extra, extra: (the new scoop)

{not pregnant people - we're still in law school, slow down} ;)

We have been sitting on some rather big news for the past couple weeks though, and I'm incredibly happy & proud to announce that that smart, hard working, and super sexy husband o' mine has officially landed a job post law school graduation. He has worked so hard and long for this moment and I truly couldn't be more proud! Also, since he never brags about himself.... I'm definitely going to :)

While pretty much all of us who knew the second he was offered the internship at Navy he'd be able to land the job in the end, Jonathan doesn't share that same complete faith in himself - or better - he truly doesn't know how incredibly amazing he is. To prove my point, the office within the Department of the Navy where he interned (the same office he's going to be working in) told him over and over again during the internship that they pretty much never hire first year attorneys, so he really needed to not expect that. Come to find out, in the end, they fought to make sure they got first dibs on him! *GUSH ALERT* I'm just so darn proud. I know I said this already, but he has worked so hard over the past three years, and all the while still being a wonderful husband to me and a true leader for our family. Everyone says that if you're married in law school, you just have to deal with the fact that law school comes before spouse, and that's the only way you'll be able to succeed. I can honestly say Jonathan never made me feel that way and STILL excelled. Love him.

Ok, gushing over (let's be honest, it's probably not, but whatever) - time for the actual details. The job is with the Naval Litigation Office, which doesn't mean he's enlisted in the Navy or anything, it's a civilian-side position within the Navy. The job is here in DC at NavyYard and actually only about 4 blocks from our apartment. Basically that means every day he'll be able to bike to work in under 5 minutes (not commuting in dc = big win)! While we were kinda hoping he'd get a job within the Navy a bit closer to all our friends and family back in GA (there was an office in Charleston, SC as well), we feel so very blessed by the opportunity and excited to see what God has in store for us over the next few years here. It's always so interesting when you really feel that God has been pointing you in one direction all year and preparing your hearts for it, only to realize that He was actually working on something else. ;)

Over the past three years here in DC, we've understood more and more how important family is to both of us and feel very confident that eventually, we're supposed to be back closer where we can be more involved in everyone's lives. Ok, honesty time, we really felt like we were supposed to be headed back closer this next year, but clearly God has other plans :) We both struggled with that a little when we first got the news we would be staying here in DC, but over the past few weeks we've really opened our hearts up to the side that was going to be really sad if we left. We hadn't really allowed ourselves to get too excited about leaving or staying (we stayed in 50/50 land just in case), but now, all the things we really love about our life here are sinking in. For instance, we absolutely LOVE our little Capitol Hill neighborhood.  It's the small town feel while still living in the big city, but with access to the arts, walking everywhere including our neighborhood coffee shops, restaurants & the fresh market, driving across town and getting to see the beautiful monuments, and most importantly of course - the sweet relationships we've built here as well. Plus, it's one of the best places for Jonathan to start his career with the federal government (obvi). There's a lot of good in this city, and it's been awesome to really get to embrace it over the past few weeks. We don't know what the rest of our lives are going to look like, but we sure are excited to start the next phase, here at caphill.

xoxo

Medium Format Mosey, day one

It's been a while since I've been out to do some shooting (ahem, photographs), and even longer since I've been out to do some shooting with the much loved Yashica D. Tammy and Ashley loaned me this gem of a medium format camera early in our friendship, and dodged every attempt I made to give it back to them all the way up until they moved back to Texas... where they dodged me one last time! My goal for this super sweet and generous long term loan? Uh... USE IT. {love you guys btw}. 

I dusted it off a week or two ago and took a long walk around the hill to soak up some dc sunshine - it felt so good to be out and shooting film again. Not to mention the fact that I finally have the iphone 4s and therefore have access to a built-in light meter app (thank you, thank you, thank you technology). Let's just say that in the pre iphone 4 days when I was lugging around the canon slr to act as light meter, it was a little less freeing and a little more cumbersome and annoying. I'm excited to get back out and play around with it a bit more, now that I've learned to push the film a little and am seeing how accurate my light meter is for this particular camera. Half the fun in photography is developing the relationship with your equipment :) I'm ready to dig in. Here are just a few shots from day one, medium format mosey, 2012. 

...and judebear. obviously.

a proper dc goodbye

Yesterday we had to say goodbye to two dear friends.  We're quickly finding out that the rumors about dc and goodbyes being synonymous, are unfortunately - very true. We first met Ashley and Tammy at the dog park (shocker, it's practically where we first met all of our friends here) and learned that they were also brand new to this city of ours and were adjusting to life as basement dwellers as well. Needless to say, we became fast friends over milkshakes, cards, and our love of Capitol Hill. We've been through a lot together over the past two years: adjusting to city life, law school, new jobs, multiple midnight dog hospital visits (and no, they were not ALL for Jude), becoming official live-in-the-same-house kind of neighbs, and brand new baby Payden.  It's really kind of astounding how much we've all been through together in such a short period of time. They have been an unbelievable support to us here and will be so.dearly.missed. *T - what on earth am I going to do without our weekly girl nights?! 

For our last hurrah, we decided to dinner at Ted's (where else could we possibly go?) and then take a walk down to the Capitol in the most perfect dc weather. I still can't quite wrap my head around the fact that they're really already making their way back to Texas today, but I'm so thankful for the time we had together here in this city. Hearts Shugarts - you'll always have a home here to come back and visit! x's & o's

Soaking Up Every Last Drop

Today marks the end of Jonathan's spring break and the beginning of true exam prep... le - sigh. We thoroughly enjoyed the time we had though, and we've spent all of today trying to soak in every last little bit.

We didn't really do a lot during the week, until Friday, when we decided to go buy as much candy as possible (truly, in the end we had m&ms, twizzlers, sour patch kids, AND gummy bears) and hit the matinee movie to see The Artist. If you've been thinking about seeing it, you should --> it's practically a love letter to the movies. Afterwards we went to the American Art Museum (just a block or two from the movie theatre), so I could show Jonathan the semi-frustrating photography exhibit I'd gone to see the weekend before. Much critiquing ensued ;) Later, after a few happy hour caipirinhas from down the street, we decided to head home, hang with the weim, order chinese and watch Downton Abbey in bed. Best day ever.

The rest of the weekend comprised of Downton Abbey (seriously.so.good), long walks around capitol hill in the beautiful spring-like weather, more Downton Abbey, fun dinners & quality time spent with dear friends (who in my mind, aren't leaving... if I think it, it won't happen), brunch, and then a little more time spent in the great outdoors... ok, and a little more Downton Abbey too. Here are a few photos from our walk around the hill today + 5 o'clock wine time in the back yard :)

Spring is just around the corner...

Spring was made for Capitol Hill

Believe it or not, these pictures were taken AFTER the true peak of spring; it was even more beautiful last weekend. Gosh I love it here. Spring makes the walk to and from work so much better every day.

 


 



 


In case you didn’t notice, tulips seem to be quite popular. AND in case you were wondering, Jude was a real good boy on his walk. Happy Sunday!

Study Breaks

Friday Study Break:

1. Grilling our chicken dinner outside in the gorgeous spring weather

2. Making homemade apple crisp for dessert time with the Shugarts

 
Saturday Study Break:

1. Hamburger, fries, onion rings, milkshakes, scotch and whiskey at our dear Ted’s Bulletin and going home to try out the “Girl With The Dragon Tatoo” movie we’ve been toying with renting for the past year. (I’ll let you know what we think, we loved the books so its got a lot to live up to).

 
Things might be crazy stressful right now (only two more weeks until first year of law school is OVER), but it’s all about making the most out of the little moments.

from bad to good

“Doubt thou the stars are fire,

doubt the sun doth move,

doubt truth to be a liar,

but never doubt they love.”

William Shakespeare-Hamlet

This past week was one of the longest weeks we’ve had here in DC. Everything seemed to be just a little more than we could handle. Things at work have been crazy for me and I worked past 7 on more than one occasion and definitely stayed past typical work hours every night last week, Jonathan’s already intense work load was compounded by the fact that he had mock trial to prepare for on Saturday and then he also had to get me ready to be a witness for him in the trial which made our small moments together at home work as well. Mostly though it was made hard by the fact that a wonderful wonderful man in our family passed away. We love you so much Uncle Bernie, you’ve been a strong, steady, and influential patriarch in our family and you will be dearly missed. I am so happy that you are reunited again with your one true love who you’ve missed so much.

After a week like this one, we really looked at Sunday as a restorative day for us. We had plans to celebrate Valentine’s together on Sunday night, so I went to a 9am yoga class with my dear friend TamShu and just tried to really let go and look ahead while Jonathan got his daily studying marathon taken care of. That night Jonathan first surprised me with a little box that always engenders joy:


and he picked it out all himself :)


Then he took me to one of my favorite places in Capitol Hill: Acqua al 2



Acqua al 2 is a place that’s near and dear to my heart because the first one I ever went to was in Florence, Italy during my summer studying abroad. The restaurant started in Firenze (Florence), and then expanded to San Diego and just recently to Washington DC right in Eastern Market. It’s known for it’s Filletto al Mirtillo (Blueberry Steak-sounds crazy, but it’s amazing) and my personal favorite the Filletto all’ Aceto Balsamico. Throw in a bottle of good Italian wine and you’re set. Oh and the husband wore a bow tie and then my night was complete <3



After dinner we headed to go see Blue Valentine which I already posted about so I won’t bore you again with my obsession with it…for now.

Now today, (actual Valentine’s Day), but more importantly: JUDE’S THIRD BIRTHDAY!!!!






Happy Birthday sweet boy—you’re the king of our castle and you make our lives so much more joyous always :)

Tonight also marks another momentous occasion: first Crock Pot use of our marriage. We are very excited as it was an amazingly good and also an amazingly easy pot roast. Crock Pot win.


My husband reminded me again today why I am so blessed to have him in my life by something as perfectly simple as this inscription sent with flowers:

“Doubt thou the stars are fire,

doubt the sun doth move,

doubt truth to be a liar,

but never doubt they love.”

William Shakespeare-Hamlet




Happy Valentine’s Day everyone.