Sunday Night...

Howdy.

My thoughts lately are all geared toward the book I'm working on and I can't seem to make myself blog.

Hope everyone had a nice Easter, we did. Spent it with family as usual. We did have some bad weather and tornadoes in our area, thankfully though nothing on our place was in the path. We did have some friends and family that were not as fortunate, but no one was hurt.

Got our chicken coop built, got a few more chickens, and are now enjoying having eggs! I'm tickled at the fact that you can literally clock our one laying hen........she lays at the same time every day! Is that normal? Olivia and Elise like getting the eggs, and they LOVE playing in the coop as well and will entertain themselves in there for quite some time. I guess I should be glad they can entertain themselves so easily?

I did an interview with the paper a few weeks ago, and then Life Teen a couple of days ago and enjoyed those. The article for the paper was already published and the one for Life Teen hasn't gone to print yet. As for anything else going on, I have nothing at this time that I know of. I do have the pleasure of going go Minnesota next week for Envoy Medicals annual share-holders meeting. They are flying us up there to meet everyone and be a part. I'm excited. I've never been to Minnesota, and it will be nice to meet everyone there.

Today I attended a memorial service for my Great Uncle that died. He was 84 and had been in bad health this last year. He was a member of AA and had been for 20+ years. There were several people from his group that got up and spoke, as well as others. As I sat there listening to all these folks talk about how my Uncle Tommy had impacted them over the years, I was reminded of how I felt when my Grandpa and my FIL passed away and we had their funeral services. It's amazing to hear so many people speak of how these men impacted them in such a prominent way in their lives. I find that the common thread every time is love. Every person is so affected by someone showing love and kindness. I am also reminded of when we went to China. The company that hired us to go over stated that our sole mission was just to go over and love on the Chinese. It wasn't about trying to 'convert them' or 'teach them', it was simply about showing love and kindness. I often say over and over that I wished people (myself included) could wake up every day and have the mindset to be kind to every person they meet. I know that will never happen, but it'd be awesome if it did.

Anyway, I'm babbling on. Hope everyone has a great week. I get to start my Monday off going to the dentist. LOL. I don't have a problem with the dentist..........I just hate going because I'd rather spend my time doing something outside, or playing with the girls, or about a million other things. I find I'm like a kid in that way.

Blessings,
Sarah <3

Like the rain.......

Wow! So much has gone on and I've been bad to keep up on here. So sorry! I did have my 2nd ear activated, and I posted the link to that. It's hard to explain it, it's just a crazy sensation. I now have 'stereo sound' and it's an adjustment in itself. Lol. We have had some incredible storms lately, and being able to sit and listen to the thunder, the rain, and the wind has been incredible. Sloan and I have laid in bed at night and just listened. He told me the other day that even though he's been with me for 12 years and has experienced everything I've experienced, every struggle, every heartache, etc. Everything has a new meaning now and a new beauty for him. Watching me experience life anew has changed his perspective on many things. Thousands of complete strangers, people like YOU have said the same thing. Thanks for 'cheering' me on during this journey :)

Switching gears now.......A documentary film crew flew in for the activation and spent several days here. It was a group of 3 men, 2 from Cali, one from NY. They were an awesome group. When you find out you're going to have strangers in your home for a few days, it's always a little nerve wracking. Not even gonna lie. So far, everyone that has spent time with us, has been great. I think we connected with these guys the most so far though. They were just really nice and down to earth. We took them one night to see our friend's band (Josh Weathers Band) and they really seemed to enjoy that. We also had a party one night and we had them over for that, everyone really enjoyed meeting them and they seemed to enjoy themselves. They did interviews and did a bang up job on those..........they asked great questions and took lots of pictures. I'm excited to see the end result! You never realize how much work goes into a project like that until you experience it firsthand. These men flew across the U.S. to spend a few days with us, filmed footage like crazy, took a million photographs, and will go home and edit and cut and do their awesome work for a short film. It's humbling for someone to do that just to show your 'story'. I'll keep you all posted on the outcome and when you can see it.

As for what I'm enjoying most at this moment.............MUSIC! I get the full spectrum of it now and it's amazing. People constantly ask what I listen to, well as of right now my top 'play lists' are Dustin Kensrue, Abigail Washburn, Josh Weathers, Adele, 80's music (Bad Company, Stevie Ray Vaughn, etc.), The Judds (Ha), and a million others. I am learning more and more that I really have eclectic tastes in music! Makes sense........I have always been an eclectic person in general :) I kidnap Sloan's I Pod constantly and plug it into the thingy in our kitchen and blast music while cleaning or just doing stuff. The girls have always loved it when their Daddy blasts music and they all dance and go crazy. It's sort of a daily routine around here, except now I can really join in and enjoy.

Other exciting news??? We planted our garden :) We've had tons of rain recently and the garden is loving it! Got lil sprouts coming up and I'm enjoying not having to water it ;) In other 'lil sprouts' news, we also have baby rabbits. We breed and raise Californian meat rabbits, and one Momma had her babies last weekend. Another Momma is due this weekend. We also have Lovebirds, and they have laid eggs that are due to hatch next week if they are fertile. We shall see. Everything is growing, being born, and changing colors. Spring has definitely sprung around here!

I oftentimes have a hard time blogging because I think "People don't want to hear about my everyday boring life". So, I'm gonna try something new.............If you are interested in asking me a question or sending me a 'survey' of sorts, hit me up! I promise to do better about blogging. Send me your questions, survey, etc. and I'll answer it(them) and post it here!

Hope all of you have a great day!

Much love,

Sarah

P.S. The photo above is a 'sneak peek' at the pictures our new friend Luis Pena took. He's an awesome photographer!!!

2 EARS!!!

As promised, here it is! I'll blog later.......there's currently a documentary film crew here.

http://youtu.be/e6RNWB7N4VQ

NERVOUS

Ok so I'm currently in the car on my way to Envoy! SO nervous! I didn't realize I'd b so nervous. I really thought the first ear would be the only 'nerve wracking' one. First let me apologize b/c Im on the IPad and it's literally the 3rd time I've used it. Just want to basically thank everyone for the well wishes and prayers. I will post a video tonight when we get home and possibly blog

:)

WOW.

Gah....tomorrow is THE day! Activation Day! I'm so nervous.I couldn't sleep last night :( I'm so ready to do this, but yet so nervous as well. I'm hoping I won't have too much of an adjustment since I already have the one ear, but several Envoy folks are telling me to be prepared for just as much of an adjustment as the first ear. I'm excited to experience 'stereo sound' and a little embarrassed to admit that I actually had to Google what that was. LOL. I think because I know I have the other ear done, I'm tired of working out of one ear.

I've also decided to address the almost 10 million folks on YouTube in a video that my best friend will be willing to film tomorrow when I get activated. A while back they (YouTube folks) kept asking for me to post another video and I said when I hit 9 million I would. (Not realizing I'd hit it that fast) I've put it off and put it off because I have no idea what to say or how to express my gratitude to all those people! Time to do it though. Channel 11 will be putting together something to air with their footage and the documentary folks will be using the activation footage in their short they are making. As nervous as I am, I'm also equally excited. Just want today to fly by! Think cleaning will make that happen? *said in sarcastic tone* :)



In other news, if you haven't seen the KONY2012 video, look it up! I was contacted by one of the producers last night asking for permission to use my clip in this awesome short they've made. It apparently went viral and the Oprah Winfrey Network has picked it up and will air it! It's 29 minutes long and very touching. Really, take 29 minutes out of your day and watch it. It makes an impact and is taking off like wildfire! A friend of mine contacted me with the idea to do a benefit concert for KONY2012............I'm hoping it's a 'go'. That would be an awesome thing to be able to help in some way.

Well guys, I'll blog more later tonight.........as I'm sure I'll be up late ;) I can't think right now. Lol.

Much love,
Sarah

Catch up again....

Well, I've unfortunately gotten waaaaaay behind on blogging. So much so that I'm not sure what all to 'report' on. I go on March 8th to get my other ear activated, and I'm counting down the days. I guess because I know I have it, and what I'm missing out on, I'm VERY ready for it to be on. I'm very curious to see how much better certain things sound.

I'm not sure if I posted anything about it yet or not, but I went on Anderson Cooper a few weeks ago. It aired a couple of weeks ago. That was a very fun trip. Anderson is a very nice guy........and he's even more gorgeous in real life. Perfect skin, perfect hair, and those crystal blue eyes that just look into you. Much the same as Ellen's eyes actually! Lol. After taping, Ami came up to me and we chatted for a while. Got a hug from him and he asked to see my ink since it's healed. Said it looked great. (Of course it does.....it's Tim Hendricks work! Lol) I actually set up an appointment with my tattoo artist friend here locally to do a couple of things for me on Monday. I have tons of people ask me all the time "Who does your work?" Well, it's a friend of ours named Tyson Meyer. He currently works at a shop called Lost Highway in Crowley, Texas. If you are in the area and wanting a tattoo, hit him up and tell him I sent ya :) Anyway, I got him to draw me up a colorful child-like owl for Elise. She loves birds, and I realize she may not always love birds, but I want the tattoo to symbolize this time in her life and to remember her as a child. Easily entertained and able to find joy in simple things. Adults could learn a lot from that.......The other tattoo is going to be some lyrics from the song "Beautiful Things". I'll post the song here in case some of you have never heard it. It's a great song and touches me every time I hear it. Here it is:

All this pain
I wonder if I’ll ever find my way
I wonder if my life could really change at all
All this earth
Could all that is lost ever be found
Could a garden come up from this ground at all

You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of us

All around
Hope is springing up from this old ground
Out of chaos life is being found in You
You make beautiful things
You make beautiful things out of the dust


You are making me new
You make me new,
You are making me new

In other news, I'm still moving forward on my book. The publishing company sent over a contract and we are currently having our lawyers look it over. I'm itching to get started.......just not sure on the format. What do folks want to hear about? What do they want to read? I'm praying that it will just flow from me and be a good experience. Speaking of good experiences, I was introduced to an organization called "Project Endeavor". They help hearing impaired/deaf people get computers, laptops, phones, I Pads, Internet, etc. at a discounted rate. They are a really great group of folks. I sent over an application not sure if I would qualify, and I did! I ordered my I Pad and Sprint Overdrive Hot Spot and they are arriving on Monday. I'm very excited. I'm not much of a 'gadget person', but I may come over to the dark side before long. Lol.

Today is Friday, the weekend is here, and I'm wondering what Sloan and I and the kids will get into this weekend. I hope this post finds you all doing well and that you all have a great weekend!

Blessings,
Sarah

New York, round 3 with Anderson Cooper!

Ok, so New York was great :) We had a great flight there and Tuesday we just spent the day walking all around taking in the sights and eating everything I could get my hands on. Lol. Tuesday night we went and saw "Stomp". It was really good! I just sat and took it all in, the sounds of the people stomping, beating on tubs, etc. It was a great experience. Wednesday morning the producer took us over... to the set of "Anderson Cooper" where I was sent directly to 'hair and makeup'. I tell ya.....there is just nothing better than sitting down and having a team of people do ya up! Makes you feel so good. Lol. I was SO nervous thinking about what to say, how to say it, meeting Anderson and Ami, etc. They went over the questions with me, asked me all about the Esteem, all about my experience on NY Ink, etc. When it was time to go on, they placed me in a 'special audience spot' and the cameras rolled. Anderson was a very nice man, I spoke with him briefly before we taped and a briefly after we taped. He's even prettier in real life ;) Perfect hair, perfect skin, and those piercing blue eyes (much like Ellen's eyes!). Hearing him and Ami talk about my experience was cool.

Before I left, I was asked several things by many of you ladies. Here are the top 3 questions I was asked to find out:

1. Is Anderson short? Not really....but he's not tall at all. Who needs to be tall though when you're that handsome :)

2. Did Anderson smell good? I didn't smell any cologne....but who needs cologne when you're Anderson Cooper ;)

3. Can you tell him I think he's gorgeous? I have to admit ladies, I failed you all there....I was too nervous and forgot to let him know. Lol. I did however at one point make a joke about his age....you'll have to watch the show, it was hysterical complete with Anderson falling on the ground in mock horror. Ha.

After we were done taping that segment, Ami came up to me and was like "Hey Babe, how are ya?" I have to admit......I giggled. LOL. He smelled wonderful and was very sweet. He had me show him my tattoo so he could see it 'healed' and we chatted a lil more before I was swept away back to the dressing room. Basically, all in all, it was a good experience and I enjoyed meeting all the people on the set, etc. They will let me know soon when the episode will air and I'll keep you all posted. Thanks for praying for a good trip!