just be...m[E]

welcome 2011...

Hello to another year!I cannot belive that 2010 passed so quickly, full of all kinds of memories, emotions and fun. Of course it wasn't all roses and rainbows, but for the most part it was a great year of health and happiness...positive things in my book. So, as we welcome this new year I want to really try harder to focus on the "stories" we are creating every day...and just "embrace" each day as it comes. Not only embracing mentally, but taking more time to physically embrace those that fill my life with so much joy. I'm always inspired by artists such as Ali Edwards, Becky Higgins, and of course my girl Ronda (just to name a few) to capture those daily little things that mean so much. Yes...even the TONS of laundry I've been doing while potty training Owen...as they are important parts of being a mom. I want to show him in the future that I cared enough to do an extra load of laundry, just so his Buzz Lightyear pajamas would be ready to wear...again. I'm also going to try to complete the Project Life album that I purchased last year at this time. Although I started out taking photos, I never printed a single one to fill it up. So, nothing like a fresh start to get it going again. If you are considering it...check out the video on Becky's blog. It will inspire even the "non-scrapbookers" to really take photos and capture memories to share with future generations. I'm so glad that I completed this album in 2009 (even though I still have some empty spaces...I'm deciding to let it go and start fresh), as it is fun to look at Owen 2 years ago. I recommend it...and hope that I can keep up. I'll keep you posted.

Speaking of embrace...I am so happy that I can finally share some special photos with you. Many of you know that when it comes to giving a gift, I am terrible at keeping a secret. I love the act of giving so much that I want to share it right away. Anyway, prior to travelingto Florida this past summer I had the idea of having some family photos taken as a gift to our families. The main goal was to get all three grand-kids in the same photo...not too mention the same state...as a Christmas gift for my mom. You would not believe the work that went into this, especially since we flew in the same day, and only had 4 hours to spend with my brother and his family...and we got lost for an hour. But, after it was all said and done and I saw the photos...my eyes filled with tears. Lisa (Lisa By The Sea Photography) was so patient, kind and did an amazing job capturing our memories and our family. She also captured many embraces of love, moments of sadness as we said goodbye, and little stories as we ran and played on the beach. What an amazing gift she gave to us...and the surprise to mom was the perfect gift! (Can you believe I didn't tell!!) So, take a minute to embrace those you love...and don't forget to grab your camera to capture such moments. Here's a peek our photos...

 

The Wells, Rose and Adkins Families...

 

enjoying moments of play, laughter and fun...

 

cousins... together at last...

 

a long embrace...representing many years of love as we say good-bye again.

So, as I look forward to another great year to come, I wish you health, happiness and love. Happy 2011!

peace.

 

 

love this shot...

 
...love that Suz and I are wearing the same shirt (not planned of course!)

...love that the kids are being silly, as are the parents

...love that we got to laugh alot while trying to get some fall photos

...love that we are more than just friends

...love that Owen and Lyndsay are becoming best friends too

...love that the boys enjoy hanging out (while sharing a six-pack!)

...love that we ended the night with ice cream

...love that O is already asking for Lyndsay and wanting to play again

...love that we are so blessed to spend time together, and can't wait to play again soon!

happy easter...

Good Morning...and Happy Easter!  Hope you all have a great day, especially those hunting eggs and finding goodies from the bunny. I remember so many years hunting for the real eggs, and finding swimsuits or other summer outfits in our baskets. Then the big one...NKOTB (New Kids on the Block) tickets! Yes, I am dating myself, but we loved them! Man, the bunny has been good to us over the years! Such fun memories....just wish I had an old photo to post, I'm sure it would give you a good laugh! So, take lots of photos today...capture those memories you don't want to forget!

Wish we could celebrate with you all today! Have a great day (although not too much without Brian and I), and know that we're thinking of you all.

happy easter...

peace and love...

thanks mel...

for reminding me of more memories of grandma. See how amazing it is to recall funny stories and things from the past. You can do it...just write what you feel. So cool to reminisce with you. How could I forget all the hours on video that grandma had taken...especially since I could barely watch without getting sick! And berry picking along the side of the road in the hot sun...yum. I LOVED the berry cobbler too...one of my favorites. Would love to get my hands on that recipe...

OK family, who has more memories to share. Let me hear them, and I'll post them here. Such great times had by all...together as Roses. So cool...

Crazy day at school today...I think the approaching full moon is already taking effect. I never really believed in that until I became a teacher. Now I really feel it each month! yipes! Crazy kids today...

Off to fold more laundry and get ready for bed. I miss and love you all...peace...

one of those days...

I'm having one of those days...after receiving a certified letter in the mail from my uncle, I broke down. Can't seem to shake the sadness I feel even after a month of loosing my Grandma Rose. Sounds crazy, I know. My mind keeps flooding with memories and thoughts...so I wanted to get them down before I forget...before time takes them from my mind...

-Our birthday trips to the mall...Each year Granpa and Grandma Rose would take us to the mall and out to dinner. We were allowed to choose whatever gifts we wanted. I remember always paying attention to the amount of money spent, not wanting them to spend too much on me. I also remember them letting me drive their van! Yep, crazy...I was scared, but loved every minute of it.

-Playing outside...riding 4 wheelers...hours in the fields during hay season (well, we just watched or rode the tractors)...time spent in the barn with the cows...without a care in the world...together as a family.

-The peach trees that lined the long driveway...Although I cant remember really ever eating too many, the trees will always be in my mind...lined a row.

-Apple cider in the fall...even though I'm pretty sure it should have been cleaned, we didnt care. Lots of crushing, picking, eating (I love the green ones) and laughing...such fun times.

-Grandmas gentle nature...always smiling, laughing (especially at all of us), and loving. I never doubted for a second that she loved me...and all of us. Just the way she cried tears of joy each time we saw her, and those of sadness as we departed. True and geniune love and pride of each of us...during good times and bad...and without reservation.

-Ok, on to a funny thought...her choice of clothing! Yes, my grandma loved to wear red and purple...together...sometimes even purple panty hose! Although we laughed, we were still proud to be with her anywhere.

-My grandma the "peace keeper"...along with her gentle nature, she always tried to keep the peace during arguements or through difficult times. Although I could read her thoughts, she would remain "neutral" to keep everyone happy...never wanting to see her family upset. I guess I have inherited some of that, especailly with my job...and I know that Kelly is just like her in this way. Always sweet with never a mean thing to say...just like grandma.

-Full of pride...when I think of my grandma, pride is the first word that comes to mind. She was a proud wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, volunteer and so much more. That's the statement I heard the most during the visitation..."your grandma was so proud of all of you"...yes, she was so proud...just as we were of her.

Grandma, Thanks for all the memories...I feel lucky to have had you for 30 years! I love you and miss you so much!

Although I could go on for days, time will not allow. I'm off to work...and am actually looking forward to it. The creative aspect allows me to let go...such a freeing feeling. Ahhh...

Thanks to you Brian...for being here for me today and always. I can't imagine my life without you! Thanks for loving my "art" just as much as I do. It is fun to look back and reminisce...

wishing you a day full of peace and love... 

a year in review...

A new year is here...crazy and exciting all at the same time. As a child I never believed when people said that time would go fast, but it seems to move faster as the years pass. I've been refeflecting about 2006 today, with lots of random thoughts moving through my head. Here are just some of the memories of 2006...thanks to everyone for making it so memorable...

my 30th, Alexis, GA

wreck, Ty, E&B 6 yrs.

friends & fun

cku, ou grad, C & R

pool, tallstacks & GA

family, friends & Pub

Alexis, Vegas fun

  Uno & Christmas

Looking back at these photos reminds me how important spending time with family and friends is to me. I hope that this new year is full of family fun...and time spent with each of you! I miss and love you all...

wishing you a new year filled with peace, love and time spent together...

Memories...

Just wanted to share some memories that have been flooding my mind today...memories of Bo. As most of you know, he was taken from us too soon in December of 2002. Today, is his birthday. I've been remembering him all day, so I thought I'd share my favorite memories...man, we all miss him...

• Anytime I hear the Beach Boys I remember singing along to the tapes..."Help Me Ronda" was one of our favorites...but we loved them all...
• Learning to play pool and fooseball...such fun times with a great teacher...
• The "Wizard of Oz"...we'd always say we wouldn't make Bo watch the flying monkey part (he hated it), but we'd turn it on just to scare him...
• Vacations...the "Baldinos" would rock the house...complete with matching t-shirts, etc. (Yes, we all wore matching shirts with that crazy name on them...all while learning to hang spoons from our noses in restaurants!)
• As a girl, we all remember wearing a bra for the first time...well, I was very nervous about it (not that I needed it)...who do you think was the first to "snap" it? Yep, it was Bo. Crazy that I've never forgot that...too funny...
• So many laughs...too many to count...

Thanks Bo for all the memories...we miss you!

Happy Birthday with love...

Alma Mater OHIO...

Ohio University, Athens OHIO

South Green...The place I became me...

Brian and I took Uno for a short walk to get the mail (a favorite activity for her), and we were happy to see our 3 copies of Ohio Today. Yes, we get 3 copies...long story. Anyway, I was immediately taken back as I saw this image on the cover. South Green...one of my favorite photos, and a place filled with so many memories....

Sept. 1994... The sun was shining as we made our journey to Ohio University...and Brown Hall on the South Green. As we arrived...I was filled with so many emotions...anxiety, excitement, fear and joy. (Little did I know that I would fall in love with Athens.\ so quickly). Of course, parking was crazy (as I soon learned was normal). The drive to Athens seemed like it took forever, but as we got closer I somewhat wished we had more time together... before this new adventure began. We finally arrived at room 224...while meeting many friendly faces along the way.  Mom, Kelly, Cory, Grandma with the Boys, Grandpa and Grandma Rose helped me unload the van, and we began to unpack. If wasn't long until we were "asked" to move the van from the lawn...or receive a ticket! Yep, I think that was when my driving issues began! Anyway, while unpacking I finally got to meet one of my roommates, Melissa. (We had another for a while...long story). I was thrilled to share this space with someone so fun and nice, and we hit it off right away. Our families also connected, which made the experience even more real for me.

As the day progressed I was doing OK...coming to the realization that I would be staying...and my family would be traveling home...without me. It wasn't until Cory asked the following question that made me realize how much this change was impacting more than just me. While lying on my bed (on the top of triple bunks), Cory asked " Mom, does Erin have to spend the night here, or can she come home with us?" Wow. He really got it...and so did I. Although we had always been close, it wasn't until that moment that I knew how much he cared. I also wondered how I would make it without my family, but I knew in my heart I would succeed...

Saying good-bye was hard for me. I tried so hard to be strong, but I did shed a few tears as the van pulled away. I'll never forget the tight hugs and expressions of pride...as my family...drove back home to Cadiz, and left me to find my new home at OU. Such mixed emotions...a new beginning...a goal to reach...for me...for my family...for my "mentor" (the reason I became a bobcat)...for my future...a place to make new friends and create LOTS of memories...to place to learn about me...

It's amazing that I can still remember those feelings to this day...and the same emotions that came along with them. It seems that this years OU Homecoming theme sums up how I was feeling on my first day... "Make this the year you come home." Little did I know how true that would be...back in the fall of 1994...

peace, love and bobcat pride...

memories new & old...

Well, I made it to the weekend. And...Brian and I had "date night!" Can you believe it, I can hardly myself! After a VERY long and challenging week for both of us (especially Brian), we decided to go to the Pub for dinner last night. Fun atmosphere, fried pickles and Brian's favorite beer...Bellhaven (among others). The weather was cool and crisp as we sat outside under a huge heater. I loved it. Next stop after dinner... Starbucks. Yum. The weather had me in the mood for my fall favorite...caramel apple cider! Man, I love that stuff! As we were walking to the car, we both commented on the fall-like weather...and our own memories of the smell ( and taste) of apple cider. Buckle up...we're heading down memory lane...

Brian's memories of apple cider...the smell of it cooking at the Cadiz coal festival. Although he never drank it, the smell of my Starbucks favorite took him back to that place. Back to a time when the tough choices in life were what to wear and who your homecoming date was going to be (harder decision for him than me...I had no choices!) Wow...things sure change with adulthood...

My memories of apple cider...making homemade apple cider at Grandpa and Grandma Rose's house. The whole family would be there...gathering apples, and preparing them to be "crushed" into yummy cider. Not only cider, but pies, etc. I can almost remember the taste...somewhat sour, yet sweet fresh from the apples in the wooden press. Such amazing times together...as a family. My other favorite memories of apples...eating LOTS of green ones from the trees in the back yard! I remember Kelly, Jason (our only neighbor and best friend) and I eating them all the time...even before they were ripe. So sour and tart...but so good to me. Such fun memories. No wonder I still prefer green apples to red ones...

I'm so grateful for our date night...and the opportunity to create new memories, as well as share the old. What are your favorite memories of fall? I'd love to hear them. Since Brian and I LOVE fall, I'm sure they'll be many more memories to come...

Must get ready for work at Scraps. Feeling inspired and ready to be creative...maybe tomorrow I'll actually create something? Hmmm... Have a great Saturday! I miss you all...

laya...

Edit: I forgot to mention what song I was singing in my head during dinner. Next to the Pub is a mexican restaurant...and the music sounded just like my favorite band song...Bet Mel and Dave can guess...Malaguena! (Hope I spelled it right!) It sounded so similar, that I've been singing it and going over the "show" in my head since last night. Man, the emotion we felt while playing that song. Awesome. For those that don't know...YES, I was a band geek...and loved it all.

Down memory lane...

Memories...I love when my mind is flooded as I am doing something as simple as preparing something to eat...hence the sandwich maker photo. Kelly, Cory, Holly & Dave...prepare for a trip down memory lane...

Here's the story: After working out at the gym (Yes, I did it!) for the first time in weeks, I came home craving Chef Boyardee pizza. I know...not the best to most people, but I really love it. Something about the sauce with mini pepperoni. Anyway, since I had just worked out (its hard after a break) I decided against the pizza. So, the healthier alternative...a pizza bun. I even used a whole wheat bun and light cheese...so proud of myself. As I opened the jar of pizza sauce (Ragu to be exact), I was reminded of all of the "sandwich maker" late night snacks we had as kids. I think every weekend we spent at my Dad & Sandy's house involved yummy snacks using the sandwich maker. My favorite...pizza ones! Yum. I remember each of us taking turns cooking, but Dave was really the best at it. We always got up (even though we hadn't gone to sleep yet) to eat and watch late night TV. We tried so hard to be quiet, but I am certain we probably made lots of noise...but the best kind.  Laughing...and sharing silly moments together...as a family. I cannot remember a single fight or argument between us during these times...just the 5 of us together...growing up and loving each other. Pure fun. It's crazy how this memory came back as I opened the jar...and smelled the sauce. Amazing...

Such a fun memory...here's to many more trips down memory lane...and a trip to Target to buy a sandwich maker! :)

I love you guys...