tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55687450453732483792024-03-13T09:36:56.858-05:00Sterling Creek RanchHere we are, family of four, Cory, Sarah, Jack and Duke.
Truly, we are five for we can't leave out Bailey, but in our hearts we will always be seven - we miss you Fisher & Garfield!Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.comBlogger173125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-51136529770969528832014-01-08T19:15:00.001-06:002014-01-08T19:22:37.768-06:00Life Lesson, Wait, What?!When opportunities arise in parenting that provide the most perfect moment to teach a life lesson I am giddy with glee. Finally, a situation in which I can use what my child has most honestly walked into blindly as an example of something never to (or always to) be repeated again in their future.Plus I don't become the enemy in the process. In these cases I'm typically the good guy, Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-91607718337834261972013-10-18T09:12:00.002-05:002013-10-18T09:13:01.717-05:00Duke U6 Soccer Fall 2013
Grandma asked a few weeks ago if I could get some new content up. Well, Jack's field is a bit to wide this year for U8 to post, but here is Duke in action. Last week he scored 5 goals!
Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-8840172724608071632013-04-17T20:16:00.000-05:002013-04-18T08:03:34.908-05:00Our GirlToday would have been Fisher's 18th birthday.
I waited to write this thinking it would be easier a month later, and sometimes it is, and sometimes it's not. I guess that those who have lost a loved one feel like that. I've been blessed to not yet had to experience losing someone that I've been around everyday for years on end. Until her.
And there are Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-50537801140155152562013-03-14T20:40:00.000-05:002013-03-14T20:40:22.015-05:00Three Tall TreesThe highlight of the K5 year is the performance of Three Tall Trees, a story of three trees that each have grand aspirations but are claimed by woodcutters and their fortunes are changed forever. I went to Lifeway today to get the book, but they were sold out, so looks like I'll be ordering online tomorrow. Perfect Easter gift for kids his age.
Today was the dress rehearsal so we Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-66503648200459111752013-01-30T20:38:00.002-06:002013-01-30T20:50:47.556-06:00The Penny
What is a blog for if not to write about the most intimate moments in the life of your family. I mean who can keep up with all that baby book business, dates of the first teeth coming in, dates of the first teeth being lost, vaccinations, first words, gifts and their givers from each birthday celebration. The thought is exhausting. It's a good thing I have boys who would Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-62422732325836280792012-11-09T15:38:00.000-06:002012-11-09T15:44:46.456-06:00Grandparents Day Jack K5 VideoA LOT shaky,I already have my plan laid out for next year to film Duke, but sooooo proud of my little guy. Going from just a few years ago being too shy to even be in front of the classroom parents to walking out on stage and participating!
Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-84355497482933895712012-11-05T19:56:00.000-06:002012-11-05T19:56:49.446-06:00Fall FunI LOVE FALL!
By far my favorite season of the year. Summer winds down from it's hot crazy mess and the cool nights, cooler mornings and amazing colors that last at least a month down here are a sight for color starved eyes.
With it comes all the extra school fun - fall festival, our first season of soccer (so much fun!), Halloween-which I am not a particular fan of but I know it's a Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-27942469628913507742012-08-30T12:21:00.000-05:002012-08-30T14:15:35.937-05:00Where I Come FromWell, last night on facebook during the Republican National Convention things got quite busy with passionate people posting their positions and feelings about the upcoming election. And against my normal "reserved for small audiences" only typical involvement, I was part of it.
And so, after being up at 4:45am and getting home at 6:30pm, I should have known better and kept quiet, because Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-30756572669560519742012-08-14T17:46:00.001-05:002012-08-14T17:54:24.032-05:00Summer Goes Out with a BANG!We opted out of an "official" vacation this year. We have some other priorities right not, not that we are doing as well with meeting those as I'd like - dang perfectionist me and my goal list - and we did have a few fun outings, like a day at Lake Wedowee where we took out a boat offered to us for the day by a customer of Cory's and spent a week at Grandma Camp, but I still wanted toSarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-28988014479980299282012-08-05T17:10:00.001-05:002012-08-05T17:29:07.078-05:00Journey's EndFriday was a happy day and a sad day all rolled into one. After 5 1/2 years we officially said goodbye to our friends and family at Odyssey Early School.
Our morning drop off was pretty uneventful except for Duke being very excited for his last day. He has been counting down on the calendar to it as well as his upcoming first day at Briarwood on the 15th. I was a bit teary on the drive out of Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-91610768190590369482012-07-17T18:45:00.000-05:002012-07-17T20:41:47.447-05:00The Car, Where Imagination LivesI'm not a fan of preschoolers with technology. I know that a little bit of time spent on the computer or iPhone can be educational and in the right place and at the right time, we set limits. But we aren't a DS family, and the only time it's allowed in the car are on extended travel trips, and even then, it's the DVD player for a movie.
It's a rule I set when they were just toddlers, mainly Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-39854248665957483612012-05-30T19:50:00.000-05:002012-05-31T15:34:35.264-05:00On the Way Through Decade IVYep, I officially stepped past 40 with my first year in my pocket. My sweet husband reminded me the next "big one" is 50. Thank ya very much! But then he said, "Think of all we've done since 30!? Weve got a great time ahead."
And you know what? He's right! (I didn't just marry him for his looks after all :))
Just before and during our 30's...
...we celebrated our 7th anniversary
...we'd built Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-14825666527042438722012-05-28T19:57:00.001-05:002012-05-28T19:57:39.493-05:00My HoarderIt started with green cherry tomatoes. My token patio cherry tomato plant two years ago never seemed to have ripened fruit. Then one day I noticed Duke with his hands in his pockets lingering near said pot.
"What-cha got there buddy?"
"Nothing..."
"Take your hands out of your pockets."
"I don't want to."
"Please :):)"
"Oh! Ok!" my naive 2 1/2 year old complies. And ther are the 5 green Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-71812865435642424462012-05-21T19:59:00.000-05:002012-05-21T19:59:19.934-05:00Serenity (for today)Maybe it's Jack's first year at his forever school coming to a close.
Maybe it's my favorite month (but busiest month) 1/2 done.
Maybe it's having a vision financially of where we are headed and being in that place for the first time since the kids were born.
Maybe it's Duke being on green the WHOLE day, after nearly four months of "I was on yellow, and just a little on red..."
Maybe it's Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-13585433936931276492012-04-20T14:58:00.001-05:002012-04-20T14:59:57.709-05:00BCS Reflections: A Parent's PrayerIt's nearly the end of the school year and I haven't even mentioned a thing about what a wonderful addition to our family life Briarwood has been. Well, guess I just did!
Ever week or so I receive an email message from the Superintendant and a recent one really hit the spot for me. Hope you enjoy it too!
A Parent's Prayer: From an Imperfect Parent for Priceless Children
Make me the parent, OSarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-4636864470570379832012-04-18T19:52:00.000-05:002012-04-18T19:52:05.381-05:00The Old Switcheroo!There once was a boy named Duke. He was a gentle lad, narry a thing would faze the boy. Eager to help, happy to please. And then one day...POOF! He was gone!
That my friends is the little tale that is my life these days. Yes, my sweet, quiet, happy go lucky, did everything himself early, "Ok I will!" baby boy has decided that he would prefer to stick out his tongue,Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-29157928815852046792012-03-06T12:51:00.000-06:002012-03-06T12:57:36.977-06:00Enjoy Pizza at SLICE and Raise Money for Children's of Alabama
Great new restaurant in Lakeview that is running a promo fundraiser for the
Children's Hospital Auxiliary! If you have a hankering for really good
pizza and need a Tuesday night early week break - NEXT Tuesday - March
13th they are running the attached special to benefit Children's.
Please pass along to anyone else you may think would support the cause or
feel free to post in your Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-13547530395270157102011-11-27T17:35:00.005-06:002011-11-27T17:50:37.672-06:002011 Christmas PreviewI am slowly getting ahead of myself this year! I might actually get my cards in the mail before Christmas. I also am dedicating 2012 to more posts as it looks like I'll be able to upgrade our internet service - HOORAY!
Thanks Shutterfly for another easy way to get my holidays started. I have used them for my photobooks and holiday cards now since the first year I started, and Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-12404560798313090092011-09-23T08:27:00.002-05:002011-09-23T08:29:58.700-05:00My Rant AnsweredHe just knows when to show me up. Tuesday I rant about the difficult life I lead, all self pity and depressive thoughts. And last night, He shows up with this...
I posted a pic to facebook taken with my iPhone, but it didn't truly capture the unbelievable color of the sky. Because of the thunderheads in the distance to the west and also to the east there was a shadow that Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-20487032971758097972011-09-20T19:14:00.000-05:002011-09-20T19:14:52.614-05:00There Is Only So Much I Can TakeI didn't intend for the next post to be a rant, but it is going to be.
One of the main reasons that I have not kept up with this blog to be completely and utterly honest, is because I can't.
No, not I can't because I don't have the time, but no I can't because I have a piece of crap laptop that is 6 years old with a modem that is outdated, we live in the middle of the freaking Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-5950025434577693672011-09-13T19:10:00.003-05:002011-09-13T19:15:41.374-05:00I Hearby VowSeriously, this was the outlet, the method to my madness. My ability to escape through words from my far too busy, 4:30am to 10pm-ish life. And I have neglected it far too much in the past year.
So, beginning yet this week I shall commit to one thing for myself that doesn't involve making certain my 5 year old can say his memory verse without fail in front of his teacher, cooking at Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-24244569357386326452011-08-03T07:30:00.000-05:002011-08-03T07:30:33.140-05:00Kids Say the Darndest Things...It's nearing the end of the school year at our daycare which means year end parties and collections of art projects handed over.
Yesterday was Jack's which is bittersweet because 2 weeks from today we will be off to "big school" starting our journey through education at Briarwood Chrisitan School in the 4K program. sniff.
Last night I sifted through the many glittered fish, pasted bunnies, Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-81702166341187532752011-07-26T16:48:00.000-05:002011-07-26T16:48:32.185-05:00Grandma CampMy kids being the youngest on the Rath side and quite a few years off from Cullen, the last one born prior to them, are a bit "younger" in the mix of grandchildren, spanning from nearly 20 to 9. On my side, we have Caroline at 7 and then 4 boys 5 and under in the span of 14 months (mine being the bookends) and our (maybe) last little one of Alicia's is Jonah at 18months. We are just getting Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-61520010062884782882011-06-08T16:14:00.002-05:002011-06-08T16:19:30.315-05:00Play Ball!The south is notorious for starting kids EARLY in organized sports. Cory and I are not so quick to jump on that bandwagon. Having played all his growing up years and pitching college baseball and being very good at it as well (damn you achilles tendons! I could be a trophy MLB wife right now!), you would think he would be more apt to push his own kids toward the sport, but truly, he's the Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5568745045373248379.post-67752130714656576572011-06-01T21:57:00.002-05:002011-06-01T22:04:36.749-05:00Up For AirExhale. Big Exhale.
The past two months have been a whirlwind. April and May are always really busy in our lives. It's the start of the spring/summer and the weather is amazing. Cory usually has a bit of a travel break with work so we can work in our annual vacation and it's always the special time Dad visits for his annual trip for the Birmingham Botanical Sarah Rathhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00291432386990755565noreply@blogger.com0