My Everyday Featuring ... Erin Wakeman

[#1] Share with us a snippet of your story.
I was raised in a fairly small town in the Pacific Northwest the youngest of six. I wrestled a lot of my childhood searching for an identity that wasn’t already taken usually ending up with some version of self-inflicted disapproval. It wasn’t until I graduated high school, moved across the state the next morning and spent a few years searching that Jesus, ever so lovingly, smacked me in the face and heart with 2 Corinthians 12:9-10. “‘...My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses that the power of Christ may rest upon me...for when I am weak He is made strong.” It was never about who I was or wasn’t. It was always about who He was and is.  Shortly after that I met my husband, Jake, who daily teaches and reminds me that I live to please One Master. I can’t get cool enough for Him, and there’s nothing I can do to lose His approval. We moved a few times, ending up back where I started and are about to break ground on our new home. We steward the sweetest gift ever, our precious daughter Zoey, who just celebrated her first birthday and daily mirrors to us the grace giving love of our Father.

[#2] What is your favorite part of the day with your little one[s]?
My favorite part of our day...that would have to be our walks. At some point during every day, I love to take my Zo for a wagon ride or a spin in her Red Flyer and just chat about the Creation around us. We like it when the sun shines but maybe even more when it rains and can feel the Creators liquid love for our world. I consider it an honor to introduce my little to where we live and teach her how to respect it. We break for pinecones and treasure hunt for pebbles and it wouldn’t be unheard of for us to forge a small creek just for the wildflowers on the other side.

[#3] Name Three Instagram MOMS who inspire you.
Oh you’re killing me. Just 3? Here it goes.
@_cherishthemoment / @katherinemaries / @mockabee7

Let me tell you about these mamas. They decided somewhere along their beautiful lives to live and parent with intentionality. Each in their own way, they are purposeful with the lives that have been entrusted to them. Acquainting each of their littles with a God who is bigger than them and still loves them in the most detailed of ways. I’ve never met these women in person, and would consider it a giant joy, but to know their hearts is to know a little more about the essence of a mother: honest. passionate. joyful. vulnerable. benevolent. wise. I am a better mother for knowing them.

[#4] What challenges have you faced in balancing motherhood and your passion for creativity?
It’s important to me that Zoey grows up with a mama who loves life and loves to experience it. I’m always ready to try or create something new and I truly believe that I am a more enjoyable person when I find little moments for things I enjoy. However, that doesn’t always come easy. There are days when I have the best plans and intensions for designing my kitchen cabinet layout or sewing Zoey some new accessories. But she has other plans. She just needs her mama. A mama who’s willing to put life and lists on hold to read “That’s Not My Monster.” one. more. time. I’m an imperfect mama, and I rush and hurry and forget. But on the days when I slow down, and be all here with her, I am the most blessed.

[#5] What is a family tradition that you love sharing with your kids?
The traditions we’re pretty excited about are still pretty small, we’ve only been a family of 3 for a year. Jake and I still get giddy over nightly giant stacks of bedtime books and praying together over our daughter. But our most cherished tradition for this season is definitely the mornings that we’re all home together. We all have a passionate love for breakfast food, coffee and lazy mornings that keep us in pajamas for way past a decent hour. We get to serve each other, dig into good conversations and sometimes take it all outside for breakfast al fresco. It’s small, but to us its sacred. I wouldn’t trade our family mornings for anything.

[#6] If you could give us a peek inside your home - what image would you share and why?
Funny you should ask! We are currently unashamedly homeless :) About a year ago we purchased a few acres of trees in my hometown and 3 months ago we sold our home, most of our belongings, and headed north and west for a fresh start. If you look at where we call home you’ll see pine trees, grassy fields, blackberries for snacking and plenty of places for the perfect tree swing. In the next few months, hopefully by the grace of God, there will be other lovely things like running water and flooring. But with or without them, we step onto that piece of land and instantly feel like we’re home. I’m so excited for a big white farmhouse kitchen and the perfect playroom for Zoey and all in good time. But this season of building our family’s physical legacy with our own two hands has been priceless, and I wouldn’t rush it for all the master bathrooms in the world.

[#7] Share a photo you wouldn't typically post on Instagram but depicts real life happenings.
I wouldn’t normally post this photo because it’s quite blurry, a common issue these days now that I have a walker on my hands! But this is from one of our many visits to Zo’s daddy at work, a favorite weekly outing for everyone. Zoey gets loved on by all his employees, we get to take Jake out to lunch and if a little shopping happens while we’re there, well, that’s just part of life. :)

Be sure and follow @erinwakeman on Instagram! You can also keep up with the series by following @kelliandvanessa or #myeverydaymoms