30 Days of Erica 20 & 21

Erica ages 20 and 21

After the wedding and honeymoon, Erica was now living in Oakland.  Muffin went with her.  We celebrated Larry's birthday, Thanksgiving, and Christmas with our children and their spouses.  A very different season in our lives now.  In fact.....our Christmas picture was Larry and I pictured in some brush that looked like a giant nest.  We labeled it THE EMPTY NEST!

In January of 2006, Erica turned 20.  We enjoyed her birthday at Bennihana's....before it burned down.

 We enjoyed the Hibachi show.

 That girl with a perfect Jan attendance in 2005, graduated from The Beauty Institute in Jan of 2006.  She worked hard and graduated faster than most students.  She put in extra hours and time so she could finish sooner.

 And....being the party family that we are....we had a family graduation party for her as a Cosmetologist.

Here we are at Easter of 06.  Notice the ladies and the bare feet.  That is how we roll!

 Erica and Alan had a birthday party for Muffin on 5/12/06.  It was her birthday and she was getting older.  We had family invited to this party also.

 Later....they decided to add to their family by getting Oreo....Here he is at Heber Springs.  He was not good at being left alone.  When he was training....he was a pooping machine.  All of the time and everywhere.

They say if you can make it through your first year of marriage that is a good sign.  Well....these 2 sure had the trials to deal with during their first year.  Most couples don't have to experience these things.  Muffin got sick and really never recovered.  Then....they got Oreo who was a handful at first.  Then....Alan had an emergency appendectomy.  And then...Muffin was so sick she had to be put down. Erica was glad that she had given Muffin a birthday party earlier that year.   That is alot for a newlywed couple to deal with.  But these 2 worked well together and it drew them closer as a couple.

 July....Erica the wake board Queen

 Golf was something and she and her daddy liked to do together.  Keith also enjoyed playing a round of Golf with him too.  One time I rode with them in the Golf Cart.....that was ok....but I am not a golfer.

And here we are at Thanksgiving of 06...."Twinkies".   We didn't even plan to dress alike.  

2007

In keeping with our partying ways.....Erica turned 21 on Jan 10 of 2007.  We always try to see our kids on their actual day....so on this day we met her at Danvers for lunch.  Here is Larry and Erica  at Danvers.

This was her BIG birthday but she didn't want a huge party with lots of people there so we just stuck to our usual family parties.

This is Erica at our family get together...just the 6 of us.

And here is Erica at her 21st extended family party.

I made this collage for her to represent her 21 years.  I was not a video maker so this was my special project for her 21 st birthday.  

30 Days of Erica THE WEDDING

Erica age 19 part 2.....THE WEDDING

This is a continuation of her 19th year....because she experienced a life change:  She was married.

There were so many things to plan and work out for the wedding, so we were glad to get a head start in January since the Wedding was Nov 5.  We booked the church first and GBC gave us a wedding handbook which proved to be really helpful.  Erica and I spent Mondays planing wedding things and checking items off of our lists.
The wedding showers had begun and they were so much fun for us.

 This was a couples shower held at the Bobby and Jennifer's home.  It was fun to be at this shower because everyone was supposed to give Erica and Alan proven marriage tips.  Some of the tips were quite humorous too.

 Cass and Tish , her aunts, threw her a shower for the extended family.

 Audrey Landrum, a friend from church, hosted a shower for Erica and our church friends.

Here is Laurie...our hair stylist doing the practice run for Erica's wedding hairdo.  This was a fun time and no stress. Laurie always loved Erica and I think Erica really respected her.  I think Laurie had a little something to do with Erica wanting to be a cosmetologist.  

 Now this was at  Erica's  Bridesmaid Tea Party.  Lauren and Sarah were some of  Erica's closest friends in high school because they were in band with her and also did Color Guard.

Her sister in law, Aundrea, threw Erica a lingerie shower on Halloween night and decided to make it a costume party.  Erica was Super Girl, I was SpongeBob, and Aundrea was Snow White.  It was held at Joe's Crab Shack and it was a ton of fun.  It was so cute to see everyone in their costumes.  I thought it was a really clever idea for a shower.  

Here is the wedding party at the rehearsal.  

And after that was the rehearsal dinner.   Bobby, Alan's father, offered a toast and added that he would give $1000.00 to his first child that made him a grandfather.  Erica and Alan did just that (Savannah) and I think they collected the money too.  They remembered!!!!

Wedding Day hair is complete.  

The Bride is ready and waiting for her cue.  Gotta tell you a scary but funny story here.  When we arrived at the church to start getting ready, I had Erica with me so I was carrying the veil and Larry was bringing the dress in his car.  When I picked up the veil from the back of the car..I noticed something brown on it.  Oh no....it has dirt on it.  NOPE....it was a wasp!!!! WHAT?   Trying not to cause a scene and so glad I found it before it was placed on Erica's head....I tried to kill it.  But...it was tangled in the net.  Finally I got it loose and stepped on it and killed it for good.  Anyone who knows me knows about my bee phobia....so this was HUGE that I took care of it and didn't freak out.  True love for your child trumps phobias I guess.  

Mr and Mrs Alan Baumer

It was a beautiful wedding and a fantastic reception full of many people of all ages.  I was soaking up every minute of it and making sure to not miss anything that was happening.  I was quite proud of myself thinking about what we had pulled off....then...pop!  My ego was deflated.  The food coordinator asked me where I had put the napkins....he couldn't find them.  It hit me:  I NEVER ORDERED THE MONOGRAMMED NAPKINS!!!!  How do you forget that important item that is and has always been at EVERY wedding?  But...I did forget!  I remembered everything else and had even ordered monogrammed M & M's....but I forgot the napkins.  The kids had a good laugh about it but I felt like a loser mom.  Not sure that I have gotten past that yet?  It's amazing how 1 thing like that can totally change your outlook.  

Erica age 19

30 Days of Erica age 19

Before we get to Erica's 19th birthday, I need to fill in some gaps from the prior Fall.
Erica wanted to be a Cosmetologist as her career choice.  We were all for it but we wanted to make sure it was really what she wanted to do.  So....we insisted she attend U of M for the Fall semester.  We wanted her to take college level courses and then determine if she still wanted to be a Cosmetologist.  AND.....the new lottery money was now paying for state college educations.  We wanted to take advantage of that money while she decided her career.
This is her first day of U of M....fall of 04

Of course....she finished well but still wanted to go to cosmetology school.  She enrolled in that school in Jan of 2005.  Here is a picture of her perfect attendance in Jan of her Cosmetology school..

We were very proud of her and how well she took to cosmetology.  She attended the Beauty Institute in East Memphis and was very determined to excel.  And she did just that.
Now.....did you notice that BLING on her left hand?  That brings me to her birthday.

For her 19th birthday, Erica and Alan got engaged.  What a birthday present!!!! Alan had planned it out to a "T" and we were told of all of the details.  Alan.....the wonderful man that is was and is....met with Larry and asked his permission to marry Erica.  Prince Charming.  Then...I wanted my time with him....so he met with me for breakfast and shared with me what he had shared with Larry.  What a sweetie to do that.  I loved Alan even more that day for being so respectful of us and indulging us and our wishes.

Isn't that gorgeous?  I had to wait to see the pictures because there was NO texting of pictures back in the day.  ):
That started a flood of emotions for me.  We had just had our last Christmas with Erica as a single and didn't even realize it.  But....we were gaining another member to our family and I was proud to become a mother in law again.

Things became busier than ever because we needed to plan a wedding.  This was our first wedding for a bride.....with Keith we only had to plan the rehearsal dinner...so I was a newbie.  Erica did her research and organized a notebook for us.  Since she was off on Mondays from Cosmetology school...we used that day as our planning day.  We had fun working out details and meeting with the people we needed to meet.  I think our favorite part was the cake testing samples.

From January on til the wedding date in November, I started experiencing holidays and special days as the last one with Erica still living at home.  She continued with the Beauty Institute and cut her work hours at Baumer's to accommodate her schedule.

As I said in an earlier post....she loved dying Easter eggs.  This is her last year to do it at home as a Mills.

Once the date was set, Nov 5....we knew our timeline.  Erica had a  Maltese named Muffin.  I was glad when she said Muffin would be moving out with her.  I am not a pet person....but I did grow to like Muffin and strangely Muffin liked me.  I don't know why but she did.  When I would be home by myself, Muffin would follow me around like she was my dog.  She would nap in the same room as me.  I have to say...she was a good dog to have.  She never shed, she didn't jump on you unless you wanted her to, and she was very obedient.  I did get used to having a shadow at home.

And ....then the showers started.   Erica was blessed to receive several wedding showers which help to set her up for her marriage.  Barbara Radant, my friend from when Erica and her son Mark were in K-5 at ECS, gave her the first shower. She went all out and hosted a wonderful time for all of us.

Debbie, Erica , and Jennifer

The bride and groom Moms and the beautiful bride to be.  

The next post will be all about the wedding.  Stay tuned.  

Erica age 18

30 Days of Erica age 18

This was a big year for her.  Her birthday is in January so she was halfway through her Sr year.  We wanted to surprise her BIG for her 18th so Larry and I came up with planning a surprise get-away to the Mall of America in Minnesota.  We told her that she needed to pack her bag for cold weather with alot of warm clothes and that we would fly out after school.  After we got on the plane we told her where she was going.  She was so EXCITED.  We gave her a cash to use for shopping at the mall.
She had a blast and I think we looked in every store there.  I especially loved the indoor roller coaster.  haha
We stayed in a hotel that provided shuttle transports to and from the Mall...which was perfect for us.  And.....there was snow everywhere but the City was business as usual.  No shutting down for a little snow.  I was grateful for that since we came here to be at the Mall.   We didn't plan on weather detaining us....and it didn't.

Here is a shot of all of her GOODIES she found.  We brought an extra luggage bag for her to bring home her loot.

Of course....we still had a family party for her too at Macaroni Grille.

Her Sr year was so much fun for me to watch her and be with her.  I think she enjoyed it too....every busy minute of it.  Her last Prom of her High School career was a fun one.  So glad Alan was able to go with  her.

As with many things you participate in, they usually come to an end during your Sr year.  Erica had taken voice lessons for quite awhile with Susan Land.  She and Susan became good friends...more than just a teacher and student.  Erica learned alot and developed vocally under Susan's teaching.  At the recital the Sr Girls did a song together that was a fun song complete with choreography.  Susan made learning  fun for her students.

This is Erica and Susan on recital night.  2004

At ECS...and maybe all high schools....there is a tradition that the MOMS of Seniors come to the campus and decorate their child's vehicle on their last day of school.  You know that I would definitely be a part of that tradition.  Keith was NOT a big fan of that and let me know it too.  He immediately left school and washed his off.  Erica, on the other hand, embraced her car decor and proudly drove around with it for awhile.

And now we are at Graduation.....How did this happen?  We were so proud of her and what she had accomplished.  I really think she had a fun 4 years of High School.  Graduation was at Germantown Baptist Church that year.  We really enjoyed it being close to home....esp since we were having a post Graduation party for her at our house.

 Larry and Erica before Graduation

Erica.....the 2004 Graduate

We are a wave runner family and this particular summer we tried to go to the lake as much as possible.  We went to Sardis/BaySprings/Greers Ferry Lake and this small one called Grand Valley Lakes just outside of Bolivar.  We wanted as much time with her as possible, since after the SR year....kids seem to leave home.

This was at Grand Valley Lakes.  We usually played there and then went to visit Larry's mom and dad since they live down the street.

Erica age 17

30 Days of Erica age 17

Erica's Jr Year was packed full of many activities.  She juggled church/work/school/band/friends/and a long distance relationship and kept all of her plates spinning pretty well.  She was still taking voice lessons and playing her sax.

Her sophomore year ended on a good note.....especially for her and band.  The guard had competed well and she had played well in concert season.  The band year always ends with a Band Banquet which is a meal together with students, parents, and the Band Staff.  It is a time for the Boosters to reflect on what they had accomplished during the past band season and for the Band Director to brag on her students and hand out her awards.

Erica really enjoyed Band and came to love her band director, Melody Ramsey.  Melody saw leadership potential in Erica early on and put her in her guard position in 10th grade and then taught her how to be a good leader.  They developed a close relationship that is still growing to this day.

Here is Melody and Erica at the Band Banquet in 2003.  FYI:  Melody and I became great friends also and we still keep in touch weekly.  (I worked for her as assistant band director for 6 years.)

This was the year Erica added Pageants to her agenda.  And...being the kind of mom I was....we were either going to do it 100% or not at all.  After her first pageant.....we learned tips and gained a wealth of knowledge about modeling/wardrobe/talent/and interviewing.  We hired a pageant coach to help us put all of this into practice.  She really enjoyed the pageant life and did well considering that she didn't grow up doing pageants starting at age 2.

Melody always wanted her Sr leaders to go to a leadership camp sponsored by Fred J Miller.  They usually were done locally but we were not able to find a local one she could attend.  But , we found one in Florida in June of 03 that she could attend.  She and I flew to FLA a day early so she could enjoy the beach before going to camp.  I stayed in a hotel nearby and we were able to talk everyday.  Erica got a taste of dorm life and decided that she didn't really want to live on campus when she went to college.  She liked her having her own space.

I was able to attend her last day performance at camp, before we flew back home.

Here is an action shot of her saber toss during her routine.  She enjoyed the camp and came home with alot of ideas and was ready to teach and share them with her guard girls.  

June was a busy month for all of us.  We had to squeeze things in during June since Band Camp started in July and that lead directly to the school year.  As a family, with our extended family, we would go to  Greers Ferry Lake and spend a week boating and eating and having water fun at a rental area called Tanenbaum.  This particular year we had to go in June....normally we went in July.  The weather took a turn and we had a cool spell during our week there.

Here is Erica driving the boat with her Fred J Miller camp hoodie on for warmth!  

After a busy but fun summer....the inevitable had to happen.  She had to start school as a Senior!  

Here is Erica on her first day of her LAST school year.  I always loved that messenger bag!  

Her Sr year was 2003-2004.  I was so thankful that I worked at ECS so I could be with her as much as possible during her Sr year.  I am grateful that I was able to be a huge part of both of my children's lives while they were growing up.  My jobs allowed me the opportunity to be room moms and to be a part of the PTF regularly.  I was a highly engaged Mom but worked hard to NOT be a helicopter parent.  

Erica age 16

30 days of Erica age 16

My girl was in 10 grade when she turned 16.  She became a driver and later got a job working at Baumer's Birkenstock , now called Baumer's Footwear.  She was excelling in Band and Color Guard and even writing the color guard work for the show.  Finally she could DATE.  We had a strict rule that she could not single date until she was 16.  She could do group things but she had to wait for the single dates.  Guess who her first official date was with?  Alan Baumer.....a winner!  He was such a polite young man and very respectful of Larry and me and our rules.  The perfect prelude to a future son in law.  Of course, we didn't know that back then.

While I wanted to hold onto to her and keep her with us forever....I knew that was unrealistic.  I have to say....it was a pleasure to watch my baby girl mature.  She has always been beautiful inside and outside.

Her first prom!!!!!  This gorgeous couple was so patient with me while I made a ton of pictures.  I wanted to capture every moment of her first prom at ECS.  Alan was a Senior and Erica was a Sophomore.  They had a great time....they always did and they still do today.

Erica was captain of the Guard this band year and she took her position seriously.  She whipped those guard members into shape and did it with a loving manner.  She was able to be firm yet sweet.   The girls responded well to Erica and they were able to win many awards during this band season.

By now....Erica and Alan were an official couple.  After Alan graduated, he left town for the summer to be in the Spirit Drum Corp.  He had auditioned earlier and made the horn line.  This summer was a hard one for Erica since he was gone.  She was able to go see him perform one time with the Baumers and then she and I went with the Baumers to be there for his birthday.  That helped her get through the summer since July is his birthday.

Then...he went away to college at JSU.  I was very proud of them for handling a long distance relationship as well as they did.

Here is a picture of them at a JSU football game.  Larry and I took Erica there to see him march with the band....oh yeah...we also watched the game. That band was awesome.....it was a fun experience for all of us.

Erica age 15

30 Days of Erica age 15

Wow....Lots of memories flood my brain as she gets older and older.  It is really hard to zero in a few things.  She was getting closer and closer to be an adult.  My BABY was getting older.  But...I chose to embrace it and work to be a part of everything she wanted to do.

Also...I had the privilege of helping her learn to drive during this year.  I made sure she could handle herself in many different scenarios.  I taught her to drive using the radio and eating/drinking food.  I figured she was going to do that anyway when she got her license, so I wanted to be with her as she learned how to do that so she could handle it on her own.  And:  she turned out to be a good and responsible driver.

In March of 2001, we took a family vacation to California.  I had been watching the weather and saw the warmer temps so this was gonna be a great trip weather wise.  Larry had flown there earlier for business, so Keith, Erica, and I flew out there to meet up with him for a week seeing the sights in California.

Here are my kiddos on the flight to CA.

When we arrived there....guess what?  The weather had cooled off tremendously from the week before.  Fortunately, I had us all pack jackets so we were set.  Larry on the other hand did NOT have a jacket.  Turns out....the jacket I packed for me was HIS jacket I packed by mistake.  But...he was glad to have it.  I was the one without a jacket.  It is very hard to buy a jacket in the spring time when all of the warm weather clothes are in season.  Larry borrowed a jacket for me from one of his hotel employees.  Boy ...that was a lifesaver for me.  

Here is Erica at Fisherman's Wharf.  We met Larry in San Fransicso and took in some sightseeing there before heading to Anaheim.  We loved this place but it does smell fishy.  I am a seafood eater so it was right up my alley. 

We decided to do the Alcatraz Tour.  It was a self guided tour using Walkmans.  Remember those?  WE had fun making pictures behind bars and looking at the entire prison facility.  I am bad about skipping ahead of the tape....but Larry loved every minute of the tape.  

Some other places we saw were:  Gladstones/Lombard Street/Coit Tower/China Town/ and the Roman Chinese Theater.  We were taking it all in...who knew if we would be able to do this again as a family?  

Of course....we are a theme park family so we went to Disney's California Dreamland ( now called Disney's California Adventure).  It had just opened in Feb of 2001...so it was barely a month old when we went there.  

That is Erica in the C of the California word.  It was not very crowded since it was still new so we were able to ride all of the rides and see the shows without much standing in line.  One ride in particular was a tough one for me to ride.  I can't remember the name but it was something to do with bees and they had "bees humming" playing thru the entire ride.  It was scary for me with my bee phobia.  But I did it and lived to tell about it.  Another ride was a free fall drop,  I think this one was called ORANGE BLOSSOM....but it raised you up and then dropped you free fall style.  Not one...not twice....but 3 times!  Sort of like Tower of Terror except we are sitting in an orange!  

Glad we did this park before Disney changed it.  

Next we did Universal Studios and Disneyland.  I am exhausted just writing this.  Really glad I was younger when we did this trip.  My motto was :  go go go....do all the sites as fast as you can.  

And of course.....we always take in Rainforest Cafe where ever we go.  Who can resist the "VOLCANO"!!!!!!