Conquer the Awkward

Yesterday, Corey and I attempted to conquer our awkwardness and take some maternity pictures together.  Before work I spent nearly an hour curling my lashes and working on winging my eyeliner.  I picked a shirt for Corey to wear and I ran out the door for work a few minutes later than planned. 

Later, I came home after a busy day at work and pulled my hair into some curls with my flat iron.  This is a science I have yet to really master, if I'm being honest. I touched up my make up and anxiously jumped in the car with Corey a few minutes too early. 

We went to a studio called Camera Shy to get our photos done.  Knowing that it's July and I'm a million months pregnant, I decided something indoors with lots of back drop options would be the best idea. Ultimately, I think it was a great decision.  It was a good experience and definitely in our price range. 

We're not perfect.  Corey's shirt has some fold line (remind me to buy an ironing board), my hair got all blowout funny by air conditioner, and I'm still getting used to showing off my smile, but I think we might even be able to share these pictures with the general public. I hope you enjoy a peak into our awkward life.

And I think that we wouldn't be us if there hadn't been one like this.  We were having a little bit of trouble acting natural so we started making faces at each other.  I didn't even realize the photographer captured that moment.  I can only hope that our daughter appreciates the moments (and photos) like these.

6 Ways to Show Your Love

Valentines Day is coming up and everyone is all a buzz with what they're going to be doing and all that fun stuff.  Well, I still have no idea what Trav and I are going to be doing, but to me all that matters is showing him how much I love him.  Some people have a hard time showing affection.  Well, allow me to help.  These are the things that I Travis and I frequently do to show our love for each other.  

1.  We give each other compliments. Travis always notices when I'm wearing my hair different or I put on a special outfit.  He's sure to let me know that I look especially pretty or that I did something well.   2.  We support each others hopes and dreams.  On Tuesday, Travis had a check ride and I wasn't busy, so I went to the airport (it's a small airport with an observation deck) and hung out in the terminal for several hours to watch him fly.  It can be a little bit boring for me sometimes...I've spent hours waiting in that terminal, but I try to show him that I care about what he's up to.  The airport is becoming one of my favorite places to read.  3.  We help each other study.  This might seem silly, but we both have a lot of work to do with school.  So I let Trav teach me about critical engines and he helps me when I forget the Order of Operations.  Consequently, I've learned a lot about aviation.  Doing this is showing that it doesn't matter how we spend our time together, just as long as it's together.  4.  We don't skimp on the hugs and kisses and cuddles.  I never realized how important it can be to just hold each other tight.  Sometimes I'll get frustrated with Travis or I'll randomly be mad because that's what women do and he'll give me a big, tight squeeze and the anger just melts away.  Sometimes all I need is cuddling on the couch to know exactly how much I'm loved.  5.  I give gifts.  So...I'm a gifter.  I just love to give things.  I love surprises and I'm a huge fan of having a present behind my back to give to Trav.  It's not always something big (or really ever) but by giving Travis something like a couple packets of tabs for his books is showing him that I was listening when he said for the 10th time he needed to tab out his book, so I bought him some tabs and you would have thought I'd given him a gold watch.  It's the little things.  6.  We say it.  I tell Trav I love him every day.  Literally every day at least one time.  I'm not worried that he'll forget.  I know that he knows.  But sometimes you just need to say it.  It just feels good to hear it and good to say it.   It isn't hard to show your love.  Sometimes all it takes is a little squeeze of the knee or a reassuring look.  It's an important part of every relationship and I hope that this Valentines day you'll all do well to remember that. 

Hard but Good

Well, it's finally here.  The start of the new semester.  I've feel like I've been waiting for it forever.

Last semester, I wrote myself a little letter that I sealed in an envelope. I wrote it for me to open on the day I finish school and I decided that I'd do the same for each semester.  Give myself a little something to look back on and remember where I was at in this particular place in time.

Dear Katie,

This is you.  Well you and Travis because pretty much where he goes, you go and vice versa. 

Today is the first day of Spring Semester 2015.  Just looking at your schedule you're feeling a little overwhelmed, but you're ready to get to work.  This morning, you got up early and went to the gym.  That in it's self was proof that you're a little bit ready to get this semester started.

 In September, shortly after fall semester started, you met Travis from whom you cannot separate yourself.  You're kind of in love.

You're more excited than ever to jump into classes that actually have to do with your major and you are doing well with your new years resolutions.  At first, you weren't sure you'd be able to stick to them, but 21 days into the new year, and you're doing pretty alright.  You're eating better, you're watching your spending, you're blogging to the best of your ability, resisting the early outs at work, and working towards bigger and better things every day.

Today, the future is uncertain.  You could end up a lot of different place by the time this semester is over, but you aren't afraid.  Today you have the best understanding of the fact that life doesn't always go quite like you planned, but you can roll with the punches.

We'll keep this one short this spring.  Just remember that no matter what happens, life is good.  Hard, but good.