I Love New Houses!!

There is something entirely liberating that comes from unpacking in a brand new house! You get to organize and declutter box by box. And it's not nearly as overwhelming once the kitchen and beds are done. The best part is moving into a bigger house and having less stuff than what you had in your previous one.

I started out today with not a single expectation as to who would be here or how much would get done. I asked no one for help, I only presented the opportunity and those that came, came. We managed. It was much less stressful than past moves. It was only my family here, so I think that's why. Anyway, as a result of the low stress levels and my different perspective on life in general, it was much easier not to feel like I needed to over see every project. I stayed in the kitchen, since that is the room I'm in the most, and let others do what they could. And I was able to unpack the whole thing with my sisters wonderful help! Nothing like a clean kitchen!!

On a totally fun note, Mr D is sooo close to walking its amazing! Tonight was the first night in a loooong time he fell asleep in my arms. I loved it so much. I loved when he snuggled into me to listen to me sing to him. I loved his little giggles when I tickled the back of his arm. It was a special moment. I wish I'd had my phone to take a picture!

My kids love this place! I'm so excited to get settled! We don't have a TV in this house... I'm anxious to see how that changes the feel. We will need something for the Wii eventually, but for now, I think we'll enjoy the quiet from the world and the fun of our imaginations!

New houses are fun!! Today's been a good day! It's good to be home!

Sooo Tired

You know those days when you are going strong all day and then you sit down and feel like you haven't slept in a few days?  Today has been one of those days.

Although, I am too excited to sleep!

Spencer gets in at 3 am, but I know I won't make it until then, I probably won't even make it to 9. But I am too excited to see him :)

I think I am going to try and conjure up a 'healthy' snack and pick a movie to fall asleep to, so I am close to the front door when he comes in.

Today has been so full of getting things in motion to buy a house.  We even looked at a few today!  I was excited and I have to say, the one that is under contract... I kinda hope it falls through, because I want THAT one! The kitchen was FULL of cabinets and cupboards and tons of granite counter space. It was awesome!  Anyway, some day I will have a glorious kitchen. Someday.  For now I just need one that I can spend all day in... because let's be honest... I really spend most days in the kitchen....  Anyway, I know the right house will pop up for the right price, but at least we have narrowed down the where!  I can't wait to move. I can't wait to be settled!  But most of all, I can't wait to be together!

K off to pick a movie! or a book... hmmm. decisions...

Overwhelmed With Gratitude

You know that moment when you are packing all of your belongings and you feel like you have come so far and then you look past all the packed boxes and see everything not in a box?? Ya, I have had that moment at least a hundred times over the past 10 days.

I think Heavenly Father creates uncomfortable situations for us... or at least allows them... so that we will seek the changes that will put us on the path He wants us on. Right before the LDS General Relief Society meeting I was visiting with a friend who recently moved about an hour away (since the General meeting was in Salt Lake and she moved just north of there), her words really comforted me during my internal struggle with my situation at the time.  I seriously felt like a fish out of water.... Anyway, she said (in regards to her own reason for moving), "I think that The Lord puts us in uncomfortable situations when it is time to change our surroundings." Further, "why would anyone move if they were completely comfortable exactly where they were, why would that thought even cross their mind?" It made me feel a ton better about considering moving back home... In reality, I am a younger mom than almost all of my neighbors and friends out here and they have all since moved past my particular stage of life (the 'let's get the kids out of the house so we can have our sanity back' stage) and are literally in the 'running around from one thing to another ALL day' stage! So, understandably, they cherish those quiet 'alone' moments any moment they can because they hardly get them! It's like recovering from a whirlwind just thinking about it. And those days may not be far off for me. 

Anyway, so, awesome, I felt like it was OK to look forward to going home... And then I went to the actual RS meeting and was like SUPER close to the Prophet. A lot of things were said that had me resolved to be OK staying, I even texted Spencer that night, "Maybe we should stay." As in stay in Utah... AND I talked with a good friend that night in the car on the way home and she almost confirmed my feelings that staying would be OK. 

It is at these times, we draw closer to The Lord and seek His guidance and council and only He can establish and re-establish that healthy balance between body, mind, and Spirit, and also the relationships between family and friends.

I can literally tell you, that every time I was surrounded by any of my friends before and after this time had me feeling a complete 180 about staying or going. I was so confused.  If I stayed, wouldn't I be like a way stronger person because I learned how to just go it all alone and rely only on The Lord and my own wits to get me through the struggles of motherhood? By alone, I mean without my family. I had plenty of friends… but... you know how it is…  with friends it just isn't the same, especially when you are already so close to your family.

I have always felt that friends may come and go, but families are FOREVER!  And my family, quite literally, will last me just that long.  True, some are blessed to have friends that feel like family, and we are blessed to have those even here...  The pull to be closer to family is just too strong for me. It sure has been nice to have Spencer's brother and extended family to visit with these past 5 years!  We certainly have grown closer to them! For that I am so grateful.

Anyway, throughout this time I talked a lot with my best friend back home, and we really isolated a lot of my issues with living here.... I am away from my closest friends and especially my family. Ok so maybe two issues…  oh and the long, cold winters… not a fan.  Although, it is a GREAT place to visit! lol! And now we will have awesome people to connect with when we do!! 

I remember that when we had first moved into this neighborhood we just knew and felt that we had finally made it to where we were supposed to be.... I was so happy to be surrounded my such AMAZING people, and they really are AMAZING! You won't find a better group! We really felt like our kids would grow up here. For whatever reason, this is no longer where we need to be.  I have learned so much from everyone here, and these last 2 years have proved to be life-altering!  We have really settled into how we want to be as a family and how to incorporate the Gospel as the center of our lives.  Spencer and I have drawn so much closer to each other and especially to The Lord, and we continue to do so.

I have learned a lot about choices, consequences, and what matters most.

What matters most to me is my family.  I have, for as long as I can remember, wanted my children to KNOW their grandparents and cousins and Aunts and Uncles, to learn from them.  I want them to feel that strong family bond.  I am so happy to be going home. And I am SO grateful this is what The Lord has in store for my family at this time!  And I am SO grateful for the life-changing lessons I have learned as a result of the experiences I have had here.

TEXAS

The stars at night, are big and bright, deep in the heart of Texas!!

Howdy y'all! Thought I'd let you in on the best news since Declan's birth. We are moving home!!!! I cannot exclaim my excitement!! I've been feeling so out of place in the motherland for the better part of the last year- granted I was bringing a third child into the world. And I was finally resolving to keep to myself in hopes that I would eventually learn my place in the social ranks... And then Spencer started getting hiccups that there were jobs in Austin for his area of expertise.

The first jobs we learned about were in July, but the first ones we started looking into presented themselves in September. He had two interviews around Halloween and we've accepted the job in San Antonio!! His official start date is in 2.5 weeks!! December 10th, pending we actually get there in time... Packing and getting our house ready for renters is harder than one might anticipate... But it will all work out!

I'm just so excited to finally be going home! I'm a Texan... It's where I fit. It's where I belong.