Time for a check-in

Hey y’all. Time for a check-in and update. (Ulterior motive is to gather a list of wins for the sake of celebrating how far we’ve come because, let’s face it, a boost always feels good.)

1) Regarding the visa process, we’re waiting to receive the MN apostille for our marriage certificate, then we’ll need to send it to be translated; Also waiting for the FBI apostille and certified translation of our background checks.

2) On the advice of Julie, our amazing hairdresser who moved to the US from Colombia as a young adult and knew no English and now, 20 years later, owns a salon, we’ve sticky-noted items around our house with their Spanish equivalent. She also recommended listening to 90s love ballads in Spanish because the words are slower and easier to understand. Shannon’s always been tearing up Duolingo for 200+ days.

3) Photo organizing and scanning project is taking lots of time but we’re sticking at it and making progress. We’ve spent many hours already - maybe 10 for Shannon and 3 for Rhys - and are less than one-quarter into the project. Gotta keep the faith though.

4) Took a trip to CHaRM (LOVE!) with a trunk full of donations, chemicals, glass, metals, paper, and plastics for recycling.

5) “Rainbowed” our books for the very first time and we’re both loving the addition of a fun color element to our living room. Most books will go down to Casa Francesca for guests to read, but we’re enjoying the vibrant colors in Atlanta for now.

6) Paperwork review and scanning is ongoing and in various stages of completion. Overall, we’re feeling good about where we’re at.

7) Planted beautiful flowering plants in the container garden on our balcony, a place where we spend a TON of time. So fun to experience blooms on the lilac bush we planted last year. The blossoms don’t last long, but we enjoyed their lovely scent and delicately lacey petals while they could.

8) Finished Day 3 of Yoga with Adriene 2023 30 Days of Yoga series (Center) today - it was our first time doing yoga together in more than two years because of Shannon’s shoulder injuries!

9) Eye exams and dental checkups completed = a clean bill of health for both of us.

10) Business meeting in Panama City Beach on Thursday meant an opportunity to stay at Casa Francesca for six nights. Oh how we love that place!!

So that’s the latest and greatest! We are incredibly grateful and excited for what lies ahead. Sending love and hugs, R+S