With the Jaggers in July!

I had the wonderful opportunity to go to Chicago for my Grandpa Jack's 80th birthday.  I love going and visiting my family out there. They sooth my soul and remind me of who I am and where I come from.   I love spending time at my grandparents house and I love all the same old family stories that get told, and the new ones that I am now old enough to hear.

 

 

My grandparents backyard is my little oasis.  There are so many good memories here and I just feel at peace (except for the d-word mosquitoes).

 

 

 

 

 

My grandparents are also awesome because they knew that I loved the movie 'Man of Steel' and also knew that it was filmed 45 minutes from where they lived, so they drove me to Plano to see what was left of the town that they used for Smallville.

 

We also went to the taste of Westmont to taste good food and take Jackson (my cousins little boy, and the cute face in most of these pictures) on all the fun rides.

 



 

 

Grandma and Grandpa had a giant pile from their backyard that they've been saving for 2 years, and we got to burn that, (and those who drank had another excuse to drink their way through at least 3 cases of beer).  Kari and I knocked out a case of Pepsi... so no worries there.

 

 

 

One of my favorite moments was Grandpa Jack's birthday lunch.  It was great to see all the people that love him celebrating him.  Plus it seemed like a great excuse for everyone else to drink.  They are lucky Kari and I are permanent designated drivers. =)  But they had plenty of pop and snacks to keep us kids happy.

 

 

 

I don't say it enough and I don't see them enough, but I really do have an awesome family!  Every time I'm out here I want to stay permanently.  Maybe someday the job market and my bank account will agree. =)

Year of the Snail

What the crap is wrong with 2013... since when are snails/slugs cool... or in the media so much?!?!?!?!?


(This was the most non gross and non offensive picture of a snail I could find)

-Giant pink slugs in Australia
-Turbo
-Comic relief in Epic
-Giant snails in Florida

The icing on this craptastic subject is the fact that there were snails all up in the Smurfs 2 movie.  (Kari and I always go see a crappy movie for her birthday and this year was Smurfs 2... don't judge us too harshly.)
       That was it... I had to write about it.  I mean I almost blew chunks in a movie theater filled with children... it would have been horrible.

Alright world.... lets all be snail hunters and finish them all off.... now I will supervise because I can't get near them... but the rest of you... get to work!

(Okay these last two pictures kind of freak me out... but I felt that they should be shared)

Alright... that is all.

The power of a Mom

***Warning... this contains a jumble of thoughts... probably not coherent to anyone who reads it. (I worked a 14 hours shift today and came home knowing a I had to blog.) Continue reading if you wish

 

 

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to watch the movie "The Impossible" staring Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor.  Now I went into this movie knowing it would be difficult because I remember the news when the tsunami hit back in 2004... but in all honesty I wasn't prepared for what actually took place.  I cannot wrap my head around the fact that around a quarter of a million died from that one event.  250,000 people taken from the earth at one time. It literally is too big for me to comprehend.  But that is just one of my jumbled thoughts from watching the movie.

 

 

 

The second is that it was a true story of a real family. The mother was there on set and took everyone through her story.  If  you have  moment please google or bing (whichever is your search engine of choice) her story and listen to this remarkable woman.  She brings me to tears and helps me see that we can be more than we are at the moment, that we can choose to be true to ourselves and do the right things even when they aren't the easiest. 

 

 

 

I love the story of this family, and I love that they were willing to share this with us.  Maria has taught me so much more about what a mothers love really is. I have a wonderful mother and great examples of mothers all around me, but since I'm not one yet I don't think I can fully grasp what a calling/job/gift that it is.  The opportunity to be a parent is the most important thing someone can ever do in their life.  You are the center of your children's world, and they are yours.

 

Now after watching that movie a friend and I searched online to see if Maria had written a book about her families experience, and we were saddened to see that she hadn't but that there were other books about the events of the tsunami.  So at 9:30pm we dove to Barnes & Noble and searched for any books that might tell us more real stories from this event.  The man at customer service told us there weren't any in stock but we could order them online.   But on our way out I looked at the staff pick books and came across "Wave" by Sonali Deraniyagala and I snatched it up.

 

 

Now this story literally has torn my heart out and step on it as it walked away.  Sonali and her family (her husband, two sons, parents, and friends) were vacationing during the tsunami, but her story is so much more devastating.  She lost all those she was with when the wave hit, and in her book she tells of her grief process in the years since the event.  That Sonali is still being true to herself and her family even through  the hell she has had to walk through shows me that when you love as a mother that love never leaves, never separates it only deepens with time.

 

I honestly can't bring to words my thoughts and feelings while reading her memoir.  It is perfect and ugly and raw and so real it hurts to read it.  I am sorry she ever had to have those experiences but I am grateful she is strong enough to write about it/relive it and share it with us so that we can be strengthened by her.

 

 

I'm not sure why I have been hit so deeply by this movie and these real life stories, but my heart literally aches for them now weeks later. I am grateful for my family and friends who anchor me and remind me of who I truly am, I am also extremely grateful for movies and books that continually teach me more about myself and who I am striving to become. 

 

We are so much stronger than we give ourselves credit for... especially Moms.  Moms... you blow my mind with your strengths and capacities that only seem to grow as your children do.  Thank you.  Thank you for being good, and imperfect, and yet perfect for your children.  Thank you for loving them and caring for them so beautifully!  Please hug them and be grateful for them and love them with your whole being. 

AVON Walk for Breast Cancer

Hello All... I know it has been a REALLY LONG TIME since I have blogged.  And now I'm all anxious about jumping back in again. It is why I am so bad at journal-ing... when you miss so much time you just feel like there is no way you can recap it.  So I'm not really going to try.  Instead I'm going to tell you about my the next adventure I have signed up for!


Now as you may or may not know I love doing 5k's. Now I've also set a goal to do a 10k (which I have yet to accomplish or sign up for)... and then for some reason I decided to sign up for a half marathon that will take place in December. Now to get ready for that and to feel like I am helping out a cause I decided to sign up for the AVON Walk for Breast Cancer.  The weekend walk is in San Francisco on September 28-29th. I will walk 26.2 miles the first day and then 13 miles the second day. CRAZY RIGHT!!!

Well that isn't the part I am the most nervous for. In order to participate in the walk I need to fundraise $1800 for the cause. Now I had no idea how much this foundation does for Breast Cancer Awareness and Treatment. I have no problem trying to get the money for the cause, I am just a tad bit anxious about the amount.  I signed up almost 2 weeks ago and have raised $120. Now I'm grateful for those who have already helped, but I still have a long way to go. 
That is where all of my lovely friends, family members, co workers come into play!  Now I know none of us are wealthy and we all have our struggles, but I am hoping you will be able to help.  Now the minimum donation is $5 dollars.  That is one trip to Taco Bell or another favorite fast food joint. Now I know it is a small sacrifice to ask you to forgo one trip and donate it to the Breast cancer walk, but that is what I am asking from each of you.  Each and every little bit will help with cancer research, early detection, and care for those who are battling now.
Now I will jump off that soap box, and just let you know that I love you all and am grateful for you whether or not you donate. And please have patience with me as I continue to fundraise.  I will keep posting messages on facebook and reminders. The average person needs 7 reminders before they take action, so I need to keep at it.

As for the donation process it is really easy, you can make the donation online at www.avonwalk.org and click the donate button and then put in my name (Sarah Jagger) or you can write a check to AVON Walk for Breast Cancer and either mail it to me or give it to me in person. (please make a comment if you need my address)
***Please also let me know if you are making the donation in the name of someone who is or has battled breast cancer. I am making a shirt for the walk of all those I am walking for, and would love to add to that list!

I would also like to thank everyone who has already donated and supported me so far, you are wonderful!

And thank you for reading if you are here at the end of the message!!

My 2012!!!

Now 2012 has been a pretty good year! And I feel like I should review it to try and document it. Well facebook seems to be ahead of me on that... so here is what they think the highlights of my 2012 were.

Anywhoo... I still think I should talk about it.

January: I bought my little car sassy. She is a blue 2011 Hyundai Accent.

February: Starting work at Community Services Bureau as a temp. I met some wonderful people at felt right at home! It was awesome!

I also started a book club that has been an awesome fun experience!

March: I got the opportunity to take the Critical Test for the Dispatcher job. I actually thought the test was awesome... but the fact that it was at 7am.. was not so awesome! It was the beginning of a great 8 month adventure to get my current job!

April: I got to adventure in Cannon Beach with some of my most favorite people in the world! It renewed my spirit and helped me remember who I am at my best! Love it and love them!

I also treated my family to a day on The Rock for my Dad's birthday. It was a great family adventure and reminded me how lucky I am to have the family I do!

May: Enjoyed a train ride to Modesto to see one of my very best friends Ella. It was a great weekend of fun in the sun!

June: I attempted to get myself into shape and joined a CrossFit camp. I lasted only two weeks. Apparently I will never be CrossFit...

I also had to dig into every detail of my life for the past 10 years for my Background Check for the Dispatcher job.

July: I ran/jogged/walked the Color Run at Candlestick Park with my friend Rosemary. It was so much fun, and something I want to do again!

I got to go to the Sacramento Temple with my friend Lisa Despain and we were able to complete 32 ordinances in our epic temple day! And I checked off another new temple! (I'm up to 12... a long way to go)

I also went to the Kite Festival in Berkeley with some friends from church. It was awesome and next year I will go with a better kite!

August: I became a volunteer for the Oakland Temple every Saturday morning. It is honestly the best way to start your day!

My sister's birthday is in August so I took her out to dinner and then to the movies, and we had an incredible time at the movie theater watching Step Up (whatever the latest one was called). Our favorite part was the slightly drunk ladies behind us who thought it was an interactive movie, and started dancing while the dance scenes were going on.

September: I went and saw War Horse with my friend Hayley and it was awesome! Loved it, and loved spending time with that lady. She is awesome!

One of my favorite moments was when I got to go to the Scottish Festival... I felt at home!

And I got to knock doing a Lie Detector Test off of my bucket list. It was not like I imagined and not as scary as shown on movies and TV... probably cuz I wasn't a suspect or criminal.

And I got to experience dueling pianos for the first time. My friend Stacy wanted to go there for her birthday.

October: I traveled to Medford OR, to meet Daniel Atticus Thorson. He has stolen my heart!!!! (It was also incredible to see Kathleen and Jesse. Annie and I did what we could to help, and spread our love to the Thorsons!)

November: I got hired by the Contra Costa County Office of the Sheriff as a dispatcher!

December: I went and saw the Nutcracker in San Francisco. It was awesome and helped me get into the Christmas spirit!

I also ran a 5k with my friend Lisa, and got the best time ever! 37 min 56 sec... so not great for the average runner, but awesome for me!

All in all it has been a great year, and I can't wait to see what adventures happen in 2013... the years I leave my 20's! Eeek!!!

Soon to be Birthday Girl's thoughts!

Soon to be Birthday girl’s thoughts:

So my birthday is tomorrow, and I don't have any real physical plans on what to do to celebrate, and really that it is fine. I'm not one for a big ol' birthday extravaganza, or lots of attention on me. But I have been thinking of stuff I would like to do for my big day. Most of my ideas aren't even really originally my own; I honestly have the coolest friends in the world who are so brilliant that I must steal their ideas.

The first idea I am stealing is the Random Act of Kindness idea that I first learned of from my friend Carrie, and then Liz.

So here are my thoughts on this... I have friends who I would love to spend my birthday with and it isn't possible for us to all be with one another, so for my birthday my biggest wish is that those I love with do something for me. Now I love the idea of a random act of service and if you want to do that PLEASE DO! But if your service or act of kindness isn't random... DO THAT TOO! Go to the temple, randomly hug strangers, and make someone laugh. Just please do something that is just for someone else.

That is the birthday present I want! Now I plan on doing 29 acts of service or kindness... and I will report back soon. (Man getting old is hard. 29!!!!)

Oh and tell me what you did so I can smile, laugh, or get a little misty eyed over my amazing friends and examples!

The second idea I am stealing is the goal idea; I'm not sure who started this trend but Liz, Carrie, and Kathleen... I am copying you. Here is what my year is shaping up to be like:

29 Goals for my 29th year

1. Finish the temple ordinances for my family names.
2. Run a 10K
3. Run 2 5K’s
4. Get to my goal weight
5. Visit 2 new temples
6. Go to 1 new state
7. Go to 2 Regional YSA Activities
8. Take a gun safety course
9. Read a church book
10. Read 30 books
11. Take a Spanish class
12. Pay off my credit card
13. Do one batch of names for family indexing a month
14. Read 2 books of scripture (Book of Mormon, D&C, New Testament, Old Testament)
15. Move out of my parent’s house
16. Do 1 random act of kindness/service a month
17. Do my Visiting Teaching one way or another each month
18. Go to the temple twice a month
19. Do a purpose filled fast every month
20. Do a hike up Mt. Diablo
21. Walk across the Golden Gate Bridge
22. Give something up for lent
23. Do Christmas or Easter cards
24. Go to Waterworld or Great America
25. Try paintballing
26. See a movie/concert at Golden Gate Park
27. Do baptisms at the temple
28. Have an entire day of Temple ordinances (Goal of 30 ordinances in one day)
29. Donate at least $5 to the general missionary fund a month.

I think some awesome adventures will happen before I leave my second decade behind!