I hope that this is me.
I hope it is never said that I am different in normal life than I portray myself here.
And I hope it is more of a snapshot, rather than a posed, coiffed, say-cheese kind of photo. I try to make my “picture” of my life as candid as 
possible.
Because if you only read my blog and have never met me, all you know is what you read. Or what you hear me say on a video. You know about me, and you know about my family, but you don’t really know me. Not really.
You’ve never seen me at the end of the afternoon when I’m wearing my grossest sweat pants and dirty socks, and my t-shirt from my workout earlier in the day. You’ve never seen lettuce in my teeth or seen me bite my nails. You’ve never heard me ask my girls 4 times to clean up the same room and listen as my voice escalates to a near scream. You don’t know our family mantra is “Never Get Sued”.
But you know that my kids’ playroom is usually a disaster, and that my pantRies are chaotic. You do know that my battle with weight will probably be life long and that my marriage, although solid now, has had more than it’s share of bruises. You know that I used to be a nerd (oh, I think I still might be) and that I have had trouble making and keeping close friends. You know that me keeping a food journal is way harder than I thought it would be this time around, and I am still working out the “discipline” aspect of my food issues.
I try, as much as is in good taste, to be honest. And open. And real.
Like when I talked to Mandy for the first time the other night. I knew her voice. I knew it was her before she said who it was. Her little Georgian accent is beyond cute. She’s real. And open. And honest.
What you read is what you get.
I know this is me. These blog posts. And someday, when blogging in it’s current form has lasted past it’s sell-by date, then I’ll have to find another medium to share “me” with you.
oh my gosh the smile that stretched across my face in reading through this – with or without mention of our convo.
i didn’t say this, but my first thought when finally getting a glimpse of the “conversational” side of Sarah, my first thought was: dang – she talks just like this in her videos. totally.
it’s comfortable and jarring, all at once, to “meet” someone you already “know,” isn’t it?
ps: that whole hint at the fact that blogging will someday become extinct?
that wasn’t nice.
not.
at.
all.
i’m only a year into this, but it’s had an unspeakable impact on me.
Trust me, you are NOT a nerd.
Hmmmm… this made me think. Sometimes on my blog I sound like a big complainer. Should I be happy that the real me is shining through my writing, or sad that I whine so much? Ha! Wish we could “meet” in person, but there is something special about knowing someone through writing. Its kind of nostalgic, like a piece of the past finding a way to bloom in a modern world.
Awesome post and so true.
I do think that there is a part of a person that in their writing shows more of themselves then they realize though.
I am with Mandy..Not nice hinting at blog extinction.
Hello!!
I think that you’re great.
You’re human.
And THATS how you come across.
Have a fabulous one!
Sammy
wow, thanks already!!
I agreee, mandy. about blogging having such an incredible impact on me too.
what a ride!
(I wasn’t trying to be “not nice”)
and RM – it is totally okay to complain; i think that some bloggers who never complain, never let us inside their heads!
hi. it’s me the comment stalker back again…
i talked to drew just after reading this post and he was making some joke about twenty years from now, how my blog would be all obsolete and stuff. i think i stopped dead in my tracks on my way to grab breakfast.
dang, NOT funny!
Bloggings going away? Wha!!
Oh Sarah, you do a great job being you. And I have my sweats on right now! Oh, and you should seeee my HAIR!
Oh but i have been lucky enough to have met you and you made an impression that has stayed with me all these years later. You are so sweet. so fun! I remember! And you are real. You are genuine. It oozes out of you. And I personally never knew you to be a nerd.
Nat: your hair, i’m sure is just fine.
zabs: you’ve always been beautiful.
mandy: please don’t freak. just repeat – “i’ll always have blogging, i’ll always have blogging”
bethanne: thank you for your support =)
Sammy and Theresa: thank you =)
i have a video blogging voice,
and a blog writing voice, and my husband recently added to that my prayer voice..i think i must have multiple voice-onality!
you know instead of multiple personalities (i might have to blog on this at some point). it could be a disease.
all this to say, you too haven’t heard my “don’t mess with me voice”
(it’s usually reserved for the hubby or kids- it’s NOT pretty).
and blogville too hasn’t seen me without lip stick, or in a picture i hated, or in my ratty short sweats
i am wearing right now.
you probably never will.
oh, and i bite my nails…bad habit.
“it’s not working”
“it’s not working”
Sarah,
Even though I don’t know you ‘personally’, you come across as a ‘real’ person on your blog because you share from your heart. Therefore, I FEEL like I know you as well as someone I’ve met face-to-face.
You’re honest. I like that you’re honest. You should hear the tone of my voice sometimes when ‘speaking’ with my kids. Yikes. I blog, but am too chicken to share it with everyone. I’m so happy not everyone is chicken like me.
Renee
Did I tell you that Mathilde “full” name was “Mathilde – Clémence – Sarah” ? All the names I love…and YOUR name because you’re part of my life for so many years ! Even if I’m the worst penfriend in the world, anyway : I found you again (Sherlock, MY real name) and I am very happy that my only daughter makes me think about you.
so true.
i often think … “people only ‘know’ me through my blogs … what to they think?”
but i know that if i speak from my heart and in my integrity, and i’m honest … then it’s all good.
the other option is to judge me and NO ONE wins in that situation.
on a totally superficial level, i LOVE the highlights in your hair in the picture you posted on this blog.
see … now i’m thinking “does sarah think i’m superficial and someone who NEVER uses capital letters?”
joking.
xoxo keep smiling
Sarah, I have been reading your blog for over six months. I love your candid stories about your life with your precious girls and sweet hubby. Most recently your video posts have made you SO REAL (one of my soap boxes in my own personal relationships.) I am a new blogger and began not for others to read but as a form of journaling for my girls (Delaney, 6 in two weeks, and Danica, 11 mos.) and family. Your video posts have inspired me to begin leaving pieces of myself for them through that medium as well. I tagged you for a meme at my site. It’s my first one ever. I am amazed how close you can feel to someone and their family when you have never met–how the Markleys can be on my prayer list and on my mind and heart when I don’t really know them.
One of the things I most love about your writing style is it’s authenticity. Keep it up! It challenges me to be more REAL.
It’s funny, but when I read certain blogs, I feel the “realness” come through. Some others, not so much. I strive for realness on my blog. I think it’s about the whole picture, not just the good, or the pretty, or the perfect sides of us. Not to say we should share Everything, but, well, you know!
Anyways, I also wanted to say that the whole food journal thing IS hard, but it SO works. I’ve been meticuolus with mine this week, and I’ve done really good. 4 pounds down! Thanks for the inspiration and the prayers. I’m praying for you too!
Oh, I forgot to say that your blog is DEFINITELY one of the real ones!
i have gotten to know you in a new way through your blog. thanks for being real!!
I guess it’s because you are so “real” that I keep popping back to your blog. I try to NOT be a blog-nag, but here I am again leaving a comment again.
Bless you for being you!
I love that you share every one of these little tidbits about your life and personality.
WOW honey, I think this post really resonated with people. Excellent job.
Oh, and everyone….she is exactly as you see her here. I don’t think she can be any other way. Honesty is a companion she lives with all the time. There are moments when the two of them wrestle but sweet goodness and truth seem to always come out in the end.
Thank you guys for being part of our life and takig the time to get to know my amazing Sarah.
Sorry for the sappy comment
Chad
I felt like I was reading about myself! It makes me feel so good that someone else feels exactly the way I do- Thanks for making me feel so “Normal” (What ever that is???)
I have a Texas accent in case you were wondering
what a great post Sarah!
you have such a great following of fans because you are real and honest and so open about sharing your life with your readers.
There’s always Facebook!