Today you are 9.

Dear Tess,
Last night I watched you sleeping.
I climbed into bed with you and listened to you breathe.
Then I felt for your heartbeat because it's strong, steady rhythm comforts me.
I thought back to the day you came into our lives 9 years ago.
You were the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Button nose. Sweetheart lips. Smooth, soft skin.
You walked into my heart, entirely and completely, the moment I saw you.
I had no idea that could happen.

You were the first.
You made me a mother.
You made us a family.
You'll always have a special place in my heart.

Happy birthday sweet girl.
I love you. Forever.
Mom

"The" talk.

Last night Nate and I took Tess to her favorite restaurant, Katmandu.
Indian and Nepali cuisine. Mostly she loves the naan.
We had decided that it was time to have "the" talk with her.
You know, the one about the birds and the bees.

I had been told by friends that if we hadn't discussed it by the time she was 9, we would be too late. She would have already heard it all during recess.

Well, I'm happy to report that innocence remains.
The look of shock and horror on her face said it all.
She was able to stammer, "What?....How?....But doesn't that hurt?!" before bursting into tears and begging us to "please stop talking about it."
We tried to convey that it was actually a very beautiful and sacred (and fun) thing when done at the proper time. That it actually brings a husband and wife closer together.
And then we told her that if she ever had any questions she could always come to us and ask.
She responded that she would "never want to talk about it ever again."

Oh sweet, tender-hearted Tess.
We love you just the way you are.

Here are some pictures of younger, simpler times:

Parents day at Tess' dance class.

Tess dances at Virginia Tanner on the U campus.

It's over. And I survived.

me, LynnEl "Mama Springer" and Amy Springer- it's Amy's fault I had to speak.

Thanks to everyone that came to hear me speak at Women's Conference.

It meant so much to have loved ones there.

Actually, I wasn't all that nervous, if you can believe it.

It's amazing what putting your trust in the Lord can do for your confidence.

Of course, watching the hundreds of women file into the room made me a bit jittery.

But Nathan pulled me into a side room and gave me a quick priesthood blessing.

And again I was calm.

I just love that guy.

Luckily I got to speak early on in the conference so that I could enjoy the rest of it.

Absolutely loved Julie B. Beck's image of a mother as a "lioness standing at the gate" fiercely protecting her home.

Also, loved this quote from Dallin H. Oaks-"It's amazing how much you can get done if you don't worry about who gets the credit."

I took lots of notes.

And doodled Nate's name in the margin of my notebook.

Just like when we were dating.

Because thinking of him still makes my heart skip a beat.

Can't wait for next year. I anticipate it will be a lot less nerve-wracking.

Although for anyone that may be speaking ...can I ride in your car?...the parking privileges are the bomb.

This is not the place.

The Meekers are moving...

Because Nate found a really incredible job

Only a short 5 hour drive from SLC

Into the "City of Tress"

Skiing, Boating, Canoeing, Fly fishing

Everyone come visit!

Have you ever met anyone from Boise that didn't just love it there?

Well, we haven't.

People love their Boise.

It seems like a pretty great place.

We'll let you know when we get there this summer.

The Boise River runs right through the heart of the city.

The Greenbelt (20 miles of paved pathway for walking/biking) runs alongside the river.

My conversation with Tess about the move (a month before the final decision was made)...

Tess: Mom, I heard you talking on the phone about us moving.

Me: Yes, we might move. How do you feel about that?

Tess: I think it sounds awesome!!!!! I told Grace that she could come play at our new house.

Me: Well, that's the thing. We might be moving pretty far away.

Tess: Like downtown??!!

Me: No, farther. Like out of the state of Utah.

Tess: I've always wanted to live in Texas!

Me: Well, it wouldn't be Texas. It would be a place called Boise, Idaho. It's near Sun Valley.

Tess: OMGosh!! I love Sun Valley!!

Me: Okay, but you realize that moving to Boise won't quite be like vacationing in Sun Valley. We would have to do all of our regular things like school, lessons, chores.

Tess: (rolling her eyes) Duh mom. I know that.

Me: And it means that we won't be able to go to grandma and grandpa's for Sunday dinner each week.

Tess: (The first hint of sadness)... Well, at least we won't get their hot tub dirty anymore.

Me: So it still sounds pretty fun?

Tess: It sounds awesome!!.....Can I have an upstairs bedroom in our next house??

So there you have it. Even the most cautious among us is ready for the adventure!

Well folks, I guess I'm off to Idaho to raise my family.

(Truly, truly never thought I would hear myself say those words.)

But we are (very!) excited nonetheless.

Just a tad out of my comfort zone.

Did you all get your flier for BYU Women's Conference in the mail this week?

Well, I got mine.

And I must admit, I almost had a heart attack when I opened it up and saw my name in print.

I guess it's officially official.

I will be speaking at Women's Conference.

I've known about this since the end of December.

But I've been living in denial.

I've felt quite certain all along that I would get a phone call taking it all back.

"I'm sorry...we had you confused with another Erin H. Meeker."

or

"It's come to our attention that you're total crap and that just won't do."

But now my name's in print.

So I guess this is on.

How did I get involved in this??

Good question.

Obviously, it's because of my awesome spiritualness.

No?

Okay, okay. It's because I happen to have a good friend on the planning committee.

(Love you Amy.)

A friend that has never heard me speak, I might add.

When I got the letter back in Dec saying that I had been "invited" to speak at WC,

I burst into tears.

Literally.

Then I read my topic: "Urgent Demands and Deep Breaths: Managing Stress"

And I threw the letter on the ground.

Clearly I know a lot about managing stress.

So ladies, please come to Women's Conference.

It is going to be completely incredible.

But for heaven's sake, don't come to my session.

Because I'm a total sham.

(Although my co-presenter seems quite lovely.)

P.S.- Amy- I promise I will do my very best.

P.P.S.- And don't worry - I won't use the word "crap" in my talk.

P.P.P.S.- And everyone- if you have any thoughts on managing stress...send them my way.

Brat.

Dear woman at Toys R Us,

Now that I am in a better mood I can clearly see that I was a total you-know-what today.

I should know by now to not let David out of my sight.

And when you returned him to me and then later approached me with raised eyebrows

and told me that "he was heading outside!,"

I should have thanked you profusely for keeping my little guy safe

instead of snidely remarking,

"So I need to watch him better? Is that what you're trying to say?"

I'm sorry I took my frustration out on you.

No doubt I am a total brat sometimes.

(Just ask my husband for verification on this.)

Let's face it- this whole mothering thing is a bit over my head sometimes.

And it will definitely take the entire village to raise my David.

He's bound and determined to not make it to his next birthday.

My little Houdini.

Anyways, you're great.

Thanks for helping me today.

Let's have lunch in the next life.

Hugs,

Erin

I'm a sucker.

It was Sunday.

We were at church.

Nora developed pink eye mid Sacrament Meeting.

(Yes, truly mid-meeting.)

Nate had to take her home.

I could read the look of injustice on Will's face...

"Dad and Nora get to go home because of one irritated eye?!"

Fast forward one hour.

Will's cute teacher comes to get me.

She says, "Will has an itchy bum.

I tried to wipe it for him but he said it didn't help.

He says he 'can't concentrate' and he can't seem to hold still."

Itchy bum?

Good grief- what am I supposed to do about that?

"Will, I'm taking you home to your dad."

And then a grin the size of Texas spread over his face.

That's when I knew I had been played.

Totally schooled.

C'mon Erin. Itchy bum? Does that sound like a real symptom of anything?

But it was ward conference and I had stake leaders to attend to.

So I walked Will across the street, (because we live across the street), to the pediatrician.

I told Nate that we needed something for "itchy bum" stat.

And he looked at me with his oh really? expression.

I knew what he was thinking...

C'mon Erin. Itchy bum? Does that sound like a real symptom of anything?

Totally outsmarted by my 4 year old.

Are they really supposed to be this cunning?

I guess it's time to step up my game.

Bring it.

Nora. Lover of fine literature.

"Fairy yellow, fairy red,

Fixing wings with fairy thread.

Fairy orange, fairy blue,

Fastening up their fairy shoes.

Fairy pink, fairy white,

Carrying lanterns shining bright.

Rainbow fairies one and all,

Ready for the fairy ball!"

Nora read this book through 12 straight times this morning.

(Okay, not really "read" since she has it memorized.)

She then exuberantly declared, "I love this book!"

Will: "Why?"

Nora: "Because it is so, SO amazing."

Nora knows a good rhyme when she sees one.

Anyone need any book suggestions?

Just ask Nora.

And David thinks my hair smells like cranberries. Just in case you were wondering.