I’m an aunt!

By Sarah Martin HoodAugust 10, 2015November 4, 2018 motherhood colt, crazy aunt laura, nelson 2 Comments

If you’re reading this, I got the green light to shout it from the rooftops! Baby Rangira is here! My sister Laura and her husband Leo didn’t find out beforehand whether they were having a…

Nacho Average Baby Shower

By Sarah Martin HoodJuly 13, 2015November 4, 2018 motherhood becky, colt, crazy aunt laura, god love grandparents, Summer 2015 1 Comment

After throwing such a festival of nonsense for Laura’s chickens last fall, Becky and I knew we couldn’t just host a normal, traditional baby shower for Laura and Leo. We had a reputation to uphold….

High on the Hogeye

By Sarah Martin HoodApril 8, 2015September 18, 2016 gold star family, northwest arkansas, running 1LT Tom Martin Memorial Foundation, becky, colt, crazy aunt laura, fayetteville, half marathon, hogeye marathon, jeff, Keeping TIME, The Hogeye, tom 2 Comments

This was my fourth Hogeye. In 2012, it was my first marathon. The course and the hometown location were the familiarity I needed for my first go. In 2013, it was my first run with…

A Chicken Story

By Sarah Martin HoodOctober 28, 2014September 18, 2016 motherhood #fiestadepollo, becky, chickens, colt, crazy aunt laura Leave a comment

Over the years we’ve all learned not to underestimate my tree-hugging, Chaco-wearing sister Laura when she shares unorthodox or seemingly crazy plans. She’s not just talk, people. She actually DID stumble across such a thing…

Field Day | Let the games begin!

By Sarah Martin HoodMay 31, 2014September 4, 2016 motherhood becky, colt, crazy aunt laura, field day, kindergarten Leave a comment

Neither of my sisters has kids and I happen to have a particularly entertaining one, so when they get a chance to hang out with him it goes a little something like this: Aunt Laura:…

This was the Christmas

By Sarah Martin HoodJanuary 8, 2014September 18, 2016 motherhood #firstworldproblems, arkadelphia, becky, christmas, colt, crazy aunt laura, god love grandparents, holidays, jeff, San Antonio, scout Leave a comment

This was the Christmas… I smiled. A lot. Don’t get me wrong, I smile every Christmas. But it’s also a time of traveling and stress and anything-but-routine which leads to frazzled nerves and shortened patience….

Halloweek | Pumpkin Patch

By Sarah Martin HoodOctober 28, 2013September 18, 2016 motherhood becky, colt, crazy aunt laura, fall, god love grandparents, halloweek, halloween, pumpkin patch 2 Comments

I once thought of Halloween as a simple holiday. A single day of costumed, candied fun. Not a holiday SEASON, like Christmas or Thanksgiving. Just – Halloween. But somewhere, somehow this family started stretching Halloween…

Take a Hike

By Sarah Martin HoodOctober 22, 2013September 18, 2016 gold star family, hiking, northwest arkansas 1LT Tom Martin Memorial Foundation, arkansas, becky, buffalo river, colt, crazy aunt laura, hawksbill crag, Keeping TIME, tom, whitaker point Leave a comment

“Let’s do the hike out to that pretty rock,” she said. So we did. As soon as my sister Laura confirmed she could come to Fayetteville for a weekend in October — we made plans….

When am I healed?

By Sarah Martin HoodMarch 25, 2013September 17, 2016 personal reflections crazy aunt laura, life list 4 Comments

Ya know how clothing stores often design one shirt then offer it in multiple colors? Black, white, some sort of neutral brown, then a range of colors — red, pink, blue, maybe purple or green?…

Sisters!

By Sarah Martin HoodAugust 20, 2012September 4, 2016 Uncategorized 5k, becky, colt, crazy aunt laura, painting with a twist, run for the grapes Leave a comment

I just couldn’t help myself so I stole my own thunder last week by posting a few photos of our Sisters Weekend to Facebook. But not to worry, there are more! Laura drove up from…

Gobble ’til you Wobble

By Sarah Martin HoodDecember 2, 2011September 4, 2016 running colt, crazy aunt laura, god love grandparents, jeff Leave a comment

I can't remember the last time the Martins had a "traditional" Thanksgiving. It's always been that holiday that at least one of us is traveling or deployed or working or who knows what else —…

The Rest of the Story

By Sarah Martin HoodMay 17, 2011October 2, 2016 gold star family, Uncategorized cabot, colt, crazy aunt laura, god love grandparents, jeff, tom Leave a comment

I got all excited and started to tell you about our long weekend with family, but only got as far as Thursday. Whoops. But better late than never, right? It's true. I was off work…

This Christmas

By Sarah Martin HoodJanuary 3, 2011September 4, 2016 Uncategorized christmas, colt, crazy aunt laura, daycare, god love grandparents, jeff, video 3 Comments

"We still do both," I answered in the weeks leading up to Christmas when asked about our plans. I would usually get a scrunched face and a knowing, sympathetic look. Evidently, it's the thing to…

This Little Light of Mine

By Sarah Martin HoodJune 2, 2010September 4, 2016 Uncategorized africa, botswana, crazy aunt laura, peace corps Leave a comment

My sister is coming home. And I'm so, so proud of her that I want to brag about her all over the internet. Laura is finishing up her last few days as a Peace Corps…

Holiday Recap

By Sarah Martin HoodJanuary 1, 2010September 4, 2016 Uncategorized christmas, colt, crazy aunt laura, god love grandparents, jeff, snow, video 4 Comments

So I feel like I may have slacked a little on the holidays this year and I can't quite put my finger on it. Let's see, I spent Thanksgiving – the unofficial kickoff of the holiday season…

Tuesday Grab Bag

By Sarah Martin HoodDecember 15, 2009September 17, 2016 personal reflections crazy aunt laura 4 Comments

I received the following email from my sister Laura today. I laugh out loud every time I read it and decided I must share it with the masses. Ok, I have officially taken pictures of…

Africa – 2009

By Sarah Martin HoodDecember 5, 2009September 18, 2016 adventure travel africa, crazy aunt laura 1 Comment

I've finally finished compiling photos, videos and journaling from my trip and you can find it all RIGHT HERE. For future reference, it's listed in the bottom left hand corner of this page – called…

Africa – 2009

By Sarah Martin HoodDecember 3, 2009December 12, 2021 adventure travel, travel africa, botswana, crazy aunt laura, life list, peace corps, waterfall 6 Comments

In November 2009, I traveled to Africa to visit my sister Laura who was serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Botswana. Over the course of 10 days, Laura and I traveled to South Africa,…

Tease

By Sarah Martin HoodDecember 1, 2009March 10, 2013 travel africa, crazy aunt laura Leave a comment

I'm back home, safe and sound, having just spent 10 days traveling to see my sister Laura in Botswana. SO much fun and I have 6 zillion pictures to prove it. I am currently writing…

Training Mode

By Sarah Martin HoodJuly 23, 2009March 10, 2013 travel africa, crazy aunt laura 3 Comments

I mailed my passport renewal form today. What a racket. $75 and a mugshot later – I have officially notified the Department of State that #1: I changed my name almost three years ago, and…