Fall

Although summer is my favorite season, fall definitely comes in as my second favorite. I love the swatches of red, gold, orange and yellow set against a brilliant blue sky. I could drive for hours just looking at all of the colors! And while I am always sad to put away my flipflops and tank tops, I love the comfort of a long sleeve shirt or hoodie. So, with fall in the air, I decided to break out my Fall/Halloween decorations today. Martha Stewart's got nothin' on me! (just kidding)

Under Construction

I've been having issues with my blog, so I had to make some minor changes to my layout. Note: if any of you who use Blogger try to change your template, it may totally screwup your layout. Either that, or it's just me and my complete lack of computer skills!!

Faith on Friday

I really felt urged to write about faith today, and in particular, my faith. Sometimes I feel like I have it together, and then there are the days when I feel like a failure in faith. I feel like I shouldn't ever doubt what God can do and when a speck of doubt creeps into my heart, I feel like I have let God down.

My faith in God took on a whole new meaning when Mike and I talked about having kids. I was so excited and couldn't wait to be a mom. I felt ready, and so I began having regular meetings with God. I'd take time out of my day to sit, pray, and be quiet. I was desperate and open to changing my relationship with God. I would tell myself that I had faith in God that He would bless us with a baby. What I didn't realize at the time is that there is a HUGE difference between saying you have faith and actually having it. My faith was confirmed when I got pregnant, and then challenged when I lost the baby. And the thing is, God meant for it to happen that way. He heard me say that I had faith, and I believe he tested me (the hardest test of my life, as it turns out).

So here I am, ready to get on the baby bandwagon again, and sometimes I find myself with some doubt in my heart. Sometimes, when everything is quiet and I'm alone, I feel the doubt in every corner of my being. And I'm ashamed and embarrassed. Yet, I'm starting to learn that God understands where that seed of doubt comes from and is working with me to fix it. I am not a perfect person, and there are times when I am going to have some doubt, but I know that I can just give it up to God, and he'll take it. He's that awesome....

Wordless wednesday

Goodbye Cosmo, Hello SELF!

Cosmopolitan magazine has made it's way into my trashcan! I don't know about everyone else, but I'm done with Cosmo. Actually, I was over it a while ago, but kept buying issues hoping that it would get better. It's always the same old thing and it seems geared towards single women between 18-22. Not my demographic anymore! SELF is geared more towards women's health, fitness and beauty. The articles are written by women who are very relatable, who are extremely intelligent and who have something to say! I looovve this magazine, and if you're like me and need a magazine that you can relate to, you must run, not walk, to get Self.

Vacation Wrap-up

My vacation is coming to an end, and I am not thrilled about going back to work. It was so nice to sleep in every day! Mike and I didn't do a whole lot--we did some things around the house, and he had Lasik surgery on Friday. I actually was able to watch the entire procedure! I am somewhat squeamish, but this really didn't bother me (although I was praying the entire time that something wouldn't go wrong!). Now he can see 20/15. I am so happy for him that he doesn't have to dink around with contacts and glasses anymore!

Other than that, I started my Bible study, made a trip to the Gap outlet (love it), finished a book (Barefoot by Elin Hildenbrand), cleaned out my office, did laundry, had dinner with my parents and just relaxed. It's sad to think that I won't get another vacation until spring. It's going to be a long winter!

Happy Birthday Laura!

Christmas Ornament Swap

This is from my friend Jaime (http://www.jaimepottphotography.blogspot.com/) and I am going to participate and thought you might like it too!

Many of you know I participated in a Christmas Ornament Swap last year. And well it is back. My great friend, Shelley, is organizing it this year. Please link this on your own blog, and forward to friends. I would love for everyone to get to meet new people through it.
Some random info:
**Price limit is $20 FIRM! We had a low limit last year, and I think we all went over! If you get a wonderful deal, and just have to buy something that is worth more, yet falls under the limit, go for it. If you find 1-2 amazing ones that you are in love with, there is NO pressure to buy more than that. We don't want anyone being stressed about trying to "keep up" and not looking cheap. Most of us have small kids and lots of expenses at Christmas, so we want to keep it on a fun level. It can be made from anything, as long as it can be hung on a Christmas tree. No stuff to "sit around" or what not, at least not for this swap, UNLESS your person specifies that they are interested in that type thing. If they are, you still aren't obligated to go that route, it's just another possibility to explore.
The Rules:
In order to enter, please email shelley23@gmail.com with your name, and mailing address, and your blog site, if you have one. Copy and paste the below questionaire in order to make it easier on your person to know what you are (and ARE NOT) interested in! The more info, the better, if you ask me!
1. Would you be happy with what not type decorations, or are you interested only in tree ornaments?
2. What color scheme is your tree?
3. Do you collect any specific theme, such as hallmark, snowmen, or etc?
4. Do you like personalized ornaments, with names/initials? If so, please include all info for your family's names.
5. Do you like oversized ornaments? Flashy and bright, or simple and contemporary?
6. Is there anything specific that you think someone "might" get you that you totally cannot stand?

Deadline to Sign up with be October 20th.She will be getting your names to you as soon as I can after that, probably within a matter of days. If you email her, and feel like she may have possibly somehow not gotten it, do not hesitate to email again. After she gets everyone their partner, you will then have until Thanksgiving to mail out your ornaments. (We want to have time for people to get them onto their trees!)Before shopping, get to know the person you have been given - be sure and check out their blog if they have one, find out what they like, what they collect, etc... Or you can bless them with something from your neck of the woods, something they wouldn't find where they live, as long as it doesn't fall into their list of stuff they would not want.

☺Shipping instructions: Please package each ornament carefully (especially if doing glass ornaments) Please include your name on your package, since it is not a secret pal swap.Ornaments must be mailed with delivery confirmation, please, it's only about fifty cents. Please do not sign up if you don't want to take it seriously. No one wants to be left with no prize!Once they are received, please blog yours, if you have one!
ANYONE CAN JOIN.....Looks like International is an option too.....Happy Shopping!

10 On Tuesday

Here's my 10 on this beautiful but chilly Tuesday!

1.) I am soooo sore from working out yesterday. I forget how easy it is to get out of a routine, and how painful it can be to get back to it. Nevertheless, I am still going to go tomorrow and Friday. I will get back into a routine!

2.) I started an online Bible study (Beth Moore's Believing God). It is 9 weeks long, and I am pretty excited about it. It's an hour or so video once a week, and then 5 days of "homework". The nice thing about it is that I can do it on my own time.

3.) I had to pull these bad boys out yesterday. (see pic) I was freezing...

4.) Mike is having lasik done this week. I am excited for him, as this will mean saying goodbye to glasses and pesky contacts.

5.) Since I am on vacation this week, I thought I would get some things done around the house: finish painting the trim around my windows, clean out my file cabinet, organize my closet and dresser.
6.) Mike and I are thinking about getting rid of our home phone. Let's face it--we hardly ever use our home phone, and if anyone calls us, it's usually on our cell phones. Let's save some money!

7.) Thinking about making a trip to IKEA. Not that I need anything, but I have heard that the store is awesome. I don't doubt I would find something!

8.) We found a new show on FOX that we like--Fringe. Sort of creepy, but I really got into the first episode. New episode is on tonight.

9.) Someone told me that it is less than 100 days until Christmas. I'm having a hard time with this.

10.) With Fall right around the corner, I was thinking about breaking out the Crock Pot. But since we don't use it all that much, I am needing some recipes. Any ideas?

Getting off my lazy butt

So I finally went back to the gym after 2 months. It was not a pretty sight, and because I felt like I needed to atone for my absenteeism, I decided to get on the elliptical machine (my dreaded enemy). It was painful! I have always hated that machine, and today was no different. I see these ladies on the elliptical, and they are working it like it's their job! I can barely stand to be on it for more than 5 minutes, and these ladies are on there for 15+ minutes (one was even on her cell phone--really? At the gym? Is that necessary?) I did, however, have my trusty IPod to help me get through the workout. Here's what I was sweating to:

**Mr Brightside--The Killers

**Viva La Vida--Coldplay

**Jump--Madonna

**Evenflow--Pearl Jam

**Crazy--Seal

**I'm Not Over--Carolina Liar

**Stolen---Dashboard Confessional

**Icky Thump--The White Stripes

I also took a peek at the schedule of classes they offer, and I have been wanting to take a yoga class for a while, so I may do that this week. I've never done yoga before, so hopefully I don't look like an idiot!!

Baggage

Do you ever stop to think about the baggage you carry with you on a daily basis? I never really thought about it, until I saw a short video on Pastor Pete's blog, Without Wax. Everyone is walking around with some kind of baggage, and some is heavier than others, and for that, I feel like I need to be kinder to others. You never know what someone is carrying around with them..

http://vimeo.com/1710235

9/11

I think it's common practice to ask those around you, "Where were you on 9/11?". I remember very vividly where I was. It was a Tuesday morning, and I was getting up as I had a class in a few hours. I remember my mom calling me, telling me to turn on the tv. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen, I didn't really believe what I was seeing. I think I started to cry immediately. Even though I was having a hard time processing the images, my thoughts went straight to the people that were inside the towers. WHAT WERE THEY DOING? WERE THEY TRYING TO ESCAPE? WERE THEY ALREADY GONE? SOMEONE PLEASE, HELP THOSE PEOPLE.

I read an article today that said that family members were angry with then mayor Rudy Guiliani, stating that "the city was ill-prepared for the terrorist attacks under his leadership". I am not a grieving family member. I did not lose anyone in the 9/11 attacks. I don't know what it is like to wait for someone who isn't coming home. However, I don't think it's a fair comment. How can anyone have been 100% prepared for those attacks? Maybe I'm naive, but until 9/11 happened, I was never worried about terrorists attacking us here in the U.S. I wouldn't have ever thought it could happen here. I think the family members have every right to be angry, but I think they are angry at the wrong person (people).

Perhaps I am an idealist, but I would like to see the people of the United States united on the war on terror. I remember clearly what it was like the days following 9/11. I recall everyone being a little nicer to each other, people were banding together. It felt like we were ONE in our support of this country. What happened to that?

Confessions of a TV Junkie

Hi, my name is Sarah, and I am a TV Junkie. I am however, not currently in recovery for my addiction. In fact, my tv viewing is only going to get worse, and all because of this :(See picture).

I know that I could be spending my time on some worthwhile activity (going to the gym, writing, feeding the homeless, etc) but my tv beckons me. And with all of the new shows that are coming on, I know my poor DVR is going to get a workout. Oh, and don't think I am in this alone. Mike watches faithfully, too. You can usually find the pair of us at night, snuggled into the depths of our couch, cozy blanket bundled around ourselves (ok, me), with the bag of peanut butter M&Ms in between us and the remote control close by. Ok, so we're lazy, but I am going to enjoy every single minute of it.

Fall Wishlist

I don't know what it is about Fall that makes me want to shop more than any other time of the year. Maybe this stems from being a child and going shopping for new school clothes. I love the feeling of putting on something new... Anyway, can you spot the running themes in my choices above? (I didn't do it on purpose, I swear)

Today I...

I am...a daughter, sister, wife, friend.
I want...my vacation to be here.
I wish...i was always strong.
I strongly dislike...people who make assumptions about you.
I fear...my loved ones dying.
I miss...holidays at my grandparents house.
I feel...sleepy.
I hear...the rain slapping against our deck.
I smell...coffee brewing.
I crave...inspiration.
I search...for a more meaningful relationship with God.
I wonder...who our next president is going to be.
I regret...gossiping.
I love...Mike.
I care...about what my friends are going through.
I always...love with everything I have.
I believe...in God's power to change lives.
I sing...terribly.
I cry...when I am frustrated.
I don't always...say the things I really want to say.
I fight...when something is important to me.
I write...as often as I can, but not as much as I should.
I never...laugh at someone's pain.
I listen...more than I talk.
I need...a couple days to catch up on all the books I am reading.
I am happy...when I am with my family.

Partially Wordless Wednesday

Cole's 1st Day of School!! Where is the time going to?

Let it Begin, Part 2

The Republican National Convention starts today, although most of today's activities are being halted due to Hurrican Gustav. It will be interesting to see what the Republicans have to say this week, and again, I will be watching with an open mind. Tune in to www.gopconvention.com for more details about the convention!