GIVEAWAY

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Every year when the holiday season rolls around I find myself thinking of two words more than I normally do. Those two words are Service and Thankful. For some reason at this time of year I become a little less self involved and I realize not only how blessed I am, but how in need many others are.


It is that time of year again, and once again I have that strong feeling of wanting to serve and help others over and above what is normally done. This year I am trying to think of any way I can to give a little hope and happiness to those who need it.


One of the best ways I've found to serve others is to think of any talents or abilities I have then to think of ways I can brighten someones day whith those talents and abilities.


When you're having hard times, I'm sure getting family pictures taken is the last thing you'd think of. Yet, spending a little bit of time with your family just smiling could be the bright spot that changes your day and makes things a little better, even if just for those few moments. I've put together a very special portriat package (details below) for families who need their spirits boosted that I'd love to give away - but I need your help!


I want YOU to tell me the stories of those you love. Think of all the wonderful families you know and tell me who deserves this fun little package and why.


Email entries to me at sarahgarner.photography (at) gmail (dot) com by Thanksgiving Day. I will read all entries and choose TWO winners by Monday November 30th.*



Both winners will receive:
A full 90 minute family photoshoot
25 free 4x6 prints of their choice
1 free 8x10 print of their choice
1 Photobook including all images from the shoot
1 CD of fully edited images from the shoot to make additional prints as they desire



There is no limit to the amount of entries you can submit so if you know 10 families who deserve this send them all!

FEEL FREE TO SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND HAVE THEM NOMINATE PEOPLE TOO!

Also! If you think of a talent YOU have that you'd like to give away, post it on your blog and link it back in the comments section and you'll receive a family shoot for only $50! I will also choose one winner for a FREE family shoot from these entries! If you don't have your own blog but still want to give something away - let me know and I'll post it here!



I can't wait to hear from ALL of you!!

Things are moving so fast...I'm sure I'll miss something

Oh how baby number three seems to grow so fast. I cannot believe that she is cooing and talking and telling stories and smiling at us. She is also over 11 lbs already.

We are so busy around here calling moving companies to get estimates, figuring out the student loan consolidation and pay back plan, figuring out the new budget with the new salary, trying to keep the house clean so it looks nice if a potential buyer comes to view it, picking up items for the new house, getting warm weather clothing together and purchased..and also just trying to keep up with the day to day things like dance class (we missed it Monday), cub scout calling, Maesyn's school (her fall festival is this weekend and I'm making 3 dozen cinnamon rolls and as much kettle corn as I can), and going back to work (yeah it is just one day a week- but it is work none the less.)

So. I am looking forward to moving and getting settled. I will try hard not to look for work, or advertise to teach any art classes for the first year. We will see what happens. I need to take time to just look at this new little girl and listen to her coo. I am happy to report that they only have safeway and walmart in our new town (at least I think that is all they have) and they both have to be at least 15 minutes from my house. So hopefully I only go grocery shopping once a week..or less if possible! The rest of the time I hope to spend in our out of the way home with the kids making up for lost time. I won't have to shu them off of my lap as I reserch moving companies or art projects.

New Home- come visit us.

Nate and I spent the weekend in Lakeside hunting for a home to rent. I'm glad that we were only looking for a rental- because a weekend is not enough time to make a long term decision- especially with the choices we had.

One of the property management companies closed at 3:30 on Friday and was not open on the weekends. Thankfully they accommodated us and came into the office to give us some paper work on the rental. I guess that is what you call working on "mountain time."

We were faced with some pretty skimpy choices that were not much bigger than our current home and no garages! We really wanted a garage in the snow but because we have to pay the mortgage on our condo down here until it sells we have a pretty tight budget to work with. (And once it sells we sort of want to keep our costs down as we save for a down payment on a home).

We fell upon a very large home that we thought was too too too good to be true. It is very large and kinda out of the way. It is on 2.5 acres as well, with plenty of seating on the back deck, a tiny little pond and a horse corral..so nice because it has been really hard keeping our horse in our small condo. it will really come in handy!

Although it is out of the way, Nate will only have to drive about 15 minutes to his office! From his office it is 5 min on the main road, then about 8 minutes up a road that looks like you are leaving town(there is currently a dead coyote on the side of it) and then 2 minutes on a dirt road to our house. There are lots of hiking and biking trails so close to our home and you can even walk out the door and go on a hike or bike ride down the main road.

Maes will wait for the school bus in a little brown shack!

The house is only a 3 bedroom, but it has a big loft upstairs that will be the kids play room and 2 living areas down stairs as well as a large kitchen.

We are very excited to stay here for at least 8 months! (we have yet to finalize the lease as we are working from the valley with the management company in Lakeside).

There is a lot of room- if you don't mind sleeping on air mattresses, or on the top bunk of the kid's bunk beds or a sofa bed. We honestly would love to have visitors. So if you want to come play in the snow, or come up and get some relief from the heat this summer.. you are welcome to stay with us. We will even feed you- because I love cooking! And you will only have to pay your keep by doing circus tricks..what a deal!

See ya soon.

The Power of Prayer

I have a funny testimony of prayer. I have had some very good experiences with prayer to strengthen it-but sometimes I get a skewed scene of it.

When I worked for Anasazi I had a boy that was struggling. He was about 12 and small and had a huge pack. He sat and cried when we had to hike up big hills. Understood. I suggested we pray and and ask our Heavenly Father for help. He insisted that God had given up on him. I told him no, and offered a prayer. We hiked to the top of the mountain and rested with the group. It was hot in the desert, but a dry heat, so shade was welcome. I noticed that when we got to the top of the mountain that the clouds moved from over the sun...the whole time we hiked to the top the clouds had been over the sun, making the trek more comfortable. I noticed this and pointed it out to my young walker. He was excited that the Lord had heard his prayers and wanted to pray when ever we offered a chance for the boys to pray.

When I was student teaching I prayed about my future job. It would be great to teach school in Europe and I wondered if it was right for me. I was not sure how I would know, so I told Heavenly Father that if it were meant to be there would be a job and then I would know. It just so happened that a few Art Teachers were retiring that year and I met with the superintendent about jobs. I really liked it in Europe. However, whenever I though about staying there I felt really sick about it. I knew that I should not stay. And, I knew that I could not tell the Lord how he would answer my prayers.

I know that the Lord hears and answers prayers, however I have a hard time feeling that mine are important. How can I pray to feel well when others are dying of cancer? Is it OK to ask for a better job for Nate when so many people are unemployed? Why should I bother the Lord with the request that our house sells quickly and for an amount that will help us at least break even after the fees when so many people are forced to foreclose?

These are some of the things we have been praying for. Maes has picked up on some of the consistencies. She listens to what we are saying, but does not always think about them.

The request for Nate to get a better job has been extended to me getting a better job too. I asked her if she really wanted me to work, because I would love to stay home with the kids all of the time. (frankly, she is independent and loves being at other people's homes, so she would probably like me to have a full time job).

She also has extended the plea for Mikah to keep growing to all of the members of the family. I've told her that it is better that Mommy and Daddy not grow bigger because we are full grown adults and if we do get any bigger it would be fatter and that is not healthy and Mom really wants to get a little bit smaller so that I can fit in my pants. Nate also explained about the baby that was in my tummy before Jakie was born that stopped growing and died, and that is why we always prayed for Mikah to keep growing.

Now we have recently had one of our big fast and prayer requests answered as Nate was offered the Lakeside job. This job allows me to not work and for us to have a new adventure in a small town. When he got the offer I felt guilty for not being so grateful for all that I have. When other people got new jobs Nate was so excited for them, and I was jealous. I'm not nice that way. Nate pointed out to Maes that we don't need to keep praying for a job, because Heavenly Father heard and answered our prayers. Now we need to make sure that we show our thanks. I don't know why things happen when they do. I am thankful for all that i have been given, even if the things are not always pleasant, because we can learn from them. And I know I have a lot of learning to do.

The Toad

A Toad

My kids have all had and have nick names. When we picked Maesyn as the name for our first I said "oh, we can call her Macy for short." I don't think I have ever called her that, and Nate will occasional call her Macy, but mostly it is just Maes. We have also called her: Poo Doo, Poo Doo lady, poodilanie, princess of the poodoos, *bear, *bear face girl, *chicken, *chicken bone legs, *turkey, *turkey, turkey bones, and bones.. to name a few.

Jake was called "boy friend" by me from the start. I don't think he had and has as many nick names as the girls.

Mikah has been with us just shy of 6 weeks and alreay she has been dubbed *duck face, *duck face girl, girl friend as well as some of the nick name we called Maes as a baby. The latest name that Jake and I have given her is "Toad." It is so funny. In the car this evening he said, "Mom, the toad has one eye open."

The Toad*
* these nick names have nothing to do with the way my children look.

Changes Changes Changes....

Nate has a Job offer in Lakeside. They are currently working on a few revisions on the offer and then Nate should have it tonight to sign. He starts early in December.

We have discussed living in a small town and how we might enjoy it, but it is not something that we actively pursued. We did not look for jobs that were only in small towns. Instead, Nate applied for jobs all over the place, and oneday mentioned one in Lakeside. Several interviews later they offered the position.

We are very excited. I have never been there- but I hear it is beautiful.

Energizer bunny- without the energy

I feel like I've been going and going, but just running on fumes.

I've had this goal to get up at 5 am to workout- so it does not interfere with the kids and so I can get more done, but it only happened one day this week (i did work out 3 days though).

We listed our house, but I have yet to get the keys to the Realtor so that he can put up the lock box, and we don't have a sign yet.

I have a goal to keep the house clean, but Jake has a goal to make something out of the moving boxes as often as he can- and it is never his goal to clean up.

It is hard to try to move around the holidays. No home made Christmas, but I do have a goal to make ornaments for our friends that we will be leaving and I have planned 2 days to work with clay so that our close family and friends can make Nativity Tiles.

I will not asked to be released from my calling so I can focus on packing, house hunting and moving. After all, scouts is just one hour a week right? (Ha Ha Ha- but I won't ask to be released).

I will make 3 dozen cinnamon rolls for the school fundraiser.

I will teach 2 family art classes this month and fire all of the pieces of work.

I will teach pre school classes at Jake's school.

I will teach at my job until they find someone else or winter break begins (which ever comes first).

I will try to lose 5 lbs this month.

I will continue to bargain shop for food storage-eventhough I am going to move it all to a new house- but only good bargains (flour is $1 for 5lb bags at albertsons- stock up, and oil is on sale at walmart....6 bottles please).

I will try to give my kids some extra attention and take them out to dinner and the children's museum tonight- eventhough Jake is taking apart my bed that I did in fact get made this morning.

I'll have to go through my written journal (that Maes has taken over for picture drawing) and see all of the funny things Maes said when she was about Jake's age. There must be something about being 3 that makes you say funny things. Or it is that small voice that makes them sound so funny.

Jake will do magic tricks. He will tell you "close ors eyes." and when your eyes are closed he will take something out of hiding. Then "open ors eyes". "ta da!"

He calls Mikah "squishy face" he gives her loves by every so gently wrapping his entire body around her head. He still cannot keep his hands off of her. HE LOVES HIS LITTLE SISTER. Right now he is letting her eat his ear.

Now I he is saying "hi little chunk...hi little chunky."

he said the funnies things last night, but i cannot remember them now. That is why we need to write it all down.

I feel bad that I have not written about Maes. She is doing well in school and practicing her writing. She gets 100% in all of the content areas, but her writing got an "N" on her last test. She brought home a test yesterday with an "S" so she is getting better. At first I was having her write all of her letters perfect one time a day. That lasted about 2 days. Now she has to write her homework letters perfect. She was supposed to write the letters she messed up on the test perfect yesterday, but she never got to it...so she will do it today.
I cannot believe how grown up she is.

the complaints of a skinny girl

Ok ok ok.,..i know it is totally annoying for a skinny girl to complain about being fat. My tummy is my "good" area and with my skirts on I am looking pretty good for just having a baby= but I used to be really really skinny before ... I guess. My problem area is my bum and thighs. I would occasional try on my 'Fat" shorts and pants while back at my "regular size" and swim in them. I keep the fat clothes around for early pregnancy and after baby...but I cannot even button my fat pants after I squeeze them over my thigs and bum. I don't want to buy any fat"er" pants because I hope to loose the inches, but come un. It is starting to get cold and I cannot wear skirts all winter. maybe I'll invest in leggins to wear under skirts.

Just complaining.

Chicken Noodle Soup Day

Today we hit record lows for az...the high will be 65. So, enjoying my stay at home momness...i decided to make chicken noodle soup with the kids.
(in reality, I suggested chicken noodle soup to Maes for lunch expecting to open up a can- but we were out- so the adventure began).

We made the noodles from scratch! Yeah.