Sarah: Farther

My husband and I have a rule. Since we are only assigned one parking spot, and have two cars, whoever gets home first has to find parking on the street. I am currently unemployed, so I'm 99.9% always the first one home. So I park on the street most of the time.

Today, I went to move the station wagon from our assigned parking spot to the street in preparation for my husband's arrival home and I saw that someone had written on the back of station wagon, the word, "N****R". All caps.

The person made sure to write it backwards so that I could read it clearly in my rearview mirror. How thoughtful. Not only that, but our car isn't really that dirty. It's been chilly and rainy here in SoCal the past few days. And from my investigative skills, it seems to me like the person who wrote it, had to spit on their finger to even make the word show up on our car.

This person obviously put a lot of thought into it.

This isn't my first direct experience with racism. When Frank and I lived in the midwest, we would get dirty looks every now and then. The occasional sigh. Once at a restaurant, an old lady switched sides at her table so she didn't have to look at us. When we first arrived in San Diego we were taking a walk, when a man passed us on his bicycle, looked me in my eyes and called me a, "N****r lover."

I just....I don't get it. Today, when I saw what was written on my car, my heart started beating quickly, my stomach kind dropped (like when you almost hit another car), and tears came to eyes. How could someone be so cruel? What is their life like, that they have to stop when they see a black man get out of his car, spit on their finger, and then anonymously insult him via his own property?

In recent years, our country has made giant steps against racism. Less than 50 years ago, I wouldn't have been able to marry my husband. And look where we are now.

But then things like this happen. Someone violates and disrespects my husband, me, and our marriage and I think how far we, as a people, still have to go.

Sarah: Leo 6 Months

Leo is six months today! We filled the day with some of his favorite things:

Favorite thing #1: wind blowing in his ears

Favorite thing #2: not sitting in the car

Favorite thing #3: hanging out of the window

Favorite thing #4: waiting for me to catch up

Favorite thing #5: f-e-t-c-h

Favorite thing #6: swimming

Favorite thing #7: wrestling with new friends

Favorite thing #8: shaking it out

Favorite thing #9: more swimming

Favorite thing #10: digging

Favorite thing #11: getting sniffed by a horse. (not really a horse, but I could've ridden him)

Favorite thing #12: holding on to his ball for dear life.

Happy half birthday, Mr. Leo!

***Yes, I know he is a dog. But I love him so much that I think his half birthday deserves some recognition. If that's wrong, then I don't wanna be right.

Kelsey: Happy New Year

Hello blog, old friend, pretty face,

I think my break from blogging is over. 2012 was busy. I am not a fan of busy. I am a fan of naps. (Speaking of naps, whenever I see a picture of Sarah's puppy I want to cuddle him and take a long nap). I do not make New Years resolutions, but I do get very excited for each new year. These are the reasons why I am excited and hopeful for 2013:

- I will turn 28. I have been looking forward to turning 28 for many years. I feel like this is going to be the best age yet.

- Denis and I are working on a really cool project together. You will hear about it soon. But for now let me just say that it is so lovely to work with my husband on something that we are both really passionate about.

- I've joined a new Bible study led by one of my favorite people in the world. I am so ready to dive back into studying the Bible. It has been a while... believe me.

- 'Girls' and 'Downton Abbey' both return in Jan!

- Today a 4 year old painted my face and then I went out in public places and forgot about the bright streaks all over my face. I feel like that is a good way to end the first week of this year. Hopefully that will happen more.

- My kid brother has epic huge hair. Fingers crossed it gets much bigger and 'fro'ier in 2013!

- My local grocery store has peonies, which my husband thinks are called penises. Everything about that is just wonderful.

- My relatives in Uganda have begun instagramming pictures they take around their town. 

Yay 2013! 

Happy New Year!

Sarah: Christmas Card

This was mine and Frank's Christmas card this year. And I hope it rings true for you, friends.

Merry Christmas!

Sarah: Molly Came to Visit

You know those times when you haven't seen someone in almost two years? When you crave to be together after such a time and distance has separated you?

Well last week, those feelings were assuaged. Molly came to San Diego. And it was glorious. We ate California burritos, traveled to LA, went to the beach, and made pie. We also had a little friendship photoshoot because the ONLY recent picture we had together was from our graduation from college (and apart from that, most are from freshman year, and let me tell you a lot has changed since then...).

Here are some images from our shoot:

Molly Girl, thank you for coming. I've missed you so much and it was beyond nice having you here in my home.