Our Last Arizona Summer + Friday Favorites

Hi Friends!  

I can’t believe it, but tonight is our last night in Arizona as Arizona residents; soon, we will be Texans, which is crazy to think about.  Tomorrow, Mr. Hungry and his FIL drive all of our animals: the dog, the cat, the African Dwarf Frogs, and the Ants.  Basically, a farm.  We will fly with the kids, while Mr. Hungry drives the pilot back.  

What I didn’t share in my moving announcement post is that this summer has been a single-parent summer.  Mr. Hungry started working in Texas on June 1st.  And he has been settling in and loves his new role. He loves his team and the people.  He says Texas has the best food he’s ever eaten and the people in general are just nicer there than Arizona.  (Picture below is from casual Fridays.) 

But, that meant I spent 3 to 4 weeks by myself in our house before the AC went out, and I moved to Mr. Hungry’s parent’s house and kind of never left.  The renters moved in shortly after the AC was fixed, so that was that, and by then, I was exhausted and overwhelmed.  

I mean, I did have a lot of help.  I had sitters coming so I could work, and my MIL was still watching the kids two days a week. Plus my in laws  would often come help with bedtime. Unfortunately, the babysitters were random college girls through a service out here called Busy Bees.  We lost our nanny of 2.5 years in May because she had a baby.  Since we didn’t know how long we would be in Arizona, I couldn’t hire someone even semi-permanently.  I tried to get the same sitter scheduled for most of the time, but that didn’t always work.  So, while I’m thankful for Busy Bees, having new sitters all the time was rough. Some jived better with our families than others.  But regardless of their skills or personality, the kids were on a rollercoaster too.  A lot of emotions.  

And with the constant pull between packing and trying to work, it was a lot in and of itself.  This summer work included teaching a summer class, finishing IFM AFMCP (a huge undertaking in functional training), working with clients, social media, and blogging.  And despite blogging being my most significant income piece, it was what fell to the wayside this summer.  Every day I felt like something was missing, probably part my husband and part the blog.  I missed this space a lot and worried what I’d built would disappear.    

Mr. Hungry traveled once a month for his old job for a week at a time, so it’s not like I’ve never been by myself with the kids before, but it was still a lot, even with Mr. Hungry’s parents stopping to help at night a couple of times a week.  

Once we moved to my in-laws, of course, it was better. But of course, living in someone else’s house is complicated even under the best circumstances.  I often describe my in-laws as the nicest people in the world.  So, it’s not hard to live with them.  However,  the sitter thing became even more complicated because my kids are so attached to their Grandma that they refused or tried to refuse to give her a breather when the sitter was around.  My MIL and I would often resort to hiding out in the Master bedroom together while a sitter was here.  

I lost all “me time and work time” as I was unable to keep the kids in their rooms until the light turned green in the mornings like they do at home.  They required us to lay with them till they fell asleep, an unfortunate habit they got into with Mr. Hungry (never me, I’m team, put yourself to sleep and stay in your own bed), but then he had to go, and I had mom guilt since they were used to someone staying with them haha.  So we joked a lot that during this time, there were “no rules for Michael.”  Which is the title of a fabulous book we own about a little boy who learns why rules are in place and about the 10 commandments.  Highly recommend if you are looking for a kids book.  

So this summer was hard and tiring and hot.  At this point, people keep asking me how I feel about moving and I’m just ready to stop being in limbo.  We could be moving to Antartica for all I cared as long as our lives wouldn’t be in limbo. 

But, I need to remember there were a lot of good memories this summer too.  

Like building lots of Lego towers with Papa and Goga.  

Like dancing in the 3 minutes of rain, we got all summer. 

Going to the butterfly wonderland (hot in there though, just a heads up.)

PS KJ LOVES his camera, link here.  

It’s been especially helpful for him to have some control, like he can take his own pictures and have his own memories to save.  

A last trip to the Aquarium. 

A last trip to favorite restaurants, like Don Jose’s in Phoenix.  Got that after visiting the chiropractor who gave me my life back.  

Visting the city pool and watching KJ jump off the diving board and baby girl slide down the slide like she was 3 years old and not 14 months.  

Last haircuts with Brad, who styles are whole family’s hair and has known my husband since they were five.

Finishing up swim boot camp and ISR for baby girl.  

Lots of Facetiming with Daddy.  

Looking for bugs, lizards, and cicadas with KJ.  

And I read A LOT of books while waiting for the boys to fall asleep every night, haha. Early May I read the rest of the Throne of Glass Series and the last book in Crescent City. Then after finishing the Sarah J Maas universe I didn’t know what to do with myself so,  I re-read the entire ACOTAR series.  While I hated the ACOSF book when I first read it, it’s now my favorite.

I started the Blood and Ash Series and am now on book 3.  

I honestly think the books fed my soul this summer. I’m very grateful for reading.  Prior to reading ACOTAR I read a lot of historical fiction, but now I’m on the Fantansy romance train.  The love stories, the worlds created in the books, like I said, fed my soul this summer. 

On another note, I still got to try some delicious new to me products that were sent!   

Like the Lesser Evil popcorn brand, that was delicious.  We devoured those, especially the onion rings.  The garlic popcorn wasn’t for me, but I’m not a huge fan of garlic.  Everything else was fire.  

Some chicken dipping sauce by Primal Kitchen.  They sent some other new sauces, but I’m saving them for Texas.  The chicken sauce was very Chick-fil-A like, but with a hint of mustard.  

And this Hatch Chile Jerky I got as part of my goodie bag from the Hatch Chile event I attended.  That might be my favorite of all.  

I’m sure things will continue to be crazy while we unpack.  But, I’m really really hoping to get back to regular blogging by Mid-August.  Thanks for your patience and remember if you’re looking for recipes there is always the recipe index!  

Follow along instagram for travel updates!  @hungryhobbyRD 

Next time I post, I’ll be doing it from Texas! Happy Friday friends! Or happy coffee, blah blah blah wine day. Whichever you prefer!