Offer to Help #notadoctor

I was reminded today that far too often, people wait until something tragic happens to get themselves help. I want to change that. If you only read this far, feel alone & are struggling with something, please message me. Contact me and I will help you get the help you need. I am not a therapist. I am not a doctor. Hell, I don't even have a college degree. I am human. I do realize A LOT of people are struggling with life and challenges alone. Drug addiction, mental illness, trauma, alcohol abuse. I also recognize this needs to change. We all have different reasons for not reaching out. Shame, fear of being exposed or vulnerable, fear of becoming a burden on someone. Maybe you reached out before and it did not turn out so well. Maybe your struggle is so secret, no one else knows. No matter WHY you are in the situation you are in to feel so alone, please know YOU ARE NOT ALONE. I am here. I am asking you to please reach out and I will figure out how to get you the help you need. Y'all...We deserve to be happy. We deserve to be our BeSt SeLvEs. YOU deserve to get the help you need to be able to be happy. There is no one in this world that is YOU. THAT is how special you are. Let me say it again for the people in the back--- YOU ARE FUCKING SPECIAL. YOU DESERVE TO BE TRULY HAPPY!!! Life does not come with a manual on how to deal. Nor does life come with unlimited (or any) counseling sessions or classes to teach you how to deal in a healthy way. So, we learn to deal however we do. Normally taught by those around us and how they deal. All of these coping mechanisms are not healthy. They seemingly work for us. Most unhealthy coping mechanisms are only temporary though, so they become bad habits we practice to continually trick ourselves into "feeling better". They stop working, but we hardly notice as now they are part of our daily lives and simply "what we do". They are what we do when we feel those negative emotions. The hurt. The anger. The sadness. By adulthood, they are habits, so it turns into what we do not only when we are sad, mad and hurt, but also when we are happy, celebrating or even bored. I'm here to tell you there are better ways! Do I know all of them? No, not even a fraction, but I am learning some and they are positively life-changing. I had a friend reach out to me today and simply text: "I need help. I don't know where to start." I dug deeper and asked a few more specific questions and help direct them to how to get the help they want and need. All I did was a quick search and I provided them with a place and phone number. ~*Was it scary for that person to reach out and ask me for help? I am 100% sure that answer is Yes. ~Did I feel they were weak, shameful or stupid for telling me their problems and asking for help? ABSOLUTELY NOT. ~What DO I feel about that person? So freaking proud. So very thankful they felt comfortable enough with me to ask for help. I am in awe of their strength and bravery to not only admit to themself they need help, but to also reach out when they had no clue how to get the help they need. ***To that person (you know who you are): You are such an amazing person and I have your back 150%*** To Everyone Else: Reach out! Ask for help! It does not have to be through me. I know less than John Snow, but I am here. I am able and willing. And I vow to help you find the help you need. ~Be well, Sarah

My bi-annual update

So...here we are again! Only a couple years from last blog... Anyways... I currently have a 2 year old for sale that screams when he goes to bed. Price is negotiable. (He is screaming as we speak). Also, I have a 4 year old & a 9 year old. Holy crap. How did THAT happen?! I am working on a financial plan to start a business. Slow and steady because when you have no money, that's how it goes. More to come on that in the future. Life is good, although "ordinary" comes to mind. Husband and I have no days off together (normal), but I have weekends off with the kids, so that's good. Jack (9), is smart as a whip. Has a part in the school play (9 lines), so that's exciting. Jess jr (4), is fully potty trained, he did it all himself at 3. And he is teaching himself to tie his shoes, which is super cool. Charlie (2), is still currently beating on his door to get out while he should be sleeping, so that's awesome. He is pretty cute and funny. They are all happy & healthy, so we are truly blessed. I got my sewing machine that I got 3 years ago out of the box. For some reason it is very intimidating for me and I haven't had the guts to plug it in. One day soon I hope to overcome that fear so I can make a bunch of awesome shit. I am getting ready to start a letter/list to my boss to ask for a raise. I mean, I do a bunch of stuff for him, am totally trustworthy & work my ass off, so I should get it. Problem is, he puts his faith in all the wrong people & takes advantage of the good people, so I guess I'll update on that when it goes down. Without going into too much detail, ("long story short"), I have learned in the past few months that of you feel uncomfortable going to a get-together because you may have negative feelings towards someone there or may not want to go, don't force yourself. You do not owe anyone more than you owe yourself happiness. Also, I've learned although it is extremely hard to do, in certain situations you must not give in to people who try to get a rise out of you. Just reply when you have to and be fake nice to get the job done. In the end you will end up looking professional and nice instead of looking like a psycho bitch. And they will always dig their own grave. And end up looking like a dick. Side note: 10 minutes later & ChArlie is still knocking on the door. That's enough updates for now. I guess I will start my formal request for a raise. Stay tuned for more amazing adventures!!! Love, Sarah

Still here!

Hey! Yes, I'm still alive & I still suck at blogging! Anyways, will try to update more often. From my phone, so please excuse any auto-corrects. I now have 3 kids-yes, THREE! All boys. And....we're done! (Pending Jess sr's vasectomy). Charlie is the newest & is 7 mths old. He is a joy :) I now work at Key Exteriors as the office manager. Plenty of time with my family as Jess sr works days at a factory. We are loving it. First time in 10 yrs we've had weekends off together. I'd say we earned it! Jack is at football practice right now. He likes it, but it's just conditioning right now, so we'll see. Jess jr is coloring. He's cute! I am trying to work out more. Need to lose 20 lbs to be happy with my weight. Or just have a flat, toned belly-that'd be cool too! My boss caught me doing squats today while waiting for my lunch to cook; he asked me if I was ok, I must've looked like I was in pain or something! I am reading more now that I have a little more time. Right now I'm reading a pretty good (so far) fiction book. I'll have to get back to you on what it's called as I can't remember right now. Reading is relaxing, yet time consuming. Hopefully I can read more this year. My goal is to finish at least one book this year. (Pathetic, I know)! We go to church too. It's cool and the kids really like it. Anyways, there's your update (MOM)! and I will try to be more diligent. Also, I will try to not be so random & make my blogs about something in particular. Still have to find my niche. After all, it's a blog, not a public diary! Peace out!

2 posts in one day?! Cray. Cray.

I have a question for anyone willing to entertain it. What do girls talk about? Like, if I'm trying to branch out & I'm gonna hang with this girl from my work. I don't know muh about her so I imagine most of the conversation will be "getting to know you" type stuff but I haven't made a new friend in awhile & I feel like I'm going on a date! Some may think I'm over analyzing this, but I'd like to have a friend at work that I can hang out with outside of work & all the people i would've hung out wih have been men so far & I'm married so I can't hang out with them a the time. She has a kid too & is really chill so I hope she's as cool as I think! Back to the matter at hand, please help. Any advice is appreciated. I just haven't done this in a long time!!! Thanks! Love, sarah

Happy New Year!

Hey! I'm still alive! I just totally suck at blogging! Updates: Work: still an hourly manager at Coventry Applebee's & loving it. I start back of the house management training next week so I'm pretty excited. I love all the people there more than I ever would've imagined & they are truly like another family to me. Jess sr: got a promotion!!! He's now an assistant general manager at the coliseum store & he is very good at his job! We are super blessed for the opportunity for him to be under his new GM & for his chance to advance:) Jack: is in kindergarden! He loves to read & learn. He also loves video games. He wants to be an artistic scientist who teaches people. He draws everyday & we do lots of experiments. He teaches Jess jr a lot of new things & is still the best big brother! Jack will be 6 in a few weeks! Holy moly! Jess jr: is one yr & 3 mths. He is a bundle of joy! He walks & tries to talk. He's into everything! He loves to dance & eat & play with his brother. Aside from mama, dada, & jack his first word was "buckle". He likes to buckle up in his car seat as we sing the "buckle up" song:) Christmas was good. Kids had "he best christmas ever!" & Jess sr & I got awesome surf & to spend fun time wih our families. I made a lot of the gifts this year. Purses for the nieces, wallets for the nephews, a bank for Drew. I had a lot of fun crafting & will continue to craft as much as I can. I did get a sewing machine for Christmas (thanks mom & dad!) & as soon as I get it out & figure out how to use it I will craft a lot! I am currently working on crocheting a camo (huge) blanket for jack. Hopefully it'll get done this year! New year's resolutions are for chumps but I'm gonna try to eat healthy & exercise. Play with my kids more. Go to sleep earlier so I can enjoy more of my days. I want to quit smoking but that is a process:) We've had a lot of trials in 2012...I have to say 2013 has to be better for lack of room to go worse, but Everytime my friends & family have helped us through. Thanks to all of you that have been there. I appreciate you a. Still working out all the kinks & this year already has some hills for us to climb. Anytime I think or say something negative about my very blessed life jack simply reminds me, "Momma, it doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is family & love." Oh, from the mound of babes. In closing, thanks for reading & also...I am super stoked for this weekend because my bestest friend in the world is coming to visit!!! My cousin kristy & my aunt sue & Colby, kristy's son is coming! One more day of work and then we're chillin' together. YAY! Wishing them safe travels! Stay tuned for more exciting adventures!!! Love, Sarah

Not having Internet really hinders blogging

Hello! Oh my goodness, it's been awhile! SO much has happened! Where do I begin?! Work-I got fired from Everdry In October 2010. Kind of a surprise, but also a huge relief:) I got a serving job the same week at Applebee's & around Feb 2011 I started cooking & bartending too. Lots of fun & awesome people. I was finally happy again & starting to act like my old self! Which I know my loved ones appreciated! In Feb of this year I was notified of an opportunity to move up & I took it. I now am a front of the house manager at Coventry Applebee's. It was a huge change as I loved working at my old store & the people, but come to find out I love the people at Coventry too! Jack-jack is 5 yrs old now! Holy crap, we're getting old! He is in pre-k at Whitney Young 1/2 days & will be there next year for kindergarden full days. He's keeping the same teachers so that's cool. They tell us he's a higher level thinker & super inquisitive. He can sound out letters & reads some words. He actually has been reading a lot more lately which is pretty awesome. He's realizing when you can read a whole new world opens up! Baby-I got pregnant in Feb 2011 & we had a beautiful baby boy on October 15, 2012 named Jess Jr! He is now 6 1/2 mths old & amazing! Jack is the best big brother ever! Jess jr really makes our family feel complete!(not to say we won't have more kids, but the feeling in our family is one that we are def where we all need to be)! Dogs-we decided to get rid of our dogs. Yes, all of them:( when I was pregnant they drove me crazy & I just couldn't imagine staying sane & being able to give my children, husband & dogs the love & attention they needed . We went through Perfect Paws adoption agency for pets. They first went to foster homes to be neutered & trained. Then they were put up )For adoption online. I followed all their prOgress & they all got adopted. We miss them dearly but know they are all loved & well taken care of as well as ourselves. We are all also still same which is nice. It is more peaceful around here:) There's so much more that's happened but I'll save that for another time! Keep reading! Now that I have a smart phone I will def post more! Also trying to change privacy settings to make a bit more public. Stay tuned for more amazing adventures! Love, Satah

UpDaTeS!

Not pregnant yet...:( Still working on it though! Although, I did just sign up for a ridiculous amount of class hours in the fall plus working 40 hours a week, so maybe it's good that we aren't!! I would wait until after I finish school but then Jack would be like 10! Better to do school now is what I'm told than to have to miss Jack's activities in a few years when he's in them.

Anyways...I have a test and a paper due this week so don't ask me why I"m wasting my time writing this!!! (Procrastination...I think I get it from my mother!) I wish I could pay my bills and go to school without having to work. That would be great. Still working that one out though!

We finally decided we will be joining my parents and my sister and family on the trip to Maine this summer. I'm pretty excited although I did find out that ALL of my aunts and uncles will be there at the same time so...it's gonna be crazy! Also we're in cabins RIGHT by the canyon so that makes me a little nervous taking Jack, but it'll be alright. Just have to watch him EVERY SECOND! (thanks mom and dad!) I'm still happy we'll get family time with everyone. And we've never vacationed with the Hakels before, so that'll be fun too!

Nothing else really going on except I'm trying to study and write papers to wrap up the semester in about a month! Then it's break time until impending doom August 23rd! I'll have to have an incredibly exciting summer to make up for my lack of life starting in August!

I'll keep y'all updated!

LoVe!