Project MCP: Love

Alternatively titled: Thank Goodness We Have 29 Days In February This Year Or This Would Not Be Getting Done Before The End Of The Month

This months Project MCP theme was "Love" and I couldn't have asked for a better theme during the month my husband returned home.

Love in our household this month is having warrior hands that stood ready to serve their country for ten months and still having room for loving hands that wash the dishes after a meal together.

315 Days....Totally Worth it For This Moment

Resolve

I started the year with a few ambitions. I normally don't do resolutions, but I like the idea of ambitions. Goals.

So one of my ambitions is to photograph more. I want to experiment more and really create something with my pictures. So I thought I'd join in on one of those photography projects online. They've got them for every day and every week. Knowing myself, and my schedule, I decided I'd do a monthly one. So I joined MCP Project 12, with a theme for every month. January's theme was Resolution or Resolve.

I thought about it. I thought about what kind of picture I would take. I thought about what I might resolve to do. What word or emotion would sum up my resolve. I thought about the last 10 months and how far my resolve has gotten me.

And then I thought about Adam coming home soon. I started working extra hours to make up for the time I'll miss at work when he's on leave and because I had meetings with every grade level and some of them were on my days off. And I started making menus and grocery shopping and trying recipes so that I can cook for my husband. And I've been really, really good about going to the gym. And doing my extra exercises for my knee. Oh, and then I thought I might try to give up Diet Pepsi. And I was making sure to eat vegetables and take my vitamins. And keep the house clean. I've made sure to get up early for some time with God, which I had gotten away from at the end of the year. So then I decided to start a year long Bible reading plan. And now it's the last day of January and I had sort of forgotten about my photography project.

So I had to think of something fast. I started snapping pictures of anything that could be resolution. This one is the best one. Sorry it's not my best work. Thus the point of the project. It can only get better from here right?

It's not one of those "I'm going to go to the gym" resolutions. I promise. (Even though that's where I was going when I took this picture.)

I resolve to keep moving. I resolve to not give up. To embrace life, and all it brings, even when I really don't want to. So I'll put on my running shoes and get out there. 

Next month's theme should be a lot easier. 

9 months down...

You know your husband has been deployed for too long when The Office Jim and Pam wedding dance makes you cry and laugh hysterically at the same time. Oh. my. word.

Anyone else?

Sayonara 2011: Year in Pictures

In January, it snowed. 

March came, and so did a 3 week notice of an earlier than anticipated deployment. We tried to make the best of our time together. 

  

And then he was off.

April was a not-so-fun month. We were going to have a baby. And two trips to the emergency room later, we weren't. 

But at least April ended with a trip to see Greg and Kim.

June, I just tried to make it through the school year. The busy-crazy-do I even have time to teach with all this other stuff to do? school year.

And then Jenn, Jackson, and I relaxed at White Sulphur Springs.

Summer was a blur. Did that even happen?

My Laura stopped by for a visit.

Adam went to several countries and conducted training operations.

And Summer ended with a hurricane and my new job as a Tech Facilitator.

In October, I made a trip to the mountains and Alexi's wedding.

And then, a neighborhood peeping tom tried to break into my bedroom.

New housing became available that week and I moved.

And suddenly, it was Thanksgiving...

And waiting, waiting, waiting, for the new year and my husband to come home.

Sayonara 2011.  

I'm pretty sure 2012 is going to be WAY better. 

Cousin Love and Christmas in D.C.

6 Days. 881 Miles. 15 driving hours. Lots of family. And oh, how I love Christmas time in D.C.

Mad Wrapping Skills

Expectation:

"Oooh, I have a great idea for wrapping presents this year! They're going to look SO awesome. I'm going to buy all this cool, shiny ribbon and everyone will be so impressed with my mad gift wrapping skills!"

"I don't need to buy any wrapping paper, I have a whole tub full of paper and bags and tissue paper. I'm going to recycle too and decorate some paper bags myself. I never have to buy wrapping paper."

"Those gift tags are so cute, but I'm going to save money and not buy new ones this year. I KNOW we have plenty of gift tags in my tub."

Reality:

I buy extra tissue paper and tape because my supply seems low. I don't touch the extras.

The paper bags are too small and wrinkly and look terrible.

I find four gift tags. Four. I have 8 presents.

I gather three rolls of wrapping paper, all at their end. None of which I like anymore. Seriously, who picked these patterns? I blame Adam. (Since he's not here to deny it.)

Umm, do over?

After I cut the paper too small and then have to makeshift an extra layer with way too much tape, I curse 2008 me and vow to go back in time and punch her before she buys the glittery wrapping paper that gets glitter EVERYWHERE.

I finally get the presents wrapped and clean the glitter off my face and the floor. I don't even bother with the shiny ribbon. 1) because it doesn't match the wrapping paper I had to end up using and 2) because I just want this to be over.

I guess I'll be at Target 5 days after Christmas buying the 75% off wrapping paper to stock up for next year. Note to self: no glitter, oh, and you do need those cute gift tags.