About once a year I try to update the design of my blog and give it a fresh new name so.... Here's the refreshed look! I didn't change the layout of the blog at all because I've really enjoyed the simple design over the last year, but I totally revived the color scheme to make the look much more vibrant and fun.
It was definitely time for a new name as well. A year ago, I chose the name "Come What May (and love it)" when, as you know, I was working through a particularly rough time health-wise. The title helped me remember to be thankful and positive no matter what life threw my way. It was completely perfect and fitting at the time, but I've recently recognized that I'm in a totally different place now and I need something different to represent my daily writings. Even though there are still some health issues to be worked out, I feel that I've fully returned to my busy, happy, optimistic self (Yay!)
The other day, I came across an article titled "My Extraordinary Ordinary Life" and I thought that was such an awesome little phrase. Life is exactly what you make it and I plan to make this year EXTRAORDINARY!
Our First DSLR Camera!
- - - - Thursday, May 3, 2012 - - - -
I am so so sooooooo excited right now! As you know, I love taking pictures of everything; it's not that I want to be a photographer or anything, I just love documenting all of life's events and little special moments. Funny sidenote, I take SO many random pictures every day that Jake decided to put a monthly limit on how many pictures I can take of him (except when we're on vacation) because he is sick of always being photographed haha! I already feel bad for our future children... I can hear it now "Please mom NO more pictures!!!"
Anyways, the camera that I've had for the past few years has been anything but reliable and I'm not a huge fan of the photos it takes so I usually end up using the camera on my iPhone, which are really of no quality to print and hang on the wall. Long story short, for a few years I've had my eye on getting a beginner DSLR camera that will take all of my photos to the "next level". They are so expensive though that it's not really something that people just go out and buy on a whim (at least not us!).
With Jake's deployment being a bit longer this time, we found out we were getting quite a bit of extra money for "separation pay".... and it's kind of an unofficial rule around base that the wife gets to decide how to spend that extra money :) Going on a shopping spree at the Coach outlet definitely crossed my mind but after really thinking about it I decided it would be so much better to get something for both of us that we otherwise would not have spent money on. A nice camera was the perfect option!
After emailing some friends and doing lots of research, I decided that the Canon EOS T3 was going to the best fit. It has a lot of great automatic features for a newbie like me but also has so many amazing options and capabilities as I learn how to use the camera more. It also takes full HD videos (and the memory card I got can hold easily 4+ hrs of video) so its definitely a 2-in-1 and will save us from needing to buy a video camera in the future. The package that I got through Costco also included an extra lens and two instructional DVDs on how to use the camera. Here's a look at the little beauty...
It's supposed to arrive to our house early next week and I can't wait!! I plan to start learning how to use it right away so I will be ready to document all of our summer travels. I have a feeling that my photo obsession has only just begun :)
Anyways, the camera that I've had for the past few years has been anything but reliable and I'm not a huge fan of the photos it takes so I usually end up using the camera on my iPhone, which are really of no quality to print and hang on the wall. Long story short, for a few years I've had my eye on getting a beginner DSLR camera that will take all of my photos to the "next level". They are so expensive though that it's not really something that people just go out and buy on a whim (at least not us!).
With Jake's deployment being a bit longer this time, we found out we were getting quite a bit of extra money for "separation pay".... and it's kind of an unofficial rule around base that the wife gets to decide how to spend that extra money :) Going on a shopping spree at the Coach outlet definitely crossed my mind but after really thinking about it I decided it would be so much better to get something for both of us that we otherwise would not have spent money on. A nice camera was the perfect option!
After emailing some friends and doing lots of research, I decided that the Canon EOS T3 was going to the best fit. It has a lot of great automatic features for a newbie like me but also has so many amazing options and capabilities as I learn how to use the camera more. It also takes full HD videos (and the memory card I got can hold easily 4+ hrs of video) so its definitely a 2-in-1 and will save us from needing to buy a video camera in the future. The package that I got through Costco also included an extra lens and two instructional DVDs on how to use the camera. Here's a look at the little beauty...
It's supposed to arrive to our house early next week and I can't wait!! I plan to start learning how to use it right away so I will be ready to document all of our summer travels. I have a feeling that my photo obsession has only just begun :)
Feels Like Summer!
- - - - Monday, April 30, 2012 - - - -
I am absolutely LOVING the hot weather we've been having! It's only April and it's already starting to feel like Summer outside. Last year at this time it was sooo rainy and cold so I'm really happy to see all this sunshine.
Yesterday my good friend Heather had a BBQ/Pool Party with a bunch of people from Jake's squadron and we had an awesome time just swimming, eating, playing games, and soaking up the sunshine :) The dogs came along with me and were completely worn out and happy by the end of the day too.
I am so SO thankful for my friends here; they make it so much easier when Jake has to be away. Here are some photos from the fun day...
Yesterday my good friend Heather had a BBQ/Pool Party with a bunch of people from Jake's squadron and we had an awesome time just swimming, eating, playing games, and soaking up the sunshine :) The dogs came along with me and were completely worn out and happy by the end of the day too.
I am so SO thankful for my friends here; they make it so much easier when Jake has to be away. Here are some photos from the fun day...
Sometimes It's the Little Things
When you're only 3 weeks away from your love finally coming back home, it's the little things that can make the wait a little more bearable. Jake seems to know this well and has actually been sending me funny greeting cards all the way from Kuwait. I was so shocked and excited when I got the first one, definitely not expected. It is so thoughtful of Jake to send ME cards when HE is the one deployed and should be the one receiving the cards.
One card he sent in particular made me laugh hysterically... it's days later and I am still laughing! Jake and I definitely share the same sense of humor. Oh goodness, I miss him so much!
So while that is a funny card by itself, the part that made me laugh hysterically was the little insert that came with the card. You see, after Jake's sweet little note and signature, there is also a signature from our good friend Camie (Remember him?) But not only was there a signature, there was a photo of Camie signing his name. HAHAHA! It is so ridiculous and it yet made my WHOLE WEEK! See for yourself...
Sometimes it really is the little things. Oh and one more cute picture while we're talking about Jake... Here he is in his desert flighsuit and funny desert hat. This was a celebration picture taken after Jake won a big award last week. Always so proud of my hubby :) Only 3 more weeks to go until I'm squeezing him in my arms!!
One card he sent in particular made me laugh hysterically... it's days later and I am still laughing! Jake and I definitely share the same sense of humor. Oh goodness, I miss him so much!
Sometimes it really is the little things. Oh and one more cute picture while we're talking about Jake... Here he is in his desert flighsuit and funny desert hat. This was a celebration picture taken after Jake won a big award last week. Always so proud of my hubby :) Only 3 more weeks to go until I'm squeezing him in my arms!!
Mini-Vacay to Southern CA!
- - - - Sunday, April 29, 2012 - - - -
While trying to figure out ways to fill my weekends with Jake being away, I decided to take a mini-vacation to Southern CA/Orange County. One thing that I LOVE about living in CA is that I can drive 6 hours away down south and get a total change of scenery and environment. Seriously though, NorCal and SoCal are so different that they might as well be different states haha. Anyways, I had an absolute blast down there!
The trip was for more than just a change of scenery, I mostly went to visit one of my closest friends from college, Kristen. We were both business majors at Biola and had a majority of our classes together the last 2 years of school. Out of all my friends I don't think there is anyone more alike than Kristen and I - We just completely understand eachother and can talk about anything together even if we don't see eachother for years, and I love that!!
I got down to So-Cal on Thursday night and we spent most of that evening just catching up and relaxing. On my drive down, I hit ridiculous traffic coming out of LA which, yes, is normal but this was way more traffic then normal and the freeway was at a complete standstill. I decided to get off the freeway and take the side streets to her house instead which saved a TON of time... and I have to say I was very impressed with myself for remembering my way through all those crazy streets and freeways!
On Friday the weather was ridiculously perfect in the mid-80's so we decided to make it a beach day! Before heading to the beach we stopped at this cute little outdoor restaurant in Brea for some amazing Belgian waffles - Sooo yummy! Okay and maybe we stopped by Starbucks too :)
Next we headed to Table Rock beach in Laguna to enjoy the gorgeous day. The weather was the perfect mixture of very warm and slightly breezy to where we were never cold but never too hot. We just relaxed and read magazines and talked and people watched.... Doesn't that sound amazing? It was!
Random story from the beach... Not long after we got there, we saw a man in a kayak heading around the rocks towards the beach (that alone was impressive because the waves were crazy that morning). When he got closer to shore we noticed something else was on his kayak, and soon realized it was a dog! The dog had a little life jacket on and was just bobbing up and down on the kayak through the waves, loving it!! When they got to shore, the dog hopped off and ran around the beach with his owner. That dog was seriously living the life!! After a few hours, they both hopped right back on the kayak and rode away.
Here's the best picture I could get without being a creeper...
Besides going to the beach, one of the main things I wanted to do while I was in SoCal was visit Biola. I hadn't been back since graduation 3 years ago and I just really wanted to walk around and enjoy the campus... and maybe get a few alumni souvenirs at the gift store :)
I hadn't thought that I missed Biola very much - I guess when I graduated I was just SO ready to be done with school and move on to life that I just said "see ya!" Well when I arrived back at campus on Saturday, I was so overcome with emotion and feelings of nostalgia that I literally had to wear my sunglasses to hide my misty eyes (I know, I know, ridiculous!). I started realizing that I had the most amazing memories and feelings tied to that campus. It's where I learned about myself, learned about God, began dating Jake, made new and wonderful friends, the list goes on and on...
Everywhere I looked I had a memory of some kind, and almost all of them involved Jake. Tie that with me not having seen Jake in 2 1/2 months and yes I was emotional... and it was so wonderful! I was so very blessed to be able to go to such an amazing place for college.
After spending most of the day wandering around campus, we headed back to Kristen's place and enjoyed a few hours catching some warm sun by the pool. It felt like summer that day and that made me so happy!
Saturday night we put on our boots and went to a new county music line dancing place in Anaheim called The Ranch. It was awesome! There was a live band and tons of people and lots of dancing!
On Sunday I was sad to have to head home but was so thankful that I made the quick trip down there. The weekend was exactly what I'd hoped it'd be and more! I forgot how much I love Southern CA and how huge of a role it has played in my life. Thanks Kristen for an amazing weekend! Let's not let it be another year before we do it again okay?!
The trip was for more than just a change of scenery, I mostly went to visit one of my closest friends from college, Kristen. We were both business majors at Biola and had a majority of our classes together the last 2 years of school. Out of all my friends I don't think there is anyone more alike than Kristen and I - We just completely understand eachother and can talk about anything together even if we don't see eachother for years, and I love that!!
I got down to So-Cal on Thursday night and we spent most of that evening just catching up and relaxing. On my drive down, I hit ridiculous traffic coming out of LA which, yes, is normal but this was way more traffic then normal and the freeway was at a complete standstill. I decided to get off the freeway and take the side streets to her house instead which saved a TON of time... and I have to say I was very impressed with myself for remembering my way through all those crazy streets and freeways!
On Friday the weather was ridiculously perfect in the mid-80's so we decided to make it a beach day! Before heading to the beach we stopped at this cute little outdoor restaurant in Brea for some amazing Belgian waffles - Sooo yummy! Okay and maybe we stopped by Starbucks too :)
Next we headed to Table Rock beach in Laguna to enjoy the gorgeous day. The weather was the perfect mixture of very warm and slightly breezy to where we were never cold but never too hot. We just relaxed and read magazines and talked and people watched.... Doesn't that sound amazing? It was!
Random story from the beach... Not long after we got there, we saw a man in a kayak heading around the rocks towards the beach (that alone was impressive because the waves were crazy that morning). When he got closer to shore we noticed something else was on his kayak, and soon realized it was a dog! The dog had a little life jacket on and was just bobbing up and down on the kayak through the waves, loving it!! When they got to shore, the dog hopped off and ran around the beach with his owner. That dog was seriously living the life!! After a few hours, they both hopped right back on the kayak and rode away.
Here's the best picture I could get without being a creeper...
Besides going to the beach, one of the main things I wanted to do while I was in SoCal was visit Biola. I hadn't been back since graduation 3 years ago and I just really wanted to walk around and enjoy the campus... and maybe get a few alumni souvenirs at the gift store :)
I hadn't thought that I missed Biola very much - I guess when I graduated I was just SO ready to be done with school and move on to life that I just said "see ya!" Well when I arrived back at campus on Saturday, I was so overcome with emotion and feelings of nostalgia that I literally had to wear my sunglasses to hide my misty eyes (I know, I know, ridiculous!). I started realizing that I had the most amazing memories and feelings tied to that campus. It's where I learned about myself, learned about God, began dating Jake, made new and wonderful friends, the list goes on and on...
Everywhere I looked I had a memory of some kind, and almost all of them involved Jake. Tie that with me not having seen Jake in 2 1/2 months and yes I was emotional... and it was so wonderful! I was so very blessed to be able to go to such an amazing place for college.
Saturday night we put on our boots and went to a new county music line dancing place in Anaheim called The Ranch. It was awesome! There was a live band and tons of people and lots of dancing!
On Sunday I was sad to have to head home but was so thankful that I made the quick trip down there. The weekend was exactly what I'd hoped it'd be and more! I forgot how much I love Southern CA and how huge of a role it has played in my life. Thanks Kristen for an amazing weekend! Let's not let it be another year before we do it again okay?!
