*This is the third time I have sat down over the past two weeks to write out this post...
So, I turned the big 3-0 last month. Lots of people feel "old" when they reach this milestone but, for me, I am simply not 29 anymore. It really wasn't a big deal!
I've been thinking a lot about my life this summer. This time last year we were ready to move out west in search of adventure and the vast, great outdoors. Instead, we purchased our first home about an hour away from where we grew up in a small, Wisconsin town of just under 3,000. Instead of mountains, we have crop fields. Instead of new, unknown adventures we have the familiarity of an area we know well. I sometimes wonder - was it the right choice?
The short answer is - yes. Yes, we made the right choice. I grew up three states away from my entire extended family. I saw them
maybe twice a year. Jason grew up near just about all of his family. They were at every birthday party, every holiday and more. We experienced opposite ends of the spectrum growing up.
When the idea came up to move across the country I was hesitant. It sounded scary but, also, invigorating at the same time. Growing up I never pictured myself sticking around Minnesota/Wisconsin for my whole life. I wanted more. Colorado seemed like the answer. A few months into "planning" a move, we realized what felt right for
us wasn't right for our
family. We had three kids to think about - not just ourselves! So began the search for a home closer to home.
We found our modest home and, despite it not being "the dream", we went for it. The longer we are here, the more we realize how much we love this house! It isn't too big, we have a large yard (for in town) and it's
ours. It's a stepping stone to that dream cabin-home with acreage and water access.
I really do think I am happy with the choices that we have made this year but at the same time I find myself longing for "more". Actually, I really just long for a different location and I realize that's silly. "Home is where the heart is", right? My heart is here, with my family, but there just seems to be a small piece of it that is trying to run off on an adventure.
Those adventures can wait. Soon enough the kids will be older and we'll be off on family camping trips in the mountains or canoeing in the Boundary Waters. In time, I will find all the adventure I seek. I realize now, the best part will be experiencing it all with my family. For now, we'll stick to our hiking trips at the state parks and exploring our backyard :)
