Monday, April 21, 2008

Great Weekend!

by Erica

The past weekend was so nice. It started on Friday afternoon. Jason's mom (Nana) came up to stay with Ashlyn so that Jason and I could attend a leadership retreat for our church. It was an overnight retreat at the Niwot Inn.It was our first time being away from Ashlyn a whole night. I admit I shed a few tears when leaving. However, I was comforted knowing that Ashlyn was getting much love and bonding time with her Nana.A few couples from our church went out to dinner and spent a relaxing evening chatting away at the Inn. We spent Saturday morning meeting together discussing topics about the church. I spent most of the day decorating cakes at my class and at home. I made three cakes for a sports themed birthday. I was very happy with the way the cakes turned out.
I wanted to share something that made a great impact on me. Such an impact that it recharged me the rest of the weekend and made me feel even more in love with Jason. While I sat and decorated the cakes, Jason pulled up a chair and watched me decorate. That is all--just sat there and encouraged me in my new hobby. Not to discredit Jason, but I figured that he would find something else to do after a few minutes. He sat with me for a couple of hours! He often tells me how much he enjoys having me around when he is working on a project. Usually, I am around, but I am also busy doing my own thing. Thanks to his example, I am going to try to be a lot better about giving him my undivided attention.

We used to drive to church together every Sunday morning. Since Jason is on the worship team he needs to be there a couple hours early to set up. Since Ashlyn has been born, I am unable to go to church as early as he does. Jason took this Sunday off from playing. I am sure it doesn't sound like a big deal to most people, but we were able to go to church as a family and we even got to sit through the entire service together.

Sunday afternoon we went shopping for new phones. I got a new Blackberry. I really dislike learning how new things work and the set up process. Jason knows this about me and took care of it all for me!

Lastly, we had our third volleyball game of the season. This is something we used to do together before Ashlyn was born. Sometimes it is hard to find a place for Ashlyn to go every Sunday night, but it is worth it to us to go out and do our own thing.

Wow, long post.

Monday, April 14, 2008

So Blessed

by Erica

My two Loves
And my new favorite picture

Sunday, April 13, 2008

Rainbow Cake

by Erica

I felt like such an overachiever yesterday at cake decorating class. Really, I didn't intend to be. I was just the only one who followed the directions of what to bring. I felt bad for the cake instructor. She told the class that we could either make a character cake or a rainbow cake. The instructions for both were in our book.

Someone brought orange icing for a basketball cake, someone else made blue and white checkers. Huh? The cake was supposed to be pre-iced in blue frosting. Someone iced theirs in white, two others just brought an unleveled cake straight from the oven. I felt like I was sitting among a bunch of my former students. I would give them a set of directions and I would get so many variations of what I would ask for.

Cake teachers pet or not, I am really enjoying the class. Oh, and I have another cake order for this weekend. It is for a six year-olds sports themed birthday. I am going to try to make this cake.

Thursday, April 10, 2008

Update on The Ridge--Our Church Home

by Erica

Almost four years ago, Jason and I decided to leave the church where we met and follow our friend, Todd and his family to Northglenn to plant a church. I told Todd that I would rather not work with the nursery or Sunday school kids. At that time I was teaching five days a week and needed a break from teaching.

Since then both Jason and I have taken on various ministry roles. A couple months ago I felt like the Lord was telling me to consider being part of the children's ministry. I threw this thought out to Todd. Less than a month after that conversation, the lady who has served as the head of the children's ministry was ready to step down. God's timing is always perfect!

So, as of May 1st, I will be taking over the children's ministry at The Ridge. I decided on a new curriculum called Disciple Makers. Last Sunday I visited a local church to see how they ran their children's program. I hope to visit a couple more churches to gain even more ideas.

I am really excited to use my teaching abilities in this new way.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

My Latest Undertaking

by Erica

I finished teaching my after school group a couple weeks ago. We did a month long project that was received well by the third graders. We had a technical glitch on the last day. I need to have Jason look at it and help me out. I enjoyed my time teaching, but decided to not take on another group because I offered to watch a friends 3 month-old daughter until the end of the school year.

Sarah and Lauren came over today to discuss the arrangement. It reminded me how much I love the newborn stage. Sure, they don't do a lot at this stage, but they are so teeny-tiny and innocent.

It will be interesting to see how I will manage 2 infants under 6 months. I am sure it will be fine.