Simply Sarah-Anne

4/17/11

lent

Lent.

It's a word many people associate with the Catholic faith, as well as sacrifice and the ever popular "I can give something up anytime, so why do it for 40+ days a certain time of the year?". Truth is, I've had all those thoughts, even the ever popular one. Many people use Lent to give up an unhealthy habit or something that they feel hinders them in their walk with Christ. We even think that if we give up something that constitutes as a sacrifice for us, it will parallel what Jesus did oh-so many years ago.

All of that changed this year. Remember our Advent books from Christmas? The older man who writes that particular series decided to write a special book meant only to read at Lent. Thus, a discussion with Dad on what he gave up for Lent many years ago as a boy {for those that don't know, my dad was Catholic growing up}. It was a mutual decision that we all give up something for the week before Easter, and what a great decision it was.

Fast foward to this week. Each of our "sacrifices" were something that meant something to us; Clark gave up his favorite computer game and Dad gave up evening TV. What about me, you ask? I choose to give up something that I felt both hindered me from my relationship with God AND was a little sacrifice in my life. Blogging.

After this post publishes, I'm unplugging from the blogging world. Sure, I'll ~~stalk~~ people on Twitter and get the occasion tidbit from Emmylou, but other than that: no blogger for me.

Farewell, readers. I'll be back next week with plenty of adventures to share... :)

4/16/11

Favorite Things Friday + Saturday Shopping {6}

Today I'm linking up with Kim's Favorite Things Friday and Gussy's Saturday Shopping blogging meme's. I absolutely love finding new Etsy pretties and sharing them with you, so here we go!
{Warning: Lots of cuteness coming your way. Just sayin'.}

Even though last week's was all yellow and sunshine-y, I'm back again with more yellow than your sweet eyes can handle. Maybe it's because yellow might just be my new favorite color or maybe it's because my blog is all pretty in ~~pink~~ yellow. You'll never know... ;)

Etsy
simpleheat

{1. Ruffle Linen Earrings}
{2. Yellow Wrapped Pendant}
{3. Silver Nest Earrings}
{4. Yellow French Messenger Bag}
{5. Jersey Ruffled Scarf}
{6. Linen Yellow Tulips}
{7. Yellow Sailor Tote Bag}
{8. Eco-Friendly Dress}
{9. Pleated Canvas Shoulder Bag}
{10. Crocheted Necklace}
{11. Owl Necklace}
{12. Oak Leaves Pendant}
{13. Yellow Sleeveless Dress}
{14. Crocheted Bumblebee}
{15. Love Birds Print}
{16. Silver Citrine Ring}

Sooo...I know I said that last week's FTF + SS was my favorite, but seriously: could the little bumblebee be any cuter?! :)

Happy shopping!

4/13/11

happy birthday to you, dad!

{superbowl day 2011}

Wow, and I thought Mama's birthday post was hard to write. ;)

Just because I don't have the words to express how grateful I am for you doesn't mean I'm not. Over the last couple of weeks I'm struck by all you do for me and the family...working 2 jobs {and looking like 3 this summer} especially. Clark follows you around all the time and counts down the hours until you get home, and I only hope that my future husband and little boy have the same awesome relationship as you and Clarky.

Happy Birthday, Father Dear!

4/12/11

new look

If you frequented the blog in the past couple days, you might've noticed things are bright and sunshine-y. It's yellow, mustard, and grey, it has a simple post area and a completely white background, rounded corners and damask in the header...and it's all around perfect and exactly what I wanted!!

And, since I know telling you I had a blog makeover isn't going to be enough {don't worry; it wouldn't be for me, either}, here are the deets:

1} A huge thank you, thank you, thank you to Megan from Calm Water Blog Design for putting up with my blog design demands. I can't tell you how many times I changed my mind, the color scheme and anything else that I thought of. At first, it started out as a purple background blog, with 3 pictures of me in the header, and now...well, you can see that it's totally different!! I fall head over heels in love with it each time I log into Blogger. :)

2} Overall, the sidebar and pages bar have changed and been simplified. Drop down menus, a blog button for the first time ever on Simply SA, and 3 new completed pages. A huge thank you to Erin, who directed me to Bethany for the code for the drop down menus, Megan for the blog button, and Emily for the Blog Roll page! The blog wouldn't be the same without you!!

The best part? It was total surprise to my readers, which was exactly what I was aiming for. I can't tell you how happy and giddy the comments I've received make feel. What a way to start the week!!

4/11/11

hello monday {9}

{hello monday}

{hello cloudy skies}

{hello bible study in a blanket with oatmeal and apples}

{hello math with mama}

{hello chores and shower}

{hello chemistry for the afternoon}

{hello more chores}

{hello chatting with a friend}

{hello bright sunshine-y blog}

{hello blogging}

{hello homecooked dinner made with love by the mother dear}

{hello Lent reading with the family}

{hello epic CHUCK, DWTS, and epic Castle}

{hello bedtime routine}