Season of Change

There is a season for everything. Throughout our life journey we go through many seasons. Some fun, some easy, some hard, some quickly, and some drag on for what seems like forever. Thankfully, I serve a wonderful God who controls every season in His perfect timing. Currently, for our family we are in the middle of a season of change. It has been fun, challenging, and a great leap of faith. My husband and I like to reflect on the different seasons we have been in. We realize that we don't usually do things the easy way. Where's the fun in that? We call them adventures. Seems cooler when you say it like that. In each adventure God has blessed us abudantly. And why shouldn't He when He is the God of more than enough. So, what brings all this on you might ask? Well, I can finally divulge our greatest secret, that many know, and many do not: After five years of living in Lubbock, TX,  we have finally made our journey back home to San Antonio, TX. Let me describe my journey in the past month so you can see why we call it an "adventure".

On July 11 I walked out of University Medical Center for the last time. That was one of the hardest things. It's like moving out of the house you brought your first born home in. A piece of you gets left behind. UMC had been my home away from home for almost 5 years. My "UMC Family" was my family since we were so far from our family. We laughed, we cried, we shared in accomplishments and successes, and of course caused trouble along the way. Haha. I LOVED my job because of all the wonderful women I worked with. I always said if I could box them up and bring them with me I would. I miss my UMC family greatly. Each of them hold a special place in my heart and are a blessing. They were instrumental in me growing as a nurse. Thank god for Facebook! I'm only a status or message away. :)

On July 13 I flew out to see my parents in Washington DC. It was the oldest's third time on a plane, but really his first to him since he was too small to remember the others. It was the smallest's first time on a plane. After the first time jitters, they both loved the plane ride. We had a great week with family and friends.

A week vacation was all I got before mad chaos began. I soaked up every ounce of vacay I could get. I slept in whenever I could.

On July 20 I flew back home to Lubbock. On July 22 and 23, I packed up about 90% of my house. And on July 24, I saw Lubbock in my rear view mirror for the last time. At that time, I did not know it would be my last. I might've looked back for 5 seconds more. :) My wonderful inlaws took the boys and I in as I prepared to start a new job. My husband stayed behind to continue working and hoping our house would sell. He also finished packing up the last 10%. It still hasn't sold. :( please pray God will move mountains and get that house sold! We haven't ever really been apart for so long. The boys really missed having their daddy around and I did too.

On August 1 I started orientation at my new job. It was a long two weeks of an enormous amount of info. I thought I was cramming for the NCLEX all over again.  Finally, on August 12 I got to meet my "new family". I love the women I work with and they have taken me in like I've worked with them forever. It has been a wonderful experience. I am looking forward to the new chapter in my nursing career.

On August 13, my husband packed up a UHAUL and brought our house with him. I went from this:

See, don't you just want to buy this beautiful home

To this:

I have had to get creative with my space. Since we have lost about 550sq ft moving into an apartment. I keep trying to tell myself it is temporary, but it is still hard. The boys now share a room and it is crowded. I do count my blessings that we were able to find an apartment in a great area. When I started looking they were flying off the shelf by the hour! I would find one I liked and call an hour later and it would've been leased already. I was really sweating it there for about a week. But again, my God came through as always.

On August 22, the boys finally felt the true effects of this big change as they started a whole new school in a new city.

They even got to ride the bus home for the first time EVER!!! Anybody who knows me, knows that this was a huge sacrifice on my part. I was home to see them get off, but still. My boys have never had to ride the bus home. They of course thought it was the greatest thing! If the bus didn't pick them up at 0640 in the morning, they would probably want to take it to school too. I keep telling myself that I rode the bus from 3rd grade on thru high school and I was fine.

It has been a crazy month and a half to say the least! However, I am very blessed. Our family has taken great care of us, we have a roof over our heads, and I have a job. In this market today, the last part of that list is a miracle in itself. For me to LOVE my job, is an even greater miracle and blessing. For all my friends that I left in Lubbock, I love you and I miss you so very much. For all my friends that are here in San Antonio and have listened to me tell them for two years now that I was coming back, I'm finally here!! Thank you to everybody who helped us in our move and have prayed over us this past month.