tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82526052012-01-29T20:05:27.935-06:00Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.comBlogger12741100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-44251490042800584102012-01-28T16:59:00.003-06:002012-01-28T16:59:46.118-06:00

I'm a ponderer. An over-thinker, probably.  This week, I'm considering momentum. Too much, I'm sure. I seem to have lost momentum in many areas of my life. Blogging being the most obvious (to any of you that happen by the ol' COTR). I've also lost momentum in my running. While we have been enjoying a mild winter here in the 'burbs, the last few weeks have been fits and starts of running for

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-3768219633884022372012-01-20T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-20T07:00:13.244-06:00

I just have a moment to check in here. I am on my way out of town -- I am FIRED UP excited! I am headed to Houston to celebrate with a group of ladies -- a year's worth of scripture memory work! The Siesta Scripture Memory Team Celebration is this weekend and I leave in a few short hours and, of course, have a bajillion things to do before I leave (and, guarantee, I WILL forget to pack something

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-70880601080817902602012-01-19T13:33:00.000-06:002012-01-19T13:40:10.823-06:00

I'm sure you remember that my girl turned 16 some time ago. I say it that way because I seem to have lost all track of time. I guess it's been almost two weeks now. She told me very early on that she wanted to go back to our former town to celebrate her birthday, which didn't surprise me. Sixteen is kind of a big deal to a girl, you know, and you don't celebrate it with people you only have

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-54968384706767093342012-01-17T16:02:00.000-06:002012-01-17T16:02:31.083-06:00

Well. Well, hello, there! Yes, yes this is me. Why in heaven's name would I burst into the blogging scene of 2012? I don't do much bursting in the winter. Slogging is what I do. And oh, how I slog. But there is so much I want to tell you. And I will. Pinky promise, 'kay? Like what we did to celebrate a 16th birthday. It was WAY super fun. (We did NOT get a driver's license. Yet. Did you know

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-73043649945953442052012-01-07T07:00:00.000-06:002012-01-07T07:00:07.396-06:00

I still vividly remember standing at the kitchen sink, about to leave for the hospital, sixteen years ago this morning. Everything had been done. The house was spotless. My bag was in the car. The car was running. Troy was standing at the door --- it was a BEAUTIFUL day, but cold -- and the sun shone in through the door so brightly I could barely see him. And I cried. I was terrified of labor,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-67394649943526597292012-01-04T08:30:00.000-06:002012-01-04T08:30:02.239-06:00

originally in Abilene Families “Ugh. Fine. Run, Duchess, Run.”Why is it that a dog that deems it too cold and drizzly to go out in the back yard (where one would argue large dogs belong) is perfectly okay with bolting out an open door into the front yard where the weather is equally cold and drizzly?It didn’t matter why, the fact was that my dog was on the lam AGAIN and one child was about to be

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-3819357715360242702012-01-02T15:57:00.000-06:002012-01-02T15:57:54.690-06:00

Happy New Year, one and all, you lovely people!! I hope that the year has started off well for you and you are on your way to a prosperous and successful 2012. My kids started back to school today -- TODAY!! -- and that is a rude awakening, I tell ya. My running partner and I, after some glorious 5 mile runs basking in the sun the last 2 weeks (she is a school administrator in a nearby district)

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-27587205681577046212011-12-31T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-31T08:30:01.490-06:00

(I am taking a bit of a bloggy break this week. I am posting some of my all-time top 5 posts throughout this week. Enjoy) Nine years ago, my home was flooded, I wasn't living in my house, I had a husband whose job required him to travel, two small children, we were being sued (I haven't told that captivating story on the blog), and I was keeping a baby 2-3 days a week. In short, I was a wreck.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-75150116381507876842011-12-30T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-30T08:30:02.468-06:00

originally on heartlight Here it is just a few days after Christmas and I've done it again: I'm suffering from yet another holiday hangover. Not the kind that comes from indulging in too much alcohol, though the fit of my pants indicates that overindulgence of something needs to be addressed. I have the kind of holiday hangover you get from overspending, overeating, over-scheduling, and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-65575810522722977402011-12-29T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-29T08:30:02.134-06:00

(I am taking a bit of a bloggy break this week. I am posting some of my all-time top 5 posts throughout this week. Enjoy) originally in Abilene Families My family experienced some minor medical drama the week between Christmas and New Year's while traveling out of state. On one of my many trips to the drug store, I had to stop dead in my tracks. I was perusing the Christmas decorations and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-44547968828554985032011-12-28T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-28T08:30:01.766-06:00

originally in Abilene Families Dirty clothes, graded papers, a video game cover, a roll of colored duct tape, part of a uniform that needed to be washed weeks ago, and a stuffed animal loved to the point of needing repair all litter the floor. I step over and around and pick my way through the teen detritus. Asked to bring something to school, I have entered the war zone. I sigh and marvel.  I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-13540980392524767732011-12-27T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-27T08:30:00.073-06:00

(I am taking a bit of a bloggy break this week. I am posting some of my all-time top 5 posts throughout this week. Enjoy) Ya know, I try to be Suzy Sunshine over here, which is annoying beyond all comprehension I'm sure. But I read this today and decided to keep it real and share with you one of my peeves. I think I've even decided that the phrase "pet peeve" is one of my peeves, too, so I'm

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-46884724612494224422011-12-26T07:30:00.000-06:002011-12-26T07:30:01.862-06:00

(I am taking a bit of a bloggy break this week. I am posting some of my all-time top 5 posts throughout this week. Enjoy) At the beginning of every year, I hear/ read on blogs some people say, "The Lord gave me my word for the year: xxxx" (no, no one actually uses xxxx. You know.) Anyway, some people spend a year focusing on 3 words. Last week as 'words' kept cropping up on people's blogs and

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-38815675758528157102011-12-23T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-23T08:46:29.217-06:00

Same song, next verse, eight months later. Last night my 10 year old son and I experienced a feeling of deja vu as we traveled to the same emergency room to have the same foot x-rayed so a (different!) doctor could tell us that he had fractured his ankle the same way he did eight months ago. Same injury, different season. Now, instead of trying to figure out how to keep toes warm in 40 degree

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-75023108447109249592011-12-22T11:48:00.003-06:002011-12-22T11:48:27.572-06:00

Oh, it's been a busy few days finishing up Christmas running (I just accidentally typed "funning" -- Freudian slip? I think NOT :-) and frolicking and such. Yesterday I was gone ALL day -- trying to get my stuff done early in the day before the crowds got awful, then met a friend, then had just a few more things to do, then finally home at almost 5. Do you know what one of my kids had done

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-23606643283406225682011-12-19T10:57:00.001-06:002011-12-19T10:57:23.978-06:00

It's HERE!! The week of Christmas is HERE! (Does that make anyone else's blood pressure spike? Yeah... more on that later...). The holidays are stressful and can bring out all kinds of crazies in each of us. Women, especially, tend to set high expectations for ourselves about how the holiday should go: the decorations, the baking the school pageants and programs, the pictures, the gifts... can

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-33800815519721010562011-12-16T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-16T08:30:01.339-06:00

I have frequently requested a weather forecast for my church. Not for the town the church is in — for the auditorium. I have suggested a running scroll on the website: "Current temp in the auditorium is 58° and breezy. Dress accordingly." or "High of 84° in the auditorium today." I have yet to be heeded. This day it was 58° and breezy. On Easter Sunday. The children were precious in their

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-47845682447542985052011-12-15T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-15T08:30:03.478-06:00

I will jump right in and tell you I loved this book, though it was difficult to read. via The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Set in Nazi Germany during World War II, it's a story about the have-nots. The Book Thief is technically a little girl, Liesel, who steals books (not a shock), but we learn so much about her whole street -- Himmel Street. The characters are so well developed (it is a

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-90929830070211544462011-12-14T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-14T08:30:01.977-06:00

published in today's Abilene Families As I consider the upcoming holidays, I would love to write an article about slowing down, enjoying this time of year, and remembering the reason for the season. The reality is that by the time this article is published I will be eating Tums as a regular meal, darting from one activity to another as a crazed woman with her hair aflame, and I will

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-24104288669130010602011-12-12T11:27:00.000-06:002011-12-12T11:27:07.689-06:00

I have written about marriages in crisis before, but the reality is that many marriages (mine included) come to a time of crisis because the individuals in the marriage were going through a time of external crisis and failed to care for their marriage through the crisis. In our marriage, we evidently don't do health issues, we do house issues. And, of course, we have had the health issues of our

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-31103142768931905492011-12-09T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-09T08:30:01.559-06:00

Originally at heartlight At a youth basketball game, I found joy as a mother when I heard an opposing coach yell to his players, "Watch out for number 3! Watch out for number 3!" Since her first team as a 6 year old, my daughter has always requested to be number 3. At age 12, God has blessed her with height and talent. She has become a force to be reckoned with on the court. To hear the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-3676702383335514392011-12-08T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-08T08:30:02.737-06:00

Happy Thursday morning. Is anyone reading anything interesting right now? I'm still in the middle of my great Christmas Bible study, but I'm also reading a good book (a bit tough to read) that I can't wait to tell you about. But, now, I'll tell you about one that I read a month or two ago. via The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls.  Walls tells her own story of growing up with an alcoholic

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-65922752479306524782011-12-07T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-07T08:30:02.363-06:00

Originally published in Abilene Families ‘Tis the season ... for something. Always. Right now, considering you are a timely “Abilene Families” reader, it’s the season to be jolly. On demand. Because the song says so, complete with plenty of Fa’s and La’s to go with it. It’s really hard not to be jolly while singing Fa La La La La La La La, so you may as well sing along and give in. In a few

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-19569331436350371962011-12-06T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-06T12:08:13.960-06:00

'Tis the season and all that, I suppose. My halls are not decked, nor are my gifts wrapped (not even bought), and I don't think I'm even going to do any baking or anything. I'm not quite the scrooge I sound like -- just very, very busy chasing kids, etc. One thing that is new to us (being new to our area/ church) that will easily become a holiday favorite for me happened this weekend: the

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-47980751081704511872011-12-05T08:21:00.001-06:002011-12-05T08:38:28.127-06:00

Hey y’all! I trust that everyone had a restful weekend.... I know. Rolling my eyes here, too. We don’t do those in early December, do we? Surely the Lord’s birth means flit to and fro like a crazy person to band concerts, shopping malls, football games (oh, stars... I am just now drying out... good season, Eagles), adorable pageants and the like. All memories to behold. For marriage Monday today

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-22686710339813740282011-12-03T09:00:00.000-06:002011-12-03T09:00:02.258-06:00

I am in exercise clothes, with my hair in a ponytail. However, because I had Bible class at church earlier in the day, I am wearing make-up and earrings. Child: "You're all gussied up!" There ya have it. Wearing make-up and earrings constitutes "gussied up." Sad? Yes. True? Absolutely.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-35009510679131137712011-12-02T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-02T08:30:00.798-06:00

originally posted on heartlight It had been a hot, difficult week of work for the teens on the mission trip. The other sponsors and I were just as eager as the teens for a fun day — an excursion to a water park in a nearby coastal town. The park wasn't large, but was a well-planned water amusement park. We enjoyed the rides, slides, and boogie boards. There was no need to leave your

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-39796773510676927672011-12-01T19:00:00.000-06:002011-12-01T19:00:01.836-06:00

December 1st. Get out! I know, right? The Christmas decorations are mocking me from their boxes in the attic -- just as my sad little pumpkin from the front porch (and the little ones on the entry table).  *sigh* I simply cannot keep up with the passage of time, and I certainly can't decorate for it. No, I didn't scour the Internet for pictures of lame decorating. I walked out my front door...

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-63516922430937381862011-12-01T08:30:00.000-06:002011-12-01T08:30:02.625-06:00

I mentioned a few days ago that I am tackling my Twelve by 2012 goals -- a few of them, anyway. One that I am doing is reading quite a few books. I can't wait to review them all for you! (Hope you like a good book, too -- I've read some really good ones!) This book has become an annual favorite. It is more of a devotional book than a read-through, but I am still going to review it and HIGHLY

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-43656582839129903812011-11-30T08:30:00.000-06:002011-11-30T18:44:28.906-06:00

(I have had the privilege of writing for Abilene Families magazine for over 5 years now. When I learned I would be moving away from Abilene, I didn't know if I would be able to continue to write for the magazine. With this thought on my heart, I quickly wrote the following piece, so grateful for the time my family had in that precious place. When I asked if I would be able to continue

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-4878374836231584542011-11-29T14:12:00.001-06:002011-11-30T10:37:23.180-06:00

Hey, y'all! Checking in on an AMAZINGLY beautiful day. Wow. Here it is almost December, and I think Texas is finally getting the hang of fall. I will take it, though. Love a sunshiney, cool day. So does Duchess. This is her favorite spot -- the "sunshine patch," we call it. She used to go lie in the sunshine patch outside, but she has decided that she is too old and... she just won't do

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-48311041846898180772011-11-28T12:15:00.001-06:002011-11-28T18:13:56.650-06:00

Look at me! Posting Marriage Monday on Monday! Get outta town! Next thing you know I may even be taking my coupons to the store and USING them! But let's not get carried away... Today's post is just a quick little idea that I am stealing borrowing from my favorite "date-your-spouse" site, The Dating Divas (sure, they really are my favorite -- but how many "date-your-spouse" sites are out there?

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-25806339079023047472011-11-23T08:03:00.001-06:002011-11-28T18:07:59.116-06:00

originally in Word for Today My family is gloriously accustomed to not having a car payment, and are willing to put up with some interesting quirks of the vehicles to maintain that status. The one where my car will start and then die is less amusing than some, but so far it's been fairly harmless. Years ago I had a vehicle with a particularly amusing quirk. Some sort of sensor had been

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-15999403549265621722011-11-22T09:56:00.001-06:002011-11-23T08:02:39.843-06:00

I know -- going to have to start actually POSTING Marriage Mondays on Monday to call them Marriage Mondays! and I have a PLAN to make that happen -- just not this week. :-) And this week, Monday fell on my 19th wedding anniversary. So I had to look back and reminisce about how far we have come -- and think about where we are going. I asked Troy if we thought we had any idea what we were in for

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-11095098642256428732011-11-18T08:00:00.000-06:002011-11-18T08:00:03.589-06:00

Fourteen years ago this morning -- at 5:24, to be exact -- a VERY large Riley came screaming his way into this world. And he didn't stop screaming for a few years. Nine pounds, 2 ounces. If you have ever seen me in person -- I am not a large woman, nor am I married to a large man. Nine pounds. We told people for a while that I quit having babies because they were getting 2 pounds bigger every

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-15778551214435862672011-11-17T08:30:00.000-06:002011-11-22T10:58:45.465-06:00

Thank you to all of you for your affirmations -- or commiserating, perhaps -- as I wallowed in the pit of identity crisis last week. And am there still, to some degree, I suppose. Some things I have considered in the last week -- especially in light of the comments from that post: *Having a job would not make my life/ boundaries any more defined.  As a matter of fact, it would probably make

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-5707436834968170692011-11-14T15:30:00.001-06:002011-11-15T17:42:53.394-06:00

My background is in Education, and my degree is technically a dual major in Elementary and Special Education. A BIG deal in Special Education, specifically, but also throughout the younger grades, was for a child to ask for what s/he needs or wants. Side note: this goes a long way in parenting, too. An 18-month old child is capable of speaking or signing "Juice, please." or "Drink, please."

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-77918913902240417412011-11-12T08:30:00.000-06:002011-11-12T08:30:00.596-06:00

"Sooner or later it happens. Sooner or later the unthinkable becomes thinkable and the undoable is done. In time, a distance that was beyond the imagination becomes routine. In time, a pace that was elusive becomes ordinary. When that happens, for better or for worse, we have to find new goals." John Bingham, "The Courage to Start"

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-72693954928241878302011-11-10T11:48:00.001-06:002011-11-10T11:48:25.760-06:00

"Who Am I? Whooo Ammm Iii? I... am a walrus."   (extra credit for naming the movie AND character) As I like to, on occasion, vomit the contents of my brain onto the contents of my blog (I know. You LOVE my word pictures). You are left with way too much of the contents of my brain splattered about your shoes and pants and what not.  Occasionally you either sympathize with me or help me find

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-16850894263087570822011-11-09T14:27:00.000-06:002011-11-22T12:07:31.476-06:00

I have been catching up on a FEW of my Twelve by 2012 list (but I am woefully behind on others... sigh). I have been doing some reading. When I'm in the middle of a book, I'm always so glad that I am -- it's when I don't have one going and don't know what to read next that I get stuck in a Facebook/ blogs/ Pinterest vortex and forget that people actually write books. So. I want to share with you

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-18320208358035015702011-11-08T15:01:00.000-06:002011-11-08T15:06:09.376-06:00

I'm sure you had Marriage Monday on your calendar yesterday and missed it horribly -- HA! :-) I have been a bit under the weather and blogging has had to take a back seat as I wallowed all over the couch, then the bed, then resumed my couch wallowing not too long ago. So, to keep up with some Marriage Mondays, I thought I would share with you some of my most popular (top 3) and the bottom 2 are

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-79640752585808629832011-11-05T08:30:00.000-05:002011-11-05T08:30:00.616-05:00

"Each of us can find a way to make the act of running an end to itself, too. For me, this has meant finding a way to see myself as I really am and not be afraid. It has meant finding a way to fail and not be a failure. It has meant finding a way to experience both the best and the worst that I am and accept them equally." John Bingham, "The Courage to Start"

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-34125235226964589522011-11-03T14:32:00.002-05:002011-11-03T14:42:05.604-05:00

Saturday was about as perfect of a Saturday as you're going to get here in North Texas. I think the morning started in the 40's, but it was quick to warm up to a gorgeous day. Which was wonderful, since Ashley and I were out in it all day long, as she has been every Saturday in October. As I have mentioned (often), Ashley is in marching band, which keeps all of us busy since I like to volunteer

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-68808540196551879382011-11-01T17:00:00.000-05:002011-11-08T14:47:48.850-06:00

If you would like to catch up on some posts you may have missed, here are my top posts for the month of October:      *Marriage Monday: When Your Marriage Is In Crisis      *Twelve by 2012      *Marriage Monday: Get Your Marriage Out of a Rut      *Decorating for Halloween? Yay or Nay?      *Marriage Monday: Be the Cheerleader!!      *Please Tell Me You Can Relate      *Not Quite Meeting

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-67270414814506950832011-11-01T11:48:00.000-05:002011-11-22T12:23:12.753-06:00

Today's Marriage Monday (that I am writing on Tuesday morning) could probably be rightfully interpreted as a rant more than any type of helpful direction or advice. You've been advised. I obviously missed posting yesterday and was just going to let it go. Then I did something that I do about four times a year: I caught some celebrity news. As an aside, I could get so absorbed in celebrity news

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-55905918129524358792011-10-29T08:30:00.000-05:002011-10-29T08:30:01.282-05:00

"I also learned that my spirit was not as broken as I thought. Through running I was rediscovering courage, in myself and in others. Running was awakening the very feelings that I had tried so hard to bury. Running made me aware that the true difference between success and failure, between winning and losing, is often our willingness to be honest about what success means." John Bingham, "The

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-49109973867817530362011-10-28T10:55:00.001-05:002011-11-22T11:04:22.178-06:00

I have a thought in my head. Dangerous, no? If you know me very well, you know that these thoughts in my head have the potential to become soapbox diatribes. I figure, if you're going to have an opinion, HAVE AN OPINION. If you're ambivalent -- stay out of it. I think I'm still in the information-gathering stage of this issue, so I'm reserving my right to get on or off of a soapbox. I would

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-60065309042528191572011-10-26T12:58:00.000-05:002011-10-26T12:58:39.240-05:00

originally in Abilene Families We each have been given different gifts. Some of you will cure diseases. Some of you turn rooms into places of respite and relaxation. Some of you mold young minds into lifetime learners. My gift? I am the lowest common denominator in every situation. It’s a gift, really.Some times you read this column and are called to treat your fellow man, perhaps your own

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-20756199589707561302011-10-25T16:20:00.000-05:002011-10-25T16:20:11.470-05:00

It's way more than halfway through the month, and this isn't really "checking in" about my October goals. This is more like "true confessions" about where I am because I set unrealistic goals for myself. When I made my October goals, I was making them for the best Sarah there is. Now that I am 80% finished with the month, I have to face reality: Sarah suffers from migraines that knock me out

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-55203799751176298452011-10-24T16:44:00.001-05:002011-10-24T16:44:24.216-05:00

Most of my recent Marriage Monday posts have been fairly fluffy: hold hands, be nice, date your spouse, and say nice words. Those are still awesome things to do, no doubt, but I have encountered several marriages the last week that are way too far gone for those things. Still, hear me say this: even one party willing to do these things can change the course of an empty shell of a marriage. So,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-35320027296322882762011-10-22T11:30:00.000-05:002011-10-24T10:49:53.479-05:00

Originally published at Shoestring Ministries (and when it was still very hot... :-) “There’s nothing to eat.” “There’s nothing to do.” “I don’t have anything to wear.” “It’s too hot for that.” As the relentless heat wave over our portion of the nation continues with no end in sight, knowing only our own family due to the recent move, and no routine for people out of school, it seems

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-28664607868246623942011-10-21T15:16:00.002-05:002011-10-21T15:16:36.567-05:00

As you can tell by my run-on title of my blog post this is a "Sweep the Kitchen" clean up blog for the week. (There is an uber-yummy pizza house based out of my home town that has an "everything" pizza that they call "Sweep the Kitchen." Yummy.) I am draggy today. We had Friday night football on Thursday last night. A pretty fun game. Of course, I barely watched the game, as I was really only

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-77250663328909292192011-10-20T08:30:00.000-05:002011-10-20T08:30:02.362-05:00

Originally at Word for Today: A friend has just adopted her second child. With big brother being four (and also adopted), he has been privvy to much of the excitement and goings-on as the family gathered at the hospital to greet the new arrival and welcome her into the family. While the weary mom has been busy assimilating a precious baby into her home and diapering and feeding, she has

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-10311324269834474742011-10-19T08:30:00.000-05:002011-10-19T08:30:01.154-05:00

originally in Abilene Families magazine It was a gorgeous fall afternoon, if a bit on the breezy side -- not that fall afternoons come in many other varieties than breezy in West Texas. I had to leave one job early to go claim a child from middle school to shuttle her to the most recent athletic event. As I drove along, my head swimming with deadlines unmet, emails to return, projects

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-35817000121103008792011-10-18T13:26:00.000-05:002011-10-18T13:40:04.976-05:00

Yes, I know it's not Monday anymore. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. I'm still going to talk about marriage, so let's just let me call it what I will, shall we? I suspect I may start sounding like a broken record in this regard, but it occurs to me that I need the reminder still. Weeks ago I mentioned using encouraging words with your spouse or, at the very least, biting your tongue about things that

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-26094193816255821332011-10-15T12:39:00.000-05:002011-10-15T12:41:49.630-05:00

I'm going to start getting back here more often so that my first line of my blog isn't apologizing for being gone so long. It's been a crazy week in a good way. I've done very little writing of any kind and especially not of the bloggy kind -- as you've noticed. I came across something that is right up my alley. As you have probably noticed, goal-setting is a big deal for me.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-22113748087525537532011-10-12T22:38:00.002-05:002011-10-12T22:38:34.289-05:00

Hey, y'all! Wow, let me get away from posting every day and I just totally slack off. What a FUN season of life I am in, though. I knew that October would be busy and it is -- are we halfway through yet? Not yet, I guess. Fall is uber-busy for our family, as I mentioned here, so I am hanging on for the ride now. We have been through a few football games and one marching band competition. The

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-68649743682738123862011-10-06T08:30:00.000-05:002011-10-06T08:30:00.505-05:00

Originally Published on Word for Today "Now the Lord was gracious to Sarah as He had said, and the Lord did for Sarah what He had promised."  Genesis 21:1 Sighing from the tips of my toes, I leaned my head on the seatback of the car. We were on our way out of town. If ever my family needed to leave town – and the mess and mayhem – it was now. Less than a year ago, we were so

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-33805799319521407882011-10-04T14:28:00.000-05:002011-10-04T14:28:56.285-05:00

How 'bout a little soapbox for your Tuesday afternoon? I was recently included in a group of ministers for a discussion of various and sundry topics in an online forum. I was, first of all, amused to be included, then honored and humbled. Most of the members of this group are men who are currently serving as preachers/ pastors of a congregation. A few are other types of ministers on a church

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-18317753016839912092011-10-03T17:33:00.000-05:002011-10-03T17:33:40.517-05:00

I kind of have a mixed bag of stuff I want to talk about for MM. But one thing is weighing heavy on my heart. A friend -- acquaintance, really -- that I don't know super well, but has given me the honor of hearing some fairly personal information, is really struggling in marriage. I will call that friend, FOGMC (Friend whO is Going to Marriage Counseling!) And, it would mean a lot to both FOGMC

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-45140966590310663172011-10-01T21:42:00.000-05:002011-10-01T21:42:32.121-05:00

I mentioned yesterday that I wanted to set October goals. Fitness and writing... and later, sadly, I realized I need to include spiritual goals in there. My time with the Lord has been at sporadic times recently, which comes to mean hit or miss. And that simply won't do. I must make that deposit first in my day if all the other plans will succeed. Some of the goals I am currently looking at for

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-8738255164510202212011-09-30T08:30:00.000-05:002011-09-30T08:30:03.089-05:00

Can you believe that September has come and gone? It truly seems just yesterday I was committing to you to write a blog post every day in September. And, with the exception of last fun-filled Friday, I did it. I also said I was going to launch an email newsletter for my ministry by tomorrow. That... I didn't so much do. So, as I look back at September I hit a few goals and missed a few. Way

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-5773357656468700412011-09-29T08:30:00.000-05:002011-09-29T08:30:02.944-05:00

originally published at Word for Today I am a wanna-be runner. I will train and run and begin to almost feel like a runner, and life, illness, or an injury will set me back. But for whatever reason, I am determined. I will not release the thought of being a runner, so it’s back on the track... so to speak. At least it’s back to the training plan. Lately it has been a little easier to get back

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-20780237850756657462011-09-28T21:23:00.000-05:002011-09-28T21:23:52.432-05:00

An update on baby Marlie Ruth: She tolerated her surgery well (can you even IMAGINE being a neonatal neurosurgeon -- confessing I had trouble even SPELLING it!). However the tumor was found to be malignant, so not one more prayer will be wasted on sweet Marlie Ruth, her mom, dad, and brother and sister, and all those in the position of making decisions on her behalf. Lots of prayers. I'm sure

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-58695440735370053162011-09-27T08:00:00.001-05:002011-09-27T08:01:09.975-05:00

First, I want to keep it real around here. Yesterday, after I let you know how awesome my husband is - -he's still awesome -- we ended up having a shouting match last night. Over where a watermelon was in the kitchen. Not. Even. Kidding. (It was in plain sight/ tripping pattern -- hence, the problem). Just keepin' it real 'round here. Some days rainbows and lollipops, some days fights over

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-64676807077170834332011-09-26T16:27:00.000-05:002011-09-27T08:02:37.912-05:00

Before I get started, let me be the first to point out that yes, yes I did miss a day in my "month of posting every day" in September. Nope, it wasn't yesterday (PLEASE tell me you watched that precious video) or Saturday (Scott, I will NOT pay for your therapy because of that pic). Those I had scheduled to post, but Friday? Y'all -- I was just having too much fun! I won't regale you with all of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-47971227161542666612011-09-25T09:00:00.000-05:002011-09-25T09:00:03.517-05:00

These are adorable. And, every day, hit a little closer to home:

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-5047203687268042572011-09-24T09:00:00.000-05:002011-09-24T09:00:07.172-05:00

I was looking for pictures of happy couples for this post on encouraging your spouse, and I came across this picture: Can we all just agree that is simply the creepiest picture ever? (as I look at it, I realize there is an excellent chance it is from a movie I have never seen since I see about 2 movies per year. If it is, enlighten me. And I will never, ever see it). Thank you.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-10979113896925141282011-09-22T15:51:00.000-05:002011-09-22T15:51:55.975-05:00

Y'all. You thought I was not going to make it today, huh? It's overcast and has even rain a little today. A perfect day for doing some catching up in the house and on my work stuff. Scootch up a chair, I'll pour you a cup, and I'll fill you in on what all's going on. Don't forget! Today (assuming you are reading this the day it's written) is THE LAST day to enter the contest to win a $10

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-22162154969036395442011-09-21T07:53:00.000-05:002011-09-21T07:53:00.133-05:00

(originally in Abilene Families magazine) The glow of my laptop pierces the darkness like a beacon, beckoning a weary mom come and work. Finally a moment of silence, though I was forced to arise in the 5’s, a ridiculous hour to try to think coherently. I can hear the whir of fans, the hum of a refrigerator. A baby cries out in the room next door. A speaking engagement has called me away

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-59292881277924089542011-09-20T08:30:00.000-05:002011-09-20T08:30:04.429-05:00

I certainly haven't run out of things to discuss, but this post may only appeal to 50% of my blog readers. In the last month I have become addicted to interested in Pinterest. You know Pinterest, right? If not, the Spark notes version (kids these days use Spark notes-- if you're as old as me, you used Cliff notes. Po-tay-to, po-tah-to) is that Pinterest is like an online bulletin board/

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-947448156874742712011-09-19T13:03:00.000-05:002011-09-19T13:05:23.906-05:00

My thoughts on marriage today are prompted by Trey's post making the amazing claim: "How to Drop the Divorce Rate to 7% in Your Marriage." Well, I was all about that. I have mentioned about a time or 50 that Troy and I have stared divorce in the face and by the grace of God and prayers of others we came out on the other side. And we are wiser and gentler with each other for it (did you know

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-790088172818073582011-09-18T14:01:00.001-05:002011-09-18T14:01:36.195-05:00

Hey, y'all! I don't usually ACTUALLY WRITE a post, even when I post a post on Sunday. But here I sit. And I'm thinking some. Both dangerous. One thing I'm thinking is what we talked about at my church this morning. We are going through the Bible chronologically this year, and all Bible classes are discussing what is being discussed in church. This morning was parts of Genesis (Chapters 12

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-77172094103245030272011-09-17T23:08:00.000-05:002011-09-17T23:09:09.965-05:00

Okay, I am squeaking in with 69 minutes to spare! But today is MY BIRTHDAY!! It was way fun and I will tell you all about it when I am not trying to get my weary, older body to bed after a day-o-fun. Just want to share two of my favorite birthday greetings on Facebook. The first was from Trina, who had a little trouble with her long fingernails and auto-correct, et. al: Of course, that

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-12571120927106060642011-09-16T17:28:00.001-05:002011-09-16T17:28:38.794-05:00

Y'all I'm about to miss my streak! Crazy day -- and I'm about to walk out the door for Friday Night Football! WooHoo! Big doin's around here this weekend, and one of the things I am hoping my family can make it to some of is the Plano Balloon Festival. I find it so intriguing that my "big city area" is HUGE into hot air balloons. We are just rural enough that hot air balloons have enough space

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-81899574982862133142011-09-15T13:05:00.000-05:002011-09-15T13:05:20.470-05:00

Here we are, 15 days into September. I have done it -- I have written a blog post every single day (with one of them posting a day late due to a disabling migraine). Lemme confess this: I am tired. Not of writing. (Oh, I'm about to lay a bombshell on you that will cause you to roll your eyes and say, "But I am tired of your writing. Enough...!") I'm just tired. Maybe it's the cloud cover.

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-51425560302430942952011-09-14T07:51:00.001-05:002011-09-14T07:51:00.994-05:00

(originally in Abilene Families magazine) My husband and I think that Super Bowl night is a good time to go to the movies without crowds. We only know sports figures from crime reports, and fantasy football/ baseball/ horseshoes is a time investment we don’t bother to make. We aren’t sports people at my house. At least we weren’t... before we became parents. I introduced myself to my son’s

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-78713231063547973782011-09-13T16:26:00.003-05:002011-09-13T16:27:38.170-05:00

I am WAY overdue in telling you this story! I told you MONTHS ago about some very close friendships I made in my former town -- when I signed up at they gym. I started telling you that because of something really cool that my gym buddies -- Amy and Laura -- did. So... this was in July. It was hot. Stinkin' hot. Not that August or September has come to be any different. We were new in our town,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-14002062313229815002011-09-12T11:18:00.000-05:002011-09-12T11:18:22.403-05:00

Yesterday was a great day. Church, brief nap, ballgame with family and firemen, and then home with family. I missed most of the media coverage of September 11th anniversary, though they were replaying some footage where we went to lunch. That was a good way to talk to the kids about it. They were 3 and 5 when it happened, so they only remember/ know what they have been told about it. I heard

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-23123077781348649632011-09-11T08:00:00.000-05:002011-09-11T08:00:01.087-05:00

As I mentioned yesterday, I don't have much to add to all the amazing words that have been written about this day. We all know where we were, what was going on. It was the most amazing, beautiful, clear crisp September morning ever. And then it was a mess and the whole world was wrong. My baby girl was 3 weeks into kindergarten -- and I desperately wanted her home with me. I was stepping out of

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-66095473527075940502011-09-10T15:23:00.001-05:002011-09-10T21:37:17.686-05:00

I am LOVING the commitment to blog everyday. It has reminded me that I actually DO have things to say. This 10th anniversary of September 11th has certainly provided a flood of writing material, but I'm not sure I have anything worthwhile to add to the dialog. Memories and moments and emotions that we all had have surfaced again, but it's precisely the same memories, moments, and emotions you

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-58555250368273391722011-09-09T07:00:00.000-05:002011-09-09T07:00:08.836-05:00

Y'all, I only have a minute here. My giddiness at this day will tell you what a sad, sad state my life has become. But I am SO! EXCITED! for today!! Truly, it's a big day (for me -- no one else in this house has any idea how excited I am). First, I signed up for our new church's fall Beth Moore study. They will be studying, "David: Seeking a Heart Like His." Of course, I'm totally pumped to

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-90134685023601353522011-09-08T12:20:00.000-05:002011-09-08T12:20:03.334-05:00

Hey, y'all! What's up with your Thursday? I have my windows open enjoying a breath of fall before the dog days of summer come back to haunt us. I hope it's beautiful where you are, too, though I know many of you are battling the smoke of nearby fires and all the worry, danger, and heartache that goes with that. My heart is with you! Just a quick check-in today. I am SO far behind in my day and I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-24025793986567853732011-09-07T07:43:00.001-05:002011-09-07T07:43:00.176-05:00

(originally in Abilene Families magazine) The economy may have affected your job situation, paycheck, or status. Gas prices have all of us evaluating our driving habits. One side effect of the economy is that a simple cost-saving measure seems to be bubbling to the top as America’s new favorite past time. Scraps of paper, specific types of accessories, blogs with excessive! exclamation!

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-19944340109044166382011-09-06T15:04:00.000-05:002011-09-06T17:51:32.524-05:00

This whole blog-a-day-in-September had to take a brief hiatus yesterday (I just now posted yesterday's blog) as I lay in bed with a migraine all day. That was sad, considering it was evidently the nicest weather day we have had since I've lived here. My regular blog-readers are all-too-aware of my migraines, which have been somewhat well behaved lately. But we traveled to a wedding this

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-89743922972991841412011-09-04T08:38:00.000-05:002011-09-04T08:38:00.073-05:00

The video is a wee bit long, but what else will you do on a holiday weekend? Worth your time:

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-56615866853939159902011-09-03T07:43:00.001-05:002011-09-06T17:52:34.008-05:00

Hey, y'all! I'm actually back again, but not for long today! We are on our way out of town to a wedding (outdoors -URG. Bless the bride. She's been planning it almost a year. She had no way of knowing this would be the hottest summer in 30 years). I love that our family called friends to stay with (for free) so that we can afford for our dog to stay at her $25/ night Bed and Breakfast. Sheesh

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-80592773476293159512011-09-02T09:58:00.003-05:002011-09-06T17:53:22.163-05:00

Everyone read the title -- and sing along. And let it get stuck in YOUR head, too! Since I have teenagers, SOMEONE has to sing it every week. Now they're gone and it's stuck in my head. I may have to turn on The Wiggles or something just to cleanse my head! So, football discussion about why there was no "WooHoo": a)this was our only Thursday night game. Probably because we have to share a

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-24487362460129579422011-09-01T10:06:00.004-05:002011-09-01T10:31:45.184-05:00

One of the blogs I follow is posting every day right now (and I'm fuzzy on why so don't ask for details). I thought: I think I could post every day in September. It would get me back in the habit of checking in over here. And remind me that I don't have to tell you people my whole life story to start back up. So, I thought of TWO things to tell you on the first day. It may lead you to believe

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-27970558234834045622011-08-25T08:25:00.001-05:002011-08-25T08:25:00.625-05:00

I think I feel the need to define/ redefine who I am/ what I do. I am in the middle of a job hunt and the truth is that, on paper -- I don't amount to much. I have a few years experience teaching -- and I don't want to return to the classroom. Not that I could in the state of Texas, anyway. With budget cutbacks, etc., a teaching job is a rare find. I have a few articles published in a local

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-9309933198373416742011-08-23T11:03:00.007-05:002011-08-23T16:59:13.885-05:00

When God called us to this place, I marveled, and might have said, "Seriously???" You see, in my small town the "have nots" are never very far away and I was ever mindful that there was a population to serve, people to love on, and God's children to care for. Then God called me to suburbia. Sure, our family could have chosen a mission field in an inner city area around here somewhere, but our

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-18165264423408733852011-08-16T12:32:00.004-05:002011-08-16T14:14:21.637-05:00

The pictures of backpack-clad munchkins have begun cropping up on Facebook. The sales papers are full of crayons and glue sticks. You know what that means! It's TIME! While I definitely have some of this guy's sentiment about it: this year brings new heaviness to my heart as my kids are heading into uncharted territory (for them). Next Monday I will take my 13 year old man-child to a school

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-12320809526066710232011-08-08T11:01:00.002-05:002011-08-08T11:11:53.128-05:00

I remember when my kids were little hearing a woman with a 13, 15, 16, and 18 year old say that she would rather have 4 teenagers than 4 2-year olds. "Hmmm..." thought I, "I'll just have to see about that!" Not that I planned to have 4 of either, mind you. But I have to confess that my teens are so funny -- sometimes inadvertently -- and generally a joy. Just a few of the recent conversations

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-90965963896307489162011-08-03T09:25:00.000-05:002011-08-03T09:25:00.345-05:00

A few times a week I get out of bed while it is still dark, strap on my running shoes, and hit the road. The temperature and upheaval of this summer have done a number on my pace and training and I am basically back to square one, but I am celebrating where I am.If you can fog a mirror, it's not too late to start over. So I start over. This week I ran further than last (without walking -- the end

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-76271698878808578452011-07-27T15:37:00.004-05:002011-12-15T13:14:11.395-06:00

Nine years ago, my home was flooded, I wasn't living in my house, I had a husband whose job required him to travel, two small children, we were being sued (I haven't told that captivating story on the blog), and I was keeping a baby 2-3 days a week. In short, I was a wreck. I ran myself over to what would have been the closest gym if we lived in our house and signed up. I decided that I deserved

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-87779641413694043712011-07-21T21:31:00.004-05:002011-07-21T22:03:33.550-05:00

I keep trying (not very hard) to get back over here... and I just keep doing other things.My goal for the last couple of weeks has been to consistently get back into the word and eat better. Evidently I can only accomplish 2 things at a time, because I am unable to blog on top of it. I am getting some writing done and wrote about "Choosing Joy" when life wasn't aligning for me to do such.I am

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-86392405597171781592011-07-11T11:59:00.005-05:002011-07-11T13:25:45.866-05:00

The youth minister for our church in Abilene chooses a theme every summer. The theme is the focus of the mission trips, then the camp later in the summer. One of the reasons I won't refer to him as "my kids' former youth minister" is that a) he will always minister to all of us b) the themes always speak to me -- year 'round if I will let them. He is my minister, too -- and a friend that I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-38865053364457684362011-07-07T21:15:00.002-05:002011-07-07T22:10:36.848-05:00

"Umm... why is the air blowing hot air?"No one wants to hear this at 6 p.m on a July afternoon in Texas, when we definitely like our air of the cool variety.Oh, yes. Like about 80% of everyone else that we know, our air conditioner simply couldn't keep up with the horrific heat this week.We commiserated with the dog, trapped in her fur coat. We tried, valiantly, to put a happy face on it. But

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-52025009956878870572011-07-02T08:03:00.002-05:002011-07-02T08:51:40.765-05:00

(now that I am on my Facebook fast, the blog will get my drive-by thoughts again. Won't that be fun?)Dear Runner Dude,You totally kept me going today. I had a 5 mile run today (that I am still walk/running). Want to know something HILARIOUS -- so I am at about mile 3.9, running with my iPhone for my music and Nike+ training thing, and I checked my training plan on SmartCoach to see the pace I

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8252605.post-51247122798533473542011-06-26T20:19:00.003-05:002011-06-26T20:49:56.890-05:00

Whoa. It's been... a VERY long while.If you're still here, glad to have you. Last I posted, I was telling you that Troy and I were trying to adjust to living together. Think we're still trying to adjust. That and this town-o-concrete and the driving. I don't mind the driving but all of it takes very, very long to do.We have celebrated my grandmother's 100th birthday, painted over some wallpaper,

Sarahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02967745278090623772noreply@blogger.com1