sarajane

Current Events

2012-02-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

1. Survived first tooth problem.
2. Scheduled to get wisdom teeth out soon.
3. Bought a new(old) 1984 VW convertible Rabbit in light grey. Pretty much my dream car.
4. Did taxes.
5. Found out that a vacation to Oregon this summer is most definitely possible. (thanks to new car & taxes)
6. Getting ready to get a new amazing camera. (ahhh!)
7. I love my new(er) house.
8. Finishing up painting/decorating
9. Dad is FINALLY getting a new knee! (10 years in the making)
10. Seth survived a car accident that should have killed him...
11. This winter weather has been awesome!
12. Hunger Games comes out the day before my birthday!

4

2012-01-03T12:09:00.000-08:00

If a someone was to come to my home they would most likely assume that my husband and I are huge gamers... Honestly, they would have every right to say that. So far our "collection" consists of an original NES, a Super Nentendo, a Gamecube, a Nentendo 64 and (newly added this Christmas from my awesome parents) XBox 360 Kinect. Not to mention about 10 different games per system.
Here is when I say that the average amount of time spent gaming is about an hour per week. Yeah, they really don't get much love. The new XBox alone has gotten more playing time than the rest of the consoles combined in the past 6 months...
I know this subject really isn't going anywhere, really all I am doing is just letting my thoughts spill out of my ears while I stare at some of the game controllers sitting in front of me. But honestly, maybe a "gaming" party is in order.

Now, since that is off my chest... Time to get down to the really special event that has been taking place today.

My dearest Autumn is... ugh, I can't say it... 4. She is 4. Where has the time gone? I must say I feel the most old on my children's birthdays than I do on my own. I may be only 23 years old, but my daughter turning 4 just makes me realize that she only has about 14 years left at home.
Autumn is such a doll. Really, she is amazing. She is kind, very quick-witted, extremely smart and gorgeous to boot. She really is lovely and she keeps me guessing every day.

Here is a list of Autumn's favorite things right now:

favorite color: Rainbow ("I like every color")

favorite food: Hamburgers and French Fries

favorite activity: Hiking and camping

favorite movie: The little Mermaid

I am so excited to see what adventures we get to go on together this next year, my crazy Autumn and me.

open windows

2011-11-11T10:37:00.001-08:00

The weather is amazing outside. A little breezy, 62 degrees, sunshine...
I am in love with today.

Albus seems to be enjoying it too.

Now, to get the dishes and my homework done so we can go exploring.

tonight

2011-11-06T18:31:00.000-08:00

-Backyard camping-

There is nothing quite as comforting as being in your backyard, sitting by the fire, listening to the wind blowing, leaves rustling and your kids whispering to each other as they fall asleep in the tent.

Perfection.

Liam is 2!!!

2011-10-28T10:39:00.000-07:00

Liam is two years old today. He is kind-hearted, so loving and extremely giving. He completes our family and we love him so very much.

Liam's Favorite Things

Stars and the Moon

Rocks

Popcorn and Movies

Animals

Water

Campfires

Spookins (pumpkins)

Beings outside

We will be celebrating in style. Cake and camping :)

Happy Birthday Liam!

I must be crazy

2011-09-17T22:50:00.000-07:00

Life is all about learning. You learn new things everyday. Some small, some huge and some in-between.

The newest lesson I am planning for my near future is what I would consider a -huge- lesson.

Restoration of a 1956 Philco Fridge.

Our new place has a very small fridge without a freezer... and well it is gross. So I have been on the search for a new fridge.

I found one! Okay, okay... It isn't exactly new. But it will be gorgeous when I am done with it. You can see my vision can't you? Well... I will give you a hint-

Cold mornings, falling leaves, hot chocolate, bonfires, sweaters...

2011-09-10T12:39:00.000-07:00

So many things to love about fall. It is my favorite season... I guess I give that away when you find out that my daughter is named Autumn. I am so ready for the change. Leaves are already starting to come down and the cooler weather is starting to show a little more. We still have some warm days ahead of us (it is supposed to be 90 this Wednesday)...
Along with the change of season, we are also changing our location.

Hopefully by October 1st, we will be in this cute little home

minus the swan, fountain and flower pot...

Reason for the move? Well there have been a lot of reasons, but the recent one involved a meth lab bust... yep, I said meth lab. The apartments don't look bad...

Just to give an idea of what we have been dealing with, here is a recent review I found about the complex -

" ...Sketchy neighbors. Thin walls. Terrible Owner. Over a dozen different managers in my 2+ year stay.

Three US Marshall bust-ins to other tenants & the crack dealers across the way are being watched by the SPD.

Not suitable for children or respectable individuals."

Yep...

So anyway, we are ready to move. I have been consumed with thinking about this house ever since we found out that we were approved to move in.

So many ideas for my room and the kids room...

...and the backyard with the patio and fire pit...

If you can't tell, I am pretty excited.

October can't get here soon enough, but with that said, I have SO much to do to get our apartment cleaned up.

Home, sweet home

2011-09-02T07:20:00.000-07:00

It seems my life revolves around changes... Which can make for some hectic times.

Charlie and I have been planning and saving for our move to Newport, OR for the past 6 months. We had planned to move there next summer.

Yesterday, Charlie came home after having a meeting with one of the leading research professors at MSU. With a painful stare, he asked me if we could stay in Missouri. The research that he needs to get into for medical school needed to start right away and if he was to stop and change schools in the middle it could greatly effect his application to med school.

I am... sad (more like my heart aches). We have dreamed about living in Oregon next to the ocean. The idea was neatly stitched into the fabrics of ourselves so much that removing the thread feels like everything else is going to unravel.

Needless to say, we will not be venturing northwest (yet).

Everyone goes through hard financial times... This summer has proven to be a beast for us. I have made plans to travel next summer to Africa for a month to work on a wildlife rehabilitation center. My dates are scheduled, I just need to pay the rest of the money and book a flight. I have set aside the money, but there is still a bit of question. Should I go? We could use the money to get a second car... We could use the money for savings or to move into a place closer to school...

It is proving really hard *mentally* for me to put so much money into something just for me. I am starting to lean more towards postponing the trip until next year.

Staying in Missouri has also opened up opportunities that would have seemed reckless if we were to move. The thoughts of adding a little munchkin to my crew comes to mind...

One thing is for sure changes are scary, but changing is always good. I can and will make the best of these new ideas.

Completely off subject, but I have been aching for a new book to read.

2011-08-27T20:10:00.000-07:00

When the day is beautiful and the wind is slightly blowing my little crew goes on a hike. With our trusty pugs in tow we headed to one of our favorite hiking places to play in the creek and collect some more rocks, sticks and feathers for our little home. Today was one of those days.

I love my husband.

I love my children.

I love my pugs.

And I love the outdoors.

What a blessed life I have!

I love this time of year... I can almost taste fall on its way.

Dreams do come true!

2011-08-25T21:00:00.000-07:00

Love Harry Potter?

Dream of being a wizard growing up?

Well, I am delighted to announce that your (and my) time is here.

Now you can have your very own magic wand, that actually does magic!

Okay, okay... So it is only a remote...

A flippin' Awesome remote!!!

You can do all kinds of cool tricks, it can store -13- different functions!

Call me a geek if you want, but I Will have one on my coffee table as. soon. as. possible.

drooling

2011-08-25T11:07:00.000-07:00

Today, I woke up and read a post on The Pioneer Woman's blog (as I do most mornings) about... pies.

Oh glorious pies!

She recently did a workshop at her ranch with a handful of (very, very lucky) people about how to make the perfect crust. Oh, Heaven help me... I need help on my crusts.

Not only did she have a friend teach them all about crusts, but in the end they all made
there. own. pies.

It was a pie bar!

There was..

cherries

apples

rhubarb

olives

tomatoes

cheese

peppers

pot-pie filling

strawberries

blueberries

rasberries

blackberries

snozberries

okay, maybe not snozberries... but seriously it was like pie-makin' heaven. I could litereally taste and smell the pies as I drooled over her pictures.

*lightbulb*

...then it hit me.

How fun would it be to do a get-together with a bunch of ladies and have a pie-bar ourselves?

We could all work on our crust skills (it is almost Thanksgiving afterall) and then each get to make whatever kind of pie we want.

And why should we do regular pies? We could make mini pies. Mmmm, mini pies. Wonderful little pies that you can eat in a couple bites.

I am still brainstorming, but I have a feeling this could really ~~make me seem awesome~~ be a good idea to do with friends.

ch-ch-changes

2011-08-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

Many things are changing....

the heat wave is over!

fall will soon be here

Liam will turn two in October

I booked my trip to Africa for next summer

and we are moving across the country in a year

...guess where?

quick update

2011-07-21T14:57:00.000-07:00

Okay okay... I haven't written in forever...

But I have been SO busy, seriously.

I did however manage to sew and paint some new throw pillows for my living room.

It definitely adds a lot more "Sara" to the room.

You like?

oh and yes, that is a succulent plant. I am obsessed with those little guys.

Hurry!

2011-06-20T20:12:00.000-07:00

Last chance to enter this AMAZING giveaway! Oh Happy Day

Today

2011-05-03T10:20:00.000-07:00

     being lazy

 soaking up sun

                                                                           smelling fresh cut grass

 repairing bikes

feels like summer...

Happy Earth Day

2011-04-22T07:04:00.000-07:00

The world is full of Magic

Life is too short to wait to have your adventure 

things that go bump in the night

2011-04-14T09:35:00.000-07:00

Caty, my friend over at The Bee's Knees, did a quirky little post about things that freak her out. 

It really got me thinking about what gives me butterflies (not the good kind).  

I am a little strange very strange.

I have many weird characteristics that make me, well, me.  

One of those things is my -love- of being scared.

It is so exhilarating! 

I love take time often out of my life to face and experience the things that absolutely terrify me.

So without further ado,  I would like to present:

Things that scare me to death

yet still intrigue me...

cars... underwater. 

I have this HUGE fear of driving off a bridge in a car. 

Can I handle falling off a bridge into water? yes. 

Can I handle a car accident NOT in water? yes. 

Something about the combo of the two things it just scares the b'jeezes out of me.

abandoned warehouses. 

I have a dream that occurs about once a month.  

Weird thing is, it is a lucid dream.  

The only thing I have no control over is walking into the building...

After that I am trapped there trying to run from a paranormal entity that is taking out the other random people with me.

You'd have to be there to get the creepiness factor from it.

 Okay, so this is a combo of 2 scarier-than-all-get-out things.

If you have been to Silver Dollar City, in idk, the past 50 years you will recognize this ride.

Fire in the Hole. 

Sure its a fun-filled ride perfect for the whole family to enjoy and love!

It comes complete with men in creepy masks, weird manikins, super dark scenes, random yelling and screaming noises, fake buildings burning down and last ( but certainly not least) a lynching. 

Seriously, the scariest ride I have ever been on.

And, check out what you get to stare at in line before you ride!

 This, my friends, is a Baldknobber.  

Isn't he just so cute with his homemade mask and backwards jacket?  And to think that these men used to hide in caves and plan mobs and killings together...

Yeah, more like scare the crap out of me. 

Who came up with that uniform anyways?

...this needs no explanation. 

Great, now I have the hankerin' for a scary movie... 

What scares you?

Do your part

2011-04-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

This is a message that is very dear to my heart. Please read and help out.

Sea Turtles Struggling

Help Restore their Habitat today

It was a year ago April 20th that BP's Deepwater Horizon well exploded, ultimately sending over 200 million gallons of toxic crude into the Gulf of Mexico.

Under the Clean Water Act, BP must pay fines for each barrel of oil spilled. However, the current law requires that this money be deposited into a trust fund in the federal treasury. Unless Congress takes action soon, the Clean Water Act penalties from the BP oil disaster will not be reinvested in the Gulf.

A few weeks after the spill, a juvenile Kemp's ridley sea turtle--the most endangered species of sea turtle in the world--was searching for crabs in the shallow waters of the Gulf of Mexico about 35 miles off the Louisiana coast. But sadly, instead of finding something to eat, the turtle found itself covered in crude oil, spewing from BP's Deepwater Horizon well. The little turtle's eyes, mouth and skin began to burn, and it found itself struggling to breathe. This turtle was one of the "lucky ones"--it was found by state wildlife officials, rehabilitated and eventually released back into the Gulf.

Unfortunately, many Kemp's ridleys were not rescued. Of the more than 600 dead sea turtles collected in the months after last April's oil spill disaster in the Gulf, nearly 500 were Kemp's ridleys. Many more were lost, their bodies never recovered. There were even reports of sea turtles being burned alive in fires set by BP's cleanup crews.

Just last month--almost a year after the spill began--seven times as many turtles were found stranded as would be typical. The cause of these recent standings is still under investigation.
The Kemp's ridleys need Gulf Coast restoration projects to restore their habitat so their populations can recover from the oil disaster.

Please contact your members of Congress today, and tell them to invest the BP penalty funds into restoring the places and ecosystems affected by the oil spill.

(this is a link to a very easy and fast way to email them

Thanks for all you do for wildlife!

Sue Brown
Executive Director, NWF Action Fund

new favorite color

2011-04-06T20:23:00.000-07:00

What is today?

2011-04-06T12:54:00.000-07:00

This is Steve.

This is how old Steve is.

I baked this cake for Steve.

Happy birthday Steve!

Inspiration

2011-04-05T11:35:00.000-07:00

I am making a change in my life.

I know I have told myself this many times, but I need to really get with the picture and realize where I am headed. I just turned 23 and I feel like I am 35. I ache, I can't run for very long at all, my clothes are all super tight and I am -lazy-. I have an addiction to food. Yep, I do. I admit it. I love it. I eat when I am happy and sad (and every emotion in-between). Don't get me wrong, food is awesome, but I don't want it to run my life anymore. As time passes, I gain more weight and my clothes don't fit and my lifestyle doesn't match what I want to do with my life.

I have tried dieting before. I don't stick to it. I am a person that needs instant gratification (when it comes to me personally) So, I have chosen a diet that has worked for a lot of people I know. I will be doing the HCG. (Now, for those of you that may read this and not agree with this diet, please know that I have done a TON of research and have made up my mind.) I start today. It will be extremely tough and hopefully just as rewarding.

Getting to the health and shape that I want to be at is only a small part of my change. I am getting completely unpacked today. I am making a chore/schedule chart. I will be going to bed by 9:30 (enough time to read my scriptures, pray and spend time with my husband) and be ready to sleep at 10:00. I will be getting up at 5:45 in the morning to have personal prayer/study time, exercise, make breakfast for my family and ride my bike to school. Dinner will from now on be started at 5:00 in order to be on the table by 6:00.

Why so much detail?

Because detail is what I need. I need it SO badly. I am craving this organization, this change.

My inspiration for this turnaround was D&C 88: 118-126

118 And as all have not faith, seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

119 Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;

120 That your incomings may be in the name of the Lord; that your outgoings may be in the name of the Lord; that all your salutations may be in the name of the Lord, with uplifted hands unto the Most High.

121 Therefore, cease from all your light speeches, from all laughter from all your lustful desires, from all your pride and light-mindedness, and from all your wicked doings.

122 Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege.

123 See that ye love one another; cease to be covetous; learn to impart one to another as the gospel requires.

124 Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.

125 And above all things, clothe yourselves with the bond of charity, as with a mantle, which is the bond of perfectness and peace.

126 Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come. Behold, and lo, I will come quickly, and receive you unto myself. Amen.

I'll keep the blog updated on my improvements and growth.
I am REALLY very excited for this. Just thinking about it makes my heart happy.

Wish me luck!

it's the final countdown

2011-04-05T09:45:00.000-07:00

This is it.

The end is near.

I am so excited.

The countdown starts now...

100 days until I am at the IMAX getting ready for the experience I have been waiting for since I was

Want to come with me?

yummm

2011-03-31T13:07:00.000-07:00

I am a baker.

I like to cook.

But I Lu-hu-huve to bake.

I bake when I am happy.

I bake when I am sad.

I even bake when I am angry.

It is so relaxing and it fills my home with happiness.

In fact, I try to make a goal of having freshly baked goods on a plate in my kitchen everyday.

It really does make for a happier home.

I bake everything from bread and muffins to candy and snacks. But the thing I bake most are your ordinary chocolate chip cookies. Well, they aren't so ordinary. I am proud to say that they are MY chocolate chip cookies, and to say the least they rock socks off.

Yes, I am bragging here.

They really are awesome.

Crisp on the outside, soft on the inside.

MMmm so good.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

3/4 cup butter

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

1 Tbs. vanilla*

1 whole egg

1 egg yolk

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips

Mix your flour, salt and baking soda with a whisk while your butter is melting on the stove top. After butter melts, stir in both sugars until combined. Add in your vanilla and eggs. **Then, mix in your dry ingredients. After that is combined (it is going to be a lot stickier than most cookie doughs) add in your chocolate chips. Use a 1/4 measuring cup to scoop out cookies and put on sheet. Bake for 15 minutes.

I like my cookies to be golden brown, and not very dark on the bottom, but others may want them to be in longer which is just fine too.

* I use Molina Mexican Vanilla. For those of you that don't know what that is, here is a picture

I think that EVERYONE should give this a try. I personally prefer it to regular pure vanilla in taste and cost. It has a little bit of spice to it that makes it smell and taste wonderful. And and at about 2 bucks for over 8 oz, you really can't beat the price!

** I stopped using an electric mixer about 2 years ago. Don't get me wrong, they are wonderful and I use them when I need to whip things or I need to get a really smooth batter, but for the most part I find that a wooden spoon really makes great baked goods (plus it is good exercise, ha! )

late night thoughts

2011-03-30T23:10:00.000-07:00

I -think- WAYY too much late at night...

Right now, I am thinking that I need to be healthier.

I need to exercise more, maybe jog in the mornings.

[but I HATE exercising by myself]

I need to eat healthier.

[ but I LOVE ice cream]

and I need to start loving the skin I'm in more.

[ easier said than done]

I may be thinking a lot more at this time of night, but I think these thoughts are for the best.

I really need to make sure I can keep up with my health now so I can keep up with my grandkids later on.

dreaming

2011-03-29T13:27:00.000-07:00

I am dreaming of the great outdoors today.

More specifically, late spring to late fall.

This winter has been hard on the heart.

I can just barely taste roasted marshmallows and here the bugs chirping as you sit by the fire at night not being able to see past the people on the other side.

I want to go floating and I want to hike.

I want to take road trips and I want to lay in the sun and take a nap.

I made a goal that I would have many adventures this go around, if only Missouri wasn't so indecisive on what season it wanted to be.

In other news, (literally the last post I did), I am getting 36 2" pots of succulent plants... next week.

I also have plans to build a mini green house for inside my home

and I want to get a few other flowers/veggies for my back deck.

Since I know so many ladies are just dieing for spring and I am really wanting to spend time with friends, I think I will have an "apartment-worthy-planting-party"

If it is nice out, we can do it in the park next to where I live, if not I have a tarp to put down in my living room.

If you want to come let me know on here or in the book of faces.

...I may even make cute little invites :)

I did it...

2011-03-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

I just went ahead and got them. 

 I signed onto ebay and I couldn't stop myself...

They should be here by April 8th...

Anyone want to plant some succulent pots with me?

spring fever

2011-03-22T16:17:00.000-07:00

I have a new, shall we call it, obsession?

Yes, I think that is the right word.

I am consumed by the loveliness of succulent plants.

I expect my new little place will be home to many of these in the near future.

Today

2011-03-14T12:40:00.000-07:00

Packing

Cleaning

Moving

Sooo Stressful...

Yet Sooo Rewarding

New Glasses

2011-03-08T21:16:00.000-08:00

... Bad picture

DIY

2011-03-08T09:11:00.000-08:00

People always appreciate and cherish homemade things. They also love to save money. Isn't it awesome how these two things seem to go beautifully together? I have been preparing and collecting crafts/diy patterns to start sewing my kids clothes and making things for my home. I now have a collection of money saving, memory making ideas. I recently starting delving into furniture... Majority of furniture is made of wood right? Built by people everyday throughout the world, so why would I pay them hundreds of dollars to make things I can make right here at home? I wasn't the first one to think of this, this fine lady was kind enough to become an expert at it AND tell everyone all about it.

Check it out

This table is first on my list, followed by many more I'm sure.

Wedding

2011-03-06T13:16:00.000-08:00

This month marks 4 years married.
It is crazy how fast this time has gone by.

My mother called me the other day and reminded me of a goal I had set

that was close at hand.

Charlie and I met at a YSA dance and short story made very short, we fell in love fast and got engaged in 6 days. Different factors at the time caused us to want to spend as little money as possible and also not have the time to plan a wedding at all. I didn't mind at the time, but as time went on I was sad that I didn't get a dress or a ring or have a fun reception with cake and dancing. So, my husband and I agreed that on our 5 year anniversary, we would have a Renew our vows/ Reception for family and friends and well, for us.

I had completely forgotten about this goal due to time and our lives becoming very busy, until my mother reminded.

So... Starting now, I am planning a wedding.

Not just a wedding, but a St. Patrick's day party full of good food, good music and lots of fun.

This is really exciting!

Favortie Things pt. 2

2011-03-02T15:01:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I shared the strange things that I intrigue me. I have a passion for the mysterious things in life. Today, I want to share things that make me truly happy.

The Gospel

My family

My Pugs

Camping as far away from people as possible

Comfort food

Oregon

The Ocean

My job at the Zoo

Stars

Autumn time

Floating down the river

favorite things

2011-03-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

abandoned houses

storms

all things chocolate

Cemeteries

learning the mysteries of the ocean

the fog

paranormal shows

bananas are my go-to comfort food

MARCH

2011-03-01T07:30:00.000-08:00

Here is what I am excited for this month...

1. Moving :)

2. St. Patrick's Day marking 4 years with my best friend

3. My 23 birthday!

2011-02-21T17:05:00.000-08:00

I have been searching and pondering for the perfect hair cut. Success!

Now, I just need to find someone to cut it for me!

just a hint...

2011-02-09T20:24:00.000-08:00

Finally!!

2011-02-08T10:41:00.000-08:00

I have found them.

After about 3 months of searching...

here...

I have found my boots.

my kitchen

2011-02-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

We are getting prepared for a -HUGE- change in our lives.... ( I won't talk about it now, but I hope to tell all about it soon...) So we are doing a complete overhaul on our "stuff". This includes my kitchen. I have had a mix of all kinds of plates and glasses and flatware since I got married [4 Years ago!! gah!] So now, I think it is time to lower the amount of dishes and get some stuff that I really like.

anthropologie

walmart

West Elm

Blizzard of 2011

2011-02-05T10:03:00.000-08:00

Here is a glimpse of my surroundings since Monday. We have been snowed in and have yet to leave our little cabin. 13 inches of snow and then yesterday we got another 2 inches. You know? It's nice to have nature force you into a mini vacation every now and then. If anyone feels the need to come frolic through the snow or build a snow castle, you know where to come...

A birthday for Autumn!!

2011-01-12T11:37:00.000-08:00

Autumn turned 3!! Hooray!!

To celebrate I took my family to the Zoo for some special time with the animals :)

It was so awesome to share what I do with everyone.

The weather was so nice too!

Learning about the animal's diets

Charlie and Liam with a lemur

So cool!

Henry the Hippo

Hungry, hungry hippo...

We had such an awesome day! Along with Lemurs, Tortoises and Henry, we spent the day with tigers, feeding Zebras, Otters and Pelicans. Such a fun day! Thanks Erin for helping me out with this!

Happy Birthday Autumn!

Christmas Recap

2011-01-12T11:15:00.000-08:00

My little family had a wonderful Christmas full of candy, eggnog, presents, and lots of family time. Autumn and Liam were loaded with special things including a baby tiger from Santa for Autumn and a gargantuan stuffed sheep dog for Liam.

Joe and Annie

Reading together :)

Christmas Eve

After Santa came :)

A baby tiger for Autumn

Filled Stockings!

Watching "The Goonies" movie that Liam got for Christmas

ugh

2011-01-12T08:29:00.000-08:00

Do you ever get the feeling that you are not where you are supposed/need to be?

I have that feeling. Right. Now.

Dear Autumn,

2011-01-02T16:57:00.000-08:00

On January 3, 2008 your father and I rushed ourselves to the hospital... Just in time too, my labor with you was only 45 minutes long.

We were SO excited to see you and your full head of red hair.

You seemed to be happy to see us too, you were smiling an hour after you were born...

You were SO little! Only 6 lbs...

But you were the spunkiest little person your father and I had ever met.

You were the most beautiful little munchkin in all the land

At 4 months old, you lost all your hair... But that didn't dampen your spirits, you were still the prettiest little

girl in the world

Even though still very small, you enjoyed adventures and have always had the bravest of hearts

You were and will always be a daddy's girl.

You have an "understanding" that I will never compare to.

You take after me though, and can't help but love all animals

You are such a sweet spirit that the animals love and trust you back without question.

You are so much fun! Your laugh and humor could brighten the darkest day.

Your sweet smile brings such peace and love to my heart.

You have always loved the outdoors and found joy in the simplest of things.

You are such an amazing example.

Your father and I love you more than anything.

Autumn my dear, you are such a beautiful amazing girl. You brighten up the lives of everyone you meet. You have such compassion and love for such a small little person. You are such a gift. I adore you.

Please always stay my best friend, my dear little one.

Happy 3 birthday my dear, sweet Autumn.

I hope your day and all the days to come are filled with magic.

Love,

Mom

Someone...

2010-12-30T21:52:00.000-08:00

loves cake

What a

2010-12-30T08:28:00.000-08:00

B.E.A.U.T.I.F.U.L Day!

My little family and I are going to be spending the 

day and night outdoors...

Everyone else should be too, or else you will regret it. 

Just a hint.

Christmas with the Zahns

2010-12-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

We have a lot of newly born traditions in my little family.

I say "newly-born", because they are only 4 Christmas's old, so they are still growing into true-blue traditions.

We all open Pj's on Christmas Eve ( I try to do homemade for at least the kids) and with the comfy new sleep wear, we all get brand new wonderful, amazing, socks.

There is nothing quite like new socks,...

they are heavenly to say the least.

After that, we give Santa some Egg-Nog and Mexican Wedding Cookies and all head to bed.

The next day is filled with wonderful goodies and the normal gift-giving celebration.

Every year, Charlie get's a new season of BBC's All Creatures Great and Small.

So, we usually sip all kinds of wonderful drinks and eat Summer Sausage and amazing cheese while having an All Creature's marathon.

It is a simple holiday, but the simpleness is what makes it magical.

new year, new ideas

2010-12-15T18:41:00.000-08:00

I want to dress classy.

I want to dress pretty.

I want to dress graceful.

Right now, I wear jeans and t-shirts...

and I will admit, besides jeans (which I could because we wear the same size)

I share a wardrobe with my husband dearest.

I am done trying not to care.

I need a makeover.

Hair, makeup, clothes...

Anyone want to help me out? I have no idea what I am doing...

boots

2010-12-12T14:35:00.000-08:00

I NEVER dream of boots...

but I have found myself drooling over these...

Why must the only boots I like be ones that are vintage/one of a kind/impossible to find??

ugh...

excitment

2010-12-06T10:28:00.000-08:00

I adore Christmas

This year it seems like I am enjoying a lot more than I have in the past couple of years.

Autumn is at the age where she understands who Santa is and that is SO exciting for me as a parent, I never realized how much more fun it is to be the parent at Christmas than the child.

I don't want to spoil the presents, so I wont say what I got everyone yet, but I am excited to tell after Christmas.

I will however spill the beans on Autumn's new room.

I feel rather proud at my thriftiness :)

I got a very nice bed that usually goes for 300 dollars off of craigslist for 1/7 that price.

I also snagged some new carpet and pad for BOTH the kids room for only 100 bucks!

Autumn's new bed will sport this cute bedspread

... which only cost $35!

I will embroidery pillows and my wonderful artistic husband will be water-coloring paintings of an owl, fox and tree.

I am SO excited!!

I will put pictures of the finished product when we are all done.

Tomorrow...

2010-11-18T12:34:00.000-08:00

I was 11 when the school library had announced about the new book Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. In fact, I had just turned 11. I was a lover of books, my favorite at the time being the Bunnicula Series... so I decided to give it a try. I was hooked from day one. I felt like I was part of the story, I felt a special bond between the main characters and myself that made me cry and laugh out loud while hidden in the corner of my room with a blanket. I never put it down, I didn't even sleep... by the end of day 3 I was finished with it.... A week later I read it again. I am now 22. I have read the first 4 books 7 times a piece and I have read the last 3, 3 times each. When the first movie came to theaters, it was like Christmas for me. I remember the magic and enchantment that movie brought to my heart. I was entranced by the words and music. I left the movie theater with the theme music echoing in my ear (only to beg my mother to take me to walmart so I could spend what little money I had on the soundtrack) I had a portable cd player in which I listened to that cd everywhere. In the car, on the bus, while at home, I even had it playing while I slept. I was at every midnight release of both book and movie.

Harry, Hermione, Ron and I grew up together. Now, we are coming to a close. I am not afraid or ashamed to say that the Harry Potter series are my favorite books of all time, they have not only been a good read, but a very special friend to me. They have been with me through sickness and grief. They have been a very welcomed escape from a sometimes depressive and dreary world. The wizarding world was real for me, it was a place that I spent most of my childhood. It has shaped me into the person I am today, I have no doubt of that. Some may think I am crazy, or immature... They can think that if they want, I am only speaking the truth. Tomorrow night, the first part of the last installment is released. I will be there holding hands with my husband as we search for horcruxes and battle death eaters together alongside my lifelong friends in their world that was for so long my world as well. I hope to leave with a smile, but I will undoubtedly lose some tears. This is the beginning of the end, a relationship that has lasted through the most pivotal years of my childhood. I will continue to visit Harry's world the rest of my life and I will share the same magic with my children and their children.

Harry, thank you for being a constant friend and companion, I owe so much to you. We will be together at your end, and I know that you will be with me until I come to my end.

cozy morning

2010-11-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning to a crisp, rainy autumn morning.

This day is the perfect day to relax, eat good food, watch movies, and sit by the fireplace.

Luckily today is also a day off for husband and I

Charlie made us a fire...

and I made hot chocolate and Pumpkin Waffles.

I decided to post the recipe so that others can share in the wonderfulness.

Ingredients...

batter...

cooking...

tools...

final product.

yummmm....

( I have never attempted taking photos while I baked/cooked/grilled anything, so please forgive the photos...)

Here's the recipe:

(you can also find it here)

INGREDIENTS
makes 4 round “Belgian” style pumpkin waffles

• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 3 Tbsp. cornstarch
• 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 3/4 tsp. cinnamon
• 2 tsp. ginger
• 1/4 tsp. cloves
• 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg*
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup whole milk
• 1 cup canned solid-pack pumpkin
• 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted and warm

*Grated and lightly packed into the spoon, use 1/2 tsp. Grated and loosely scooped, this is about 1 tsp. of nutmeg. If you have to use pre-grated, dried nutmeg, use 1/4 tsp.

DIRECTIONS

1. Lightly oil the waffle iron with vegetable oil, and set it to the desired temperature.

2. Combine brown sugar and cornstarch in a large bowl. Whisk together to break apart the cornstarch. Add the remaining dry ingredients, and whisk to blend.

3. Separate eggs: yolks go in a medium sized bowl and whites get set aside in a smaller bowl.

4. Add pumpkin and milk to the egg yolks. Whisk to blend and set aside.

5. Whip egg whites with a hand mixer on high until stiff white peaks form – about 1 1/2 – 2 minutes. Set aside.

6. Pour melted butter into the yolk/milk/pumpkin mixture. As you pour, whisk to combine.

7. Add the pumpkin mixture to the dry ingredients, and mix them together until just combined. A little lumpiness is fine. That will smooth out when the egg whites are added.

8. Slide the whipped egg whites out of the bowl and onto the mixture you just prepared. Gently fold them in until no white bits are obvious.

9. Once the waffle iron is heated, you’re ready to pour the batter!

10. Top with syrup/powdered sugar/whipped cream/roasted pecans/honey/butter/peanut butter/cream cheese.... :)

--- I was out of some of the ingredients, so I substituted fast-cooking tapioca for corn starch... I also added vanilla for some extra flavor---

Hope your morning was as cozy as mine :)

List

2010-11-09T07:42:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of thoughts that have been on my mind lately:

1. Organization

2. More time at the Zoo

3. Christmas

4. Crafts for Christmas

5. Winter clothes

6. Christmas gift list

7. Christmas baking

8. Rent a cabin for Christmas

9. Cleaning

10. Grocery list

11. Thanksgiving shopping

12. Planning cooking for Thanksgiving

13. Heat the Chicken's house

14. Love my Children more

15. Love my Husband more

16. Love my life more

17. Be more grateful

18. Give thanks everyday

19. Be more loving to everyone and everything

20. Just love.

The end

2010-11-06T14:53:00.000-07:00

13 Days, 5 hours, 10 minutes and 11 seconds...

Not that I'm excited or anything...

What a bitter-sweet moment this will be...

Sound of Music

2010-11-05T16:07:00.000-07:00

This puts a huge smile on my face... Enjoy!

babbies!

2010-11-04T10:23:00.000-07:00

Everyone is getting ready to have babies!

It's so exciting!

Just counting off the top of my head I know 15 ladies who have either had a baby in the past couple weeks are are currently baking babies

Our good friend Lissa is actually at the hospital as I type this getting ready to welcome her new baby boy to the world. (Good Luck Lissa! I'm SO SO SO SO SO excited for you and Bryce!)

It's so crazy!

I love babies!

...It's time like these that make me wonder if I'm really sure I want to stop with two...

The Duke

2010-11-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

I grew up with two fathers... My dad and the Duke. I have seen every John Wayne movie at least 20 times and I don't plan to stop watching them over and over. My father installed in me an undying love for him since I was old enough to pay attention to a movie.

Charlie and I went to the movies last night to see Hereafter (which is very good and refreshing, by the way...) and a movie preview came on that really shook my core. As soon as I heard the name Rooster Cogburn I knew it could only mean one thing...

Someone has taken on the ultimate challenge of remaking True Grit. I was shocked yet highly intruged. These directors better do justice, or they are going to have a lot of very sad and unhappy people, me being the number one.

True Grit was my favorite movie growing up and still holds a very important part in my life. You may think I am crazy, but this is who I am. If I could meet anyone that was already passed on it would be The Duke, and I would make sure to give him the biggest hug I could muster. Like I said, he feels like a father figure to me.

I look forward to watching the new film and hope with all my might that it is at least half as good as the original.

Here's the trailor, in case you want to check out what I'm talking about.

P.S. If you have not seen the 1969 original, you must.

October 31

2010-11-01T19:46:00.000-07:00

What a good day!

It started with a party for Liam :) A lot of loved ones showed up, thanks to all that came!

We had a baked potatoes and cake and ice cream.

I was a little zombiesque thanks to staying up all night working on the cake... Here was the final product:

Liam was spoiled in new clothes and toys.

I can't believe he is getting so old!

Afterwards it was time to go trick-or-treating in Uncle Josh's neighborhood. Liam was a Ninja and Autumn was Ponyo.

If you haven't seen Ponyo yet, you really should. It is a beautiful movie, and Autumn's favorite.

I don't have any pictures yet of Liam, but I got some cute ones of Autumn.

I hope everyone was able to have a safe and fun Halloween this weekend!

Next up, Thanksgiving!!

What are you doing this Friday?

2010-11-01T15:45:00.000-07:00

I think we may go to the

Anyone want to come with us?

This week

2010-10-27T17:57:00.000-07:00

Did anyone see the sky around 5:30 this evening?

It was gorgeous!.

I took Autumn out on a little date to the movies to see The Gaurdians of Ga'hoole.

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't have very high hopes for the movie, but I was surprisingly very impressed. In fact, I liked it a lot :)

We ate popcorn and drank sprite (things we don't get to do when Charlie is with us... He tends to care a lot about the prices...)

We got to lounge in our own theater, feeling like princesses and not having to worry about bothering other people.

It was great.

Actually, I think I may always go to the movies around 2 in the afternoon.

Afterward we went to the store to get supplies for Liam's birthday tomorrow and his birthday get-together on Sunday.

Let's just say Autumn was pretty tired by the time we were driving home...

Since Liam doesn't read my blog, I will tell what he got -

I think he is going to be happy :)

I am currently planning his cake... I hope it turns out alright, so far its 3 tiers with a lot of homemade fondant...

Lastly, (as if I didn't have a busy enough day) I am working on halloween costumes! Autumn is going to be Ponyo while Liam is going to be a Ninja.

Tomorrow we are going to Spooktacular, followed by on Friday night the Trunk'n'Treat.

I love halloween.

And birthdays.

What an awesome week!

I love Autumn

2010-10-24T19:04:00.000-07:00

My little Autumn.

She is so funny, I just love every moment with her!

She gets her good looks from her dad :)

Vote for a change

2010-10-22T20:19:00.000-07:00

I am usually not very interested in politics, but this time I believe it is a very important mission.

I am asking all of you to please vote YES! on Prop B this November 2nd

More information about it can be found here - Prop B

Please stand up for those that can't stand up for themselves. Let's make a difference for MO and for our four legged friends!

Saturday

2010-10-21T09:29:00.000-07:00

This past saturday, Charlie and I went to Worlds of Fun!

It was awesome, minus the crowds...

One of the workers even said she isn't used to it being that packed.

It was open until 1 a.m. and we got there at 2 in the afternoon, so we had a pretty good amount of time. We rode every coaster (they have 7) and almost every thrill ride we could. Then, at 7, the park became haunted and they opened up 9 different haunted houses you could explore. It was an awesome time and we had so much fun! To top it all off, we got cheaper tickets then usual because we got the buffet as well... Which didn't cost anything extra... So the tickets were cheaper and they included all you can eat BBQ. Awesome.

If you love roller coasters and haunted houses, now is the best time to head out there! You can find the deal we got here.

I love this time of year!

planning pumpkins

2010-10-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

We live in the country on 4 acres...

So, naturally, we have plenty of space to play, lay around and grow fun things :)

I am so excited for the spring because I am taking on an awesome project...

A pumpkin patch!

I am going to be growing all kinds of neat pumpkins to sell and craft with for next fall season.

I think I may even take them to farmers market to sell :)

October Birthday

2010-10-07T09:06:00.000-07:00

Life seems to be going so fast! My little man is 20 days from being a year old... I feel like crying when I think about it. He's having a Halloween birthday, so I went and took pictures yesterday of him with some pumpkins :)

Isn't he a stud? :)

New Student

2010-08-24T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hooray for starting school! I am stoked. I am just getting my transfer degree, but I think these next two years are going to fly by. Once the husband and I both have our Associates, we are relocating to Corvallis OR to attend OSU. It is there I am to become a Marine Biologist :) It's a couple years away, but there is so much to do! I just hope we can get everything in order in time. We are super excited about what the next couple of years bring and starting a new chapter in our lives.
P.S. Missouri is gorgeous today, in fact all of my windows and doors are open. Super low humidity and in the low 80's?? Ontop of that, its supposed to be like this a couple more days. Aw yeah.

Fresh Start

2010-08-09T03:18:00.000-07:00

I am on an adventure of self discovery.

I am finally figuring out who exactly I am and what I want to achieve to be.

One thing that I am slowly doing is reorganizing/redecorating my home. I'm moving room to room and its proving to be a much larger and slower task than I had imagined. So far I have the bathroom, laundry area, entertainment area and one half of the kitchen complete. The difficult part has been making it "my own" without having a budget, meaning... I am spending nothing on decor. Everything I am using is something that I have come across for free, or (to be honest) found outside. We'll see how it turns out in the end. I have been surprised a little at how I have risen to the challenge, for example I couldn't afford a comforter set for my bedroom, so I took a sheet and I painted it and sewed it onto the front of our old comforter. It may look completely odd, but I am proud of it non-the less. I hope to be done by the end of the week with my "new" home, and will post some "I'm proud of the hard work and love I have put into this place" pictures. :)

In other news, my home isn't the only thing getting a face lift. I guess I'll just skip the small talk and go straight to saying that I haven't really been taking care of myself for like, I don't know... since I had Autumn? I've neglected my skin, weight, clothes, hair... It's really very sad. I have ceased being Sara, and have become a blah-person. So, I am taking charge of things again. Slowly, I will get rid of all my clothes and build a wardrobe that is meant for a Sara. And I am going to save up some money to get some skin care products and new makeup ( I have had the same makeup for about 18 months now... ugh) I am going to start making myself get up earlier than my kids for once so I can have time to exercise and take care of myself in the morning!

AND! Just to add some more excitement, I am registering at MSU tomorrow! I will be a student again, learning and growing! My mind has been begging to absorb some much needed education. I think I have exhausted all the documentaries I could get my hands on. I will be a wildlife biology major at MSU until I transfer in 2 years to a different school... Needless to say, this is long overdue. I feel so happy just thinking about it. Welcome back to me :)

I would like to end this little post with a picture of one of my favorite places, I'm so happy to think that I am going to be calling it home again in a couple years.

September 2011

2010-07-22T07:42:00.000-07:00

My ultimate goal in life is to be the best mother I can, and to be a wildlife biologist/ marine biologist.

I will eventually be going to OSU, but until then I need to be working on my resume and experiences right now.I am currently volunteering with the Dickerson Park Zoo where I work with animals and kids, teaching conservation and facts. I love it, very fun and the kids make it so rewarding. Well, recently I have been looking for other things to do to enrich my life and give me experience... So here's the scoop:

I'm going to China. Why? To work on a Panda conservation. I hope to be there for a month. I have to start saving/earning now... I'm thinking I am going to need around $10,000 for the whole thing... I have a year to save and plan, sooo... I am setting aside money starting today. Also, be on the lookout for a bake/handmade/garage sale.

If anyone else has ideas on how to earn some money, let me know... I am going to need all the help I can get.

Here's a few pictures of the place I will be going

Deathly Hallows

2010-06-07T15:28:00.000-07:00

awww yeah.

blended

2010-06-06T10:46:00.000-07:00

I feel as though I have lost my defeniton. I think I need to do some serious inner discovery and figure out who or what I am. I have been blending in with my enviornment for so long that I have let my self become lost amongst the wallpaper. I need to stand out again, I need to be myself, not just a someone. I don't even know what my favorite color is anymore. I am ready to be unique again, I am ready to have personality.

no more posts for a while

2010-05-31T09:04:00.001-07:00

I am signing off for a while... Need some fresh air.

dreams just might come true

2010-05-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

Robert Charles and I have been thinking/dreaming a lot lately. We have been longing for the the Ocean and mountains... The Northwest is on our minds. It makes our blood boil. We ( well, acutally me...) have been doing a TON of research on living in Oregon... In fact, I have been researching non stop for about a month now. If I can make these things work, then we can make it happen.

1. Affordable housing

2. Nearby church building

3. Nearby good school

4. Job(s)

Well, I am happy to announce that I have FINALLY put the puzzle together. I have found a quiet little historic city that comes with all the above and more. It is an hour from the ocean and about 20 minutes from a massive national forest and mountains. Its not as rainy as most of Oregon and there are still tons of things to do there. Charlie EASILY qualifies for a really nice paying phlebotomy position at the hospital in town. The local community college is very affordable and on top of that it has all the classes he needs. There are a TON of houses for rent, that are actually cheaper than Springfield. And to put the cherry on, it is beautiful and very charming.

So without further adue, I would like to imtroduce my dream place or residency:

Klamath Falls, OR

Woot!

2010-05-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

May 18

11 hours

17 roller coasters

120 mph, 420 ft high

Cedar Point

2010-04-22T21:24:00.000-07:00

Amazing.

My Home.

2010-04-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

For the beauty of the earth

For the glory of the skies,

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies.

For the beauty of each hour,

Of the day and of the night,

Hill and vale, and tree and flower,

Sun and moon, and stars of light.

For the joy of ear and eye,

For the heart and mind’s delight,

For the mystic harmony

Linking sense to sound and sight.

For the joy of human love,

Brother, sister, parent, child,

Friends on earth and friends above,

For all gentle thoughts and mild.

Lord of all, to Thee we raise,
This our hymn of grateful praise.

I am so grateful for this great world that I live in.

Happy Earth Day, turn off the TV and go outside.

♥

2010-04-20T15:28:00.000-07:00

I ♥ Us.

taking charge...

2010-04-17T15:27:00.000-07:00

I like to think of myself as a loving, giving wife.
But tonight, I am going to make my strong, handsome and amazing husband watch a movie genre that he hates, but I Love... Horror. I rarely ever do this, in fact this will be like the 3d time I have made him watch one with me since we have known each other... Hmm is that mean? I guess I'll make him a steak dinner to eat while watching it....

Spring in my backyard

2010-04-15T17:52:00.000-07:00

Autumn

2010-04-08T13:13:00.000-07:00

My favorite little girl...

I love your sweet smile.
I love way you say goodbye to all the trees as we drive past them.
I love your soft red hair and how you never let me touch it without crying.
I love your dances.
I love how you say "Goodmorning!"
I love how you always want a cookie.
I love how you love to walk around barefoot in the yard.
I love your blue eyes.
I love that you love dirt.
I love the little songs you make up on the piano.
I love the songs you sing.
I love the way you giggle when you are being tickled.
I love when you rub noses with me.
I love your little toes.
I love when you try so hard to run fast but it is only as fast as you can walk.
I love your kisses and hugs.
I love to cuddle with you.
I love you for whoever you are and who that person will become.

My dear little Autumn, I love you with all my heart.

Easter Dress

2010-04-06T09:29:00.000-07:00

Oh Easter, such a relaxing holiday :) We were blessed with a wonderful day full of family, Conference and sweets :) Who could ask for more? I have a confession though, I maybe heard one talk of conference, it was really hard to juggle everything. I hope to sit down with Charlie and fully absorb the messages sometime this week...

The day before Easter I scrambled around like crazy. I couldn't find a dress pattern for Autumn for her Easter dress. I was tempted to just go to the store and buy one, but I am stubborn, so I decided to just wing it. Well... Wing it I did. I free handed a pattern and prayed that I got the guess measurements right. I was up to 5 in the morning working on this... I just kept sewing and making up stuff as I went along. At least it fit :) Heres how it turned out:

The dress and coat in action on Easter morning :)

I didn't get any pictures of Liam because he was sleeping at first, then my batteries decided to die... But I promise myself that I will get some good pictures of my little man soon :) Hope everyone had a good Easter!

Preparing for warmer weather

2010-03-30T09:44:00.000-07:00

I ordered a new camera today :) Nothing fancy, but perfect for my clan of explorers. I look forward to giving it Lots of use.

Tuesday night.

2010-03-30T08:36:00.000-07:00

I am willing to admit it. I have an addiction.

I believe this calls for ice cream.

Only 7 more episodes!

(A word from the wise: If you haven't watched Lost before, please, Please, PLEASE start from the very beginning!)

Miss Dolly

2010-03-29T13:17:00.000-07:00

I feel alive today. I stepped outside my door and breathed in deep, searching for a plan for the afternoon. Autumn strolled past me in her yellow dress and galoshes, heading straight for the mud. I think I will plant flowers. I have a back patio that I need to fix up for the summertime when we have the pool up and the smoker going. I have the pictures of what I want in my head, all I have to do is make it reality. I need patio furniture. Speaking of furniture, I wish I could get rid of the couch sitting in my living room. Sometimes I feel like not having any furniture at all. Just an empty house to run and dance in.

I took in another stray. I keep telling myself that I am going to take a break from the "rescue" business. I just couldn't say no. She was lying in a field, with a destroyed paw and completly empty belly. I believe she was going to give up if I hadn't put her in the back of the truck and drove her home. I call her Miss Dolly, she has so many wrinkles on her face that she can barely see. She is quite the lover, my Dolly, maybe due to not having anyone to love until now. I enjoy the company of animals, sometimes a lot better than people. We tend to have an understanding that most humans seem to neglect. Well, I am off to Lowes. I have flowers to plant and sun to soak up.

Birthday

2010-03-24T17:17:00.000-07:00

Yay for Birthdays! I turned 22 today.

I love birthdays, its the only day of the year that everyone gets to have special for just them :)

Thank you to my family for giving me such a good birthday.

Spring crazy

2010-03-19T19:24:00.000-07:00

I'm the type of person that is pretty easy going about most things. I have a few quirks here and there like having to make a list about EVERYTHING, being OCD only about how my rock collection lays around my house, or the fact that I MUST change my furniture and get rid of things (at the very least) every six months.

Well, its that time again. I have hit my 6 month marker and I am on the move. I am a strange cleaner/orginizer. Charlie is very kind to put up with me... I have a tendency to make a massive mess while I am trying to clean up another one. It all gets done in the end, but that is just how I am. To clean and rearrange a room, the entire room is gutted and then the things that are really important and get to stay in that room go back in. SO, for the better part of today, my bedroom was in my living room. Well, I am happy to report that I have a clean AND bassicly new looking room. It smells and looks nice, don't you just love getting cozy in a clean room? I love it. And, as icing on the cake, I even lit some candles to melt some of that extra stress off.

Unfortunantly, the room was my first base, now onto the loft. I think I am going to be pulling an allnighter to get my whole house done.

In other news, I start at the zoo tomorrow. I decided to go ahead and volunteer as a Docent. I will be helping out with a lot of things, including teaching kids about the animals and conservation. I'm excited :)

For those of you who have a clean home and don't have a two year old who won't go to sleep, goodnight. And to the rest of you who are in the boat with me, Godspeed my friends.

Bonfire

2010-03-19T09:02:00.000-07:00

I thought I would send out an invite on my blog as well

On April 10th we are having a bonfire at our house at 6 p.m. if anyone would like to come out. I'm not going to give out my address on here, but if you would like to come, just email me at charlieandsaraz@gmail.com and I can give you directions. It should be a lot of fun, not to mention we get to light stuff on fire :)

2010-03-13T09:41:00.000-08:00

I. Must. Clean.

There is no getting out of it now, I need to bleach, scrub and organize.
Let's not forget about burning stuff I don't want any more.

I must build a home for chickens.

It's a beautiful, rainy day today.

A good day to listen to some Sufjan, make lists, bake, and Of Course> Clean.

Robert Charles and I often dream of living in lands far, far away from here. It's days like this that remind me just how glorious my little Missouri world is.

A lot of people are often in a misfortunate mess of being people that can't recognize the small wonders around them, thus making them miss out on the true essence of life.

=

Run-on sentence/ thought of the day.

3

2010-03-12T07:34:00.000-08:00

3 years have come and gone so fast!

Robert and I met 3 years ago at church. We both went to a dance that we didn't want to be at and ended up dancing together. 6 days later, we were sitting on his living room floor trying to decide what to do for Valentines day, when he asked me a couple of quiestions about what type of mother I want to be and what I want out of life... When it seemed my answers satasfied him, he asked me to marry him. Me, being completly crazy, said yes. We were married a month later in the St. Louis temple on St. Patty's day.
We have had 2 children, lived in 8 different places in 2 states, had 8 different jobs, we have shared our home with about 20 different animal, started school 3 different times, sold all of our possesions and started over 3 times, had 6 different cars (one being our moped), and have shared so many memories together in the past 3 years. It has been a crazy road, but I wouldn't have changed it for anything.
For our anniversary ( a week early) we went to St. Louis for 2 days. We spent the day at the zoo the first day, looking at animals, enjoying the 70 degree weather and getting mugged by a goat. We didn't realize that that tricky fellow had taken our only means of money until around 9 oclock that night when we were searching our car and luggage franticly for our debit card. Needless to say, we finally called the zoo and a very nice park ranger retrieved the card from the goat. At least he decided not to eat it.
After retrieving our card, we went to the Moolah theatres to watch Alice in Wonderland. If you haven't been to this theatre, you really should experience it, it was awesome. We spent the night in a cottage at the Napoleon B&B in the Lafayette historical area. The next morning we went to the Arch and finished the afternoon off at the Cheescake factory. Awesome.

Thank you Robert/Charlie/Charles Magilicutty for the past 3 years, it's been a blast.

a tribute

2010-03-08T05:35:00.000-08:00

I have a MASSIVE cold sore. I hate it. I always get them after being super sick. I used to have them all the time in junior high and my freshman year of high school due to being really sick all the time, but I haven't gotten one in a long time. Gr-oss.

Welcome SPRING! I am so thrilled to open my windows and smell the air. Yesterday, outside was actually warmer than inside my home! (which actually isn't that hard, considering we have been living in the mid 50's for some time now). We spent all day lying on the trampoline, envisioning the soon-to-be flower beds, planning a garden and getting ready for the chicks I'll be bringing home in 3 weeks. We set out our tents to air out and soaked up some seriously needed vitamin D. Spring has never felt so good on my skin.

Today has been designated "Bust your butt, its spring cleaning day". Believe me, I will be busting my butt. SO much to do, so little time. I'm the kind of person that loves throwing away things. Well, or burning things, just as long as I am able to remove matter from my habitat. Needless to say, a lot is going to be added to craigslist and the bonfire very soon.

We are going camping tonight, if all goes well...
"Red sky at morning, sailors take warning." Lets just say the sunrise this morning was beautiful, a beautiful crimson. So, we shall see how the weather goes. If it storms, the kids will be in the house and we will be out on the land.

We got a weasel! Well, actually, it is a ferret. Her name is Heidi. She is very small and likes to hop around. I can already tell she will be a good addition to Tiny Town.

On a last note: Shout out to Geoff and Kelly, who drove to Wyomin' this week. Congrats guys on missing the most beautiful weather this year.

Oh, no pictures... well, here we go for fun:

In honor of my German heritage.

Today

2010-02-25T06:45:00.000-08:00

Today is a good day :) I read over my last two posts and just laughed, life can be pretty crazy sometimes. After I posted that, Mike and Steve came over and brought me chocolate, it turned into a good day... full of chocolate!

I am 145 today! Wow, its crazy to think that I've lost 55 lbs since Liam was born. My body and mind feel so much more at eez, not to mention I feel a lot more comfortable with myself. I only have 20 more pounds till I hit my ultimate goal! It's exciting, I am so ready for the change.

miserable

2010-02-20T09:10:00.000-08:00

I woke up this morning to a tapping at the sliding glass door that seperates my bedroom from the rest of the house. I had just gotten Liam back to sleep and was getting ready to get out of bed myself. I turned to the door and gasped. Autumn was COVERED head to toe in chocolate. Not ONE speck of her was left unscaved. I started to panic, I had left the peanut-butter bars I made for charlie out on the stove last night... She must hav climbed the baby gate, gone into the kitchen, pulled up a stool to the oven, then dug her hands in. I got out of bed threw on some pj pants and dragged my feet to the kitchen, imagining the inevatably ruined dessert I had worked on last night. It would be so sad to see it destroyed, a whole pan of delicious peanut butter chocolate bars gone to waist. I turned the light on in the kitchen and screamed in my head the loudest my brain could handle. She had not gotten into the bars... she hadn't even touched them. She had instead opened up my mushroom-shaped jar and found my very expensive, very rich, dutch cocoa powder. I had about a lb of it in that jar, now the jar was empty. Instead, I had a chocolate covered kitchen and child to match. Willy Wonka seems to have some competition over here in Tiny town.... Not one surface had been left clean, all had been covered. Has anyone ever tried to clean up a cocoa powder mess? It doesn't conveniently wipe up with a rag, instead it smears... Lets just say I was not a happy camper this morning.
When I had finally gotten Autumn and the kitchen of death cleaned up I was in for another terrible experience. I was headed into Autumn's room to get a diaper, when I looked on the floor of the hallway and found a mouse. It was dead alright, that isn't what bothered me. It was the little babies that clung to their deceased mother that trully traumatized me. I am not ashamed to say that I broke down right there on the floor. I crumpled like a wet noodle onto the ground and sobbed, sobbed for the mouse that died, sobbed for the babies that lost their mother, sobbed because they would soon pass as well, and, I sobbed for myself as well. After about 5 minutes of crying on the wood floor of my living room, I got my composure and went to get a diaper and put Autumn in her room (not that she couldn't get out, it was just something to slow her down) I looked down at the mice and went to go get toilet paper to dispose of the mother. I picked her up by the tail and all the babies held on, I tried to keep my straight face, but the tears still strolled down my face. Finally 2 of the babies let go and ran, the third ran under my oven. Great, now they are gone and one is under my oven... So, I did the only thing I could think of, I put the mother mouse on the floor of my kitchen in front of the oven. I was going to trick that poor baby mouse into thinking their mother was there... sick, I know... But by this point I had to lose my emotions and just get buisness done. So, now, I have a dead mouse in my kitchen and a baby mouse under the stove.

I need to stop complaining, I know I am blessed. I just feel miserable right now.
I wish I could have some chocolate...

the truth

2010-02-19T08:41:00.000-08:00

okay, so I really exaggerated a little bit ago about my baking/cooking skills. I am really not very good at all, but I was trying to pump myself up to get myself going on something that might help my family out a little bit. I am still going to try to start making cupcakes, but I need a lot of work before then.

I am having troubles with some parts of my life right now...

Here is my day:

7:00 wake up and feed liam
8:00 Autumn wakes up and eats breakfast
10:00 Autumn takes bath
12:00 Autumn has lunch
1:00 Autumn takes nap
1:00-3:00 clean house
5:00 make dinner
6:00 eat dinner
8:00 Autumn goes to bed
9:00 I start getting ready for bed

This isn't just my schedule, these are the HIGHLIGHTS of my day. Everyday the same thing. I am starting to get really warn out. I have been trying to do things extra like make up things to bake and cook, sew, knit... I am even teaching myself to play the banjo. This is all fun and dandy, until I realize that I still have the same problem- I am always alone. I have tried reaching out to people and it just doesn't seem to work, sad day.

I have thought a lot about having game nights, or baking days, or just plain making dinner and inviting people over, but who would come? I love being a mom and wife, I just didn't know it was going to be this lonesome.
Sorry for the sob story, hopefully tomorrow feels better.

woot

2010-02-16T12:41:00.001-08:00

I just thought I would let everyone know that I hit 150 lbs today. Go me.

YEs!

2010-02-10T13:09:00.000-08:00

I have had an "ah-ha!" moment, just now, as I sit at my computer.

Recently, I have been wondering how I am going to be able to help support my family AND be a stay-at-home mom. Well, I like doing crafts and I like making things for people... Hmm

Then it hit me.

What is my absolute passion?? Food, yes food. I love it. There is barely anything that can top eating something that makes your taste buds rejoice in hallelujias! I want to be humble, but there is no way to get around it when I say, I am a dang good cook, every night I cook dinner my hunny groans in delight as the meal I prepared hits the flavour side of his brain. It truly is a thing of pride and self-satisfaction to cook not just good, but fantastic meals. But enough about cooking... I want to talk about baking.

I have been baking twice as long as I have been cooking. Talk about comfort. Getting a baked good, whether it be bread of a pie brings such warmth and joy to your heart, that words cannot describe. I just love a delicate treat to savour to really enjoy a special day, or to make a bad day feel amazing.
I'm talking CHOCOLATE, VANILLA, BANANA, CREAM CHEESE, NUTS, BERRIES... talk about comfort.

So, to finally get to where I am going;

I am going to start a bakery-type business. I will mostly do cupcakes, but I can do other things as well. I'm talking about the moist, rich, decadent, so dreamy that when you only see a picture of it your mouth starts to water cupcake.

It will be out of my very own kitchen... And it will take time to start, but I am going to do it. So... I have no time any more for my craft blog, I am off on a new journey. Wish me luck!

Hmmm...

2010-02-09T09:06:00.000-08:00

I have started a new diet... Well I actually started on Sunday... I am not going to say what it is, I will reveal it when I am done.
Here's my progress so far:

Day 1: 160
Day 2: 158
Day 3: 155

No, I'm not starving myself :)

Winter

2010-02-06T09:07:00.000-08:00

...in the ozarks

Home, Sweet Home.

Soon to come!

2010-02-04T16:22:00.000-08:00

Soo... I made a new blog. This one is about my life. My new blog is about the things I make up in my brain. Please enjoy... if you want to...

This is it!

Oh goodness...

2010-02-03T14:14:00.000-08:00

A very good offer has come my way... Though, we weren't wanting another dog. I would'nt mind an outside dog, ONLY an outside dog... And just LOOK at those eyes!

Well, what do you think? Should I say yes?

blank

2010-02-01T16:02:00.001-08:00

Gah! I have NO idea what to name this poor excuse for a blog! Any ideas??

20 hours away is too far....

2010-01-29T21:10:00.000-08:00

I am having friend withdrawls....

About a year and a half ago, Charlie and I encountered 2 very amazing people. I don't know how it happend so fast, but we really clicked with them well, enough that I would say they were and still are the best friends we have ever had. They are just down right amazing people! Since then they have added a beautiful little girl to their family and I couldn't be more sad that I haven't met her yet. I know that they most likely have a ton of other friends and a lot of other people consider them their best friends, but you know, thats alright. I am still incredibly grateful that I have had the privlage to have them in our lives.

Thank you so much Scott and Jenna. I don't think you guys know how much you have upifted our little family.

Gus is very large and in charge.

2010-01-25T21:45:00.001-08:00

I cut my hair! And colored it... but I'm not sure if I like the color yet... I think I may go back to dark brown, oh well, time will tell.

Pictures to come in near future.

sarajane

Current Events

4

open windows

tonight

Liam is 2!!!

I must be crazy

Cold mornings, falling leaves, hot chocolate, bonfires, sweaters...

Home, sweet home

Dreams do come true!

drooling

ch-ch-changes

quick update

Hurry!

Today

Happy Earth Day

*things that go bump in the night*

Do your part

Sea Turtles Struggling

new favorite color

What is today?

Inspiration

it's the final countdown

yummm

late night thoughts

dreaming

I did it...

spring fever

Today

New Glasses

DIY

Wedding

Favortie Things pt. 2

favorite things

MARCH

just a hint...

Finally!!

my kitchen

Blizzard of 2011

A birthday for Autumn!!

Christmas Recap

ugh

Dear Autumn,

Someone...

What a

Christmas with the Zahns

new year, new ideas

boots

excitment

Tomorrow...

cozy morning

List

The end

Sound of Music

babbies!

The Duke

October 31

What are you doing this Friday?

This week

I love Autumn

Vote for a change

Saturday

planning pumpkins

October Birthday

New Student

Fresh Start

September 2011

Deathly Hallows

blended

no more posts for a while

dreams just might come true

Woot!

My Home.

♥

taking charge...

Spring in my backyard

Autumn

Easter Dress

Preparing for warmer weather

Tuesday night.

things that go bump in the night