Yesterday made one year since we moved into our Washington home and I have so many mixed emotions about that.
An Entire Year
Friday, July 27, 2018
I have not come off of cloud nine quite yet. I am seriously beaming SO BIG inside. Yes, you read those words correctly. Our family is relocating (at the end of the year) to the great Pacific Northwest. I cannot believe it. I'm just in complete shock and so dang thankful that Justin decided to fill out that "wish list" location sheet. I mean, I don't think either of us thought that we'd end up moving back to Washington this quickly, but boy are we extremely happy about it. We told the girls yesterday morning and I wish I could copy/paste Ava's face into this blog. She was SO dang happy! "We are going home!" - thats what my baby kept saying. I love that the kids consider Washington their home. I am often told that your home is where you make it...which yes, that's technically true. For us, its more than just a preference of region though.
Washington is the place that I first met Justin. It's the place where I fell in love with my husband. Washington is the home that blessed us with more time with my mom, SO many wonderful memories from Ava's toddlerhood, and the birth of our second born. We have so many stories and adventures that all tie us back to the place that made the last eight years of my life possible. I think thats why other places pale in comparison. Don't get me wrong, we make an adventure out of every move and we always leave a state with way more than we arrived with. I will never not appreciate the life lessons and memories I have made from moving with the Army. It is with the moves that I have learned to be flexible when need be. I have learned to adapt. I have learned to make lemonade when life affords lemons.
Those are some of the attributes I hope the kids take away from being apart of a military family as well. Adaptability is so key! Anyways, I'm rambling.. some of the things I'm nervous about? Moving Ava in the middle of her kindergarten year. I know, I know, its just "kindergarten" but for me its moving my child before she's barely tapped into the stepping stone of her education. Not knowing how different the structure of schools will be is something I'm worried about too. This whole move is going to be centered around getting Ava into a good school district in a good area.
Justin and I talked about this last night and we will basically be living 35 minutes from his potential center just for our sweet girl. Education matters! I hope the choices we are trying to make result in the best outcome for my our kiddos. I'm also nervous about driving over 1600 miles by myself. We had planned on having the kids' god mama come down next summer (when Justin was originally projected to leave Texas) and drive with me and the kids to our next destination.... but with our move date being pushed up and right smack in the middle of the holiday season, I'm not so sure.
We are likely going to have the Army move our home goods, so towing Justin's care behind a U-HAUL is not an option and it would still mean I'd have to drive the mom wagon alone anyways. Ahh! I'm trying not to let these worries eat at me because in the grand scheme of things, the outcome is going to be sweet. I need to just breath and buckle up. These next four months are going to be one heck of a ride!
Thursday, July 3, 2014
Today really couldn't get any better. We are so close to having Justin back home with us, and I can hardly contain myself. These past three weeks have been pretty tough on Bug and I. She's always had her daddy around and I think her curious little mind wonders why she is looking at daddy through a screen, instead of in person. That is the hands down worst part about being married to a servicemen. One of the upsides is the reunion! Of course I'm excited to have my husband back, but I'm more excited for Ava to have her daddy home! Washington Summer is definitely among us, and there are so many things Justin wants to do with her. Nothing warms my heart more than seeing the two people I love most in this world, bond.
In preparation for my husband's return, I have decided to go all out, and I wouldn't be able to do this without the help of my parents. I really am grateful that we live back in my home state. All I had to do was call my dad up and ask if they could head over and help with Ava for the day. He did me one more and has offered to help with the three course seafood meal I plan to make! Extra hands has really made a difference in Justin's absence; especially with people I love and trust. I try not to think about when we'll be leaving Washington state, but I know it's going to happen. I really have gotten used to all the help I have here. If an emergency arises, there are a million family members that would be willing to take Ava. If I need a night off with my husband, I know that we can always leave her with my parents.It's not going to be like that at every duty station, so I really am enjoying the help while I have it.
These next few days are going to go by quickly, and I plan on taking a long technology hiatus. I feel like all I've been doing is staying attached to my computer in my "free" moments. Whenever Justin comes home, I like to give him that quality family time that we all really need. He will have a couple extra days off, so I'm sure we will end up doing something outdoors. Also, something to be on the look out for on my blog from now on, "My Ava Bug was here" project. I follow so many talented photographers in our area, and one of them sparked this idea for me. Taking a daily picture of the mark Ava leaves behind. A documentation of the marks she leaves on our world for one full year. With the upgrade of a new camera, and my love for blogging, I thought this would be perfect for me. You can watch Ava grow, and my photos.
I've received some pretty interesting emails this past week, and if anyone else would like to see a specific topic featured, be sure to email me or comment below. The link for my email is located in the envelope icon on the right side of my blog. I plan on actively blogging again starting late next week. That's all for now guys! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week, and like always, Happy Thursday all!
♥- Leilani
In preparation for my husband's return, I have decided to go all out, and I wouldn't be able to do this without the help of my parents. I really am grateful that we live back in my home state. All I had to do was call my dad up and ask if they could head over and help with Ava for the day. He did me one more and has offered to help with the three course seafood meal I plan to make! Extra hands has really made a difference in Justin's absence; especially with people I love and trust. I try not to think about when we'll be leaving Washington state, but I know it's going to happen. I really have gotten used to all the help I have here. If an emergency arises, there are a million family members that would be willing to take Ava. If I need a night off with my husband, I know that we can always leave her with my parents.It's not going to be like that at every duty station, so I really am enjoying the help while I have it.
These next few days are going to go by quickly, and I plan on taking a long technology hiatus. I feel like all I've been doing is staying attached to my computer in my "free" moments. Whenever Justin comes home, I like to give him that quality family time that we all really need. He will have a couple extra days off, so I'm sure we will end up doing something outdoors. Also, something to be on the look out for on my blog from now on, "My Ava Bug was here" project. I follow so many talented photographers in our area, and one of them sparked this idea for me. Taking a daily picture of the mark Ava leaves behind. A documentation of the marks she leaves on our world for one full year. With the upgrade of a new camera, and my love for blogging, I thought this would be perfect for me. You can watch Ava grow, and my photos.
I've received some pretty interesting emails this past week, and if anyone else would like to see a specific topic featured, be sure to email me or comment below. The link for my email is located in the envelope icon on the right side of my blog. I plan on actively blogging again starting late next week. That's all for now guys! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week, and like always, Happy Thursday all!
♥- Leilani
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Here we are again at the close of another wonderful weekend. These last couple weeks have flown by, and I have a feeling the rest of April is going to be fairly busy. Sometime this week Ava is getting her very first picture taken with the Easter bunny (so excited about this), I have some shopping to do for a sweet little girl that is turning one in a couple weeks, and I am on the hunt for a new family car. On top of that, Easter is almost here, and so is my dad's birthday. All of these events on top of school, Justin's schedule, and Ava's, needless to say, the Howland's are busy. We also started some Friday night family traditions as well. Friday may very well be my favorite day of the week. I know Justin is going to be off for the next two days, it's the start of the weekend, I mean who doesn't love Friday?
Anywho, today was great, so let's recap the weekend. Friday night we went out to menchies (I'd never been before), and that was a real treat. The restaurant was decked out in eighties decor, and it was just so cute. The food was amazing, and the kicker? It's right down the street from our house. We spent the night watching old movies, cuddling, and talking about baby names. I don't remember when we knocked out, but everyone (including Cooper) was out before the norm. Saturday we got an early start, and then we went to my hometown to find a new location for Ava's birthday party. The venue I finally decided on is actually booked for the day that we'd need it. I was a bit devastated, but we've got options for other venues. I came across a couple that I really like, so hopefully when I call tomorrow, they have some availability.
We ended up going to the Muckleshoot Casino for brunch, and that was a real hit. I keep taking Justin to these places I went when I lived in Auburn years ago. He enjoyed it, and was shocked that the buffet was open to everyone, not just those who are gambling. Shortly after, we finally made our way to the only Sam's Club within fifty miles of us. It's right next to the mall I used to work at, so naturally, Justin got suckered into some shopping. Ava is seriously set for next winter! I hit up Osh Kosh and Carter's for their spring deals, and managed to get such a great haul. I think we wrapped up Saturday with a trip to best buy (for a tablet) and watching the second movie to Thor.
♥- Leilani
Anywho, today was great, so let's recap the weekend. Friday night we went out to menchies (I'd never been before), and that was a real treat. The restaurant was decked out in eighties decor, and it was just so cute. The food was amazing, and the kicker? It's right down the street from our house. We spent the night watching old movies, cuddling, and talking about baby names. I don't remember when we knocked out, but everyone (including Cooper) was out before the norm. Saturday we got an early start, and then we went to my hometown to find a new location for Ava's birthday party. The venue I finally decided on is actually booked for the day that we'd need it. I was a bit devastated, but we've got options for other venues. I came across a couple that I really like, so hopefully when I call tomorrow, they have some availability.
We ended up going to the Muckleshoot Casino for brunch, and that was a real hit. I keep taking Justin to these places I went when I lived in Auburn years ago. He enjoyed it, and was shocked that the buffet was open to everyone, not just those who are gambling. Shortly after, we finally made our way to the only Sam's Club within fifty miles of us. It's right next to the mall I used to work at, so naturally, Justin got suckered into some shopping. Ava is seriously set for next winter! I hit up Osh Kosh and Carter's for their spring deals, and managed to get such a great haul. I think we wrapped up Saturday with a trip to best buy (for a tablet) and watching the second movie to Thor.
Today we went out to Tacoma to do some exploring, and to have lunch with a friend of ours. Downtown Tacoma has always had some pretty fun murals, so it was great to get a look at those today. We hadn't seen Jennifer in almost four years, so it was definitely great to catch up. Ava took to her so well; I was shocked. At one point, Ava bug even refused to come back to me when Jennifer was holding her (if you know our Bug, you know that never happens). I think that's a sign for Miss Jennifer on the baby front! After our Greek lunch we went out to the waterfront in Tacoma. The last time I was there, I believe I was 19 years old. It was so beautiful. I seriously forgot how perfect Washington state is. There were people jogging, walking their dogs, and walking with their kids. Such a perfect environment.
This past weekend was perfect. I can't remember the last time I had a complaint about my day. It feels good to be happy, and active!
Happy Sunday all! I hope you enjoyed your weekend.
♥- Leilani
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