Memorial Day.

I thank to all the men who fought for my freedom. This is the day we honor all you men.



Erika M.

My Thoughts on the Gift of Life.

   Have I ever told you how I am truly blessed by God. I am going to be 15 this coming up month and wish with all my heart I could be the 7 year old who came home seven years ago.
   I wish so much to be the little girl that Papa was to pick up and throw over his shoulder like I weighed nothing to him. That girl that was swept off her feet and held like a princess in her father's arms.
   I wish that I could be the little girl that mama use to dress up in dresses and do my hair the way she liked it on me. The girl who use to fit in mama's lap and watch her on the computer. But life moves on, even if you sometimes don't want it to.
   As I get older I treasure so much the things that happen to me. The small and the big. Things that will always be placed in my heart.
   Small things like listening to my sisters laugh. Watching my sister Alli grow up and her face looks so grown up. She has gotten so tall and now is almost an inch taller than I am. She is 5. Ft 2 and 3 quarters. I am so proud of my dearest, younger sister Alli and love her so very much. I love getting back rides on you Alli, I will always treasure them.
   I love to watch my sister Sarah singing and dancing when things are down and quiet around the house. I love her cheerful attitude and she has really helped

I love this driveway.
The driveway that I have walked and fallen on.
The driveway that I use to take the trash out.

Me through hard times. I love being Sarah's sister and the fact that I knew her before my parents, makes it a deep relationship between my dearest friend and Sister. My Sarah has also gotten taller. She has half in inch to go and she will be as tall as me very soon. WOW. I love sharing my thoughts with Sarah.
   My Anna... She has been a very helpful sister to me. I love sharing music with her. I love seeing her smile when something funny happens. I love hearing her sarcastic jokes. I love her beautiful dark red hair.

   I love this view. I get to look at every time I go out to see my father. God's creation just fascinates me.

   Every Leaf that is so unique in its own way. The way the color is shown in the sunlight.

  The sun that comes up every morning and goes down every night. The sun that gives us warmth and light. The sun that keeps us going every day.

    Also the chickens that give us eggs every morning. I will be thankful for these God created creatures.

  The way the flower in each pebble on it, is put exactly the way it's suppose to be.

   The color on each pebble just amazes me.

   I will always remember looking outside and seeing Sarah or Alli just enjoying the swing, that Alli, Papa, and I made.

    I love the idea that I am part of the Minichs. I am part of the Minich team, who gets together when things get chaotic. We take the hard things to the Lord and find rest in him. We love on each other when one is needing love. That just fills my heart with joy.

   I love our Dog Bella, who is so playful and has amazing facial expressions. I love seeing her and Anna playing together. I love watching her fur fly back when she is running.

And our wonderful, faithful cat.
Bob THE Cat.

I love this awesome sign that Papa and I painted together. I love those Horse shoes.

This is the back of the sign.

 


I love the idea that my papa works right behind our house.  I am blessed to have my dad here at home and to see him as much as I can. Sarah and Alli have both been working with papa and been paid.

   I caught a picture of Alli like this when she was helping dad.
  She is really liking this idea.



   Anyway, I am so glad to be here. I am so thankful that I have the gift of life. I hope someday to be in impact on someones life.





Erika M.

Wishing Kindred Spirit Happy Birhtday.

    My Dearest Friend Brittany.  I wish you the greatest birthday. I love you so very much. Ever Since I first met you have been such a delight.

  I first met you at the wonderful place called Peaceable Kingdom Retreat for Children.  Your were only 11 years old and I was 8.

 It is so hard to believe you and I were so small. I have had the pleasure to watch you grow and change so much.






And I know that you and me don't see each other much (and we only live 20 minutes apart) but deep in my heart you are closer to me than I ever thought.






        Your smile has lifted my heart every time I see you. Every time you gave me hug I treasured it with all my heart.

I loved helping you with school when you didn't understand.











I love getting your friendly emails.

Happy 18th Birthday.

I love receiving your phone calls when you wanted to say hi.

I love you VERY MUCH.

Erika M.

Pumpcast News, Part 1 - The Tonight Show with Jay Leno

You have to watch. This is great. You might have to turn it up.
Enjoy.


Erika M.

Happy Mothers Day

 Happy Mothers day Mom. I love you very much. Your are so special to me and I am beyond blessed to have you.

Love you.

   To see your smile makes my heart leap with Joy. You are my great example.

My mother forever!!!

Erika M.

Have I Ever Told You About My Mom??

Have I Ever Told You About My Mom??
   I have never started to really realize how precious she is to me, until she left to North Carolina. My mom was gone for 2 weeks with my sister Alli. Sarah, Anna, and I had to hold down the fort. And my dad was there to help us when we messed up or there to comfort us when we longed to be held in our mothers arms.
   My mom practically flew across the whole world just to get me. I think about that now and I realize that God really had this all planned out.
   Mamma met Pappa almost 25 years ago and they both love each other. My mom is so loyal in so many ways, that I can't even express it. She has loved all eight kids from child number one to child number eight.
   When my mother is rejected by one of us she does not reject back, but gives all the love she has to offer. She forgives us before we apologize. Sometimes it is very hard, but she manages to do it. She has so much love and kindness in her, I sometimes stand in wonder where she gets it from. It all comes from Christ, who gave his life for her and me, and everyone in the world. And I hope so much I have the gifts she has when and if I get married and have children of my own.
   I sometimes stand there and watch my mom engage in Facebook, blogging, or even email and watch her different reactions to different things. She is not just a mother but a special mom and Grandmother to 11 grandchildren.
   I have had people come up to me and tell me that I have the best mother in the world. I even had a 16 year boy that I know come up and tell me he really loved my mom. I replied, " So do I."
   I have gone places and have seen kids be so disrespectful to their mom it shocked me. I have had friends tell my that they hate their parents and even siblings!!! I felt so sorry for them.  My mom is my gift and treasure. And I long so much to be like her.
   She wakes up every morning always in a happy mood ready to start a day fine and dandy. My mom is treasure that no money can replace. I also have noticed that she and pappa balance each other out. They are like a body, and when part of the body is hurt the rest of the body hurts with it. They comfort each other when the other is down and feels alone. They pray together when they need instruction. They thank the Lord for the big and even little blessings.
   She daily makes breakfast, lunch, and dinner for five hungry family members. She is sometimes a short order cook. She is also an amazing Gluten Free Cook.
   She has even had to change from four different grades to help four of us girls with school work. It amazes me how she keeps up.
   My mom has also set up a special time with daughters. Once a month each girl gets to go with mom by them selves some where they like and talk with mom. We get to tell her what's on our minds and things we love to do.
   She came up to me today and told my that she broke her camera, being irresponsible. I asked her how so.. She told me she didn't wrap the strap around her hand and tripped over her foot and dropped it. She told me she was so sad because after all the warnings for us in wearing the strap and being very careful, she was the one not careful. I am not writing this to gain up on my mom but to say she is not afraid to tell me when she has messed up. She is not afraid to admit her mess ups or her wrongs. And that is where I want so much to learn from her.
   She takes us to the rocking chair when we are out of sorts and rocks us, singing and comforting us. Anna calls the rocking chair "The Chair of Doom." I call it "The Chair of love and comfort."



I love you mama and treasure you FOREVER.



Erika M.