Moving West to Astoria

Astoria's Sunday Market...so nice that we can walk there...been enjoying the fresh veggies and arts vendors!

After a month in our new home and town of Astoria, I'm feeling the desire to reflect, share and reconnect with friends and family from afar. When I logged in, I could hardly believe that I hadn't posted since last December. (I shared the news about the move on my Sustainable Family Finances blog back in June). Yes, I could just post sporadically or incessantly post adorable kid photos on Facebook, but it feels too curated to share my life via captions. They don't actually share the depth and context of our life. Our lives are continually changing as the kids grow, with new learning curves to grow through.


This move has been a big one for our family. Fifteen years into our relationship Kevin and I are finally feeling "all grown up," but we've also been working through our interpersonal ruts. It can be all to easy to predict each other's behaviors, push buttons and take each other for granted. This move has forced us to refocus on what we really want for ourselves and our family. We're still settling into our new life here, but I'm really glad that we've been open about our needs to grow in our relationship. So, the move for us feels like more than just a physical one...it's really about taking our life together to a whole new level.

Our move has definitely been the right move for Kevin's career. Even with all the public night meetings, I can tell that he truly loves his work again. Despite his best effort, he had gone way too long without feeling respected in his career. It's wonderful to see his light shining again and to feel the warm welcome of a community that truly appreciates his leadership and dedication to the greater good.

With a napping toddler, and leaving our beloved nanny back in Portland, I've simple been busy getting our household unpacked over the past month. I haven't had the capacity to coach at all, although with the big kids back in school, I'm itching to refocus on my career. I've just barely had enough time to manage the beach cabin rentals, but after a few months of summer/moving, I'm anxious to reengage with my business goals. I am indeed more thankful than ever that I've been able to create flexible businesses, and that I can do them from virtually anywhere. Definitely a blessing.

The kiddos are acclimating well (even though Kieran insisted on leaving without a jacket, and I'm curious if he's been caught in a downpour...more natural consequences). 

Kieran likes his new school, even if he thinks it's too easy (the same thing would have happened at Irvington...he's a kid who needs to be challenged...kind of like his parents). He's playing soccer, and it's obvious that we wants to coach when he grows up...either that or be a sports commentator. 

Makenna is a social butterfly and a speed demon on the soccer field. It feels and looks like she's matured a few years over the summer...not all for the best. She has been challenging me constantly since the move. She needs a ton of attention and isn't nice when she doesn't get it (or ODs on screen time), plus she thrives on routine, so moving wasn't easy for her. I'm hopeful that settling into our new school routines will even out her premature hormones, and once I'm not so busy with unpacking we'll be able to have more fun together again.

Teagan has been taking a blissful nap (while the roofers put on a new roof). She is both precious and precocious. She's signing constantly and obviously listens to every word and body language. She's still nursing (much to Kevin's chagrin) and has regressed with potty training. At the moment I'm trying to decide what to do with her for childcare, and have two options I'm considering. She is such a sponge that I want to make sure I choose the right fit for her to help her continue to excel and delight in life.

Lastly, our new home feels like a fairy tale. Settling in has certainly been a big task, but it's starting to feel like home. We bought most of the furnishings from the previous owner, which has helped a ton for making it feel homey, but it still feels new to us. Plus, we're getting a new roof and new appliances this week. (I need to do a whole post with just photos!!)

Need to write a whole post on Astoria next...loving this town!

Kids on Day 1. Hard to believe, but it feels like they've already grown since this pic!