Because I'm reading this ...

This is what I'm reading now. I've read another Carl Hiaasen book (of course I can't remember which one) and I enjoyed him, so I'm giving this one a whirl.

Because I'm growing up ...

Finally, finally I seem to be maturing. I'm still "fun" Erin, but over this deployment I've realized that it's okay to be quiet. I don't feel the need to share every little thing with the world, whether it be by text, phone, e-mail, Facebook, blog, etc. I'm comfortable in my own skin, in my life, and with choices I've made throughout my life.

What you won't catch me doing (at least I hope not): Complaining about things I have no control over. Sometimes it's just a lot easier to go with the flow. Complaining is annoying, especially when there are so many others who are either going through the same thing or there are others who have it worse. It's okay to do what you have to do, but if you can't get over something after a certain amount of time, it's time to do something about it. Whining isn't attractive. It makes people not want to be around you. Sympathy baiters just don't do it for me. Grab your balls and take care of business.

I am enjoying my quiet life. Though I don't enjoy deployments (that sounds wrong, no one enjoys deployments, duh) I really believe it gives both myself and Adam time to grow as individuals, and it also strengthens our marriage, because with each deployment, we grow as a couple. It's amazing to me, really, but it's true.

I have no idea where I'm going with this post. I lost all train of thought because I'm watching the Little League World Series. My bad. I'll try to collect my thoughts from now on.

What I have been thinking about is sharing more about one of my true loves: books. I love to read. I want to share what I read. So that may be on the plate. I'll think about it.

Because I can relate ...

I'm 36 years old - not young, yet not old. I feel sort of stuck in an age limbo - I can easily hang out with a 21-year-old as I can with a 43-year-old. I have friends of all ages, and I'm sick of people thinking that just because you're that much older or younger than someone you can't be good friends. Maybe I'm just appealing to the masses. That sounds much better.

In the meantime, I am reading this book. I am relating to it, for the most part. I'm realizing you're either my age and have a child over 10 or a child younger than 5. There really doesn't seem to be an in-between. Of course there is, I'm not a total idiot, but for some reason it seems this way. So, while I don't understand what it's like to be 40 and have toddlers, I do understand that feeling of not being young yet not being old.

Because this is who I am ...

You know who I will never be? I will never be the woman who classifies herself as a "Mom." I'm aware I am a mother, but I am also so much more than that. I'm not going to list it all here, because that would just be boring. I think it's nice when women see themselves as first and foremost a mother, but I also feel badly when that's all they see themselves as.

If I see one more blog by a "mommyblogger" who thinks she's the only woman to ever procreate, I will probably cry. Come on, ladies ... while it's easy to fall into the a world of apple juice and graham crackers, don't forget who you are, besides being Little Johnny's mom.