Tag: moving

Family, motherhood

Surviving to Thriving

The Merfett

One year ago today we moved into our home in Flagstaff.

It’s hard to accept that it’s only been a year. We’ve made such strides in life and family, and now – in business. Back in early 2016 when we finally decided that we would really do the thing we’d been dreaming of – list our home for sale and move to another state – it seemed overwhelming. Our goal for our family this past year has been to Survive. We hoped to establish ourselves in a new place, and maybe make some friends.

I can say with absolute confidence that we not only survived – but we are exactly where we were meant to be.

A lot has taken place over the past year we’ve lived here. The boys have become taller (how?!) and we’ve all grown in new ways. There’s been days that were long and hard – and days that make us stop and say out loud to each other in amazement, we live here, this is our life.

So, what are some of the highlights?

  • Riley started Preschool 2x a week. It’s the most wonderful place, and he loves it.
  • Charly is walking and talking and so much fun to hang out with.
  • We got a new dog! Barley, the Mini-Australian Shepard joined our family last July.
  • The snowfall in Flagstaff this year was record making – and we made it!
  • Sedona has become one of our happy places, Kelly loves to mountain bike ride there.
  • We joined Calvary Chapel Flagstaff
  • I found Barre3 – and I’m hooked.
  • We have friends and playdates and BBQs; a community we’ve dreamed of.
  • For the first time in any of our lives we experienced a true Fall, and it didn’t disappoint.
  • We’ve logged hours on hikes through the beauty of our new town.
  • I’m learning how to golf – ha! Luckily, Kelly is a patient teacher.

What’s next for our family?

When we first moved here, we were lucky to have family that helped us quickly adjust. We knew the good restaurants and where to get a haircut, and the best Pediatrician in town. But, I didn’t have my best friends, and neither did the boys. So my immediate focus was on finding friends. I went into College Freshman Mode – and joined all.the.things.

I found a local Meetup Group for Moms of young kids. My sister in law put me in touch with our MOPS chapter. I met a new business owner on Instagram who was opening a Barre3 studio in town. We found a church we loved. Over time each of these activities produced friendships for our family. The contacts in my phone started to grow, and we found ourselves more comfortable with life here.

A few months ago Kelly and I revisited our goal of starting a business in Flagstaff. We kicked around ideas and business theories long before we physically moved. But, we really got to thinking and came up with some solid ideas. Some didn’t pan out – and some stuck. We’re well on our way to establishing a small business here in town, and I cannot wait to see what the coming years bring.

My New Venture

That Meetup group I joined? I was invited to help organize. The MOPS Chapter? I was asked to participate in the leadership team. The Barre3 studio? I became a Founding Member. The Church we found? I’m involved in the Children’s Ministry. We belong here – and we’ve found a community we very much want to raise our kids in.

In addition to life and family and volunteer projects, I’ve also started a business. This past week my new business partner, a fellow Mom, and I launched Flagstaff Moms Blog. It’s a Parenting Resource Website. We have several Moms here in Flagstaff that create articles for the site that we publish each week. The goal is to create community both online and offline through content and events hosted by FMB. I personally work behind the scenes on Social Media and Editing Content. 

The years I’ve spent working on Websites and Social Media, combined with my logistics skills from the Film/TV Biz have finally overlapped. I’m excited for this new adventure and I’m passionate about the work we’re doing. It’s also nice to use my brain for something other than making pb+j sandwiches ;)

So here we are. Happy one year Flagstaffiversary to us!

 

Currently, Family

A Love Letter to My Town

The Merfett

I was sitting on the couch earlier this week, completely spent from a series of hard days. It was 7:00pm and I had put the kids to bed early. Lately, everything with the toddler has been a revolving script of “NO” and “WHY.” I settled into the couch with my dinner at my side, reaching for the remote to scroll through my recorded shows. My phone chimed with a text from a new Mama friend. We chatted for a moment and I felt myself smile. She suggested an activity for us to do the next morning and I happily agreed. I needed something to pull us out of this funk that had taken up residence in the threenager.

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Last week was my 31st birthday. Yay. My husband was out of town working, and I was flying solo with kids and dogs and life. I’m not big on MY birthday, but I love celebrating. Anything that brings people together is a win in my eyes. A group of friends I’m affectionally starting to call my “Mom-Gang” offered to take me out to brunch after our favorite Barre3 workout. Brunch is my love language. Brunch with friends at a restaurant is next-level to me. We had just seated and settled when I hear my name over my shoulder. I turn, as I’m shoving puffs into the hands of my toddler, and I see a new Mom I’ve met that recently moved to town from Seattle. We exchange some small talk, she introduces her husband who’s with her, and they wish me a happy birthday. I turn back to my table-mates and they look at me wide-eyed – how long have you lived here? how do you know so many people? I shrug and laugh, as I rip open a bag of fruit snacks for my seemingly still-famished child.

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In the Fall I joined MOPS. I was a healthy mix of nerves and excitement at our first meeting. I met all the ladies at my table and we exchanged contact information. After the meeting we all parted ways and I remembered that night we had dinner plans with my sister-in-law to attend the grand-opening of her friend’s new restaurant, a chicken and waffle place, and they were offering free waffles for dinner. I pulled out my phone and plugged the info in my MOPS group text, thinking all moms want a free meal their kids will eat that they don’t have to cook, right? I hit send, and never hear a word back. Later that evening our family is  gathered around a corner booth with our tribe of kids, cutting waffles and managing syrup use – when I hear my name. I turn around to see a MOPS mom and her family finishing their meal, thanking me for telling them about dinner. 15 minuets later another mom from MOPS comes through the door – her husband is out of town, and she’s so relieved to not have to cook another meal. As we’re finishing our dinner the youngest mom of our group arrives with her husband and 3 month old baby. They slide into the booth next to ours with a shy smile and a nod. I wave and thank them for coming. My sister-in-law is laughing and completely flabbergasted, you guys have lived here what, like 2 months, how do YOU know more people in here than ME?!  I smile and shake my head, equally surprised.

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I was loading the dishwasher the other night, collecting the last of the kid’s plastic cafeteria style plates to rinse. I suddenly felt so thankful and happy. It hit me in a massive wave, right as I scraped mac n’ cheese into the sink. I like it here. I’m happy. I have friends. It’s working. Last night I told my husband that I haven’t met a single person here that I haven’t liked. From the grocery store cashiers to the preschool teachers to the random fellow sleep-deprived Mom in the Target – I haven’t walked away from a single interaction with anyone, with anything less than positivity.

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I got an email last night from a friend that moved to town with her family at the exact same time we did. Just about 8 months ago. She paid me the sweetest compliment and said how thankful she is that we met. And it made my heart burst. I’m equally thankful for having her in my life.

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I’m just brimming with gratitude. For everything. Not all day, every second of the day, but it’s the overarching theme in my life right now. And I have my town to thank for that. All this magic, and these people and the friendships. It’s not me. It’s bigger than me. Thank you, Flagstaff.

Currently

Currently.

The Merfett

Reading: Present Over Perfect. Almost done, and man. It’s given me a few solid punches to the gut. In a good way. Have Uninvited and She Reads Truth. Also cannot wait to read the newest from my girl crush, this.
Eating: Whole 30. No surprise there. It’s October Whole 30 time! Every year for the past 3 years I’ve done a round. This is now my 4th, and it took me a few days to get psyched about it. I’ve found some new recipes and I’m excited about cooking. I know how to shop, and I know what kinds of things I like to make and eat.
Thinking About: What’s next. I’m trying to be really focused and present during my days with the boys. But I keep getting little nudges to step out and expand. And I don’t think I’m ready to move on to the seemingly bigger and better stuff on the other side of the grass. I’m trying to make friends, make our home welcoming and build a routine for the boys. And that’s plenty to keep me busy. The sparkly objects keep calling to me, but I’m choosing to just stay the course. The theme for our family this year was: Survive. And we’re really doing it. Next year might make way for other things, but this feels right for now.

Looking Forward to: A fun girls weekend coming up. It’ll be a whirlwind trip, but I’m really looking forward to some quality time with a dear friend and a little alone time. I’m already sad to be missing the boys for those few days, but I think it’s going to be a great weekend for all of us!

 

Enjoying: FALL! We have Fall! It’s amazing and wonderful and just like it is in the movies! I’ve always loved the “fall time,” but in Los Angeles it made me grumpy because the weather was always hot and miserable. Here – it’s so amazing and fresh and comforting. I knew when we decided to move that I needed to have 4 seasons in my life, and I’m so grateful we found it. I may think differently, come Winter. Fall might cause me to dread Winter – but I’m loving it so much, and tying to soak up all the colors and smells and sights. It’s amazing – COME SEE!

 

Learning: How to make friends all over again. Mom dating is hard. Making friends as an adult is hard. Moving to a new place where you only know 2 people is hard. But I’m trying. I’m like a freshman girl in collage. Join all the clubs! Get all the numbers! It’s working, I hope. I’ve met some really great people, and I feel welcomed and included. I have no doubt we’re going to find our village here, and our people. But I miss my other village. A lot.

 

Loving: Livepool jeans. I’m 100% obsessed. I got a pair from StitchFix, and it was the first time they’ve ever sent me jeans. I was skeptical…they looked just like maternity jeans with I pulled them out. Elastic band. But, I put them on and I’m converted. I want to shout it from the rooftops! All women should own a pair. They are the only jeans I’ve worn for the past 3 weeks. I’ve got my eye on a black pair next.