I think it’s going to take us (well, me, really) more than six months to really get used to how wet and rainy the PNW truly is. After being spoiled by sunshine and beautiful weather despite the cold last week, we were pummeled by rain, fog, and generally gray days this weekend. For me, the Christmas season means winter-white. It means snow that comes with the cold, and after seeing our friends get a rocking snowfall at Fort Drum this past week, I couldn’t help but feel a little nostalgic and sentimental – longing for home! Nevertheless, we made the best of our slightly less rainy Saturday and got out to the boys’ new favorite park, Fort Steilacoom, which is coincidentally where we had our family photos done, too.
There’s a lot about JBLM and the PNW that really just hasn’t settled well on my soul, but seeing my boys play outside together makes my heart happy, even if it is dreary and cold. And let’s be honest…there’s no shortage of playgrounds, parks, or things to do around here, regardless of the weather.
For those who’ve followed me on instagram or facebook, you’ve likely seen some of my lamentations about our housing situation out here. We found out a couple weeks ago that we’re close to the top of the list for a home on the Air Force side of base, and it will get us a bit closer to Lakewood. So, we ventured out and took a peek at all that Lakewood has to offer this past weekend, too, and the boys were definitely not disappointed. I think the last parade we went to was in Black River for Memorial Day, right before we moved here. This one was much bigger, and you know you’re Army when a Stryker comes barreling down the street with soldier accompaniment.
As an aside – we literally just finished the boys’ Halloween candy, and this parade seriously refilled their coffers. The candy never ends!
This week is bound to be a doozy, and I don’t know about you, but sometimes I have a hard time wrapping my mind about all the things that need to be done. We’re kicking off our week with the boys’ annual physicals tomorrow, and I managed to double-book my midwife appointment at the same time, so that’ll have to be rescheduled, of course. Pregnancy brain is real, folks! Ryan’s platoon is busy preparing to convoy their equipment to port to be shipped downrange for their impending deployment, so that’s been looming over his head for the past week. We need to pack for our trip back East this week, clean the house, finishing Christmas shopping, and somehow stay sane. ‘Tis the season to lose our minds!
