what's up wednesday

I can't believe it's been a week since Ryan finally got home after a 9-month tour in the Middle East! We're settling back in, finally getting healthy, and we're kicking things into overdrive with the holidays getting closer. We officially leave in less than a month for South Africa, so Ryan's hard at work on his leave paperwork, and I'm knocking out all the work I possibly can before a 3 week break - I can't wait! This Wednesday though, I'm loving the little things. 

For example, we're doing a Christmas mini shoot with our favorite photographer, Julie, from Kindred Hearts Photography on Saturday. We'll use our pictures for our Christmas cards, and I'm thinking we'll choose a design from Minted this year. Here's my current front runner:

Card from Minted // Here

I love the mini photo cards because they're not annoyingly large, and I'm obsessed with the foil press. Here's hoping my boys take a cute picture in which maybe Porter will smile?!

Also, while we're on the topic of Christmas cards, can we just talk about my new favorite discovery?! If you're anything like me, you lose your addresses (and address books) in no time at all, and you're left scrambling for addresses each year. Just me? Okay, whoops. Well, this year, I discovered Postable. Did you know that you can build your own online address book here and save it forever? I'm obsessed. 

And, because I love Christmas and holiday cards, I'd love to send to everyone who wants one! If you'd love a card with the cutest little redhead and most emotional towhead around (and no, I don't mean Ryan and I), leave us your address here!

We also recently decided that we'll stay here in New York for Thanksgiving, and I'm super excited to make a feast for us and any single soldiers who want to join in on the chaos. For those who didn't know, I'm a huge fan of the Cooking Light magazine, and I've been devouring their holiday issue lately. I think I might need to try their turkey recipe because it looks positively amazing! 

Please tell me I'm not the only person who gets over-excited about the holiday season. I'm less excited about the gifts and monetary aspect of Christmas, and I'm much more excited about time with family, traveling together and making memories. That's the good stuff, folks!

turkey trotting

For the first time in forever, my whole family managed to get together for Thanksgiving (except my future brother-in-law, Josh, who's on rotation as a doctor and couldn't get away). What does a family of crazies do to earn their Thanksgiving dinner? We get up early and do the Purity Springs 5k turkey trot, which turned out to be a trail race - something I never, ever train. It turned out to be so much fun though!

I'm in the purple (all image credit goes to Joe Viger photography)

image credit to Joe Viger photography

My little sister, Kristina, and I decided to run together since our road running pace is pretty much the same. We did well considering we never do trail runs, and we held about a 9:54 pace overall. Our finish time was 31:20, so while not exceptional, we'll take it! Plus, at 13 weeks pregnant, I've been pretty darn proud.

image credit to Joe Viger photography

And that, my friends, is my incredible momma. She is 68 years old, and while she has done 5ks before, she's never run one. My sister helped her get on a training plan, and she bit the bullet, running her 5k for the first time ever! She's amazing, and we were all so darn proud of her. 

my older sister, Nikki, cheesing in the background (image credit to Joe Viger photography)

my brother-in-law, Adam, running in a turkey suit :) (image credit to Joe Viger photography)

my incredibly good-looking husband, running like a boss! (image credit to Joe Viger photography)

While all families have their traditions for the holidays, I truly hope we can make this one of ours. It was so fun to brave the cold, do a race and enjoy relaxing in the aftermath. I will never be the best runner, but I enjoy doing it now, and having a family that loves being active is such a treat. I really want to raise Spencer and our children loving this sort of thing, as well, because it really brought us together more than ever before.

I guess that means I need to buy a better jogger for baby number two…any recommendations?!

thankful

image via

Since I won't be blogging tomorrow over Thanksgiving, I figured I'd post today and make a wee little list of some of the oh-so-many things for which I am thankful. This year, I can honestly say that I'm blessed beyond measure, and I'm thrilled to be spending the holiday with family in New Hampshire. I am so grateful for this holiday, and I truly want to teach my son in the future that it's a holiday to reflect on all that we have - rather than what we think we need.

// I'm thankful for my husband. Ryan has been my rock throughout the past year, and I can't imagine where my life would have led without him. I'm so thankful I had the opportunity to meet, date, marry and start a family with such a wonderful man. He's the absolute best and always keeps me on my toes. May he always know how much I love him!

// I'm thankful for my sweet baby boy, Spencer. While this has been the most challenging year of my life, I can't imagine my life without that little peanut in it. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to be that sweet spirit's mama.

// I'm grateful to be carrying another little biscuit and to be growing this little family of ours. We are so blessed to have each other, and starting a family was always at the forefront of our hopes and wishes. We are so, so lucky.

// I'm grateful for our wonderful home, friends and Army family here in New York. I feel like we're setting roots here, and though that scares me because there's so much uncertainty in regards to permanence with the military, I'm so thrilled to have such an amazing support system.

// I'm thankful that we live in the United States. Though our country may have its very own issues, we are so blessed to live in the land of the free. I want my children to grow up knowing just how valuable that is in such uncertain times. 

To all my blogging friends: May you have an absolutely wonderful holiday with your families. Wishing you the happiest of Thanksgivings ever :)

thoughts on a tuesday

With the holidays fast-approaching, I feel like I'm just barely getting into the swing of things. I recently switched OBs here in Watertown, NY because I had a horrible experience at the one I was originally referred to. The doctor's office was filthy, slow and there was a cockroach in the bathroom. Furthermore, there was a table in the back of unlabeled urine samples, and when given my own test results, I was led to doubt their verity. So, I took initiative and switched doctors, and I love my new OB office. It's bright, clean, the doctor is extremely knowledgeable, and I like that he listens to my concerns.

We discussed my morning sickness, and while he's not against medication, he's in favor of natural remedies whenever possible. I agreed to try his plan to drink 120 oz of water a day to see if it helps and...lo' and behold...it did! And so, the biscuit and I are medication-free, dealing with some food aversions, but are doing well otherwise. Besides all that, here's a few random thoughts from the Moore household this Tuesday morning.

Because Spencer pictures are a must :)

• My sweet boy turns 1 on 12/4/14. We're having a sweet, simple birthday party over Thanksgiving in New Hampshire with my family, but oh my goodness...he's getting too big. This first year went by so fast, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't the hardest year of my life. That said, it was also the best. 


• This second baby is already neglected! I'm about 12 weeks along, but holy heck, I haven't done a single bump update, I've barely focused on the fact that he/she is in there! It's madness how much this baby matters to me, yet how much different this process is this time.


• Picking Christmas cards is the hardest. decision. ever. #firstworldproblems


• I have a shopping addiction. It relates entirely to Christmas decor. I need to curb myself before Thanksgiving though, and I swear it's the worst!


• I am working on getting more freelance work, but I swear it's slow-going. If anyone has tips, please let me know! I've always gone by word-of-mouth referrals, and it seems it's failing me lately. I'm trying Upwork right now.


• We booked our early Christmas trip to Utah! We'll be heading out there from the 15th through the 22nd of December. This will be the first Christmas I don't spend with my family in New Hampshire. We'll be spending at our little home here in New York as a family of three!

i disappeared (for good reason)

I think that this was my best Thanksgiving to date, hands down,

and I have to say that I'm absolutely thrilled and immensely excited for Christmas in less than a month!

Ryan flew back out to Arizona last night, and I have to say that it sucked.

It sucked a lot,

but the bright side is that he's back in less than three weeks.

Ryan flew into Boston early Thursday morning, 

and we drove the three hours up to my parents' house in northern New Hampshire.

It was so. cold.

But honestly, I wouldn't have traded it for anything in the world.

On Saturday, my parents took Ryan and I to the Mount Washington Resort to celebrate our engagement.

They treated us to a pretty decadent lunch,

and we enjoyed the amazing scenery.

We also finally got to meet our minister on Saturday evening. 

He and his wife are just amazing.

They are incredible people with such a down-to-earth perspective on marriage.

We'll see them again the day after Ryan gets in on leave, and we're really looking forward to it.

In just barely over one month, I'll get to marry the most amazing man in the world.

I have everything in the world to be thankful for, and seriously,

this was the best Thanksgiving ever.

i am the luckiest

This time of year never fails to remind me just how very lucky I am. 

I have two amazing sisters and the kindest, most generous, most loving parents in the world.

I have a man whom I love with all my heart and who truly completes me.

^^^ My family on Nikki's wedding day...Ryan on the day we got engaged

Ryan flies in tomorrow morning, and I'm so excited to be able to spend the holiday with him.

The only one missing will be my baby sis, Kristina, because law school finals are kicking her butt.

I am so thankful for a family that is close-knit and loves one another dearly.

I am so thankful for my almost-husband who has perfectly become an extension of a family we love.

I am thankful for the amazing food we're going to gorge ourselves on tomorrow.

And, truly, I am thankful for all of YOU. 

I started this personal blog, not really expecting much, but I've met so many wonderful people from all walks of life. 

I have met many MilSO's with whom I can relate and identify, 

and I've met people that I'm absolutely certain would be my best friends in real life.

I'll be MIA tomorrow stuffing my face, but I just wanted to say...

Happy Thanksgiving! 

I love all your faces. A lot.