Sarah: Spring Lovin'

[Clock wise from Top Left: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII]

Here are some things I'm loving on this fine spring day.

Sarah: Leap Day

Happy February 29th everyone! 

How weird is it that a single day exists only once every four years? Personally, I think it's really strange. Who decided this was necessary?

A little research tells me it was Julius Caesar. What the heck, Julius?

Leap day is special to me. Four years ago today, my husband asked me, "Would you be interested in having a boyfriend?" I answered yes. Then we went on our first date, to Meijer, to get shampoo. So romantic.

This is the first time in four years we've been able to actually celebrate our official dating anniversary!

Happy Birthday Meghan!!

Today is mine and Kelsey's friend's birthday!

I first met Meg in college and everyone called her "Meg Han" because of the way she spells "Meghan". We first bonded when we found out that we were both from Ohio! Our love for Ohio goes real deep.

Meghan is spicy and real and one of my very best friends. Happy 23rd birthday, Meg! I hope it rocks your ass off.

Love you.

Sarah: Slowly Becoming

Things are happening. Life is happening. All the time.

ashes

creating a budget

lipstick

not quite ready

baby Lu

my love

What could be better than a Monday morning spent listening to the amazing Alexi Murdoch and feeling the excitement of dreams slowly becoming a reality?

Sarah: Sleeping Habits

Guys. I love my bed. It's my most favorite place/thing in our apartment. It's so comfortable and inviting. The bedding is mismatched - there's a quilt I thrifted in college, my duvet from college, the bright blue pillow case is from bedding I had in high school, and the yellow sheets are an old Christmas gift. But still. I love it.

Want to know something weird about my sleeping habits? I can't sleep unless Francis is in bed with me. At night, when I'm more tired than he is and I go to bed it doesn't matter how tired I am, unless he's in bed with me I can't fall asleep. I'm pretty sure it's because he's usually out in the living room either watching tv or surfing the internet and my mind is wondering, "What's he laughing at?" or "When is he coming to bed?". It's like my mind can't really turn off until he's by my side.

In the mornings, it's the same kind of deal. His biological clock usually has him up around like 7am. He will usually lay in bed for about another hour or so before he gets up. But when he does get of our warm cocoon of a bed, I'm up too. It's different though when he leaves for work. If I know he's getting out of bed to get ready and then leave for work, I just keep on sleeping.

It's like I subconsciously hate the idea of missing out on any of our lives together - even to sleep.

Am I the only one who's like this?

Also, kind of off the subject, but I'm giving up chocolate for Lent. Are you giving up anything?

Sarah: Teddy & Rebecca

My friends Teddy and Rebecca were married on January 14th. And now they're taking their time on their honeymoon traveling around the country. How cool is that honeymoon?

On Valentine's Day they made their way over here to good ole San Diego for a nice little visit. They arrived early and stayed late--and I wouldn't have had it any other way.

I've known Teddy since I was in the 4th grade and Rebecca since high school years. While they were here we took walks, ate good food (ahem, California burritos and sushi!!), had terrific conversation, experienced the best street performance, and enjoyed the presence of one another. I love when worlds, old and new, collide.

Here are some pictures from their stay:

Awesome street performance

She has one of the most interesting faces

Teddy and Rebecca,
Thank you for coming to our home. Thank you for your friendship.
I love you both.

Sarah: HIMMH

In case you don't watch How I Met Your Mother (HIMYM), I'll tell you up front that this post title (which stands for How I Met My Husband) pays homage to that show. 'Cause I love it.

Even though Frank and I don't really celebrate valentine's day, I thought I'd share the story how we met.

I was a college freshman filled with dreams and the hope of possibilities. I had the foreseeable future planned out for myself: Go to college, meet cool people, get a degree, join the peace corps (or some other organization like that), travel the world, meet more cool people, have life changing experiences, maybe in my late 20s meet a nice guy, get married, have kids a couple years later.

Spoiler Alert: That's not how things turned out.

When I had just entered college, I had never really had a "serious" boyfriend or relationship so I wasn't necessarily looking for one. I told myself to build good friendships with people and focus on school. I had a passion for people, cultures, and service--so I went to school for missions. I had seen the Invisible Children video for the first time in high school and I felt so drawn to Africa. As I discussed my interests and passions with my older sister (who was a senior at the same university), she told me that I should talk to a guy named Francis because he's from Uganda.

Speed things up to the first couple weeks of school. I had joined the university choir, which provided a good way of interacting with various people who didn't share my classes or major. I had noticed this guy who sat behind me, a tenor. One day in the cafeteria, after choir, that same guy and I were next to each other in the dinner line. I asked him his name and he replied Francis. I made the connection that he must be the same Francis my sister told me about (after all, how many Francis' do you know?). So I made the leap and asked him where he was from. Uganda. Suspicions confirmed.

And this my friends is how, in our first interaction, my future husband shot down my dreams:

Me: I'd like to live in Uganda one day.
Frank: Why?
Me: I'd like to be a missionary.
Frank: Uganda doesn't need anymore missionaries.

And he proceeded to walk away while I, reaching for an apple, stood dumbfounded. After that conversation he kind of intimidated me.

Fast forward to February when a select group from the choir went on tour to Florida. Francis and I were both in that group. We spent a lot of time together over those 4 days. It was then that intimidation of our first conversation started to melt away And it was also when I first felt the flutter of butterflies when we talked to each other. At one point over those four days a friend asked me, "Do you like Francis?!" And I replied that I did.

In Florida together

Once back in good 'ole Elgin and out of the rays of Florida sunshine, Francis and I began to hang out more than usual. A few weeks after that, on February 29th, he asked me out.

While we were dating

Since then we've had our ups and downs. I broke up with him once and we were apart for four months. Then I realized the error of my ways, we talked about it, processed through some stuff, and started dating again. Two years after that, before I even graduated college, I was a married woman.

 

Sealing the deal

Sarah: Celebration

Here are some pictures from Frank's birthday:

I love birthdays. I enjoy celebrating the life of someone I love and trying to make their day special. Saturday, I spent the morning making him a secret chocolate cake with coffee icing. It was delicious. Sunday was mostly low-key, because that's the kind of guy Francis is. He's uncomplicated and straightforward. We went out for the Super Bowl with friends and then at the end of the night we found ourselves indulging in tasty Indian food (with a complimentary dessert for the birthday boy). So lovely.

Sarah: Happy Birthday, My Love

Today is Frank's birthday!! I got up this morning and got him Starbucks, made him breakfast in bed, we're currently watching the Manchester United game and later we're going to go out somewhere to watch the Super Bowl!

It's a day full of celebrating one of my favorite people!

Happy 33rd, my love. I hope it's everything you want it to be.

Sarah: Tiff, Dave, & Luisa Came to Visit - Part I

Just try to comprehend the cuteness

Look at those cheeks

Right before she peed all over (seriously. all over).

The infamous California burrito-which we
practically lived on all week.
Can you see the french fries??

"Skippyjon Jones was one naughty kitty boy." Does anyone
else know that kids' book? It's awesome.

Baby Lu just chillin' on the quilt I made her for Christmas.

Here is Part I of my family's visit to San Diego. I just got home from taking them to the airport. They stayed with Frank & I for 8 glorious days. I loved having them here so much.

I might have cried as I drove away from the airport....more fun photos to come this week!

Sarah: Big Year

Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

I took an unintentional leave of absence from the blog for the holidays I guess. It certainly wasn't planned, but I'm glad it happened. It was nice to just take a break and focus on on the holidays, my husband, & our families. 

For both Christmas & New Years Eve, we just chilled out at home. Everything was low-key, lovely, & perfect.

2011 was a big year:

I made a commitment to take care of my body & followed through on it//I finished up my degree & graduated college//I helped Kels pack up her stuff & move to Uganda//I ran my first 5k//I watched as my sister gave birth to my first niece, Luisa//My husband lost his job & we made a really big decision//Frank & I traveled to Uganda & I met my in-laws for the first time! And I love them//I saw the source of the Nile//My womb was blessed by one of my husband's aunties//We packed up our cars & moved across the country//We almost moved into our cars while living in San Diego//I became an official Californian//I had a big personal revelation//I got new glasses//Kelsey & Denis came to the US//Kels & Deno got engaged//

I think 2012 is going to be an even bigger year. Bring it on.

Sarah: Good Fun

Guys. I found this website that allows you to morph your face with your friends', spouses', celeb crushes' face to see what a combined version of your would look like OR to see what your babies would look like.

This is Kels & me:

Aren't we pretty?

Prettiest imaginary child award goes to
this little angel.

This what Husband and I would look like:

bahaha. This cracks me up. It's kind of attractive,
but mostly terrifying.

And this is what my future daughter will look like:

Doesn't really look like either of us. hmmm.....

I just thought I'd share something fun & silly! If you morph yourself, I want to see the result!

Sarah: Sweater Love

Remember this post where I complained a lot about the things I missed in Elgin? Well, let me tell you something: It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas here in San Diego! It's way cooler now (like 60-ish degrees!) and while we don't have snow, if I put on some good Christmas music and close my eyes, I can imagine the snow. Which is basically the same thing.

Saturday night, Husband and I went to this little shindig known as December Nights. It was fun! The museums are open all evening for free & there's tons of food. And while yes, we did have fun we left after about an hour and a half. Why? Two reasons: 

One: We only had 4 dollars in cash between the two of us and the ATMs there wanted to charge a fee of 4 dollars! On principle, we couldn't bring ourselves to do that. 

Two: It was freaking cold! And we parked like a mile away so that we could avoid paying a fee to park and crazy drivers. As we were walking the mile back to our car, I started to think how nice it'd be if I had a coat or sweater to bundle myself up. Hence, this list:

1). A coat with faux-fur just says class to me. Add a bow and you've got mega-class. Kind of like mega-desk.

2). This cozy little sweater just screams "Holidays!", don't you think?

3). I feel like the neckline of this pretty, feminine number would be universally flattering on all women. Do you think it'd look good on you?

4). Dainty, soft, & subtle. I love the blues.

5). Pretty simple & straightforward. But I like the buttons on the shoulder & multi-colored speckles throughout the oatmeal wool.

6). You know, 6 months ago I never ever would have worn something like this. But now, I think I'd live in it. Funny how things change, huh?

7). This jacket reminds of 1940s Germany (I've been watching a lot of German WWII films lately). I love the earthy tone, buttons, & the collar.

8). Since I was a kid, I've hated turtlenecks. They make me feel claustrophobic and trapped. And I admittedly, still don't own one to this day. But I'd be willing to give this one a try.

9). My obsession with mint green continues. This sweater just looks so comfy & versatile. Good for layering?

10). Just look at that lace collar. What an easy way to feminize any plain shirt. so. pretty.

Ok. Question: What's the difference between a jacket & a coat? 'Cause I have no idea...

Enjoy the Day!

Sarah: Blast From the Past

I stumbled across these pictures of my sister and I today and it made stop and think how crazy it is that she is about to become a mother. My big sister is going to be a mom! Isn't that crazy?! Maybe I think it's crazy because it means that I'm also at a point in my life where I could become a mother...weird.

Not posed at all...

Look how cute Tiffany is! I look like
I just woke up.

This is one of my all-time favorite pictures of us when we were little.
I look like I'm up to no good.

People. I am so unbelievably excited to be an aunt. Aunt Sarah. I like the sound of that. I'm looking forward to passing on useless information, like, "Most elephants weigh less than the tongue of the blue whale." My husband will be known as Uncle Frank. As in, "Look whatcha did ya little jerk." Name that movie.