BONUS!

My sister and her family happened to come to Cali while I was there, and after the wedding I got to go meet them at the beach for a few hours. It was so great to see them all!


Andrea and I. She fell and hurt her lip their first night there. :(














Momma and Andrea. Lori is my oldest sister and she lives in Arizona.













Baby bruver, otherwise known as Junior. :) Isn't that one of the most amazing faces you've seen? I couldn't stop kissing him.










Andrea and I had lots of fun making sand castles and jumping over waves coming in. Her laughter is SO infectious!

August

It's only the 17th, but it feels like the month is almost over. I'll do my best to give a quick recap of what's happened lately, and tell a little bit of what's on the horizon for Erica Smith.

It all started by going to California for two fabulous weeks of fun and wedding festivites with Amy and Monica, and of course, Pat too. The first couple days were spent packing the girls shared apartment, moving Amy and Pat to their new one and Monica to her new one, and cleaning the old one cleaner than it's ever been. :) All of this involved morning coffee runs, late nights, lots of heavy lifting, and millions of ascended and descended stairs. Needless to say we were all dirty, sweaty, and pretty unattractive for these first several days.

The beginning of the next week was great! We got Amy and Pat somewhat settled into their new place, with Mon and I taking over their guest room with our bags and such. The highlight of these days, for me, were the nightly 'hand and foot' games we'd play. It was Mon and I vs. Amy and Pat, and inspite of my serious handicaps (not having played in two years) we held our own. We also went to their church, followed by the beach, and pretty much just relaxed. We started looking and smelling a lot better too. :) Oh yeah, and went to Taco Tuesday at Over the Boarder for 99 cent tacos!

On Wednesday, before the wedding, Amy's college roommate Jana got in town and Pat and I got to meet her for the first time. It was magical. :) Seriously, she's great and I loved getting to know her. Then on Thursday all but one of the groomsmen flew in. Three of them had been in China with Pat at one time or another, so we all had a lot to talk about, and it was so much fun spending time all together. That night we girls went to a Jo Dee Messina concert that was great, except for the crazy pushing lady next to us. Friday we all went to the beach and then hung out at Amy and Pat's that night. Saturday was the rehearsal and dinner, which was super great and fun, and then... the wedding day!

Okay, the big day. Everything turned out just right: the flowers, the weather, the number of people, the food. It was just great. The bride, gorgeous and glowing, was relaxed and the groom was handsome and could hardly keep his hands off his wife. I was seriously impressed by the photographer, the dancing was fun, and Monica's toast was touching and funny. She's brilliant. The day was one of the happiest I've had, and I was so thankful to be a part of it.
Finally, it was over. The day was done. Amy and Pat headed off to Mexico for their honeymoon, and Monica and I enjoyed one last night and morning together. It was really strange saying goodbye and going back to Missouri, like I was time traveling or something. A couple friends took me to the airport and now, here I am, back in my classroom working away. And by working I mean, blogging. :) School starts next Thursday and I've met a few of the kiddos already. Not sure I'm ready, but when are we ever really ready for transitions in our lives? I'm still thinking a lot about boundaries for myself, which things to keep and which to let go of. I'm looking forward to a fun and fruitful school year, and listening for God's continued direction in my life. Hope you enjoyed the saga.

saying "no"

I like very much to think that I'm in control of my life, and in some cases, other people's lives as well. Disgusting, but true. I value my independence, my ability to get things done, my efficiency, my common sense. If there's one thing, or four things, that drive me crazy, it's when other people don't possess these same qualities. I see it as a weakness, and that's when I swoop in to save the day. Again, quite disgusting, but I'm just trying to be honest here. The sad thing is that I don't always realize the affect that such attitudes and beliefs are having on me, until it's too late.

Right now is a too late. Because I think God and others need so much of my help, this spring and summer I have or will sing in five weddings. I'm leading the music for vbs at my church. I'm going to countless wedding, engagement, and baby showers. I'm babysitting for people. I'm going to going away parties, birthday parties, and hang outs. I went to South Dakota, St. Louis, and Kansas City just in June. I'm going to California in August. I need to get in my classroom and get some things done. My car is a mess. I need to get my bridesmaids dress altered and buy shoes, and get a haircut. The list goes on.

I thought I was fine with all of this, until the last week or so. Every night I lie down and just lay there, each of these things racing through my mind, contemplating when to get it all done, which is most important, how much each costs, who I may disappoint, what people will think of me as I perform in each task. Sick. I lay there for an hour or more, my mind like a runaway train, a growing feeling of anxiety and helplessness. Last night at small group I felt frustrated and irritated the whole time, because we were talking about all these deep philosophical things, when I felt so down in the dirty trenches. I felt disconnected and alone. I tried presenting the things to God, asking Him to help me receive His peace, relaxing my body. All the time my jaw is periodically cramping, sending shooting pains up into my head. Clearly, I was nowhere near in control of anything, but my straining to grasp at everything was driving me to this miserable state.

I called Monica at almost one in the morning, my time. I poured out everything to her listening, compassionate ear, and finally had to hear something from her that I knew was true the second she said it. "You have to say no to some things, Erica!" But that means some people might be disappointed in me. They might question my ability to "handle" things. They might not find someone else to do the thing they asked me to do. Someone else may not be able to do it as well. God's will might not be done!!! Hello, Erica!!! I've made a god of myself. Mon encouraged me to drop some things right away and I decided on a few I could do. I didn't go to vbs today, and I'm not going to my friend's photog. studio open house tonight. They seem like little things, but they mean I have to trust God to work in Abby with the music today, and trust that I'll be okay without the social interaction of the open house tonight. It was hard, but I did it.

As a result, I got to run by my school and talk with my principal, drop off my car for a much needed oil change, and walk to Panera to just relax and get caught up with people. Tonight I plan on hanging out at the house. I'm exhausted from not sleeping last night, feel emotionally unstable, but more at rest than I have in a while. I'm trying to think into the school year and what things I need to say no to. Can I juggle teaching, school activities, taking classes, leading a discipleship group, going to small group, leading worship for church and other things, being on the mission's board, maintaining friendships...and still remain healthy and sane? NO! I say no!

And everything will be okay. God is so much greater than little old me or you. He loves us, he invites us into being a part of what he is doing, but he doesn't need us to accomplish His plans. A part of His plan is for us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Jesus didn't strive, he didn't worry, he didn't spend sleepless nights wondering how people were perceiving him or if they liked him. He sought the Father. He listened to the Spirit. He walked and lived in obedience. He had nothing and died a criminal's death, but the Father was well pleased from start to finish.

I got a digital camera! Like my friend Emily, I feel a little frustration at not being able to have a picture of me WITH my new camera, but oh well. :)
Here are a few pictures of life from the last week, taken of course with the afore mentioned camera.

Here's my cute little house. I'm hoping to paint one of the walls a dark brown before summer is over, but the days are flying by.

Kate, Maren and I outside Kate's house. Maren was gone in California for a week, and I was gone in St. Louis before that,

so I feel like I haven't talked to her in a coon's age. Gonna need to remedy that.

Jennifer Freeman and myself after lunch at her house on Sunday afternoon. Isn't that picture just awfully cute? I look forward to a lake date with her on Friday.

Timer pic with the new camera, during a super fun and impromptu game night. I got to hang out with some girls I don't often get to spend time with, which I loved! We had a fantastic meal outide, played Nerts and Mad Gab, and I ended up talking with two of them until 1:30 in the morning! Quite a fabulous night.

Abby and myself teaching the VBS kids our theme song, "God's Kids!" It's a spy kids type theme this year, and is quite tiring when all is said and done. Today we had 15 three and four

year olds. Phew!

Some of the crazy little guys we're hanging out with this week. This class won the competition for having the most friends invited today. They got to wear and keep those snazzy, bright hats and disguises.

Summer time!

My goodness, it's been quite along time since I've put any info on here about what's happening in my crazy little life! Believe me, there's been a lot going on, folks!
First of all, I went on a great weekend camping/floating trip with several wonderful friends from my small group.

The best part of the campout was jumping off this little cliff. It doesn't look very high, unless you're the one up there trying to get up the courage to leap off of it! After encouragment and patience from Rob, I did it!

The extremely low part of the trip would have to be when my stinking suit top broke, giving nearby canoers a bit of a free show. Amazingly I didn't get any beads or bills! :) Casey saved the day by single-handedly rowing us to safety, and my other swimsuit.














Secondly, Kate and I kept up the "end of year do something crazy to our bodies" tradition. That's right, we got tattooskies!!! Kate was as cool as a cucumber, going first and not flinching
once. No hand holding needed for her!

Here's Mikey getting the job done. We were pleasantly surprised to find him to be quite agreeable in every respect. Not a foul word or rude comment made.






It was a little different story for Miss Erica. After Kate's unflinchingness my courage was bolstered and I was ready to go!

After we were a few minutes into it, trying hard not to let myself whince or whine, I took a breath and told them it was hurting pretty badly, and asked if I was just a baby. Kate and Drea were quick to quip up with, "Yes." But Mikey proceeded to say that he hadn't wanted to tell me before that I'd chosen one of the most sensative parts of the body to tattoo.

Thanks, Mikey! Anyhoo, I made it through, with much hand squeezing, concentrated breathing, grimacing, and little breaks for a sip of my iced latte. The end result was well-worth it; a little tree symbolizing Psalm 1- the tree planted by streams of living water, who's leaves don't whither, and who bears fruit in season. Also, Jeremiah 9 (see the bottom of my blog page), and John 15 (abiding and all that).





Finally, Kate and I joined Harvest's annual trip to South Dakota, to minister to our friend Pastor King, who works on the Standing Rock reservation, in the village of Wakpala. Kate has a great blog on all this, which you can go to for further info. I'll just keep mine short and sweet, and say the best parts were growing closer to PK (Pastor King), and spending time with Harvest friends. Here are a few cute pics.


Kate, Sara and I on a walk












The younger end of our group.












Sara, me, Rand, and Kate











I should add a final note about the amount of weddings I've been singing in, but I don't want to depress myself. Not that I hate it, it's just the sheer volume of them of late. I mean, one every month since last October??? That's a little OTT don't you think?

Let the festivities begin...

The morning began with a wonderful shower. I mention this because it was made a million times better than normal by the NEW shower head my friend of all friends Kate got me! It was my first birthday present, given to me yesterday so I could enjoy it this morning.

The fabulous shower was followed by a delicious pancake breakfast, and my first present of the birthday day- this gorgeous windchime! Kate made every bit of it in her classroom and I love it the most of any present I've ever been given!

Once I got to school, dressed in my springy favorite green dress, Casey came to greet me and we took a birthday picture because we both looked so cute. :)

As the kids started filing in, the funniest and sweetest gifts came along with them. A graduation owl from 1999, some already used bath gel and lotion, a box of Little Debbie snack along with some cute earrings, a ring, a bracelet, some ceramic birds perching on branches, soft sleeping socks from Bath and Body, and a shooting marble. Of course, there were lots of homemade cards, and pictures were taken of all of it. Such thoughtful little kiddos I have!

My most challenging kid of the year came into the room before anyone else, surprised me, and sang the whole birthday song to me. Then he made up a reason why he needed to make a card "for his mom." After working for a while at his desk, he mysteriously disappeared and brought this with him when they came to the class. It was signed by all my kids, some of my other science kids, the principal, the nurse, our computer tech guy, and several other teachers. Amazing!




At lunch time, I was settling in to eat my bagel and fruit, and was in the process of showing off my windchime to Erin, when Kate walked through the door! She brought Thai food for Casey, herself, and I! I wasn't expecting it at all and already felt so spoiled. It was perfect. Along with the lunch, she brought the funniest present ever! A personalized Kleenex box, with pictures of us on it and a little note! Who knew you could do such a random thing?



In the end I had a desk full of fun things, and a board full of sweet cards. The kids were so excited to give me each present, and I felt so loved and appreciated. They really do start to care about you I guess!






At the end of the day I was in the middle of a little lecture (they had been picking on the hall monitors), when Carlye's mom came in with cupcakes, a gardenia plant, and a Starbucks gift card! Could the day get any better? Another girl in the class was holding up Carlye's little sister behind us. :)

It's been a truly incredible day- one of the best ever. I was completely shocked by all the work my kids went to, and how excited they were to show me they love me. All day I was getting e-cards, texts, and facebook messages telling me happy birthday. I'm in awe at the goodness of the Father in giving me so many good gifts, the best of which are these amazing people whose lives I get to be a part of. What a good God!

I'm gonna make it after aalllll!

Only four and a half days after today until school is out and I'm a free woman! Can't wait folks, can't wait. I'm trying to keep the kids busy with projects and fun stuff, instead of the usual worksheets and such. Not that my teaching is fun all the time, but you know, right now they require a little more entertaining. For tomorrow's act I'm considering belly dancing while juggling fire sticks and eating a pie. Stay tuned for pictures!

Seriously, I'm ready for summer! But before that, I'm ready for my birthday party, which is this Saturday! I have no idea what's been planned, other than it's at the lake, and it's joined with one for my dear friend Sandy. We share May 24th. I'm pretty darn excited because I LOVE surprises, and I'm pretty sure most of the people I love are going to be there. Also, I'm quite sure there will be lots of good food, which is always a plus. Everything I just said can basically be summed up in the following equation.

Surprises + friends + food = fun time for Erica.

On another note, it's funny the things that a teacher may collect on her desk during a morning such as this. Right now I have two laser guns (the kids are planning skits), a stack of magnets, a paring knife(for the avacado I just had as a snack), a math book, a bunch of greeting cards to send people(the question is, will I really send them?), my starbucks cup(empty), and a plethora of papers and binders and such. Oh yeah, and an easy button.

And now I must away, my students for to fetch! They will be stinking up my classroom in a few moments due to the fact that I'm getting them from PE. Windows open. Check! Air fresheners plugged in. Check, check!!