I can hardly believe how quickly this year has flown!
It's August now. It's hard to believe that Michael left almost a year ago, in September. In the middle of this year, I honestly didn't believe this year would end. Between the stress of constantly having to pick up and move (not making that mistake next deployment) and going to school by myself with a toddler, I have definitely learned a lot this year about what I am capable of-- which is way more than I thought possible!
And after all that, Kieran and I are just both so ready to have Michael back. We're all ready to be a complete family again.
In the meantime, Kieran and I have been keeping busy. Honestly, packing has been taking about five times longer than it needs to simply because I can't stand being in my apartment right now! We're in a 600 sq ft one bedroom place which is currently? Absolutely COVERED in boxes!
Plus, the weather is beautiful, and we're soaking up as much of this wonderful, mild 70-80 degree Seattle weather, before we move to 100+ degree Oklahoma (in about a week and a half???? have I mentioned???).
This past Friday was grey enough in the morning for us to need our rain coats, even-- perfect weather for a laid back morning play date.
How cute are these kids?
It always makes me excited hanging out with verbal toddlers and older kids in general, to get a glimpse of where Kieran will be in just a few months! It's amazing how talking ages toddlers. Kieran is still so much a baby to me, it's hard for me to even imagine him formulating sentences (much less being a grown up *gulp*). He's been doing that toddler babble things lately, though, where it sounds like they're having a conversation with you but they are just jabbering. I know him actually
conversing with me is closer than I realize, and I can't wait to see what's going on in his head.
On Saturday, we turned my car into a traveling garden!
If you remember, we were told that we had to get rid of our garden (and possibly pay a $100 fine SIGH) as soon as possible. And I
found out today that I'm going to need to write a letter to the board of my management company explaining why the fine should be revoked? As though I didn't have enough to do with moving!
We were very lucky that one of my friends had room in her garden for our transplanted flowers (and also lucky that container gardens are so easy to transport!) so here we are, car packed full of vegetation, bringing our little traveling garden to her new home.
I was worried about driving with so many loose, heavy plants in the body of my car with Kieran (if I had gotten in an accident it would have been very dangerous!) but the drive was extremely short, and on safe, slow roads. We made it without mishap! This was definitely a moment that I missed my husband's enormous pick up truck, though.
And, added bonus, in their new garden we actually have a hose to water them (we're taking care of them while my friend is out of town) and a backyard for Kieran to run around in while I'm watering them, as opposed to the parking lot at my apartment complex! So so sooo much easier than the giant watering can than I had to fill two or more times, lug all the way through my apartment with a toddler underfoot trying not to spill. And Kieran loves it when I strip him down to his diaper and spray him with the hose on a hot day!
(Have I mentioned lately how much I
can't wait to have a home with a backyard? With a sprinkler and a kiddie pool and a raised garden bed AHH!)
Despite the stress of moving, this summer has been truly what I needed! That is, Kieran and I, spending ridiculous amount of time in the sun! I swear, Kieran has spent more time in his swimsuit this summer than out of it.
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All right, and finally-- this is basically just gratuitous pictures, but whatever. One of our favorite activities this summer has been going to the spray park.
