwife (and now midwifery partner) about being mad at her for making me get out to use the bathroom. LOL!!
Erin...I LOVE the scent of Hyacinth, too!!! LOVE IT! I didn't really know about a character to relate to, but PETER!! YES, that's TOTALLY me, too! Thank you for sharing that! I'm even in one of those slopes right now...= )
And I was one of those horse crazed kids...I ended up at age 17 working on the Grand Prix Circuit with Barney Ward...do you remember him? You may know his son, McLean Ward...6th - 17 years of age I was HOOKED!
And we have 5 kids all homeschooled and missionaries in New Bern, NC. I am LOVING the water! Being a SW VA mountain gal.
Great to meet you! We have 4 girls and one boy...the opposite. = )
Peace be with you, Erin!
Cheryl
Nice to "meet" you! We have a lot in common....same age, married the same length of time, I'm prego w/our 6th & we homeschool just to name a few. :) Thanks for sharing!!
Wow that is so cool! Can't imagine jumping horses like that! Very cool!
Anyways, my wifes name is Annette (pastors wife)and she just opened her blog to public setting as she wants to be an encouragement and blessing to people(wants to do giveaways...as she gets started) . I was trying to be an encouragement to her by asking if you would be willing to swing by and say hi as she does not know many people in the blog world? Thank you for considering. Her blog is
http://continuedwonder.blogspot.com/
Thank You,
Rodney(Annette's husband)
I loved reading this, Erin. I could have written many of the answers myself! And thanks for the laugh about your special talent with it's strange facial contortions and slobber, lol! I'm off to join the party. :)
This was hilarious!!! Fish that actually weigh pounds??? :) The best.
I resonate with so much of your story, Erin--perfectionism, being quirky, organization, dark chocolate, heart for orphans, wanting to raise a family (hopefully someday soon!) I am SO glad I stopped by from Lynnette's blog party.
Blessings!
http://kevinandmel.com
Loved reading this, Erin! :)
Hi Erin, Now that I realized I was wrong and the links didn't disappear...I enjoyed reading your post. I too am a shy perfectionist-though it only took me till number three for the girl to show up. I love Christian music and non fiction. I love learning now more than ever.
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