Newness

Just as white and fresh as the snow is on this tree in my neighbor's yard, so is the beginning to this new year, 2011. I must admit, I've been quite anxious for this new year to begin. 2010 was a year of mixed experiences: heartbreak, loss, hurt, new friendships, travels. It wasn't a year full of bad times, there were plenty of great experiences, full of lifelong memories. I am a firm believer that God is in full control of EVERYTHING, He allowed everything to happen for a reason, good or bad. Every trying experience happened so that growth could occur. I am a better person because of the experiences that I have gone thru.

2011 is in God's control, His hand will be in it all. I am confident that wonderful things are in store for this upcoming year.

Because

Enjoying: Cozy quiet time with the pressure of not having to be anywhere

Watching: Anderson Cooper 360...I love me some Anderson Cooper

Eating: Nothing right now, but I'm contemplating dessert

Feeling: A bit tired

Looking forward to: Medical mission trip to Rwanda in April

Wearing: EWU sweatshirt & hospital scrub pants

Needing: To organize my photos from all my trips

Wanting: To be more content with where God has me in life right now

Missing: My Grandma Snyder

Laughing: At the cute quirks of my dog Sophie

Working on: Christmas shopping online & forming my Christmas/Birthday List

Cooking: Just finished eating baked salmon, potatoes & brussel sprouts

Craving: A great big piece of wedding or birthday cake

Grateful: For amazingly super fun friends, they are so loving

Smiling: Because there are so many fun things to look forward to

Finding Joy

What brings me joy and happiness? I've found myself getting caught up in the meaniningless things of life. Not taking the time to stop & fully look around me & realize the wonderful things God has blessed me with in my life. There is so much goodness in life, it's time to stop focusing on the negative.

Happiness:
~ serving a loving God
~ a pumpkin spice latte (made with real pumpkin) from the Service Station
~ wonderful friends who are supportive & loving at all times
~ small group from church & studying the 40 Days of Love series
~ sweet kisses from Sophie dog

Spokefest 2010 ~ 21 Mile Bike Ride

A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love. ~Mother Teresa

My Little Huckleberry

Being a native Northwest gal, I'm sad to admit that I have never been huckleberry picking before this summer. Well folks...that has all changed now. I've been huckleberry picking twice within one week! I can honestly say that the Northwest is the best place to live! Stay tuned for the yummy creations that come from this bountiful huckleberry picking!

Evidence of a good huckleberry picking

Sometimes

Sometimes...a cup of coffee just soothes the soul.

Sometimes...cuddling my Sophie dog is all I need.

Sometimes...I wish others would do what is right, instead of what is wrong.

Sometimes...I spend too much time on my iPhone, I think I'm addicted!

Sometimes...Facebook is a blessing, other times it's a curse!

Sometimes...I find myself settling for mediocrity.

Sometimes...my lack of patience is a struggle.

Sometimes...boring is good!

Sometimes...I miss my Grandma's loving words & Godly wisdom.

"Be still and know that I am God..." Psalm 46:10
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, hopeful in prayer." Romans 12:12

Along the Hiawatha Trail ~ Idaho/Montana border


Biking the Hiawatha Trail with Marisa

Glathar Family

Fishing with my dad

Once Upon A Blog...

Once upon a blog, there was a girl named Sarah who started a blog. She had lofty ideas, & was inspired by her dear friend Katie. She enjoyed playing in the world of blogging, but then things changed. Her inspiration & creativity towards her blog didn't last long, and soon the blog was miserable, sad, neglected, & lonely. But then Sarah regained her inspiration & back into the world of blogging she went.

Here I am, back from WAY too long of a break from blogging. Since my last post, I'm definitely in a different place in life. God has led me down a path in life that I never would've seen coming, but then again, isn't that usually how it works.

Many trips have been taken, new friendships have been formed, loved ones have been lost, hearbreak has occured, & life experiences have been had. Writing has always been a great outlet for me, & with life situations that have occured over the past few months, I have needed to write more than ever.

So here I am, venturing back into the world of blogging. Below are just a few pictures from life happenings over the past year.

Little Sarah (Katie's daughter) & I

Eva & I in Decatur Georgia, at Eddie's Attic

Having fun at a Seattle Mariners game with Marisa & Toni

Amy's Baby Shower

Sophie's 5th Barkday

Livin' it up in London England with Katie

March Mayheim

Since it's been way too long since I posted anything I thought I better kick myself in gear and write a little something for you all.
The NCAA tournaments are well under way. Since part of Rounds 1 & 2 are being held in Spokane, and 2 local college teams made it into the tournament it's hard to escape the March Madness around here.
In other news, I'm going to Hawaii in approximately 3 days! It is somewhat a spur of the moment trip. A friend from work and I have been talking about going to Hawaii sometime this year for several months now, we just weren't sure when we'd go. Well, about two & a half weeks ago we were talking about it and another friend from work said she'd love to go to. The only thing we weren't sure about was if our boss would let us all have time off at the same time. Praise the Lord our boss is amazing because she said it'd be fine. So, we booked our tickets, hotel & are going to Hawaii!!! We're leaving Wednesday and get back Tuesday morning. I am so blessed to have a job that allows me luxuries of vacations.
Here's a link to the hotel (Outrigger Reef) we're staying at:
http://www.outrigger.com

Tag You're It...

Awhile back, my friend Erin tagged me to blog 10 Crazy Things about me you may not know. So here it goes...

1. When eating a sandwich, I almost ALWAYS take it apart. Don't ask me why, I've done it since I was young. Somehow I guess I think it tastes better that way!
2. A fear of mine are clowns. 9 times out of 10 they are creepy, scary and if they talk, that just makes them even freakier.
3. I love theatre. When I was younger I was in a few small theatre productions, musical and plays. Now I just enjoy going to plays and musicals.
4. About 16 years ago, I started writing to pen pals. Over the years many of them have come and gone, however now I have 6 faithful pen pals that I've been writing to for many years. I think that letter writing is a dying art in this world of e-mailing. I am so grateful for my pen pals.
5. I have this sweet nasty scar on my left upper thigh from falling off of a bicycle onto gravel when I was about 10 years old.
6. I can play the piano, but I sure wish I knew how to play the drums and a guitar.
7. I love a good video game. It all started back in the day with the Nintendo Gameboy and Sega Genesis console. Nothing beats playing a good intense game of Bond on the good ol' N64.
8. Reality tv is an addiction of mine. I don't know what it is about the competition or people's crazy lives that sucks me in, but I'm a sucker for it sometimes.
9. In my little dream world, I'd love to drive a Hummer. That's right, a nice big gray Hummer.
10. I love getting massages, they are good for the soul!!!

Well, that's it, 10 Crazy Things you may not know about me. Now, I tag Katie & Summer. Have fun ladies!!!

What Kind of Friend Are You?

To find the unique ways you relate as a friend, circle one answer for each question.

Do you tend to be more:
a. prayerful and faith-filled
b. hilarious and playful
c. loyal and compassionate
d. creative and inviting
e. wise and perceptive

What television show are you most likely to watch?
a. Touched by an Angel
b. Last Comic Standing
c. A Hallmark made-for-TV movie
d. The Art of French Cooking with Julia Child
e. Dr. Phil
What holiday-related activity would you most enjoy?
a. encouraging your family to thank God on Thanksgiving
b. spraying Silly String everywhere for someone's birthday
c. delivering homemade cards to the senior center on Valentine's Day
d. baking 10 varieties of Christmas cookies for friends and family
e. reflecting on the past year and setting new goals for the new

At a party, do you:
a. gently redirect gossipy conversations
b. show up in costume
c. help remove a punch stain from a friend's dress
d. bring hand-dipped candles as a hostess gift
e. break out the minibook "If … ": Questions for the Game of Life

How might you spend a Saturday afternoon?
a. calling your prayer chain
b. doing a high-ropes course with a friend
c. serving at a soup kitchen
d. planning the neighborhood block party
e. writing in your journal

What might your friends say about you?
a. "She sees me through God's eyes."
b. "She makes me laugh so hard I pee my pants."
c. "When I feel bad, she cries too."
d. "I'm at home when I'm with her."
e. "She knows me better than I know myself."

What might you be overheard saying?
a. "How can I pray for you?"
b. "Why did the chicken cross the road?"
c. "You go, girl!"
d. "Can I borrow your bundt pan?"
e. "Now, the tornado in your dream means … "

If you were a children's book, what would your title be?
a. The Velveteen Rabbit
b. Cat in the Hat
c. The Giving Tree
d. Little House on the Prairie
e. The Secret Garden

Which famous person is most like you?
a. Beth Moore
b. Lucille Ball
c. Lady Di
d. Martha Stewart
e. Ann Landers

What's your motto?
a. It is well with my soul.
b. Laughter is the best medicine.
c. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
d. Home is where the heart is.
e. Those who seek will find.

TALLY YOUR ANSWERS. YOUR FRIENDSHIP STYLE IS BASED ON YOUR TWO HIGHEST SCORES.
a. Soul Sister. You're prayerful and faith-filled. You avoid coming off as "holier than thou" because you're transparent about your life. Friends come to you for spiritual guidance and prayer, knowing your concern for them is rooted in God's love. At times you may grow weary of always being the anchor in your circle of friends. They're blessed by your spirit of strength.
b. Playmate. You spark up any gathering with your witty comments and prankster personality. Because you're sensitive, it may be hard for you to trust others with deep feelings. The way you help others play is a gift. You truly understand laughter is the best medicine.
c. Midwife. Others feel comfortable coming to you when they need a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. Patience and understanding come naturally to you. You're sentimental and sincere. At times you may feel depleted because you give so freely. You have the heart of a servant and nurture those in need.
d. Hostess. You know how to celebrate your friends and create new traditions with them. You have a gift for seeing how ordinary things can reflect spiritual realities. It can be easy for you to get stuck in high gear, unable to find some solitude. Friends appreciate your creativity, and often look to you to coordinate the next meaningful party.
e. Therapist. People cherish your perspective on life and love, and often come to you for advice. Friends may need to remind you of your tendency to overanalyze. Journaling, reading, and reflecting help strengthen your gifts of wisdom and intuition. Your friends benefit because you often know them better than they know themselves. —S.M. and C.M.

I'm a Therapist-Midwife (I tied between the two)! What are you?

25

Today I turn 25.
A quarter of a century.
Seems like just yesterday I was only 15, but it also feels like a world ago.
Another year to look forward to what God has in store.


A picture from many birthdays ago. My 2 cousins are trying to blow my candles out for me as my poor little brother is too far away sitting on my dear grandma's lap. Notice the beautiful homemade dress I'm wearing, the Good Ship Lollipop birthday cake and the DuckTales decorations!!!

Congratulations Katie & Mike

Many congratulations to my very wonderful friend Katie, her husband Mike, and big sister little Sarah. Their little baby boy was born on January 10th, 2007 at 11:59am, weighing 8lbs. 1.oz. He is very cute and I can't wait to meet him! Congratulations!

Words of Wisdom?

At work, I frequently get asked these two questions (in this order) by my patients:

1. Question asked: "Do you have kids?" My answer: "Nope."
2. Question asked: "Are you married?" My answer: "Nope, someday."

Well, I was asked these two questions again by a patient I had on Tuesday night. My answers were the same as they always are. However, the reply I received back from this patient was quite different than before. When I told her I wasn't married, she just about fell off of her bed in shock. Her reply to my answer of "No, I'm not married," was "Oh my gosh, you are so cute." She continued to ask how old I am and I said that I'm almost 25. She then said "Don't worry, there's still hope." Now I know she meant this in the nicest way possible, to encourage me, etc. But holy smokes, I'm only in my mid 20's, not 70!! She told me that she was almost 40 when she met her husband and it was well worth the wait. She also offered this piece of advice: "Don't go to bars to find a guy, they're all jerks, all they'll do is break your heart." All I could do was giggle in between the awkardness of this topic. It was interesting and just one of the many fascinating conversations that pop up at work.

Whiteness

This morning we woke up to several new inches of snow on the ground. My parent's (he's mine too) dog Toby enjoys rolling around & smashing his nose in the snow.










Here are some fun Christmas links to enjoy:

http://www.woodlands-junior.kent.sch.uk/customs/Xmas/calendar/

http://www1.bluemountain.com/

Here we go...

Here's my first post on my "real" blog. My wonderful friend Katie has been encouraging me to create a blog on here for quite some time now. She even came up with the title to this blog "Vitals of Life." Thank you Katie for your friendship and never ending encouragement!!!
Merry Christmas everyone! Just wanted to give a big THANK YOU to my friend Melissa for giving me her Christmas former Christmas tree. It fits perfectly in my living room and looks great.