We'll miss you Grandma

Two weekends ago we celebrated my Grandmother Barnett's 90th birthday and this weekend we will head to Michigan to celebrate the life of my Grandma Paajanen. Saying good bye to a loved one is never easy... Even when they are older and you know it is coming. Tuesday night my Grandma Paajanen passed away. Many tears have been shed while my mind has been filled with sweet memories that I had with her. A 62 year age difference never stopped us from being good friends!

Because all of our plans have been last minute and I still need to pack for our early morning flight, I don't have time to write much else. I didn't even have time to scan this picture so it's a picture of a picture!

Thanks for being such a wonderful Grandma. We love you!!!

Summer 2001 ~ Lake Superior

Erica needs...

Elaine had this very funny post today. Since Isaac is sleeping and Shaun is watching the AMA Super Cross something, I thought I would play along. So, here's what you do: Google search, your name, with "needs" on the end (ie: I would type "Erica needs"). Then you write a blog post, listing the first 10 results, and your own comment to each. Here is my top ten:


1. Erica needs to be in a much better place.
I love my sweet little home but I would take Hawaii any day!


2. Erica needs a boyfriend.
Ummm... The whole Michael Scofield, Prison Break, thing was just an innocent crush...


3. Erica needs to be able to feel proud of Todd and the work he's done.
We'll pretend that Todd is my dentist... My teeth are sparkling clean!


4. Erica needs to meet her husband's needs without ignoring her own.
I assure you that getting a boyfriend is NOT one of my needs!


5. Erica needs to travel to England to recover gold owed her family and restore the family's good name.
Mom? Dad? Is there something you're not telling me? I thought our family was in Finland?


6. Erica needs a girl.
I would love to have a girl... Someday!


7. Erica needs a story that doesn’t involve her screaming or threatening people.
Oh no! I hope I'm not that bad!?


8. Erica needs fire and passion in her life.
No fire because Shaun would just put it out (get it?) Maybe a little passion would be nice... Valentines is next week!


9. Erica needs a reality check.
We're spending Valentines at Sea World with my family! It's just another day!


10. Erica needs answers.
I'm wondering why I even bother to vacuum and dust when I know that in five minutes gold fish crumbs will be on the floor and wet finger prints will be on the table?


I had to add a picture of Isaac 'cause I'm sure my mom would be mad if she got on the computer to check my blog and soon realized that it had nothing to do with Isaac! So, here's a random picture for you mom... Your cutie pie playing peek-a-boo!

Isaac's 1yr Check Up!

Isaac had his one year check up this morning (I know, a few months over due). He took it like a champ... and a girl! He got four shots and they had to draw blood so when he cried, he SCREAMED!!! I wanted to cry right along with him! I'm glad he doesn't go through the torture of anticipating the shots but boy do they sting. He couldn't wait to get out of there, waving bye to the doctors and telling us he was all done. He's 26 lbs (70 percentile) and 32 1/4 in (85 percentile). He's happy, healthy, and developing on track! We're still working on his vocabulary (he says mama, dada, ball, tickle) but he mostly communicate through sign language (he signs water, milk, gentle, all gone, please, hat, thank you, food, and more). Isaac knows most of his animal sounds (dog, cat, shark, bear, lion, snake, fish, lizard, duck, horse, sheep, owl, monkey, tiger, seal, dolphin) and has mommy and daddy working on their elephant sound! He loves playing ball, the drums, showing us his muscles, reading books, hide and seek, dancing and spinning in circles, being outside, and chasing the cats all over the house! He doesn't like getting his hands dirty, naps, broccoli (that's my boy!), being inside, and car rides longer than 30 minutes. We love him more and more each day! This little guy is the greatest blessing!

Arizona: Part 2 Happy 90th Birthday Grandmother

This past weekend we celebrated my Grandmother's 90th birthday! We all headed to my Uncle's ranch in southern Arizona (A four hour drive from my parent's house). The last time we were all together was July 2005.... Way too long ago! It was a beautiful day and the location and space was perfect! We had games for the great grand kids and stories of how it was long ago from the "old folks"! My cousin Deanna made a photo collage and the favorite picture was a black and white of my Grandmother sitting on the hood of a Chevy in a two piece (1930s). To view the rest of the pictures visit http://isaachiggins.shutterfly.com/

My grandmother lives on her own and just bought a brand new car! I'd say she's doing well!

Grandmother w/ her kids (my mom and her brothers)

Grandmother with her grand kids


Grandmother (G.G.Mom) with her great grand kids


The whole group

Isaac and his partner in crime, cousin Jesse James


Isaac and Jesse (17 mo) hugging while trying to escape through the gate after we locked them in

One of Isaac's favorite people, cousin Sabreena

The view from my Uncle's ranch

Based on Proverbs 31:10-31, my mom wrote this for my grandmother and had my brother read it at the party. Just thought I'd share it with you!

Description of a Worthy Woman

An excellent wife, who can find? She is rare and precious and her worth is far above rubies. She is her husband’s partner. He completely trusts her with all that he is and all that he has. She does him good and not evil, lovingly caring and sacrificing without a word of complaint all of his days. Her children love and respect her for being devoted to their dad through 55 years of marriage and tenderly caring for him the eleven years he no longer could. Her life is built on an imperishable foundation. Even in times when she is powerless to do anything, as when a son is severely burned and she is scheduled for surgery, her strength and her faith carry her through. She provides for the needs of her household. Her kitchen, a favorite place to be, never lays dormant. Her family arrives to the smell of baking bread. The smallest occasions become special with her pies, cakes, brownies, and cookies. Her hands joyfully create award winning masterpieces through the use of different mediums. Her many skills and abilities are used for the pleasure of her family. Her character is steady, reliable, and dependable. She uses her mind, logically analyzing before making a decision. Her efforts and industry have contributed to the success of her family. She is confident in whose hands she rests. Well read, with knowledge of the facts, she speaks with wisdom. Her children rise up and bless her. Her husband also, and he praises her saying, “Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.” Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a women who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

Arizona: Part 1

WE'RE HERE!!! WE MADE IT TO ARIZONA!!!

When we got to the airport in California they almost didn't let me on the plane without buying a ticket for Isaac. You see, they thought he was two! I assured them that he just turned one but they had to go and get a supervisor. The lady studied him and said that she would let me go this time but I need to carry proof with me from now on. Yes ma'am! We made it through check point with no problems but when we got to the gate and saw that our flight had been delayed an hour, I flipped... What was I going to do with Isaac for an hour and a half!?! He was all over the place and entertained EVERYONE that was waiting! By the end of the flight he had made MANY friends. When we landed we had to wait at the bottom of the gate for the stroller and Isaac waved to every person that walked out of the plane. I was shocked when they all waved back and said, "Bye Isaac!" THEY KNEW HIS NAME!!!

Isaac still has a runny nose so he's been on and off drama all day! It's nice to have the extra help when he's being a little mama's boy! He loves the extra attention too!!! We went to the tennis courts because Papi was giving lessons to a bunch of little kids. Isaac grabbed a racket (a full size racket because he would have nothing to do with a little one) and joined right in. It's amazing how, even at one, they think they know everything!

He is telling everyone how old he is... I should have had him do this for the airport workers!

Sick Boy

My poor Isaac is sick and we're flying to Arizona tomorrow! I pray all goes well... Daddy is staying home so it's just the little guy and mommy!

Sharks and Kittens

Last month Isaac's best friend was Jaws. When he first met Mr. Shark he wasn't so sure about his teeth. BUT, within a few days, the shark was getting Isaac's open mouth kisses. He still likes Jaws but this month his best friend is Ball the kitten (everything is named ball because that's Isaac's favorite thing). When he saw this kitten at the store he just had to have her. He completely overlooked the lion, dog, elephant, and monkey and began to meow as he reached for the kitty. Isaac is definitely all boy but I'm glad to know that he has a sensitive side too!

Mr. Jaws

Reading to the kitten