Move to New Jersey

 I grew up for the first 15 years of my life in New Jersey and I never wanted or saw myself moving back. It's not really that I had anything against the state, I just didn't see a need or want to move back. I've lived in quite a few places and have always appreciated what every different place offers. 

Most recently I lived in Arizona and I really liked it. I moved there for school, and friends, and freedom and I got everything I ever wanted from living there. 

But having kids changes everything. It changes your priorities, your wants and the things that you're willing to put up with. I don't think I really considered moving away until I had my second son and asked myself what I wanted for their future. I wanted them to have a mom that was happy and could delight in them the way she wanted to. I knew I wanted more for them. I saw myself with a tough decision and ultimately I took it. We made the move. 

We've been here since November and although it's been mostly good - it's definitely been tough. Being closer to family means being on the receiving end of unwanted advice. Not having your own place means being hypervigilant with two little boys and the messes that they are capable of. And working from home, in a mostly new place, means never really getting a break. Winters mean lots of indoor time and dreaming of those sunny Arizona skies. 

But being in NJ means awesome pizza, winter snowmen, changing seasons, summer day trips to the beach,  day trips to the city, good schools, having a support system near by should anything happen and future employment opportunities.

We're still working on our new normal and getting a place of our own. I'm looking forawrd to pizza parties and the boys having friends and rooms of their own. There's so much to look forward to at this time. So if anything, the move gave me that. Hope. 

Anyway here's a phone dump of what we've been up to since we've been here.

Geoffrey. Are there any toys R us' left?

All the squish

Lucas with a giant spidey squish

Early riser. 

SNOW! The boys saw snow this year for the first time and they love it. Not the cold fingers but everything else. 

Grocery store naps. As soon as he got a comfy sonic pillow, he was good to go. 

I feel like this could be an ad or something. Lucas can't hang and simon's ready to party. Haha

Simon has grown so much since we took this picture!

Snow boot shopping. Those boots were like 90 bucks. For a four year old. Safe to say we didn't get them. 

Moments like this warm my momma heart

The next few are from when we were still in Arizona. 

Spidermen!! It's like the spider-verse but like in real life. 

Simon was a clown this year. We upcycled Lucas' old Jedi costume, added some colorful dots and voila!!

Chocolate face!!

One of the perks of working from home is getting to take the boys out during lunch. Bike rides and popsicles!

There was a group of people just hanging out with reptiles and we got to hold some of them

Just hanging out with our new homie in Sedona

I love that they love holding hands!

Couch popsicles. Of course we need a towel. Even though the juice will still seep through.