[Quick announcement first: Congratulations to Lisaway, who won the giveaway for Melanie’s new book. To anyone else who wants a copy for yourself, you can buy Not My Type at Amazon or Deseret Book.]
Today we meet Erika. She is a blog friend I was lucky enough to meet in real life when she came to Utah one time and graciously took family pictures for me. See what a great job she did?
She is very kind and super talented and I’m excited for you to meet her. Here’s Erika:
[I stole this from her blog. Isn’t she lovely?]
My name is Erika. I’m shockingly close to 30 and I live just outside of Portland, OR. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for 9 years and we have 2 girls (6 and 4) and a boy(2).
I am a military brat, my dad served in the Army for 20+ years. I was born in Germany, but we moved when I was two. I’ve lived in all 4 corners of the US. Having experienced many different climates and places I have decided that my two favorite places are Virginia and Washington state because of the beautiful greens. I grew up in a family of 6 girls, no boys. I was the 2nd oldest and did a lot of babysitting. I met my husband in Florida when he moved into my ward. It was pretty much love at first sight and he waited 9 months for me to turn 16 before he took my on my first date. He was also my first kiss. I wrote to him while he went on a mission and I went to BYU Provo. I didn’t do anything past my general electives at BYU. Nothing interested me enough to commit. The most interesting part of my history happens when my husband got home from his mission. He had been challenged by his dad to beat his “dating record” of 39 girls in 1 year. I knew that my husband had this goal, so I encouraged him to take girls out while still dating me. But that started to get old, really fast. He had bought my engagement ring and he was STILL DATING other girls. I finally put my foot down and told him to choose between me and the numbers. He made the correct choice. Shortly after getting married I started massage school at Utah College of Massage Therapy so I am a closet massage therapist now. I’m not currently licensed, but I would say that I am so grateful that I went to massage school because it rekindled my love of learning that I had lost. After my husband graduated from BYU we moved up to Oregon and we plan to stay forever. We LOVE the Pacific Northwest. We now have 3 kids and I have discovered a passion for photography.
What’s your favorite part of motherhood? The hugs and kisses from my children. Hearing them laughing together. Watching how they grow and learn.
What part of motherhood would you subcontract out if you could? FEEDING my kids. I honestly can’t STAND it when my kids come and ask me for food or tell me that they are hungry. And if I think of something for them to eat, they don’t want it. I wish I found satisfaction in feeding my family, but I jut don’t.
Brag for a minute. Do it. What are a few things that you’re pretty good at? I’m pretty good at putting things off… hence my blog title “Erika’s Procrastination Corner.” I am patient with projects. I love doing things with my hands. I am artistic and can draw fairly well. I have been practicing and would say I’m pretty good at taking pictures, but I’m always trying to learn and improve.
What are you loving lately? Taking pictures and Pinterest.
What do you gravitate toward during your unscheduled time? The computer… I always have one project or another; editing pictures, blogging, creating Blurb books from my blog, checking Facebook/email, etc.
Tell us some of your best mom-tricks (things you’ve figured out that work well for you). Using one word commands when you need a child to obey you. “Clothes”, “Teeth”, things like that.
What’s something you don’t usually want people to know about you, but that they need to know if they’re going to be your friend? I’m a homebody and would most likely rot at home if you don’t invite me to go somewhere. I need friends who get me out of my comfort zone and reach out to include me.
If you were in charge of a girls’ night out, what kind of activity would you love to plan? If money and calories weren’t an issue- I’d do a spa night where we all got pedicures and then ate at a chocolate cafe and saw girly chick flick.
What parts of your testimony are you the most sure of? I am most sure that Joseph Smith was a prophet, that he was telling the truth about the First Vision. I am most sure that the power of the priesthood is real and that the Holy Ghost guides us. I am most sure that Heavenly Father loves us and watches over us and has a hand in our lives.
Let’s say you’re dying in your sleep tonight. What would you eat for your last meal? My mom’s beef enchiladas with an italian soda, followed by Snickerdoodles and Lemon Bars
What homemaking job/task gives you the most satisfaction? Sweeping. It’s quick and easy and you see immediate results and your house instantly feels 50% cleaner without crumbs sticking to your feet.
Give your best advice to a newlywed or expectant mom. Stop thinking about you and think about them (husband/child).
What’s something unexpected in your life, and how have you dealt with it? I got diagnosed with thyroid cancer when I was pregnant with my son. That was definitely unexpected. Getting the thyroid removed and dealing with the treatment wasn’t so bad, but trying to get my thyroid levels regulated has been hard. Let’s just say I’m glad my husband and kids have put up with me.
If you could make a pie chart (graph) of your thoughts during the last week or so, what would take up most of the space? A house. I’m trying to figure out where the Lord stands on this house and my family, whether we should buy it or not. It’s great fun.
Tell us about your blog: My blog is Erika’s Procrastination Corner. It is basically a family journal with LOTS of pictures. I started blogging in 2007 or so and decided that I wanted my pictures to look better. That’s what led me to discovering my love for photography.
Thank you, Erika! Please visit her blog to get to know her a little, or give her a quick hello in the comments here.
Happy weekend, everyone.
Diapers and Divinity 
Stephanie, these posts are basically the way I find out that it’s Friday. I see Diaper and Divinity in my reader and think, “Oh cool, it’s almost the weekend.” Thanks for keeping me up to date.
Hi Erika!
Hi, Erika! Nice to meet you!
I HATE finding something for my kids to eat also. I LOATHE it actually. I love my children, I just don’t care much about food, unless it tastes really good and someone else cooked it. I feel bad about that. If I could afford 1 luxury, I’m pretty sure it would be a personal chef. So to find someone who feels the same way, well that always feels nice. It was great to “meet you” Erika. 🙂
I always love meeting the new bloggers here each Friday. Erika, I so agree about feeding your kids. I hate to cook, so this is particularly annoying to me. My kindergartner is ALWAYS hungry. i think she burns a million calories a day. I cannot keep her full to save my life!
Nice to meet you all too! It’s so reassuring to find others that share your struggles! 🙂 Thanks for posting this Stephanie (sorry I didn’t get a picture to you- I was visiting Utah again). 🙂