Daily reminders that I'm getting older

I swear I think I get a daily reminder that I am getting old. I know I am still young, but sometimes I just wish I could go back to childhood (where it was simpler), high school (where everything seemed so easy) or college (an amazing time). Instead, I'm a college grad of almost 1.5 years, a 8-5 employee, a bridesmaid, a friend of a bride or groom, bill payer, etc etc etc. The list goes on and on.

What I love though, is that some of the situations that make me feel like I'm becoming more and more of an independent adult also fill me with the joy of a child.

This past weekend was Jessica and Taylor Schach's wedding. What an amazing event. She looked beautiful and he was handsome as well. It was such a blessing to be a witness to one of the most important days of their lives. The joy I feel when my friends are getting married, having children, accepting job offers, is a feeling that I cannot even express. I love being a part of so many amazing events and no matter how adult I may be, it's never enough to take that joy away.

This coming weekend I will be watching my brother get married! Now that will be an event to remember. My first sibling getting married, my first sister-in-law! I cannot wait to have another sister. Meegan's pretty much been a member of our family for like 9 years now, but now it will be official. I sense tears of joy in my near future.

Here's a picture of the soon to be married couple



As for me, other than wedding attendance, my job is changing a little bit too! I will now be doing strictly account management now. No more database stuff and less training, I'm excited! So ready to start getting ramped up with my two regions (pretty much the right half of the US) I'll keep you updated!

Uh oh, I slacked again!

It's been 3 weeks... I tried to make myself blog once a week, but failed. I'll try harder now.

Well the past 3 weeks haven't been all too eventful. I did run the Susan G Komen 5K Mother's Day Weekend. It was amazing. 16,000+ people joining together to for such an amazing cause. I definitely teared up once or twice during my run thinking about how many people this terrible disease affects. I am by no means a runner, and I struggled a little at times, but I kept reminding myself that if my grandmother can fight breast cancer, I can run a race in celebration of her.

I got to see a friend from college last week. Kelli and I had classes together in PR and she was up in ATL for training. We went to a Braves game last Wednesday, and my Braves won! I was so happy. It was so great spending time with her. She's such a great person. Too bad she had to move to B'ham and not Atlanta! It reminded me a lot of college and made me miss all my college friends.

I joined a group that is associated with the Boys and Girls Club. It's a young professionals group that volunteers and does some things for the children of Atlanta. I hope this group is what I expect. I've been trying to find a place to fulfill my passion to help people and I hope this is it.

I've also signed up to begin a bible study through NPCC (North Point Community Church). This doesn't start until August, but I'm so excited to start and meet some great Godly women. I want to surround myself with people who will continue to help me grow as a person, and as a christian. Hopefully this is the group to help me do that. I'll keep you posted on that as it gets closer!

I'M SO EXCITED for Jessica DeLoach's Bachelorette Party this weekend! Fun girls weekend ahead. Elizabeth and I have been planning for the lingerie shower while we are there and we have everything ready. I cannot wait to see these girls and meet a few others (Jessica's HS friends/friends from home) while we are there!



Happy 1st year of marriage Caleb and Elizabeth! I love you both!



Last but definitely not least, Jonathan and I celebrated our "1 year" last weekend! We aren't 100% sure when we exactly started dating so we decided that it was the weekend of Elizabeth's Wedding. It's been a great year of growing together and growing as individuals. I'm excited to see what is in store for us. Love you Jonathan James!



I hope everyone has an amazing Memorial Day weekend!

The Five Love Languages

This week has been a busy one. I spent 3 days on a work trip, my first offsite training! It was scary, but fun. I was in Kansas City and Wichita. I felt like it was the first day of school when I was getting ready that morning, I swear I changed my clothes like 5 times. All went well though, and I'm proud to say, I think they are all ready. I rounded with one of our current users as well. For someone who hates hospitals, maybe the healthcare field wasn't the best idea.... I did make it through the day without passing out or feeling sick, so maybe I'm getting better! I hope so at least!


This trip let me have a little down time which gave me the opportunity to finish a book I have been wanting to finish. I bought Gary Chapman's "The Five Love Languages" a few months back and I almost forgot I had it until someone mentioned it to me a few weeks back. Well, thankfully I finally had some downtime where I was able to read it. I HIGHLY recommend this book to any and everyone.

Gary Chapman first wrote "The Five Love Languages" for married couples, but quickly realized there were quite a few singles also reading it so he wrote some other editions including singles, teenagers, and children. I read the Single edition, but plan to read his original version soon.

I found some of the scenarios in the single edition kind of silly and the dialogue very unrealistic, but the message was a good one.

It talks about each person has a primary way that they feel loved by the people in their life. Each person may have a different primary love language, but everyone pretty much falls into one of five categories. The five categories in which a person feels and expresses love are quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts and physical touch. He goes into depth and further breaks down each of the categories and explains each.

It was so interesting to read it and really think about my primary love language (quality time) as well as the love language of those in my life. While he did intend to write this for those who were married (or getting married), it also relates to the love you have for family, friends, significant others, coworkers, etc. It lays out the way to make a marriage/relationship with a gf/bf reach its full potential, not fizzle out after the initial "honeymoon phase," and continue to grow throughout life. But beside that it will help you strengthen friendships and make you the best friend you can be to each particular person.

I plan to use the things I learned in this book to make my relationships grow, to feel closer to those I love and to show them more often that I love them. It may seem like common sense, but you would be surprised how it will relate to you and your relationships with those you love.

I sounds like I'm doing a commercial for this book, ha nothing like free publicity. It's great though, if you're interested Amazon has it for like $8.99.

Let Go and Let God

It's been a week or so since my last blog and man have things changed already. I'm still running, trying to get myself ready for the run in 15 or so days. I'm still enjoying Atlanta and I'm more in love than ever, but some things have changed a bit.

Why is it that it takes something bad or something scary to make you sit back and think "What am I doing?" "Why is it that sometimes I forget that I need to Let Go and Let God?" "Why do I need reminders to be patient, when I am so good at reminding others to do just that?" This weekend allowed me to do some serious soul searching. Something I've tried to do and never really completed. (Yes I know this will never be complete, but instead of getting too far in, I let myself get distracted and ignore the issues).

As most all of you know, I am quick to speak. I can be a bit forward, and tend to tell it like it is. There are very few times that I'm actually intending to be mean to someone (thank goodness for this), but I understand that sometimes I am misinterpreted. While I embrace portions of my "quick tongue" I do not love it all. I do not love that people take things that I say the wrong way, I don't like that I have hurt people by the things I've said, I don't like that often times I say things that some may find shocking or unneccessary. And what most annoying, is it is by no fault but my own. I'm working on myself. I'm allowing God to work through me. I am trying to figure out what made me the way I am, and what I can do to tone it down.

I am impatient. I am quick to talk about things that don't need to be talked about, just so I can know. I like to jump the gun on things. I like to know what is coming and what my life will bring. Oh man oh man, did God put the quick breaks on me. I can just imagine him chuckling to himself saying "Slow down Erin, for I have a plan for you." I've been praying and praying and praying about what his plan is for me. Asking for help in letting myself just let go and live. I know he will provide everything I need. I know he has a plan for me, I know he will guide me and teach me along the way. I have got to let loose of the reins and hand them back to him.

It's funny to me that the second I finally got the message that I am not in control, I get 100 signs that things are ok, things will work out, I am not alone. I've gotten two just today. I was reading some blogs of friends of mine and one posted the lyrics of a song that illustrate perfectly how I've been feeling. (Thanks Jordan for posting this).

I pray that you will "Slow me down, show me around
I wanna see the world that I've been without
I am here and now the future is out of my hands
I trust in you and how you move
I won't forget that patience is a virtue
You're teaching me to hang on tight

Cause I don't know how the story ends
But I'll be alright cause you own it
And I don't know where where the highway bends
But I'm doing just fine
Cause you're in control
Even when I don't know
Where my life's gonna go
You're keeping me guessing.

I also read another friends blog who gave me so much encouragement, because even through her sadness, anger, and unknown future she is holding strong to God. She is trusting him to show her the way and she knows that she has so much ahead of her, even though it may be different that what she originally thought. I am not alone in wondering what is ahead, but now I know that it's ok to wonder, just don't expect and plan on my own.

I am excited for what is to come. I am excited to grow and change and become the woman I am meant to be. Today is a new day, and today is another step in the right direction. Thankfully, I have a great family, supporting boyfriend, and amazing friends who are always there for me and will help me through the journey. (Just wish most of these people didn't live in other states!)

Susan G Komen Breast Cancer Run

I just signed up to run in the 20th Annual Race for the Cure being held in Atlanta. Now I have some serious work to do. I am not the best runner, so hopefully I will be good to run the entire 5K. That's my goal at least.

I'm glad to be doing this with some people from work. We have joined one of our clients teams. Should be an fun and memorable day for us all.

I'm shocked I havent done a run supporting breast cancer research before considering it is a disease that is a part of my family. I'm running for my grandmother. She fought and beat breast cancer. If she can do that, the least I can do is help to raise money and run the entire 5K.

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

To join our team or contribute to my efforts to raise money for the cause please use the links below.

http://race.komenatlanta.org/site/TR/Race/General?px=1271561&pg=personal&fr_id=1060&s_tafId=12140

Easter Weekend

I am trying to stick to at least one blog a week and not go on another 4 month hiatus. Hopefully, I can stick to my plan, I guess we will see.


Last weekend I spent the weekend in Auburn for Easter. The one good thing about Easter (and holidays like it) is that my best friend Amanda comes into town too! I definetely dont see her enough and neither of us have enough time to really visit as much as we would like. A 5 hour drive is something you need to prepare in advance for. Maybe we should meet at home a little more often...

Anyways. I got home around 6 or so and headed our with my Mom to run some errands and have dinner with my sister Sarah. Panera, yum! (Sidenote: At one point or another I refused to eat panera because I didn't like it, I think I was crazy back then). Mom pointed out that Panera now has calorie counts next to their sandwiches and soups to give you a better idea of the calories you are eating. I told my mom I was attempting to get in swimsuit shape (ha) and was being more careful with what I was eating. This specific incident was more of an annoyance to me that a blessing. I mean who wants to know that their favorite thing on the menu is actually A LOT more calories than they thought! Not me, thats for sure. I decided I could cheat this one time and got what I wanted and not what my diet would have liked :)!


After dinner I went and met up with Amanda and her boyfriend (he came with her to Auburn for Easter). What an amazing couple they are. They are precious and I can tell how much he loves her. I've always wanted the best for her and have tried to set her up with sooo many guys that I thought would be good for her (just ask her, I'm sure she will agree). I never could have asked for anything better than her current relationship though. Oh I'm so happy that she is happy! I mean that is all I wanted afterall!


We made it out downtown in Auburn. We are getting a bit old for this scene I think. I officially only knew 1 other person at the bar (which rarely happens). I guess everyone I knew or know is either out of Auburn by now, or arent going to the bars as often. I guess a lot of it had to do with Easter, but I got a bit of this feeling the last time I was in town. Oh well, I guess I have just grown up a bit. Needless to say, we were home pretty early Friday night.



Saturday, I woke up early to go Mother of the Groom dress shopping with my Mom. I cannot believe my brother is getting married in like 9 weeks! 9 weeks!! His fiance has been around our family for years now, so she's already basically part of the family, but now it will be official. I will have a married sibling. Weird, I feel like we were jumping on the trampoline and playing spotlight at night just yesterday. We are growing up too fast!



Easter was great. Lunch was amazing. All the kids (except Daniel) and grand dogs (except Ellie) came over. We ate and laughed and enjoyed begin together. I love spending time with them! I've caught myself in recent years being more consumed with the planning, presents, and materialistic thigs associated with holidays and I'm embarassed by it. While all the little traditional things about Easter (and Christmas) are fun, it's too easy to lose site of the real reason for the celebration. I have got to do a better job of dedicating the day to Christ and not to the visiting bunny.

I hope your Easter was as pleasant as mine and that you all took a moment to remember Christ is Risen!

Summary of life in the past 4 months

Well I can honestly say after my last post I did not think that it would be 3 (well 4 now) months before my next post. So much for being a good blogger I guess. It was brought to my attention that I am not keeping this thing updated and now I am finally getting to it.

Lets start with December... I was offered a new position at my job! What an amazing new challenge and exciting step in my life as a real worlder! I had to find a repalcement in pretty much 2 weeks since Christmas was coming up and no one would be in town, so I was very busy going through a thousand (literally) resumes. I found the perfect "new me" and she has been a blessing to work with and become a good friend too!

Christmas came and went too fast. Jonathan James and I had such a great Christmas together and he did an amazing job with my gift! I'm just sad we spent Christmas apart, but I guess our families have some priority :)

Christmas in Auburn was fantastic and I was so excited to see some of my "Auburn" friends and best friends! It's always a blessing to get back together with the people who were a huge part of making me the person I am today.

January: I started my new position at IM. I'm now officially an Implementation Account Manager. I am responsible for managing new and existing accounts, building databases, and training clients on the program. I had so much to learn (and still have plenty more to learn) but I am really enjoying it and am happy where I am now.

Of course January also brought in New Years. Jonathan and I definetely weren't jumping to plan out our night. I swear people have made a huge deal about that holiday and it isnt even that big of a deal. Needless to say, most every event was overpriced and not worth our time or money. We did end up having an amazing (well half of it) night. My sister and her boyfriend Trevor came to town and stayed with me bringing along their (his) sweet puppy Captain. Watson (my roommates dog) had so much fun with him and Maggie enjoyed the "time-off" from entertaining Watson.

Jonathan James and I decided we would finally make good on our date that didn't go so well a few months back (we hit traffic and couldn't find the restaurant making our reservation impossible to make). We went to this fun lil soul kitchen type place called "Sweet Auburn." He picked it knowing I would absolutely LOVE the name, he was right. The food was pretty good, the atmosphere was fun and the company was the best :). After dinner we decided to go to Peachtree Tavern for the rest of the night. It was ok. I'm not a fan of cigarette smoke and this place was completely smoke filled. At one point, I felt like I couldn't breathe and we went outside. We stayed until about 12:02, just enough time to bring in the new year and kiss then head out.

I also went to Lindsay Shirley's (now Shiver) bachelorette party in January. What a great time. It was so nice to have a weekend away with the girls and be at the beach (even though it was a little cold).

February came and went, and I miss it. February encompasses two of my most favorite days of the year, Valentine's Day and my birthday! This year it was the best yet. Man I am so lucky to have such an amazing and caring man in my life. Our Valentine's was nothing short of perfect. We spent the day together, watched a little hockey (a new favorite sport of mine, I must admit), and saw Howie Day!

He even was in on a deal with my dad. Dad has given my sister and I a single Valentine's rose for as long as I can rememer. He always puts a card with it that reads "From the Man who Loved you first." This year is the first year I was away from home for Valentine's Day and for weeks poor Jonathan has heard me worry about whether or not my Daddy would be doing one of my favorite family traditions. Little did I know, he was in on the plan the whole time and he brought my rose to me on Valentine's Day! Oh I love those two men.

My birthday was great too. Friday Birthday are the best. The day started with lunch with my coworkers. They are such a great group and I am blessed to get to spend 40 hours a week (at least!) with them! I also had some friends come in town to celebrate with me too. Elizabeth and Caleb came to visit. (I miss these two more than anything!) My sister and her bf brought my great great friend Parker too! I was so blessed to have so many of the people I care about want to spend my birthday with me. We went to dinner ( a lot of my ATl friends came to celebrate too) at Verde, my favorite place and headed out in Buckhead for the rest of the night.

I also went on my first ski trip late February. I'm not the best skier ( I wish I had the mindset of a fearless little kid still). We went to NC and skied Beach and Sugar Mountains. It was such a great trip, and a much needed break. We had great snow too!

March brought the wedding of Lindsay and Robert. The whole weekend was amazing. They did such a great job with everything. I cannot wait to see what the Lord will do in the lives of Robert and Lindsay.

Last week Jonathan and I went to New Jersey/New York for a few days. His grandmothers 80th birthday was last week so her party was on Saturday. While I was the only nonfamily member at this party, they made me feel so welcome. I loved every minute of it. When we went into the city it rained... :(... but we made the best of it. Last time I was in NYC I didnt get a chance to see Central Park so we walked around Central Park and Times Square, just enjoying the city and spending time with eachother.

This blog is getting so long! So Sorry! (Just a note: I started this blog March 8, I'm just now getting to finishing it (April 2). Ha. I'll update you on my Easter weekend trip to Auburn soon! I think I've learned my lesson in waiting so long to blog!