I've said for the past 8 years that going to the gynecologist beats going to the dentist any day. Some of you may completely disagree, and that's okay. Some of you may just keep quiet, as you don't know what it's like to have a "girly" appointment, and that's okay, too. Just trust me. :)
I absolutely HATE going to the dentist with every single ounce of my being. HATE IT. Thankfully, that harsh apprehension hasn't fallen upon Maya, yet. Although she was a little uncomfortable, she was trooper, just as I expected.
Maya was dead set against laying down in the chair. She was fine as long as she could sit up...so her ultimate position ended with Mommy and Dr. Frazier sitting in chairs, face-to-face, with Maya's legs straddled around Mommy and her body laying down on Dr. Frazier's lap. :) And the technology...totally makes me jealous. Each chair has a flat screen on the ceiling, and Maya was given a choice of what she wanted to watch. Of course, she chose Dora, the "Explore Or" lol...however, she wouldn't put the headphones on, so she just watched in silence. :)
Dr. Frazier was able to convince Maya that "Swiper" was in her mouth and needed to be "scared away," so finally Maya decided open her mouth and Dr. Frazier had her fingers in there doing the job before Maya even knew what was going on. This was one time that I was actually GLAD she takes after her dad's tv habit, as she totally got "lost" in watching Dora.
Although they weren't successful at convincing Maya to let them clean her teeth (when asked, she boldly stated, "Absolutely NOT!"), they were able to "count her teeth" and put some enamel strengthener on...and the end result??? MAYA IS IN THE "NO SUGAR BUG CLUB!!!"
You can see her name as soon as they get it posted on the No Sugar Bug Club website!
Hope you're all well!
Big Love,
Sarah
3.30.2010
3.25.2010
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm thankful for Creation. I'm thankful for the sun and the moon and the earth and the stars. I'm thankful that I serve a God with some mad art skills. ;) And, I'm thankful for opportunities like tonight when he allows us to see a glimpse of his marvelous work.
So, what's tonight? Tonight is the last chance we have, until 2012, to see the planet Mars. :) From what I understand (which is very little lol), if you look at the moon, the bright star right next to the moon is Mars. And, on Monday, the bright star next to the moon will be the ringed planet, Saturn! :)
Pretty cool stuff, huh? What are you thankful for, today?
Big Love,
Sarah
So, what's tonight? Tonight is the last chance we have, until 2012, to see the planet Mars. :) From what I understand (which is very little lol), if you look at the moon, the bright star right next to the moon is Mars. And, on Monday, the bright star next to the moon will be the ringed planet, Saturn! :)
Pretty cool stuff, huh? What are you thankful for, today?
Big Love,
Sarah
3.24.2010
Pray for Kate Today!!!
Have you ever heard the song "Beautiful" by Kari Jobe? Oh my. Love it.
Okay, guys. Today is a really really big day for little Kate, who I've been asking you to keep in your prayers. She has an MRI at 3:00 to reveal what has happened so far since she's had treatment. I'm strongly urging you to keep her in your prayers as she undergoes this MRI, that God will be ever so close to her. Don't forget her mama and daddy, Holly & Aaron, and her siblings, Olivia & Will. Can you imagine the anxiety? Pray for nothing less than a miracle!
You may be thinking, "Sarah...why do you care about all this? You're blessed beyond measure with two precious little angels, so why worry yourself with Kyrie and Kate and Sicily and whoever else you don't know?" You're right. I am. But so are you...and you know what? You should be right along with me in this journey, even though it's not our fight, and even though we don't know them. It's our obligation and privilege, as brothers and sisters in Christ with Holly, Aaron, Patrick, and Kerry, to lift up one another in prayer.
I care because I've tried to put myself in Lacie's & Holly's & Kerry's shoes (although it can't even begin to come close to what they're actually feeling), and I know that if my sweet Maya was diagnosed next month with any form of cancer--treatable or untreatable--I would be completely devastated. I can only imagine that the two sources of my strength would be my Jesus and my prayer warriors.
And here is another reason I care. I'm pretty sure all of you are aware of my issues with anxiety. And, you may or may not know that my absolute biggest fear and stimulation of anxiety is death. I can't bear the thought of it. I can't even begin to fabricate not being able to see Maya and Gabriel grow up...or the thought of them not knowing me as their mama. It literally scares me to death and sends me into outrageous attacks. Until recently.
God has a funny way of revealing things to us, sometimes. I, too, have questioned my interest in Kyrie, Kate, and Sicily. But I have slowly come to realize that every time I start freaking myself out about dying, my thoughts immediately go to these three girls, 2 of which are in Heaven now...and I think, "Wow! She's with Jesus! And...I don't want to go right now, but if God chooses to take me I will get to meet her! And if she was brave enough to face death...then so can I."
Aberrant, maybe. But it works. And I don't think it's just by some 'chance' that I've learned about these sweet lives. I think God has intentionally brought me (AND YOU) into these lives so we can pray for them and build them up, as well as see how He miraculously works in ways we can't even grasp.
Don't forget to pray for Kate. 3:00.
Big Love,
Sarah
Okay, guys. Today is a really really big day for little Kate, who I've been asking you to keep in your prayers. She has an MRI at 3:00 to reveal what has happened so far since she's had treatment. I'm strongly urging you to keep her in your prayers as she undergoes this MRI, that God will be ever so close to her. Don't forget her mama and daddy, Holly & Aaron, and her siblings, Olivia & Will. Can you imagine the anxiety? Pray for nothing less than a miracle!
You may be thinking, "Sarah...why do you care about all this? You're blessed beyond measure with two precious little angels, so why worry yourself with Kyrie and Kate and Sicily and whoever else you don't know?" You're right. I am. But so are you...and you know what? You should be right along with me in this journey, even though it's not our fight, and even though we don't know them. It's our obligation and privilege, as brothers and sisters in Christ with Holly, Aaron, Patrick, and Kerry, to lift up one another in prayer.
I care because I've tried to put myself in Lacie's & Holly's & Kerry's shoes (although it can't even begin to come close to what they're actually feeling), and I know that if my sweet Maya was diagnosed next month with any form of cancer--treatable or untreatable--I would be completely devastated. I can only imagine that the two sources of my strength would be my Jesus and my prayer warriors.
And here is another reason I care. I'm pretty sure all of you are aware of my issues with anxiety. And, you may or may not know that my absolute biggest fear and stimulation of anxiety is death. I can't bear the thought of it. I can't even begin to fabricate not being able to see Maya and Gabriel grow up...or the thought of them not knowing me as their mama. It literally scares me to death and sends me into outrageous attacks. Until recently.
God has a funny way of revealing things to us, sometimes. I, too, have questioned my interest in Kyrie, Kate, and Sicily. But I have slowly come to realize that every time I start freaking myself out about dying, my thoughts immediately go to these three girls, 2 of which are in Heaven now...and I think, "Wow! She's with Jesus! And...I don't want to go right now, but if God chooses to take me I will get to meet her! And if she was brave enough to face death...then so can I."
Aberrant, maybe. But it works. And I don't think it's just by some 'chance' that I've learned about these sweet lives. I think God has intentionally brought me (AND YOU) into these lives so we can pray for them and build them up, as well as see how He miraculously works in ways we can't even grasp.
Don't forget to pray for Kate. 3:00.
Big Love,
Sarah
3.23.2010
Another sweet angel in Heaven...
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/sicilyevelynzeka
Please keep the Zekas in your prayers.
Big Love,
Sarah
Please keep the Zekas in your prayers.
Big Love,
Sarah
Go, Kyrie, Go!
For those of you who missed the news yesterday at 11 a.m., here is the link to see the interview with Lacie (Kyrie's mom) and Megan (Kyrie's aunt).
http://www.kake.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4640814&flvUri=&partnerclipid=
http://www.kake.com/video/?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=4640814&flvUri=&partnerclipid=
FYI
There will be a group of us attending the Saturday evening performance of At the Cross. If you are interested in going, we are meeting at the church at 5:30 p.m. I have 20 tickets so please let me know if you are interested. There is no charge. Childcare is available.
(Pssst...just a little side note...this show is awesome, and I would strongly encourage you to go! If you can't make it Saturday night, you can go Thursday, Friday, or Sunday. All shows begin at 7 p.m., and doors open at 5 p.m. Make sure you get there early enough to get a seat!)
Big Love,
Sarah
(Pssst...just a little side note...this show is awesome, and I would strongly encourage you to go! If you can't make it Saturday night, you can go Thursday, Friday, or Sunday. All shows begin at 7 p.m., and doors open at 5 p.m. Make sure you get there early enough to get a seat!)
Big Love,
Sarah
3.22.2010
VBS Help
As last year, Sam is directing our summer VBS program. One of our obstacles is always finances...so it seems like we never are able to put something on like it actually supposed to be done. Does that make sense? Or am I totally just speaking jibberish? lol sala mala!
AAAAAAAAAnyway, this year we have a really exciting theme, "Deep Sea Adventure," and I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to make it awesome for the kids. I told Sam last night, "Sam...everything red needs to become blue." And if you know our sanctuary...that's going to be a huge task all by itself. :)
So...my question to you, my favorite blog readers, is: any fundraising ideas??? Keep in mind, we have an older congregation, so a car wash probably isn't going to work for us. :)
Thank you for your help and suggestions!!!!!!
Lots of Love,
Sarah
AAAAAAAAAnyway, this year we have a really exciting theme, "Deep Sea Adventure," and I REALLY REALLY REALLY want to make it awesome for the kids. I told Sam last night, "Sam...everything red needs to become blue." And if you know our sanctuary...that's going to be a huge task all by itself. :)
So...my question to you, my favorite blog readers, is: any fundraising ideas??? Keep in mind, we have an older congregation, so a car wash probably isn't going to work for us. :)
Thank you for your help and suggestions!!!!!!
Lots of Love,
Sarah
3.18.2010
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm thankful my "homes." HomeS? Yes, that wasn't a typo.
I'm thankful for my first home where I grew up and shared a room with Steph for 23 years. A tiny, 2-bedroom, 1 bath house, with an abundance of love, protection, and laughs. Still a place to simply walk in without knocking, raid the fridge, kick my shoes off and feel good. :)
I'm thankful for Grandma Luna's, my 2nd home away from home, probably where I spent the majority of my adolescent years. Lots of love, protection, and laughs. And yes, to this day, still a place to simply walk in without knocking, raid the fridge, kick off my shoes and feel good. :)
I'm thankful for Grandma V's, where I'm sitting right now with Maya and Gus...a place where I just simply walked in without knocking, raided the ridge, kicked off my shoes and found a note, "Gone to Walmart." :) Gotta love her. Lots of love, protection, and laughs abounding in this home, too.
Isn't that awesome? Just to know you have somewhere to go. No matter what.
And my Heavenly home...man, I can't even fathom what it will be like. But, I do know it will be a place I'll never want to leave.
What are you thankful for, today?
One day at a time,
Sarah
I'm thankful for my first home where I grew up and shared a room with Steph for 23 years. A tiny, 2-bedroom, 1 bath house, with an abundance of love, protection, and laughs. Still a place to simply walk in without knocking, raid the fridge, kick my shoes off and feel good. :)
I'm thankful for Grandma Luna's, my 2nd home away from home, probably where I spent the majority of my adolescent years. Lots of love, protection, and laughs. And yes, to this day, still a place to simply walk in without knocking, raid the fridge, kick off my shoes and feel good. :)
I'm thankful for Grandma V's, where I'm sitting right now with Maya and Gus...a place where I just simply walked in without knocking, raided the ridge, kicked off my shoes and found a note, "Gone to Walmart." :) Gotta love her. Lots of love, protection, and laughs abounding in this home, too.
Isn't that awesome? Just to know you have somewhere to go. No matter what.
And my Heavenly home...man, I can't even fathom what it will be like. But, I do know it will be a place I'll never want to leave.
What are you thankful for, today?
One day at a time,
Sarah
3.14.2010
1 more is Up There!
Has anyone ever told you something that literally made you ill? You know, being hit with a ton of bricks...that feeling of a deep, empty pit...yet you feel like you could vomit for days...
I remember having this feeling on several occasions, that aren't necessarily pleasant memories but good life lessons...one of which was the day I busted my ex-bf cheating on me...another time being when I found out I was pregnant with Maya...not to mention the day I told my parents they'd be having another grandbaby.
Unfortunately, I experienced this feeling today less than 1 minute after I stepped into the church. And, to be quite honest, I didn't think such news would really get to me the way it did. Today, I found out that a very special person in my heart passed away last night. And, I know it may seem weird; she was an older lady who actually lived in New Mexico that I probably saw less than 6 times my entire life. In fact, I couldn't even tell you the last time I saw her, or even spoke to her. But it certainly hit me...like a punch right in my gut. Because she had a special influence on my life, and held a special place in my heart...even more than I realized.
Please just do me a favor this week, and keep Wanda and Norman and another Norman in your prayers. It doesn't matter that you don't know them or their specific needs...just pray that their spirits will be lifted, encouraged, and built up.
One day at a time,
Sarah
I remember having this feeling on several occasions, that aren't necessarily pleasant memories but good life lessons...one of which was the day I busted my ex-bf cheating on me...another time being when I found out I was pregnant with Maya...not to mention the day I told my parents they'd be having another grandbaby.
Unfortunately, I experienced this feeling today less than 1 minute after I stepped into the church. And, to be quite honest, I didn't think such news would really get to me the way it did. Today, I found out that a very special person in my heart passed away last night. And, I know it may seem weird; she was an older lady who actually lived in New Mexico that I probably saw less than 6 times my entire life. In fact, I couldn't even tell you the last time I saw her, or even spoke to her. But it certainly hit me...like a punch right in my gut. Because she had a special influence on my life, and held a special place in my heart...even more than I realized.
Please just do me a favor this week, and keep Wanda and Norman and another Norman in your prayers. It doesn't matter that you don't know them or their specific needs...just pray that their spirits will be lifted, encouraged, and built up.
One day at a time,
Sarah
~In sweet memory of Dolores~
3.12.2010
We Need You.
I need sponsors for the Autism CARE Walk. I have 1 sponsor. Wait, let me say that again...
I HAVE 1 SPONSOR. ONE. UNO.
That means I NEED YOU!!! Dom needs you!!!
One day at a time,
Sarah
3.11.2010
Thankful Thursday
Today has been one of those rotten days where I'm thinking, "hmmm...what AM I thankful for???"
So, because the Word reminded that in EVERYTHING I am to give thanks, today I'm thankful for the Word.
Please keep praying...
Big Love,
Sarah
So, because the Word reminded that in EVERYTHING I am to give thanks, today I'm thankful for the Word.
Please keep praying...
Big Love,
Sarah
3.10.2010
Quiet Time
Take a few minutes to just sit & listen. Enjoy the new slideshow.
The Shaffer household has had a bit of a rough week...any extra prayers thrown our direction are more than appreciated. :)
One day at a time,
Sarah
The Shaffer household has had a bit of a rough week...any extra prayers thrown our direction are more than appreciated. :)
One day at a time,
Sarah
3.09.2010
I Love This.
Loyalty...
Sorrow...
Departure...
Compassion...
Pain...
Sorrow...
Departure...
Compassion...
Pain...
Be kinder than necessary...because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
One day at a time,
Sarah
3.04.2010
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm thankful for my most recent sponsors for the Autism CAREWalk!
Thank you, Cortez!!!!
Thank you, Kari!!!!
Thank you, Schmitts!!!!
Together, I believe we are going to help Dominic progress leaps and bounds!!
What are you thankful for, today?
One day at a time,
Sarah
Thank you, Cortez!!!!
Thank you, Kari!!!!
Thank you, Schmitts!!!!
Together, I believe we are going to help Dominic progress leaps and bounds!!
What are you thankful for, today?
One day at a time,
Sarah
3.03.2010
Birthday Wishes
Wow, March 3rd...can you believe it?! Absolutely insane.
Well, today I just wanna take a few minutes to give some birthday shout outs. Seems like this is a popular day...
So first to Mike (Victory, not Clopton)...a very happy birthday! Hope you and Kathleen are well and having some fair weather in Pasadena! :) Love you!!
Next to a dear friend who has become exceptionally special to our family, Jerry. We love you (even though you ARE another year older!) and hope to spend some time with you soon...either in KS or NC! :) Hope you've had a very fun day and special evening w/ Nikki. Thanks for your love and friendship.
LOL,
Sarah
3.02.2010
It's Time.
Hey, everyone. I've warned you this would be coming...so, here it is. :)
Please join me in supporting a cause that is very close to my heart.
As you may be aware, our family has been deeply affected by autism. We are not alone. Autism is the fastest growing developmental disability, affecting 1 in every 150 children. For children with autism, it is extremely important that they receive the intensive, special services that they need to be successful. That's why I am participating in the 2010 Autism CARE Walk at Heartspring.
The CARE Program at Heartspring provides a wide range of services, from one on one consultation to opportunities for children with autism to learn and grow through participation in programs like Camp SSTAR and SSTAR Scouts. Through the CARE Walk, we raise awareness about autism and also raise funds to provide more services to children and families.
I would be honored if you would join me in supporting this great cause by sponsoring my walk this year. Donations of any amount will be gratefully accepted and are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. You can make a pledge to support my walk by visiting www.autismcarewalk.org, clicking on Make A Pledge and choosing my name fom the drop down list of participants. You can also mail your check made payable to Heartspring to me. To make sure that it is received in time for the walk, please mail checks by Marh 15 2010. If your employer has a matching gift program, you can even double your gift!
Thank you so much for your friendship and support. Thank you for helping me help Dominic. Together, we can make a difference in the life of a child with autism.
From the heart,
Sarah
3.01.2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)