There isn't even word for this...

For those of you who live in Washington State, you are very aware of little Rachel Beckwith. Those who are not from the area, let me tell you a little background.

Little Rachel was turning 9 and instead of having gifts for her birthday she wanted to raise money for "Charity Water" a non profit that brings clean water to those who are able to reach clean water. Her goal was $300 (to give 15 people fresh, clean water) and she was $80 short of her goal...

Then last week, most of us heard about a horrific traffic accident on one of our major highways. A huge car pile up that went for miles...

Rachel's family was in that pile up....

She went into the Hospital with $80 short of her goal....

There Rachel fought for her life, with her amazing family by her side.

She went home to Jesus this past Saturday.

Since then her story went viral. One of the most amazing things of our current technology, things can get around the world within minutes.

As of today she has reached her goal...she is just shy of $580,000.

I write this not only to urge you to donate or even pray for her family during this time. But to also think about compassion, empathy and what we are teaching to our children. I prayed with both children for Jesus to bless them with gift of compassion and empathy. Even at such a young age, children can be impacted to bless others with their compassion and empathy. It warms my heart to know that there are others out there teaching the same to their children.

...imagine if everyone was filled with compassion and empathy?

SWAGGER WAGON

Never Say Never

This post is brought to you by "Cat in the Hat Knows a lot About That"...this morning was all about 'echos', so guess what the kids are doing...yelling echo around the house (dang you PBS). I have to escape, so I am going to write about a few things I said I would NEVER do.

And I am not talking Justin Bieber fans.

...Please keep in mind, you new mothers or heck even seasoned mothers...never say never.

There is, of course, the normal "I will NEVER let my children watch tv" that I would tell to myself. Right, reality of the fact is, I am pretty sure Monkey M learned that alphabet from stupid show with elmo. Thats not what I am talking about. If you know me, there are two that I can't believe I went back on my word...

Monkey M will NEVER be into princess things

and

I will NEVER own a Minivan

...gasp...

Now good, I got that in the open.

When I was pregnant with Monkey M I swore up and down that she wouldn't be a normal girly girly. She won't own any Disney princess items and she wouldn't want to ever wear a skirt.

I couldn't be more wrong about my daughter. Let me show you a few examples:

...yes those are my heals in the last picture

You see, I don't even need to explain...I have the most girly girly ever.

And....the minivan. I know my sister in law is laughing at me...she knew I was going to eat my words one day. Here it goes...

It just would be so much easier to have a van.

Once A gets his new job...depending on money of course...we will be looking into upgrading our current car situation. With me watching at least one more child a during the week days, its really hard to squeeze three carseats into my Honda. It would be so much easier if I didn't hit my child's head each time I put them into the carseat.

Some of you might ask "well Sara, what about a SUV? or something with a 3rd row seat?" Lets be realistic, I am 4'11'' and there is no way that I am going to get up and down so easily.

If you don't think its cool, just check this out:

(click on the video in the above post)

You've got to be f'ing kidding me...

...was almost what I said...in front of my kids yesterday, when I found this....

a pull up...in the washer...it exploded

Oh the horror!

I am claiming a all out war against pull ups.

I would have taken a picture of it, but I was way too embrassed to have the exploded, used none the less, pull up in my washer. I was so excited (ok, mildly) that I was finally catching up with the piles of laundry that covered our hall way. One less thing to worry about as the week started. Opening the washer door, took one piece of clothing out, and I see it...that nasty white stuff. All over, in pockets, everything.

Now you might say to yourself "Sara, you loaded the laundry"...thats where you are wrong...

In my attempt to teach Monkey M independence, M loaded the washer, with the incriminating pull up.

Fine...I pulled out the vacuum (which is rare at my house) and that little hose thingy and vacuumed all those dang gel balls. Then went outside and shook out all her clothes. Gross and smelled slightly like pee.

Did a wash by its self and life returned to normal.

Untill I asked Monkey M to put her clothes away in her room.

Lets Here is for the Emmys!!!

Is anyone else excited for the Emmys???

That Just Happened...

Here is the explaination of why I freak'n love birds....and my tattoo

Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

Some of you might know, I suffer from Despression/Anxiety. I have for most of my life. I had the worse bout after I had given birth to Monkey M (ppd). I then started a 'healing' type process (without ever really healing since I will battle with this my whole life). Medication, counseling and lots of praying had lead to me to where I am at now...on that road to understanding. Understanding that God does have a werid and odd plan for me, with my depression and anxiety. God has given me words and a sharing spirt to tell people to not be ashamed. That those feelings and emotions...you are not alone. I have been blessed with a great second child, Super C, who has helped in my understanding/healing of my anxiety. With awareness and lots of support, I was able to have a second child.

Yes, its on my wrist...do I regret it? NO. Why? Because each person that asks "what verse is that?" I am able to share a bit of my testamony. To share, that I constantly have to give my requests, my anxiety, to the Lord. Its a reminder, thats why its on my wrist. I can not wash it off! Why facing me? Because its only for me. And when I raise my hands in Praise for Him, He knows the tattoo...and showing that I am presenting my requests to Him.

The Bird on the "P". When Monkey M was young I started to sing to her 'three little birds' (by Bob Marley, But I sing the Elizabeth Mitchell version) as her lullaby. It was my way of starting her young and teaching her "don't worry...about a thing...because every little think is going to be alright." Fast forward to now, its known as "mommy's song" at our house. I remember the first time I sang to Super C...he was screaming and I mean screaming...I started singing that song...and that little baby quieted down. It soothed him, like is soothed Monkey M and it soothes me. The little bird is there as a reminder also.

I feel now I am an open book. The ones closest to me have known this for awhile, but now I am telling you. Its a scary overwhelming thing, anxiety/depression, and I am by no means "healed". It will be a struggle. But its no struggle compaired to what Jesus did for us on the Cross.