69/365
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{ Blessed }
68/365
Today, a beautiful angel earned her wings…
I have been praying for sweet little Layla Grace and her family as she battled Neuroblastoma. This precious little girl touched more lives in her two short years than she could ever imagine. Her story was heartbreaking, but the incredible outpouring of support and stories of faith have been heartwarming. Last Night I sat down at the computer and read her latest updates via twitter. I had been having a very trying day with Avery, I was overwhelmed by bedtime. She was cranky, not fun, and out of sorts most of the evening. Her last round of antibiotics did not work, instead it only caused more issues therefore she has not been herself. As soon as I read Layla’s updates I knew the news was not good. In that moment I was heartbroken, and so very very convicted. As much as I was having a difficult day with my daughter, I realized that there was nothing that Layla’s parents would not give to have just one more difficult day with their sweet girl. To have her be a healthy normal two year old. For her to just be with them, no matter her mood. My woes are NOTHING in comparison. Shame on me. I couldn’t help but get my baby girl up from her bed. I spent a long time having a snuggle party with her… holding her, looking at her, listening to her breathe, and just taking her in. She is a beautiful gift and I am so blessed. Tonight I ask each of you to join me in praying that the Marsh family find peace, strength, healing, and understanding with the loss of their sweet little angel. RIP Layla Grace. I am changed because of you.
Today’s Smiles From the Heart:
Avery telling me “Momma, GO!” at preschool drop off. As much as that is a good thing to hear, it was a little hard to hear too. She’s getting too big!
Her running into my arms at pick up time and telling me all about her day.
Avery (covering her heart with her little hand): ” I pledge allegience to my heart, To my flag, To my ‘Merica!” <3 Ohhhh she slays me with her cuteness!
Lunch with my Tina and her baby girl
An insightful talk with my Dad.
Garrett getting Super Citizen award in class again!
Garrett reading a level 11 reader to me! He did awesome!
Garrett telling me his idea of how we could go to South America and bring Guinea pigs back for all of the pet stores! That kid is a crack up!
{ Workin’ at the carwash }
66/365 & 67/365
The weather has been insanely gorgeous the last two days. I decided to celebrate by spending the afternoon outside washing my car. I drive a Chevy Tahoe and let’s just say my goals were pretty lofty. I got the basic dirt off, but it definitely would not pass my hubby’s test. (He’s usually the one who does the car washing. I know, I am spoiled!) The kidlets on the other hand got their means of transportation sparkling clean. They had a blast. Garrett only sprayed me and Avery a few times with the hose. I really should ban him from hanging out with his daddy. He picks up far too many of his jokester ways. As much as we enjoyed the sunshine and warmth on our skin, tomorrow we will have to embrace the rain.
Smiles From the Heart:
Special messages from my hubby. 
Watching Garrett and Avery hard at work detailing their bicycles.
Digging in the dirt with my babies!
The sun, the warmth on my skin, and the fresh air flowing through the open windows of our house!
{ The girl who slept past noon }
65/365 (only 300 more to go!)
She’s a bit under the weather, poor baby. It all stems from a new cold, and the side affects of the antibiotics she completed three weeks ago. Today I think it all caught up to her, so she slept in… until almost 1 pm. As soon as she awoke she said “I’m Hungwee!” and lunch was served. Then we headed out on a special shopping mission, and home to enjoy the rest of the gorgeous sunshiny day by washing the car. I have two of the best little car washing helpers, even if the boy likes to spray us with the hose. (I really should ban him from hanging out with his daddy. He picks up wayyy too many of his prankster ways. ) I caught this shot just as Avery was walking back down our driveway toward me to let me know that she was “Fweezing cold” The sun was setting, so we headed inside. Then our baby girl did what I felt quite certain she wouldn’t do today. She napped! I believe Claritin is getting the best of her!
A fun little comparison of my Avery girl and me when I was around her age. She comes by her cheeks honestly. 
Today’s Smiles From the Heart:
Garrett and his happy- go- lucky ways.
My kidlets laughing hysterically at the mice running on the wheels at Petsmart. Free entertainment!
Our special shopping mission. Mission complete. The kids did a good job making their own selections. Now for the fun part!
Avery: “Awwwwww! Buoy! You so cuuuuuuute! Buoy’s smiling at me!” (English bulldogs can smile??)
{ Awww Pickles! }
64/365
Guten Morgen! I realize this is my second post about pickles in less than two months. But I am going to do it anyway. As you might have noticed, I like to highlight some of my favorite things. Thanks to a good friend these are a somewhat new found favorite. German pickles aka “Jur-Muh-Nin pickles” if you ask my kidlets. They are not as tangy as an American dill pickle, but they are not a sweet pickle either. (I am not a big fan of sweet pickles. They are just wrong. Dill is where it’s at!) It’s a strange balance that I can’t quite put my finger on, but they are yumm-o! Great on a sandwich made of fresh bakery bread, fresh sliced tomato, and a slice of cheese. Delicious! Give them a try, you won’t be disappointed! With this being said, I will bid you “Auf Wiedersehen”. (How’d I do, Jeannine? lol)
Today’s Smiles From the Heart:
Going back to bed and sleeping in.
My attempt at German.
Listening to a song with a special meaning over and over and over.
My baby girl feeling a bit better.
Pizza and movie night with my little Coastie brats.
The mom of the same friend who turned me on to these pickles trying to pull a fast one over on me by pretending to be her on the phone. She had me convinced for about 20 seconds before she said “actually” and her cute little German accent gave her away! Too funny!
Garrett’s pine cone bird feeder. He’s hoping it will attract a Robin.
{ Our Scholar }
62/365 & 63/365
His love of learning is something I admire. Something I cultivate to the best of my ability, knowing his teacher is doing an incredible job of as well. It’s as if the world is at his fingertips and he is scratching the surface and digging in to absorb all that he can. It is such a blessing to witness Garrett learning, studying, and shining. At just five years old, he is a scholar. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I find myself wanting to know more. I am no longer content with general answers. I, just like my son, want to know both the why’s, and the how’s. Something that brings me back to my purest state…childhood. According to my dad, as a I child I wanted to know about everyone. “Who they were and what they were all about.” and I wasn’t afraid to find out. I think as we grow we end up going through the daily motions and taking things mostly at face value, and tend to accept broad answers to our questions not really scratching the surface and digging in.
Today’s Smiles From the Heart:
Garrett excitedly teaching me about Robin’s and how they are a sign of spring.
His freckles. Oh goodness those freckles. As a child I hated having them, and never wished them on anyone. But on him they are the most precious things ever. They started emerging a year ago on his nose.
Sweet words from my Coastie. That man… he’s got my heart. <3
Avery being a total snuggle bug today, and her goofy antics with my sunglasses.
{Random Sarah}
61/365
31 random fun facts about me in no particular order:
1. I was born and raised in Westport, CA. Population: 200.
2. I positively adore the smell of my children. I love to stick my nose into their hair or their necks and take a deep breath, inhaling their sweet scent.
3. I was really angry when I found out that Santa was not real. I wouldn’t speak to my mom for days because “She lied to me.”
4. I love happiness. I love to laugh, and I love to be happy, and I love to see others the same way. I always try to remain positive. I am always looking for the silver lining in a seemingly glum situation. I really am annoyingly optimistic.
5. I smile uncontrollably. I can’t help it. It sneaks out. I have a lot to smile about.
6. My serious face is hilarious because of the above fact. No matter how hard I try, there is always a smile coming forth. (unless I am in the middle of a crisis, then I don’t think I am wearing the smile… at least I hope not.)
7. In flip flops or barefoot is how you will find me 99% of the time. My toes have claustrophobia.
8. I have lived in the south for 6 years.
9. Summertime is my favorite time of year, but I do miss fall in New England.
10. I have lived in 4 different states. California, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Florida. In that order. I am about to add a fifth to the list… Arkansas.
11. I am a Hurricane Katrina survivor.
12. I like to dip my popcorn in mustard.
13. I didn’t have television growing up. Well I did, if you count what we could see through the snow with the bunny ears. We call that “Interpretive TV” 
14. I believe that my children gave me my purpose in life. Being their momma, and a wife to their daddy is what I was born to do. And secondly, they also led me back to my Photography, and ignited the biggest flaming passion for the art within me. For that I am grateful.
15. I had a 12 year stint as a Vegetarian. I started eating chicken and turkey again when pregnant with our daughter 3 years ago. I had this insane craving for red meat, but knew my body could never handle that again. So chicken and turkey curbed it. I could easily go back to being a Veggie head.
16. My tongue is pierced. Had it done on April Fools day when I was 18, and almost 11 years later I still have it. (P.S Having my belly button pierced hurt way worse.)
17. A few of my childhood nicknames: E-I-E(my brother couldn’t say Sarah lol), Mae-Mae, Sare-say, Maysaegen, Muggers, Sweetie Cheeks, Chickie. Most of them still remain.
18. Chocolate makes my cheeks tingle. No, this doesn’t stop me from eating it, but I did avoid it for years because of the annoyance.
19. I would consider myself shy. But I am good at covering it up.
20. I was a cheerleader. Proves my point at how good I am at covering up the shyness.
21. There was a point in my life where I would never be caught without chapstick. Living in the south changed that. Too many melted experiences.
22. I love to read…when I have the time.
23. I love to camp, in our camper… with running water, a flushable toilet, and AC. That’s called roughin’ it the right way.
24. I love to be on the back of our quad holding on to my hubby for dear life as he does everything he can to dump me off and get me muddy. Don’t tell him I told you this. It can be our little secret.
25. I like to be spontaneous, but in a thoughtful way. Oxymoron? Not really ’cause I am quick on my feet at thinking of the consequences and whether it outweighs the spontaneity. No one would ever know I second guessed it.
26. I love to snuggle. Snuggle parties with my hubby and my kiddos are my absolute favorite place on earth to be, and my favorite thing to do.
27. I believe that children are cheeky little angels sent by God to make us laugh.
28. No sound makes me feel as fulfilled as the sound of my children laughing.
29. Asparagus is delicious, and I eat way more than my fair share.
30. All of my pets have Coast guard/Nautical/Military themed names. Cutter, Kilo, Delta, Buoy. And then there is Bugsy. He feels left out.
31. I enjoy writing. A creative outlet that I love.
And because no random post full of a random number of random facts is good without a picture I will leave you with the most random shot I could think of…
Today’s Smiles from the Heart:
Dinner with friends and their kids. The laughs we have are always endless and I look forward to our get together’s.
Asian mix rice crackers.
Garrett’s neat and tidy homework.
Avery’s Chinese lantern she made at school.
Being attacked by my two little kissymonsters. <3
{ Pretty weeds }
60/365
“Momma I picked a flower for youuu!” Avery said as she came running to me. She handed me the prettiest weeds flowers I have ever seen. I am looking forward to a spring and summer full of hearing the same words from both of my kidlets on a near daily basis. My kitchen always has a little vase full of lovely little treasures that my babies have picked just special for me. They love to see their momma happy and are so proud when they accomplish that. Their two little faces beam as they present me with my gifts. Weeds or not, they make me smile. Life is sweet! <3
Today’s Smiles From the Heart:
The most wonderful words from my momma. She made me teary, but she made me smile. I love you mommy! Thanks for our talk today. I have learned compassion, and gained wisdom from the best source, so anything in me that you find admirable, you have a hand in. And I am blessed! I’d be lost without you! Thanks for being my best friend! <3
Garrett and telling me about vowels and those “Tricker Y’s”.
Avery and her carefree love of song and dance.
{ Words for a special friend }
59/365
I read this today and thought of you:
“His compassions fail not. They are new every morning.”
Lamentations 3:22-23
Today’s Smiles from the Heart:
A much needed snuggle party with my kidlets.
A conversation with a great neighbor.
Homemade smoothies. They were inspired by a friend. I haven’t made them for months and boy did they taste great.
Garrett reading to me. I love to listen to him read. Reminds me how lucky we are to live in a country where that will be a skill he is taught.
Garrett’s extensive drawing of his take on the Olympics. It’s priceless ya’ll!
Eating peanut m&m’s until I was ill.
{ “They’re baaaaaaaack!”}
58/365
We’ll call this little fella “Flik”. He and a few (million) of his closest family members have returned for their annual stay. And that must only mean one thing, spring is near! If this is the case, I will temporarily call a truce with these little buggers. Unless they decide to bite one of us. Then all deals are off.
P.S Ever try photographing ants? It’s not an easy task. They refuse to sit still.
Today’s Smiles From the Heart:
Girls night with Kim and Ashlyn! (Cousin and Niece)
La Hacienda for dinner! Yum.
Sweet words from the hubby. (Even though he is sick as a dog with a stomach bug. Poor guy.)
by Sarah
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