Life's like a garden... dig it.

I am trying to stay up a little more, get a little more active, and get on my feet ASAP, so I thought maybe I'd at least sit up and write a blog. I have to say this has not been a peak week for me. I've been chopped open, sewn back up, been nauseous for days, and the whole time I'm going through this my mind can't stop thinking about how I'll have to do it again in a month and it will probably be worse. To say the least, I'm not too happy about that.
My parents had to waste a lot of money and cancel out on a cruise my mom has been counting down to since they booked it. I missed my brothers wedding, and I'll miss his reception today. Everyone has gotten to take their turn sitting around doing nothing waiting to take me to the bathroom, get me something to eat, or finally today (for the first time since Tuesday night) I got to wash my hair over the sink.
I don't know how I got so blessed to have so many helpful, loving people around, but I am so grateful for them. Through all of this, I appreciate them so much more, and I feel more grateful for the little things we do every day that are often taken for granted.
I've had a lot of time laying around to think, and usually people would want to ask why? Why me? Why is this happening now? Truth be told those thoughts have crossed my mind for a moment, but I immediately shut them out. They do me no good, and it ultimately doesn't matter. As all things in life, sometimes these things just happen. God gives us opportunities to grow, and we decide which road to take. I've decided to look at this experience as a chance to re-live girls camp, except it's not as much fun and at least I don't have to use a port-a-potty?
As I have taken quiet moments to ponder, I feel God's love and mercy for me. I know that He is with me. I am so glad that I got the opportunity to go to the temple a few weeks ago. I literally can say, I feel God's power on my side, and with Him I know all things are possible. I know if it was His will, this tumor could disappear. (And just in case He's reading, I'm okay with that happening :) But I also know that sometimes instead of taking away our problems, He gives us a way to get through them. I believe the phrase I've learned most often through the example of my mother, and in my own life is that when you ask God to move a mountain, don't be surprised when He hands you a shovel.
I will take up my shovel, and I will not stop digging until I move all the hills, mountains, and mole hills He asks me to. Usually He does most of the heavy parts anyway.
I guess I really just wanted to write to vent, and to say thank you all so much for your prayers, thoughts, visits, flowers, cards, and support. They have made me again realize what wonderful people I am surrounded by daily, and how much I love you all. We'll see when I find time again to blog, it may not be until I am a married woman ;) We'll see.
<3 Erica

66 Days... Just 66 More Days!

There is a reason the people in that picture are staring and pointing, they are saying "Nate and Erica are getting married there in 66 days!" In case you were wondering, that means Nate and I have already waited 109 days since we got engaged. But really we have been waiting OUR WHOLE LIVES! Between the two of us that makes it around 53 years.

Salt Lake City Temple

Seems like a long time, doesn't it? 

But to be able to go inside and proclaim we are worthy and waited patiently to do so, knowing afterwards we will be together for eternity, it's worth it. I have spent my whole life trying to live in a way that would prepare me to go enter into the temple. If you can see that gold looking window in the middle, it says, "Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord". Fifty-three years doesn't seem so long to be able to enter one of the most sacred and amazing places on earth.

The other day as I was thinking about everything, I felt overwhelmed at how grateful I am not only for having a wonderful family and great friends who helped me make good choices, but having a fiance who has done the same. I couldn't ask for more. Well... I could... but it makes me look a little ungrateful when I think about the little things I worry over haha.

So really I just wanted to tell everyone (in case you haven't seen everyone I know post it on my facebook already) I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!!!!!!!!! We are taking engagement pictures this weekend, so you will probably get a sneak peak at those pretty soon. We are finalizing food and flowers,  gathering music for the PAR-TAY, and hopefully these crazy people at the dry cleaners will GIVE ME MY DRESS BACK!!

Get On The Bus, It's Time To Go

This song popped into my head today, and it made me want to write a blog! My dear friend The Ataris say, "Being grown up isn't half as fun as growing up, these are the best days of our lives. The only thing that matters is just following your heart and eventually you'll finally get it right." I refuse to look back longingly to the past, but we have to look back occasionally to understand the future.

I have had a lot of really good people in my life. Good friends and family who have supported me and loved me through all sorts of things. As I come to a giant crossroad in life, I am glad I followed my heart. I must say, I am pretty sure I got it right. You may not always know what the future has in store, but you know you just have to push forward in faith occasionally. God has closed some doors in my life recently (or in some cases slammed them), but I can see Him opening the most brilliant windows. In these moments all I know how to do is follow my heart and know it will all work out.

When I was little I would occasionally think something magical would happen in my room as soon as I left. Like on Toy Story, I was hoping to see my toys come alive. So after I would walk out of my room and close the door, I would wait a second and then quickly burst in again to see if some sort of party was now taking place. Needless to say, I have yet to barge in on my teddy bears having tea. It is crazy to me that sometimes I still do that. I've closed the door on a part of my life, but then I want to peak back in and see if maybe I am missing out on something. When you take time to peak back into the room, it may seem harmless, but usually you'll end up missing the sunshine through the window.

As I embark on my biggest journey yet, I see plenty of sunshine up ahead and I am going to open all the windows I can!

My Really Bad Habit

So as I was looking through my blog, I realized I don't always post the things I write. I write myself to sleep a lot and (as my previous roommates can attest to) I always fall asleep with my laptop in my lap. I fall asleep mid-sentence and wake up with my laptop perfectly balanced right where I left it. Below is a blog I started in October and in an attempt to finish last year, I am posting it now.


It is only October, but it might as well be Thanksgiving already because every night I crave bread, mashed potatoes and turkey. My fall food cravings are in full gear. Fall just seems so cozy to me. I love it. Sweaters, coats, and a warm bed... I am in heaven. I should probably wait to post the Thanksgiving gratitude post, but today I feel like I need a little gratitude boost. So I will list those things I am grateful for now, in no particular order.

Fresh food and home cooking. Sweat pants and three layers of blankets to keep me toasty in bed. A blog to write in so I can feel like I accomplished something today. Supportive friends and family. The ceramic blue elephant who stands sentinel over my meager collection of books and little cactus snow globe. Prayer. Wawa hot chocolate with Irish cream. Craft blogs. An education and the ability to earn a living.


There are so many more, but this seems adequate for now. I won't get toasted leg syndrome tonight, so I am cutting off the laptop before it is too late.

Enough said....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well I had intended to update this blog soon, but that was before I caught what may be the new plague here in Richmond. I think a person can get much more ill than I was, but for a girl who only gets a cold for a day or two, this thing is pretty wicked. I sound like I have pertussis... or I am turning into a goose. I am hoping neither scenario is correct. But the new year has begun, with or without my consent and we are now in full swing. I can honestly say I have spent over half this year in bed. I always wondered what it would be like to sleep like Rip VanWinkle though, so I guess I should feel pretty fulfilled.

For those of you who don't know, I quit my job right before Christmas because of a discrepancy about some requested time off. So my new found freedom has given me plenty of time to recover, but it has also given me plenty of time to think, WHAT IN THE WORLD AM I GOING TO DO WITH MYSELF!? I would really like a job, or as my parents suggest, I would like to "contribute to society". Luckily for the environment, most job applications are now online or electronic, because at this point I may have used up half the trees in the rain forest. When I think about energy usage though, I probably emitted enough CO2 to counteract any good saving the trees did. All I want is a high schoolers job being a cashier or something... at least something to make me feel like I am doing some sort of work. It has come to my attention though, that even if you are a college graduate and could easily count seven dollars and forty-nine cents worth of change no one will hire you. Perhaps having a college degree makes me inaccessible to those who shop at chain retailers? All I'm saying is, if I was running a business, I would give someone who is over qualified a position if they will happily take the same $8/hr as a goofy kid who can't count. End of rant. Too bitter?

Truth be told, besides being sick, I have actually enjoyed my time off.  When you're preparing for a wedding, I don't feel like you ever run out of things to do. Now don't get me wrong, I sure do miss getting a paycheck, but I have been able to spend a lot of time with Nate. Have I told all of you how much I love that guy? HE-IS-AMAZING! He brought me Chick-Fil-A soup twice, cough drops, extra snuggles, and did I mention foot rubs?? After he goes to work all day, he comes over to my house- to give ME a foot rub! I-LOVE-HIM! Best. Year. EVER!

I need to go to bed. The later it gets, the worse the coughing gets. I will leave you with this. Don't try to RSVP... I haven't added anyone's names yet.

http://www.theknot.com/ourwedding/NateEaton&EricaNalder

Out Like A Lamb... In Like A Lion

I figure on the last day of the year it may be important to write my blog for the month. I will write something superb in January. I am typing all of this on my i-touch in the guest room at Nate's parents house. Needless to say, the typing is a bit difficult!

Today I bought my wedding dress! It is a huge relief to say the least. I got it for 200 less than what I thought it was going to be and I know there was some serious divine intervention. Anyone who knows me knows I tend to stress a bit. Bless Nate and his learned patience towards me. He has been extra wonderful during the wedding stuff, and makes it go by so much smoother. I love that man!

In traditional style, I will be shouting out this years new resoloution. This upcoming year I have pledged to myself to be less negative. When I am awake tomorrow and have a laptop I will tell you all about it!