The List

Birthday's are such a different experience the older you get. It's like, we aren't that old that we should complain but on the other hand, we can see 30. And that feels like a big deal. Twenty six, I was pretty ok with . But 27 is back to odd numbers that I hate. So, in honor of 27, here is my "25 random things" list - 27th birthday edition. :)

1. I always wonder if these things are no longer interesting when I get around to participating.

2. I love knowing that the Lord is in charge of my life. I just have to remember to step back and let go sometimes.

3. I get my Masters degree this year!

4. I will hopefully go on my first cruise this year.

5. I hate to fail.

6. In general, I am about as even mannered and balanced personality as it gets.

7. The women in my family are crazy-nice but if you make them angry, you might as well forget about it.

8. If you have seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding, you have seen a glimpse of my childhood.

9. I love the lake and laying on the dock all day.

10. I can't stand "sea weed" and might become hysterical if it touches me.

11. The national strengthfinder test says that my 5 inherent strengths are Strategic, Achiever, Learner, Input, Belief. It's pretty accurate.

12. Reading is my favorite hobby. Sometimes I think I should be in research or editing so I can get paid to read. But I really don't think I could handle that without going stir crazy.

13. I have been out of college for 4.5 years, been married for 3.5 years, owned a home for 2.5 years, had kitties for 1.5 years, and will get my MBA in .5 years. I should be set for at least a year!

14. I drink a lot of coffee and milk. Not together.

15. I don't go anywhere without my chapstick and Trident gum.

16. My grandparents lived 3 blocks from my house when I was growing up. Everytime I left their house by Grandpa yelled, "Have fun, be good, drive safe. " It's like a mantra in my head.

17. I hope to own my own business someday but I don't know what that is yet.

18. My husband was born 1 month and 10 days before me, across the world. I was born in the winter, he was born in the summer.

19. I hate bugs and am petrified of insects swarming.

20. When I was little, I had nightmares that made me cry in my sleep (like sleepwalking).

21. I hate to be chased - it scares me, even if I know you are going to do it.

22. My name has only one vowel and only two unique letters: T and D. SARAH ANN HARSTAD.

23. I love driving SUVs.

24. My favorite blizzard is mint oreo and I think of my dad everytime I order one because I only ordered them because he did.

25. When we bought our house, we knew Derek was quitting his job to go back to school. I wonder if our parents were worried about our desicion at that point. No. I know they were worried, I wonder how bad it was.

26. It's really wierd talking about myself so much.

27. I have always been "tall for my age" but I don't know if that really applies anymore. When do you just become tall and not tall for your age.

Thoughts from a schoolgirl...

I can't believe I am saying this but tonight I start the final semester of my program. It has felt so long and so quick and so painful and so fun. I just am feeling like, wow, this is the final push. Just can't believe it's time already. I am excited because I can see the proverbial light and have totally looked forward to this last semester through the whole program. Other than Operations Managment or something like that, I think these could be some of my favorite classes. I know there is a lot of hard work left but whew, what does life after school look like? I am excited to find out. Yay! Too bad it's like the coldest night of the winter so far.

Has it really been 5 weeks?

I couldn't let the blog ticker say it had been a month since the last post so I thought I should write something quickly.

November and my only comment is that I am glad that its over. It was an incredibly busy, emotional, and life changing month. Thank the Lord we had so many fun events to balance the tough times and sicknesses. Everyone is healthy and happy in the New Year, memories were made, my girls are married and life moves on.

December, by comparison, was relatively smooth. School ended on a fantastic note, work was busy but managable, and there was lots of time with family between Derek's b-day and Christmas celebrations. Already this month, I have even had a special night out with my brother, dinner at chipotle, a movie, and dessert. It was fun to have time to talk and laugh together. And it helped that Marley and Me was a really good movie . :)

I hate to set New Year's resolutions because it feels destined to fail. But the changing year naturally seems to lend itself to some goal setting so, here is my best shot at my wishes and perhaps goals for the future.

A. Family. Derek first. It is easy to criticize and get mad at each other when life gets crazy. I want to make sure I am not falling into that trap. Extended family next. If we didn't know it before, we learned this year how important they are in our lives. Other? My honest feelings are the right time will come, I just don't know what that is yet.

B. Pay attention to my health. I am not setting weight goals or size goals. I just know that when life gets busy, I ignore my health and fitness. So the goal is not to slide into a no work-out, terrible food lifestyle. I also know that taking better care of myself will make everything else easier and probably make for less body and headaches.

C. Time with Friends. School and work have dominated my free time for the last year and a half and I realize how much I miss my girl friends. So I just want to be there because in their own ways, they have been there for me and helped me through a crazy year and a half.

D. Opportunities. School has been a big adventure that I have loved and as I enter the last semester I am excited to see it end but know there will be some sadness. I want to be open to whatever God has in mind for me next. I am learning so much about what I want and am good at and don't want and struggle with. I hope I can use what I am learning. And I am lining up the projects, books, and ideas for my free time! So far over break I have read two books and am well on the way with my third. I am excited to be better at the other areas of life!

So I guess that's a lot but that's what keeps life moving. :) I wish the best for all of you this New Year and can't wait to enjoy it with you, whatever comes our way.

Amanda's Wedding

Rehearsal dinner.

Happy girl!

Professional ushers.

Getting the dress tied. She is holding a little electric fan - it was alittle warm.

"the moment" photo

The moms.

My boys.

Waiting with Jason. He had his cell phone in hand most of the day.

Siblings.

In the limo on the way to the reception.

David and Amanda Schultz

Happy couple. I don't have a good straight on shot of them.

I think I have this picture from all three weddings and a reception this month.

Mom and the kids.

Dancing fools.

With Dad.

Aleta's Wedding

As soon as we were back from FL, Derek headed north for deer hunting and I met the girls for lunch for Aleta's wedding.

Martina was home!

Rehearsal

The Dad's. Getting ready.

Beautiful

High School Friends

College friends



and it was Dad's birthday that week.

Happy Thanksgiving

Creative title. Since it's been 4 weeks, I really wanted to come back with a bang. - I may have missed it.

Anyway, it's been busy so we are super glad to be at Thanksgiving. Looking forward to getting my dad home - hopefully today and seeing all of our family on Thursday. We haven't been together with Derek's whole family for over a month, which is totally normal for some families but odd for us.

A few pictures from the past month. Although I have taken over 500 pictures this month (thanksgiving thanks #15 - new camera!), I still could have so much more!

View off of our balcony at the Animal Kingdom Resort in FL.

Mickey was a pumpkin at the entrance to Magic Kingdom.

The mountain in back has a ride in it that makes me sick but is Derek's favorite!

In "Norway" at Epcot.

Mexico at Epcot - it was food and wine night. :)

Rehearsal on the beach - see Joni, our picture will have Matt and yours won't, totally not the same picture.

Rehearsal dinner with the bride.

Coolest bathroom ever - there was even an engagement that took place in here.

Dereks best picture of me in the wedding. :)

:) - the wedding hair is a little pointy.

Our Miss Aleaha, last and most expensive but fun - we always knew it!

Worn out but ready.

I would love to put a tremendous and entertaining blog post together but just don't have the energy. Since the 13th what has happened...?

On the 18th I hosted my sister's bachelorette party in the Cities. My cousins let me borrow the townhouse for the night - love them. It went so well and we had a great time. Most importantly, my sister had a blast so it was worth it.

This past week I started new classes and had some family stuff to do. It's was quite a handful to adjust my mind to a new topic. It takes at least two weeks so desperately going to try to catch up in class this week.

This weekend a co-worker and I hosted a women's retreat, Pursuing Balance. It was so much work and I was physically exhausted by the end, my body ached. But it was also so amazing. I can't describe it but our presenters were so good.

Back in reality, my house was a disaster, the homework piled up and my husband is feeling incredibly neglected. I love change but I guess I can only handle so much at once. So, instead of tackling any of that, I took a 3 hour nap today. hah! I guess that was my pursuit of balance. Trying to get through the homework and made some progress on the piles in the house. At least I cooked a homemade supper so Derek will have something fresh when he gets home from work.

So I am exhausted from it all and know this next month will be a big one. But I am also ready. It's all in the attitude and I know the Lord wouldn't give me more than I can handle. So not much entertainment in this post - sorry. A few pictures below are from the bachelorette party. Have a great week!

Andrew and I at the townhouse before the girls came.

The panties game - I had to do granny for her and she guessed me right away. :) I also got a fun pair.

The group at the Shout House.

So glad Karina joined.

The look of a good time. :)