Military Hour at Costco

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Fitfluential and Premier Protein. All opinions are my own. 

Confession: I love Costco. Actually, I have a minor-but-totally-healthy obsession with Costco. The deals are just always so good, and they have so many unique products that I never knew I needed. Actually, as I type this, I am sitting in a dress I bought from Costco for $10 that is amazingly comfortable and has pockets. So yes, I really really love Costco. Preston loves it too, and he takes the whole "take a bite out of savings" thing quite literally. 

Today I want to share an awesome opportunity Costco is putting on for military families! Costco is hosting "Military Hour" to celebrate active duty military, veterans, and their families at a special private shopping event! Costco is going to open its doors early just for military families to allow shoppers to mix and mingle with their fellow military community, enjoy free samples and product demos, and more. The first 100 shoppers to arrive at each location also receive a free swag bag with goodies. 

I thought I loved Costco before, but I love them even more for putting this event on just for military families. The event will take place on Saturday, March 24th at 8:00 AM. Click here to see if your Costco is participating (mine is!). 

Not a Costco member? Not a problem! For this event, Costco is offering an exclusive new member offer for military that join as a new member. You can check out that offer here. 

While at Costco this past weekend, I also picked up a new protein shake I found and am excited to try. I have a hard time getting adequate protein lately because, quite frankly, I am on the mom diet which consists of eating my child's leftover waffles and cereal bars. But, I am determine to get more balanced meals with protein in as we approach the summer months. These Premier Protein shakes are available in chocolate, vanilla, and caramel, and each drink is 30g of protein, 1g of sugar, and only 160 calories. Costco is the only retailer who stocks hormone free Premier shakes, which I really love! Look for them when you attend Military Hour next weekend!

Homeward Bound

I mentioned earlier this week that our time in Virginia is coming to an end. It is, and all too soon! I have said it before and I will say it again: Virginia is the only duty station I haven't initially been excited about. When I found out we were moving here almost four years ago, I was like ehhhh. I didn't know anything about the state other than the fact that it was far from Texas and cold in the winter. That was enough to make me write it off. 

Four years later, I can't believe we are actually about to leave. Four years in the same location is basically a lifetime in military terms. The people we do life with here have literally become our family. It's hard leaving people that really know and get you, and that's exactly what we are doing. It breaks my heart to say goodbye, but I am filled with joy at what we are saying hello to. 

We are headed to...

TEXAS!!!

We are going back to Kingsville, TX (where we lived for 9 months in 2013 while Parker was in flight school) so Parker can be an instructor. We are over the moon! I mean, we get to live in the motherland! We will be 4 hours from my family and about 7 hours from Parker's family. We really couldn't be any closer, and thinking of a quick 4 hour drive to go see my nephew on the weekends has me doing the never ending happy dance. 

Virginia will always have such a special place in my heart. It is where I loved and lost our baby girl. It's where I became a mom to the baby boy that is the center of my universe. It is where Parker and I bought our very first home together. It is where I survived my first deployment. It is where we met friends that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt will be friends for life. Virginia has been the biggest blessing, and I thank God for knowing what we needed when he sent us here. 

It's been real, Virginia. Texas, we're coming for ya!

Family in Virginia (One Last Time)

A couple of weekends ago, we hosted 10 family members in Virginia for a very special boy's first birthday! Our time in Virginia is coming to an end (more on that in another post), so this was our last time having family visit! How in the world is our child already one? I could go on and on about how time moves too quickly and it seems physically impossible for our baby to already be one. Instead, I thought I'd keep things light and slightly less philosophical and just share some of our favorite moments from that very special weekend.

We were so grateful and blessed to have so many family members fly in for Preston's first birthday. I get that a first birthday is really for the parents because, let's face it, Preston won't/already doesn't remember it, but it was so special for Parker and me to celebrate our baby's first year with the people we love. 

I hope to write a post soon on the party theme and decorations (again, he won't remember or care, but a kid only turns one once, so we went all out!). For now, here are some of my favorite pictures from the party. 

All pictures were taken by my wonderful friend Lea at Loraine Marie Photography! Check her out here. 

One year of this sweet boy! I can't tell you how much Parker and I have learned about each other and how much we have grown over the last year. Parenting was a whole new ballpark for the marriage, and I am so grateful we get to do it together. 

I love this picture. It doesn't have everyone, but these are some of the girls who got me through the first year. They say it takes a village. This is part of mine!

The grandmothers and great grandmothers who made the trip! This boy is so lucky!

Family picture! Not pictured was cousin Emmett, who was upstairs napping. We love our people!

Preston, you better turn that frown upside down! These are the people that dropped everything anytime I needed someone, like the time they took care of you/me when I had eye surgery solo. Super grateful for these friends of mine!

My people. Love my mom and twin sister so much. Nobody endured more parenting-inspired Facetime rants this past year than these two.

It was such a special day celebrating the boy who changed our lives forever. I cannot believe I've been his mom for a year already! There is no greater job in the world to me!