Helpful Sarah

I need to start posting some of the many cute things Steven does, because so many posts lately have been about Sarah, but I wanted to share this. My friend just sent me the message below in an email.

"Sarah was so cute in primary today . . . Lillian was supposed to give a talk today and thinking she'd do better with Jason than I, he went up to help. She just sat firm on her little chair up-front and wouldn't move. I went up to help also, but by that time Sarah, on her own accord, had come up to get her, stand beside her, and pretty-much give her talk for her. It was one of the sweetest things to see that even at four years old she knew when somebody needed help. You should be proud."

I wish we could have been there to see that. Sarah really likes to help people and I'm so grateful for all the help she gives me every day. :-)

Sarah Starley Original

My mom works for Intel and last month they held an art contest for children and grandchildren of employees in her department. My mom asked Sarah to draw a winter picture, so Sarah drew herself next to a a snowman under the sun and fluffy clouds. She was in the 0-5 age group and won first prize. Although she doesn't understand her prize, she received a $50 gift card to Toys-R-Us.

This isn't a great scan of the picture, but I love her toothy grin. :-)Good job Sarah!

Going private

Hi friends and family. I've decided to set my blog to private this weekend. I'm going to make an email list and send out invites. Now that I'm pregnant I'd like to write more personal blogs, but I don't like the idea of them being out there for the world. If we're family and friends and I have your email through facebook, blogging and in my address book I'll send you an invite. If you don't think I can get it and want an invite, let me know. I have a lot to get caught up on and will hopefully be better once this space is private. :-)

My little mommy and FHE queen

Sarah has become our little miss FHE (Family Home Evening). Last week she chose a group of pictures that depicted various events in Jesus' life, and then told us all about His life. Since she was preparing, and giving the lesson, she felt that she should say both the opening and closing prayers. She also insisted on saying all the prayers for the next few days because she was such a good teacher.

Tonight she wanted a lesson on the purpose of temples. I was preparing to teach it but she decided that she knew more and should be the teacher. She once again said all of the prayers and chose, "I love to see the temple" as the opening song. I'm glad she's excited about FHE and I hope it continues. :-)

On Sunday Lynette, my mother-in-law, gave Sarah her Easter dress early. Not the greatest idea if you know Sarah. She slept with it last night and has been asking (begging) to wear it all day. I told her she'd have to wait, but she kept telling me how beautiful it was and picking out all the accessories that would go well with it. I told her she could try it on in exchange for a few favors, which she did. She insisted her dad dance with her in the living room. I love these simple moments.



Ever since Sarah found out I was expecting she has been in full mommy mode. Her daughter comes everywhere with us and has a new name every day. Sarah's own personal information changes frequently as well. Lately she has been Aleena, a mother from New York, that has a large house just like the hotel we stayed in. She not only take care of her child, she also feeds her the "motherly" way under a blanket and all. She has been in pajama mode, so everyday when she gets home from school she changes into her new favorite pajamas and becomes a mother. (I don't hang out in my pj's all day, I promise) I love this stage. :-)

In Memory of Grandma Stewart

Last weekend Sarah and I had the opportunity to travel to Cortland, New York, for the memorial service of my Dad's mom. I only had the opportunity to meet her once, six years ago, and this trip allowed me to find out more about her, and get to know people from my dad's side of the family I had never met. In case you're wondering how I could be 29 and not know a whole side of my family, my parents married 8 yrs ago while I was on my mission and my dad legally adopted me, but that is a whole different post. :-)

My dad had told me a few stories of his mom that gave me an idea of what a wonderful person she was. She was a great mother, always kind, and led by her faith in God. The only time she was ever physical with my dad was one time when he was really little and she got pulled over by a cop. She reached back and pinched him to make him cry and draw sympathy from the cop. It worked. :-) She was an educated woman, and made learning a life long endeavor.

The memorial service gave me the opportunity to hear more stories and meet her side of the family. Her youngest brother, Uncle Wilbert, is still alive, and he and his family came up from Kentucky. If my grandma was anything like her brother, she must have been the sweetest lady. Uncle Wilbert is one of the kindest and funniest old men I've ever met. His daughter, Donna Beth, and sons Roger and Steve came, and they were all overflowing with southern hospitality. Such nice people.

Sarah had fun playing with my cousin Molly, who is ten. She is the daughter of my dad's sister Deb. Molly and Deb came to my sister Ashley's wedding, so Sarah had already met them and couldn't wait to see her again. I met my Aunt DJ(Donna Joann after both parents) for the first time on this trip and got to see my uncle Dave again. My parents have been friends since I was young, so I'd met Dave on a few previous occasions.

In the service my dad's siblings echoed everything I'd been told by my dad. Grandma was the type of person that really never said unkind things about anyone. She looked for the good in everyone, and once, when asked her feelings about a dog that annoyed her at every turn, she just said she hadn't known him long enough to judge him. :-) She was a bible reading, family loving woman that I wish I had known better. My dad told me a story about them I really like. She grew up Southern Baptist, and my grandpa a Methodist. They didn't want religion to be an issue for them, so they flipped a coin to decide what religion the kids would be raised, and Methodism won. :-)

You can read a little bit about here HERE on the funeral homes website. What a woman.

Grandpa Stewart passed away a couple years ago, but I wasn't able to attend his memorial service. I met him six years ago as well, but neither of them were in good health, so I didn't get to talk to him. I would have really enjoyed knowing, and learning from him as well. He was a History professor at The State University of New York at Cortland, and was able to walk to work from their home where they lived for over 40 years. He and his wife traveled for a few years before they started their family and I remember seeing a picture of them in Egypt by the pyramids. Grandpa Stewart was a well respected man during, and after his life, and from what I was told has had many baby boys named after him, which would be an honor.

Although I didn't get to know these two remarkable people during their lifetimes, I looks forward to knowing them in the next.

Happy Birthday Steven!!!

My sweet little boy turned two today. He has been such a fun and wonderful blessing for us. Everything about him has been very exciting. First he tried to come when I was only 32 weeks along. Then, when he finally came, we only had 29 min from when we entered the hospital to arrival. And since then, he's been climbing on "this", getting into "that", and doing it all with a giant grin on his face.

He has started talking a lot, and although not everyone can understand him, Mike and I understand his complete sentences perfectly. He knows his shapes, animal sounds, and has a slew of favorite books he requests that you read. One of the things I'm most grateful for is how well he and Sarah get along. They love each other and have a lot of fun playing together. Steven picks on Sarah, but only because he loves her. :-) I love his little manners and how he cups his hands, tilts his head and says please. He's picked up a lot from his big sister.

We had a family b-day party for him last night. He could see his presents on top of the entertainment center and was begging for them all day. I love that he is always so easy to please. Mike told him to wait until he got the video camera to open this first present, so Steven just opened it really slowly as if that were acceptable. :-)


Steven got two firetrucks he is really happy with. If you're wondering why Sarah is in a bathing suit, it is her new preferred dress up. She's in it whenever I let her.


Here is the b-day cake I made, and Mike decorated. The picture is of Charles Lindbergh flying the Spirit of St. Louis around the Eiffel Tower. If you're wondering why a piece is already missing, I accidentally left it out uncovered all night and wanted to know if it was dry. (the answer is yes, but Steven liked it)


I didn't do a very good job of photographing party guests. I think Mike should always be in charge of the camera.



Mike used to make fun of me for matching Sarah's clothes to mine, but now he does it with Steven and it's cool when boys do it. The first is of their matching "Captain America" shirts. Mike said the matching green shirts was an accident and he hadn't noticed. :-)



Happy Birthday Sweet boy!!!

I know the right answers

Do you ever get frustrated with yourself? I know it's a dumb question, but I've been annoyed with myself lately over things that I have complete control over, yet make the wrong decisions. I know what to do to be happy, and live a peaceful life, yet I don't always do what I should and it bugs me.

One of my personal frustrations has been my scripture reading. I love the scriptures. I love to read them. Study them. Ponder and inhale them. After reading them a dozen plus times I started to slack off. Mike and I read a little every night, and I read a scripture or more every day, but not like I used to, and it bugs me. When I read my scriptures in the morning my day goes so much better. I feel more at peace. I'm kinder to everyone. My day just seems to flow much more nicely. So, am I reading them every morning instead of at 11 at night? Unfortunately no, and it bugs me. You're probably thinking, "well duh, just read them!", but I've stunk it up in that department. Why? I know they will make me happier and I need them, but I somehow am "too busy" to have good scripture study. BUT, I have somehow found time I didn't know existed to read "Dear John" by Nicholas Sparks in a 36 hr period. Hmmm...

Another way I sometimes irritate myself is with finances. I really enjoy working with financial things. We use Microsoft Money for our personal finances and track every penny, budget, analyze, scrutinize and plan. I like to help others with their finances, and I know all the benefits of savings, investing, paying cash, etc. My problem is that I sometimes don't take my own advice, or apply my own knowledge and it bugs me. Before my husband gets upset with me for divulging financial info, I should note that we are responsible, we could just improve. I made a financial mistake a couple days ago that cost us money that could have been used in many other places and it really bugged me.

At this point, you're probably wondering, "what is the point of this post?" and I'm not sure. Maybe admitting these shortcomings will help me to change. (although I started writing this a couple days ago and haven't read my scriptures in the morning. Grrr...) :-)

And one more way I'm good at irritating myself is how I discipline my kids sometimes. We don't spank, although I've probably spanked each kid a couple times. Sarah taught me that lesson early. When she was three I got upset and spanked her behind and then later that day Steven made her mad, so she spanked him. Lesson learned. My problem is that sometimes I raise my voice, which doesn't do anything to help the situation. My elevated voice elevates the conflict and every ones nerves. When I speak softly, things are resolved quickly and no ones feelings are hurt. The kids might still need time out, but it is a learning experience. I know this, yet sometimes, in the heat of the moment, I get upset and raise my voice. Why? Who knows!

So, there you go. If I irritate you I'm sorry, but just know I irritate myself as well. :-)