January Happenings

Ahh January. My least favorite month. It’s long and cold (although in Texas I really can’t complain) and boring. The month after the holidays is such a let down. I swear the month of January is like 2 normal months.  Maybe that's why February is short.  To make up for January. We did have some fun things to keep us entertained, but let’s face it, it’s still a never ending month.

Brad was out of town for 2 weeks, which may be why the month felt extra long, so my friend Lauren came with me to see Pretty Woman! It was a good one to have as a girls night. Plus Lauren is a huge Rent fan and the actor who played the main boy part in Pretty Woman was the original cast member in Rent as well as in the movie so she was fan girling the whole time.

Stem day with Tanner! We learned about electricity and circuits. I’m trying to do all the school things with Tanner this year, since it’s his last year in elementary.

Basketball season started!

Logan’s loving it

Pine wood derby time! The boys love cutting and painting their pinewood derby cars.

Tanner unfortunately had to miss the derby due to a basketball game at the same time, but Logan loved being able to press the button to start the race and watch his car! Both boys barely missed the podium. They both got 4th place in their age group.

School lunch with the elementary age kids! See I told you I’m trying to soak up all the time I have with them!

Intentional Night!

Love this school tradition of ours! So many students and their families are from different countries and it’s so fun to see them represented! I love trying all the different foods, seeing the performances, and the decorations. It’s a fun night!

Brisbane & Auckland

Brad had a 2 week business trip to Australia! This is his third business trip to Australia and since he had a layover in New Zealand he decided to take a few days to explore since he’s never been. It was a perfect time of year to go. January is summer time and so enjoyed lots of hiking and of  course biking.

E-biking around Brisbane!

Auckland, New Zealand

🇳🇿 

Aiaduct Harbor

Maungswhau/Mount Eden

A gorgeous hike with the view of Auckland in the background.

Government Gardens (aka botanical garden)

Mountain Biking through a tropical redwood forest!

Gorgeous!!

Rotorua-Whakarewarewa Cultural center

Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve

😍

Te Kuiti - Glow worm cave

Waiteinga Scenic Reserve

Brad is so incredibly fortunate to be able to travel all over the world to incredible places that had otherwise would never see.

Black Belts

 

After 3 years of hard work and dedication my two boys earned their black belt in Taekwondo! I am so proud of these two!!

The ceremony was actually supposed to take place during the Christmas break when we were in NYC and I was so heartbroken that we were going to miss it, but then luck struck and the certificates from Korea were delayed and so they rescheduled the ceremony until January and I am so thankful they did. I would have hated for them to miss the ceremony. They only do the black belt ceremony twice a year (December and end of May) and since the boys technically finished back in September they’ve already waited so long. I really wanted them to be recognized and to celebrate their accomplishment. The only sad part about this change of schedule was that Brad was on a business trip in Australia and had to miss.

This is where the parent sits.

Before they could get their certificate and fancy black belt they had to break one last board.

Getting their certificate

Showing off his cool certificate

After they get their certificate the black belts have to each thank their parents in front of everyone. Carson and Tanner’s were both short and sweet and I loved it. Of course I teared up. I love how Taekwondo enforces to the students to love and respect their parents. After the thank you’s the black belts had to wash the parents feet. Carson and Tanner we’re not excited about this, but had to do it anyway.

The rose they gave me 🌹 

Here is this years black belt recipients! Since neither Carson or Tanner wanted to continue with Taekwondo they didn’t get a black uniform and kept their white.

Love these two! I’m so proud!

The black belt has their name in Korean and in English! So cool!

We love Master Lee and are excited we still get to see and learn from him since Logan is still taking lessons.

❤️  🥋