One year Cali anniversary

  I can really hardly believe that it has been one year.  It's been a fast year and I would say that is a good thing.  I was reading back through my blogs from this time last year -- last day, we made it, and moving day.  These were the days surrounding our official move-in date of October 9th and it seems so long ago and yet so new at the same time.  I was reliving the emotions and am thinking on how far we have come in one year.  Milestones are a great way of checking yourself.  Really, remembering to be thankful for where you've come from and where you're headed.

  I figured, what better way to celebrate than opening an Etsy shop, staying up way too late carving a bigger Space Needle stamp, and putting Space Needle tea towels up for sale.  (The Etsy shop really had nothing to do with being here one year.  It just so happened to be around the same time.)

And some thoughts on one year in Cali...

  The weather is significantly better here than in Seattle.  Yes, that is totally my opinion, but for me, telling my children to go outside at any point in the year is life changing.  I also happen to love to go to the pool and although I will swim laps outside no matter what the weather, leisurely swimming with my family outside doesn't happen unless it is a minimum of 80 degrees outside.  And when that happens in March and all the way on into October, I call that life changing as well.  Being tan all year round is a definite perk too.

  Moving to a new place and exploring new places is so fun!  I am not sure if it was solely weather related or lack of desire, but we just didn't explore as much in the greater Seattle area.  Sure, we found new places, but it wasn't necessarily on the top of our agenda.  There are so many places we've gone down here and we have barely touched the tip.

  Moving your family away from everyone and everything we ever knew grows you in ways you wouldn't otherwise have grown.  I mean this is so obvious, but unless you do it, you won't ever get it.  I am very much a shy, stay out of the limelight kind of girl.  While that is still my true nature, I had to step out of my comfort zone big time and many times this past year if I didn't want to become a hermit and/or loner.  I am talking, I sat across the row from you on the airplane (didn't even really talk to you) and was asking if you wanted to have a play date in baggage claim.  I didn't have to do this in Seattle, nor would have ever thought to.  My peeps were set in place.  Thinking back, this is so sad.  I have met some really great people that I had to reach out to and become friends with.  My whole mind set has changed in interacting with people, there's a lot more genuine interest in everyone when you don't know anyone.  If that makes any sense.  I also have seen God help us make connections when I have an open hand in meeting others.  Another airplane story, I happened to sit next to the sister of a woman whom we now attend church with and have shared a number of meals with her and her family.  This is not coincidence.  We have formed many relationships that I never would have thought possible in only one year.  I am so grateful.

  Things are really mostly the same.  Even though your surroundings don't look the same and even though you experience personal growth, you still stay you.  Mike still likes to do CrossFit and has found his community.  I still like to swim and have found my community.  I also love to create and craft and my desk is still a complete disaster with the evidence.  And most importantly, we still really like each other!  :)  It is refreshing to know that distance doesn't change the core of your personality.  We still do the same things, just in a different environment.

 

  Lastly, though I miss many aspects of home (my sister and her husband being at the top of that list) I have everything I need down here.  And by everything, I mean everyone.  Those who I depend on are with me every day.  And you bet, I have my moments of needing a break, but I also am blessed beyond words that I get to experience life with them.  And we are such a short flight away, so I get to see my sis too!

  I can't end this without saying that I am blessed beyond measure.  God provided a way for us down here, he has provided since being down here, and I know he has a great future in store for us too.

Thanks for being a part of my journey, whether it was back in Seattle, here in Cali, or both!