February was a short month, since we left for Kenya on the 17th. But! We hustled hard those first two weeks of the month.
As we made to-do lists and set our alarm extra early the week we were leaving, I told Chris it reminded me so much of the week I left for Uganda: running on caffeine, zipping all around town, trying to get everything done and SO EXCITED. But this time I was doing it with him!
We kick started February with a visit from one of my favorite people: my mom! She came for a long weekend of Galentine's Day prep, long walks, coffee drinking and being pals :) It's the best having her here and it always, always makes me question why my family doesn't all live in one city. I felt so very lucky and grateful that she came to visit.
Our favorite way to dine as a family: Carry out! Community Q = such good ATL BBQ.
Other highlights from our month were watching the Super Bowl, mothering the puppies for a few days (I miss them!) and hosting Galentine's Day. Other than that, we mostly prepared for Kenya.
Here's how I did on my February goals:
1. Finishing preparing for Kenya! // Oh ya! Done. Good thing since we're currently in Kenya! :)
2. File our taxes // I didn't get this done. I tried, but I ran out of time. I really, really wanted to do it, but I had to let it go. It was a good opportunity to practice speaking back to the voice of perfectionism and reminding myself that it will alll be OK. Getting them done in February would have been nice. But March is OK, too. #emotionalgains
3. Finish a freelance project I picked up // Done! :)
My berry ice cubes, which is probably the closest I've ever coming to making something I saw on Pinterest actually look like what I saw.
4. Host Galentine's Day and another Write Night! // Done and done! Galentine's Day was an incredible opportunity to meet a handful of you readers and writers and I am truly so grateful for your participation. We also had two Write Nights (one in LA and one in Portugal!). It was so exciting and humbling to watch this project grow in new places.
5. Begin to launch the first official collegiate chapter of The Letter Project // This is happening! We are opening our first chapter at Indiana University. In early February, I met with the two women who will be our onsite Ambassadors. They are incredible and are already doing amazing things to get the chapter off the ground. (Any IU girls who want to be involved, feel free to email me!)
6. Get all of the January letter bundles out before we leave for Kenya // Done! It was a hustle until the very end, but every letter request from January was sent out by the time we left.
7. Pre-write posts for the three weeks we're in Kenya // Done :)
8. Figure out what the heck to do about Stu the Bamboo. He's not in a good place, guys. // He's doing better. We moved him around our bedroom a little bit to find the right balance of light, but I'm nervous to see how he will look when we get back. Prayers for Stu are appreciated!
Now, for March goals!
1. Do our taxes! But for real this time.
2. Organize my external hard drive, Google photos, DropBox, etc. I am between two external hard drives right now, so things feel a little disorganized. It is going to be a big undertaking, but, no doubt will be worth it.
3. Catch up on all of the Letter Requests that are submitted while we're in Kenya
4. Blog about Kenya
5. Figure out Chris' 30th birthday celebration :)
6. Re-home Stu. We're renovating and I think things are going to be looking up for him verrrry soon.
7. Take on another freelance project. I'm working with a 20-something to revamp her website and write some copy. Excited!
8. Do a big Write Night at Emory with a sorority
9. Do some sort of Writer appreciation (because they rock!)
10. Host our first Letter Project themed birthday party for a 12-year-old girl. I am SO excited to try out this idea.
Wahoo. Let's do this, March!