Our peanut is here

Supposedly, the second time around, labor should be a breeze. Well....not in my case. I had no such luck. After almost 15 hours of labor, an hour of pushing, and a lot of sweat and hard work we were blessed with a beautiful little girl.

On June 12th, 2008 at 2:48pm Madison Reece Moore was born. She was a peanut, weighing in at 6lbs 13oz and 21 inches long! Being the second child, we expected her to be bigger. It was a wonderful experience to have Mike in the delivery room. He was such a great coach. When I felt, I had no more strength, he pushed me and told me that I could do it. And so we became a family of four.

"Moore" Responsiblity

MM1 (SW) Michael Moore

Congratulations Petty Officer First Class Moore

If I didn't know Mike's middle name, I would have guessed it was INDECISIVE. Not a day goes by where Mike's doesn't know if he wants to stay in for twenty plus years or get out. But, in May of 2008 the decision was pretty much made for him. Mike made first class petty officer, after being in only eight years; not a small feat, especially considering the difficulty of advancement in his rating.

We love you and are so proud of you!

Peanut

October 17, 2007 proved to be an exciting day for the Moore family. Not only did we celebrate Mike's 26th birthday, we also found out that we would be experiencing the joy of parenthood for the second time, and Mj would be tackling the important role of "big brother!" What better birthday present could Mike ask for.
Unlike with Mj, Mike would actually get to experience it all this time; doctor's appointments, late night food cravings (Entenman's Chocolate Fudge Cake), and all the joy and moodiness that goes along with pregnancy.

Life in Maine

Things are different here in the Great State of Maine, "The way life should be," as the welcome sign reads as you cross the state line. The people are a throwback to simpler times , towns are quaint, winters are cold, snowy and long, shopping is far, lobster isn't what its made to be, ice cream shops are seasonal, and the cost of living is ridiculous. Mike, Mj and I have learned to adapt to the lifestyle, but can't wait till it's time for us to move on. While it's great for vacation, this is not the ideal place for a young family to live.
On the positive side we are able to see daddy everyday. No deployments, sea trials, or duty. You can almost call us the "normal" family. We enjoy our time with one another whether its something we do around the house or exploring the outdoors Maine has to offer. All the while making memories to last a life time.

The big move

The Great State of Maine

"The way life should be"

As a majority of military families, we have to pack up our belongings and move every three years, leaving behind family, if close enough, and friends who have become family. You develop a friendship or love for them, that lasts a life time. Its a bond that is developed which can't not be broken. We become each others support group.
In February of 2007 we journeyed from Newport News, VA to Brunswick, ME. Mike will continue his job as a cryogenics technician, dealing with liquid nitrogen and oxygen. We will be stationed at Naval Air Station Brunswick until March 2010. Unfortunately NAS Brunswick was on the BRAC list, which means it's shutting down in 2011. Most military families will be heading to Florida or Virginia. We won't know where we will be headed until the time comes closer for orders.

A Friendship created to last a life time
We miss you guys

A year already

Happy 1St Birthday

Yummy Cake...

Happy 1St. Birthday!!

Where had the time gone? We no longer had a newborn, but a toddler now. Things were crazy in the Moore household. I was getting ready for Mike's return home ( I just had a few more days to go), and preparing a first birthday party with the neighbors. Yes, Mike missed his son's first birthday. But we made it up with making a special one at Mike's parents house with family and friends. Thank to all of you who helped us celebrate OUR son's big first birthday even those who are a far........Mom-Mom, Pop-Pop, "Big Guy"Pop-pop, Nana, Nano, Aunt Honey, Uncle Papa, Uncle Bobby, Uncle Jay, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Frankie, Sadie, Aunt Margie, Uncle Billy, Uncle William, Uncle Alexander, Lisa, Tim,Jenni, Brian, Lil Brian, Amber, Mike and Morgan.

The day is finally here

USS Theodore Roosevelt CVN 71
Welcome Home

The day is finally here (March 11,2006). Mike would be returning home from his deployment from the Arabian Gulf in support of "Operation Iraqi Freedom." During his deployment he was able to experience neat places; Naples-Italy, Palma Mallorca-Spain, Jebel Ali-UAE and Marmaris Turkey.
I never thought this day was ever going to come. Once we made it to the half way point, the days seem to have flown by. Mj and I did a gummy bear countdown. Of course I was the one eating them. It was something that I looked forward too. One less gummy bear meant, one more day closer to his return.

Our signs

In preparation for Mike's return. I made welcome home signs, decorated our vehicle, the front of our house, made sure all the food was prepared for our big WELCOME HOME bbq with family and friends. Did we have a house full. Mike's parents, grandfather, two best friends, a family friend and her son stayed at our house. I wasn't able to sleep the night before. The excitement was too much. Morning eventually came, it was finally time for us to greet Mike off the ship. It was the most exciting, nerve racking day. I felt like a little girl with butterflies, shy about meeting a boy. That first kiss and hug was amazing. My husband, best friend was back and we had a so much to catch up on, and learn about one another again. Welcome Home Baby!!

Saying goodbye

MM2(SW) Michael Moore & MM3 Justin Nutt

In September of 2005 my love was leaving me and our son for a six month deployment. This would be the first deployment since we've been married. Most military wives leave and go home to there parents. But me being the person I am, independent I didn't want to leave. So I stood in our home we created in Newport News, Virginia. I was ready, wanting to take on this challenge. Life would be different. Taking care of the house, paying the bills, keeping up with the vehicle maintenance, celebrating the holidays, and being a single parent is what I had to look forward too. Mike had other worries to worry about being on the ship so far from home. He would miss all the "first" milestones and holidays of our little man. I did the best I could with video taping, picture taking, journal writing too keep him as involved.
Phone calls were short and few and far between. They would make my day. I'd always looked forward to them. The computer was my "new husband". I'd always check my in box to see if I had a email. It would give me the chills when I did. I was always so excited to get them, even if it was just a line long. Knowing that he took the time out of his busy day to write "I love and miss you bunches baby", made me happy. If I didn't get one, I'd worried but I knew if something seriously was wrong the ombudsmen would contact me. Days and nights were long but I would do it again and I know I'm going to have too here soon. Our love for one another is so strong that when we have to leave one another it just makes it so much more stronger. I love my life as a mommy and military wife.

September 2005

October 2005

November 2005

December 2005

January 2006

February 2006

Our creation

On March 09,2005 at 9:45am Michael John Moore Jr was born. He weighed in at 8lbs 9oz and 21.5 inches. A big boy he was.




On Sunday March 05,2005 I was packing my hospital bag, as Mike was packing his sea bag getting for a sea trail. This is how our life would be for the next year and half. Mike was getting ready for a 6 month deployment. He would miss the birth of our first born and most of the first year of his life. I was being induced that Monday March 06,2005. My mom flew out from Washington State, Mike's mom, dad and grandfather drove down from Pennsylvania to join in the "coming out" party. It was a hard and long labor and delivery. After having our son, the hospital put a American Red Cross message out to the ship, letting Mike know that I had the baby, and he would be able call. Our phone conversation was very short. He asked how every thing went, told me he loved and missed me. You could tell he was excited but yet very sad. I could never imagine the emotions he was feeling. I told him that mommy and baby were fine and we couldn't wait for daddy to come home and meet our little man. I had Mikes picture by my side the whole time, as if he was there with us.


One of the few pictures of me in Labor


Daddy amazed by his little man

We're expecting

In late May early June of 2004 Mike and I decided to take a home pregnancy test, due to me being late on the "monthly visit". I remember going to the upstairs bathroom, because Mike had the down stairs bathroom occupied. I took the test, waited the few minutes like the directions said too, contemplating on looking at the RESULT earlier then I should have. I finally looked, shocked to find out it was positive, "I'm or no WERE pregnant", I said to myself. I sat there not knowing how or what to think. I finally came too. Went down stairs and Mike still wasn't out of the bathroom. So I knocked on the door, handed him the pregnancy test, shut the door behind me and I sat on the couch overwhelmed with emotions. I was excited but yet scared. We didn't know what to say to one another. We sat in silence for a while, finally looking at one another with tears of joy. We said to each other "Were going to be PARENTS." We hadn't even been married a year yet. Could this be a "test" to our marriage?!
We didn't know if we should wait to tell our parents till I went to the doctors and got the final say. We just couldn't WAIT. Mike being the only child and this would be the FIRST grandchild, and GREAT grandchild called his parents and Pop-pop first to let them know the exciting news. We're expecting! They would be called Mom-Mom & Pop-Pop and "Big Guy Pop-pop. After his call, I made my call to my parents, congratulating them on being a Nana & Nano again.




4 months along


8 months..ready

How I became Mrs. Michael Moore

Around April of 2002 I was introduce to this handsome, blue eyed, heart of gold gentleman. Not knowing that he was going to be the man that was going to be my campaign, best friend, confidant, lover for the rest of my life.
I worked at a coffee shack...in Bremerton, Washington on the weekends and nights during the week while attending college. Mike drove up with a mutual friend of ours to order some espresso. (His favorite drink was a blended mocha fappuccino.) Supposedly we met the night before at a club. I guess she, our mutual friend introduced us then. I don't ever remember meeting him. So I say, the coffee shack was our first time meeting one another. If you ask Mike how we met, he has something different to say.
Mike asked me out on a date. We went to the "Outback Steak House" then to a movie, "The sweetest thing."
Mike and I dated excursively for 6 months, then he was deployed for another 6 months of our relationship. Mike took me home to met the most important people in his life, his family and friends back in Marcus Hook, Pennsylvania before he went on his six month deployment. I had asked myself, "is this man going to be the one that I am going to spend the rest of my life with"? He's leaving me with his car, the keys, blank checks to pay his bills, took me home to met the family and friends. Could this be? Am I going to be a military wife? Am I ready for this? Is he ready for this?
I supported him throughout his deployment. This was the big "test" I say for our relationship. If we make it through this, then nothing will get in the way of us. I sent him cards, letters, care packages anything to keep a smile on his face and let him know how much I loved and missed him. I wanted him to know, I would be waiting for him when he got back. I kept myself busy with college, work, family and friends. It was hard, but all worth it. We both learned about one another and ourselves. Our love GREW for one another, and still does. I flew down to San Diego in May 2003 when he return home from his deployment to see him. Words or actions can't explain the feelings that I had. I was excited, nervous, all the above. I didn't know what to expect. Once I was in his arms again I didn't want to let GO, it felt real again!! While visiting him in San Diego we went site seeing, shopping, enjoyed our time we each other, we looked at engagement rings, talked about marriage, moving to Virgina, how military life would be and all the responsibility we would have as a young military couple. He didn't ask me to marry him till he flew back to Washington a few weeks later to pick his car up, and asked my dad for my hand/blessing in marriage. We went to a fancy restaurant in Seattle somewhere, called "The Four Season's, very classy. Mike was so nervous that he was shaking the table when he asked that QUESTION, Will you marry me Lynn?! Of course I said YES. We got married on August 02,2003. It truly has been the best five years of my life. I couldn't ask for a better person to spend the rest of my life with. He is TRULY my best friend. I love you with all my heart and soul Michael J. Moore. I'm glad to be your wife for many more years to come.