Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Winds of Change

We made it. We have a new address, a new zip code, a new phone number, some new scratches on our furniture -- a new life in almost every regard. I don't think there exists an emotion we haven't felt in the past 10 days. I sort of can't believe everything we've done recently - these experiences have reaffirmed the fact that we can do hard things. And that very good things that feel very right can be very hard.

Tonight I feel:
An ocean of gratitude for my parents; I can't believe I get to live near them again

Impressed that this is an era of life which will hold many lessons for me about faith, patience, and trust in the Lord - I need those lessons.

Thankful (x 1 million) for all the people who helped us move - on both ends, in every capacity. So, so thankful.

Confused about how to arrange our furniture in this new place.

Tickled to have so much space! (Doesn't take much to feel like a lot after 3 months in 800 sq. ft.)

Thankful for the constancy of my little family - wherever they are is home to me. I'm feeling a little extra protective of them lately -- wanting so badly for everyone to feel safe, happy, settled.

Anxious for life to settle back into normalcy - less laundry and organizing, more snuggling and stories.

Over the moon excited about summer camp outs, trips to the coast, august blackberry picking and jam making, sunset barbecues, an upcoming road trip to Corvalis, pine-scented forest trails, dinner parties with cousins, craft nights with my mother in law (and anyone else who wants to join us :), temple sessions with my mom, my brother's return from Korea this spring...

Indeed, there are sweet things in store.

Here are a few pictures from our week with my parents before Nate arrived with the moving truck:





21 comments:

  1. Welcome back, and best of luck in getting all settled!

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  2. Really pretty pictures. Glad you are (sort of) settled.

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  3. Oh, Emily. I do miss you. I know we hardly ever got to see each other, but (particularly through your blog) I just know we're kindred spirits. ;) It was so good that we got to see you all before you left. I just know things are going to be wonderful there. It's such a beautiful place and you get to be so close to your family. What more could you want, right? :) We send lots of love!

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  4. I just breathed a giant sigh of relief for you. I can only imagine how exhilarating it must feel for you to be back home. For reals! I love you. Good luck with getting settled. Let's talk soon.

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  5. So so happy for you and yours to be near family again. And you are right (of course!): just because you're doing the right thing doesn't mean that it's going to be all wine and roses. When we moved back closer to both of our families (after years in Boston), I thought I had reached Shangri-La. Imagine my disappointment when not everything went perfectly: there were hurt feelings over how much time we spent with whose family, sadness over not getting to see siblings as much as we had hoped and so on. That experience taught me to keep my expectations in check and also to not make my happiness dependent upon some outside circumstance. So, yes, definitely some lessons there for me!

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  6. sounds so dreamy! how wonderful to not only live in such a gorgeous place, but be close to your family as well.

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  7. Welcome back to Oregon Emily!

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  8. So glad you made it safe and hope life gets "normal" soon. Miss you already.

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  9. Bryan and I are sorry to see you guys move, but we'll definitely visit if we're ever in your area. We're glad that you're back home.

    Good luck in your new endeavors!!!

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  10. I am so happy for you Em! Isn't it something to be back by family after being away for so long? We need to chat soon...I'd love more details. I hope you feel settled soon.

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  11. Oh Emily you are home......The excitment in what you wrote made me smile.....will hopefully see you at a track meet.....you left that out of your list....just kidding....oh and by the way you are one of the very few people that I know who know that " a lot " is two separate words....I use to drill that into my second graders.....

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  12. Yes, pretty pictures! Happy you're getting settled and moved in. Thanks for the recipe. Can't wait to try it out! I still can't believe that you live there... and that we can visit when I come. Wild! Enjoy your newish surroundings! Can't wait to hear more!

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  13. Woo-Hoo! you made it safe and sound.. I'm SOO glad. it looks amazing!

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  14. As horribly cliche as this is to say: What a dream come true!
    Em, I know great things are in store for you and your family in OR.

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  15. Congratulations! I mean, you are missing the snow storm of the century, here, but whatever. Have fun with your family, if that's what does it for you.

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  16. Emily! I don't know how else to get a hold of you -- your mother isn't answering her phone, and I don't know how to get your new phone #, and we have a CTR5 class party to talk about! Do you (actually, does Henry) have any plans Monday from 10:30 to noon? We're going to get together at my house for a cupcake party/valentine's after party to celebrate a month and a half of good choices! Call me -- six six five two one nine nine! Hope to see you guys then!

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  17. How exciting that you get to live by your family!! So happy for you and a little jealous because there is no place like the Pacific Northwest...I miss it anyway! Good luck getting settled and getting your furniture, pictures, rooms all settled. It takes awhile to feel like it is "your space" again. We are pretty much doing the exact same thing as you at the moment.

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  18. Congratulations on your arrival to OR. I am so happy for you and your family! May the good times be really good and the adjustment ever so gentle.

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  19. Glad you arrived safe. So happy you got your wish to be back near family in oregon.

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  20. OH wow big change. It sounds wonderful though, to be by family and in such a beautiful place.
    Good for you!
    Sarah

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