I've been working on this for a while and I'm slowly sharing it with people. I am actually doing great with my fund raising at this point, so I'm waiting for the perfect time to send it out to my perspective donors. Will anyone actually sit and watch me talk for 15 minutes?? I can only hope.
Of course if you are so moved, you can visit my donation page. Every dollar counts! Thank you!
www.the3day.org/goto/sara.almstedt
Friday, May 20, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Have you read this book?
Did you know that Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the foundation you immediately associate with breast cancer and pink ribbons, was started with a promise to a sister? Nancy Brinker, the founder of Susan G. Komen for the Cure promised her sister, who was dying of breast cancer in the late 1970's, that she would do everything she could to stop this horrible disease. Wow. Did she keep that promise, or what? Ever since I heard that little snippet of the story, I've wondered how it all happened. I'm sure it is an even more amazing story for people who remember when the word "breast" was never said on television or written in a newspaper. Now we think nothing of walking down the street and seeing a "Save the ta-tas!" t-shirt. When I heard Nancy Brinker had written a book, I pre-ordered two copies months ahead of time. When it finally came, I began reading it right away and enjoyed every page.
You should read it. You will love it.
Of course I loved the book. I am a Pink Warrior. A soon-to-be SIX time 3 Day Walker, who LOVES and supports everything about Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I have worked nearly year-round for the past three years to raise money for this cause and I'm not planning on stopping any time soon.
Not when I think back to the women I have met who are survivors, mainly my mom and mother-in-law.
Not when I think about the mom on stage in Chicago who had lost her daughter just months before.
Not when I think about my high school friend who is in the middle of her chemo treatment
and awaiting surgery.
Not when I think about the woman at my church who passed away two years ago and left behind a 15 year old daughter.
Nope, not any time soon.
Maybe I'll tell you long version about why I walk in my next post.
You should read it. You will love it.
Of course I loved the book. I am a Pink Warrior. A soon-to-be SIX time 3 Day Walker, who LOVES and supports everything about Susan G. Komen for the Cure. I have worked nearly year-round for the past three years to raise money for this cause and I'm not planning on stopping any time soon.
Not when I think back to the women I have met who are survivors, mainly my mom and mother-in-law.
Not when I think about the mom on stage in Chicago who had lost her daughter just months before.
Not when I think about my high school friend who is in the middle of her chemo treatment
and awaiting surgery.
Not when I think about the woman at my church who passed away two years ago and left behind a 15 year old daughter.
Nope, not any time soon.
Maybe I'll tell you long version about why I walk in my next post.
Friday, February 4, 2011
What more could we ask for?
Seriously, people, what more could you ask for?There is a natural order of questions that family/friends/strangers feel they must ask a person.
1) Are you dating anyone?
2) When are you getting married?
3) When are you having kids?
4) When are you having another one?
We're on question four right now, but as Anna gets older people have started asking IF we are going to have another one instead of WHEN. Maybe in a few years they will stop asking altogether. Any of these questions can be difficult to answer, especially when you are giving an answer the person is not expecting.
As in, "No, we aren't going to have any more kids."
What???!!!
It honestly doesn't bother me or offend me in any way to be asked, but I have spent some time trying to come up with a "good" answer. An answer that encompasses all of the thoughts I have had. An answer that describes all of the feelings involved. An answer that addresses the pros and cons that Jeff and I have weighed.
Here is what I've come up with: (Drum roll, please)
"No, I don't think so. We are pretty happy with just Anna."
And that is how we feel. Happy. More importantly, content.
I do not long for another child, as I know many of my friends do. I gladly hand newborns back to their mommies after the obligatory cuddle and coo. I look at families with more than one child and actually think, "I'm glad that's not me" and so does Jeff. Every day is more fun with Anna and I just can't see us slowing down this ride.
So now you know.
1) Are you dating anyone?
2) When are you getting married?
3) When are you having kids?
4) When are you having another one?
We're on question four right now, but as Anna gets older people have started asking IF we are going to have another one instead of WHEN. Maybe in a few years they will stop asking altogether. Any of these questions can be difficult to answer, especially when you are giving an answer the person is not expecting.
As in, "No, we aren't going to have any more kids."
What???!!!
It honestly doesn't bother me or offend me in any way to be asked, but I have spent some time trying to come up with a "good" answer. An answer that encompasses all of the thoughts I have had. An answer that describes all of the feelings involved. An answer that addresses the pros and cons that Jeff and I have weighed.
Here is what I've come up with: (Drum roll, please)
"No, I don't think so. We are pretty happy with just Anna."
And that is how we feel. Happy. More importantly, content.
I do not long for another child, as I know many of my friends do. I gladly hand newborns back to their mommies after the obligatory cuddle and coo. I look at families with more than one child and actually think, "I'm glad that's not me" and so does Jeff. Every day is more fun with Anna and I just can't see us slowing down this ride.
So now you know.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
You're Going to Hollywood!
I love watching the auditions for American Idol.
Randy's face during the horrible auditions is the best.
It's always a mixture of shock, surprise, and trying not to smile.
I mean, what is wrong with these people? How do they not know they cannot sing at all?
Seriously? How come their friends didn't tell them: You. Suck.
Didn't their moms tell them the truth?
Ah, no. No, they didn't.
Moms think their kids are the best singers, dancers, artists, underwater basket weavers, whatever.
I speak from experience.
I do not think I could ever tell Anna she isn't an amazing singer.
That's mostly because she is. I mean, I wouldn't lie to her or anything.
So, if you are sitting on the couch like me,
cringing at the embarrassingly bad singers and
feeling bad for the judges that have to break the bad news to these idiots,
thank a mother.
You're welcome. Our job here is done.
Randy's face during the horrible auditions is the best.
It's always a mixture of shock, surprise, and trying not to smile.
I mean, what is wrong with these people? How do they not know they cannot sing at all?
Seriously? How come their friends didn't tell them: You. Suck.
Didn't their moms tell them the truth?
Ah, no. No, they didn't.
Moms think their kids are the best singers, dancers, artists, underwater basket weavers, whatever.
I speak from experience.
I do not think I could ever tell Anna she isn't an amazing singer.
That's mostly because she is. I mean, I wouldn't lie to her or anything.
So, if you are sitting on the couch like me,
cringing at the embarrassingly bad singers and
feeling bad for the judges that have to break the bad news to these idiots,
thank a mother.
You're welcome. Our job here is done.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Welcome Aboard!
Anna's nickname among a few of our friends is The Cruise Director.
It is funny. And true.
She is always coming up with ideas of what and how to play with her friends.
She directs Jeff and I all day long.
A: Mommy, when I say look at this crown in my Spaghettio's,
you say 'Will it fit on your head?' and then laugh. Okay?
Me: Okay.
A: Oh, look at this crown in my Spaghettio's!
Me: Will it fit on your head?
A: (waiting) Moooom! You forgot to laugh!
So, of course, it is a little annoying sometimes, but for the most part, I think Anna
and everything she does is hilarious and totally adorable.
I am not one of "those moms," though.
I do realize not everyone thinks Anna is the greatest kid ever and that is fine by me.
You should think your kid is the greatest, not mine.
But, I have to admit, I do sometimes get uncomfortable when other parents praise Anna.
Or when a stranger tells me how funny/cute/smart she is in front of other people's kids.
I don't know why, but I feel bad. Maybe...it's more like embarrassed.
Or maybe I'm just sad.
Sad for them because they don't have their own Anna.
Because she really is the greatest.
It is funny. And true.
She is always coming up with ideas of what and how to play with her friends.
She directs Jeff and I all day long.
A: Mommy, when I say look at this crown in my Spaghettio's,
you say 'Will it fit on your head?' and then laugh. Okay?
Me: Okay.
A: Oh, look at this crown in my Spaghettio's!
Me: Will it fit on your head?
A: (waiting) Moooom! You forgot to laugh!
So, of course, it is a little annoying sometimes, but for the most part, I think Anna
and everything she does is hilarious and totally adorable.
I am not one of "those moms," though.
I do realize not everyone thinks Anna is the greatest kid ever and that is fine by me.
You should think your kid is the greatest, not mine.
But, I have to admit, I do sometimes get uncomfortable when other parents praise Anna.
Or when a stranger tells me how funny/cute/smart she is in front of other people's kids.
I don't know why, but I feel bad. Maybe...it's more like embarrassed.
Or maybe I'm just sad.
Sad for them because they don't have their own Anna.
Because she really is the greatest.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Facebook: A blessing and a curse
So why haven't I blogged in over a year?
One word: Facebook.
Once my mother was my "friend" I no longer needed to update this blog.
Every few weeks I upload a picture of Anna, tag Jeff, and, BOOM, no need to blog.
My blogging had gotten pretty lame anyway, all I did was upload pictures and add a
quick caption or two, and I dreaded every second of it.
The pressure of, "Oh, I have to update the blog again" was really getting to me.
But in looking back over all of the blog posts since Anna was born, I realized
I missed writing about her life. I do write down the funny things she says in a journal and,
of course, in my status updates, but I kept feeling guilty about no longer using this format.
I stalk, I mean, follow a few other people's blogs and as I read them I catch myself thinking,
"I should start the blog again." You know, get the band back together.
And so here I am.
This time, though, there are no rules. Oh, you didn't know there were rules for blogging?
Well, I don't know if there are, but my rule was only to blog about Anna.
I figured no one else wanted to read my thoughts or musing for the day.
That's why Facebook (can we agree on FB?) is so great.
I can write my thoughts here and there and then get some feedback.
I discovered people actually "liked" what I had to say! Who knew?
Still, I am very careful with my FB status updates, and consider whether anyone
will actually be interested (and by that I mean leave a comment) in what I wrote.
Throughout the day I probably compose about fifty status updates in my head
(I can't be the only one who does this)
and then usually nix the idea of actually posting it in less than three seconds.
Here, I will only have a few readers and hey, I'm not automatically popping up on your news feed,
you CHOSE to come here, so you get what you get.
If you don't like it, there are millions of other blogs to stalk.
I mean follow.
Oh, and I have LOTS more to say about FB. More on that later.
One word: Facebook.
Once my mother was my "friend" I no longer needed to update this blog.
Every few weeks I upload a picture of Anna, tag Jeff, and, BOOM, no need to blog.
My blogging had gotten pretty lame anyway, all I did was upload pictures and add a
quick caption or two, and I dreaded every second of it.
The pressure of, "Oh, I have to update the blog again" was really getting to me.
But in looking back over all of the blog posts since Anna was born, I realized
I missed writing about her life. I do write down the funny things she says in a journal and,
of course, in my status updates, but I kept feeling guilty about no longer using this format.
I stalk, I mean, follow a few other people's blogs and as I read them I catch myself thinking,
"I should start the blog again." You know, get the band back together.
And so here I am.
This time, though, there are no rules. Oh, you didn't know there were rules for blogging?
Well, I don't know if there are, but my rule was only to blog about Anna.
I figured no one else wanted to read my thoughts or musing for the day.
That's why Facebook (can we agree on FB?) is so great.
I can write my thoughts here and there and then get some feedback.
I discovered people actually "liked" what I had to say! Who knew?
Still, I am very careful with my FB status updates, and consider whether anyone
will actually be interested (and by that I mean leave a comment) in what I wrote.
Throughout the day I probably compose about fifty status updates in my head
(I can't be the only one who does this)
and then usually nix the idea of actually posting it in less than three seconds.
Here, I will only have a few readers and hey, I'm not automatically popping up on your news feed,
you CHOSE to come here, so you get what you get.
If you don't like it, there are millions of other blogs to stalk.
I mean follow.
Oh, and I have LOTS more to say about FB. More on that later.
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Resurrecting the blog with a love letter to Anna
Dear Anna,
You turned four last month and I can honestly say, every day with you gets better and better. You are so smart and funny. You make me laugh every day. Like tonight when we were watching The Sound of Music (and by watching I mean fast forwarding to all of the songs as you instruct me to do) and you said, "They look like they are having a blast!" While watching Lizel and Rolf dancing in the gazebo. Then you said, "Does she have a bra on?" except you say it like this "Brawl." Like I said, you make me laugh every day.
Here are some things I don't want to forget about you at FOUR:
You go to school three mornings a week and you love it. You love to play school at home, pretending to read books to your class, and teaching me songs you sing.
You take ballet and love that, too. Today you said, "I don't know if I can go to ballet tomorrow because I can't decide what to wear: pink or black."
You are a serious fashionista. I try to compromise with you about some of your outfits, but for the most part I let you wear what you want. You despise wearing jeans, but are okay with the season's must have article of clothing, jeggings, but you usually wear them under a skirt or a dress. You have probably worn some form of pants without a skirt or dress three times all winter. Maybe. You are pretty into tights right now, too.
You haven't napped in years, but you still have quiet time everyday for at least an hour. I don't know what you do up there sometimes, but your room is usually a disaster afterward.
We read you three stories every night at bedtime, then turn on your nighttime music, lay in bed with you, say your prayers, and then we have to rub your back (or foot, or tummy, or hand, again, as you instruct us) for a few minutes.
I look back at your baby pictures and things I've written on this blog, and I do get sad for minute. You were so stinkin' cute and I just want to squeeze those cheeks! I guess I am afraid I might forget what you were like at different ages, but you are such a great "big girl" I don't stay sad for long. You make me proud every day by how polite you are to other adults, how nice you can be to your friends, and by all of the amazing things you learn right before my eyes. I am so happy to be your mom and thankful EVERY DAY that I get to spend more time with you than anyone else on the planet. You're my special girl.
I love you to bits,
Mommy
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Christmas 2009
We started the season with a hesitant, but successful trip to see Santa
Making cookies with Daddy
Ready for bed Christmas Eve
Playing her new piano in her new dress up clothes
Tennis lessons with Daddy and Grandpa Eric
The Dora tennis racket!
Sunday, December 27, 2009
Guess who is THREE!
Anna is three!! We started the day by decorating cupcakes. Yum!
Here is one of her many outfits for the day. 
Blowing out the candles. Yes, she is wearing her Halloween costume.
Opening presents!
The following Saturday we had a Music Class birthday party! Anna was in heaven and I think her friends had fun, too!
Beat the drum!
Getting ready to sing and play!
Go Miss Jenny!
Mei Mei and Jo Jo rockin' out with the sticks.
Happy birthday to you!
The family under one of Anna's favorite presents. Who knew she had always wanted an umbrella?
A close up of Jeff's creation. Yes, Jeff made this cake. Anna is a lucky girl!Monday, November 23, 2009
Big Girl Bed!
Anna has a new big girl bed...
and a whole new room!
For those of you who sleep in it, here is your new room!Thursday, November 5, 2009
Halloween
You'll never guess what Anna was for Halloween.
A little rain never hurt anyone. Just the bottom of her pants and maybe the tail.
Mommy and Anna
We thought we would get away with just visiting two houses again this year. After we left the second house Anna said, "I wanna go to another one!"
We went home to pass out some candy and that was fun, too!
Meow!Saturday, October 17, 2009
Pumpkin Patch!
Can't help but take a walk down memory lane...We took our third annual trip to Berry Patch Farms Pumpkin Patch today.
Here she is in 2007.
2008 with mommy and daddy
2009
Family shot out in the pumpkin patch
Twinsies? Most people seem to think so.
Face painting has been a big hit this year. Here she is sporting another kitty.Thursday, September 17, 2009
Just When I Thought She Couldn't Be Any Happier...
The best $17.99 I've ever spent!
She spent hours changing in and out of different "glass slippers."
First day of school!
First day of dance class!
Ta-da!
We bought a new table for the screened in porch and have been spending lots of time out there. The weather has been perfect for eating a playing outdoors!Wednesday, September 2, 2009
One Happy Girl
Anna starts dance class next week and we bought her a beautiful "dancing dress" at Target. I'm not sure if you will be able to tell from the pictures, but she LOVES it!
Jumping and dancing, microphone in hand.
Oh, standing still for a moment!
Running, running, running!
Forward roll time!
Great form!
Baby's turn.
Seriously, could she be any happier? I sure hope she has this much fun when class starts.
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