you asked for it – 26 random q&a’s about me

Today is my 26th birthday! 😀 Whoop!!!!

I’m a big birthday person, and I love bringing a fun twist on my age to you guys through creative posts. So today…. here are 26 random questions you guys asked with my answers.

Q1: what is your favorite way to pamper yourself?

I really love getting my nails done. I don’t do it very often but when I do, I really feel like I have my life together.

Q2: what is your favorite memory from year 25?

I had a lot of major things happen this last year, including becoming a stay-at-home-mom, having my third daughter – Paisley, and purchasing our second home. But I think the cake-topper was our trip to Hawaii.

Q3: what is your Taco Time (Seattle restaurant) order?

Combo #4 – two crisp tacos with chicken. Lemonade to drink. Gah those Mexi-fries <3

Q4: what is your favorite memory with your childhood best friend?

That is hard because I have a lot of favorites! The first one that comes to mind is when we would sit in the car at the Marina and talk or take silly pictures.

Q5: what do you struggle with the most on a daily basis?

Feeling like I’m nothing special.

Q6: what was a pivotal moment you can point to in your teen years to create the person you are today?

I’d say going to a church that taught me who God really was at 19. I went from feeling unloved, unwanted, overlooked, stupid, worthless and full of shame to feeling loved, desperately wanted, gifted, called to do big things and free.

Q7: what is your favorite thing about being a mom to girls?

Probably how it gives me permission to tap into my girly side. I’ve called myself a tomboy most of my life but since having daughters I’ve come to love things like doing hair, wearing dresses and dancing around the living room & kitchen while screaming Disney songs.

Q8: how do you deal with your in-laws?

Only by the Grace of God. JUST sorta KIDDING! We had to work hard the first 2-3 years to get to the product we have today. Lots of communication. Lots of talks. Lots of extending grace. Today, I now proudly call them Mom and Dad.

Q9: how do you feel about being across the country from your family?

It honestly never bothers me. There have been a couple times when I wished we were closer, but for the majority of our time living here it really made no difference to me.

Q10: how does life compare to what you planned at 20 and what it is now?

I got married at 20 and Aaron and I agreed we’d wait 5-ish years to start our family. That obviously didn’t happen since we had three kids by the time our 5-year anniversary came. 😛 I also said I’d never \ move to Alabama, and we’ve lived here for almost 5-years and love it.

Q11: why did you start a blog?

I originally started this blog a couple months after we moved to Alabama as a way to keep up with my family & friends in Seattle. I was honestly tired of repeating the same things on every phone call and decided I could just write about what was going on. I never imagined it’d be my creative outlet and ministry.

Q12: how did you know you wanted more kids?

When we first talked about kids I said I wanted three. “Great. Four it is!” Aaron replied. He’s all about the buddy-system 😛 But once we had Rylie, we decided we actually wanted more kiddos than four. Now we say six to eight.

Q13: did you once say, “I’ll never do XYZ” and now you do XYZ?

YES! hahaha and it’s hilarious because it’s the things I’d make fun of my mom and grandma for. Like writing stuff down because I’m nervous I’ll forget it and carrying tea bags in my purse so I can just ask for hot water (which is free!) instead of paying $3ish for a cup of tea.

Q14: what is the first thing you instantly notice about people?

How they’re dressed.

Q15: what is your go to “me time” activity?

Writing.

Q16: what do you do for date night?

Find a hole-in-the-wall spot to eat and either do an activity or go see the newest Marvel or Pixar movie in theaters.

Q17: marriage will always have its ups and downs. How have you learned to grow together and not let the downs affect your ups?

Communication. It’s highly under-developed in marriages!

As for not letting the downs affect your ups, I’d say quick forgiveness. It can be so hard, but I try to remember how much God has forgiven me.

Q18: what is your pick-me-up when you’re feeling down?

Worship music. It always changes my mood! And I try to get outside too.

Q19: what is your favorite comfort food?

Nutella + pretzels.

Q20: how do you discipline your kids when others are around? Do you stick to the same style of punishment or do you change it up a little in the presence of strangers?

Yes, I 100% stick to the same style. I’ll usually ask whoever I’m with to excuse us, and I’ll take my child somewhere private and discipline them there.

Q21: what are the biggest differences between you and your husband?

I’m the life-documenter in the family. I’m the one that takes the pictures/videos, writes (blogs), puts together photo books, schedule photo sessions, etc. He loves that I do all that, but it doesn’t occur to him to do it because he’s living in the moment.

Q22: what are the biggest similarities between you and your husband?

We actually have a lot of things in common, but the first thing that comes to mind is we both love family.

Q23: what would you say has been your greatest accomplishment?

Naturally giving birth to three kids. I’m talking no meds whatsoever. Also, graduating Highlands College with Honors.

Q24: what is your favorite birthday memory from childhood?

My sweet sixteen I got to take a handful of my best girls, and we stayed the weekend at a condo. It was so much fun!

Q25: what did you think you would be when you “grew up?”

Honestly, as a child I thought I would be a famous actress & singer (classic Disney Channel gal). But once I hit teens, I really had no idea. I thought my desire to be a mom wasn’t enough but I really didn’t have any other career goals.

Q26: what would you tell your 16-year-old self?

Dear 16-year-old Sarah,

You are married to a way better man than those silly boys you’re currently chasing after. So don’t worry about them so much.
•
All that journaling has turned into a blog that people actually read.
•
Michaela is the only friend you still talk to.
•
You finally find a hairstyle that looks good on you… sorry you didn’t find it sooner 😂
•
You never get better at school but you finish and you actually go to ministry school and graduate with honors.
•
You finally figure out who you are & you are so much more confident because of it.
•
You have a legit relationship with God. I know you have a lot of questions and no one is answering them, but one day they will get answered.
•
You are going to go through some really hard, dark years. And it’s going to seem hopeless and you’re going to make some bad choices, but you’re going to be so strong because of it. You’re going to make new friends and fall in love with a guy that you don’t even know exists right now. He is going to answer all your questions about God and you are going to do a lot of crazy things that you can’t even imagine doing right now. But your life, even though it’s a different kind of hard, is so so good! You have the family you’ve always dreamed of, you found your purpose in life and you are thriving in it.
•
I want to give you a big hug Sarah because it’s going to be a really rough few years. But it gets better. So much better! And all considering, you turn out okay.

25 was a good year, but I am so excited for what 26 holds.

Thank you so much for celebrating today with me! 🙂

-Sarah