Shetland Ponies and Europe 2010

Tom and I are off to Scotland and Ireland for two weeks! We're pretty pumped for many reasons, but I am beyond excited for one reason in particular. I just got word that I am going to get an official Shetland pony driving lesson.

My life is complete.

Well, after I live in the same neighborhood as my sister, but this gets me one step closer.

I have a mini obsession for miniature horses and Shetland ponies are pretty darn close.

Per Wikipedia, the Shetland pony is a breed of pony originating in the Shetland Isles. Shetlands range in size from a minimum height of approximately 28 inches to an official maximum height of 42 inches (10.2 hands, 107 cm) at the withers. (11.2 hands for American Shetlands) Shetland ponies have heavy coats, short legs and are considered quite intelligent. They are a very strong breed of pony, used for riding, driving, and pack purposes.

We will be in the Shetland Isles in between our time in Scotland and Ireland. And it is in the Shetland Isles where I will be having my driving lesson. My dad set it up - he's the best!! I hope the weather and everything works out so this can actually happen. You better believe it'll be one the highlights of the trip *smile.

Don't know what a Shetland pony looks like? Let me show you...

This is basically what the fields look like over there. Pretty sure I'll be in Heaven.

Stunning.

Dear Lord, help me...

Seriously?!

It's too much...

Don't worry, we're doing a lot more than just seeing Shetland Ponies. We'll be visiting Glasgow, Edinburgh and taking a day tour in Scotland, then we're meeting my parents in Shetland for a couple days for a Sinclair family reunion of sorts, and then we're off to Dublin where Tom and I will begin our Seven Day World Tour of Ireland with Vegabond Guided Tours.  We'll wrap up the tour with a castle stay at the Ballynahinch Castle to celebrate Tom's 27th birthday - how fun is that?!

I am so very excited and grateful for the opportunity to travel and see the world with my hubby. I loooove that we both love to explore and visit new places, and I so treasure making memories together. I'm not sure what access I'll have to the internet or the time to blog so if you don't hear from me for two weeks, don't be alarmed.

We'll see you when we get back - get ready for lots and lots of pictures! *smile.

Project #3: Completed

You know those laundry rooms with clean, crisp blue walls, handy storage, cute sayings on the walls and a treadmill in the corner?

Yeah, I don't have one of those.

But I dream about them.

And long for one.

Not really. But sometimes.

Especially when the clutter that has become our laundry room about sends me over the edge.

But no more! Because Project #3: laundry room is complete.

You know how when you have space, you tend to use it and fill it up? That's how I operate as well. So our pretty decent sized laundry room had quickly become the resting place for any items that wouldn't fit in our kitchen or our busting at the seams storage space under the stairs. After almost three years of this, it had become quite the sight. This picture was taken after a couple trips of donation goods and garbage had already been made out of the house. You can't tell, but that's a 4-slice toaster, waffle maker and KitchenAid mixer still in their boxes, all never been used. "Someday!" I tell Tom. We also found beautiful Nautica glasses that we are apparently waiting to use for a really super special occassion. Or in the event that our other everyday glasses all break. We had both totally forgotten about them. It was like opening wedding presents all over again.

Anyone need an air filter? Wrong size.

We are finally parting ways with a set of antique dishes my dad found for us that we thought we would need/use but never have. Hopefully someone else can use them joyfully. And lots of random bowls and kitchen stuff and photo albums and empty boxes ("but what if we need to mail something?!")

What a difference two hours and some Hoarders (please tell me you watch that show?!) training tips make!

Tom said we didn't need two coolers, which I disagreed with.

It's not blue, doesn't have storage bins for detergent/sprays/clothes pins and whatever else people put in those, nor does it have a cute "Loads of Fun" or "Home of a Domestic Goddess" saying on the wall, but there is ROOM and SPACE and I can see the FLOOR and I love it.

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#301..."Leftover" brownie batter in the bowl.
#302...Breaking into song over dinner.
#303...A dust-free dresser.
#304...Feeling the gentle breeze during an afternoon nap.
#305...Anticipating the arrival of baby Suter.
#306...Making the most out of it.
#307...A simple, healthy meal.
#308...Biking through the woods with the hubby.
#309...Quick prayers of "Lord, help me change my attitude" that work.
#310...Thoughtful and helpful advice.
Do not get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time. - Galatians 6:9

Schwager Family

Baby Brynna needed her three/four month pictures taken. Guess who was the lucky photographer?! *smile.

I love holding sleeping babies...

Muscle Building Snack

If you know us, you may know that Tom and I can be a little bit annoying about what we do and don't eat. We both enjoy reading and learning about what is healthy and good for our bodies, and we try our best to stick to diets that are beneficial instead of harmful (minus the bowl of warm brownie and ice cream I had last Thursday. Shhhh....) We don't think we'll live any longer b/c of what we eat - our days are in God's hands anyway - but we do want to feel our best so we can enjoy life to the fullest.


Tom sent me a portion of an article about muscle building snacks the other day and I had to give one a try. I added just a squeeze of honey to the top to give it a Sarah twist. I had it for breakfast and thought it was delish so thought I'd share with you!

Greek yogurt is a low-carbohydrate/low sodium snack that is packed with 15 grams of quality protein. Add in a handful of blueberries and not only do you have a muscle-building snack, but one that is loaded with powerful antioxidants that aid in clearing free radicals preventing damage to your cells. Not to mention, blueberries are a low sugar/ high fiber fruit that can suppress your sweet tooth without any guilt and are loaded with powerful antioxidants.

Happy Birthday, Pam

Happy birthday to my MIL! Pam described in five phrases is over-the-top, full of energy, seeker of truth, diligent follower of Christ, and adamantly loving as wife, mom, Mimi, sister and friend. She welcomed me into the family with open arms and has been wonderful ever since. Pam is quick to seek forgiveness yet also forgive. She has encouraged me a ton in my journey as a wife to her son, and has never made me feel inadequate. I don't think we ever arrive at their house or have them visit where she isn't bearing thoughtful gifts. She loves hanging out with us girls and sharing her pearls of wisdom, as there are plenty *smile. 

May 2009 with Brooke.

May 2010 with Brooke.

October 2008, making us laugh as always.

Beautiful inside and out!

Happy birthday, Pam! We love you lots!

Multitude Monday

Counting my way to 1,000 blessings...

#291...Rainy Saturdays - great for getting things done inside.
#292...That moment on Fridays that I shut down my work computer.
#293...Not setting an alarm and sleeping until I please.
#294...Crockpot meals in June. I say they're great year round.
#295...Beautiful weather for a dinner date on the restaurant patio.
#296...Another heaping donate pile. Ahhhh, space....
#297...A husband who kills spiders.
#298...Having a great friend (Erin) who picks you up at the airport at 12:15 am when your flight has been delayed five hours. Bless her heart.
#299...200 pictured edited...99 to go.
#300...Knowing it's all in His hands.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. Psalm 28:7

Sinclair Family Portraits

I took some spring pictures of my brother's family. Below are a couple of my favorites!

P.S. Is my nephew, Jacob, not the cutest two year old blondie you've ever seen?! 

Memorial Day Weekend 2010

Memorial Day Weekend 2010 was spent, as has become tradition, in Mason, OH at Greg and Natalie's house. We got in Thursday night and left Monday night. (Our flight was delayed five loooong hours on the way home. Thank goodness for the time difference on the way back!) Aside from some airport drama, the rest of the extended weekend was filled with lots of pool time, extra sleep, fun games, fabulous meals, shopping, and quality family time. We only get to see Greg and Nat and the kids (Grant will be 5 in August and Brooke will be 2 in July) typically three times a year, so we cherish the limited time we have with them!

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Throwing Grant high in the sky. 

Silly Grant.

I loooove Natalie's beautiful flowers.

Under two and riding a scooter all by herself.

Spitting image of her father.

I think someone adores their big brother...

Best friends. They are sooooo cute together.

This is us last Memorial Day weekend in Mason. It's pretty crazy what a difference a year makes...

Good times.