Happy Birthday Little Mermaid Snow White Princess

So, me being old and stuff, I did leave out a VIB on my last post. This Very Important Birthday belongs to a special four year old little mermaid snow white princess. I use all those terms because I just could not possibly decide which fairy tale princess is the best description of this little girl. She is so adorable, especially in her special pose that I caught at her birthday party. (This pose, by the way, prompted me to question her mother about the dance moves they practice at their house.) There is one thing about this princess, however, she is exactly like her mother.

Jennifer married Randy 10 years ago and it was a very good idea. Randy is a fabulous dad and a great husband. I do not know much about his growing up years, but the past 10 years, he has proven to take his responsibilities very seriously. I am very proud of him. Jenny has had many obstacles to overcome. She has had to face many choices and she chose the high road. It would have been easy for her to become a "victim" or live in the "system", but instead she chose to get an education and use her gifts and talents to make the world a better place. She is an excellent sister and aunt; a loving daughter; and one of the most unselfish people I know.

So, when I say that Kaitlin is exactly like her mother, I mean that in the greatest sense of the word. Happy birthday, Kaitlin, and many more. And it isn't so bad if you turn out just like mom.

The Merry Month of May

This is a HUGE month for so many people that I dearly love. I am just going to call this the top ten hits of May. I will invariably omit someone (basically because I am old and my memory is failing) so go ahead and let me have it if you are offended. And, they are in no particular order so don't get all upset if you aren't first !!!!!!



1. Mother's Day - I am so so so so so so blessed to have a wonderful mother and mother-in-law. They support me in so many ways and I have watched them weather many storms with grace. They have been an inspiration to me as I have raised my own children and trained my own husband. (Did I say "trained", I meant to say "submitted to".) Even though I will not be with them, I hope that I express to them that they make me want to express "Happy Mother's Day" everyday.



2. My own Mother's Day - wow! the memories ever linger on a day like today. I have so many awesome Mother's Day memories because I have the most loving boys anybody could ever ask for. I still have the cute cards they made and the gifts that tiny hands created. Even though I will not see them, I have the joy of knowing that I am loved and will be with them for an eternity. I have the comfort of knowing that, if they could, they would be with me everyday. And I have the peace of knowing that they will love their wives and families with commitment . Those are incredible blessings.



3. Jonathan and Ashley's Anniversary - whoa~ whodda thought they would make it !!???!!?? hahaha (everybody said the same thing about us!!!) No, really, through their marriage I have been reminded of how very, very, very hard it is to stay focused and committed on everlasting love and relationships. It takes a tremendous amount of blood, sweat, and tears - all of which the two of them have experienced. Hang in there, guys, the BEST is yet to come - I promise - and it comes QUICKLY. Every ounce of energy you spend together is definitely worth the prize in the end. We are VERY PROUD of you both - you are an example to us all.



4. Graduation Day for so many people takes place this month. I am loving seeing all my former LCA students excited about their future endeavors and I commend them for such hard work. Also, so many people that we know in Cleveland are celebrating that milestone and we are proud of you also. Best wishes for the next steps.







6. Ben Erdman finished his second year of college. Let me repeat that because I cannot believe it. Ben Erdman finished his second year of college. WOW! Can I possibly be that old???? I am so proud to be called his mom. He never ceases to amaze me with his tender heart. And, I happen to like Ms. Kaylee Beck a lot also. I am also looking forward to spending some good times with them in the near future.



7. Gavin turns a year old this week!!! Shaun and Amy are doing a great job raising him and I wish I could have been at his party. Patty is a wonderful sister-in-law and a wonderful grandmother. I am so proud of her for everything she has had to overcome. I love you, Patty. When I married Rich, I was blessed to also gain Jenny and her family and Sherre and her family. God is very, very good.



8. Lots of birthdays and celebrations this month !!!! Wedding anniversaries for some special nieces and nephews and a big birthday for my brother-in-law, Neil! He's great and very wise in his old age ...... I love him. My sisters make my life merry all year long. Sisters were one fabulous invention from the LORD. When they gave me nieces and nephews, that was icing on the cake ! My nephew David is growing so fast and he is so sweet. April blessed us with many, many children and they are growing so fast. CJ just blesses us by his kind words and tenderheart and Joel is a great father, husband, and minister all rolled into one.

9. Skip Erdman went to yet another Life class this month. Honestly, I don't know if I would have the stamina he has to work through everything he has worked for. I hear he is a great insurance agent and I hear that people really like to be around him. That, of course, does not surprise me, because I have always thought he was great. (Even when he was in trouble at school !) He was the greatest at getting in trouble! No, really, he is so tenderhearted and so concerned about how he treats people. He makes me proud in so many ways. I enjoy the time we spend with him and Stephanie and am looking so forward to the next time. I am proud of Stephanie for her school work and how she pours herself into the lives of her students. I just pray God's will and blessings on both of you.



10. This month marks the 30th year that I met my husband, Rich. He is the light of my life, the sunshine of my days, and the rock I cling to. I can say that because he represents Christ to me in a way that I am sure that others just wish they could. He definitely is not perfect (that is another post) but if he is wrong, he will admit it. If he damages, he is the first to apologize. This has been an incredible journey for 30 years and I would not trade my life with anyone. I love you, Richie Rich, and I am looking forward to the next 30 years with excitement and anticipation.

Happy Birthday to my little Nathaniel!

It is hard to believe that two years ago I was in the room when Nathaniel entered the world. That was a privilege beyond measure. And, tonight, one of the most precious sounds in the whole world ...... "Hey, Nana!" was my greeting before the cake ceremony. I am indeed a blessed woman. Happy Birthday, Nathaniel ....... Proverbs 3.

My New Book Title

I have decided to write a book entitled, Help! They've Switched my Role and Forgot to Give Me the Script! Subtitled: Life as an Empty Nester.

THE moment

This is a gem of a quote that came from my calendar (given to me by my precious mother-in-law). It is by Stormie Omartian: "You never know when you will step into the moment for which God has been preparing you. And it is not just one moment; it's many successive ones. It doesn't matter whether you are a single career woman or a married lady with nine children under the age of ten; it doesn't matter whether you are nineteen or ninety, God is preparing you daily for something great." This spoke so profoundly to me today in my classroom..... only the LORD know the moments for which I was created .... was it a moment of encouragement to a student? was it a moment of love to my own children? or was it a moment of ministry to my husband? I do know that when my faith becomes sight, He will reveal the moments and I will marvel at His infinite grace and wisdom. What a day that will be !!!

I Love My Job

Honestly, seriously I love my job. I am so grateful to have it and I am so grateful to have a job I like. One of the best parts of my job is the free entertainment it provides on a daily basis. I never knew that a young lady could toss her head in so many different directions while saying "Oh My God!" at the same time. I never knew that young men could walk, text, and put their arm around a girl while holding up their pants at the same time. (Now, Jonathan, that is true multi-tasking.) I never knew that people could love you and hate you all at the same time. I do think that I make a difference .... especially when some little blonde says to me, "Ms. Erdman, why do songwriters and everybody else make so much money when the teachers are the ones that got them to where they are today? After all, without teachers, where would anybody be?" I could not have said it better.

Evening Prayer

You love us, this we know, because Your Word tells us so. I know that Jane and her family belong to You because You are their Savior. No matter how weak we are, You will always be our strength. Stay close to us all the way. Because of everything You have done, help us to live for You. Stay close to us through this night. Relieve us of our self-inflicted stress and confusion - we know this is not of You, but of the master of confusion. In Jesus' name and His holy blood, we claim our households for Him. This is a battle, dear God, but the battle belongs to You.

Sometimes You calm the storm, and other times You hold Your child.