Hello, my name is... Sarah Anne

When I decided to start a new blog several nights ago as I lay awake in bed, I debated what to call it.
I used to use the name Turns Like The Ocean- I was young, and tumultuous, full of emotions and dreams. But I am not that girl anymore. I am more grown up, I have more self-control, I am more dependent on the Lord and less tossed about by the world.
My previous blog was called The Abstract of Me. A friend suggested it when I was fifteen, because I was really into abstract art, and really...well, weird. I was weird. And I loved it, I embraced it; I was proud of how unique and strange and unexpected I was. And while I am still proud of being unique, I am not so much that girl anymore, either. I am softer, gentler- maybe not soft or gentle, but not as bizarre as I once was.
So I began to think about who I am NOW. I have changed so much in the past three years that at times I hardly recognize myself. All of the change has been good, very good! Yet I feel I am getting to know myself, as this past year in particular has been filled with so many big, life-altering changes- getting married, moving, being pregnant, having a son.
The thought of my son led me to consider the name "Ten and a Half Pounds" because that- yes, THAT- is what he weighed when he was born. Those words have become my reminder that if I can naturally give birth to a child that large, SURELY I can tackle the laundry that has piled up. Yes, I am a mother, and I love that role! But still...that is not the whole of who I am, either.
So I settled on "Sarah Anne I Am." It leaves the definition of this blog a bit open. It leaves room for me to talk about anything that wells up in my heart in the middle of the night and keeps me from sleep. Often it will be topics related to these two new, exciting titles that I carry: Wife, Mother. Sometimes it will not.

If you want to read bits and pieces of who I used to be, you can catch up by browsing many of my old posts, which I have transferred to this blog- I tried to only bring worthwhile stuff with me, but I couldn't help but leave a few ridiculous, random gems in there too.
And now, onwards- to new adventures, new challenges. Change can be hard, but growth is always a good thing. I look forward to sharing my journey with you.
Thank you for joining me.

Comments

Pause Before You Post: Representing yourself responsibly and honestly online

When I was about eleven years old I went to summer camp for the first time. Before my sister and I left, my mother talked to us about something. She explained that we needed to mindful of our behavior at camp, not only because it is important to be kind and respectful, but also because we would be a representation of both our family and Christ to the people around us. That stuck with me. Now, with so many of us daily browsing and posting to social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and blogs such as this, our representation is no longer limited to the people we are around in person- it is far-reaching, even global at times. It is certainly a far more widespread representation of yourself to post on the internet than it is to say something in person; on the internet, the dozens or hundreds of people you are connected with may see it. That is an enormous audience. I feel very strongly that we need to be mindful of that audience, of that re...

Girl, Your House is a Mess

Recently someone on Facebook posted something that bothered me. I didn't fly into a rage and comment viciously- I've been working on not commenting right away- or at all- when something bugs me, because often firing off a comment in the moment isn't most gracious ( more on this here ). But I've been thinking about it, so here we go. This post was about moms with messy houses, and how there is no excuse for one. People commented largely supporting this- asserting that messes are the result of laziness on the women's part, and that unless you are disabled in some way, you have no excuse. "Especially stay at home mom's," one woman, a stay-at-home mom herself, said, "I want to ask them what they do all day." Another comment agreed that the more time you have at home, the more time you have to clean, and therefore less possible reason why it should be messy. In general, it seemed agreed upon that a few books on your floor for a short amount...

Parenting Adventures: Already, I'm Wrong

I lay in bed five days ago, staring up at the dark shapes that the shadows made on the ceiling. It was the fourth night since Judah had been born, and I was realizing something: Already, I am wrong. Before our first child was born- this tiny blessing that we have had for just over a week now- I was certain of many things. I made plans. I confidently stated that our child would never co-sleep with my husband and I, because it was just too scary- and besides, we had a perfectly good cradle for him to sleep in instead. And yet now I found myself cuddled up beside the most precious human being I had ever seen, as he slept deeply (and safely) between Arthur and I in our bed. Before he was born, I said I’d never give Judah formula. And while I am sticking with breastfeeding, I cannot deny the fact that at 4am three days into motherhood I cried and wanted to give up. I have realized in these short nine days of Judah’s life that many of the things I was certa...

Sarah Anne I Am

Search This Blog