The Big Move: Month 1

I made it!

  I made it through my first time really in a new town since 1997.  Clay and I got married when we were teeny tiny babies aka 18 and 19 years old. I moved from Northern California to Southern California to start my new life with my Marine. I did not know one single, solitary soul. But I didn't mind one bit.  I was excited to start my new life and to be a wife.  It never really felt like we were too far from family, because every other weekend we would drive back to Norcal or to Hanford where my Aunt had just relocated to.  We had family at what felt like an arms length.  I started working for Victoria's Secret, and made a ton of friends.  I never felt sad or missed my family, because they were just a car drive away.   It was hard when Clay began to travel for the Military, and I didn't have my Husband around all the time, but I got a second job, a roommate and kept busy.  We moved back to the Bay Area in 2000. We bought a house less than a mile from my parents house.  We had family around all. the. time.  Which was fine with me, I'm a family girl. We moved around the Bay Area, a lot. We had two other major moves.  One to Sacramento, which landed me right back in my circle of girls, because at the time we all lived seconds from each other (I don't see that happening any time again soon) and I was only an hour drive to our family.  We moved from Sacramento to San Francisco, which was a culture shock, but we found ourselves spending most of our time in Walnut Creek with Family.  So when it came to planning our own family, deciding to have children and establishing ourselves somewhere....Walnut Creek was where we wanted to be. It was home. 

Making the decision to move this time was different.  For the first time in almost 16 years we had children to factor into our move decision.  Our prior moves effected 2, this move effected 4. When we packed up and moved the previous TEN TIMES (that is no exaggeration we moved 10 times in our marriage, clovis being our 10th move) we had no one to think about but ourselves.  You find yourself thinking about many things.  What will I do with out family around? Who will help us?  Who will lend a helping hand when we are LOSING OUR MINDS? What about my friends? What about our social lives? What if the neighborhood isn't as nice, what if I have to drive further than 2 minutes for milk? What about the schools.... So many thoughts..... But all it took was one visit to this quaint little town and I was sold.  Children riding there bikes in clusters up and down the sidewalks ET style, communities with movies in the park, and storytelling hours, and homes that were twice the size of our current home for half the price.  Not to mention the opportunity that was presented to us to further Clay's career.  It was a no brainer. We had to move. I'm proud to say I'm surviving. More than surviving.  I love it here.  And am so glad we made the decision to move. 

Not only did I make it through the transition from the Bay Area to the Central Valley, I made it through my first month of stay at home Motherhood.  I have had almost the whole Summer with my kids. And trust me...there has been Good, Bad and for sure Ugly.  But we are making it through. The first two weeks were the toughest, but we are finally in a routine and are enjoying each other. This Summer was probably the best to enjoy with both of them, together.  Jack is just at the cusp of being too grown up for Maddie's aged activities.  So I have jumped at the chance for activities I can take the two of them to together and that are geared toward both. Which is so great.  Maddie also takes a nap every day...which gives Jack and I some time to play a card game or hang out, just the two of us.

Here they are at story time raising their hand to be called on by Mother Goose.  

They both LOVE the park

Working together at the swings... 

(not happy his mother is documenting him being sweet)

They both still love to snuggle with Mom in the mornings

(I have to admit...we've had some laaaaaazy mornings this Summer)

We have had one busy first month.

and had LOTS of visitors!

Aunt Casey and Aunt Mary were our first visitors.  They moved us into our home. They helped me unpack all of my boxes, organized my whole home and never complained once.  They are amazing.  I call them the Moving Dream Team.  Mary has helped me move so many times I have lost count....I've known Mary since I was 11 years old.  Since I was 11 I have moved more than 20 times...she is always there for me.  Always. Mary is my only friend who was seen EVERY place I have ever lived in since I was 11.  She always, always comes to visit.  Love. Her.  Casey is to thank for the organization of my Closet (which by the way holds HALF of what my old closet holds... but I'm not complaining!) 

She also completely organized my new pantry.  Hooray for Casey!

And not only did she come down once to help me....she came down TWICE. 

Aunt B came down to check out the new digs one weekend...

and then the next weekend she brought Uncle Ben!

Lynne dropped by on her way to and from LA

And Mom 

Dad Too.

Jaime came to visit

and brought with her two of my favorite boys on the planet

Jaime is also one of my friends who always make sure to come and check out my new place, she visited me twice in San Diego and of course, Sac, SF and almost every other place since 1996.

Lindsey was just here...she ruined my cleanse...but I forgive her.  Usually Lindsey is my designated hanger of all pictures..but this trip I gave her a "pass" and we just hung out and played all weekend. 

We celebrated two Birthdays

Miss Maddie turned 4

And Daddy Turned 35

;)

We've enjoyed the Farmers Market

This aint your normal Farmers Market...this place is a serious party EVERY Friday night.  Last weekend was the county pole vaulting contest in the middle of down town. So Fun!

There are bounce houses, and pony rides.  Ice cream made by the agricultural department of Fresno State

And these...

yes....my entire family is in that pool of water...

We spend a lot of time at the pool

lots

And lots of time at the pool

Stories with Mother Goose

(Maddie calls her the Princess)

Bike rides (walking for Mom and Henry)

Movie in the park

and of course

The Gym

Lots of time

At the gym...

Man I hate the gym....

We went miniature golfing...

And enjoyed the back yard.

Mostly....

We just hang out.

I get a lot of calls...everyone is worried about our transition.  They want to know if we are okay...if I mind not working....if we are surviving.

I'd say...

We're having the time of our lives.

;)