Total Mom Post

I'm gonna warn ya right from the start....this is a total mom post.

Here's the deal.  Noah has a May birthday and Jake has a early June birthday.  

Every other word that proceeds from their mouths while either watching TV or meandering the aisles of Wal Mart seems to be "I WANT this for my birthday"

Rewind back to January.  Remember my organizing kick?  Yeah...well, it seems that no matter how many truckloads of stuff I haul outta here, they are quickly replaced by more truck loads of stuff.  It's like a law of physics or something...which I wouldn't really know anything about because I'm terrible at anything remotely related to science.

I need your help.  I need to pick your brains.  This morning I read this post at one of my favorite blogs.    She lists some gift ideas that are outside the box.  Movie tickets, gardening kits etc.  

What are some birthday gift ideas that I can give to family members that are not going to cause a truckload of stuff to come back into our home/teeny tiny garage?  

Or are there any toys that are WORTH the space?  

Last tid bit of info:  Noah will be 8 years old and Jake will be 4.  

Alright all you creative people out there, let me have it :)

Pin It

I'd Like it Back

Random info: This is my 402nd post. Oh. My. Word. Who knew I could ramble on and on day after day for this long. Don't answer that.

So. It's Friday. YAY!

Yesterday I got my hair cut. Another YAY! I'm trying to grow out the front a few inches so that I can pull it back into a pony tail, just and itsy bitsy little one, because right now when I run....DRIVING ME CRAZY.

So, I got my hair cut to grow it out. Only women understand that concept. I'll leave it at that.

Here's some pictures:

Don't tell me how cute it is. Just tell me about a magic pill I can take to make it grow faster.

In other news: There's this weird thing going on with my brain. It's delayed or something. I have lost track of how many times I've thought to myself "WHY did I not say such and such to so and so?!?"

It's like I leave a particular situation or conversation and realize I didn't say anything that I SHOULD have said. Ten minutes later (when it's too late) I think, oh yeah, it's her birthday or oh yeah, they had surgery etc etc etc!

It's weird. And it makes me seem insensitive...and it makes me feel insensitive. And I'd like it to stop. I'd like my brain to start working correctly again. Any time now.

I need a shirt that says: I'm not trying to be insensitive, I'm just really that forgetful and spacey. And don't worry because 10 minutes from now I'll realize what I should have said to you and I'll feel bad about it and I'll replay the conversation in my head and this time I'll say the right thing. Unfortunately, you will not be there for this conversation. My apologies.

Maybe that's a little long for a t-shirt...

I guess the good point of losing my brain is that so far, I'm not saying things I shouldn't. Because I can always go back to the person and add something in, but I can't take back something that's already been spewed out.

Maybe my brain will return this weekend. That would be nice. :)

Happy Friday Friends!

Pin It

Makes Me Laugh!

I've been tagged by Kelly at Love Well with a meme, which works out perfectly because I had nothing to post about today!  AND it involves my ipod (and we all know how much I love to talk about my ipod)

A Meme for your iPod

Instructions:
1. Put your iPod (or MP3 player) on shuffle. 
2. For each question, press the next button to get your answer.
3. YOU MUST WRITE THAT SONG NAME DOWN AS YOUR ANSWER, NO MATTER HOW SILLY IT SOUNDS!
4. Tag some Moms you admire who could use a laugh and a song.

Seriously, this is so funny! I could not have picked better songs if I had TRIED!  

HOW DID YOU BECOME A MOM?
There is a Fountain (Selah) 

WHAT DID YOU THINK THE FIRST TIME YOU SAW YOUR BABY?
Falling For You (Leeland) 

WHAT DID YOU DO THE FIRST MORNING AFTER A SLEEPLESS NIGHT?
The Hard Way (DC Talk) 

WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN SOMEONE COLORS ON THE WALL? 
Set Me Free (Casting Crowns) 

HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH A TODDLER’S BODILY FLUID ISSUES? 
Saviour, Please (Josh Wilson) 

IF SOMEONE SAYS “Can I have a snack?” YOU SAY?
You Reign (Mercy Me) 

IF SOMEONE LEAVES THEIR STUFF ON THE FLOOR, YOU SAY? 
What Soldiers Do (Monk & Neagle) 

IF SOMEONE ISN’T SICK TODAY, YOU SAY? 
Love Story (Taylor Swift) 

HOW DO YOUR KIDS ENJOY YOUR COOKING? 
Never Going Back to OK (The Afters) 

HOW DID YOUR KIDS DO IN SCHOOL TODAY?
Jesus Take the Wheel (Carrie Underwood) 

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF WHILE SITTING IN CARPOOL LINE? 
Lift Your Eyes (Leeland)

HOMESCHOOLERS, WHAT IS THE FIRST SUBJECT TAUGHT OF THE DAY? 
Feelin' So Fly (Tobymac) 

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS WANT TO BE WHEN THEY GROW UP? 
Your Grace is Enough (Matt Maher) 

WHAT WOULD BEST DESCRIBE YOUR PERSONALITY AS A MOM? 
Thief in the Night (Leeland) 

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE’S PURPOSE AS A MOM? 
Love to Say Your Name (John Waller) 

WHAT IS YOUR MOTTO AS A MOM? 
Enter This Temple (Leeland)

HOW DID YOU KNOW YOU WERE REALLY A MOM?
My Fortress (Jeremy Camp) 

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT MOST OFTEN AS A MOM? 
Does Anybody Hear Her (Casting Crowns)

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE STORY AS A MOM? 
Kids of the Future (Jonas Brothers) 

WHAT IS THE ONE THING YOU REGRET AS A MOM? 
Free to be Me (Francesca Battistelli) 

WHAT IS THE BEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE AS A MOM?
Can't Stop (Leeland)

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT MAKES YOU LAUGH? 
Fallin' (Monk & Neagle)

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT MAKES YOU CRY? 
Falling into Place (The Afters) 

WHAT DO YOUR KIDS DO THAT SCARES YOU THE MOST? 
So Long Self (Mercy Me)

HOW DO YOUR KIDS DESCRIBE YOU AS THEIR MOM? 
Opposite Way (Leeland)

IF YOU COULD GO BACK IN TIME, WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE?
By and By (Selah)

WHAT WILL YOUR MOM OF THE YEAR CERTIFICATE SAY?
In Me (Casting Crowns)

I tag you all, because it's so fun.  Let me know if you do it.  I'm easily entertained by this!

Pin It

The One Where I Put Our Friendship to the Test...

It's days like this, as I sit down at the computer and type, I think to myself how weird blogging really is.

Because what I'm about to write is absolute nothingness and it should be considered kinda boring, even by close friends...yet, people will read it. And some will comment on it...and the cycle continues. That, my friends, is why I love blogging.

I can't explain it, but most of the time, my favorite posts (written by others) are the ones that are not well thought out, because it's in those moments that I get to peek into your lives...your real lives and see that in our own unique ways, we're each a little weird. The same kinda weird...and that is comforting. :)

Here goes.

It was an exciting day at the parsonage yesterday... The Hot FedEx Guy, FedEx Ground guy, and UPS guy all visited me. The Hot FedEx Guy, well because I'm married to him, the UPS guy brought me my new swimsuit I ordered, and the FedEx Ground guy brought me my newest bestest friend I will be wearing on my arm when running....meet Garmin.

He's a running watch...with GPS and I have wanted him for a long long time, but could never quite justify it because, well, I didn't really run enough. But now I do. And I found a good deal! And now he is going to kick my butt in shape by telling me how far I went and what my pace was, and he'll beep at me when I'm slacking...he's super smart like that. We are going on our first run together tonight, after Bible Club. I'm wearing him around today, ya know, just to get used to him ;)

The swimsuit looks like this. I've been wearing a tankini for the last several years, so this year it was time for something different...and it was on sale...and yes, I am coveting that models tan...and thighs...lets not talk about swimsuits anymore, they're expensive and depressing...and seriously, I can't stop thinking about having a tan :)

Maybe Garmin can help with the thighs...it's a lot of pressure to put on a watch.

Now I need to get off the computer and deal with this:

The Desk. Boo.

And these:

The more gadgets we acquire, the more cords! Anybody have any ideas how to organize them, because the system of wadding them up and shoving them in the drawer and then ripping them apart when we need one is, well, not working out so great. Shocking, I know.

If you've made it the end of this post, you have proved your loyalty...*pat on the back* for you my friend!

Pin It

Anyone Else?

I need to know I'm not the only one.

Tell me you all are getting these emails from companies saying... I love your site, and I am interested in creating a partnership with you, and would like to speak with you further about this opportunity.  That particular one came from here.

Every time I get one, I think to myself...sure you've been to my site...sure you just LOVE it *pfffff*  

I always ignore them.  But now they are "following" up because they have not heard from me.  For real?!?  

I'd like them to explain to me what they LOVE about my blog.  Was it the run-on sentences and made up words mixed in with a little bad grammar?  Was it the constant use of bullet points?  Or the lack of consistency on any given topic that compels them to give me products to review?  Hmm, inquiring minds would like to know.

Apparently the economy really is THAT bad.  Who knew?!? 

*insert tongue in cheek accompanied by an eye roll*

Happy Tuesday!  I love Tuesdays...especially Bible Study Tuesday's...there's nothing like a good spiritual tongue lashing from Beth Moore...she gets me everytime!  Just where I need it. 

Pin It

The Call

Guess who called on Saturday night?

I'll give you a hint...she's from Norway. Oh yes she is!

Here's my take on it, a long drawn out version, because after all, I haven't blogged since last Thursday...I have words to use.

Anyways, let's go back to Friday. I finally bought the movie The Passion of the Christ. I know, I know, I'm like the 2nd to last Christian to have NOT seen it. I just didn't think I could handle it...watching and seeing them do that to Jesus, the person who means more to me than any other person just seemed like too much. But this year, I decided I was a big girl, so I bought it and sat down to watch it with Ben. I made it to scene 2, right after they decide to release Barabbas and I was already sobbing so hard I though I might barf...I told Ben I wasn't ready and went to bed.

Fast forward to Saturday night. I decide I'll give it another try. Maybe break it into sections. I started reading the back cover of the DVD case and the same ill feeling crept up my throat. Not ready yet...maybe next year.

So I decide to rent The Secret Life of Bees. Less traumatic. At 8:00 PM I hear my phone ringing from inside my purse and I also hear Jake yelling down from the bathroom that he needs help. I've ignored him before and paid the consequences, so I ran upstairs, figuring I'd call whoever it was back.

By the time I got downstairs again, I'd forgot about my phone so I started back into my movie. Then about 8:45 I heard my phone beeping at me that I had a new message.

The new message happened to be from the cutest Norwegian girl with the cutest accent EVER! (I should mention, that when she called, it was 8pm here and 3 am in Norway)

I came running in to tell Ben and we listened to the voicemail a few times. I listened to it myself a few hundred times ;) I could have KICKED MYSELF for not answering the phone! But it turns out, I kinda really like having that recorded message to listen to :) And I may or may not have let aunts, uncles, cousins, parents, siblings and various others a few people listen to it as well :)

No one tell Julie, she'll kill me ;)

Anyways, Easter Sunday morning I made my first international call ever. It was so fun to talk to her, even for a few minutes...to hear her voice. She is totally easy to understand, her accent is not thick at all, but simply adorable....and I mean "adorable" in a cool sophisticated teenagerish way, of course.

If there was a way for me to get that voicemail into my computer I would SO post it here for you guys because you would just love it. :) But it might also make Julie decide to live with another family... *wink*

Have I mentioned I cannot wait till she's here!

And now for your viewing pleasure *cough* Easter Pics...

Tiny town has an egg hunt at the park...the kids LOVE it.

Hunting eggs at G&G's.

Pin It

He's Got a Plan...

When God is trying to teach me something, He hammers me from all sides. I'm pretty sure this is because if He tried from just one angle, I could pretend to ignore it. Generally, whatever He's trying to teach me is something that my natural self wants to just ignore...because it's gonna be hard. And I'm lazy.

It's also gonna be for my own good, because He loves me like that...enough to not let me settle for where I'm at.

Back in January two things happened.

1. The Bible Study, Living Beyond Yourself began. He used amazing women to bring this about, from the idea of it, to another bloggy pastor's wife to send me the DVDs, without hesitation!
2. The 1/2 Mary idea. An idea that I'd never even considered, because who in their right mind wants to run that long?!?! NOT ME. The idea was first planted by a good friend...and from there the Holy Spirit just would not let me get it out of my head.

There's a reason. There's a theme. The most important, spiritually, is that I have GOT to live beyond myself...I cannot make it on my own strength and abilities. I just cannot. It's one thing to know this, it's a whole other thing to actually stop doing it on my own, and allow Him to do it.

Here comes the 1/2 Mary plan into motion. I do not love running. I want to, I really want to. The idea of training for the 1/2 is as daunting as the 13.1 mile race for me. Because on my own, I'm lazy. And a quitter. And He whispers to my heart,

You're right Sarah...you won't make it on your own, that's why I'm here. And I'm not gonna let you quit, because this lesson here, it's so, so important my child. It's time to start living beyond yourself...spiritually and physically, because then maybe you'll get what I'm trying to teach you here.

And you know what? I believe Him. I'm scared. And I'm skeptical. And I'm still lazy and whiny...but He doesn't care and He doesn't give up, because He knows that when I finally "get" it, it's gonna all be worth it.

It's gonna be worth it.

I love songs that just speak exactly what I'm feeling...this one hits it dead on. If there's one thing that people walk away from, after knowing me in person, or through this blog, is that I am nothing without Him, nothing without His love.

Enjoy :)

Pin It