A Move and A Hiatus

I haven't blogged in over a week.  I think that is record time for me since I started!
However, it was a much needed hiatus.  We have lots of changes and transitions coming up in our lives and ministry and taking this time to pray has been glorious.

Also, as many of you know, we moved two Fridays ago (August 6) and it pretty much has enveloped me over the past week.  I've been unpacking, finding where other unpackers put my things, and rearranging every little detail.  I still don't have it right, but I might not for a long while.

Some things I learned from our first move (after marriage):
1.  The husband and I are opposites.  We have the same goals, but completely different ways of getting there.  We actually came to a happy agreement that we would tackle different things and just trust one another to get them done.  I just didn't want to see how he did it.

2.  My mom helped us cut in while painting our new townhouse.  She's got amazing precision.  Billy and I tried to cut in some, but when my mom returned the next day, she told me in no uncertain terms that I was not to try to cut in again or to fix my mistakes with the white ceiling paint we had to buy (to, well, fix our mistakes).  I didn't protest too much.  I'm great at delegating, I found out.

3.  Dead ticks in your carpet doesn't mean you have live ones (I hope!).  It means the people before you have dogs, and then they sprayed.  Yeah, that's what it means.  (Really, we haven't found any live one - Real-life friends, you're safe!)


Also, today, I'm wishing happy birthday to my beautiful mother.  She's 29, again.

Birthday & Independence & A Rebel

This week I'm foregoing Change the World Tuesday to recap my lovely birthday/4th of July weekend!

Last Thursday, I told you that my man had something secret up his sleeve, and he definitely delivered the best birthday ever!  Besides all of the little lovely things that he did (sweet cards, roses, lunch), he got my whole family to pitch in and help him buy me this:

Isn't he the best?!!

I've wanted one for a long time, but didn't think that I could get it for quite awhile.

You can thank him for all of the pictures in this update...

Billy and my sweet cousin, Anna Kate (her mom just started blogging here).  This was one of the first pictures I took on Friday night.

She kept doing that with her face.  It was quite flattering.

On Saturday, we went back out to our block.  If you haven't read about it before, we go to a specific block in our city and hang out with them once a month.  

We try to meet their needs and be their friends.  I think that's what Jesus would want.

Watermelon was a big hit.

He climbed in the back of our car and asked me if he could come home with us.  I came so close to saying yes.

This little girl kept painting faces.  One of our girls asked her what she was painting and she said, 

"I don't know.  I'll tell you when I'm done.  I'm going to make you all Rock Stars!"

I'm so proud of him for heading up this part of our ministry.  

I love that I married a man with such a big heart.

On the fourth, we went swimming during the day.  That evening, we ate homemade ice cream:

It's not my favorite, but I douse it it toppings to make it quite yummy.  The rest of the crowd loved it.

We got to hang out with this precious face. I kept telling her to show me more teeth. Great job, honey.

Last night, Billy arranged for a couple of our friends to go out with us for coffee and dessert at my favorite place to celebrate my birthday.  It was so much fun!

My friend Melissa and her brother, Jordan (on the left), and husband, Chad (on the right).

One of my best, longest friends, Jessie (whose birthday was Saturday) and my super-cute, not-so-little brother.

My friend Hannah and her husband came even though they drove home from DC that day.  

I was so thankful!

I have the best husband in the world.  This weekend was just amazing.

Be prepared for many more picture-filled posts!

Winners & Roses & Getting Older

First, I'm excited to announce that the winner of the Green Giveaway is Ria Thurston from Life as a Wife!

Congrats, Ria!  Email me at sarahannsbonmot@gmail.com, and I'll get your bowl and sweet yellow towel!

Second, it's my birthday today!  When I woke up, I stepped out of bed to a trail of roses leading to our kitchen table where the husband had left me a card!  What a lovely start to my day!  I have the best husband ever!  He's made me so excited to be having a birthday!  Marriage is just so lovely!

Also, my birthday gift to myself was a new blog design!  I'm sorry if I'm making your head spin by switching it up again, but I just had to do it!  You don't have to switch out your buttons for me, but if you so desire, have at it!


<center><a href=http://www.sarahannrogers.com/><img src="http://i938.photobucket.com/albums/ad230/sarahannroger/button.png" /></a></center>

The only thing that could make this day better is a party with all of you!  We could eat cookie cake (since I like it better) and blow up balloons and play hot-potato.  Ok, so maybe not.  But we could hang out and have a blast.

It's my party, and I'll cry if I want to!

Alright, so I don't feel like crying.  I just love that song.  Thank you, Lesley Gore!  I used to run around with my childhood bff, Allison (whom I have stalker-ish-ly tried finding on Facebook) singing this song along with "My boyfriend's back, and you're gonna get in trouble."  Yes, we were the cool kids.

First, it's my giveaway party.  Today at noon, the Green Giveaway closes.  Go get your entry in for this awesome bamboo bowl:

Also, tomorrow it's my birthday party!  I am not a huge birthday person, but my wonderful hubby is, and has wrangled me in to being super excited about whatever he is doing.  All I know is that we are eating dinner with my family tomorrow night and he's getting off at noon tomorrow to hang out with me!  A month ago, I didn't care much, but now, I can't wait!

(via)

If I could have somebody make you an invitation card, I'd choose Leigh, because she makes precious cards for her etsy shop.

I wish I could have a blog birthday party and you all could come!  We could pretend, right?!  Would you like to come celebrate my birthday tomorrow?

My Birthday Man!

It's the hubby's birthday today!  I'm so blessed to have him and I can't wait to spend the rest of this day celebrating his life!

I'm dedicating this post to him and his sweetness.

But also to his manliness (covered in mud and carrying a gun makes him feel strong).

We fell for each other a long time ago when we were both a little awkward:

(We're on the left!)

I'm so grateful to have a man who does romantic/sappy things like

picnics

And a surprise carriage ride from our wedding

And a mini-trip to a B&B in Downtown Charleston

But he's also just a wonderful person all around.

And I'm just so thankful for his silliness that balances my seriousness.

I love that he chose me.

I hope I can be the wife he deserves!

He's everything I've ever hoped for.

I can't wait to see what God has in store for this year!

Yellow

Dear yellow,

I love when Coldplay sings about you.  Really, it's a lovely song.

I love when you come in the form of a tulip.  You're my favorite in that respect.

However, lately, we have not been getting along.  I do not like you in this powdery, pollen-y form.

Over the past month or so, you have tinted my car that is supposed to be silver.  Yesterday, I got out of the car, and my black pants were quickly covered with you.  Not so lovely.

And you make me sneeze.  Embarrassingly loud.  Everyone around me keeps God Bless-ing me.  Thank you, people.  No thank you, yellow pollen.

As much as I like your color, I'm asking you to leave now.  It's really time to go.  You can come back in increments.  I just don't appreciate you in such big, powdery, overwhelming qualities.  It's not you, it's me.  Ok... it is you.  It's the way you make my throat itch on a sunny day.  It's the way you make my blue eyes turn red.  It's the way that you make me spend money on Sudafed, when I really would rather buy something happy, like M&Ms.

Love, me.

P.S. - Today is my (not so) little brother's birthday!  He's 18!  I'm a little emotional because he's just so old and mature and handsome and he's graduating this year... Anyway, he's a great little brother.  And I hope he has a great day!

Happy Birthday, Brock!

A Birthday Tribute

Some of my favorite people in the world are Mandy and Filipe Santos.  I have known them for so many years and they have changed my life.  Someday, I hope to see them more often!
Well, yesterday was Mandy's birthday, so this is one day late.  But, I thought I'd list the great things I remember about Mandy.  Someday I hope to be as great of a wife and mom and leader.
Anyway, here are some memories/characteristics/things that are awesome about my friend:

1. One year she let me spend Valentine's Day at her house because her husband was out of town and well, I had no date.  We watched a girly movie and I was so grateful to not spend another Valentine's day alone.
2. She and her husband talked and walked me through one of the weirdest and most awful situations in my life.  That alone equals hero status.  
3. Whenever I call, even if not often, she's got the greatest advice, and she makes sure she sticks to the Scriptures.
4. She's got a lot of integrity.  She honors her husband and I hope I can honor Billy like she honors Filipe.
5. I remember some times that I wanted to quit or duck out of responsibilities, and she was there to let me know that I needed to push through - and I'm thankful I did.
6. She is a great mom to some adorable kids - I'm sure the third one is just beautiful.  I can't wait to see him.
7. She leads small groups amazingly.  I know so many people here are touched by her, and I can't imagine the people she's touched where she's at now.
8. She came all the way across the country for my wedding, and made me feel super special.
9. She planned my bachelorette party and made it really personal (and not awkward!) and I will always remember it!  
10. She probably has no idea how awesome she is!  That makes her even more awesome!

Anyway, Mandy, happy late birthday!  Hope this reminds you how special you are!

On another subject, I won a blog giveaway!  Amy at Ha ha. Wait. What? just gave away a super-cute ring and I WON!  I'm super excited and I can't wait to get it!  Go check out her blog, it's awesome!