shades of summer

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I like to think that as Ryan leaves more and more frequently for deployments and TDYs that I'm becoming comfortable in my ability to parent solo, all while still having fun with the boys, regardless. I shared a little of my heart on instagram last week though about how I still doubt myself for a few days before we start settling into a new routine. You were all so patient and kind with your responses, and I think so many of you are right, too! That's just motherhood. We worry...about everything. I am, however, learning to worry less and act more. 

We get out more than we used to when Ryan first deployed last year - and definitely way more than Ryan's first TDY to Korea when Spencer was still less than a year old. I've learned what works and what doesn't, we've learned how to stretch our nap times, and we've really learned to act like a functioning little trio (for the most part, of course). And we're getting more and more bold!

This past weekend, I decided that it was time. The boys have yet to have proper swim lessons, and I knew that we needed to get them registered as soon as possible. We drove up to the YMCA in Lakewood, and we signed the boys up - and had an hour of water fun, too. Spencer and Porter both start lessons next Saturday, and I am so excited. Spence will have two lessons - a preschooler one and a back-to-basics one - and Porter will have a momma-and-me basics lesson. Cheers to water safety!

We also decided to venture back to Tolmie State Park this past weekend. We went a couple weeks ago, and it was beautiful, so we decided to go at low tide to see if the rumors were true. They say that when the tide goes out, the sand is littered with sand dollars. And the rumors were true! We left with more than 60 sand dollars, and we rescued more than 200 and put them back in the water where they belong. Fun facts for those who might be curious...

Yes, sand dollars are alive. When they're living, they're actually black and covered in tiny little hairs called silia that coat the sides and underside of the creature. When they die, however, they begin to change colors, and the little hairs fall off. What's left behind is the creature's exoskeleton, and that's what we all like to pick up. We made sure the ones we picked all had smooth bottoms, and I gave them all a good rinse last night. Today, I'll embark on cleaning them...and deciding what to do with my new hoard of shells. Whoops.

We did the world's smallest little hike, too, and went to lunch with Auntie Cheryl, Mitchell, and Carter after our adventure, and we totally blew naptime...#worthit. These boys are such troopers just rolling with mama's every whim, and I like to think they're the better for it. There's so much to do and explore. Sometimes it's good to skip naps and just get out and see the world. Also, it must be said that I just love that last picture of Spencer. He had smudges of sand and dirt on his face, a little kiss from the sun, and his freckles pepper his cute little nose now. He's such a handsome boy, and I love watching him explore.

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

the happy list

If there's one thing that I've been working on this year, it's taking stock of what really makes me happy. I'm not talking about the huge things either. I'm talking about the simple things - the fleeting things - that might not seem huge at the time, but they make my days brighter and put a smile on my face. Call it an unwritten gratitude journal or something, but whatever it is, it's made things a lot more meaningful and profound, especially after a huge move across the country. Even when our weeks are insanely busy, life throws us for a loop, and everything seems to be unraveling, there's always something happy there to pull us back.

So, without further ado, I'm following in the vein of Beautifully Candid and sharing 5 things that make me happy right now...

1 // Watching my boys together.

Guys, we had these little boys close together. I was pregnant again when Spencer turned 9 months old, and it was always our home that they'd grow up close and nearly inseparable. Our wishes are finally coming true! These little boys, sure, fight at times, but for the most part, they adore each other. They share a room - not out of necessity - but rather because they like to chat themselves to sleep. 

2 // The keto diet.

I've struggled a lot with my diet and, if we're being honest here, weight gain post-MPFL reconstruction. I stress-ate a lot through the move, and not being able to run or do anything really took its toll on me both mentally and physically. The keto diet has me shedding unhealthy weight (seriously...4 lbs in 4 days), and feeling better. Check out the Keto Strawberry Shake I shared!

3 // Water, water everywhere.

This is something I've been loving a lot lately. We are so close to the water where we live in Washington, and it makes my inner fish so happy! I love that my boys are able to see the water almost daily, and we're really just a hop, skip, and a jump away from any rocky beach. In fact, we're going for a little hike and a beach day this weekend again, and we just can't wait!

4 // SLAM Tacoma.

I wasn't able to go to any of the workouts this week because of work and doctors' appointments, but I just love my SLAM fam out here. Jen's been professing her love of this workout group for a long time, but I never really paid any mind until I looked for a workout group prior to our move. Having one start here has been the BEST thing to make friends and branch out - and the real grand opening is next week!

5 // Having a happy dog.

For those who've been following me for a while, you might remember that Danny was hit by a car shortly after Ryan deployed last year. At the time, we didn't know if she'd make it, or whether she'd lose her leg, or if she'd ever be able to run again. Fast forward a year and a half, and you'd never know this dog was on the brink. She runs like a gazelle, and she's just living her best life out here.

What's making you happy this week? Have a great weekend, friends!

washington doesn't suck

I think it's safe to say our family loves Washington. Leaving New York was hard - less because we loved New York, more because it was home - but we're settling in nicely, and I think I can finally stop babbling about the "settling" nonsense because it's done. Yes, Ryan's still leaving this weekend, and yes, that sucks, but I'm less worried about all the things because, frankly, I know they'll get done. Work is falling into place, the boys are starting to love their school, and even this messed up rental home is falling into place (yes, that deserves a post of its own).

I think the best part of Washington so far is just that there is so much to do. We're seriously never scrambling on a weekend to find something. There are so many hikes and little excursions we want to explore. The weather is cool (and yet also warm) enough to play outside, go on our little runs with friends, or just take Danny to the dog park. Better yet - the beach is literally about 5 minutes from our home. 

Better yet? We also have family really close, which is kind of a rarity. Ryan's cousin and his wife just moved to Olympia, so we're able to see them fairly frequently. In fact, we're headed their way for a beach barbecue this evening. They have a son named Spencer, too. He's much older, but it's a funny little anecdote we giggle about as the kids get confused.

It's true that this has been a season of change for us, and it hasn't been the easiest move all around, but I'm grateful for the opportunity to branch out, see new areas of the country, and really explore with my boys. Though we explored in New York, I think it's safe to say that was just a stepping stone for what we plan to do here in Washington.

This is definitely a summer I won't forget. There are so many household chores to be done, so many nuances to this house and schedule yet to figure out, but there's something spectacular about the spontaneity of it, too. We get to craft our own adventure here, and that's incredible. That's an opportunity you don't want to pass up. 

Changes are on the horizon, but if there's one thing this Army life has taught me, it's that change can be good - hard, but good. On that note, I'm calling it now. I'm going to bust out the DSLR for the next week or so. I want to capture this place in all its glory because it's about time! Get ready for all the photo dumps!

firetrucks, freedom runs & friends

I can't believe we're beginning our third week here in Washington already - technically, of course - and we're going to really start finding our rhythm now. Ryan reports today and signs in on base. The boys start their brand-new daycare today, too. I'm working, obviously, so we're going to slowly start falling into the pace of life we can expect here. This past weekend though, we spent time savoring our new digs (yet again), and we spent time with good friends...and it was so worth it, even if I only unpacked one box!

Friday evening, we decided on a whim to head up to Point Ruston again since we'd had so much fun the first time. I'm off work at 2 PM these days because I work East coast hours, and since we'd pulled the boys from their last daycare, we headed up there as a family after nap time. We were lucky...the Tacoma Fire Department was doing a fundraiser with a Touch-a-Truck event, and my firefighter-loving little boys had their days made in a heartbeat. What a great way to support a fantastic cause, inspire future little ones, and interact with the community! We all had a blast, and it didn't hurt that the truck was gorgeous!

On Saturday morning, we decided to head over to our local Wear Blue, Run to Remember group that starts just a few miles from our home. Each Sunday, they meet at 9 AM and run a well-mapped 5k through our neighborhood and trail areas. We had a meetup at Fort Drum, too, but it rarely happened due to weather and lack of participation. About 50 people of all ages and skill levels showed up here, and at the halfway point, a handful of elderly veterans handed out bottled water. It was a beautiful day of easy running, socializing with new friends, and honoring our fallen and their families. We'll definitely be doing that again.

We also explored another of the many playgrounds around here, Chief Leschi Park, and our little men were in heaven. This was more their speed. It had plenty of obstacles and slides, but it wasn't too over-the-top for a three and two-year-old. And, it doesn't hurt that the weather and scenery here has truly been perfection lately.

We capped off our Sunday with the best barbecue with friends. The Linenfelsers were stationed at Fort Drum with us, and though Ryan and Mike were in the same unit, we never got together. They have two little boys, as well, six and four, and we decided to have an afternoon of slip-and-slide, sprinklers, cornhole, and good company. I'm so glad we got together! I mentioned how important it is to find your tribe, and this is just the start of it. These are good people. They have their proverbial ish together, and they're helping us get out and explore more.

I'm so grateful for good weekends and great adventures to come. Fort Lewis has surprised me in the best possible way and, thus far, I'm loving it. I can't wait to see what else is in store for us!

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

our first weekend in washington

And just like that, our first weekend in Washington has come and gone. Crazy! We've been here almost a week now and we're slowly but surely getting acquainted with our new digs, living on the West coast, the time difference on the East coast, and all the new things to discover. For me, the hardest part right now is adjusting to the time difference between my work in Boston and living in Washington. I start working at 5:30(ish) now, and I'm done at 2, which means that workouts, etc., are all after my workday. It's insane, but I'm learning...slowly.

This past weekend was a breath of fresh air - literally. We decided when we got here that we wanted to make sure we had a healthy balance. We obviously have to set up a house, but it's important to us to balance fun with our laundry list of to-do items around here. So, on Friday, we celebrated my momma before she headed back to New Hampshire, and we decided to head up to Ruston, WA. We bypassed the i-5 traffic, which is hellacious, and we drove the 30-40 minute backroad trip to our waterfront destination.

Point Ruston has it all! We treated my mom to fresh fish and chips at The Daily Catch (pro-tip - you have to go here if you want a budget-friendly indulgence for the whole fam!), and then the boys played like little fiends on the playground by the water. We sat waterfront on the steps, kicked ourselves for not knowing that there's a splash pad for kids there (!!!) and, once the boys got their crazies out, we headed over to Ice Cream Social for some fresh and local treats. It was a delicious night out, and I'm so glad we got to take my mom.

Saturday and Sunday were a mix of unpacking, setting up, and spontaneous adventures. We went on impromptu hikes to the water (I'll detail that more in another post), set up our TV and my work computer, explored JBLM, which is massive, and stocked up on groceries. Little by little, we're making this place a home, and I know we're going to love it, even if I do miss the East coast a good bit.

Today, the boys start their first day of their new daycare, and this momma is a mixed bag. Their new little school looks so good, and I'm sure they'll love it, but we left a place and teachers we loved more than anything. Prayers for these little boys are so appreciated, though I'm sure they'll rock it!

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

hello, fort lewis

Well, it's been a minute, friends! We're officially in Washington as of two and a half days ago. We arrived in the early evening on Tuesday, and we've been somewhat scrambling to set things up and start life here ever since. We're so grateful because my mother has been with us since we left Fort Drum, and we truly couldn't have done this trip without her. When I say it's been a journey, I mean that both literally and figuratively.

We left Fort Drum and Black River early Saturday morning, and the next six days saw us traversing New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho and, finally, Washington. We had some great days of driving, and we had some that we struggled...like, ummm 2 hours of stand-still traffic in Chicago? No thanks. But we did it, and we saw regions of the country I never knew existed every step of the way.

The boys were champions (thank God for iPads), and we averaged about 450-500 miles a day - some days more. Porter celebrated his second birthday somewhere along the way, and he deserves a post in the next few days, too!

We drove through rolling hills, steep mountain ranges, vast open plains, whiteout snow (thanks, Montana), scalding hot temps, and so much more. And, surprisingly, I think I left a piece of my heart in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It is so gorgeous! We saw Mount Rushmore, we stopped in podunk little towns, and I've never been more excited to see the drizzles of Washington state.

The move-in wasn't without its hiccups, but we're here, and we're oh-so-slowly settling. If you've followed my instagram stories, you've likely seen some of our trip, but I'll be sharing more as we continue to settle down here. Today, we're viewing the boys' new daycare, and my momma (sadly) heads back to New Hampshire tomorrow. Real life is coming, and it's wonderful, scary, beautiful, and daunting. 

Cheers to Washington...we're happy to be here!

farewell, black river

I’ve  been dreading writing this post because, despite the fact that Fort Drum isn't our favorite, we've made this place our own for the past three and a half years. This is the reality of military life. We move, we settle, we put down roots, we pull up those roots, we move again. Rinse and repeat. It's normal, but normal isn't always the easiest to stomach, especially when you have to move a whole family.

We moved to our tiny village of Black River in the final days of 2014. We closed on our little home on December 31st, and we moved into a home devoid of furniture with two cats and a three-week-old baby the eve of a giant snowfall. When we woke on the first day of 2015, there were 22 inches of snow on the ground - something that these new parents fresh from Arizona were totally unprepared for.

And yet, we did it. We made a home here. We watched our little Spencer turn one, then two, then three. We welcomed our second son in 2016, and we brought him to our little Black River home. We brought a dog into the mix, and our family grew again.

We created a life here. We made friends who became family, and we weathered a deployment together. Each of this life's crazy moments was tempered by the roots we set down here. And those roots are deeper than I'd imagined they'd be. We found our tribe of people; surrogate aunts, sisters, mommas, grandparents. My boys made friends and found teachers who love them and nourish their little spirits.

I can't count the number of times we walked and ran these streets both individually and as a family. We've shoveled the driveway more times than we'd love to say. Most importantly, we grew here. Together. Individually. As a family. This has been our constant for three and a half years.

Black River village will always have a little piece of my heart.

New York might not be for us, but this little village is one of incredible people, selflessness, and beauty, and I'll miss it far more than I expected I would. Tomorrow, we hit the road, and we start afresh on our journey to our new post. This is the nature of Army life, and I get it - and sometimes I even love it.

But today...today, I just want to love on this little village a little longer.

making moves & saying goodbyes

Well, that's a wrap on our final weekend here in Black River, folks. Honestly, it was a whirlwind. It was fun, tiring, not without its share of little disappointments, but overall a good one. I mentioned on Friday that we were having family photos done, and it didn't happen based on the weather and, sadly, we're not able to reschedule because we move on Thursday morning - crazy, right? It turned out to be a blessing in disguise though because Spencer's asthma kicked in this weekend pretty badly, and we spent the better half of Sunday at urgent care having prednisone and xopanex treatments because his O2 levels were hovering in the upper 80s again. No bueno.

Overall though, we made goals, we got them done, and we did what we needed to do. We're stressed, but we're doing it. Our boys are resilient little champions as they watch their things get boxed up piece by piece. We're doing our best to make it "just another day" in the Moore household, and we're making it as fun as possible. That's an interesting concept though, amiright?

We still managed to get out and have some fun though. The boys and I went to Thompson Park Zoo one last time with Spencer's old teacher, Vanessa, and her son, Jayden. They had the time of their lives playing, looking at the animals, and spending time with good friends. Ryan had to conquer some stuff around the house while we did that, but we spent some quality time later in the day.

Now's the real final countdown - though I'm sure you're sick of me saying that by now! We have three days left, guys. Ryan picks up the moving truck tomorrow. Our packers are coming on Wednesday, and my mom flies in on Wednesday evening. We leave bright and early Thursday morning to start our cross-country journey. I think I've been in denial until now. I'm not ready to say goodbye to so many people that have become fixtures in our lives. And yet, there's an excitement, too. Let's just call us a mixed bag of emotions.

In other news, does anyone have any tips on what we should stop and see along the way? We're definitely making time to see Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial. We might make a stop to see Old Faithful. Mostly though, we're taking our time. I've taken a week off work to spend with family as we embark on this trek, so I'm excited to savor the time as a family.

I'll do my best to post as we head out West, but we're cutting off our internet here on Wednesday, so it'll be hit or miss. Be sure to follow along on my instagram, and I'll share each step of the way!

I'm linking up today with B Loved Boston for Weekending.

one final friday in black river

We're officially under a week until moving day. Are you tired of our countdowns yet? I'd say I'm sorry, but I'm really not. I've said at least a dozen times - military families live by countdowns. But seriously, we leave next Thursday, bright and early. Reality is hitting hard that we're down to the wire now. We've packed a few boxes since we're doing a mostly full DITY, but we are having packers come through next Wednesday since I'm not supposed to lift more than 20 lbs, and I may or may not have told Ryan that packing was a straight-up no-go for me.

Beyond that, we officially have tenants for our home here at Fort Drum. We had a couple of applications prior. One fell through, one couple was so sweet, but a little underqualified. This third couple is dual military, and they couldn't have been more qualified if they tried. We'll have to eat one month's rent, as she won't be arriving until the end of June, but we're so excited to have such great people in our little home.

Boys' Part Dino Jammies c/o Carters (available here)

I'm waxing all sorts of nostalgic lately. It's no secret that Fort Drum isn't our favorite duty station, but these last few weeks have made it clear how much of a home Fort Drum and Black River has become to us. It's hard putting down roots only to pull them up again, but I also know that this is both a blessing and a curse of military life. I love change; change with little ones is just a little bit harder.  They'll be starting a new school mid-June, get a new bedroom, a new home, a new yard, and a whole new neck of the woods. They're resilient little boys though, so I can't wait to see how they do.

This weekend, we have work to do around the house, but we're going to savor our home just a little longer, too. We're going to enjoy this little house. We're going to play in the backyard, go to the zoo one last time, enjoy the weather and wrap up our time here in style. We also have one last set of family pictures with our favorite photographer here tonight, and I can't wait to share.

Next week, we're embarking on an epic adventure across the country. We're planning to AirBnB, rather than stay in hotels each night, and I can't wait to share how that goes. Ryan will be driving the moving truck and towing the Civic - and Danny will ride with him. I'll be driving the Highlander with my mom, the boys, and the cats. We expect the trip will take about 5 full days, but we're going to play it safely above all else.

Cheers to adventure, friends, and cheers to a wonderful weekend ahead!

I'm linking up today with Momfessionals and Smidge of This.