Creative Wanderings

Pregnancy

It’s a lot harder growing a baby than I ever imagined. Some have it pretty easy. Some have it way hard. I definitely fall in the middle ground and probably towards the easy side, but I’m still surprised some days (weeks). Aside from the physical changes and limitations, there are the occasional emotional flare ups, which generally just add to the physical wear and tear of a day. It looks far more glamorous in blogs and on Instagram than it feels in real life.  That said, I had a moment today where I could feel where baby was leaning in me. I of course touched around to see if she would kick or move in response to me. She didn’t, but at that moment it seemed as though I could see her inside me, a very real little girl who is part of our family. I cried. Mostly from fear Read more…

By Erica, ago

Thankful Tuesday

Today I am thankful for 7Up, soft bath mats, and modern technology. My hubby has been thankful that I know how to cook, but I managed to backfire that for myself last night. Maybe it was a bad tomato? He doesn’t eat those, so it could have been that. Who knows! I guess I’m also thankful that I am at my fighting weight now, with no extra gym effort! 😉

By Erica, ago

Giving thanks #1

I think I will blog my thankfuls this November. I’m doing a bit less on social media like Facebook these days, as some groups in the world would target not just defenders of freedom, but their families too. I do love sharing, though, so I will probably make this my main space to share pictures and stories. Anyways… Today I am thankful for my husband!! I know, I should save that for a day when I can’t think what I’m thankful for, but we just had such a wonderful day together and I’ve been thinking how thankful I am for him basically all day. He is a 100% support in our marriage, always by my side – and usually literally by my side!! From the spouse information session this morning, to grocery shopping on his turf, to driving and eating and driving, to stake conference and all the meetings, he Read more…

By Erica, ago

Happy Two Months!

Has it only been two months? It seems both longer and shorter. The great news this month is that I have wedding pictures!!! I’ve had so much fun looking at them… I’ll let them speak for themselves.  At least one of us was ready to get married…. Our beautiful venue, Le Jardin Cute nieces as flower girls Button, button, who’s got the button? Mom always knows best The cuteness! Handsome boys! Someone coached Carson really well, it looks like 🙂 We’re married!! Cue the Hallelujah chorus! Our dear family and friends Tyler: It’s tough being almost 2  My cute nieces and nephews!! Grandparents with their grandkids My beautiful mother My handsome father My four brothers – a rose between the thorns? That, or some seriously awesome bodyguards. I’m the luckiest girl to have these brothers watching out for me! Sweet Tyler The Burgin Family The Smith Family and friends  The Read more…

By Erica, ago

Pennsylvania Apples

Last weekend, Dave and I drove up to Baltimore to spend some time with Jenelle and Jeff before General Conference. I love having a few friends out here that are close enough to visit on the weekends or the occasional day off. Jenelle and I had time to take a short(ish) walk together and it was so soul-soothing to have that connection and just be who I always have been. Navigating marriage and a new city and looking for a new job and fitting into a new ward…. there’s so many new things going on that it is truly precious to spend some time with a friend who has known me for ten years, through all sorts of other “new” phases. Those twenty minutes were probably some of the most precious for me. However, Jenelle and Jeff are awesome at finding cool local events to attend! So early on Saturday morning, we Read more…

By Erica, ago

David Rollo Smith and Erica Burgin (Smith)

Wow!! Let’s just pause for a moment and recognize that this is my last full week at work before my wedding!!! I can’t believe this day is almost here. Even now, it is a little surreal. But I am so confident and excited and ready to take this next step with Dave.  I get to look at this announcement every day – at my work cubicle and at home on my fridge! What an excellent man…. I love him. In 8 days I will give him the biggest hug ever! Let’s get married, Dave. I love you. 

By Erica, ago

Luuuvvv, trwweewww lluuuuuuuuv

My Dave is incredible. So wise! So handsome! So strong! He is honestly better than my dream guy. I never dreamed big enough… didn’t really think such a perfect-for-me man could exist! His strengths balance my imperfections. We become a pair of grinning idiots together because seeing him makes me smile, and him seeing me makes him smile, so I smile more so he smiles more so I…. well, you get the idea. He knows when to hold me and when to offer suggestions. He sacrifices one of his most precious resources – sleep – so we can Skype. There’s so many dreams and futures, and wedding plans, to discuss that we often run past our 8pm/10pm curfew. Can I just mention how excited I am to be in the same time-zone, state, city, and HOUSE as my love in just 23 days!??Can I also mention how it all still seems Read more…

By Erica, ago

Busy times

Life is super busy right now!  We didn’t really send these out, since invites are coming super soon. I’m so excited to be marrying my best friend. Sometimes it’s a little crazy to think how quickly and smoothly everything has happened, but when the timing is right, things just work. I love Dave and can’t wait to be with him again – for now through eternity!

By Erica, ago

Dave’s Baptism

I had the best long weekend last week!! I went to Washington D.C. to see my amazing boyfriend, Dave, get baptized. He is such a wonderful man. We met earlier this year, before he had really begun investigating, and even then I was impressed by his moral character, integrity, and especially his kindness and generosity. I feel incredibly blessed to be dating such a great guy, and doubly blessed that his investigation of the church led to a conversion within him. It’s a great story, but for now here are some pictures of the day.  Colin, our mutual friend who introduced us, baptized Dave.  Linda, Dave’s mom, came up from Florida to support him.  Not pictured are my parents, Elder and Sister Gillespie from the D.C. Temple Visitor’s Center, and all the ward family that came out to support Dave on this special day!

By Erica, ago