April, you wily little month! What a blink you were.
When we were in Kenya, our lives were overly simplified. Our goals each day were to meet our own basic needs (eat + sleep), go to work and exercise. Chris and I were super connected and rested, because we didn’t even have the options of using electronics, seeing our friends, going to cool places or events, etc.
Right before we flew back, we looked at our calendar for the first six weeks after returning and were both caught off guard by how busy it was. As ready as we were to be home, we’d gotten used to such a simple life.
And now, here we are, six weeks later. It’s amazing how quickly you get back into the American routine. My phone quickly reattached to my hand, as I scheduled walks with friends and we discovered new restaurants around the city. While I loved the simplicity in Kenya, it felt so good to be back in our routine here.
Here are a few highlights from the month:
We went to Rosemary Beach with my family to celebrate birthdays for my mom, Duke and Chris. And Easter! (: It was such a relaxing, happy weekend full of Spikeball, throwing the football, playing on the lawn, etc. It felt like we were kids again as we played all day! I also read What Alice Forgot and loooved it. I couldn't put it down! It's better than Big Little Lies, I think. I cannot wait for the movie.
I went to Chicago to meet baby Parker and host a Write Night for The Letter Project.
While we were there, Sara and I also went to a boxing class at Title Boxing (omg, hard) and had an awesome lunch at Left Coast. I am still thinking about the food.
We also celebrated Chris' birthday! He's 30 now like me (: #thatcougarlife! To celebrate, we tried a spin class at Torq, had breakfast at 8arm, played games in Piedmont Park and went to dinner at Revival. It was such a happy, relaxed day and I was so grateful to celebrate him alongside friends.
Finally, the last week of the month, I went to Indianapolis to be a bridesmaid in Robyn's wedding. It was such a sweet, sweet wedding - Robyn and Nick's love + love of the Lord were so evident during their ceremony. It was beautiful! The rain held out long enough for them to get married outside, too. I was so honored to be part of her day!
While there, we hosted a Write Night for The Letter Project at Indiana University. It was an awesome weekend meeting my IU girls (they rock!) and being at home with my family! I got to spend a lot of time with my parents, my brother, Sam, and his wife, Abbey. My heart was so full when I returned to Atlanta.
And now, checking in with my April goals!
1. Restart the process for obtaining my 501c3 for The Letter Project // DID it! I submitted everything with the awesome law firm that is helping me with this. Fingers crossed we get approved this month.
2. Launch a Campus and City Ambassador program for The Letter Project // Yes! I have seven amazing women who are opening chapters around the US. Stay tuned as we grow this project.
3. Celebrate Chris Saxon's 30th birthday! // Oh heck yes.
4. Hire a summer intern // Done! We have a couple beauties starting this summer and I am so honored to have them!
5. Create a parking lot for business ideas. // Done on paper. I am handwriting the ideas right now, but a kind reader referred me to Trello last week. I may move it to the internet (& 2017) soon.
Next up: May Goals!
1. Do something for Writer Appreciation. For real. The Letter Project Writers are incredible and I am determined to give them some love.
2. Train my new interns!
3. Formalize Letter Project birthday parties. We've done about six birthday parties in the last month and I'd love to have a more formal process.
4. Obtain our 501c3 (any prayers are appreciated for this!)
5. Finish two freelance projects. I am building two different SquareSpace sites and am having so much fun with it!
6. Keep growing the Ambassador Program (ongoing)
That's May, y'all! We will be in Atlanta most of the month, which is awesome. I hope you have a great day!