A Fall Re-cap

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving and Christmas our just around the corner!  Our family has had a fun, yet very busy fall. 

My grandmother had a really bad fall back in September.  She broke her left arm and hip and fractured her shoulder.  She is currently in the hospital waiting to be re-admitted to another rehibilitation center, as her insurance would no longer pay for the one she was previously staying at.  Mom has been back and forth between the hospital and the rehab center over the past couple months, so I've been sort of holding down the fort around here.  My parents would rather us not go online when they're not home, so that's one of the reasons why I haven't posted since September! 

On a lighter note, my mom found out that she is having a boy!  We are all so excited-- especially the boys.  They have wanted a little brother for a long time.  Mom and I have been enjoying looking in the "blue" section of Babies 'R Us for a change.  Becca seems excited, although she walks around the house saying, "baby girl".  I hope she won't be too dissapointed. 

God has been so faithful to our family over the past few months.  He has answered so many prayers.  We truly have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving! 

Psalm 136:1  Give thanks to the Lord,  for He is good.  His love endures forever.

Back to School 2010

Since today is the first day of school for many families, I wish y'all a happy school year!

I pray that God will give us diligence and a hunger for wisdom as we continue to grow in our knowledge of Him and His creation. 

Colossians 2:6-7  So then, just as you recieved Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in Him, rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowimg with thankfulness.

You Know You're the Youngest of Five Girls ...

. . .When your 9 year old sister puts five different pony-tail holders in your hair and the other two just stand there laughing at how cute you are.  It doesn't help when your oldest sister makes you sit still for a picture either.  :)

I'm Excited to Announce...

that the Pollards are expecting another family addition!  Pollard baby #8 is due in March, and we are all very excited.  Mom and Dad told a few weeks ago, but delayed telling the others since they wanted to make sure everything was going smoothly.  It was so hard keeping a secret from my siblings and friends, but I'm excited to share it with you now. 

This baby is such an answer to our family's prayers.  After Becca was born, Mom had a issue called placenta acreda.  She had to have an emergency DNC, which left her with some scar tissue.  The doctor told her that it would be difficult for her to conceive again due to that fact.  Three months ago, our family decided to hand the matter over to the Lord.  If there were any more children in store for us, then we would gladly accept them.  If chunky baby girl was the last one, then we would accept that, too.  God truly answered our prayers and we are so thankful!   I look forward to posting up-dates!

  Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.  They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enemies in the gate.  Psalms 127:3-5

Catching Up

I know it must seem like I've disappeared from the face of the earth due to the lack of posts recently, but I'll try to catch everybody up. 

This summer our family has had season passes to Busch Gardens and we also purchased a membership to a local pool.  We've really been enjoying both since we didn't take a family vacation year.  Daddy and us older kids have especially enjoyed Busch Gardens. 

I have (finally) conquered my fear of roller coasters.  So far, I've ridden  the Lochness and Alpengiest, which is pretty good for me considering my previous experiences with roller coasters.  I rode my first roller coaster when I was 9.  Our family was planning a trip to Kings Dominion.  I told a neighborhood girl that we were going and she said that I just had to ride Volcano.  It just so happened that it was one of the fastest and most intense rides in the entire park.  I wasn't prepared at all.  When I got off of that thing I was shaking.  I was proud of the fact that I had been on it, and had bragging rights galore, but I wasn't in a hurry to expand my roller coaster repitoire after that.  So, it's taken me 6 years to get back on a roller coaster, but I'm really starting to enjoy them. 

The little girls all agree that they love the pool the best.  Emily is a strong swimmer and likes to jump off the high diving board.  Ashleigh and Laura have really been improving in their swimming skills as well and they doggie paddle all over the pool.  Becca is so cute in her little bathing suit and loves to be held in the water.  She splashes any big brother or sister that comes near.

Connor and I have been taking piano lessons through the summer, so I've busy practicing and doing theory homework.  A lady from our church blessed me with a spring-form pan so I've been enjoying experimenting with cheesecake making.  I've also had some baby-sitting jobs which have been a blessing since I'm starting to save money to go towards fall clothes.  I'm really looking forward to fall.  I have to say,  its my favorite time of the year.  I love the crisp fall air, baking pies, snuggling under the covers on a cool fall morning, and picking apples and pumpkins.  I'm even looking foward to school.  We will be starting next Monday.  I'm going into 10th grade, Connor in 8th, Landon 7th, Emily 4th, Ashleigh 2nd, and Laura is excited about starting kindergarten.  I actually think that after the start of school, I'll have more time to blog once we get into a good rutine. 

Well, that's a summary of my summer!  Have a blessed week.

Dear Landon . . .

Happy Birthday!!! It's so hard to believe that your 12! I remember when I turned 12, I finally felt like I was an "older kid".

Landon, you've been such a blessing to me. I know you and I can be really different from each other, but I still look at you as being my best buddy. I really admire the way you can talk to people no matter who or what they are. There have been times I've watched you talk to people with such ease and admired they way you make them feel accepted. I know you have a big heart for God and I pray that you'll always serve Him faithfully. I'm also praying for your future wife--regardless of your feelings about marriage right now. :) I pray that you'll grow up to be a Godly man like Daddy and Paw Paw and be a good husband and father someday. You're a great brother. I love you Landon!

Your favorite big sis,
Erin

fall 2005


Uncle Rob's wedding, Christmas 2005

Great Wolf Lodge, February 2006

Family Vacation 2007, Outer Banks

The Wright Brothers Monument

At the apple orchard in the mountains, October 2007

Christmas 2008

April 2009

January 2010

Easter 2010

fall, 2007

guitar recital, December 2008

We all love you!!!

A Non Stereo-Typical Daughter

I was just recently reading a great article on Jasmine's blog about not falling into the trap of thinking Godly womanhood is all about staying home and learning how to crochet and just being "feminine". All of which are wonderful things that are a part of being a being a Godly young lady at home, but not all of it. Besides, I don't particularly like crocheting. I'd much rather bake or read a book. :)

While reading Jasmine's post, however, I was reminded that God has created women with different talents and interests so that they can better serve their current/future husbands. Missionaries need wives that can minister to the women and children in villages, help translate bibles, treat wounds, and know how to operate a computer. A man that is thinking of serving in government would need a wife that has some knowledge of politics and history. And every man needs a wife who will faithfully and diligently work at furthering his vision instead of hindering it. We're not just cookie cutter daughters. God has fashioned each of us for a unique purpose. What ever talents or interests He has blessed you with, you should cultivate and nurture to be used for His glory.

As daughters at home we should "practice" being Godly wives by serving our families joyfully and furthering our fathers vision. We can do this by helping our mothers with housework so that they have more time to spend with our dads--which is enabling them to be the wives God has called them to be. Or, your dad might have something specific for you to do with his work. My parents and I are hoping that sometime in the next few years I'll be able to start helping my dad with the monthly billing for his lawn business. It looks different for every father and daughter, but I believe that having a servant's heart is a huge blessing to our dads.


Anyways, that was just a little bit of some of the stuff that has been on my mind recently. I'm hoping and praying that God will give us renewed vision and purpose for the life He's called each of us to live as His daughters!

At This Moment Tag

(I was tagged by Abigail)

1. Choose and post a picture that describes something you really want or feel.

(imagine Kelsey in this picture) I would dearly love to spend an entire afternoon with my good friends and fellow bloggers, Kendal and Kelsey Butler.

2. Top three thoughts occupying your mind.

a.) I should have practiced L' Adieu more this week. :)

b.) You know, it's really strange that I don't have a good picture of Kendal, Kelsey, and me.

c.) Reflecting on the past three days that Emily and I spent with Maw Maw. We stayed at her house Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday while Paw Paw took the boys camping. We had a great time watching old movies, looking through her wedding album, looking and trying stuff on at the mall, and just talking and laughing with each other.

3. Two songs you wish you knew all the words to. Hmmm. I can't think of any. Now, if it was two songs I wish I knew all the notes to, that's a whole different story.

4. Book of the Bible you are reading. John

5. Issue you are working on how to defend to a non-Christian. I've been trying to learn about all the reasons why God is pro-life.

6. Top thing you are looking forward to. A lovely Saturday with my family.

7. Latest accomplishment. I just finished ironing.

8. Next accomplishment you hope to . . . accomplish! Work on some piano theory homework.

9. What did you think about this tag? This is the first time I've ever been tagged-- so I'm not an expert--but I thought it was nice.

10. Tag 6 other people. I can't think of anybody else that I know personally that I could tag.

A Giveaway!!!

Johannah at An Old-Fashioned Girl is having a wonderful giveaway at her blog. Be sure to check it out!

Praying For Those That Offend Us

There are so many times when I get angry, whether I verbalize it or not, over things that are ridiculously small. Then, I feel ridiculously small once I've had a chance to really think about what it was that I got angry about.

But, sometimes people say things that really hurt. Particularly when its about decisions my parents and I have made concerning college, dating, and other controversial subjects. Its also very painful trying to explain why we made those decisions to people who really care about your future and can't understand why someone would want to "throw their life away" by staying at home and serving their family instead of pursuing a career. Comments like these are especially hurtful to me because I've always struggled with man's opinion.

I've learned a piece of advice from a very wise person concerning angry/hurtful actions or remarks--whether they're trivial or deeply painful. Once, I was having an issue with the way I treated a sibling, and it had been going on for awhile. My dad finally pulled me aside and had a talk with me about this subject. He told me that instead of giving in to the temptation of anger, I should stop and pray for them. He said that it is impossible to have angry or hurt feelings towards someone when you are earnestly praying for them. It turns the bad feeling into an act of love. So, every time I was tempted to get angry I would pray. And you know what? I found that my angry or hurt feelings disappeared. Then, God would remind me of a specific need that person had and I would pray for it as well.

That habit has spilled over into other parts of my life as well. Whenever someone makes a negative remark about my college decision or some other area I stop and pray for them. Praying for those that offend me has dealt with my "fear of man" syndrome as well.

So, the next time someone offends you, I encourage you to pray for them and watch what God does in that person's life and in your life.

And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven might forgive you your sins. Mark 11:12

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. James 1: 2-3

Our Independence Day Celebration

I hope everyone had a great Fourth of July! Our family certainly did. Yesterday's church service was wonderful and very patriotic.

We were especially excited about going to the Heard's for a Fourth of July barbecue. The Heard's moved to Suffolk two years ago, and we hadn't seen their new house yet. Their home is beautiful and it was so good to see a lot of our old friends.

Mr. Heard and the boys had erected this huge slip-and-slide down the hill in the back of their yard. They had the sprinkler set up so that it would continually wet the slide. Mr. Heard also put dish soap on it every ten minutes or so, so it was very slippery. There was talk of using olive oil instead of dish soap, but the moms were concerned that some of the kids might end up in the river.

We had lots of fun going down the slipping-slide

By the end of the day, everyone found that the best(fastest and most dangerous) way to go down the slide was to ride on a boogie board.

Mr. and Mrs. Heard
*Becca to Carter:* Hey Carter? Have you heard who won men's Wimbledon?

Some of the sweet girls and me taking a break from the slide

Mrs. Sweeney with her daughter Jenny(I baby-sit for the Sweeneys) and Mrs. Reinert

Me and Casey Heard. Like our shades?

I've known Casey for as long as I can remember. She is such a sweet girl, and we always have a blast together. I don't get to see her very much now that her family has moved to Suffolk.

Me and my best buddie.

We had a great time! Thanks Heards!

Happy Fourth of July!!!

This the last stanza from My Country, 'Tis of Thee.

Our fathers' God, to Thee, Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing:
Long may our land be bright with freedom's holy light;
Protect us by Thy might, Great God, our King!

Becca and Me

Today, my sweet one year-old baby sister Becca and I had the house completely to ourselves. Daddy is at the fire station today and Mom took the others swimming. That left just me and Boo Boo.(my pet name for Becca) We had a grand time. First, I got her up from her morning nap and fixed her lunch. After she was done, we headed over to the piano and played a few tunes together. Once she got bored with that, I set her on the floor and practiced for awhile. I call it: Music to Play Baby-Dolls By. Then we went up-stairs and read a few books.

Well, I read them while she pulled them off the shelf.

Next, we went down-stairs and had some leftover home-made peach cobbler(shh! don't tell anyone) and started to watch Sound of Music. About twenty minutes in to it Becca started to get sleepy so I put her down for a nap. Right about then Mom got home with the swimmers, so we all sat down and finished watching the movie together. It was a lovely Saturday.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday and Fourth of July!!!

Our Survivor Man

When Dad got home from work on Monday, he asked Landon to come "front and center" because he had something to say to him. Landon walked over a little apprehensively to where Dad was standing. "Yes, Dad?" "Landon, you remember when we were in Fall Creek Falls and I didn't buy you a souvenir?" "Yes, Sir." "Well son, that was all I could think about while I was working today. I thought about how disappointed you were and felt really bad about not buying you something. *at this remark Landon breathes a sigh of relief* "So, today when I went into Southern States to buy chicken feed I looked around frantically for something I could buy you as a way to make me feel better about myself. I looked hopelessly for something you would enjoy. Then I found it. As soon as I saw it I instantly knew that that was the thing for you. So, here you are son. Your very own . . . .

edible crickets!!!"

Note: The entire time Daddy was telling this narrative, I was unsuccessfully trying not to laugh because I knew all along what he was leading up to.

Landon is the outdoor survival expert in our family. If we suddenly became stranded on a desert island, Landon would keep us all from starving with his knowledge of edible plants and insects. Here he is shown with a cricket. (which he really did eat)

Yum!

Tennessee Pictures

Here are those pictures I promised. We didn't get a good picture of our whole family, but we did get some pics from the hike.

Me and Liz.

Liz and Heath (Heath is my dad's first cousin)

We hiked all the way down to the base of this waterfall.





Landon spotted a fish in the water. He decided to try and catch it with his bare hands. He used his fingers as bait to lure the fish towards him. Not such a great idea. That little fish was feisty and bit Landon on the finger.

Heath couldn't resist. He was soon helping Landon. Heath asked Mom to take this picture of his fingers while he still had them.