Maya's 1st Birthday Party

 

Glenn's address

Glenn is gone for the fall on a "mini" deployment around South America. If you would like to email him, you can do so at glenn.j.smith1@cvw2.navy.mil. His hotmail address can't be accessed. 

Getting mail is always fun too! His mailing address is 

LCDR Glenn J. Smith

USS GEORGE WASHINGTON CVN73

UNIT 100148  BOX 9990

FPO AP 96650

They officially left San Diego this morning so our count down has begun!

She nailed it

I know this lady was paid to write this but she nailed it. This is one of the reasons I'm glad we stayed in the Navy. I love this community. 

On Sunday, I dropped off Maya at my girlfriend's house who has a 6 week old and 3 other children so I could take Lincoln to the ER. She didn't even blink before she said, "bring her over."

http://www.jaxmomsblog.com/parenting-wisdom/military-strong-howwefamily/

I love my Navy family.

Road tripping

We're almost done with our road trip accross America with a two week pit stop in Minnesota to wait for Daddy. The kids have been relatively well behaved! We're looking forward to a day off from driving to check out the Grand Canyon. 

A few things I've learned:

- When staying in a hotel, spring for the two room suite. Worth it!

- Try to keep nap time as normal as possible. We've 2-3 hour naps from the kids!

- Bring tons of food and then more. 

- The mini van with built in DVD/blue tooth head phones was the best investment ever. 

- Bring extra batteries for the head phones. 

- Don't stress about being the mom whose kid is running laps around Arby's- he must have run 25 and was as happy as can be. 

- Favorite kid food meals- Chik fil A, DQ and Arby's. All have milk and fruit and non fried food options. 

Choo choos!

Awesome rest stop in northern Texas!

Yikes

The last few months have been a whirlwind! The Navy offered Glenn a job he couldn't refuse so instead of getting out of the Navy, we are in for at least 5 (more likely 10) more years and we are moving to California. Next week!

We put the house on the market as soon as we found out he got the job (March 1) and we got an offer 10 days later. We listed it by owner which was a whole different ball game, but it saved us a few thousand bucks. Not really that hard, but we were also lucky to live in an area with a lot of military and houses in good neighborhoods sell quick. Oddly though, we didn't sell to a military family. Full price and not a lot of contingencies. We were happy! 

The movers come on Monday so the last few weeks have been sorting, organizing and packing. To top it off, we're I'm having a yard sale tomorrow to get rid of the last few things that we won't be needing.

Glenn left today so that he could drive to California in time for a few exercises and events with his new job.

My mom flies in on Monday in the middle of the chaos to help (thank you!) with the kids and drive to Minnesota with me. We'll be there for a couple weeks and then drive the rest of the way with Glenn when he gets back from the ship. Not even sure where April has gone to this point.

We plan on living on base in Point Mugu. We will be an hour or so north of LA, near Malibu/Santa Barbara. I've heard it is beautiful and I am looking forward to exploring the west coast, but moving, and moving with kids is a ton of work. 

I'm excited, but so sad to leave Norfolk. We have some amazing friends here. Many of whom I hope follow us to Mugu (muh-goo)!

I hope to see our midwest friends & family while we are back in Minnesota for a bit, but I hate goodbyes. Luckily with the Navy, it is "see you later".

Congrats Dave & Jen!

I'm a little biased but I think my new niece, Kate, is just beautiful! I can't wait to meet her soon!

6 lb. 14 oz. 20 in. Born on 2/28/15!

Proud Grandparents!

Now the real fun begins!

Snow Day!

It's been cold lately and last night we got 4 or 5 inches is snow with a 1/2" of crusty ice on top! It made for fun sledding down the front yard! 

These Virginians don't own a sled or snow shovel so we made a garden shovel and bubble wrap (seriously). Lincoln wasn't a huge fan of sledding but walking around in the snow seemed to be a hit. Sliding down the hill on his belly was a hit, too. I'm sad that Daddy missed the fun (and yummy brunch with friends!).

He's stuck on the carrier since the Hawkeyes are covered in ice and the base/runways (and everything else) in Norfolk is closed. 

We're going to attempt snow ice cream after dinner and hope we can get out of the house tomorrow!

Also, these cheeks!

1/2 Way There. Maya's Weekly Photos 1-14

We received an email from our attorney yesterday that the Final Order for Termination of Parental Rights has been entered on our behalf! That means we're half way there. We are hoping we have a court date in the next couple months in order to finalize our adoption of Maya!

I wish I could take Maya's weekly photos with Stella like I did for Lincoln, but her Alligator will have to do. She's gotten so big so fast! At her 4 month appointment on Friday she was already 15 pounds!

Make Me Smile

The kids and I are up in Minnesota for the week. I love that Lincoln and Maya get to spend so much time with our family and friends. A few pictures from today that made me smile:

Enjoy your weekend! We are celebrating a special baby girl tomorrow!

100!

Glenn's great grandma turns 100 today! That is Lincoln and Maya's great Great grandma!!

We went to visit her last week and she asked not once, but 5 times, "Why is she this color?"

Oh to be 100! Next time she asks I'm telling her we feed Maya only chocolate milk! 😊