surprising grandma lori | personal

I've been plotting for about a month on how we would tell my mother-in-law the news if this baby was a girl. I wanted to make it super duper special for her. We have no girls on my husband's side of the family. My in-laws had three boys and those three boys all had boys, giving them 5 AWESOME little grand dudes!!! Yep, that's right all boys and they all start w/ a B...Braeden, Boston, Bryson, Blayne and Brody.

When I found out I was pregnant my brother, Vince, said "it's a girl!" Grandma Lori already has her basketball team of 5 boys and now this one is her cheerleader and he was right!!!

So back to the surprise...The pictures pretty much tell the story. When she got home from work she had a puzzle on her sidewalk...the suspense...and then she opened her gift and cried!!...mission accomplished =)

P.S. for those of you wondering if little miss pease will have a "B" name...The answer is no, she gets her own letter...lol!!!!

it's a... | personal

We are so excited to announce we're adding PINK to our family...IT'S A GIRL!!!! Could somebody pinch me b/c I'm still in shock!!!
Last night I could hardly sleep, all I could think about was our future...blue or pink? I counted down the hours and woke up several times b/c of crazy dreams.
Not trying to sound selfish but I really really wanted a girl. As a little girl I always dreamed about having my own little girl and doing the things we love.
The time came for our ultrasound. The tech lady was so sweet and talked us through all the body parts...then came time for what's between the legs and she said the words I have always dreamed of "it's a little girl". I said "are you serious?" and she said yep, I'm 99.9% positive! I started crying and she handed me a tissue. I looked over to my husband and son, they were beaming with big smiles and we all started to laugh w/ joy!!! At the end of the ultrasound my husband made her double check to make sure it was a girl and she explained to him that girls have lines (their cookie..lol) and boys would show something much different...hahaha!!!!
When we left I told my husband to pinch me b/c I still can't believe it. On our way home he said I guess we are in for pigtails, hair bows and dresses...sounds expensive!!!...lol!
We can't wait to hold our little girl in our arms and introduce her to our family and friends =)

Here's to January!!!
XO

Finally...TWO PINK LINES!!! | Personal

I can't hold our secret in any longer...We are PREGNANT!!!! Our little sweet pea is due January 19th, 2012. I'll be nine weeks on Thursday and we have already had two ultrasounds done. Baby is doing good with a heartbeat at 171. Ahhh, that felt so good to let it all out! We are so excited to be adding to our little family.
Our son, Braeden, will be ten next month and yes that's a huge gap but it is what it is. We have been trying years for this baby and I don't care that I'm starting all over (I hear a lot of this already). I think we are more prepared now in our thirties then we were in our early twenties but we managed to raise one AWESOME boy!!!
I feel so much different w/ this pregnancy than I did w/ Braeden. First, I don't even feel pregnant at all. No morning sickness and I'm not tired. With Braeden I was so sick. I lost 20 lbs, had to be put in the hospital b/c I couldn't stop throwing up and I was tired all the time. I just pray that I don't get any morning sickness but I don't mind getting tired...I LOVE naps!
Now the countdown continues until we find out the gender of this baby. Grandma Lori already has her basketball team of boys...Now, she needs her cheerleader! No matter the gender, we just want our baby to be a healthy one =)

a childhood memory...

While in St. Louis visiting my Aunt Cat and making tamales for our Relay for Life team fundraiser, we took a break and went downtown to a Mexican bakery. As I walked into the doors of Diana's Bakery, it brought back memories of when I was a little girl.
I had a Great Uncle Cruz who lived in Detroit, a part they called "Little Mexico". When we would go visit, my parents always made it a point to stop by the local Mexican bakery to stock up on the breads and cookies.
It has been way to looooooooooooooong since I had one of these and I'm glad I was able to stock up on these goodies to share w/ my family and my friends...oh and the memory of being a kid!!!!

ZUMBAthon

My relay team, Pixel Pacers, hosted a Zumbathon yesterday to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Liv-Fit Hicksville was generous enough to donate their time to instruct the class. We not only raised a bunch of money but we all had a blast!!!! This was my very first Zumba class and I must say the 2 hour workout kicked my butt!!!! It's a good thing I've been working out this past month or else I would have been on the ground 20 minutes into the workout. It was super intense and I LOVED IT, can't wait to start going every week!!!!
A HUGE THANK YOU goes out to Liv-Fit Hicksville, Jason Pastor of Pure Volume and everyone who came out to support this event!!!!!
As of right now we raised $945 from our Zumbathon...Yay, GO US!!!!

I hope you dance...

I love these images. I love that I was able to capture Briana's love for dancing. I love God for the gift he has given to me. I'm truly blessed and I thank Him everyday.
Are you dancing? I am, and my heart is singing. Tomorrow is never promised, so I hope you dance.
XOXO, Erika

just like his momma...

My little artist amazes me with his creations. Braeden's artistic skills blow me away and he's only 9. He started drawing at the age of 3.5 and has developed a love for it. We buy plenty of stock in paper, crayons, markers, colored pencils, pencils, scissors, tape, glue, staples because he's always creating something or building something. My Aunt Chris swears he's going to be an inventor of something...lol

Here's his owl he created at school. I love all the detailing he put into it. I'm such a proud momma, can you tell =D

Keep up the talent, B!!! Momma believes in you...XOXO

Here are some more images. The bulldog and eagle he drew b/c he was competing with another student at school. He was a bit irritated the one day b/c some of the kids believed that "his mom" drew the eagle pic...WHATEVER!!!! This is his work...his passion.

I L♥VE shoes...

Well, I'm down seven pounds (ugh, it's been hard work and my husband tells me "Now remember it took a long time to pack on those lbs, now it's going to take you a long time to take it off"...thanks for the reminder, buddy!) I really wish I could say I'm down 15 so I would only have 5 more to go until I can go shopping but I'm not...bummer!!!
I've been looking at the spring/summer collections and I'm screaming inside w/ excitement. Once I hit my 20 I'm treating myself to some shoes and some outfits from H&M. Ahhh H&M, oh how I miss you my love. I'll be there soon!!! XOXO

snapshot...

My 30 day blog challenge = me writing about myself {past, present, future}...Life as Erika!...lol =)
I took this picture Saturday during a break from one of my sessions. I've been so caught up in my business and family life that I forgot how much I enjoyed taking pictures of random things. This is what I love about photography, not only creating memories for others but creating art for myself!!!
This is definitely my calling...I know I'm on the right path in life b/c my heart tells me so =) You're never too old to chase your dream...go for it!!!

hmmm...

Geez, what happened to my 30 day blog challenge?!?! Ooops, someone is falling behind. I blame writer's block! =) Well I'm working on three posts right now and hope to get one of them posted today...stay tuned!

my new favorite commercial...

OMG, I just about died laughing when I first saw this commercial. It reminded me of my sista, Shannon Wickliffe Sampsel, dropping it when we used to have dance parties in the kitchen...hahahahaha!!!!!! ♥ LOVE LOVE LOVE those MEMORIES!!!!!!
P.S. Don't forget to turn off the playlist player below so you can hear the commercial =)

where i wanna b...

It's so cold and rainy today. I really wish it was summertime and I was at the lake. My favorite place on earth!!! Ahhhh, to be soakin up the sun's rays, while I have my beach chair in the water watching the the kiddos swim and the boats drive by...How many more days till opening season? Let the countdown begin...BLL baby!!!!

my future??

The other day I opened the mailbox and noticed this American Girl catalog laying inside. Could this be a sign that a little girl will be in my near future? I looked to see who it was addressed to just in case it was sent to the wrong household and it was my husbands name. I had to laugh b/c we have no little girls here.
I would love to have a little girl!!! I'm too girlie girl to not have one in my life. Come on now, I know a lot about beauty and fashion, manis & pedis...anything that is girlie related, I know and do!!!
Oh well, I LOVE my handsome little guy who is growing up way too fast and wouldn't trade him for anything. God blessed me with him and he's a KEEPER!!!

I relay for you...

My grandma is the reason I relay. She passed away on July 27, 2008 from pancreatic cancer. She was fine, living a wonderful life and all of a sudden she became very ill the end of June and about a week before she passed, we found out that she had cancer.
When she left us, my world came crashing down. I was very close to my grandma and my son was very close to her as well. How do you explain to a 7 year old that his grams is sick and it's her time to go to Heaven. We'll no longer be able to go to her house to visit her and do the things we enjoyed with her...like putting puzzles together, watching movies, listening to spanish music, eating her yummy spanish food, crafts and making her laugh =)
Both our hearts broke the day she left us. She was my hero, my everything and I wanted to keep her memory alive!!!
I relay in memory of my Grandma Sally. I also relay for those who are battling with cancer or has lost their battle. I HOPE one day they find a cure and there will no longer be any suffering!

If you would like to join my relay team please click on this link below.
http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=33294&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=31564
My team name is Pixel Pacers and we would love to have you...Here's to HOPE for a cure!!!

hey batter batter...

Oh my, it's just about that time for baseball season to be in full swing. I was going through my senior folders and came across these photos. As I was shooting Derrick's senior pics, Braeden jumped into some of them. He looks up to his cousin, Derrick...I think we all do..lol!!!
Derrick is such a wonderful young man. The nicest kid you'll ever meet and he is an AMAZING athlete in basketball and baseball.
We enjoyed watching him play his senior year in basketball. Whether it was listening to it on the radio or watching it, we enjoyed the ride!!! Our Panther boys basketball team had an EPIC season and we are sooooooo very proud of them and Coach Brewer!!!...PROUD TO BE A PANTER FAN!!!
As the season ended last night we now have baseball to look forward to and I can't wait =) GOOD LUCK DERRICK!!! We'll be cheering for you...wooohoooo!!!!!!

missing you...

This photo was taken back in October. This is our first family photo without Jerald. It was bittersweet but I like to think that his spirit was with us (see the way the sun hit the lens and made the colorful glare/reflection in between my mom and I...I like to think that's my brother's spirit).

I really dislike it when my heart is so heavy with pain b/c I miss you. I would give anything to go back in time and have you back in my life.
When I lost you it was one of life's lessons taught. Never take someone for granted. I see so many families in feuds and I just want to say "life is too short to be mad, forgive and forget!" It's not worth the fight. Love each day and embrace life.
My family is everything to me. The family I was born into and the family I have started with my husband. I would do everything and anything I can for them.
This morning you visited me in my dreams...thank you!!! You might not have stayed too long but I remember as I got into the car I turned around and watched you in the back window and I remember thinking that I wanted to hold on to the memory forever. You smiled at me and waved goodbye.
So now I'm in tears and missing you even more this morning but I must move on with my day.
I'll be waiting for your next visit...here's to DREAMS!!!!
Love your little sister, Erika (E.Rod)

adele = AMAZING

This video is live from her home and she starts out with an interview about the song.



This video is at the 2011 Brit Awards

My friend posted this video yesterday and I wanted to share it with you (I posted two different videos b/c I couldn't make a decision on which I liked the best). If you have never heard of Adele, I highly recommend that you go listen to her now! I promise she won't disappoint you. Her voice is beautiful/amazing/magical all in one and her music is just BRILLIANT!!! Her sophomore album "21" was released on February 22, 2011 here in the US. On March 2, 2011 the album debut #1 on the Billboard album charts, selling nearly 352,000 copies...you go girl!!!!

Here are the lyrics to the song posted...very powerful!
"Someone Like You"
I heard that you're settled down,
That you found a girl and you're married now,
I heard that your dreams came true,
Guess she gave you things I didn't give to you,
Old friend, why are you so shy?
Ain't like you to hold back or hide from the light,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,

Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah,

You know how the time flies,
Only yesterday was the time of our lives,
We were born and raised in a summer haze,
Bound by the surprise of our glory days,

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,

Never mind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Nothing compares,
No worries or cares,
Regrets and mistakes, they're memories made,
Who would have known how bittersweet this would taste?

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead, yeah, yeah

Wow, I could almost feel her pain =( My friend, Jamie Temple, had this as her FB status today "Somebody's heart is broken And it becomes your favorite song" by DMB and it made me think of this song...Oh, how true is that?!?!

Are you sold on Adele yet???...lol!!! My other favorites from this album I would have to say "Rolling In The Deep", "Take It All", "Rumor Has It", "Don't You Remember" and "Turning Tables".
Now go get her CD (or download it)!!!!
P.S. don't forget to turn the playlist player off down below so you can hear her videos...Have a wonderful day!

it's a mix...

Okay, so remember I said I was going through an old box of photos...Well, I came across this mix tape and it made me laugh and smile =)
How many of you back in the day made a mix tape for your boyfriend/girlfriend or friends?? I know I made several of them. This one was given to me in back in `94...yes, 16 years ago, I'M OLD!!! And what made me really laugh is that I don't even own a cassette player anymore so I can't listen to the tape.
So what were we listening to on this cassette...
When Can I See You Again- Babyface • Knockin' on Heaven's Door- GNR • Have You Ever Needed Someone- Def Leppard • Every Rose Has Its Thorn- Poison • Keep On Loving You- REO Speedwagon • Unchained Melody- Righteous Brothers • End of The Road- Boyz II Men • Weak- SWV • Return to Innocence- Enigma • Comforter- Shai • I'll Make Love to You- Boyz II Men • Take My Breath Away- Berlin • Miss You In A Heartbeat- Def Leppard • Mama I'm Coming Home- Ozzy Osborne • November Rain- GNR • Angel- Aerosmith • Freak Me- Silk • Love of a Lifetime- Firehouse • Will You Still Love Me- Chicago • And Our Feelings- Babyface
Okay, I know I just took some of you back in time...HIGH SCHOOL was sooooooo much FUN!!!!! Oh to go back and make every day count instead of saying "I can't wait to get out of here!!!"
If I had to make a mix tape (CD) of my high school memories I would definitely select these songs for my CD... Ditty- Paperboy • Nuthin But A G Thang- Dr. Dre • Regulators- Warren G • This is How We Do It- Montell Jordan • Whoomp There It Is- Tag Team • Big Poppa & Juicy- Notorious BIG • I Swear & I Can Love You Like That- All 4 One • When You Say Nothing At All- Alison Krauss • Stay- Lisa Loeb • Strawberry Wine- Deanna Carter • Crash- Dave Matthews Band • Don't Take The Girl & It's Your Love- Tim McGraw • What Might Have Been- Little Texas • C'mon 'N Ride It (The Train)- Quad City Dj's • Any Man of Mine- Shania Twain  • 1979, Mayonaise, Tonight- Smashing Pumpkins • Far Behind- Candlebox • Decemeber- Collective Soul • Angry Johnny & Hello- Poe • Going the Distance- Cake • What I Got- Sublime • All I Really Want, You Oughta Know, Hand In My Pocket, Perfect, You Learn, Head Over Feet, Mary Jane, Ironic- Alanis Morissette • All Mixed Up- 311 • On Bended Knee & Water Runs Dry- Boyz II Men...Oh, my list could go on and on!!!!
So if you had to make a mix tape (CD) what would your songs be???
Peace out...Erika (E.Rod)

thirteen...

As I was going through a box of old photos, I came across Taylor's hospital photo. My goddaughter is 13...what?!?! lol!!!...Well she actually turned 13 back in September and I'm still having a hard time believing.
It seems just like yesterday when I got the call that her momma, Jme, was in labor. I wasn't able to come home and be at the hospital w/ everyone else b/c I had classes and work =( but I was updated through phone calls. On my day off I came back to my hometown to meet this adorable little girl...she melted my heart! As I held her in my arms I knew I couldn't wait to become a mommy myself but I must finish college first...lol!
Through the years I've watched Taylor grow into the beautiful young lady that she is today. I can go months without seeing her and when I do see her she always greets me with a huge hug and a big smile that lights up my life =)
I give her parents an A+ on how they have raised Taylor. What can I say, she's AWESOME, beautiful, smart, loving, fun...she's the whole package!!! I even love her laugh...it's contagious!!! Seriously, when she starts laughing, I start laughing and it's so hard to stop...laughing is good for the soul!!!
Taylor, I'm blessed to have you in my life and I thank your parents for letting me be a part of your life. Remember your "Fairy Godmother" is always watching you and here for whatever you may need. LOVE YOU!!!
P.S. could you stop growing up so fast and I can't wait for the "talk", you're not allowed to date until you are 18 b/c you are going to have fun w/ your "friends" in high school, rule #1...lol!

OC Housewives...

Oh I'm counting down the minutes till the premiere of season 6 of the Real Housewives of Orange County. This is my favorite of the housewives but I sure do miss the original cast. My other favorites are New York and New Jersey. I do not follow Atlanta, Beverly Hills, Washington DC, Miami b/c they are LAME!!!! Can't wait to see what this season brings.