My mantra

Since Pete's been gone, I've found the only way to survive and at times thrive is to just lower expectations. I cook far less because leftovers go much further or friends/family invite us over. I clean up the toys less often because as long as the boys are happy, I'm happy. Laundry happens less often due to less clothes needing to be washed. And being summer, I'm trying not to over-schedule and just enjoy the relaxed and flexible schedule. 

Every now and then, a little voice creeps in that tells me I should be doing more or doing better, but then I saw this quote...

And I realized I'm doing enough and I'm doing well.

In other awesome news... Pete gets to visit this week! He comes in Thursday night and will take the red-eye home on Sunday night. We are overjoyed. When I told Parker that daddy was coming home to visit he said, "I didn't even THINK about him ever coming home!"

We love our cousins

Just found two cute pics from recently. 

Parker and Lance. Excited to live closer to each other soon. 

 Ice cream cones on the driveway. This is the stuff childhoods are made of!

Children's museum

We had a blast at the children's museum the other day. It was one of those days where the kids were just playing beautifully and we stayed for far longer than we intended. It was awesome and they had such a great time. 

Norfolk, VA

I had the opportunity to go visit Pete in Virginia last week. It was awesome. My parents watched the boys and kept them highly entertained (thanks so much!), while I got some R&R with Pete. We also got to do some house hunting and got to know the area we will soon call home. 

First, San Diego airport has really stepped it up. I may have had Phil's BBQ at 10:45am just because I could:) 

 When we first heard we were moving to VA, Pete googled the most common stores there and K-mart was one of the most popular. haha. Many VA residents have responded that they have plenty of normal stores, but we like to poke fun:)

 Don't see grits in the CA stores though...

 Driving around, we definitely felt like we were in a whole different world. The homes are mostly brick and beautiful. Old homes there look timeless. Old homes in CA look dated.

 We drove around base where Pete will be working. Not the prettiest place, but cool to see the ships.

 Initially we weren't sure if we would rent or buy. We would be able to get way more house for our money if we bought a home, but given that we will only be there a short time and neither of us are handy, we figured it's probably smarter to just rent and call our landlord when issues arise:)

But this was one home we looked at in Virginia Beach.

 Another VB home.

 We were also advised to live outside of Norfolk. However, due to traffic, that would make Pete's commute at least 30 minutes everyday. Over the course of a few days, we did find a few Norfolk neighborhoods with cute homes and good schools. Living there would mean a 10 min commute instead. Way more desirable. So since we will rent, we have to wait until late August or so to start finding a place. Pete will be in VA for the next 5 weeks, living in VB with some family friends. We're so thankful for that option. That means I am still able to keep my apt in SD, til the end of July. Then the plan is to move in with my parents for the next 2 1/2 months, until we move to VA in mid-Oct.

Back to the trip... we visited the Commissary.

 And the NEX (base dept store).

 Pete's uniforms.

 There is water everywhere! It's really beautiful.

 First day of work.

 Pete opening a frame from Parker on Father's Day.

 We were sooooo thrilled to find Texas Roadhouse! Love those rolls (the bread they give you, not the rolls we grew after eating their chicken fried steak!).

 Another house option. So excited to have a yard for the boys.

 Gorgeous or what?

 This is one of the neighborhoods in Norfolk called Ghent. Lots of people walking around (safely), with cute homes and neighborhood restaurants. I think that might be the perfect fit. Here is an old church there.

 Pete was warmly welcomed by the children who live at our friend's house in VB. Thank you Sanchez's!

It was really fun, but also very surreal. It's one thing to look around a new place for fun, but to know you are moving there and you are looking around with the intention of finding the right place to live... stressful! At least I can picture it now. That helps.

While the cat's away...

While I was in Virginia, the boys stayed with my parents. And I would like to think they missed me a little, but I don't think they had time to pine for their dear mom too much. They were too busy having fun.
"Thank you for your service, Dad!"

 San Diego County Fair. My little carnies!

 Visit to Yorba Linda to see the great grandparents. Reading with grandaddy.

 Swimming time!

 Cutie pie!

 Off to the fair.

 Visiting the animals.

 You can count on Papa to give into their requests to play fair games.

 Uncle Ryan is such a good sport about going on the rides.

 Pony rides. Peanut the pony.

 And Austin's first time, riding his buddy Mocha.

 I LOVE this picture. This sums up their brotherhood... best of friends!

 "Resting" with Gran. Not much sleeping happened.

 Preschool end of the year luau.

 Parker started swimming lessons. Given that he doesn't like putting his head under the water, his progress has been slow. But the last few days, he's made a lot of progress and is getting more brave. However, once the floaties come off, he's a rock.

 Oh and he finished up his soccer class.

PHew... busy couple of days. Thanks Grammy and Papa (and Ryan and Chloe) for taking good care of them. The only downside was trying to break the "I sleep in Grammy's bed" habit with Austin. But after sleeping in my bed for a few days (which I will admit was cute and cuddly), he rolled off the edge during the night. After that, he's much happier to resume sleep in the pack n play.