I really wish I would blog/journal more! Not because I have brilliant things to say or anything but for one, to keep me writing but also to help me keep up with all the little, simple but great things that happen daily. You know the things that by the end of the week when you are trying to recall specifics, you completely forget and then you don't feel so inspired to write in your blog or let alone a song.

Music has been a bit of a rollercoaster lately... you know scratch that!!! Excuse me but I'm going to get a little bit ADD for a moment, but I seem to always use the analogy of "life is like a rollercoaster" you know with it's ups and downs yet it is still an exciting ride and all. Well yeah that is true BUT if you really think about it, we say "ups and downs" with "ups" meaning good times and "down" for the low points but I don't know about you but my favorite part of a rollercoaster is just when you are tipping over that hill and then you come soaring down at full speed, your stomach in your throat, your body suspended in mid air for a moment, then you quit breathing for another second or two before hitting that next dip or turn and finally you yell out with all that you have within you.... Yeah, I like the ride down!!! Not in life but on a roller coaster...so that's why I am taking back that analogy a few lines above.

Okay now back to the blog... you thought I was joking about how my mind wanders but anyone who knows me, knows I ramble!!! You know sometimes I think I am two people. I have this artsy side that is creative yet disorganized but then I have this other side where I am just ON! On top of things, very organized, responsible...oh wait then there is the dorky silly side...Just call me Cybil. Okay now I have mentioned A.D.D and Schizophrenia in the same blog. I apologize if there is anyone out there who could be offended by my humor. I actually am very sympathetic to those who deal with learning disabilities and/or mental issues. I used to work in a Psychiatric Hospital for about 5yrs. Yeah I bet you didn't know that did you? And most recently, I have been subbing here and there for Special Ed at various schools. The kids are so precious but I have to say if you don't have a true respect for those teachers and any teacher for that matter, you should!!! I don't think I could do that full time ever again.

Okay last paragraph... mmmm...what should I say??? Updates... Kevin's Granny passed away last week on my birthday and so he flew to Amarillo to go to the funeral. I was soooo sick that day too.(fun b-day..what would have made it even more perfect, is if I had turned 40 instead of 39..haha) The next day I put the boys on a plane for the first time alone so they could meet up with their daddy and attend the funeral too. I put on my brave face but I worried slightly. They are getting so big. Logan is 13 now and Garrett turns 11 next week. Kendall and I just hung out and did girly stuff. We went to cheer, to the movies, out to eat, and a pumpkin farm with friends... (see pics, to see cheer and farm) She is so much fun and so easy. I missed all my guys though! We are all great and music, like I had started out in this whole blog...is getting more and more interesting. I am talking about the "business" side! Pitching, demos, workshops...I will blog more about a song I got on a documentary that was submitted to the Sundance Film Festival. It will also hopefully be sent to the Academy for Oscar consideration and I also think they are putting it in the Nashville Film Festival. Then down the road they want to make a film about the same person. They already have a script. Well, now I am telling you all about it already. I'll let you know if it gets a "yes" to be shown at Sundance.

Well that's it for now. I don't know really why I write these because I think only my mother actually reads my blog. You watch, she will leave some comment about what a "sweetie pie" I am and how she is so glad I am her daughter... :) Love you MOM!!!

Yeah, i finally went and was in the audience last week. (the 28th) It was pretty cool, though I was sick with a nasty sinus infection. For those who record, Tivo or DVR it, if you watch when Gabe was walking down the isle at the beginning to be introduced and you look up to the top right hand corner, there I am with my hubby. I'm in a black shirt and camo pants. :) I didn't send out an email before because I didn't know where the heck I was sitting or what I was wearing....so anyway, it was great to just see how it all goes down and behind the scenes during those commercials. It's gets pretty wild at times. haha Seriously, it was a cool experience and I would attend again next season.

E

I just got through watching Diane Sawyer and her interview with Randy Pausch and The Last Lecture(his book). You need to look up this guy and read his book. His story is VERY inspiring and made me rethink what it is that I am leaving behind as a legacy for my children and their outlook on life. He died from pancreatic cancer but he touched those around him up until the time he died and is still doing that even after his death.

Monday night, the band Rough Draft, arrived at my house and the kids were so excited. I was too, since I hadn't seen Andrew and the guys in two years. I actually had only met them once, at Estes Park, but we clicked as friends and then I co wrote "Awaken Me" with Andrew via the internet. We did keep in touch though and got to know each other the best we could through email, myspace and phone. The guys came in to record some radio segments and play some music live for a show that aired tonight on Total Axxess. Wally had asked them to come to Nashville after a fan put our song on the hotlist as one of his favorite songs. Wally was curious and gracious enough to actually play it. He really liked the group and wanted them to come do the show. You should really listen in on Wally's show that is on Mon-Sat and airs at 6pm Central on way fm. The RD boyz were awesome house guests and if anyone needs a reference I will tell you that my "chicken" dog even loved them. They were great to my three children and Kevin really enjoyed having more "men" around to talk to. :) They also led worship at our youth night at our church. The youth really enjoyed having them come out and play. It was really cool to hear them tonight on the show. I am excited about where their ministry is going and how God is going to use them. Can't wait to hear the next album!!! If you want to check them out, you can find them on my top friends page or go to www.roughdraftband.com

If RD is reading this... You are always welcome here! But you must promise to tell me the next time there is a "bat in the cave" Got it!!! We are family now and I expect nothing less! ;)

I love going out and hearing great songs and the stories behind them. I always come home wanting to write. And not just throw down a song but really really write something great. I just got back from the Listening Room in Franklin and was definitely moved, entertained and inspired. Laurie Killian Starr does a writers round the last Friday of the month. She is a great artist and songwriter and she always has some great songwriters with her in her rounds. I have been to three and can say it's been a blessing every time. I also just got back last Sunday from a co writers weekend retreat. It was soooo awesome and again so inspiring. I feel so blessed to have the family and friends that I have.

Well I just got back on Friday from a youth mission trip to KY. Though we spent the week doing all kinds of things to help out the community, which I will go into detail later, we also spent some down time playing basketball, soccer, football etc. I somehow played and kept up with those young ones and didn’t even need a tylenol or heating pad afterwards. haha BUT... I did find myself bored sitting at home today doing nothing so I took a walk, then got my 10yr old to go outside to play football and then we played catch with a baseball and glove. I did have to use my older son’s glove and he is a lefty. So my throws were hilarious with my left arm but the point is I want to keep it up. I don’t want to come home and do nothing and feel tired all the time. I even told my husband we needed a basket ball hoop!!! Garrett laughed and said "what’s with you mom??" I don’t know but I do know I did it all week and there is no excuse not to keep it up! I am going to bed now though, since it is very late and I will post later all the great things the youth did up in those mountains. It was a very wonderful trip and I feel so blessed to have gotten to go!

I put up a new picture as my default for my profile. It's my dad's favorite picture of me when I was little. Just over a year ago I had a local artist paint this picture for my dad for Christmas. I still remember the sweat shirt...I think there was a Charlie Brown on the back and on the front is says, "to know me is to love me"... YEAH, pretty presumptuous huh? Well, come on give me a break, I was too young to even read! You think I bought that shirt for myself?...haha Although, I do consider myself pretty friendly and fairly easy to get along with... it is my hope that when people see me they see a "sweatshirt" that says "To know me is, to Know I love the Lord"... That's the picture of myself I want to leave as a legacy.... I just ask that it not have to be a GREEN sweatshirt!!! :)

My song "I Miss Everything" was taken by an A&R/Publisher at a pitch to publisher I attended today! I was so excited because that's a first for me. Who knows what will happen with it. We will see. Just wanted to share.

Ericka

I just wanted to let those of you who go to my website to know that it is ALL under construction right now and I think my bio page and all that is gone. My hubby was trying to update an easier template so I can keep it up and of course computers aren't my thing! Natalee Holloway was the reason I started a website in the first place so I could have a place to share the song I had written for her mom. I can't believe it's been 2 1/2 years since the song came out. Tonight I watched the horrible footage of Joran confessing to what happened that night in Aruba, and what bothered me the most was his lack of any emotion even speaking with no respect for really anyone he knows. I talked with Beth's people the other day and I just know this is what they have been waiting for. Please continue to pray for the family to have peace and that justice will be served!!! I recently put the song here on myspace but I think you can still here it over at the website. I am not sure if my husband kept up the part that says that all download money from that song goes to Beth's organization. Well that's all for tonight!!! I am happy and sad all at the same time! But I have hope that this is it and will work out for the benefit of the family. Still that doesn't bring Natalee back but now maybe those close to her can truly mourn and say good bye.

update....oops I just tried to go to my site and the old one is up right now...??? I guess he took the other one down until I can get it all done! See...I don't know much about all that! That's why it is an asset to marry a computer geek! haha

I haven't blogged in forever! You would think as a writer I would be just pouring out my life on this thing but I think sometimes I need a break from writing! So much has happened lately in my life that has made me grow, made me hope even more, and challenged me. Family, friends, music, and writing. I had a song I co wrote with a band Rough Draft play nation wide on the radio last night which was surreal. But what makes that even more unbelievable is how it came about. Some things also came from that in a whole different area and now I am going to be a part of something I hadn't expected.

Life is a series of events that do seem to be all connected and to some that may seem like coincidence but I know who is orchestrating the whole thing... Yup! GOD!!! If I was trying to write my own symphony to life it would sound trite, pitchy, and down right boring at times! Thank goodness He writes the symphony to my life, the one that is the sweetest sound ever heard, that is carefully orchestrated with such deepness, love and care. I know this isn't full of details on all things going on but it demonstrates what I am going through. I don't want people to know all the details all the time. I have always been an open book but lately I feel the need to keep some of those special moments to my self and reveal them at the appropriate times when they can have the most effect.

I am in a place I never dreamed I would be yet at the same time it's like I knew it was possible. Does that make sense? who knows! I just pray now that I don't let anyone down and that I can do the things I've been asked to do and do them the very best that I can. I feel like I have been living the verses and some choruses of my symphony up until now but that I am at the beginning of the bridge... you know the part of the song where the lyrics and melody take you in a new and fresh direction that is unexpected and heading towards the payoff! MMMM....I like bridges!!! Okay so the "payoff" could be far off, this could be a very very long bridge...haha

Well, I am tired! I went to hear a friend sing tonight at the Commodore! She is a great songwriter and has a beautiful voice. Go check her out from my myspace. Her name is Kim Walling!

Until my next rambling blog!