Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Thankful Thursday
- When I dropped Parker off at daycare this morning, he ran to the corner (where the radio was) and danced with his friends. A good drop-off in the morning makes the whole day (for me) ten times better.
- God is stirring the hearts of Matt and I for something big. And it is overwhelming. And it is confusing. And yes, even a little stressful. But I will take this any day over no stirring at all.
- I love my job. No really, I do.
- We have two fun families coming over for dinner tomorrow night. God has given us some sweet friendships here at seminary and we are thankful to have them in this part of our journey.
- Our membership to the Fort Worth Zoo may win best purchase of the year. I am probably a little too excited about going to "Donuts & Dinosaurs" this Saturday morning with the family. Parker loves both of those things, and I am looking forward to watching him enjoy it all.
- Matt made brownies Tuesday night and I am still enjoying them. They are the bomb.com. And so is Matt.
- The crock pot is my best friend.
- I get to go to chapel at least once a week. At work. Yes, I am paid to go corporately worship my Heavenly Father and be challenged by a godly message.
- It's 10 o'clock and I'm about to go to bed.
Good night.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Yee-Haw!
Last Saturday morning Matt had a youth camp planning meeting in Denton, so Parker and I ran some errands together and then ended up at the mall so Parker could run off some energy. Does your mall have a kid's play area? I don't think I've ever understood why a mall would have a play area in it until I became a mama. We are so thankful for one close to us. It is often visited by the Dugan family at least once a weekend. Here's an actual pic of Ridgmar Mall's play area:
After naptime was over and Matt got home from Denton we decided we wanted to find something different to do. So, after a quick look online, we decided to head down to the Stockyards. We had been there once before, but it was over a year ago and Parker was so little then. With his love of cows and horses (well, really any animals) we thought he would love it.
Well...we were right!
Every day at 11:30 am & 4:00 pm they have a cattle drive through the streets of the Stockyards. We got there right around 3:45 and staked out a spot on the shady side of the street. Parker was so good and loved watched the big cows walk by.
We ran around in the grass in front of the Exchange building.
We walked around inside Billy Bob's Honky Tonk.
We ate some Texas Twisters. We are health nuts, I tell ya!
The highlight, though? Parker had his first pony ride. No, this isn't him in the pic above. I am the bad momma who came totally unprepared to document this awesome occasion. Parker kept on saying he wanted to ride the horses, but I really was unsure. Not a safety reason, I just didn't want to pony up the $6 (pun intended) if he was gonna freak out when we tried to put him on the horse. But, he insisted he really wanted to do it, so we went for it. And our little cowboy loved it! He held on tight and just rode around, smiling at me every time he passed. Matt walked alongside him and held on to his back, but eventually Parker told him he could do it by himself. So, Matt let go, but kept walking beside him for "moral support." ;) We were able to get him to say "Yee-Haw" a couple of times, but it was so quiet, you almost couldn't hear him. I think he was too busy concentrating on the task at hand.
All that to say, we had a great time at the Stockyards and vowed not to wait so long before the next visit.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Back in the Saddle?
Maybe we can compromise?
Highlights: Erin got a job at a local church, Parker started at a great daycare, Parker started walking, Matt became the Associate Pastor at Central Baptist Church, Erin got a new job at the seminary which means free school for Matt(!!!), We took 10 kids to youth camp at Camp Copass, Matt quit his plumbing job at the seminary and became a FWISD bus driver, Erin got a promotion at the seminary which means health insurance now, too (!!!!!!!), We made great friends through Erin's work (shout out to the dinner club!), We spent Thanksgiving in Houston with the Parker family, We were one of the crazies who got up for Black Friday (like 4:00 am crazy), We had a great time in Austin for Christmas and had a blast watching Parker "actively participate" in opening presents, We spent New Years in Temple with the Williams (for the 4th year in a row!), Parker began talking up a storm, Matt's grandmother passed away in Florida and Matt officiated the funeral, SNOW (like "shut-the-whole-world-down-for-4-days" kind of snow), Matt turned 29 (whoa...), Parker turned 2 (whoa again) and tons of more fun (and maybe not-so-fun) things thrown in between it all.
All that to say (and that is a WHOLE lot to say, for sure), we are firmly planted here in Fort Worth. We have come to accept and love our new home. Matt is really enjoying school here at SWBTS and we cannot believe that we are almost halfway done! The Lord has been so good to us during this time. We have not wanted for anything, and all of our needs have been provided for.
I did our 2010 taxes the other day and we had 8 W-2's between the 2 of us. Yeesh! After putting in all that information, though, we still made less money last year than any other year of our married life (including our first, which I was in college for the first 5 months of that year). Some people would look at that and think what a shame; they have gone backwards! But all I can think is: Our God is an awesome God! Look what He has done! He has provided for our every need and we give Him all the glory!
I'm gonna let this "catch-up" post sit for a little bit, but I've already got some blogs coming up soon...so come back now, ya hear?!?!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
State of the Union...
Matt started school last Thursday and is really enjoying classes so far. He also started working at the seminary as a Plumbing Assistant last week. I guess those five years of working at Ferguson are paying off. :) He works every afternoon from 1-5 pm and enjoys working at a job that he doesn't have to "take home" with him.
I am still on the job hunt. It has been a discouraging time, but I have been praying for God to bring me to just the right job. Matt and I know without a doubt that God wants us here and has opened doors to make it happen. So, we also know that He wouldn't bring us here to fail and flounder. I had a job interview a while back, but ended up not getting the job. However, yesterday I had an interview at a local church to serve as the financial secretary. And then this morning I interviewed for a job on campus at the seminary. Both of these jobs are just part-time, but with the possiblity of turning into more. I am definitely hoping for the "more." I would love to find a full-time, great paying job, but trying to be patient through the process.
It is definitely a time (already) where we are being stretched. Especially financially. We have had no cash-flow this month, so we are being super tight with our money. Of course, this is never a bad way to be. We just are not used to not getting to spend a penny. We drove around this past Saturday and I was so excited seeing all of the fun restaurants and stores that I love. Such a big change from little ol' Temple. But then I realized that we don't have any money to go to any of those places, so it's kind of a mute point. :)
We have made some friends in our apartment complex already, which is nice. I have been so worried about making new friends, but I think there are going to be many chances to meet new families. The people who live right below us are very nice and we have gotten together with them a couple of times. It's great because we can put Parker down at 7, lock the front door, and then go down to their apartment and play games or talk (with the monitor sitting right next to us, of course). Also, the girl right below us has offered to watch Parker once I get a job. Talk about convenient and such an answered prayer! Matt and I both had looked at childcare places, but didn't find a place that felt just "right." And childcare is so expensive! So this girl will be cheaper, too. How great!
We visited a local church this past Sunday and went to their young married class. We enjoyed the church, but it kind of made us miss our church that much more. We miss our friends and church family so much and are realizing that it's just going to take time to build the connections and relationships that we had in Temple. We will continue to visit around but hope to find a church home quickly! We are ready to commit and connect.
Matt and I are enjoying life without TV. I can't believe I just said that. But, it's true. Life is a little more simple here. Last night, we were feeding Parker dinner and putting the finishing touches on ours. I had turned iTunes on our computer and we were enjoying the music. Unfortunately, as I was pulling a pan out of the oven I set it on top of a stovetop that was set on high. Oops! To get the burnt smell out of our apartment we opened up the windows and the door. The cool breeze felt great and David Crowder was blaring, so we just danced and sang. Yes, all three of us. We got Parker out of his highchair too. Such a simple, silly moment, but one we got to enjoy because of no other distractions. No work to bring home, no TV in the background, no running off to one activity or another. It's just us, and I kind of like it like that.
Monday, December 21, 2009
Erin...
In all seriousness, though, I really am hoping to become a better blogger. Matt, Parker, and I are embarking on a new "adventure" beginning in January. I will blog about that soon. But, I did want to do a "2009 Year in Review." I think the best way to do review this past year is by reading all of my facebook statuses. So...here we go.
Erin...
January
is so happy that her mom came up to help get Parker's nursery together. It looks so cute!
is thinking working part-time might not be too bad. ;)
is watching the dramatic UT game!
has a little boy dancing in her belly!
had a great week!
is sick! Ugh!
is on the mend - thank goodness!
is hoping for a productive weekend!
is thinking how wrong it is that she doesn't have tomorrow off. I'm down with MLK!
is OVER being pregnant. Ha!
is being a tad bit lazy. OK...more than a tad bit.
is excited about a night out with the hubby! 2 more weeks 'til baby time!
is tired of people telling her how huge she is. Yes, that is usually what happens when you have another human being in your belly.
is thankful.
is excited - Parker is due one week from today!
February
- oh Monday...
is hoping Parker makes his debut on his own so that he's not born on Friday the 13th!
- this is the day I've been counting down towards for the past 9 months. Yet, here I am at home doing my taxes...
is playing the waiting game.
is still waiting...
is t-minus 4.5 hours until hospital check-in. Let's get this show on the road!
is wide awake listening to Parker's heartbeat on the monitor
is sorry for the confusion. Getting ready to take a nap and enjoy the epideral. Parker is too content in my belly still. Will update with good news...
is beyond blessed with a wonderful husband and a precious baby boy!
is tired and sore, but so in love with Parker!
is ready for Matt's week off!
is tired.
March
is starting to feel somewhat human again. :)
is bummed that her attempt to go to Sunday School this morning failed. Hopefully next week...
is watching Parker stare at the ceiling fan.
is listening to the rain and wishing Parker was tired.
can't believe that Parker is already a month old!
is off to bed and setting the alarm for 2:00 am. Can't wait for Parker to gain some weight so I don't have to set my alarm anymore!
can't believe I go back to work in a week and a half. Where did the time go???
At 5 weeks old, Parker is finally over his birth weight. Yay!
Sleepy...
got some great sleep last night thanks to her wonderful hubby!
trying to enjoy this peaceful Monday morning with Parker. It will be my last one for a long time!
is excited that her dad is on his way up to visit Parker.
is watching Parker kick his right leg continuously.
is so ready for a haircut. I need something new!
is getting things done. Being productive for the first time in a while feels good! :)
has dish-pan hands from constantly washing bottles. Seriously?
still has not mastered how to fold fitted sheets and my son sleeps with his eyes open. Random, I know.
April
was only 30 minutes late to work today. Not too bad...
just had a surprise "Welcome Back" party thrown for her. Yay for my sweet work friends!
is looking forward to heading to Austin tomorrow. First "road trip" with Parker!
had a good time at the park with her church family, but glad to be out of that crazy wind!
is wondering why it's so dang cold! C'mon springtime!
is hanging out with the Park-man. Life is good.
is in Ft. Worth with the fam. Parker already loves to travel and is looking forward to his first trip to the zoo.
is thankful for the cross.
is had a wonderful, relaxing Easter Sunday with friends and family.
had a wonderful, relaxing Easter Sunday with friends and family.
had a very eventful diaper change this morning. Don't be jealous.
is excited and nervous about Parker's two-month checkup tomorrow. Excited to see how much he's grown, but dreading the shots!
is glad the shots are done. Now Parker is just sleeping the pain away.
is finally updating her blog. And making a resolution to be better at keeping it updated.
just cleaned all of the maternity clothes out of her closet.
just cleared all of the maternity clothes out of my closet. Boy, that feels good.
has a baby on her right (Parker) who is oblivious to the storms and a baby on her left (Lizzie) who is scared to death. Ha!
is listening to the second set of storms. Tons of rain! Yay! And Parker is just sleeping the day away. I think the guy must be going through a growth spurt.
just spent the afternoon on a blanket in the backyard with her two boys. Life is good.
is at home with a very congested little boy!
and Parker are wearing orange and praying for Stellan today. You should too! www.mycharmingkids.net
is working hard for the money. Or something like that.
is bummed because Parker officially has bronchitis. And the little guy is miserable.
wishes Matt stayed home every Friday. It's much more fun this way.
If taking a nap 2 hours after waking up is wrong, I don't wanna be right.
is losing weight...in my wrists. Really? Why not my thighs, or stomach, or butt?
is waiting for her husband to get home from putting toilets in people's yards so that we can finish watching The Biggest Loser.
is hoping no one saw her, Parker, and Lizzie trying to get in and out of the car at Petsmart.
May
is excited about May! 1st Mother's Day, 5th Wedding Anniversary, and my 27th Birthday!
is having such a fun day with Parker, and actually being productive, too. ;)
is looking forward to spending the weekend with my two boys.
is loving that we just got a jogging stroller off of Craigslist for $25!
is so thankful to Parker for making me a mommy. It's the best! Happy Mother's Day!
just got "shredded" by Jillian Michaels. I only said "I can't do this anymore" about 20 times. Not too shabby. :)
can't believe Parker is 3 months old today!
5 years ago today I married my best friend!
is watching the Survivor finale and gearing up for another week.
loves putting Parker to bed in the evenings. It is such a sweet time rocking him, listening to praise music, and praying over him.
is excited about the weekend. Date night tonight, shopping with Sarah tomorrow, celebrating my birthday with my family on Sunday, and grilling with friends on Monday.
Thanks for all the birthday comments! Had a great day, now I'm enjoying a day off with the family and a cookout with friends tonight.
is very sad after watching Jon & Kate Plus 8. I think it's time to end the show and focus on their marriage and family.
totally smells like fried fish. Lunch was good, but the after-smell...not so much.
Parker is down for a nap. Now it's time to clean up...my DVR. :)
finally saw Slumdog Millionaire. So good!
has a babysitter coming over tonight to watch Parker while we go to a wedding. And it makes me feel a little old, hiring a babysitter, and all. :)
June
Hello June. Where did you come from?
is proud of Parker for rolling over all by himself!
had a great time sailing on the lake with old friends. Too bad my back is as red as a tomato!
had a great time skating with my church family.
Just got thrown back in time by listening to some old music on our iTunes. Isn't it funny how a melody can bring back a memory...
is waiting on the storm...
is excited about heading to Austin tomorrow to see family!
can't believe Parker is 4 months old today! Where has the time gone?
thinks it's funny that Parker is in the 60th percentile for his weight & height, but in the 95th percentile for head size. :)
VBS, VBS, Preteen Camp, Parent's Night Out, VBS, Family Road Trip, VBS, VBS. Yep, that's what's on my mind.
is doing some prep work for Matt's Father's Day lunch. I'm doing two things that I've never done before. We'll see how this goes....
is thankful for an awesome dad and also an awesome husband who is the best dad to Parker! I'm blessed to have both of these men in my life.
is remembering last Father's Day when I first told my dad I was pregnant (with Parker). And if I was a little more patient, it would have been the perfect time to tell Matt, too. But, instead, I called him at work on the Friday prior while I was in Ft.
is ready for life to slow down a little bit. I just submitted some vacation time for the end of July to SLEEP!!! :)
is SICK! It's 3:47 am and I am just trying to make it through the longest night ever. UGH!
thinks that "The Dugan Family Stomach Bug of Summer '09" is done. Please, Lord, let it be so!
has something new for the history books: I actually forgot to eat lunch today. What is that all about? I used to make fun of people who told me they forgot to eat lunch. Because, really, how can you forget about food?
had a great day so far shopping with Mom and Parker. Now we're off to hang out with some fun friends. Boy, I love Saturdays!
is packing for preteen camp. I am not the best packer - I always pack way too much!
is excited about camp this week, but dreading being away from Parker all week long. I can do this, right?
is having a great time at camp! Looking forward to what this week has in store for our group.
July
is ready for this last day of camp. It's been tons of fun!
just registered 40 kiddos for CentriKid next year. Austin College, June 21-25, 2010. Can't wait!!!
is reunited...and it feels so good! Celebrating the 4th in Austin with Matt's fam. The post-camp laundry can wait.
It looks like VBS just threw up in our Sanctuary. 6 days and counting!!!
It's a VBS madhouse up here today! 2 days and counting!! AAHHH!!
T-Minus 4 hours!! Let's do this thing!
So..I survived Day 1 of VBS. And - Parker is 5 months old today!
had an awesome week at VBS! 8 professions of faith - totally makes up for the long hours and 42 trips to Wal-mart! :)
is off for the rest of the week! Down in Austin right now and I just got my hair chopped off. Lovin' it!
is back from "vacation" in Austin and getting ready for date night with the hubby tonight. Yay!
is getting her new Iphone set up. Thanks brother!
is sitting on the couch playing with her new phone next to Matt who is playing with his phone. P is sleeping and we are choosing not to be productive with the free time.
is looking forward to visiting family this weekend.
August
is heading home from a fun weekend with the very extended fam. AND on the car ride home we just spotted Parker's first tooth!
is on her way home from church. Matt preached tonight and did awesome!
is praying for Parker as he gets tubes in his ears tomorrow morning! Trying not to be an anxious momma is tough.
is already back from Parker's procedure. Everything went well and he is sleeping away. We did get some smiles in between, though.
Yummy dinner with great friends! http://twitpic.com/ct5lv
Parker is a sick little boy right now. Everything seems to be bothering him all at once. Hoping normal returns soon!
is making plans!
Man, I sure do miss college sometimes.
At the dermatogist. Can't wait to explain my many, many sunburns. Dang you, pasty skin!
cannot believe my Parker is 6 months old today!
Received 2 tickets in the mail today for Monday Night Football on October 26th. Can't wait! http://twitpic.com/ds5b9
Waiting for P's 6 month checkup. Don't think he'll be too excited when he's woken up by shots in his chubby thighs. http://twitpic.com/e9za0
Bet no one can find the package on our front porch. Thanks UPS for hiding it for us. http://twitpic.com/eewl9
just got done taking Parker's 6 month pics. Browsing around Barnes & Noble while they are being printed. Parker is passed out in the stroller from looking so cute. :)
Come back to me high school Spanish! I need to pay better attention when printing out school supply lists! http://twitpic.com/equ99
is pumped about date night tonight. $5 babysitting + Genghis Grill + "Julie & Julia" = fabulosity! :)
Saturday mornings are the best! http://twitpic.com/eubaz
If you are not teeth or peas, then Parker likes you. If you ARE the aforementioned, beware the wrath of Parker!
Having a sick day with Parky. He had to get a steroid shot yesterday. Hope it helps! http://twitpic.com/fh75v
Spotted this sign at Temple College. Looks like Chipotle is coming to to little ol' Temple. Sweet! http://twitpic.com/fzkea
September
is at Ninfa's in Waco. Yummy food but they've got warm salsa. Ugh! I definitely prefer my salsa cold, thankyouverymuch!
So, Dr. Patterson's office at SWBTS is a trip! http://twitpic.com/gfmqk
Is having a great time at SWBTS preview day. We have already met some really neat people and are excited to see what God is going to do through it all!
Is off to the Stockyards for some BBQ.
is happy to be back home. Rainy afternoon, breakfast for dinner, and football on TV. Ahh...life is good!
Rain cancelled trip to Austin but today's mail makes up for it! http://twitpic.com/hcxlh
A fun time with the fam in Austin today, steady and much needed rain all day long, and now Parker is in dreamland while Matt and I are watching season 5 of The Office. Life is good!
My boy is 7 months old today! Whoa nelly!
This weather is amazing!!
Big garage sale in the morning with some friends. If you wake up at 7:30 in the morning with a hankering for a good deal, come see us! Waterbury Court in Temple.
1 month until VACATION!!
Listed our house on Friday and we have our first "lookers" today in about an hour and a half. Yay!
Well, our first "lookers" became our first people to put down an offer. We accepted it and signed the contract this morning. If all goes well with the inspection we will no longer be homeowners as of October 23rd!
October
Having a great time at the Song of Solomon conference in Austin. Way past my bedtime, though!
loves watching Parker clap his hands. It's a fun new "trick" he's learned.
It's now official! The house is sold and we are closing in 2.5 weeks. And now it's time for the dreaded packing and actual moving.... :)
Having a great day with my crawling, clapping, 5 tooth having 8 month old!
RT @JohnPiper: One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.
Vacation planning. We leave in 5 days! http://twitpic.com/mbd7x
Going over to our house to give it a good cleaning. We close tomorrow at noon. Is it weird that I wanted to sell our house so badly, but now I am sad about it? I'm feeling a little homesick and vagabondish. :/
People watching at the DFW airport. Heading out to DC soon!
PERFECT weather for a day walking around the National Mall.
Sooo tired. We got home from the game last night at 12:30 and had a 5:15 wake-up call to be at the White House tour this morning. We are now laying in bed and just ordered dessert from room service. Looks like an early night for the Dugans.
Going jacket-less today. Hope I don't regret it!
Training for our Segway tour. So excited!
We are in the planetarium in the Air & Space Museum and Matt is snoring right next to me.
November
thinks the best age is 8 months, 2 weeks, and 5 days!
Praying for all of those affected in the shooting at Ft Hood. Will you pray too?
Wishing I was watching the big game, but instead we are in the ER. Parker is pretty sick and they are talking about admitting him.
Parker is still in the hospital because his RSV is still beating his little body up. They are giving him an IV right now because his fluid intake has been very poor. We are hoping his breathing will improve and his fever will be gone very soon!
Things are looking up around here! After a good night's rest, Parker is feeling better. The IV fluids seem to have helped a lot. He is now unhooked from everything and as long as he still feels well this afternoon, we're gonna get outta here!
We are free! Parker is slowly returning to normal, and he gets to do the rest of his healing at home. Thanks for all of your prayers and support - they were definitely felt!
Parker is on the mend, however Matt is home with a yucky stomach bug. We like to keep things "exciting" here in the Dugan house.
December
Is bleary eyed from filling out job applications. Trying to be patient through the process but typing the same thing over and over (and over) again gets old quickly.
Item #283 we could use right now but is in storage - cookie cooling racks. I need them for four dozen cookies I'm baking today for a cookie exchange tonight. Any inventive ideas?
Parker and I are off to Target. We love it so much we bleed red. Oh wait...
Holy cow...I can't watch.
RT @prodigaljohn: My definition of "comfort zone" might be God's definition of "stagnant." Me doing things I know how to do over & over.
Ugh. Not fun. http://twitpic.com/tqum0