It's Been a Year

I remember a specific text message to the likes of,  "You are a strong, beautiful, and intelligent woman...don't let someones mistake determine the rest of your life. You will get through this."

 

I carried that text message as a picture for a long time as support, and when I felt down, I always referred to that picture/text to get me through. His words meant more to me than anything. 

 

Cadman and I met in my freshman year of college at Piedmont. He was a religion and philosophy major, and I was majoring in vocal performance at the time. He and I have two separate stories of how we first met. He remembers meeting me at my freshman fall Chamber Singers concert when our mutual friend, Jacob, introduced us, and I remember working in the residence halls on a dark, stormy August night when him and Jacob came to keep me company at 11pm. I always thought he was an interesting character, and, apparently, he was always interested in me. 

 

Last summer, I forgot to grab yogurt from Ingles on the way home from work. It was late, and I knew that I would not be a happy camper in the morning if I did not turn around to go back. There he was in a suit and suspenders in the check out line looking handsome as ever. Words were exchanged, smiles, and a brief hug. 

 

And then came Jacob's wedding a couple of weeks later. We went to the rehearsal dinner together (I the photographer and he the groomsman), stayed up late, and enjoyed each others company. The rest is history. 

 

                                                 So, it's been a year.....

                                                              It's been a year

             ...A year of happiness, of strength, endurance, learning, companionship, and love. 

A year of cheering each other on.

     ....because we knew that the other could always do it, no matter what the obstacle. 

A year of endurance.

       ...through sleepless nights of nightmares and illness. 

A year of love that has grown stronger every day.         

    ....especially when working through bumps together.

A year of encouragement.   

    ...and learning how to give each other strength where one of us is weak.

A year of learning.      

   ....about each other, our endearments, our interests, and incorporating them into everyday life.

 

A year of laughter.

    ...between refrigerator doors, cinnamon rolls, moooostaches, volcano brownies, and walking into walls.

A year of being broke students.

    ...yielding to the best memories that will last a lifetime. 

A year of fun.

   ...between swing dancing, cooking together, dinner parties, double dates, and goofing off.

A year of unyielding companionship.

   ....becoming one.

A year of being ourselves.

   ....and always feeling accepted with each other.

A year of gaining a new family.

  ...for both of us.

                                                 It's been a year unlike any other.

                             To my best friend, fellow legal beagle, Polar Bear...

                                                       Happy One Year! :)

                                                I love you very, very much!

Home for Just a Few Weeks

Home.

Northeast Georgia.

Family.

Old friends.

Mountains.

 It has been a busy couple of weeks. I finished school at the University of Richmond and am home for a few weeks visiting family and friends before heading back up to Virginia!

 I got to spend some MUCH needed time with my parents. We went to our typical beach house down at Tybee Island for a week post-graduation, and spent the days swimming, walking up and down the beach, shell hunting, and people watching. Here are a few pictures from our stereotypical family beach photo shoot.

My Daddy and I. Between sci-fi talks, Intellectual Property discussions, plans for the future, and running as fast as humanly possible in the hot sand in order to not get our feet burned, we had a wonderful time walking on the beach!

My Mom and I. It is nearly impossible to capture a normal picture of us because we are unbelievably goofy 99.2347928374% of the time.

....and pretty impossible when you put us together reciting the marriage scene from The Princess Bride in perfect unison.

...but we finally got a semi-normal family photo (whatever 'normal' means).

 

This past week, I traveled to Hartsfield-Jackson to say good-bye to Cadman for a couple of months while he spends the summer as a JAG intern for the U.S. Army in Honolulu, Hawaii (life's rough, isn't it?). Words cannot express how unbelievably proud I am of his accomplishments and his endeavors! I already miss him terribly, but know that he is making a big difference.

Immediately after I said good-bye to Cadman, Dad and I ventured down to south Georgia to see my grandparents. Going to see them is always a joy and a tug at my heart strings, as my grandmother has Alzheimer's. She sometimes remembers me, but usually thinks I am my Dad most of the time. This time, we had the opportunity to play and sing hymnals together until midnight. While she first thought I was my mother and then did not recognize me at all for the rest of the time, we had a wonderful time playing piano and singing just like we used to. Below is a picture of my grandparents who are going on 63 years of marriage and they are still holding hands. 

 

Ms. Abigail Grace Edwards: 7lbs, 20.5" long!

 On Friday, I traveled to Asheville, NC to meet Rachael and Charlie's first child, Ms. Abigail Grace Edwards! I am so excited and still over the moon that I got to hold her when she was barely 6 hours old. She is the most perfect and the most beautiful baby I have ever seen in my entire life. Congratulations, Rachael and Charlie!

 I got to hold Ms. Abigail Grace for a couple of hours while Rachael and Charlie rested. She is so perfect and precious!!!

 

Yesterday, I attended the Bridesmaid's Luncheon for my 'big sis,' Lauren Steedley about-to-be Mrs. Lewis Pulliam at the Swan Coach House in Atlanta, Georgia! I had a wonderful time with the other bridesmaids, Lauren, and her family. It had been far too long since I had seen her! I cannot until her wedding, and I am honored to get to stand beside her as she marries a such wonderful man!

It is so good to be home for a few short weeks. I have missed my family, old friends, and the familiarity of my small town that I grew up in. After traveling all over the state to see friends and family, I earned a stay-at-home, rainy, lazy Sunday to catch up on sleep, cook, and paint.  For you fellow traveling readers, here are a few pictures of good ol' Tallulah Falls, which is right outside my back door. There are 7+ waterfalls in the gorge with hiking trails and camping areas all around. Enjoy!

 

Photo Credit: http://www.lakerabunhotel.com

Photo Credit: http://www.afn.org/~kayakers/Tallulah.html

Photo Credit: http://www.tallulahfallsgeorgia.org/

My backyard after the storm this evening.

 

Always remember to make time for travels to visit home, family, and old friends. I miss home so much, and I am so glad I have the chance to stay a couple of weeks!

Sarah

An Update

Finals. Applying for jobs in Washington, D.C.. Interviews. YIKES!


My last post was regarding my recent diagnosis for Hypothyroidism & Hashimoto's. I cannot thank each and everyone of you enough that reached out to me with advice, ways to cope, and promises that I would feel better! You were right! After I took my first dose (literally, my first dose) I had so much energy (enough to run 4 miles my first day back at the gym in 4 months) accomplished SO much, and feel SO much better! I honestly do not believe that I've felt this great in a long, long time.

Today I took a moment to see if I could notice any physical changes.

3 Weeks Ago

3 Weeks Ago

Today!

No more puffy, ashy skin, and my nails are back! YAY!

Once again, thank you all so much who reached out to me! I really cannot thank you enough for the encouragement!

PS- Don't ever be afraid to reach out to someone who is going through something that you have or have gone through. It truly can provide someone so much comfort and relief knowing that they are not alone!

Until after finals...

Sarah

Courage

 I've finally worked up the courage to Speak Up as someone who experiences this first hand, every day, 365 days a year. While I know that many others have it much worse than me, I feel that educating the public, future and current teachers, and other students from a first person perspective of what it is like to live with multiple disabilities could benefit others in the future. I will post periodically, so stay tuned.

http://thedisabledmind.blogspot.com/

Happy February 22...8 days after Valentine's Day.

Valentine's Day.

......Valentine's Day.
My sister, out of humor, dresses in all black and refuses to accept flowers (unless they're black), chocolates, etc from her 3.5+ year beau because she absolutely hates the holiday. She doesn't believe that love should be shown in gestures on just one day of the year. I really can't say I blame her.

I, personally, dress in all black to join her  just because it's kind of become a tradition.

However, I believe that knowing your relationship from the inside out is important,  and what better day to think about that than on Valentine's Day?

Now, I will tell you, I am not a relationship expert. At 23 years old, I'm still learning how to load a dishwasher properly (Dad, Cadman, & Aunt Susie...I love you all), so how can I be expected to know everything about being compatible with another? Sheesh. Let me work on making sure the cups are turned upside down on the top rack first.

Anyways,  here are a few things that I have learned-

Encompass your differences:
Cadman & I actually have some pretty different interests and in some ways, are two very different people. I love music. He can build beautiful furniture, houses, floors, etc. I love to read. He loves movies.  I'm more emotional and diplomatic. He is very logical and straight to the point. He likes math. I.....don't. The list goes on and on. The biggest thing that I love about our differences is that we balance each other out and learn from one another.

Enjoy your similarities:
We are both very old souls, goofy, certified hermits, not very social, enjoy down time at home, love to cook together, discuss politics, different theories and cases in law, literature, and spending time with our very select few group of friends. Once again, the list goes on. 

Be sure that your significant other finds your 'oddities' endearing:
I sound like a mouse being stepped on when I sneeze. I also fall out of stationary chairs, run into closed doors, high five the edge of my car door (yes, this really happened), fall down stairs, have large objects throw themselves at me all the time, and I trip over my own two feet on a daily basis. One of the best things Cad ever said to me was that he found my klutziness endearing, making my graceful-wanna-be self go back into a corner, which  allowed me to embrace, well, anything that would stop me from falling.

I also have a tendency of leaving no less than 150 bobby pins scattered in his apartment.

Compromise, Compromise, Compromise:
We are really good at this, thank goodness. My parents have a wonderful pillow at home that says, "Love, Honor, and Negotiate." Ain't that the truth! ;)

Learn to laugh at the things that make your eye twitch:
I'm HORRIBLE about leaving a wet, wadded up towel on the bathroom floor which drives him crazy, and his sock drawer makes me have nightmares (all of the patterns are one geometrical shape away from not matching). However, when his socks aren't matched and there is a waded up towel on the bathroom floor, many laughs and poking fun is had by all.

The little things count more than anything:
Cinnamon rolls on Saturday morning, covering me up when I'm cold, getting me a Reese's Peanut Butter Ice Cream Sandwich when I'm not feeling good, having tea/coffee together in the morning, etc. I also can count on one hand how many times I have opened a door (including my car door, driving or not) since we've been dating. These are only a part huge list of the 'little things,' but it really means so much to me.

At the end of the day on Feb 14th,  it's not about the flowers, the chocolates, the jewelry, or the dinner  (though I will say Cadman nailed it on the head- A dozen roses delivered to my door just to brighten my day before he got there that evening, driving 2.5 hours to spend the evening with me, an awesome card, and bow earrings...), it's about the EVERYDAY things that really make a difference and make your relationship unique.

Ladies and Gentlemen, in agreement with my sister, if the only day that your significant other shows how much they actually care, it's time to buckle up and trade up.

As my Aunt so fondly refers to it as she snaps her fingers in the air.... "NEXT!"

I had a wonderful Valentine's Day with Cad, and I also have a wonderful relationship with him that shows everyday, good or bad. I could not be more thankful!

Sarah

Side Note- Apologies for such a gap. I was down for the count with the flu, then walking pneumonia, followed by double lung pneumonia. Feeling much better, so I will try to keep up!

2012 In Pictures

Happy 2013!

An evening filled with laughter, friends, family, LOTS of food, and a midnight toast has once again welcomed in a new year. As the clock was ticking, glasses were clinking, I began thinking about this past year, what I've accomplished, not accomplished, and what I have yet to accomplish. I also reflected on things I've learned as well as the blessings of 2012! Here are just a few:

I graduated from college. Enough said.

I was accepted to U of R and followed my gut that this was what I needed to do.

I moved out of Georgia for the first time in my life to a state that I fell in love with some two years before. However, I do miss the mountains and my family every day.

           



  I lost 35 pounds this past year.

 My photography was displayed along with my Dad's at the Georgia Capital. We were two of the 28 chosen out of 100 entries. Photograph: My Dad with Gov. Nathan Deal.


 Our work was also shown in an exhibit at a gallery after our work was selected.

 I started an amazing relationship with Cad in June 2012. We knew each other throughout undergrad, ran into each other this summer, and the rest is history. I've gained someone that I love dearly who treats me the way a girl should be treated, as well as a person who makes me unbelievably happy.


I also learned how to freehand a super creepy pumpkin.

 I've also gained a second family that I love dearly as well! :)

I watched my grandfather go from being extremely sick, losing half a foot, go through chemo, and then return back to work at 85 years old. Strong as an ox? I believe so.

I've gotten closer to my Aunt, which is a huge blessing to me. Her humbleness continues to teach and amaze me! And in case you were wondering, this was our costumes for the medieval fair at her school. :)

I've become more confident in my faith, but not in a conventional manner.

 (Brooklyn Bridge Picture- My Uncle on my Dad's side was apparently an avid photographer. Didn't know this until I ran across an old portfolio of his)

I've learned more about my family. For example, we were always told that part of my family immigrated from Alsace-Lorraine but after a little digging on my part (kudos to ancestory.com), I found out that we are German. Very. Very. German. My grandfather's father always told us that we were not of German ancestry during World War II. Another tid bit of information (one that will be researched in depth shortly), my grandmother's side of the family were some of the first settlers over to America. A relative (I believe great+ grandfather) owned land in James City County, Virginia as well as the James Geddy house in Colonial Williamsburg.

I got to feel the true impact of music on others. My last Chamber Singers tour was all around Florida, and I roomed with some of the most wonderful ladies I've ever met in my life that week. We stayed up every night praying and just being there for each other. Also, our tour this past year was based on remembering others whether they had departed by death, or even removed themselves from our lives. After my last tour performance with Chamber Singers, the pastor of the church came up to my choir director in tears. He told our director that he had lost his wife of many, many years just 2 days before and that our music brought him comfort and understanding.

 
I watched very, very dear friends of mine get married, some to each other, and others I did not know but have formed new friendships with.

Oh, and my beautiful cousin got engaged on Christmas Eve...

....As well as this this wonderful couple! :)

I've met a few really wonderful people since I moved to VA! :)

I've gained Rusty & Yoda as surrogate pets. Yoda is quite the cuddle bug and likes to be carried around in a baby sling. Rusty likes to sit up around my shoulders and eat waffle syrup.

Below is Yoda helping me celebrate my 23rd birthday.

And last, but certainly not least, what has stayed constant through this year (as well as every year of my life)? My parents. I am so thankful for their love, support, health, and technological savvy-ness so we can FaceTime and Skype when I'm in Virginia!

 Not pictured:

 I've learned companionship, how to vacuum a ceiling (I'm not kidding), how to stay more organized, and to always check the cinnamon roll tube for the frosting container. Frosting metal baked into a cookie sheet at 9am on a Saturday morning is not always the best wake up call.

While accomplishments are amazing goals and move you forward (which is extremely important and things you should be absolutely proud of), remember to not get too caught up in your accomplishments that you forget what and who blesses you daily, what shapes you, and what molds you into who you are, whether that be the discoveries of your family history, looking up to people in or out of your family, people who enter and bless your life, and/or the continuing support and love of family. My goal this year is to be more humble, try to count my blessings more, and try to make more of a difference to others. What's yours?

Happy 2013!

-SN

Thanksgiving.

Georgia. Home.


I've always listened to the distant chatter of people looking forward to going home and spending the week with their family who were far away from home. I've always listened to the songs that dwindle in melancholy chords and ring homesickness during the holidays, but I've never understood the meaning of their tune.


I guess I've never understood what it meant to come home.


I left for Lexington late Thursday night to drive home with Cad on Friday after he got out of class. We had a blast driving down to Georgia, cutting up, drinking cheap pumpkin cappuccinos, listening to con law as I worked on a test as we laughed and talked all the way home. We stopped about 45 minutes away from home to eat a much needed Italian meal with my parents. I swear that Cad had not even fully parked until I dashed out of the car to see them! We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, much anticipated conversation with my parents, and of course, an amazing slice of cheesecake. When we got into the car to finish our journey, our anticipation to be home was building. I cannot even explain my feelings when we hit the Georgia line. I certainly felt a rush of home that I have not ever felt before.

We went straight to Cad's house to drop him off with his stuff, which was defiantly my first feeling of finally being home! I received much anticipated hugs and exclamations of excitement from his family, which was something that I was counting down to. The feeling of 'missing' is sometimes the most difficult feeling to endure, but when you are face to face with people you cherish, every feeling of 'missing' seems to melt away.


And then there was the moment that I walked through my front door, suitcase in one hand, jacket in the other.


Home.



So, my point of all of this? This Thanksgiving, I am so thankful for being home with my family.


However, thankfulness does not stop there.


I'm thankful for my family and my family's health. My parents have been unbelievably supportive, loving, and have set amazing examples for me my entire life, and I could not be more thankful for the parents that I know as two of my best friends. I do not know what I would do without them. Also, the past few years my grandfather has been very ill, but this Thanksgiving, while he is missing half a foot and has cancer, he is back to work and as spry as a spring chicken.



I'm thankful for my Aunt who has taken me in while I finish my education at U of R. She is unbelievably loving, kind, and is a role model to me. Her generosity and humbleness (not to mention, her sense of humor) is constantly something that I seek for within myself. I am also thankful for her patience, especially following my sleepwalking incident where I apparently left the water running in the middle of the night!


I am thankful for Cadman. His love, companionship, listening ear, and ability be as goofy as I am are things that I cherish deeply. I am also thankful for his ability to teach, especially when I feel like I do not have a grasp on something that I am learning, or there is something that I am interested that he is more knowledgeable at than me. Oh, not to mention his patience with me when I go on a cleaning spree, eat all of the parmesan cheese, or am as cold as an igloo, which is 99.9% of the time.


I am thankful for the Cad's family and their continued love and support. His siblings and parents are some of the most wonderful, loving people that I know.


I am thankful for being employed at Murphy & McGonigle. I work with some of the most amazing, kind people and their knowledge of the legal profession provides me with a chance to learn something new everyday.


I am thankful for the professors that I have, Schola Cantorum, and the friends that I have made at the University of Richmond. Schola has given me the chance for an outlet, new friends, and music 3 days a week, which I seriously think that I would go crazy without. U of R is an amazing, challenging school with professors that push me further and further, and for that, I am grateful.



I am thankful for the friends that have stayed in touch from back home. I don't know what I would do without them! I am also thankful for the friends that I have made in Virginia in general and the ones that I've known before I moved up here. 


Last, but certainly not least, I am thankful for my faith and the freedom to express it. I am generally a very private person about my relationship with God, but I could not imagine not having Him in my life.  Faith is a very cherished and deep thing for me, and I am thankful for a God who understands and forgives me where I falter.



 While we look forward to the stuffing, cranberry sauce, green beans, turkey (or tofurkey...just kidding), remember to be thankful for the people who surround your table, your faith, freedom, your friends, family that is not present, and blessings that you have received in your life. Make sure that the people who matter to you know it, that you never take anything for granted, and that humbleness and thankfulness is not a seasonal occurrence, but an everyday thing, even when times get hard.

Cherish the tunes of coming home for the holidays. I know that they mean more to me now than ever before. 



Happy Thanksgiving,
Sarah