i think we all know how i feel about cold weather.
if you don't, i'm not sure why you are reading this. because you clearly don't know me very well.
it doesn't really seem fair then, that i grew up in such a cold place.
why!!
i am very aware of the fact that calgary is a great city.
i spent 20 years there.. i know it's great.
it's just not where i want to be.
despite the fact that i had an amazing childhood there, and we have an unbelievable support system of family and friends there, and there are so many opportunities to succeed there, i just don't want to live there.
especially now that i have had a taste of what it is like to live in a place like california.
this past year has been amazing. so warm. so sunny. so beautiful.
and, although i do love a good tan, my reasons for loving this place aren't that shallow.
i simply want to live somewhere warm so that i can be outside with my kids.
i don't want to be a stay-at-home mom who is stuck inside most of the year. nothing good will come of that.
and i don't want my kids to be stuck inside either. that thought makes me sad.
this past year my boys and i have played outside for hours every day.
well, that's not true. there have been maybe a weeks worth of days where we stayed inside due to rain or wind.
but i would say that it a pretty good ratio of inside/outside days.
my boys are happy. and i'm happy. and that is exactly what i want as a mom.
however, the one thing that makes us question our life here is matt's work.
he loves his job - loves what he does and who he works with.
the company treats him really well, and has rewarded him for his hard work.
but his hours are super long.
he is exhausted, our boys miss him, and i am far too needy to be alone so much.
so, when a job opportunity in calgary that would allow matt to be home more arose, we started to think about it.
and we thought.
and we talked.
and we researched.
and we made lists.
and we reviewed those lists.
and we reviewed our life goals.
and we prayed.
and we prayed some more.
and, in the end, i wanted to stay here.
and matt wanted to go.
which was not ideal.
but, in time, [leaving out all the grisly details] we agreed that we both just want what was best for our family.
and, for now, it seems like calgary might be a better choice.
soo.. in about a week, we will be moving back to calgary.
temporarily.
'temporarily' meaning that, when things line up so we can move back to a less depressing climate, we will.
we have written and signed a contract that says we will!
the timeline is undetermined so, in the meantime, our goal is to take advantage of all that calgary has to offer.
but even though i know this won't be forever, and i can see that we will benefit from this move, i have been sad.
really. sad.
i was so happy to hear the words of elder uchtdorf in the sunday morning session of conference.
i know my present-day challenge probably seems silly to some, and i know that there are people out there with much bigger challenges then me, but i feel like his message was just what i needed to hear.
"Everyones situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing that we can do that will make our lives sweeter, even joyful, even glorious: We can be grateful.
if you don't, i'm not sure why you are reading this. because you clearly don't know me very well.
it doesn't really seem fair then, that i grew up in such a cold place.
why!!
i am very aware of the fact that calgary is a great city.
i spent 20 years there.. i know it's great.
it's just not where i want to be.
despite the fact that i had an amazing childhood there, and we have an unbelievable support system of family and friends there, and there are so many opportunities to succeed there, i just don't want to live there.
especially now that i have had a taste of what it is like to live in a place like california.
this past year has been amazing. so warm. so sunny. so beautiful.
and, although i do love a good tan, my reasons for loving this place aren't that shallow.
i simply want to live somewhere warm so that i can be outside with my kids.
i don't want to be a stay-at-home mom who is stuck inside most of the year. nothing good will come of that.
and i don't want my kids to be stuck inside either. that thought makes me sad.
this past year my boys and i have played outside for hours every day.
well, that's not true. there have been maybe a weeks worth of days where we stayed inside due to rain or wind.
but i would say that it a pretty good ratio of inside/outside days.
my boys are happy. and i'm happy. and that is exactly what i want as a mom.
however, the one thing that makes us question our life here is matt's work.
he loves his job - loves what he does and who he works with.
the company treats him really well, and has rewarded him for his hard work.
but his hours are super long.
he is exhausted, our boys miss him, and i am far too needy to be alone so much.
so, when a job opportunity in calgary that would allow matt to be home more arose, we started to think about it.
and we thought.
and we talked.
and we researched.
and we made lists.
and we reviewed those lists.
and we reviewed our life goals.
and we prayed.
and we prayed some more.
and, in the end, i wanted to stay here.
and matt wanted to go.
which was not ideal.
but, in time, [leaving out all the grisly details] we agreed that we both just want what was best for our family.
and, for now, it seems like calgary might be a better choice.
soo.. in about a week, we will be moving back to calgary.
temporarily.
'temporarily' meaning that, when things line up so we can move back to a less depressing climate, we will.
we have written and signed a contract that says we will!
the timeline is undetermined so, in the meantime, our goal is to take advantage of all that calgary has to offer.
but even though i know this won't be forever, and i can see that we will benefit from this move, i have been sad.
really. sad.
i was so happy to hear the words of elder uchtdorf in the sunday morning session of conference.
i know my present-day challenge probably seems silly to some, and i know that there are people out there with much bigger challenges then me, but i feel like his message was just what i needed to hear.
"Everyones situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing that we can do that will make our lives sweeter, even joyful, even glorious: We can be grateful.
..We can choose to be grateful no matter what.
This type of gratitude transcends whatever is happening around us. It surpasses disappointment, discouragement, and despair. It blooms just as beautifully in the icy landscape of winter as it does in the blessed warmth of summer.
..We sometimes think that being grateful is something we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly short-sighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow, before thanking God that there is rain. Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that, through the eyes of faith, we look beyond our present day challenges."
Elder Uchtdorf
talk about perfect advice for sappy old me.
the line about winter and summer was undoubtably written for me!
the line about winter and summer was undoubtably written for me!
i truly do have so much to be grateful for, even if i'm sad.
it's unreal how well things have been working out with this move:
- the timing has been perfect. everything that we are legally bound to [lease, cell plans, etc.] end right when we leave.
- my uncle's town home in calgary became available to rent within weeks of our move up.
- matt is leaving his work on good terms. they don't want him to go, and they would love to take him back.
- his new job is something he is excited about. it pays well, requires him to work less, and won't be as stressful.
- matt gets a work truck. which means, for the first time in 4 years, our family will have 2 cars!
- we have been able to sell all of our furniture to make the move more simple, and less costly.
- my parents are willing and able to make the 50 hour round trip to help us move.
- our friends and our ward have been so sweet and supportive.
- we have the best friends and family up in calgary that we look forward to reuniting with.
- we have the best friends and family up in calgary that we look forward to reuniting with.
- chet and holden have been happy amidst the chaos of a half-packed home.
- and heck, we got to live here. what an adventure it has been!
[plus, there are a billion other not-move-related things to be grateful for too.]
we are so blessed.
and i am happy that elder uchtdorf reminded me of that.
so here's to another new home.. and another move, dang it!
i saw that pretty greeting card at trader joe's the other day and i had to snatch one up.
perfect advice.
