Seasons are Changing...

I want my blog to be as real as it can be without being too personal.  Of course I put mostly good times on here because that's what I want to remember.  At times though I feel like I have to explain my mental state to keep it more real. Here goes: 

In Hawaii we felt like we had to make the most of every free moment we had.  We went and went and went until we were exhausted and tired of exploring.  By May and we didn't do much all month other than prepare to move out.  It was great to come back to summer but it was also hard.  We came home and had to move back in, get settled and adjusted to our new old life plus we had all the normal summer activities to attend to, I was sooooo burned out.  

We never did find a routine (I do much better on a routine).  I realized too I was kind of mourning the old life we left because I thought it would be easier to get things back the way they were before we left. I thought if I got my house put back together it would be the same life we left. I should have realized life couldn't go back to to way it was. I felt like my head was below water most of the time and I had just enough strength to take a breath when I really needed it. I was really overwhelmed all the time. Anything small that came up was a huge deal and I wasn't able to cope great.

On the other hand though, I wanted the kids to have a fun summer because between moving out and starting school so early in Hawaii last year they really didn't get a summer break.  So, I pushed on trying to attend all of the important activities and trips. We also had lots and lots of friends over.  As I've looked over all of the summer pictures I've realized I missed taking many pictures because I was too tired think about taking them. But in the pictures I have, I can see their happy faces and see that they did have a great summer.  I'm so grateful I made it through and the kids have good memories the summer we got back.

I've also realized from catching up on this blog that even though it was crazy and I wasn't sure if I'd ever feel settled again, summer really was great.  In Hawaii, I just hoped to make a friend so I had someone to smile and say hi to at at church. I missed so much being around people I knew and loved. It was so amazing to come home to everyone again and feel that we were "home".  We are so blessed to be able to live pretty close to most of our family and friends.  Having relationships with people really does make life more meaningful and happy.   I have a new appreciation for being surrounded by the people we love and to live in this great little town called Rigby.

When we left for church today there was a chill in the air that I hadn't felt in a long time.  Fall is in the air. A new season will soon be here.  It makes me reflect on our life.  I'm still trying to get our new normal figured out but things have started to calm down and we are beginning to find it.  We've had a few weekends home without any obligations which made time to work on things around the house and I've gotten some rest. I'm beginning to feel like I can almost keep my head above water. It's been fun to have the kids back in school.  Most days they are so happy to go and happy when they get home. It's been fun to have some alone time with Caleb and some time to myself as he has a quiet time in his room. I feel like I'm finally catching up on life and it's so nice!  As summer turns to Fall I am excited for a change and feel just as excited for a new season in our lives.