The Little Girl Who Makes My World

She pretty much gets whatever she wants with this smile. ;)

Love her to pieces.




I'm still considering moving to Hollywood with her; I have no doubt that she could make us all rich as an actress.

There's that little button nose I love to kiss!

She will hate this pic when she gets older, but Mama will always love it.

There's that nose again...

(I PROMISE she was singing..."Where is tall man, Where is tall man...")

Lovin' on her GG

My, how time flies.

We will be celebrating 5 years of Maya this evening! More to come for tomorrow's Thankful Thursday.

xoxo,

Sarah

Santa Claus is Coming to TOWN!!!!!!!!

Elf Party Pics

It Won't Be the Same This Year

Her favorite time of year was always Christmas,

We'll reminisce about the years gone by,

Oh, how I wish that she was still here with us,

My memories of her will never die

I always loved helping Grandma put up her Christmas tree. I can remember one year she taught me how to sew (yes, I know -- scary!) little stocking ornaments. Of course, all of mine looked more like maps of foreign countries rather than stockings, but you know what? She still hung them up. And the village -- she would get all of the figurines out of the boxes and set them out, but she wouldn't organize them in any way. I can still hear her say, "Here, Sarah. You make these look good." One year I didn't make it over to help her, and the next week when I arrived at her place, there it sat -- unorganized, waiting for me to "make it look good." Several years ago, I told her she was missing a star over her "little town of Bethlehem." She said, "Well...that's alright, you can fix it." So off to the kitchen I went, and the past several years, she has had a star over Bethlehem -- made out of aluminum foil. :)

Losing her has hurt us so badly,

It's helped us learn what Christmas really means,

There's nothing more important than your family,

We're all the children of the King of kings.

I keep thinking about Grandma's last Christmas...2010. I keep looking at the pictures from Christmas Eve. Who would have guessed that it was her last one with us? She had come up to Steph's house to have dinner with us. I wasn't able to make it over to see her because Gabriel was so, so sick. Oh, how I wish that we would have been able to spend it with her, but I am so thankful for all of the other years that we were together. And, I am forever grateful for the years that Maya and Gabriel had with her.

When the stockings are hung,

Silent night has been sung,

And Christmas is finally here,

It won't be the same this year.

Grandma ~ I can't imagine what it's like...your first Christmas in Heaven! I'd love to be in on THAT party! I love you and miss you more than you'll ever know. Give hugs & kisses & Merry Christmases to everyone I love Up There.

xoxo,

Sarah

Thankful Thursday

First, I'm thankful for the privilege of prayer...the ability to really fall on my knees and just lay it all out -- my requests, my praises, my angers, my frustrations, and my cries -- any time, any place. I have spent some serious time in prayer this week on behalf of some very special friends and battles that they are fighting. The first part of the week brought some very disturbing news, and those events weighed heavily on my mind. I am so thankful that I can take it all to Jesus...and leave it there with Him.

The other thing I'm thankful for today is sleep. Sweet sleep.

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."

Proverbs 3:24

I'm also thankful for the goofy girls who took this picture of my sweet sleep at a slumber party about 6 years ago...right next to my bag of Twix and my M.A.S.H. paper. Yes, that's right. I was 23 and still playing a game that would hopefully determine who I would marry, what I would drive, and how many kids I would have. I sure don't recall any "Sam Shaffers," "4 kids," or "Chrysler Pacificas" in my results. But, I must say...I'm extremely THANKFUL for my Sam, Claudia, Camile, Maya, Gabriel, & Valentine! :)

Be thankful, today.

Sarah

Crazy Family in Kansas

Katie ~

Sorry I'm a little late posting...this is from the Elf Party to Ellis. (I apologize in advance for the sideways video -- I'm not sure how to rotate videos yet lol)

Thankful Thursday

Yesterday, my dad had a check-up with his retina specialist. Sounds like another buckle surgery may be lurking in the future of his left eye; but, those of you who know my dad already know his response -- we'll cross that bridge when it gets here. We're hoping it's years away. :)

While he was in the waiting room, his family doctor called. Unfortunately, it wasn't to discuss mechanical issues with a church bus or a tractor. It was to inform Dad that he has a consultation appointment with a hypertension specialist. Apparently, his blood pressure remains out of control, despite the fact that he is on 5 different medications for it. I guess this prompts concern of the kidneys. I know none of this sounds like a big deal -- at least if you aren't the one having to go through it. But please keep my dad in your prayers. I foresee some serious dieting/lifestyle changes in the very near future for the Victory/Shaffer households. A good thing? Absolutely. An easy thing? Not so much. At least we're all in it together, right? ;) And then I think about...

As I just attended a holiday luncheon, and I am preparing for a Women's Ministry Christmas party tonight, there is a sweet baby girl sitting in a Kansas City hospital room preparing to undergo a bone marrow transplant. I have heard it will "take place" somewhere around 8:30 tonight. Sitting next to her are her mama & daddy, who are preparing to take care of their baby girl as they watch the process unfold. A scary, sad, nerve-wracking, sickening, painful place to be in life. I've been there -- but it wasn't with my sweet baby. Please cover this family -- Paxten, Blake, & Libby -- with prayers, obviously today, but also in the days, weeks, & months ahead. Leave them comments of your love & support. http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/paxtenpearson/journal

Today I'm thankful for the gift of health. I'm thankful that I've never spent a holiday in the hospital with my babies. I'm thankful that I've never spent any day in the hospital with them since the time they were born. I have been feeling a little yucky the past couple of days, and I'm praying my monkeys aren't confined to the house this year for Christmas. Last year was no fun. However, that bears no weight at all when my mind catches glimpses of the Christmas I spent in the hospital with Uzzie. I'm thankful that the one Christmas I DID spend in the hospital led to me witnessing a miracle. Talk about learning the true meaning of Christmas? Yep, that did it. And yet THAT bears no weight when I think of the Pearson family -- and the grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, & friends who are so desperately praying that the transplant works the way it is supposed to.

I'm thankful for hope. We can all have hope that Paxten's body will accept the transplant. We have something to hang on to. Sadly, another family's hope has been crushed. They have heard the words, "There is nothing left to do. We will get Hospice set up." There is nothing left to "try." There is no more treatment. The fight is over. And that's when we're thankful for faith...and for miracles.

And as if that isn't the bottom of the barrel, there is yet another family grieving through their first Christmas without that special loved one's presence. Agape'Care Cradle had its annual Remembrance Service last week. Mamas and daddies who never had a chance to see a "first smile" or hear a "first word."

I'm thankful: the gift of health, the gift of hope, the gift of faith, the gift of life.

What are you thankful for, today?

xoxo,
Sarah

Thankful Thursday

Today I'm thankful that Sam is employed again! Yay!!! I'm thankful that God is never too early and never too late...He's right on time. I now to get to spend my nights alone since he has to work 3rd shift, but I can't complain. I will probably see him more on 3rd shift than if he was working 1st shift with me. :) Anyway, thank you all for your prayers...please remember to give praise where praise is due. It was a complete God thing. ;)



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Take a moment and think of all the people who make up your world. The faces that are significant to you. Who are they? Why are they in your life? How did you meet them? Do you have a best friend? Maybe you have several. I love the place in the Bible that talks about how the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David...and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. Can you imagine how powerful their friendship must have been? I have many, many special friends. But, there is nobody like a best friend. More specifically, there is nobody like a best girlfriend.

My bestie is spectacular, let me tell ya. Someone whose company I enjoy -- any time, any place. Probably because we are an awful lot alike in some aspects so we instinctively understand things about each other. You know what I'm talking about. The friend who knows the words you're thinking and completes your sentences before those words even come out of your mouth? Yep, that's her. In other aspects, we are exact opposites and we have both been willing (at some point over the past 18 years) to get past those personality differences to begin this lifelong process of getting to know each other.

We share history. Girl talk. Losing weight (ugh!). Boys (ugh!). Conversations. Inside jokes. Tears. The pregnancy test. Yep, she was right by my side for that horrible, scary time in my life. Not only did she take me AND buy it for me, she came into the bathroom with me and then grinned REEEEEEEALLY BIG and said, "It's positive, Sar. You're going to be a FABULOUS mommy!" When I wanted to turn around and vomit, she grabbed me around my neck and gave the best hug of my life. It wasn't my mom or my sister with me. It wasn't an aunt or a cousin. It was her. She has always been with me -- even when we aren't physically together, she is always there. No. matter. what.

She's silly. I laugh with her like I laugh with noone else. And, don't get us started -- it's very likely that we will not stop until one of us has wet our pants.

She's inspiring. She makes me want to do more. More decorating. More cooking. More mommy duties. She is always an encouragement to me to do better and to be a better person.

She's strong. Nothing is ever a big deal to her. She takes a deep breath and just lets it roll off of her shoulders. I have learned a lot by observing her. You know that quote, "Actions speak louder than words?" She's really good at that. Me? Not so much...but I sure have a great teacher. ;)

She's real. If I run into her and look like crap, it's "Omg! What's wrong? Are you okay?" If I've lost weight, she's the first to notice and compliment. If I'm stressed, it's "What can I do to help?" In high school, she could tell by looking at me that I hadn't completed my homework and her paper would be laying on my desk before I even sat down so I could start copying her work as fast as my pencil would write. Hush, you know you did it, too. ;) She has ALWAYS had my back.

She's lended me money just to do something fun -- it certainly wasn't a necessity. And, I still haven't paid her back -- nor has she asked for it. She knows she'll get it. She trusts me. And she has proven her worth to me in a way that has earned my trust, as well. One of the greatest values of a friend is willingness to be transparent enough to let me see more of who and what they really are. She does that. Totally.

We're both married now. We're both mamas now. We've both been through some fire. Mostly, we're mature. But, we also have a place or two deep within that still triggers 10-year-old laughing little girls. Best friends are one way that God takes care of us. I'm so thankful for mine. Our watching over and out for each other never really stops.

Kar ~ I'm so grateful for who you are. I'm (dreadfully) excited to watch our next 30 years unfold. :) You mean the world to me, and I love you...Happy 30th Birthday!!!

xoxo,
Sar

December 2011: Weekend 1

The visit with Santa was definitely a SUCCESS this year!!!


A little hesitant at first - until Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas!

Their preschool program at Breakfast with Santa was sweet...but I now know to pop a Xanax before all future school functions. WAY TOO MANY PEOPLE, way too few manners. But to see these gorgeous faces - totally worth it.

Rockin' around our Christmas tree

Yep. My cup runneth over.

xoxo,

Sarah

It's That Time Again

Just wanted to throw up a few of my favorite pictures from one of our family Christmas traditions, visiting Prairie Pines. While I would LOVE to go out and cut down our own tree, my wallet refuses. lol Sooo...we just go for the enjoyment of the wonderful atmosphere that is accompanied with gorgeous decor, hot chocolate, high school carolers, big horses, a red sleigh, and a BEAUTIFUL, make-me-feel-like-a-child-again Santa. (Based on the picture below, I'm hoping Maya & Gabriel respond to him a little better this year. lol)

xoxo,

Sarah

Thankful Thursday

*DEEEEEEP BREATH*

i SERIOUSLY need a massage. SERIOUSLY. :)

Even though I don't want to be, I'm thankful for my job.

Also, today I'm thankful for someone who I've known for a little over 2 years. In that time, I haven't gotten to really know this person on a personal level. Saying that he is an amazing carpenter is a vast understatement. Sadly, that's about all I really knew of him as a person until recent months. He pretty much sticks to himself and doesn't bother with other people. A very unique personality, especially for his career field.

Lately, I've had more opportunities to fellowship with him, as a result of his willingness to actually begin socializing lol. While we certainly do NOT have the same outlooks on most sociological related topics, I am growing to really appreciate who he is as the leader of my church. On top of that, he has been an encouragement to Sam, and he seems to be one of Maya's favorite people to wrinkle her nose at. :)

Today I'm thankful for Pastor Bill...what are you thankful for, today?


xoxo,
Sarah

Thanksgiving 2011

This is Dominic... Just a little resemblance...lol


*sigh* my little girl is growing up

i think this mama was a little thankful...

and so was this mama...her baby was home from texas for the holiday!

yep, i think they were thankful, too lol

some serious thankfulness going on here...

And finally, another thankful mama with her sweet preschool pilgrims. ;)

Giving Thanks

There's a new baby in the family. YESSSS!!! And, might I just say...Aunt Sarah is CRAZILY, MADLY IN LOVE WITH HER!!! I can't believe I had already forgotten what it was like...and since my itty, bitty baby days are over, I'm trying to take it ALL in and enjoy every second with her. And, it's official - she gets to stay. ;). We took Dominic up to meet her yesterday, and she passed the "smell test"! More on that later with pics.

I'm not sure what your situation is on this gorgeous Thanksgiving day. Everyone has their own, unique life happenings going on. Some are following their yearly traditions with feasts, friends, and football. I know one man who is waking up under a gazebo in Sedgwick County Park, living one more day, homeless. Others are biting the bullet and tolerating their annoying siblings just to "be there" for their parents. Some are thinking of their loved ones while working to protect yours. Some are grieving a recent death. Some are sitting in a hospital room celebrating a new baby, and some are watching their child receive chemo treatments. Others are getting chemo, themselves, or just praying their parent lives another day.

I don't know where this Thanksgiving finds you. In my family, the air is pretty sensitive. This first holiday season without Grandma V is beyond words. Many of you are aware that Sam lost his job last Friday. One of those circumstances, alone, is enough to make me want to curl up in bed all day, and both of them together have been good for nothing except paying the company that makes my migraine meds. On top of that, there are always family issues - every holiday, someone is upset with someone else, making the "gathering" that much more tense. It's just one of those things that comes with a big family. But you know what? It's our Thanksgiving. And, regardless, we're all trudging through it -- together. The raw emotions, the sharp words, the broken hearts. We're all in this together.

I'm so glad that my favorite holiday goes way beyond the mashed potatoes & green bean casserole (which I never liked until last year). Don't get me wrong - I will have a plentiful helping of each. But, I'm so very grateful for how this holiday serves as a reminder to myself that there is always someone else suffering a LOT more than I am.

I'm grateful for the life partner that God saw fit to give me. Sam, I know this has been one of the most stressful weeks since we have been together. I hope you will take a nice, deep breath, and enjoy the day as we watch our little monkeys eat & play. We got this. ;)

I'm grateful for the miracles. I'm grateful for God's timing. In the midst of our sorrow, we have been given something to be SO EXCITED about - what an incredible gift!!!

I'm grateful for my family. Yes, we have squabbles. Yes, we have different opinions. Yes, we push each other's buttons. But, you know what? When life gets tough, we are ALWAYS here for each other. One hundred percent. No matter what.

I'm grateful for my extended family & friends...near and far. Yes, that includes YOU. You have shaped the person who I have become. Thank you.

I'm grateful for the biggest, loudest, happiest soul in Heaven right now who is cheering me on in this hard journey called life. My heart misses her so much that it literally hurts, but my soul rejoices knowing she will be in my great cloud of witnesses that welcomes me Home someday. Grandma ~ it won't be the same this year. I love you so, so very much. I will do my best on the orange salad. ;)

There are two people who have changed my life forever. Because of them, I will always strive to be better, stronger, and wiser. Maya Jane & Gabriel Wyatt...you will never fully grasp just how much you are loved and adored. Thank you "for giving me AAAAAAAAAALL the kisses!!!" I will always do my best to make your Thanksgivings special!!! xoxoxoxoxo

I'm grateful for the One who gives me life...my Provider, my Comforter, my Sustainer. I'm so thankful for His timing. I'm thankful that His foolishness is wiser than my wisdom.

From my heart to yours...

Happy Thanksgiving,
Sarah

The Angels Delivered!!!

There is nothing -- and I mean NOTHING -- that compares to witnessing a miracle. While I would love to sit and write a lengthy post about Ava's grand entry, I can't. It was awesome. I am SO happy I was able to be there...to share the smiles & the tears...it was awesome.

Ava arrived at 8:16 p.m., weighing 7 lbs., 9.5 oz. and measuring 18.5''. Mom & baby are great, just exhausted!!!

Thank you, Jesus, for this new little life! Thank you for a safe delivery. Thank you for a healthy mama and a healthy baby. Thank you for the nurses and the doctor who assisted in the process...thank you for blessing our family! Our cups runneth over!!!