7 days

Seven days later and I think, wow, how quickly we acclimate. There was a time when 65 degrees was cold for me. Today, 65 feels fabulous and I walk coatless. There was a time when going to the grocery store was a 15 minute drive. Today, we walk 5 minutes. There was a time when hiking meant getting in the car and driving 25 minutes to a local preserve. Today, it's a 10 minute walk and there is no preserve, just one of many trails natural to the landscape and leading to views like these. And we climb, and we basque, and we gasp, and we continue to squeeze and open our eyes to make sure we are truly where we had always imagined ourselves to be.

I would be lying if I said it's been all happy daydreams. It's been challenging for the kids with everything so different and so new, and it's been stressful for us to be in-between homes and without routine. We said goodbye to Nana (my MIL) yesterday as she flew back home to Florida. We've been so spoiled having her here, having her in general, as she has been there for us and for the kids since the beginning. I miss my own mother, my nephews, our homeschool friends, and my own normal routine of blogging, knitting, reading. I should be clear, there is no whining here :). Just awareness that yin and yang are alive and well, and for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

After looking at several neighborhoods, I believe we may have found a place to call home. I'm anxious. I'm nervous. I'm uncertain. I'm excited. I'm ready.

Happy Tuesday

♥ 

in the backyard this morning, there were NINE!

I want them to know

I dont' believe in any such thing as an easy life. Some are harder or easier than others, but we all travel down the road of hurt one way or another. Some recover beautifully and use their experiences to give others all they can, mostly because they know what it takes to find peace. Others seem to never find their way and lead a life of pain, drama, and turmoil. And I think the rest of us fall somewhere along the middle, sometimes finding reparation and redemption, and other times hanging on to the bitterness.

So when I look at my babies' little faces, full of brightness, hope, eagerness, and innocence, what do I want them to know when they come along that path of pain? What are the words I want them to remember when they reach their own depths of sorrow?

I would want them to know they are not alone. They are never alone, even when the darkness closes in and all they want to do is lock the door.

I want them to know that they will always have a choice, and that love, compassion, kindness, and patience will always be the right answer. Hate, spitefulness, indignation, revenge spreads like a disease, and will destroy everything in its path, including the one that wields it.

I want them to know that abundance never leaves, only our awareness of it does. Finding the paths that lead to greater awareness will reveal abundance over and again.

I want them to know that unspoken anger, unspoken resentment, and unhealed hurts never go away, and sometimes the way to peace is through the pain, not around it.

I want them to know that one of the greatest gifts they can give themselves or to someone else is forgiveness. And through forgiveness, the path to peace will shine its brightest.

And finally, I want them to know that nothing is permanent (just as tough times don't last). Change is inevitable and how change affects us depends on our perspective of things.



I believe that good does not exist without bad, and sorrow does not exist without joy. We find balance by accepting both, learning from each, without forgetting the other. Today I want to remember these things and send warmth and strength to those that need it.

much love
xx oo

P.S. What are the things you would want your children to know ?