mixedandhappy (.com)

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2010-02-15T19:00:00.000-05:00

Working on something

2010-01-20T15:00:00.002-05:00

Please excuse my dust, but I'm working on something. That something should be available to you in the beginning of February. But, because of it, I have to put the blog on hold for a few weeks. Believe me, it's so worth it! If you have any questions, feel free to email me at mixedandhappy at gmail dot com.

Microwave meltdown

2010-01-13T19:59:00.003-05:00

I'm sick so my writing is all off. I'll forgive you if you leave now. This is going to be a short one because I feel so awful. I woke up to a flaming sore throat this morning, but a deadline at work forced me out of bed.

I stood in front of the mirror just after my shower and refused the makeup. No, it hurts to put you on today. I am just going to look how I feel. I went to reach for my toothbrush when I heard BANG. And then some yelling. "Get back!"

Well, somehow, the microwave had just exploded. I just stood there, thinking that maybe the cold medicine was messing with me. I dropped my toothbrush and scurried over to the kitchen. "There's a hole in the microwave," hubby says to me.

You know, at that point, I didn't even want to ask. We still don't know why it happened. But the 3-year-old, Mr. E, was pouting about his oatmeal, so he figured he'd start the microwave himself. That's all we know. There was a small fire and a boom and a hole. That's what we know.

Crazy.

Just before I made it to work, I realized that in the middle of the microwave meltdown, I had never picked my toothbrush back up. I never brushed my teeth -- and you know, I'm sick. So ick.

"Here," hubby said. "Chew a piece of gum." (Doesn't he know me by now?)

"I will not," I said. And so we stopped at Walgreen's and picked up a little cheap toothbrush and a small tube of paste. I bolted to the bathroom to brush my teeth. So glad no one stopped me.

I had to push through three hours of editing, compiling, finding art. It hurt to even look at the computer screen, but I just couldn't hand it over to someone else. That would take lots of explaining to do, and at that point, I might as well just get her done. After 11, I was headed home to crawl into my warm bed. I am going to do the same now. Sorry, I just can't last another sentence. Be back Friday.

The 30-day challenge

2010-01-11T19:39:00.002-05:00

Oh, my voice. It's almost completely gone. (Ouch).

Just like hubby. Completely gone. (Ouch). I'm just learning the ropes of being a firefighter's wife. So far, I have a sort of love-hate relationship with the gig. On one hand, I love it. I remember the day hubby and I and the kids were driving home from church one day. We turned the corner and saw an accident that had just happened. The woman was sitting in her car, hysterically crying.

I watched as he walked over there and said to her "It's OK. I'm a firefighter. I'm here to help." Those words quieted the screams. Those two words, Fire Fighter, and she felt safe. I almost cried that day, watching him. I thought, "So, this is what being married to a firefighter is like."

That was the honeymoon phase, though. Now that we're getting into the everyday routine of it all, the job is what takes him away from me for 24 hours straight. Now, when I don't see him for 24 hours straight and then he calls to tell me that he has mandatory overtime, I think "So, this is what it's like to be a firefighter's wife." I hate when he leaves. But, when he leaves for a full day, I miss him like crazy. Right now, I miss him like crazy.

The other day, I drove him to work and the kids to school. We had the heat on full blast in the mom van. As we were leaving our driveway, I could feel the crunch of the ice beneath the tires. I kept saying, "Look! Ice!" Finally, after like the fourth time, I gave up. "Am I the only one in this car who is amazed by the ice?"

The kids actually said yes. They had been hoping for a Florida snow day, so the ice was rather unimpressive. After we dropped off the multiple kids at their multiple locations, we had about 10 minutes. I love and hate those 10 minutes because it's like the countdown until he's gone. I hate that part, but I love being able to sit with him in a quiet car -- no crying children.

"I have a challenge for you," he said as we drove. "A 30-day challenge."

Now he knows that I love a challenge. It's who I am. But, I was a little hesitant. Was this going to be some kind of cooking or cleaning challenge? "Are you game?" he asked.

"It depends." Of course, it depends.

He paused, as if bracing himself for the moment. And then he unveiled the amazing 30-day challenge that I would not be able to turn down. In fact, this is so what I have needed in my life. It feels good to have a man who can challenge me the way he does.

OK, if you didn't catch it, that was a teensy bit of sarcasm. You know, the kind smothered in love.

"So, tell me, what's the challenge?" I ask him as we are pulling up to the firehouse -- the final destination.

"It's a 30-day s*x challenge." (My face: blank stare.)

(Sidenote: I never spell out certain words, and that's to keep certain traffic away. You understand.)

"What?"

"Apparently -- and I saw this on the news -- having s*x once is like jogging seven miles. So, I thought, imagine if we had s*x every day for 30 days? It would be like jogging 210 miles! Isn't that awesome?"

Again. Blank stare.

Wow. I mean, I don't even know what to say about that one. By the time I made it to work, I realized that I never even answered his question -- just told him to have a great day, while laughing. "You're so silly," I said. "Have a good day. Text me later."

Again, wow. And now that I can barely speak and the kids are asking me a bazillion questions, I have to sign off. I'll be back Wednesday. I have lots of Mixed and Happy stuff to discuss Wednesday, so I hope you'll swing by.

There's a food fairy out there, and he's stalking me.

2010-01-08T12:58:00.022-05:00

So, I started my three-week fast on Monday. It's supposed to go something like this:

--Week one: Fruit and vegetables
--Week two: Fruit, vegetables and chicken
--Week three: Fruit, vegetables and fish

The fast is supposed to be cleansing -- both physically and spiritually. So far, so good. I've been like, praying and (mostly) not eating. But, if anyone else decides to brave this, I wanted to let you all know exactly what happens when you go on a fast and the universe knows.

1. The vending machine man will have leftovers. And when does that ever happen? So around noon, I walked over to the break area to get a fork for my salad -- my very dry, bland salad. I must have just missed the vending machine guy, who was apparently in a very jolly, giving mood. He was giving out the honeybuns he couldn't sell. He also took the time to write a very kind note explaining the sweet, sticky freebies. Behind the note, the honeybuns stared at me. Out-of-date honeybuns never looked so good.

2. Record-breaking temperatures will cause your job (in Florida) to have a snow day. Again -- when does that ever happen? At my job, snow day morphed into Tempt Suzy day. We all received a mass email with promises of ooey-gooey marshmallows, chocolate and graham crackers. Yes, it was horrible, horrible S'mores day. I ventured down with my co-worker and snapped these shots. But, I did not touch. My co-worker ruined it for me by answering me incorrectly. "A marshmallow is a vegetable, right?" "No, Suzy, a marshmallow is like, sugar on top of sugar." Well, shoot. By the way, it never did snow -- just rained S'mores.

Isn't it pretty? This heaping bowl of chocolate. This was sitting on the table when I arrived downstairs for the Tempt Suzy fest. So welcoming. So warm. Sucks me in every time. But not today.

3. All of the normal kid-related semi-emergencies (scream fests) will involve food of some sort. So, the other day, I had a handful of candy canes, which I distributed to the children. One for each child. Half-way home, the baby starts screaming. He lost his candy cane. So, while everyone else was gnawing on their candy canes, baby was throwing a fit. I looked everywhere I could until finally, I gave up, thinking that the lonely candy cane had somehow slipped through his chubby fingers and between the seat cushions never to be seen again. I was wrong -- as you can see in this picture.

Not that this tempted me. Icky. But, the recurring theme was obvious: Food. Food everywhere.

4. Moe's will lure you with promises of cups and cups of totally free queso dip. Right around 12:03 p.m., my phone buzzed. An email from Moe's promised that if I became a Facebook friend, they'd give me the hard-to-resist goodness that is Moe's queso dip. And again, at 12:15 p.m., they sought my FB friendship. But, my fast and I agreed that Moe's was no real friend.

5. A food fairy will follow you. And he will sprinkle little packages of Reese's and M&M's on random counter tops. I swear, I keep finding random little cute packages of candy just waiting for me to fall and take them back.

6. But, you'll resist all of the above -- to a degree. Don't look too closely at the picture below, mkay? Today, by the end of my week, I sat down -- having weathered the not-snow and the S'mores and the invisible food fairy -- and I enjoyed a big fat salad. (P.S. You do not see chicken strips in this salad. Those are, um, veggie sticks. OK?) This week, I give myself a 9 out of 10.

Don't get it wrong

2010-01-06T19:27:00.008-05:00

Time to exhale.

I needed that. Today started at 5:30 a.m. when I got the call. Hubby had to work overtime, he told me. That meant the morning was all mine. That meant getting two sets of kids to two different schools was -- all mine. Along with the lunches and the diaper bag and the socks and the shoes and my own shower and makeup. It was all mine. But, today was also the day our new kitty, Cole, had to be dropped off at the vet by 8. Before the sun was up, I was already rolling my eyes at the day before me.

I didn't want it. "Wednesday: I'm not feeling you. Can you please be Saturday today?" Nope. Wednesday would not budge and so, I pushed through. By the time I made it to work, it was 8:27 a.m. Perfect timing. Kind of. I realized that I had a meeting in, oh, three minutes.

That's how my day started. One big colorful blur of just stuff to do.

By 4 p.m., and after skipping lunch, I was over the day and ready to give it back. "I'm done with this one. I'd like Thursday now."

But, Wednesday was not done with me.

I left work and headed for my daughter's school. I was probably 30 seconds away from pulling into the school parking lot when I saw a white Navigator barreling off the side of the road -- through a series of ditches and then, SMASH full force, head on into a tree.

I slowed and, realizing the severity of what had just happened, pulled the mom van over, parked on the shoulder of the road and ran over to the truck -- while dialing 911. The car was mangled and when I peered into the driver's side, I saw a man, probably in his 50s, with gray hair. But, I couldn't see his face. It was buried in the blood-covered air-bag. And he wasn't moving.

Another man, another passerby, called to the man. "You OK?" Meanwhile, the 911 operator was asking me to stay on the line. "Help is on the way. Stay with us. Someone's coming," the man said.

It was so awful. I thought he was dead. And then he lifted his head and peered up. "They're coming to help you right now, OK?" I said to him. He was wearing dress pants and a button-up shirt. He looked dazed, confused. "What is your name?" I asked him. He muttered something, but I didn't understand. "Do you have children?" I asked him.

"Four," he said. "Four kids."

It hurt me to look at him -- the blood was everywhere and still oozing from his face.

"Do you have a wife?"

"Yes," he said. I asked him her name. "It's Malala ... ."

He was slurring his words. Not making sense. "Let me call her," I said. The numbers didn't make any sense. "352-54-1903," he'd say, missing numbers along the way. Finally, he gave me a number that made sense and when I called it, a woman answered.

"Do you have a family member who drives a white Navigator?" I asked her.

"Excuse me? Um, yes. My husband does."

"He's OK," I said. "But, he's been in a pretty bad accident." She was there within minutes. By the time she arrived, the paramedics were pulling him out of the mangled mess on a stretcher. She ran to be by his side and was told to back up. "That is my husband," she yelled between sobs. "I will not back up."

I placed my hand on her back. "He's OK," I told her. "He was talking to me. But they need to get him out."

The car was completely mangled -- caved in on one side. And as they pulled him out, she melted in tears. "Oh God," she cried. "What happened? What happened?"

By this time, traffic had been completely stopped; there was a slew of onlookers. I stood there shivering, wearing only jeans and a t-shirt when an officer made his way to my side. He asked for my information so they could call me later since I witnessed the accident.

As I walked away, the wife stopped me. "Are you the woman who called me?" she asked. I nodded yes. "And you called 911?"

"Yes."

"Thank you," she said kind of breathlessly. "Thank you so much." I told her that if she needed anything to give me a call and I slipped her my business card. For a few moments, our paths converged and right around 4:30, we went our separate ways again.

As I was pulling away, the emotion of the moment gripped me. All I knew is that someone had been hurt, and I was able to help -- even if it was just by making a phone call. I thought about my own life and said "God, I want to help people. I don't know how. But, give me the people who need help and I promise to help them."

I thought about how I had rolled my eyes at the day earlier. How I wanted to give it back. But now I was seeing a tiny sliver of the bigger picture: that instead of trying to give my days back, I need to be trying to give back during my days. And that it's not all about me. And if I ever think that it is, I'm getting it wrong.

Tomorrow, I am not going to get it wrong. Will you?

2009 in the rearview!

2010-01-04T18:54:00.009-05:00

Before we go any further: the Mixed and Happy project was a success and I hope that Keith Bardwell's heart has been softened. Here are some things to keep in mind about Mixed and Happy as we move forward -- since we are moving forward!

-- BLOG: I have decided to keep blogging about life as a mom in a mixed-race family. You know, it's really not about race, right? It's about family and love. I'll be right here three times a week with new posts.

-- ME: Before I jumped into it, I needed you to get a real glimpse into my life. Thus, the post below. If I offend anyone for being real, I'm sorry, but it can't be any other way. I don't write to maintain an audience. I write to tell the lessons that life is teaching me along the way.

-- FACEBOOK PAGE: Mixed and Happy has an amazing facebook group, and it is growing daily. Please join us. I am currently adding Officers to the page. Email me (mixedandhappy at gmail dot com) if interested.

2009 was a beast -- not a blast with fireworks and confetti, but a beast with fangs and a roar. 2009 stood at my doorstep and threatened to destroy me. Today, it sits just inches behind the worst year of my life, which was 2005, the year my little sister quietly slipped away from my life forever.

There was nothing quiet, though, about 2009. It was a year of betrayal on many sides. I wrestled with 2009 almost daily, and he almost won. After the death of my sister in 2005, I grew angry and the unforgiveness of so many people in my life seeped deep into my soul until there was this wall.

That wall allowed me to sit in a counselor's office one Saturday afternoon in April and agree to a divorce. "You are so angry," the woman said. "It might be best for the children." Thanks to the wall, I felt nothing. Instead, I thought it might be better if someone else was feeling the pain -- instead of me.

But something changed in April as my husband, desperate for answers, took one tiny step of faith. He didn't realize it at the time, but that one little step would completely turn the ship in another direction. Actually, that tiny step was like a tiny life-jacket in a giant, chaotic ocean. Though small, its job was magnificent.

Hubby saved me when he could have left me in the midst of an emotional storm. But, he refused to leave. He refused to let the family disintegrate. He became my anchor. I looked to him and realized that while he was acting as my anchor, he too had an anchor. God was his anchor.

I woke up one night, right around 3 a.m., and I heard him crying out. A grown man pleading, begging, praying. He was asking God for answers, for guidance. While I had been sleeping, he had been praying. While I had been crying, he had been praying. While I had been fighting, he had been praying. And so, realizing that he was my anchor, I followed, eventually clinging to my safe place.

It took about four years to almost lose everything, but I made it through the fire. And unbelievably, I can sit here with love in my home, peace in my heart and faith in my life because of it all. Amazing how things work out. Had I walked away, the Mixed and Happy project would have never been a thought in my mind.

I hopped on here tonight to talk about my fast. (Today happens to be day 1 of 21.) But, I know when I am supposed to write something. By this point in my life, I don't write the stories. I simply tell the stories that need to be told for whatever reason. If I don't, they weigh on me until I set them free.

It's so easy, sometimes, to hide behind a mask. But, I write the stories of my life. Please understand that when you come here, you are going to get a glimpse of my life. And today, on Jan. 3, 2010, my life is about being honest about the pieces that have connected to make this colorful, Mixed and Happy puzzle.

Join me if you will. On Wednesday, I'll show you where hubby and I found that candy cane that the baby lost on our ride home tonight. Let's just say there were tears. Oh, it's going to be (mostly) fun.

BLOG: Merry Christmas, Mixed and Happies!

2009-12-20T19:49:00.021-05:00

Hi Mixed and Happies!

I'm thrilled to say that the most colorful Christmas card of the season is on its way to New Orleans and should be in Keith Bardwell's hands by Christmas day. I don't know if he'll even open the package, but it's now out of my hands and into his. I knew you'd all want to see the final result, so I snapped a few shots.

As the project winds down, I want to thank everyone for participating. Our pictures will be traveling all the way to L.A. to debut as one big collage at the Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival, which will be held June 12-13, 2010. I am hoping to make it there to present our colorful project.

If you'd like to make it out, we might just make a Mixed and Happy event out of it. If anyone is interested in going, let me know.

If you missed the deadline, you haven't missed out. Every picture I receive will go up here on the blog. They will also be included in the collage. So, let's keep it going.

I am trying to teach my children that one person with one idea can make a difference. But it is only when other people stand behind that one person that real change takes place. So, thank you for standing behind me. In my mind, even if one child gets the message that mixed is beautiful, then I've done my job.

Now, for the goodies!

When it was time to print out all of the cards, I couldn't believe how it translated in tangible form. I picked them up from Walgreens and couldn't believe how thick the package was. Later at home, I laid them all out on my table and fought to keep them from spilling off the edges. What you see here is one small portion.

I asked my co-worker if she had a Christmas card so I could avoid fighting traffic on my lunch break to buy one. She sifted through her drawer and had just one left. But, how perfect was it? It said "Happy Holidays and a New Year of Happiness." How meant to be was that?

So, I started running into Mixed and Happy families everywhere I went once I started the Mixed and Happy project. I found myself scrawling the Web site url on random napkins and gum wrappers. So, for less than $10, I had these little business cards made as a way to tell people about the project. They came in handy, especially when it was time to send the card. Maybe he'll shoot me an email one day?

I didn't even think about what I was going to write on this card, I just started writing. As I was writing, I realized that this project was all about love. So, no judging Keith Bardwell, no throwing stones. Just showing some love. Because, when all is said and done, that's what changes hearts and lives.

How much do you love the Mixed and Happy penguins? Ha ha. Just kidding. I promise I didn't do that on purpose.

In other Mixed and Happy news, where should we go from here? I'd like to keep the blog going, but maybe there's other things we can do together. I'd love (LOVE) to hear your comments. I mean, really love to hear them. So send me a Christmas gift in the form of a comment.

Feel free to comment below or email me:
mixedandhappy (at) gmail (dot) com.

130: Submitted by Lauren (Final Submission!)

2009-12-16T18:48:00.004-05:00

Hey Suzy! We wanted to seal the card! Here are my mixed and happy Blessings!!

These are Mixed and Happy Blessings! Your site and purpose was truly reached by beautiful, amazing families! The children are gorgeous and each and every one shine with charisma! It takes people like us who are able to embrace the heart and love of an another individual despite color! It's this unconditional bonding love that will be instilled in the souls of our children which, in turn, makes them truly Mixed and Happy!

Congratulations, Suzy to a job well done and another goal reached. You are a wonderful and inspiring writer. We all have a purpose in life and you are fulfilling what you were called to do!

Also, congratulations to you and Marquis! Your relationship is a true testament to His Word. Although you had trials and tribulations, you rose above out of love for each other and for your children. I truly admire that!

129: Submitted by Kim B.

2009-12-16T18:41:00.003-05:00

Here are photos of my Mixed and Happy Family!

God Bless!

Shannon, Kim, Kaleb, and Madison

128: Submitted by Jeannie R.

2009-12-16T18:38:00.001-05:00

My husband and I have been happily married for almost 6 years! I love what you are doing! I think MixedandHappy is a great way to make a change and to show our children they are God's creation and no man can dictate their future!

In the picture is myself, my husband, Lerinezo, our daughter, Hayven and my two step-sons, Jordan and Jaden.

127: Submitted by Marsha

2009-12-16T18:32:00.004-05:00

126: Submitted by Adrienne R.

2009-12-16T18:29:00.003-05:00

I have so enjoyed your blog and the rainbow of pictures that have been submitted. It is sad that such ignorance still exists in this world, but you have taken the ignorance of one individual and turned it into something beautiful!!! I too would like to send a picture of my mixed and happy family..

125: Submitted by Glenda T.

2009-12-16T18:27:00.003-05:00

124: Submitted by Rose G.

2009-12-16T18:25:00.003-05:00

BLOG: On my way

2009-12-13T13:40:00.002-05:00

Well, I am on my way to Orlando with the hubby. We are celebrating our seventh wedding anniversary. Wanted to stop by the blog and say thank you to all who have supported Mixed and Happy. And me. Tuesday is the last day for submissions if anyone wants to still send them. I am happy and at peace with the way the project has turned out.

Mixed and Happy kisses to you all!

BLOG: She deserves yellow roses

2009-12-12T22:54:00.005-05:00

I was on my way to work Friday morning, fighting my way through traffic, when my phone rang. It was hubby. "I'm angry, and I don't know what to do with that," he said. He was talking about the thing he struggles with most.

"How do you want to feel?" I asked him about the thing. "Not how do you feel? How do you want to feel?"

"I just want to be happy--about everything."

"Then act how you want to feel," I said. "You want to be happy--about everything. Act happy--about everything. And in doing so, prepare yourself to receive it--so that you're not pretending; you're just preparing."

"What do you want your garden to look like?" I continued. For some reason, a vision of a beautiful garden popped in my mind. A rainbow of colors. And sunlight. A peaceful and happy vision.

"Huh? Garden?"

"If you want roses, you have to prepare for roses," I told him. "But if you want dandelions, you have to prepare for dandelions. Oh, and if you want weeds, prepare for nothing. What do you want your garden to look like?"

He understood. And he started telling me in detail what he wanted this thing to look like. "So, that's what you need to prepare for. Prepare for those details. See them. Feel them."

When I hung up, I knew that it was time. My life is colorful. I'd say if my life were a garden, it is one filled with a magnificent arrangement of flowers growing wildly, but beautifully.

But, there is this one corner and it is filled with weeds. And I haven't dealt with that corner. It's just become the corner of guilt. And I realized, through my own words to hubby that day, that when I remember my sister, it is in that corner of my mind that I remember her.

I remember her in a cold little corner filled with weeds. After hanging up with him that morning, I envisioned her wanting to sit with me in a warm garden filled with flowers and sunlight. And laughter. And yellow roses. That's what she'd want.

So, even though it's hard and it stings, I know it's time to pull out the weeds and prepare the ground of my heart for those yellow roses. That's where she belongs.

BLOG: Torn

2009-12-09T20:24:00.007-05:00

Four years ago, on Dec. 14, 2005, my little sister died. She was 24. She contracted encephalitis, an infection that causes the brain to swell. After being mis-diagnosed several times as having a tension headache, she was finally admitted to the hospital.

By this time, she was having these little seizures that forced them to admit her. Her brain had swollen to a point that her body was seizing. They were more like little monsters creeping up every hour or two and completely taking over her body.

To watch her disappear into her own body as if falling back into a hole for a moment--those moments were like big, scary monsters to me. Because for me, I just wanted to grab her hand and pull her up out of the hole. But, she'd disappear for a few minutes, completely out of my grasp.

She had her first seizure on Thanksgiving day, and three weeks later, she died. I was three months pregnant and living in North Carolina when the tragedy that was December 2005 unfolded. I was sick. Very sick. Too sick to travel, and so I called her every day, multiple times a day.

But one day, she couldn't speak. I was told that the little monsters were happening more frequently and they had been forced to induce a coma through medication. Damn drugs. Damn little monsters. Damn the last time I ever spoke to her.

I said I love you. Those were my last words, and I told her I would see her for Christmas. Instead, I showed up on Dec. 13 and walked into a gray hospital room where she lay, swollen from head to toe, in a hospital bed. The next day, she slipped away, out of my grasp forever.

So, here I am four years later. She never did get to meet my third or fourth child. And that stings. But what stings with a white-hot intensity is my absence during the last few weeks. That has become my monster, and I can't seem to get him off of my back.

At just after 9 a.m. this morning, I walked into my boss's office and completely melted. I couldn't turn off the tears or the pain. I quietly sobbed and told her that I was having a rough morning.

I had been fine all week. Until hubby mentioned something to me last night. "I want to take you away for the weekend," he said. Our wedding anniversary happens to be the day after my sister died, on Dec. 15.

He had to work on Dec. 15, and so he made plans to go away Sunday and spend all day Monday in Orlando. We have these two Disney tickets that are about to expire, and he thought we could get away and have some fun.

But, that's my sister's day, I thought. I can't have fun on that day. I'm too riddled with guilt for not being by her side in the last few weeks. I feel like I let her down. I thought I had more time. I thought, as the nurses told me, the coma would wear off once the drugs did. I thought that once I was well enough, I'd come back to Florida and help take care of her. I thought ...

There you have it. A peak into my mind when I think about those last few weeks. And so now, I'm sitting here, torn. Disney world on my sister's day? I can't. I just can't.

A friend of mine told me to go; to let my hubby take care of me. Another one told me to celebrate her life. And another one told me that she'd want me to have fun. But, you see, there's this monster on my back. And I can't seem to shake him.

I just don't know what to do.

123: Submitted by Myrna D.

2009-12-08T22:58:00.005-05:00

Jess & my niece Krystal

My Godson, Marcus.

Ariah

My first born,B.S. in Mechanical engineering, M.S. in business, hard working, great son, great brother,great friend. intelligent, kind, funny. He is one Jewel in my crown, a confirmed blessing from the Lord, answered prayer.

122: Submitted by Devan R. (Louisiana)

2009-12-08T22:49:00.005-05:00

My husband and I live in Louisiana, and he is Creole, which means his family ranges in color from very light and looking white to very dark. His dad's family originated from the island of Guadalupe in the Caribbean Sea, and those who didn't stay behind moved to New Orleans.

Devan shares pictures of her son and husband. She also included one of she and her best friend on her wedding day. "I included it because I think of her like a sister since we lived together during her first pregnancy," she says. "I helped to raise her first child until we both had to evacuate from our home due to hurricane Katrina."

Thanks, Devan!

121: Submitted by Amy C.

2009-12-08T22:39:00.003-05:00

120: Submitted by Ashwi

2009-12-08T22:35:00.002-05:00

119: Submitted by Susan B.

2009-12-08T07:02:00.003-05:00

118: Submitted by Katie J.

2009-12-07T22:21:00.003-05:00

I just wanted to submit a picture because I totally support your cause!

117: Submitted by Kayci B.

2009-12-07T19:40:00.002-05:00

116: Submitted by K. Baldwin

2009-12-07T19:37:00.001-05:00

115: Submitted by Michael S.

2009-12-06T20:32:00.000-05:00

114: Submitted by Christina G.

2009-12-05T21:02:00.002-05:00

Part "anglo-American" (mother), part Lebanese, part Yaqui Indian, part Spaniard (Mexican-born father).

All American.

Pictured here with my hubby, Jon.

Christina Salme Ruiz Grantham

113: Submitted by Susan I.

2009-12-05T21:00:00.001-05:00

112: Submitted by Tristan C.

2009-12-05T20:57:00.002-05:00

BLOG: Because flying pens always help the nerves

2009-12-05T13:38:00.011-05:00

So, everyone who knows me knows that I loathe public speaking. I don't just get nervous; I feel ill when I have to speak in front of crowds. Which is why I don't do speaking gigs. Well, sort of.

I agreed to do a phone interview about Mixed and Happy. I was invited to call in to Mixed Chicks Chat, an award-winning podcast out of L.A. that discusses the mixed-race experience.

I was excited, but nervous. It was a phone interview, but the audience was live.

I'd be calling in from a land-line right after work on Wednesday. I rushed home, feeling a bit ill, envisioning that I might fall all over my words and forget what to say.

Hubby was home when I walked in the door. "I'm ready for my interview!" I announced.

I changed out of my business suit and got ready. In tank top and yoga pants, I sat at my desk until the moment was perfect. I picked up the phone and dialed. My heart was pounding. "I'm so awful at this," I said to myself. "I am just not a speaker."

So, I'm with Heidi and Fanshen, the ladies of Mixed Chicks Chat. I think I said the very first line "Thanks for having me on," when hubby walks in the room. I saw him from the corner of my eye, but paid no attention.

The house was completely quiet and the kids were still at school. I had set the perfect atmosphere for my big, scary interview. So, I'm listening to a question when I notice hubby walk in the bathroom, leave the door open and go ... pee!

And you know how loud man-pee is, right? I did the envisioning thing again. In my mind, the listeners are hearing my interview, but in the background, they are hearing man pee. You know, sort of waterfall-ish.

Why is he doing that? Why is he peeing during my interview? I needed to stop him now. Close the door. Walk away. Get out. So, there's this cup filled with pens sitting on my desk.

I take one out and throw it in his direction. I'm hoping he'll get the point. In hindsight, I should have stuck a sticky note to the pen that read "Out."

I could just barely see him from where I was sitting. I watched the pen hit the floor. He turned around as if thinking "Well, that's odd. There are pens falling from the sky."

He doesn't make eye contact, so I throw the next pen. And the last one, I'm almost embarrassed to say, smacked him right in the head. He was, by this time, finished man-peeing.

He finally caught my stare. He flung his hands up in the air and mouthed "What?" I guess he thought I really needed his assistance, because he sat down right in front of me. I motioned with my hands: "Out. Leave. Buh-bye."

But, he's not budging.

So, all of this is going on behind the scenes as I talk about the Mixed and Happy project. Flying pens. Man-pee. You see why I don't do interviews?

The interview had ended and I hung up the phone. "Why did you have to come in here and pee while I was doing the interview!?" I just needed him to know how un-profesh it is to pee in the background while your wife is doing a phone interview.

Instead, he said: "I just came in to support you."

But wait a minute, it was a live podcast and what if I didn't hang up the phone all the way and what if. Oh, God, help me! What if the listeners heard me.

Can you imagine? "Well, they're certainly mixed and happy, aren't they?"

When I finally got up the nerves to listen to the podcast (because you know in my mind, I'm still envisioning flying pens and pee-pee), I sat on the edge of my seat, listening for any hint. But, no flying pens. No pee. No accusations of untimely peeing. Heh.

Just me talking about Mixed and Happy. To hear the interview, go here. Click on episode 130. And this one is a direct link, I think.

You know, even with all of that, I thought it was cute that he ventured in to support me.

Wedding picture from #97

2009-12-05T00:29:00.001-05:00

This is one of my favorite wedding pictures. Ever! I already posted Elizabeth's pictures, but when she uploaded this one to the Facebook group, how could I resist?

111: Submitted by Michelle S.

2009-12-05T00:28:00.001-05:00

110: Submitted by Fanshen Cox

2009-12-05T00:21:00.004-05:00

These pictures come by way of Fanshen Cox. Cox is the co-founder of Mixed Roots Film and Literary Festival and co-host of Mixed Chicks Chat.

Hi Suzy,

It was so great to have you on the show the other day.

I'm attaching these pics:

1) My mother, Trudy Cox (Cherokee, Blackfoot & Danish) and I (Jamaican, Scottish, Cherokee, Blackfoot, Danish)

2) My husband Diego DiGiovanni and our niece Chiara DiGiovanni (both Italian) and I.

Thanks again for doing this!!

Fanshen

109: Submitted by Lisa W.

2009-12-05T00:18:00.003-05:00

What a great cause. My husband is half Chinese/ half Hispanic and I am white. I love my blended family and the best part about raising children in a blended family is they see no color. To them we are people with some diversity. Love one another: that is what I teach my children. In the first photo my son is pictured with his Philipino grandma.

108: Submitted by Jessica S. (North Carolina)

2009-12-05T00:14:00.006-05:00

Suzy,

Thank you for doing this!! It serves such an important purpose!!

Here are some photos of our family. We are yet another example of an American blend. I am Mexican/Native American/Italian and my husband is a European blend (with "some" Italian, per his definition). We have a beautiful son, and are expecting a baby this spring.

And we could not be happier!!!

Here are some photos of our clan:

The first photo is of my husband and me on a trip to Antigua this past winter.

The second photo is of my three favorite guys: my son, my husband, and my father.

The third photo is of my husband and me during a family photo session this summer.

The fourth photo is of our little one in utero :)

And the last photo is of our son for our own Christmas card.

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Warmest Regards,

Jessica of The Simmons Family in NC

107: Submitted by Heidi Durrow

2009-12-04T13:12:00.004-05:00

Thrilled to have Heidi Durrow of Mixed Chicks Chat be a part of this. Heidi is the author of The Girl Who Fell From the Sky, which will hit bookstores in February. Maybe one day, I'll get an interview for the blog!

106: Submitted by Carly. N

2009-12-04T13:07:00.004-05:00

Chris and I have been married for almost 8 years and have a wonderful 6 year old. He is such a cool kid and very well adjusted, into BMX rides, sports and so much more. You have a great goal. Also wanted to say I have a local initerracial families playgroup, it has helped the kids to socialize with other families like ours. I added a few pictures of the playgroup kids.

Thanks, Carly

105: Submitted by Becca W.

2009-12-04T13:03:00.003-05:00

104: Submitted by Darcey P.

2009-12-03T22:35:00.003-05:00

103: Submitted by Lisa F.

2009-12-03T22:22:00.002-05:00

102: Submitted by Kyle P.

2009-12-03T22:21:00.002-05:00

101: Submitted by Cree and Chad

2009-12-03T22:14:00.004-05:00

Cree Xiong and Chad Davis of IA, and NC!

100 Submitted by Gigi H. (Boston, Mass.)

2009-12-03T20:26:00.008-05:00

Thank you, Gigi, for helping MH reach its goal! When I started this project, I was unsure about whether I would reach the goal, but now I say it's time to surpass the goal and send Mr. Bardwell as many as possible.

I would like to show that guy that mixed children can be very happy and the couples too. My husband is half Chinese, half German and I am Haitian-American, we have a 9 month old daughter (Zoe) and she is the happiest baby on the planet. We have been together for 5 years now and are madly in love and planning for baby number two soon! We live in Boston, MA. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like to know. Thanks!

Gigi, Oliver and Zoe Hunermund

99: Submitted by Colleen C. (Massachusetts)

2009-12-03T20:12:00.005-05:00

I heard about your project through Gori Girl's website and I wanted to contribute a few photos from my American-Nepali household. We are engaged and hope to marry within the next 2 years.

Picture 1: Hiking together in the Everest region of Nepal
Picture 2: At a Nepali wedding over the summer
Picture 3: P's mother and grandfather giving us blessings before we leave Nepal for the US

To learn more about our intercultural life together you can check out my blog at americanepali.wordpress.com (Great blog. Consider yourself linked!)

Good luck with your project! Great to see the pictures!

Colleen

98: Submitted by Jennifer and Shwet (Philadelphia)

2009-12-02T22:08:00.006-05:00

We just got married in India two weeks ago and we couldn't be happier! My husband is Indian and I'm Caucasian (European descent). We've been together over two years and are so excited to be married and start our family soon!

It saddens me that people have issues with interracial families and want to impose their racist beliefs upon others. I honestly feel sorry for these people because they obviously have many issues and problems in their lives! It's very sad and I hope with time, the new generations will see and think the way we do with regard to race!

Thanks for doing this!

Here are some photos from our wedding two weeks ago in India!

Sincerely,
Jennifer and Shwet
Philadelphia Suburbs, PA

97: Submitted by Elizabeth M. (Boston, Mass.)

2009-12-02T21:51:00.004-05:00

So happy to have found your blog and Facebook page. Here are my husband and me at our wedding on August 8th, 2009. I am Italian-American and Native American, and my husband is Black, Dominican, White-Creole, Native American, and Bajan. Totally in love, proud of who we are as a couple, and blessed to share our love with our future children.

Liz and André

96: Submitted by Amanda (U.S., East Coast)

2009-12-02T21:34:00.004-05:00

Hello! We're an American-born-and-raised/Korean-born-and-raised couple who met in South Korea. Here are some wedding photos. In one we're counting out the number of children we're going to have (determined by the Korean wedding ceremony) and in the other we're celebrating the wedding with all of our guests. Luckily, all of them believe in us.

Amanda

95: Submitted by Leah M. (Japan)

2009-11-30T23:25:00.001-05:00

Here is a good picture of my beautiful family...thanks for making that page on facebook. I love seeing other mixed families and hearing their stories. We are a military family living in Japan by way of Philly. Take care!

94: Submitted by Monique V. (New Jersey)

2009-11-30T23:15:00.004-05:00

I found your a link to this blog on Fierce & Nerdy.Com. I scanned through the picture which made me so very happy and moved me to want to share some photos of my own family.

My husband, Brian Viehland, and I will be celebrating our 10 year anniversary in January 2010. I am African American and he is Caucasian. My ancestry can be traced back to West African and his from Germany. A little over 19 months ago, I gave birth to a son, Sekou William. He is a beautiful, smart, funny little boy who we love very much. Contrary to what Keith Bardwell may think, I am confident that my son will grow up feeling a deep sense of love and belonging. And the only concern I have for his future, is that he will have to deal with people like Keith Bardwell. But I can guarantee that he will be as prepared as we can possibly make him.

I want to thank you for creating this wonderful testament to family - no matter what combination it comes in - and share recent photos recent of my interracial family.

Thanks so much for creating this blog!

Yours Truly,
Monique
Trenton, New Jersey

93: Submitted by Anilu (Scotland)

2009-11-30T23:03:00.005-05:00

Subject Line: Mexico-India

Please find attached the pics of my wonderful relationship for almost 6 years. I am mexican and he is south indian but we found each other and fell in love. We got married last June and live in Scotland. We might look similar to the untrained eye so we avoid the superficial random judgements but our upbringings were very different.

92: Submitted by Terri C.

2009-11-30T22:48:00.005-05:00

91: Submitted by Esther E.

2009-11-30T22:31:00.000-05:00

90: Submitted by Susan A. (Texas)

2009-11-30T21:52:00.003-05:00

Daniel's Baba is Pakistani and his mommy is American (Scotch-Irish ancestry). We are a very happy "mixed" family!

BLOG: It's always different when Daddy leaves

2009-11-29T15:59:00.009-05:00

It's always different when daddy leaves. In our household, daddy happens to be a firefighter who works 24-hour shifts.

When he leaves, the baby waddles around the house clumsily looking in closets and cabinets while calling "Da-deee?!" The 3-year-old talks about how his dad, the policeman, is catching bad guys. (I don't know. I really don't.) And the older kids like to sometimes crawl into bed with me in the middle of the night.

The other morning, daddy had just finished a shift. He was exhausted. I could see it in his eyes, his body language. He was slouched over the dinner table telling me about how he didn't stop the entire night except for a brief 45 minutes.

And then he told me about how we needed to go to Sam's to stock up on groceries and then get the oil changed--things that needed to be done before he hit the bed for the day. And we might as well stop by Cracker Barrel for breakfast, he added, since the cabinets were bare.

A few moments later, I was in the bedroom standing in front of a mirror pulling my hair back into a sloppy pony tail, getting ready to leave and dreaming of cheese grits, when I overheard Hubby.

He was in the bathroom and the door was open by just a crack.
"I know Mow (rhymes with cow)," he said.

He said it again, this time more slowly.
I. Know. Mow.

Well, who the heck is Mow?

I peeked in and caught him standing in front of the mirror. "I. Know. Mow," he again repeated. The 1-year-old, Baby R, was propped up on the sink, clapping his hands and repeating. "I. Know. Mow!"

I stood there for a second, choked up. Baby R was pointing to Hubby's face, saying "Eyes. Nose. Mouth." And Hubby, after a sleepless 24-hours, was patiently enjoying the moment.

Watching them, I was reminded of my own father. I only have one memory of him from the time when I was a small child. There were other memories from my older years, but as a small child, I have one. I am sitting on his lap and then my mind fast-forwards: I'm walking around the house calling "Da-deee?"

I remember my mom telling me that he had gone to work and would be back soon. Well, soon never happened. I think she was secretly hoping I'd forget. I secretly never did.

And although I didn't know much because I was so young, I know that it was just different when he left. Even as a 3-year-old, I felt that. Little did I know that different meant food-stamps and public housing for the next few years of life.

Thirty years later, and I'm sitting at a Thanksgiving dinner with my paternal grandparents, who had driven in to spend a few hours at my brother's house, where we had Thanksgiving this year. I wanted to ask, but couldn't bring myself to do it.

Finally, right before they left, I said it. "So, how's my dad? How's, um, John?" It's weird because I never know how to refer to him. "He's in real estate, still plugging along," my grandfather replied.

Standing in my bedroom, watching my Hubby and son and recalling my own father, I was so grateful. In our home, it's always different when daddy leaves, but when he leaves, he always comes home.

Thank you, Hubby. This one's for you.

89: Submitted by Tiffany B.

2009-11-28T22:09:00.003-05:00

88: Submitted by Jaclyn C. (California)

2009-11-28T21:58:00.006-05:00

Hi,

I recently stumbled across your blog, and thought I'd share the pictures of my intercultural/interracial husband and I. He's a citizen of India, and I'm a Caucasian/Hispanic American. Thanks for starting this project! I'll blog about it on my site (gorigirl.com) as well. Be ready for a bunch of South Asian/other pictures. ;-)

Attached is a picture of my husband and myself at our Hindu wedding ceremony (which took place in Calcutta, India) and a picture of us on our honeymoon after the American wedding, which was spent camping on the Channel Islands in my home state of California.

Best,

Gori Girl / Jaclyn C.

Thanks, Gori Girl! I linked you:-)

87: Submitted by Audrey B. (Georgia)

2009-11-28T18:12:00.002-05:00

This one comes to MH from Audrey in Georgia. Thanks for your submission, Audrey!

86: Submitted by Fatima J.

2009-11-28T17:52:00.003-05:00

Diyanah and Alayah are American girls of Afghan and Indian heritage from their Pakistani born father's side and Eastern European Jewish, Hungarian, Scottish, and Native American heritage from their American born mother's side. Let nobody negate the happiness of their existence!

We love your project!

Fatima and Amju

85: Submitted by KC K.

2009-11-28T16:35:00.002-05:00

Subject Line: Engaged, Mixed and Happy!

Here's a photo of us at our engagement party. He was born in India
and grew up in Illinois, and I'm from Michigan. We'll be married next
July. Take that, judge!

KC

84: Submitted by Andrea H. (Ohio)

2009-11-27T13:26:00.005-05:00

This morning I read about your blog on Honeysmoke and was so pleased to read about what you are doing. I think it is an excellent idea as my husband and I were outraged upon reading about Mr. Bardwell's unfortunate confusion about the well being of biracial children. Here is our family which includes three very happy, healthy and intelligent biracial children. We are so blessed and could not imagine our family any other way!

Thank you again for what you are doing!

Andrea H., Ohio

83: Submitted by Marjorie M. (Arkansas)

2009-11-26T23:04:00.002-05:00

This is a picture of me with my grandchildren. I was born in Japan, my mother was Japanese and my father an American soldier. They were married and had me and my sister. My children are 1/4 Japanese. One of my grandchildren is 1/4 Korean, 3 of them 1/8 Japanese. We are a very mixed and happy family!

82: Submitted by June S.

2009-11-25T21:36:00.002-05:00

What a beautiful collage. Thanks for the submission, June!

--Suzy

81: Submitted by Ty M. (Florida)

2009-11-25T21:15:00.005-05:00

Here are a few photos of my “Mixed and Happy” baby! Daddy was born in Cairo, Egypt and Mommy is part Spanish. I love what you are doing here!

80: Submitted by Robert G. (Washington, D.C.)

2009-11-25T20:59:00.008-05:00

This comes to me by way of Robert G., creator of the facebook group Blasian Island. Thanks, Robert!

Greetings !

My wife and I discovered your Facebook page (Mixedandhappy) via a friend and want to support your effort, to show that mixed race couples can be happy, successful and thrive just as much as homegenous families.

My name is Robert and my wife's name is Yun (Grant is our last name). We grew up together and have been dating since Highschool. We have 4 children (Genesis Gabriella Grant: 6, Blessing Olivia Grant: 5 , Quinn Isabella Leigh Grant: 2 and a newborn that was born on the 17th of November 2009, Lailah Madelyne Grant: 6 days of age).

We're originally from Upstate New York but have migrated the world as a family, while I was active duty military. We purchased a home and finally set roots in the Washington D.C. / Maryland area, where I'm employed as an Engineer and my wife is a stay at home mom (Although she does have a degree in Business Administration).

That's a little bit about our family :)

Attached are a few pictures of us (Minus our newborn) , since mom and baby have JUST got home and we've not had enough time to take pics yet :P Lets us know if you've need of anything else from us... ;)

Respectfully Yours,
-R.L. Grant III-

79: Submitted by Jessica W. (Ohio)

2009-11-23T18:58:00.004-05:00

This is my step-sister, by the way!

My husband (a Naval Officer) and I have been married for almost 13 years. We have three beautiful children together. We are an interracial couple who view our interracial marriage and our biracial children as a strength and not a weakness. They are a blessing from God, which supersedes any opinion of man.

78: Submitted by Holly B. (Florida)

2009-11-23T14:29:00.001-05:00

77: Submitted by Jennifer M. (Arizona)

2009-11-23T14:25:00.006-05:00

My other step-sister, Jen:-)

Here are some photo's of our family. My husband and I have been together for 6 years with 2 beautiful daughters. He is Japanese and I am caucasian. Our kids are the best thing that has ever happened to us including meeting each other. Love comes in all different shapes,sizes and colors. That is what makes the world go round.

76: Submitted by Ellen A. (Antwerp, Belgium)

2009-11-23T14:20:00.001-05:00

1/3 chinese
1/3 belgian
1/3 chinese-belgian
100% happy

Supporting your cause - many greetings from antwerp!!!!
Li, Ellen & Vico

75: Submitted by Shannon W.

2009-11-23T14:03:00.011-05:00

74: Submitted by Lori D.

2009-11-23T13:52:00.005-05:00

73: Submitted by Molly T.

2009-11-23T13:48:00.002-05:00

72: Submitted by Alix K.

2009-11-23T13:44:00.006-05:00

71: Submitted by Michael S.

2009-11-22T15:00:00.001-05:00

This is for mixed and happy. Forward please. You guys look great!

70: Submitted by Stephanie M.

2009-11-22T14:48:00.002-05:00

Hey Suzy!

I am not married with children yet, but do plan to marry this man and start a family sometime in the near future. So feel free to put some kind of caption like that with my picture.

Thank you for all that you are doing and for making a stand.

Stephanie M.

69: Submitted by Monique S. (The Netherlands)

2009-11-22T10:37:00.002-05:00

We are Americans living in The Netherlands. Biracial family living an international life. Mixed indeed!

68: Submitted by Amanda S.

2009-11-22T10:34:00.000-05:00

Suzy:

Here is a picture of me and my husband. We have been HAPPILY married for over four years and are currently expecting our first child, a little girl, at the end of February. Hope this helps with the letter.

Amanda & Rashard S.

67: Submitted by Sally H.

2009-11-22T10:31:00.004-05:00

hello suzy!

one of my friends sent me the mixed and happy invitation on facebook, which i gladly accepted! i think you are a doing is such a wonderful thing!

just a brief rundown on me...
i am of mexican descent (dad was mexican and mom was white & mexican) and married my son's father, a black man and vietnam vet, in 1980. We lived in a small community back when 'mixed' couples were just coming out, so-to-speak, in our area. having lived a very sheltered life - i learned a lot from him about the 'real world' and racism. we lived in el centro, calif., which is about as far south as you can go in cali. - just a few miles from the mexican border and an hour west of yuma, az. anyway, we separated 6 yrs later and divorced 8 yrs after that, but we remained friends because neither of us had been raised with a father in our homes and had agreed before we were married, that we would stay friends if it came to that. (those are some long stories - haha!) unfortunately, my ex just recently passed away in Sept., at the still young age of 58, from a brain anuerism. i wanted to send you a picture of my handsome son, who is the light of my life! his name is Aaron , 28 yrs old and he currently lives in el centro. he's has his issues and his ups and downs, but i didn't think that mattered for your purposes.

i have read some of your blog and loved it! you're a very strong, courageous woman that is setting a great example for people of all colors! congratulations and keep moving forward!

thank you!
much respect and love
Sally H.

66: Submitted by Dave and Gyle

2009-11-22T10:27:00.001-05:00

Per your picture request, here's my girlfriend and myself on the observation deck at the Petronas Towers. Thanks for doing this!

--David B.
http://ramblindave.blogspot.com

65: Submitted by Beth C.

2009-11-22T10:25:00.001-05:00

Living in Philly, Pa. This is a photo of us, appearing in the book No Difference Between Them, by photographer Robert Kalman. The book documents biracial couples.

Beth Leianne Curtis, MSW, CPM
www.birtharts.com
www.believeinbirth.com

64: Submitted by Michele S.

2009-11-22T10:21:00.002-05:00

We are Charles and Michele S. We've been together for 26 years/married 24 years. We have four wonderful happy grown children and two awesome happy grandchildren.

63: Submitted by Angie

2009-11-22T10:16:00.001-05:00

Thank you for being so involved and doing all that you are doing.

--Angie

BLOG: Pancake Picnic

2009-11-21T11:11:00.004-05:00

I'm flying solo today.

Hubby is working and will be home in a little while. But, when I woke up this morning, with a 3-and-1-year-old staring in my face, I realized I couldn't just lay around in bed until the feeling was right.

"Ooookaaaay," I said. "I'm up. I'm up."

Today is one of those "I love living in Florida" days. It's November and gorgeous outside. I threw on a tank and some flip-flops before heading into the kitchen to whip up some quick pancakes.

My thinking was that if they wanted to make a sticky mess, they could do it outside. When I said the words "Pancake Picnic," they almost lost their minds.

"We can take pancakes outside?!" my 3-year-old screamed. Yes, he screamed it.

"Absolutely!!" I said, somewhat laughing at them, but mostly laughing at myself. Oh, I must be losing it, but as long as they are happy, and as long as the sticky mess is not in my kitchen this morning, I'm quite OK with it.

So, with plates of pancakes drenched in sticky syrup, we headed outside. So, they loved it, but right after my 3-year-old devoured the first pancake, I realized that syrup and picnics probably don't mix well. So, I hurried them along. I'm sure the ants were already on their way.

It was a perfect sticky pancake moment. When we were finished stuffing ourselves, we packed up and then headed to the back of our property where the airplanes are. Um, not my airplanes. (I'm just not there, yet, lol.)

But I do love taking the kids to watch the airplanes right in our back yard. I mean, for a 3-year-old boy, it doesn't get any better than that. Oh, wait a minute, I guess in his mind, it should get better than that.

"I'm not getting in the plane and going up in the sky?"

Yeah, no.

62: Submitted by Libby H.

2009-11-20T19:33:00.003-05:00

This is me with my beautiful biracial grand baby Maya. She is so precious and such a joy to me! I thank God for her and know it was his plan for her parents, white mama and black daddy, to produce offspring that look like their father, God.

BLOG: Happy birthday, little sister

2009-11-18T12:04:00.014-05:00

There's just too much going on in my mind--and heart--today. Which is why I took off for lunch early. Sitting in the mall with my laptop as my security blanket.

Today is my sister's birthday. She would have been 28. The picture above is of her and my daughter at the hospital. She had stopped by on her lunch break to see the new baby.

The week has been hard, but the what-ifs are always harder. I can't quite seem to shake the what ifs and I'm riddled with guilt over not being by her side during her final lucid moments. It's something that has been gnawing at me for four years now.

She spent the last few weeks of her life in a drug-induced coma at a hospital. These days, I sort of despise hospitals for what they symbolize in my life. After being misdiagnosed several times with a tension headache, my sister was finally correctly diagnosed with encephalitis.

But, by that time, the infection had spread to all of her organs and her body had already started slipping away. Thing is, more than 95 percent of these cases are treated with a positive outcome.

So, lastnight made it even more difficult. Baby R fell of off some stairs and pretty much slammed his head into a concrete ground. We took him to the ER and sat for some time. When we left, he was fine. I was thanking God that he was fine. He was fine, although I wasn't fine, really. Hospitals=heart ache for me.

This morning, my son heard me mention that it was my sister's birthday. This is my 3-year-old, who I was three-months pregnant with when she died.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!" he began singing. When I didn't respond, he stopped and asked me, "Why you not singing happy birthday, mommy? You not happy?"

"I'm happy," I told him. "I'm just a little sad." He just gave me a strange look and said "You going to your cheerleader job today?"

And I cracked a smile. Three-year-olds say things that heal the heart. Even when they don't make any sense at all.

Mr. E was the only happy one at the hospital lastnight. He seemed to think it was Disney World. He cried when we left.

See how much fun the sitting and waiting was?

Baby R. He was not a happy boy.

61: Submitted by Falon M.

2009-11-16T18:09:00.003-05:00

60: Submitted by Nichole B. (Ridgeland, SC)

2009-11-16T17:51:00.004-05:00

Hi My name is Nichole and I am from South Carolina and I was appalled by the article. My husband and I have been together for 5 years and married for 4. He only proposed to me 7 months after we met and 2 months after we moved in together. Yes it was a shaky time for us. We go through the same things that all married couples go through. We have no kids as of yet but is hoping that God will bless one day.

Both of our immediate family accepted our love for what it is. We both call each of our parents mom and dad. My mom and mother-in-law are my best friends. We have a very good family support system. What my husband and in-laws do not know about my culture they ask me questions and answer them the best way that I can. I also have a cousin that my mom adopted and he is my little brother and he is biracial and we love him so much. His dad, my uncle Bill, was the nicest man my aunt ever dated. I am sorry if my open-mindedness makes other feel inadequate but it was how I was raised. Here are some pictures of me with my husband.

BLOG: Lazy, busy, colorful Saturday

2009-11-14T23:14:00.008-05:00

Today was a lazy, busy, colorful Saturday afternoon. By lazy, I mean that I didn't have to be anywhere at any specific time and you know, in heels or a business suit. And by busy and colorful, I mean that the day involved kids, as usual, and a few cans of clearance paint from Home Depot.

So, anyone who lives in my town knows about the wall. It's right down the road from the University and its colorful presence is embraced by both long-time residents and college students passing through.

Once, when I was in the 9th grade, a girlfriend and I bought a couple cans of spray paint and decided to hit up the wall. But, my mom drove by and we ducked and ran. (Oh, high school.)

Never did get back to the wall. Until today.

I thought it would be a great way to send a message and make a memory. Sent the hubby to Home Depot and told him to pick up a few cans of clearance paint. They call it "Oops paint," the cans of paint that have been mixed but rejected by the customer.

He showed up at the house with a can of white (good) and a can of oops paint that no one wanted. It was, um, fluorescent pink (not good).

"I know I told you clearance paint, but, hot pink? Really?"

And so, we traded the Oops paint in for a quart of gold ($1) and a gallon of purple ($3.) And then, armed with a couple of paint rollers, pans and brushes, the family and I hit up the wall. We were there for about an hour. After I painted the banner, my daughter and niece suggested we add in a colorful stick-figure family.

"Well, let's mix the purple and gold together and see what we get," I told them. "Then, you guys can paint the kids."

"It's brown!" my niece announced. "It's a pretty brown."

How fitting. The gold and purple mixed together to form a nice, pretty brown. So much nicer than fluorescent pink stick people, I thought. So much nicer. (Not that I have anything against fluorescent pink stick people. Just saying.)

Mixed and Happy on Babble.com

2009-11-14T10:01:00.004-05:00

BABBLE.COM--Sometimes, the only way to combat ignorant people is to just confront them with the reality of their wrongheadedness. You can do it violently or aggressively — or you can simply and gracefully show them the beauty of the truth.

That’s what Suzy Richardson is doing. She’s a happily married mother of four married to her firefighter husband, with whom she is raising their four children ranging in age from one year to 11 years old. She’s also a white woman married to a black man, and those four children are biracial. Read more here.

BLOG: Who feeds their kid moldy spaghetti?!

2009-11-13T21:39:00.014-05:00

[Please note: The main purpose of this blog is to post the pictures of Mixed and Happy families. But while I'm here, I might as well let you take a peek into my Mixed and Happy life, so I'll be blogging in-between picture posts.]

Hubby, who is a firefighter, worked a 24-hour shift last night, which meant that this was my morning to get all of the kids to school before I headed to work. But, this morning was a little different because of two things:

1. My niece spent the night (Making that, uh, five kids)
2. I promised the three older kids that we would have a breakfast date before school

That meant that I was up by 6 and out the door before 7. Morning routine without hubby can be chaotic because someone's always missing a shoe or a lunchbox or a good attitude.

Because we were pressed for time, I didn't make lunches. "Just throw your lunch boxes in the car; We'll stop by Publix or something," I said to the kids in the middle of our stampede out the door.

After dropping the babies off at day care, we stopped by our favorite little cafe. The kids watched with delight as the waitress piled plates of pancakes, scrambled eggs and cheese grits on our little table in the corner.

It was perfect. We stuffed ourselves.

I dropped the kids off at school and picked up lunch from Publix. In the parking lot at work, I opened the plastic grocery bag and began stuffing their lunch boxes. "Ugh. What the heck is this?"

I had just made a discovery in my daughter's Hello Kitty lunchbox. There was a red container, partially opened, that must have been from lunch earlier in the week. Somehow, I think she took it out of her lunchbox earlier in the week, left it in the van and threw it back in this morning.

However it ended up back in her lunchbox, I'm not sure. But one thing I was sure of: ick. I left the icky container on the front seat and finished packing the lunchboxes.

A few minutes later, sitting at my desk, I called hubby who had just finished his shift. "I need you to take the kids' lunches to school. I didn't have time this morning."

He agreed. "Oh, and E needs his as well. It's on the front seat." Mr. E. is the 3-year-old. Hubby called me later to tell me that everything was taken care of. Kids had lunches=I could rest.

And I did rest easy until later that day when I walked into Mr. E's day care and his teacher handed me a ... red container! "Um, this didn't look or smell very good, so we gave him something else."

"What? What? How did you? Why do you have the ... red container!?"

"It was in his lunch box."

And then I did a quick mental rewind: Me on the phone. Hubby on the other line. Me to hubby: "Oh, and E needs his as well. It's on the front seat." Quick revelation: this is the red container I always pack Mr. E's spaghetti-os in.

"Oh my gosh. No. he. didn't."

Yes, he did, though. Hubby packed Mr. E's lunchbox with that dreaded red container. You know what it had in it, don't you? Moldy spaghetti! We sent Mr. E to school with a lunch box filled with moldy spaghetti as the main course.

I hung my head in shame and began quickly explaining how, really, I do not feed my children moldy spaghetti. The teacher laughed and said "We know. We figured there was some kind of mix up."

I mean, I know I'm dreadful in the kitchen, but really, I'm better than that. How embarrassing!

Oh.
My.

59: Submitted by Ashley L. (Florida)

2009-11-13T21:34:00.005-05:00

Sisters. One is brown skin and one is not. Their bond is unbreakable. It is about family, respect, and love no matter pigment we were born with.

58: Submitted by Jin P. (Louisiana)

2009-11-13T21:15:00.002-05:00

I am from Louisiana. My husband is from Cameroon, Africa. :) I can't wait until we have a beautiful family like you. Bless you all. *HUGS*

57: Submitted by Christina K. (New Jersey)

2009-11-13T21:09:00.002-05:00

My husband and sons for your Christmas card. Great idea.

Thanks!
Christina K.

56: Submitted by Nicole R.

2009-11-13T20:55:00.004-05:00

Here a few pictures of our super happy fam!

Allister and Nicolas are Italian/French/Polish on their bio father’s side, Mexican/Spanish/German on mine – a true melting pot. Their future siblings will share my heritage as well as their dad’s Cuban/Mexican/Czech genealogy!

55: Submitted by Kayt

2009-11-13T20:38:00.005-05:00

I heard about your project, and I wanted to contribute. My husband is
Filipino and German, and I'm a general mix of European, American
Indian, and Dutch Indonesian ancestry. At the moment, I can't find a
pic of all three of us, so I'm sending a picture of us on our wedding
day, and a picture of my Welsh, English and American Indian mother
with our happy, healthy, impish son the day he was born. There is too
much love and happiness in our family to stay quiet. Thank you!
-Kayt,Kevin, and James

54: Submitted by Lindsay O. (Seattle, Washington)

2009-11-12T21:44:00.002-05:00

Hi! We're Chris and Lindsey, and we live in Seattle, Washington. Chris is Taiwanese-American, and Lindsey is American of mixed European heritage. Our daughter, Charlotte, was born in 2007, and is a beautiful, happy, and smart child! Her brother, Knox, is due in early 2010.

More from Natasha M.

2009-11-12T14:17:00.001-05:00

These pictures make me smile. They are a beautiful couple.

53: Submitted by Ginger M.

2009-11-12T14:08:00.004-05:00

52: Submitted by Amber H.

2009-11-12T14:03:00.003-05:00

Hello Suzy,

I just want to thank you for what you are doing. I am a multiracial (Black, Cherokee, and White) almost 20 year old in an interracial relationship with my partner for the last year. I think my heritage and the person I am is wonderful and I am thankful for the color of my skin. I was saddened when I heard about the judge who denied the couple because he feared for their children. I am loving being a multiracial woman and making someone out of myself. Though, sometimes it may be hard being mixed race, but I am proud of who I am. I am so thankful that someone stood up and tried to do something to show this man how happy interracial couples and their children can be. I can only hope that my future with my partner will be as beautiful as the photos on your blog.

51: Submitted by Lynette W. (Evansville, Indiana)

2009-11-11T22:18:00.003-05:00

We are Tyrone and Lynette Washington from Evansville, IN. We have been happily married for 8 years and have two beautiful children. Jeremiah is 4 and Maiesha is 3.