Sunday, May 29, 2016

WEEK 1 OF MY LEAP YEAR

Well, after 36 weeks of watching Jess become more passionate, knowledgable, and committed to pursuing his dreams I have finally jumped on the bandwagon.  It wasn't that I didn't want to, I just kept letting excuses get in the way.  I'm too tired, I want to spend time with Tae, what if I'm not good at what I choose to pursue, what do I want to focus on? Those are just a few of the excuses that ran through my head when I posted Jess' weekly post.

So what finally made me do it, you ask?  I value our marriage and with a new kid, busy jobs, my online courses, and just plain adulting it's easy to let distance happen between Jess and I grow. When we first started dating we did so many things, both new and old, together.  We challenged one another to be better people and helped walk along side the other as they did. We worked out together, cooked, ran a 1/2 marathon, traveled, and took on silly challenges together.  Somewhere in the past 4 years we don't do tasks or have a common thing to do together.  I think joining The Leap Year will give us a common ground to grow on, both individually and together.

Task: My task for the first week was to write a list of what I was interested in and narrow it down to one thing.  My list was not overly long, but it was a little all over the place.

  • Blogging 
  • Yoga 
  • Basketball 
  • Get in the best shape of my life 
  • Grow in my spiritual walk 
  • Photography 
  • Calligraphy 
  • Watercolor 
  • Make up 
  • Service projects 
I decided that a lot of the things on my list are things I can always improve on (spiritual walk, health) and weren't totally new (basketball and blogging). I wanted to start fresh and challenge myself to to something I've always been interested.  I chose photography.  

My first task was done, but I had some extra time so I found a few photographers (Paige Ewing in Atlanta and Shay Nelson in Texas) whose work I really liked. I spent lots of time perusing their sites and finally got the nerve up to email them asking for advice on how to get started.  I don't plan on opening up a business, but I just wanted some tips on where to start. Photography can be expensive, with the cameras, editing software, lighting, etc and I have a history of jumping into things and not following through so I wanted to get advice of where to start.  

Reflection:  I'm excited to start my journey.  I'll be honest, I'm a little intimidated.  I don't like to start something that I'm not good at, but I am pumped to have a creative outlet and hopefully get some great pictures of Tae.  




Saturday, May 21, 2016

TICKLE FEST WITH DADA









Tuesday, May 10, 2016

SPRING BREAKY: TRIP HOME

I'm so behind on blogging. After a week home, immediately followed by a week for work in the Dominican, my online class, and work I feel a bit like a plate spinner at the circus. All that being said I am being lame and just doing a photo recap.

On our way home...

Happy to be at Grammy and Poppy's

Playing with Poppy's old flight helmet 

Fun with Grammy 

Painting 

Not too into the arts, but mom is making it happen. 
I love being messy though


The chase begins.
Poor bug never stood a chance. 
Got it mom! 
Right after he caught and smashed the bug

Hanging with Poppy 

Go Big Red! 
Pondering life
Looking up at the fan doing the Korean squat.
Greenville Zoo with Grammy and Poppy 



Snuggles for Poppy 

We're going to miss Grammy and Poppy 



Watching some TV with dad



Hanging out with baby Jack
Our time home was amazing and short. We spent lots of time hanging out and enjoying being home with Grammy and Poppy.  Tae's favorite things were chasing ants, eating Mexican, climbing the stairs, walking up and down the driveway hill, and walking around like he owned the place.  Thanks mom and dad for a great time and we will see you soon!