CARTER RAY DESIGNS
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the one & only place where WAGs are the MVPs
RESOURCES
Where do I begin?
I feel like my life story gives perfect context to the phrase, "God doesn't waste anything." If you would have told me I'd be living in Istanbul, Turkey supporting my husband while he pursues his European professional basketball career while I primarily stay at home with our 2-year old son who only sings 80's funk music (The Gap Band, we love you), I would have laughed in your face... like be for real.
Being an overseas WAG was certainly something I never thought I would, or even could, embrace fully. My whole life I defined myself by my athletic or career success - heck, prior to becoming a SAHM, I worked for 10 years in education, then another 2.5 years in corporate consulting. Needless to say, when I quit my full-time job, I struggled to accept that I was now "only" (HA!!!) a SAHM and an overseas basketball wife.
The truth is, this life is more challenging than any other role I've had. The sacrifice required is only comprehensible to those women also in the proverbial trenches - and honestly, it's beautiful. I've learned so much more about myself than I could have ever imagined. From learning how to manage my anxiety through uncertainty, or being open to meet new friends every year, or problem solving for pretty much anything in another language, or leaning into the big emotions that come from being alone while your partner travels. Let's just say - God humbled my "better-than-thou" attitude with haste (#WontHeDoIt), and in doing so, taught me how much I needed this life to be the wife, mom, friend, and everything in between He's called me to be.
So here I was doubting God's plan, and all this time I was reluctant to embrace being an overseas WAG, He was setting me up to use all of my professional and life experiences to do what I've always wanted to do: create on my own terms and help people. So as much as these resources are useful tools to navigate our very niche world, they're also saturated with the hope, assurance, and love from God himself - because truly, He doesn't waste anything.
So in this upcoming year abroad, when you're beginning to doubt your purpose or are just struggling in general - remember that your role has a deep purpose, more meaningful than you could ever imagine. My only prayer is that these resources enable you to feel seen and loved, and that they empower you to thrive in this season of your life.
I'm so thankful you're here. Hi, my government name is Jessica, but you can call me Jess. I'm a former athlete, educator, consultant, turned SAHM / overseas basketball WAG / graphic designer by nap-time and off-days.
Here we are now! POV: Your son starts Montessori school, you have a daily routine, you find an amazing Pilates gym, you can work from home doing the job you love, the basketball schedule is lighter, you get more family time, the weather is amazing, you make awesome friends, you find a community through an overseas WAG Bible study group... God has truly blessed us this year.
I gotta brag on God more, too. In January, I was fasting and praying about how to move forward with my business. He immediately began pouring ideas into my mind about how to support and encourage other overseas WAGS... and now, I'm about to launch 2 products and a few services to empower others. What a life.
Istanbul, Turkey
NOW
By 2023, I'd started working with my first two graphic design clients. This was a big moment for me - I got to write myself a check from my own business. I was also planning our "traditional" wedding ceremony from abroad - an experience I'll never forget (#LOL #iykyk). I'm also mostly recovered from PPD and gotten back to a good place emotionally.
When we return home for the summer, my husband inks a deal with Galatasaray, and we find out we're moving to Istanbul, Turkey to start a new adventure overseas.
Munich, Germany / Istanbul, Turkey
2023
2022 threw me a few curveballs - between a stint of PPD and having to return to work full-time while still being abroad AND while in the German League playoffs, I was learning how to multitask in a new and different way. However in 2022 I had a few homeruns - on 2/17, we got engaged and on 7/23 we got legally married in our family's backyard. The first 7 months of 2022 was truly about embracing chaos and enjoying the beauty that came along with it.
Then, before we moved backed to Munich for a second season - I decided to leave my full-time job and become a SAHM and start my own graphic design business. This way I could still have something for myself without the extreme demands of corporate consulting. PLUS - it was absolutely not realistic to keep this job during the EuroLeague season.
Munich, Germany / Ormond Beach, FL
2022
2021 changed my entire life in the best way possible. In the spring, we found out we were pregnant with our son, Carter. We also found out we would be moving to Munich, Germany for the next two years - the stability of a 2-year deal, especially with a baby on the way, was truly a blessing from God Himself. In the fall, I was promoted to a higher position, which was such an amazing point in my new career. Then in December, in the thick of the EuroLeague season, we officially became a family of three.
Munich, Germany
2021
The first three months of 2020 were... stressful. My new career was exciting; however, most days I felt lost or like a fraud. I was constantly thinking, "how am I ever going to get the hang of this?" Soon after, I got into a rhythm and was feeling better about work... then BOOM - COVID hit and shut the world down. I was forced to WFH, which I loved, and decided I'd never go back to an office again.
In March, my husband moved back home - all European basketball was officially shut down, and we were able to spend a lot of quality time together - this is the summer that solidified the path forward for our relationship.
In the fall of 2020, our long-distance relationship finally ended. Since I was full-time WFH, I was able to move to Belgrade, Serbia and be with my husband during his first EuroLeague basketball season. The weight and the pressure of long-distance was finally over and I couldn't have been more thankful and excited.
Atlanta, GA / Belgrade, Serbia
2020
2019 was a year I would have appreciated a spoiler alert for my life. This year was extremely difficult for our relationship because we were both navigating a lot of life changes and the traveling back and forth overseas didn't make it any easier.
I was turning 30 and was having a bit of a life crisis. I decided to quit my job in higher education, completely start over in a new career in technology consulting where I was basically a rookie all over again, AND move out-of-state for the first time. My husband was just named the Israeli League MVP and had big contract decisions to make. We were trying to figure out our own careers and lives, and trying to decide how / if we could even move forward together.
Atlanta, GA / Holon, Israel / Belgrade, Serbia
2019
By 2016, I finally got to a monumental point of my career - I was an adjunct professor at a small liberal arts school and a life coach. While I was so thankful and hyped to be making career moves - my husband moved abroad for the first time. We were attempting to navigate a 6+ hour time difference for the first time.
Boca Raton, FL / Ostende, Belgium
2016
My career was progressing - I'd accepted a new, higher position at Florida Atlantic University and moved to South Florida. At this time, my husband was thriving, too. He'd has a very successful tenure at EKU and was on the verge of beginning his professional career. I'd also gained a new life POV - I'd been baptized on 11/22, and my heart was forever changed.
Boca Raton, FL
2014
In the Spring of 2013, I completed my M.Ed - this was a huge moment. I would work 10 hour days, then take 3 hour classes at night. To say that I was happy to be finished with school is an understatement.
Deland, FL
2013
The fall of 2012 was the start of our long-distance relationship. My husband transferred to Eastern Kentucky University to finish his collegiate basketball career, and I was in FL working on my master's and working my first full-time job.
Deland, FL
2012
In March 2011, I met my husband. He was an 18-year old star basketball player, and I was a 21 year-old about to graduate college and officially retire from the sports world (or so I thought).
Deland, FL
2011
After years of sports, and countless hours of practices and training, I graduated high school and started my collegiate softball career at a small division one program in central Florida.
Deland, FL
2007
On September 7, 1989, I was welcomed into the world and grew up on a farm in Northwest Florida.
DeFuniak Springs, FL
1989
My Journey
OUR 2023 WEDDING IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL
Who's that girl?! (Cue Eve #thisagesme) Standout at your man's game this year with custom apparel designs. Through a 1:1, iterative process, I collaborate with you to create one-of-a-kind designs for you and your family.
Custom Game Day Apparel & Graphic Design Projects
let's work together
Make anywhere feel like home and eliminate hours of wandering international stores - this resources includes printable 8 X 10 posters for 7 U.S. holidays, Montessori-inspired kid's room decor, and other customizable bundles.
Print & Pack: U.S. Holidays & Kids' Room Decor
GET YOUR HANDS ON
Have a game plan for this season with 3 pre-season packing checklists, 4 weekly guides, monthly self-discovery reflections, international conversions, online tools, encouragement, and much more!
The All-in-One WAG Digital Planner & Resource Guide
order the game plan
RESOURCES
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WORK WITH ME
MY PROJECTS
Are you an overseas basketball WAG entrepreneur who has been cooking up a new business idea, but you need a logo, branding, and a website? SAY NO MORE!
In just three days, I can design a custom logo for your business, and in only one week, I will create a mobile-friendly website. Hit me up for a free 30-minute consultation and let's take your business game to the next level.