Happy Halloween!

Goals

I have been neglecting this poor little blog for so long that I kept getting the address wrong! lol!

Anyway, I have some really cute pics of the kids that I will be putting up soon, but I need to get to one thing first.

I have accomplished many of my goals this year, and at times, I have been really skinny and in shape... however, I haven't been able to be consistent. I can't seem to keep a certain weight for very long. I don't seem to be able to maintain. I'll stress myself out slimming down to get ready for a modeling job and exercise consistently and stick to a pretty strict eating regimen, then I get back and all hell breaks loose!

Sugar is my downfall, and sweets are my crack. Of all the goals I have accomplished, I have never been able to go 30 Days without sweets... and now I am adding in overeating too. It may take a miracle... and yes, Thanksgiving is in those 30 days... but I can't keep putting this off. I figure if I can do that I can learn to maintain and be more balanced. I don't like the out-of-control- want- to- eat- every- sweet- thing- in- sight feeling... nor do I like to avoid-every-carb- in- sight method. Somewhere in between lies true happiness and being comfortable in my own skin.

My Activity Day Girls and the Young Women put on a modesty fashion show a few weeks ago. I was impressed by some of the quotes and the logic that was used. I wish I could remember exactly what they said, I don't, but the feeling will always stay with me.

Furthermore, I am reminded of our Visiting Teaching Message this month, "If We Do Not Doubt". It talks about the mothers of the stripling warriors... that the 2,060 did not doubt because their mothers knew it.

"When we honor our covenants, Heavenly Father can prepare the way for us. We are to live our covenants with precision. We can, for example, be precise in praying, in studying the scriptures, in holding a current temple recommend, in dressing modestly, in honoring the Sabbath. As we do so, our children will know and be able to say, “We do not doubt our mothers knew it” (Alma 56:48)."

"Challenging times cry out for strong parents and examples who teach the truth that Helaman’s warriors knew: “If they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47). Teaching and exemplifying this truth today requires vigilance. However, we need not fear. When we know who we are and who God is and we have made covenants with Him, we—like these mothers of warriors—will have great influence for good."

I heard a Relief Society lesson once that said that even though it is much easier to read our scriptures before our children get up or after they go to sleep, that we need to let our children see us reading our scriptures. We might not get as much out of our scripture reading, but they will know, by our example, that their mothers knew it, that we know the importance of the gospel and reading the scriptures. I think this could be said of any of the things we can be "precise in" as listed in the message.

One of the items listed became particularly important in our family. One afternoon, Graham and I were having a conversation around the island in the kitchen about where my career was going and what I saw myself doing next. Graham and I had talked about how I was thinking about quitting hair modeling before. I started in again about not wanting to continue with it... he filled in,

"Because they dye your hair crazy colors and it fades so fast?"

Emma, who we had not realized was even in the room with us, piped up from the corner,

"No, it's because of the immodest clothes that they make her wear," she told Graham.

I used it as a teaching opportunity, because she was right, that was, how I had been feeling. I told her about my experience at the Modesty Fashion Show and how I couldn't justify wearing things I knew were wrong and went against what I believed in. It didn't matter how I justified it, how other people justified it for me, or how other LDS women I knew did the same. I knew it.

I no longer choose to do the kind of modeling that will require me to wear skin tight white dresses. (I'm not kidding, they bought laser-cut thongs that are not supposed to show and the dresses were so tight that they showed anyway!) Not only are they trashy and immodest, but they are the reason I have not been able to maintain a good weight. Without that kind of pressure, and with my new 30 day goal, I am hoping to be at peace. To be in- control of my eating and my life.

I will make my own career choices and I will choose to dress modestly no matter the consequence. I know I will lose jobs, but I know I will be at peace knowing that I am setting a good example for my daughter and those around me. I hope that when my daughter is faced with decisions on whether to compromise her dress that she can say, "I know my mother knew it".

Charlotte's Thoughts...

on Dental Hygiene...

Me: "Oh no! Charlotte! We forgot to brush our teeth!"

Charlotte: "It's okay Mom. All my teeth will fall out and then the tooth fairy will come!" :)

More for records sake...

Hmm... looks like I completely forgot about this obsession once I started modeling and working at the Children's Place... I got a little busy. :) I've learned some things, (some the hard way), and I think I've matured a little too (well, as much as I can, I think I've always been a little immature.)

Honestly, some days I wake up and think... "Really? There are women around the world mourning because they can't have children... and you gave me 3? The teenager who couldn't keep a plant alive? lol. You must really trust me..."

I think working and being away from my children a bit has made me a better mother. I know you might not believe that, and it's not for everyone... but nonetheless, it has. It makes me cherish the moments I do have with them. It makes me a little more patient, a little more kind, a little more playful, and a little more loving. Some days, however, it really sucks to go to work. Last Saturday, the kids and I were out jumping on the trampoline and I got called in early. Both the kids and I were very sad that we had to cut our playtime short. We had an exercise ball out on the trampoline and were bouncing it as high and we could and bonking each on the head with it. No one was fighting, no one was crying, no one was whining... it was perfect... and it was really hard to leave.

I have always marched to the beat of my own drum (just ask my poor mother)... and it seems the beat changes constantly. Throwing kids into the mix makes things even more challenging. It's hard to find a balance in this life. I know I may not do things the way that some people approve of, or want me to. But I guess at the end of the day, all that matters is that I am happy with my efforts and so is He. Anyway, this was supposed to be a post catching you up on what we have been up to lately and I thought I would start with Christmas since my last post was Thanksgiving.

So more for records sake than anything else... I am trying to catch up and I am going to post some REALLY OLD pics. Our families got to "see" us and talk with us through Skype for the holidays, but I never showed them any of the pics that we took. Gosh, I miss family, but I'm thankful for the opportunities we have had to visit them and for the opportunities that technology affords us. :) So without any further adieu, the pictures, the real reason you stopped in today. :)

Graham making French Donuts (Christmas Morning) in the background, a Currie family tradition. Man! I love that Man! :)

Emma showing off one of the benefits of having your mom work at the Children's Place. :)

My angels. :)

"Mom, it's early, and that's bright!"

"CANDY!!!"

Look at all that snow! Yuck! There is at least a few feet on our deck. This year we had record breaking snow. Which is fun, for the first 6 times it snows. :) Here the girls are playing Christmas Day with their toys.

... and the chaos... :) That's all right though, I am kind of a messy person anyway...

Emma, so pretty, and such a good girl. So thankful for her in my life. :)

Gotta take a milk break! :) (Can't open presents ALL day.)

Video games! Educational ones! What could be better?

Gavin loves to help mommy cook. There is never any "Little Red Hen" when Gavin is around. He is right there ready to help you "gather the wheat", "knead the bread", and most importantly EAT IT!

Here he is in his Christmas duds, waiting so patiently. :)

Thank you for visiting our little family today, and thank you for the support you have lent us. Family and friends are everything, and I know sometimes (okay, most of the time, I can be a real basket case!) Thanks for putting up with me and thank you for patiently waiting for me to return to our blog and update you.

Thanksgiving...

Mmm... golden turkey...

Mommy's little helper putting his manly tendencies to mash

(Hulk SMASH!) to good use.

Stirring the crust...

Intently stirring and trying to sneak

little bites without Mommy noticing...

"Look mom! I helping."

Emma approves of our efforts...

Martinelli's, a family favorite.

The kids took a bath before pie. I didn't have any pics of Charlotte yet...

We had a good Thanksgiving. We missed family a lot, but it was good to be with our own little family. We have so much to be thankful for. I think the biggest thing right now though is that I am thankful for my testimony. I guess I didn't really think that my testimony was anything special until I recently shared a spiritual experience with an investigator that had been baptized, but not confirmed because she was having second thoughts about the church. A new friend of mine had invited me over to help this woman connect with younger people in the ward and hopefully help her to take the final step of baptism. (No pressure right? You KNOW I said a prayer before I went over.) My friend kept talking about how she was in such awe of the strength of my spirit and my testimony. It helps me to have that kind of testimony on the tough days, and I know you moms know what I am talking about.

But besides the difficult days as a mom, for those of you who don't know, I've also struggled with depression for many years now. I think that's part of why my testimony is so strong. I have been to rock bottom. I have had to climb out... but I had help. I was recently disappointed when I picked up my scriptures and had found that my kiddos had torn out my favorite scripture verses... so I pulled them off of lds.org for you.

Mosiah 24: 12-16

12 And Alma and his people did not raise their voices to the Lord their God, but did pour out their ^ahearts to him; and he did know the ^bthoughts of their hearts.

13 And it ^acame to pass that the voice of the Lord came to them in their afflictions, saying: Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage.

14 And I will also ease the ^aburdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as^bwitnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their ^cafflictions.

15 And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did ^astrengthen them that they could bear up their ^bburdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with ^cpatience to all the will of the Lord.

16 And it came to pass that so great was their faith and their patience

These verses are my favorite because I feel like they apply to me so well. I love that He says that he did know the thoughts of their hearts. He really does know and understand all that we go through and will continue to go through. He loves us in spite of ourselves and even when we are in the midst of a trial and think he has forgotten us. I love the comforting words that He said to them. "Lift up your heads and be of good comfort, for I know of the covenant which ye have made unto me; and I will covenant with my people and deliver them out of bondage." It's like he's saying, "It's okay, Daddy's here, everything is going to be all right. I am aware of you, I know what's going on. I will help you." I'd like to think that those words probably came by the Spirit.

When the missionaries asked the investigator (not quite a member yet) if she would like to have the Spirit to be with her always she said, "yeah, I think that'd be nice", very emotionless. I came home and told Graham that she just really didn't get it! What a wonderful gift the Spirit is! How important are those words of comfort and peace from our Heavenly Father that come from the Spirit. I really think that I was pulled out of that dark abyss so that like it says in verse 14 that I may stand as a witness for him hereafter, that I may know of a surety that the Lord God does visit His people in their afflictions. I bet if you think about it, you, too, can find a time that you were freed from bondage or a trial of some sort that left you with a greater degree of faith and patience so that you could more fully submit to the will of the Lord... or maybe, like me,

you struggle with it still, day in and day out ... but I know in Whom I can trust... and I know how to climb back up when I start to slide, and for that, I am thankful...

Sorry that was kinda long and I never really know if I am doing a TMI, but hopefully not.

Back to our family update...

I worked the day before and the day after, and shopped for the employee discount the day of, so I was pretty busy. I still am pretty busy. The Children's Place decided to keep me on for part-time instead of just seasonal and I really like it there. The evening shift starts late enough that Graham can get home from work. I don't have to work very often either. I get a good discount... a little break from the kids... and a little bit more money for groceries. What more could you ask for? I just finished a photo shoot for my portfolio yesterday, but other than that all is quiet on the modeling front. I haven't had a paying job in a couple months. :( It's been fun, but I'd like to make my money back, ya know? :)

Terrific Thursday!

... or as Gavin says, "perfect" as he adjusts the towel on his fort...

The scene of the crime...

(the completely empty linen closet, mind you this crime occurs often )

The carnage...

More evidence... must be logged immediately...

But how do you "lock up" (send to time-out) such cute criminals? They were so proud of themselves and even called me over to show me their handiwork. Hmmm... and they did all this while I was braiding Emma's hair for her school play today... they criminals are of the worst kind... the ones you don't see coming. :) ... and this... is why my house is never clean...

Insert exaggerated Mom sigh here ____________ (you know the kind) ...

It's going to be a terrific Thursday.

What would God think?

I saw this on a friend's blog...

"What would Mrs. Santa Claus say?

If Mrs. Santa Claus had a message to give to a group of women before/about/or regarding something Christmas what do you think it would be? It can be spiritual, funny, or helpful tips.

What do you think she would want to tell women who are mothers, not mothers, old, young,

married, unmarried, working, not working...all women?

What would she want women to know?"

This was my response...

Actually I was watching TV tonight and seeing all the ads for Black Friday and wondering what God thinks of all this mayhem and chaos that we have created and called it "The Holidays". I think he would think it was a little bit crazy.

That said, I usually do go out on Black Friday to try and save a little money. I think a lot of the characteristics people associate with Santa originate from God... (sees you when you're sleeping, knows if you're awake, knows if you've been bad or good, gives us good gifts, passes judgement (bad or good, nice or naughty), loves the children, etc.) Anyway, I think God, Mrs. Claus, or Santa Claus, as other people have said would want us to enjoy the time with our family and friends, to not worry so much about the gifts, and to relax.

We, as women, carry so much of the burden to make our holiday season perfect for our families, that we usually end up dreading the season. For us, it is filled with anxiety. We need to realize that sometimes well enough is good enough. Our holiday dinners do not have to be perfect, traditions are fun and I love them- but if we don't have the 11 pies this year that Grandma Brooke always makes we can still have a Happy Thanksgiving (okay, maybe not HAPPY, maybe tolerable, her pies are pretty darn good), our Christmas Cards aren't going to get out every year (and walmart pics are okay Nike:) ), and sometimes we just can't afford everything our kids/spouses/family/selves want for Christmas.

I usually diligently make my kids' Christmas lists every year and distribute them to both sides of the family. To me, it's important, because my kids don't usually get things (for monetary reasons) except their birthdays and Christmas. Christmas is a time where they can get those shoes that they really need or that toy that they've really been wanting. But every year worrying about who got my kids what, and what is left that I need to get them, honestly, makes me want to take a siesta and skip the fiesta altogether! The most important thing is that the spirit is felt in our homes. Being together and remembering Christ are up there too. ;) The gifts are just a bonus, not the whole paycheck. So whatever it is you're worrying about this holiday season-STOP! Hand it over to the Lord-- Know that your Father in Heaven wants you to feel of his love for you and to feel of his spirit... and I don't think you can do that when you're completely stressed out... I challenge you to put your feet up, drink some hot cocoa, spend more time with your family than you do in the kitchen, and don't take this holiday season so seriously. :)

Love,

Erin

Charlotte's B-day

Charlotte is 4! Her birthday was on Monday, and I was trying to decide whether to do her friend party on her birthday or yesterday. Boy, am I glad I decided on yesterday! Even though it was a busy day for us (Charlotte had preschool and I had an agency open-call), it was much better than Monday would have been! Monday our basement was flooding! Tender mercies of the Lord that I did not have 5 toddlers show up on my door step in the middle of the flood!

Charlotte is holding some crayons we used for a little craft.

Need a use for all those broken crayons you have laying around the house? Break them up a little more and stick them in foil liners in your muffin pan. Put them in the oven at 200-250 until melted. Allow to cool completely and remove from liner. They end up looking like this...

The top of the new crayon...

The bottom of it...

You can also do it in a mini-muffin pan w/o a liner.

The kids also made a dog mask...

... and got to decorate their own cupcake!

Charlotte and Gavin posing.

Blowing out her candles...

"Okay Mom, I blew them out... now what?"

Watching Scooby Doo to go along with our dog themed party.

Gavin covered in Danimals but insisting the his shirt is "dust fine"

and he doesn't want it changed "tank you berry much" he is "watching cooby Doo!"

Emma in the only picture I was allowed to take of her the whole party.

opening presents

using her new 3-D sidewalk chalk

It was a fun party. This was Charlotte's first friend party and she loved it! With the holidays coming we tried to do it "budget-friendly". We sent out e-vites, got friends to donate old crayons, and used candy leftover from the cake to make a snack mix for the kids using popcorn we already had. For the treat bags we put the kids new melted crayon in, some stickers that were pretty cheap at Target, a teeny playdough (in the $1 section at Target 5 for a $1), a fruit snack, and a fun size candy bar 8 for a $1. Yep, I am my father's daughter. :)

We are so thankful to have Charlotte in our family, she definitely keeps me on my toes, but she is such a sweetie. We wouldn't be the same without her.

24th of July

Celebrating those who came before us...

I grew up learning about my pioneer heritage. My mom is big into genealogy and we often were read pioneer stories growing up. I have to admit, some were more interesting than others! I don't think I realized just how tough their trials were until I moved here. I subbed for the Valiant 9 class for a while and learned some of the stories I haven't heard before. Plus, knowing what our winters are like, here in MN, it's hard to believe some pioneers crossed Iowa in the winter (which has very similar weather). I know they didn't have rated gear like we have here either. Brrr! No thanks! I'd like to keep my toes!

There are quite a few pics, but I thought they might be useful in case you (get stuck)... I mean have the privilege to serve on the Primary Presidency and get a chance to plan your own. (I am the Primary secretary).

Charlotte peering out from behind her bonnet...

Mmmm... salt water taffy.

The Primary President's family played music for the children using instruments and music that the pioneers would have had. The kids had fun dancing.

Swing your partner 'round and 'round.

The children learned some pioneer stories and learned that many times pioneers made quilts with patterns that told stories or had sentimental value. The sister who taught this class showed several quilts, one she made when she was elated to be having a girl (after two boys), a Christmas one (her favorite holiday and represented a special Christmas for her), and I can't remember the 3rd one. Then she had the kids make their own quilt square (out of paper) and decorate it with things that are important to them.

Emma posing in her pioneer garb.

Making butter in a jam jar. The kids watched a pioneer movie while they took turns shaking it. We served homemade rolls at the end and the kids got to use the butter they made on them. They were yummy!

Playing "Duck, duck, grey duck"... don't ask... I don't get it either! It's just what they say in Minnesota. I asked why but no one could give me a straight answer. I know we have lots of geese... ???

The kids played the typical stick-pull, 3 legged race, and other games.

I'm thankful for the courageous saints who came before me, who paved the way for the gospel today.