Sarah: Contentment in the Sadness

Sometimes, when I hear a song or read a book or see an image I'm so moved I cry. I'm so overcome. I'm sad. The sadness touches the very depths of myself.

And yet in the sadness, there is contentment.

Sarah: Struck, Exchanged, Down

If you are out of college, living in a new city where you only have 2 friends and no family around, and you don't know how to make friends, I have the answer for you:

Get an adorable pup that is scientifically irresistible to the human race.

No one can ignore him. Conversations are struck. Smiles are exchanged. Walls come down.

Sarah: A Fun Little Somethin'

Meet the newest member of the Kaggwa family!

Leo Kaggwa

We picked him up last night! He's a golden doodle. He's sweet, laid back, and energetic. He also sleeps a lot. And pees a lot. And looks very adorable....a lot.

We're smitten over here in the Kaggwa house : )

Sarah: A Monday Afternoon

I had the day off on Monday and I was feeling pretty inspired. So I decided to make a little somethin' somethin'...

Just used paint samples from Lowe's, some old sheet music, and a few old photos I had laying around. It's super not perfect, but that's how I like things. Now I just need to figure out where to hang it!

Inspiration from here, here, & here

Sarah: Life

San Diego offers free college-like courses for adults who live in San Diego county. And I'm taking two classes this fall! Did I mention they're free?

I had my first class last Wednesday - a pattern making class. I love to sew and I'd love to learn how to make my own patterns for clothes; hence, the class. It's a four hour class once a week, for 18 weeks. I'm really excited about it!

The second class that I'm taking just started yesterday. It's a basic photography class. And when I say basic, I mean b a s i c. As in, let's talk about the different kinds of camera. Digital vs. film. Point & shoot vs. DSLR. Granted, it's mostly older people who don't really understand their cameras, so I probably shouldn't judge too harshly. Still, I'm learning a few things. This is the first "formal" photography class I've ever taken. And even though it's pretty rudimentary, I'm enjoying myself.

It feels good to be back in class(es). And to be learning about my passions and hobbies instead of taking courses which are required.

It feels really good. I feel good.

Kelsey: Renegade Craft Fair

So these are my weekend plans...

See you there!

Sarah: Lamb Family

This is the last of the photos I took when I was home in Ohio. I took some of just my niece and I also took some with the three of them.

I present to you, the Lamb family:

One of my favorites.

Yes. Yes. YES. A million times, yes.

Thank you Tensentric!!!

I'm back!

Wedding planning is over! Guests have gone home (sad) and thank you notes are being written. I loved my wedding and I am so glad that I never have to plan a wedding again. It is just not my kind of thing.

 While writing thank you notes I remembered that Denis and I have a big thank you that is long overdue! One that has nothing to do with our wedding. But our wedding distracted me from posting about it until now. Last November we received a gigantic check from Tensentric, the awesome company that my sister Sara works for! All the employees chipped in money and then the company matched it to give us this huge donation.

Literally a gigantic check. 

I was not exaggerating. They also gathered boxes full of goodies which they were going to send as a care package but then it turned out they gathered too much stuff to send! What a fun problem. So they presented it to us when we visited Colorado. We were sent home with bags of toys for kids in our neighborhood and tons of chocolate and condiments! Love!

We were blown away by the generosity of people who we had not even met yet! And I was heart warmed to know that my sister is working for such a great company. When Denis went back to Uganda in February he took two extra bags of goodies for people in Mpumudde to enjoy. With the money we were able to pay for two neighborhood children to go to the best schools in Jinja for the entire year! These kids were attending a local school which cost $15 a semester and they were horribly behind. We felt that the school did not really care about their education, they are 13 and 14 and neither can read! We have been wondering what to do with these kids for a while and we were able to send them to the best school in the area where they can get some individual tutoring. We also contributed some money to the local hospital where I had been volunteering and encouraged the head midwife to use some of the money to start applying to Medical Schools and pursue her dream of becoming a doctor. I loved being able to give back to the person who taught me everything I know about midwifery and HIV testing.

Here are some pictures from his trip.

Baby Alisha had to test out all the toys before they could be distributed. She is so selfless. She is also styling some cute new dresses courtesy of Tensetric employees!

 The family is chilling at the hospital with a bag full of toys waiting to hand them out to sick kids. What a fun way to brighten their day!

 Denis said it was like Christmas at the hospital! The kids were super grateful for the toys and a couple days later they came back with this ADORABLE sign! And we agree, Thank you Tensentric!!!