The Darlin' Dyers: Summer 2014 Recap (Beach Time)!

This summer has been very eventful between two moves and finding out that baby girl is on the way. We moved from Vancouver, WA to Seaside, Or around May this year. Scott was offered a promotion as the manager of the Sherwin Williams in Gearhart, which is just north of Seaside. Everything happened so quickly that we originally had to move into an apartment in a pretty ghetto environment, which was a bit aggravating there for a while, but we were able to find a pretty little duplex with a fenced backyard and garage just a block away from a park and about four blocks from the beach in August. It's the best place we rented so far. :)

We are so thankful for Scott's promotion, and this last summer was absolutely gorgeous. I never thought I'd be living in a place where a regular play date or outing could be going down to the beach, which is about as simple as going to the park down here (besides the clean-up afterwards of course ;)). We had so many fun outings this past summer (Tillamook Cheese Factory, Astoria attractions, lighthouses and the farmer's market up north in Ilwaco, and Cannon beach etc.).

I try to keep our many blessings in mind and keep gratitude in my heart, but I'm afraid to admit that this hasn't been an easy transition for us. We welcomed the opportunity for a promotion but didn't want to move. It was a hard decision for us. We miss our dear friends and family in Vancouver, WA, and it's a bit isolated down here. The cost of living is high as well in a coastal town. Luckily, there is a Costco twenty minutes north of us although I really miss Winco, Wal-mart, and Target etc. And, I'm glad I got used to the rainy weather in Vancouver because it's a bit more so here and foggy during the fall and winter months. I guess that's why people have summer homes down here. ;) We find ourselves traveling a lot more than we used to as well to Vancouver and Lake Stevens. Anyway, there's my little (or not so little) vent for the day.

I probably sound like a whiner, but I personally like it when people express the trials they are going through; it helps me feel that I am not alone or terrible for being honest about the experiences in my life as well as giving me strength to move forward. I think the important thing is just not to dwell on those things that we aren't happy about in our lives. I've been putting together girls' nights with some of the ladies down here, and one of my callings is putting together play dates for a Mommy and Me group to bring in less active ladies into the church. I like how when we fulfill our callings, true love develops for the people around us in our wards. I'm coming to get to know the people down here in our sweet, little ward and discovering that friends come in many different forms/ages. There aren't very many couples close to our age here. I think eventually we will feel more apart of things down here as we continue to participate and serve in our ward. I feel that love growing as we develop relationships with everyone. We would like to move back to Vancouver in a few years when the time is right, but for now we are happy to have this wonderful adventure down at the coast. I'm going to try to enjoy every minute I get to spend so close to the beach, and the summers are something to look forward to. :)

Here are just a few pics from this past summer. It was fun having friends and family visit!