leap year...

So I know that today is leap day but when I think of leap day/leap year I think about the last 365 days... this past year has truly been a "leap year" for DJ and one where we took a lot of leaps of faith... Starting almost exactly a year ago where we made our cross-country move to Georgia... packed up our charming house, quit our jobs, got Ollie neutered (hah), and moved south.

It's been a year since our journey and the leaps just came on coming - I went back to my education roots and it was a year ago (well March 1st will be a year I guess) since I interviewed for my current job and I am still as happy about that choice as I was a year ago... I'm excited to be back in higher education and working with college students. I'm in an extremely conducive environment for my personal and professional development, I have great coworkers, work with phenomenal students and get to create and make an impact every day... sure there are days that are frustrating and filled with headaches but that's every job.

My love also has made some huge career leaps ove the past year - he did his own thing for the past year and really honed his design, development and marketing skills. Around six months ago he got picked up by a start-up and really helped take them to the next level, and most recently - today, he took his next leap and started his new job as Director of Marketing for all an international company based out of the UK... oh yeah, and he hasn't applied for a job in over six years - people just keep offering him jobs [yes, I picked a winner].  This current job is definitely a leap for him, he's really pushing himself with this position and going outside of his comfort zone and leaving a job, product and company he was extremely passionate about to take further steps to provide for his family... something I will not forget and something I truly appreciate him for.

Oh yeah, and we took our biggest leap of all this year when I decided to stop taking birth control and we started trying for sweet baby j... and well you know how that turned out!

So, I know 2012 is considered a "leap year" but when I think about my life and all the leaps we've taken in the past year - 2011 was definitely the leap year in our little family of three [almost four] [yes, four - Ollie counts, hah].

here's to our next year in Georgia... not necessarily a year that will be filled with "leaps" [well, who knows] but definitely a year of many changes... we'll become parents, welcome a sweet baby girl into the world, say goodbye to our sweet basement apartment and hello to city living....

all in all, as I think about where I was a year ago today - I was filled with anticipation, excitement and anxiety about starting our new life in Georgia... as I reflect on the past year since we made the move I am so happy we made our "leap" - and even more than that, I'm so happy that I made the one big leap 26 months ago and married my best friend.  I can't imagine taking this journey and these leaps with anyone else by my side...

...with that, thanks DJ for your love, support and all of the hard work and sacrifices. I'm so proud of you as you take this next step in your career and know you will be so successful in all that you do - you're one of the smartest, creative and hard-working people I have ever met.  even more important than that -- you make "leaping" that much easier because I know you'll always be there to hold my hand, jump with me and pick me up when if we stumble. 88 my love.

happy leap day everyone - hope you took a leap today, if not - you have tomorrow... trust me, take a chance, it's worth it.

...for more on our "leap year" all the adventures that came with it check out my 2011 year in review...