so here i sit. reminiscing.
thinking back to childhood, teenage years, and young adulthood.
constantly reminded of the memories that have been made over the years and thinking of all the new ones to come makes me excited. happy. and even sad.
not that it's a bad thing. and totally not saying that i'm sad about this phase in my life. this phase--as in all other phases--is blissful, loving, and beautiful.
there's just so many emotions.
being homeschooled throughout my school years and taking online classes at home, gave me the opportunity to spend l o t s of time with my siblings and parents. hence, we made lots of memories. good ones, sad ones, exciting ones, crazy ones, happy ones.
my brother, sister, and i learned to be best friends (and still are to this day). not to say we did not have squabbles and arguments (we had plenty of those). we learned to see each other as someone who we loved. who we needed. through and in our lives.
throughout school years, we would complete our assignments and then head outside for the incredible adventures that were to be had.
my brother was a pro at building magnificent forts out of fallen trees or limbs found in the woods. my sister and i loved baking our mud pies while wearing the simple prairie dresses that our mom had so lovingly sewn.
our imaginations would soar. there were wars to be fought, dragons to slay, and tea parties to be had. the three of us were always ready for an adventure.
we grew older.
each of us changed and started participating in our different areas of life--as we should--as all do.
we started "real" jobs, had unexpected blessings, and began our trek in the new phase of life.
limb forts and mud pies were replaced by drivers licences' and cooking real yummy dishes for family and friends.
my brother met, fell in love, and married his wife. we were all happy and rejoicing to see the years of prayers that had been answered. their little house was two minutes away from home and we celebrated the times we were able to spend together almost every night when they would pop in to visit.
the year after, my younger sister married her prince charming. their little house was an hour and a half away. but, that did not stop the strong bond of family. we made the trip at least once a week.
that thanksgiving, my brother and his wife announced that they were expecting their first child. we were all rejoicing over the new little life that would soon arrive.
christmas came with the announcement that my sister and her husband were expecting. even more exiting news. the smiles were big as we made plans for the TWO new lives that would be added to our family the next year.
the niece and nephew were born in july and august--8 days apart. our lives were filled with happiness.
i received a dream-come-true engagement ring the day after my nephew was born--what a happy week it was.
wedding plans, wedding, honeymoon, and a dream life with the most amazing man there ever was.
i have the pleasure of fixing his lunch every morning before work, he heads to work to allow me to fulfill my dream of being a stay-at-home wife, and i look forward to my favorite part of the day--when he comes home.
my hard-working man arrives home with greasy and dirty hands. remnants of insulation on his hoodie. he hugs and kisses me asking how my day was before ever saying anything about his hard day at work.
he is selfless.
always doing little things to make me happy. always there with a listening ear. a comforter when i am remembering back to childhood days gone by with tears running down my cheeks.
i miss my childhood. i miss memories made with my brother and sister. i miss my family. there are days when i just need to sit and cry it out because of the distance between me and the ones i call family.
but, i am happy. i am learning to find happiness in this new phase in life.
i adore my husband. i adore married life. i sometimes wonder how married life could ever be hard. it's always blissful.
there is a good, paved road that is available to make trips to see my family and for them to come see me.
there is the invention of the telephone and skype that i can hear and see the ones i love.
there's the blessing of our church family here and new friends to help in the ache of the ones i miss.
so here i sit. reminiscing.
thinking of all the good things that have been and the good things that will be.
here's to loving life and the season that i am in. seeing that life is one big ginormous blessing.
pictures taken in the park where i run
november 2014
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