26.

Since we spent my actual birthday with family, we decided to celebrate together on our day off. I requested a trip to 21c Museum. There are amazing, no cost exhibits & the giant David statue outside. So cool. There is an interactive piece (pictured below)- the letters of a poem will fall on you like rain. There is a piece outside that interacts with the environment, so it constantly changes. That light bulb photo was taken from the elevator. Someday, I will sleep in this hotel, everything about it is inspiring.

We dined at Eiderdown. European inspired Southern food. We tried the Duck Fat Popcorn- Jonas isn't much of a popcorn eater (like me), but he loved this (of course I did too). Our entrees were mouth watering and I loved that the food didn't make you feel as full as a tick afterward. They have REAL food, all fresh and local.

We finished the day with my favorite cake. It is just chocolate chip ice cream with chocolate cake from Baskin Robbins. I have had it many a birthday.

I loved this day!

::::::

birthday hike & dinner.

on my birthday: 

we went on a lovely hike after church. it was all i wanted. it was so quiet and peaceful, even though i think that the best part of hiking is conversation :)

my sister made the best dinner, complete with my requested salmon (which Jay actually made prison style on a pizza maker). i love them.

neon trees.

On the first day of summer, we went to the Neon Trees concert at Fourth Street Live. We don't really know many of the songs, it just sounded like fun. Although,  I really like that song "Animal". Take a bite of my heart tonight...
The lead singer was so sassy, I thought he would get along with my niece, Lola. He also danced like it wasn't the most humid venue ever, I have mad respect for that. I was standing there sweating like crazy and getting a headache from the cigarette smoke- one of my real migraine triggers, but this didn't happen until the end, thank goodness. happy summer to us all. the best season ever (to me) unless you like winter. i guess you will have to wait a while :)

Ava & Lolz.

 I had the best time babysitting my nieces the past few days and I loved photographing them having fun and being silly little girls. Here is a list of what we did and then some photos:

• Played in Central Park, located in my inspiring neighborhood. They especially loved the splash pad! Go Old Louisville!
• Painted pottery at Louisville Stoneware (thank you, Groupon). We tried to take their tour but someone was crying. Luckily, they gave me two passes so I can take Jonas later. I was the only one interested anyway.
• We went shopping and took a selfie at Gap with their new sunglasses. 
• We rented a surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals. Ava drove and she was great! We stopped and played in a splash pad again- this one in Waterfront Park.
• Had Dairy Kastle- twice :)
• I had a hair appointment and we had a McDonald's picnic while my hair processed. It kind of burned. The girls also met my hairdresser, Gina, and that makes me happy because she is the best !
• We used a fountain in Waterfront Park as a swimming pool. Everyone else was doing it and cops drive by constantly so the "no swimming" signs must not be a big deal. I love this urban pool, even if it is a little dangerous and I've seen homeless people bathing in it before. I am really not being sarcastic, it was the best. We had a blast.
• We also played at home a lot, they tried on my shoes- they love to do that and we had a few movie nights :)

I miss these girls already. The house feels a little empty without their presence.

why can't we stay this way.

I don't wanna go back.
I don't wanna move on .
I don't wanna grow old.
I don't wanna stay young.
-Peter, Bjorn and John.

 it is really odd that two or three year old photos are "old", but they are. so much happens all the time. so much changing: physical changes- personality changes- circumstances- people around me. i want to jump back into moments all the time and stay a while. it makes me so sad that i can't. i guess i will keep taking photos so that i can have that memory...at least. it just seems so cruel sometimes.

that happiness project.

i expressed my mixed feelings about 100 happy days before and i have finally decided to give it up. it actually made me less happy trying to take a photo everyday. i am okay with giving up because i really didn't want to do it anymore. i also started to ponder on what makes me happy. it is a different list than a few years ago(and in random order), and i like to remember things like this so...

1. feeling beautiful. this doesn't happen often and i aim for it but its hard for me. when it does happen, it is the best. that, and feeling thin. but i also like to eat sooo..
2. travel. obvious, right? i do love it though. i have goals to see so many different places and each one truly enriches my life. i would travel all the time if i could. ALL THE TIME.
3. europe. i need to live there. it calls to me.
4. being an adult, making my own decisions.
5. confidence/accomplishments/ having skills to support myself.
6. exercising. especially running.
7. going out to eat. i feel like this is an extension of my love for travel. i definitely feel pleasure when i try something new and delicious..or something familiar and delicious.
8. being close to my Savior.
9. beautiful photographs. photographs in general- especially of my family.
10. clothing. beautiful clothing.
11. finishing a book and the new perspective a book gives.
12. this might sound really bad but i like to be alone. my social anxiety makes me want to run away sometimes (why am i a funeral director again? the most social job ever?) being alone is much easier but its not good all the time & i know this.
13. kindness and understanding.
14. movies that make you feel something.

...and that's all i have for now.

the flea off market.

the flea off market is something you should try at least once if you live in the ville. there are food trucks and music and the coolest vendors ever. they are so friendly! they will tell you all about their booth and where they picked up their inventory or how they thought of making this or that. i loved the giant jenga. i really want one. we tried that taco food truck Holy Mole, it seems to be at every event in louisville. we also tried some caribbean food, which was a little heavy for the summer. we enjoyed the Led Zeppelin tribute band for about 5 minutes because we really don't like that band. we also stopped by for some ice cream at Dairy Kastle...