The Encourager

Yesterday as I dusted and vacuumed the house, Carter followed me around saying, "Good job, Mommy!"  Is it too early to think he may have the gift of encouragement? :)

Carter & Rosa Grace

Carter had his buddy Rosa Grace over for a playdate today.  They played so well together, and Angeline (Rosa's mommy) and I had a great time catching up and laughing at all the funny things they do and say! Here are a few pics for you to enjoy including Carter waiting at the window watching for their car and the "good-bye kiss." Too sweet!

For Nana and Papa

This one is for my in-laws, but all are welcome to read...I know it must be difficult not to be closer to Carter, so these are a few funny things he has said/done lately.  I hope it'll bring a smile to your face!

• Even still, though we've read it a zillion times, when asked "What did Noah build?," Carter turns with a grin and answers "Sandcastles!"  :)  Hey, after all that time on the boat, who wouldn't want to play in the sand?
• His latest saying, "Hello, Detroit!" while in his rock star stance with his hand in the air and guitar slung over his shoulder playing Guitar Hero 3 with Daddy.  At the end of the song, in the same pose, he says "Thank you, good night!"
• Perhaps the first part came from a story at school, but when he sees a picture of an alligator, he says "See that alligator, sneaky alligator, snap that monkey right outta his tree.  Momma called the doctor and the doctor said, 'No more monkeys jumping on his bed.'" (Obviously two stories blending together!)
• He's a streaker!  Scott got some funny video of Carter getting ready for bath time as he ran around saying, "Naked booty!"
• Carter has learned to say his own prayers at night.  A couple of nights ago his prayer was "Thank you for mommy and daddy.  Thank you for balloons.  Thank you for Elmo.  Thank you for sleeps.  Amen."  (Amen to the sleeps!)

I know there are so many other things I could include, but these were the first few that came to my mind.  Love you! ~Sarah

Lemon Meringue Pie

Have you ever watched your grandmother cook?  What a generation of women.  

My own grandmother, Nanny, lost her mother at the age of 12, (right, Dad?), and though she wasn't the oldest she had to drop out of school and became responsible for the motherly duties for her many brothers and sisters.  Instead of running down to the local Viking Store or picking up the latest fad for cookbooks, she learned to cook by trial.  And boy, can she cook?!?!?  Not only that, but she remembers everyone's favorite dishes and, despite our trying to convince her otherwise, she usually has each of them prepared upon our arrival.  For dad, it's her pot roast for supper and "Nanny Biscuits" with country ham for breakfast.  For my mom & sister, it's her pimento cheese.  For me,  fruit salad and ranch dip w/ veggies.  For ALL of us, it's her unbelievable iced sugar cookies, chocolate cupcakes, "Nanny Bread" and 2 definite crowd-pleasers, fried chicken and spaghetti (which I don't know I'll ever be able to replicate).  Are you getting hungry yet?

I need and want to spend some time in the kitchen with my grandmother while she still feels up to the task.  What an invaluable cooking lesson (not to mention life lesson) awaits in her kitchen!

Fortunately, I had the great pleasure of cooking beside Scott's grandmother several years ago to try to learn her secret to the perfect lemon meringue pie.  You don't know pie until you've had a taste of one of hers.  Literally, it's what she's known for.

As I watched in awe (and as she pushed my hands into the dough), I tried to make a mental note of every step of the way.  I even sat down and wrote how many fingers she used to measure each "fingerfull" of this or "pinches" that.  While my pies will surely never compare to hers, I am proud to report that I made my own lemon meringue pie this week!  The first in years!

The funny thing is that I felt such a sense of accomplishment just from making this one pie; whereas, Scott's grandmother used to make these in her sleep! 

While Grandma Harris's legacy will always be her pies, Nanny's will be her Nanny Biscuits (which my family has literally video-taped her making in an effort to replicate!), Grandma Lenhart's will be her yummy noodles...I sometimes wonder what mine will be...From all of these women I have seen examples of great strength, perseverance in the face of trial, and love for family  and have learned so much more than how to feed a crowd!  I pray I will do the same for future generations...

Love to all, Sarah

The Junk Room

A Junk Room...Do you have one?  Sure you do!  You may not want to admit it to the world, but we've all got those places in our homes that would surely cause us to cringe if our mothers discovered the mounds of chaos and disarray.  My poor mother and mother in law have probably both been appalled upon opening the "organized chaos" I call our guest closet or the storage space that had become a "catch all."  My mother really did train me better! :)

At any rate, it's there.  Yours may not be a large room, rather it could be a closet or corner of the garage.  It's that place where things land that we're either not quite sure what to do with OR that we for some reason aren't ready to let go of.  

As I prepared myself to head into our junk room and begin cleaning it out, it hit me that there is such a strong spiritual parallel here.  While we hate to admit to one another, we all have "junk rooms"...this is the place in our hearts where sin abides or where we fall into sin by clinging to things/situations where we should really let God take control.  Reflecting on my personal "junk room," I realize that there's nothing to be ashamed of in the fact that it exists.  Rather, I should find comfort in the community of believers and in the presence of God to say...SWING OPEN THE DOOR, peer in and gawk at what a mess it is, but know that I am a work in progress.  I go daily to God asking for his help in cleaning out my "junk room" and I thank him for the things he's helped me "throw away."

What does your junk room look like?  Have you taken time to examine it lately?  God's Word tells us this is good, healthy in fact, and necessary in growing in our relationship with him.

2 Corinthians 13:5a "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith..."

Happy Cleaning! :)

Carter's Prayer

I know I've already posted once today, but I couldn't let this precious moment as a mommy go by without sharing it!

Last night (and again tonight), Carter said his own bedtime prayers!  For quite some time we've recited a "Thank you prayer" together at bedtime...but this was his own, independent thoughts--without my prompting.

His first prayer...just as he said it...

Thank you God for daddy.

Thank you God for mommy.

Thank you God for Ally, Adaline.

Thank you God for Mimi and Don-Don.

Thank you for Adaline shoot it (I'm certain this refers to his cousin's basketball game we went to!)

Thank you for your this special day. 

Amen.

Tonight's prayer... (while much more simple, precious just the same!)

Thank you for daddy and mommy.

Thank you for this special day.

Amen.

There's a lesson here for me.  I too often come to God with my list of needs/desires that far surpasses the time I spend giving thanks.  While there are many things I need to lay at His feet, may I never forget to first give Him praise!

My Wild Hair

No, I'm not speaking literally...

I've gotten a bit of a "wild hair" in me as they say.  (Whoever "they" is!)

I can't believe I'm about to say this (and for those of you who know me you may not even believe it), but I have decided to participate in the Country Music Half Marathon...key words--participate (that means mostly walk, not run) and half (13 miles instead of 26--I'm not THAT crazy!). 

If any of you choose to wake up early on the morning of April 26th and wish to come cheer me (along with several supportive coworkers) on to the finish line, I'd love to see your smiling faces! :)  The only thing I ask is that you don't laugh at me crawling across the finish line!

If any of you want to attend the free concert that night with me...you can sign up too!  Otherwise, you'll have to settle for the bands along the marathon path.  

I begin my training on Thursday, but I will be changing some eating/drinking habits (as in more water, less coke!) as well.  I'm sure that these next few months will bring some good material for me to include here as I embark on this journey.  

Well--that's it for now.  I have to go find my walking shoes!

~Sarah

Happy New Year!

Greetings all!

One of my new year's resolutions is to post at least once a week (though I'm really hoping to do more!).  That said, here's my first post of the new year--some pictures from our Christmas that I hope will make you smile!

Love,

Sarah :)

A Christmas Miracle!

Have you ever seen A Charlie Brown Christmas?  It's a classic, and I guess for that reason I feel obligated to watch it year after year.  At one point, they use the phrase "a Christmas miracle!"  In our house, this is a funny phrase to use to point out even the smallest thing that is good during the day or that blesses us.  

It all started about a year ago when our friends Chris & Dayna came to visit.  I remember Chris shouting "It's a Christmas miracle!" when he received extra cherries in his cherry limeade at Sonic.  It struck me as funny, and so we began to use the phrase for everything positive that weekend.  And hey, who doesn't get excited about extra cherries???

Now hearing the phrase again, a whole year later, I realize that it's really a great practice to get into.  Being joyful in the small things...not taking them for granted...being thankful for them.

And so, here are my most recent "Christmas Miracles!":

5. Carter didn't throw food on the floor at supper and he even fell asleep before 8!

4. We were able to get the check for my totaled car. (Thanks to my Dad!)

3.  I picked out something to wear today in less than five minutes (I'm usually such a girl about it, as Scott can attest to.)

2.  I get to have a much needed Girls' Night with some dear friends!  (Ladies--you ALL know how important this is...and what a miracle it is when you can actually work out the child care and hectic schedules!)

1.  Only a half day and a two hour day stand between me and Christmas break!

Miracles I'm still waiting on...

10.  Christmas break :)

9.  Winning the lottery (guess it'd help to buy a ticket)

8.  To actually enjoy shopping for jeans and bathing suits (Yuck!)

7.  To finish my Christmas shopping beforeChristmas day (and for the Christmas cards we ordered to arrive beforeChristmas has passed)

6.  For the rest of the "baby fat" to fall off and replace itself with lean muscle

5.  For the cleaning fairy to visit my house & it be spotless when I arrive home from work

4.  For the laundry to do itself (including the folding, ironing, and putting back in the closet)

3.  For Publisher's Clearing House to show up with my unclaimed $17 mil.  (Of course, I guess you have to actually enter for that to happen!)

2.  For the bills to pay themselves...

And drumroll for #1...

1.  A night of at least 8 hours sleep followed by a day to actually sleep in!

What have your "Christmas Miracles" been today?  

Love you all,

Sarah :)

Happy Birthday, Carter!

I hope I can make it through this post without tears! :)

Did it ever drive you crazy when your parents would reminisce on your birthday about the actual day of your birth?  OR were you one of those who, like me, enjoyed hearing the story told just one more time and thinking about the excitement of that day?  Despite the joy I found in those moments (and memories) I never imagined that I, too, would sit before my own child recounting the events of his birthday...but today I did and I loved every minute of it!

Our son was born on a Thursday.  I remember the details of the morning, following a long, somewhat scary night in the hospital, as though they were just a few months ago.  We were scared by Carter's quick, significant drop in heart rate from the moment they attached the heart monitors to my belly.  The repeated terror at the thought of losing this child that I had carried for 9 beautiful months was petrifying.  Nurses flocked to my side, my husband held my hand and gently brushed away my tears, and my family and friends gathered near to provide support and encouragement.   The umbilical cord had been wrapped around his neck, and my body was producing 7 minute contractions which only complicated matters.  After 11 seemingly endless hours, Carter was born by C-section.  Dr. Link (the best OBGYN anyone could have) had told us that just a few more hours and he might not have made it.  BUT, thanks be to God,  and to Dr. Link who later told us he'd felt God's prompting to have us come to the hospital a full day earlier than planned, we held our precious 7lb. 10 1/2 oz. baby in our arms.

It is hard to believe that two years have passed and here I sit now holding my "baby" who once expressed his love through snuggling and tears, but now can sit and say that not only does he love us, but he loves God.  My heart is full to overflowing with gratitude to God for blessing us with this child.  What a miracle he truly is...

All this leads me to reflect on what it must have been like for Mary to carry and give birth to Jesus.  What was it like to hold baby Jesus in her arms, knowing that he was The Child of God?On his birthday, would Mary and Joseph reminisce about their journey to Bethlehem?  As the years passed, what was it like for them to see Jesus teased, persecuted, and sacrificed on the cross?  I cannot imagine feeling the all-consuming joy of bearing the child of God only to experience such pain in seeing him put to death.  I am grateful today not only for the miraculous gift of Christ's birth, but also for the gift of salvation we have through him.  What a miracle HE truly is...

Brag Spot

I know, I know.  This is a "blog-spot."  But for tonight, it is my "brag-spot."  While we are not to boast, I do think we are called to build one another up....and so, I wish to build up my husband.

For the single ladies out there, I'm sorry...but the ultimate "dream guy" has been officially off the market for 8 1/2 years now.  That's because I was blessed enough to become his bride!  

My husband, Scott, is an amazing person.  He is a tall, blonde, and handsome God-fearing man who is gentle, patient, diligent, loving, thorough, pays attention to detail, gifted in so many ways, musically talented, faithful, hard-working, kind, and the list goes on and on...

I am so proud to be his wife, and tonight I am especially proud of him.  He has put in many hours working on a CD project and concert through our church...from which, all the profits go directly to our mission partnerships in Africa.  Tonight's concert was incredible!  All of his hard work, organization, and sacrifice of time and energy as well as that of our Worship Arts staff made this evening a night to remember.  

That said, I want to thank him publicly for his efforts...AND for being such a wonderful husband and daddy.  I am so blessed!

If you are interested in hearing music from tonight's concert, check out our church's website.   Go to fellowshipnashville.org  There you can hear music from the CD "Ring the Bells" and even purchase the CD from the site.  The concert will be airing nationally through on the Worship Network (I don't know what that is locally, but there's probably info. about that on the church site, too).  Enjoy! 

"I'm okay."

These two words have become a familiar phrase around our house.  Carter, being my son and having only known how to walk for half his life, seems to be a bit clumsy.  I guess we've asked him so many times now whether or not he's okay that as soon as he realizes there's the slightest possibility that he's been hurt, he utters the words, "I'm okay."

Well, today it's my turn...I had a car wreck this morning that may have totaled the car...but my response about the whole thing now is, "I'm okay."  A car turned in front of me while I was traveling at about 35-40mph.  Thankfully, no one was seriously injured.  Much to my surprise, the air bags did not deploy.  I credit my limited injuries to quick reflexes (although the nice knot on my leg is a direct result of my reflexes), but more importantly I am scrape free because of the grace of God and my SEAT BELT.  Were it not for that, my head would've surely hit the windshield.  Don't believe me?  Ask the glove that flew from my passenger seat up ontothe dash!  Crazy!

It's amazing how such an incident can effect you.  My day was turned upside down (and that of my knight in shining armor--my husband, Scott), I am horribly sore throughout my body, without means of transportation, concerned about what this could mean for us financially, and quite apprehensive about driving again (especially about driving with Carter in the car).  It is in moments like this that the "What if's?" can creep into your way of thinking.  But, as a believer I know that my God is in control...and today, perhaps, this was his way of slowing me down...I don't mean slowing my car down (by the way I was driving within the speed limit!)...I mean slowing my life down a bit. 

It's so easy to get caught up in life's busyness and in the little details.  As such, we miss so much of what life, and other people, have to offer.  

Today, I am thankful for the many times I have gotten in my car and God has protected my family in our travels.  Even as I stood waiting for the police to finish their report, I thought of these words from an old Amy Grant song..."Near misses all around me, accidents unknown, though I never see with human eyes the hands that lead me home.  But I know they're all around me, all day and through the night...got his angels watching over me."  God is so good.

I just want one moment to be on my soap box, and it's because I care...You can be the safest driver in the world and still end up in a wreck thanks to someone else's error...so PLEASE wear your seat belts and make your kids sit in the back! :)

Amen, ABC

We've not been great about taking pictures lately, but here's the most recent candid of our little one...  

Carter's been singing his "ABCs" seemingly non-stop.  He especially likes to sing the last two phrases, "Now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me."

Tonight, after saying his thank you prayer, he said "Amen," and sweetly sang "Now I know my ABCs, next time won't you sing with me!"

Tis the Season!

Well the time has come...stockings are hung by the chimney with care (yes, even in November), the twinkle of Christmas lights reflect off the carefully placed ornaments on the tree (well, those that haven't been knocked off by tiny hands), a variety of Christmas albums are on perpetual play on the radio & my iPod (okay, so I only hear them in between Veggie Tales & High School Musical 2 which make the "Most Played" list in my car thanks to Carter), Christmas movies and specials can be seen most any night of the week (or thanks to the miracle of Tivo, any hour of the day and commercial free!), and Santa has found his throne at the mall (which he's been sitting on since Halloween).  

That's right, it's finally the best season of the year...CHRISTMAS fills the air!  While I know not everyone agrees with the focus on Santa, presents, and the "gimme" attitude it can foster, I pray that we can ALL enjoy both the magic of stepping into a child's view of Christmas--enjoying the break from reality and into the wonder of it all--and the celebration of the birth of our Savior.  It is so sweet to see and experience this season through Carter's eyes.  His excitement and thrill at the slightest hint of Christmas...from every Christmas light to every giant lawn ornament...it is all so new and wondrous to him.  

Of course, we are teaching him that Christmas isn't all about Santa and lights--but is about the birth of our Savior and the greatest gift we can ever receive...salvation through Christ.  

If you have never experienced a real, meaningful relationship with God, or if you're feeling distant in your relationship with him, I pray that this season might re-ignite in your heart the passion to pursue a relationship with Him.  May the same overwhelming excitement fill your heart each time you see Christmas lights and giant snowmen lawn ornaments as it does for our 2 year old---not because this is a season of giving, but rather that it is a season of receiving not just any gift...THE GIFT....JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD!

May the Lord bless you and keep you... Numbers 6:24

Love to all~Sarah

Carter Quotes...

Being the mom of a toddler is both challenging and amazing all at the same time.  The precious moments spent singing, praying, and snuggling together make up for every moment of temper tantrums--by far.

Carter has begun saying thank you prayers to God, sings Jesus loves me (but apparently "Bobby told [him] so" instead of the Bible), and is unafraid to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star" or "Ring the Bells" at the top of his lungs while strolling through the mall or grocery.  

Because these moments are so priceless, I want to share some of them with you.  I have started a journal of cute quotes from Carter to give him when he graduates high school (sigh).  In the meantime, I thought it'd be fun to include some here for you to enjoy, giggle at, and sometimes tear up to as well!

That said, here's the first of our "Carter Quotes:"

"Twinkle, twinkle, little star, 

How I wonder what you are.

Up a BUBBA world so high..."   

You're smiling already, aren't you? :)

Love to all~Sarah

Giving thanks...

So, obviously I'm already a big slacker.  I honestly forgot that I'd created this blog until I was just checking my email and saw my confirmation email that it had been created!  

But, since it's here, I think I'll share! :)

In this season of Thanksgiving and gearing up for the coming hustle and bustle of Christmas, I am reminded of just how much I have to be grateful for.  To list all the ways God has blessed me could take an immeasurable amount of time (and space).  That doesn't, however, mean that I can't still offer some words of thanks...

I am grateful for my family, for God's provision in meeting our needs (and often our wants), for good health, a place to call home, and His gentle (okay, sometimes rather blunt) reminders that He is a faithful, Sovereign, and omnipotent God.  

In the beginning...

Hi friends and family!

I have decided that it's finally time to join the blog-o-lution (Well, at least that's how it was described by Google!)

I'm hoping this can be a way to  communicate better about what's going on in our lives, but since I've not ever been that great at journaling, I'm not making any promises!  

Already, I have to take a quick pause from writing b/c Carter is running around me! :)  I will share more soon...

Love to all,

Sarah