Day of the Irish

It's a big day in the Curran household. We like today. We like green. We like corned beef and cabbage. We like our ancestry. We are proud little suckers of our Irish background. We may not celebrate it like they do in my favored country of Ireland, but creating traditions and celebrating our heritage here in the U.S. is what it's all about.

We wear green, yes. Ireland is a fantastically green place. Rolling hills as far as the eye can see.
Such a fantastic place!
We eat Lucky Charms. Thank you to General Mills for creating such a delightful treat. Growing up we always knew we'd at least get one bowl of sugar cereal on this blessed day. Sometimes we ate porridge with green food coloring (not totally the favorite, but the green definitely changed it up). Sometimes mom came to our class in elementary school pretending to be a leprechaun, and she showed how saying the magic words, "come on Leprechaun" would change the porridge to a green color. All kids were in mutual awe.
We sometimes talk in an Irish accent. It's just for kicks and giggles. Quinn is probably better at it than the rest of us.
We talk up our names and how Irish they are, and just how Irish we are. We're glad mom and dad gave us names we could brag about.
We watch our favorite movies on this day. As kids it was "Darby O'Gill and the Little People". Shannon is still afraid of the Banshee. These days I watch "The Quiet Man" with more frequency. It's a delightful little movie. John Wayne & Maureen O'Hara are a perfect pair.

When visiting Ireland, these are the foods I like eating:




I know we have these in the U.S., but believe me when I say that the chocolate there is 100 times better!


Oh butter, delicious butter! Black bread and butter is super tasty. This girl is a fan of Kerry Gold.


I'm pretty much a fan of breakfast in general, but Irish breakfasts take the cake! The only thing missing in this picture is white pudding. It's a type of sausage mixed with oatmeal, onions and spices. If you're really brave, try the black pudding. It has pig's blood in it. I've had it many times and liked it, actually.

Oh how I miss my Ireland! My cousin Brigid will be married in Dublin and I hope, hope I can go. To end my little post here, enjoy a wee bit of "The Quiet Man".

Go here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5BjMTVnNuE&feature=related

20 is the magic number

This chica is making some goals, and 20 is the goal (at least for the next two months).
My brother Sean and his Bri are getting married May 20th, and I'd like to look a little thinner in those pictures. So I, Erincita, am going to let the world know this (or whoever the heck even reads my wee blog). I am tired of doing this half-way. I am ready to LOSE IT!

On your mark, get set, GOAL!!

My Valentine...

He.is.fabulous.

Ode to Groundhog Day

Mr. Trololo

Thank you, Robert Kenneth for introducing this lovely gem on your lovely blog. Dave and I have a good laugh almost every day as we watch it. I'm laughing even now thinking about the joy it will bring to every last one of you! Watch it again and again and again, won't you?
If the hair style doesn't do it, the lip syncing will.

Thoughts

The New Year is here and I've had some time to reflect over 2010. I'm not going to lie, 2010 was a hard year for me. It was a year fraught with joblessness, self-doubt, and a whole heap of frustration. However, it was also a year of new-found love, a new nephew and niece, understanding of tests and trials in life, and a greater love for my Heavenly Father and his constant care. When it all comes down to it, I'm blessed.

I went to the funeral of my dear friend Melanee's Father, who was also my land-lord for many years and a wonderful man. It was a beautiful tribute to his well-lived life. There were many reminders of what I need to be doing in my life. I felt motivated to change, but I also felt the burden of what it takes to bring change to pass. The passing of this man made me realize also how much I love and cherish my family. I need to take every opportunity to show them my love.

The winter months are hard. Each year it seems like the dark clouds of winter loom heavier over me and bring my spirit to a greater low. Not fun. Sunshine, this chica needs you.

Overall, life is good.

Baby E

Little E arrived on December 21st. If you think she is precious here, you should see her now! So happy to have my first little niece. Love her!

Christmas presents a-plenty!

Christmas comes early this year, oh yes! Two of the best presents EVER are coming tomorrow. Little Liam and his family will be in Utah tomorrow - hooray! I get to hold my brand new nephew, finally!
The other present is of the feminine sort. I will have my VERY FIRST niece tomorrow, brought to us via scheduled c-section. Who can hardly wait? This Auntie! Holy moly, the Curran family has been waiting for this little bundle of femininity for a long time. After 7 little boys, it is time! I can hardly wait to see her and hear her name. Shane and Sharon like to keep us guessing (bless their hearts).
More news tomorrow!

Ah, bless the holidays. I love 'em, I do. I am one of those people at Christmas that wants to do every single Christmasy thing for the holiday to be complete. I want to watch all of my favorite x-mas movies, take multiple drives to see the pretty lights, make and decorate sugar cookies, be a part of the hustle and bustle of x-mas (but not necessarily buy a whole heck of a lot), kiss my man under the mistletoe, sit by the fire and stare at the x-mas tree, drink lots of hot cocoa, spend lots of time with my nephews telling x-mas stories, walking through temple square to experience the beautiful lights and atmosphere, caroling with my family on x-mas eve, giving spare change to the people ringing the bells at wal-mart or anyone one needing an extra dollar here and there.

This year the holiday season has rushed passed me. I can hardly believe that we are only 10 days away! Not only do I want to do all of the things on my list, but I want to better remember why we celebrate this season. I'm so thankful for Jesus Christ, and am so grateful that he came to earth to live and die for us.

As my gift for the season, I want to share this movie. Most have seen it, but if you haven't, take 25 minutes and watch Jimmy Stewart at his best. It always makes me cry. Christmas wouldn't be the same without Mr. Krueger's Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

Kai's entry

Not sure what we're doing here.
Kai is so anxious for T-day he's gnawing on paper plates. Crazy kid.
10 year old dream boat, Kai.

Hi this is kai hi Liam how are you hi Gavin and Ryan how are you guy's? how are you auntie Caiti?

Auntie Erin transcribing now:

Auntie Erin and I just finished making pecan pies for Thanksgiving. I want one, but she is taking them to Dave's house for his family. Maybe we can make one later.

I am thankful for:

Nutella, because I love it.
Family, because they look out for me.
A house
Clothes
Mountains
Snow (he's a boy after my own heart)
Snow boarding (he's a good snow boarder)
Santa!
Presents!
Friends
Birthdays

I can't think of anymore. I'm excited for Thanksgiving, 'cuz I get to see the new Harry Potter.

Sweet baby boy

Now, is this not the cutest baby you've ever seen??!! Liam arrived last night and is a whopping 9 lbs. 6 oz. and 21 inches. How I love this nephew I haven't even met yet! I'm so thankful that he and his mama are doing well.

He's coming today!

I am so anxious, so anxious indeed! My 7th nephew is well on his way to making his debut into this crazy, chaotic, and beautiful world. Dear Liam, your auntie can't wait to meet you, love you, and get to know your precious spirit throughout this life.

I am so thankful today for life, for children, for their perfection that daily reminds me of God's love for each of his children here on earth.

Needing to give thanks

Thankfulness: 'tis the time of year, yes? Of course yes. I feel the need to be thankful more often. I need not only voice it at this time of year, but should be giving thanks daily. Here are a few thoughts today...

I'm thankful that my parents have welcomed me home yet again to do the earnin' and the savin'. I promise, it's only temporary. They are good to their children. We hardly deserve their goodness.

I'm thankful that Noelle Livingston asked me to sing at the YW in Excellence in her ward last night. It was a sweet time for me to reminisce about my own days in YW's, and the choices I've tried to make up to this point in my life. I'm gonna keep on keepin' on. Thanks, girly.

I'm thankful to have a job. A job that I actually like getting up for in the morning. All of those months without a job sucked (for lack of a better word), and recognizing that our unemployment rate is still high, I am incredibly thankful.

I'm thankful to Victoria Jane for giving me a roof over my head for a while. She's da best!

More gratitude to come...

Did you look outside tonight?

Yep, it's snowing. I love it, I love it, and I don't care who knows it! Snow haters, I am sorry. Snow is glorious, and this girl is loving it. Bring on the cozy day all snuggly with a cup of hot cocoa in hand. Bring on the winter cuddling with my warm Dave. Ah, heavenly days.

I gots to lose it

How many of us are satisfied with the way we look? My guess is almost none of us are. Even in my very thin days, I wasn't satisfied. It's pretty scary, eh? Why can't we be satisfied and happy with the way our bodies look? I know that it's an on-going struggle for me, but one I wish I didn't think so much about. The truth is, I'm actually much more accepting of my body these days than I have been in a long time. Looking at myself in the mirror, I don't look awful. Like they said in our regional conference not too long ago - "You're doing great, but you could be better". That's how I feel right now. I know that I could be better about my eating habits, exercise, etc. I don't want how my body looks to be an obsession. I've wasted way too much time worrying about it and I'm not going to anymore! From today forward I am committing to quit worrying about the things I can't change. I commit to take care of my body, to feed it good, healthy foods. I commit to giving my body the exercise it needs to sustain itself on a daily basis. I commit to being happy no matter what I weigh. Weight doesn't define me.

Here I go...