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Super Mom: Erin Macpherson

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I “met” Erin Macpherson after getting lost in a rabbit hole of links while reading blogs one day. I left a comment on her blog, she left a comment on mine and before I knew it the emails were flying back and forth. We’ve been talking about everything from pregnancy and breastfeeding to writing and I. Love. Her. Seriously. And I think you will too.

She blogs over on The Christian Mama’s Guide and her book, “The Christian Mama’s Guide to Pregnancy” is “one Christian mama’s take on everything pregnancy—from stretch marks to weight gain to labor and delivery. Full of helpful tips (how exactly do you quell that not-just-in-the-morning sickness) and amusing anecdotes (are you saying everyone doesn’t crave peanut butter and olive sandwiches?), ‘The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby’ has the advice you want to hear (and some you don’t).” It’s available to order right now on Amazon or keep reading for a chance to win one of THREE copies Erin is giving away here! (Even if you are done having babies, what a great gift for a mother-to-be!)

I am so excited to introduce you to Erin!

How did you get into writing?

It actually kinda fell into my lap. I used to be a high school Spanish teacher. In May of 2005, I started feeling funny and after 8 weeks of thinking I had the flu, I finally figured out that I was pregnant (duh!). I confess: I was upset.

I loved my job and wasn’t sure how I was going to juggle being a mom and having a career, but I also knew we didn’t have the money for me to stay home. A few months later, my husband saw an ad onCraig’s List that said “New Mom Writers Wanted”. The requirements for the job were a Masters Degree or higher in English and published writing experience. I had neither. But I applied anyway. A few months later I got a call from the recruiter who said that she knew I was totally unqualified for the job but she just “had a feeling”. I knew it was a God thing– because there was no way in a million years that I should’ve gotten that job.

Anyway, I was hired as a writer and editor for Nickelodeon’s Parents Connect and after spending five years writing for them about pregnancy and baby (and loving it!), I decided to branch out and try writing about the topics I loved (pregnancy and parenting) from a Christian perspective. I was fortunate enough to find an amazing agent who sold my book to Guideposts and from there, I became a writer.

(Very important factoid for anyone interested in writing- Erin DOES have an amazing agent, Rachelle Gardner. Rachelle’s blog on writing, publishing and literary agents is my top read for all things literary. The information and resources available on her blog are AH-MAZING. If you have a writing question, search Rachelle’s archives. I betcha’ $20 she’s answered it.)

Fave authors to read for fun.

Oh, goodness. There are so many. I love reading for fun. To name a few: Francine Rivers, John Grisham, Jody Hedlund, Kathi Lipp, Pati Lacy, Sandra Bricker…

Have you always wanted kids?

Yes, I always wanted kids, but I admit that when I got pregnant for the first time, I was shocked. I didn’t want kids YET. I felt like I was too young (I was 27) and had so much more I wanted to do before I started on the mommy thing. Of course, I was wrong.

What about motherhood is so much better than you thought it would be? What is the hardest or most surprising thing about motherhood?

Right away, I was shocked by motherhood. I was stunned that I got pregnant, then I was stunned at how hard pregnancy was. It was exponentially harder than I expected, which made me resent motherhood before I had even held my baby. Then I had my son and I was shocked at how wonderful it was– I was shocked that I could bond with someone that quickly and at how fiercely I could love him. It was amazing– and so much better than I expected.

The other thing about motherhood that’s better than I expected is having “older” kids. Now that my son is five, it’s so fun to just have conversations with him… he’s so smart and funny and engaging that I find myself actually enjoying him. I used to assume that conversations with my kids would be a chore… full of baby talk and chatter about cartoons but that’s so not true!

Most hated household chore?

Grocery shopping and Laundry. It’s a tie. Grocery shopping because it’s awful trying to keep two toddlers happy while figuring out what to make for dinner and laundry because it never ends.

If you had an entire day to yourself with no kids or responsibilities, what would you do with your day?

Hmmm… I’d wake up early (I’m so not a late sleeper) and go out on the patio and read a novel with my coffee. Then I’d go to lunch with my sisters and spend the afternoon window shopping.

Erin is so excited about her book that she is giving THREE of them away here! All you have to do is hop on over to her blog and sign up as a follower, leave a comment here and let me know you did it! I will choose three names via a random number generator and I’ll announce the winners on Valentine’s Day! Get busy!

Momma’s Medical Mystery

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So I haven’t talked about this at all yet but I figure, what the hell, I’m going to spill it eventually anyway…so here goes.

I’ve been really sick for the last few weeks. Nausea, hot flashes, stomach cramps. Lots of fun. I peed on a couple of sticks, just to make sure God wasn’t playing a joke a me, and scheduled an appointment with my doctor to have my hormone levels checked. Early menopause and ovarian cancer run in my family and I didn’t want to play around.

I went to see an OBGYN in Jackson to make sure my hormone levels were o-kiz–zay. Whilst in the waiting room I got a phone call from my family doctor informing me that my liver enzymes were high and I needed to have a gallbladder and liver ultrasound. With the help of google and my medical knowledge (I’m an RN) I convinced myself that I was dying by the time I got in the exam room.

I was blubbering like an idiot by the time the doctor walked into the room. Here’s where things get really fun. Do you know what people think when you are 32 years old and have elevated liver enzymes? They think you are either a) an alcoholic b) an IV drug user or c) a ho who has contracted hepatitis.

I have never been a heavy drinker and for varied reasons, I have literally gone YEARS without having or wanting a drink. I do LOVE me some wine and enjoy a glass or two a week under normal circumstances. But for the last month I’ve been exercising, and eating right and trying to lose weight so I gave up alcohol all together. Too many empty calories.

Here is my convo with my new doctor:

Me: (blubbering)
Doc: How many drinks would you say you have in a day?
Me: I haven’t had a drink AT ALL in weeks. I’m trying to lose weight.
(I can totally see it all over her face that she now thinks I’m in withdrawals because I am obviously a big fat alcoholic.)
Doc: So you wouldn’t say you wake up in the morning wanting a drink?
Me: NO! (more crying)
Doc: Have you ever participated in IV drug use?
Me: (more crying) NO!
Doc: How many sexual partners have you had in your life?
Me: I’VE BEEN MARRIED SINCE I WAS 19!!! (I realize she is just doing her job, but for. The. Love.)
She smiles sheepishly, leans forward and asks, “Do you feel like you want to hurt yourself or someone else?”
Me: (thinking YOU!) No….(sniffling continues)

After a full panel of blood work I’ve been cleared of hepatitis, pregnancy (hallelujah) and various other ailments. After grandly flunking a HIDA-scan, all signs point towards my gallbladder. (It’s VERY common for women my age, who have had multiple pregnancies and have taken birth control pills to have gallbladder problems. Google it and see.) I’m meeting with a GI specialist next week, and who knows what he’ll have to say.

But I wanted to let y’all know what’s been going on for several reasons:
1) Y’all are my peeps and I covet your prayers.
2) I wanted you to know why I’m not blogging at the same pace you are used to, AND
3) This whole blog is about a real, true experience in motherhood. The good, the bad, the ugly, the hilarious. If I’m not truthful and honest about everything then what’s the point? If you wanted to watch “The Perfect Mom,” who does everything right, and never has a bad day you could go watch old episodes of Jon and Kate Plus 8.

My Momma is here taking care of kids and as always Sister Wife has my back and my husband is da bomb.com (don’t forget ladies, I will take my earrings off and THROW down Walker County style for him,) and my new friends here in Mississippi have been amazing, whisking kids off to church and just helping us get by.

I’m very optimistic, although extremely annoyed that it’s taking so long to get to the bottom of things. God is in control and I have no doubt that this is just a bump in the road.