Washington to Arizona!

It has been so long since I have written anything. I've been really struggling and thought it would be a great time to start writing again. I'm hoping it will help me just by writing what I am going through. 

Last year we sold our Bothell home of 15 years and moved to Arizona. I have always really wanted to move, since I have lived in Bothell my whole life. There is a Boeing in Mesa, Arizona and my hope was that Brian would get a job there. I figured since he has been with the Boeing Company for 15 years, that he would not have a problem getting a job. 

Emma and I moved down really quickly. Brian drove us down on June 7, 2025. We packed our little SUV with our things. The house we bought was not finished yet, so we moved into a rental casita with an older couple, Dennis and Sheryl. It was the best place to stay. They live in a 55 and older community. We felt safe. And we loved staying with them. Emma started at Top Gun AZ for cheer and Queen Creek Junior High for school. I got a job at Schnepf Elementary school as an instructional assistant. Everything was great!

We moved into our new house August 8, 2025. Then the boys moved down here also. Brian stayed in Bothell and moved into my mom's downstairs space. His job in Everett did not want him to go. They asked if he could stay until December. That turned into can you stay until March. Of course he said yes. Then they asked him to stay through June. He said he really needed to start looking for a new job within the company. 

Evan joined the Air Force and left December 16. It was so hard for me. I was nervous. Worried. And really just wanted the best for him. I think he was nervous to go as well. We went to his boot camp graduation February 4 and 5, 2026 in San Antonio. It was an amazing experience. We were just so proud of him. 

Ethan joined the Navy and left July 13. I was definitely sad that he left as well, but not as sad as when Evan left. I think because Ethan was SO ready to go and I kind knew what to expect. He worked out so hard before he left. I felt like he was well prepared and ready to go. 

Brian had a job interview in Mesa at Boeing that sounded so promising. He flew down for the first interview and it went great. Then he flew down for the second one and did not get the job. I was devastated. With both boys gone, we decided Emma and I would go back up to Seattle with Brian. It was too hard for me to be apart. 

Brian interviewed for another job with Boeing as a traveling recovery leader. And got it! The great thing about this job is that he can be based out of Arizona and Emma and I can travel with him if we want. We stayed in Seattle for 5 weeks before he started his new role, and then we drove back down to Arizona. 

So currently, Ethan is in Chicago at Boot Camp. Evan is in San Angelo at Tech School. Brian, Emma and I are in Arizona. Brian does leave tomorrow for Mexico. His first traveling role. He will be there for a week and then goes to Florida for a week. Ethan's boot camp is in Chicago, so Brian will be traveling for the next little bit constantly. After Chicago, he goes to Florida again where he will stay until the recovery is done. 

I've just had a lot of anxiety. I am such a planner and I have a horrible habit of imagining the worse. Like the absolute worse. So I'm really trying to change my mindset to think positively and that the worse case scenario is not happening. 

I am going to try to write every single day! How I am feeling, what is going on and see if writing emotions out can help me to better control my emotions. 

Boys Well-Child Visit

Today the boys had their well child visit with Dr. Weinberg! He is the best. I always love looking seeing the boys "stats". Here is where they are this year!

Ethan:

Height: 74.88in - 99%

Weight: 152lbs

BMI: 19.13 - 29%

Evan:

Height: 71.65in - 88%

Weight: 138lbs

BMI: 19.08 - 28% 

Boys Check Up

The boys had their 15 year check up today. 15!!! So grown up. Here are their stats:

Ethan:

Height: 73.23 in - 99%

Weight: 142 lbs 9 oz - 78%

BMI: 18.76 - 34%

Blood pressure: 114/72

Evan:

Height: 69.21 in - 79%

Weight: 127 lbs 10 oz -57%

BMI: 18.80 - 34%

Blood pressure: 116/70

Both boys have grown so well this past year. Football workouts have really helped. They both have put on so much muscle and their bodies look so toned. They are both super busy. They wake up at 5:30am every day and are to football workouts by 6:30am. They work out with the football team from 6:30 until 8:00am and start school at 8:15. Right now they are doing track, so they have track workouts from 3:30-5:30 every day. And they are still trying to go to Civil Air Patrol on Tuesdays from 6:30-9:00pm. 

They are busy!!

But thankfully, they are good kids so we are grateful for that!

Maddox

Today I watched Maddox for a little bit! He looked so cute in his outfit. He is really such a happy baby. Rarely fusses, falls asleep easily. Savannah is SUPER lucky!!

Emma LEVELED UP!

Oh my goodness, this is so exciting. Emma LEVELED UP in her tumbling class!! She took a year of gymnastics at Bothell Gymnastics Club but never leveled up. She had it as a New Year Resolution last year to level up and didn't make it. But then we started at Hero Athletics and she is progressing so quickly! And today all her hard work has paid off. She finally leveled up! Now she goes to Advanced Level 1. 

SO fun!!

Brian's Birthday

Today Brian turned 49! Sounds so old, but he sure doesn't act old! It is a little weird because my dad died at 49. So I hate thinking about that. Eek. 

Tonight we went to dinner at PF Changs. It was pretty good! We were talking about how it feels like we haven't been out to a sit down dinner since we were in Hawaii! And that was a long time ago! 

Thankfully I put down on the reservation that we were celebrating a birthday so they gave Brian a free dessert and a sparkler to celebrate! Happy Birthday Brian!

SO PROUD

I am so proud of the boys! Last night was the last swim meet. And I was GLAD. They have had swim practice in the mornings at 5:15am. That means we have to get up at 4:15am to leave by 4:45am to get there on time. That is EARLY. The last swim practice was Wednesday and the last meet was last night. 

Both boys did AWESOME and beat their best times. Ethan was hoping to swim the 50 free under 30 seconds. He did the relay first and swam his leg of the 50 free in 29.8! He was excited. Then he swam the 50 free event and swam a 29.5! Beat his best time twice. Evan did great also. But he tweeked his back lifting/over use so he didn't do his flip turns and still beat his best time. He swam a 32 in the 50 free. So great!

Emma and I had to leave her meet early to go to her hip hop class. So dad took the boys out to Tipsy Cow for dinner. It was a nice celebration. 

Swim is also in addition to lifting! Football lifting started January 2, so the boys had to leave swim practice 15 minutes early to go lift with the football team from 6:30-8:00am. Then go to school from 8:15-3:15. Doesn't that make you tired just reading it?! Another reason I am so proud. They are dedicated!

The other crazy thing they have had going is it has been finals week. The boys have been studying a lot this week trying to get good grades. Both boys have all A's and B's! We are waiting to see final grades after these tests but today Evan has all A's and 1 B+. Ethan has all A's and 3 B+'s. Again...so PROUD!

They are ALSO doing Civil Air Patrol! One more thing to the mix. :)

I just really love these boys. They are thriving. Jayden is their new best friend and they have been hanging out a lot. He's a good kid, and I'm glad my boys have found someone they like hanging out with. 

New Year's Eve

Here we go. Another year of resolutions! Here are our 2023 resolutions! 

Dad: Get falcon moving under its own power

Mom: Keep Sabbath day holy

Ethan: Weigh 150 pounds, Gain more muscle, Bench more than my body weight

Evan: Weigh 140 pounds, Never miss an off season lifting workout (unless sick or vacation), Bench more than my body weight

Emma: Sleep in my bed, Control my anxiety 

Happy New Years! Love our tradition of brownie sundaes, sparkling cider and writing down resolutions!

Emma's check up

Emma had her check up today. She's doing great. Here are her stats!

Height: 59.84 in - 86%

Weight: 88 lbs 14 oz - 65%

BMI: 17.51 - 51%

Blood pressure: 112/64

Emma is doing good! We are struggling with anxiety a bit and definitely noticing some puberty changes. My girl is growing up! She still loves being a home girl which is ok with me! She has a good friend that she loves playing with, Kyla. She goes to Heritage and I think that is the only thing Emma misses about Heritage is Kyla! Emma loves to read about WWII. Historical fiction books are her favorite. She loves slime and crafts. Loves keeping her hands busy. She is taking a hip hop class, tumbling class and she is on an exhibition cheer team! 

Love being her mom!

Snow!

We use to never get snow but now it seems we get it every year! Another fun day playing in the snow. Evan made the best snow man!! I was hoping it would snow for Christmas but doesn't look like it is going to happen now. But at least the snow is beautiful today!