Home Sweet Home, I Think.

     Most people I know have, at some time, lived in a household with small children. We know that they are liable to say whatever crosses their mind, that they are not shy about making their wishes known, and that they will argue about absolutely anything. They can also be sweet, have a true need for an occasional cuddling, and  enjoy surprising people with random gifts (you really haven't lived until somebody brings a bug or snake "for you").
     Here is a conversation held between my mother, my 3 yr. old sister, and myself this morning.
  
 Esther- "I wants a yo-yo!"
     Mom- "OK.  Let's see, aren't you... Well, maybe we should wait... I mean, you need altitude to yo-yo..."
     Esther- "I wants a yo-yo now!  From Walmart!"
     Me- "Are you saying she's vertically challenged?"
     Mom- "Shhhh, shhhhh.  Esther, we'll think about it, OK?"
     Esther- "No!  No think about it!  I wants a yo-yo!"

   Now, we had 3 options. Tell her why a yo-yo would not work for her at this point (thus incurring the wrath of the toddler), tell her that no, she simply can not have a yo-yo right now (even angrier toddler), or distract her with something else.  We went with the third option. Our next conversation went like this;

   Mom- "Look Esther, I got you something!"
   Esther- " Bubbles?!"
   Mom- "Yes!  See all those neat bubble wands?"
-Esther shreds the packaging and pulls out the brightly colored contents-
   Esther- "Saah (Sarah, no r sound), you wants one?"

  A few hours ago she was up in arms.  And now she wants to share her new toy with me.  I think this is why small people scare me so much.  Their emotions change like the wind, and what they lack in logic they more than make up for with attitude.
   I'm still learning to laugh at the not so sweet parts of home life, but I'm enjoying being with my family.  Including the nowhere near grown members of my family.  Cheers to any one who is also going through "growing pains" with toddlers, teenagers, or any of the people with whom you have to interact.  Keep your coffee cup close, and God closer. Blessings!
     
  
   
  
    
  
  
  
  

What now?

     18 months serving as a kitchen girl at Hillcrest Home.  18 months of cooking, cleaning, learning, and making friends.  Now it's over.  So what's next?
    For now, I'm back at home.  I'm sewing, occasionally cooking, and growing closer to my siblings (they're so BIG!).  It's different from what I remember.  The food is changed, the house is changed, and the people are really changed.  The only thing that hasn't changed is the cat.  She's still fat, sassy, sleepy, and constantly making me sneeze.
     So for those of you who may have wondered, I'm still alive.  And I actually have time to blog.  Now I just have to find the will to keep at it.  Until next time, be blessed, and stay strong!
    

Really Homesick

After 7 months of volunteer service at a nursing home, I'm ready for a vacation.  Praise God, He gave me a way to take 6 days of rest at home, and I am so glad to be with my family.  That being said, I remember that this world is not my home and I look forward to joining my brother Aaron in Heaven. " Lord, won't you give me strength to make it through somehow? I've never been more homesick than now!"    Be blessed!

Afraid

What's at the root of all this world's troubles?  Here's my answer, written late last year.


It's in you
That fear you try to hide
It's no use
For it won't stay inside

You fear it
Try to keep on smiling
Fear smiles
'cause inside you're dying

Don't show them
What you're really feeling
They can't see
When from pain you're reeling

Keep going
'til life snaps to an end
Not sharing
No care to others send

Fear yourself
As discouragement grows
It destroys
Seeds of Bitterness sows

Speak a lie
Be angry in your speech
Trust no one
Don't listen to them preach

In the end
When you're beyond all aid
You'll have lost
Because you were afraid

Sarah Erhart,  2012

Constant Change

    There are those days when you just feel like you can't get anything finished, and each time something is almost finished your day's plans get changed and you have to go do something else.  Have you had one of these lately?
    Well, we've been having almost constant change here in MO, particularly in the last month or so.  Among the changes are these;
-We changed the hedgehog's name.  He is now Sir Lance-a-lot   :-D  And we went from having 1 hedgehog to 4 (that's Thistle, above).
-Our fish tanks increased from 4 to 10 (each person MUST have their own, in case you wondered).
-My siblings have been having birthdays and giving me new numbers to remember.
-I removed my shop from Etsy, since I will not be able to keep up with it for a while.
-My life has changed from "crazily boring" to "crazily busy", because...
-I'm changing from "stay at home sister" to "out-of-state volunteer"!
   Yep, that's right.  I'm officially leaving home!  Preparation is being made for my departure, and the entire house is in an uproar.  I will go mid. August, Lord willing, and will be serving as a Kitchen Aid at a nursing/convalescent facility.  I'm excited and nervous!
   I'm of the opinion that my blogging is exceptional.  Exceptionally erratic, that is.  :-)   I've been blogging about once a month, although I skipped again last month.  And I'm wondering how I'll find time to update my blog at all once I leave home.  Please have patience with me, and thank you for visiting!
   Here are a couple of semi recent photos. Feel free to laugh!

  














This is me, and my dog Viva.  I have no idea what I was laughing at, or why I'm apparently "holding down the dog", but my sister caught this photo and I had to share.  I think Viva was laughing too!

"I couldn't find a comfortable position on the couch, so I thought I'd try the sink..."  This is Iris, the family cat.  She sleeps about 20 hrs. a day.  So much for cat naps!

 

Clouds have been few and far between here in central MO.  Aren't these beautiful?!

 That's all for today!  May you have a blessed week, full of confidence and strength!

Of Prickly Things and Craziness

   Life has been a little crazy lately.  I'm pretty sure that anyone could say that, at any given time, and it would be true.  Since when was life a mundane cycle of ordinary?  And what is "normal"?  Anyway, here's a few quick snapshots of "My Crazy Life";

 

April Showers Bring May Flowers.  But my roses bloomed in April!  Mom and Dad bought Rose bushes for my birthday last year, and the blooms this year were delightful!

My day lilies bloomed in May.  They are a native MO variety, and I enjoy seeing them every year.  They sway and laugh in the breeze, cheering everyone who sees them.

I've been making things to add to my Etsy Shop and to sell at my family's sale booths this summer.  SharaiStyle by SarahStylin', open for business!
www.etsy.com/shop/sharaistyle

 And now for the Prickly.  Meet our new hedge hog!  He doesn't have a name yet, but we children are calling him Cider for now.  He is a Ruby eyed Cinnacot in color.  We love him!
      Yes, between getting a new pet, doing our usual household chores, and crocheting on a daily basis, life has been very busy.  But, I'm happy to say, the work is worth it!  When I'm feeling run down and overwhelmed, I stop and look back on all I've accomplished so far this year.  When you add up all the little things,  I've done a lot! 
   If you're feeling over worked, overwhelmed, or incapable of making a good difference in the world, think;  How many people would miss you if you just disappeared? How much harder would it be for your family to get along if you weren't there to help out?  Even if you're thinking "Sure, I do small stuff.  But all I did today was put cold cereal on the table, load the dishwasher, read a book to the 4 year old 4 times over, and talk to a friend on the phone", remember,  this is the stuff that counts.  You are making a difference!
           Be Blessed!

Jonny Diaz - Scars Official Lyric Video

                            I've been inspired and encouraged by this song today.  Whatever you may be going through, or have experienced, remember;  The trial will make you stronger!  Be strong, and be blessed!