It's amazing to me how quickly this year has passed. Over all, we've had some major changes but are all doing wonderfully!



Dustin and I celebrated our twelve year wedding anniversary. We've spent half of our lives together as a couple, and although it makes me feel old, I can't imagine spending it any other way. I feel blessed to have married young and look forward to all the years and adventures we still have ahead of us.

I've been really enjoying being able to stay at home with my children. One of the many blessing and benefits that comes from Dustin joining the Army! I couldn't be happier as an Army wife. I've been blessed with meeting some of the best friends here, and really love the area. I'm secretly hoping we stay for quite a while! I volunteer with an organization that rescues dogs adopted by soldiers in Afghanistan, and it sure is a wonderful way to keep busy.




Dustin left for a year long deployment to Afghanistan this summer. It's been a big change for the entire family, but we've all adapted wonderfully. We get to have regular communication, and occasionally the internet will cooperate and we can skype face to face. His job there is a long, hard, stressful one, but also one of great importance that saves many lives. He is eagerly looking forward to his 2 week break in the spring, then will return to finish his deployment.




Logan is becoming a typical teenage boy. He enjoys sleep, eating, talking to friends, texting, tae kwon do, sleep, texting, and the computer. He also still loves to read, and flies through a series in no time. He's always looking for suggestions on what to read next. Logan is in 8th grade now, and just made the first quarter honor roll. He's also been awarded to "Character Counts" awards, which teachers nominated him for. He is Green Belt-One Stripe and is hoping to test soon for his Blue Belt. He also took first place this fall for his division in a board braking tournament.




Gavin is having a remarkable year! If you didn't know, Gavin had a very rocky start with his education, and was usually below grade level. He suffers from severe anxiety, and ADD. This year we took him off meds for the summer, to give him a break from the undesirable side effects. He seemed to do so well, that he started 4th grade unmedicated. He was lucky to have the same teacher move up with him, which I think played a big part in his success. He is already testing at a 5th grade reading level, and off the charts in math. His teacher estimates by the end of 4th grade, he will test out in a high school level for math! Gavin loves reading now too, and usually picks up the series Logan had just finished. He enjoys riding his bike, playing with friends, being outside, Tae Kwon Do, playing with Duke, jokes, video games, and drawing. He is also a Green Belt- One Stripe and will test soon for his Blue Belt like Logan.




Jacey, oh Jacey. She really keeps us all on our toes. She started kindergarten this year, and while she started off great, is now noticing she is not the center of attention all the time. It's an adjustment for her. She is a bright girl, but like to do things her way. She's also got some perfectionism in there too! It's obvious she is the baby of the family, and she fills that roll to the fullest. Jace started her 3rd year of ballet this fall, is still eating it up, and would live at the dance studio if I'd let her. She's taking 3 classes and performing in 2 acts in the nutcracker. She's found a great love for Acrobatics as well. At 5 years old, she dances in the 7-9 year old classes. Jacey loves animals, her American Girl doll, make up, dance, bossing her brothers around, singing, snuggling, and arts and crafts.




Duke will be turning 2 next month and can be quite a challenge at times! We attempted obedience training with some success, but our goal to pass the Canine Good Citizen test this year was a tad unrealistic for a hard headed Labrador puppy. He's an amazing addition to our family, and hopefully in a years time will be a certified therapy dog. I can't wait for him to be able to visit hospitals and bring comfort and happiness to others like he does to us. Duke loves treats, baths, to swim, play fetch, sleep, go to daycare, and have sleep overs with his best friend Lola. He knows many commands, but still lacks good manners outside of home.




We really hope you enjoyed our update, and that this letter finds you well. Have a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year!

Love,
The Moore Family

The Ugly Truth

I completely had abandoned this blog. I really didn't have any intention of coming back to it. I'm surprised I remembered my log in info. Since I did remember, and even on the first try, I decided that would be my sign that it was time to get back at it. So here's the ugly truth.

With as long as my break from blogland has been, I'm not even going to attempt a catch up. But fair warning, this is a long and lengthy and not-too-fun post... so sorry. I promise from here on they'll get better!

We are currently well into the first half of Dustin's first deployment, and it's definitely been an eye opening experience for me. I've learned a lot, about so many different things.

I wish I'd gotten to this blog a few months ago, while everything was still pretty peachy and my outlook on this year of flying solo still contained many brightly colored hopes and dreams. Since I'm about a month past that phase, it's not so pretty. So please bear with me while I learn to figure this all out. It's been a host of various issues, all piling on top of each other, and eventually wearing me down to a point where recovery seems a daunting task. I try to remind myself multiple times a day, that it's just life. There have been no major disasters. The children are thriving, happy and well.... and me, well..... I'll survive, cause that's just what I do.

The good news is I'm actively trying to help myself. I started seeing a therapist (who I lovingly refer to as 'the-rapist' on occasion). I've found a PCM (primary care manager- this is army speak-learn it) who I actually respect and have some faith in. Read: she doesn't make me feel crazy. I'm also trying to get back on meds for my ADD. My drive to prevent "crazy" is enough to assure me that I am in fact quite sane, since crazy people don't know well enough to worry about going crazy.

Now some details:

(if your just stalking and don't really care feel free to skip this part)

Life at home returned to normal at a much faster pace than I had anticipated. The kids were in the middle of their summer break when Dustin left, meaning that the lack of schedule provided plenty of wiggle room to allow for 'bad days' and 'adventure days'. It allowed us to get out and do things, like camping, vacationing, etc. And boy were we busy. So busy, I was eager to get the school year going so I could find some time to breathe.

My memories now looking back on our summer are so clouded. I remember the first days of school clearly though since it was a much anticipated year for any parent.... all of my children went to school full time. I enjoyed the freedom of hours of uninterrupted time to myself. I had grand ideas of how that time would be spent. Unfortunately our immune systems had other plans.

Now, I'm admittedly a very sickly person. I have no clue why and I make no excuses. My kids however are generally healthy, only experiencing the minor flu bug or virus once or so throughout the fall and winter. Not. This. Year. I think it's safe to say not a week has passed that someone in this house hasn't been ill. And not just sniffles... we're talking strep throat. Pneumonias. Strange fevers that last for a week. ER trips. Vomiting. More doctors appointments than I care to count. Someone is always sick! (as I type this Jaceys is laying next to me in bed with her fever breaking... she's managed to strip out of her feeties without even waking up)

A couple months of sick has lead to.....

Add to that, my ADD. It's out of control and that's putting it nicely. Without someone here to hold me accountable, nothing gets done. I'm not kidding either, and it drives me crazy. I feel completely handicapped by my brains inability to function properly. Telling me to "just do it" is like telling someone in a wheel chair to "just try harder to walk". It isn't always this bad, in fact, it's never been this bad. It leaves me feeling so defeated, before I even try. It gives me anxiety. It sets me up for failure no matter what I do to try and help myself. I makes me depressed.

So, to quote 'the rapist', "You have three fires burning".

Depression, ADD, and my Health (sinuses). All three major problems to be dealt with, each problem fueling the others, and the only way to resolve this is to treat them all at once. It means doing things I greatly dislike. Like lots of medicine and doctors appointments..... admitting my weaknesses. But I have no choice but to continue ahead hoping for the best.

As for my sinuses... I'm still awaiting an appointment with my ENT. I had one scheduled, but due to starting on the wellbutrin, and it's lovely side effects, I had to cancel. I will reschedule on Monday.... while I'm at my home away from home for some lab work.

I've learned some things. (1)I will never ever again go off my Adderall, because it's now near impossible to get someone to prescribe it again. (2)I will never ever take Wellbutrin again. After two doses I was about ready to have myself committed to a hospital. It was an ugly day in my life, who knew medications could mess with your mental health in such a negative way?? (maybe I'm just naive) (3) Not all medical professionals are lousy. I just seem to have bad luck finding the ones who aren't. (4) Having a strong support system is worth a million dollars. I know I have a handful of people I could call on for help.... but there are 2 in particular I couldn't make it without. (5) I'm stronger than I give myself credit for- and my own worst critic.

Next I will try to fill you in on the kiddos, and maybe even on Dustin.... since lately deployed life seems to be the least of my problems ;)

Summer Summer!

Our summer has already been an eventful one!

Logan was admitted to Madigan for a sinus surgery (We're thinking it was #7), a bronch, and a clean out. He spent 3 days there, and is now completing IV antibiotics at home. Keeping our fingers crossed that his PFT's are up when we go for follow up next week.

Jacey had 2 weeks off from dance, and is back at it, dancing 3 nights a week. She eats it up! If we could afford it, she'd dance for hours on end. She's already starting choreography for this winters nutcracker, and bounces around the house humming the music. I'm even thinking of letting her "audition" for more parts in it this year. She loves it that much!

I've taken a break from bow land. I just feel I have too much on my plate right now to give it 100%. Family first, right?

Gavin and Logan are testing in a couple weeks for Tae Kwon Do again. I think they're actually starting to lose some interest... probably because it's getting harder.... but also because they have a major case of the "lazies" this summer.

Dustin only has a few days left at home before he begins his journey "over there". I sent out an email with his address, contact me if you haven't gotten it and want it. So far it's been smooth sailing and I'm hoping the rest of the transition goes as well.

My Deployment Bucket List

I have a year. Alone. I could sit and wait around and feel sorry for myself.

OR

I could go and do and accomplish all the things I've been wanting to do, but they don't seem to interest Dustin. So I'm making a list :)

I want to rent a beach house.

I want to take the kids camping at Kalaloch.

I want to go to Mt Rainier.

I want to go to the museum of glass.

I want to fly space a to Utah, and California, at least once.

I want to see a play.

I want to take the kids to disney on ice.

I want to go to the American Girl store.

I want to go back to the gym.

I want to lose 50 lbs.

I would say Hawaii.... but it'd break Dustin's heart if we went without him! Everything else on this list, are things I've wanted to do for about 2 years. Things that Dustin would rather not partake in. So instead of dragging him along, I've saved them for this year. I'm sure I will add more to the list as time passes. But I wonder just how many I will be able to cross off in this year?

Happy Father's Day!

Hoping my dad had a great day! He is an amazing Dad and we wish we got to see more of him!

My poor hubby spent the day being sick, but we spoiled him any way!

I also realize it's been over a month since I updated the blog... so in completely random order, here are some pictures to enjoy!

Jacey at her recital.
Caught her mid chew. She was too busy trying to get rid of me to worry about pictures!

My sweet husband spoiled me with a NEW RING! It's pretty awesome I can't lie.

Duke and Jacey having a camp out in the family room.




A few from our trip to Utah.






Our Great Strides Team, Logan's Crew. We had a great time! Can't wait for next year.

Jacey Sunbathing. We take whatever sun we can get!


Boys 4 wheeling with Uncle Dave

And I promise to add some of our family pics soon!!

Crazy Week, and a PARTY!

I decided last week to wholesale my fabric flowers to other boutiques to resell. I guess it was a good idea because in 3 days I had 3 orders and made what I used to get in a month over a weekend. So needless to say I was busy.

Gavin hurt/broke his foot on Monday. We're leaning toward hurt since he seems to be walking on it okay now (Friday). We spent an entire night in the ER. It was a horrible experience and we will now make the drive to the children's hospital when we need ER services.

I was also trying to plan a party. That for some reason I just wasn't as "into" as I usually am. I screwed up the invites not once, but twice, and didn't have time to fix them. Dustin was off today (thankfully!) and saved me by focusing on the cleaning while I threw everything else together.

Jacey had been wanting a pajama party pretty much since she had her last party. So all kids were invited to come in jammies, and bring a furry friend (stuffed animal). Instead of traditional cake and ice cream, we had a "Candy Bar", and had cake pops.





The kids played in Jacey's room until everyone got here. Then they got to color a white paper bag. After they were done decorating the bags they got to stuff a pillow (that I'd sewn up the night before). I sewed them up and added a ribbon tag to write names on so pillows didn't get lost or confused. They got to have a pillow fight with them while I set up the game.





We hid everyones stuffed animal in the tub of left over fluff from the pillows. We put the kids into 2 teams. They had to relay race by hopping in a pillow case down to the tub of fluff, find their animal, and hop back where they'd pass off the pillow case to the next in line. It turned out to be a huge hit and totally age appropriate!





Once the game was over, the kids decided the huge fluff mess was waay more fun to play with than Jacey's room! The giggles and screams of joy were priceless! Who knew a big bag of poly fill would be so fun?? I couldn't have planned it this well I tell ya! They took turns climbing into the tub and being buried, before Dustin would 'dump' them out!






After the fullf mess was contained we headed into the "party room" to sing happy birthday. All the kids got cake pops and Jacey had a special big one with her candle. After cake we opened gifts. Jacey was so cute opening presents this year. Then as the kids were getting ready to leave they got to fill up their bags with candy.

Somebody's Having a Birthday!

Jacey is a couple weeks away from her 5th birthday.

She asked Grandma and Grandpa for a special doll.... who is on her way here!



We..... well, I, decided it'd be far more fun (and cheaper) if we made her accessories. There is no shortage of things to buy to go with these dolls. Lucky for us there are plenty of ideas and patterns out there!

I've made some clothes, but we spent the weekend building this!


We aren't quite done with it. There are a couple more steps to the finish, and I have a whole bedding set to make to go on it. I will for sure post more pictures soon!

Gardening

Like I really need one more thing to throw on my plate....

But I really want to start a garden. A veggie garden with lots of yummy goodies we can eat.

My kids are obsessed with seeds and trying to grow things too, so I'm going to get them in on the action.

You might remember a similar post last year... I was pretty set on it all. I even got hubby all the way to Home Depot and priced everything out. What we decided was that to start it all from scratch would be costly. It is not a guarantee (I don't really do well with growing things). And we had an unruley puppy who currently occupied our gardening space.

I set my dream aside knowing it was set up for failure and we just didn't have the money to throw away.

This year.... things are looking up! I still really want to have a garden. It doens't need to be big or elaborate. Infact, my kids only eat a handful of veggies any way. So small and simple is the plan. Oh, and cheap... definately cheap... and easy too!

I started with my go to resource, google. I had decided that plastic swimming pool gardening was invented for lazy, cheap, tranzients such as myself. It doesn't get much easier than that... I also posted in a forum with some friends from church because I know many of them have successful gardens!

In my post I merely asked for some ideas and tips, but was shocked when one of the women offered me her whole set up! It's nicer than I was going to invest in, and comes with all the soil. I just have to move it... good thing I have a friend with a truck! With all the money I'm going to save on this I don't feel bad not starting my plants from seeds this year!

I'm super stoked. I know the kids will enjoy it. As for that unruley puppy... he's a tad better behaved this year.... and home depot sells cheap wire fencing ;) Because let's face it, I will NOT eat dog pee vegetables!

Jacey Basey!

Jacey is becoming quite the busy girl lately.

She loves dance, and goes twice a week for hip hop and ballet. She was in her very first pageant last weekend and did really well for her first time. (Placed 6th out of 27 girls!) She has also been doing some modeling for online boutiques. We're considering another pageant soon since she had so much fun in the last one.

Soon we will be planning her 5th birthday too! I can't believe how fast these 5 years have gone!